Local Life - Wigan North - Aug/Sept 2012

Wigan Edition

August 2012

First and Last – Sir Peter Moores

Jack’s Tracks visits Haigh

Get Lost

in an Amaizeing Maze

W in!

Limited edition Wigan wall art from

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The Times – They are a Changing!

Publisher: Local Life 247 Ltd Unit 8, Hewitt Business Park Winstanley Road Orrell Wigan WN5 7XB Advertising Sales: 01695 627999 sales@locallife247.co.uk Editorial: 01695 627999 editorial@locallife247.co.uk Accounts: 01695 627999 accounts@locallife247.co.uk The September issue of Local Life will be published on Thursday 30th August. The copy deadline for this issue is Thursday 16th August.

Local Life is published every month.

Distribution areas will alternate each month between two separate edition areas; Edition 1 is delivered to over 12,500 private homes and businesses in Standish, Whitley, Shevington, Appley Bridge, Parbold, Wrightington, Newburgh and Hilldale.

Edition 2 is delivered to over 12,500 private homes and businesses in Orrell, Billinge, Winstanley, Up Holland, Highfield, Marus Bridge, Roby Mill and Pemberton.

You can also pick up a free copy of Local Life, on or around the first weekend of the month, at Tesco Extra in Wigan or at Sainsbury’s in Marus Bridge. You can also pop into our offices and collect a copy or you can check out our online publication at www. locallife247.co.uk.

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

No part of this publication, including pictures, may be copied or reproduced without the prior written consent of Local Life 247 Ltd. Cover photo: The basin quay at Haigh on the Leeds & Liverpool canal by Peter Bretherton

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

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It’s all changed in our house since the boy left school.

The other night, he and his mates, in all their finery, set off in a limo to their Prom party. He called later and said he was going to an after-prom house party, and could he drop by and pick up some booze on the way?!

What could I say? He’s a good kid, worked hard, deserved a good night out and, most importantly, didn’t saddle us with hosting an after-prom party! We compromised on ½ a bottle of vodka – of which we managed to water down by 40% by the time he arrived. Early next morning we got a text; he’s at Asda having breakfast.

This is all new ground for me, and it’s all a bit scary I don’t mind admitting.

Perhaps you’re going through the same in your house? He’s loosening those wings, ready to fly. He is craving his independence like a man-boy possessed.

He talks about working in the US or Canada, as though it’s just down the East Lancs. He demands I don’t ‘follow’ him on Twitter because he’ll block me. He desperately wants a summer job, but doesn’t want to work at Local Life. In every single way he strives to assert his new found independence…. except one.

The other day I just mentioned that this forthcoming holiday might be his last holiday with us. From his indignant reaction you’d have thought that I had suggested that his fantasy football team was rubbish. Not until hell freezes over is he giving up these holidays! I got informed that as long as we’re going somewhere good, he’s with us, every step of the way. So we’re off to Rhyl next year!

But before I shoot off on my jollies, I’ve an apology to make to the Chief Executive of Wigan Council for comments made in the June issue in an article by Cllr Gareth Fairhurst; the views of Cllr Fairhurst on this matter do not reflect the views of Local Life.

Anyway, see you next time – hope you have a good summer!

chrisp@locallife247.co.uk

In this issue Walking Festival Update A-maize-ing Mazes!

Arabian Adventures That Sign – The Sequel New - Puzzle Corner!

First and Last – Sir Peter Moores Money and Investment with Prosper Top Tax Tips from CMA Taste Test from the Wayfarer Hidden Gem – Worthington Lakes Win limited edition glass art wall panel!

Test Drive - The CItroen DS5 Jack’s Tracks visits Haigh Angie’s Garden Diary What’s On Home Services Puzzle Answers Love Your Pets section Green and Clean’s Useful Numbers

8 22 28 33 37 40 42 45 48 52 54 56 60 63 66 68 76 77 78

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Big Thanks

Tai Chi

Four Standish men have managed to raise more than £1,700 for charity thanks to the generous donations from friends, family and local residents. In the last issue we checked in on Gary Lowton, Jonathan Belshaw, Neil Whittingham and Ben Gray as they were gearing up for the Manchester to Blackpool Bike Ride – and after crossing the finishing line in style it seems all their hard work paid off!

A new Tai Chi class has begun in Standish. Tai Chi for Health for beginners aims to help regulars to lower blood pressure, reduce stress and learn relaxation techniques.

The class runs on Thursday mornings between 1010.45am at the Standish Methodist Church on High Street. The cost of each session is £2.50; for more details contact Mandy on 07943 840257.

Despite the gloomy weather forecast the sun shone down on the 9,000 riders in the Manchester to Blackpool bike ride on Sunday 8th July. The gruelling 60-mile ride finished for the team at the South Promenade in Blackpool, with the more experienced cyclists even managing to cycle back to Standish!

Members of the Wigan and District Fuchsia Society are again looking forward to their annual show, which takes place this year on Saturday 11th August. Members of the public are invited along to the gathering, which takes place between 12-4.30pm at the United Reformed Church Hall, which is located behind the URC Church opposite the Co-Op in Church Street, Orrell.

Former Standish Councillor Neil Whittingham told Local Life, “We would just like to thank everybody for their kind donations and for the support we received on the day.

The money will be split between two fantastic charities, Wigan & Leigh Hospice and the Alzheimer’s Society.”

There is still time to sponsor the team so for more information please visit www.justgiving.com/ neilwhittingham or www.justgiving.com/ben-gray2

Back to the Fuchsia

There will be plants for sale, refreshments, a raffle and tombola, and there will also be growers on hand to offer advice. The show will be judged by Dave Clark from Crosby; for more information, please contact 01695 720985 or 0151 4232979.

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Flower Arranging If you have ever marvelled at statuesque follower arrangements and wished that you had the capabilities to produce them yourself, you’ll be interested to hear that there is a series of Flower Arranging classes being held at Standish Library over the next few months. The sessions are held on Thursday 2nd August and then on the last Thursday of the month in August, September, October and November between 1-2.30pm and 2.45pm-4.15pm.

There are limited places available so please contact Standish Library as soon as possible on 01257 400496 to book your place. Each session costs £6.

Opening Hours Extend Aspull Library continues to go from strength to strength.

With the ever increasing number of volunteers wishing to get involved and help support this valued community resource, they have extended their opening hours and are now open more hours for visitors to access the services provided. The new opening hours are Monday 10am-1pm, Tuesday 10am-12noon and 2pm-7pm, Thursday 10am4pm and Saturday 10am-1pm.

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Art Display Standish Art Group is holding an art exhibition in The Great House Information Centre in Lever Park, which is adjacent to the shores of Lower Rivington Reservoir until Sunday 12th August. Most of the paintings on display will be for sale. Opening times at the Great House are Wednesday to Sunday from 10.30am-4.30pm. Admission to the Great House is free and there are refreshments available in the Cafe on the ground floor of the Great House.

our t u o k Chec t holiday n brilliavities for acti ids! k w/c 30th July Mosaic Pots, Shabby Chic Room Sign, Ceramic Candle Holders, Personalised Blackboards, Clay Coil Pots, Shiny Ceramic Letters, Lavender Cushions, Chocolate Lollies, Personalised Mugs, Candle Craft

w/c 6th August Tin Punch Hearts, Rag Rug workshops, Clay Bear Family, Puppet Making, Clay Bugs, Flower Cupcakes, Glass Painting, Batik Panels, Denim Pencil Cases, Clay Pots w/c 13th August Seashell Frames, Starfish Chimes, Dolphin Plaques, Clay Pots, Felt Bookmarks, Clay Leaf Tiles, Felt Badges, Personalised Plates, Ceramic Jewellery, Seahorse Plaque w/c 20th August Candle Craft, Chocolate Lollies, Animal Cupcakes, Tin Punch Butterflies Book your child’s place by individual am/pm session, by day or by week. Suitable for children aged 6 upwards Lunch can be provided for full day booking.

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Shining Stars Do you live in the Shevington area? Have you got a neighbour or friend who deserves some recognition for the work they do for the local community? Well, here’s your chance to reward them for the work they do by nominating them for an Achievement Award from Shevington and District Community Association.

The group, a voluntary organisation whose members work to improve the quality of life for residents of Shevington, Shevington Vale, part of Appley Bridge, Shevington Moor, Standish Lower Ground and Crooke Village, has established annual achievement awards for residents of all ages residing within these communities.

They would like to reward the shining stars of our community, people who care about others and work hard to make Shevington and District a better place to live. Nominations are invited from individuals and organisations, and the deadline to return your nomination is 30th September. Hard copy of the nominations are available from Shevington Library or you can request a copy via email from the group at shevingtonanddistrictcommunity_association@ hotmail.co.uk.

U3A The new Parbold, Newburgh and District U3A is developing nicely and the group has now organised regular Horizons meetings, for those who want to, well, broaden their horizons.

The meetings are on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at the Parbold Village Hall between 1pm-3pm.

Visitors can enrol for the new regular groups; Tai Chi, History, Singing for Fun, Walking, Bird Watching, Digital Photography, Computing for Beginners and Family History, with new groups of Bridge, French, Yoga and Art on the way. You can also find out about forthcoming events, lunches, excursions and theatre trips too. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 24th July so if you are interested in seeing what U3A can do for you, do pop along.

Patchwork Class A new Patchwork and Quilting Class is starting in September. You can pick up traditional skills and learn how to incorporate modern textile art techniques to produce a variety of projects. The classes are suitable for all; beginners and more experienced sewers are welcome. The monthly classes start on Saturday 22nd September at Parbold Village Hall; for more details call Michaela Smith on 01704 880548.

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Wednesday 1 August Lathom Circular Walk Meet at: Ruff Wood Time: 10.00am Distance: 6 miles Saturday 4 August Beacon Canal Loop Meet at: Ranger Station, Beacon Country Park Time: 10.00am Distance: 8 miles Monday 6 August Aughton Circular Meet at: Aughton Village Hall Time: 2.00pm Distance: 5 miles Tuesday 7 August Martin Mere to Burscough Interchange Meet at: Martin Mere Time: 10.00am Distance: 8 miles

Going Walkabout You can put your best foot forward and step out this summer with the help of the West Lancashire Rangers.

This year’s walking festival, organised by West Lancashire Council, is back and will be better than ever! The organised walking events will run from Wednesday 1st until Wednesday 15th August.

Whether you’re a single walker, in a group or with your family, this particular walking festival is a great way to sample some of the glorious countryside that is right on your doorstep. The Rangers have been working hard to coordinate a wide range of walks to suit all ages, abilities and interests.

For all of the walks you are advised to wear sturdy footwear and clothing to suit the weather conditions. Your four-legged friends are also welcome just remember to bring a lead. Listed below are a selection of the longer walks from the festival – for a complete list please contact the Rangers on 01695 622794 or have a look at the website www.westlancsdc.gov.uk

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Saturday 11 August Fairy Glen Circular Walk Meet at: the layby on A5209 Time: 10.00am Distance: 9 miles Monday 13 August Ormskirk Circular Walk Meet at: Coronation Park, Ormskirk Time: 10.00am Distance: 6 miles Tuesday 14 August Skem Circular Walk Meet at: Nye Bevan Time: 10.00am Wednesday 15 August Burscough Wetlands Walk Meet at: Platts Lane, Burscough Time: 10.00am Distance: 11 miles

Standish Summer Activities If you despair of ever tempting your child off the X-Box and out into the fresh air this summer, then there is plenty do in the Standish area!

Councillor George Fairhurst and the Standish For You group have pulled together with various agencies to present an activity programme that will shift even the laziest of kids out from under your feet!

For those kids into wheels in a big way, there will be a Ramp Riders Mobile Park at St Marie’s School between 12 noon and 3pm on the following dates; Weds 25th July, Weds 1st August, Fri 3rd August and Weds 8th, 15th and 29th of August. Everyone under 18 is welcome, so bring down your BMX bikes and skateboards and maybe you can pick up a trick or two! Cost per session is £2 – for further details please contact Chris Essex-Crosby on 01942 404983.

If wheels aren’t your child’s ‘thing’ and they are happier with a ball at their feet, then check out the Standish Soccer School, which runs between 1.30-3pm on Friday 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th August at Standish Rec in Southlands Avenue, off Green Lane in Standish.

These sessions are run by coaches from Wigan Athletic and are open to all age groups under 16. There’s no need to book – just turn up on the day. For more details please call George Fairhurst on 01257 407078.

Library Closed Standish Library will be closing for one week during the summer holidays for internal refurbishment. The library will be closed from Monday 30th July and will re-open on Monday 6th August. You can return items to any library in the borough during the closure. For those who can’t do without library services, the nearest library is Shevington, which will open from Mondays and Fridays from 1-5pm, Wednesdays from 9.30am-7pm and Saturday from 9.30am-1pm.

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tries to become wealthy by marrying her boss. However, things do not go quite to plan, forcing her to examine what she really wants from life. Full of upbeat songs, lively dance routines and larger than life characters, this is sure to be a great evening’s entertainment. Tickets cost £7.50 (£6.50 for concessions) and to book, please call 01695 622713.

PROBUS

Thoroughly Modern Millie Orrell Musical and Dramatic Society are about to stage a production of Thoroughly Modern Millie at St Michael’s Parish Hall, Shaw St, Wigan from Wednesday 25th to Saturday 28th July, starting at 7.30pm each night. This lively musical comedy is set in New York City during the roaring twenties. Based on the 1967 film, the majority of songs were written especially for the stage show.

The story follows Millie’s adventures in Manhattan as she

The PROBUS club of Standish is seeking new members.

The club which is for retired or semi-retired men and women meets throughout the year on the second Tuesday of the month at the Crown at Worthington at 10.30am. During the year there are talks on subjects of interest to both ladies and gentlemen and a summer and a Christmas lunch. In addition usually 2 or 3 trips out a year are arranged , for those who wish to go.

Planned for the near future are visits to the BBC’s new studios at Salford Quays and one in the Autumn to the Dalemain estate near Ullswater. Already this year a visit to the Yorkshire Dales has taken place. If you may be interested in joining the club come for a taster to any meeting on the second Tuesday of the month or for more information contact the secretary on 01257-424994.

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Shevington’s Big Day

A date for your diary this summer is Saturday 4th August; the date of the Shevington and District Community Fete, which will take place on and around Shevington Recreation Ground from 11am4pm. The Fete will be a celebration of community and of community spirit, and is going to be a big day out for all the family!

There are a variety of events being held on the day, including a craft fair, local heritage displays, children’s rides, sports events and the Shevington Gardening Club’s Annual Show. There will be a marquee with several local bands and musicians performing, and lots of stalls and attractions manned by local organisations and charities.

To celebrate the Olympic Games, there will be a Social Sports Olympiad, which will include a children’s sports day with races and games, and medals to be won. The adults sports and activities will include a tug-o-war challenge, a wheelbarrow race, a welly throw, darts and dominoes competitions and more!

The Shevington Gardening Club’s annual show will start at 1pm and have sections for vegetables, flowers, domestic produce, art, photography, and also special classes for novices and for children. There will be several special Olympiad classes in the show, including flower displays, cake decoration and sporting photography.

These Olympic classes will be open to members and to non-members alike, and for these classes only, there

will be no entry fee. Regular show classes are open to members only, but you can join the Club on the day.

Although much of the show will take place on the Recreation Ground, other activities will take place in Shevington Youth Club, St. Anne’s Parish Hall, and Shevington Methodist Church and Church Hall.

The fete committee is also looking for volunteers to assist in organising things on the day. For more information please ring Ted on 01257 255171, e-mail shevingtonanddistrictfete2012@hotmail.co.uk or find us on Facebook [search for Shevington-and-DistrictCommunity-Association].

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Speak Up

Would you like to improve or develop your speaking skills? The ability and the confidence to speak well in public is a skill that many people wish for, but it isn’t something that everyone is born with. Standish Speakers Club has extended an appeal to Local Life readers to join them at the Club which starts again in September after a summer break.

Whether you are preparing for a one off event such as

a wedding speech, or you acknowledge that you would like to improve your speaking skills in social situations, interviews or at work, the club are there to help you improve by providing a friendly and supportive setting in which you can acquire new speaking skills, gain selfconfidence, meet new people and have lots of fun.

Many nervous people have joined the club, some of whom have never spoken in public before, and have become confident speakers who can face a room full of people, deliver a well prepared speech and come away feeling proud of themselves. If you’re interested in learning how to enjoy, as well as cope with, speaking in public please contact info@standishwiganspeakers. org.uk or take a look at the club’s website www. standishwiganspeakers.org.uk.

Floral Appeal The Wigan Flower Club are promising a warm welcome for Local Life readers who enjoy floral art. The club meets on the third Wednesday of the month at St Michaels Hall in Shaw Street, Swinley and the evening starts at 7.15 pm. Floral arrangements are done by qualified NAFAS demonstrators .For further details, please email Elizabeth Scally at k.j.s.@blueyonder.co.uk.

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Raceday Competition Winners

Congratulations to the winners of our Haydock Park Family Raceday competition in the June issue of Local Life. There were ten family tickets up for grabs for Local Life readers in Wigan and St Helens and the winners were; Peter Brown (pictured with wife Susan and granddaughters Erin and Evie), from Willowbrook Drive in Shevington, Elaine Huyton (pictured) from Brandreth Drive in Parbold, Colin Dyson from Silsbury Grove in Standish, Martin Sample from Back Lane in Newburgh, P Jones from Wigan Road in Wigan, Sharon Tyrer from Gorsey Croft in Eccleston Park, Alison Donnelly from King Edward Road in Dentons Green, Hayley Moon from Knowsley Lane in Knowsley Village, Ros Tigwell from Marian Close in Rainhill and Stephanie Appleton from Alder Close in Prescot.

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Picture House

Are you one of the 75% of people who don’t even leave the house on a Sunday?

If you’re looking for a good reason to break that cycle, then pop over to Parbold and take in a movie at the Parbold Picture House, a community cinema that runs on Sundays every fortnight throughout the year. The Picture House is based in the Arena auditorium at Parbold Village Hall, which boasts a big screen, HD digital projection and full surround sound.

This Sunday (22nd July) at 7.00 pm is Hugo (U). This is the film that won 5 Oscars and 2 BAFTA’s this year and has been hailed as ‘A magical masterpiece’ by the Daily Mail. Directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Ben Kingsley, Ray Winstone, Jude Law and Emily Mortimer, this is a gentle tale of warmth and depth about cinema itself. An orphan in a Paris Railway station, unlocks the secrets of a mechanical toy-maker.

On Sunday 5th August at 7pm is Il Postine (U), a heartwarming tale of the pursuit of love and acceptance starring Phillippe Noiret and Massimo Troisi. A simple Italian postman learns to love poetry while delivering mail to a famous poet.

Rachel Weisz is the star of The Deep Blue Sea (12a), which is screened at Parbold on Sunday 19th August at 7pm. This is a British drama directed by Terence Davies and is based on the Terence Rattigan play. The wife of a judge is caught in a destructive love affair with an RAF pilot.

Doors open 30 minutes before screenings and tea and coffee are available. All seats are just £3. For more details contact 01257 464533 or visit www.parbold.info.

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Haigh Show This year’s Haigh Show takes place on Sunday 19th August at The Windmill Field in Copperas Lane, Haigh, running from 10am to 4pm. There’s lots of exciting activities for all the family, including Lancashire Hawks and Owls, a fun dog show, a parade of vintage tractors and Lancashire’s Holcombe Hunt will also be in attendance. Other attractions include a cattle parade, young farmers’ club activities, a tug of war and much more! Keeping in with the country theme, there will also be that most English of activities, a ploughing match! This is all in addition to the usual competitive classes for horse, cattle, sheep, poultry, rabbits and dogs.

There will be a Farmers Market at the show and lots of trade stands too. If you own a business, then it’s not too late to apply for a trade stand on the show day. Visit the website www.haighshow.com, where you can apply online or you can also contact Mrs Southworth on 01942 832030 or email: carol.southworth@blueyonder.co.uk Competitions taking place on show day are open for anyone willing to compete and who knows; you could take home a trophy that night along with happy memories of your day at Haigh Show! You can print off a schedule of the show’s events from the website, www.haighshow.com, along with instructions on how to prepare and present your exhibit. Admission prices for the show are £7 for adults, £3 for children aged 5-12 and children under the age of 5 go free.

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Tea Party The Wigan Fundraising Group for Marie Curie Cancer Care meets every 4 weeks or so, and are looking for help to raise much needed funds. The group have had some great success with fundraisers in the past year; ranging from barber shop choirs, tea parties, car boot sales to spectacular ladies events, and have raised over £10k.

Marie Curie’s nurses are special; they bring much needed support to cancer sufferers and assistance to their families, and each £20 they raise pays for one hour of one to one care for a seriously ill person in the comfort and familiar surroundings of their own home.

Summer is the tea party season and you can help raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care by holding a tea party in your own home. Get some friends together, bake a few cakes and put the kettle on. It can be as elaborate or simple as you wish; the important part is taking part and helping this worthy cause.

If you feel that you can give a little time to either come along to our meetings or help with any of our fundraising activities call 0845 3052191 and leave your details; a member of the Wigan group will contact you with details for the group’s activities. Or alternatively you can sign up to the Blooming Great Tea Party via the charity’s website at www.mariecurie.org.uk.

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Brimstage Maize Maze

Amaizing Day Running around a farmer’s field might not be something you’ve thought about when it comes to family activities, but if you’re looking for a great day out this summer then look no further! If you haven’t clapped eyes on a maize maze before you will be amazed (pardon the pun!) at what a great adventure they can offer for all the family!

Every year as the maize plants start to grow, temporary maize mazes pop up at farms around the area. Most farmers change the designs each year, giving visitors a new challenge, and the designs are often wild and wacky cartoon characters. Most of these farms have other attractions too, including hayrides, woodland walks, play areas, pedal gokarts, farm animals, tractor rides and more.

This is our guide to the some of the best mazes for a great family day out...now go and get lost!

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Apple Jacks Adventure Park

The maze at Apple Jacks will be open from mid-July until the end of the school summer holidays.

Covering the size of a football pitch you’ll have plenty of opportunities to lose your way!

Other activities include Jack’s ball blast, archery, stilt walking, corn cannon, roller skating, racing zip wires and much more. The activities are suitable for 4-13 year olds, please check the website for prices and opening times.

Apple Jacks Adventure Park, Stretton Road, Warrington, Cheshire, WA4 4NW 01925 268495 www.applejacksfarm.co.uk

Brimstage Maize Maze The maze at Brimstage Hall is open from July 14th to September 9th and this year it is a three dimensional puzzle with bridges popping up all over the place. As you find your way around the maze you will discover clues and puzzles to help you get out. Other attractions include an outdoor adventure playground, pedal karts and Maizy Moo’s Madhouse.

Please check the website for prices and opening times.

Brimstage Maze, Behind Brimstage Hall Courtyard, Brimstage Road, Brimstage, Wirral, CH63 6JA 07709 339490 www.gregorysfarm.co.uk

ys Out!

Singleton Maize Maze The maze at Mount Farm will be open from July 18th until 9th September; this year’s theme will be The Animal Games in honour of the Olympics. Also on offer is a large indoor play area with pedal go-karts, basketball, trampolines and pedal tractors. Please check the website for prices and opening times.

Singleton Maize Maze, Mount Farm, Carr Lane, Singleton, Blackpool, FY6 8LG 01995 670381 www.singletonmaizemaze.co.uk

Red House Farm The Red House Farm maze will be in full swing from 14th July until 2nd September. There will be a new theme this year to commemorate the Olympics, plus all their regular activities. You can expect to find a barrel train ride, a straw mountain, trampolines and a climbing wall. Please check the website for prices and opening times.

Red House Farm, Red House Lane, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 5RL 0161 941 3480 www.redhousefarm.co.uk

Lakeland Maze Farm Park The Lakeland Maze is open from mid-July until the beginning of September; there is also a mini maze especially for the younger visitors. Raines Hall Farm is a working farm so you can feed the animals, enjoy a trailer ride or have a go on the mini tractors. Please check the website for prices and opening times.

acks Apple J

e Park

ag Advant

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Raines Hall Farm, Sedgwick, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 0JH 01539 561760 www.lakelandmaze.co.uk

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Summer Activities

If you’ve been left looking after the kids this summer and you’re looking for stuff to do, you’ll be pleased to hear that the Wigan Arts and Heritage Services are hosting daily events especially for 4-11 year olds on most days in August. Two activities that are particularly worth a mention are ‘Fun and Games Afloat’ and ‘Junk Modelling‘.

‘Fun and Games Afloat’ takes place at in the Wigan Pier area on Wednesdays between 2-4pm, and children will visit the Trencherfield Mill steam engine and also have a session playing the games of yesteryear before boarding the Kittywake for a boat trip with craft activities, games and refreshments. The cost of these sessions is £5 per person.

‘Junk Modelling’ will take place in the Museum of Wigan Life on Thursdays between 1-2.30pm. Your child can become a recycling maestro by creating a masterpiece from assorted junk. There’s different theme each week, the only thing your child needs is his/her imagination! The cost of these sessions is £2.50 per child.

For more details on summer activities, please call 01942 828128. Please note that booking is essential for these activities.

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Arabian Adventures There’s something for every tourist in Arabia. At one end of the tourist scale, you can visit Egypt and absorb the rich intoxicating culture of one the oldest civilisations in the world, and in direct contrast you could visit Dubai, where the discovery oil in 1966 has led to the emirate building one of the newest and most exciting places on the entire planet!

Egypt Egypt is one of the most frequently visited countries in the world. The banks of the Nile are home to many of ancient Egypt’s most fascinating treasures, so

the best way to explore Egypt is by taking a cruise. Life on board is a civilised mix of sightseeing and relaxation. Most days will start early in order to avoid the heat of the midday sun whilst sightseeing, and most tourists relax later on in the day by reading in the shade on deck, taking a refreshing dip in the pool or soaking up some rays whilst admiring the views.

In the depths of the English winter, an Egyptian holiday offers a sunshine break which will be both unique and unforgettable. But as awesome as the sightseeing is (and many people return to Egypt year in year out), soaking up so much history in a relatively short space of time isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. For a great way to discover the essence of Egypt, why not combine your cruise with a relaxing beach break in a luxury hotel in Sharm el Sheikh?

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Red Sea Cruise

Experience some of the ancient wonders of the world including Luxor, Cairo, Eliat and Jordan Departs Nov-Mar from Manchester 7 nights from £565 p.p. (Free cabin upgrade)

Red Sea Cruise & Stay

Includes 5 nights at 5* All Inclusive Hotel in Sharm el Sheikh . Free Desert Safari & Bedouin Dinner Departs Nov-Mar from Manchester 12 nights from £685 p.p. (Free cabin Upgrade)

Cruise & Stay - Egypt, Suez Canal, Cyprus & Greece

Includes 7 nights at 5* All Inclusive Hotel in Sharm el Sheikh. Includes a free night in Venice and a free desert safari & Bedouin dinner Departing 30 March 2013 from Manchester 17 nights £1099 p.p. (Free Cabin Upgrade)

Arabian Adventure - Dubai & The Emirates

Dubai From the timeless tranquillity of the desert to the lively bustle of the souk, Dubai offers a kaleidoscope of attractions for visitors. The emirate embraces a wide variety of scenery in a very small area. In a single day, you can experience everything from rugged mountains and awe-inspiring sand dunes to sandy beaches and lush green parks, from dusty villages to luxurious residential districts and from ancient houses with wind towers to ultra-modern shopping malls.

Includes 3 nights in Amazing Dubai and free Desert Safari & Dinner Departing Jan-April from Manchester 10 nights from £898 p.p.

Stay and Cruise - Dubai, Egypt & The Suez Canal Includes 3 nights stay in 5 * Hotel in Dubai Includes FREE Desert safari & Dinner Departs 14 Jan 2013 from Manchester 17 nights £1149 p.p.

Having just returned from Dubai myself I can honestly say it far exceeded my expectations. There is so much to see and do, it’s not just a city it’s everything you could possibly wish for in a holiday. The sun is always shining, the beaches are stunning and that well-worn cliché – there’s something for everyone – really does apply in Dubai!

For more details on Egypt, Dubai and all our holidays, pop in and see us at 22 High Street in Standish or call us on 01257 472113. All hotels used in these exclusive offers on these pages are handpicked by Got 2 Go Travel, based on consistently good feedback by our customers. Every single hotel has received the Trip Advisors Travellers Choice Award 2012.

www.locallife247.co.uk

22 High Street, Standish

01257 472113

www.got2gotravel.co.uk

29

Wayfarer Award We recently caught up with Rachel and Johnny Birkett, the Parbold couple who run the Wayfarer Inn in Alder Lane, to check out their latest award.

The popular restaurant was shortlisted for the latest Wigan Food Festival Awards, and when judges from the Festival visited the Parbold restaurant they had no hesitation in awarding the Wayfarer the top spot!

Rachel and Johnny, who live in the village, have run the Wayfarer for the Pictured are Rachel and Johnny with their award. past 15 years and have both worked in every aspect of the business.

Clutching the award tightly, Rachel said “We’re absolutely delighted to win the award, it means so much to us. We know that the Wayfarer has always had a reputation for good food, but in the last twelve months we feel that we have moved up another level and we have a great team of staff consistently serving excellent food at reasonable prices. Our customers are fantastic and we’d like to thank them all for voting for us”.

Johnny added, “We had no idea when the judges would come, and so the visit was a completely random visit. They marked us on food, service and the quality of the eating environment, so it was great when they were so pleased with their meal”.

Olympic Fun Two local libraries are running fun Olympic themed sessions this summer. Parbold Library is organising a Olympic Family Fun session between 6.15-8.15pm next Tuesday (24th July). There will be races and activities for all the family, and refreshments will be provided. Tickets are avialble from the library – call 01257 463769 for details.

Standish Library are running a Mini Olympics on Friday 10th August between 2.30-3.30pm and prizes are up for grabs! Events include an egg and spoon race, a sack

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race and more, and these events are suitable for those children aged 5-11 years old. Call 01257 400496 to secure your place.

Craft Club Standish Library will be running several Craft Club sessions this summer to keep your little ones occupied.

The sessions run from 10.30am-11.30am on Wednesday 25th July, and on Wednesday the 15th, 22nd and 29th August, and also from 10am-11am this Saturday (21st July) and on Saturday 25th August. Sessions cost just £1 each.

Thanks to our customers who voted, we made it through to a shortlist of four restaurants to receive a secret diner visit by the food and drink festival judges. They put us through our paces and delivered us a winning score with particular commendations to...

WIGAN FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL 2012

'The quality of the environment, quality of food and quality of customer attention'

We are very proud to be chosen as restaurant of the year. Its perfect acknowledgement of the progress made by our new chef Paul Harries who has not only made the new kitchen and restaurant il Viandante work smoothly but raised the bar in the process.

Pauls new menus are contemporary and imaginatively presented. There are Nibbles and Breads, Dishes to Start, Platters to Share (or as a main course), Main courses, Lancashire and Italian Classics, Meats from the Grill and Banquet style menus including Suckling Pig for 12 , Whole Lamb Legs and Italian Godfather banquets for 6 or more persons.

All menus are on our website.

T:Ê01257464600 www.wayfarerparbold.co.uk www.locallife247.co.uk

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LAN SA F E Communications Ltd

That Sign – An Update In the grand scheme of things, with the Eurozone in meltdown and the country on its uppers, the fact that a local council has sited some new road signs (pictured) is no big deal. The wording on the road signs though, has promoted a lot of local debate and my comments in the June issue of Local Life magazine released a torrent of correspondence from our readers. Here’s just a small selection of what you had to say; “This is a town (not a council) proud of its heritage and its people. Don’t let the image makers take that away from us with fancy meaningless signs“. Graham Clough

total waste of public money; it’s ugly and completely meaningless. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the old sign with the Wigan coat of arms and mention of our proud sporting heritage“. Mrs B Miller “…the Council is projecting a grandiose, pompous and self-important image of itself, not only to the citizens of the borough, but (by) portraying an image to visitors…of a Council who thinks that its own image is more important than of the borough“. David Roberts “…if Wigan Council Officials were made of chocolate they’d eat themselves. I am absolutely disgusted that visitors to Wigan see the Welcome to Wigan Council sign, it makes my blood boil“. Jason Dillon “They should take it down they are making themselves a laughing stock“. J. Topping “The Council exists through our behest and I am annoyed that public funds have been spent on a sign that appears to indicate an arrogance and self-importance above and beyond the station of such an organisation... the sign should be consigned to their office reception as quickly as possible“.

John Mulvaney

“Wherever did the ridiculous green heart come from? (Wigan’s) colour is claret, not green, and certainly not something that looks like an advert for a cholesterol reducing margarine“. Susan Bridge “I am disgusted that this action has been approved, alongside cuts to important services across the borough. What are they thinking of, clearly not the people of Wigan who they serve?“ Julie Whalley “(These) signs are paid for out of our council tax and they are using this as a free advertisement. We run a local business and would like to erect our company sign next to it, do you think they would have any objection?“ Dave Thompson

After passing these and all the other comments to the Chief Executive of Wigan Council, we received this comment from a Council Spokesperson; “The boundary signs, currently displaying the council logo were only replaced when either damaged or worn. After listening to feedback there are now plans in place to replace the current signage. The replacement signs will contain the words ‘welcome to Wigan borough’ and the council is exploring opportunities for private sector sponsorship. The current signs, once replaced, will be re-used at council buildings across the borough“.

“It suggests to me that the Council have rather lost the plot and think they are the be-all-and-end-all of Wigan life“. Frank Mokrysz

So that’s that! Thank you to all those readers who responded to my initial comments, and credit to the Council for recognising the strength of public opinion about this matter and acting quickly to put things right.

“What an absolute travesty. This sign is not only a

Chris Pearce

www.locallife247.co.uk

33

Conservatory Living is a Myth!

There – I’ve said it! All those glossy colour Sunday supplements extolling the virtues of having a conservatory; extra family space to relax in the sunshine without actually braving the outside elements are just an overblown sales campaign to sell conservatories.

Whilst they are high on our wish list when it comes to improving our homes; conservatories rarely live up to expectations. A conservatory is supposed to be a calm and tranquil space, one that lets us linger over the Sunday papers without having to put on an extra layer or jumping up to retrieve the lifestyle section from the rose bushes.

In reality you probably have a love hate relationship with what can only be described as your glass box. They overheat in the summer and winter temperatures rival the North Pole during the winter months; all in all you start to feel like you haven’t benefited from the extra room you paid for. In fact, research shows that, in the British climate, a conservatory is unlikely to provide more than two hours of comfortable temperatures per day.

the problems associated with plastic ceilings. Freedom has already helped people save on their energy bills and given them a room that they can use 365 days of the year. The process does not alter the external appearance of your roof or remove any part of your conservatory causing a minimal amount of disruption to your home and because the work is internal there is no need for any planning permission.

Paul says “Following our three-day installation you will no longer need to look at an ugly plastic roof, you will have a plastered and painted ceiling with a bespoke lighting and audio package of your choice. Before we plasterboard we lag the plastic roof with insulation that helps to deflect heat away and keeps heat in and the material we use meets all the current building regulations and fire certificates.”

Paul is dedicated to designing new Conservatory concepts and is constantly looking at other ways of improving your Conservatory living. In a short space of time his team have now created a Plasma TV wall, which will carry your TV and give you extra floor space; cables can be hidden were possible

Well, before you seal those French doors shut for good we’d like to tell you about a local company who might just have the answer to all your conservatory woes. Freedom Conservatory Roof Conversions promise to give you back the extra room you have always dreamt about. With their innovative ceiling modifications they can make your conservatory up to 90% warmer in the winter and up to 75% cooler in the summer!

After suffering with the same problems in his own conservatory, the Billingebased owner of Freedom Conservatory Roof Conversions Paul Stubbs came up with a revolutionary idea to combat

We offer deferred payment plans and accept all major credit & debit cards

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Conservatory roof before “Conservatory overheats in summer and winter temperatures rival the North Pole!”

Conservatory roof after “...save on their energy bills and given them a room that they can use 365 days of the year”

and they can fit full surround sound cinema systems using ceiling speakers and mood lighting.

Paul added, “We have also designed a Wood Burner that can be safely vented through either our roof conversion or existing polycarbonate; this will not only heat your conservatory but save you money on energy especially in the winter months. All the burners are DEFRA approved and fitted by approved tradesman.”

So if you would like to claim back the use of your conservatory and possibly save on your energy bills, call the team now on 08456 860542 for more details.

Freedom did our porch and conservatory and we now have balanced heat throughout the down stairs and I am saving £15.00 per week alone on Gas. The fitting team were brilliant and had it all done in 3 days. Our best room in the house is now our conservatory, which before Freedom came along, was unused - Mrs Gillbanks from Poolstock

Call

08456 860542

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Well done Freedom for the best idea I have seen since double glazing! I now have a 7 metre lounge with Freedom doing a full makeover and that new ceiling looks amazing in the conservatory, especially with the new lighting system that was fitted. Thanks Mr Dale from Winstanley

or

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Daytrip Drought Festivals Fetes Funfair Holiday Hosepipe ban Ice cream Lawnmower

Picnic Rain Salad Seaside Sprinkler Sunshine Swimming Tent

W�rd�e�r��

Ants Barbecue Beach Bees Boating Bugs Campfire Camping Caravan Cycling

Sud���!

Answers at the back of this magazine

FREE Initial Physiotherapy Consultation!

Offer valid until 30th September 2012 (excludes the Perrin Technique).

The Bridgeman Centre offers physiotherapy, acupuncture, reflexology & specialist treatment of M.E. The Bridgeman Centre, 18 Bridgeman Terrace, Wigan. WN1 1TD T: 01942 321235 or visit www.bridgemanphysiotherapy.co.uk

www.locallife247.co.uk

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Your Health Joining Jack in the battle against Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy Imagine for a moment, if you can, what it must feel like as a parent to have to tell your young son that he will certainly die before he reaches 30, if he’s lucky. This is the heart-breaking task that faces the parents of young Jack as he grows older. Young Jack is affected by a condition known as Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, or DMD for short. Below, I’ve paraphrased Jack’s parents’ account of how DMD has affected him and his family: ‘In October 2011 we received the shattering news that Jack has Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). He will no longer be able to walk by the time he reaches adolescence and will lose the use of every single muscle in his body thereafter. He may need spinal rods to keep him upright and ventilation to help him breathe.

Eventually his heart and lungs will fail and he will die’.

‘There are no words to describe the utter devastation felt upon hearing that your child’s life will be cut short because there is no cure. We have had the greatest pleasure watching Jack develop into the amazing boy he is today but now, unbelievably, we must prepare ourselves for his steady decline. And the worst part?

Seeing him struggle as his body wastes away and being absolutely powerless to help’.

‘Since his diagnosis, we are not ashamed to say that we have cried every day. Currently there is very little awareness of DMD and research into finding possible treatments is drastically underfunded. However, over the past few years, with help from charities around the world, human clinical trials have begun to take place with encouraging results. It’s for this reason that we have set up our own charity, to help move things forward for Jack and other children like him.”

Many of the local community and celebrities alike are already supporting Jack, and you can too by going to his website, www.joiningjack.org.

I myself am aiming to raise as much money as possible by running the Liverpool marathon on the 14th of October. I hope some of you would like to sponsor me (!), if so, please visit my just giving page at XXX or ring the clinic on 01942 498480. In early October I’ll be aiming to raise some money by donating all the treatment fees paid to me at our clinic during a 12 hour straight day.

Thanks for reading, Dr Mike Paull, Chiropractor.

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suFFeRING WITH MusCLe, jOINT OR NeRve PAIN?

What sorts of problem can you help me with? We can relieve pain that is caused by a variety of muscle, joint and nerve problems. This includes both new and old pain resulting from your job, sports, poor posture, accidents and some types of arthritis or wear & tear.

We specialise in treating neck and back pain as well as pulled muscles, stiff joints and trapped nerves.

How can you help me? We always start off with a 45 minute consultation and examination to find the underlying causes of your problem. We then use gentle, safe hands-on treatments to relieve your pain.

How soon can you help me?

We are open six days a week and offer appointments the same or the next day.

We are open Monday-Friday 8am-7pm, Saturdays 8am-4pm.

Why do we offer gentle treatments?

Because we treat young children and senior citizens, we know that people prefer gentle, painless treatments.

Don’t suffer with muscle, joint or nerve pain!

Find out how we can help you:

01942 498480

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Why do you have a digital x-ray department? We have our own digital x-ray department at the clinic so that we can take and show you your pictures within 24 hours.

This helps us to show you the underlying causes of your problem, allowing us to start treatment quickly and get you out of pain.

Mike Paull Doctor of Chiropractic

Dr Matt Birch Doctor of Chiropractic

• Consultation & Examination £59 • Digital X-ray pictures (per area) £59 • Treatment sessions (each) £35

Chris Green Sports Injury Specialist

Jenny Richmond Sports Injury Therapist

© Designed for Wigan Family Chiropractic Clinic by Lindsey Brightwell e.designaddiction@hotmail.com

A

t Wigan Family Chiropractic Clinic, our team of Chiropractors and therapists can help to relieve most types of muscle, joint and nerve pain.

Low back or neck pain? visit our clinic WIGAN FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC

TReATMeNT FOR YOuR sPINe, MusCLes, jOINTs & NeRves 27 BRIDGeMAN TeRRACe. sWINLeY. WIGAN. LANCAsHIRe. WN1 1TD LBWFC1 051111

A5_single page_WFC1.indd 1

www.locallife247.co.uk

28/11/11 22:22:43

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First

Sir Peter Moores was born in Formby in 1932 and educated at Eton College. In 1957 he joined the family business Liverpool-based Littlewoods – where he remained a Director until 1993. In 1964, he set up a charitable foundation to open doors to music and the visual arts, and to help education, health, social and environmental projects.

In 1993 his charity, the Peter Moores Foundation, bought the abandoned Compton Verney House in Warwickshire, and in March 2004 Sir Peter opened the House as an art gallery where various collections and temporary exhibitions are presented. Now 80 years old, Sir Peter splits his busy schedule between Parbold Hall near Wigan and a flat in London.

Photo: BC Arts Photography

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&

Last

By Nicola Gray

“First best friend“ “I had a good friend when I was around the age of 12, his name was David Tankar and we had been best friends all the way through school. We went our separate ways after school, until I caught up with him a year ago.

He now lives in North America with his family.“ “First kiss“

“First memory you have” “I don’t have a solid memory of anything in particular; rather a nice feeling of having a happy childhood. One thing I do remember was my whole family going to visit my Uncle Bill in New Zealand and leaving me behind because I was too young to go!“ “First school you attended“ “This was Netherby School before I moved to Holmwood School in Formby. I liked to work hard in class; mainly because I liked to be good at everything I did, but I wasn’t very good at ball games as my eyesight let me down.“

“My cousin Patricia had a beautiful red-headed friend and she was my first ever kiss. She was very pretty but a bit boring. I do know her married name but I’m not going to tell you!“ “Last restaurant you visited“ “The last restaurant I visited was Casa Di Roma in Hamburg. I was in Germany for a cousin’s birthday earlier in the month. When I’m at Parbold, I don’t tend to eat out as the food at home is very good.“ “Last DIY task attempted“ “I don’t try my hand at DIY. I don’t enjoy it“

“First job you had“

“Last film you watched“

“I went to Littlewoods with my Dad during the school holidays to gain experience in the work place. It was during the war, so I helped with everything from making barrage balloons to parachutes.“

“I absolutely loved Harry Potter and I did go to see the Iron Lady but I didn’t think much of it. I prefer to go to the opera and I do like to go to the theatre to catch a few shows. The last shows I managed to see were Hay Fever and Sweeney Todd.“

“First car you bought“ “One summer I was working in Littlewoods’ garages on a discarded car that had belonged to my brother-in-law.

I worked hard to understand the car, and was delighted when I was allowed to keep it!“ “First house you bought“ “My first house used to belong to my Granny. I moved in to her bungalow in Formby when she sadly passed away. In 1958, I bought Parbold Hall and started to restore the building and the grounds. It was a lot of work; if you stood in the cellar you could see the sky and there were hens running about on the few floors that still remained.“ “First record you bought“ “I didn’t really have to buy any records because my Dad had a great collection. He loved opera and I loved listening to Clara Butt and Nellie Melba. I bought myself recordings of Rossini and Verdi. I loved the music played in the canteen at Littlewoods, the Beatles were happening at that time and I still have a few of the original records now.“

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“Last disagreement you had“ “I don’t really have disagreements; if I decide to do something I just do it.“ Last time you went shopping “I worked my way up to store manager at Littlewoods, and once you have seen the inner workings of the retail industry some of the glamour is lost. I’m not a big shopper at all – I don’t believe in spending money just for the sake of it.“ “Last holiday you had“ “I went to South Africa last year on Safari. A friend who lives over there invited me to visit his family. I’ll be going to Capri whilst the Olympics are on to avoid the traffic congestion.“ “Last sporting event you attended“ “This would be the Grand National; I had a great day out. I’m not a big sporting fan. I think you get a better view of things on the television!”

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Money & Investments Time in the Market, Not Timing the Market!

Because of the news flow coming out of Europe and the political jiggery going on at the minute, writing a piece on the markets is extremely difficult as sentiment can change the position within a matter of days… That said, today is the 13th June (Greek vote at the weekend - could my timing be any worse?)

I will endeavour to share my thoughts on the current situation.

As we move into the summer month’s uncertainty surrounding Europe continues to unsettle the markets. Despite a strong start to the year we have seen markets fall in April and May as politicians continue to attempt to address the upheaval in Greece and the alarm bells that are ringing in Spain.

One of the most well known stock market catchphrases of ‘Sell in May and go away, and return on St Legers Day’ would have served investors well last year, however history has shown the opposite. Shares have risen in 29 of the last 50 years between May and September.

Sell in May and go away, and return on St Legers Day?

buying opportunities can be found. At the opposite end of the scale, there is no investor fear at the top of a rising market but the reality is that this should be a time for caution.

Being fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful has been fruitful for investors in the past. If there is a huge amount of bad news (as there is currently) normally markets over-react, and it is at times like this that excellent

So where are we today? Corporate results remain very encouraging as profits continue to grow and dividend streams remain attractive. It is purely sentiment around the European issues that is depressing the share prices of a number of very

42

successful companies. As sentiment improves around the Macro economic position I would expect these shares to move ahead to reflect the “real value” which is ultimately driven by the corporate results and business prospects.

Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful A lot of investors are experiencing fluctuations in their portfolios at present and it is very important to remember that even the most successful funds experience periods of poor performance. One of Fidelity’s most successful funds delivered a return on average of 20% per annum during the 80’s and the 90’s however the fund manager believes that the average investor only made just 1% or 2% pa.

The reason for this is that the fund did not deliver these returns smoothly and investors did not stay invested for the whole period. Typically people only invested after seeing three or four years of fantastic growth only to sell out three or four years later when performance tailed off. “Time in, not timing the market” is another important aspect to successful investing.

Time in, not timing the market A number of investment strategists remain positive on the outlook for equity markets. Notably, Brewin Dolphin stockbrokers Chief Strategist, Mike Lenhoff, upgraded his 2012 year end target in March of this year for the FTSE 100 Index from around 5,850 to up nearer 6,400. This does look somewhat optimistic at the current time but with six months of the year remaining and a number of options still open to politicians and central bankers there is very good chance that, with profitability

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remaining robust, we will see an improving sentiment in equity markets before the end of the year.

The value of investments can go down as well as up, this means you could get back less than you invested. Therefore all investments should be regarded with a long term view. No comments within this article are a personal recommendation.

If you’re considering investments please do not hesitate to contact us for advice.

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David is a specialist in retirement and investment planning for the over 50’s

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design & print Gardens Green

Did you know that Local We keep your gardens ry Joine g�een and your pathway clean Life isn’t just about d n a ing publishing great little Build Horror Night magazines?

Totally perfect you joinery g and e the great uildin k s to b ds. We ta chimney e m o iot c safer han ointing a n e h W in rep n’t be er it’s could are wheth ome. h c est of ding a new il u or b

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There’s no better feeling than slippin g into a hot bath of bubble s, for me a bathro om has to be spotless before I can relax and feel really clean. After years of dedicated service a bathroom can start to show a few age spots that you think no amount of elbow grease is ever going to remove!

We also provide a design and print service with the option of cost effective distribution too; from 5000 single colour flyers to the design and production of a full colour glossy magazine; we can meet your needs.

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And you’d be right conventional cleaning won’t have your bathroom looking spic and span, but we know a company that can help and you won’t have to spend an arm and a leg. Total Bathroom Restorat ion are experts in restoring bathrooms to their former glory all over the North West, and all at the fraction of the cost of a new one!

Owner Ian Read believes that almost any bathroo can be rescued from m the damage caused by unsightly mould and mildew that occurs naturally over time.

From his experience in property manage ment he realised that most bathroo m problems showed a consistent pattern; leaks, grout failure, mouldy silicone, chipped bath trays screens. Does this sound and cloudy shower familiar?

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Ian and his team now have bathroom restorati ing work”. thank the on down to a fine art and team can restore any bathroo “The job its original state whilst m to was awk war causing you the minimum failed to rectify wha d and other trad amount of disruptio this the es had tried n. Think ice-white grout, t was a poo team perfect tiles and a bathroo and r initial to fully rest dealt with all m to be proud of; that’s the issues install, despite ore the service that Total Bathroom the far supe Restoration can offer rior than tiled shower encl and managed to you. osure with the original a finish installation “Despite Ian says “As well as ”. being a restoring your bathroo messy job clean and m we can also help you bring the Bath tidy and to life an outdated room was were grat ready to bathroom with a few simple tricks. left use eful the next for you We can source designer what was slim line shower trays taps, required r expertise in deli day. We and even help with .” vering exac flooring and decorating. We tly are really proud to be able to offer a full bathroo m makeover service that we know you’ll love.”

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CMA Accountancy Guide to Online Accounting CMA is a firm of Chartered Management Accountants based in Appley Bridge. We’re not your typical accounting firm. We provide the usual services, but we also look behind the numbers to give you a better view of your business and help you achieve your long term goals.

One of our areas of expertise is the field of online accounting systems. All businesses need to fully understand their key business numbers and this can be achieved by implementing a robust and simple accounting system.

Most people are aware of systems such as Sage or Quickbooks, but there are online alternatives available and we support clients using both the Xero and Kashflow systems. The following are just some of the benefits of an online system: • Simple and Easy to Use – By cutting out the accounting jargon you don’t need to be IT savvy or an accountant to use them. Both systems offer free online support to help you get the most from them.

We also show you how to use the software and help set it up for you.

• Safe and Secure Access – The system is accessible wherever you have internet access. You can even stay in touch via your mobile phone or ipad.

• No Installation or IT Maintenance Required – You can be up and running in a matter of minutes and you don’t need to worry about updating you software as this is done automatically.

• Low Cost on a Pay as You Go Basis – You just pay a small monthly fee to access the software and costs start from around £15 per month.

• Real-time Collaboration with CMA – We can help you with your finances on a real time basis and advise you using the latest financial information.

No matter how large or small your business is, tracking your business accounts is vital in today’s economic climate. If you would like to arrange a free demonstration please contact our office and we will show you the full range of benefits this could bring you.

Tax Tips of the Month • If you qualify for Tax Credits you must inform HMRC of any changes to your income. Recent change came into play regarding the way tax credits are calculated and you may need advice on how these impact your claim.

• Children are entitled to the same personal allowance that is available for adults, so they can receive a certain amount of income tax free (currently £7,475). Children are also entitled to the annual capital gains tax exemption, currently set at £10,600 for the tax year to 5th April 2012.

• Rent-a-room! If you let out a furnished room in your own home, the rent-a-room scheme entitles you to receive a certain amount of rental income tax free. The relief can also be available for some bed & breakfast businesses too.

If you would like to find out more about any of the issues discussed in this article CMA offers a free initial consultation, either at our office or yours, at a time to suit you. If you would like to see how we can help please get in touch.

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

• Smart Reports – There is a range of simple but effective reports to help you manage your sales invoices and help you collect your cash quicker.

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45

An Hour for Christies ‘Prostate cancer is now the biggest cancer killer in men’ explains Venk Mani, the President of Wigan Rotary. Venk adds ‘One man dies every hour in the UK from this illness and over two thousand young men are affected by testicular cancer each year, in addition to those affected by penile cancer. But only about half the money that is spent on research into women’s cancers is spent on research into men’s cancers’.

Wigan Rotary is organising a Fun Run on Sunday 23rd September in Haigh Hall Country Park. The 5km event, which is just over three miles, can either be run, jogged or walked, and should take about one hour to walk.

It is a great way to have a little exercise in beautiful surroundings and at the same time raise some money for research into men’s cancers. For the regular runners or those more adventurous there is also a 10K event on the same day, which is open to all.

All the profits from this Wigan Rotary Club event will be

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donated to the Men Matter Appeal who fund research into men’s cancers at The Christie Hospital. Bernard Edmunds Chairman of the appeal said ‘We are delighted that Wigan Rotary Club has decided to donate all the profits from this event to us. I would urge as many people as possible to get behind this event and help us to reduce the number of deaths from male cancers’.

Entry can be made either online at www.run4alife.com or ring 07813 471000.

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47

The phone rang….

Did we fancy going for a bite to eat at the Wayfarer, the Parbold Restaurant just awarded the Wigan Food Festival’s Restaurant of the Year award?

Does it rain often in Wigan? Has Mark Zuckerberg got a few quid in the bank? Are Spain the best football team in the world? Yes, you get the picture…..!

So, our mouths tingling with anticipation, we shot over the big hill on the way to Parbold. The Wayfarer has three distinctly separate areas to dine; the bar, the restaurant and the Italian section of the building - Il Viandante. We had eaten here before in Il Viandante, and jolly nice it was too, but tonight we’re here to check out the a la carte menu at the Wayfarer.

Checking out the menu takes some doing; this lot obviously take their food seriously and there’s a considerable selection on the menu. So whilst we um’d

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and aah’d over the main choices, we ordered a prestarter to whet our appetites; Crispy Suet Fingers with Beef in Gravy.

Oh my goodness! You’ve heard about the healing qualities of chicken soup, dubbed Jewish Penicillin, well, this dish is Wigan’s equivalent! Chunks of beef, mushrooms and gravy in a ramekin dish accompanied by four chunky, crispy suet fingers. As they meet the rich beef gravy, my taste buds come alive and start jumping around like they have won the lottery! If this filling was replicated and sold in a pie, Wigan could be the gourmet capital of the North!

The cheese soufflé follows - a Kidderton Ash twice baked soufflé, served with mushroom salad, baby herbs, a drizzling of rapeseed oil and some chunky delicious home-made onion marmalade. The Kidderton Ash is a goat’s cheese, it has a delicate, yet distinctive flavour and is decidedly more-ish. This is the kind of dish that sorts out the chefs from the wannabes; only a confident or wildly optimistic chef would include this on the menu, but at The Wayfarer the dish is served with much aplomb, a beautifully presented dish with a range of varying textures.

My partner plumps for a great local favourite; the Bury black pudding

with a duck egg, crispy bacon and a hash brown. The hash brown, which was an extremely distant relative of its fast food outlet version, made up the base; tasty layered potatoes with a distinct nutty flavour. The black pudding is rich but never overwhelming, and was accompanied perfectly by the flavoursome duck egg, (which was perfectly cooked) and the crispy bacon.

A couple of main courses caught our eye; the Duo of Gloucester Old Spot Pork and the Anglesey Sea Bass, so we made a bee-line for these.

Visibly the pork dish was a veritable structure, a triumph of engineering; it looked like Stonehenge on a plate, but thankfully, that was the only resemblance! Quite simply, this dish is the quintessence of fine dining; a smorgasbord of different tastes and textures that will prompt such delight and debate amongst diners! Confit belly, the succulent essence of pig, was accompanied by several delectable and tender pork fillet pieces, a strip of crackling and numerous root and potato fondants. The dish was a creative masterpiece; the hardest part about eating this dish was deciding what to try next!

However, I’d opted for the fish dish so initially I had to look on enviously as my partner tackled the pork….but then I tucked into my choice! Wrapped in a delicious crunchy filo pastry and stuffed with creamed fennel, this sea bass was just gorgeous. The firm, white, sweet meat imploded in my mouth and instantly my pork envy dissipated! Sat on the plate with the sea bass was some creamy Pink Fir Apple mash, broccoli puree, a lemon dressing and fresh asparagus stalks. Each component of the dish was a success, but together it was possibly the finest fish dish I had ever tasted; yes, it was that good!

The waitress cleared our completely empty plates and asked about desserts, but, breathless and with more than a

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little waistband pressure at this point, we called time-out for ten minutes or so. With food of this quality, it was unsurprising that the judges in the Wigan Food Festival were so delighted with the Wayfarer, we were too!

After the break, we called for the menu and picked out two contrasting desserts; a Rice Pudding and a Semifreddo. The rice pudding seemed a strange choice for a summer menu, but it was presented in a cute and deceptively large pot, the delicious spiced creamy pudding included a home-made juicy strawberry jam and was topped with a crunchy almond crumble. Wonderful!

The Semifreddo (semi-cold in translation) is a class of traditional Italian dessert, usually a fruit tart, ice cream cakes or frozen custard. The offering from the Wayfarer was delightful; a light fruity cold mousse which was served on a slate with strawberries, raspberries, a smattering of shortbread biscuit crumbs and a generous dollop of raspberry coulis!

It’s not difficult to see why the Wigan Food Festival judges nominated The Wayfarer the best restaurant in Wigan. The menu is thorough, the food wonderful, the presentation is so imaginative and the service is impeccable throughout. Whatever you’re up to this summer, make way for a night out at the Wayfarer; restaurants like these just don’t come along very often!

The Wayfarer 1 Alder Lane Parbold WN8 7NL 01257 464600 www.wayfarerparbold.co.uk

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will typically work for 2/3 hours every 8 weeks, delivering in their own neighbourhoods. You must be fit, enthusiastic and reliable. Please email your name, address, landline number and date of birth to sallyb@locallife247.co.uk.

Charity Night The annual Macmillan fundraising event hosted by Edith Berry, Anne Hurst and Kath Maguire will be held this year at St James Social Club in Orrell on Friday 28th September, starting at 7.15pm. This popular fundraiser, which raises thousands of pounds every year for the charity, is in the form of a Flower Extravaganza & Music Evening.

Clay Shoot A 40 bird clay shoot is taking place at North Hall Lodge on Chorley Road in Worthington on Saturday 11th August to raise money for the Corporal Liam Elms RM Trust. The shoot is open to teams and individuals and up for grabs is the ‘Elmsy’ Memorial Trophy. There will be stalls, refreshments and a raffle on site at the shoot.

For further details and entry forms please call 01257 453455 or 07917 031408, or email elmsy@ live.co.uk. Cpl Elms (pictured), from Wrightington, died in Afghanistan on New Year’s Eve in 2008 whilst out on patrol with 45 Commando. The Trust set up in his name supports the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund.

The Old Hall Community Brass Band will provide the musical entertainment and the flower demonstrations will be created by June of Hartley’s Garden Centre. As usual there will be a home grown vegetable stall, a cake stall, fancy goods stall and the big raffle will be drawn on the night. Any contributions for the raffle will be gratefully received!

Tickets for this popular night are priced at £5 and places are limited, so if you would like to go please call Kath on 01695 721038, Edith on 01695 623686 or Anne on 01942 515409.

FFro rom m on

only ly £45 a d ay!

Distributors Required Local Life requires distributors (aged 13+) to deliver the magazine. We currently have vacancies for distributors in the Robin Hill Drive area and also the School Lane/ Almond Brook Road area of Standish. We would welcome applicants from all other areas for our waiting list too, in particular Parbold, Hilldale and Newburgh. Distributors

Call Jump n’ Bump on 077666 51115 www.wiganbouncycastles.com

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!

Bookings now taken for your special party

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51

Hidden Gem

By David Stonehouse

Photography by Peter Bretherton

The three reservoirs of Adlington Lake, Arley Lake and Worthington Reservoir make up Worthington Lakes. Situated just over a mile from the heart of Standish, this fifty acre country park is a wildlife haven of peace and tranquility and is worth a trip to in the school summer holidays.

Completed in 1867 at a cost of between £25,000 and £30,000, Worthington Lakes was needed at that time to support the ever increasing water consumption needs of Wigan. The lakes are fed by the River Douglas which originates on the moors above Rivington. The natural course of the Douglas was diverted to create the reservoirs in the mid 1800’s and disappears into a tunnel just short of Arley Lake before reappearing near the mini roundabout

of The tranquil beauty

Worthington Lakes

at Red Rock. The reservoirs are still used today to supply emergency drinking water in times of drought.

Worthington Lakes can be found sign posted off the A5106 near to Standish. There is a small free car park with a gate which is locked at 6pm. Once you have parked up, head through the kissing gate. On your left is the Environmental Education Centre where 10,000 children a year enjoy free courses on climate change and environmental studies.

Depending on how far you wish to walk, you can choose to go round one (3/4 miles), two (1½ miles) or all three (2 miles) lakes.

Paths start off quite wide and easy going, but as you reach the middle and largest, Arley Lake, they can become narrower and more woodland trail like. Paths around the third and smallest, Adlington Lake, can become quite muddy and narrow in places. If you have small children you will need to keep a close eye on them as there are few fences between you and the water’s edge.

A pair of Grebes cruising the lakes

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There are two picnic areas at Worthington Lakes, and if you have prepared too much food for your picnic, there are always some ducks and a few geese

A cygnet

settled in the mornin g sun

present who will happily devour a crust or two! There is a wealth of bird life at the lakes with over a hundred different species having been seen at one time or another.

Notable sightings are the little and great crested grebes, teal and tufted ducks, as well as shag and terns. However, there is nothing more special than the glimpse of the kingfishers are they dart above the water or sit perched on a low branch scanning for fish.

For a few hours break away from the hectic rush of life there is nowhere better. Strolling round the lakes, feeding the ducks, watching the wildlife, or having a picnic, Worthington Lakes is a hidden gem and is well worth a visit. Once visited, I promise it will not be long before you return again!

Site facilities The recreation site facilities available at Worthington Lakes include: • • • •

Picnic area Toilets, plus disabled toilet with RADAR key Car parking Tapping trail for visually impaired visitors around Arley Reservoir • Environmental Education Centre • Wheelchair friendly - some paths are suitable for assisted wheelchair users.

Restrictions • No dogs allowed

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53

� � W � St�n�i�hga�� S���� Glas� Morpheus Glass, based at Hewitt Business Park in Winstanley Road, Orrell is a specialist glass art studio run by Artist Stephanie Bowen and Graphic Designer Ian O’Brien. As one of the UK’s leading glass artists, Stephanie Bowen supplies fused glass work to galleries, shops, interior designers and architects all over the world.

Using a range of advanced glass techniques, Stephanie creates a unique and original range of contemporary glass products. Each piece of work is created using many different materials and design elements including coloured grains, metals, foils, silver and copper wire and glass powders. It is

crossword competition!

Simply complete the crossword on the opposite page and you can win a fantastic piece of glass art for your wall that will be the envy of your friends and neighbours! Send your competition entry to; Local Life 247 Ltd, Unit 8 - Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley Road, Orrell, Wigan WN5 7XB or you can email your entry, along with your full name, address and contact number to crossword@ locallife247.co.uk. The closing date for entries is Friday 31st August.

Morpheus Glass sells a range of glass art that would transform any room and a visit to the studio is a must for those who are planning a decorative makeover. Stunning wall panels, fabulous bowls and striking sculptures of all colours, shapes and sizes adorn the Orrell studio and would make an original centrepiece for any hall, lounge or dining room. The piece de resistance for kitchens and bathrooms are the range of beautiful, eye-catching and stylish splashbacks, which are made to measure for your home.

the unique layering combination of these materials alongside the innovative design which make each piece of glass truly unique.

Her talent was recognised earlier this month when Wigan Council commissioned a special glass bowl, featuring famous Wigan landmarks, which was subsequently presented by the Council to the Duke of Gloucester on his visit to Wigan.

This 60cm x 60cm Standishgate Scene (see picture below) is part of a limited edition. There are only twenty of these being made, they are priced at £450 each and Local Life have got TWO to give away as prizes in this month’s

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Have you a favourite scene that means the world to you? Perhaps it’s a local street scene, the view from your favourite holiday apartment or the church where you got married. Stephanie can re-create the scene as a decorative wall panel for your home.

The company also sell a wide range of glass gifts that are perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, housewarming gifts, and other special occasions; handmade jewellery; earrings, bracelets and pendants, coaster sets, colourful hangings and beautiful vessels too.

Morpheus Glass runs the occasional Open Weekend, where you can come along to the studio and browse through a wide range of pieces on show. The next Open Weekend is

1

A� W��� P����!

2

3

4

5

6

EclipseCrossword.com

Across 4. Wigan’s oldest arcade, The _ Arcade 5. Morpheus Glass Designer _ Bowen 6. Morpheus Glass are based in _

Down 1. Glass bowl presented to the Duke of _ 2. Ideal glass art for kitchens and bathrooms 3. Next Open Weekend at Morpheus, 15th & 16th _ Name .............................................................................

on the 15th & 16th September from 10-4pm.

For more information about Morpheus Glass, visit www.morpheusglass.co.uk or call into the studio at Unit 11 Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley Road, Orrell WN5 7XB.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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55

Citroen’s clever, elegant DS5 is certainly hi-tech even before you look at one with a diesel /electric hybrid motor under the bonnet. Jonathan Crouch drives the innovative HYbrid4 version.

Citroen’s avant garde DS5 is the most versatile, the most powerful and the cleverest of the French brand’s desirable range of sporting DS models.

Bringing together elements of everything modern family motorists seem to like - Crossover, coupe, family hatchback and sports estate - it’s an intriguing package that really does seem to offer something just that little bit different, especially if you opt for a version with frugal hybrid power.

This was the first of the French brand’s models to be chosen to take the PSA Group’s clever diesel/electric HYbrid4 powertrain. Under the bonnet of this model, you’ll find a layout that combines a 163bhp HDi diesel engine driving the front wheels with a 37bhp electric motor that powers those at the rear making this, in theory at least, a four wheel drive machine. It’s at the back where things are different, a normal rear axle replaced with one that packages in an electric

56

motor driving the rear wheels.

Front and rear communicate electronically depending on the traction needed and power switches seamlessly between engine and battery as required.

Like virtually all hybrids, this one comes only with an automatic gearbox, with a set of steering wheel-mounted gearshift paddles should you wish to take control yourself. You can choose from ‘Sport’ mode, a ‘4WD’ mode that offers extra all-wheel drive traction for poor conditions, ‘ZEV’ mode keeps you in all-electric ‘Zero Emissions Vehicle’ mode for low carbon urban driving and ‘Auto’ simply sorts it all out for you depending on the prevailing conditions.

So much for the technology, but what about more tactile pleasures?

Well, you’ll find plenty of them inside where the cabin’s even more avant garde than the bodywork. Someone’s really thought about the inside of this car - and they’ve not felt themselves to be constrained by convention in creating it, with a wraparound dashboard, aircraftstyle overhead switchgear, an analogue clock, square

AIR FRANCE

instrumentation and a novel panoramic glass roof on plusher models like this one, split into three sections, each with their own blinds.

along with the usual electronic assistance for braking, traction and stability control to try and ensure that you’ll never have to use them.

Expect to pay around £28,000 for the DS5 in HYbrid4 form. Though that might sound a lot, in reality, it’s only around £1,000 or so more than you’d pay for the pokiest diesel-engined versions of something conventionally Mondeo or Passat-like, a difference you’d more than re-coup in hybridorientated tax savings.

Every DS5 powerplant claims to be competitively frugal and clean and indeed. The 110bhp HDi diesel comes in ‘micro-hybrid’ form with integrated Stop/ Start technology to automatically turn off the engine if you’re stuck in traffic or waiting at the lights. The result is an impressive 64.2mpg combined cycle fuel figure and a 114g/km CO2 reading that’ll help with your tax banding.

Go for the pokier HDi 160 diesel variant and those figures fall to 57.5mpg and 129g/km. The cleverest choice though, if you can afford to make it, might just be the diesel/electric HYbrid4 model we’ve been looking at here which can return up to 74.3mpg on the combined cycle and put out just 99g/km of CO2. And to keep maintenance costs down, there’s ‘FreeDrive’, a customer support package that can be individually tailored to include everything from servicing and maintenance, MOT testing, roadside breakdown and recovery - even replacement of wear and tear items like tyres.

Entry-level models come with daytime running lights, front

foglamps with a cornering function, electric folding mirrors, keyless entry and start, digital air conditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth compatibility for your mobile ‘phone, auto headlamps and wipers and an auto-dimming rear view mirror. To this, most variants also add niceties like this ‘cockpit’-style glassworked roof with its three powered blinds, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera, full or part-leather upholstery and the eMyWay satellite navigation system with live traffic information and European mapping.

Safety-wise, a 5-Star Euro NCAP rating is justified by the usual twin, front, side and curtain airbags,

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In thirty years times when Mondeos and Audi A4s are rusting in scrapyards, there’ll be owners clubs for models like this one. If that means nothing to you, then you probably won’t get the point of the passion, the care and the sheer charisma that make this car what it is. It isn’t perfect, but greatness rarely is. And make no mistake, this car is a great step forward for a brand that has rediscovered itself, found that different spirit. And not before time too.

For more details about the Citroen DS5, call into the Wigan Pier Garage in Queen Street, Wigan (01942 496535) or Chapel House in Canal Street, St Helens (01744 746750).

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Motoring Driver’s Checklist Anyone thinking of travelling to the Continent for a trip is being urged to ensure they have adequate motor and travel insurance cover before they leave Britain. Direct motor insurer, Touchline, is also advising motorists to familiarise themselves with the rules of the road of our EU counterparts, many of which have alarmingly high incidents of road traffic accidents. France is one of the most notorious countries for road accidents, with Portugal recording the highest number of fatal road accidents. It is claimed that England has the least number of such accidents.

Advice from Touchline includes: • Give your insurers adequate notice of departure dates, where you will be going and who will be driving the car. If possible, arrange for another driver to share the driving.

• Take all important documentation - car registration, driving licences, insurance documents, green card and E111 etc - but don’t leave them in the car! If you’re going to Spain, ask your insurer for a bail bond.

• Familiarise yourself with the road signs and speed limits before you leave the UK. • First aid kits, fire extinguishers, spare bulbs, advanced warning triangle and headlamp converters are legal requirements in some European countries. It is also recommended that you carry fuses, fan belts and a spare clutch cable.

• Check speed limits. These vary depending on where you may be travelling. Some countries impose lower limits for inexperienced drivers or in bad weather. • Don’t drink and drive. In some European countries, it is an offence to drive with ANY alcohol in the blood.

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GB

• Many EC countries carry tolls on the motorways and some can impose on-the-spot fines for motoring offences. Ensure you carry enough currency to cover such costs.

• Take a spare set of car keys.

• Always display a GB or Euro sticker on the rear of your car.

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Just before the brick bridge, go up the steps on the right hand side.

Haigh Mention Haigh to people of a certain age and their thoughts immediately go to Haigh Hall, once the jewel in Wigan’s crown and now suffering from decades of neglect. But Haigh is much more than the Hall and this walk illustrates that point entirely. The deserted country lanes, the wildlife and that last leg along the canal opened up some wonderful local scenery.

This 5.8 mile walk is perfect for early morning or late afternoon, and budding photographers are advised to take along their cameras. Do take a picnic with you too and save some bread for the ducks and geese on the way back!

Red Rock to Fir Tree Farm Park up in the car park on Red Rock Lane, located between the mini-roundabout at Red Rock and the now derelict Crawford Arms pub on the banks of the canal. Just off the car park is a clearly visible footpath; head off down the path.

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Upon reaching the top of the steps, turn left and go over the bridge.

Shortly afterwards, the road forks so bear right. You’re now on Arley Lane, a beautiful path that runs for 750 yards through the pleasant parkland that is Wigan Golf Club. Keep your eyes peeled for any stray balls as you follow the tarmac path right through the golf course. Go down the dip and bear left as you cross over a brook.

Once you get to the entrance of Wigan Golf Clubhouse, there is a four way junction. Turn right and head down the public footpath. Go over the canal bridge past Abby Farm, carry straight on up the public footpath towards Little Scotland for just over half a mile.

Just before you reach Hollins Head Farm, a big white farmhouse, turn right and go up the public footpath for 100 yards. Steer around the big pile of manure to the end of that path and cross the stile. Turn right and keep to the right hand perimeter of the field. Hop across the stile at the corner of that field, and then hop across another shortly afterwards.

Fir Tree Farm to Haigh Hall You’re now in the farmyard at Fir Tree Farm, so if you’re walking the dogs please keep them on a lead as you walk through the farm. Follow the path to the right just after the farmhouse and continue for a further 330 yards, taking a left hand fork on the way.

Just before a telegraph pole on the left there is a public footpath sign. Go

through the wooden gate and follow the direction of the telegraph poles across the field towards wooden. Go straight on at this point. Follow the direction of the telegraph poles into the woods.

There are more than a few ferns obscuring the path, but nothing too strenuous. Carry on in the same direction along the perimeter of the wood and just before a telegraph pole take a 90 degree turn right through the wooden gate.

Chorley Road

(Wigan Golf Club)

Arley Lane

Fir Tree Farm

Red Rock Lane

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Cross the stile, stay on the left hand perimeter of the next field and after you have crossed the next stile you’ll have reached the main road – Meadow Pit Lane. Turn right and when you reach the corner hop over another stile onto the main road. Turn right on the road for approximately 100 yards and then cross the road when you see the stile on the left. Hop over the stile and climb the hill for 300 yards. Going uphill on the left hand perimeter of the field, you’ll start to appreciate the many fine views around; with Winter Hill and Rivington Pike particularly noticeable.

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B5239

Meadow Pit Lane

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Keep to the left hand perimeter of field for 200 yards, and once you reach the corner, you’ll need to cross the stile and then cross the little bridge over Arley Brook.

Once you reach the other side head straight up the hill until you reach a tractor track going through a field. Turn left and follow that track which will eventually end up at the top left hand corner of the field.

Arley Hall

e

Hall Lan

At the top left hand corner of the field, hop across the stile and turn directly right downhill towards the farm. 100 yards on you’ll need to bear right, cross another stile and then turn left through the farm yard.

You’ll exit onto School Lane, which is the country lane that leads up to Haigh Hall. Turn left uphill. On the right you’ll take in some breath-taking views of Wigan.

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Haigh Hall to Red Rock Walk for 600 yards, ignoring the entrances to the car park. Turn right at the Stocks Gate entrance, pass the Golf Shop on your right, the CafĂŠ on your left and carry on downhill towards the Hall. Once you get to the hall walk down the left hand side to the front entrance. Take the path directly opposite the hall, heading away from the hall.

Follow the tarmacked road for ž of a mile through the plantations towards the main gates. Once you reach the bridge over the canal, cross it and then turn right down the steps leading to the canal. At the bottom, turn left and follow the canal towpath for 1 ½ miles, going under Sennicar and Pendlebury Bridges, until you reach the Crawford Arms (or Bridge 63 as it is more recently known). Take the towpath up to the main road, turn left and the car park is 200 yards downhill on the right.

Please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear whilst walking. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the walk is accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or other cause.

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

Call her now for your free consultation!

Award Winner

The holiday month August is a pretty quiet month in the garden in more ways than one. Most people with young children have gone on holiday (those of us without - and with any sense - went before the schools broke up) and even

the plants seem to be taking a rest. The surge of spring and early summer has quietened down, with the fiery blaze of colour from the late summer perennials still to come. Yes, August is traditionally a lull in the gardening calender so relax and put your feet up for a few weeks.

Having said that, there are of course always a few jobs that need doing in the garden and this month’s include: Deadheading summer bedding plants and roses to keep those flowers coming Watering Weeding Keeping the lawn and hedges trimmed

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The highlight of the month for Hubby and myself is the Southport Flower Show. This year it runs from 16th to 19th August and we make it a day out, catching the train in and then the shuttle bus from outside the station straight to the show ground.

Mostly the weather obliges but there are always the flower marquees to dive into if the rain comes down (or in Hubby’s case the beer tent - actually come to think of it, he’s in there come rain or shine!)

There is usually a sprinkling of celebs as well as some gardening experts on hand to answer any gardening questions but for me it is all about the show gardens (just bear in mind though this is not Chelsea but even so the gardens are definitely worth a look) and of course the plants which you can buy (again unlike Chelsea Flower Show where you can’t buy any plants until the sell off at the end). As usual I will buy some lovely plants and spend the train journey home trying to figure out where I have space to squeeze them into my garden - well, as I keep telling Hubby, you can never have too many plants.

Whatever you’re doing this month, have a lovely time.

Author: Angie Barker Dip GD (Inst GD) BA (Hons) Garden Design For All Seasons Tel: 01942 522 405 Mob: 07857 008 383

www.angiebarker.co.uk

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What’s on in the North West...

Wednesday 18th July

Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th July

Running until Sunday 22nd July, this year’s show is blooming with new features alongside the perennial favourites of striking gardens and spectacular floral displays. New for 2012 are the orchestra gardens, the RHS Summer Fruit & Vegetable Competition and three young designers are battling it out to be named National Young Designer of the Year 2012.

Also running on Sunday 29th July, you can gear up for an action-packed weekend at the Rally’s new home of Victoria Park in Southport. This event offers visitors a spectacle of events and activities from its renowned Model Aero Show, impressive Vintage and Classic Car Rally and record setting Motorcycle Stunt display to a colourful Kite Festival, traditional Morris Dancing, and Country Market & Craft Fair. Visitors to the show can also enjoy a variety of live music and entertainment.

RHS Flower Show – Tatton Park

Cost: from £23 (in advance) £28 on gate Time: 10am-6.30pm Contact: www.rhs.org.uk/tattonpark or call 0844 8717661 Sat Nav Ref: WA16 6QN

Saturday 21st July Green Fayre

The Green Fayre, held at Beacon Country Park in Up Holland, is West Lancashire’s premier countryside event, celebrating the great outdoors and countryside life. There will be a variety of displays, crafts and lots of activities for children. Also on Sunday 22nd July.

Cost: Free Time: 11am to 5pm Sat Nav Ref: WN8 7RU

Thursday 26th July to Sunday 29th July European Food and Craft Fair

Come and sample the delights of the Continent on Wigan Market Place! Professional continental market traders from France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Holland, Poland and many more countries will be wearing traditional costumes, selling high quality products including Brittany biscuits, olives, Italian nougat, and freshly made crepes.

Time: 9am–6pm Contact: www.traditionalmarket.co.uk Sat Nav Ref: WN1 1PJ

Saturday 28th July

Halle Fireworks and Light Spectacular Join the world-famous Hallé and their choir of 100 voices as they perform some of the most celebrated and exciting pieces of choral music. Witness a breathtaking programme including Handel’s Zadok the Priest, the Anvil Chorus from Verdi’s Il Trovatore and Orf’s formidable O Fortuna from Carmina Burana in the stunning lakeside setting of Tatton Park. The concert will culminate with a synchronised fireworks display.

Cost: £29.50 (family £112) Time: 8.15pm (gates open from 5pm) Contact: 0844 847 2457 or visit www.tattonpark.org.uk Sat Nav Ref: WA16 6QN

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Woodvale Rally

Cost: Adult £10, Child £5, Family £25, OAP £8 Time: 9am – 5pm Contact: 0779478102 or visit www.woodvalerally.com Sat Nav Ref: PR8 2BZ

Wednesday 1st August Disney Live at the Lowry

Running until Sunday 5th August is Disney Live at the Lowry Theatre in Salford! Mickey, Minnie and a host of Disney friends come together with world-class magicians to perform magic from legendary Disney films right before your eyes. See the Fairy Godmother transform Cinderella’s rags into a beautiful ball gown in a split second; the spectacular levitation of Aladdin’s Princess Jasmine; and the enchanted dancing brooms of Fantasia. Join Donald and Goofy, Alice and the Mad Hatter, and more for a one-of-a-kind stage show you’ll never forget.

Cost: £16.50 -£23.00 Time: 10.30am, 1.30pm & 4.30pm Contact: 0843 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com Sat Nav Ref: M5 2AZ

Thursday 9th August Summer Family Fun Raceday

Your cheeky little monkeys will love the free activities on our jungle-themed family fun day, while you enjoy a wild afternoon of thrilling racing at Haydock Park!

Entertainment includes: Jungle-themed Mobile Zoo, Go Wild Face Painters, Jungle Craft Workshop, Pony Rides, Hunter Balloon Modeller/Magician, Inflatable Assault Course, Bouncy Castle and Slide, Cheeky Monkeys Trampolines and Bungees, Funfair Rides and lots more.

Children 17 and under go absolutely FREE! Time: 2.10pm-5.10pm (gates open at 12.10pm) Cost: £13 Contact: 0844 579 3006 or visit www.haydock-park.co.uk Sat Nav Ref: WA12 0HQ

What’s on Guide events key Events & Festivals

Walks & Nature

Family

Special Interest

Sunday 12th August

Sunday 26th August

Watch planes classic and modern take to the skies in Blackpool’s brilliant air show. Gasp at spectacular wing walkers and admire some beautiful flying machines form the past and present – a marvellous family day out for young and old! Flying displays include: RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire & Dakota, Brietling Airwalkers and Aerostars Display Team

Displays of racing, rally, classic and sports cars, veteran and vintage vehicles, together with racing and classic motorcycles, all taking place in and around Ormskirk town centre at the 2nd Ormskirk Motorfest.

The event encourages applications from owners or drivers/riders of any interesting cars or motorcycles whether they are contemporary, historic or classic – see website for details.

Blackpool Air Show

Cost: Free, Contact: 01253 478222

Thursday 16th August Southport Flower Show

Running until Sunday 19th August, and featuring stunning show gardens, the Southport Flower Show is back! Flowers, gardening, horticulture and floral arts are at the heart of the show, but the show is now a more urbane experience that includes food, leisure and entertainment. If you fancy something more dramatic, our main arena entertainment brings you jousting medieval knights and free flying birds of prey. The drama is balanced by the charm of dog displays featuring dogs of all shapes and sizes, including rescue dogs, and the fun of what happens when sheep dogs meet Indian Runner ducks.

Cost: £21 Gate Ticket, £18 Concession Gate Ticket, £16 Advance Day Ticket, Time: 10am – 6pm Contact: 01704 547147 or visit www.southportflowershow.co.uk Sat Nav Ref: PR8 2BZ

Saturday 25th August Southport Town & Country Fair

Running until Monday 27th August, this show is held at Stanley Sports College on Fleetwood Road in Southport.

The show has a massive range of things going on for all the family to join in or watch from Donkey Rides to the Fun Dog Show, check out the timetable on their website so you don’t miss out. There will be a Shopping Mall and Craft Marquee, and of course refreshments. The Bug, Reptile and Rodent houses will go down a treat with the kids, featuring snakes, lizards and giant cockroaches.

Cost: £5 Adult, £4.50 Senior, £1 Child (Family Ticket £12) Time: 10am – 5pm Contact: 01704 212734 or visit www.garden-festivals.com Sat Nav Ref: PR9 9TF

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Ormskirk Motorfest

Contact: www.ormskirkmotorfest.com

Monday 27th August Cartmel Family Race Day

With its party crowds and funfair, Cartmel rekindles the social gathering tradition of the original steeple to steeple chases. The season will end with the traditional August Bank Holiday climax. As always, there will be a large fairground in the Course Enclosure and children aged 16 and under will be admitted free with a paying adult.

Time: Open 10am - First Race 2.20 - Last Race 5.50pm Contact: 015395 36340 or visit www.cartmel-racecourse.co.uk Sat Nav Ref: LA11 6QF

Friday 31st August Blackpool Illuminations

The Illuminations offer you a host of different experiences and ways to view Blackpool’s glittering spectacle; hop aboard an open top tram for the clearest view of the lights, or perhaps a ride in a horse drawn carriage could be a special romantic treat. If the weather is fine, why not walk the 10km along the front, accompanied by a bag of chips and some candy floss! The illuminations run until the 4th November.

Contact: www.blackpool-illuminations.net

Friday 7th September Preston Proms in the Park

Katherine Jenkins, the world’s most prolific classical artist is to sing with José Carreras in a world first at Preston Guild’s Proms in the Park. Preston Proms in the Park at Avenham Park will attract 10,000 people and is expected to be a sell out as it will be a unique opportunity to see these two international classical stars perform together at a one-off open-air concert as part of the Preston Guild 2012 celebrations.

Cost: £65.00 each Time: 7pm (gates open 5pm) Contact: 08453 442012 or visit www.prestonguild2012.com Sat Nav Ref: PR1 3TD

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Fix my conservatory!

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The photograph in Puzzle Corner is of Lil’s Café on Preston Road in Standish in 1963, now the site of Cinnamon Restaurant.

Jobs Domestic Cleaners Required - All Areas Growing company requires cleaning staff for immediate start. You must be honest and reliable, and all references supplied will be checked. Flexible hours to suit your lifestyle and good rates of pay for the right candidate. For details call Stephen or Joanne on 0800 043 0722 or 01942 203442.

Distributors Required Local Life requires distributors (aged 13+) to deliver the magazine. We currently have vacancies for distributors in the Robin Hill Drive area and also the School Lane/Almond Brook Road area of Standish.

We would welcome applicants from all other areas for our waiting list too, in particular Parbold, Hilldale and Newburgh. Distributors will typically work for 2/3 hours every 8 weeks, delivering in their own neighbourhoods. You must be fit, enthusiastic and reliable. Please email your name, address, landline number and date of birth to sallyb@locallife247.co.uk.

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Useful Numbers

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Medical Boston House Concourse Walk-in Centre Linacre Centre Ormskirk Hospital Parbold Surgery Shevington Clinic Shevington Surgery Standish Clinic Standish Medical Practice Beech Hill Medical Practice Wigan Infirmary NHS Direct Emergency Dental Repairs

01942 482000 01695 554260 01942 244000 01695 577111 01257 463126 01257 501300 01257 253311 01257 501320 01257 421909 01942 821899 01942 244000 0845 4647 01695 623334

Police Greater Manchester Police Wigan Policing Team Lancashire Police West Lancs Local Team

0161 872 5050 0161 856 7124 01695 566134 01257 462239

Libraries Parbold Library Shevington Library Standish Library

01257 463769 01257 252618 01257 400496

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Councils and Councillors (Wigan) Wigan Council 01942 244991 Wigan Council (out of hours) 01942 404040 Cllr Collins (Shevington) 01942 487684 Cllr Crosby (Shevington) 01942 486860 Cllr Edwardson (Shevington) 01942 487674 Cllr Gareth Fairhurst (Standish) 01942 487671 Cllr George Fairhurst (Standish) 01257 407078 Cllr McGurrin (Standish) 01942 486861 Cllr Davies (Wigan Central) 01942 486864 Cllr Hunt (Wigan Central) 07766 478296 Cllr McLoughlin (Wigan Central) 01942 487686

Councils and Councillors (West Lancs) West Lancs Council 01695 577177 Cllr Pope (Newburgh) 01704 894540 Cllr Blake (Parbold) 01257 463636 Cllr Kean (Parbold) 01695 633396 Cllr Baybutt (Wrigh’ton & App. Bridge) 01257 255501 Cllr Evans (Wrigh’ton & App. Bridge) 01695 624683 Local Life Magazine Advertising & Editorial Accounts & Distribution

01257 498329 01695 627999

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