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20 • Visit us @ www.ChampNews.com WK The Champion • Wednesday 28 November 2012 VEHICLE SERVICING AND REPAIRS ALL MAKES, ALL MODELS ALL WORK GUARANTEED ALL WORK UNDERTAKEN FROM A LIGHT BULB TO A FULL ENGINE REBUILD Clutch fitting specialists “Cheapest Clutch Fitting in area” • Vehicle Diagnostics from just £20.00 • MOT’s £40 including free retest • Tyres at low, low prices • Any like for like quote beaten • Cheapest cambelts in town • Brakes & Suspension Glaston Compressor Services Gillibrands Rd B5312 4 WE ARE HERE Greenhey Pl M58 Glenburn Rd Greenhey Pl 4 A5068 Gillibrands Rd M58 DARRAN PRESCOTT AUTOS Unit 3, No33, Greenhey Place, Skelmersdale. WN8 9SA 01695 51873 / 07710 892354 1114452 Am I getting old? I FIRST thought about getting old on my 30th birthday. I don’t know why, I just did. And I haven’t really thought about it that much since. In fact, the only time it really has impinged itself on me was when I got my ‘bus pass’ – and that was a positive thought. Good–oh I thought. I can get on the buses (and happily on Merseyside, trains too) for free. All that kind of changed in the last couple of days though. By the time you read this, I will have celebrated another annual milestone in my existence, though I doubt I’ll be feeling more than a single day older than the day before, if you get my drift. But over the course of just two days, just before my birthday, two separate people seemed to have joined forces to hammer home my mortality. First off, I was enjoying a quiet hour or two in a local hostelry with my brother and two friends. George, my bro, said it would perhaps be a good idea to spend Christmas afloat on our boat in Norfolk: “Sooner rather than later, before we get too old to do it.” Up ‘till then, I’d never even given this aspect of things any thought whatever – and it was a thought I didn’t like. I mean – there really aren’t that many things I cannot do now that I could 36 or so years ago when I first thought about getting old. I mean, I realise I couldn’t run around a football pitch for 90 minutes – but whether I ever could might be open to question, and in any case I have rarely felt the urge so to do. More practically, I know I can still make a quick dash for a bus or set out without pause for thought on a five–mile walk with Tina (my eponymous dog). Incidentally, the various aches and pains I do suffer from, I put down to rheumatism. When I was a kid, all ‘old’ folk had rheumatics – now no–one seems to; everyone and his dog (but not Tina) has arthritis. Since I have never visited my small aches on a doctor, I’ll be awkward and stick to rheumatism. Anyway, I’d just about stopped thinking about getting too old, ever, to celebrate Christmas on the boat, when I had a conversation with a bloke I’ve known for some time and always regarded as just another man (and no insult intended) – not particularly young is what I mean. I told him I had to keep our talk fairly short because I had to nip home, have my evening meal, and be out of the house again quick–sticks to talk to someone from the Maghull Community Association about a possible mini–feature on the work the MCA does in the community. And I mentioned that my association with the MCA goes well back – as it does. I said I remembered going along to a local pub for an initial meeting of people thinking of forming this now well–known Maghull club as a young reporter. Actually I remember the evening very well indeed because one of the blokes there had recently won a Gold Medal for his home–brew at the Liverpool Show and we retired later to his house to try it for ourselves. I think it was very good (good enough to dim my memory of going home anyway!). I was trying to recall exactly when that must have been and reckoned it was probably around 1965/6. And this so–called friend said happily: “I wouldn’t know. I wasn’t even born then.” I mean – here was a chap I’ve known and talked to for quite some time, who is so young he wasn’t even born when I was roughly a third of the age I am now! Now that IS frightening. 1114708
The Champion • Wednesday 28 November 2012 Residents consulted on the council’s housing strategy W Visit us @ www.ChampNews.com • 21 ...future of housing in borough to be discussed Report by David Simister RESIDENTS are being invited to share their views on how the borough can meet demand for housing in years to come at a debate next week. A discussion is being hosted by the West Lancashire Conservative Association’s Disraeli Club on one of the borough’s hot topics, which will take place at Briars Hall in Lathom next Tuesday (December 4). Association deputy chairman (Political), Councillor Graham Jones, said: “I am pleased we have managed to secure an excellent panel for this important debate. “I would urge all those interested in attending to book a place as soon as possible. Numbers are strictly limited and allocated on a first come, first served basis.” The event, which will feature a panel Tell us what you think! editor@champnews.com discussion and a chance for the audience to ask questions, will feature Derek Long, head of the North for the National Housing Federation, Councillor Mike Jones, chairman of the Local Government Association’s Environment and Housing Board, and Councillor Adrian Owens, West Lancashire’s portfolio holder for housing. To book a place at the 7.30pm event, contact 01695 572306. david.simister@champnews.com Report by David Simister PEOPLE are being invited to share their views on how the borough can meet the challenges of providing housing across the borough in years to come. The borough council said it is launching a consultation on how it should meet the challenges posed by offering homes right across West Lancashire, as it prepares to draw up a document outlining its priorities and targets for its housing strategy. Councillor Adrian Owens, the local authority’s portfolio holder for housing finance, regeneration and estates, said: “Housing is essential for underpinning the quality of people’s lives and supporting economic growth which is why housing issues need to be addressed at a local level but in a planned and strategic way. “The housing strategy is separate from, but linked to, the Local Plan in that the Local Plan is a planning document setting out the strategic priorities for development of an area and covering housing, commercial, public and private development, including transport infrastructure, along with protection for the local environment. This housing strategy is intended to provide an action plan and policy direction to address the specific housing challenges and issues in the borough.” The local authority added that the consultation is the public’s chance to have their say on any issues relating to housing supply and demand and to share their views on what the council’s priorities on the issue should be. Councillor Val Hopley, the council’s portfolio holder for landlord services and human resources, added: “We would encourage members of our communities to get involved and share their views. “Once a draft housing strategy has been developed then there will also be a consultation period for further comments and contributions to be made.” Anyone wishing to take part in the consultation is being urged to complete a short online questionnaire that can be found at www.westlancshousingstrategy.co.uk. Alternatively, you can get a hard copy of the questionnaire in the post to complete by contacting arc4, housing consultants (who are assisting in the development of the new housing strategy) by calling the Freephone number 0800 612 9133. The closing date for the consultation is December 14. Conservative association to hold debate on housing see article top of page See big band at Briars Hall THE next gig of the West Lancs Big Band will be this Sunday (December 2) in Briars Hall Hotel, Lathom. The band play music and song from the golden days of the big bands to the present day. Admission on the door is £3.50, and the gig commences at 8pm. get a free pair of glasses from our £45 range. Or choose styles from our other ranges at reduced prices, such as designer glasses for just £35. All glasses come with PENTAX single vision lenses and a scratch-resistant treatment included. £10 EYE TEST Valid for one test booked on or before December at discounted price of only Present voucher at time of test. Cannot be exchanged for cash, used with other vouchers or redeemed by customers already entitled to a free eye test. One per person, at named stores only. CODE 2646 Ormskirk Free glasses with contact lenses: Cannot be used with other offers nor exchanged in part or whole for cash. Other lenses and Extra Options available at additional charge. Initial 3 month payment required from new easycare direct debit customers. Customers are entitled to one pair of free or discounted glasses every two years. Current All rights reserved. 1114695
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