Local Life - Wigan - May 2016

Wigan Edition

May 2016

Dara’s

divas

in to see Tom Jones Wtickets

Local News Food & Drink Jack’s Tracks Health & Fitness What’s On Business View...

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3

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Masterchef

L

moment

ike many of you, I’ve become an avid viewer of the BBC Masterchef, marvelling at the entrants’ creativity. It’s fascinating to watch how they stand up to the pressure when cooking for various critics.

I had my own Masterchef moment recently when, at the community pop-up café Saturday Breakfasts, our two first-choice chefs were unavailable and I had to step up with two others to prep and cook 50 or so breakfasts. Three hours later, I was red faced with charred fingertips and thirstier than a camel in a woolly sweater, but I had developed a distinct appreciation of those who cook for a living.

If you’ve not yet been along to Saturday Breakfasts, which is held every week at St Luke’s church hall in Lodge Road in Orrell, then do come along one Saturday. There are usually between 6-10 stalls, ranging from cakes to crafts, but the main event is local people of all ages enjoying a freshly cooked breakfast. The doors open every week at 9am and last orders are at 11.30am.

Proceeds from the pop up cafe will benefit Orrell and Billinge - see pages 28/29 for details. And if you do fancy experiencing a Masterchef moment of your own, then pop along one Saturday and join our growing group of volunteers.

See you next time

Chris Pearce - Publisher chrisp@locallife247.co.uk Next issue - June 2016

Advertising deadline - Thursday 5 May Published - Thursday 19 May Local Life Media

@locallifemedia

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In this issue Jack’s Tracks

Dara’s

divas

Haigh

38

76

Ignoring bowel

Win tickets to see

Tom Jones

cancer?

44

80

Fast

Test Drive - Mercedes

food

GLE 350d

64

82

Regulars

Publisher: Local Life 247 Ltd, Unit 8, Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley Road, Orrell, WN5 7XB

Telephone: 01695 627 999

28 Class from the past 32 Puzzle Corner

Sales: Clare Glover, Nicola Gray

71 Eating Out Guide

Editorial: Chris Pearce

72 What’s On

Design: Peter Bretherton

design@locallife247.co.uk

Sections

Distribution: Sally Boon

sallyb@locallife247.co.uk

Accounts: Sam Garrahan accounts@locallife247.co.uk

6 Property

64 Food & Drink

14 Local News

72 Leisure

44 Heath & Fitness

82 Motoring

54 Travel

86 Gardening

58 Legal & Finance

90 Home Services

60 Business View

sales@locallife247.co.uk

wigannews@locallife247.co.uk

Local Life is published every month and distributed into the following areas on an alternate monthly basis.

This issue is delivered to over 13,000 private homes and businesses in Orrell, Billinge, Winstanley, Up Holland, Highfield, Marus Bridge, Roby Mill and Pemberton.

The next issue is delivered to over 13,000 private homes and businesses in Standish, Shevington, Whitley, Appley Bridge, Standish Lower Ground, Aspull and Haigh.

You can also pick up a free copy of Local Life at Sainsburys or Tesco Extra in Wigan, or read online at www.locallife247.co.uk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or other cause. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced without the prior written consent of Local Life 247 Ltd.

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Wigan Property

Generation

sponsored by

rent

C

There I was, out with the family at Haigh Country Park last weekend, when a smart gentleman, who runs a small but perfectly formed retailers in Wigan recognized and approached me for my thoughts on the future of the Wigan property market, and I’m going to share the gist of that conversation with you.

I told him that people are always going to need a roof over their heads and somewhere to live will never go out of fashion – it’s a necessity for every single person. The younger people in Wigan have a choice to what type of house they have; They can rent from the Council, they can rent from a private landlord or they can get a mortgage and buy one.

Back in the old days, these youngsters saved like mad for two years for a house deposit, whilst living at home or renting a cheap two up, two down.

However, more recently the phenomenon known as Generation Rent has happened and younger people haven’t been buying, choosing to rent instead – mainly from private landlords.

Twenty years ago Wigan was a different place. There were 34,610 households in Wigan. Fast forward to 2016 and the total number of households has increased by 29.24% to 44,729. However, it’s the figures relating to the rented sector that are truly fascinating; twenty years ago, only 1,305 properties were privately rented in Wigan, and now that figure has risen to 4,961, a staggering rise of 280%. Despite that 29% increase in the number of houses in Wigan, the number of council houses has dropped from 9,797 to 7,998 over the same twenty year period as the local authority has sold off council housing.

Demand for decent rented property remains high.

Cameron’s much vaunted house building program

is years away and has decades of under investment to catch up on before it starts to affect demand.

Even with the Buy to Let tax rule changes over the coming few years, private landlords still have an important role to play in housing the people of Wigan and those professional landlords who run their buy to let business properly will survive and prosper.

In my view, the best way Wigan landlords can protect their income from property is to keep the homes they let out in Grade A condition. I have found, especially over the last three or four years, Wigan tenants have ever growing expectations from their rental property, and are prepared to pay ‘top dollar‘ for houses and apartments that meets those expectations.

You must not forget, letting property is a business, so all private landlords should also seek the advice, opinion and commentary of property professionals. For more in-depth thoughts on the Wigan Property Market, which have a library of similar articles like this, please visit my blog – www. wiganpropertyblog.com.

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2.4% rise in Wigan property

W

values

igan’s continuing housing shortage continues as the number of houses being built continues to be woefully inadequate in meeting the ever demanding needs of the growing population in the town.

Sources: Office of National Statistics; Land Registry; Home Office

Back in the Autumn, George Osborne, used the Autumn Statement to double the housing budget to £2bn a year from April 2018 in an attempt to increase supply and deliver 100,000 new homes each year until 2020. The Chancellor also introduced a series of initiatives to help get first time buyers on the housing ladder, including the contentious Help to Buy Scheme and extending Right to Buy from not just Council tenants, but to Housing Association tenants as well.

Now that does all sound rather good, but the Country is only building 137,490 properties a year.

If you look at the graph (courtesy of ONS), you will see nationally, the last time the country was building 230,000 houses a year was in the 1970’s.

How George is going to almost double house building overnight, I don’t know.

Giving potential house buyers incentives like the Help to Buy scheme is all very well, but if there’s not enough houses in the first place it doesn’t really help.

Looking at the local authority area as a whole, only 340 properties were built in the last 12 months.

310 of these were privately built properties, 30 were housing association homes and there wasn’t a single council house built. This is simply not enough and the shortage of supply has meant Wigan property values have continued to rise, meaning they are 2.4% higher than 12 months ago.

The number of properties for sale last month in Wigan was 917, whilst 12 months ago, that figure was 1,351, whilst four years ago it stood at 1,606; that’s a massive drop! With demand for Wigan property rising, minimal new homes being built and less properties coming onto the market, that can only mean one thing - now is a good time to be a homeowner or landlord in Wigan.

For more articles like this, please visit the Wigan Property Market Blog at www.wiganpropertyblog. com

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Jazzfest

returns

Tickets for the 31st Wigan International Jazz Festival are now on sale and the organisers have brought the very best of the jazz world’s musicians to our doorstep.

The festival, which runs for 4 days from the evening of Thursday 7th July to Sunday 10th July 2016, is opened by the return to the Borough of world famous singer/songwriter Georgie Fame. Fame - who was born in Leigh has just had a new album Swansongs released, along with a compilation of his back catalogue and will be joined onstage by the incredible Guy Barker Big Band.

Friday’s headline concert features American virtuoso saxophonist Eric Marienthal guesting with our very own Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra, whilst Saturday’s evening concert sees a return to the stand for the legendary Big Chris Barber Band. Sunday afternoon promises to be a swinging time as the Swing Time Big Band returns with special guest (and local boy)

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Andy Prior, with the evening rounded off with a concert by the Shape Jazz Orchestra.

All in all, this promises to be a festival not to be missed; tickets and information are now available from the Box Office 01942 828508 or from Wigan Music Service Festival & Ticket Hotline in Hindley 01942 776169; Rover Tickets can be purchased by contacting Mary Haynes on 01942 720656 or ma.haynes@virgin.net.

Fun day On Sunday May 1st there’s a Fun Day for all the family at Tunley United Reformed Church on Mossy Lea Road in Wrightington from 12 noon until 4pm.

There will be stalls and games, a bouncy castle, donkey rides, refreshments and lots more. The Fun Day is part of the Wrightington and Heskin Scarecrow Festival which runs from Friday April 29th to Monday May 2nd and is in aid of Diabetes UK.

Comic con Whilst Wigan is known to most for the holy trilogy of rugby, pies and mintballs, to the geeks amongst us, it’s the home of Wigan Comic Con. If you’re into retro gaming, toys, comics and collectables, then there’s only one place to be on Saturday 4th June and that’s at Comic Con, which is being held at Robin Park arena in Newtown. The event runs from 11am-4pm and offers fun to all ages, including a dollop of superhero cosplay for those who are dressing up for the occasion.

There will be stalls selling merchandise from TV films, video games and comics, and artists, authors and hand crafters will be there too. Tickets are £4, and £3 for under 16’s. For more details, visit www. facebook.com/wigancomiccon

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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: Orrell

St James Road area

Highfield

Findley Cook Road, Crossley Avenue estate

Up Holland Chequer Lane and Miners View area Pemberton Valley Road, Marina Drive, Queen Street & Ansdell Road area Kitt Green

Spring Road, Buckland Drive, Wood Green Gardens area

If you are interested, please email your name, address, landline number and date of birth to sallyb@locallife247.co.uk

Community day It’s back for another year, bigger and better in 2016! The Community Day is a free opportunity to raise the profile of the community group or charity you’re involved with. You can raise funds, recruit new members and volunteers, provide information and advice or sell merchandise on the day to the thousands of local people who will be there to enjoy all the fun and activity on the day.

The venue is Wigan town centre and the date is Saturday 9th July 2016 between 8am and 4pm.

The Rotary Club of Wigan, who are sponsoring the event, has obtained the necessary licences for community groups and charities. If your group gets involved, you will be allocated a nine foot frontage on Standishgate for the day. To book your stall, you’ll need to pay a £10 refundable deposit; simply send a cheque made payable to Rotary Club of Wigan to 18 Spencer Road West, Wigan WN6 7HP.

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Car boot sale The Billinge Residents Association is holding a Car Boot Sale on Bank Holiday Monday 30th May on the car park at Birchley St Marys Club in Trent Road, Billinge. The event runs from 9am until 1pm and there will also be refreshments and toilet facilities. If you’ve recently spring cleaned and you want to get rid of some unwanted goods, then you can book a space for £10 by calling 01744 603210 or 01744 893260. All proceeds go to the Billinge Residents Association.

Lonely man A ‘Trap for a Lonely Man’ is a gripping, psychological thriller that will have you entertained and guessing

right to the very end. Written by Robert Thomas and directed by Ian D Field, St Michael’s Amateur Dramatic Society will perform for three nights only – 28th, 29th and the 30th April 2016 at 7.30pm at St Michael’s Parish Hall, Shaw Street, Swinley, Wigan.

(WN1 2BQ). Tickets are £6.00 (£5.00 concessions) and are available now – just call June on 07806 787250.

High fashion A fashion show, organised by St Wilfrid’s Social Committee and hosted by Barbara’s of Standish will take place in St Wilfrid’s Parish Hall on Tuesday 3rd May, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are £7.50 and include wine and light refreshments.

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Village fair

Last waltz

Mark a date in your diary for Saturday 14th May, for that’s the date of the annual Country Fair in the village of Hilldale, near Parbold. The traditional crowning and parade of the Hilldale Rose Queen takes place at 1.30pm and then fun never stops all the afternoon. You can look forward to a fun dog show, a marching band, Morris Dancers, donkey rides, stalls and games, a bungee trampoline and a bouncy castle.

Get your glad rags on for Waltzes from Vienna, the latest production from the Three Towns Operatic Society. The Society aims to produce performances of the highest quality and all shows are accompanied by a professional orchestra.

Refreshments include cream teas and a BBQ, but feel free to bring along a picnic blanket and chairs with your own refreshments. The event takes place in Hilldale Village Hall/Field on Chorley Road in Hilldale (WN8 7AL) between 1.30 - 4pm, and entry is £1 for adults and 50p for children.

Vienna. The intriguing Countess Olga Baranskaya recognises his musical talent and schemes to help Johann fulfil his dream of becoming a great composer. This operetta gives humour, glamour, romance and a feast of Viennese music climaxed by

To reserve a £10 stall contact 01257 462764 or 01257 464969. For more information visit www.thisis-hilldale@btck.co.uk

This production is set in glittering Vienna, where Strauss refuses to recognise his son’s musical talent. He becomes jealous of his son’s success and ambition to succeed him as the Waltz King of

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the immortal ‘Blue Danube’.

The production runs on 10th, 11th 12th, 13th and 14th May at St Joseph’s Hall in Chapel Street in Leigh; for tickets call 01942 883722. For more details about the Three Towns Operatic Society, visit the website www.thethreetowns.net

Craft Fair The Billinge Residents Association are holding a Charity Craft Fair at St. Marys Club, Trent Road in Billinge on Bank Holiday Monday, the 2nd May. The fair will run from 12 noon until 4pm. The price for stallholders is £15 a table and any potential stallholders should contact Janet Rouse via email jrouse1951@yahoo.co.uk for further details. All

proceeds from hosting the Craft Fair will go towards funds for the Picnic in the Park, which will take place on Sunday 12th June at Bankes Park in Billinge to celebrate the Queens 90th birthday.

Summer Fair The annual Summer Fair date for Bispham Methodist Church has been confirmed as Saturday 21st May. This very popular fair runs from 10.301.30pm at the church site on the junction of Crank Road/Upholland Road, and stalls at the fair will include cakes, bric a brac, jewellery, plants and toys.

Light lunches will be served and barbeque food too, and there will also be a hand car wash manned by the scouts. Admission is free and all are welcome.

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Proms at the mill The Mill at the Pier will be alive with the sound of music when it hosts the Last Night of the Proms concert on Saturday 18th June at 7.30pm. The concert, which is organised by Wigan Rotary Club and sponsored by Countryside Properties Ltd, will feature the award winning Pemberton Old Wigan DW Band and Shevington based mezzo soprano Vicky Little who will lead the audience through all the usual traditional favourites as well as performing a solo item with the band in the first half.

Wigan Rotary President Keith Trencher said ‘The Proms is probably the most famous celebration of classical music, with the ‘Last Night’ being the most famous of all, thanks to its exuberant and

celebratory atmosphere that is quite literally guaranteed to get everyone smiling and singing along. Flags will be supplied on the night so all we need is for you to come and join in what promises to be a great night of music.’ He continued ‘All the profits from the concert will go into the clubs charities account and will be donated back into the local community.’

This is a seated concert and tickets priced at £10 are available on line at www.ticketsource.co.uk/alra

Bowled over The YMCA bowling green in Orrell is now open for the season, and potential bowlers are invited to join up. The cost is just £22 per year and the

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bowling green will be open, weather permitting, until the second week in October. There’s free tea and coffee for all members, all you need to bring is bowls and flat shoes. The green is also open for hire, so if you want a nice summer afternoon activity for family, friends or work colleagues do get in touch with Brian Atherton on 01695 622138. The green is situated just off Winstanley Road near the First Friends Nursery and free parking is available.

Vintage Collection

Get up & grow WLCT are running Get Up & Grow sessions at Alexandra Park in Newtown for those people who would like to grow vegetables, but would like advice on how to get started. The sessions are run every Wednesday between 1.30pm and 3.30pm, and the meeting point is the Bowling Pavilion on Mitchell Street (WN5 9BY). Your first session is free and subsequent weekly sessions are £1.50 per person. For more information, call 01942 488481.

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Jewels May is a gorgeous independent jewellers shop nestled amongst 50 small rural retail business in Heskin Farmers Market and Craft Centre. This little treasure trove of sparkle boasts an amazing collection of antique, vintage and modern precious luxury jewellery items. The owner has a passion for old cut diamonds and precious stones in amazing unique settings, and the shop also specialises in pre-owned luxury watches.

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Heskin Farmers Market & Craft Centre, Wood Lane, Heskin, Chorley, PR7 5PA T: 01257 450 448 E: info@jewelsmay.com www.jewelsmay.com

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Golf day Supporters of Orrell Rugby Union are looking forward to their 6th annual golf day, which is being held at Houghwood Golf Club on Crank Road in Billinge on Friday 24th June. Entrance is £200 for a team of four players, and that fee includes a three course evening meal and presentation. The day starts at 1.30pm, and the entry forms can be found on the club’s website; www.pitchero.com/clubs/ orrellrugbyunion/

Charity ball A charity ball in support of Joseph’s Goal is taking place on Saturday 2nd July from 7pm-1am at the DW Stadium in Wigan. Joseph’s Goal is a charity set

up by the parents of six year old local boy Joseph Kendrick to increase awareness of NKH and to raise funds for research to find better treatments and eventually a cure. NKH, (Non-Ketotic Hyperglycinemia), a very rare life-limiting genetic disorder that severely affects development.

Tickets are priced at £50 each, or £450 for a table of ten, with two bottles of wine included. After a complimentary drink on arrival, you’ll tuck into a four course meal with wine, and then you can enjoy entertainment, a raffle and an auction. To buy tickets or for more details call 07702 078286 or email info@josephsgoal.org.

Brass recruits The award winning brass band, Pemberton Youth, are looking for new recruits. The band offer free tuition, along with free instrument loan, for new starters, and is also hoping to attract existing musicians too. The Youth Band meet on Saturday mornings between 10-12 noon and a beginners

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group also meet on Mondays from 4pm-5pm in their own band room at 115 Tunstall Lane in Pemberton.

The band was recently placed 2nd in the British Open Championship and is sponsored by ‘Mr Wigan’, Dave Whelan himself. For more information call 01942 700509 or call Conductor/Tutor John Don-Duncan on 07746 443724.

Modern Collection

Warblers take flight Wigan Warblers are the town’s newest singing choir, and have been formed to help people suffering from COPD to improve their lung health. The Warblers sing at Sunshine House in Scholes from 11-12.15pm every Tuesday. Admittance is £2 per person, and carers are welcome to join in too.

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Saturday

breakfast

Orrell’s newest community initiative, Saturday Breakfast, opened its doors last month and has already become the place to go for locals on Saturday morning.

Local Life magazine, has made profits in excess of £1,000 in the first six weeks and these proceeds will be re-invested in the Orrell and Billinge communities. Saturday Breakfast is expected to operate every week of the year, except for weeks in the months of July, August and December.

Running every week at St Luke’s Church Hall on Lodge Road (opposite Orrell Water Park), the event consists of a pop-up breakfast café and an assortment of stalls (including cakes, books, various crafts, vegetables and bric a brac).

A different community group/charity participates each week, fundraising by running stalls and attractions, and so far participants have included Wigan and Leigh Hospice, Bookcycle, Winstanley Park Cricket Club, CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young), and St Luke’s Brownies.

This initiative, which was launched with funding provided by Wigan Council’s The Deal and from

Class from the

Organisers Mary Forrester, Chris Pearce and Michael

past

This month’s Class from the Past is from Highfield Juniors. Maybe you can spot a familiar face?

Remember, if you have a photo you’d be willing to share, email wigannews@locallife247.co.uk

29

Winstanley are delighted with the support Saturday Breakfasts has received from local residents and from St Luke’s church, but stress that in order for the venture to continue, more volunteers are needed.

one Saturday a month. We’ve already got a great team of around 16 people, but ideally could do with twice that number to ensure that we don’t ask too much of the existing volunteers”.

Chris said “The organisers are in broad agreement that the money raised from Saturday Breakfast will stay in the Orrell and Billinge areas, and we will be consulting volunteers and customers of Saturday Breakfast in the next few weeks to see exactly how they want to spend the money that has been raised by Saturday Breakfast. This could be spent on environmental improvements in Orrell or Billinge, helping community groups in the area, improving facilities for young people or for other projects”.

Volunteers’ roles include waiting on, cooking, prepping, making drinks and washing up, though budding chefs will need to have a Level 2 Food Hygiene qualification (or be prepared to take it).

Any potential volunteers are advised to email Mary on forresterm@sky.com.

Mary added “It’s vital that we get more volunteers who are prepared to work from 9am-12 noon just

Potential stallholders should contact Chris by email on chrisp@locallife247.co.uk and any community groups or charities who want use Saturday Breakfast as a fundraising platform should email Michael on mwinstanleym@aol.com.

Saturday Breakfast Community Fundraisers

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Puzzle

corner

Guess where?

Answers are on page 98 of this magazine

Sudoku

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34

Skem rail

You’ll like this

A railway station in Skelmersdale is one step closer after the recent decision by Lancashire County Council to plough £4.7m of investment into the Skelmersdale Railway Project. The town is the second largest in the North West not to have its own railway station and Lancashire County Council is working alongside Merseyrail and Greater Manchester Transport to examine the feasibility of a new station, which will link with the Kirkby to Wigan line.

A variety night is to be held on May 21st at the Rose Club in Hindley to honour the late magician, Paul Daniels, and topping the bill on the night is – his son Martin. Paul was initially scheduled to appear there as part of the Intimate Magic Tour, but after his death last month, organisers changed the show to a tribute night to the great magician.

The £4.7m will be used to conduct a study, expected to be completed in 2017, to find the best place to place the station and to develop a remit for the next stage of development.

The ‘You’ll Like This’ show will now feature Martin Daniels, with support from Solitaire - a tribute to Karen Carpenter, Wigan band Silverstone, and local singer Jason Butler. Tickets are £10 on the door, with all proceeds going to Brain Tumour Research and Wigan and Leigh Hospice.

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Local mums run for A group of local mums have taken to the road to raise money for their friend who tragically died of cancer earlier this year.

Dara

when all their children attended the nursery at Newfold School in Orrell. Dara’s Divas are running in memory of Dara Grant, formerly of Eton Way in Orrell, who died in February this year aged 44 years old, leaving behind husband Mark, and their two children, Leo and Zola. Also helping the group raise funds is Keeley Lawren Boyd from Orrell, and so far the group have raised over £500 towards Cancer Research.

Dara, who was originally from Standish and was the only child of Maria and Carl Smith, was diagnosed with cancer two years before she died. Tragically, she was told that her illness was terminal three days before her 44th birthday and by the end of that week she had passed away.

Best friend Kelly Ferguson, who is also running the Race for Life, paid this tribute to her friend.

“Dara was an amazing person; she was brave, inspiring and crazy too! She was completely selfless, she put everyone before herself and she lived for her family”. She added, “Just the other day I was looking at over 3 years

Nicola Melling, Stacey Downie, Michelle Hooten, all from Orrell, and Kara Roddam and Catherine Blakeley from Billinge are running the 5k Cancer Research Race for Life at Haigh Hall in Wigan on Sunday 12th June.

The group, dubbed Dara’s Divas, originally met

worth of text messages that we’d sent to each other, and even after Dara was diagnosed, she was so positive and never moaned about her illness at all”.

If you knew Dara, and would like to join with Dara’s Divas at Race for Life to raise money in her memory, please call Nicola Melling on 07957 465054. If you’d like to donate to Dara’s Divas, you can do so online at www.justgiving.com/teams/daras-divas

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Tell us your story!

Local Life is always on the look out for news stories from the local communities we serve.

Are you raising money for charity? Are you a member of a community group with something to shout about? Maybe you’ve got an unusual talent, or have a claim to fame? If so, let us know and you could be appearing in the next edition!

Simply email us at wigannews@locallife247.co.uk

Floral art If you’ve ever gasped with envy at floral displays and wondered how you could create something similar, then you’ll be interested to hear of the Wigan Floral Art Group. The group meets on every third Wednesday in the month at St Michael’s Hall in Shaw Street, Wigan (WN1 2BD) and everyone is welcome.

At the meeting, a qualified NAFAS demonstrator will create pieces of floral art, which are then raffled off at the end of the evening. Tea and coffee are available. For further details about Wigan Floral Art Group please contact Mrs. Susan Gallear on 01695 623690 or Mrs. Elizabeth Scally on 07881 483053.

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Pem plea

Curie appeal

The organisers of Pemberton Festival, which is four years old in 2016, are looking for local groups and

A new Marie Curie fundraising group has been formed for the Wigan Borough, and the organiser, Sophie Yates, is appealing for potential volunteers to get in touch. You can get involved in organising, hosting and participating in a range of activities including collections, tea parties and lots of other fund raising activities to support the local Marie Curie Nursing Service. To find out more, contact Sophie on 01254 855031 or email sophie.yates@ mariecurie.org.uk.

organisations to take part in a showcase day to exhibit the talent, skill and creativity in the area. The festival takes place this year on 30th September and runs through to 16th October at various Pemberton venues. If you are part of a community group or sports club in the Pemberton area and you’d like to be involved, then please contact Stephen Southern on 07766 862756 or email pembertonfestival1@ gmail.com.

Occasional singers Wigan Music Society presents an evening with The Occasional Singers on Saturday 7th May at Trinity United Reformed Church on Milton Grove in Wigan.

The evening will consist of a varied programme of choral music, and will start at 7.30pm. Admission on the door is £10.

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Wigan walkers In a few weeks time, Wigan Walkers will begin their summer programme. During the winter months this friendly group meets at Wigan Cricket Club (now known as Wigan Sports Club) but once the lighter evenings the group has a series of two hour walks on Tuesday evenings around the local area usually stopping at a welcoming hostelry on the way home.

The group also partake in monthly coach rambles and the venue for the May coach ramble is to Hathersage in the Yorkshire Dales and on June 26th the venue is Hawkshead.

The cost of the coach is ÂŁ10. For further details about the Club ans membership please ring the secretary Jill Shilladay on 01257 421926 or find us on www.wiganwalkers.com

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Business review

Sight for sore

M

ore than half of new businesses launched in the UK don’t survive beyond five years, so for a business to get to 55 years old it’s something well worth celebrating.

The year was 1961 when Hepworth Opticians started trading from the back room of a chemist in Greenough Street, Scholes. Milton Hepworth, who was qualified both as a pharmacist and as an optician, began testing eyes at the back of his chemist’s shop. Two years later, a second pharmacy opened at 69 Ormskirk Road in Newtown, just two

eyes

Another three years went by and in 1966 the Hepworth and Hall partnership was formed when the duo opened another chemist/opticians shop, this time in Atherton. As Milton Hepworth moved into semi-retirement, Optometrist Brian Gleave joined the team in 1978. The Pemberton branch of the opticians opened in 1983 and current optometrist Chris Jones began working there in 1994.

1995 saw the sale of the pharmacy element of Hepworth & Hall, but the optical practices had already moved out of the chemist shops, and survived and flourished as an entity on their own. Alan Hall retired in 2005 and Brian Gleave took over the Atherton, Newtown and Pemberton Practices.

Brian’s son David qualified as a dispensing optician in 2010 and joined the company, and Barnes Hazel Opticians in Hindley was added to the growing group in 2012.

Pemberton staff Rachel Millbank, Maureen Richardson, Elaine Green with Hepworth and Hall Optometrist Chris Jones have a huge selection of designer frames and fashion brands along with doors down from the current Newtown branch, classic styles at incredible prices to suit all pockets. where Alan Hall was the pharmacist manager. The Whether your aim is to be bold or if you prefer a rear of this store was also converted to offer sightmore relaxed look Hepworth and Hall will make testing at the rear.

45

sure you are happy with your choice of eyewear.

If you opt for contact lenses, Hepworth and Hall have a specialist contact lens team who are happy to answer any questions you have regarding the contact lenses and eye care. By joining Hepworth & Hall Opticians as a contact lens patient paying on a monthly standing order you will benefit from a free contact lens trial, free checks every 6 months, free standard sight test at least every 2 years and free replacements of lost or damaged lenses (fair usage restrictions apply). You’ll also get 20% off spectacles and sunglasses.

And the secret of lasting 55 years?

That’d be delivering quality optical expertise and fashionable frames at a reasonable price to the

people of Wigan consistently, year after year. From those humble beginnings in Scholes, Hepworth and Hall have grown to be Wigan’s foremost optical group. Visit them today at; Pemberton

806 Ormskirk Road, Pemberton 01942 225 301

Newtown

73 Ormskirk Road, Newtown 01942 323 162

Hindley 102 Market Street, Hindley (Barnes Hazel) 01942 255 695 Atherton

15 Church Street, Atherton 01942 876 200 www.hepworthandhall.co.uk

46

Health & Fitness

Ignoring bowel

T

cancer?

he British are notoriously private and prone to embarrassment when it comes to bodily functions, particularly those ‘down there’ which may go some way to explaining why up to two-thirds of eligible people aren’t taking part in bowel cancer screening.

Despite having been introduced 10 years ago in some areas of the UK - and the fact the programme could save over 2,000 lives a year by 2025 - less than half the people offered the home tests aren’t completing them.

In some communities, uptake is as low as a third, and men, as well as people in deprived and ethnic minority communities, are the least likely to take part.

April’s Bowel Cancer Awareness is aiming to change this, in a bid to help more people detect changes early - which means better outcomes,

By Lisa Salmon

higher survival rates and even the chance to stop cancer from developing.

A common cancer More than 41,500 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer, and around 16,000 people die from it every year, making it the UK’s second biggest cancer killer.

However, if it’s caught early, many survive - in fact, there’s a 98% five-year survival rate for those diagnosed at the earliest stage, and by far the best way of catching bowel cancer early is through screening.

“Bowel cancer is one of the most treatable cancers,” stresses Gail Curry, head of health promotion at Bowel Cancer UK. “Screening saves lives by catching it at it’s earliest stage - when it’s most treatable.”

What’s in a test?

Bowel cancer screening tests, called faecal occult blood tests (FOB), are sent out

47

48

every two years to people aged 60-74 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and to those aged 5074 in Scotland.

Recipients are required to collect and send back (in the pre-paid envelope provided) three small bowel motion samples - there are instructions detailing exactly how to do this - which are then analysed in a laboratory for traces of blood.

If blood (which can be an early sign of bowel cancer) is detected, there will be further tests. However, even if something does show up, it doesn’t always mean it’ll turn out to be cancer.

“Evidence shows that one of the main reasons for people not doing the test is that they think there’s nothing wrong with them, and they have Gail Curry, of Bowel Cancer UK

49

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no connection to bowel cancer. But the test is designed to diagnose any problems before symptoms arise, so just like cervical and breast screening, it’s a prevention method,� says Curry.

The screening can even prevent bowel cancer from developing in the first place, by picking up non-cancerous growths (polyps) which could become cancerous in the future.

Easy business The idea of collecting a stool sample can be off-

51

putting for some, but Curry urges everybody not to be embarrassed.

“A lot of us have children or pets and have had to deal with their poo, so you shouldn’t be afraid of doing the test on yourself. People aren’t asked to touch it with their hands and it’s very straightforward,” she adds.

“It’s done in the privacy of your own home, it’s not painful - and doing it is a lot better than getting bowel cancer.”

Who gets bowel cancer?

Age is a major risk factor for bowel cancer, with nearly three-quarters (72%) of people diagnosed with the disease aged 65 and over. However, the number of young people developing this form of cancer is rising, so symptoms should always be addressed with your GP if concerned.

A strong family history of bowel cancer is also linked to developing the disease. It’s believed that

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up to a third of cases may be caused by a change or fault in one or more genes, although it’s usually not known which genes are involved.

People with a history of chronic inflammatory bowel problems, including Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, or polyps (growths on the bowel lining) and type 2 diabetes, may be at higher risk too.

“The majority of bowel cancers start from polyps but not all polyps turn into cancer,” stresses Curry.

“They’re very common and mostly nothing to worry about, but if they get large, the risk of them becoming cancer is higher.”

Lifestyle factors can also increase the risk of bowel cancer, with smoking, drinking alcohol, eating an unhealthy diet and obesity all linked to the disease.

• Bleeding from the bottom and/or blood in your poo.

• A change in normal bowel habits lasting three weeks or more, especially to looser or runny poo.

• Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason.

• Unexplained weight loss.

• A pain or lump in the tummy.

Curry says: “People can be afraid or embarrassed if they have blood in their poo, or another symptom ‘down there’, but doctors see these symptoms all the time. If anyone has any symptoms, they shouldn’t wait for the test kit to arrive, but go straight to their GP.”

Spot the signs These symptoms don’t always indicate cancer, but it’s best to get them checked without delay, to be on the safe side...

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54

Travel

Island

jewels T

he Greek Islands are like snowflakes, every single one is different. And though there are more than 6,000 of them, just 80 have a population over 100, and only 20 islands have substantial numbers of tourists. So no Greek Islands holiday is the same, and every year travel operators ‘discover’ new places to stay, which is great for us Grecophiles.

Relatively few Greek Islands have been affected by the migrant crisis gripping southern Europe, and these islands are all close to the Turkish border. Confidence in Greek tourism remains high and in 2015, 2.3 million of us Brits headed for Greece, an increase of 14.7% on 2014.

Better placed than most operators to discover the Greek Islands is Olympic Holidays, who specialise in holidays to Greece, the Greek Islands and Cyprus. For 2016, Olympic unveil a new ‘Twin Centre’ option for those tourists who like to sample different styles of holidays, so here’s a few of those less well-known wonderful islands for you to consider this summer.

55

Ionian Islands Just east of Kefalonia you’ll find Ithaca. Here you’ll find a rich culture and a timeless feel. Ithaca remains unspoiled by the modern world and clear blue seas and lush green valleys and mountains are home to one of the most friendly communities in Greece. Ithaca has something for everyone, including great beaches, hikes, boating trips, scuba diving, traditional food and entertainment or quiet solitude.

Large bays and blustery winds attract droves of sailors and windsurfers to Lefkada. The island has plenty more to recommend it, from its glorious beaches to its sleepy interior - the gorgeous former capital of Karya is a particular highlight.

Cyclades Islands Tinos, north of Mykonos, is a sleepy island known widely for its marble sculptures and its sacred Greek Orthodox pilgrimage site: the Church of

Panagia Evangelistria. But as soon as you leave the main town behind, you’ll discover a wonderland of natural beauty, with many villages found in hidden bays and on terraced hillsides. The food, made from local produce (cheeses, sausage, tomatoes and wild artichokes), is some of the best you’ll find in Greece.

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Greek Checklist Language: Greek Currency: Euro Time difference: +2 hours Cost of a beer: £2.54 Cost of a bottle of wine: £4.80 3 Course meal: £12.10

Delos, which according to mythology is the birthplace of Apollo. The entire island - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - consists of ruins, including temples, statues, mosaics and a theatre. You can’t stay on the island; visitors arrive by boat from nearby Mykonos.

Sporades Islands Located between the islands of Skiathos and Alonissos, the island of Skopelos will be instantly recognisable to those fans of the hit movie ‘Mamma Mia’, which features many location shots on the island. 80% of this hilly island is cloaked in pine trees whilst the remainder of the island is home to several sleepy resorts and also olive and plum groves.

Blessed with rugged natural landscapes, Alonissos is an island ideal for those who want to unwind and enjoy leisure walks surrounded by pine forests,

olive groves and orchards. The island plays host to the National Marine Park of Northern Sporades, a refuge for rare seabirds, dolphins and the Mediterranean monk seals.

Milos Milos lies to the north of Crete and is known as the ‘Island of Colours’ thanks to its splendid, manifold beauties of volcanic origin. There are more than 70 beaches, due to the very large and beautiful gulf in the very middle of it, which gives the island a horseshoe shape. Typically white washed homes with blue shutters dot the exceptionally wild landscapes.

For more information about the Greek Islands and advice about how to make the best out of your holiday, call in and see Olympic Holidays between 11.30am-2pm on the Greek Open Day on Monday 9th May at Marken Travel in Main Street in Billinge.

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Financial planning

In or out?

by David K Barton APFS Cert CII(MP), Chartered Financial Planner and Managing Director

I

apologise if you are already fed up with this debate however, as Independent Financial Advisers to many businesses and clients throughout Wigan we will be called on for our views of the impact Brexit may have on savers and investors.

We all know that stock markets do not like uncertainty, and with leaders highlighting potential risks of Brexit, the likelihood of this affecting Sterling as well as UK Bonds and Equities seems high.

Britain has long been the EU’s primary destination for this, and the money flowing into the country could be deflected to rivals such as Ireland.

There could be further uncertainty if Scotland demanded a further referendum on independence from the UK in the event of a vote for a Brexit.

Impact on investments Sterling is a relatively strong currency, having rallied significantly since the financial crisis. However, a vote to leave the EU could weaken it, meaning UK investments look vulnerable from a currency point of view.

UK Gilts and Corporate Bonds could also suffer. Some experts note that the ejection of the Pound from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism in 1992 had a short-term impact on both forms of debt, and this may happen again.

What are the perceived risks of leaving?

Leaving the EU could affect the economic health of the country. If we used a Brexit to limit immigration there could be a slowdown in economic growth, since up to two-thirds of GDP increases can be attributed to increasing population.

There is a fear that the City of London, as the UK’s financial heart, could be hit by Brexit. London has about 12 per cent of the UK’s population, but makes up a quarter of its GDP, so its success is disproportionately important.

Experts are also worried about the potential impact on trade. Although those in favour of leaving the EU argue that Britain could negotiate bilateral agreements to replace the current rules on trade, those against note that this would take time.

There is also foreign direct investment to consider.

For equity investors the impact may be less obvious. Any weakness in sterling would therefore compensate for share price weakness. Longer-term, the impact on investments is less clear. Share prices are eventually dependent on corporate earnings, and in the event of a significant hit to GDP, this could have a knock on effect to stock markets. On the other hand, if Brexit proves positive for the economy, markets could well rally.

The quicker we have this referendum and get it out of the way the better!!

The value of investments, and the income derived from them, can go down as well as up and you can get back less than you originally invested.

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Design a

garden

Southport Flower Show is on the hunt for the next generation of gardening talent to compete in their 2016 design competition, and local primary schools throughout the North West are invited to design a garden that will be part of the prestigious show.

With the generous sponsorship of the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, this year school children in the region are being set the challenge of designing an ecofriendly, Mediterranean themed garden in the ’Schools Design-aGarden Competition’. The competition is open to children in years 3, 4, 5 and 6 and entries from all primary schools are welcome.

Ray Roukin, general manager at Southport Flower Show, said: “The competition is a great opportunity for children to let their imaginations run wild and come up with a garden which sums up what the word

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Mediterranean means to them. The two winners will have their designs turned into real gardens, to be viewed by the thousands of visitors to the show. We will also give the winning schools £500 to enhance their own school grounds.”

A team of judges will sift through the designs sent into the show and two winners, together with 10 runners-up, will be chosen. Their garden designs will be built by Myerscough College’s work-based

apprentices in time for this year’s show, which runs from 18th - 21st August.

The winners, their families and teachers, will be invited to the show and will be presented with their prizes by sponsors and guests. The 10 runners up, with families and teachers, will also be invited to the show to receive their prizes.

The picture illustrates one of the winning gardens from last year, the design of Jessica Smith, from Holmeswood Methodist School. To find out more visit www.southportflowershow.co.uk and download an entry form, closing date for entries is Friday 10th June 2016.

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Free, no obligation discussion for all your bookkeeping needs Contact Petra on Telephone Mobile

Tuesday, 3rd May, 2016 6pm Leigh Cricket Club, Beech Walk, Leigh WN7 3LH

Networking and support in a friendly and informal atmosphere for all Wigan Borough-based businesses.

Admission ÂŁ5 Please pre-register your attendance at

www.wiganbbc.org.uk @WiganBBC

62

Business view

Make the most of online

accounting

by Chris Alcock - CMA Accountancy

A

No matter how large or small your business is, tracking your business accounts is vital.

With the use of mobile phones, tablets, dongles and hotspots, working remotely and ‘on the go’ is now the normal procedure for business owners.

So why not take advantage of being able to access your books whilst on the go, too? Imagine being able to send an invoice to your customer as you leave their premises! This will surely reduce the time it takes to get paid.

> Low cost & Pay As You Go > Real-time collaboration with your Accountant > Smart reports at the push of a button

Why not give it a try, free of charge?

We can offer you a free initial consultation and demonstration, either at our office or yours, at a time to suit you. Contact us for a no obligation demonstration:

Cloud-based accountancy software is the perfect way of conveniently managing your business’ finances at the push of a button, wherever you may be.

01257 255521 info@cma-accountancy.com www.cma-accountancy.com

CMA are experts at helping businesses implement online accounting systems. We support two global, highly reputable cloud-accounting systems; Xero and Kashflow. Most importantly, we don’t just set up the software for you; we show you how to use it, tailor the reports for your requirements and provide ongoing support in case you have any questions.

CMA Accountancy 39 Skull House Lane, Appley Bridge, WN6 9DR

So what are the benefits of online accounting software? > Simple and easy to use > Secure 24/7 access anytime, anywhere (Providing you have internet access.) > Compatible with computers, laptops, tablets & smart phones > No installation or IT maintenance required.

Tax tips > The personal allowance for 2016/17 increases to £11,000 from April. You may pay too much tax if your code is not right so please check. > The tax treatment of dividends changes from April 2016. If you are a company director then contact CMA to find out how this may affect you and what action can be taken.

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64

Food & Drink

Fast

G

food

By Claire Spreadbury

uilt is something many mums suffer immensely from.

In today’s busy world, it’s so hard to find time to do everything you should for your kids including cooking from scratch. And it’s so easy to reach for the fish fingers and waffles and give little ones a lunch you know they’ll love.

But with even a tiny bit of time, you’ll be amazed at what you can whip up in the kitchen.

To prove the point, Annabel Karmel has unveiled her latest batch of recipes, splashed deliciously across 220 pages in her new book. There are quick recipes, ingredients-based ideas, dishes for entertaining - from pasta bakes, to cakes and steaks - there’s pretty much everything you could ever need to feed a family at any age.

But the difference with this latest release - The Busy Mum’s Cookbook - is that you really don’t need hours on end to cook up these delicious storms.

So there are the 20-minute recipes for people (like me) who don’t have the time (or inclination) to cook. Just the other week, I was cursing for agreeing to ‘do’ dinner the evening before a 10k race (something else to try and squeeze in and feel guilty about), because I wanted a pasta dish that wasn’t too heavy. By the time the kids had gone to bed, all I wanted to do was slump in front of the telly and watch The Voice.

So what did I do? I turned to page 44 and whipped up Karmel’s Mushroom And Broccoli Pasta in about 20 minutes flat.

There are oodles of quick and easy dinner ideas to get kids excited - the Sweet Potato Curls (though, granted, mine looked NOTHING like the ones in the picture!) make a brilliant alternative to chips, the Frittata With Cherry Tomatoes is “the best frittata in the whole wide world”, according to my three and six-year-old, and the Apricot, Pecan, Raisin And Chocolate Cookies are easy for little hands to make - and taste so good, you’ll struggle to keep away from the biscuit tin.

Feeling inspired? Try these easy Annabel Karmel recipes for size...

Annabel Karmel’s Busy Mum’s Cookbook is published by Ebury Press, priced £20.

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66

Summer is on the way here

At the Holt

N

ew menu launches early May and its bursting with fresh summer dishes along with traditional returning favourites including our Famous Garlic chicken kebabs Plans for the summer in the recently refurbished and extended beer garden include weekend barbecues (british summer permitting!) and an outside bar when the sun shines.

A revamped nightly food offer will be available to, see our website and Facebook for details soon.

Free Dessert on purchase of Main Meal

#

Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer Offer ends on 30th June 2016.

The Holt Arms Crank Road, Billinge, WN5 7DT 01695 628006

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Chicken

goujons

wrapped in parma ham

Method Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6 and grease a baking tin.

Makes 14 goujons Ingredients 2 large skinless chicken breasts 7 slices Parma ham 2tsp runny honey For the sauce: 200g creme fraiche 2tbsp fresh green pesto Squeeze of lemon juice Salt and black pepper

Place the chicken breasts on a board. Cover them with cling film, then bash them with a rolling pin until they are slightly thinner. Remove the cling film and slice each breast into seven goujon-shaped strips.

Cut each slice of Parma ham in half. Wrap each goujon in a piece of Parma ham, then place on the prepared baking tray. Drizzle over the honey, then roast for 10 minutes, until cooked through and crisp.

Mix together the creme fraiche, pesto and lemon juice and season. Serve hot (heated through in a small saucepan) or cold with the crisp goujons.

Tastes great served with baked potato or sweet potato wedges.

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Roasted vegetable

galette Method Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6, and put a baking sheet in the oven.

Serves 8 Ingredients 1 aubergine, cubed 1 red pepper, deseeded and diced 2 red onions, peeled and sliced into thin wedges 3tbsp olive oil 3 small courgettes, halved lengthways then sliced into crescent shapes

Put the aubergine, red pepper and onions on a baking tray. Toss with the olive oil and season to taste. Roast for about 20 minutes, until lightly golden brown. Add the courgettes, then roast for a further 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured work surface to a rectangle roughly 35cm x 28cm. Score a 2cm border around the edge with a knife. Pierce the centre of the pastry several times with a fork and brush with a little of the egg wash.

Place on the preheated baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Remove from the oven, press down the centre within the scored line, spread with the sundried

375g packet ready-rolled puff pastry

tomato paste and sprinkle with fresh thyme.

A little plain flour, for dusting

Arrange the cooled roasted vegetables on top.

Season, arrange the mozzarella slices on top of the vegetables and sprinkle over the Cheddar. Brush the border of the pastry with a little more beaten egg.

1 egg, beaten, for brushing 3tbsp sundried tomato paste 1tbsp chopped fresh thyme leaves 2 x 240g packets mozzarella cheese, sliced 75g Cheddar cheese, grated Salt and black pepper

Bake for about 10 minutes, or until browned on top and golden and crisp underneath. Remove from the oven, slice into eight rectangles and serve.

69

ms Road Inn The Sim a swo d d, WN4 X 532 G r

o R

0H

Andrew Burton - previously head chef at the Travellers Rest, Lowton 1984 - 1994 moved to Simms Road, chef/proprietor 1994 - 2006 recently returned to Simms Road, July 2013 serving Home made traditionally prepared pub classics.

Food is available 7 days lunch and evening (Sunday all day)

Mon to Sat 12 ‘till 2-30 and 5-30pm ‘till 8pm

Whats On? Burger Monday Burger and a free bottle of beer Ruby Tuesday Freshly prepared curries (free popadoms) plus a free drink Wednesday - Quiz Night Fun quiz with prizes and free food at half time Thursday - Steak Night Two steaks plus a bottle of wine for... £25 Fish Friday Fish, chips and peas plus a drink £10 Saturday - Pie Night Free bottle of beer with your choice of our home made pies (as a meal) BT sport and sky sport in the bar for all your favourite teams

01744 894246 Voucher only valid upon display*

70

Apricot, pecan, raisin and chocolate

cookies

Serves 20 Ingredients 100g unsalted butter, softened 100g light soft brown sugar 1 large egg 150g porridge oats 75g self-raising flour, sifted Pinch of salt 1tsp vanilla extract 50g dried apricots, roughly chopped 50g raisins 25g pecans, roughly chopped 100g dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids)

Method Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas 4 and line two large baking sheets with non-stick baking paper.

Cream the butter with the sugar in a bowl until light and fluffy, then add the egg and beat again. Fold in the remaining ingredients until well incorporated.

Shape the cookie dough into 20 balls. Place on the prepared baking sheets, well spaced apart, and press down slightly to flatten.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, until lightly golden but still slightly soft in the middle. Leave to cool on the sheets for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Eating out

guide Papa Luigi’s Traditional Italian cuisine at its best!

Enjoy a little bit of Italy in elegant surroundings and a warm friendly atmosphere, where you can relax and unwind or celebrate in style. See our website for more information.

01942 231558 Wigan Lane, Wigan, WN1 1JP papaluigiswigan.co.uk

Delph Tavern Award-winning CAMRA freehouse with a fast growing reputation for excellent quality food at reasonable prices. Traditional British classics served, plus some exotic surprises too. Food served Wed-Sun only.

01695 622239 Tontine, Orrell, WN5 8UJ facebook.com/TheDelphTavern

Lovels Bistro Tasty food, happy times and great value - you’ll not be disappointed with the quality, taste and service.

We’re more than just a great wedding venue.

01695 624 426 Holland Hall, Lafford Lane, Up Holland, WN8 0QZ hollandhallhotel.co.uk

Advertise

here £30 + VAT

Call 01695 627999

The Simms Road Inn Homemade pub food classics made with locally sourced produce - featuring our award winning Steak & Ale pie, supplemented with cask ales and quality wines from around the world. Food served every lunch and dinner.

01744 894246 Garswood, WN4 0XH burtonandrew55@yahoo.com

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

72

Events & Leisure

What’s

on

effects. Meet the Pendle Witches and hear the accused Alizon Device’s story in her own words.

Immerse yourself in an exciting walkthrough experience where you will hear, touch, smell and feel everything.

The Blackpool Tower, Bank Hey Street, Blackpool, FY1 5BJ Contact www.thedungeons.com/blackpool

Liverpool Lightnight Friday, 13th May

Harlem Globetrotters 2016 Sunday, 1st May The world famous Harlem Globetrotters, featuring some of the greatest athletes and entertainers on the planet, will celebrate 90 historic years with a very special Manchester Arena show. The Globetrotters’ one-of-a-kind show is unrivalled in the world of family entertainment, with incredible ball handling wizardry, rim-rattling dunks, trick shots, hilarious comedy and unequalled fan interaction.

Manchester Arena, Manchester, M3 1AR Contact 0844 847 8000 or visit www.manchester-arena.com

Wicked Women Up until Sunday, 8th May The Blackpool Tower Dungeon has launched a brand new thrilling show entitled ‘Wicked Women’.

Delve through 1,000 years of Lancashire’s murky past, accompanied by the loathsome ladies as you encounter laughs, frights and amazing special

LightNight, Liverpool’s one-night arts and culture festival returns to illuminate the city for a seventh year. World-class galleries, museums and public spaces stay open late for a free showcase of the city’s arts and culture. Explore Liverpool with your friends and family along a trail of light projections, street performances, exhibitions, walks, talks and hands-on activities for all ages.

Various city centre venues, Liverpool, L3 8EN Contact 0151 478 4550 or visit www.lightnightliverpool.co.uk

Ormskirk Medieval Weekend Saturday, 14th May to Sunday, 15th May What did Ormskirk look like a thousand years ago?

Experience the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of the past as Historia Normanis take you on a journey through time at Coronation Park in Ormskirk.

There’s lots of activities for all the family, including archery, cooking demonstrations, a fashion show, story telling, themed stalls and much more. Open from 11.00am until 5.00pm each day.

Coronation Park, Ormskirk L39 3BY

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Tatton Park Country Show Saturday, 14th May to Sunday, 15th May Set in the beautiful parkland at Tatton, this family-oriented Country Show has something for everyone with a range of arena entertainment including Jez Avery’s Stunt Bikes & Buggies, Terrier Racing, Birds of Prey Flying Displays, Devilstick Peat Children’s’ Entertainer, Have-A-Go Dog Scurry and, on Sunday, the Companion Dog Show and much more including skilled craftsmen demonstrating their rural skills. There will also be a delightful range of arts, crafts and gift marquees.

Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN Contact 01206 374400/263088 or visit www.oakleighfairs.co.uk

Mamma Mia Tuesday 10th May to Saturday 4th June 2016 Mamma Mia! is the ultimate feel-good musical.

Set on a Greek island paradise, a story of love, friendship and identity is cleverly told through the timeless songs of ABBA. Sophie’s quest to discover the father she’s never known brings her mother face to face with three men from her distant romantic past on the eve of a wedding they’ll never forget.

Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester M1 6FT Contact 0161 245 6600 or visit www.atgtickets.com

Castlefield Food Festival Thursday, 12th May to Sunday, 15th May A weekend showcase with some of Manchester’s finest chefs, restaurants and street food traders.

After its unbelievable inaugural success in 2015, the Castlefield Food Festival returns to Manchester in May for a four day run, offering more tastes, treats and entertainment than before. The newest addition to the packed schedule is the first ever Night Market.

Castlefield Bowl, 101 Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester, M3 4JN www.castlefieldfoodfestival.co.uk

Dinosaurs…. The Next Adventure Saturday, 28th May to Sunday, 4th September They’re BIG, they’re FIERCE... and they’re BACK. After four years away, Chester Zoo’s award-winning dinosaurs return for another unforgettable summer.

Take an exhilarating journey back to the Jurassic age when these gigantic creatures roamed and ruled the earth. You’ll walk amongst the predators and their prey, not knowing what is lurking around the next corner. This fearsome collection of dinosaurs includes the Giganotosaurus, one of the biggest carnivores of all, Utahraptor with his curved claws and feathery limbs, and the gentle giant, the plant eating Brachiosaurus.

Chester Zoo CH2 1LH Contact 01244 380280 or visit www.chesterzoo.org

International Mersey River Festival Friday, 3rd June to Sunday, 5th June The International Mersey River Festival is a celebration of Liverpool’s wonderful and historic waterfront in a completely free three day extravaganza of family fun, amazing music and entertainment along the iconic River Mersey. The festival will see the visit of 60 narrow boats, four Tall Ships, the International Canoe Polo Tournament, jet skiing demonstrations, have-a-go water sports sessions at Salthouse Dock, flyboarding and a thrillingly heart-stopping Yakovlevs air display.

There will also be a dedicated children’s area which will include street theatre, arts and crafts. www.merseyriverfestival.co.uk

74

Southport Food and Drink Festival

Burscough Heritage Weekend

Friday, 3rd June to Sunday, 5th June

The village of Burscough comes alive to celebrate

A ‘foodies’ paradise with a little something for everyone to enjoy, stimulate your senses and try food from different cultures Street Food stalls.

Tantalise the taste buds by sampling the different produce around the event - handmade cheeses, sausages, sweet and savoury pies, chutneys and pickles are just a few of the delights that can be taken home. Set in the beautiful Victoria Park, there will be entertainment from local bands throughout the day. If you are bringing the kids along then make sure you pop over to the ‘kids’ corner’ for circus workshops, food themed activities and much more.

Victoria Park, Rotten Row, Southport, PR8 2BZ Contact 01704 533333

200 years of the Leeds/Liverpool canal with a weekend of fun for all the family. You can enjoy horse and carriage rides, traditional musical entertainment, craft demonstrations, free vintage bus rides and an exhibition with images of the Burscough of old. There’s also fairground rides and vintage vehicles on display, and most events are centred around the Wharf area, which has a selection of independent shops.

Burscough Wharf, Burscough L40 5RZ 10am-5pm both days

Woodvale Transport Festival Saturday, 18th June & Sunday 19th June Taking place on Southport’s beautiful Victoria Park, the Woodvale Transport Festival will feature all the usual Woodvale Rally favourites including Classic Cars, Car Clubs, Military Vehicles, Motor Cycles, Model Railways, Model Boats, Model Aircraft, Model Racing Cars, Bandstand, Refreshments, Bar, Car Boot Sale, Morris Dancing, & Arena attractions.

Victoria Park, Southport, PR8 2BZ Contact 01704 576122 or visit www.woodvalerally.com

Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June

Cheshire County Show Tuesday, 21st June & Wednesday, 22nd June With its roots firmly embedded in farming, the 2016 show will, again hold the many competition classes for cattle, sheep, pigs, dairy goats, but will also include hundreds of classes for light and heavy horses, show jumping, rare breeds of livestock, poultry, pygmy goats, pigeons, cavies, rabbits and dog show. The show will also feature the Food Halls, a Food Live Theatre and much more.

Cheshire County Show, Tabley, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 0HJ Contact 07966 499748 or visit www.royalcheshireshow.org

Much Ado About Nothing Wednesday 22nd June Join the Lord Chamberlain’s Men this summer at Speke Hall to see Shakespeare’s famous Much Ado About Nothing. Please dress for all weather situations - it does get chilly towards the end of the performances so coats are recommended. The event will be held on the North Lawn and a buggy service will be available to help transport visitors (and their picnics!) from the car park to this area.

Speke Hall, L24 1XD Contact 0151 427 7231 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk

75

Over 30 Lancashire

walks

FREE to download at www.locallife247.co.uk

Throwing a

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Free snooker on a Tuesday night

Call Joe on

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Sacred Heart Parish Centre

St James Social Centre St James Road Orrell, WN5 7AA 01695 623902

Come along - we’re open Tue, Wed, Thur, Sat + Sun Throstlenest Avenue, Springfield, Wigan, WN6 6AR

01942 519059 / 07931 552545

for details

76

sponsored by

Haigh

and Lady Mabel’s Wood

by Peter Bretherton

T

his walk is of about 4.5 miles with a difference in elevation of 320ft; most of the climbing being on the second half of the walk.

Take this lane and follow it until it turns to the right, where you leave the lane to continue straight on along a surfaced path.

We start the walk from the pay and display car park at Haigh Hall Country Park, from where we head east along Copperas Lane past the gothic cottages, towards the village of Haigh. After about a 1/4 mile you’ll notice Haigh coming into view ahead of you.

Continue all the way up the road until you reach the main road at Haigh.

Where the path takes a sharp turn to the right, you need to go left, through the metal gate and then right into the field. This section was very muddy when we did the walk. Your aim here is to keep to the right and find the path close to the fence line, but you may need to go out into the field first to avoid the mud as we did.

Here you will find a narrow lane to your right, that runs down the side of the Parish Church of St David.

The path is an old rail bed and you follow it first going under a road bridge and continuing on,

77

Haigh Windmill

keeping to the left hand side of the path to avoid more mud further along the way. Eventually you reach the Leeds & Liverpool canal where you cross the bridge and continue on down the hill until reaching Aspull Sough Minewater Treatment Scheme site.

Here you take the path to the right and after about quarter of a mile you come to a tarmac path on your left. Take this path down to where it emerges at a clearing, where you come across another old rail bed. Walk straight across and you’ll notice a stepped path leading down to one of the old entrance roads to the Haigh Estate.

At the bottom of the roughly stepped path you go right and head down this road to where it joins the main driveway that runs from Wigan Lane up to Haigh Hall. Here you go right again walking up a short climb heading towards the Hall. At the top of the climb take the rough surfaced road on your left just before the bridge over the old railway cutting.

The Grade II listed windmill at Haigh, the last surviving windmill (wind pump) in Greater Manchester, was built in or around 1845 to pump water 500 metres uphill from a nearby pond to the Haigh brewery of John Sumner & Company, that was situated behind the Balcarres Arms. In 2011, with the aid of ÂŁ60,000 largely by Heritage Lottery Funding, the windmill underwent extensive restoration.

Arley Lane

78

Fir Tree Farm Follow this road down over the small stream and up round to the left. As the road starts to go downhill again you’ll notice a stone marked with the words Wigan Way.

The stone stands at the bottom of a path that leads up through the trees. Take this path to where it emerges by the side ofB5239 the Alms Houses, from Rock Lane where you then follow the unsurfaced single track road out onto Hall Lane. Here you turn to your right and walk along the lane until you pass a line of

Meadow Pit Lane

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Haigh Hall

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Aspull

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Lady Mabel’s Woods

nR

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Cafe

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Haigh

Windmill

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Start/Finish

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a ras L

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Marylebone Water Treatment Site

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.

79

laurel bushes on your left, at which point you’ll find a gate and public footpath.

Go around the gate and follow the track until you reach the path on the right. Taking this path leads you through Lady Mabel’s Wood (a Woodland Trust site) and on up to the Leeds & Liverpool canal. At the canal turn to your left and follow the towpath, taking in the views along the way, until you reach the bridge (number 61) where you leave the canal and go over the bridge to climb Sennicar Lane. This will eventually bring you out onto School Lane, but before emerging at the junction, as with Jack, ensure your dog is safely back on its lead. Turning right you walk along School Lane, taking in the view on your left towards Blackrod and the hills beyond, before reaching the car park from where you started out.

If at this point you’re in need of some refreshment you’ll find a café in the old stables, just inside the park. Other attractions include a huge children’s play area, miniature railway and more.

n When ca k to I go bac arm Dukes B Farm?

Boarding kennels for all breeds of dogs.

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80

Competition

Win tickets to see

Tom Jones!

A

n Evening At The Races and Aintree Racecourse are proud to announce that global superstar and the Granddaddy of the British music scene Tom Jones will be bringing his huge repertoire of hits from across genres and generations including ‘Kiss’, ‘Delilah’ and ‘It’s Not Unusual’ to the racecourse this June.

National legend Tom Jones’ career has spanned over half a century, and has seen him win many accolades including a BRIT Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music and a Silver Clef Award for Lifetime Achievement. A global star, who was knighted by Her Majesty the Queen in 2006, he has amassed 36 top 40 UK hits and has a continued

81

worldwide reputation as one of the great vocalists, earning the nickname ‘The Voice’.

Tom told Local Life ‘I am very excited to be playing an open-air concert at Aintree Racecourse. I always have a fantastic time performing to audiences at Jockey Club Live events as they are such a great night out for everyone.’

We’ve got hold of four tickets to this concert at Aintree on Friday 10th June , so two lucky Local Life readers and their guests will be part of the

#

sell-out crowd on what’s sure to be a night to remember. To enter this competition, simply complete the simple crossword on the opposite page and return your entry to us by Tuesday 31st May at; Tom Jones Competition, Local Life Media, Unit 8 – Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley Road, Orrell, Wigan WN5 7XB. Or just visit our website (www.locallife247.co.uk), click on the competition graphic and enter your answers.

Across 6. Rochdale’s biggest star, Lisa _ 7. English singer/songwriter, Jess _

Down

An Evening At The Races offers a value for money experience unlike any other this summer. Alongside show-stopping headline performances by some of the world’s biggest artists, the action kicks off earlier in the day with a six race card - giving fans the chance to witness powerful equine athletes who are stars in their own right, and enjoy the thrilling drama and spectacle of them racing for glory.

1. Irish pop-rock group, The _

The Jockey Club Live, who run An Evening at the Races events, are leading promoters on the UK live scene. They delivered a spectacular line up of some of the hottest chart talent and legendary household names in 2015 and this year is set to continue the incredible success. Acts already announced for 2016 at North West based racecourses include Deacon Blue (Aintree – 13th May), The Corrs (Haydock Park – 18th June), Jess Glynne (Haydock Park – 1st July) and Lisa Stansfield (Haydock Park – 5th August).

The events are renowned for combining a fun filled evening at the races with a spectacular evening concert in the informal and relaxed open-air setting

Address ....................................................................................................

2. Sir Thomas Jones Woodward, aka Tom _ 3. Racecourse near junction of M6 & East Lancs Rd, _ Park 4. Glasgow band formed in the 80’s, _ Blue 5. Home of the Grand National Name ....................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................... ................................ 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.

of some of the world’s most famous racecourses.

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

Tickets for all the above concerts are available via www.thejockeyclublive.co.uk.

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 will contact you occasionally to check our magazine distribution in your area.

82

Test drive

Mercedes-Benz

GLE 350d Coupe

by Tim Barnes-Clay

I

f you love pomp and ceremony, you will adore this broad-shouldered offering from Mercedes-Benz.

The GLE 350d Coupe 4Matic AMG Line, on test here, doesn’t know the meaning of ‘subtle’. It doesn’t need to. After all, why buy a machine of this magnitude if you don’t want people to notice you?

The car’s looks will divide opinion. It’s a bit like looking at a certain well-known, generous-nosed, French actor. Some women swoon, other’s scowl at the sight of him.

But, whether you think the GLE is handsome or hideous, it is definitely mesmerising.

So, what exactly is the GLE Coupe all about? Well, it’s Mercedes-Benz’s answer to super-SUVs, such as the Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Sport and BMW X6. The goliath houses either a 3.0 litre V6 diesel, churning out 255bhp or a far less sensible

83

Huge stock of New and Partworn Tyres starting at just £22 Brake Pads fitted whilst you wait from £57.60 Waxoyl £45 per car

Tyres Suspension Alloy Wheels Exhausts & Brakes Wheel Refurbishment

No expiry date

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me in your car!

20 Chapel Street, Pemberton, Wigan, WN5 8JR

20 Chapel Street, Pemberton, Wigan, WN5 8JR Opening hours Mon-Fri 9-5.30pm / Saturday 9-4pm / Sunday Closed

www.pembertontyres.co.uk

Tel: 01942 222 413

84

V6 petrol, producing 362bhp. Both engines come hooked up to a slick-shifting nine-speed automatic ‘box.

Behind the wheel, the diesel model has more than enough pull for British roads and, in AMG Line trim, you can either waft or thunder along encased in splendid surroundings. Kit includes: heated front seats, climate control, a DAB radio tuner, auto dimming and folding mirrors, parking sensors and a reversing camera.

On the move, body roll is not really noticeable – which, considering the heft of the GLE, is a feat of engineering and design in itself. The permanent four-wheel drive set-up provides tons of traction, too, so the mighty Merc is safe, as well as talented at delivering driving enjoyment.

You can sharpen up the steering and throttle response, and you can even adjust the air suspension at the touch of button. For instance, the Stuttgart’s firm’s ‘Sport’ setting just ups the ante a bit, providing a heavier steering reaction and a more ‘on-rails’ like experience through corners. But, if you don’t want your passengers throwing up, the Merc is best left in its standard ‘Comfort’ mode.

Here, the SUV is in its ‘natural’ state, allowing you to control its power in a more measured way, while

the well-weighted steering guides the car through twisty tarmac effortlessly, rather than crazily.

The air-suspension hides the fact that you’re riding around on 21 inch alloys by soaking up even the evillest of potholes. There is only one price to pay for the awesomely outsized wheels – and that’s a bit of extra noise. This is only really noticeable at motorway speed, but combined with 70mph wind-blast around the wing mirrors, the calm of the otherwise hushed cabin can become threatened at times.

The GLE Coupe will take five-up, no problem - and even though it’s a coupe, rear passenger head and leg-space is ample. Only six-footers, upwards, will

Fast

facts

0-62 mph: 7.0 secs Combined mpg: 39.2 Engine layout: 2987cc V6 turbo diesel Max. power (bhp): 255 CO2: 187 g/km Price: £60,680

85

be vaguely bothered by the low-slung roofline.

Room in the boot is very good, too, with plenty of space for a pushchair and the weekly shop, or a stack of suitcases. Only the high load lip rains on the parade, making the lifting of heavy items into the cargo area more of a chore than it should be.

When all is said and done, the Mercedes-Benz GLE 350d Coupe 4Matic AMG Line is a well-appointed, fine-driving vehicle. The engine and automatic gearbox are nothing short of perfect; the steering response and handling are bang on the money – and even the sophisticated switchgear takes some beating.

You could argue that the Porsche Cayenne has a cooler badge, and that the Range Rover Sport

is more of a thoroughbred. And you could even maintain that the BMW X6 has better kerbside appeal. But the Cayenne is not as striking - and everyone seems to have a Range Rover Sport. The same goes for the BMW. No, the Mercedes is one rung higher up the ladder of ‘different’. And that’s a good thing – especially when you take into account that the Porsche and Range Rover have a higher price-tag.

At the end of the day, none of the cars mentioned here are bad. In fact, they are all stonkingly good.

It’s very much a case of “one man’s meat is another man’s poison” or “one man’s pleasure is another’s pain” when it comes to choosing between SUVs of this high calibre.

Car Paintwork Repairs

I’ll repair your:

Bumper scuffs Vandal scratches Alloy wheel repairs Minor dents

No VAT charged!

We’ll beat any quote!

Call Chris on

01942 215 111 or 07969 357 751

www.cosmeticar.co.uk

We’ll fix your; Paintwork Scratches Bumper Scuffs Alloy Wheel Damage Minor Dents

No VAT charged!

Quality repairs with a lifetime guarantee.

Mobile Service – we come to you!

For your free estimate, call Dave on

07970 915 504

c/o JW Gaskell Garages, Skull House Lane, Appley Bridge WN6 9DR

86

Whispering

grass...

by Angie Barker

Award Winner

I

If you are thinking now about your summer borders and feel there is something missing – it might be that you need to include some grasses in your planting scheme. May is a really good month for planting grasses as most of them prefer to be moved when they are actively in growth. They are brilliant plants for bringing movement to a garden and they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. A word of caution though, some grasses spread by underground runners (Elymus arenarius ‘Blue Dune’ or Lyme Grass is one) which can soon take over your border so unless you have a garden the size of Tatton Park (oh I wish!) stick to clump formers. Here are some of my favourites: Stipa tenuissima – this is lovely because it is very soft and tactile and moves in the slightest of breezes. It looks brilliant with bright coloured perennials like Geums. (This one will self seed but the seedlings are easily removed – and you get new plants for free!)

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’- this gets tall around 2m (6 feet in old money) and is upright – perfect for a skinny border in sun

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.

Miscanthus sinensis. ‘Kleine Fontane’- has gorgeous pinky purple seed heads in August and stands up well all through winter. Looks wonderful when winter sun hits the frosted seed heads Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ - I love this one because it looks stunning planted with Acers, it has a graceful arching form and re-emerges each spring with fresh green growth Carex oshimensis hachijoensis ‘Evergold’ - quite a mouthful I know but a good grass for shade and is evergreen and very low maintenance - looks effective planted as a group Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ – a tufty, evergreen grass blue grey in colour so makes a brilliant contrast with darker leaved plants such as Heuchera If you would like to see some grasses in a garden setting then please come along to have a look at my garden on Sunday, 26th June, open from 11am to 4pm with admission of £3.50 going to cancer charities. You can have a look at Hubby too – evergreen with lovely movement!

Call Angie now for your free consultation!

Angie Barker Dip GD (Inst GD) BA (Hons) Garden Design For All Seasons Tel: 01942 522 405 Mob: 07857 008 383 www.angiebarker.co.uk

Award Winner

87

88

Want a beautiful garden without all the hard work?

At GreenHills we don’t just treat your lawns, we offer a complete service all year round.

• • • • •

APPLICATION OF LAWN TREATMENTS GARDEN MAINTENANCE WEEDING & BORDERS HEDGES & SHRUBS MAINTAINED WEED SPRAYING OF PATHS & DRIVEWAYS

Garden maintenance ~ General tidy ups Hedge cutting ~ Pressure washing ~ Fencing

Call - 01942 225711 or 07773 296880 Eton Way, Orrell

Need help with your garden?

Orrell-Based*

We offer a regular garden maintenance service Landscaping, flagging, fencing, tree work, pruning, turfing and decking work also completed.

Friendly and reliable service Professional Lawn Treatment & Garden Maintenance ~ Est. 2001 ~

01942 200 039 or 07950 651 956

•

•

• Gates and railings • Repairs and restorations • Ironwork and welding • Traditional forge work

Call Mick now for details

01942 700377 or 07982 928816

Oak Tree Maintenance Ashurst Fencing & Flagging All fencing work undertaken Patios & Driveways

Call David for a Free estimate:

over 20 years experience

Tel: 01695 721877 Mobile: 07951 764202 The Barn, 286 Ormskirk Road, Upholland

07747 725999 01942 832747

Garden Rescue

Tree Services Trees Felled & Pruned Hedges Trimmed Qualified & Insured Free Estimates

01695 623 909 / 07903 290 878 Based in Up Holland

SMN

Tree and Landscape Management West Lancashire District Council approved contractor

Day: 07970 521 692 Eve: 01942 214 121 www.smntrees.co.uk

steve@smntrees.co.uk

• Supply & installation • Design & planning service • Maintenance free

Call for a free, no obligation quote

01744 88 22 44 www.turfcouk.com

Qualified Tree Surgeon NCA RFS NPTC All types of Tree and Hedge Work Fully Insured Felling, Reducing, Pruing, Shaping

89

Garden Design & Quality Landscaping Quality work & reliability at competitive prices Call today for a FREE quote

01942 510 986 07710 405 214 Visit our website to see previous projects

www.ashlandscapingandmaintenance.co.uk Established 1994

Landscapes

Creating the ideal outdoor living space Garden Design & Construction Driveways & Patios | BBQs & Fireplaces

Phone: 01257 781 003

Mobile: 07967539919 glyn@downtoearthgroundworks.uk

Down to Earth service, Rock solid reliability

• Machine Hire • Ground Maintenance • Flagging • Block Paving • Fencing • Contractor • Fully Insured

Award Winner

Call Stewart Ashcroft on;

01695 622460 or 07894 217191 email:westdene41@btinternet.com Winstanley Road, Billinge

All aspects of landscaping from design to build 25 years experience!

Contact Us Today For A No Obligation Quote

Contact Phil: 07511 126 260 or 01942 703 049 Wimborne Road, Orrell

Garden Services & Landscaping

garden maintenance fertilising & moss control weed control to lawn & turfing & landscaping driveways tree surgery hedge cutting one off jobs or regular garden tidy ups maintenance

HND qualified. PA1 PA2 & PA6 spraying qualifications.

20 years experience. Billinge based.

Our aim is to deliver a creative, personal service adhering to our customers requirements and within budget.

Large projects or small makeovers are all carried out with the same commitment and dedication. We take great pride in completing all projects to the highest possible standards. w w w. p d h o m e a n d g a r d e n . c o . u k

day: 07929 366769 eve: 01744 302793

07946 751308

01942 206503

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Home Services

Decorators, plumbers, builders...

Easy Move www.nwhouseclearance.co.uk

House Clearances

All areas covered ~ Storage available

Call Hughie on 0800 0731073 / 07773 034635

www.expertcomputers.co.uk ‘Excellence in Customer Service’ – Winner

Is your family

safe &

secure?

Trust GHE to keep you safe Intruder alarms and CCTV for all budgets Call us today for a free security consultation Suite 1A Kirkless Ind. Est. Cale Lane Wigan

01942 836 937 or 07557 914 788 www.ghewigan.co.uk

91

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning • traditional service, state of the art results •

Wigan Good Trader Of The Year 2015

5 star rating with Wigan Trading Standards Good Trader Scheme

• Carpets • Rugs • Fabric & Leather Upholstery Call today for a free consultation & no obligation quote

Call - 01257 251221

Mobile - 07908 770808

www.manorhousecleaning.co.uk

Providing professional carpet & upholstery cleaning since 1993 Carpets Leather

Upholstery Curtains Oriental Rugs Hard Floors

For more information call:

01942 470 081 Visit our website and check out the testimonials.

www.alliancechemdry.co.uk

‘Dream To Gleam’

FREE *

Domestic Cleaning Services

GUTTER

CLEARIN

G

Floors; Kitchens; Bathrooms; Dusting; Ironing; Internal Windows and more...

*with any cleani or painting packagng e purchased

Competitive Prices Friendly and reliable service Tel Kath - 07931 111139 Fully Insured and DBS Checked

dreamtogleam@yahoo.co.uk

Power Washing I’ll clean your:

Driveways - Patios - Decking No job too small - Friendly & reliable service

Call Paul on 07736 396374 for a free quote

UPVC CLEANING

• Windows, Fascias, Gutters etc.

CONSERVATORIES

• Exterior & Interior (Cleaning)

JETWASHING

• Driveways & Patios etc.

EXTERIOR PAINTING • Fascias, Rendered Walls etc.

SPECIAL OFFER - 20% OFF ALL CLEANING PACKAGES Call Clint for a free no obligation quote.

01942 470 089 / 07834 241 642 www.conservatorycleaningwigan.com

92

• Conservatory repairs • Locks, handles and hinges • Replacement glass • Windows and doors installed • Replacement conservatory roofs

Garage and entrance doors in matching styles

Is your garage door broken ?

Call us today for a free estimate to Repair or Replace it

CJM Garage Doors Ltd, Unit 10, Hewitt Business Park Winstanley Road, Orrell, Wigan WN5 7XB t: 01942 738347 w: www.cjmgaragedoors.co.uk

Call MARK now on 01942 737 381 / 0776 315 1720 conservatoryrepairs@gmail.com www.fixmyconservatory.com

Arley Cabinet Company Ltd • Kitchens & Bedrooms since 1952 •

We measure we make we fit and have done for 60 years.

Visit our showroom or call us today for a FREE estimate

REPAIRS Doors of all ages repaired

01744 894939 07891 330214 NO FIX, NO CHARGE! www.garagedoorandlock.co.uk Strawberry Cottage, Pimbo Road, Upholland WN8 9QL

Mon-Fri: 8am - 4.30pm Sat: 9am - 12pm

www.arleycabinets.com tel: 01942 246190

GARAGE DOOR All GARAGE DOORS REPAIRED : Springs, Cables, Locks, Rollers etc.

Arley Cabinet Co. Ltd 214a Gidlow Lane Wigan WN6 7BN

Advertise

here

Advertise your business in this section from £39 + VAT a month For more information please phone

01695 627 999

93

House Extensions New Kitchens & Bathrooms Garage Conversions Full Refurbishments All our work is fully insured & guaranteed References available on request Call now for a free quotation

Improving your home?

• Fitted Kitchens • Loft Conversions • New Bathrooms • Conservatories If you plan to improve your home in 2016 call Gareth today for a free quotation Billinge Based

The Complete Answer to Building & Joinery Jobs

01942 216 735

|

07725 909 257

01744 603 231 / 07501 270 436 Home Improvements • Fitted Kitchens & Bedrooms • Garage & Loft Conversions • Floors, Doors & Windows For all your home improvement needs call David on...

01942 203 804 DS Joiner 07851 225 876

Number One for House Maintenance!

• UPVC WINDOWS, DOORS & ROOFLINE

01257 422317 or 07852 202867 www.mtjoiner y.co.uk

K Stone Building Services

All types of building work undertaken 25 years experience

• Brickwork • Pointing • Garden Walls • Patios • Joinery • Flagging • Alterations • Plastering

01942 495412 / 07974 496676

• BROKEN LOCKS & MISTED WINDOWS • GUTTERS AND UPVC CLEANING SERVICE • FLAGGING, FENCING & POINTING • GENERAL GARDEN MAINTENANCE

No job too small!

Call Mike Darbyshire on

01942 513 584 / 07917 352 181 Orrell based

94

LTD

J&P

MOORCROFT Professional Painting and Decorating • Domestic & Commercial Work • Interior & Exterior work welcomed • Old/listed buildings a speciality

Call us today for a free quotation Home Service available

Choose from 1000s of paint & paper samples in the comfort of our own home

01942 212096 07831 102 511 www.jpmoorcroft.com

Lady Decorator

Professional Interior Decorating Service Reduced rates for Pensioners Clean, tidy and conscientious Tel: 01942 366996 or 07962 422856

Just Imagine

Decorating - Interior Design - Soft Furnishings

Ian Martland

Painter & Decorator Established 1990

• All aspects of Decorating • Interior & Exterior • Free Estimates

01695 632 477 | 07748 195 809

Sg

PaiNtiNg & decORatiNg Interior painting & decorating Specialise in standard wall coverings, extra wide vinyl, lincrusta & coving Free estimates. References available upon request

07714 363 377 / 01942 749 971 Sefton Road Orrell WN5 8UP

Award Winner

Exterior & Interior Decorating Domestic & Commercial work undertaken Competitive rate Call Graham now - free estimate provided

01257 426 234

www.topcoatdecoratingservices.co.uk

Create your Dream Home today…

Need a new look for your home?

Skilled interior and exterior work undertaken at reasonable prices!

Our Master Craftsman Derek and his friendly team will help you create your dream home.

All aspects of decorating - from simple painting or wallpapering to complex murals.

50 years wallpapering expertise.

100% satisfaction guaranteed.

Call Derek today for a free consultation & quote

Call 07831 505 672

email franklindecorators@gmail.com

Chris Smith - Painter and Decorator

01942 518126 or 07545 065119 Orrell based business

www.wigandecorators.co.uk

95

• All aspects of electrical work welcomed • From new sockets to full re-wire - no job too small • CCTV/Alarms/Security Lighting a speciality

24 hour Call Out Service

Suite 1A Kirkless Ind. Est. Cale Lane Wigan Contact Us: 01942 836 937 / 07557 914788 www.ghewigan.co.uk

ANDY HIDDEN Domestic Electrician

All electrical work undertaken • Rewire specialists • Extra sockets & lights fitted • Mains board upgrades

Free quotations

A.J.S.

BAILEYS ELECTRICAL

01942 215 769 07739 709 005

steve pearson your local electrician

• All types of electrical work undertaken • Friendly, fast & reliable • Free estimates

Tel: 01744 881194 Mob: 07554 425580

• • • • • • •

No Job Too Small!

Re-Wires Additional Sockets / Lights Home Safety Tests Fuse Board Upgrades Security Lighting Alarms CCTV

Good Trader Of The Year Winner in the Wigan Trading Standards Best of the Best Awards 2013/14.

Certificate of Excellence Winner 2012/13/14/15

Award Winner 2012/13/14/15

07946 844 904 08000 842 394 Email: andy@ahde.co.uk

Smart Electrical Contractors - Domestic - Commercial - Industrial • Rewire • PAT Testing • CCTV • Alarms Tel: 01257 367386 Mob: 07594 240054

Domestic - Commercial - Industrial

J.Dillon Electrical Call: 01257 424918 or 07821 139826 www.jdillonelectrical.co.uk

• All types of electrical work • 20+ years experience • Friendly, fast and reliable • 24 hour call out service

• Rewires & Upgrades • Interior & Exterior Lighting • Alarms & CCTV • Extra Sockets & Lights

07531 765 529 / 01695 628 150

96

Plumbing & Heating Specialist Complete Bathroom & Tiling service

John Bailey - 01942 495785

or 07721 040620 & 07710 153238 Based in Kenyon Road, Wigan

Great Value Bathrooms!

IAIN LOWE 01695 623236 • Central Heating • Plumbing • Gas Appliances • Gas Safety Checks • Landlord’s Certificates • Maintenance/Breakdowns

Elite Bathrooms Installation & Tiling • Bathrooms • Wall Tiling • Floor Tiling 0770344 8890

Full Bathrooms & En-Suites Showers, Trays & Cubicles Relocation of Bathroom Suites 25 years bathroom experience Call Chris now for a free quotation

C L Bathrooms

01942 749085 or 07801 295483 www.clbathrooms.co.uk

FREE Estimates

Advertise

01942 208926

here

Advertise your business in this section from £39 + VAT a month For more information please phone

01695 627 999

97

• Central Heating Installations • Boiler Installations • Maintenance & Servicing • Power Flushing

A Genuine Family Run Business With Friendly & Courteous Staff

186237

SPECIALISTS IN CENTRAL HEATING INSTALLATION, BOILER REPLACEMENTS AND UPGRADES

Your one stop shop for central heating 434 Ormskirk Rd, Wigan, WN5 9DF

01942 221221

info@premiergas.com / www.premiergas.com

Accredited Installer & Ser vice Partner • Annual Boiler Servicing • Landlord & Home Owner Gas Safety Checks • Gas Fire & Cooker Installations • Under Floor Heating Specialists • Home Efficiency Control Upgrades

10 YEARS

EXTENDED WARRANTY ON SELECTED BOILER INSTALLATIONS

Finance available

WE REPAIR ALL MAKES OF BOILERS!

Telephone:

01942 504 429 Registration No.

88604

brand New bathrooms boiler + Central Heating Installs, servicing + Repairs Extended warranties available 24 Hour Call-out Domestic + Commercial

C &D

Plumbing and Heating

Dave 07769 942218 / Matt 07969 183809 21 Naburn Dr Orrell wN5 8sb

Email: info@orrellheating.co.uk 506515

• Complete central heating installations • Full bathroom/wetroom renovations

PATON PLUMBING

& HEATING LTD

• Boiler service and repairs • Landlord’s gas safety certificates

T: 01744 634 525

01257 421 660 07931 766 684

www.fgwelch.co.uk

Freephone 0300 3030121 www.orrellheating.co.uk

TEL: MOB:

542856

M: 07825 323 711

Heating & Bathroom Specialist Chris Heaton M.I.P.H.E.R.P 07973714222 01695625171

PETER RODAN LTD • All Heating & Plumbing work • Full Heating Installations • Boiler Servicing & Repairs 221213 • Boiler Conversions • 20 year experience • Vaillant & Ideal Boilers Fitted (7 Year Warranty) Tel: Mob:

01257 472 385 07971 631 709

Standish based

98

First Class Workmanship • All types of re-roofs • Strip & re-slate or re-tile • Built up felt/flat roofs, dormers etc.

• Insurance work undertaken • Roofline uPVC fascias, soffits & guttering

• WILSON BROS • Est. 1985

Roofing & Roofline Specialists • All aspects of maintenance & repair • Fascia & soffit installation

W.Newman ROOFING & REPAIRS

01695 627 212

• Guttering and felting services Call us now for a free estimate

01695 633173 Colin: 07958 302 166 Brian: 07760 160 988 www.wilson-bros.co.uk

MOBILE: 07774 943 706

52 HALLBRIDGE GARDENS, UP HOLLAND Established Over 30 Years

Puzzle

solutions

The photo on page 32 is of Rylance’s Furniture Store near the Half Way House in Pemberton

99

Established 1999

We’ve got it covered!

Roofing Emergency Repairs General maintenance Full re-roofs Flat/pitched Roof Conversions Velux Windows Roofline Fascias & Soffits Cladding Gutters

10 YEAR

INSURANCE-BACKED GUARANTEE

NO CALL OUT FEES Call today for a free quote

01942 665 270 0774 876 7845 or 0770 221 8867 www.protecroofingnw.co.uk

The Old Coach House, George Street, Ashton in Makerfield, WN4 8QD