Local Life - Wigan - November 2020

LocalLife Wigan Edition

November 2020

Catching up with the

Hotpots Pages 44-47

Crafty Christmas Pages 22-23

Then & Now Pemberton Page 24

Education Section Pages 34-41

Making an Entrance Pages 56-59

Jack’s Tracks – Tontine Pages 72-74

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

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H

ands up if you feel like ‘doing a hedgehog’ and going into hibernation for the winter, only emerging when this madness ends?

Unlike the last lockdown, which took place amid some glorious weather, the latest restrictions will take in a dark and cold time of year and they could take a much heavier mental toll on those who are feeling isolated or fragile.

Please do your best to recognise who these people are, as it is not always obvious, and do your best to keep in touch with them. A simple phone call, text or message can mean a lot.

Let us also try and rethink the way we do Christmas this year. Instead of starting our Christmas shopping in city centre crowds, on the web and in the supermarkets, let’s try the local option first. There are many local outlets with imaginative ranges of Christmas gifts (some of them in this magazine).

And despite everything that’s happening, please don’t lose sight of the fact that things will get better in 2021.

The vaccines are already rolling off the production lines and it’s just a matter of time before the human race defeats this virus.

Yes, this Christmas is going to be strange but just look forward to the party we’re going to have next Christmas making up for lost time!

On behalf of all at Local Life, our best wishes for a happy and safe Christmas and we’ll see you in 2021. Now where’s the nearest pile of leaves?

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.

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This month’s highlights 44. Catching up with the Hotpots

Contents 12. Beauty Gifts of Gorgeousness

28. Food Cranberry, Orange and Nut Loaf

32. Puzzle Pages Try these brainteasers for size.

60. Books Historical Fiction to Dystopian Lit.

24. Then & Now

34. Education Section

64. Travel Travel Insurance Advice.

68. Health Managing your Stress.

76. Motoring Vokswagen e-Up Review.

81. Home & Garden Services

22. Crafty Christmas

52. Pep Up Your Hallway

Find the best local traders for you.

72. Tontine Walk

Next Issue - December 2020

Advertising deadline - 11th November Published - 26th November

Want to promote your business in

LocalLife?

01695 627 999 www.locallife247.co.uk

6

Hospice Support Hospice UK, the national charity which leads Hospice Care Week, estimates that UK hospices have lost in the region of £70m in income so far this year, with charity shops closed throughout the first lockdown and many major fundraising events having to be cancelled.

You can help Wigan and Leigh Hospice face this unprecedented financial challenge by buying your Christmas cards from the Hospice this year. The Hospice has a range of eight Christmas cards and these are sold in packs of ten cards for £2.99 each online at www.wlh.org.uk.

You can also support Hospice’s annual Light for a Life appeal, which provides an opportunity to celebrate and remember those you love and have loved. A light is lit

on the Hospice Christmas tree for every dedication made each year and every name is featured in a Book of Dedications which is printed into a bound hard-backed book and is available to view all year round.

Dedications can be made to anyone, there does not need to be a connection to the Hospice.

It is a simple and moving way of remembering those you love or have loved at Christmas time. For more details, visit www.wlh.org.uk.

The tree switch-on ceremony will be held this year on Tuesday 8th December at 6.30pm, but the public are not invited due to COVID-19 restrictions. You can watch this on the Hospice’s Facebook page or on the Wigan and Leigh Hospice YouTube channel. Please do not attend the Hospice.

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Paddle & Pottery Join the team for a paddle around Scotman’s Flash at dusk. You will paddle out in rafted canoes, bellboats and katakanus to see what spookiness lies on the water. When you return to shore there will be a campfire to warm up by and you will be able to paint a piece of Halloween themed pottery from Haigh Stables Gallery to take home with you.

If you fancy a bit of a treat you can even take your own marshmallows, chocolate biscuits and flask of hot chocolate to enjoy around the fire.

The session is suitable from ages 3+ and will take place on Saturday 31st October from 3.30-5pm and the cost is £12 per person. To book your place, please email outdooradventure@ihlmail.org with the number and ages of the people wanting to take part, preferred boat and your contact number.

Big Bike Revival Returns If your pushbike has seen better days or you just don’t feel confident in giving it a bit of a tune up, then the Big Bike Revival in Wigan might be just the thing you need. The workshops are funded by Cycle UK and are delivered by Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles, you simply book a slot, take your bike for a free check-up and repair and that goes for bikes of all ages sizes and types.

Sessions will be available in 20-minute timeslots, with fully qualified bike mechanics carrying out all work and Covid-19 procedures in place to ensure everything is as safe as possible. You might even be able to pick up some cycling goodies and find some information about where to ride and how to keep your bike in tip-top condition.

Gifts From £12 Complimentary Christmas gift wrapping available

• Gearing Up Workshop, The Brick Works, Wigan Saturday 31st October, 9am-1pm • Ashton Leisure Centre Friday 6th November, 4pm-7pm • Standish Leisure Centre Saturday 7th November, 10am-1pm Booking is essential so for further information and to book a time slot, get online and visit www.getactivecycling.eventbrite.co.uk/

38 Church Road Rainford WA11 8HD 01744 881 588 www.ellamora.co.uk

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10

Safe4Autumn Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is urging communities to do their bit this Autumn and stay safe, as the Halloween and Bonfire season gets underway this week.

Festivities will look very different this year as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, with organised displays cancelled across Greater Manchester.

With more people expected to celebrate at home, firefighters are calling on people to take extra care and remind themselves of Bonfire and firework safety advice that is available at www.manchesterfire.gov.uk GMFRS’ Chief Fire Officer, Dave Russel, said: “The Halloween and Bonfire period will be as busy as ever with the expectation that more families and households will opt to host their own small firework display due to organised events having been cancelled.

“Our advice would be to not have fireworks and bonfires this year – instead, stay at home, stay safe and protect our emergency services. If you do choose to purchase fireworks, you must do so safely by checking for the CE mark, and you

must follow the Fireworks Code when using them.

“Bonfires can be dangerous if not managed correctly and they cause problems for our emergency services. If you are going to have a bonfire in your garden, please do so safely by following the advice on our website www. manchesterfire.gov.uk. It’s more important than ever that people across Greater Manchester celebrate this autumn safely and responsibly.”

Dino Safari Haigh Hall have launched a new Dino Safari attraction for kids! They have teamed up with Love Exploring, which is a free app that lets you explore your surroundings.

Activities to choose from include the Dino Safari, which will help you and the kids track down dinosaurs with an augmented reality game.

You can download the app now by searching for Love Exploring in your App Store or Google Play Store.

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NEW 2021 BROCHURE OUT NOW! Holidays ~ Short Breaks ~ Day Excursions

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

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Gifts of

Gorgeousness Beauty gifts that Santa will wish he thought of, from stocking fillers to luxury treats Eco lovers will appreciate Biovene Solid Shampoo and Conditioner Bars (£4 each). They’re also a great gift for anyone planning on going travelling next year, as they take up very little space in a suitcase but last for weeks. The bars are free from parabens, sulphates and other harsh chemicals and use natural goodies like macadamia oil and shea butter to gently cleanse and nourish hair.

See www.justmylook.com.

Alternatively, the Eco Warrior Mini Cube by the Little Soap Company (www.littlesoapcompany.co.uk) is as pretty as it is eco. For £8, you get a Sensitive Facial Bar, Exfoliating Bar, Shampoo Bar and Shaving Bar. They’re all plant-based, free from synthetics and packed with natural ingredients such as essential oils, pink clay, oatmeal and coconut oil.

What make-up lover isn’t a fan of Urban Decay’s Naked Eyeshadow Palettes (£43)? The Ultraviolet one is likely to cause squeals of delight on Christmas Day from any fan of a bold smoky eye.

The twelve shades are a mix of mattes, metallic and shimmers. The focus is purple, from lilac to deepest aubergine (but with names like ‘Euphoric’ and ‘Cyber Punk’…), and there are complementary nudes and golds to create the perfect dramatic eye. As you’d expect from Urban Decay (www.urgandecay.co.uk), the shadows go on easily and stay put for hours. Pair the palette with the Lash Freak Mascara (£21) for extra brownie points.

have a lower impact on the environment than most nail varnishes.

See www.LD-Boutique. com.

Most of us rarely treat ourselves to a new make-up bag, but they’re always nice to get. (Because, let’s face it, how many of us ever get around to cleaning out the powder, lipstick stains and other gunk that accumulates in them?) The Tierra Palm Multi-coloured Makeup Bag (£16.50) from Oliver Bonas is likely to be well-received. If you’re feeling especially generous, team it with the coordinating Wash Bag (£24).

Know someone who loves luxuriating in the bath tub? A Biovene Hair Wrap Treatment (£3 from www.justmylook.com) would make a great stocking filler. It’s easy to use: just pop it over your hair, use the sticky tab to keep it in place, and then rinse off after twenty minutes.

It smells divine and leaves hair feeling softer and healthier.

Do you make your own Christmas crackers? Forget a plastic fish or silver napkin ring, pop in a Leighton Denny Back to Nature Nail Polish in Peony or Forest (£12) instead. They’re vegan, 75% natural and designed to

Give someone the gift of a good night’s sleep with the Tonic Velvet Eye Mask (£15 from www.amara.com) and This Works’ Choose Sleep Kit (£10 from www.thisworks.com). The mask is velvet on one side and satin on the other, so it feels lush against skin. The Choose Sleep Kit contains miniatures of two of This Works’ bestselling products – the Deep Sleep Pillow Spray and Stress Check Roll-On.

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Shop safe, stay local We stock a wide range of Christmas presents for both women and men.

Exclusive Christmas gift packs from Clarins and Espa

You can order Christmas gifts or beauty products by phone, via email or via our online store, with free delivery within a 7-mile radius of Billinge.

Gift wrapped options are available.

Socially distanced personal shopping trips to pick out your Christmas gifts can be pre-booked, please call us to book a convenient time.

Looking for inspiration?

Christmas gift vouchers are available online or via our app.

Visit our website or Facebook page to check out the latest offers 161-171, Main Street, Billinge, WN5 7PA

Expressions Of Beauty 01744 894 214 www.expressionsofbeauty.co.uk

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15

Heritage Survey Wigan Council are looking for residents to complete a survey about the Borough’s heritage environment.

This includes historic buildings, structures and ruins, conservation areas, historic gardens and landscapes.

If you want to have your say about buildings such as Winstanley Hall and Haigh Hall, here is your chance.

This consultation draft Historic Environment Strategy sets out the Council’s vision and priorities for the protection of the borough’s historic environment, together with a robust framework to support the delivery of projects that affect it.

The Council owns several heritage assets, but most are owned and managed privately by people and businesses, or by local community groups and voluntary bodies.

The council wants this strategy to be used by all those groups, so that they can work in co-operation with local communities and the council to help conserve and enhance the borough’s historic environment.

This survey will close on Monday 9th November 2020 – to have your say just visit; www.wigan.gov.uk/Council/ Consultations/Consultations.aspx

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Volunteers Needed Wigan Borough Community Partnership are on the lookout for volunteers. The Wigan Borough Volunteer Hub is run by Wigan Borough Community Partnership, a registered charity which exists to provide advice, training, and support to the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector of Wigan Borough.

The Hub is looking for people who would be willing to support individuals in the community who are selfisolating, by helping with a range of activities including, personal shopping, food deliveries and care calls.

Can you help? If this sounds like something you might like to get involved with please contact the Community Partnership on 01942 363621 or by emailing info@ wbcommunitypartnership.org

2021 Concerts Family portraits Personalised keepsakes Souvenir shirts Sporting memorabilia Cross-stitching and Craft We don’t just make frames, we frame memories Wide choice of quality frames Expert advice and efficient service

Call 01942 718602 25 Bolton Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, WN4 8AA Open: Tuesday-Friday 10-4, Saturday 9.30-12 On-site Parking www.artisanframingservices.co.uk

Despite the effect that the current health crisis is having on the arts and entertainment industry, Jockey Club Live are busy lining up race night events for the 2021 season at Haydock Park and Aintree racecourses. The Jockey Club Live events are renowned for combining a fun-filled evening at the races with a spectacular evening concert in the informal and relaxed open-air setting of the hallowed turf.

Confirmed events at Haydock so far are Tom Jones (19th June) and Olly Murs (17th July), and the confirmed event at Aintree so far is Nile Rodgers & Chic (11th June). Jockey Club Live events are also held at Newmarket, Sandown and Carlisle racecourses.

Tickets for all the events are now available at www. thejockeyclublive.co.uk and the Jockey Club Live offer a money back guarantee if cancelled.

Keep your eyes peeled for Local Life issues early in 2021 when we will be running a couple of ticket giveaways for these events.

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Rememberance Sunday Preparations have been made for Wigan Borough to mark Remembrance Sunday in a different way this year. The council usually arranges 14 events but a new format is required in light of the global pandemic and to ensure public health guidelines are adhered to.

It means officers will focus on supporting services at the parish churches in Wigan and Leigh where restrictions on the number of attendees will be in place. To avoid large gatherings, no parades or outside services are being organised.

At each cenotaph managed by the council, poppy signs will be installed to help residents with social distancing and there will be marshals in the areas during busy periods. Residents who would like to lay wreaths or pay their respects are asked to do so throughout the day, rather than gathering at 11am. The council are also encouraging residents and schools to display poppy posters and designs in their windows.

The respective services at Wigan and Leigh parish

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churches will have limited attendance with priority given to Armed Forces organisations. Following the services, which will be streamed live, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor will lay wreaths at the respective cenotaphs.

Local churches may organise their own services but will be required to have their own risk assessments and Covid-safety provisions in place.

Mini Makers If you are looking for something to occupy your little one, then why not have a go at the monthly mini makers session at Wigan Steam? You and your budding artist can enjoy a morning of crafty activity including messy play, making, sticking, gluing and lots of creative learning fun!

There are two sessions a month and the next one will be held on Wednesday 4th November at 10am. The cost of the ticket is ÂŁ2.50 and this admits one child and one adult, to help the centre adhere to social distancing measures.

You can book your tickets by going online at www. wigansteam.co.uk/events

FREE PICKUP & DELIVERY

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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

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A Christmas like no other With Christmas markets closed and many unwilling to risk the crowds in city centres and large shopping centres, you may be wondering just how you can buy imaginative and personal gifts for those family, friends and neighbours who have gone over and above to help this year.

The gorgeous Love It Gallery in Billinge has an excellent range of original gifts to suit all budgets, made from craftspeople, many of them local. From Christmas cards, wrapping, advent calendars and decorations, right through to gifts sets, accessories, jewellery, ceramics, and soft furnishings, the Love It Gallery has got something for everyone this Christmas.

Demand is sure to be high this year, so call in soon for a great selection of gifts.

Love It Gallery, Winstanley Road, Billinge WN5 7XG Open: 9.30am-5pm Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm Sunday Telephone: 01695

622 332

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As the home of Morpheus Glass, it’s not surprising that the range of inspirational glass art at Love It Gallery is huge, with clocks, bowls, mirrors, vases, wall panels and much more featuring prominently, many pieces carrying the rainbow theme of 2020.

On site at the gallery is the Bag & Bean cafĂŠ, where you can enjoy coffee, cake and light lunches, socially distanced style - with additional outdoor and undercover seating with heating.

22

Wishing you a

Crafty Christmas

By Nicola Gray

Is there anything more treasured or satisfying come to think of it, than homemade Christmas decorations? There is one sure-fire way to get into the Christmas spirit, and in my opinion that is a bit of Christmas DIY. In our house we still lovingly decorate our tree with past their best sourdough decorations made in the 80’s and cardboard stars that have long since lost their glitter. The pudding making starts months in advance and we have been known to knock up the odd Christmas cupcake.

Whether it is a reindeer cut out by your little ones or a homemade festive wreath adorning your front door, make-your-own decorations will always take pride of place. These days the options are endless, with craft fayres, wreath making courses and children’s craft kits, you cannot fail to be inspired.

With social distancing threatening to put a bit of damper on festivities this year, we thought we would take a look at what is on offer, from decorating gifts, crafting handmade gifts for your loved ones and getting the kids involved with some scrumptious treats.

Wreath Making Wreath making has become exceedingly popular over the last few years, and what’s not to love? You can craft your own front door decoration, match it to your preferred colour scheme and have a mulled wine or two whilst you’re at it! Here are a few wreath making classes available in the area.

The Lily Pot – this is an online tutorial that you can do from the comfort of your own home. The workshop takes 2 hours and starts at £32.93 per wreath. Dates are available from Monday 16th November right the way through to Monday 21st December. For more information go to www.thelilypotstandish.co.uk

Olive Owl – will be hosting wreath workshops at the Posthouse and the Gelato House in Orrell starting from Tuesday 24th November. There are variety of dates available and you can book on to a traditional wreath making class, a dried wreath class or if you fancy a bit of a party try the wreath and rave workshops. Prices start at £35 and tickets and information on social distancing can be found at www.oliveowl.co.uk

Blossom Room

– will be hosting a Christmas Wreath class at Alberts in Standish on Sunday 29th November and Sunday 6th December. They will also be hosting a Christmas Centrepiece workshop on Monday 21st December at their base at Windy Arbour Farm in Billinge.

Prices start at £45 and you can secure your place by calling 01942 212900.

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Christmas Crafts What could be better than making your own Christmas cards and gifts tags? Getting the children involved and ramping up the Christmas spirit, that’s what!

Cedar Farm in Mawdesley will be hosting a variety of Christmas craft workshops great for adults and children alike – sounds like festive heaven.

• The Christmas calligraphy workshop will take place on 3rd December with a focus on making extra special Christmas stationery. The price is £55 and all the materials and kit needed are included in the price. To book your spot email mellorandrose@icloud.com • Also, on the list at Cedar Farm is a parent and toddler Christmas craft session on Wednesday 2nd December

Christmas Cupcakes Now, if like me you can burn water, cake making and festive baking might not be your strong suit. Not to worry because Rainbow and Rolling pins in Wigan have got you covered and you too can have homemade festive treats for Christmas Day. • Rainbows and Rolling Pins will be offering a Christmas cupcake box. Each kit includes 4 plain cupcakes, a tube of buttercream, 4 printed toppers, a selection of Christmas sweets and a bag of festive sprinkles.

Each kit costs £10 and are available to order from December 1st to be collected on December 23rd. To order you kit please contact Rachel on 07887 397687 or email rainbowsandrollingpins@ yahoo.com

from 9.45am. You can spend an hour getting creative with your little one making paper mosaics and decorations.

The cost is £7.50 per adult and toddler and this includes refreshments. For more information or to book your place please go online at www.cedarfarm.net

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Then & Now

Pemberton

The foundation stone for the Carnegie Library in Pemberton was laid on 12th September 1906 and the grand opening took place 15 months later on 11 December 1907, attended

by Lord Balcarres and Sam Wood, the Mayor of Wigan.

A view of Pemberton Station and assorted staff.

The station’s ticket office, with its Billinge Road entrance, is to the right-hand side of the bridge and the waiting room is in the foreground on the left. Year unknown.

A Wigan-bound steam tram and trailer near the Lichfield Street/Ormskirk Road junction, circa 1903.

Houses in the snow at Spring Bank, Pemberton, thought to be in December 1899. The snowfall caused the first of four postponements of the Wigan County vs. Southport in the Lancashire Senior Cup at Springfield Park.

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

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Cash for Culture Arts at the Mill CIC has been awarded £945,621 as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure that the organisation has a sustainable future, the Culture Secretary announced recently.

Arts at the Mill are one of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving urgently needed support. £257 million of investment has been announced as part of the very first round of the Culture Recovery Fund grants programme being administered by Arts Council England.

Further rounds of funding in the cultural and heritage sector are due to be announced over the coming weeks.

The Arts at the Mill Marketing & Communications Director, Rebecca Davenport said:

to close our doors in March 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic so this money will go a long way in covering losses incurred in the organisation due to closure”.

Rebecca continued “We now broadcast live performances, workshops, tutorials, seminars, vlogs and more several times per week to continue to provide creative output and to maintain cultural engagement for all. Doing this has meant we’ve been able to continue offering paid work in a time when opportunities for artists have become extremely limited”.

She added “In addition, we’ve thankfully been able to maintain employment for all our staff members with a number of them continuing to work and some, having been furloughed, using their time to volunteer for the Covid-19 Community Response Team. We can’t thank DCMS and Arts Council England enough for giving us this incredible lifeline.”

“We feel lucky and extremely grateful to have been awarded this grant. We had to make the difficult decision

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28

READY

in 1hr 45mins plus cooling Makes 8-10

Cranberry, orange and nut loaf This simple cake makes a delicious alternative to a classic Christmas cake.

Add the icing and fresh cranberry topping on the day of serving.

Ingredients 175g unsalted butter, softened 175g golden caster sugar 225g self-raising flour 2 tsp ground mixed spice ½ tsp baking powder 3 large eggs 75g sweetened dried cranberries 50g walnuts & 50g hazelnuts, chopped Zest of 1 orange 1 tbsp orange juice FROSTING

Method 1 Preheat the oven to 170C, 150C fan, gas mark 3. Grease a 900g loaf tin and line the base and up two long sides of the tin with baking parchment.

2 Place the butter, sugar, flour, spice, baking powder and eggs in a large bowl and beat with an electric whisk for 2-3 minutes until thoroughly combined. Fold in the dried cranberries, nuts and orange zest and juice.

3 Spoon the mixture into the tin and level the surface. Bake for 1hr-1 hr 15 minutes or until risen and golden and a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes then turn out onto a wire rack and leave to cool completely.

4 Spread the royal icing over the top of the cake. Scatter over the sugar sprinkles and fresh cranberries, plus the fresh mint sprigs if using. Leave in a cool place until set. Serve sliced.

Half of a 400g tub ready-made royal icing 2 tsp snowflake sugar sprinkles 75g fresh cranberries Fresh mint sprigs, to decorate (optional) Icing sugar, for dusting

TIP: Instead of the fresh cranberries you could scatter over more festivethemed sugar sprinkles and add a dusting of edible gold spray for a really sparkly finish.

29

30

READY

in 30 mins plus chilling Serves 6

Potted Smoked Salmon This is the perfect starter for the lunch on the big day – the recipe will easily double up if you are feeding a crowd at Christmas!

Ingredients 275g honey roast salmon flakes 250g smoked salmon slices, chopped 100g unsalted butter, softened 125g full-fat soft cheese 2 tsp creamed horseradish 1 tbsp lemon juice Salt and freshly ground black pepper Fresh dill sprigs and green peppercorns, to garnish

Method 1 Reserve about 25g of the salmon flakes for garnish (cover and chill in the fridge until required).

2 Place the rest of the salmon flakes in a food processor with the smoked salmon, butter, soft cheese, horseradish and lemon juice. Process until smooth and creamy. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper and process for a further few seconds.

3 Divide the mixture between 6 small ramekin dishes and level the surface. Cover and chill in the fridge until required. Garnish with the rest of the salmon flakes, dill sprigs and green peppercorns. Serve with toasted brown or granary bread.

Slices of toasted brown or granary bread, to serve

TIP: Most supermarkets sell packs of ready-flaked honey roast salmon but if unavailable just buy ready-cooked smoked salmon fillets and roughly flake the fish, discarding any skin and fine bones.

31

32

Puzzle Pages

Sponsored by

CROSSWORD

DOWN

1. Country, capital Nicosia (6) 2. Communist state of Asia (4) 3. Sloping mass of rocks at the base of a cliff (5) 4. Item commonly eaten on Shrove Tuesday (7) 5. Live-action film about a piglet (4) 6. Capital of Finland (8) 9. US novelist, creator of Tom Sawyer (5) 12. Worship of images (8) 14. Alloy of copper and zinc (5) 15. Unit of relative loudness (7) 18. Equal portions into which the capital stock of

a corporation is divided (6)

19. Involuntary muscular contraction (5) 21. ___ Karenina, novel by Leo Tolstoy (4)

23. Large container (4)

ACROSS

1. French town that serves as a

11. Plant fibre used to make rope (5)

20. Overland journey by hunters (6)

13. Japanese art of flower arranging (7)

22. Formerly the basic unit of

7. Acting game, popular at

16. Person whose duty is to throw

24. Daughter of a sovereign (8)

ferry port to England (6) Christmas (8)

troublemakers out of a bar (7)

money in Spain (6)

8. Steal cattle (6)

17. Group which released the 2006

25. ___ dancers, traditionally

10. Brie or Edam, for example (6)

album Stop the Clocks (5)

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: 58 or more words GOOD: 47 words FAIR: 39 words

associated with May Day (6)

N W

A

P

R P

S E

E

33

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

SUDOKU

BUG

HACKER

SAVE

CHIP

HARDWARE

SCROLL

COPY

INPUT

SERVER

CYBERSPACE

JPEG

SOUNDCARD

DESKTOP

KEYBOARD

SPYWARE

DISK

MENU

UPLOAD

DRIVER

MODEM

USB

ETHERNET

PORT

VIRUS

FONT

REBOOT

WINDOWS

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.

17

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

7 5

WIGGLE WORDS CLUE: Having very little overall influence Trace a path through all the letters to find the word or phrase that fits the clue.

C K E T

U N I A

B T P D

E H O R

6 2 5

1 8

19 12 12 30

17 17 21 18 16 All the puzzle solutions can be found on page 90 of this magazine

34

Are you thinking of teaching as a career?

Become aa Teacher Teacher with with North North West West Learning Learning Partnership Partnership School School Direct.

Direct.

Become (Previously (Previously known known as as St St Mary Mary and and St St Thomas Thomas C C EE Primary Primary Alliance) Alliance)

Who Who are are we? we?

North North West West Learning Learning Partnership Partnership School School Direct Direct is is an an established School School Direct Direct Provider Provider working working in in partnership partnership established with Liverpool Liverpool John John Moores Moores University.

University. with

As one one of only 40 40 Maths Maths Hubs Hubs in in the the country, country, we we are are As of only able to to provide outstanding training training at at the the forefront forefront of of able provide outstanding developments in mathematics education. developments in mathematics education.

The North North West West Learning Learning Partnership Partnership continues continues to to be be The above the National norm for School Direct provision and above the National norm for School Direct provision and

are are classed classed as as aa high-flying high-flying alliance alliance in in terms terms of of numbers numbers of of applications and successful recruitment. applications and successful recruitment.

Why train train with with us? us?

Why We are are committed committed to to ongoing ongoing development development of of all all trainees trainees We for at least 3 years. for at least 3 years.

Trainees Trainees have have access, access, free free of of charge, charge, to to our our highly highly effective effective NQT and RQT programmes.

NQT and RQT programmes.

We We offer offer aa range range of of courses courses for for both both Primary and and Secondary Secondary Primary Primary Primary General General We We offer offer aa programme. programme.

unique unique primary primary general general teacher teacher training training Training with the North Training with the North West West Learning Learning

Partnership Partnership means means you you become become aa staff staff member member from from day day one whilst receiving academic and University one whilst receiving academic and University support. support.

Student Student feedback feedback is is key key to to ensuring ensuring quality quality and and is is paramount to to ensuring ensuring the the quality quality of of our our programme. programme. paramount Apply Apply for for this this training training programme programme through through UCAS: UCAS: http://www.ucas.com http://www.ucas.com

Training Provider Provider 13N 13N || Course Course code code DF23 DF23 Primary Primary Training

Primary General General with with Mathematics Mathematics Specialism Specialism Primary We We are are excited excited to to offer offer this this primary primary general general programme programme with with mathematics specialism specialism in in partnership partnership with with Liverpool Liverpool John John mathematics

•• High High employment employment rates rates

Moores University.

University. Trainees Trainees will will engage engage with with our our successful successful Moores and unique primary general teacher training programme and unique primary general teacher training programme

•• Only Only Good Good to to Outstanding Outstanding schools schools within within our our Alliance Alliance are used for placements are used for placements

with with additional additional training training units units in in mathematics. mathematics.

Trainees Trainees will will receive receive aa PGCE PGCE with with Masters Masters credits credits and and QTS. QTS.

•• Placement Placement schools schools are are across across St St Helens, Helens, Wigan, Wigan, Bolton, Bolton, Halton & Knowsley Halton & Knowsley

Apply Apply for for this this training training programme programme through through UCAS: UCAS: http://www.ucas.com http://www.ucas.com

•• Gain Gain PGCE PGCE with with Masters Masters credits credits and and QTS QTS

Training Training Provider Provider 13N 13N || Course Course code code SDKJ SDKJ

•• Highly Highly effective effective school school based based tutors. tutors. All All of of aa senior senior level level with a wealth of experience or are Specialist with a wealth of experience or are Specialist Leaders Leaders in in

Primary Primary General General Salaried Salaried Route Route

•• Personal Personal support support structures structures in in place place

This This salaried salaried experienced, experienced,

their their field field of of expertise expertise (SLEs) (SLEs)

•• Quality Quality Assured Assured by by several several external external agencies agencies & & as as aa result the alliance provision continues to be graded result the alliance provision continues to be graded as as ‘Outstanding’.

‘Outstanding’.

School School Direct Direct programme programme is is suitable suitable for for non-teaching staff and career non-teaching staff and career changers. changers.

Applicants Applicants are are recommended recommended to to have have the the support support of of aa school.

The trainee is employed by the school as a nonschool. The trainee is employed by the school as a nonqualified qualified teacher teacher for for one one academic academic year. year.

The The trainee trainee teacher teacher receives receives aa personal personal training training programme, programme, accessing our outstanding training at accessing our outstanding training at the the North North West West Learning Partnership Partnership and and gains gains aa PGCE PGCE with with Masters Masters credits credits Learning and QTS QTS at at Liverpool Liverpool John John Moores Moores University.

University. and This qualification qualification includes includes 60 60 credits credits at at Masters Masters level. level.

This Apply for for this this training training programme programme through through UCAS: UCAS: Apply http://www.ucas.com http://www.ucas.com Training Training Provider Provider 13N 13N || Course Course code code 3BFS 3BFS

35

Secondary Mathematics

Secondary MFL

We are excited to offer a School Direct Secondary

This course is offered by the lead schools Rainford High

Mathematics in school one-year teacher training

and Up Holland High in association with the North West

programme. You will be awarded PGCE with Masters

Learning Partnership and Liverpool John Moores University.

credits and QTS. The course is offered by the lead schools

Due to the outstanding teaching in our schools, results in

Rainford High and Up Holland High in association with

MFL are significantly above national average and both

the North West Learning Partnership and Liverpool John

schools offer unique and dynamic training and teaching

Moores University. This unique training programme offers

opportunities for the right teacher training candidates.

exciting opportunities to be involved in:

• Training with high quality relevant professionals with an

• Working alongside specialists in Maths Mastery.

outstanding track record for delivering the highest grades

• Training with high quality relevant professionals with

for young people at Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 as well as

an outstanding track record for delivering the highest grades for young people at Key Stage 4 & Key Stage 5.

• Opportunity for leadership training and development of strategic curriculum design.

• Commitment to develop examination expertise at KS4 and KS5

delivering exceptional transition for young people.

• Opportunity for leadership training and development of strategic curriculum design.

• Commitment to develop examination expertise at KS4 and KS5 • The opportunity to take part in cultural language

• Teaching opportunity across KS2,3, 4 & 5. Subject specific and career impacting professional development • High quality subject specific CPD opportunities with nationally recognised speakers • High quality guest speakers to support pedagogical and subject specialism • The discussion club focused on high quality academic research linked to educational discussion at some of the leading local restaurants and venues throughout the year.

Apply for this training programme through UCAS: http://www.ucas.com Training Provider 13N | Course code JL80

exchange visits and programmes.

• Teaching opportunity across KS2, 3, 4 and 5.

• Subject specific and career impacting professional development. Such as high quality subject specific CPD opportunities with nationally recognised guest speakers to support pedagogical and subject specialism.

• The discussion club focused on high quality academic research linked to educational discussion at some of the leading local restaurants and venues throughout the year.

Apply for this training programme through UCAS: http://www.ucas.com Training Provider 13N | Course code SD90

Kathy Carman - North West Learning Partnership School Direct Strategic Lead kathy.carman@three-saints.org.uk https://www.facebook.com/nwlpschooldirect/ Sarah Knowles - North West Learning Partnership Administrator sarah.knowles@three-saints.org.uk For further details of all programmes please see our website: http://www.northwestlearningpartnership.co.uk/index.php/workstreams/ school-direct

36

Do try this

at home… at the w

nts th perime

x

ence e Fun sci

Iceberg A homemade lava lamp

For this experiment, you probably have everything you need already.

This lava lamp is short-lived, but pretty magical.

You’ll need:

You’ll need: • A glass • Vegetable oil • Water • A bright food colouring (e.g. red or green) • An Alka-Seltzer tablet What to do: • Fill the glass to about halfway with vegetable oil.

• Add around a fifth of a glass of water.

• Add around 10 drops of food colouring.

• Drop in the Alka-Seltzer tablet and watch the marvel unfold.

Why it works: The oil floats on the water. When you drop the tablet in, it reacts with the water to make carbon dioxide bubbles. They carry the coloured water to the top, before popping and sinking back down.

y ill enjo

mily w hole fa

• A glass • Ice cubes • Salt • String What to do • Dangle a piece of string in the glass with one hand.

• Pop ice cubes into the glass so that it’s at least half-full.

• Can you pull the ice-cubes out of the glass using the string?

• Repeat the first two steps.

• Pour a couple of tablespoons of salt over the ice cubes and the string.

• Wait 10 seconds and pull the string out.

• This time, the ice cubes should come out with the string.

Why it works The salt makes the edges of the ice cubes start to melt but then they partially refreeze, sticking to the string as they do.

Runaway milk Don’t worry, this is a lot less messy than it sounds.

You’ll need: • A plate or wide, shallow bowl • Full fat milk • Food colouring (ideally three different colours) • Washing-up liquid What to do • Pour some milk into the plate.

(You only need it to be around a centimetre deep.)

• Add a few drops of food colouring in different areas. Not too many, there should be large gaps between each one.

• Dip a finger in the washing-up liquid and then touch one of the spots of food colouring.

• Repeat with other spots of food colouring.

• The colour will swirl away from your touch.

Why it works The milk and washing-up liquid can’t mix. What you’re seeing is the fat particles swirling away from the washing-up liquid. Don’t have food colouring? Try touching a felt tip pen to the milk instead.

37

UNIVERSITY CENTRE ST HELENS OUR DIGITAL 2021 HIGHER EDUCATION GUIDE IS NOW LIVE!

Discover a variety of higher-level qualifications and degrees, studied on a full and part-time basis, with smaller class sizes and lower tuition fees.

Stay local and study a degree right in the heart of St Helens!

• Applied Chemistry • Applied Microbiology • Business Management • Computing • Criminal Justice • Early Years

• Engineering • Exercise, Health and Fitness • Fine Art Painting • Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media Practice • Game Art

• Graphic Design • Media Production • Social Policy, Health and Housing • Teacher Training • Theatre and Performance

Download your copy at:

sthelens.ac.uk/applynow

38

Top Christmas Apps Help your child or children discover the magic of Christmas by using these popular Christmas apps.

These apps are now available on both Apple or Android platforms and are either free or modestly priced.

Portable North Pole Through the Portable North Pole (PNP) app and website, parents can send their kids personalised videos direct from the North Pole. Video messages are free, but for an additional fee parents can buy their child more detailed personalisations, views of Santa’s village and news of the naughty or nice list this year.

Message From Santa Parents who download the Message from Santa app get unlimited personalised calls from Santa and can surprise their child with video messages straight from the North Pole. Kids can also leave Santa special voicemail messages or hold a text conversation with him.

NORAD

Elf Yourself

For more than 60 years, the North American Aerospace Defense Command has been tracking Santa’s whereabouts on Christmas Eve using satellites and jet fighters. The 2020 NORAD Tracks Santa website and app each offer a Christmas countdown, games and other activities, in addition to NORAD’s iconic reports on Santa’s travels come December 24.

You can star in a series of personalised videos featuring your face on dancing elves. Upload up to five photos of friends and family from Facebook or your camera. Then select a dance and the app automatically generates your custom video you can share to social media.

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 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

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

39

40 For tech shoppers, November is Gadget Christmas.

That’s because the last Friday of the month, the 27th of November, is Black Friday. Black Friday is when online shops and many high street retailers offer amazing discounts on all kinds of products.

And the discounts can be massive, with hundreds of pounds off high-end laptops, big TVs and other big-ticket purchases.

The name Black Friday is a little misleading because many of the retailers now run deals the week leading up to Black Friday and/or the week after.

Many of the deals are genuine, but it’s important to do a little homework because some of them are a little creative.

Get a good tech deal on

Black Friday

BIG-NAME LAPTOPS Looking for a new laptop? You’ll see some great deals on laptops from big names such as Microsoft, ASUS and Lenovo.

Some of the best discounts are on the most expensive models but you’ll find good budget deals too.

Various prices, www.currys.co.uk

Some deals are rather like the supermarket wine promotions where the price of a £6 bottle of wine is briefly raised to £9; the shop then goes back to the original price and sticks a ‘Save £3.00!’ sticker on it. In tech, the same thing can happen with prices going up just before Black Friday to create a discount that isn’t really a discount.

Another common trick is to quote a recommended retail price that nobody sensible ever paid. For example, a TV supposedly reduced from £1,799 to £999 may well have been on sale for £1,099 for the last six months. You’re still getting a saving, but it’s not as exciting as the shop wants you to think.

Technology can help here. Use Pricespy.co.uk to see what other retailers are charging for the same product, and for Amazon deals use CamelCamelCamel.com to look at a product’s Amazon price history to see if a deal is good or just too good to be true.

As with any sale, don’t let the prospect of a big discount persuade you to buy something you don’t want or need, and if you pay by credit card make sure you pay it off as soon as you can. The interest on some cards can easily wipe out your Black Friday savings.

XBOX ONE X Expect big discounts on Microsoft’s superb console and Sony’s PS4 too: as their replacements are imminent there will be big savings to be had, especially on bundles with included games.

Usually £395, www.xbox.com

INSTANT POT We love the Instant Pot, a programmable electric pressure cooker that’s brilliant for soups, stews, chilli, curries, rice and pretty much anything else you can cook in a pot. It’s usually Amazon’s Black Friday bestseller.

Usually £84, www.amazon.co.uk

AMAZON ECHO Amazon’s smart speakers get discounted for every Amazon sale event and Black Friday is no exception. The third-generation Echo delivers surprisingly great sound despite its compact dimensions.

Usually £89, www.amazon.co.uk

PHILIPS AMBILIGHT TV There are always great Black Friday discounts on smart TVs, and some of the biggest we’ve seen were on Philips’ clever Ambilight range, which uses coloured light to make the room match what’s on screen.

Various prices, www.philips.co.uk

41

A live and interactive showcase of life at

winstanley college

Wednesday 4th November

5 – 7pm

Register now!

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

must be

42

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

43

Upholland Road, Billinge

• Over 2,200 sq ft • Ideal for entertaining

Townfields, Ashton-in-Makerfield £330,000 • 4 Bed detached • Large secluded plot

• Over 3,300 sq ft • Gated access

SO LD

• 6 Bed barn conversion • Rural views to rear

£550,000

Orchid Close, Upholland

• Over 1,300 sq ft • Not overlooked to rear

Kilburn Ave, Ashton-in-Makerfield £220,000 • 3 Bed detached • Integral garage

• 3 Receptions • Large rear garden

SO LD

• 4 Bed detached • 2 Receptions

£250,000

Newton Road, Billinge • 3 Bed period terraced • Rural views

£200,000

• 2 Receptions • Off road parking to rear

Clapgate Lane, Goose Green • 3 Bed Semi • Over 900 sq ft

• 2 Receptions • Off-site garage

Wigan Office • 78 Market Street, Wigan WN1 1HX • 01942 233 999 www.alanbatt.co.uk

£150,000

44

I’m a

working man from

Lancashire…

by Nicola Gray

Since first taking to the stage in 2007, The Lancashire Hotpots have been putting a smile on our faces with their light-hearted view on life. Their brand of music has a distinctly Northern edge and it has gained them a cult following over the years.

From playing Glastonbury to writing jingles for Holland’s Pies, the Hotpots have been successfully entertaining the nation with comedy songs about chippy teas and how to ‘mek us a brew’. We caught up with Bernard, Bob, Kenny, Ron, Billy and Dickie to see what fun they’ve been having during lockdown.

Dickie reliably informs me that the tale of how the band met is one of folklore, “It’s a tale of mystery, one that involves Noel Edmond’s helicopter, a break in at the Uncle Joe’s Mint Ball Factory and an after-hours session with Elton Welsby in Billinge!”

From their first answer I can already tell that this is going to be an interview like no other and I can’t wait for the rest of the answers. Bernard added, “Like that Queen film we watched at the cinema last year, he may have included a bit of dramatic licence there. In reality, me, Bob and Dickie had been in a couple of bands previously and Kenny, Billy and Ron were all musician friends that we knew and asked to join along the way.”

Bernard Thresher and Bob Wriggles met while working at Knowsley Safari Park and formed their first rock band together, Korova. Whilst working at St Helens College,

Bob met Dickie Ticker and the three became interested in working together. After Korova disbanded, Bernard and Bob joined forces with Dickie to create electronic dance music under the new guise of Emmet.

Billy McCartney was in Liverpool band Lyons and Tigers who supported the Hotpots numerous times around the North West and Kenny Body was in several St Helens based bands including Jessica’s Ghost and Giant Root Attack. Both were enlisted to play in the band following the death of original drummer, Willie Eckerslike.

But what about their good old Lancashire upbringings?

Bernard told me, “I think we all had a pretty normal upbringing in St Helens, mine certainly was; mum, dad, brother, given a guitar at an early age and potato waffles and baked beans for me tea most nights.” “You can’t ask for more than that can you? Bob laughs.”

Bernard added, “I was successfully excluded from nine schools for a series of harmless and humorous incidents, involving small fires and the occasional release of school pets into the wilds. He does admit afterwards that he may be slightly exaggerating here for comic effect, but in all honesty that is what we love about the Hotpots.

Get the Hotpots talking about their hometown and the interview conducts itself, it’s just fun to be able to listen!

Talking about their old haunts Dickie chirps in, “Have you

45 ever been to the Three-Legged Fisherman in Heskin?

It’s just past Charnock Richard services, they serve the best Chicken Kiev in Lancashire.” Bernard added, “Back in the day when I’d just started drinking, I used to enjoy a breath-taking night at ‘Jokers Bar’ in St Helens town centre opposite Scala Snooker. Tuesday night’s there were off the charts, especially when they had a 2 for 1 offer on MD20/20. Remember that?”

The band first dabbled with comedy music, producing a remix of the Coldplay song “Clocks” for Radio One DJ Chris Moyles in the style of the German dance group Scooter. In a play on words they named the side project Moped. The track proved popular with listeners of the show and they went on to produce several more remixes. Then came the idea of a folk band, who write songs and tell stories about modern life and the rest, as they say, is history.

Although Bernard now lives in Coventry, (he really does, it’s even documented in one of their songs, ‘This Lancashire Town) it’s easy to see the love these chaps have for their roots and how much it has shaped them.

Dickie, Kenny and Ron all still reside in the borough, Kenny adds, “We love St Helens’ equidistance between the throbbing metropolitan hubs of Liverpool and Manchester.

That and Burchall’s Pie Shop on Westfield Street.”

Music is in their blood; it makes them happy, but who are their influences and who do they enjoy listening to? Ron tells me, “The CD player in the Hotpots van will quite often play a lot of Queen, early 80s pop, a bit of AC/DC and a smattering of drum and bass…it’s a very broad church.

Bernard can’t remember the first record that he bought but Dickie says, “My first record was The Smurf Song by Father Abraham, this goes some way to explaining why we make the music that we do.”

I am informed by the band members that all young men in St Helens have the same aspirations growing up. Their

46 Gigs and tours are renowned for being tireless and unrelenting, but the band seem to have this under control as well. It was hard for them to pinpoint just one show that had been their favourite. Bernard added, “I can’t remember coming off stage and thinking, wow that’s me favourite but looking back there was one gig we did at the Manchester Academy where we had KFC and champagne backstage. How do you beat that?”

Speaking of gigs, and the lack of them now due to the pandemic, I have always wondered if musicians really have a favourite song. Dickie wistfully informs me that is a question that can only be answered at a certain moment in time as it changes for them on an almost daily basis. He added, “At the minute we aren’t playing any live shows what with the virus. I was enjoying a little ditty we do called The Austerity Blues which is about the prices of everything going up; we’re nothing if not topical.” dream job was not playing gigs up and down the country but was strapping on their boots and playing for Saints.

Bernard added, “Sadly my League career was cut short by a series of broken collar bones, weak knees and lack of rugby playing ability. I like to think that rugby’s loss has been music’s gain.”

With their rugby playing days firmly behind them and song writing and all things music making keeping them busy, do they have time for anything else? Billy said, “Things are perilous for a lot of people at the moment work wise, but currently you could find us involved in such jobs as lecturing, website coding and vehicle manufacture. One of us has been known to mix up the crisps in those bags of Walkers Mix Ups too.”

There is always a laugh to be had with the Hotpots and even when asked about their proudest moments since starting the band, that old Northern humour is evident. Dickie says, “There was one gig back in 2009 where I remembered all the words and had a fault free performance and it’s been downhill from there. Kenny added, “Playing big stages for festivals like Kendal Calling will always be a thrill for us. Oh, and getting to play live on Radio 2 for Zoe Ball last Christmas was a blast but a 4am alarm call and a 6am soundcheck is not something I would want to repeat in a hurry.”

Speaking of the current pandemic, I want to know what the band has been up to during lockdown and as I’ve come to realise over the course of this interview, the answer isn’t what you’d expect. Bernard told me, “We’ve kept ourselves busy with needlework, Nintendo Switch digital golf, research into flying saucers and Uno. We’ll have to get round to writing some new songs eventually.”

Before I let them go, I wanted to know about any funny stories or things that have happened to the band through the years. The lads do not disappoint as they tell me about being unfortunate enough to suffer a flat tyre after a gig. Bernard said, “All the lads had to stand in the rain on the side of the motorway for hours. I of course had taken a limousine back to the Premier Inn and was nibbling Ferrero Rocher and quaffing Labatt lager till the wee small hours. We did laugh.”

With Lancashire Day just around the corner, I couldn’t let The Hotpots go with our hearing some of their favourite Lancashire phrases. Some responses weren’t suitable for publication, but they quickly agreed, and Dickie answered, “My favourite phrases are ‘Y’In?’ (are you at home as I would like to visit) and ‘Y’Owt’? (will you be out later to meet with friends for light refreshments).”

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Chips & Giggles Tour 2021 There’s only one thing more satisfying than a visit to the chippy and that’s an evening with The Lancashire Hotpots! To book tickets for next year go online at www.thelancashirehotpots.net and look for the events listing.

5th March 2021 St Helens, Theatre Royal 24th April 2021 Bolton, Albert Halls 22nd May 2021

Southport, The Atkinson

17th July 2021

Blackpool, The Grand TheatrE

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Competition Winners

The winners of our Rainbow Glass Art competition in the September issue of Local Life were recently announced.

Janet Gray from Sandbrook Gardens in Orrell won the main prize, which was a Rainbow Arch, Joanne Johnson of Malvern Close in Ashton was the first runner up and won a Rainbow Heart and Nicola Thomas of Netherwood Grove in Winstanley won the 3rd prize, a Rainbow Bee. The main picture shows Janet’s granddaughter Jodie

picking up the arch from Stephanie O’Brien, the co-owner of the Love It Gallery. Also pictured are Joanne’s husband Pete and Nicola with their prizes.

The pieces are just part of the collection of rainbow glass art available at the Love It Gallery, which is based on Winstanley Road in Billinge. The Love It Gallery is open from Tuesday to Sunday. For more details visit the Facebook page @loveitgalleryltd.

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Pep Up

Your Hallway

Give your entrance a stylish update with new furniture or accessories.

A clean-lined shape and subtle colour makes this a useful piece for any style of hallway.

SAY HELLO TO HALLWAY STYLE

Garden Trading Clockhouse hallway storage bench, £260, Cuckooland.

• Choose a runner that leads guests from the front door to the heart of your home. Consider how its colours and patterns interact with adjacent rooms – and avoid light colours that show the dirt.

• Shoe and coat racks, console tables, benches and the like can be selected with an eye for style as much as storage. An upcycled or vintage piece could really make a statement.

With a small footprint but a big impact, this glamorous lacquer and brass cabinet is finished with solid acrylic cabochons.

Globo console, £1,995, Jonathan Adler.

• A hallway mirror is not only an essential but can really up the fashion stakes. All sorts of designs are available, and a rattan frame is very on trend.

In a soft colour palette and matt finish, these striking hooks have a minimal, Nordic feel.

• Include a row of hooks for more impact, whether rustic or traditional, industrial or modern. They come in a multitude of shapes, sizes and colours.

MADE Essentials Apartment wall hooks in tonal grey, £35, made.com.

• Add an accessory or two, such as a work of art, a table lamp or a pot of succulents to complement and enhance your hall’s colours and textures.

Ensure that the combination of pieces makes you feel happy when you come home.

Handy for post, reminders and invitations, this wirework display rack has an appealingly functional feel that would look great in a modern space.

Farringdon memo board, £30, Garden Trading.

Get the luxe look with a gilded mirror that also offers convenient space on the shelf below for bits and bobs.

Medium Lene Bjerre Hildia mirror in gold, £90, Sweetpea & Willow.

Generously sized hooks in a traditional design will hold coats, scarves and even hats comfortably.

Country wall hooks, £75, A by Amara.

This vintage-inspired piece will make a bohemian statement in your home.

Bali rattan coat stand, £125, Oliver Bonas.

A soft rug will welcome guests. This runner is rich and inviting, in patterned peach, nude and grey.

Nova Runner, £150, Cox & Cox.

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54

West Lancs Support Clinically vulnerable residents of West Lancashire who have no other support in place from their household, support bubble or neighbours, and who may need additional support to arrange online shopping or prescription deliveries, are being asked to contact West Lancashire Together on the free helpline 0800 616 667, Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.

Current advice for clinically vulnerable residents is to stay at home as much as possible and significantly reduce shopping trips, shopping online where possible.

West Lancashire Together can help signpost you to online shopping for food and household items and for prescription deliveries if no other support is available.

Further information about West Lancs Together is available on the Council website www.westlancs.gov.uk

Wellfest Returns Wigan’s wellness festival returns as a virtual event this week. Wellfest is back with a brand-new online platform making it easier than ever for residents to keep their body and mind healthy this winter. Residents can browse online to discover ideas how to eat well, along with further information and support.

Live sessions will be streamed via the new events channel – This is Wigan. You can follow This is Wigan on social media channels for updates on the festival and for details of how to stream the live main stage from 28th October.

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56

Making an

Entrance

Greenwich large sideboard, £229, Nala mango wood table lamp, £25; Butterscotch rush basket, £22; all Dunelm: 0345 165 6565; dunelm.com.

Colour and pattern for the walls Choose a paint colour or wallpaper that you love, and that coordinates with the colours visible in adjoining rooms.

While pale colours reflect light and emphasise space, dark schemes can be cosy and interesting.

It’s sensible to protect the lower halves of the walls from wear if you have young children and pets. Extra-tough paint is a good choice, or consider a dado rail with tongueand-groove panelling, tiles or vinyl wallpaper cladding the walls below. Patterned tiles or embossed wallpapers are appropriate for older properties with period features.

Choosing the right flooring Flooring should be durable, non-slip, dirt-resistant and easy to keep clean. Tiles are easy to care for, and options include stone, ceramic or quarry, or colourful Victorian encaustic. Floorboards or parquet need regular polishing or waxing, but avoid cheap wood laminates that may not last long. Good quality vinyl flooring is sturdy, cleanable and comfortable underfoot. A luxurious dark wool carpet

in an 80:20 mix of wool and nylon with a twist pile should withstand heavy usage, or how about tough natural matting such as coir, sisal or rush?

Lighting makes all the difference Halls should be welcoming, lead the eye into your home and safely illuminate steps or thresholds. Consider a specialist light-reflecting paint or wallpaper with a metallic sheen, and add a large mirror. Wall lights are not ideal in a narrow hall; recessed ceiling downlights are better or, if ceilings are high, a pendant (or a row of them) works well.

Storage is essential Built-in storage makes the most of every inch of space.

Shallow, floor-to-ceiling cupboards with doors the same colour as the walls, or mirrored to maximise light, will hold masses yet be barely noticeable. Alternatively, use free-standing, perhaps vintage or upcycled, cupboards, sideboards or benches. Umbrella stands, dog beds and boot racks suit spacious, country-style halls, while narrow, urban halls might benefit from a high-up bike hook and a slim radiator shelf for post and keys.

Tegola Westminster traditional oak wood flooring, £49.99 m2; natural coir Bee doormat, £15; both Carpetright: 0330 333 3444; carpetright.co.uk.

Add a finishing touch In a hall with windows, choose blinds or curtains that complement the space. A floor runner adds pattern and texture on hard floors but needs a non-slip underlay.

Hang paintings or photographs in coordinating frames on the walls, in rows or informal groupings. Perhaps add plants, books or a lamp on a console table for a beautiful display that creates a lovely welcome to your home.

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Your hallway needs to be a good-looking, welcoming space for visitors and a practical storage area for storage. Get the basics right, says Katherine Sorrell, and the rest will follow.

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60

The

Book Nook

From historical fiction to dystopian literature plus new releases to older books that deserve more attention, there’s plenty to get your teeth stuck into this month.

Gather the Daughters Jennie Melamed On the island, girls are little more than wives-in-training – following the decrees of the founding ancestors and submitting to every demand of their fathers. They have one brief period of freedom over the summer, when they live wild and do as they please. The summers are short-lived, and the girls know that they’re destined to be married once they hit puberty. But one day they decide to take back their freedom, at whatever cost. Gather the Daughters is pretty disturbing and there are a lot of triggers, but as dystopian literature goes, it’s one that will stick with you for a very long time.

Little Fires Everywhere Celeste Ng Whether you’ve watched the Amazon Prime series or not, the book is well worth a read. To the outsider, Shaker Heights seems like the perfect town. And no one is more perfect than Elena Richardson.

Her daughter Izzy, on the other hand, is impetuous and disinclined to follow the rigid path laid down by her mother. When artist Mia Warren arrives on the scene with her daughter Pearl, the fragility of a ‘perfect’ life becomes all too apparent. A manylayered read about motherhood, secrets, race and the many nuances of right and wrong.

The Midnight Library Matt Haig Nora’s overdose doesn’t result in, as she’d hoped, nothingness. Instead, she’s transported to the Midnight Library, where she gets the chance to try the other lives she could have led if she’d made different choices.

As she faces her regrets (from not marrying to not becoming an Olympic swimmer), Nora discovers that the path not taken isn’t always the panacea she thinks it is.

A Room Made of Leaves Kate Grenville A Room Made of Leaves is the fictionalised account of a real woman’s life – Elizabeth Macarthur.

It’s set in the late eighteenth century.

Women had few prospects beyond marriage, so when Elizabeth marries the cold, ambitious John Macarthur she has little choice but to follow him wherever he decides to go, even if that’s to the other side of the world to live in a new settlement in Australia. A must for historical fiction fans.

A Song for the Dark Times Ian Rankin Rebus is back, but this time it’s personal: his son-in-law is missing.

Rebus heads out to solve the mystery. His daughter seems to be the obvious main suspect, so which role will Rebus prioritise – detective or father? Meanwhile, back in Edinburgh, DI Siobhan Clarke is on her own case, that of the murder of a wealthy Saudi student. These two very different cases may turn out to be part of the same tangled web. A Song for the Dark Times is a gripping crime thriller with plenty of twists to keep you turning the pages.

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62

Is Inheritance Tax

Voluntary?

It was the late Lord Jenkins that said, “Inheritance Tax is a voluntary tax paid by people who distrust their beneficiaries more than they dislike the Inland Revenue”.

Inheritance tax was always considered to be a tax on the rich, but it really isn’t!

from when the transfer is made for the gift to fall outside your estate. During the 7 year period the amount of tax payable reduces each year. This is known as Taper Relief.

However, this relief only applies to the part of a gift which is in excess of the nil rate band (£325,000).

Levied at a fixed rate of 40 per cent, it is possible to become a higher rate taxpayer after you die. If you are single or divorced, UK legislation allows the first £325,000 (2020/21 tax year) of your estate to be free from Inheritance Tax. If you are married, or in a civil partnership or widowed, this amount could rise to £650,000. In addition to this, the resident’s nil rate band will enable the nil rate band to be uplifted further if you are living in your own property and will be passing your estate on to direct descendants.

Trusts

Inheritance tax can cost your loved ones hundreds of thousands in the event of your death, yet it’s possible to legally avoid huge swathes of it, or possibly pay none at all. How do you manage this? Just by sensible planning.

• Are you happy to waive your right to income and capital from the trust?

The main exemptions • Most transfers between spouses and civil partners.

• The first £3,000 of lifetime transfers in any tax year plus any unused balance from previous year.

• Gifts of up to but not exceeding £250 p.a. to any number of persons.

• Gifts in consideration of marriage or civil partnership of: up to £5,000 by a parent, up to £2,500 by a grandparent or great grandparent, or up to £1,000 by any other person.

• Gifts made out of income that form part of normal expenditure and do not reduce the standard of living.

• Gifts to charities, whether made during lifetime or on death.

This method allows for the placement of monies out of your estate into a suitable investment which is then wrapped within a trust. You as trustee remain in control of the investments on behalf of the beneficiaries and can decide when and if any capital will be paid out in part or in full.

There are a wide variety of trust options available and therefore careful consideration needs to be given to ensure that the trust is suitable.

• Would you prefer to receive a regular income from the trust?

• Would you like access to capital from the trust?

Clearly, one size does not fit all and therefore further advice should be taken.

Inheritance Tax is quite a technical area and therefore before embarking on a course of action I would strongly recommend that you seek professional advice. We have advisers with advanced qualifications within the taxation and trusts arena who if need be will be more than happy to guide you.

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.

Making Gifts In most cases, any direct gift either made direct or into an absolute trust by any one person over the exempt gift allowances, is a Potentially Exempt Transfer (PET).

This means that you as the donor, need to live 7 years,

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64

Travel Insurance

Advice

As thoughts turn to holidays in 2021, the issue of travel insurance has never been more complicated. The disruption from COVID-19 led many travellers to discover their policy wasn’t quite as comprehensive as they assumed.

With local lockdowns, travel bans and quarantine an everchanging situation in recent months, all too many people have found planned trips either impossible or no longer quite what they expected.

If you’ve got an annual policy, your first step should be checking the date the policy began. The precise details will vary between insurers, but as a general rule any ordinary policy taken out after the start of April 2020 will almost certainly exclude any claims related to COVID-19.

Instead, you’ll need to look for a policy that specifically

covers coronavirus. Most such policies will only cover the medical effects, though a few policies will also cover cancellation.

Whether you are relying on a pre-April 2020 policy or take out a new one that includes COVID-19 cancellation, check the conditions that will trigger a payout. Some policies will only cover you getting COVID-19 while some will pay out if a family member gets it. Some will only cover a positive diagnosis while others will cover cases where you are told to self-isolate, for example because you’ve been in close contact with somebody who has tested positive.

Coronavirus has also brought much greater attention to Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advisories, something that’s normally only been an issue for people

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65 travelling to far-off war-torn nations. At the time of writing, the FCO still had a default position advising against any non-essential travel to any country that wasn’t specifically exempted.

soon be even more important in Europe. At the time of writing, the UK and the European Union had yet to agree an extension of the UK’s participation in the European Health Identity Card program beyond the end of 2020.

If you do travel to a country that’s under such an advisory, your insurance is automatically invalid. However, a travel insurance policy almost certainly won’t cover you cancelling a trip because the FCO advice has changed.

The EHIC isn’t insurance, but rather a mutual agreement that covers European Union countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Anyone with an EHIC is entitled to medical treatment on the same basis as residents of the country where they fall ill.

If you decide against travel altogether, you can usually cancel an ongoing annual policy and get a refund in proportion to the remaining time, minus any administrative fee. This won’t be allowed if you’ve already made a claim on the policy during the cover period, for example from a previous trip.

Despite the increased limitations, travel insurance may

EHIC has never been a substitute for travel insurance, as it doesn’t cover disruption from illness or injury such as having to rebook flights home. However, if the UK does leave EHIC, travelling to the continent without travel insurance could lead to hefty medical bills even for basic treatment.

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66

Covid Support

for Businesses by Chris Alcock - CMA Accountancy It goes without saying that it has been an extremely difficult year for all of us and particularly those that run a small business. This article will outline the measures taken in the Winter Economic Plan to support businesses over the next 6 months.

JOB SUPPORT SCHEME This scheme will replace the Job Retention or “Furlough” scheme that ceased at the end of October. Under the new scheme, commencing in November, the government will contribute towards the wages of employees who are working fewer hours than normal.

Basically, employers will pay the wages for the hours an employee works, and for the hours not worked the government and the employer will each pay one third of their equivalent salary. This scheme is designed to support viable jobs.

For businesses that have required by law to close, the government has expanded the scheme. Where an employee is unable to work for 7 days, a grant will be available covering 2/3rds of their normal pay.

JOB RETENTION BONUS This scheme is a £1,000 one-off taxable payment paid to employers for each eligible employee that they furloughed and kept continuously employed until 31 January 2021.

SELF EMPLOYED INCOME SUPPORT SCHEME – SEISS This grant for the self-employed has been extended for the period from Nov 2020 to Apr 2020. Grants will be paid in two lump sums, each covering a 3 month period and will be worth up to 20% of their average monthly trading profit, capped at £1,875 per claim.

TAX CUTS AND DEFERRALS 1. The temporary reduction of VAT to 5% for the tourism and hospitality sectors has been extended to March 2021.

2. Businesses that deferred their VAT payment earlier this year can now apply to pay this back in 11 interest free instalments from April 2021 rather than in full in March 2021.

3. Self-assessment taxpayers will also be able to apply from a separate 12-month extension meaning payments deferred from July 2020 will now not need to be paid until January 2022 FLEXIBILITY TO PAY BACK LOANS Businesses who took out a Bounce Back Loan can use a Pay as You Grow flexible repayment system to ease the burden of repayments.

All the schemes introduced have had tremendous impact on businesses and in many cases have allowed them to retain staff and manage the obvious impact that the lockdown has brought.

And finally, I just wanted to mention the benefits of cloud accounting practices. These packages, in particular Xero, have proved invaluable over the past few months as we have been able to offer hands on support for our customers, using up-to-date information to help clients track their cashflow, apply for loans and discuss payments plans with HMRC. If you’re looking to consolidate and grow your business in 2021, then we have a range of solutions to assist businesses of all sizes, starting with our Essentials package for startups and sole traders, the Growth package to help you take control of your accounts and the Premier package designed to help you drive your business forward.

If you’d like a free initial consultation on how CMA can help your business in 2021, please get in touch. We can meet in our COVID-safe office or over a Zoom call to discuss your requirements.

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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68

Managing Your Persistent stress can affect our health and even cause serious illness, so we need to know how to reduce stress and its effects.

Stress can: • Affect your mental health, causing depression and exacerbating existing mental health issues.

• Affect your physical health by preventing proper sleeping or eating, and causing excess cortisol and adrenaline release. This makes you feel unwell and may eventually lead to serious conditions, e.g. heart disease, asthma, stroke, diabetes and some cancers.

What Causes Stress?

• Major changes or events: bereavement, moving home, financial crises, exams, redundancy, retirement, job change, marriage, relationship break-up, illness/injury, pregnancy/parenthood. ‘Happy’ events put extra pressure on us not to appear stressed.

• Continual pressure: job, health or relationship worries.

• Feeling out of control and unable to change situations.

• Uncertainty, e.g. potential redundancy.

• A life that lacks change, purpose or activity.

• Clutter and disorganisation, e.g. always running late.

Research shows just the sight of clutter causes stress.

Stress

Symptoms of Stress • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Avoiding the stress source.

Irritability, impatience, aggression, restlessness.

Depression or anxiety.

An inability to enjoy yourself/take an interest.

A sense of dread.

Feeling neglected or tearful.

Difficulty making decisions and concentrating.

Poor lifestyle choices: biting your nails, smoking or drinking, eating too much/too little.

Shallow breathing/hyperventilating.

Panic attacks.

Insomnia or disturbed sleep.

Muscle tension.

Blurred eyesight or sore eyes.

Loss of libido.

Teeth grinding or clenching your jaw.

Headaches.

Chest pains.

High blood pressure.

Indigestion or heartburn.

Constipation or diarrhoea. ignore stress Nausea or dizziness.

Fatigue.

DON’T

Tackle it now!

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Reducing and Coping with Stress Reducing your responsibilities and using timemanagement or organisational techniques can help to reduce stress in your life. You can find time management tips at www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxietydepression/time-management-tips/ and www.mind.org. uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/stress/ dealing-with-pressure/, which also has coping strategies for specific pressures, such as being a student.

Reducing the causes of our stress is important, but sometimes we can’t change stressful situations. However, we can learn to improve how we react to them.

Changing Your Mind Develop a more positive outlook. This video discusses replacing negative thinking with positive: www.nhs. uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/moodzonemental-wellbeing-audio-guides/ Breathing exercises You can find instructions at www.nhs.uk/conditions/ stress-anxiety-depression/ways-relieve-stress/ Stress-busting apps and courses Try the NHS’ Chill Panda apps.beta.nhs.uk/chill-panda/, Silver Cloud apps.beta.nhs.uk/silvercloud/ and the Stress & Anxiety Companion apps.beta.nhs.uk/stress-anxietycompanion/.

Self-help strategies include:

For further help, visit your GP, who can recommend:

Complementary therapies Therapies like yoga, meditation, aromatherapy, massage, acupuncture and ecotherapy (time spent in nature) may help you relax.

Talking treatments • Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) helps you understand your stress triggers and reaction to them.

• Mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) combines mindfulness, meditation and yoga to reduce stress.

Lifestyle Changes A healthy diet, regular exercise and adequate sleep help.

Spend time with family and friends and talk through your problems. Make time for hobbies and relaxation.

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Medication to reduce symptoms E.g. antidepressants, sleeping pills, irritable bowel syndrome treatments and high blood pressure medication.

70

Are you eating enough

fibre?

Discover the benefits of increasing your fibre intake

by Guts UK charity Fibre is the indigestible part of plant-based foods that does not get absorbed into our body. Many of us are aware of fibre and know it’s an important component of any healthy diet, yet most of us don’t eat enough of it.

We used to believe that fibre didn’t do much at all, assuming that because the human body couldn’t digest it, it just ‘travelled’ through our digestive system. In fact, fibre is absolutely vital for gut health, helping to prevent constipation and even bowel cancer.

Fibre makes us feel full and affects the way that the small bowel absorbs fat, but perhaps most importantly, fibre is the food for over 100 trillion microorganisms that live in your gut. This ‘good gut bacteria’ is vital to your wellbeing, defending against harmful microorganisms and easing absorption of some essential vitamins. Therefore, it’s important that we feed it!

“The average person in the UK eats less than 20g of fibre per day, or less than two-thirds of the recommended 30g amount. Through recent research, we know that additional fibre in the diet reduces the risk of chronic common conditions, such as bowel cancer, cardiovascular

disease, strokes and type 2 diabetes,” says Julie Thompson, specialist dietician and information manager at Guts UK charity.

Foods that are rich in fibre include wholegrain cereals, wholewheat pasta, oats and wholegrain bread. Fruit and vegetables such as berries, pears, melon, oranges, broccoli, carrots and sweetcorn are also rich in fibre, as are peas, beans, pulses, nuts, seeds and potatoes.

There are a number of simple steps you can take to increase your fibre intake, like swapping white or brown bread for wholegrain, opting for wholewheat pasta or choosing potatoes with skins, such as baked potatoes, wedges or boiled new potatoes. When snacking, try fresh fruit, rye crackers, oatcakes and nuts or seeds.

Think about adding beans, lentils or chickpeas to stews, curries and salads. If you’re struggling to encourage your children to eat their vegetables, adding plenty of vegetables to stews or curries is a good start.

Pay attention to food labelling, as pre-packaged food will most likely include the amount of ‘dietary fibre’ included.

Don’t make assumptions – despite beans being known as

71 a fibre-rich food, a small 200g tin of beans only provides 7.4g of fibre.

“If you are planning to increase the amount of fibre in your diet, you should do this gradually,” Julie continued. “Increasing your fibre intake dramatically and suddenly could cause symptoms such as wind and bloating.”

The science never lies. A paper published in the Lancet medical journal that analysed 185 studies and 58 clinical trials discovered just how important fibre can be in contributing to a long and healthy life. “The paper suggests that if you shifted 1,000 people from a low fibre diet (less than 15g) to a highfibre one (25-29g), it would prevent thirteen deaths and six cases of heart disease,” Julie explained. “The paper analysed really robust studies that tended to follow people and their diets for one to two decades. It’s simple – the more fibre we eat, the better!”

Guts UK is the charity for the digestive system. The digestive system is truly fascinating, but it is very complex. Millions are affected by digestive diseases, yet our guts have been underfunded, understaffed and

under-represented for decades. With new knowledge and research, we can diagnose earlier, develop kinder treatments and ultimately, a cure. Learn more at gutscharity.org.uk, call 01484 483 123 or email info@ gutscharity.org.uk – we’re here to help.

72

Tontine

by Chris Pearce

Distance: 6 miles Difficulty: Medium For many, 2020 has been a year where we have spent more time at or near to home than normal. Many of my prescribed 60-minute walks were taken on or about the area known as the Billinge and Orrell Ridge and it is from there that this pleasant 6.2 mile walk is located. The walk starts and finishes at the Delph Tavern, an award-winning free house pub in the West Lancashire enclave of Tontine. Walkers are welcome to park in the car park there from Monday-Thursday, but do pop in for a pint if you can.

Leave the car park at the Delph and turn left, then left again at the mini roundabout. Take the first right up Lawns Avenue and walk up past the houses and a children’s’ park to Lawns Farm. Carry on in the same direction when you cross the farmyard, past the pigs and goats before heading up the steep path.

Once you get through the gate, turn right and head out into the open countryside. Coming into immediate view is the three ventilation shafts known as the ‘pepper pots’, which mark the route of the rail tunnel between Orrell and Upholland. At a path-junction near the first ‘pepper pot’ bear right towards the second, and once you reach the third, bear left towards the stone farmhouses that make up the hamlet of Higher Pimbo.

You’ll emerge from a small wooded section opposite Higher Barn; turn right here and then take a left 50 yards on. Follow the path for 300 yards until you reach the entrance to Pimbo Bushes, home to a disused quarry and a long-standing nature habitat.

Turn right at the gate and follow the path for 400 yards until you reach a small pond on the left and then, on the

73

edge of a field, you’ll have a choice of three paths; take a 90 degree right turn and follow the path which will take you across fields, arriving at the track leading to Heaton House. Cross the track and continue in the same direction.

Cross through some overgrown ferns into the next field and follow the path round the perimeter leading to Promised Land Farm.

Once you reach the farm, turn left through the farmyard and follow that path for half a mile until you reach the Shaley Brow section of Crank Road. Turn right and take the footpath within 40 yards on your left, cross the bridge and head across open fields.

The path winds to the left to run parallel to woodland before you cross a bridge on the right. Follow the path past the green corrugated shed, turn left and then follow the path diagonally to the right towards the green chain link fence, emerging from the path at a single-track road.

Turn right and follow the track for 450 yards down Red Barn Road and, directly after Houghwood House, take the footpath on the left and start the steep climb uphill. Once you reach the tarmac road, (formerly the access road

to Billinge Quarry) turn left and carry on walking uphill where the footpath path and road run parallel.

When the road and path diverge, follow the path to the left and approximately 60 yards further on, take the left, lesser-used path that runs parallel to woodland. The golf course to the left is Houghwood which, on a clear day boasts amazing views over the Mersey coastline and Snowdonia. Once you reach the road (Crank Road), turn right and take the footpath 50 yards up on the left. Just before you reach the house turn right and follow the clearly defined footpath.

Carry on in the same direction for over ½ mile, crossing a stile en-route. Just after the steep flights of steps you’ll arrive at Mountains Farm. Ignore the public footpath sign directing you to the left and instead head right on a singletrack road towards a new housing estate.

74 Well Cross Farm

Tontine

Sandbrook Road

M58

Upholland

Far Moor

Higher Pimbo Farm

Higher End

oad rst R thhu Sme

Oak Wood Mountains Farm

Just after the Brickworks Fishery on the left and before the new housing estate, turn left through a gap between metal bars across what initially looks like wasteland but morphs into a footpath. Follow the path and when the path forks, take the left fork and follow for 300 yards until you reach a hedge and then turn right for 175 yards.

Once you cross over the Sandbrook into the next field, turn left and head on the path towards the ‘pepper ‘pots’ once again and follow that path for over half a mile until you reach Sandford Road. Follow the road to its junction with Sandbrook Road and turn left and your starting point of The Delph is downhill on the right hand side.

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.

Heaton House Daisy Wood Hangman’s Wood

Promised Land Farm

Cra nk Ro ad

Shaley Brow Farm

Brownlow

Billinge Hill

Cr an kR oa d

Derbyshire House

Rainford Brook Farm

For those with the OS Maps rn Red Ba Road

app on your desktop, mobile or tablet, this walk is named: JT-Tontine

75

Fireworks

Phobia

If your pet becomes really distressed during bonfire season, it could be that they have ‘firework phobia’.

RSPCA animal behaviour expert Dr Samantha Gaines says: “Firework phobia in pets is a treatable condition and we recommend planning ahead to help your pet cope.

For example, if your dog really seems to suffer, your vet may suggest referral to a clinical animal behaviourist to teach him/her to deal with the sounds, or suggest the use of diffusers which disperse calming chemicals into the room.”

Finally if you are using fireworks yourself, try to stick to traditional celebration dates like Bonfire Night, when most animal owners will be expecting fireworks and will hopefully have made preparations to help their animals cope.

It is also a good idea to provide your dog with a safe haven – perhaps under some furniture or in a cupboard – and it is best to get them used to this before the season starts. Choose somewhere quiet and help him to learn that being there is positive and that no harm will come to him. You can do this by giving him toys or a variety of chew toys.

Small animals that live outside should have lots of extra bedding so they can burrow. Some of their enclosure could be covered by a blanket for extra insulation and soundproofing. If you are planning to bring them indoors just before the fireworks are likely to start, then introduce this a week or two in advance.

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76

First Drive:

Volkswagen e-Up! Volkswagen has improved its electric e-Up! but how have things changed?

In the race to gain EV supremacy, it seems that many manufacturers have forgotten that often the best application of electric technology is in smaller city cars.

But the Volkswagen e-Up! is different. It’s quite small – as is the standard Up! – and it doesn’t look too ‘out-there’ either.

VW has given the e-Up! bigger batteries to improve that all-important range, but can this little car battle it out in a segment dominated by leviathans?

What’s new?

The exterior of the e-Up! doesn’t look particularly different from the car it replaces, nor does it appear all too dissimilar to the standard combustion-engined car.

The bulk of the changes have been made under the skin.

As mentioned, Volkswagen has boosted the battery count in the e-Up!, helping to extend its range and bolster its appeal. The firm has also added the ability to fast-charge the car, which should help to drive down the time you’ll be waiting at the plug.

What’s under the bonnet?

The e-Up! has an electric motor linked to a 32.3kWh battery. Power is sent to the front wheels through a single-speed gearbox, and in total it pushes out 80.5bhp and a healthy 210Nm of torque.

The e-Up takes 11.6 seconds from 0-60mph with a maximum speed of 81mph. Volkswagen claims that you’ll be able to do 159 miles between charges, while the ability to use combined charging system technology means that the car can be taken from zero to 80 per cent charge in just an hour via a 40kW DC charger. A standard domestic wall box does the same in four hours, while via a three-pin plug needs around 16 hours for a full charge.

What’s it like to drive?

Despite weighing in at 1,160kg – well over the regular car’s 926kg – the e-Up! is still a hoot to drive. That sense of fun remains, with the zippy acceleration you only get from an EV really adding to the whole experience. The

77 steering is well-judged and nicely weighted, while the ride is good too.

It’s nimble around town and unflustered even at higher speeds on the motorway.

Surprisingly for an EV, acceleration from 50mph to 70mph isn’t bad at all.

How does it look?

We already liked the understated styling of the standard Up!, so it’s fair to say that we appreciate the undercover looks of this electric version too. Only slim LED running lights up front help to denote it as something different to the ‘norm’, while the charging port is integrated into the place you’d usually find the filler cap.

The compact proportions lend the Up! to town driving, while the short overhangs and relatively slim wheel arches make it a doddle to park. In terms of electric vehicle design, it certainly rests on the conservative end of things, but we’re sure that this will appeal to many.

What’s it like inside?

Like the exterior, the cabin of the e-Up! is business as usual. There’s no main infotainment screen – just a cradle for your smartphone – so the forward part of the interior feels pleasantly uncluttered. The steering wheel has a good amount of adjustment, while the seats are wellpadded and comfortable. There’s good forward visibility too.

Our five-door model granted easy access to the rear of the car, and rear legroom is adequate – though of course, the car’s size does have its limitations. Very tall passengers will likely find headroom a hard-to-find aspect of the Up!

FACTS AT A GLANCE Model: Volkswagen e-Up! Price as tested: £20,905 (with grant) Engine: Electric motor with batteries Power: 80.5bhp Torque: 210Nm Max speed: 81mph 0-60mph: 11.6s Emissions: 0 g/km CO2 Range: 159 miles

What’s the spec like?

Our test car came in at £20,555 after the government’s plug-in car grant, which doesn’t seem like bad value at all given the kit on offer. Cruise control, parking sensors at both front and rear and a rear-view camera are all thrown in as standard, while a dinky five-inch colour touchscreen system – essentially a small ‘strip’ screen – houses Bluetooth connectivity and DAB radio.

Volkswagen also – importantly – includes two charging cables, one 16amp unit for use at wall boxes and charge points and another 10amp cable for charging at the mains.

Verdict The plucky e-Up! has hit the nail on the head. No, it can’t deliver the headline ranges boasted by larger EVs, but with around 150 miles per charge it can offer a genuinely usable range. Short trips to town and even longer journeys will unlikely trouble the bottom end of the range, while that ability to fast charge means that if you do need to plug in, you won’t be waiting all that long.

Most importantly, however, the e-Up! is fun, and that’s certainly an aspect that many EVs have missed from the process of driving.

78

Christmas Tech Your

Checklist

Many of the gifts we give or get at Christmas are gadgets, and that means Santa has a few things to think about in the days before the big day. For example, if the kids have asked him for a games console it’s highly likely that the console will need to download a big software update before it can play online; the worst possible time to do that download is on Christmas morning when everybody else in your street is trying to do the same. If you can, connect any new console to the internet in advance so there’s no delay before the kids can play.

Another good idea is to prepare a bit of paper with your Wi-Fi details and password on it: from Amazon Echo speakers to Apple iPads and even many kids’ toys, a Wi-Fi connection is needed for them to work. Digging out the details in advance will speed things up considerably on the day.

The top big-ticket Christmas gifts 2020 APPLE WATCH The Apple Watch is the best smartwatch ever made. There are now three watches to choose from, starting at £199 for the Series 3 and rising to £399 for the Series 6. £199, Apple.com

OCULUS QUEST 2 This is very geeky, we know, but the Facebook-owned Oculus Quest delivers an incredible virtual reality experience without wires or the need for a computer. £299, Oculus.com

FITBIT SENSE If you or your loved one is a fitness fan, the new Fitbit Versa adds clever new features to its tried-and-tested fitness tracking, including EKG, temperature sensing and even stress sensing.

It’s worth looking out any USB-ready charger plugs (such as from iPhones or Kindle Fire tablets), because to help reduce electronic waste many USB-powered devices will come with a cable but not the plug it connects to.

And of course, it’s a very good idea to check what batteries any gadgets, toys or remote controllers are going to need. If you don’t already have one, a battery charger with a couple of sets of AA and AAA rechargeable batteries will come in very handy in the next few days.

Last but not least, we’d recommend having a multi-tool or a screwdriver set and some really good scissors handy. We’ve found that many kids’ toys come screwed to the packaging or require very small crosshead screwdrivers to open their battery compartments, and others come in extremely strong clear plastic that’s very hard to open.

£299, Fitbit.com

PLAYSTATION 5 The next-generation PlayStation is big, beautiful and it isn’t quite as expensive as we feared: the standard version is £449 and the disk-free digital version is £359. £449, Very.co.uk DYSON SUPERSONIC If your time is money, then Dyson’s high-tech hairdryer will pay for itself very quickly: not only does it make your hair look amazing, but it does it in an amazingly short time too. £299, Boots.com

79

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Harbingers of

Spring

by Angie Barker

Award Winner

Long before most other plants start to wake up in our gardens, spring bulbs are putting on a show of colour and delicate form which will help to lift our spirits. Bulb planting season should be well underway by now. Snowdrops, Crocus, Narcissus (Daffodils) and Iris reticulata to name a few should all be planted by now in pots, lawns or borders. If not, then this is probably your last chance to do so. Tulips however should be planted a little later in November or even into December.

They benefit from a period of frost which helps to avoid the fungal disease Tulip Fire.

Be generous with your planting and go for groups or drifts. The odd spring flower placed here or there looks odd and a little sad – the opposite of the effect you should be trying to achieve. If you are planting in a lawn for a naturalistic effect, remember you shouldn’t cut the grass until the leaves of the flowers have died down as this will allow energy back into the bulb for next year. You could plant your bulbs in a pattern (say a heart shape) which will emerge next spring and make you smile.

Here are some bulbs which I have planted this season and

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

which I’m already looking forward to seeing in spring: Crocus ‘Prins Claus’. I must admit I picked this one for its name (Christmassy) as well as the stunning flower which is white with purple shades on the outside of the petals Narcissus ‘Rapture’. This is a very cute, small daffodil which has swept back petals as if it is in a wind tunnel. They always make small children (and Hubby) giggle Iris reticulata ‘Alida’. This only grows to around 15cm in height so best in a pot where you can really appreciate its beauty. A mid blue flower with splashes of yellow Narcissus ‘Thalia’. Pure white daffodil flowers which are scented. They are also one of Monty Don’s favourites so they must be good Tulip ‘Orange Emperor’. This is one of the earliest Tulips to emerge and will produce gorgeous orange coloured flowers in March Goodness knows we all need something to look forward to next year so get planting and get your 2021 gardening year off to a flying start!

Call Angie now for your free consultation!

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85

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86

a Installation & Maintenance a Inspection & Testing a Nest Pro Installer a CCTV & Alarms

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J.Dillon

Electrical Services Ltd Electrician ~ Standish • All types of electrical work • 30+ years experience • Friendly, fast and reliable • 24 hour call out service

Jon Wright Electrical Ltd All types of Domestic & Commercial work undertaken

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www.jdillonelectrical.co.uk

Call now on: 07983 387448

Email: jonwrightelec@live.co.uk Certificate of excellence winner 2017, 2018 & 2019

Whatever your electrical needs,

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Domestic and commercial work welcomed

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01942 836 937

Suite 1A, Kirkless Industrial Estate Cale Lane, Wigan, WN2 1HF

ELECTRICAL

Put your hearing first with

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Darren on:

391 215 WN5 01942Road, 8QH Orrell, 8-10 Gathurst

ou t

b

01942 215 769 07739 709 005

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ng.co.uk

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term time : 8am till 5.30pmfor the Open Mon-Fri a booking system We operate saves you money ent holidays which entitlem 30 hours free We deliver day £29 for a full s available Flexible session from 2 years old We take children

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sa Ask u

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ring

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eo our wide rang

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your next for 10% OFF Present this voucher earwax removal. apply hearing test or Terms and conditions

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woodland a beautiful to gain situated in Nursery is for your child Little Acorns vibrant place nces. a safe and onal experie setting. It is ful educati in the forest lots of wonder being down outdoors & well-being on the great health and We are big for your child’s which is good

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s Nursery Bridge | WN6 9DT Little AcornLane | Appley

School | Finch

47 01257 2526 sery.com -daynur

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• All types of electrical work • 35+ years experience • No job too small • Friendly and reliable For a free quote & advice call Jeff

01695 622 191 07850 622 191

87

Electrical & Security Specialists

Domestic and commercial work welcome Free security assessment provided

All aspects of electrical work plus;

CCTV Installation Burglar Alarm Installation Outdoor/Security Lighting SMART systems Installation Automated Gates

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a Registered insured NCFE Certified Company

tELEPhoNE

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88

BOILER SERVICES FROM

£60

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01942 221 996 07769 203 056 hartheatingwigan@gmail.com Winstanley-based

651511

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rural Village NUrSErY

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y Little AcornsYOUNurser CAN TRUST! QUALITY CHILDCARE

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rated by oFStED as oUtStANDINg FUNDED PLACES Available for 2/3/4 year olds

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We cater for CHILDrEN 3 months - 4 years

NEWLY rEFUrBISHED in 2019

term time 8am till 5.30pm the for Open Mon-Fri: a booking system We operate saves you money holidays which entitlement 30 hours free We deliver day £29 for a full available Flexible sessions from 2 years old We take children beautiful woodland in a01744 Call gain Sarah on to more situated 886166 childfor Nursery is information or admin@cranknursery.net for your Little Acorns vibrant place s. a safe and l experiencewww.cranknursery.co.uk is It setting. educationa in the forest lots of wonderful being down outdoors & well-being on the great health and We are big for your child’s which is good

All Saints’ Primary

Nursery Bridge | WN6 9DT Little Acorns Lane | Appley

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John Bailey 01942 495785 or 07721 040620 & 07710 153238 Based in Kenyon Road, Wigan

StoveS

by Andy

Save £££’s on your install • InStallatIonS • MaIntenance • ServIcIng

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For a free quote and expert advice call Andy on

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01257 369 685 07899 752 225 stovesbyandy@gmail.com

• Boiler + Central Heating Installs, Servicing + Repairs

01942 564 226 07397 391 935 acampbellheatingandgas 597379

• Extended warranties available FINANCE • 24 Hour Call-out

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FULL BOILER SERVICE

OPTIONS

AVAIL ABLE

FROM JUST £58

• Domestic + Commercial Freephone:

0300 3030121 Dave: 07769 942218 Matt: 07969 183809 21 Naburn Drive, Orrell wN5 8SB Email: info@orrellheating.co.uk www.orrellheating.co.uk

4 Boiler Servicing & Maintenance 4 All aspects of plumbing and heating work.

4 Gas Safety Inspection reports undertaken.

Call MIKE on

0787 113 1012 506515

Established since 1967 WIGAn BASEd

10238

89

ShOwROOM NOw OpEN at 19 Preston Road, Standish WN6 0HP

All plumbing services including services & repairs

• Bathrooms/Wet Rooms designed and fitted • Specialists in Disability Installations & Conversions

• Emergency Call outs welcome

BOILER SERVICING

FROM

£60

No Obligation Quotes – Call Mark on

01257 473026 07515 894281

527090

www.gphwigan.co.uk

EmErgEncy call outs wElcomEd

Friendly and professional service • All aspects of plumbing and heating • No job too small • Quality work guaranteed • Local and reliable

No call out fee

Ring Ken for a free quote

01695 624769 or 07909 734978

4 Installations, Services

& Repairs

• Boilers servicing, repairs & installation • Central Heating upgrades and energy saving • Smart Controls installations & upgrades 4622825

4 Boilers 4 Central Heating 4 Bathrooms

enquiries@warmconnections.co.uk

Call Craig for a free quote;

07469 185 776

573747

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Upholland-Based

A Genuine Family Run Business With Friendly & Courteous Staff SPECIALISTS IN CENTRAL HEATING INSTALLATION, BOILER REPLACEMENTS AND UPGRADES

• Annual Boiler Servicing • Landlord & Home Owner Gas Safety Checks Accredited Installer & Service Partner

• Mechanical Power Flushing • Thermostatic Valves Radiators Fitted • All-in-One Air Conditioning & Heating Units for Home & Work

Telephone: 01942 504 429 TEL: 01257 421 660 MOB: 07515 505 501

www.fgwelch.co.uk

WE REPAIR ALL MAKES OF BOILERS! Registration No.

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90

Puzzle Solutions CROSSWORD

WORDWHEEL

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ANSWER: NEWSPAPER

N W

A

P

R P

DOWN: 1. Cyprus, 2. Laos, 3. Scree, 4. Pancake, 5. Babe, 6. Helsinki, 9. Twain, 12. Idolatry,

S E

E

14. Brass, 15. Decibel, 18. Shares, 19. Spasm, 21. Anna, 23. Ewer.

WORDSEARCH

SUDOKU

WIGGLE WORDS A Drop in the Bucket

NUMBER BLOCK 17 2 7 3 5

6 1 2 8

4 3 5 9

7 1 2 8

19 12 12 30

17 17 21 18 16

91

Great Value Bathrooms!

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AJC

01942 397173 07803 057940

WALK IN SHOWERS Typical price

£1800

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Fully guaranteed One day installation No mess - no fuss Easy to clean & maintain

25 years bathroom experience Call Chris now for a free quotation

AGBathrooms.net

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Complete bathroom installations from design to completion.

We also fit full bathrooms!

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company here for just

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& Wet Room Installation

Call 01695 627 999

LocalLife

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Des Pilling Plastering • Plastering • Skimming • Artexing

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For free quotes, call Adrian on

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07816 394 292

Please call for a FREE Estimates

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07703 448890 01942 208926

www.AGBathrooms.net

Design & Print

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just

rural Village NUrSErY

All staff paediatric & first aid QUALIFIED

y Little AcornsYOUNurser CAN TRUST! QUALITY CHILDCARE

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£30 + VAT

NEWLY rEFUrBISHED in 2019

term time 8am till 5.30pm the for Open Mon-Fri: a booking system We operate saves you money holidays which entitlement 30 hours free We deliver day £29 for a full available Flexible sessions from 2 years old We take children beautiful woodland in a01744 Call gain Sarah on to more situated 886166 childfor Nursery is information or admin@cranknursery.net for your Little Acorns vibrant place s. a safe and l experiencewww.cranknursery.co.uk setting. It is educationa in the forest lots of wonderful being down outdoors & well-being on the great health and We are big for your child’s which is good

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LocalLife

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92

No job too small!

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y Little AcornsYOUNurser CAN TRUST! QUALITY CHILDCARE

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Quality Handyman Service from a qualified Joiner All aspects of maintenance; 4 Flat-packs assembled 4 Laminated Flooring laid 4 Door Hanging

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fixouse@gmail.com

HANDS ON All jobs considered

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We cater for CHILDrEN 3 months - 4 years

NEWLY rEFUrBISHED in 2019

term time 8am till 5.30pm the for Open Mon-Fri: a booking system We operate saves you money holidays which entitlement 30 hours free We deliver day £29 for a full available Flexible sessions from 2 years old We take children beautiful woodland in a01744 Call gain Sarah on to more situated 886166 childfor Nursery is information or admin@cranknursery.net for your Little Acorns vibrant place s. a safe and l experiencewww.cranknursery.co.uk setting. It is educationa in the forest lots of wonderful being down & outdoors well-being on the great health and We are big for your child’s which is good

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Nursery Bridge | WN6 9DT Little Acorns Lane | Appley

School | Finch

01257 252647 sery.com

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93

Aerial & Sky Services RX-12 Digital TV Aerials £65 supplied & fitted

Aerial Multi-room System at £45 per room

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Domestic & Commercial work welcomed 30+ years experience

01942 257804 07966 488585

Ring Paul on

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Askus@LJTelecomServices.co.uk www.LJTelecomServices.com

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www.aerialandskyservices.co.uk

Design & Print

Having computer problems?

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y Little Acorns Nurser QUALITY CHILDCARE

Call 01695 627 999 We repair: 4 Phones & Tablets 4 Laptops & PC’s 4 Gaming Consoles 4 Apple Watches We also build gaming PC’s to all specifications.

If we can’t fix it, no one can!

QUALITY service FREE estimates FAST turnaround

Call the Tech Guys on 01744 410554 or email info@techguys360.co.uk www.techguys360.co.uk 1st Floor, Rainford Parish Council Offices, Church Rd, Rainford, St. Helens WA11 8HB

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rated by oFStED as oUtStANDINg FUNDED PLACES Available for 2/3/4 year olds

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LocalLife

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3 months - 4 years

NEWLY rEFUrBISHED in 2019

term time 8am till 5.30pm the for Open Mon-Fri: a booking system We operate saves you money holidays which entitlement 30 hours free We deliver day £29 for a full available Flexible sessions from 2 years old We take children beautiful woodland in a01744 Call gain Sarah on to more situated 886166 childfor Nursery is information or admin@cranknursery.net for your Little Acorns vibrant place s. a safe and l experiencewww.cranknursery.co.uk setting. It is educationa in the forest lots of wonderful being down outdoors & well-being on the great health and child’s We are big for your which is good

All Saints’ Primary

Nursery Bridge | WN6 9DT Little Acorns Lane | Appley

School | Finch

01257 252647 sery.com

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Call Catherine Now 07540 222787

Tel: 01744 778381 - 01942 418763

94

Arley Cabinet Company Ltd

Home Improvements • Fitted Kitchens & Bedrooms • Garage & Loft Conversions • Floors, Doors & Windows • Composite Doors • Garden Gates

• Kitchens & Bedrooms since 1952 • We Measure ~ We Make ~ We Fit Drop into our showroom or call us for a free estimate

For all your home improvement needs call David on...

214a Gidlow Lane, Wigan, WN6 7BN

01942 246 190

01942 203 804 07851 225 876

www.arleycabinets.com

DS Joinery

Design & Print Flyers, postcards, brochures and distribution service.

rural Village NUrSErY

All staff paediatric & first aid QUALIFIED

y Little Acorns Nurser CAN TRUST!

Prices include suPPly & fit

QUALITY CHILDCARE

6 Doors from

£350

LocalLife

year olds

LANgUAgE & SPortS LESSoNS for pre-schoolers

We cater for CHILDrEN 3 months - 4 years

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£37.50 per day

Large outdoor PLAY ArEA

NEWLY rEFUrBISHED in 2019

term time 8am till 5.30pm the for Open Mon-Fri: a booking system We operate saves you money holidays which entitlement 30 hours free We deliver day £29 for a full available Flexible sessions from 2 years old We take children beautiful woodland in a01744 Call gain Sarah on to more situated 886166 childfor Nursery is information or admin@cranknursery.net for your Little Acorns vibrant place s. a safe and l experiencewww.cranknursery.co.uk is It setting. educationa in the forest lots of wonderful being down outdoors & well-being on the great health and We are big for your child’s which is good

All Saints’ Primary

Nursery Bridge | WN6 9DT Little Acorns Lane | Appley

School | Finch

01257 252647 sery.com

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www.littleac

Joinery services include; gates, decking, flooring, skirting, handrails and balustrades, kitchen makeovers, loft boarding and ladders, fencing, external doors and garden buildings.

call Mike for a free quote

01942 590514 07988 260621

www.orrelljoinery.co.uk

company here for

£30 + VAT

Call 01695 627 999

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Kitchens & Bathrooms Windows & Doors Roofs & Fascia Boards Decking & Balustrading

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no job too small!

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28 Years Experience

YOU

Oak Door

Orrell based

just

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rated by oFStED as oUtStANDINg FUNDED PLACES Available for 2/3/4

For a free quote, call MT Joinery now.

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All aspects of building works No job too small Call Peter for a free quotation

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07961 516 677 01942 745 428 Cambridge Road, Orrell

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AJH DECORATORS

J&P

• Quality workmanship • Interior & exterior work • No job too big or too small

Quality work assured Over 30 years experience Free quotes Mobile:

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07784 876 338 Email:

ajhdecorators66@gmail.com Quality work at a competitive price

LTD

Painting and Decorating

MOORCROFT

Professional Painting and Decorating • Domestic & Commercial Work • Interior & Exterior work welcomed • Old/listed buildings a speciality Call us today for a free quotation

Home Service available

4 Exterior & Interior Decorating 4 Domestic & Commercial work undertaken

Award Winner

4 Competitive rate

Contact Graham now free estimate provided

01257 426 234

Need a new look for your home?

Skilled interior and exterior work undertaken at reasonable prices!

Chris Smith - Painter and Decorator

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

01942 212096 07831 102 511

www.jpmoorcroft.com

Number One for House Maintenance!

graham@topcoatdecoratingservices.co.uk

01942 518126

www.topcoatdecoratingservices.co.uk

Orrell based business

• FASCIAS, SOFFITS AND GUTTERS.

Mini Digger & Track Dumper Hire with Driver

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SLATING TILING FLAT ROOFING RE-ROOFS FASCIAS GUTTERING POINTING

or 07545 065119

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Call John

07976 530939

01942 513 584 07917 352 181 Orrell based

96

B.A. Berry Building & Roofing Specialists • All building work undertaken.

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Your local fully qualified tradesman

First Class Workmanship 4 All types of re-roofs 4 Strip & re-slate or re-tile 4 Built up felt/flat roofs, dormers etc.

4 Insurance work undertaken 4 Roofline uPVC fascias, soffits & guttering

W.Newman ROOFING & REPAIRS

with 30 years experience Call us now for a free, no obligation quote

01695 622 704 07968 652 320 www.baberry.co.uk

01695 627 212 MOBILE: 07774 943 706

52 HALLBRIDGE GARDENS, UP HOLLAND

• WILSON •

BROS Est. 1985

Roofing & Roofline Specialists • All aspects of maintenance & repair • Fascia & soffit installation • Guttering and felting services Call us now for a free estimate

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

Established Over 30 Years

All aspects of roofing & roofline • All aspects of home improvements • one stop for all the trades you require • Joinery, building, Kitchens & bathrooms We design and manage your project from start to finish

Call Jonathan for a free quotation

Tel: 01257 401 243 Mob: 0777 602 4045 SpeakmanpropertyServiceS.com

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

NEW ROOFS REPAIRS FASCIAS, SOFFITS & GUTTERS

Dormers and Garages

Call MARK now on

01942 737 381 0776 315 1720 conservatoryrepairs@gmail.com www.fixmyconservatory.com

Rubber Cover Roofing Specialist Guaranteed 50 years

Call for free quote

M: 07894 687 384

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K Stone Building Services

Call us now for ALL your roofline requirements!

Facias, soffits, cladding, dry verge and gutters We specialise in seamless aluminium gutters.

Clean, stylish and guaranteed for 25 years!

Call: 07917 352 182 / 07917 352 183 www.orrellroofline.co.uk

ALPINE LTD Roofing & Building Services

All types of building work undertaken • Brickwork • Pointing • Garden Walls • Patios

• Roof Repairs • Flagging • Alterations • Driveways

25 years experience

01942 495412 07974 496676 • Flat roof specialists

• Damp proof specialists • Quality workmanship • Affordable pricing • Quick response to all repairs

OAP

DISCOUNTS

SERVING CHORLEY, W EST LANCASHIR E& WIGAN

Your local roofing company from repairs to re-roofs, fascia’s, soffits & gutters.

FULLY INSURED

Tel: 01942 410989 Mob: 07730 351523 www.alpineroofingandbuildingltd.co.uk

WIGAN NORTH

september 2019

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Art Trail

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Parbold, Whitley, Newburgh, Beech Hill, Red Rock, Springfield, Standish Lower Ground, Wigan Lane LOCAL NEWS | EVENTS2GO | FOOD | HEALTH | WALkS | COmpETiTiON S | HOmE & GArDEN SErViCES

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march 2020

Forgotten Buildings:

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Ballooning

september 2018

in Autumn

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Rainford, Billinge, Garswood, Moss Bank, Windle, Eccleston, Eccleston Park, Laffak, Haydock, Haresfinch, Carr Mill, Denton’s Green, Prescot Road, West Park

hEritagE opEn days WhEElton moor Walk a hEalthiEr hEart

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want to book advertiSinG? Call us on 01695 627999 for more details or email sales@locallife247.co.uk

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Come and visit the largest showroom in the North West

® Quality installations of windows, doors, fascias, soffits and gutters First for quality • First for service • First for reliability No contractors • No salesmen Just a smile and a honest price from a family run business

NEW Generation Rockdoor now available

SISTER COMPANY OF FOXWELLS BUILDERS Established since 1999

Call us for a Free Quote Office Number: 01942 871 777 Victoria Industrial Estate, Victoria Street, Leigh, WN7 5SE warmlightwindowsltd.co.uk • info@warmlightwindowsltd.co.uk

Conservatory Roof Conversion System Transform your conservatory into a comfortable home office

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Tomorrow’s Home Improvements Today!

Quality ~ Choice ~ Value Windows

Bi-Fold Doors

Thermally-efficient conservatory roofs expertly fitted by accredited installers

Orangeries

©

Don’t just lock it, Rock it!

Conservatories

Manufacturers and installers since 2004

Contact us on 01744 891717 for a no obligation quote

28544

Visit our showroom/factory at; Crows Nest, Ashton Road, Billinge, WN5 7XX (near Windy Arbour crossroads)

www.orrellwindows.co.uk