Local Life - Wigan - October 2020

LocalLife Wigan Edition

October 2020

WIN nbow

Rai

Glass Art

Wigan’s

Ghostly Tales Pages 20-23

Shevington’s Basket Man Page 18

Parbold’s Community Champions Pages 34-35

Then & Now -Standish Page 50

Good Traders Celebrate Pages 56-58

Halloween Activities Pages 72-73

Winter Hill Walk Pages 74-76

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

2

Goodyear Furniture Centre

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We have over 20’000 sq.ft of showrooms, displaying some of the finest furniture.

Choice, quality, service and value for money Wide selection of quality lounge suites in fabric or leather, Dining and Cane conservatory furniture.

Large selection of occasional furniture, mirrors, pictures, lamps and other accessories.

www.goodyearfurniture.co.uk

01704 821577

Goodyear Furniture Centre: 18 New Street, Mawdesley, Lancashire. L40 2QP

Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm / Sat 10am - 4pm / Sun 11am - 4pm

Ample free onsite parking

A highly recommended family name established in 1982

3

The INC

The

ireplace Stoveplace

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4

G

etting through the whole COVID-19 health situation is turning into a bit of a marathon isn’t it? And as marathon runners know, there often comes a time, usually at the 18-20 mile mark, when a runner hits a “wall”.

The early gung-ho spirit displayed a few months ago has been replaced by the weary realisation that normality could still be six months off yet. For those who wonder if they have enough in the tank to reach the finish line, here are three suggestions to help you do that: Remind yourself of the positives: Seven months down the line, you know a lot more about the virus and how to reduce the risk of being exposed to it.

Re-commit to your end goal. For a marathon runner, it is completing 26 miles & 385 yards. For you, it is being alive and healthy when this is all over.

Don’t focus on the finish line. Just concentrate on getting through the day. That’s all we can do, remain positive and take one step at a time.

Now’s the time, weather permitting, to experience the great outdoors before winter sets in. Autumn is a marvellous time of year for walking and we are lucky to have some glorious countryside nearby. For inspiration, visit locallife247.co.uk where you can download over 70 free walks in the Lancashire area.

Stay safe and see you at the finishing line,

Chris Pearce, Publisher chrisp@locallife247.co.uk

Keep in touch with the LocalLife Team!

LocalLife

Telephone: 01695 627 999 info@locallife247.co.uk

locallifemagazine247 @locallifemedia Local Life 247 Ltd, PO Box 779, Wigan WN1 9UB Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or other cause. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced without the prior written consent of Local Life 247 Ltd.

5

This month’s highlights 20. Wigan’s Ghostly Tales

Contents 24. Recipe Chocolate, caramel & chilli tartlets.

28. Monument Unveiled Newest addition to Wigan’s landscape.

36. Tech Prevent tech horrors this Halloween.

44. Home Interiors Grandmillenial - or ‘granny chic’

18. History in a Basket

26. WIN Glass Art

64. Health Coping with arthritis

70. Puzzle Pages Try these brainteasers for size.

74. Jack’s Tracks Take a walk up Winter Hill.

78. Motoring The ten cars with the biggest boots.

50. Then & Now - Standish

82. Home & Garden Services Find the best local traders.

56. Good Trader

72. Halloween Activities

Next Issue - November 2020

Advertising deadline - 14th October Published - 29th October 2020

Want to promote your business in

LocalLife?

01695 627 999 www.locallife247.co.uk

6

Farm & Craft

Trail Club

After their successful events in August and September, Applecast Farm in Newburgh are hosting another Farm & Craft Extravaganza over the weekend of 10th and 11th of October., opening between 10am-3pm. The Market will have stalls selling homemade produce and handmade gifts, and there is a café and garden centre on site also.

Children are welcome and can enjoy meeting the farm animals and watching the birds of prey. Applecast Farm is a registered charity and is based at Cobbs Brow Lane in Newburgh, near Parbold (WN8 7SF).

If you’re a fitness fanatic looking for new challenges every weekend, then the Saturday Morning Trail Club just might be for you! Starting on Saturday 3rd October and organised by The Endurance Store in Wrightington, the Trail Club will take place every Saturday at 8:30am from the store on Mossy Lea Road in Wrightington.

Artisan Street Market An Artisan street market is to be held in Ormskirk town centre on the first Sunday in October, offering visitors an exciting range of foods, clothing, jewellery, homeware, crafts and gifts.

The market moved from nearby Burscough Wharf recently to the wider spaces of Moor Street in Ormskirk town centre. The Artisan market will be held on Sunday 4th October, 11am to 4pm.

Over 25 years of local advice High Street, Standish

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The intended route will be published each week in advance on the Facebook training group and 2-3 groups will go out depending on numbers.

Routes will be 10-13 miles in length, and you’ll need off road shoes. For more information on price and how to book please contact The Endurance Store on 01257 251217 or email on info@theendurancestore.com.

Ducks Date 2021 Appley Bridge Community Association have announced Sunday May 23 as the date of the 2021 annual duck race and village festival, On this date 2,000 ducks will be launched into the Leeds Liverpool Canal and if your duck comes across the line in the top five you will bag yourself a nice prize!

The 2020 event was cancelled due to lockdown, but all tickets already purchased for the 2020 duck race are valid for the 2021 race. You can visit the Appley Bridge Community Association Facebook page for further updates.

Mawdesley Markets Markets at the Cedar Farm Galleries near Mawdesley have returned. Lots of friendly stall holders stock the best of fresh local produce and hand-made foodie treats. The Farmers Market runs from 10am-2pm on 3rd October and thereafter on the first Saturday of the month.

And if vintage is your thing then don’t miss the Handmade and Vintage Market, where you can browse amongst the stalls in The Barn selling vintage goodies, clothing and accessories, handmade jewellery, luxury candles, beautiful mosaics, soaps, gifts and beautiful things for the home. This market takes place on Saturday 17th October and thereafter on the third Saturday of the month.

Cedar Farm Galleries are on Back Lane in Mawdesley (L40 3SY), and entry and parking are free.

7

Libraries Re-Open

Toddler Help

Community libraries across Wigan and West Lancashire have re-opened their doors to the public, and late return charges have been waived in all areas.

Shevington Toddler Group are looking for enthusiastic people to join their voluntary team. The group provides a safe place for parents with preschool children to meet and socialise every Thursday at the Shevington Methodist Church on Gathurst Lane.

Community libraries in Lamberhead Green, Marsh Green, Shevington, Standish and other areas of Wigan will now open from Mon to Weds 10am to 2pm; and from Thursday to Friday 1pm to 5pm. Ashton Library remains closed until the new year. The volunteer run library in Aspull will be reopening its doors to residents from Monday but Hope Library in Winstanley will remain closed.

Events and activities across Wigan’s libraries are currently on hold due to social distancing measures but are due to be reintroduced when it is safe to do so.

Parbold Library is open from 9am-1pm and 2pm to 5pm on Tuesday and Friday, 9am-1pm and 2-7pm on Thursday and 9am-1pm on Wednesday and Saturday, whilst Skelmersdale Library opens 9am-7pm on Mondays and 9am-5pm from Tuesday to Saturday, with a 1-2pm closure for lunch everyday.

Volunteer duties would include taking bookings, helping to set up, and put equipment away. For more information please contact Gail on the Shevington Toddle Group Facebook page or email gailgriffiths@hotmail.co.uk.

Players Needed The Aspull Avengers under 12’s team is looking to add a couple of players to their squad. The team play in the North League of the Wigan & District Youth Football League on Sundays.

The club is based at Aspull Moor Sports Ground on Wigan Road and any interested players need to contact Stuart Law on 07875 195572. More information about the club can be found at www.aspulljfc.com.

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8

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Thurs 10am-1pm, Weekends by appointment only

10

PPE Funding Wigan Rotary Club recently stepped in to help some community groups to re-start their activities after lockdown restricts were eased.

The club donated money to eleven community groups to purchase PPE equipment such as hand sanitisers, antibacterial wipes and masks.

As a result, eleven local groups, including Shevington Gardening Club, have been given a donation to help them with the cost of purchasing the items they need.

Jewels May is a wonderful independent jewellers. The shop has recently expanded so as to offer customers more on site specialist services, one-to-one consultation, specialist design and re-modelling advice and manufacturing.

Their jewellery range is extensive from antique and vintage to modern and one-off bespoke luxury pieces, set with diamonds and precious stones. They also boast an impressive range of

Wigan Rotary President Rosemary Charles said “I am delighted we have been able to help these organisations in their arrangements to meet safely and securely. This initiative would not have been possible without the generous donations of the Wigan residents especially last December when we accompanied Santa and his sleigh around the area.”

A full list of the donations together with more information about the work of Wigan Rotary Club can be found on their website www.wiganrotaryclub.org.uk or ring 07813 471000.

engagement and wedding rings as well as preowned luxury watches.

Repairs & Alterations Rhodium Plating Cleaning & Polishing Design & Manufacturing Engagement & Wedding Ring Specialists Insurance Valuations Watch Servicing, Repairs, Refurbishing & Batteries Good Prices Paid For Your Scrap & Unwanted Jewellery

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Tel: 01257 450448 Etsy: Jewelsmayuk

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60 Second Mortgage Review With rates still historically low, call us today to see if we can save £’s off your existing mortgage Call us on

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YOUR HOME IS AT RISK IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER LOAN SECURED ON IT. Alexander Ross Mortgages is a trading style of WE Financial Services Limited which is an appointed representative of LJ Financial Planning Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

11

Water Fun The amazing views over Scotman’s Flash have been an unexpected bonus for motorists travelling on the new A49 link road at Goose Green, and the range of water activities held on the Flash can be enjoyed by you and your family this autumn.

person. The SUP sessions are suitable for everyone aged 12 or over, and youngsters as young as 5 can partake in the kayaking, with the use of a double kayak.

You must pre-book for these sessions and you can do so by visiting the website www. inspiringhealthylifestyles. org/wigan/, click on ‘Services’ and then on Scotman’s Flash. Other activities at Scotman’s Flash include rafted canoeing, funboat sailing and topper sailing.

Every Wednesday in October and November, The Outdoor Adventure Team at Inspiring Healthy Living (IHL) will be hosting stand up paddle boarding sessions and kayaking.

Both the stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) sessions and the kayaking sessions run at various times through the day, and the cost is £10 per

You can also organise group activities or one-on-one sessions. For more details email outdooradventure@ihlmail.org.

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12

The friend ly place in village the heart of Standish The Unity Club • large function room or cosy lounge room available for hire • games room with a full-size snooker table, pool table, darts & dominoes

GB Clean Up Volunteers across the borough have been taking part in the Great British September Clean, picking up litter across the whole community and enabling residents to take pride in their surroundings. More than 50 litter picking volunteers were out in force in Appley Bridge, Shevington Moor, Standish Lower Ground as well as the centre of Shevington and Standish, targeting discarded rubbish.

Cask Ale Club of the Year awarded by

CAMRA

9 Years running 2010-19

Open: Sun-Thurs: 7.30-11pm Fri & Sat: 5.30pm-12am If you are interested in becoming a member, hiring the function room or using the facilities for meetings please call for further details.

01257 424007 Cross Street, Standish, WN6 0HQ www.standishunityclub.com

Want to look the part but don’t know where to start?

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Cllr Marlaine Whitham who helped to organise the Shevington litter pick told Local Life, “There are a number of very committed volunteer litter pickers who help all through the year, supporting Wigan Council and the Parish Council. “They help to keep the area tidy week in and week out, we are proud of where we live but wish no one dropped any litter of course!”

That sentiment was echoed by Standish Cllr Deborah Parkinson, who has seen teams out all week in Standish collecting bags and bags of rubbish. She added, “I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who came out to help with our litter pick. We had a fantastic turnout but please bin your rubbish or take it home with you!”

13

Windows |

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14

Standish Staycation Foreign holidays might be a bit difficult to navigate at the moment, but if you’re desperate to get away from your own four walls, then MyLife in Standish have you covered.

kitchen and beautiful open-plan living areas. There are also profiling beds, shower chairs and hoists available upon request.

The local charity has three fully accessible holiday lodges open to hire. Set in 84 acres of beautiful Lancashire countryside, each lodge sleeps up to 6 people and provides the perfect short break or alternative to respite.

There are lots of activities to keep you entertained whilst you’re there; on weekdays, you can get involved in a range of activity sessions for a small charge, including floristry, arts and crafts, drama, and horticulture.

The chalets are fully equipped with a self-catering

There is also a small animal farm, with chickens, goats, ducks, peacocks, pigs and rabbits and an on-site fruit and vegetable shop, selling fresh, local produce MyLife helps people of all ages who need support to live a good life, including children, young people and adults with disabilities, people with ill health or age-related problems, and people who generally feel lonely or isolated within their communities.

Profits are reinvested into the work of MyLife, helping to make a better life for everyone. To find out more about the chalets please give them a ring us on 01257 472 900 to book .

the auction centre The leading Auctioneers and Valuers

• Modern saleroom at Manor Park, Runcorn • RICS and NAVA registered auctioneers and specialist consultants • Probate and Insurance valuation reports undertaken • Full house clearance service available • Regional valuations centres around the north-west St Helens Valuation Days

Wigan Valuation Days

4th Wednesday of Every Month St Thomas Church, Peter Street, WA10 2EB 9.30 – 12 noon Check website for Details Call 01744 881 477 for more information

2nd Tuesday Of Every Month Purposed Life Church, Greenhough Street, WN1 3SU 12 noon – 2.30pm Check website for Details Call 01942 299 057 for more information

9 Berkeley Court, Manor Park, Runcorn, WA7 1TQ Telephone: 01928 579796 Email: enquiries@theauctioncentre.co.uk

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15

HOLIDAYS • SHORT BREAKS • DAY EXCURSIONS

Great Value Breaks London - 20th November - Only £159 4 days/3 nights B&B - The International London Christmas Shopping & Sightseeing Includes transfers from our Docklands hotel into the City

Dumfries – 6th November – Only £169 3 days/2 nights Dinner B&B – Cairndale Hotel Home of spectacular countryside and castles

WHY MEMORY LANE? 3 Home pick-up for holidays 3 Executive coach travel 3 Quality hotels 3 Local well-established operator

New 2021 brochure out now!

Call us now for your FREE copy on 01942 728960

Holidays below still available for this year - 2020 Holiday Diary NOVEMBER

Holiday Diary DECEMBER

6/11/20

Dumfries

3/HB

£169

18/12/20

Edinburgh Xmas Markets/L. Lomond

4/AInc

£269

9/11/20

Llandudno

5/HB

£259

23/12/20

Lake District Xmas Package

5/SMA

£440

9/11/20

Lake District Turkey & Tinsel

5/HB

£319

23/12/20

Dumfries Xmas Package

5/FB

£430

9/11/20

Bournemouth Turkey & Tinsel 5/HB

£355

23/12/20

Llandudno Xmas Package

5/FB

£499

13/11/20

Llandudno Turkey & Tinsel

4/HB

£199

30/12/20

Lake District Hogmanay

4/SMA

£459

20/11/20

London

3/B&B

£159

30/12/20

Dumfries Hogmanay

4/HB

£459

23/11/20

Torquay Turkey & Tinsel

5/HB

£369

30/12/20

Llandudno Hogmanay

4/FB

£399

Check out our October - December day excursions on our website

Call for more details on 01942 728960 or visit www.memorylanetravel.co.uk

Memory Lane Holidays & Travel is a trading name of Ashcrofts Mini Travel Ltd. Company Number 06950361

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LocalLife

17

Young Achiever Wigan Soroptimists are now welcoming nominations for their Young Achiever Award for 2020.

This award is made each year to a to a local young girl/ woman aged 14-21 who has set a good example to the local community. The winner will have her name engraved on a trophy and will receive an engraved miniature trophy together with a gift card valued at £100.

The group takes a broad view of achievement to encompass service to the community. Acts of bravery, overcoming life’s difficulties, being a young carer, having business skills, or outstanding academic, sporting or arts attainment. Previous winners include Caitlin Touhey,

Beatrice Taylor, Olivia Barrow and Olivia Garcia.

Anyone can make a nomination and the nomination forms can be obtained on request from yaaward@ymail. com or from any member of SI Wigan and it will be also available on the club’s website http://sigbi.org/wigan Nominees must be between 14–21 years and they must come from anywhere in Wigan Borough, except for Leigh, Tyldesley and Atherton. When completed, forms should be returned by post to: Young Achiever Award, 10 Edinburgh Drive, Wigan, WN5 9ET or emailed to yaaward@ymail.com by 30th October 2020.

18

History in a

Basket

Shevington has a rich history of industry and historically residents earned their living by weaving, agriculture, mining, and basket making – and it is the basket making that used to play a large part in the prosperity of the local communities.

Shevington was part of an estate system held by a Lord of the Manor, from the first family of power, the Banastres in 1288, to the last reigning family, the Heskeths in 1798.

By the end of the 18th century most of the common land had been enclosed forming landed estates and tenant farms where mixed farming was practised.

One of the biggest shifts in Shevington’s productivity came in the late 1800’s when basket weaving became a cottage industry in the village, an industry that provided people with employment in their own homes. Basket weavers from the village would utilise raw materials that could be found in the area; trees in the nearby woods were coppiced for twigs and reeds were grown from Gathurst to Dean Lock between the River Douglas and the canal.

Skills associated with basket weaving were taught by a local resident, Harry Daines, who trained young people in the art of basket weaving at his home, Shevington Old Hall. Using reeds, willow, and alder shoots, all grown within a three-mile radius, he was known to produce both decorative and everyday items, such as shopping baskets, structures, and firewood baskets. It was said that at this time you could tell the occupation of a person by the basket they carried; mill girls had small lunch baskets, whilst railway workers had the biggest baskets so that they could carry coal home.

There is still evidence today of the productive nature of the village and none more noticeable than the metal basket weaver structure on Gathurst Lane. The new

structure is affectionally known as Jake, after his creator, local Blacksmith Jake Scorah. Sat proudly opposite the Hospice shop on the Shevington Community Heritage site, the new metal installation joins the plough and the pit tubs.

The previous, Wicker Man was more than five-years-old and was falling to pieces despite some restorative work.

The new metal basket weaver was installed on August 11, after a successful crowd funding attempt by members of Shevington in Bloom. Showing that they are just as industrious as their ancestors, the group successfully raised £1,300 in just 55 days after the total was matched

by Wigan Council.

Margaret Carter, a member of Shevington in Bloom told Local Life, “The in-bloom group are incredibly pleased with Jake, the unique Metal Man. Shevington in Bloom once again had the support of its community, who helped to finance him and Wigan Council who match funded and got us to our goal.”

She continued, “We have had such positive feedback about Jake and the hope is that he will help to preserve Shevington’s link with its industrial heritage and educate future generations about the history of their village.”

19

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20

Wigan’s

Ghostly tales Recounting legends, spooky stories, and ghostly tales that have passed down through generations is a rite of passage for most children. And whilst many of us love to scare ourselves witless with a good haunted house story, some of us are left a little unnerved by the things that go bump in the night.

All Hallows Eve is just around the corner and with the prospect of trick or treaters being confined to their own homes, we probably won’t be seeing many ghouls and spectres walking the streets. Or will we? Local Life decided to investigate some of the borough’s most infamous ghoulish apparitions.

Screaming Skull Appley Bridge Legend has it that if a skull unleashes great havoc when it is removed from its pride of place or final resting place, it becomes known as a Screaming Skull. The best-known example of a Screaming Skull is right on our doorstep in Appley Bridge. One of the oldest cottages in the village, houses a Screaming Skull with a fearsome history. Whilst we won’t disclose the exact whereabouts of the cottage in question, you’ve probably guessed that it’s not a million miles away from Skull House Lane.

The common belief is that the skull dates from the war between the Roundheads and the Cavaliers, when Oliver Cromwell ordered that the monks of England should be driven out of their monasteries and killed. One monk fled from his monastery and took refuge in a large cottage in Appley Bridge. Eventually he was discovered and driven out by fire. Ever since then, the monk’s skull has remained on the mantelpiece of the house, in the living room.

Although there is no firm evidence as to how the skull ended up in Appley Bridge, local residents tell that, throughout the history of the house, there have been many residents who have tried to get rid of the skull, and all have experienced disastrous results.

According to the legend, one man threw it into the River Douglas at the bottom of Appley Lane North. Shortly after, the skull returned to the house and the offending resident drowned in the river. Another tried to get it as far away from the house as possible, and shortly after, the skull returned once again and this time, the house’s inhabitant fell down the stairs and severely injured himself.

The skull still sits firmly on the mantelpiece of the cottage and woe betides anyone who tries to move it.

Whilst we may never fully reveal the true history of the skull, the current owners of the cottage tell us, quite understandably, they are in no hurry to move it any time soon!

21

Rector Hutton Standish Rectory The former Rector of Standish, Charles William Newton Hutton, is said to haunt the old textile mill at Bradley Hall. In the summer of 1963, a young cloth roller named David Elshaw was working at Douglas Mill, he had heard the tales of the ghostly goings on and they suddenly became very real in the middle of his night shift.

David suddenly fainted in front of the whole work force, once he regained consciousness, he managed to explain that he had seen a ghost. The description he gave detailed a figure in a long coat. It seemed to be floating about two feet from the floor. It looked as though he was wearing knickerbockers and there was something white near its neck.

It is reported that the then Rector of Standish, Reverend Charles Bramley, confirmed that the ghost seen by David matched the description of Charles William Newton Hutton the former Rector of Standish who had died twenty five years before at the age of seventy nine.

There have been stories of a few strange things happening, doors being left open when they were closed, the sound of footsteps and one of a green light floating around.

How did the Reverend come to walk the halls of an old textile mill? Well records show that he had a substantial amount of money invested there and for many years was the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Reverend Hutton died shortly after returning home from a drive on 5th January 1938. He was buried in Standish churchyard and it was considered that he had made many positive changes to the village during his lifetime. He died without any family to call his own and his possessions were put up for auction.

Soon after his death

the Rectory mansion he’d had built in Rectory Lane was demolished and a new Rectory built on Wigan Road.

It seems that everything he’d known was gone, his contributions to the village simply erased. Could this be the reason he hasn’t yet left Standish?

The White Lion Wrightington The White Lion pub on Mossy Lea Road has many a tale to tell. The most famous Landlord is Robert Mawdesley known locally as ‘Owd Bob’. He ran the pub with his wife Gwen from 1931 to 1976, strictly as an alehouse, so there was no wine or spirits for sale, and the beer came in jugs straight from the cellar.

On ‘Owd Bob’s’ retirement the pub was extended into the adjoining cottages, which is now the restaurant. After the extension was built it is believed that the pub by default adopted the ghost of an old lady that died in the cottages.

Many have seen objects fly off the windowsills and the temperature suddenly take a dip!

22

Lady Mabel Haigh Hall Now, most people have heard of the White Lady of Haigh Hall. I’ve heard many a tale of a faceless apparition stalking the upstairs rooms of Haigh Hall and the surrounding grounds. The story that accompanies this phantom is one of love, marriage and betrayal.

Mabel Bradshaigh was the lady of the manor at Haigh in the early fourteenth century. She married William Bradshaigh, who was a knight with a less than gentlemanly reputation. Legend has it that in 1315, he fled the country after his involvement in a rebellion against the Earl of Lancaster. Lady Mabel went many years without hearing a word from her husband, presumed dead, she eventually remarried. In a twist to the tale, William returned in 1322, he killed his wife’s new husband and resumed his life with Mabel.

It was considered that Lady Mabel had committed bigamy and to repent her sins she took a daily barefoot walk to a stone

cross six miles away, now known as Mabs Cross. It isn’t clear why Lady Mabel’s ghost is so malevolent, as she didn’t appear to be an unlikeable person throughout her life. Folktale has it that if you do happen upon her and try to look where her face should be it will drive you mad.

So if you’re ever out in the plantations, enjoying a pint along Wigan Lane or walking on Standishgate there’s every chance you might bump into old faceless Mabel, covered in rags, ready to drive you insane.

23

Here are a few examples of other Wigan legends and ghost tales, which can be found on www.paranormaldatabase.com Father Arrowsmith’s Holy Hand

Tall Grey Figure

Imprisoned in Lancaster Castle and hanged in 1628 for his religious beliefs, Father Arrowsmith begged that his right hand be removed and preserved promising that it had the power to cure illness. In 1736 it was said to be used on a twelve-year-old boy who could no longer use his limbs. After the hand was applied to the boy’s back, he was once again able to walk. The miracles attributed to the ‘Holy Hand’ led to Father Arrowsmith being ratified as a Saint in 1929. The hand was kept for decades at Bryn Hall before finally being moved to the Church of St Oswald & St Edmund Arrowsmith in Ashton-in-Makerfield, where it still rests today.

A tall grey figure was reportedly seen by several people at different times, moving down the corridor by the watch office. Disembodied footsteps were also heard in the kit room.

Location: Wigan - Bryn Hall

The White Crow Worthington The White Crow Pub in Worthington dates back to the 16th century, when it was the White Cross Coaching House. Standing in Wigan countryside for all those years, there is bound to be a ghostly tale or two.

The building’s namesake, The White Crow, sits proudly above the dining area on the southern gable wall of the pub. When you first see it right above the huge fireplace, there is no denying that it is in fact, white. Apparently, that is the result of a rare genetic mutation – but Beelzebub

Location: Wigan – Old Fire Station

Smart Man

Location: Wigan - The Mount & Premier Inn One witness awoke in his room to see a man dressed in a 1960s suit. The man vanished when the witness cried out. A manager at the inn said that several figures had been seen on the site, as the inn was built on the site of a nunnery.

as he is affectionately known, has a real reputation for mischief.

No one really knows when he arrived at the pub, but Beelzebub, faces into the wall; move him and the tradition warns you to be prepared for trouble. Local superstition has it that if Beelzebub is ever turned around, the pub will be cursed with bad luck. Past catastrophes at the pub went some way to confirming this after a mishap whilst cleaning him; problems ranged from floods, power cuts and broken cameras.

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READY

in 1 hour

plus chilling Makes 6

Salted caramel, chocolate and chilli tartlets A hint of fiery chilli complements a rich chocolate dessert perfectly.

Serve with a spoonful of thick cream for a really indulgent dessert.

Ingredients Flour, for dusting 250g ready-made sweet shortcrust pastry 260g jar salted caramel sauce 25g unsalted butter 100g dark chocolate, broken into pieces 1 small red chilli, deseeded and chopped (see Tip) Shredded fresh basil leaves, to decorate (optional) Icing sugar, for dusting TIP: Blanch the chopped chilli pepper in boiling water for 1 minute, then refresh under cold water and pat dry with kitchen paper. This will remove a little of the fiery heat from the chilli. If you prefer, replace the fresh chopped chilli with a sprinkle of dried chilli flakes.

Method 1 Lightly dust a work surface with flour and roll out the pastry to about 3mm thickness. Use to line six 10cm tartlet tins. Prick the bases with a fork and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/gas mark 6.

2 Line each tartlet tin with a circle of baking paper and fill with baking beans. Bake blind in the preheated oven for 7-8 minutes. Remove the beans and paper and bake the tarts for a further 4-5 minutes until the pastry is crisp and pale golden. Leave to cool completely, then remove the pastry cases from the tins and place on a board.

3 Divide the salted caramel sauce between the cold tartlet pastry cases, smoothing the surfaces level with the back of a teaspoon. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

4 Place the butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water and leave until melted. Remove the bowl from the heat and stir the mixture until smooth. Cool for 20 minutes then spread over the salted caramel filling. Chill for 1 hour or until set.

5 To serve, sprinkle the chopped chilli pepper over the set chocolate topping and scatter over the shredded basil (if using). Dust with icing sugar.

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26

WIN

Rainbow

! t r a s glas

If there’s a prize for the image of the year, the rainbow would win hands down for 2020.

What started off as an idea to providing children some observational points during those daily walks when schools were first locked down spread like wildfire as the image evolved into a symbol of hope, associated particularly with our beloved NHS. Local glass artist Stephanie O’Brien, the co-owner of Morpheus Glass who are based at the Love It Gallery on Winstanley Road in Billinge, has created a range of exquisite rainbow art to help people commemorate 2020 and we have got three pieces of this art to give away to three lucky readers.

The first prize is a rainbow arch with a value of £55, the second prize is a large rainbow heart with a value of £20 and the third prize is a rainbow bee, with a value of £17.95.

Other pieces in the Morpheus Glass Rainbow collection include bowls, candle stands, decorations and discs of various sizes. Prices for the collection start at just £6.50.

There is little doubt that 2020 will be referred to in years to come as a ‘before’ and ‘after’ time in history and it’s well worth visiting Love It Gallery and browsing through the rainbow collection which commemorates this important time.

To win one of our fabulous prizes simply visit our website, www. locallife247.co.uk, click on ‘free stuff’ and then on ‘competitions’ and then answer the following question;

What is the name of the Gallery where you can see the Morpheus Glass Rainbow collection?

The expiry date for the competition is midnight on Saturday 31st October 2020 and the winners will be notified within five working days. Entrants must be over 16 years of age. Only one entry per household.

Local Life 247 cannot accept responsibility for entries that do not reach us. Employees of Local Life 247 Ltd and their families are not eligible to enter this competition.

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1st prize

Earn extra

cash!

worth £55

Local Life require distributors for the following areas;

Parbold

Burnside Est, Mill Lane, Bradshaw/Bramble area 419 copies £30.38 + leaflet pay

2nd prize

worth £20

Parbold

Brandreth D, Fairhurst, The Common, Greenfield area 479 copies £37.12 + leaflet pay

Newburgh

All areas 362 copies £26.25 + leaflet pay

Standish Lower Ground

Spelding Estate, Giants Hall Estate, WLR – part 358 copies £24.17 + leaflet pay

3rd prize

worth £17.95

Swinley

Lessingham/Danesway Estate 496 copies £33.48 & leaflet pay

Springfield

St Andrews Est/Douglas Bank Est/ Sandway Est 348 copies £25.23 & leaflet pay

Interested?

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

LocalLife

28

Monument

Unveiled

For those readers who haven’t yet seen the new addition to the town centre arts landscape in College Street, we reproduce the image of this impressive statue for you.

The memorial was unveiled in a somewhat informal fashion during lockdown.

It was an underwhelming and undeserving end to a tough fundraising campaign that started back in 2016 when a group of people from the local history group, set up WHAMM (Wigan Heritage and Mining Monument) to commemorate the thousands of Wiganers that were affected by the town’s coal mining industry.

Donations were successfully secured, quiz nights, music festivals and church festivals were held, merchandise was sold, all with aim of raising funds for the memorial.

One generous benefactor, who remains anonymous, donated a total of ÂŁ80,000 towards the fund.

For more information about the memorial, visit the Facebook page@whammwigan

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30

It takes a brave person

to book a holiday right now Parts of the travel industry haven’t had a ‘good’ virus. Many tour operators, starved of cashflow, have made valued customers wait months for refunds.

Holding on to other peoples’ hardearned cash is bad enough, but it’s the sheer inconvenience and frustration of being kept on hold for hours, the unanswered emails and the uncertainty that is driving holidaymakers mad.

Wouldn’t it be perfect if, when planning future trips, you could pick up the phone at anytime, anywhere in the world and speak to a travel expert directly about any aspect of your holiday.

Well, now you can.

As part of the largest travel operative in the UK - Hays Travel Group, Not Just Travel offers a more personalised travel experience – think of a travel concierge on call 24/7. They are fully ABTA and ATOL protected and 60% of their holidays are not even available to the general public on-line.

Julie Moss is your local Not Just Travel representative and if you’re from Orrell then it’s likely that you know at least one member of the Moss family. Brother Mick is one of the local postmen, Mother Helen was the school cook at

Newfold Primary School for many years and Dad Mick senior laid many of the area’s block paved driveways and was a regular in the Rose and Crown.

When growing up, Julie was the member of the Moss family with dreams and ambitions, initially for her big passion - Dance. After leaving Upholland High School, she migrated to London to study dance and performing arts. She then opened her own dance school in Kent but somewhere down this journey the travel bug ‘bit’ hard and to the horror of her mum, Julie set off to become a travel representative and quite literally, never looked back.

30 years later, she’s still working in the travel industry and has worked all over the world, most extensively in Greece, Cyprus, Spain and India, and has hundreds of contacts who she can call on to make your holiday perfect. Want to hire a yacht in Zante, Julie’s got just the man. Need a doctor in India, Julie knows a few.

Booking holidays online has never been easier, but if you’re looking for a truly memorable holiday then you cannot replace the knowledge, value, expertise, and

31 personalisation that Julie can bring. Getting hold of those hot London West End show tickets, luxury beach villas, airport lounge tickets, VIP connections, or flight upgrades that make a holiday memorable is a hard ask, but Julie will use trusted contacts and suppliers to ensure you receive the perfect holidays of your dreams.

Not Just Travel use an amazing choice of over 400 trusted suppliers - Jet2 and TUI included - and can book anything from a quick week in Spain to a luxury cruise around the world – think travel and they can help you. As one of the Personal Travel Experts at Not Just Travel, Julie is there to make planning your next holiday stress-free and easy.

Whether you know exactly what you want or need some travel inspiration, she’ll use her knowledge and expertise to create a bespoke holiday you’ll love.

If you’re planning a holiday to remember after a year to forget then call Julie on 07786 311 282 or email julie.moss@notjusttravel.com

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Save time & stress Backed by ABTA and ATOL One-stop shop – door to door service Wedding & Honeymoon Specialist Group Holidays More for your money Tailor-made holidays Emergency help if needed Expert advice & inspiration Making holidays memorable

family fun

advEntuRE

luXuRy

City BREaK

Rail EXPlORE

CRuiSE/RivER CRuiSE

WEddinG/HOnEymOOn

Call your personal travel expert 01942 912334 / 07786 311 282 julie.moss@notjusttravel.com @NJTJulieM

www.juliemoss.notjusttravel.com

32

Joiner Required Established Wigan-based joinery company seeks time-served Joiner.

Immediate start.

For more information call Manos on

07852 202 867

www.mtjoinery.co.uk

FREE PICKUP & DELIVERY

33

left out in thE COld this winter?

4 Are you a homeowner?

4 Is your boiler over 6 years old?

4 Are you in receipt of benefits or tax credits?

You could get a frEE (or heavily subsided) boiler via the ECO3 scheme.

What is the ECO3 Scheme?

This is a UK government energy efficiency scheme where energy suppliers fund the installation of energy efficiency measures, such as boilers, for homeowners in receipt of benefits and tax credits.

GEt yOur bOilEr fundinG tOday!

Call us now on 0800 689 1723 or visit www.invictusboilergrants.co.uk Unit 5 • Millbrook Business Park • Rainford • WA11 8LZ

34

Parbold’s

Community Champions

By Nicola Gray “In our 90-year history I don’t think we’ve seen anything like 2020 and this branch has even lived through a World War!” If the impact of the COVID lockdown can be summed up in one sentence, then Marilyn Walker from the Parbold branch of the Women’s Institute manages it with aplomb.

Talking about their time during the national lockdown, members Helen France, Sylvia Wright, Marjorie Salt and Marilyn muse that this is the first time their members have really been asked to step up to the plate and help the community. And that is exactly what they achieved.

For four months their volunteers were a lifeline to the village’s most vulnerable residents, offering grocery and prescription collections to people who were shielding.

Helen adds, “People were incredibly grateful for the help. We had a lot of local volunteers, not just members, and we organised collections of food and

other supplies including medications, magazines or even just a book to read.”

At one point the group were even taking referrals from the local GP surgery and the Chemist as word spread around the village and people made use of the service.

Sylvia added, “We worked together as a community, Paolo’s Fruit and Veg shop, Reynold’s Butchers and the local milk man all provided free delivery services during lockdown.

She added, “We are keen to continue to help where we can, we feel that lots of people have made sacrifices during this time and it’s the least we could do. There has been so much goodwill from our local community and what we are trying to get across is that Parbold is such a lovely place to live and everyone has rallied together for the good of each other.”

35 As the magazine went to press, the service has stopped, as people have slowly started to return to everyday life, but the ladies are ready to go at a moment’s notice and will be prepared to help again should the need arise. This is the first time the annual WI programme has not taken place as planned, but that didn’t stop this tenacious group, during August they held socially distanced gatherings in the park for those members who wished to come along for a picnic and the committee got together by holding regular zoom meetings.

This group of ladies are proud to belong to the WI and their past members would be proud of them today. The WI hall opened in 1936 and before that was held in a barn on Tan House Lane, ladies managed to raise the money for a deposit so that they could buy the hall. The only snag was, they needed a mortgage but could not get one. Mr Stobart, the husband of one of the original members, acquired the mortgage for them and within six years, it had been paid off. It is even rumoured that in the 1950’s, before the Fab Four became known as the Beatles, they actually played a gig at the hall!

Since the lockdown, the hall is not fully up and running yet and usually plans are underway for a Christmas pantomime, that unfortunately will not be happening this year. Marilyn added, “All the members and volunteers are so looking forward to when the hall is buzzing with activity again. We hold luncheons, parties, dance classes and we are hopeful that we will be able to recommence our activities and regular meetings as soon it is safe to do so.”

Visitors and new members can always expect a warm welcome at the Parbold WI, so for more information about the hall or becoming a member, please call 07984 274802 between 9.30am-4pm.

Parbold WI Venue: Parbold WI Hall, WN8 7HA

What’s on Offer: • Monthly Meetings with a speaker on 1st Tuesday of every month • Book Club • Luncheon Club • Knit & Natter • Dominoes Outings • Christmas Pantomime • Exercise Classes • Dance Classes • Involved with Parbold Village Show

Picture left shows Parbold WI members Helen France, Sylvia Wright, Marjorie Salt and Marilyn Walker.

36 NATIVE UNION CLIC LEATHER CASE FOR IPHONE Fancy something premium that’s a bit different from Apple’s own cases? The CLIC offers stylish design in genuine leather and a range of attractive colours.

s r o r r o Tech H alloween Prevent

this H

£49.95 from Apple.com

October means Halloween, a time for scares and horror – but one horror you don’t want is for something to happen to your precious hardware or your precious data. Unfortunately computers, tablets and phones are a lot easier to destroy than zombies or vampires, so it’s wise to take some precautions.

CASETIFY APPLE WATCH CASE With screen replacements costing almost as much as the entire watch, it’s wise to protect your Apple Watch with an inexpensive but effective wraparound case. £12 from Casetify.com

One of the simplest things you can do to protect your hardware is to put it in a case. It’s not something you really need to do with a laptop, but it’s a very sensible move for smartphones and tablets because they’re mobile devices that are much more likely to be dropped. You can also get cases for smartwatches.

If we’re honest they’re not exactly pretty, but neither is the £286 we were quoted to repair the smashed glass on our Apple Watch. For watches and phones, you can get good-quality screen protectors for less than £10 that will absorb most impacts and usually leave the screen undamaged.

For extra peace of mind, consider gadget insurance.

Your home insurance may well cover gadgets already but the excesses are usually high, so if you’re worried about regularly having to replace smashed screens it can be a worthwhile investment. Multi-device policies start at under £10 per month, rising to about £17 for policies that cover an entire household.

Hardware isn’t the only thing you should consider protecting. Think about all those priceless and irreplaceable photos you’ve taken and videos you’ve shot. Unfortunately computer storage can and does break, and of course devices can be stolen. That’s why it’s really important to have multiple copies of anything important like precious family photos.

For copying large libraries, such as years of family photos, an external hard disk is a relatively cheap way to do it; you might also like to try online storage services like Microsoft OneDrive or Google Drive.

The more it matters to you, the more copies you should have of it.

WESTERN DIGITAL MY PASSPORT EXTERNAL HARD DISK WD’s excellent external disks aren’t just fast with lots of storage space.

They come in designs that are much more interesting than your average external drive.

From £42 from Westerndigital.com

JOHN LEWIS AND PARTNERS RECYCLED LEATHER TABLET SLEEVE This simple, stylish and environmentally friendly sleeve from John Lewis is made by processing leather that would have otherwise gone to waste. £18 from John Lewis

BAM BINO SPACE SUIT This rugged iPad case for kids isn’t just cute; with a shoulder strap, screen protector and rugged plastic bumpers it’s convenient, kid-friendly and extremely tough. £19.95 from Amazon

37

Limited number of places available in most year groups

Open Day

Ofsted 2017: ‘This school continues to be good.’

‘The curriculum provides a genuinely enriching experience for all pupils.’

Monday 2nd november

Prospective parents can call the office and make an appointment to help us restrict the number of people in school.

SIAMS 2017: ‘The distinctiveness and effectiveness of Appley Bridge All Saints as a Church of England school are outstanding.’

Parent Quote: ‘A positive environment for children to learn. Led by approachable and experienced staff.’

Email enquiries to: bursar@appleybridgeallsaints.lancs.sch.uk

Attainment in reading, writing and maths is consistently higher than the national average at both the expected and the higher standard.

Visit our website at: www.appleybridgeallsaints.lancs.sch.uk

Appley Bridge All Saints’ CE Primary School Finch Lane, Appley Bridge, WN6 9DT Telephone: 01257 252 647

Parbold Douglas Nursery

WE ARE OPEN ALL YEAR (51 weeks) 7.30am - 6.00pm Forest School Teacher and Woodland on site Highly qualified and experienced staff Lancaster Lane | Parbold | Wigan | WN8 7HS

01257 462199 nursery@pda.lancs.sch.uk

38

Bolton School

BOLTON SCHOOL Realising Potential

With consistently high examination results, outstanding inspection reports, excellent facilities and incredible extra-curricular opportunities, our friendly school will enable your child to realise their full potential.

Find out more about us:

www.boltonschool.org/virtualvisit

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40

Are you looking for a school place for September 2021?

Roby Mill is a small, village school where each and every child is valued and can develop to reach their full potential. We have small class sizes and a high adult to child ratio enabling personalized learning in a caring and supportive environment.

With a wide catchment area, our children travel from near and far to attend our school and with places available for Reception 2021 and other year groups, come and visit to secure your place.

We offer both breakfast club and a wide variety of after school clubs.

Call Now for an appointment.

Our school is always open.

Beautifully furnished

Stone Cottage Holiday Let

Situated near Sedbergh, in the Yorkshire Dales, and also within easy reach of the Lake District

– sleeps up to 4

Children & pets welcome

Roby Mill C.E. Primary School School Lane, Roby Mill, Up Holland, WN8 0QR

Telephone: 01695 622536 www.roby-mill.lancsngfl.ac.uk

The small school with the BIG heart

Call 01942 216 058

www.millthropcottage.co.uk

Could you be one of tomorrow’s outstanding teachers?

Join us at our virtual open evenings using Microsoft Teams.

Individuals who are passionate about working with young children.

Monday 5th October 2020 Monday 9th November 2020 Monday 7th December 2020 Monday 18th January 2021 Monday 1st March 2021 Monday 19th April 2021

5-5:30pm 5-5:30pm 5-5:30pm 5-5:30pm 5-5:30pm 5-5:30pm

Individuals who have the potential to be outstanding teachers

Please email enquiries@wcpsd.uk to request to join a virtual open evening.

Accredited Study days will be at Liverpool Hope University leading to a PGCE and QTS in primary teaching.

For more information and updates please visit www.wcpsd.uk and www.saintpatricks.wigan.sch.uk To search the course please visit the ‘get into teaching’ website https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/ and search using the following provider and course codes.

Provider code 2A4 Primary course code (Age 5-11) 2XT7 EYFS course code (Age 3-7) AP55

41

A live and interactive showcase of life at

winstanley college

THURSDAY 15th October and Wednesday 4th November

5 – 7pm

Register now!

Visit www.winstanley.ac.uk or email admissions@winstanley.ac.uk

42

READY

in 1 hour Serves 4

Chicken and pepper jalfrezi Save a trip to the takeaway, cook up this deliciously spicy curry instead.

Serve with pilau rice, naan breads and some cucumber and mint raita.

Ingredients 1 tsp mustard seeds 1 tsp each ground turmeric and ground cumin 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed 1 tbsp grated fresh root ginger 2 green chillies, deseeded and chopped 1tbsp sunflower oil 1 large onion, peeled and chopped 2 tbsp tomato puree 500g chicken breast fillets, cut into chunks 2 red and 2 green peppers, deseeded and cut into chunks

Method 1 Heat a heavy-based non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and add the mustard seeds. Toast for 1-2 minutes until just popping. Place in a mini processor or blender with the turmeric, cumin, garlic, ginger and half the green chillies. Add 3 tbsp water and process to a paste.

2 Heat the oil in the frying pan over a medium heat and fry the onion and remaining green chilli for 10 minutes until the onion is soft and golden.

Stir in the spice paste, tomato puree and the chicken and cook, stirring, for 3-4 minutes until the chicken is no longer pink.

3 Stir in the peppers and tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes then add 300ml water and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked through. Stir in half the coriander and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve garnished with the remaining chopped coriander and the strips of lemon zest.

4 tomatoes, chopped 4 tbsp freshly chopped coriander Salt and freshly ground black pepper Strips of lemon zest, to garnish

TIP: You can use butternut squash or courgette instead of the parsnip and turnips – you won’t need to parboil them before sautÊing.

43

READY

in 55 mins Serves 4

Leek, aubergine and tomato gratins Simpler to make than a vegetarian lasagne, but just as tasty.

Serve with crusty bread and green salad for a family supper.

Ingredients

Method

3 tbsp olive oil

1 Preheat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas mark 7. Brush the aubergine slices with 2 tbsp of the oil. Heat a cast-iron griddle pan and cook the slices (in batches) for 1-2 minutes on each side until lightly charred and just tender. Set aside.

1 large leek, trimmed and halved widthways then cut into strips

2 Blanch the leeks in a large pan of lightly salted water for 1 minute then refresh under cold water. Drain well and pat dry with kitchen paper.

1 onion, peeled and finely chopped

3 Heat the rest of the oil in a frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the onion and fry for 5 minutes then add the garlic and fry for a further 1-2 minutes. Add the passata, tomato puree, oregano and sugar and bring to the boil. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until reduced and thickened, stirring frequently. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

1 large aubergine, trimmed and thinly sliced

2 garlic cloves, crushed 600g bottle passata 2 tbsp tomato puree 2 tsp dried oregano Pinch of sugar Salt and freshly ground black pepper 200g ricotta cheese 150g mozzarella cheese, sliced

4 Spread some of the sauce in the base of four shallow individual gratin dishes.

Cover with half the aubergine and leek then spread more tomato sauce on top. Crumble over the ricotta cheese. Cover with the rest of the aubergine and remaining sauce. Top with the mozzarella and the remaining leeks. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbling.

TIP: Top with a sprinkling of grated Parmesan (or vegetarian Italian-style hard cheese) mixed with brown breadcrumbs before baking to give a lovely golden crispy crust to the finished dishes.

44

Grandmillennial Style For the Millennial generation (roughly speaking, those in their twenties and thirties now) the trend du jour harks back to the cosy style of their mothers and even grandmothers – a look that has been dubbed ‘granny chic’ or ‘grandmillennial’.

It is certainly a trend that is a welcome change from the cold, monochromatic, minimalist looks seen in recent years. Grandmillennial is nostalgic, though timeless rather than outdated, combining a more-is-more approach with a careful edit of traditional elements alongside modern touches. It’s fun, pretty, and an expression of individuality.

Furniture Essentials Good quality dark wood furniture in polished walnut, mahogany or rosewood, for example, all work with this look. Wicker, rattan and cane pieces will also fit right in.

Choose the super-comfortable Victorian style of deeply buttoned upholstery, in the form of sofas, armchairs and ottomans. Velvet or chenille are both great fabrics to use.

Embellishments Extravagant embellishments are your go-to for perfecting the grandmillennial look. Tassels, fringes, gathered skirts, pleats, scalloped edges, ruffles, braids and ribbons are the little extras that make this look interesting and different.

Pattern and Colour Pattern and colour are the heart of this design style.

Colours might be bright but they are also fresh rather than overpowering, with designs often on a white or pale background. Wallpapers are a big feature in the grandmillennial room, but if an entirely papered room is not for you, a good alternative is a framed panel. Favoured colours are classic blue and white, pink, green and yellow, with specific patterns to look out for including chinoiserie, chintz or blowsy florals, toile de jouy and trellis.

Accessories A selection of colourful, not too-well-matched cushions is a good addition, as well as charming displays of collections such as blue-and-white china, Staffordshire dogs or milk glass. Finish off with some block-printed or monogrammed napkins, botanical prints, an ornate mirror and a cut-glass vase of hydrangeas, peonies or roses.

Colour and pattern – if you’re going for a granny chic bathroom, this is the way to do it!

Shells And Pearls Wallpaper in lilac, £65 per roll, Catherine Rowe: 07969 845 703; catherinerowedesigns.com.

45

This comfortable, colourful, chintzy look could also be called ‘granny chic’ – and it’s the style of the moment for youngsters and the young at heart.

Pile on the cushions and the blowsy, oversized, flower-print textiles. Add a buttoned sofa or armchair for good measure.

Liberte chair, £899; Isabella velvet scatter cushions, £30 each; all Sofology: 03444 81 81 81; sofology.co.uk.

The Rise of the Grandmillennial The term ‘Grandmillennial’ was coined by Emma Bazilian in an article for American House Beautiful in October 2019.

A self-confessed grandmillennial herself, she identified a set of Instagram influencers who might post photos of themselves wearing floral maxi dresses or with dining tables carefully laid with block-printed napkins and white hydrangeas. “Grandmillennials have an affinity for design trends considered by mainstream culture to be ‘stuffy’ or ‘outdated’ – Laura Ashley prints, ruffles, embroidered linens,” she wrote. “Unlike that of the late-aughts hipster, their taste for the antiquated isn’t ironic, it’s less twee than timeless.” She interviewed several young interior designers about the trend, who described the rise in interest in ‘old-school’ design, with layers of bolder colours and patterns and a highly individual approach.

And as Manhattan-based designer Ariel Okin explained, grandmillennials “appreciate the staying power of good, well-edited design, while putting their own fresh spin on it to make it feel updated and unique.” If you want to find out more about the style, look at these Instagram feeds: @grandmillenniallifestyle; @grandmillennialshop; @ grandmillennialdecor; @amyberryhome; @clarybosbyshell; @arielokin; @lilsemckenna; @emilycbutler; @lycettedesigns and @grand.millennial.

This playful lamp contrasts deep fringing with the soft glow of a spherical bulb.

Atmosfera fringe table lamp by Slamp Lighting, £386, Chaplins: 020 8421 1779; chaplins.co.uk.

46

Bedrooms on a budget

Kitting out a child’s bedroom can be extremely pricey, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re starting with a blank canvas or upgrading furniture as your child grows, these tips from Kate Duggan might help you to stick to your budget…

Look for quality furniture second-hand If you want furniture to last, look for plain, solidly built furniture. We bought my daughter’s chest of drawers when she was a baby. It’s plain white, but we stuck some removable decals on to ‘prettify’ it. And, as it’s decent quality, it’s lasted well (she’s now eleven). It was secondhand and cost well under £50 – contrast this to the new chest of drawers bought subsequently at twice the price, but of nowhere near the same quality. So my top tip is, buy decent furniture second-hand rather than cheap furniture new.

Solid pine furniture lasts for years and is easily available second-hand. You can paint it with chalk paint and update it in different colours as your child’s tastes change.

I picked up an ugly (but well-built) bureau for £12 a couple of years ago. The result of some chalk paint and new handles is an attractive, unique piece of furniture that could be passed down to future generations.

Facebook, eBay and Gumtree are good places to look for furniture, as are Freecycle and local charity warehouse stores. I’ve also picked up bargains at my local tip.

Look for customer returns Prefer to buy new? Some stores offer customer returns at a discounted price. Wayfair often sells returned furniture at 25% off, for example, and most items are in perfect condition.

At www.nnwarehouse.uk, you’ll find furniture from children’s brand Noa & Nani at knock-down prices. In exchange for accepting a minor cosmetic imperfection (e.g. a small scratch or dent), you could save over 50% on

the RRP. At the time of writing, a grey single bed is on sale at £39, rather than the usual £129. There’s also a bunk bed for £89, a wooden toy box for £20 and lots more.

Think of resale value If you’re buying for the short term and don’t fancy a customer return, look for brands that you can easily sell on again. Ikea’s Kallax storage units, for example, seem to hold their value well and are robust enough to withstand a few knocks.

Decorating on the cheap Pick up some wooden picture frames from a charity shop and paint them in different coordinating colours. If you’re decorating a baby or toddler’s bedroom, cut out an applique from an outgrown or stained Babygro or T-shirt.

Once framed, it looks like a handmade (expensive) piece of art. You could also try sticking colourful buttons on some cardboard in the shape of your child’s initials and then framing it. Or just use pictures from a calendar or even a comic.

You may have a limited budget, but with a bit of perseverance and imagination, you can give your child a room to be proud of.

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48

The Price is Right (or you could lose thousands).

The UK’s stamp duty holiday, which benefits buyers up to the tune of £15,000, finishes on 31st March 2021 and all house purchases must be completed by that date. Most people who are selling a house are buying another house and obviously want to take advantage of this tax break. This leaves you six months to benefit – that’s ages away right?

process with an agent you trust to achieve the best price. Ask yourself these questions:

In fact, the average time taken to sell and buy a house in the UK is…six months, so if you want to take advantage of the stamp duty then you need to get a wriggle on.

Does your Agent have a website full of properties that have had their prices reduced?

The single most important piece of advice I would give anyone who is hoping to sell their house and buy another in this time frame is this; Make sure your house is up for sale at the right price.

Rightmove has recently completed a study on how important it is for sellers to price their house currently. The internet property platform analysed 300,000 newly-listed homes across four months and the data showed those houses that were reduced in price had a 33% chance of finding a buyer within the 4 month timeframe, compared to a 63% chance if priced right from the start.

Furthermore, Rightmove say homes priced right first time are on average getting an offer accepted 26 days more quickly than those that have had to have at least one reduction before they get an offer accepted. The average time to find a buyer if a property is priced right is currently 21 days, rising to 47 days if it needs to be reduced.

Believe it or not, there are some estate agents who will deliberately overvalue your house just to get their hands on your business. It’s a self-centred strategy that is all about the agent and not about the customer, and it can have a disastrous impact on your ability to move quickly.

For most people, selling a home is the largest financial transaction of their life. It’s essential to go through the

Out of the Agents who have valued the property, has this agent given you the highest valuation?

Choose your agent carefully, it could make the difference between you being able to complete on your dream house by 31st March, or not. Up to £15,000 is at stake.

Top Tips for Selling 1 List the house at a realistic price 2 Make sure the marketing photos are as good as they can be and ensure exterior shots are taken on a nice day.

3 Employ the services of a solicitor immediately - bringing together the legal paperwork of the property you are selling will save weeks between the sale agreed and completion.

4 Galvanise your Agent – If your agent has a 4, 6 or 8 week notice period, serve it immediately and get them to work even harder to find you a buyer quickly.

5 Kerb appeal – paint the front door, gravel the driveway if needed, use hanging baskets or potted plants to make your house stand out.

Alan Batt is a member of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and has worked within the Wigan property market for over 30 years.

Alan Batt

For more of Alan’s tips, guidance and analysis on the Wigan property market, check out

www.wiganpropertynews.blogspot.co.uk

49

90% of clients achieve

100% of asking price or more in less than

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Source; www.rightmove.co.uk (01/07/19 to 31/07/20) Source; www.pro.zoopla.co.uk (01/07/19 to 31/07/20)

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50

Then & Now

Standish

Walking Day banners are carried along the High Street. Straw hats and Eton collars were obviously in vogue, and the tram cables and lines are visible.

A single solitary vehicle at Standish’s main traffic lights is not a sight often seen. Noel Chadwick’s butchers and the Williams Deacon’s bank face each other at the lights, whilst a timberfronted shop stands out on Market Street.

The year was 1963. The Beatles release their first album, the Rolling Stones release their first single and Bob Dylan records Blowin’ in the Wind. Here’s a pic of Lil’s Café on Preston Road, surely the coolest hanging-out spot in Standish.

People waiting outside The Palace Cinema on the High Street in the 1930’s.

Local entrepreneur Ernie Bentham opened the cinema in 1927 and ran it for 30 years until 1957 alongside his sons Ernest and Sidney.

Wigan’s Cultural and Heritage venues are open and warmly welcome you with two new exhibitions….

RADICALS, REBELS & REFORM: Fighting for Change (Museum of Wigan Life, Wigan). & We Will Always Be Together (The Fire Within, The Galleries, Wigan).

Please check website and social media for facilities, opening days and times. www.wigan.gov.uk/museum | www.thefirewithin.org.uk

51

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Festive Foliage Christmas is a mere 12 weeks off and, as it looks like we’re all going to spend more time at home than usual during this festive period, so here’s your chance to enhance the Christmas décor at your home by learning how to create a Christmas wreath.

foliage, scented fruits, baubles and ribbons.

Local florist Olive Owl Flowers are holding a few workshops closer to the festive season, but numbers are limited due to social distancing, so it is well worth booking early to secure your space.

Other Christmas workshops held by Olive Owl Flowers include a Dried & Textured Wreath workshop and also a Modern Half-Wreath workshop, and they take place on 30th November and 1st, 8th, 14th and 15th December at venues in Orrell.

The Full Festive Wreath 2½ hour workshop takes place on Tuesday 24th November at The Posthouse bar at Orrell Post and participants will be making a wreath with fresh

The Little Green Platter Company will be in attendance with their scrumptious cheeseboards with extras, and the cost for this workshop is £45. This workshop is repeated on the 3rd,7th,10th and 17th December.

To book your place call Sarah on 07375 296590 or email hello@oliveowl.co.uk.

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Traders Celebrate Back in 2008, when the world was undergoing the last major recession, the Trading Standards department at Wigan Council launched a scheme for residents that would help undermine the rise in ‘cowboy’ traders within Wigan Borough.

Fast forward to 2020 and with next recession looming large, the Good Trader Scheme is now firmly established as a real triumph, a scheme backed by Wigan Council

which has successfully united local residents with 187 local tradespeople, keeping them supplied with work and helping the local economy thrive.

For residents, the scheme is a quick ‘go-to’ guide for reliable and competent local tradespeople. Residents can check out a tradesperson’s contact details and read what his/her previous customers say about the quality of their work.

For tradespeople, it’s a far cheaper way of promoting your business than the likes of Checkatrade and its numerous

57 competitors, and it’s a given that the work created by the Good Trader Scheme is all local work, saving tradespeople travel time and expense.

from further into Wigan and we do know that people are looking at the website and checking people out’.

Whilst it isn’t an approval scheme, it is a register of businesses in the borough that have signed up to the Council’s code of practice. The scheme is promoted and managed by the Council’s Trading Standards team. If the team receives any serious complaints about a trader, they will investigate and traders can be removed from the Scheme permanently. Residents can be assured that only reputable traders will be permitted to remain on the Scheme.

Graham Collier from Top Coat Decorating Services in Standish adds “My customers know they can trust me because I’m a member of Wigan Council’s Good Trader Scheme”.

Janet Nicols, a Trading Standards Enforcement Officer at Wigan Council said “The Good Trader scheme is now the 3rd largest in the country at a fraction of the cost of other similar schemes’.

Phil Parsons of PP Building Services in Standish said, “The price of joining the scheme is extremely reasonable”.

“It’s promoted by the council and helps residents find reliable local traders registered on the scheme. We also offer support to our members to help with disputes and enquiries, as well as ensuring they hear of grants and funding opportunities for businesses”.

The Home Services section of the Local Life magazine has been sponsored by the Good Trader Scheme for years and many of our advertisers are members. We got together a few Local Life advertisers, all of whom have just received their 10 years membership award winners, and asked them a few questions about the scheme.

“I think it’s a very good scheme”.

What advice would you give to tradespeople who aren’t on the Scheme?

“The Good Trader Scheme gives people peace of mind because all the tradespeople on the scheme have been checked out by Wigan Trading Standards”.

Tradespeople looking to join the scheme can do so by visiting the website at www.goodtraderscheme.com/ registration/.

Charges for the scheme are reasonable, with annual fees of £85 for companies between 1-5 employees, £140 (620 employees) and £340 (20+ employees). There is also a one-off administration charge of £30.

Key Facts about the Good Trader Scheme

Why should residents use the scheme?

• Launched September 2008

Bob McWilliam from Manor House Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning in Shevington said “We started on the scheme ten years ago and we were vetted by Trading Standards on joining the scheme. When we do jobs for customers, they can leave feedback which residents can read to give them peace of mind that we do the job correctly”. Bob’s business partner and son Ben chips in “Open and honest feedback, no paid for reviews etc, just genuine local reviews”.

• 187 local tradespeople are members of the scheme

What difference has it made to your business?

Vince Brady from Garden Rescue Tree Services in Upholland said “We’ve been going for twenty years now and initially all our work was from word of mouth and recommendations in our local area. Since they (Wigan Council) started the scheme though we are getting work

• Scheme website viewed over 39,000 times in 2019 • Annual cost for tradespeople – price starts from £85 for small companies • One Off administration charge of £30 • www.goodtraderscheme.com

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Award Winners for 2020 Good Trader of the Year

PH Profiles, PH Windows, Royal Home Improvements, S. Walmsley Decorators, Seddon Services Ltd, Stephen Heath Painter & Decorator, Stuart Pevitt Electrician, TS Construction, TS Lawns, Vitreous Windows, Wigan Aerials, Zest Plumbing & Heating.

Wigan - KDM Electrical and Seddon Services Ltd Leigh - Ferris Electrical and Lowton Aerials

Highly Commended Wigan - Case and Young Ltd Leigh - Gary Sanderson Carpets & Vinyls

Best Newcomer Wigan - TS Lawns Ltd Leigh - TS Construction

Special Recognition Award Advanced Fencing & Gates Ltd

Certificate of Excellence Winners 2020 A&J Kitchen Fitters, A&P Windows, Advanced Fencing and Gates Ltd, AJS Bailey Electrical, Angie Barker Garden Design, Anthony Gorse Heating & Plumbing, Bathek, Birchalls, Brian King Flooring, Case & Young Ltd, Clifford Joinery, Direct Blinds & Shutters, D-Lux UPVC, Expert Roofing & Guttering Ltd, Ferris Electrical & Property Maintenance Ltd, FG Welch Central Heating & Gas Services Ltd, Gary Sanderson Carpets and Vinyls, Gerrard’s Specialist Cleaning Services Ltd, GHE Electrical, Fire & Security Ltd, Greenscape Professional Landscapes, Hobsons Roofcare, Jon Wright Electrical Ltd, KDM Electrical, Lowton Aerials, Manor House Carpets & Upholstery Cleaning, Marc Mulligan Brickwork & Property Maintenance, Martin Howarth Home Improvements,

10 Years Membership Award Winners 2020 A Dickinson Painter & Decorator, Able Plastering, AJ Decorating Services, Angie Barker Garden Design, Anthony Gorse Heating & Plumbing, Arley Cabinet Co Ltd, Atherton Tiling Solutions, Birchalls, C&S Plastics, Chris Smith Builder, Comfort & Care, Dave Atherton Plumbing Services, David Charnock Joinery, D-Lux UPVC, Exmet Roofing, G&L Fencing & Landscaping, G Force Security Ltd, Garden Rescue, GC Multitrade, GHE Electrical, Fire & Security Ltd, Hobsons Roofcare, Howarth & Winnard Ltd, HTI Home Improvements, K Stone Building Services, Kitsons Transport & Removal, Makerfield Roof Solutions Leigh, Makerfield Roofing Solutions Wigan, Manor House Carpets & Upholstery Cleaning, Mark Copeland Architectural Services Ltd, P Bradshaw Plumbing & Heating, Peter Walford and Son Electrical, PLJ Garden Services, PP Building Services, Prescott TV, Robbie the Window Doctor, Stephen Heath Painter & Decorator, Sure Fire Heating & Maintenance Ltd, T&J Conservatory & Window Centre Ltd, Top Coat Decorating Services, Traditional Handyman, Val the Mobile Hairdresser.

For more information about Wigan Council’s Safe Trader Scheme visit www.goodtraderscheme.com

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60

Choosing Your

Financial Adviser A good financial adviser is like gold dust. Like your most influential teacher at school, they should inspire as well as reassure you in order that you can enjoy a better financial future. A poor adviser will put their interests before yours and will sell you a product you don’t really need and have no interest in your future. It’s about them, their ego and their sale.

Worryingly both advisers will be FCA registered, both have at least a Level 4 qualification (it is now the minimum standard to trade as a financial adviser), and both will sound plausible.

So how do you select the right adviser for you?

The right qualifications You want an adviser who takes professional knowledge and development very seriously and is completely independent. Look for an adviser who is a Chartered Financial Planner or a Certified Financial Planner - or is actively working towards these qualifications.

These are Level 6 qualifications - equivalent to a university degree and are the “Gold Standard” amongst financial advisers. Advisers who have achieved this level of technical competence have demonstrated that they are capable of dealing with clients that perhaps have more complicated financial planning requirements.

A clear plan A good adviser will ask challenging questions and map out a plan to achieve your goals. They will spend considerable time listening to you and asking smart questions to help you define your short, medium, and long-term objectives, to determine your desired future lifestyle. Your adviser will create a financial plan to meet your objectives, ensuring that account is taken of tax-efficient planning such as pensions, and considering estate planning too, if that is a priority. A financial plan is a living plan. You can be pretty certain that events won’t turn out exactly as the

plan indicates and your adviser should review and update the plan on a regular basis.

Relationships count Your relationship with your adviser is absolutely key. They will become an important professional person in your life so it is essential that you get on well. Ask yourself whether the adviser really cares about you, genuinely wants you to reach your goals, and is willing and able to challenge you along the way.

And finally, fees Fees should be open, transparent, and fair. You should feel you are getting good value for money. Given that a good adviser could potentially make a difference of many thousands of pounds to your financial position over time, we suggest that you base your decision primarily on qualifications, approach and relationship as opposed to price alone.

Should you wish to have a chat with one of our qualified financial planners please feel free to give us a call on 01257 423800.

We are on the high street in Standish and have client parking. The initial meeting is at our expense and of course is without any obligation.

David Barton APFS Cert CII (MP)

Chief Executive Officer

Remember all investments can fall as well as rise in value so investors could get back less than they invest.

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62

Going Electric:

Benefits and Drawbacks

by Chris Alcock - CMA Accountancy In a world that is shifting towards new norms, a hot topic with those looking to reduce costs is the benefit of electric cars. Year-on-year sales of electric cars are breaking records, and with several brands committing new designs over the next 12 months, there is no time like the present to be thinking about going electric.

ELECTRIC COMPANY CAR TAX

Electric cars are subject to the lowest Benefit-inKind (BIK) rate of company car tax. From April 2020, the tax rate was cut to 0% of the car’s list price, compared with 16% the previous tax year.

This will rise to just 1% in 2021-22 and 2% in 2022-23.

CAPITAL ALLOWANCES

Cars that have CO2 emissions less that 50g/km are eligible of 100% first year capital allowances.

This means that you can deduct the full cost from your pre-tax profits, in the year you purchased the car. On a car costing around £40,000, this could amount to a tax relief of up to £7,600.

If you are looking at part-exchanging your existing car for a new one, some manufacturers offer generous scrappage discounts when trading a petrol or diesel car in for an electric vehicle.

CHARGING

ROAD TAX SAVINGS

Cars that produce zero emissions, and cost less that £40,000 are exempt from paying road tax.

Despite the benefits, there are some drawbacks to electric cars in a social and environment sense: There is a government grant towards a home car charger, so providing you have the space available, keeping the car charged at home shouldn’t be a problem. Public facilities leave something to be desired at the moment but charging points in the UK are increasing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CREDENTIALS

PLUG-IN GRANT

Since 2018, there has been a grant available for £3,500 towards the cost of a brand-new electric car. If your electric car has CO2 emissions under 50g/km and an electric-only range of 70+ miles, you will be eligible for this.

SCRAPPAGE DISCOUNTS

The government have provided several incentives to steer people into the electric car lane:

Despite the obvious positives related to local air quality improvement, if the electricity used for the batteries is not from a renewable energy, it may not be as beneficial as it first looks.

As ever, if you have any questions regarding Xero, Making Tax Digital, and Apps, or switching to an online accounting system please do get in touch. We can meet in our office, obviously socially distancing, or over a Zoom call to discuss the information above, or more general accounting queries.

Our initial consultation meetings are free of charge, and if you decide that we can help you there are a range of packages or you can design your own to meet your immediate needs.

Chris Alcock ACMA - CMA Accountancy 39 Skull House Lane, Appley Bridge, Wigan, WN6 9DR 01257 255521 info@handsonaccounting.co.uk www.handsonaccounting.co.uk

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Coping with

Arthritis

Put simply, arthritis means inflammation of the joints and can be due to numerous causes. Although it is thought of as a disease of the elderly, it can affect people of all ages, even children. There are more than a hundred different types, including psoriatic arthritis, enteropathic arthritis and reactive arthritis to name just three. Over 10,000 people in the UK live with the disease.

synovial fluid. Over time, this damages the joint. It can also lead to systemic symptoms such as generalised fatigue, loss of appetite and even anaemia.

Arthritic symptoms can be very debilitating, with joint pain, stiffness, loss of movement, swelling and bone deformity. Two of the most common forms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

A blood test can diagnose whether you have rheumatoid arthritis, while X-rays and scans can detect osteoarthritis with its telltale thinning of cartilage, swelling and the bony spurs that can develop called osteophytes.

Sadly, arthritis is not curable but there are treatments that can help alleviate symptoms. The first step is to go and see your GP, who can check your joint condition and range of movement and refer you to a specialist for assessment.

Treatments for arthritis aim to reduce pain and swelling and help with movement. They can include medication, physiotherapy, walking and other aids, steroid injections into the joint, or in severe cases, either a full- or part-joint replacement.

When it comes to alleviating pain, the following medication can be prescribed: analgesics for pain; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen-based Naproxen which reduces inflammation as well as pain; topical ointments; or steroidal anti-inflammatory tablets such as Prednisone and Cortisone. There are also antirheumatoid drugs available that suppress the immune system response.

Osteoarthritis can affect the knees, hips, spine, and fingers. It occurs when cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between the joints wears away or becomes damaged through illness or injury. The rate at which cartilage thins over time may also have a hereditary factor.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack its synovium – the soft tissue around joints that produces lubricating

Targeted exercises that strengthen the muscles around the joint will help alleviate pressure and reduce pain. A physiotherapist will give you exercises to do and monitor your improvement. One of the knock-on effects of having arthritis is that it can cause imbalance of movement, as you unconsciously put more weight on the less affected knee or hip joint for example, resulting in increased stress on other joints, which leads to more pain and joint problems. Gentle strengthening exercises such

65 as swimming, yoga and Pilates are all helpful.

A relatively new and effective treatment for osteoarthritis is AposTherapy®, which works to realign your joints and improve your gait or walking pattern through the daily wearing of special customised footwear. Treatment can take several years but results over time have shown greatly decreased levels of pain in patients.

Applying heat pads or ice packs can also help temporarily relieve pain and/or swelling. The most important thing is to keep the joint moving as much as possible. Although your instinct may be to rest, this will be detrimental in the long term.

Your doctor may recommend you for surgery. This most commonly involves having either a hip or knee replacement. Currently knee replacements do not last as long as hip replacements, so consultants are not as willing to carry them out on younger people.

Another more extreme form of surgery undertaken in certain cases is joint fusion. This can be done on fingers for example, or the hip (known as a girdlestone operation) where the diseased ball joint is removed and the femur joined to the hip socket. This would only be offered when

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the resulting lack of movement is the better alternative.

Losing weight will help as it reduces pressure on the joints. You may find that certain foods exacerbate your arthritis, so omitting those foods and choosing a diet rich in antioxidants can be beneficial. Avoiding fatty, processed and sugary foods often makes a difference.

There are also supplements available over the counter that reduce inflammation and support joint health, such as curcumin and glucosamine. It is now believed that some people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis are sensitive to gluten, so cutting this out of your diet may be worth trying.

Living with arthritis is not always easy, but do not despair as there is help available.

66

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Why is INDEPENDENT LIVING the right choice for YOU? • CARE - all aspects of home care • FLEXIBLE care calls from 15 minutes - we DO NOT have a minimum 1 hour call • FULL ALLOTED TIME - we stay the WHOLE care call • LOCALLY based and owned business - we are NOT part of an international franchise • ESTABLISHED company - satisfied customers since 2011 • POLICE checked kind and trained carers

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The Importance of

Posture

Posture is the way we carry and position our body throughout our daily physical activities.

If you have had bad posture for a long time it will feel very alien at first when you try to correct it, as the body wants to keep doing what it is used to. However, perseverance, with regular exercise to strengthen muscle tone, will result in your posture improving.

Likewise, your mattress should properly support your back when you sleep. To check this, notice if your spine is straight when you lie on your side. If not, it may be time to change your mattress. Your pillow should also cradle your neck so that it is in alignment with the spine.

For a good seated posture your knees should be slightly lower than your hips, so you need to position your chair height accordingly. If you work at a computer, ensure that the screen is at a comfortable eye level and you are not having to hunch forward or bend your neck. Sit with your feet flat on the floor facing forwards, a hip-width apart, and straighten your back so that your tail bone ‘sticks out’ rather than your back being rounded. Your spine should form a gentle ‘S’ curve. Finally, make a conscious effort to lower your shoulders, slightly pushing your shoulder blades back and down at the same time.

Bad posture not only physically impacts on our body; it has also been proven to have a detrimental psychological effect. Charles Darwin first scientifically documented the link between movement and emotion in his studies.

You will probably need to do this more than once as we all tend to naturally carry our shoulders in a rounded position.

Exercise and core stability are important when maintaining good posture, as muscles weaken and muscle fibres shorten without regular movement and exercise.

Stretching exercises two or three times a week will help relieve tension, increase circulation and maintain muscle condition. Yoga and Pilates are two forms of exercise that are excellent for improving tone, flexibility and posture.

Ergonomic furniture and aids can help with best posture; for example, an orthopaedic mattress or a lumbar support cushion. Always ensure that your furniture supports you.

Always consult your GP if you have any concerns.

MATCH to Remember

WIGAN ATHLETIC 5 PORT VALE 3

MATCH FACTS

69

VENUE: Springfield Park DATE: Friday 13th April 1979 CROWD: 8,542 WIGAN TEAM: Brown, Hinnigan, Smart, Gore, Ward, Fretwell, Corrigan, Wright, Houghton, Moore, Purdie Sub: Brownbill SCORERS: Wigan - Houghton(3), Brownbill, Moore.

Port Vale - Todd (2), Wright

BACK DROP Going into the game, Latics were in 5th place in Division 4, a single point away from the promotion places with 8 games left to play in their inaugural season. Making his debut for the Valiants that day (alongside his brother Neville) was 17-year-old Mark Chamberlain, now an ex-England international and father of Liverpool’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Down 3-0 with just 20 minutes left to play, Latics staged an amazing comeback and won 5-3 in front of a 8,542 crowd though, 41 years on, some fans will still be kicking themselves after storming out of Springfield Park long before the match ended.

This match was described by respected football magazine When Saturday Comes as ‘The greatest comeback in the history of the game ever’ and rather inappropriately for a resurrection, it all happened on a Good Friday.

VIEW FROM THE PITCH – PETER HOUGHTON I had scored in the previous few games so went into the match quite confident. We were in the promotion chase; it was a Bank Holiday and there was a good atmosphere at Springfield Park. It all changed when they went 3-0 up and we heard the booing when we came off at half time so the mood in the changing room was a bit deflated.

Ian McNeill changed tactics and brought on another forward, Derek Brownbill. My first goal was like a consolation, then when my second and third goal went in, everything changed. Every time we went forward it looked like we would score. Two further goals from Derek and Mickey Moore finished Port Vale off.

On this particular day most of my family were in the crowd, and as it used to be quite difficult to get family into the players’ lounge after the match, they all waited for me in the supporters’ club. I’ll never forget being carried shoulder-high into the supporters’ club by some of the fans, though my wife was in the ladies at the time and missed it!

Over the Easter period, we had 3 games in 4 days – Good Friday, Saturday and Monday. I took a knock on my ankle on the Saturday game but still tried to play on the Monday. it didn’t work out and I didn’t play again that season. Such is the highs and lows of playing football.

70

Puzzle Pages

Sponsored by

CROSSWORD

DOWN

1. Small measure (usually of food such as custard) (6) 2. Japanese woman trained to entertain men (6) 3. Country, capital Madrid (5) 4. Principal bullfighter (7) 5. Military knapsack (6) 6. Oil used as fuel in lamps (8) 12. Curved oriental sword (8) 14. Deep red (7) 16. Pearl-producing shellfish (6) 18. Mythical monster said to live in watery places like

swamps (6)

19. Drill used to shape or enlarge holes (6) 20. Formal school or college balls held at the end of a

year (5)

ACROSS

1. Integers (6)

11. Song used to praise the Deity (5)

22. Dark brownish-red colour (6)

7. Member of an ancient Jewish

13. Dog of mixed breed (7)

23. Sweet potato (3)

15. Dogmatism (7)

24. Ribbon-like intestinal parasite (8)

8. Hawaiian garland of flowers (3)

17. Yellow fossil resin (5)

25. Sharpshooter (6)

9. Fluid in the mouth (6)

21. Organs of locomotion and

10. Shared on-line journal (4)

sect around the time of Christ (8)

balance in fishes (4)

WORDWHEEL Using only the letters in the Wordwheel, you have ten minutes to find as many words as possible, none of which may be plurals, foreign words or proper nouns.

Each word must be of three letters or more, all must contain the central letter and letters can only be used once in every word. There is at least one word that uses all of the letters in the wheel.

TARGET EXCELLENT: 35 or more words GOOD: 26 words FAIR: 20 words

71

WORDSEARCH THEME: Halloween Find the hidden words in the word search grid

SUDOKU

Bats

Hoot

Screech

Broom

Howl

Skeleton

Cauldron

Monster

Spiders

Creepy

Moon

Spooky

Crypt

Mummy

Treat

Dracula

Night

Trick

Goblins

Potions

Witch

Groans

Pumpkin

Haunted

Scary

NUMBER BLOCK The numbers in each row add up to totals to the right. The numbers in each column add up to the totals along the bottom.

11

The diagonal lines also add up the totals to the right.

1 2

WIGGLE WORDS CLUE: Exceptional or outrageously bad at something!

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

A H T E

T T A K

S E K A

T H E C

5 3 5

8 7

17 17 18 14

14 16 18 18 18 All the puzzle solutions can be found on page 77 of this magazine

72

Gingerbread Skeletons

READY

in 1 hour

plus chilling Makes 20

Kids will love helping to make and decorate these fun spooky Halloween treats!

Ingredients 115g butter 115g light muscovado sugar 100g golden syrup 450g plain flour, plus extra for dusting 2 tsp bicarbonate of soda 3 tsp ground ginger Salt 1 egg, beaten TO DECORATE 400g black ready-to-roll icing Icing sugar, for dusting 75g ready-made royal icing 2 x 19g tubes white writing icing 1 pink and 1 black edible writing pen

Method 1 Preheat the oven to 170C / 150C fan / gas mark 3. Line 2 large baking sheets with baking paper. Place the butter, sugar and syrup in a saucepan and heat gently until the sugar has dissolved and the butter has melted.

2 Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger and a pinch of salt into a large mixing bowl. Add the melted mixture and the egg, and mix together to make a dough (see TIP).

3 Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to the thickness of a one pound coin. Stamp out gingerbread people shapes with a cutter. Reknead and re-roll the dough trimmings and cut out more shapes. Place on the baking sheets and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden. Leave on the sheets for 5 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack and leave to cool completely.

4 To decorate, roll the black icing out thinly on a surface lightly dusted with icing sugar. Use the cutter to stamp out shapes and attach to gingerbread biscuits with a little of the royal icing. Spread a circle of royal icing on each biscuit to create a white face. Use the tubes of white writing icing to pipe bones on the biscuits. Leave until the icing has set then use the pink and black edible pens to draw skeleton features on the white faces.

Tip The dough may be a little sticky at

first, but should become firmer as it cools.

Add an extra sprinkling of flour, if needed.

73

74

Winter Hill

& Rivington The vast majority of the Jack’s Tracks we have published over the last ten years have one thing in common; at some point during the walk, Winter Hill and its conspicuous masts are easily visible. We’ve never done a walk that includes Winter Hill though, and so we have put this right with a delightful easy-to-follow 6½ mile walk that encompasses Winter Hill and Rivington that offers wonderful 360-degree views of the County Palatine of Lancashire and beyond.

Park in the public car park just the other side of Rivington & Blackrod High School (BL6 7RU), walk back past the school and take the left turn which runs by the tennis courts. After 425 yards you’ll arrive at a three-way

by Chris Pearce Distance: 6½ miles Difficulty: Moderate junction; take the middle path which is heavily cobbled and has the farm gate in the distance.

Follow this path up a gentle incline for ¾ mile, passing the turn off to Rivington Terraced Gardens on the way.

Once you arrive at the new-ish looking fingerpost, take a 45-degree right turn in the direction of Rivington Pike and follow a shale path uphill past the site of Stone House Lodge. Then make sure you take the path that branches off of the shale path on the u-bend.

200 yards later you’ll arrive at a wide stony track. Instead of carrying straight on up to the (very visible) Pike, turn left and follow this track for 1/3 of a mile to the Pigeon

75

Quarry (dis)

For those with the OS Maps

Moor Bottom Winter Hill Flats

app on your desktop, mobile or tablet, this walk is named: JT-Winter-Hill-Rivington

Belmont Road

Noon Hill Slack

Winter Hill

P

Noon Hill

P

Catter Nab

Rivington Hall Barn

TV Station

Tower

Tower

Rivington Pike

las

Rivington Terraced Gardens

Rot ary Wa y

Rivington Moor

River Doug

Rivington Country Park

Brown Hill

ane on L ngt Rivi

Rivington Lodge

P Jepson’s Bridge

Masts

Crooked Edge Hill

Higher Knoll

Wilder’s Moor Rivington & Blackrod HS

Wilderswood

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.

76 Tower. Bear right at this point and the stony cobbled path follows the natural curvature around the hills. One mile further on, you’ll need to look out for some steps on the left leading to a wooden bridge. Cross the bridge and bear right shortly afterwards where the footpath sign is.

After ten minutes of climbing steeply up the hill, you’ll arrive at a fork. Bear left at this point, hugging the lefthand lip of the hill and once you pass the first mast, the path bends rounds and changes to a tarmac path that cuts through the various ironmongery on the summit.

Look out for the trig point which is situated in the lefthand side of the path and there are also plaques marking the 1958 plane crash and the demise of a 20-year-old Scotsman who was ‘barbarously murdered’ on Rivington Moor in 1838.

The tarmacked path bends to the right, you’ll pass directly to the left-hand side of the TV mast and follow the path for ½ mile, turning off the path onto a grass track at a footpath sign on the right.

Follow this grass path for a further ½ mile as it eventually falls steeply away and you

reach Pike Cottage. Tun right at the cottage onto Belmont Road and head once again for Rivington Pike.

Follow Belmont Road for 1/3 of a mile until you reach a steel bar gate, which bars vehicular access. Just before the gate, there’s a stile on the left. Go through the stile and walk on the path downhill through grazing land for another 1/3 of a mile to the wooden gate. Carry on down a tarmacked road in the same direction for a further 400 yards until you reach the three-way junction referred to earlier in the walk. Turn left at this point and you will end up back at the school and your starting point shortly afterwards.

77

Puzzle Solutions CROSSWORD

WORDWHEEL

ACROSS: 1. Digits, 7. Pharisee, 8. Lei, 9. Saliva, 10. Blog, 11. Psalm, 13. Mongrel, 15. Bigotry, 17. Amber, 21. Fins, 22. Maroon, 23. Yam, 24. Tapeworm, 25. Sniper.

ANSWER: TREMBLE

DOWN: 1. Dollop, 2. Geisha, 3. Spain, 4. Matador, 5. Kitbag, 6. Kerosene, 12. Scimitar, 14. Crimson, 16. Oyster, 18. Bunyip, 19. Reamer, 20. Proms.

WORDSEARCH

SUDOKU

WIGGLE WORDS That Takes The Cake

NUMBER BLOCK 11 2 1 9 2

5 4 3 4

8 4 5 1

17 17 18 14

2 8 1 7

14 16 18 18 18

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The Ten Cars with the

Biggest Boots Practicality is an important factor when buying a car, so we’ve brought together examples with cavernous boots from a variety of segments.

SKODA FABIA 330 litres with the rear seats up / 1,150 with the rear seats down Skoda’s ethos is to build the most practical cars and that’s particularly true of the Fabia, which offers cargo capacity similar to much bigger cars. The estate has even more room – 530 litres with the rear seats up and 1,395 with them down.

VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN 615 litres / 1,655 litres If you’re looking for an upmarket, stylish SUV that’s also super practical, look no further. It might look a little dull in lower trims and be more expensive than many rivals, but it offers excellent build quality, a wide variety of engine choices and a huge boot.

SKODA SUPERB ESTATE 660 litres / 1,950 litres Another Skoda, the Superb has a simply massive boot. If you do a lot of city driving the Superb’s sheer size might be an issue, but for long-distance drivers who need space above all else, there can be few better options.

PEUGEOT 3008 591 litres / 1,670 litres A compelling rival to the Tiguan, the 3008 is packed full of character. Peugeot has really upped its game, particularly with the interior, which feels premium but with the practicality to make this both a head and a heart purchase.

79 MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS ESTATE 640 litres / 1,820 litres Want similar levels of practicality to the Skoda but a bit more badge appeal? Step forward the E-Class. It might be pricier, but the reward is a much nicer cabin with only a small compromise on space.

FORD GALAXY 300 litres / 2,339 litres MPVs are the forgotten cars of today’s sales, but there’s still a place for vehicles like the Ford Galaxy. Its seats down space isn’t hugely impressive because it has an extra row of seats, but when you don’t have people in the back it offers a frankly van-like 2,339 litres.

SSANGYONG TIVOLI XLV 720 litres / 1,440 litres Niche car manufacturer SsangYong has been rapidly improving in recent years. The XLV is based on affordability and practicality alone. It might not be quite as nice inside or to drive compared with rivals, but it has loads of space, is cheap to buy and run and comes with great kit.

AUDI Q7 770 litres / 1,955 litres Easily one of the best seven-seaters in the market, the Q7 might be pricey but it’s up there with the best when it comes to luggage space.

Even with the seats up you get a massive 770 litres, so you don’t need to worry about compromising between people and their stuff.

MERCEDES-BENZ GLS 355 litres / 2,400 litres The GLS can do it all, being a genuine seven-seater with a lovely interior and fantastic on-road manners – though it’s certainly not cheap. To make the most of the boot you’ll need to fold the third row down, but do so and few can match it for practicality.

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 258 litres / 2,406 litres And finally, the unrivalled champion of practicality. The Discovery’s seven-seat boot capacity is unimpressive, but it has almost endless seating configurations. Fold all the seats behind the driver down and you get that hugely impressive 2,406-litre capacity.

80

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1 Home grown veg. There are a number of things you can grow - even over winter outside in the garden. October is a great time for planting the following: • Kale plug plants – ‘Red Russian’ is a good one to try • Garlic bulbs – ‘Provence Wight’ – should produce large tasty cloves

raring to go come the spring. The soil will still be warm enough to plant in up until December or even into next year if the winter is a mild one.

• Rocket – ‘Dentellata’ has lovely peppery leaves

3 Get hold of a spring bulb catalogue or look on line.

There is nothing nicer than on a chilly autumn evening, curling up in front of the fire with a mug of hot chocolate (I have marshmallows in mine, Hubby has a shot of Baileys in his) and planning your spring bulb display. Just remember that if you are ordering Tulips, they should not be planted until November at the earliest.

2 Step back and assess your outside space, both in terms of plants and layout. Make a list of what has worked for you this year and what has not and think about changes that can be made over the coming months so that you are

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J&P • Domestic & Commercial Work

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95 Fully qualified & Insured Plasterer.

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P P

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Wigan Edition

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march 2020

Forgotten Buildings:

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