Wigancourierdecember2nd15

Autumn Bed Event at Eccleston Bed Centre See page 5

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LANCASHIRE DAY was celebrated in great style in the village of Standish on Friday November 27th.

A substantial crowd of people joined the Mayor Coun. Susan Loudon, the Deputy Mayor Coun. Ron Conway, senior members of the village’s Clergy, members of the Royal British Legion, and members of Standish Community Forum, to mark a special day for Loyal Lancastrians, and also to officially open the new War Memorial railings.

The Loyal Proclamation was read by Keith Douglas, The Red Rose was laid on the War Memorial by Neil Whittingham, The Mayor cut the ribbon for the new Memorial railings, and prayers and blessings were said by the Rector of Standish the Rev. Andrew Holliday and Fr. John Hindley of St Marie’s Church.

The Chair of the Community Forum group that organised the railings, Ray Whittingham, gave a short address explaining the origins of the project to replace the railings, which were cut down in 1942 as part of the war effort.

The official party then adjourned to the Globe Inn to enjoy, what else, a lunch of Lancashire Hotpot!

More pictures on page 15

The Good News Paper

December 2nd 2015

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Issue no 263

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Wigan’s major success at North West in Bloom

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THE GLORIOUS floral displays of Wigan Borough are to be put on the national stage after major success in the North West in Bloom Awards.

Wigan Borough In Bloom won a Gold medal and scooped the ‘Best City/ Metropolitan Borough’ category in the North West in Bloom awards.

The borough also won a special ‘Clean Sweep Award’ for the cleanliness of Wigan Town Centre.

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Wigan Borough In Bloom has now been put forward for next year’s prestigious Britain in Bloom competition.

This accolade topped a hugely successful year for a wide range of greenfingered voluntary community groups across the borough who make their communities colourful, attractive and clean.

Winners in North West in Bloom included Shevington in Bloom which scooped a Gold medal and won the Preston Silver Dish in the Best Town category.

The Borough Wide

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Community Network received a Highly Commended award for its work in helping volunteer groups across the borough.

And smaller groups had success such as Mosley Common In Bloom which went from ‘Thriving’ to ‘Outstanding’ in the Neighbourhood Awards section.

Councillor Kevin Anderson, Wigan executive Council’s member for Environment, said: “It is a superb achievement for Wigan Borough to have had so much success in the North West in Bloom Awards.

“We are fortunate to have so many excellent volunteers throughout the borough who dedicate an enormous amount of time to make the borough bloom.

“These groups are crucial to having neighbourhoods of which we can be proud and help make our borough such an attractive place to live.

“We now have the opportunity to show what we can do in the national Britain in Bloom competition which is a fantastic showcase for the borough.

“The In Bloom success also sums up exactly what the aims of The Deal are – with residents taking pride and responsibility for their local area and volunteering to make their communities great places to live.”

The full list of award winners are: North West Bloom: Wigan In Borough In Bloom – Gold medal and winner of the Adactus Housing Trophy for Best City / Metropolitan Borough Wigan Borough In Bloom – Clean Sweep Award Shevington in Bloom – Gold medal and winner of the Preston Silver Dish for Best Town. Borough Community Wide – Highly Network Commended

It’s Your Neighbourhood Awards: Abram Community Garden - Outstanding Ambergate Housing Thriving: Appley Bridge in Bloom - Thriving Brookdale Allotments Outstanding Cansfield Estate Outstanding:

Crooke Village Outstanding: Friends of Ashton Community Garden Outstanding Hindley Community Allotment and Garden Society - Outstanding Howe Bridge / The Bridgers - Outstanding Ingleside Housing Thriving:

Mosley Common in Bloom - Outstanding Park View Allotments - Establishing Quayside Residents Association - Developing Slackey Fold Outstanding Standish Lower Ground - Outstanding Wigan Flashes LNR Outstanding

Worsley Hall Allotments – Thriving If you are interested in joining an In Bloom group please contact Nick Burdekin on 01942 489325 or email n . b u r d e k i n @wigan.gov.uk Our picture shows the winners at the awards ceremony.

Anthony, we are absolutely delighted to win this award, we only found out that we had been nominated just over a week ago so it came as a great surprise to be named as the winner considering the competition we were up against!”

He continued; “we have been supplying high quality meat to our shop customers and the

restaurant trade for over 80 years, and I believe that our approach of consistently supplying only the best quality meat was a huge factor in winning the award.”

The business still occupies the same site where Harry Greaves opened his shop back in the 1930's but has now developed into one of the country’s leading suppliers

to the UK's best restaurants including the Michelin Star Chef, Nigel Howarth at Northcote Manor, The Inn at Whitewell, Manchester House Bar & Grill, Australasia and Artisan, to name but a few.

Our picture shows left to right: Christopher, Clare and Robert outside the family shop on Chequer Lane.

Upholland butchers win national award UP HOLLAND family butchers H. Greaves & Son are celebrating success in the National Food Awards.

The firm has been named Meat Supplier of the Year 2015 at a glittering award ceremony held at the Piccadilly

Hotel, Manchester, beating off major competition from meat suppliers from across the country.

Talking about this prestigious award, Robert Greaves, grandson of the founder and now co-owner of the firm with his brother, Christopher and sister, Clare, said; “Along with our father

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TALENTED students from Wigan & Leigh College’s Media Department have composed a moving music video to honour the memories of all those who have sacrificed their lives at war.

Students, Anika Davies and Josh Travis filmed the moments that Wigan remembered the country’s fallen soldiers at the towns Remembrance Sunday ceremony.

The video features footage of World War II as well as capturing Wigan’s community paying their respects at the ceremony held in the heart of the town centre on Sunday November 8th.

The music video which is being created in conjunction with Wigan Council will be presented to the local authority by the two budding media producers at a prestigious ceremony.

Anika Davies, 17, a former Smithills High School pupil said, “The video was inspired by Vera Lynn’s We’ll Meet Again song which was released in 1939. The song is one of the most popular songs of

the Second World War era and pens the heartache of soldiers going to war and leaving their loved ones behind.

It has been a moving and rewarding project to work on – I sincerely hope the video will help the borough take a moment to remember all of those who didn’t come home from war.”

Josh Travis, 16, a former Cansfield High School pupil added, “I feel privileged to be able to work on such a poignant video.

The project has enabled Anika and I to not only give back to the community but implement our skills and produce a video which will be seen by many. It is an honour to be able to work on such an important project with the council.”

Maxine Mealey, Head of Media, Performing Arts and Music at Wigan & Leigh College commented, “The project has enabled students to work on a live brief delivered by the local authority. The production of the video was carried out by the students; with the duo both filming and editing the footage. I’m hoping that the College can continue to support the local authority through projects like this.”

Our picture show (left to right) Anika Davies and Josh Travis, Media students at Wigan & Leigh College˚

College music video to honour the memory of our soldiers

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TO CONTACT Celebrations at St Wilfrid’s Standish THE WIGAN COURIER - WIGAN’S ONLY FREE NEWSPAPER THAT COVERS LOCAL SPORT

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WIGAN

A VERY special service of dedication and thanksgiving was held recently at St Wilfrid’s Church in Standish for the Church’s new stained glass window and the electrical and relighting work that has transformed the church interior.

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Distinguished guests included Mr Warren Smith JP, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Councillor Susan Loudon, The Mayor of Wigan, and Councillor Ron Conway, Deputy Mayor of Wigan. They were joined by the Bishop of Burnley, the Right Reverend Philip North, former Rectors The Ven. Michael Everitt, Archdeacon of Lancaster, and Canon Paul Warren, and the Rev. Gillian Watson, the Rev. Tim Brampton and many friends of St Wilfrid’s.

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Memorial Christmas Tree

The Bishop of Burnley with senior clergy and churchwardens outside St Wilfrid’s after the service

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We would like to offer all families an opportunity to remember and pay tribute to relatives and friends who have passed away.

Everyone is invited to include a personal tribute in memory of a loved one.

Simply call in, complete a memorial tag, and hang it on the tree.

The new window is a stunning tribute to the coal mining industry in the village. It was the wish of the late Mr Cyril Rutter to mark the significant impact on the village of the coal mining industry.

Cyril had suggested he would like to have something in the church that would be both a celebration, but also a focus to remember those who had lost their lives in the mines.

Cyril was introduced to Linda Walton of Design Lights one sunny Saturday afternoon, and their subsequent chats resulted in the beautiful window that can now be seen in Church.

Sadly Cyril was not to see the project completed, but he was thrilled with the design and what it would add to a Church which he saw at the very heart of his earthly pilgrimage: a place to offer thanks, to celebrate and also to mourn.

A spokesman for St Wilfrid’s said: “We are indebted to Cyril’s wife Madge for her generosity, along with the rest of the Rutter family, that has enabled us to have another treasure to our Church.

The new window was dedicated by Bishop Philip during the service, and afterwards refreshments and a special cake, which was ceremonially cut by Bishop Philip, were enjoyed in the adjoining Parish Hall.

Pictured left: The Mayor of Wigan, Councillor Susan Loudon, The Venerable Michael Everitt, Archdeacon of Lancaster and Councillor Ron Conway, Deputy Mayor of Wigan and the new Stained Glass Window.

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THURSDAY 10TH DECEMBER, 2015

Tunley URC Church Christmas Concert

TUNLEY United Reformed Church is hosting a Christmas Concert on Friday 11th December at 7.30pm in the hall.

Entertainment by Coppull and Standish Brass Band. Tickets £7.50 ( includes a glass of mulled wine & a mince pie ) Tickets available from 01257 463407/ 425330/ 426252.

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The time has come to make YOUR contribution to the future of our community.. have their say on a range of issues.

Here are some of the things we want to hear from you on.

Do you agree that services for you and your family should be accessed from a common location within the community you live in?

What do you want to see Wigan Council achieve by 2020?

WIGAN Residents are being given the chance to have their say on what they value in their community as part of Wigan Council’s Deal for the Future consultation.

And the Deal for the Future is part of the council’s wider plan through The Deal for the Future, which will look at how services are delivered right across the borough.

Leader of Wigan Council Lord Peter Smith said: “It was just five years ago in 2010 that Wigan Council received the biggest budget cut in its history.

This cut was the third worst for any local authority, according to the Institute of Fiscal Studies.

“Over that time the council, in partnership with the people of the borough, has worked hard to change how it delivers services to our communities.

“Through ‘The Deal’ we have saved more than £100m while at the same time transformed services.

“The vulnerable such as the elderly and disabled people have benefitted from the

Despite the challenges the council faces the council still remain positive about the difference we can make to everyone in the borough.

Through support for schemes like the to switch to Universal Credit the council has been giving people the tools they need to budget and look after their money on a monthly basis.

With every individual comes different needs but Wigan Council, along with its partners, is helping people get the right skills to find their way on to training, employment or the right benefits for them.

Is this the kind of work you want us to continue and are there other ways we can help residents?

Do you support Wigan Council and its partners to deliver services which focus on helping people to live independent and fulfilling lives The Deal for the Future aims to help people lead fulfilling lives by giving them independence and helping them to be healthier for longer.

By connecting them with their communities; preventing fuel poverty and falls; expanding the number of properties available and supporting them to continue working for as long as possible, Wigan Council believes they will have a better quality of life for longer.

improved services provided by The Deal and the freeze on Council Tax has helped all residents.

“Wigan Borough has experienced the second best improvement relative to other Greater Manchester authorities when it comes to reducing deprivation, according to the government’s indices of deprivation.

“Since 2010 there are now fewer children living in poverty, there has been a 50 per cent increase in resident satisfaction with the council and recycling rates have increased by 44 per cent. These are great achievements and I am hugely grateful to you for playing your part.

“Unfortunately, the difficult times are not

over. In fact the toughest times for Wigan Borough are likely to lie before us. Over the next five years up to 2020 we have to save another £60m.

“Saving this amount of money is especially hard because now there are fewer simpler ways the council can reduce costs.

“There will be difficult decisions to be made which is why we need to know what matters to you.

“Now more than ever the council and residents need to work together to enable high quality public services to be delivered, to build strong communities and keep Wigan Borough as a fantastic place to live, work and visit.”

The Deal for the Future consultation gives residents the chance to

By 2020, there will be a number of multipurpose community hubs across Wigan Borough, connecting residents with a whole range of services and support that can be accessed at the heart of their community.

Through The Deal Wigan Council is forming a new relationship with communities and people are at the centre.

Across the borough there are already lots of community groups working together to help deliver local services and the council needs more residents to lend a hand to ensure they continue to operate.

Over the next few years the council will have some difficult decisions to make and it’s likely in the future

there will be fewer council-run buildings so it’s important for you to tell us whether you think it is more important to provide support for those who need it rather than maintaining costly buildings.

By 2020 services will be delivered flexibly in the community and will be focused around residents.

Working together with partners and with communities to shape services around each individual area will mean linking services together which will give a better service tailored around people while also getting better value for money The way services are delivered will change to bring different service providers together on a site which is well visited.

This might be a number of buildings in one location that can be reached in a single trip.

From that hub residents will be able to access multiple services including health, childcare, welfare support and much more.

Schools and GP practices will be key components.

What do you think are the council’s priorities?

Wigan Council offers more than 750 services to residents across the borough. Among those are providing training and employment opportunities for residents, which is one of the council’s key priorities.

By 2020 the council want 60 per cent of working age residents to be qualified to NVQ level 3+ or equivalent making Wigan Borough a great place to live, work, visit and do business.

The apprenticeship programme gives individuals the chance to work and gain qualifications at the same time. Residents can also access traineeships and pre-traineeships, which

provide valuable work experience and skills such as CV writing and interview techniques, helping them to secure that dream job.

Tell us if you want to see more support like this and anything you find important for you and your community.

Are housing options important to you?

Wigan Council has been looking at ways to help people buy homes through initiatives like the Affordable Homes Scheme.

The scheme offers a 30 per cent noninterest bearing loan to buyers on new housing developments repayable up to 25 years afterwards.

The initiative allows people with a local connection to the borough to buy brand new properties in attractive locations.

And the Office for National Statistics projects an increase of around 23,700 people in Wigan Borough by 2026.

Based on this, and government household projections and housing requirements, we have identified a need for around 13,500 new homes.

Elderly people are the biggest contributors to housing need. Around two thirds of the need for new homes arises from a large increase in households aged 65 and over.

People are living

Which services matter to you?

From services for children to parks and open spaces you will get the chance to highlight the three most important services to you that the council provides.

longer and elderly people are choosing to live independently in their own homes for longer.

Another major factor is a steep rise in single occupation, which increased by 17 per cent in the borough from 2001 to 2011 and is forecast to increase by a further 10 per cent by 2021.

What do you think is more important buildings or services?

Wigan Council offers a vast range of services which operate across the borough and in a variety of different venues.

Among the services being offered which will have a wider impact on our economy and communities is making it easier for residents to go digital.

With Get Online courses and help for businesses who want to go digital there is something for everyone, and as part of The Deal residents are encouraged to go online through services such as MyAccount.

The service has been enhanced to offer even more including the ‘Report It’ app which lets

people report environmental problems anywhere in the borough. Registrars are now also available to book appointments and pay services online.

To register for MyAccount go to www.wigan.gov.uk/My Account. The Report It App is available on Android, iTunes and Windows. To book a get online course call: 01942 489009

Do you agree with the principles of The Deal?

For the last year the message of The Deal has been spreading across the borough.

Led by volunteers in each area there have been litter picks, painting, planting, clean ups, fun days and lots more to encourage people to get more involved in where they live and take ownership of their community.

The Deal in Action weeks are designed to kick start and inspire activity and give you the tools and ideas to keep it up where you live.

Tell us what you think about The Deal and if you have been actively involved in looking after your area.

THE DEAL IN ACTION will be coming to Standish in January, Tyldesley and Mosely Common in February and Hindley Green in March. To find out how to get involved email TheDeal@wigan.gov.uk.

You can have your say on the Deal for the Future on our budget consultation online here: http://www.wigan.gov.uk/Council/Consultations /Current/Budget-consultation.aspx.

Completed questionnaires will go into a prize draw for one of three £100 shopping vouchers.

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Courier CHRISTMAS GUIDE OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD 2015

We are collecting shoeboxes again this year to include: toys, educational supplies, hygiene items, sweets, gloves, scarfs, sunglasses, caps, bangles, necklaces etc - £3.00 per box

Santa comes to Wigan!!

Wigan Rotary says Follow That Float this Christmas 2015

Shoeboxes can be brought to Standish Methodist Church, High Street, Standish until Wednesday 2nd December 2015 The Church will be open Monday to Friday 10.00 p.m. - 5.00 p.m.

For anymore information or leaflets please contact

Methodist Carol Service THE Prospect Brass Band will be playing seasonal music at the carol service in Standish Methodist Church on Sunday December 6th at 6.30pm.

There is no charge for this event, and coffee and mince pies will be served in the Church Hall.

Everybody is welcome, and any donations are going to the Church fund.

Not only do we provide a FREE prescription collection and delivery service, we will deliver other pharmacy items from our shop FREE too!

JOAN SCHOFIELD on 01257 473548

Leaflets are available from Standish Library, Standish Community Centre, Rainbow on High Street, Charity Shop on Market Street and St. Wilfrid’s Church Hall.

Christmas Gifts, Perfumes and Aftershaves NOW IN STOCK 15 Preston Road, Standish

SANTA AND his Carol Float will be out and about again when we get nearer to Christmas.

will be at He Sainsbury’s, Goose Green from 9.30 am to5 30 pm on the following dates; December Monday 14th, Tuesday 15th, Monday 21st nd He will be helping the and Tuesday 22 .

On December 16th ‘My Life’ organisation (Wednesday) he will be at Standish Equestrian at Asda, Newtown from Centre on Nov 30th 10 am until 8 pm from 12.30 until 3.30 He will also be making p.m. several tours of the He will be at Tesco , borough. Details as Wigan several times in follows:December :- Saturday 12th Nov. 30 (Monday) 10 am to 8 pm Standish West - Copeland th Sunday 13 10 am to 4 Ave, Churchlands Lane pm —- Thursday 17th – areas 10am to 4 pm —- Friday Dec. 1 (Tuesday) 18th 10 am to 8 pm Gidlow East - Hodges St, Saturday 19th – 10 am to Barnsley St areas 4.30 pm —- Sunday 20th Dec. 2 (Wednesday) 10 am to 4 pm —- Weds Standish North - Kenyon rd 23 10 am to 5 pm Rd, James Square, Avondale Rd areas Dec. 3 (Thursday) Gidlow West - St Andrews Cres, Norfolk St, Rylands St areas Dec. 4 (Friday) Shevington South Churchland, Inward Dr, Vicarage Lane areas Dec. 5 (Saturday) Shevington North – Elmfield, Redwood, High Park, Longbrook areas Dec. 6 (Sunday) Standish West Woodhurst Dr, Langham Rd, Green Ln areas Dec. 7 (Monday) Almond Brk - Shevington Moor, Hesketh Dr, Cressell Pk areas Dec. 8 (Tuesday) Swinley - Danesway, Swinley Ln, Holme Av

areas Dec. 9 (Wednesday) Orrell North - Mersey Rd, Coniston Av, Broxton Av areas Dec. 10 (Thursday) Orrell South - Shirewell Rd, Naburn Dr, Wilsham Rd, Lynbridge Dec. 11 (Friday) Standish Central - St Wilfrids, Cranleigh, Grove Ln areas Dec. 12 (Saturday) T h e Rotary Choir will be singing carols in the Grand Arcade Dec. 13 (Sunday) Standish South - Boars Head Av, Hartington Dr, Pilgrims Way Dec. 14 (Monday) Winstanley - Pepperwood Dr, Crowther Dr areas Dec. 15 (Tuesday) Hawkley - Whitcroft Rd, Navemby Rd, Fulbeck Av areas Dec. 19 (Saturday) Appley Bridge Woodnook Rd, Runshaw Av, Newgate Av areas Dec. 20 (Sunday) Whitley - Whitley Cres, Hazelwood, Sittingbourne Rd, Romney Way Dec. 21 (Monday) Winstanley - Melrose Dr, Ravenswood Av, Tan House Dr areas Dec. 22 (Tuesday) Goose Green - Crestwood Av, Clapgate Ln, Cromer Rd areas Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter: https//twiter.com/rotary wigan.

Wrap it up

FRIENDS of Standish Library (FOSL) are holding a talk and social evening at the library on Thursday 3rd December at 7pm.

There will be a demonstration on how to wrap those difficult shaped Christmas presents.

Tickets on the door are £3. Tea, coffee, wine and nibbles are free.The library is an important asset for the village, so please try and support this event if you can.

The January event is a talk and demonstration on making soap.

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Parking FREE after 3 p.m. for Christmas Courier CHRISTMAS GUIDE in council car parks in Wigan and Leigh. This includes The Galleries and Water Street multistorey car parks. Free Sunday parking on all the council operated car parks in Wigan and Leigh town centres, from Sunday 15th November to 10th January and free late night parking on Thursdays until 9pm on The Galleries and Water Street multi-storey car parks from Thursday 12th November through to Thursday 17th December and free parking for the whole of Boxing Day Saturday 26th December.

aWIGAN’S CHRISTMAS shoppers can benefit from free car parking this Christmas in council car parks in Wigan and Leigh town centres. Wigan Council has once again introduced the

free parking perk to support local retailers and businesses as well as shoppers in the run up to Christmas.

The offer includes: free parking after 3pm available now until Saturday 9th January

Rotary Singalong

WIGAN Rotary Club are inviting anyone to come and join them in two Christmas Sing Alongs at Standish Community Centre on Thursday 3rd and Thursday 17th December from 2.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.

There will be a mixture of carols and other well known Christmas songs for everyone to enjoy.

The sessions are free and open to anyone, and are also suitable for people living with dementia and their

carers.

Wigan Rotary President Keith Trencher explained : “You don’t have to be a good singer, and you don’t need to be able to read music. If you can reasonably manage to sing Happy Birthday then you’re in!” he continued: “The sessions will be run by a retired music teacher, all we now need is for lots of people to come and enjoy some good company and a good sing along.”

Booking is not required and for any more details or queries please ring the Wigan Rotary Club number 07813 471000

Councillor David Molyneux, Wigan Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, said: “Our town centres are the perfect places for Christmas shopping with a wide variety of big high street names and independent outlets as well as our popular and friendly markets.

“We know shoppers appreciate parking for free while they shop so we have once again introduced

the free after 3pm car parking sessions.

“We hope people take advantage of it and have an enjoyable time getting those special gifts for the festive period in Wigan and Leigh town centres.”

Car parks taking part in the free sessions include: Water Street MSCP, Galleries MSCP, Sovereign Road, Peppermill Lane, Wilton Street, Chapel Lane, Mona Street, Pennyhurst, Haig Street and Trencherfield Mill.

Please note the Civic Centre Car Park and On Street Pay & Display bays are not included in the free after 3pm offer. On Street Pay & Display parking is free on Sundays.

Vehicles entering before 3pm will still have to pay or risk being issued a penalty charge notice.

Harrogate Street Car park is free after 3pm except for Premier Inn Hotel Customer Parking. Tariff and details are at the pay & display machine.

Sunday charges apply on Bank Holiday Monday 28th December on the Multi Storey Car Parks up to 3pm and free after 3pm entry.

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Courier CHRISTMAS GUIDE

Two day event in the Stables

HAIGH WOODLAND Park is hosting a two-day Christmas Event in the Stables Complex on Saturday 19th December and Sunday 20th December, from 11am till 4pm both days.

WLCT are leading the event, with help from the Friends Of Haigh Country Park.

On Saturday the Walkden and Farnworth Brass Band will be playing carols in the Courtyard. On Sunday the Milltown Singers will be singing carols in the

Courtyard. There will be seasonal Craft Workshops for the children, also children’s entertainers on both days.

Father Christmas will be in his Grotto in the bar area upstairs in the Stables complex. Christmas Quiz – the top prize will be a Christmas Hamper, also Tombola and other seasonal Stalls, plus the usual stalls in the courtyard. Refreshments will be on sale throughout the two days.

Bowland Wild Boar Park Haigh Courtyard sets Christmas 2015 at

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• Christmas Trees from £20.00 • Hot festive food available from the cafe • Group bookings and Christmas parties available

2016 opening date

A BUTCHER, baker and candlestick maker, oops, sorry, an ice cream maker are expected to be the first businesses to sign up as tenants within Haigh Woodland Park’s new food and drink attraction.

The Kitchen Courtyard will celebrate regional food and drink, housing a number of artisan producers, suppliers and retailers.

As well as home-made and locally supplied meats, breads, savouries and ice cream, the Courtyard is also looking to dish up a Belgian chocolatier, new country kitchen café and tea room as well as a micro brewer and tap room bar.

Wigan Council and Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles, who will be managing the Kitchen Courtyard, are negotiating lease terms with the food and drink tenants including Holden’s Ice Cream.

Cllr Paul Kenny, Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: “We’re creating a high quality food and drink offer at the Kitchen Courtyard as part of the wider development of the park, and it’s really exciting to see it starting to take shape.

“The Kitchen Courtyard provides a great opportunity for local and regional food and drink producers, suppliers

and retailers and we are confident that it will grow to be a major attraction.”

Richard Cort, owner of Holden’s Ice Cream, said: “There is a real appetite for food and drink attractions.

This is a wonderful opportunity for some of the of the region’s top food and drink small businesses to come together to showcase their wares and talents, as well as feeding and watering the many visitors expected to the park.”

Haigh Woodland Park is to benefit from £12m investment over the next three years, creating a leisure destination of regional significance.

This includes a £6m restoration of the Grade II listed hall into a four-star boutique Contessa hotel and the development of on-site leisure attractions such as high ropes, an adventure golf course and a children’s play area.

Wigan Council are investing around £4m into the project, developing the attractions and improving visitor infrastructure. The deal will reduce the maintenance burden for Wigan Borough taxpayers by £8million over the next decade.

On completion, Haigh Woodland Park is expected to provide a boost of £30m to the local economy, attracting over 500,000 visitors annually.

The Kitchen Courtyard is scheduled to open early Spring 2016.

Our picture shows members of the Trust and Council along with business owners at the meeting.

Volunteers keep village blooming

Game Menu, Bistro Menu and Specials Boards also available

Festive Lunch from £9.95 Festive Dinner from £11.95

Av ai l a b l e 1st to 23rd Dece mb er (in c)

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ORRELL AND BILLINGE will be blossoming next year thanks to an influx of new volunteers to the In Bloom group.

SKILS CIC, a community interest company based in Orrell for adults over the age of 18 with support needs, signed up to Orrell In Bloom in August and the winter weather hasn’t stopped them getting straight to work.

Denise Williams, service manager from SKILS, said: “We wanted to get involved in projects where we live and become valued members of our community. We joined six weeks ago and since then have been busy planting and litter picking through The Deal.

“The group have loved doing the planting, they have really enjoyed it.

We wanted to be part of the community and to help spruce Orrell up.”

Marjorie Price, chair of the Orrell and Billinge Community Network, was worried about the future of Orrell In Bloom earlier this year as the group were struggling to keep on top of the planting.

They held a recruitment drive in July, at a session organised by Wigan

Council to raise awareness of The Deal, and now three members have turned into 15.

Marjorie said: “Carol, Dorothy and I, with the help of one or two other helpers over the years, have kept the planters looking nice and colourful around the village. It has become too much in winter during the last two or three years. It is lovely to see the planters “in bloom” once they are planted up and it gives us a real sense of achievement, but we just couldn’t do it alone any longer.”

As well as planting the group are planning to litter pick on a regular basis and involve local schools in their projects.

Councillor Kevin Anderson, cabinet member for environment, said: “This is exactly what The Deal is all about - people doing their bit and making the borough a better place. It’s great that new members

have been recruited as a result of our Deal in Action programme.

“In Bloom is a fantastic initiative which brings people together, improves the look and feel of our town and it has gone from strength to strength. We’re now on a national level competing with the very best and it wouldn’t happen without the volunteers.”

To find out more about the group or In Bloom contact Nick Burdekin on 01942 489325 or email n.burdekin@wigan.gov.uk.

Visit www.wigan.gov.uk/TheDeal for more information.

Our picture shows Volunteers from Orrell In Bloom including new members from SKILS. L-R: Joseph Daley, Kathy Smith, Steph Klaka, Samantha Herren -Young , Anne Jarrett, Marjorie Price, Joanne Wolfendale, Karen Topping.

11

Courier

THE WIGAN COURIER - WIGAN’S ONLY FREE NEWSPAPER THAT COVERS LOCAL SPORT

Wigan band plays Royal Albert Hall

Courier CHRISTMAS GUIDE

WIGAN Youth Brass Band are pictured playing at the Royal Albert Hall during their performance at the Classic FM Youth Schools Prom Concerts event on Monday November 23rd.

year they were the only brass band to perform in the entire Proms season.

Dave Little said: “A Schools Proms invite is pretty much the ultimate accolade for ensemble work within music education. I am very proud of the members of the band and the tutorial staff who through their dedication and commitment have justly earned the The band of 54 members aged 11 reward of this once in a lifetime to 19, represented the borough at experience.” this event, fafter being selected Councillor Jo Platt, portfolio holder from 40,000 musicians from across for children and young people’s services the UK who participated in regional at Wigan Council, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for the talented selection events.

Wigan Youth Brass Band was founded musicians in Wigan Youth Brass Band in 1997 by Dave Little who is now head and has helped to put Wigan Borough of music service for Wigan Council and and Wigan’s young people on the musical director of the Band, which last national stage in a prestigious national appeared at The Proms in 2005. This venue.

New Business boss Daniel at HW Moon

WIGANER Daniel Scanlan has been appointed HW Moon Toyota’s Business Centre Manager at the showroom on Martland Park, Wigan.

Daniel has ten years experience in sales at the company, and now takes on the task of advising businesses and company car users of the significant tax and reliability advantages of Toyota’s products.

Daniel is relishing the task of growing HW Moon’s 40 years long established business connections even further. He told the Courier: “It is exciting times for Toyota and HW Moon.

“Next year heralds a plethora of new vehicles into the market with great robust functionality in the all new Hilux range and Toyota’s long term strategy with Hybrid coming to the fore with the original and best all new Prius range.

“Toyota are world leaders with petrol

Hybrid technology giving incredible tax savings for businesses and company car drivers alike offering the best emissions on the market with optimum performance and driving pleasure.”

HW Moon have longstanding relationships with many local businesses, spanning 40 years like that with the Wigan Warriors.

Danny, an amateur player himself and an avid fan, says: “Being born and bred in Wigan, it is a relationship that I am proud to be involved with and I recognise that to succeed in sport or business you have to work as a team, and here at HW Moon business centre I will be working hard to help local businesses and company car drivers find their ideal transport solution.”

To experience the savings you can make or to arrange a test drive call Danny on 01942 219 999, or call in at the showroom: HW Moon, Toyota Challenge Way, Martland Park Wigan WN5 0LD.

Wigan Rotary volunteers support Boston Statue Appeal

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Courier

12

ROTARY WIGAN CLUB members braved the terrible weather at the

International Rugby League Match between England and New Zealand at the DW

Billy Boston is one of the game’s all-time greats, and a Wigan legend, and the fund, set up to honour his contribution to the sport, to Wigan, and his many years of continuing service to many different charitable causes, is now nearing its target.

It is hoped that the Statue will be commissioned in the near future and erected to honour this great Rugby League Legend.

Wigan Rotary President Keith Trencher said: ” A big thank you to all who Stadium on November have made donations 14th to collect money to this worthy project”. from fans for the Billy • In our picture are, Boston Statue Appeal. from left to right, Rotarians Stan Cooper, Alan Benson and Tony Bradshaw.

Students at film festival

MEDIA students at Wigan & Leigh College explored the BAFTA qualifying Aesthetica Short Film Festival for future career and film inspiration.

community provided the students with a unique experience to view 43 independent films, from documentary and thriller to comedy and drama.The film festival enabled students to view The Level 3 students visited the films from across the world, from York-based film festival which countries such as France, Brazil celebrates independents films from and Cuba. around the world. The festival The students were also provided which supports emerging and with networking opportunities, as established film makers provided well as the chance to take part in a students with inspiration for their series of master classes hosted by future career pathways.The annual Barry Ryan, the Head of festival which provides a platform Production at Warp Films who is for the global film making responsible for productions such as

This is England.

Maxine Mealey, Head of Performing Arts, Media and Music at Wigan & Leigh College said, “It is important that students have an insight into their chosen industry sector and get a grounding of the wide range of careers available.

The annual festival enabled students to see the standard of films being developed by independent film makers and inspiration for their College projects.”

Our picture shows our Wigan students at the festival in York.

Wigan Mum turns into Masterchef!!

WHEN Bev Curry’s children flew the nest for college, she found herself with some time on her hands.

Mission Christmas

DID you know that 1 in 3 children across the UK live in poverty?

Shevington High School has signed up for Rock FM’s ‘Mission Christmas’ and registered as a drop off point for present donations.

Can you help us by donating a gift wrapped or unwrapped for a local child age 0-18 living in poverty?

Tims Pizza & Kebab House Treat yourself to one of our tasty dishes • Pizza • Pasta • Kebabs • Burgers • Jacket Potatoes • Salads • Side Orders • Drinks • Desserts FREE Delivery with orders over £9.00 FREE Garlic Bread with Cheese over £12.00

9 High St, Standish, Wigan WN6 0HA Tel: 01257 423444

Bev, from Norley Hall, had always worked and was used to the office environment but now she was ready for a new challenge and something completely different.

That’s when her passion for cooking took over and now she’s on the verge of a culinary triumph with the opening of her very own cafe.

She first enrolled at Wigan and Leigh College for an NVQ in professional cookery and since then, she hasn’t looked back.

Bev’s new venture has seen her join forces with the team at Wigan’s Community Warehouse, where she has opened her very own value for moneythemed eatery.

Called The Cafe@The Community Warehouse, on Hodson Street, Wigan WN3 4EN, Bev’s business offers quality home-cooked favourites at a price everyone can afford. From tea and toast through to mouthwatering main courses, prices start at just 50p and nothing on the menu costs more than £3.

Bev said: “I went back to college as a mature learner because I wanted a new challenge. I’ve always been interested in cookery so it seemed like the right thing to do. At the same time I’ve always been involved with community groups in Wigan, so when I get to know everyone at The Community Warehouse, I wanted to do more.”

The Warehouse has had its own canteen area providing hot food for the army of trainees, volunteers and mentors.

So when Bev was given the chance to take it over and open it up to everyone, she jumped at the chance.

“It was a great opportunity and the right thing to do,” she said. “It’s a really exciting time for me and I am determined

to make a real go of it.”

The cafe is a real family affair with Bev’s mum Barbara Walsh helping out behind the counter.

Bev is cooking up some big plans to help her fledgling business rise: “We have started small because we want to make sure everything runs perfectly before expanding, but we do want to grow. We are hoping to start a delivery service soon and in time we will be looking at providing a full catering service from our base at the Warehouse.”

The Community Warehouse provides training and employment opportunities for local unemployed people and has a strong environmental code of re-use and recycling.

The Cafe is the latest in a number of fledgling businesses the team are helping

to launch and support.

Community Warehouse Business Development Manager David Banks said: “We have helped Bev every step of the way in opening and promoting her new business and we’ll be giving her the ongoing support she needs.”

The Cafe@The Community Warehouse opens Monday to Friday from 8am until 2pm. For more information on its range of services and for an up-to-date menu, you can call Bev at the Cafe on 01942 417410.

The Community Warehouse is open Monday to Friday. (Reception - 9am to 5pm. Showroom — 10am to 4pm) and 9am — 1pm on Saturdays.

For more information visit The Community Warehouse website: www.communitywarehouse.org.uk.

Kings ‘Quality’ Foods win award

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Courier

success of local communities and the UK as a whole - and manufacturers are leading the way.

This award is justly deserved and Kings Quality Foods should be applauded for their efforts.”

The story of Kings started back in 1888 when a gentleman who went by the name of Frank King opened up a Butchers Stall in Wigans famous Market Hall.

Mr Kings stall went from strength to strength and was quickly growing a reputation for the quality of his produce, especially his home cooked meats.

Through the years Kings remained a family business and was passed down to Franks son Lawrence King. Because the demand continued to grow for Kings cooked meats Lawrence made the decision to build a purpose built factory to not only supply his shops but with the intention to wholesale to other Butchers based in the county.

By the 1970’s the companies ownership finally left the King family when one of Lawrence's employees acquired his shares.

In 1993 the current Managing Director John Hamer took control of Kings as the previous shareholder was looking to retire. With over forty years in the Cooked Meat Manufacturing Industry

KINGS Quality Foods has been awarded silver at this year’s prestigious EEF/Aldermore Future Manufacturing Awards.

Kings Quality Foods, which cooks, processes and packages meat products for the UK food ingredients market and employs 90 staff, was named regional runner-up for the Business Growth Award, sponsored by DHL Global Forwarding.

John has steadily grown the Business through constant reinvestment over years.

To this day Kings is still very much a family business with all three of John's children working along side him Jacqui, Jane and Jonathan.

Kings Quality Foods also offer a large Cash and Carry premises which is open to the public Monday to Friday 6am until 5pm and Saturday 8am-2pm.

It is stocked with everything from cooked meats, frozen foods, fresh meat, catering coleslaws and pickles and consumables.

All the meat is freshly prepared and packed on the premises and the shop is well stocked at all times, Christmas orders are now being taken for raw and cooked goods and with reasonable prices and professionally produced meats Kings Quality Foods is worth a visit for all your Christmas catering needs.

Our pictures show Kings Quality Foods, Regional Winner, Business Growth Award. (l-r) Steve Warren, EEF Regional Director, Des Holt, Kings Quality Foods, Logistics Manager, Adele Rooney, Kings Quality Foods, Sales Manager, Guy Davis from category partner DH, and the busy Cash and Carry.

The award was given in recognition of the manufacturer’s dynamic and sustainable business growth.

The company was selected by a panel of judges drawn from business leaders, industry experts and academics and was up against stiff competition from a range of impressive businesses, small and large, from across the region.

Paul Cunningham, Vice President Sales and Marketing at DHL Global Forwarding, says: “The quest for business growth is key to the economic

Large Cash and Carry

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 6am-5pm Mon-Friday 8am-2pm Saturday

SOME OF OUR SPECIAL OFFERS Cooked and Prepared on the Premises • Selection of Cooked Meats • 11 Varieties of Sausages

HUGE SELECTION OF FROZEN FOODS 6 Lamb Shanks £19.39 4 Lamb Shanks £12.13 5lb Packs of Bacon £8.40 BUY TWO £15.00 4 Sirloin Steaks £10.00

4 Packs of Cooked Meat Trim £5.00

ORDERS NOW BEING TAKEN FOR CHRISTMAS WE SUPPLY BOTH COOKED AND RAW MEATS • Turkey Saddles from £40.00 • Boneless Turkey Breast from £19.00 • Pork Joint from £10.00 • Topside of Beef from £15.00 • Honey Roast Gammon from £13.00 • Sausage & Bacon Wraps £1.65 • Chipolatas Sausage £3.69 kg • Goose Fat £1.99 180g

CHRISTMAS ORDER COLLECTION FROM MONDAY 21ST DECEMBER CHRISTMAS OPENING TIMES Friday 18th 6am-5pm, Saturday 19th 8am-5pm Sunday 20th 10am-4pm Monday 21st Tuesday 22nd Wednesday 23rd 6am-6pm Thursday 24th 6am-12 Noon Tuesday 28th December 6am-5pm

Princess St, Wigan WN3 4HW. Telephone: 01942 493762 www.kingsqualityfoods.co.uk | FREE CAR PARKING

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New Worcester Bosch Boiler installed from

£1195.00 • 10 Years manufacture warranty • Finance available @ 9.9% • We offer FREE cavity wall & loft insulation • FREE Eco grants available for boilers under Government-backed scheme • Terms and Conditions apply

01257 424166 admin@haighenergy.co.uk www.haighenergy.co.uk

Rotary encourages young students to speak out

THE WIGAN COURIER - WIGAN’S ONLY FREE NEWSPAPER THAT COVERS LOCAL SPORT

THERE COMES a point in most of our lives when we are called upon to speak before an audience, be it, for example, during a job interview, or when making a speech at a wedding or other function.

To be able to speak with confidence on such occasions is a very useful life skill. In recognising this fact, and in order to provide a forum to help develop and challenge young people in the area, Wigan Rotary Club, in 2008, instigated an annual public speaking competition known as ‘Junior Speaks.’

Wigan primary schools are invited to participate in the competition by entering a team, or teams, to speak on a subject of their choice. Each team consists of three Year 6 pupils who take on the respective roles of Chairperson, Speaker and Proposer of the Vote of Thanks, with a fourth member acting as

reserve. The winning team is presented with the ‘Hoddinott Shield’, in memory of former Rotarian Peter Hoddinott, and is held by the school for one year.

Over the past seven years, ‘Junior Speaks’ has proved to be a great success, and its popularity, with teachers and children alike, is demonstrated by the fact that the number of participants has grown from year to year..

So it is here again – bigger and better than ever before – the 2015 COMPETITION started on Tuesday, October 12th 2015 beginning the eighth annual ‘Junior Speaks’ . The final of ‘Junior Speaks’ took place on October 22nd, with the previous year winners, Aspull Church Primary School, kindly acting as hosts.

A total of 6 teams had reached the final, and they each rose to the challenge wonderfully. Their topics were broad based and challenging. In fact, it is true to say that these young people never cease to amaze and

WINNERS: The St Mary and St John team

The Management and staff at Cinnamon would like to wish all customers old and new a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH

Bookings now being taken for Christmas and New Year Parties

Traditional English

Traditional Indian

STARTER Butter Prawn or Melon or Soup of the day or Prawn Cocktain

STARTER Chicken Tikka or Lamb Tikka or Onion Bhaji or Prawn Puree or Chicken Chat

MAIN COURSE Roast Turkey & Vegetables

MAIN COURSE Choice of any main course

DESSERT Christmas Pudding & Custard ADULT: 24.95 CHILD: £14.95

NEW YEARS EVE PARTY hed s i l b a t s r s E Celebrate a night to remember at Cinnamon Yea 5 1 r The banquet will begin at 10.30 p.m. then sit back and ove BOXING DAY SPECIAL 20% OFF YOUR FOOD BILL Advanced booking only

RUNNERS UP: The St Wilfrid’s team

enjoy the evenings entertainment.

Please book to avoid disappointment

10 COURSE BANQUET - £29.95 per person * Murghi Chilli, * Kurchi Lamb, * Pekura, * Salad, * Hoppers * South Indian Murghi Balti, * Chicken Tikka Mansoor, * Kashmir Rice • Sweet and Coffee ALL YOU CAN EAT & DRINK WITH DROP OFF SERVICE

£79.95 per person ENJOY A MEAL FROM CINNAMON IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME. DELIVERY SERVICE NOW AVAILABLE

For special Christmas opening times please call the Restaurant Live Singer - December 11th - 8.30 p.m.

Elvis Tribute- December 18th - 8.30 p.m.

Call Restaurant for further details

487 Preston Road, Standish, WN6 0QD

Telephone: 01257 426661 or 423332 Find us on Facebook at Cinnamonindiancuisine

THIRD PLACE: The Worsley Mesnes team

delight us with the quality of their presentations. The judges, as a result, had a very difficult job and there was little to separate some of the teams.

However, there could be only one winner and the Hoddinott Shield for 2015 went to St. Mary and St. John Catholic Primary School.

Many congratulations to them, under stiff competition, they were worthy winners. Their Team were called ‘Supreme Speakers’ and their topic was “We Must Be Taught Politics”.

The plaques, certificates and dictionaries were presented by Wigan Rotary President, Keith Trencher and the Hoddinott Shield by Rotarian Terry Hogan, to a very excited team, who also received an invitation to go to The Owls on the November 5th in order to repeat their winning performance for the members of Wigan Rotary Club at their lunchtime meeting. They join the Mayor of Wigan in her Parlour on November 12th to make their presentation to the Borough’s First Citizen as well.

Second place was awarded to the pupils from St. Wilfrids Primary School, Standish, team name The Owl Army, speaking on “Technology”, who were hot on the heels of the winners, and third spot went to Worsley Mesnes Primary School, team name Worseley Mesnes Champions, speaking on “Do Celebs Make Good Role Models”.

The other finalists were from Our Ladys Primary School, Highfield St. Matthews Primary School and Sacred Heart Primary School.

Each school was presented with a certificate, and each child with an Usborne dictionary, to mark their achievement. It was a wonderful morning, and a delight to witness such amazing, confident presentations from all the young people who participated for their schools Our pictures show the winning team St. Mary and St. John Catholic, Second team St. Wilfrids and Third team Worsley Mesnes Primary School all with Wigan Rotary President Keith Trencher.

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RBL tribute at Church Memorial

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Lancashire Day in Standish Continued from page 1

PICTURED above: The Mayor, Coun Mrs Susan Loudon, cuts the ribbon to mark the opening of the new War Memorial railings in Standish on Lancashire Day, Friday November 27th.

Mayor is The accompanied by Mr Brendan Ainscough, left, representing the Ainscough family firm which made a significant contribution to the cost of the project, and Standish Community Forum members, Fr John Hindley, the Rev

Andrew Holliday, and Mr David Williams of the Royal British Legion Standish Branch.

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Treatments include • General nail care • Corns • Callus • Verrucae And specialised treatments such as • Nail surgery • Marigold homeopathic treatments • Podiatric acupuncture • Biomechanics

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In our second picture, the Mayor is pictured with the members of the Railings Project

organising group, Mr Ray Whittingham, Ms Judith Atherton, and Mr Neil Whittingham.

A ROYAL BRITISH LEGION REMEMBERANCE service was held at St. Wilfrid’s Church in Standish on Wednesday November 11th at 11am. Members of the Standish Royal British Legion were joined by members of the public for the service.

Our picture shows Legion members (left to right) Keith Fletcher, David Williams, Eric Howarth and Chris Velone with the Rev David Long, who took the service.

High Street Therapy Centre Registered Osteopath

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Soap Suds Galore • Luxury Gifts • Bath Bombs • Sugar Scrubs • Scented Soap • Wedding Favours • Candles • Oils & Oil Burners • Village Candles

Christmas Soaps, Bath Bombs, Candles and Gifts now in stock

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St John Rigby remembers

ON WEDNESDAY November 11th St John Rigby College had a huge turn out for the annual Remembrance Service held by the Memorial Garden at the centre of the campus.

Students and staff gathered to pay their respects at the service organised by history teacher Matthew Harwood.

Proceedings began with Year 13 Music student Danny Wilson playing The Last Post, and Year 13 History student Ryan McCracken laying the poppy wreath.

Year 13 History student Ethan Fairhurst read the Exhortation, which was followed by a poignant two minute silence on the stroke of the eleventh hour.

Danny Wilson played again and Year 12 History student Shona Biswas closed the service by reading the Dedication,

"When you go home, tell of us and say, For your tomorrow, we gave our today."

Students and staff wore their poppies with pride and Matthew Harwood was pleased with the response to the event: “Today was a wonderful example of the ethos of St

John Rigby College, we were delighted so many staff and students attend, and we were happy to give people the opportunity to remember loved ones. Seeing everybody join as a community to remember those who have lost their lives was a powerful demonstration of what it means to be part of this college.”

Support your local small business December 5th

The Wigan Courier supports Small Business Saturday December 5th SHOP LOCAL AND SUPPORT OUR SMALL BUSINESSES

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by Amanda Carney ‘use your head’

For all aspects of quality hair design

Christmas Gift Sets now in stock 01257 425105

62 High Street, Standish, WN6 0HF

7 Good Reasons to Shop Local

1. Your spending will boost the local economy 2. It is the ethical choice 3. They sell quirky, one-off gifts 4. You will be supporting British entrepreneurs 5. You can help build communities 6. You might get a better deal or some good advice 7. You can sometimes try before you buy

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16

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Courier

Wigan the cleanest in the North West

THE WIGAN COURIER - WIGAN’S ONLY FREE NEWSPAPER THAT COVERS LOCAL SPORT

WIGAN TOWN centre has been officially crowned the cleanest town centre in the North West.

The cleansing team at Wigan Council is celebrating the prestigious prize after the town centre won the ‘Clean Sweep Award 2015’ in the North West in Bloom Awards. The award was for the cleanest area out of more than 1,000 entrants in the North West In Bloom competition.

The prize was one of a raft of awards Wigan Borough won in this year’s North West In Bloom – including the Best City/Metropolitan Borough Award and Gold Award for the whole borough.

Councillor Kevin Anderson, Wigan Council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “A lot of hard work and graft by our cleansing team has gone into winning this award.

“The work of the team can often go unnoticed and unappreciated. So it is great to have this opportunity to say thank you and well done for their hard work and dedication in keeping the town centre clean and litter free.

Bishop welcomed to St John Rigby College

ST JOHN Rigby College was thrilled to receive a visit from the Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Reverend Tom Williams or, ‘Bishop Tom’ as he prefers to be known!

Bishop Tom arrived in time for morning prayers before attending a meeting with local high school Head Teachers. He was then given a tour of the College campus to see the development since his last visit in June 2006 for the inaugural Mass of the new College Chapel.

He spoke to a Religious Studies class, where he discovered what the students have studied before participating in an open and frank Q&A session.

Later in the day he attended a concert that Music students host every Thursday lunch time, where he was treated to a series of original song and dance performances.

A particularly special part of the day was when Bishop Tom blessed a custom designed cross and gave a blessing to all those present. The cross will be displayed in the College’s newly built ICT building. The images on the cross include computer icons, which tie together the state of the art computer suites with the traditional values that are at the heart of St John Rigby College’s mission and ethos.

College Chaplain, Martin Malone said, “The visit was a huge success and an uplifting experience for all concerned. The Bishop commented on how impressed he was with the whole College community and in particular, with the students he met and the fantastically high standard of the performances he witnessed.”

Our picture shows Bishop Tom, with College Principal Peter McGhee and students from the college.

Apply for child’s primary school place

WIGAN parents of young children are being urged to apply now for their child’s place at primary school. Parents must apply before 15th January 2016.

Places for children starting in September 2016 starts will be confirmed in mid-April. Parents who apply after the closing date will find out which school their child will be offered a place at, at a much later date and will be less likely to get a place at one of their preferred schools.

Every child living in Wigan Borough born between 1st September 2011 and 31 August 2012 must now apply for a place through Wigan Council, even if the child’s name has already been registered at a school or they have an older brother or sister already at school.

Parents can apply online by simply registering at www.wigan.gov.uk/schooladmissions giving their three preferred schools in priority order and submitting the application. Alternatively, parents can collect an application form from a Wigan primary school or contact the School Organisation Team on 01942 486027 or 01942 486030 who can post a form out to their home address.

Councillor Joanne Platt, cabinet member for children and young people at Wigan Council, said: “Applying for your child’s place online is really quick and simple. I’d encourage all parents to apply as quickly as possible to make sure their child gets a place at their preferred primary school.”

The closing date for receipt of applications is 15th January 2016.

Courier

“In Bloom sums up exactly what the aims of The Deal are – with residents working in partnership with the council, taking pride and responsibility for their local area and volunteering to make their communities great places to live.”

Jim Angeletta, a council neighbourhood team operative, is part of the team which is out and about in Wigan town in all weathers litter picking, disposing of fly-tipping, weeding the streets and cleaning graffiti. Jim said: “I’m very proud that we have won this award. We have worked in all weathers, all year round for this moment and hopefully everyone in the town centre is proud that we have got it.”

Other winners In North West In Bloom included Shevington in Bloom which scooped a Gold medal and won the Preston Silver Dish in the Best Town category. The Borough Wide Community Network received a Highly Commended award for its work in helping volunteer groups across the borough. And smaller groups had success such as Mosley Common In Bloom which went from ‘Thriving’ to ‘Outstanding’ in the Neighbourhood Awards section.

Our picture shows Wigan town centre environment team celebrating the award.

Classified MOTORS

Whiplash crackdown means cheaper insurance

M O T O R I S T S COULD see their insurance premiums slashed by up to £50 a year after George Osborne unveiled plans to axe cash claims for minor whiplash injuries.

Chancellor George Osborne said the Government will look to end the right to cash compensation, making it harder for people to be rewarded for exaggerated or fraudulent whiplash claims.

This will save the insurance industry more than £1 billion from the cost of providing motor insurance and stop honest motorists paying higher premiums to cover the claims of dishonest ones.

Mr Osborne told MPs in the Autumn statement he “expects” insurers to pass on savings of £40 to £50

TEL: 01257 400026 to advertise in the motors section

per motor insurance policy to consumers once the changes are in force from April 2017.

The Treasury will also make changes to allow more injuries to be able to go to the small claims court, by increasing the upper limit for these claims from £1,000 to £5,000.

It estimates that whiplash claims cost the insurance industry £2 billion a year, or £90 per policy, which it said is "out of all proportion to any genuine injury suffered".

Treasury figures show the Government will lose between £35million and £55million a year in tax as insurance premiums fall as result of the reforms, which will be subject to a consultation.

Huw Evans, the director general of the Association of British Insurers, said: "This is a

s i g n i f i c a n t breakthrough in tackling the compensation culture and is good news for motorists."

Insurance giant Aviva welcomed the whiplash claim announcement in the Autumn Statement and pledged to pass on all of the savings.

A spokesman said: "These measures will directly address motor fraud like crash for cash, reduce the volume of nuisance calls, remove costly lawyers from the process and save motorists more than 10% on their premium."

Motor-Diag DIAGNOSTIC & SERVICE CENTRE

Servicing to any make or model Service lights reset Timing Belts Brakes Engine Management & A.B.S. faults Service inc. parts/labour & VAT from £70.00 Timing belts supplied and fitted from £90.00

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Chapel Street, just off Queens St. Wigan All major credit cards accepted

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Rugby Union Roundup

Vale of Lune 3rds 17 Aspull 10 IN Intermediate Three North missed chances once again cost Aspull dear.

Despite taking the lead through a penalty by Steve Bailey, who was forced to retire with a serious knee injury just before the break, they could not hold on and trailed 12 :3 at half time The second half was more of an even contest but although Aspull had chances to win their only consolation, a try by Tom Johnson converted by John Silcock right at the end.

Aspull 2nd 30 Orrell 2nd 21 Wigan 2nd 15 Fleetwood 2nd 24

Gold Medal for Josh

ST JOHN Rigby College student Joshua Hill, pictured, won a Gold medal in Thai Boxing in the 57kg 1618 year olds category and Bronze in K1 Kickboxing in the same category competing for Team England at the World Thai Boxing Championships in Spain.

Paul Finch is

The Insider

Wigan Warriors from the Inside Out...

PAUL FINCH .

“THE World Club Series has now become a very serious event which all the leading Australian clubs want to qualify for and compete in. There will no longer be any suggestion of friendly games or warm-up matches; this is now a high profile, important international club competition which will get bigger and bigger, just as European Champions League games have become in football.

The top three NRL clubs from 2015 have qualified to compete with their equivalents in Super League and sell-outs will be the order of the day.”

That quote comes directly from Wigan Warriors chairman, Ian Lenagan, on the subject of Wigan RL’s next big on-field challenge.

Though it seems incredible, because the last one feels like it was played yesterday to me, the next WCC is already on the

Wiganers honoured in sports awards

Courier SPORT SPORTS champions from Wigan Borough have triumphed with three trophies at this year’s Greater Manchester Sports Awards.

The regional event, organised by GreaterSport and held at Lancashire County Cricket Club on Friday, celebrates the clubs and athletes, volunteers making an impact at grassroots level.

Cllr Paul Kenny, Wigan Council’s Cabinet member for sport, said: “I am delighted that individuals from Wigan Borough won three of the seven awards on the night, which once again highlights the sporting excellence on our doorstep. Well done to all the winners and everyone nominated, from our local sporting stars to the volunteers who support them and make a real difference to their community.”

Wigan Borough’s winners were: Frank Morgan (Unsung Hero) Frank was Chairman of Wigan Rugby Union Club from 1991-2012, President in the club’s centenary year in 2013 and is the Chair of the Wigan Borough Sports Council. He spearheaded the club’s junior section which has grown from one team to more than 200 young people. Frank was influential in the development of the club’s health and fitness centre

and in securing rate relief for clubs via the sports council.

Jennie Myler – Sports Achiever of the Year Aged just 15, Jennie attends Liverpool Centre of Excellence and plays football at international level for England U16s and U17s as well as England School Girls U16s. She trains seven days a week at the centre, as well as gym or goal keeper specific training, attends elite and performance camps with England. Jennie has volunteered at the SPLAT Games, her local primary school, Shevington FC and has recently become a qualified referee.

Janine Paine – Volunteer of the Year Janine’s is Social Secretary at Astley and Tyldesley Cycling Club but also runs the catering cabin, collects subscriptions and attends every away match. She fills the role of Pits Marshal at home matches and is the Team Manager for the club’s regional and county league teams.

Janine was awarded the Ron Hack Memorial Cup last November, as Astley and Tyldesley Cycling Club’s Volunteer of the Year.

Winners of the Believe Sports Awards, organised by leisure partner Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles on behalf of Wigan Council, go forward to the Greater

Manchester event annually.

Pete Burt, Managing Director of Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles, said: “We’re really proud to support local athletes and volunteers across Wigan and Leigh and it is great to see their talents and commitment at this recognised regional level.”

Yvonne Harrison, Chief Executive of GreaterSport, organisers of the Greater Manchester Sports Awards, said: “Here at GreaterSport we are honoured to host these iconic, annual awards to recognise and congratulate the people who devote their lives to sport, day in, day out, making a huge difference in their local communities.

“I believe that celebrating the hardworking of these inspiring nominees and winners from across the 10 local districts of Greater Manchester is crucial.

They are making sport happen in their area and developing community sport across our county.

Without people like these, sport and physical activity would not be as it is today.”

Our pictures show: 1.

Frank Morgan, Unsung Hero, with Roger Johnson, NW Tonight presenter and MC on the evening, Beth Tweddle MBE, guest speaker at the event, and John Shiels of

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the Manchester United Foundation.

2. Jennie Myler, Sports Achiever of the Year, with Roger Johnson, Beth Tweddle and Rob Edmonds, Race Director at Urban Attack and

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3. Janine Paine, Volunteer of the Year, with Roger Johnson, Beth Tweddle and Chris Martin, Managing Director at Volunteer Kinetic.

World Club Series now getting serious

horizon. Wigan will host Brisbane Broncos on Saturday, February 19, at the DW Stadium in front of what is likely to be a packed house.

In the other games of the series, St. Helens provide the opening attraction when they tackle Sydney City Roosters on the Friday night, with the grand finale the clash between British champions, Leeds Rhinos, and NRL champions, North Queensland Cowboys, on the Sunday.

The procession of Aussie stars who are likely to grace British pitches during the course of this tournament is mouthwatering, and the sort of talent parade we only got to see regularly in the good old days of the international tours.

Brisbane Broncos alone will be bringing such luminaries of the modern game as Darius Boyd, Jack Reed, Sam Thaiday, Adam Blair and Corey Parker, while North Queensland will field, among others, Jonathan Thurston, Michael Morgan and James Tamou, and from Sydney City we can expect to see Michael Jennings, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Isaac Liu, Daniel Tupou and of course Wigan’s own former wunderkind, Joe Burgess. (It will be painful watching Joe lining up for someone else, but thus far most of our NRL defectors

have come home again at some point, so I don’t see this as necessarily the end of the Burgess and Wigan story).

With such a plethora of high-level skill facing off against the best of British, it’s going to be a fantastic event. Ian Lenagan is certainly right to talk it up in the way he is doing.

For years, it always seemed to me that Rugby League had a gem in the World Club Challenge, and didn’t even seem to know it. Our closest sporting rival is Rugby Union, one of the greatest attractions of which, at least where our top RL players is concerned, is its amazing international dimension. Regular tours and well organised and promoted international competitions have given Union a clear edge in terms of the worldwide publicity it can offer players. In comparison, international Rugby League has been lacking in recent years. Plans to deal with this latter issue are already on the drawing-board, I understand, but in the meantime the game at last seems to be doing something useful with the World Club Challenge.

Because this was always a carrot that Rugby Union wasn’t able to dangle in front of would-be RL defectors; an annual highprofile battle between the best club sides in the Southern Hemisphere and the best sides

in the North. This was something only Rugby League players could qualify to take part in.

And yet, for quite a few years – mainly in Australia, it has to be said – too many commentators dismissed it as unimportant, as a pre-season warm-up, as a pointless friendly, and quite often, if the results went against the Aussie teams, produced laundry lists of pathetic excuses centring around the boys from Down Under not having been particularly interested in it or basically not trying very hard because it didn’t matter anyway.

Well, top NRL coaches like Wayne Bennett at Brisbane, Trent Robinson at Sydney City and Paul Green at the Cowboys, have never taken that view. And now the feeling at last seems to be spreading.

It doesn’t seem that long ago when South Sydney Rabbitohs owner Russell Crowe was talking about taking the World Club Challenge on the road, maybe even to Las Vegas, something I personally hope may still happen at some point in the future.

All parties now seem to realise that Rugby League is, and must always be, an international game, and that making this currently existing event fulfil its colossal potential will go some way at least to

cementing such a status.

It will certainly be a special one in 2016 for Wigan fans, as it will give them a chance to see the Cherry and Whites tangle again with long-serving sparring partners, the Broncos.

You won’t need a long memory to recollect that happened in this corresponding fixture in 2015, when 21,000 supporters watched an epic struggle, Wigan trailing 6-12 for much of the game, only to see Joe Burgess break clear on the 78th minute and sprint 90 yards to score in the corner. Matty Smith’s superb touchline conversion edged Wigan into ‘golden point’ territory, only for referee Phil Bentham to hand Brisbane a very harsh penalty right under the Wigan posts a few minutes later, and give the game to them on a plate.

Losing to Brisbane Broncos by 12-14 is hardly discreditable. But what a way to experience defeat in a major fixture.

Anyway, the importance of next February’s re-match speaks for itself. Anyone who doesn’t feel he needs to be there requires his head seeing to, in my view. The good news, of course, is that it’s only a two months away and a little bit.

Exciting, or what?

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Courier SPORT

Students combine Rugby and Study

Sasha promoted to 2nd degree black belt

is going and what games we have coming up. I would say to other young sports people who are leaving school that it is possible to balance play, training and study. All it takes

ORRELL Ju Jitsu Student Sasha Tunney was promoted to the grade of Nidan 2nd degree black belt in Yoshin Ryu Ju Jitsu at the UK HQ of the World Ju Jitsu, Kubudu & Security Association (WJJKSA) in Southport on Saturday 7th November.

Sasha was being graded by independent assessor Master Moore of St Helens Ju Jitsu Academy and Hanshi Phillips, National coach of the WJJKSA. At 17 Sasha has become the youngest woman in the association to achieve the grade.

Sasha is a student at Winstanley college, and trains and teaches at Orrell Ju Jitsu every Saturday and has been attending the club for more than eight years.

Sahsa is pictured with Sensei Stuart Swalwell, Senior Instructor at Orrell Ju Jitsu & Area coach of the WJJKSA.

Opinion straight from the goalmouth

By our Latics columnist Sam Oliver

ALL in all, November has been a fruitful month for Wigan Athletic.

A couple of wins and a draw, along with the 4-0 demolition of Blackpool in the Football League Trophy, have set us up superbly well for the busy December period.

It means the Latics are now very handily-placed in the table, closing in on the likes of Walsall, Burton Albion and

FUTURE FOUR PROFESSIONAL rugby league stars have achieved the perfect balance between study and sport thanks to a unique partnership between Wigan Warriors RLFC and Winstanley College.

Alex Bolton, Ollie Partington, James Barran and Samuel Adejumo all play for the Wigan Warriors Under 19s team and have hopes to go on to play for the professional team in the near future.

After leaving school last year, the lads were keen to continue their studies and achieve A-level qualifications, alongside playing for the prestigious club. Winstanley’s Professional Pathway in Rugby

League was the perfect solution, since a specially designed timetable allows for lessons and study to fit in around busy training schedules.

The four talented players, all 17, are each studying for three A-levels and will take their final exams in summer 2017.

Securing these qualifications will give them the option of going on to university, which was an important consideration for James, who is Human Biology, studying Psychology and PE. He said: “I think it is really important to give yourself options for the future and although it is hard work both training and coming to college, I know it will be worth it in the long run.”

Oliver added, “the College is really supportive and my personal tutor is always asking me about how training

Caldwell and Co turn up the heat

Gillingham at the top.

The 4-0 FA Cup loss to Bury wasn’t ideal but it gives us the opportunity to focus on the Football League Trophy; if we beat Barnsley on Saturday, we’ll be just one game away from Wembley. It almost feels like 2013 all over again!!

It’s also been pleasing to see Gary Caldwell offer David Perkins a new oneyear contract extension. I’ll admit I was sceptical when the ex-Blackpool midfielder initially joined us but he’s been a revelation so

far this season. He seems to be at the heart of every move the side makes and Caldwell clearly rates him highly. Perkins is one of those die-hard players that literally never stop running, so much so that he almost reminds me of the Duracell bunny.

Yanic Wildschut has also been causing havoc to other sides’ defences.

The flying Dutchman, currently on loan from Middlesbrough, is a menace on the wing.

His contract at Boro is up at the end of the season and it’d be pleasing to see

Caldwell tempt him to the DW on a permanent basis.

Whilst player performances have been good overall, there’s still the odd game here-and-there where the side don’t seem to ‘click’.

Saturday’s trip to Essex to face Southend United was a prime example of this. Leon Barnett had a couple of attempts saved by the Shrimps’ goalkeeper Dan Bentley, but apart from that it was a fairly non-descript 0-0 draw. Because of the intense competitiveness of League One, pretty

much any team in the division can nick points off another side – we need to continue to pick up as many points as we can against the top sides to continue the promotion push.

December will be a crucial month for Wigan. The next time I pen this column we could be in the automatic promotion spots with a potential day-out at Wembley to look forward to or we could be languishing outside of the play-offs with a Christmas hangover. Let’s hope it’s the former!!

is a bit of determination and supportive learning environment.”

Our picture shows students Alex Bolton, Ollie Partington, James Barran and Samuel Adejumo outside College.

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