July 2019

July 2019 Issue 27

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Welcome to the July Issue of Local Living Hellooo July! Are you Summer ready? As you can see below we have a few ’Summer Savers’ to save you some pennies.

Some great local companies. There are lots of events going on this month too. Check out p.10 for all the details.

Have you been to Golborne Parkside recently? If not you will be in for a treat if you pop along. See p.7 for more details.

In the classified section (p14 & 15) there’s a handy link to a new bin collection calendar.

Also included is the fab mix of local news stories and a great selection of the best local businesses Lowton and Golborne has to offer. Deadline for the August issue is Wednesday 24th July. If you want to get your business directly through 10,000 letterboxes what are you waiting for? Get in touch now! Call 07507071411 or email contact@localiving.online.

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We are Milltown Sound, a female Barbershop chorus based in Golborne, Warrington in the Northwest of England formed in 2009. We are 28 strong and passionate women, ranging in age from 16-76, who love to sing! We rehearse every Wednesday evening at Golborne Parkside Rugby Club and are members of Sweet Adelines International and our region (Region 31) is made up of England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Netherlands.

On Saturday 11th May 2019 we competed in our regional competition in Cardiff and became SMALL CHORUS CHAMPIONS!!! We achieved our highest score ever and are now ranked as 5th IN THE WORLD!!!!

Because of this we have been invited to compete at the Harmony Classic, International Barbershop Contest in Louisville, Kentucky in October 2020.

Our goal for May 2019 Regional contest was to improve on our scores from previous years and we did it! Now we have gotten over the initial shock of being invited to the USA we have quickly realised we need to fundraise to be able to get all our members there and take part in the Harmony Classic contest representing the UK. If you would like to donate towards helping us on our way you can visit our crowdfunding page - www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/milltownsound? utm_term=9qy9RdkVA.

You can also check out our winning performance on our Facebook page or on YouTube or you can follow our fundraising events via Facebook which we will be hosting over the next 18 months.

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A study by the British Trust for Ornithology had demonstrated that, since gardeners have been providing a good supply of food for their garden birds over the past 40 years, their populations have grown tremendously. I have three of those feeder tubes which I keep topped up with sunflower hearts, I scatter dried mealworms on the lawn, and I put mixed grain feed on the bird table.

The result? The garden is alive with families of goldfinches, greenfinches, house sparrows and even starlings, a once abundant species whose population has crashed since the 1960s. We also have families of chaffinches and beautiful bullfinches (the pink, blue and black male is striking, and look for its white rump as if flies away, while his mate is also beautiful with a less gaudy, subtle coloration). Blue tits nested in the bird box, blackbirds and dunnocks (better known as the hedge sparrow) in the hedges, a pair of robins and wrens in a compost heap, and a pair of longtailed tits nested in a big Vibernum bodnantense and I watched eight young leave the nest. Highly recommended!

Vibernum bodnantense? Named after the National Trust Bodnant Garden in the Conwy Valley, this shrub has highly scented pink flowers in the winter and I recommend this for planting near the front or back door or by an oft-used path.

The only drawbacks of gardening in summer are plants running out of water in long dry and hot weather and the speed at which weeds grow. These are especially a pain if you go away for a week or two. Watering is especially crucial with plants grown in pots, hanging baskets and other containers. Most of us use peat-based composts and if you let them dry out they take time to get them well soaked. You can pour some water onto the compost, and it seems wet enough, for some starts flowing out of the drainage hole at the bottom. But scratch away the top inch, and the compost may be bone dry and the water that flowed out has run between container and the compost, none through the compost.

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So if you have any container with peat compost that seems pretty dry, stand it in a bowl half full of water and over half an hour pour water into the top and keep on adding water every five minutes until the entire container has damp compost.

Even better: don’t use peat but instead use a soil-based compost and add water-retaining gel to the compost as you fill the pot (gel packet gives instructions).

As for weeding? Try to smother out the weeds by planting what you want to grow densely, and on open soil, hit the weeds before they flower and set seed.

If the weather is hot and dry, simply hoe and then let the weeds die on the surface. Let them grow and set seed once, and you have weeds for seven years, is an old saying.

Many summer flowering plants will flower through until the first frosts: things like roses, dahlias and other summer bedding. If you want the best, long show, it is important to dead-head these and to give them a little feed after the first lot of flowers is finished. You can buy rose fertiliser, ideal for all flowers: a handful scattered on the soil and shallowly hoed in after deadheading is ideal. When it comes to roses, don’t just take off the old flower, but cut back to a nice bud lower on the stem, and if you are dealing with a rose that produces several blooms at the end of a branch, wait till the last flower has faded. That bud will then quickly produce another flower or group of flowers.

Malcolm Greenhalgh

Newton-le-Willows Gardeners’ Association’s Advice & Sales Hut, on Rob Lane, is open Saturday and Sunday mornings, 10.30- noon. All welcome.

MLSgardenservices QUALITY LANDSCAPING GARDEN MAINTENANCE, LAWN CARE AND JET WASHING *NEW SERVICE FENCE AND DECK SPRAYING* 01942 731302 / 07927960281 MLSgardenservices

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LOWTON Travelodge, 322 Newton Road WA3 1HD Tuesdays 5:15pm & 7:15pm Tel Claire: 07725 039399 GOLBORNE Heath St. Methodist Church, Heath Street WA3 3AD Wednesday 9:30am; 11:30am; 3:00pm; 4:45pm & 7:00pm Saturday 8:30am, 10:30am Tel Julie: 07584 037483 LOWTON Travelodge, 322 Newton Road WA3 1HD Thursday 9.15am & 5 & 7pm* Friday 9:15 & 11:15am* Saturday 8:00am; 9:45am & 11:30am Tel Vicki 07941 482466

So Claire and Vicki took part with some of their members including their winners of Man of the Year Gary Heaton dressed in a unicorn outfit and Royston Brett in his pink tutu & fairy wings

Golborne Parkside Sports and Community Club Golborne Parkside has been at the heart of our community hosting all manner of clubs and societies for many years including not only our in house rugby, bowling, allotment and even pigeon racing sections but Weight Watchers groups, local amateur dramatics group Nados and Golborne Morris dancers to name just a few, but ask yourself, When did you last visit?

If your answer is more than three months then you will be in for a huge surprise. With a brand new organisational structure and two fully re decorated function rooms the club has under gone a massive transformation.

Whatever your event, Golborne Parkside has the space you need and can cater a bespoke solution for any number up to 200 people for your special occasion.

Both fully re-decorated and re-carpeted function rooms have bar facilities and can provide large screen digital projection, and Bluetooth speakers with dynamic lighting to make your event stand out.

With additional facilities such as catering, wooden sweet cart, in house DJ, bouncy castle and soft play area we can cater for almost any event and assist you to create a bespoke atmosphere and experience for your guests.

But don’t just take our word for it, contact us to arrange a visit or why not come to one of our events that you can find advertised on our new look Facebook page by searching @bepartofparkside and give the page a like to keep up to date with everything that’s going on at Golborne Parkside Sports and Community Club.

Contact us via phone on 01942 726694, by email at Golborneparksideclub@gmail.com or by direct message through our social media channels.

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Monday & Thursday Cheeky Monkeys Playgroup for babies and toddlers ages 0-4. Lots of fun play time, arts & crafts, stories, song time and seasonal activities. 9:15 - 11:15am term time only. All newcomers made welcome. For a small fee you get activities, a drink and snack for your child and hot drink for you.

Monday Men wanted for Parkside Colliery Male Voice Choir.

Meet every Monday at 7:30p at Congregational Church, Hilton Street. Ashton www.parksidecollierymvc.co.uk 2nd & 4th Monday of month Coffee & craft at Lowton IM Church, Newton Road, Lowton. 1:30-3pm. Come for tea and cake and learn a new craft or just have a chat. Everyone welcome.

Third Monday of the month Leigh & District Antique and collectable society. From Sept-March at 7:30pm (except Dec for Christmas outing) at Leigh Rugby Union Club, Hand Lane. New member & visitors welcome. Different speakers each month.

Contact Colin on 01942 673521 or find us on facebook.

Tuesday MemorabLEIGH every Tuesday 1-3pm at the Old Grammar School in Railway Road, Leigh (in the same block as Oceans Eleven Chippy). The group is aimed at anyone over 50 who wants to talk about their life in Leigh and/or the history of the town. Each week we discuss a different topic. £4 per session inc refreshments. If you are interested in joining email contactus@healthyarts.org.uk or phone Martin on 07542 114383 Tuesday 8pm The Three Towns rehearse at Tyldesley Methodist Church, Elliott Street, Tyldesley M29 8JE. For more information contact Ursula Lightford on 01942 670284 www.threetowns.net Last Tuesday of the month 7:30pm. Lowton West Residents Meeting. Residents in Lowton West (west side of Slag Lane and adjacent roads including Scott Road estate) A non-political neighbourhood group to discuss local issues and work together to improve our area. Meetings will take place on the last Tuesday of each month, 7.30pm in the Community Room at Manor Court and elected representatives will be invited along regularly to address residents concerns. Why not come along and find out what is happening in our local area and make some new friends?

Wednesday The Paperback Writers meet at 10:30-12:30 at The Coffee Stop in Railway Road, Leigh. You don’t need to be experienced just keen to develop and share your work, and a sense of humour! £6 per session. Email juleswriter@hotmail.com for further information.

Wednesday Leigh Community Choir meets 7:30-9pm at The Turnpike Gallery above Leigh Library WN7 1EB. It’s £2.50 per session and everyone is welcome!

Wednesday LGN Choir rehearse every Wednesday evening at 7:30-9:30pm at Cross Lane United Church in Newton-Le-Willows.

Enquiries should go via our website which is www.lgncc.co.uk Wednesday 2nd Wednesday of every month at Community Room, Manor Court. 7pm. Come and have your say in what you would like to see in the Community. All welcome Thursday 8:30-12. Coffee & chat Lowton St Mary’s, Newton rd.

First Saturday of the month A Saturday club has now started for young people aged between 5 - 11 years of age at St Luke’s Church, Slag Lane, Lowton between 10:30-11:30 am. Parents are encouraged to stay. Contact Hilda for more details. 07591 718467

Fourth Saturday of every month

Forget me not Café. June 22nd, July 24th and August 24th.

Everyone is welcome for a chat, a cuppa and a bite to eat. 10-12 noon. All welcome. No entrance fee.

Our WI ladies had a lovely evening last Thursday, as it was our strawberry treat.....this of course included scones jam and cream.

Which goes on first the jam or the cream?

The second treat was our speaker for the evening, local writer Julie McKeirnan who took us all back to 110 years ago to tell one elderly ladies view of Suffragette events held outside the Co-operative Hall in Leigh in July 1909. Thank you to Julie for a very interesting and insightful evening.

Our next meeting is on the 4th July....the title for this evening is over paid,....over here, any guesses as to what that might be about!!

Lowton WI meet on the first Thursday of the month at 7.15pm,the meetings are held at Lowton Social Club on Newton Road.

For anyone thinking about joining the Women's Institute and would like to arrange a visit to see what us ladies get up to, please phone Lin Hayes on 01942 207764

Thursday Lowton and Golborne art group meets every Thursday at Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club from 10 till 4 and enjoy not only the freedom to express their artistic talents but also engage socially with other members with similar interests.

Second and fourth Friday of the month

Knit and natter held in St Luke’s church on Slag Lane. 2-4pm.

Lots of chatting and cup of tea and a biscuit 50p towards costs.

Third Wednesday of the month

Leigh Versus Arthritis have a monthly luncheon club meeting every 3rd Wednesday of the month. These will be at different venues.

Thomas Burke 15th May, Robin Hood 19th June. Supporting people with arthritis, family and carers with information, support and a warm welcome. Contact John 01942 704704.

Fourth Wednesday of the month

Golborne & District Townswomen s' Guild meet at Northfield Court, Lowton Rd. Golborne from 7pm. - 9pm. We provide speakers, and social activities. Please contact Avril on 01942 726 033 for further details.

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Make your Green Tokens Count at Asda Golborne 1st Lowton Scouts Group They want some new equipment for when they go to camp and when they are at the base

Grasshopper Young Carers The group provides respite to young carers aged 5-11 in Golborne. They want help to provide activities for the young carers

St Mary’s Catholic Infant School The school nursery and reception classes need help to update their outdoor areas as it’s outdated A SPECIAL INVITATION FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY To come and join us at our next 'Fun Filled' 'Spirit Filled' 'Children Filled' Family Praise Service.

The Praise Service is very much family orientated and less formal than a normal church service.

YOUR CHILDREN – Welcome people at the door, Give out the service sheets, Help with the offertory collection, Get involved with activities, Sing their hearts out to modern church music (led by our Praise Group on keyboard and guitars) Learn about Jesus and the Gospel while having fun.

If you have not been to the service before, then please come along and support your children in what has become a vital link between your church, your school and your Uniformed Organisation. The next Praise Service is: Sunday 7th July 10:30 at St Mary‘s , Lowton (in school or outside)

Do you want to join Philip Shepherd in making a difference?

He is raising money as a friend of The Rotary Club of Leigh in aid of True Colours, who provide support for adults with autism, learning disabilities and mental health issues. Philip is hoping to raise £1,000 to help fund accessible equipment for people with autism and learning disabilities. This will help them to develop and build their independent living skills. Here is a link to the True Colours website with more information about the great work that they do: www.truecolourscic.co.uk/ourcommunity/Land's End to John o' Groats cycle - 20 July to 5 August 2019. Philip's crazy reasons for doing this….. After running/hobbling the Manchester Marathon in 2016, and injuring myself in the process I vowed that my next big challenge would be by bike. 3 years later, and well into my training, I am realising that cycling from one end of the country to the other is going to be just as hard – physically, mentally and logistically! Over 14 days cycling I will be covering over 1,000 miles through England, Wales and Scotland, taking in some amazing scenery and some scary looking hills. My wife, Heather and daughter, Ella will be my support team. However, they will be doing the journey by car, then meeting me at our campsite or B&B at the end of each day. They will be having some lovely days out while I get a sore bottom! (Although Heather will contend that her job is just as hard as mine as she will be pitching up and packing up most days!) Please note that I will be covering all the costs of our adventure ie. transport, equipment, accommodation, food and drink, etc. Every penny donated to Leigh Rotary Club, plus any Gift Aid reclaimed will go to True Colours. Thank you to everyone who sponsors me by donating to such a worthwhile cause, and please feel free to share this with anyone who you think might be willing to donate. Please wish me luck, some good weather, and 14 puncture-free days!

Phil Shepherd www.gofundme.com/PhilShepherdLEJOG

Lowton community join forces for mass litter pick

Over one hundred people descended on Pennington Flash on the 10th June after a Lowton Cub group spearheaded a mass community litter pick.

Cubs from the 3rd Lowton Scout Group planned the litter pick as part of their work towards their community impact and environmental conservation badges but the idea sparked interest from a number of other local groups and individuals who wanted to do their bit.

Thanks to word of mouth, and the power of local Facebook groups, the idea spread and other local groups signed up. Beavers and Scouts from 3rd Lowton, Cubs and Scouts from 1st Lowton and 31st Leigh Girl Guides all joined in, many of whom turned up with parents and siblings in tow.

Some volunteers even turned up to support the litter pickers such as Elaine Farmer and her colleagues from Cheeky Monkeys Playgroup and the Lowton and Golborne Afternoon Tea Group who kindly supplied refreshments for all the children who took part.

Jim Callaghan, 3rd Lowton Cub Scout Leader, said: “We never imagined this would become such a big event and we have been overwhelmed by the support of our local community and it just shows you how much we can achieve if we all work together.

“We’d also like to say a really big thank you to Wigan Council who have been very supportive by supplying bin bags, gloves and litter pickers as part of The Deal initiative. This has enabled us to have the equipment in place for such a large group of people to really make an impact.

“Thanks to everyone who came along to support the litter pick. We all felt very proud to be part of such a strong and passionate local community and it was also a fantastic experience for our young people.”

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CLASSIFIEDS AIRPORT TRANSFERS Longfords Airport Taxis. Your local airport transfer specialists serving Manchester & Liverpool airports. Exceptional peace of mind customer hospitality.

Return chauffeur meet & greet pick-up inside arrival lounges.

Read about our very special commitment to all our customers at the website. Upgrade your travels‌ 01942 269919 www.holidayairporttransfers.co.uk

ELECTRICAL SAFETY CERTIFICATES City and guilds qualified electrician with over 20 years experience in testing and inspection. Landlord safety certificates, buying/selling houses, insurance compliance. Excellent service at very competitive prices. Call Neil on 07563302290 or email njtelectrical@sky.com

GLAZIER (SEMI-RETIRED)

Do you need new glass? Why? What is wrong with your unsightly Lowton based architect for your misty windows?? We specialise property conversion designs in replacement double glazed including submission to local sealed units. Either standard or authorities for planning and ultra warm energy saving glass. building regulation consideration. So clear its amazing. Quotes are Excellent service with quality free. Call anytime on 07581 drawings at competitive prices.

537736. O.A.Ps most welcome Ring Gavin Pinion at Goldcrest ROOFING Design Services Ltd on 01942 Time served roofer. (25 yrs exp).

729832 or 07958102874 All roofing and gutter repairs

ARCHITECT SERVICES

CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

Quality cleaning of your carpets, upholstery and rugs at realistic prices. Carpets dry in 1 to 2 hours. Leather furniture cleaned, conditioned and restored. Hard floors cleaned and polished.

CALL HOYLES CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANERS. FREE ESTIMATES ON 01942 711750 or 07831481771. www.carpetcleanerswarrington.com

DECORATING SERVICE

deluxe decorating We offer a high standard of painting and decorating work at competitive rates, we are reliable and fast.

Call for a free quote 07592411219. Find us on FB /deluxedecorating or email kieranturley8@gmail.com

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from a broken tile to a full re roof. Insurance work undertaken, special rates for OAP’s. Call Alan on 01942 576183 or 07930 110031 for free estimate

UPHOLSTERY DESIGNS

Atlas Upholstery Design Services.

Specialist in the re-upholstery of Settees, Easy Chairs, Dining Chairs etc. Headboards recovered and made to order.

Spring repairs etc. Do you need new foam cushion? Pubs, Clubs, Caravans recovered etc. 40 years In the trade. Workmanship guaranteed. Free Estimates.

Call David on 01942 729978 www.atlasupholstery.co.uk

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