Local Life Wigan

Wigan Edition

Jack’s Back!

5½ mile country walk

March 2012

New F What eature ’s y View?our Orrell Tip

Grow yer Own! Allotments for all!

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! at s us st l P Te rm A te lts s Ta Ho e th

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What’s your View?

Publisher: Local Life 247 Ltd P.O. Box 631 Wigan WN1 9HF Tel: 01695 627999 Advertising Chris Pearce chrisp@locallife247.co.uk Editorial Nicola Gray nicolag@locallife247.co.uk Accounts/Distribution Sally Boon sallyb@locallife247.co.uk The April edition of Local Life will be published on Thursday 29th March. The copy deadline for this issue is Thursday 15th March.

Local Life is published every month.

Distribution areas will alternate each month between two separate edition areas; This edition is delivered to over 12,500 private homes and businesses in Orrell, Billinge, Winstanley, Up Holland, Highfield, Marus Bridge, Roby Mill and Pemberton.

The loss of any local amenity always brings out strong views from residents, and the proposed closure of Orrell Tip certainly brought a reaction from Local Life readers. Our new ‘What’s your View’ feature allows readers to air their views in the magazine via an e-mail survey and you can see what they had to say on pages 46-49.

Jack’s back! Our popular local walk series kicks in again just in time for Spring, which hopefully will bring some warmer weather. This walk is gentle enough for a warm-up; 5½ miles taking in the undemanding landscapes in Garswood and skirting round the fringes of Ashton and Billinge.

This month’s magazine is littered with great offers; 20% off food at The Foot on Crank Road, Billinge, a free sausages offer from Windy Arbour farm shop, 50% off Perfect Fit conservatory blinds, £50 off Rock Doors and the list goes on! To avoid missing out on these offers, do make sure you read the magazine from cover to cover!

We’d like to congratulate two well established local companies, Orrell Windows and Kays Dairies, who both reach important milestones. Orrell Windows reach their 10th birthday in style and Kays, who have been around since 1954, launch their online shopping service, perfect for convenience goods!

Speaking of milestones though, Local Life will have a milestone of our own to celebrate soon because your next issue of Local Life will be produced at our new unit on Hewitts Business Park, on Winstanley Road in Orrell! Yes, the days of producing the magazine in a bedroom on Sandy Lane and, later, a converted garage on Naburn Drive are over.

Scary stuff indeed – wish us luck won’t you!

The next edition is delivered to over 12,500 private homes and businesses in Standish, Whitley, Shevington, Appley Bridge, Parbold, Wrightington and Newburgh.

See you next time!

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

chrisp@locallife247.co.uk

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

No part of this publication, including pictures, may be copied or reproduced without the prior written consent of Local Life 247 Ltd.

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

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In this issue Taste Test at the Holts Arms 50% off conservatory blinds West is Best – Canada Unveiled Orrell Roofline profile Shop Online at Kays Dairies The Green Thing Recipe – Beautiful Burgers Free Sausages Offer!

Your Health £50 off a Rock Door!

Changing Times at Prosper Online Business Tips from CMA What’s Your View – Orrell Tip? What’s On Kids Puzzle Page Love your Pets take up! With VW Motoring Section Jack’s Tracks Angie’s Garden Diary Grow yer Own Home Services Green & Clean’s Useful Numbers

14 19 22 26 30 32 34 35 36 38 40 43 46 50 52 53 54 56 58 62 64 66 74

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New Year, New Premises!

The same high-quality service in a new and prominent location For the last 15 years Linda Regan Finance has been providing professional financial services to our many clients from our offices within Regan & Hallworth on Library Street, Wigan.

We are delighted to announce that we have invested in new and larger premises on Hallgate in the town centre which we will be occupying from March 2012.

We have always prided ourselves on our 100% independence across all areas of financial services but this move also allows us to offer more services to a wider range of customers.

We not only provide mortgage and protection advice to clients irrespective of who they may be using to buy or sell their properties, but our specialist Elanor Hill can offer advice on Pensions and Investments to ensure that your money is working for you even in this difficult climate.

We offer a truly comprehensive and independent financial services package that will ensure you are in the best position possible for a successful future.

So, if you are thinking of buying or selling your property, are a first time buyer, looking at your retirement options or looking for the best place to invest your money, then come and see us and be sure that you will be getting advice that is truly independent.

30 Hallgate, Wigan WN1 1 t: 01942 739999 m: 07590 333880 e: admin@lrfinancenw.co.uk w: www.lrfinancenw.co.uk Independent Financial Advice, Mortgages, Pensions, Protection & Investments

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Local Life

Foul Play

Father Gerry Tuite, the Parish Priest at St James RC Church in Orrell, has joined forces with local councillor David Arrowsmith to blast dog walkers who fail to clear up after their dogs in the church’s graveyard and the nearby path running from St James Road to Church Street.

The priest claims that dog fouling in the church’s graveyard has steadily been getting worse over the past two years. Father Gerry says “Parishioners have complained to me on a number of occasions. They have come to pay their respects to their loved ones only to find dog fouling near the graves.”

Despite putting up various notices and making an effort to spot the culprits, he has been unsuccessful so far. Father Gerry says that his parishioners have called the acts “disgraceful” and “almost an act of sacrilege”, and says that the actions by the culprits show “a total lack of respect for the local community”.

supply onto the Neighbourhood Team, who will take action”.

Councillor Arrowsmith can be contacted on 01942 486859.

Knit and Natter

A new Knit and Natter group is looking for new members! If you have Tuesday afternoon free and you’d like to knit and have a natter, then make your way to Jireh Baptist Church in Chapel Street in Pemberton. The group meets from 1.30 to 3.00pm in school term time and are happy to welcome both experienced and beginner knitters. They also have a sales outlet for blankets and baby items. Wool and needles can be provided for those of you who wish to learn to knit. For further information you can contact Pam Thomas by email on pthomas168@btinternet. com or just turn up on the day.

Spring Fayre

The good people at Orrell Methodist Church are holding their Spring Fayre at the church on Saturday 17th March from 10.30am-2.00pm. There will be various stalls open, craft activities and lunches will be served too. Flowers will be available at the Church, which is situated on Church Drive in Orrell, just in time for Mothering Sunday. Everyone is welcome, so just pop along and bag a bargain!

The Orrell and Billinge Network brought the problem to the attention of local Councillor David Arrowsmith, who has alerted the council’s Neighbourhood Team to the problem. David advised “If you see a dog fouling and the owner fails to pick it (the waste) up, please take action. Take a picture if you can, but don’t approach the dog owner as you don’t know how they will react”.

David continues, “If you know the person, please call me and let me have their name and address, if you have it. Any information supplied will be in total confidence, and I will pass on the information you

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If you’re serious about Are you fed selling your house in waiting 2012 up of for your there’s only one estate agent estate you need…. agent to sell your house?

Call Borron Shaw now!

Due to unprecedented levels of sales so far in 2012, Borron Shaw has a waiting list of potential buyers in the Orrell, Billinge & Up Holland areas.

If you live in these areas and you’d like to sell your home, call us now on 01695 632123 for a free valuation.

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Yoga Launch

New yoga classes for beginners have just been launched at the Grange Community Centre in Highfield Grange Avenue in Marus Bridge. Dru Yoga is said to be very therapeutic and is suitable for all ages and abilities; it works on balancing the body, mind and spirit, improving strength and flexibility and revitalising your whole being.

Dalton Dinkies

If you look after a pre-school child then you’ll be pleased to hear that the Dalton Dinkies have been formed to help you and your child! The group meets in the new hall at Dalton St Michael’s School from 9.30am-11am during term time. All pre-school children and babies are welcome to go along with their parents/grandparents or child minder to join in the fun and games. For more information please call 01257 462082.

The classes run on Thursdays from 6-7pm and on Fridays from 1.30-2.30pm, and you’ll need to wear loose comfortable clothing, and also take along a yoga mat, a blanket and a bottle of water. For more information, please contact Claire on 07742 913 711 or email kakiniyoga@gmail.com.

Bowled Over

Up Holland Bowling Club are looking for new members to join them for the start of the season. It doesn’t matter if you’re a complete novice or the best bowler since Gareth Gwilliam, they would still like you to come along. For more details about joining the club, who bowl at the bowling green on Hall Green, please call Jim or Cath Doren on 01695 712958.

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Open Day

If you’re a resident of Billinge or Orrell, keep Saturday 12th May free in your diary – because that’s the date of the ‘Have your Say’ Open Day, which will be held at Salem Hall in Church Street from 10am2.30pm. The Open Day is being hosted by the Orrell and Billinge Network and sponsored by the following local companies and organisations; Royal Bank of Scotland, Borron Shaw, Winstanley College, Orrell Windows and Local Life.

The main objective of the Open Day is to invite residents to have their say on what they would like to see in the Orrell and Billinge area and formulate a local plan - a local plan formulated by local people. All

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residents of the Orrell and Billinge ward are welcome to come along.

What’s on your wish list? Would you like to see more activity groups, or is preserving the heritage more important to you? Do you think children have enough to do, or do you think improving the aesthetic quality of the place is paramount? Have you got any ideas you can put forward?

How would you support fund raising initiatives - would you use a regular car boot sale or welcome a Saturday market? What fundraising ideas can you bring along? How can you get involved with the Network? Would you come along to our monthly meetings or would you prefer to be kept updated via a website or a newsletter?

All these questions need an answer and you can help provide that by coming along on the day! See the May issue of Local Life for more details on the Open Day.

Local Life

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Anthorn Decision Due

The re-bidding process, requested by the Local Government Ombudsman, for the future use of the Anthorn Road/Smithy Brook Park facility in Marus Bridge has now closed and council officers are now reviewing the bids received. Winstanley Warriors, whose former president was local Labour councillor Rona Winkworth and is run by Shaun Rotheram, the son of another local Labour councillor, were granted planning permission in May 2011 to develop the site as a licensed clubhouse and playing fields.

After the Ombudsman’s intervention last Autumn , Mike Cotter, the Chairman of Cherrybrook Football Club prepared the 147-page bid for the use of the site

as Winstanley Sports Club, an all-inclusive charity that proposes to equally represent all members of the sporting community in Winstanley, Marus Bridge and Hawkley Hall. If the bid from Winstanley Sports Club is successful, then Anthorn Road will be transformed into a multi-purpose community hall, and the rest of the site into a mecca for local sportspeople of all ages.

In addition to Cherrybrook, the plan is supported by local football clubs Highfield Grange and Hawkley Bridge. Other local sports who are supporting the bid are Wigan St Pats, Wigan Karate Club, Highfield Netball club and the Hawks Cheerleaders. Local schools have also been quick to support the bid too with Winstanley Community Primary School, Highfield St Matthews and Hawkley Hall High school all lending their support.

The decision for Wigan Council is expected to be revealed within a few weeks.

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Local Life 11

Bonne Chance

Players from the Under 14 team at local amateur RL team Orrell St James will be going on tour to France in June and they are giving local businesses the chance to sponsor the team’s tour kit.

The successful winner will have their business details embroidered onto the tour shirt, will get a photo of the team in the sponsored clothing, the team picture will also be published in Local Life and the details will be posted on of the winner on Orrell St James ARLFC website www.pitchero.com/clubs/orrellstjamesarlfc.

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If you’re interested in winning the chance to sponsor the team, simply donate £20 and your business will be entered into a raffle to sponsor the tour shirt. The raffle will be drawn at St James Club, Orrell on Sunday 18th March 2012 at 1pm. To buy your ticket for the draw, please call Sean McHugh now on 07917 352182.

Photos Required

Local Life are always on the lookout for pictures to use in future editions of the magazine, and would particularly like to hear from amateur photographers who can supply scenic shots of the local area at various times of year, both in a portrait and landscape format, and we’d also like to hear from people who have old scenic photographs that we can use. Please email your details to editorial@locallife247.co.uk or call us on 01695 627999.

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Local Life 13

The Foot Returns!

Nicola Gray

It was a cold, damp and foggy February afternoon when I walked into the Holts Arms in Crank Road in Billinge. The roaring fire, the quaint country pub atmosphere and the prospect of a really good meal though, made the stresses and strains of the week just fall away.

‘The Foot’, as it is known locally due to its position at the foot of the ancient causeway that once linked Manchester and Liverpool, has always been a very popular local venue with locals of all ages. You could easily lose a winter’s afternoon here, with its roaring log fire, low beams, a host of real ales and a friendly buzz. It closed for a while when the previous owners left, but the place underwent an extensive refurbishment in May last year, with a new look to compliment a new menu. The decor is warm, the space is enormously well thought through and it’s a classic English country pub.

Surrounded by beautiful countryside the Holts Arms is the ideal venue to recharge your batteries after a brisk walk with a gourmet feast or pint at the bar. Well behaved dogs are welcome in the pub too. Since the refurbishment, manager Phil Guest is doing a roaring 14

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The menu is enough to make your mouth water with everything from pub classics like fish and chips and gammon steak to something for a more exotic palate like fresh Spanish seafood tagliatelle. Partial to a bit of Pate my eyes lit up when I spotted the Chicken Liver Pate. It tasted lovely; light and not too over powering and was accompanied by the most delicious homemade onion marmalade, a great start to what turned out to be an incredible meal.

My fellow diner, Ben, opted for the Marinated Olives, Pesto and Tomato Concasse. Now Ben is quite a connoisseur when it comes to olives and reliably informed me that they were satisfyingly fresh and packed with taste. This came with a basket of warm bread and was perfectly proportioned as a starter.

On to the main course and we couldn’t wait to see our favourite winter warmers. I went for the Legendary Holts Arms 8oz Steak Burger, complete with Blue

leave any on my plate! This meal was served with mayonnaise, tomato relish, some delightful hand cut chips and onion rings.

Ben went for the Beer Battered Fish and Hand Cut Chips again and I could see from his face that he was impressed with the portion; he couldn’t wait to get started and it didn’t last very long! The lightly battered fresh fish was served with hand cut chips, mushy peas and homemade tartar sauce and I’m pleased to say that Ben will be taking me back to the Holts Arms again to sample some of the other dishes, high praise indeed!

Perhaps it is because the Holts Arms is a country pub, but the portions served up were large enough to feed a hungry farmer! And because of this, we just couldn’t manage a dessert each, so we shared a hot chocolate fudge cake with vanilla ice cream! It didn’t sit around long enough to get cold; it was the most indulgent way to finish a truly memorable meal.

But don’t take my word for it! As you can see from the voucher offer below, Phil is keen to attract customers old and new to the Holts Arms to try out the wonderful food. If you’ve not been to the Foot for a while, why not pop in during March and re-acquaint yourself with the finest old country pub in the area; a place of homecooked food, real beer and great company.

The Holts Arms Crank Road, Billinge. WN5 7DT 01695 628006

20% off! your next food bill at the Holts Arms

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trade and this is unquestionably down to the outstanding cuisine; the imaginative rustic menu is perfect for the place! Phil has also been awarded the Cask Marque Award for his real ales and scored an outstanding 100% in all categories, so if you want to experience real ale at its best don’t look any further.

Offer not valid on Friday and Saturday evenings from 5pm onwards or on Mother’s Day (18th March).

Cheese and Bacon and for the amount of food on the plate, the value for money is legendary! The beef was tender and tasty and extremely moreish, so much so that I just had to finish it all as I couldn’t bear to www.locallife247.co.uk

Expiry date Thursday 29th March 2012 Offer not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.

Local Life 15

Charity Concert

Prestonborn singer songwriter Stephen Bayliss, who has performed at major venues throughout the North West for the past 20 years, visits Aspull Civic Hall next month to perform a charity gig in aid of the Mayor’s Charity.

The singer, who has toured with Cliff Richard in the past and even has a street in Preston named after him, performs on Saturday 31st March at the Woods Lane venue. The money raised by this year’s mayoral charities will be split between Marie Curie and the Wigan branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Tickets to the concert are priced at £15, the evening starts with a reception at 7.30pm and the ticket price also includes a hot buffet. Tickets are available from Janet Lumley at the Mayor’s Office on 01942 404149 or from Trevor Edmondson on 07947 510659.

Hall on Lodge Road in Orrell. Entrance is free and everyone is welcome! Just bring along some food and drink to share and don’t forget to tell your friends and neighbours. Anyone who would like to join in with the music just bring your instrument along on the night – don’t be shy, it’s meant to be fun, not a serious musical recital! Piano, guitar and PA system will be provided. For further details contact Mandy on 01695 632825.

Local Walks

Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Active Living Team programme of Local Walks is now available until March 2012. There are a variety of walks featured lasting between 20 minutes and two hours including some themed walks, and are suitable for all ages and abilities. You can visit Active Living’s website at www. getactivewiganandleigh.co.uk or contact Active Living on 01942 488481. Brochures are also available from your local library.

Pot Luck – The Sequel

After the roaring success of last year’s Pot Luck Party, Billinge & Orrell Transition Group and Orrell & Billinge Community Network have again joined forces to hold another Party and acoustic open mic night on Friday 23rd March from 6pm to 10pm at St Luke’s Church

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Local Life 17

Circle Dance

If you’ve come to the end of the line with line dancing and square dancing is too, well, square for you, why not try out circle dance? The Circle Dance Group meets in Up Holland most Thursday evenings from 7.30pm to 9.00pm at Up Holland Methodist Church on Alma Hill. The cost per session is £6 and if you haven’t circle danced before you can come and try your first session for free!

Circle dances can be gentle and reflective or energetic and lively. Anyone of any age or ability can circle dance. Each dance is taught, there is no audience and everyone is welcome. So come on your own, or with a friend, and join in - you do not need a partner.

The Up Holland group celebrated its 25th birthday and they are always keen to welcome new dancers Dancing in a circle is an ancient tradition common to many cultures for marking special occasions, strengthening community and encouraging togetherness. Modern circle dance draws on the rich and diverse traditional dances of many countries, including the Balkans, Greece, Israel, Russia, and France. There is also a growing repertoire of new dances to classical and contemporary music.

Please contact Cindy at cindy@myrriadd.com or call her on 01925 733603 for more details.

If you’re a member of a community group and you want to publicise your next event free in Local Life, then just email details along with a contact name and number to editorial@locallife247.co.uk.

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Local Life 19

Plant a Tree

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The environmental group Red Rose Forest is on the lookout for new members. The group, which is a non-profit making charity supported by Community Forests North West, plants trees wherever they are needed in urban areas. They turn ugly land into green space and even create green roofs on buildings. In addition to their own tree-planting, they also work with schools, volunteers, community groups and businesses to help their green projects. If you would like to become a Friend of the Forest, visit their website at www.redroseforest.co.uk. You’ll get

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to hear about latest green news and events, you can search through the opportunities to volunteer and you can get free stuff too!

Billinge History

The Billinge History and Heritage Society now meet on the second Tuesday of the month at Chapel End Labour Club in Billinge. Their next meeting takes place on Tuesday 13th March when the speaker is Brian Halliwell, and the subject is Lady Pirates. Brian has given talks previously at the club on The Golden Age of Comedy, and he will be returning in July to give us Part 4 of this talk. If you want any further information about the group please contact Susan Mather on 01744 892430 or email devinemather@ sky.com.

If you’re a member of a community group and you want to publicise your next event free in Local Life, then just email details along with a contact name and number to editorial@locallife247.co.uk.

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Local Life 21

West is Best!

Canada stretches 4,000 miles from Pacific to Atlantic, and there’s much more to see than just mountains, moose and Mounties. All the travel guides indicate though that ‘West is Best’; Canada’s top attractions are based on the Pacific seaboard of this beautiful country.

Think sublime scenery and great cities and that sums up what’s waiting for you in Canada. Despite being the world’s second largest country, the population of

Canada is just half of the UK’s, so getting away from it all is easy. Walk a popular trail and you might see half a dozen people in a day; rent a canoe and you could be the only boat on a still lake.

The best way to appreciate the scenic beauty of Canada’s west and the Rocky Mountains is to travel by train. Travelling on-board the Rocky Mountaineer service is an unforgettable experience, the rail trip of a lifetime. There are three routes available, but the entire journey takes place during daylight hours to ensure you enjoy every minute of the breath-taking scenery: glacier-fed lakes, majestic mountains and fast moving rivers. To help you marvel at the aweinspiring landscapes, the Rocky Mountaineer offers a choice of three service levels, including its famous Goldleaf service where you travel on board a two level glass-domed coach!

En route the Rocky Mountaineer you can take in some of the majestic jewels of Canada, such as; Banff - Voted the country’s top tourist attraction by Trip Advisor, Banff offers an irresistible combination of perfect powder, luxury lodges and fine dining. Flanked on all sides by the Rockies, a thriving arts scene and

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proximity to Banff National Park adds to the allure of Banff.

Whistler - Historically a winter vacation spot, this magnificent alpine village hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics, but has seen outdoor enthusiasts flocking to enjoy the summer months in recent years.

Whistler is named after the furry marmots that fill the surrounding mountains with their distinct whistle sound.

Jasper – The epitome of Canada’s extraordinary wilderness. Low-key and unpretentious with good food and drink, Jasper is great for hiking and golfing in summer and skiing and dog sledding in winter. You can heat up at Miette Hot Springs in the National Park or take in the splendour of Maligne Lake (pictured).

Voted by many to be the most beautiful city is the world, and a must for visitors to western Canada, is Vancouver, which rises from Canada’s Pacific seaboard against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks.

The city has a mild, temperate climate: basking in temperatures in the high 70’s Fahrenheit in summer, and rarely freezing in winter. But although the mountains frame the city, it is the water that defines the boundaries of the downtown peninsula.

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The ocean is reflected in the shimmering skyscrapers of the financial district, or you can catch glimpses between the clapboard houses of the West End. The Seawall Promenade uncoils past beaches and marinas to the wild expanses of Stanley Park, while seaplanes crisscross the straits to Vancouver Island.

Whether it’s a cable car ride up to the summit of Grouse Mountain or unwinding in the waterfront cafés and beachside lidos, Vancouver has it all to offer!

Beyond the museums and galleries, Buddhist temples jostle with Chinese gardens, karaoke bars and stores selling silks and gold in Vancouver’s Chinatown.

Don’t forget to catch the Aquabus to Granville Island, Vancouver’s answer to Covent Garden, which is filled with fine waterfront restaurants, theatres, galleries, studios, unique shops, cafes and the most spectacular fresh food market you’ve ever seen.

Canada’s calling – so if you fancy doing something really different this year, pop into Marken Travel at 200 Main Street in Billinge have a chat about Canada.

Whether it’s train journeys, motorhome holidays, coach tours, cruises or independent travel, Marken Travel can help you along your way to the holiday of a lifetime!

Local Life 23

Join the Brownies!

If you have an active daughter or granddaughter between the ages of 7-10 and they have free time to spare then why not think about them joining the Brownies? The 1st Shevington (St Annes) are looking for new members to join their Brownie Unit. The group meets for lots of fun every Thursday (5.15pm6.45pm) at St Annes Parish Hall in Shevington, and do lots of different activities. They work towards badges such as First Aid, Computers, Stargazing, Circus Performer, Cook and lots more. If you’re interested in finding out more, then please call 07527 603741 or email wngirlguiding@hotmail.com.

PJ Parties

Come along to the Pyjama Parties at Hope Community Library at The Grange and have some

fun; this activity is suitable for pre-school children and runs between 5pm-6.30pm. You’ll find yourself singing, signing, doing action songs and listening to stories. Funbox Jo will also be there with a fun craft activity. Booking is essential, so please call 01942 777545 to book your place. Dates for the Pyjama Parties are as follows; Tuesday 28th February, Tuesday 6th and Tuesday 20th March.

Charity Concert

The Parkside Colliery Male Voice Choir comes to Wigan for a charity concert next month. The concert on Saturday 21st April, which is aid of Macmillan nurses and the Mission Aviation Fellowship, will be held at Trinity United Reformed Church on Milton Grove in Wigan (opposite the Cherry Gardens pub).

Tickets are £5 for adults and £4 for concessions, which includes tea and biscuits, and can be reserved by contacting Gill Brimelow on 01942 515791. The concert starts at 7.30pm.

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Local Life 25

The Real Deal “Do you notice anything different

about me?” is a phrase that strikes the fear of God into most men. You quickly run through a mental checklist; hair, eyebrows, weight, clothes. And usually by the time you cotton on, you’re in the doghouse again!

Well, it’s a bit like that when you spot a house that has had the Orrell Roofline treatment; you know it looks nicer and more attractive than the other houses but it takes you a minute to figure out why. It’s those seamless aluminium gutters!

Before

They make the house look clean and stylish, and there’s no unsightly joins or any of those fiddly plastic clips which are a nightmare to clean properly. As Sean McHugh, the co-owner of Orrell Roofline, tells everyone; “You just don’t realise the difference until you see it with your own eyes!”

When you have aluminium gutters fitted, they are made to measure to on site by Orrell Roofline, who use a nifty bit of expensive kit that forms the gutters to exact size, eradicating the need to use any joins. So if you need a 20 foot run of guttering, you get a single 20 foot run; not three 6 foot runs and a 2 foot run with 3 joins and numerous clips.

Not only does the aluminium guttering look better, it lasts longer too!

These aluminium gutters are guaranteed to last for at least 25 years. In comparison, you can expect UPVC gutters to last for just 10-15 years and unlike plastic guttering, aluminium will not discolour, loose shape or become brittle. The aluminium is powder coated, so will never need painting, just a quick clean with a jet wash, and it comes in three colours, white, black and brown, which complements the standard fascia board colours.

And just as you wouldn’t get a roofer to fix your electrics or a plumber to mend your washer, why would anyone get a builder or a window company to install roofline? Orrell Roofline are the real deal, a roofline company that specialise only in roofline; fascias, soffits, cladding, dry verge and those aluminium gutters.

26 Local Life

After

Orrell-based Sean, and his business partner, Stephen Shaw, have over 45 years of roofline experience between them and the company is a member of the Wigan Council Good Traders Scheme, where they have attracted 5 star grades and rave reviews for the quality of their work, Seamless aluminium guttering is normally 10-15% more expensive than its UPVC equivalent. This makes economic sense; after all, it looks better, lasts longer and it’s maintenance free.

However, Orrell Roofline has again put together a special offer only for Local Life readers – you can have aluminium gutters fitted for the same price as UPVC gutters! Just call them before the end of the year and quote ‘Local Life offer’ to qualify for your discount.

Call Orrell Roofline now on 01942 735515 or 07917 352182.

www.orrellroofline.co.uk

Proud Sponsors of Orrell St James Open Age Section

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Managing Your Money

Today’s economic crisis has left many people struggling to manage tight budgets. Today’s Community Church in Wigan is running a completely free money management course to help people to deal with the management of a budget, helping to show people how to get out of debt.

The CAP (Christians Against Poverty) Money Course is run by a group of trained coaches, helping you if you are struggling financially or even if you just want to get a better grip on your finances to be able to save for your future. CAP Money Course is designed for all kinds of people, and will cover the topics of building a budget, dealing with cash and learning the power of

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saving instead of putting everything on a credit card.

It uses sound principles which are easy to understand and implement.

Rachel Belfield of TCC said, “CAP Money Course is great because it brings you back to realising the value of dealing in cash, not plastic. If they are handled properly, you can make your finances work for you, rather than the other way around.”

This course can be taken by anyone who has an income, from couples to students to single parent families who want to invest in their futures. It runs over 3 days spread over 3 weeks during March and April from 7.30pm – 9pm at Today’s Community Church, The Pier Centre, Pottery Road, Wigan, WN3 5AB. If you would like to find out more or would like to sign up for this free course simply ring 01942 244460, and ask to speak to Rachel or alternatively email rbelfield@tcclife.com. For more information about the course, visit www.capmoney.com.

Local Life 27

Rock n’ Soul

They have appeared on Holby City and Eastenders, sung on BBC Radio two and have a string of celebrity endorsements as long as Southport Pier, and now they are coming to St John’s Church in Pemberton. They are, of course, Souls of Prophecy, one of the UK’s top Gospel Choirs. Souls of Prophecy will be performing in the Church on Saturday 28th April 2012 and tickets are now on sale.

Described by singing star Paloma Faith as “Amazing”,

by TV and radio presenter, Dr Fox as “Superb” and entertainer Lionel Blair recently stated that Souls of Prophecy are “Quite simply, one of the best and most compulsive Gospel Choirs I have ever seen.”

Concert organiser, Stephen Southern, is hopeful that the visit by Souls of Prophecy will enthuse the parish to embrace the new style of service but is keen to point out that just because they are a Gospel Choir does not mean they will only be performing religious songs.

28 Local Life

Stephen said, “They have a varied repertoire and will be performing modern pop songs as well as the ‘Sister Act’ style everybody associates with Gospel Choirs. The choir leader, Jay Kamiraz, (a Princes’ Trust Ambassador) has already visited our Primary School to attend a singing workshop with the young children. With the success of this wonderfully, unique concert I would hope that we can work together in the future and make this event a regular feature of life at St John’s.”

St. John’s has been attempting to modernise its worship style over the past 6 months by introducing a more appealing, family friendly type of morning service as an alternative to the more traditional style that has been practised over the previous 180 years of its history. They feel that the introduction of modern hymns and a more relaxed style will appeal to families with younger children which so far, have been proven as congregations at St John’s have risen at these monthly services.

Tickets priced at £15 each are strictly limited and available from Stephen Southern by telephoning 01257 423801 or 07766 862756. However, you will need to hurry as this event is likely to be a sell out.

You can listen to Souls of Prophecy in all their glory by visiting their website www.jkcreativearts.com.

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Local Life 29

Local Company Helps Great British Tradition Go Online Kay’s Dairy is a local family owned company based in Wigan, with over sixty years of doorstep delivery service. Now they are launching their new online shopping services - have a look at www.kaysdairy.co.uk which combines online convenience with traditional values, creating an even better service and more choice for local householders, schools and businesses.

Milk with a Twist

Kay’s are adding a modern twist to the Great British tradition of The Milkman. These days the Kay’s Dairy milkmen have hand-held digital computers instead of rounds books and on their website you will be surprised at the vast range of products your ‘milk’man can bring you – all with FREE delivery.

From fresh produce to pet food - even garden products and grit for your drive! They can also offer convenient ways to pay your bill, including direct debits or online – so no more waiting in to pay, or having the cash to hand.

Generations

Established in 1954 by Mr Bill Kay, the company has gone from strength to strength 30 Local Life

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to become one of the Northwest’s largest retail dairies, serving over 7,200 doorstep customers and 150 shops, schools and businesses in the Wigan area.

Generations of many local families have grown up with the fresh milk and produce they have delivered, no matter the weather, direct to doorsteps and schools.

Kay’s have ensured local schools can continue to offer nutritious milk to their Early Years children by providing free fridges for them to store the milk in.

Supporting the Community

Kay’s Dairy now employ 25 local people and have a strong commitment to the community, actively supporting The Wigan and Leigh Hospice for many years. In fact this year they are proud to announce that they have joined forces with the Hospice and become a Sponsor of their successful lottery, which helps raise the vital funds needed to provide care, respite and support to local people.

into the 21st Century with the new pioneering developments.

Malcolm Kay, the eldest son, says “The success and growth of Kay’s Dairy is due to our total commitment to provide the highest level of customer service to both retail and business customers alike. That is why so many of our customers have stayed loyal to Kay’s Dairy for many years. Now they will benefit from the new innovative services and products we can offer.”

“Our website is our ’shop window’ where you can select from over 170 great products, many sourced locally. A couple of clicks and you can amend or add to your regular order – right up to 10pm in the evening - and the products will be delivered free to your doorstep, fresh the next morning.”

First for Service

Kay’s Dairy’s progressive approach to improving the service and convenience they offer means they are seeing their steady growth continuing.

However, no matter how large the company becomes, they will always stand by their main objective of satisfying their customers with the best service and produce possible.

Thriving

The company has seen many changes to the dairy industry and the area but they have continued to thrive. Mr Kay senior is still active in the business and now his four sons are taking the business www.locallife247.co.uk

Kay’s Dairy is always bringing more to your door! www.kaysdairy.co.uk

Local Life 31

Back then, we washed the baby’s nappies because we didn’t have disposable nappies. We dried clothes on a line using wind and solar power, not by throwing them in an energy gobbling machine. Kids got handme-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not throwaway clothing from Primark. When we were thirsty we drank corporation pop from a tap instead of opening a plastic bottle and we refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen. But we didn’t have the green thing back then.

Back then, we had one TV in the house – not one in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief, not a screen the size of the living room wall. In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn’t have electric machines to do everything for us. Back then, we didn’t fire up an engine and burn petrol just to cut the lawn. We used to push a mower that ran on human power.

We exercised by working so we didn’t need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But she’s right; we didn’t have the green thing back then.

The Green Thing Whilst taking the weekly shop through the tills at the local superstore, it was suggested to a customer by the young cashier that she should bring her own grocery bags in future because plastic bags weren’t good for the environment. The woman explained, “We didn’t have this green thing back in my earlier days.” The cashier, “That’s our problem today.

Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations.”

Back then, kids walked or rode their bikes when they went to school or visited their friends, instead of turning their parents into a 24-hour taxi service.

We had one electrical socket in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn’t need a computerised gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pie shop.

But isn’t it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn’t have the green thing back then? If only they knew ...

Despite our best efforts, the author of this article remains unknown.

This piece was printed in St Luke’s Church magazine recently and we have reprinted it – with a few of our own amendments!

She was right; our generation didn’t have the green thing in its day.

Back then, we returned bottles to the shop or to the ‘pop man’, who returned them to the plant to be washed and sterilised and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they were recycled.

We carried our own plates to the chippy every Friday for our tea. We didn’t climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go up the road. But she was right; we didn’t have the green thing in our day.

32 Local Life

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Local Life backs Good Trader Scheme

Rarely a week goes by without news of a dodgy tradesperson ripping off a householder. We have a difficult choice; who can we trust to do the work?

When Local Life first launched, we established a Home Services section with tradespeople who we either had dealt with ourselves or we knew personally.

As the number of advertisers grew, this became more difficult to monitor, but then we found out about Wigan Council’s Good Trader Scheme.

We have promoted the Good Trader Scheme because it’s good news for householders. The initial checks carried out by Trading Standards on each tradesperson joining the scheme is thorough, and the feedback facility on the website soon helps identify those tradespeople whose work isn’t up to scratch.

Bil l i n g e & Orre ll in T R A N SI T I O N

It’s a source of great pride to us that a far greater proportion of Local Life’s advertisers are in Wigan Council’s Good Trader scheme than any of the local ,

newspapers.

Now we are going one step further and, as from the end of the year, all the advertisers in our popular Home Services section will have to be registered with either Wigan Council’s Good Trader Scheme or the Lancashire Safe Trader Scheme. This will mean that any reader who uses our Home Services section to find a tradesperson will know that they are dealing with someone reputable.

For more information about Wigan Council’s Good Trader Scheme visit www. wigan.gov.uk/goodtrader or call 01942 827476.

For more information about Lancashire’s Safe Trader Scheme visit www. traderregister.org.uk or call 0303 333 1111.

Be part of the community working to safeguard the future of Billinge and Orrell through posiƟve and collaboraƟve iniƟaƟves to create a healthy, self-reliant and thriving community We are a growing group of friendly volunteers bringing together collecƟve skills and creaƟvity to develop a resilient community for a low energy future.

Where do you t in?

Whatever you have to oīer you can make a diīerence!

The Key Issues:

Community Links Food Security Local Shops & Services Waste; Energy; Transport Climate Change & Peak Oil

Call us now on 01695 632 825 or visit the website:

www.billingeorrelltransiƟon.org.uk

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Local Life 33

Dish of the Month Beautiful Burgers Perfect for parties and sleepovers; these burgers are fun to make and taste delicious!

Makes 8 good-sized burgers Ingredients For the stew

 1 tsp salt

 1 kg minced beef

 1 tsp of your favourite mustard or horse radish

 1 small onion, finely chopped

sauce

 4 tbsp fine bread crumbs

 Black pepper to season

 1 egg, lightly beaten

 2 cloves garlic, crushed

 1 red chilli, finely chopped (optional)

Method

1. Place the beef in a large bowl and add the remaining ingredients. Mix it all together by hand until just combined.

2. Divide the mixture into eight and roll each portion into a ball, then flatten to make the burger shape.

You want to leave it about 2.5cm / 1 inch thick so it stays moist when cooked.

3. The burgers can now be cooked either on a griddle pan or on a non-stick frying pan with a drop of oil, or even a barbeque. Pre-heat the frying pan, griddle pan or barbeque to a medium heat, so that the burgers seal and don’t stick.

4. Cook the burgers for about 5 minutes on each side, turning them once. They should be cooked through with no pink bits.

5. Serve in a good quality bun with loads of salad and relish and maybe a slice of cheese (try Stilton to take them to a whole new level!)

34 Local Life

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Meat Feast

A real treat is in store for customers at Windy Arbour Farm Shop next Sunday when the Butcher’s Block Sunday event returns to the shop.

David Green, from noted Lancashire butcher Green’s of Heskin, will be on site to serve freshly cut meats to customer’s specific requirements.

Likely to be on the menu are joints for roasts, steaks and much more. To encourage you to try meat at its finest, the shop will even be giving away a pack of Green’s own pork sausages to customers who make a purchase from the Butcher’s Block on Sunday 4th March!

Green’s of Heskin are renowned for the quality of their meat and, 100 years after the company was formed, they still source most of it from local farms. Don’t miss out, make sure you put next Sunday in your diary now; the shop is open 10am-4pm on Sundays, 8.30am-4.30pm on Saturdays and 9am-5pm from Monday to Friday.

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Local Life 35

Your Health Check Blood Pressure

I hope that you all enjoyed a great Christmas and that your New Year will be happy, prosperous and of course, healthy.

Following the welcome traditions of the Christmas festivities usually come the obligatory New Year’s resolutions. Many of these apply to our health, and if this sounds familiar I wish you good luck and success. Along with any investments such as these that we make in our health, it’s also a great idea to have our current levels of health assessed.

One of the most important and yet simple annual health checks we should consider is a blood pressure measurement. It takes less than a minute but helps prevent many major health problems, prolonging your life. Your GP, Practice Nurse, Chiropractor and some Pharmacists offer this service.

Blood pressure consists of two measurements. These are the forces (or pressure) your heart produces when it beats to pump blood and when it relaxes between beats. It is usually measured with a blood pressure cuff and a stethoscope. The NHS currently says that these two blood pressure measurements should usually be less than 140 and 90 if you are healthy. There is no way of telling whether or not your blood pressure is normal or high without it being tested properly by a qualified health care professional.

If your blood pressure is above these measurements it can lead to serious health problems affecting the brain, heart, kidneys and eyes. This includes strokes and heart attacks. If your blood pressure if high, your GP can prescribe medications to reduce it. There are many simple self-help measures we can take to reduce high blood pressure. These will keep you healthier and happier in general also.

Craft Date

Don’t miss the Gift and Craft Fayre being held at St Anne’s Parish Centre in Shevington on Saturday 31st March. The Fayre runs from 10am-3pm and will feature all manner of craft and gift stalls, a Fair Trade stall and craft demonstrations too. Refreshments and light lunches will also be available. If you’d like to book a stall at the event, please call Linda Hill on 01257 252496. St Anne’s Church, which is next to the Parish Centre, will also be open on 31st March for people to enjoy the window displays which will be decorated by local schools and organisations to mark the 125th anniversary in 2012.

Toddler Fun

If you’re looking for fun things to do with your toddler, then pop along to Toddler Rhyme Time at Up Holland Library on Friday afternoons (term time only). The sessions are free and they run from 2.15-2.45pm at the library in Hall Green, Up Holland. Your toddler can take part in fun, action rhymes and a short story.

Jireh History

History Day North at Jireh Baptist Church takes place next Saturday (3rd March). This event starts at 10.30 with a talk on the history of Jireh, which will be of interest to anyone who has an interest in local history.

At 12 noon there is a workshop on writing your own church’s history and then in the afternoon a talk about Obadiah Holmes who emigrated from Reddish to Rhode Island. The church is located on Chapel Street in Pemberton.

What we eat and drink is very important. A good healthy diet, rich in fruit and vegetables, low in processed foods and salt is very beneficial. Reducing our caffeine intake is important as is enjoying drinking in moderation. Reducing excess pounds reduces blood pressure.

Regular exercise keeps your heart healthy and lowers blood pressure. This should include 40 minutes of an activity each day which is continuous and makes you slightly out of breath. Many health clubs are competing for your business at this time of year, so there are many good deals to be had.

Oh, and lowering stress through regularly enjoying hobbies, (and also laughing!) lowers high blood pressure too.

For further information go to www.nhs.uk/

36 Local Life

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suFFeRING WITH MusCLe, jOINT OR NeRve PAIN?

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

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

How soon can you help me?

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

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

Why do we offer gentle treatments?

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

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

How can you help me? We always start

Find out how we can help you:

off with a 45 minute consultation and examination to find the underlying causes of your problem. We then use gentle, safe hands-on treatments to relieve your pain.

www.wiganbackpain.com

01942 498480

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

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

Mike Paull Doctor of Chiropractic

Dr Matt Birch Doctor of Chiropractic

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

Chris Green Sports Injury Specialist

Jenny Richmond Sports Injury Therapist

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

A

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

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

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

A5_single page_WFC1.indd 1

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28/11/11 22:22:43

Local Life 37

Happy Birthday Orrell Windows!

In today’s economic doom and gloom it’s always good to see a company that is thriving despite the economic storm. Orrell Windows is such a company and this year celebrates its 10th birthday!

Many of our older readers may remember the MD of Orrell Windows when he was a boy. Chris Ashton, born and bred in the local area, spent his early years working in the family’s coal business, Ashton’s of Billinge and he used to walk round the local area collecting payment for household coal.

part of the site is fitted out with some state of the art kit designed to make quality windows and doors – the Legend 70 Suite. The showroom is on two levels and shows off the impressive selection of conservatories, windows and doors available from Orrell Windows.

The benefits of dealing with Orrell Windows are crystal clear; The company makes many of its own products This means that they can pass on savings for UPVC windows, doors and conservatories directly to you. Orrell Windows also install Rockdoors, bi-fold doors and a full range of roofline products.

On leaving Abraham Guest High School in 1986, Chris began work as a factory fabricator, learning the ins and outs of the manufacturing process involved in uPVC windows and doors.

He then became an installer, learning how to fit windows and doors to different types of property and understanding how to deal with day to day fitting problems. This experience gave him a perfect insight of the industry from start to finish.

Along the way, Chris met and married his wife Sue, who was herself a member of a long established local family business (R Atherton & Sons Haulage). Together they founded Orrell Windows in 2002 and, with the help of their workforce, the growth, both in sales and reputation of Orrell Windows has been a real local success story. The company was originally based on the Bispham Hall estate in Smethurst Road in Billinge, where they quickly outgrew their unit and the company moved to their current site at Crows Nest in Ashton Road Billinge in 2007.

The Orrell Windows site, which is located at the top of the two mile stretch, consists of the manufacturing unit and a fabulous showroom. The manufacturing

The products are of an exceptional quality The popular Legend 70 profile is tested, certified and extruded in the UK to exacting BSI quality standards and its production processes minimise impact on the environment. All products at Orrell Windows have been specially chosen for their quality and the aesthetic value they will add to your home.

You’re dealing with professionals from start to finish There’s no pushy salesmen in shiny suits threatening to set up camp in your living room unless you ‘sign tonight’. All quotes are prepared by Chris Ashton himself or John Cheetham the company’s Senior Operations Manager. The fitters, all of whom have over 20 years experience, take their time to ensure that installations are of the finest quality.

Orrell Windows never sub-contract work to other companies.

38 Local Life

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What our customers say…

Excellent products and communication throughout the project, would recommend Orrell Windows to anyone who wants a professional, efficient job carried out.

Mr Smethurst, Aspull Excellent service, wonderful job, many thanks!

B Ryan, Shevington A big thank you for all your team for working so hard to provide what has turned out to be an excellent installation.

Mr Quinn, Orrell

What you see is what you get You can browse the extensive show room at your leisure; there are dozens of products displayed and there is always someone on hand to offer advice and bring you a cup of coffee!

Great Offer!

As a special offer for Local Life readers, Orrell Windows are offering £50 off Rock Doors in March.

What’s so special about a Rock Door? It’s the best door on the market – the only way through a Rock Door is with a key! Orrell Windows are the largest Rock Door specialist installer in the local area and have negotiated a special deal exclusively for Local Life readers. You can get £50 off a Rock Door only with the voucher below, which must be renewed by 31st March 2012.

Thank you so much for a superb installation of roofline and fascias, the difference they have made are remarkable. Great job as always and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Orrell Windows.

Mr Crompton, Orrell Would strongly recommend Orrell Windows to anyone. Once again thank you!

Mrs and Mrs Clarke, Standish

So if the windows, doors or roofline of your home are past their sell by date and need replacing, then call into the showroom at Orrell Windows today for a browse around. There’s a great choice of the best quality products available at very reasonable prices.

Orrell Windows Crows Nest Ashton Road Billinge WN5 7XY 01744 891717 www.orrellwindows.co.uk Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm , Sat 10am-4pm

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Local Life 39

Money & Investment The times, they are a-changing…

Did you know that the financial services industry is currently going through major change and many financial advisers are leaving the industry as a result?

The Financial Services Authority is driving forward the changes (known as the Retail Distribution Review) so that people can be sure that their financial advisers are fully skilled and perfectly equipped to help them with planning their retirement/ investments, and can clearly demonstrate a transparent charging system for clients.

In order to achieve these aims the FSA have published new rules that will require: • advisory firms to explicitly disclose and separately charge clients for their services.

• advisory firms to clearly describe their services as either independent or restricted; and • individual advisers to adhere to consistent professional standards, including a code of ethics.

These changes will come into effect after the 31st December 2012 and will apply to all advisers in the retail investment market, regardless of the type of firm they work for (banks, product providers, independent financial advisers, wealth managers, stockbrokers).

In other words… the FSA are changing the way that many financial advisers work with their clients and these changes need to be implemented by 1st January 2013. RDR is changing the way that advisers are paid as well as the minimum qualification thresholds for advisers.

In the run up to summer 2011 the FSA confirmed that 8% of advisers had left the industry since the

announcement of RDR and they have suggested that this number could increase to 20% before the 31st December deadline. The probability is that advisory firms that have relied upon very high levels of commission will struggle to make a profit post 2012 and will need to make significant structural changes to their business’s to survive.

FSA expect up to 20% of advisors to leave the industry So what are the changes for financial advisers from 1st Jan 2013?

•

Advisers will no longer be able to take commission on all new pension and investment business and must charge fees instead.

•

Advisers must achieve higher levels of

40 Money & Investment brought to you by Prosper Independent Financial Advisers

qualification to continue operating in an authorised advisory capacity.

•

Advisers must hold a Statement of Professional Standing from a recognised professional body within the financial services industry.

The FSA have suggested, and I am inclined to agree, that that moving to a “fee based only” advisory world will increase transparency and enable clients to make a better informed decision with regards to investment and product choices. Additionally, raising the bar with regards to qualifications can only be a good thing for customers.

Changes will increase transparency How will the changes affect Prosper?

to a strict code of ethics, reinforcing the highest standards of practice in their business dealings. This is a code which we have always adhered to.

‘Independent Advice’ will no longer be a viable option for a number of Independent Financial Advisers after 2012, but Prosper remain committed to independence for 2013 and beyond. We feel that these changes will carry significant benefits for the vast majority of clients and we are looking forward to the continuing prosperity of our clients.

If you deal with an Independent Financial Adviser you should check now if they are making the necessary changes to implement the Retail Distribution Review.

Should you need to discuss any aspects of the Retail Distribution Review, please do not hesitate to give us a call.

We started to change the way we worked 3 years ago in order to ensure that we operated in the majority of cases on a fee based system rather than commissions. Working in this way ensured that there is no product bias and that our clients get the best fit for their requirements. Our on-going review service incentivises us with regards to working with our clients to achieve growth on your underlying investments. If our clients do well, so do we….!

Qualifications We will achieve the new benchmark qualification criteria by the end of this year end I am also very hopeful that we will also be awarded the coveted “Corporate Chartered Status” by the Personal Finance Society. Out of broadly 20,000 financial services firms just 3% hold this title.

Prosper on the way to ‘Chartered Status’ Only those companies that meet rigorous criteria relating to professionalism and capability are given the award. All firms with the “Chartered Status” commit

Choosing a financial partner may be the most important decision you’ll ever make. ● Financial Advice ● Investment Solutions ● Portfolio Management ● Inheritance Tax planning ● Regular Financial Reviews Call Prosper today on 01257 423800 to arrange your FREE no obligation initial consultation.

Brought to you by David Barton of Prosper Independent Financial Advisers. David is a specialist in retirement and investment planning for the over 50’s

Prosper Independent Financial Advisers Ltd Prosper House, 99a High Street, Standish. WN6 0HD 01257 423 800 www.prosper-ifa.co.uk

Visit us online at www.prosper-ifa.co.uk 41

PEG Stitchers

The PEG Stitchers, Parbold’s Embroidery Group, would like to hear from anybody interested in joining their group.

The branch meets on the second Saturday of every month at the Parbold Village Hall at 2pm. The group hosts a varied programme of talks, demonstrations and hands-on sessions as well as four full day workshops throughout the year. If you would like more information, the group now has a blog, which is packed full of information about what the branch is up to; just have a look at www.pegstitchers.blogspot.com or call Sandra Kedzlie on 01704 229097.

42 Local Life

Attic Sale

There’s an Attic Sale being held at the Parish Centre at St Anne’s Church in Shevington this Saturday (25th February). The event runs from 9am-1pm, so if you want to browse for bargains galore don’t miss it!

Refreshments will be available on the day including cakes stalls and bacon butties, and tombola will also be taking place.

Art Display

The Standish Art Group is holding an exhibition of their artwork in The Galleries Shopping Centre in Wigan town centre between 5th March and 30th March. The display will be held at the Wigan Plus shop, which is next door to Clarke’s shoe shop and opposite Brucciani’s café. The paintings are all by amateurs using various mediums and techniques, in their own individual styles and covering a wide diversity of subjects. The majority of works are for sale at prices to suit most people’s pockets. Viewing is free, so do come and enjoy, even if you do not wish to purchase any of the paintings.

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CMA Accountancy Guide to Internet Selling

7. You may need to consider registering for VAT if your turnover exceeds the current limit of £73,000 per year. VAT applies if you are selling goods throughout the EU.

Nowadays it is very popular for people to enjoy a second income by selling goods on the internet.

If you have recently started to trade online or are thinking about this and would like to ask any questions then please get in touch and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

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

Hello and welcome to the latest article from CMA, a proactive accountancy firm based on Skull House Lane in Appley Bridge. This month we are looking at the area of Internet Selling.

Don’t worry if you just sell personal items such as books or records that you find when you are clearing out your loft. This is not seen as a business and you do not need to declare these sales but if you purchase goods with the intention of reselling them for a profit then you must register as a business with HMRC. Here at CMA we help a number of businesses that trade purely online. Given the ease with which you can sell goods via eBay, the attraction to potential entrepreneurs is obvious. The start up and running costs are minimal, and you can easily run your business if you still have a regular job. However, despite how appealing setting up an eBay business may be, you need to be aware of your legal obligations – particularly when it comes to paying tax on your profits.

Things you should DO when starting an eBay business: 1. Set up accounts at wholesalers, preferably a credit account. This way you buy from the wholesaler, sell it on eBay, get paid and then pay the wholesaler 30 days later.

2. Open an account with eBay and get their free listing tool for your adverts.

3. Open a Paypal account so you can take payment via credit card.

4. Look for deductions that can offset against your income for example: Equipment Purchases, Business Expenses, Motor Expenses, Home Office Expenses and Travel Expenses.

Contact Details

Chris Alcock ACMA, CMA Accountancy 39 Skull House Lane, Appley Bridge, Wigan, WN6 9DR Tel: 01257 255521 Email info@handsonaccounting. co.uk web www.handsonaccounting.co.uk Top Tax Tips ● HMRC is issuing new codes for the 2012/13 tax year. Check that yours is correct or you could end up paying too much tax! ● Make the most of your capital gains tax exemption limit each year (2011/12 £10,600) -Consider transferring assets into joint names prior to any sale to utilise both annual exemptions or spread the disposal over two separate tax years if possible. ● Salary sacrifice schemes – by redirecting, or sacrificing, some of your salary you can benefit from tax and national insurance savings on employee benefits such as pensions, cycle to work schemes and childcare vouchers.

5. Keep good records of everything that is bought and sold. This will also help in keeping track of orders.

6. Invest in an accounting software package that will help you with your business accounting.

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NCT Events

The NCT is the UK’s largest charity for parents, and its Wigan and St Helens Group celebrate their 1st birthday on 1st March.

The group hold a series of events in the local area to raise funds and give support to those who need it; The Sensory playgroup is held every Thursday from 1.30-3pm at St David’s Church, Eskdale Avenue near Carr Mill. It’s for parents and carers with children (newborn to age 5) and the cost is just £1.50 donation per family. The playgroup includes a great play time, drink and a biscuit (for adults and children), and the groups is looking for new people to come along and see how much fun it is.

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The group are also holding a Newly New Sale on Saturday March 17th from 11.30am-1pm. This is also being held at St David’s Church in Carr and admission £1 donation per adult. It’s a great chance to sell your own used good quality children’s clothes, equipment or to buy such goods at bargain prices.

They also run a (child-free) evening book group giving parents a chance to meet up, have a chat and possibly even discuss the book. The group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at the Waterside pub (corner of Carr Mill Road and East Lancs Road) for an 8.30pm start. Don’t worry if you don’t get round to reading the book, we won’t test you, it’s just a chance to meet up and have a natter without the children.

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Local Life 45

the tip, to leave it open, or to close it and secure a suitable site nearby (a process priced out at £2.7m).

According to reports on Wigan Council’s website, the option of using the adjacent former Orrell Council building (and the land behind it) to improve the site weren’t discussed as an option.

We sent out an email survey to Local Life readers in Orrell, Billinge, Winstanley, Highfield, Marus Bridge and Pemberton areas to gauge your reaction to the proposed closure – and we received 82 responses.

This is what you said; 86% of you had used the tip in the past two years 91% didn’t agree with the Council’s plan to close the tip Just 24% of you said you would travel to Ince; over twice as many (49%)said they would go outside Wigan to use the facilities in Skelmersdale or Rainford.

91% of you said that the Council should have considered the option of using adjacent land to improve the site.

Some of your comments are listed opposite – but what did others say?

One Man & His Clipboard

If you’ve been out and about locally in the last few weeks the chances are that you’ve been accosted by Richard Clayton, the Orrell Councillor, who has been running pretty much a one-man crusade to stop the Council from closing Orrell Tip. Councillor Clayton has been out most days collecting signatures from shoppers at Sainsburys, at Winstanley Precinct, in Orrell and at the tip itself on Orrell Road.

As Local Life went to press Councillor Clayton had collected over 4,000 signatures for his petition and, with support from shops, businesses and the Orrell and Billinge Network, was very confident of collecting over the 5,000 mark needed to force a full council debate regarding the closure.

The Council’s Cabinet initially earmarked the tip for closure at a meeting held last August, and set the date for 31st January. Councillor Clayton’s appeal to the leader of the Council Peter Smith has led to a temporary reprieve being granted for 30 days, but barring a miracle, the tip will close very soon.

Interestingly enough, at the August meeting there were three choices in front of the Cabinet; to close 46 Local Life

Kevin Anderson, Wigan Council’s Champion for Communities and the Environment said “We did not believe that using land adjacent to the site to extend the site would be a viable option. In order to get permission to extend the operating area of the site we would have had to apply for various licenses and permits to be able to operate the site lawfully”.

Mr Anderson also confirmed that the Council had discussed the proposed closure with neighbouring authorities.

Yvonne Fovargue, the MP for Makerfield, called on the Council to; 1) roll out the Blue Bin delivery in Orrell, 2) monitor and take immediate action to limit fly tipping, 3) monitor requests for bulky collection and be prepared to look at its charging policy if it rises disproportionately in the West side of the borough, 4) formulate a Recycling Strategy for the future.

Orrell Councillor David Arrowsmith had this to say; “I am opposed to the centre closing, especially with the nearest recycling centre being at Ince. The closure will also affect not only Orrell but also Winstanley, Pemberton, Shevington and other close areas. What Orrell needs is a more modern, larger centre to cope with demand”. www.locallife247.co.uk

What’s your View?

It is ridiculous to close the site as the only sites to dispose of waste are on the other side of town which already has major traffic issues and this will just make things worse. Not very well thought out at all.

Emma Halliwell, Winstanley Wigan Council have closed Orrell Library and now intends to close Orrell Recycling Centre, what will be next? As probably one of the highest paying council tax areas in the borough, Orrell seems to have the least facilities. Very poor service from our local council!

Vicky Loftus, Orrell It’s an appalling decision. I tried to take rubbish to Kirkless Tip and it took me one and three quarter hours to get there and back not to mention the cost of fuel. Expect a massive increase in ‘fly tipping’ and no recycling of waste. It needs to be made larger not disappear.

Wigan Borough seems determined to make Orrell into a second class community. What are its plans for the site and how will the community benefit?

Donna Grayson, Billinge The site is heavily used by the local people. (It is) several miles to the other tip at Ince therefore increasing carbon footprint and possibly more fly tipping. I would hope our three councillors have voted to keep this site open.

Janet Wilkinson, Orrell I think that more fly tipping will happen as a result of the proposed closure. People who use other centres will have to use more fuel to travel further and cause more congestion on the roads.

Carole Ashworth, Winstanley Orrell is expanding, but the services are being reduced. The staff are very pleasant, the recycling section is good for the area.

George Bulfield, Orrell

I think it’s a disgrace that they are thinking of closing the site especially after closing Frog Lane (Recycling Site).

Leanne Winstanley, Orrell

If it is closed then more people will fly tip and less people will recycle because it will take too long to get to other tips.

Sophie Barker, Billinge

This is again a removal of a required facility whilst money continues to be wasted in other areas.

JJ Finney, Winstanley

I think this could lead to fly tipping. This really offends most of us and costs money to remove, which the council does not have at the moment.

Marylan Dale, Winstanley

It is absolutely ludicrous to close the site and have to travel to Ince or Skelmersdale - this will just encourage fly tipping.

John Roberts, Orrell I use the Recycling Centre in Higher Ince/Hindley as it is open longer hours and staff there are helpful.

Elizabeth Jolley, Orrell It will obviously lead to more people fly tipping.

Ken Taberner, Highfield Having used the very good facilities at this centre frequently over the last 4 years, I am shocked to see the council’s plans for closure. The fly tippers will be back in force; come on councillors, sort this out!

Gillian Lee, Billinge Why should we have to travel to the other side of Wigan through the town centre traffic to dispose of waste? Or take it to another county’s recycling facilities in Skelmersdale!

Tim Jones, Winstanley I think that Orrell Recycling Centre should remain open. It serves a wide community and is always really well organised with helpful attendants.

Josie Barton, Winstanley I find Wigan council’s decision to close the site in Orrell appalling, residents will now be forced to drive miles to recycle.

Jane Parkinson, Orrell It will be another opportunity for this council to make a profit on the land by selling it off and a developer building more houses which no one can afford.

Paul Walsh, Winstanley

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If the site closes the nearest recycling would be in Ince on the far side of the borough and people would think twice about going there. I’m sure fly tipping would multiply.

Shirley Moore, Pemberton How can recycling be considered a ‘green’ option when individuals will have to make a round trip of approximately 15 miles in order to do so. Disgraceful!

Jackie Ferguson, Highfield Since we started to use the green, brown and blue bins I seem to have very little waste for the Recycling Centre Thomas Hanley, Winstanley I strongly oppose the decision to close Orrell Recycling Site.

It appears to me that cut backs are being made on the wrong things - please think again.

Sylvia Hirst, Billinge In Orrell they are building so many new houses but not leaving the basic facilities that are needed.

Sue Jones, Orrell As we need to recycle more waste to save landfill costs, the Council should be aiming to make it easier for people to dispose of waste. By increasing journey times to more distant sites, there is a greater risk of fly tipping and putting more into black bins.

Anne Gaskell, Billinge Closing the Orrell site means a long drive in heavy traffic to dispose of rubbish resulting in wasting one of this world’s most precious commodities...oil. It doesn’t make economic sense, green sense or common sense.

Bernard Stapleton, Kitt Green

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Publisher Comment

side of Wigan is without a recycling site, and that is, I would suggest, is what most local residents find unacceptable. The fact that the Frog Lane site has just sat there doing nothing since its closure merely rubs salt in the wound.

Waste sites are an emotive subject. Everyone wants them, but no-one wants them on their doorstep.

Surely no-one would argue that the Orrell site is an ideal location for such a facility. The site is small, it is placed in an awful location, both near to houses and on a busy main road and the site often closes at short notice to remove the waste from the site.

The three remaining HWRC’s are at Ince, Leigh and Atherton, all situated closely together on the east side of the borough. Surely the sensible thing would be to keep Orrell open as a short term measure whilst a long term waste strategy was developed by Wigan Council to suit all residents. Alas, it’s unlikely to happen, but full marks to Richard Clayton for trying.

If the Household Waste Recycling site at Frog Lane hadn’t been closed last year, then it is doubtful that the campaign to save the Orrell site would even have got up off the ground. But the closures of both the Frog Lane and Orrell sites means that the entire west

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What Happens Next?

Former Orrell Councillor Michael Winstanley has claimed in an e-mail to Local Life that the ‘real reason why they (Wigan Council) are desperate to close the tip is so that they can sell the whole site including the tip, council offices and former library’. Mr Winstanley lost his seat in Orrell last year to Councillor Stephen Murphy, who coincidentally part-owns the ABC Children’s Nursery which is located right at the heart of the site that Mr Winstanley refers to.

According to a Freedom of Information request to Wigan Council, Councillor Murphy (along with his partner Eileen Rigby) bought the building, which used to be the Orrell rent office, from Wigan Council for £58,000 in 1994. At a recent Orrell and Billinge Network Meeting, Councillor Murphy refused to comment to Local Life about the future of the tip.

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1) Orrell Tip 2) Council Building (disused) 3) ABC Nursery 4) Car Park 5) Old Library site 6) Orrell Road 7) Orrell Gardens

In the meantime, rumours abound once more about the future of the old Orrell Library. The building was refurbished last year at a direct cost of £62,000 to Council Tax payers, and was used to re-house Metrofresh who were previously located in the old Orrell Council building next to the tip itself. A plan to let a small part of the building to the Orrell and Billinge Network to use for community activities was abandoned when the council insisted the voluntary organisation pay the full commercial rate of £160 per square metre p.a. for their part of the old library building.

So what does the future hold for the site (pictured below), which this time last year housed two valued public amenities, and how will the redevelopment affect local residents?

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Hoppy Birthday for Festival

Real Ale drinkers will be licking their lips with anticipation at the start of the Wigan Beer Festival next Thursday (1st March). The festival is 25 years old this year and the organisers, Wigan CAMRA, are hoping for a really ‘hoppy’ birthday! Since the CAMRA beer festival first began back in 1988 at Wigan Pier, an estimated half a million pints have been pulled for almost 100,000 visitors.

Back then at the Mill at the Pier it was just £1.10 a pint. Today Robin Park Sports Centre is home to the event which has outlived and outgrown many other beer festivals in the entire north west of England. Ken Worthington is one of the organisers. He said: “We’re thrilled to be marking 25 years this March. We knew it was always going to be a popular event from the opening weekend when we ran out of beer but it’s a fabulous feeling to still be going strong 25 years on.”

of the Food and Drink Festival has added another dimension to the event and last year was a record attendance with 4,600 visitors.”

Throughout the ten days Wigan Food and Drink Festival will a host a raft of different events and activities including an Outdoor Market Kitchen Theatre, a Fine Food Trail around some of the best eateries in Wigan, celebrity chefs including Simon Rimmer and Jean-Christophe Novelli as well as scores of community events, a Continental Market and live music from the Lancashire Hotpots.

Fans of real ale can also tour round Wigan town centre’s Allgates Brewery as part of this year’s festival on Monday 5 March. Tickets cost £10 and are limited, so call 01942 828 527 now to book your place.

For further information about the Wigan Beer Festival programme, visit the website www.wigancamra.org.uk

In 2009 the festival teamed up with the Wigan Food and Drink Festival, organised by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, and it’s a relationship that has gone from strength-to-strength. Ken added: “Being part

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Local Life 49

The What’s On Guide Now On

Oliver Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Oliver at the Palace Theatre in Manchester stars Neil Morrissey as Fagin.

Fresh from its recordbreaking run in the West End, one of the most beloved British musicals ever.

Bringing vividly to life Dickens’ timeless characters with its ever-popular story of the boy who asked for more, Lionel Bart’s sensational score includes Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, I’d Do Anything and many more. Runs until 10th March.

Contact: 0844 871 7660 or 0844 871 3018 or visit www.ticketmaster.co.uk Sat Nav Ref: M1 6FT

Saturday 25th February

Liverpool Vintage Fashion & Home Fair Decorative Fairs return to the magnificent St George’s Hall in the heart of Liverpool City Centre.

A very special Vintage Fashion, Vintage Home & decorative Fair featuring over 100 stalls of the finest Vintage Fashions. Refreshments will also be available.

Time: 10am-4pm Cost: £4 Contact: 07809 236607 or visit www.decorativefairs.co.uk Sat Nav Ref: L1 1JJ

Sunday 26th February

Haigh Hall Wedding Fair & Bridal Wear Show Come and visit the fair and discover a host of wedding services; Bridal and Groom outfitters, room, chair and table decorators, florists, stationers, cake and favour suppliers, wedding cars, entertainers, 50 Local Life

DJ’s and much more. There will be bubbly and canapés on arrival.

Time: 11am-4pm Contact: 01942 832895 or visit www.haighhall.co.uk

Saturday 10th March

St Peter’s Church Craft and Gift Fair Looking for a gift for your mum this Mother’s Day? Come along and browse our handmade gifts not available on the high street. Handmade jewellery, candles, cards, knitted items, hand painted vintage gifts and much more at the church on High Street in Newton Le Willows. To book a stall, please email katyquinn@rocketmail.com.

Time: 10am-4pm Cost: 50p Contact: www.craftmakingideas.com Sat Nav Ref: WA12 9SR

Sunday 11th March

Rivington Hall Barn Doll & Teddy Bear Fair In the heart of Rivington Park you will find a 200 year old Saxon Barn, which has been the home for the past 25+ years of Lancashire’s Oldest Doll & Teddy Bear Fair.

The first of this year’s fairs welcomes bear and doll makers, shops and suppliers from all across the UK. Free parking and excellent refreshments.

Time: 10am-4pm Cost: Adults £2.50 Child £1.25 Sat Nav Ref: BL6 7RU

Sunday 18th March

Mother’s Day at Norton Priory Norton Priory Museum & Gardens near Runcorn consists of an award winning museum, excavated medieval ruins, the spectacular St Christopher statue, the lovely Walled Garden and the extensive woodland and sculpture trail. Refreshments are available in the Café and Garden Tea Room with gifts and plants for sale.

Cost: Free Contact: 01928 569895 or visit www.nortonpriory.org Sat Nav Ref: WA7 1SX www.locallife247.co.uk

What’s on Guide events key Events and Festivals

Walks & Nature

Family

Special Interest

Mothering Sunday Afternoon Treat Treat Mum this year to tea and cakes in Tatton’s mansion and a visit to the estate’s beautiful 50 acre garden. A table will be reserved for you in Lord Egerton’s apartment, with stunning views over the Italian terrace and parkland, where you’ll enjoy a selection of sandwiches, freshly baked scones and cakes with tea and coffee. You’ll be welcome to stroll around the award winning gardens during your visit.

Pre-booking essential.

Cost: £20.00 per person, including parkland entry charge Contact: 01625 374 456/01625 374400 or visit www.tattonpark.org.uk Sat Nav Ref: WA16 6QN

Soleil has dazzled and amazed almost 100 million people in 300 cities across five continents since its humble beginnings in Quebec in 1984, and its return to the UK in 2012 is set to be one of the entertainment highlights of the year.

Cost: £56.50 Contact: www.ticketmaster.co.uk Sat Nav Ref: M3 1AR

Wednesday 21st March

Alice in Wonderland Easter Festival Tatton plays host to an enchanting Easter ‘Alice in Wonderland’ event with activities taking place until Monday 9th April. Step through the looking glass in the Mansion. Follow the White Rabbit to the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in the Gardens. The clock’s stopped at 6pm and a cast of curious characters riddle and rhyme their way through tea. The Queen of Hearts will be weaving some magical stories and you can let Mr Bimbamboozle dazzle you with his Alice-themed Punch & Judy show! Normal opening times and prices apply.

Contact: 01625 374400 or visit www.tattonpark.org. uk Sat Nav Ref: WA16 6QN

Disney on Ice Enter a world of wonder where heroes and hearts prevail. Join Ariel as she yearns to explore the world above the waves and Prince Eric breaks Ursula’s slithering spell to reclaim his one true love.

See Prince Philip defeat the evil Maleficent as she transforms herself into a fire-breathing dragon in a race against time to rescue Sleeping Beauty’s Aurora.

Runs at the Echo Arena until Sunday 25th March.

Cost: £11.25-£35.50 Contact: 0844 8000 400 or visit www.echoarena.com Sat Nav Ref: L3 4FP

Wednesday 4th April

Cirque du Soleil – Alegría Running at the MEN Arena in Manchester until Saturday 7th April is Alegría; a classic Cirque du Soleil production that has received international acclaim and wowed over 10 million people worldwide since it premiered in 1994. Cirque du www.locallife247.co.uk

Saturday 7th April

Sunday 8th April

The Razzle Dazzle Travelling Vintage Fair For your delectation and delight, we present ‘The Razzle Dazzle Travelling Vintage Fair’ at Cedar Farm in Mawdesley which promises a veritable feast of antique, handmade and vintage curiosities.

The vintage parade includes artists, designermakers and dealers in glorious vintage and antique treasures. Join us for music, romance and nostalgia, sweet treats, memorabilia, mirth and merriment.

Time: 10am-4pm Cost: £1.00 Contact: jillbrindle@btinternet.com Sat Nav Ref: L40 3SY

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YOU TAKE ME UP The Volkswagen take up! is the entry-level model in its city car line up. Andy Enright assesses whether sparse is beautiful.

Clutter. We surround ourselves with the stuff. I have a great admiration for those who can pare back their lives, if not to a bare minimum, then at least to a point where it’s clear that they have a very real appreciation for what’s important and what’s not.

This vaguely anti-consumerist message might seem a little at odds with a review of a car, but the VW take up! is a smart, stripped back sort of car that chimes with the concept of not consuming more than you really require. The Up range replaces the unlovely Fox and the unpopular Lupo before that; here we take a look at the entry-level model.

The throttle response is a little soft, but this does makes it easy to drive smoothly. The steering and the manual gearbox are both light and accurate.

Visibility is also very good which helps with parking manoeuvres, as do the very short front and rear overhangs, which make squeezing into tiny bays simplicity itself.

Handsome little thing isn’t it? The proportions look just right and the kinked window line, grille-less front end and gently flared wheel arches gives the car more impact than the usual city boxes. It is one of the smallest four-seater city cars, measuring a full 11cm

Pop the bonnet and you’ll be confronted with a three-cylinder unit not much bigger than your kitchen microwave. It makes just 60bhp, so it’s not what you’d call zesty. Maximum speed is 100mph, and 60mph will arrive in 14 seconds from a standing start.

What it lacks in straight line power, it claws back in friendliness and tractability. It’s a sweet engine that does its best work between about 2000 and 5000 rpm which means that it can more than hold its own in everyday traffic.

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shorter than a rival Fiat Panda. Clever packaging means that interior space is maximised.

The interior is colourful, with the option of painted body-coloured panels, evoking the spirit of the original Beetle. The interior design is clean and easy to get to grips with, featuring a compact centre pod for many of the minor controls. There’s loads of storage and the cool dished three-spoke steering wheel frames an instrument cluster of ruthless functionality.

As the entry level model in the Up range, the take up! features a few items which serve to underline this fact.

The 14-inch steel wheels and the black door handles and mirrors do have a certain unshowy chic about them though, and the rims, which are fitted with plastic wheel trims, will shrug off kerb impacts a whole lot better than flashy alloys.

Priced from just £7,995, the car gets body-coloured bumpers, daytime running lights, front and side head/ thorax airbags, a CD stereo with aux-in, rear ISOFIX points, and 14-inch steel wheels. You’ll have to manage without a split rear bench and air conditioning too, and in order to save space, there’s not even a spare wheel, just a can of foam and a pump to keep you going if you catch a flat.

in city use it returns 50.4mpg. Emissions are rated at 105g/km, but there is a BlueMotion eco model offered if you want to go even lower; in this case to 97g/km.

The reasonable asking price, strong badge equity and tiny running costs virtually guarantee strong residual values for the take up! Make no mistake, this is a very bold car to bring to market. The cabin features about as little equipment as you could possibly get away with. The only item that has anything remotely over-specified about it is the clever clogs stereo. If you like a minimalist, pared back look and feel, you’ll love this car. The clever thing is though; it doesn’t feel as if it’s been built down to a price. It feels like a very smart piece of design that focuses on the essentials.

There are rivals that are equivalently priced and better equipped. There are also competitor products that offer a sharper steer. The puppyish enthusiasm of some city cars grates after a while though whilst the effortless cool of the take up! merely earns enduring respect. I think you’ll like it.

For further details contact Corkills, Wallgate, Wigan (01942 324411) or Warrington VW, Milner Street, Warrington (01925 655300).

The payback from the Take Up’s minuscule engine comes at the pumps. It’ll average 62.7mpg, and even

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Motoring

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Start & Finish

This is a lovely Spring walk, just over 5 ½ miles long and typical of the gentle undulating landscapes of South Lancashire. It’s just enough to dust off the cobwebs and ease you into Spring. We did the walk in early February, just as Mother Nature was waking up. Listen out for the contrast in noise on this walk; the peace and quiet of Skitters Wood is soon superseded by the mighty never-ending rumble of motorway traffic, which in turn is followed by the absolute still of the glorious countryside, before that motorway traffic returns again at the tail end of the walk.

Enjoy!

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History This area is steeped in local history. Liverpool Road in Ashton was formerly known as Dock Lane, and the picture illustrated is of Dock Lane House. Across the road from Dock Lane House (which stood where the British Military Vehicles site now is) is Garswood Park, now the home of Ashton Golf Club. The estate was bought by Lord Gerrard in the eighteenth century and during the First World War, the Hall became a Voluntary Aid Detachment hospital, run by the Matron and benefactor Lady Gerrard.

In World War 2 Garswood Park became Camp 50 – a prisoner of war camp for up to 800 Italian and, later on, German soldiers. Prisoners would be shipped off each morning to work at farms throughout the area. The camp closed in 1948. By the end of the war Lord Gerrard, who had by then moved to Hertfordshire, sold 60 acres of Garswood Park for the sum of £5000 to Ashton Golf Club. In the early 60’s the estate was cut in two by the M6 motorway, and the eastern part of the Estate eventually became schools and housing.

Woodedge -Downall Green Turn off Liverpool Road at the junction with Woodedge and park up near the Scout Hut. Walk up Woodedge and once you are opposite number 25, turn right and take the path where the public footpath sign is. Go down the steps into Skitters Wood, turn left and then turn immediate left, walking away from the stream. Walk up a slight incline, you will come across a lovely pebble mosaic (made by local children in conjunction with the Friends of Ashton group); keep to the left when you pass this mosaic. The path forks a little way ahead, take the left hand fork and carry on down that path which runs pretty much parallel to the line of houses on Woodedge. Just when you come to the point when it looks like the pathway is coming out of the woods, it plunges downhill again. When you exit the woods, you’ll reach a little T junction in the

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path, turn left and head upward toward the motorway bridge.

Once you’ve crossed the bridge, you’ll follow a path that runs parallel to the M6. That path will take you past about four houses, one dating back to the early 1600’s, and eventually you’ll go up a slight incline and arrive at a secluded lay-by called Skitters Grove.

Bear left at this point and 80 yards later you’ll come to Low Bank Road. Turn right and walk for 150 yards.

Just before you get to another motorway bridge, cross over Low Bank Road and take the opening to the right hand side of the seven bar metal gate. Downhill you go and then uphill too; following that path that runs parallel to the M6. It’s a bit muddy in parts down this path but you can hold on to the fence at the side and skirt round the edges of the mud without too much difficulty.

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Rectory Nurseries You might be forgiven for thinking that the Rectory Nurseries was indeed just a garden centre but owner and creator Kevin Duffy is a self-taught artist and has spent the last thirtyfive years building his own Tudor Village in a quiet corner of North Ashton.

The Tudor Village is laid out as if part of a village square and the collection of around ten houses, clock towers, statues and his very own tea room create an unusual setting.

Also on site is a small chapel, with an alter constructed from old railway sleepers and kitchen cabinets. The chapel is well received by visitors who light candles and donate to the collection tin that Kevin then shares out between various charities.

The work is for the most part a façade-based installation; very few of the structures have an interior. The facades are constructed using reclaimed interior doors and pretty much anything Kevin can get his hands on.

Rectory Nurseries is situated on Rectory Road and is open between 9.30-4pm every day.

The path bears left and you’ll soon arrive at a footbridge which takes you over the Wigan to Liverpool railway line. Once you’re over the bridge, you’ll see Mill Farm straight ahead. Follow the path uphill that takes you to the left of the farm. Once you have reached the crest of the hill you will see straight ahead in the distance a yellow public footpath sign.

You’ll go through two gates in quick succession, and then head downhill keeping to the right hand perimeter of the field. At the bottom of that field there is a wooden gate, go through and follow the little path up to Downall Green Road.

Downall Green – Newton Road Once you reach the roadside, turn left, cross the bridge and then cross over the road heading for the corner shop on the corner of Rectory Road. Turn right up Rectory Road, and head up hill. 350 yards up the road you’ll come across a real curio of a place called Rectory Nurseries (see feature). Once you get to the top of Rectory Road, follow the road round to the left, you are now on Leyland Green Road. Follow that road for a full 750 yards right out into the countryside.

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Once you reach the T junction, turn right into Winstanley Road and you’ll see a foot path sign on the left 30 yards on. Carefully cross the road and take this footpath. Follow the right hand perimeter of a field, which subsequently opens up and becomes the bank of a small lake. Once you reach the edge of the field, cross over a very small wooden bridge and turn left at the yellow footpath sign. Follow the path around the left hand perimeter of the field for 350 yards, going uphill most of the way. You’ll come to a 4ft high stone pillar by two trees and a very visible national grid gas pipeline sign; at this point you need to turn left and head towards the black and white chevron road sign in the distance. You will come out on Newton Road.

Newton Road - Woodedge Turn right and follow this road for 400 yards, going past Rowan Cottage and Billinge Lane Farm, and take the next public footpath sign on your left. You will go through a modern metal gate and walk down a wide track; on the right you’ll see the outskirts of Billinge.

Follow the track past a 3 storey stone house, stay to the left hand side and you’ll need to veer onto a field for 20 yards before you come back on to the footpath.

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Once you reach the farm track just ahead, turn left, and about 50 yards further on you will follow a right hand bend. Follow this straight path for 350 yards and when you reach the end of the path by a couple of gas pipeline notices, it splits into a staggered junction.

Bear left at this point and go up a bit of a bump and you’ll find yourself on another field. Follow the left hand perimeter of that field going downhill all the way.

Once you reach the bottom of the slope by the trees, the path splits; turn left at this point. You’ll cross a stream into another field; turn left again and walk up the left hand perimeter of a field parallel to the stream.

After 250 yards, the stream and trees bend round to the left but you need to carry on uphill over the open field.

As you’re walking up the hill, you’ll see Billinge Beacon with the masts behind it, and once you’ve reached the top, take a minute to take in the wonderful views around you. Walk down the hill for 500 yards or so and you’ll come to a six bar gate. Behind that gate is Garswood Road. Cross that road and go down Station Road. Carry on for 700 yards down that road, which changes into Strange Road passing Garswood Station on the way, until you go under a railway bridge.

Walk on a further 250 yards and you’ll arrive at Tjunction. Turn right and look out for a public footpath sign about 50 yards ahead on the left hand side.

Cross the road carefully, go through the metal gate on the footpath and follow the footpath around the right hand perimeter of the field. Follow that path for 550 yards, go through the metal gate, and you are now on Liverpool Road. Turn left and walk up the hill towards the motorway bridge. Cross the bridge and walk a further 375 yards; turn left into Woodedge and you are back where you started. Well done!

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

This idea for this walk was submitted by Karin Dagnall from Ashton, who wins our equivalent of a Crackerjack pencil – a limited edition Local Life mug! If you would like your favourite walk to be featured in Jack’s Tracks please email details to editorial@locallife247.co.uk.

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Our resident gardening expert Angie Barker, provides us with some more gardening hints, tips and seasonal selections.

Get ahead of the game March is a lovely month and is traditionally the start of the gardening year with the days gradually getting warmer .

It can however also be a challenging month. One day of sunshine can be followed by snow! Don’t you just love our weather.

It is important to get out into the garden now though to get ahead of the game in terms of clearing the borders, ready for the perennial plants to push through, and in terms of weeding. It really is true to say that time spent now weeding will repay you in bucket loads later in the year. I love the first few warm days of the season and the first time I cut our lawn - well I’m as giddy as a child at Christmas. Hubby thinks I’m mad but honestly nothing is as exciting as seeing the lawn crisp and even with its first cut.

In terms of planting, this is a good time of year for planting grasses as they prefer to be moved when they are actively in growth. Grasses are brilliant plants for bringing height and movement to a garden and they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. I’ve noticed the planting scheme

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outside the new Wigan Life Centre includes quite a few grasses and I can’t wait until later in the year to see them in their prime - planted en mass in this way makes for a contemporary Miscanthus sinensis ‘Kleine look. Miscanthus fontane’ sinensis ‘Kleine fontane’ is a lovely one which keeps its form in winter giving some much needed structure in borders at that time of year.

There is one other very important task for me however this spring - and that is to place a metal grid over my pond.

Yes I’m talking the patter of tiny feet - no not me (god, no!)

- my once noisy, untidy, and very expensive daughter has become a lovely, calm, sensible young mum with a place of her own, a beautiful little girl Freya and a fiance to boot.

Some things however stay the same - one of them being that Hubby (or Grandad) won’t ever be changing a nappy!

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

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Grow n w O r e Y Allotment gardening and growing your own vegetables is a very rewarding activity; for many it is a combination of gentle exercise, getting out into the fresh air with the added satisfaction of producing your own fresh fruit and vegetables for the family. Whether you want to put down some roots and start your own allotment or you just want some tips on creating the perfect window box, stick with Local Life and we’ll give you a guide to the green fingered way of life.

Apart from providing low cost food, they also provide valuable recreational opportunities involving healthy activity and social contacts. Allotments are also significant to our green spaces and provide habitats for many forms of wildlife, so you’ll be doing your bit for the local environment.

For the more adventurous of you who have dreamed of your own potting shed and would like

an allotment to go with it then look to Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust, they manage a number of statutory allotment sites across the Borough. However, they are quite popular so you may encounter a few waiting lists along the way.

At a glance the vital statistics of these plots stack up as follows; a full plot will cost you £37 per year and a half plot will cost you £18.50, with a 50% reduction on fees for tenants over the age of 60. The plots come in all shapes and sizes so there will be something to suit every budding Alan Titchmarsh. To apply for an allotment, applicants are required to email or write to WLCT with their details for more information take a look at the website at www.wlct.org/open-spaces/ allotments

Allotments: – 9 plots Council Run oad, Newtown R on gt rin ar W Skew Bridge, plots oad, Bryn – 13 Back Wigan R plots 5 – n Road, Bry ots Downall Green pl 19 – ss, Ashton Stubshaw Cro

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Independent Allotments: is owned and run by land - 17 plots: Lawns Avenue Lawns Avenue, Tontine, Up Hol tact the Parish Clerk on more information please con Up Holland Parish Council. For k@upholandpc.gov.uk 01257 251775 or e-mail cler d is run by Skelmersdale le - 26 plots: Houghtons Roa Houghtons Road, Skelmersda bbie Walker on 01695 De tact con se e information plea Horticultural Society. For mor mx.co.uk 722162 or email shsociety@g is run by the Liverpool Road le - 19 plots: Liverpool Road Liverpool Road, Skelmersda y Fowler on 01695 721302 Ra tact con information please Allotment Society. For more erve.co.uk or e-mail - ray@skem2000.frees allotments are up and Road, Orrell – The individual St Luke’s Allotments, Lodge up. For more information Gro n ll and Billinge Transitio working and are run by the Orre ingeorrelltransition.org.uk visiting the website at www.bill you can contact the group by are run by its t Road: Norley Hall allotments Norley Hall Allotments, Somerse on 01942 511236 or d Rei eph please contact the Jos tion rma info e mor For . bers mem co.uk. e-mail terrykeefe@blueyonder.

Top Tip n is the Preparatio is a good h rc a M key; preparing rt a time to st . re planting beds befo ed se r u yo re Prepa ring them beds, cove r olythene o p r a e cl with e soil th rm a w fleece to ing. before sow

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Vegetab le Gard ening Ta Whilst yo sks u are wait ing patch at h ome we h to bag the perfec t plot or if ave a few garden in yo little jobs the month you can b u have a vegetab of March most plan le e doing a . This mo ts, start s round the nth is a g eeds indo reat time ors or in to a s g ta re Hoe rt growing enhouse. fre Clea quently for weed control & n & weed soil aerati se Add on manure o ed beds r fertiliser Put in final so up suppo il prepara rts for run Sow tion ner b ea Now rly celery, peas, b eans & peas road bea is a good ns & spin time to pla Plan ach t shallots nt fruit tre , garlic an es Swe d onion s et peppe e ts rs , cucumb artichoke ers, aube s can all rgines, ce be sown some hea lery, in a gree ting if the nhouse, y salads and globe Slug re is a ris ou will ne s are a n k o f fr o e ed to pro st ver end dealing w vide ith them th ing threat; make s u roughout re you ha the year. ve a strate gy for

Local Life 65

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

Distributors Required Local Life requires distributors (aged 13+) to deliver the magazine. We currently have vacancies for distributors in Longshaw, Winstanley and Marus Bridge. We welcome applicants from all other areas for our waiting list too. Distributors will typically work for 2/3 hours every 8 weeks, delivering in their own neighbourhoods.

You must be fit, enthusiastic and reliable. Please email your name, address, landline number and date of birth to sallyb@locallife247.co.uk.

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The Useful Numbers Medical

Pemberton Surgery Pemberton PCT Clinic Concourse Walk-in Centre Bradshaw St Surgery Church St Surgery Hall Green Surgery Holmes House Ave Surgery Hall Green Clinic Orrell Clinic Wigan Infirmary Ormskirk Hospital Moor Rd Dentist Church St Dentist Tower Hill Dentist Hall Green Dentist NHS Direct Emergency Dental Repairs Wigan Chiropractic Clinic Mathew Ryder Clinic NHS Dentist, Up Holland

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0844 477 9459 01942 775820 01695 588640 01942 222336 01695 622982 01695 622268 01942 483213 01695 622781 01942 775750 01942 244000 01695 577111 01942 215091 01695 625565 01695 622410 01695 622066 0845 4647 01695 623334 01942 498480 01695 624042 01695 627617

Police, Councils and Councillors

Greater Manchester Police Local Policing Team Wigan Council Wigan Council (Out of Hours) Cllr Clayton (Orrell & Billinge) Cllr Arrowsmith (Orrell and Billinge) Cllr Murphy (Orrell & Billinge) Cllr Barnes (Winstanley) Cllr Morgan (Winstanley) Cllr Winkworth (Winstanley) Skelmersdale Police Station Up Holland Police Team West Lancs DC Cllr Moran (Up Holland)

Cllr Pollock (Up Holland) Cllr Fillis (Up Holland) County Cllr Evans (Up Holland)

Other Useful Numbers

Hope Community Library Lamberhead Green Library Up Holland Library Local Life magazine

101 0161 856 7188 01942 244991 01942 404040 07979 734969 01942 486859 01942 487688 01942 766454 01942 486880 01942 766229 01695 566134 0845 1253545 01695 577177 01695 550256 01695 632710 0781 138 8153 01695 624683

01942 777545 01942 705060 01695 622368 01695 627999

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