Local Life - Wigan - March 2022

LocalLife 

Wigan Edition 

March 2022 

Title 

Orrell RU Vets Mark ’72 Win 

Pages 17-20 

Upholland GS Through the Ages 

Pages 47-50 

Labour of Love 

Pages 68-69 

Jack’s Tracks - Cheshire Castles 

New! 

Pages 70-72 

Alan Titchmarsh Column 

Page 74 

Colour your Home Happy 

Pages 44-45 

LOCAL NEWS | EVENTS2GO | FOOD | HEALTH | WALks | competitions | home & garden SERVICES

2 

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4 

I’m far from being a Royal cheerleader, but I have, I 

suspect like many readers, an enormous amount of 

respect for Her Majesty the Queen. 

For someone to pledge, as she did in 1947 to the nations 

that make up the Commonwealth, ‘that my whole life, 

whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your 

service’ was a substantial commitment from a 21-yearold, 

and remarkably, one that the Queen has adhered to 

in the 75 years that have passed since. 

Not sure about you, but I don’t remember much about 

being 21 (apart from the hangover from hell the day 

after my birthday), but I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have 

had the presence of mind to promise anything of that 

magnitude and still be able to uphold that promise 75 

years on. Would you? 

There’s lots going on to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum 

Jubilee, but if you’re planning to host a local celebration 

then we’d love to help you publicise it in our next 

issue free of charge. Just email details of the event to 

editorial@locallife247.co.uk along with your name and 

contact number. 

See you next time 

Chris Pearce, Publisher 

chrisp@locallife247.co.uk 

Keep in touch with the 

LocalLife Team! 


Telephone: 01695 627 999 

info@locallife247.co.uk 

locallifemagazine247@locallifemedia 

Local Life 247 Ltd, PO Box 779, Wigan WN1 9UB 

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 may be copied or reproduced without the prior written consent of Local Life 247 Ltd.

5 

This month’s highlights 

17. Veterans Commemorate Cup Win 

Contents 

12. Beauty 

16 genius beauty hacks. 

22. Health 

The dangers of ultra-processed foods. 

26. Food 

Seared lamb fillets with garlic dressing. 

28. Baking 

Gluten-free chocolate caramel tarts. 

44. Colour Your Home 47. Upholland Grammar 

52. Home 

A facelift for your front door. 

56. Tech 

Keep taking the tablets. 

68. Puzzle Pages 

Try these brainteasers for size! 

70. Jack’s Tracks - Cheshire Castles 

74. Greenfingers... 

New! 

The Alan Titchmarsh column. 

75. Home & Garden Services 

Find the best local traders for you. 

58. Top 5 Cruises 

64. Labour of Love 

Want to 

promote your 

business in 

LocalLife? 

Next Issue - April 

Advertising deadline - 9th March 

Published - 23rd March 

01695 627 999 

www.locallife247.co.uk

6 

Planning a Platinum Party? 

There’s a double Bank Holiday weekend being held in 

June (2-5 June) to commemorate The Queen’s Platinum 

Jubilee. The country and the Commonwealth will be 

celebrating The Queen’s 70 years of service. 

This event, and the end of those damned restrictions, 

give us a great opportunity to party like we never have 

before! Street parties have long been associated with 

times of national celebrations, and if getting together 

with your neighbours at bunting-covered tables laden 

with food and drink to chat, laugh, sing, and dance the 

day (and night!) away is your idea of fun, then this is an 

opportunity surely not to be missed. 

Good planning is essential for any party, and the larger 

the party, the more planning is needed. 

The first thing you’ll need to do is ask the council’s 

permission to close your road (or part of your road), so 

that everyone can enjoy the celebrations safely, and it’s 

best to do this as early as possible. 

As long as your road isn’t a major transport route it should 

be a smooth process. 

Wigan residents should download the application form 

here; https://www.wigan.gov.uk/Docs/PDF/Resident/ 

Parking-Roads-Travel/Roads/Street-Party-Application- 

Form.pdf 

Residents of West Lancashire should download the 

application form here; https://www.westlancs.gov.uk/ 

more/your-community/roads-and-travel/organising-astreet-party.aspx 

Both councils recommend that you take insurance cover 

for street parties, and if you plan to do so, then you can 

expect to pay at least £50, depending on the scale of the 

party. They may also ask you to check with other residents 

on the street to make sure there are no objections to the 

party. 

There are a number of organisations including www. 

streetparty.org.uk and www.edenprojectcommunities. 

com who can provide free packs offering great ideas, 

inspiration, and tips to help you get the party started and 

can also help you overcome any obstacles. 

Party on! 


& 

Rose Bridge 

3G Pitches! 

Ideal for summer leagues & competitions 

Availability during the weekday evenings 

Discounts on both pitches from 

March to September 

For more information or to book, please contact Dean Trust Wigan on: 

01942 511987 ext. *7509 or email stuartparry@deantrustwigan.co.uk 

Dean Trust Wigan | Greenhey | Orrell | Wigan | WN5 0DQ 

www.deantrustwigan.co.uk

7 

Healthwatch Asks 

Every year Healthwatch Wigan and Leigh asks the public 

what their top concerns are regarding the improvement 

of health and care services, and they are waiting for you 

to get in touch. 

The Healthwatch team are the independent champion 

for people who use health and social care services. 

They’re here to make sure that the people running health 

and care services, put people at the heart of health and 

care services. 

They would like to know what you think they should 

be focusing on over the next 12 months, what your top 

three priorities are within health and social care services 

and what you feel are the main issues are with those 

services. 

To get in touch with a member of the Healthwatch Wigan 

and Leigh team please call or text 01942 834666, email 

info@healthwatchwiganandleigh.co.uk or complete 

the short survey at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ 

M93WMWW 

Ashton Pantry 

Local businesses, together with St Thomas & St Luke’s 

Church in Ashton are working to reduce the amount of 

food going into landfill. The pantry at St Thomas’ Church 

Hall on Warrington Road is regularly stocked with food 

that is near its sell by date but can still be used to feed 

bellies, not bins. 

The annual membership of the Pantry is £5 with a 

minimum donation of £3 per visit and a maximum of 2 

visits per week. The pantry is open Tuesday 11am-12pm, 

Thursday 3pm-4pm, Saturday 11am-12pm and Sunday 

3pm-4pm. Money raised by the initiative, will be used to 

build a pantry and kitchen behind the Church Hall. For 

more information, please call 01942 727275. 

Season Starts 

The Orrell YMCA Crown Green Bowling Club opens on 

Friday, April 1 for the summer season. The club is open 

from 10am-8pm every day up until October and is 

located on Winstanley Roadin Orrell behind the YMCA. 

New members are always welcome, at a cost of £25 for 

the season. For more information about membership, 

please contact Brian Atherton on 01695 622138 or 

Harold Preston on 01942 519042. 

Tell Us Your Story! 

Local Life is 

always on the 

look out for 

news stories 

from the local 

communities we 

serve. Are you 

raising money 

for charity? Are 

you a member 

of a community 

group with 

something to 

shout about? 



March 2022 

Maybe you’ve got an unusual talent, or have a 

claim to fame? If so, let us know and you could be 

appearing in the next edition! 

Simply contact us on editorial@locallife247.co.uk 

or call us on 01695 627999 

Title 

Orrell RU Vets Mark ’72 Win Jack’s Tracks - Cheshire Castles 

Pages 17-20 

Pages 70-72 

Upholland GS Through the Ages 

New! 

Alan Titchmarsh Column 

Pages 47-50 

Page 74 


Colour your Home Happy 

Pages 68-69 

Pages 44-45 

LOCAL NEWS | EVENTS2GO | FOOD | HEALTH | WALkS | COmpETiTiONS | HOmE & GArDEN SErViCES

8 

Clean Air Zone Update 

The Clean Air Zone, planned to start in Greater Manchester 

on 30th May, has been abruptly delayed after a blizzard 

of protests from residents and businesses across Greater 

Manchester. 

The scheme was put on hold after Boris Johnson branded 

the GMCA plan as ‘completely unworkable’ at Prime 

Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons and said 

that the GMCA ‘must find an alternative that doesn’t 

punish local residents’. 

A few days later, a joint communique from Jo Churchill, 

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department 

for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Andy Burnham, 

Mayor of Greater Manchester and Cllr Andrew Western, 

GMCA portfolio lead for clean air included this statement: 

“We have agreed to a short time-limited pause. We will 

work together to deliver, by the middle of the year, a plan 

for clean air for Greater Manchester, one that is fair to the 

businesses and residents of the city-region. “ 

A statement released by #RethinkGM, the 85,000 strong 

Facebook group that opposes the Clean Air Zone says 

that ‘RethinkGM welcomes the mayor’s proposals, but 

stipulates that any charging scheme is not acceptable, 

and using new technology, construction methodologies, 

transport window modelling, vehicle movements, 

highway design and other methods could be utilised to 

meet targets, without financial burdens being imposed 

on Greater Manchester citizens.’ 

#RethinkGM also claims that the ‘TfGM, GMCA and 

the Mayor’s office created the scheme, imposed it on 

residents of Greater Manchester and agreed the financial 

subsidies.’ 

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said that while 

it was positive news that the concerns of companies 

were being listened to, the measures announced were 

insufficient and the entire Clean Air Zone needs to be put 

on hold for a comprehensive rethink. 

The FSB’s development manager for Greater Manchester 

Robert Downes said: “We are pleased to see business 

sentiment is at last being listened to be decision makers 

within the GMCA, but what they have proposed amounts 

to precious little and doesn’t go nearly far enough”. 

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9 

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10 

Fun on the Farm 

It’s ten years since Greenslate Farm in Billinge opened as 

a Community Farm, and the members will be celebrating 

its 10th anniversary by holding a series of events 

throughout the year. 

The Farm has a long-standing reputation for staging 

vibrant and engaging community events, and members 

are promising a return to those type of events now that 

Covid restrictions have eased. 

The first is a 

Family Fun Day, 

which is being 

held on Sunday 

10th April from 

10 am to 4 pm. 

This will consist 

of an artisan 

market, an 

Easter Egg Hunt 

for the children, 

live music 

throughout the day and many more attractions. 

Delicious coffee and cakes, tasty snacks and wholesome 

meals will all be available at the Straw Bale Cafe and, of 

course, the donkeys and other animals will be welcoming 

visitors, just as they do every weekend. 

If you are a local person looking to sell your craftwork or 

produce at the Family Fun Day, or you’re a musician who 

could help to entertain the visitors, please contact the 

Greenslate Community Farm Community Nurture Team 

via patdavies99@icloud.com or bowyer21@hotmail.co.uk 

Green Fingers 

The social group Ashton Circle has added another string 

to its bow after acquiring a little allotment on Bolton 

Road. The group hopes to grow fruits, vegetables, flowers 

and create habitats for local wildlife. 

Group members are currently in the process of clearing 

the land but once it is safe and ready, they would love 

to welcome members old and new to go help out. To 

become a member or get involved with the allotment, 

please email becky@community-circles.co.uk 

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11 

Anniversary Concert 

The Golborne Ex-Miners will be hosting their 43rd 

anniversary concert at St Thomas’ Church in Golborne on 

Friday, March 18. 

The concert takes place in remembrance of the Golborne 

Colliery disaster in which an underground explosion led 

to the death of ten miners, exactly 43 years to the day on 

March 18, 1979. 

Joined by the Parkside Colliery male voice choir, this will 

be a fitting tribute to those who were killed and those 

who survived. The concert will begin at 7.30pm and the 

entry fee is £6 per person, payable on the door. 

Baby Goods Sale 

From cots to buggies and toys to baby clothes, the 

Poolstock Pre-Loved Baby Sale will have it all this 

Saturday, February 27. The sale will take place at Clifton 

Street Community Centre on Poolstock Lane, next to The 

Bold Pub. If anyone wants a table, there is still time to 

secure yours for a cost of £15 - please contact David on 

07487 835489. 

Entry is free and the sale will run from 11.30am-1pm. 

Refreshments will be available to purchase and there will 

be free chicken nuggets and chips for any children who 

attend. 

St Patrick’s Parade 

The Brian Boru Club in Ashton are excited to invite you 

to their 36th annual St Patrick’s Day parade On Sunday, 

March 13. 

After missing the last two parades due to the pandemic, 

club members are determined to make this the biggest 

and best parade they’ve ever had. 

Members will be hosting a St Patrick’s Mass from 12pm at 

the club on Bryn Street, followed by the parade around 

the town leaving from Ashton market square at 1pm. 

You can enjoy the best craic in town with outstanding 

Irish entertainment, including the Liverpool Irish Pip 

Band, the Comhaltas musicians, Wet the Tea and Michael 

Coyne. 

For more information, please contact the club on 01942 

7275376 or go online at www.brianboruclub.com

12 

From make-up tips to haircare advice, 

these tips could make your life easier. 

When you paint your nails, start from your little finger 

1 rather than your thumb. You’ll lower the risk of 

smudging your freshly painted nails. 

2 

Matte lipstick is on-trend but very unforgiving. Before 

using it, mix a dash of olive oil with half a teaspoon of 

brown sugar to treat your lips to a DIY lip scrub. 

Clean your make-up brushes regularly with facial 

3 cleanser or a mild shampoo. Rinse thoroughly and 

leave to air dry. 

Don’t test foundation on your hand – you won’t get 

4 a good colour match. Instead, try it on your jawline. 

Wrap a small scoop of porridge oats up in a muslin 

5 cloth and tie the ends to secure. Drop it in your bath 

while the water is running. The oat oils work wonders on 

dry skin. 

Leave at least a day between shaving/waxing and 

6 applying fake tan. Otherwise, you risk causing 

irritation and ending up with a patchy tan. 

Not keen on heavily fragranced body oils? Switch to 

7 pure almond oil. Add a few drops of essential oil if you 

want a hint of natural fragrance. 

8 

Leave your facial cleanser 

to soak in for a few minutes 

before wiping it off. It’ll act as a mini 

face pack. This works particularly 

well with balm cleansers. 

Apply eye cream with your ring 

9 finger. It’s the weakest so you’re 

less likely to pull at the skin. Dab 

(rather than rub) the cream in. 

If you often forget to apply SPF in the cooler 

10 months, try swapping your foundation for a 

tinted SPF cream. 

11 

Hair feeling lank or lacklustre? Try switching to a 

shampoo that’s free from sulphates and silicones. 

Sulphates can strip hair of its natural, healthy oils, while 

silicones can build up over time and weigh hair down. 

12 

Put wet hair in multiple plaits before bed for easy 

curls the next day. Brush through if you want 

looser waves. 

Freshly washed hair is 

13 harder to style. So if you 

have a big night out coming up, 

wash your hair the day before. 

It’ll then hold its style better for 

your evening out. 

14 

Rather than splashing 

out on expensive travelsized 

products (they can be 

more than double the price per 

ml), decant your usual products 

into small reusable containers. 

15 

Do you subscribe to Birchbox or a similar 

subscription box? Save the products you don’t 

fancy throughout the year. By Christmas, you’ll have a 

stack of cracker prizes and stocking fillers. You could 

even use them to fill a personalised advent calendar for 

a friend. 

Skin and hair changes as we age, so what worked 

16 for you a few years ago may not be as effective 

today. Embrace the chance to try something new!

13 

Reveal beautiful skin 

with Clarins professional 

treatments 

Book two selected Clarins treatments 

in March and receive the candle gift set 

WORTH 

£25* 

* Offer limited to both 

treatments booked for 

one person 

Choose From: 

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Wellness Body Treatments 

Ultra-Relaxing Facial 

Deep Tissue Massage 

Rebalancing Massage 

Wide range of gift sets for 

Mothering Sunday – now available 

Expressions Of Beauty 

161-171, Main Street, Billinge, WN5 7PA 

01744 894 214 

www.expressionsofbeauty.co.uk

14 

Increase your 

Sales in 2022! 

Did you know that Local Life 

delivers leaflets in the 

Wigan & St Helens areas for 

businesses & other organisations? 

Prices start 

from 

£27.50 

per 

1,000 

+ VAT 

Having a Ball 

The Wigan Youth Zone are hosting their annual ball next 

Saturday, to bring back some much-needed glitz and 

glamour to Wigan’s social scene, and to help the charity 

raise funds to help them recover from the damage 

caused by COVID restrictions. 

Join the team and their army of supporters at Kilhey 

Court Hotel, on Chorley Road in Standish next Saturday 

5th March, 19.00 till late. The ball will be an evening of 

celebration and glamour starting with a champagne 

reception, followed by a three-course meal. 

During the evening there will be entertainment from 

young people and opportunities to raise funds for the 

WYZ, before everyone takes to the dance floor at the end 

of the evening with a live act followed by a DJ. 

The cost is £1000 for a table of ten, with tables already 

selling fast be sure to get in touch and reserve yours. 

To book your table or to discuss other way of supporting 

the Wigan Youth Zone, please contact Sharon on 01942 

612061 or email Sharon.mclaren@wiganyouthzone.org. 

Distribution is 

monitored using 

GPS 

tracking 

We can also design and print 

your leaflets! 


Call us now on 01695 627999 


15 

Beer Festival Returns 

To the disappointment of drinkers from miles around, 

2021 was the first year for 33 years that the Wigan Beer 

Festival didn’t run, but the good news is that it’s back for 

2022! 

Drinkers can quench their collective thirsts next weekend 

(3rd-5th March) at the festival, which is being held at the 

Robin Park Sports Centre in Newtown. 

Organisers at Wigan CAMRA are incredibly excited. 

Sandy Motteram outlines the selection of drinks available 

at the festival, “We have a huge selection of real ale, 

craft beer, cider, perry and foreign beers for enjoyment 

of festival goers, and our friends from the Wayfarer in 

Parbold are joining us to offer a range of gins, prosecco 

and rum, so there should be something for everyone. 

“You will also discover new food vendors and we’ve laid 

on some incredible entertainment too, including Baron 

Otto Von Funcke & The Schunkelers, Annette Fairclough, 

Andy Mack and the Easystreet Big Band.” 

Fellow organiser Brian Gleave added “We wouldn’t 

be able to run our festival without the support of our 

sponsors including Prospect 

Brewery, Swinley Plumbing 

& Property Services, Real 

Crafty, The Swan & Railway 

Hotel, Bank Top Brewery, 

Blackedge Brewery, Wily 

Fox Brewery, Hophurst 

Brewery, the H Taphouse and 

the Bobbin Micropub.” 

The sessions will run from 5.30-11pm on Thursday 3rd, 

noon until 11pm on Friday 4th, and 11.30am -9.30pm 

on Saturday 5th March. For those who prefer to enjoy a 

quiet drink, the quieter sessions are on Thursday evening 

and Friday afternoon. 

Wigan Transport Trust will again be running a free shuttle 

bus service from Hallgate and Wigan North Western 

railway to the festival using their beautifully restored 

heritage buses. 

For more information, please visit the website www. 

beerfestival.wigancamra.org.uk 

Premier Logs 

Your Kiln Dried Wood Fuel Specialist 

WS315 

8

16

17 

Veterans Commemorate 

Cup Win 

50 years ago, in April 1972, Orrell RU first hit the rugby 

spotlight after winning their first-ever Lancashire Cup. 

Veterans from the winning team are now organising 

an Anniversary Dinner at Houghwood Golf to mark the 

occasion. 

Chris Pearce sat down with five of the 1972 team; Peter 

Bayman, Bill Lyon, Barry Fishwick, Peter Philips and Bernard 

Lundy, to get their take on that great day and what life was 

like as an Orrell RU player in the 1970’s. 

Back in the 1970’s, rugby union clubs in England only 

played friendlies and cup competitions, and so the 

re-introduction of the Lancashire Cup in the 1971/72 

season, after an 80-year long hiatus, was welcomed by 

the Lancashire clubs. 

Just a few years earlier, in 1968, Orrell became the first rugby 

union club in Lancashire to have floodlights installed, and 

this move enabled the First XV to play matches in midweek, 

in addition to their weekend games. More matches meant 

better a standard of fitness for the First XV and, once news 

emerged about the re-introduction of the Lancashire Cup, 

Orrell fancied their chances. 

According to Barry, Orrell’s fitness quest gave them the 

edge over their competitors at the time. “Ken Taberner 

and Des Seabrook were a great team for Orrell, Ken used 

to do the physical stuff and Des was the tactics man, and 

along with the floodlight situation, this meant we were 

fitter than many of our opponents. 

(l-r) Peter Philips, Barry Fishwick, Bill Lyon, 

Bernard Lundy and Peter Bayman

18 

Barry Fishwick, scoring Orrell’s second try 

“Training took place twice a week, and, in addition, 

matches were often played on Wednesdays and 

Saturdays. 

“The Lancashire Cup final was my 50th match of the 

season, that’s how many games we used to play.” 

Bill added, “We all had full time jobs, and then we’d get to 

training for 6.30pm and finish at 9.30 at night.” 

“All except me, I was a student at the time”, chipped in 

Peter Philips, who travelled back from university to play 

in the final. 

Strange as it may seem today, when some sportsmen and 

women earn hundreds of thousands of pounds a week, 

the players of this Orrell team played for the pleasure and 

the honour. 

To emphasise this point, the players shared a story of 

one brave member of the team who approached the 

Club Chairman, Eric Smith, after the final to ask if the club 

would organise a memento of the final for the players, 

suggesting something like a commemorative tankard, 

and was summarily dismissed by Eric who allegedly said, 

‘You might have been one of the 15 who were lucky 

enough to be on the pitch, but it was Orrell won the Cup, 

not you’. 

Club discipline at the time was strict and competition for 

places was fierce, stressed Barry, “If you didn’t train, you 

were dropped – it didn’t matter who you were or how 

long you’d played for Orrell. 

“And Orrell had a good second team, so if you were 

dropped, those players would step up and you might lose 

your place for good.” 

Bill highlighted how vital the Lancashire Cup was to 

Orrell: “The Lancashire Cup was very important, as the 

winners got a place in the following season’s National Cup 

(renamed in 1976 to the John Player Cup) and it gave us a 

chance to play against the big teams of the time, such as 

Coventry or Northampton.” 

Peter added, “None of the big clubs wanted to play Orrell, 

we were dismissed as a minor team from ‘up North’ but if 

we won the Lancashire Cup, they would have to play us.” 

The road to the first Lancashire Cup Final was 

straightforward. In fact, Orrell didn’t concede a single 

point in the Lancashire Cup that year, a great achievement.

19 

They beat Southport in the first round 23-0, overpowered 

the aviation company team Hawker Siddeley 47-0 in 

round two. Orrell then scored 40 points without reply 

from Ormskirk in the third round and narrowly beat St 

Helens’ West Park 6-0 in the semi-final, to qualify for the 

Lancashire Cup Final against the mighty Liverpool, to be 

played at Waterloo’s ground in Blundellsands on Sunday 

16th April 1972. 

Orrell, playing their first Lancashire Cup Final, were the 

definite underdogs, as Bill admitted, “Liverpool were the 

big names, we (Orrell) were the nobodies.” 

Liverpool’s team had two internationals playing, one was 

Fran Cotton, the Wigan lad who went on to represent 

England and the British Lions and is the former co-owner 

of the clothing firm Cotton Traders. 

The day of the final began like any other match day, Barry 

confirmed, “We met, as we normally did, at the Colliers 

Arms on Moss Road (now demolished), for lunch and a 

chat, then we travelled by coach arriving at Waterloo’s 

ground in Blundellsands about 1.30pm.” 

One national newspaper put the crowd at 11,000, and 

though many of those spectators were from other clubs 

rooting for a win for the underdogs, a fair few travelled 

from Orrell. 

Bill scored the first try and Orrell went into half time 7-0 

in front. The second try, scored by Barry, came in the very 

closing seconds of the game to wrap up a 16-0 victory 

for Orrell. 

Orrell’s after-game celebrations at Waterloo went on for 

so long, that the crowds waiting to welcome the team 

back in Orrell had long since retreated into the Orrell 

clubhouse by the time the team arrived. 

Bernard confirms, “Three old ladies on the corner of Edge 

Hall Road waving, that was our welcome when we arrived 

back in Orrell.” 

The Lancashire Cup victory in 1972, and the subsequent 

wins in 1973, 1975, 1978, 1981, 1982 and 1983 set the 

tone for the glory years, when Orrell played and beat 

many top teams in the National/John Player Cup. 

The fitness regime established by Ken Taberner at Orrell 

also helped the club to succeed at 7’s rugby. Over a period 

of around 10 years, the squad won 30 major tournaments 

all over Britain. 

The Lancashire Cup winners of 1972

20 

The patronising attitude of Rugby’s big boys towards 

Orrell still persisted though. This was epitomised by a 

comment from a committee member at London-based 

Harlequins, who complained after a loss at Edge Hall 

Road about being ‘beaten by a layby off the M6’. 

When the Courage League was founded in 1987, the 

opening season of a national rugby union league, Orrell 

joined Waterloo and Sale as the northern representatives 

amongst the upper echelons of Division One. In 1992, only 

the width of a goalpost stopped Orrell being crowned 

English champions; and that season represented the 

highest summit of Orrell’s story. 

So far. 

Despite not being based at Edge Hall Road, Orrell RU 

is still a thriving club with three open age teams, nine 

junior/kids teams and a girls section. They enjoy the 

fantastic facilities at the Drive Medical Arena at St John 

Rigby College and have advanced plans to build a 

new home with Winstanley Park Cricket Club, next to 

Winstanley College. For details visit the club’s website; 

www.orrellrugbyunion.com 

Fingers crossed, the club’s time for glory will come again, 

and that one day, they will emulate the heroes of 1972. 

1972 Lancashire Cup Final 

Orrell 16 - Liverpool 0 

Orrell Team: T.J. Abbott, P. Phillips, W.Lyon, 

S.M. Littler, B. Fishwick, S.M. Lockwood, J. Waring, 

J.S. Leigh, D. Jones, W.F. Anderson, M.J. Derman, 

D.Seabrook, B. Lundy, M. Beattie, P. Bayman 

Orrell’s Lancashire Cup Wins 

1972 16-0 vs Liverpool 

1973 32-7 vs West Park 

1975 9-3 vs Manchester 





1988 23-6 vs Liverpool St Helens 

1989 48-6 vs Broughton Park 

1997 27-17 vs Preston Grasshoppers 

Edge Hall Road today 

The Anniversary Dinner will be held on 

Friday 6th May at Houghwood Golf on Crank Road, Billinge. 

If you’d like further details about the event or you’d like to book tickets, please call 

Bernard Lundy on 07986 825096.

21

22 

The dangers of 

ultra-processed 

foods 

More than half the calories we eat in 

the UK now come from ultra-processed 

foods. But what does this mean for our 

health, and how can we cut back? 

Ultra-processed food is everywhere, and it probably 

makes up more of your shopping trolley than you’d think. 

The term is often used interchangeably with ‘processed 

food’ but they’re not the same. So, what exactly are ultraprocessed 

foods, how are they affecting our health and 

what can we do to cut back? 

Generally, most of the food we eat has been processed in 

one way or another. Milk is pasteurised to make it safe to 

drink, beans are dried and canned to extend their shelf 

life, and seeds are pressed to produce oils. However, this 

doesn’t necessarily make these foods unhealthy. Ultraprocessed 

foods, on the other hand, contain ingredients 

you wouldn’t typically find in your kitchen cupboard. 

Chemicals, colourings, sweeteners, preservatives – ultraprocessed 

foods are littered with them. 

Some of the foods that fall into this category are 

unsurprising. Crisps, fizzy drinks, biscuits and ice cream 

are all highly processed, but did you know that even 

breakfast cereals, white bread and ready meals are too? 

It can be hard to detect highly processed foods, which 

unfortunately makes us even more likely to add them to 

our shopping basket. But what damage does this do to 

our bodies? 

Created to be convenient, cheap and tasty, ultraprocessed 

foods are typically high in sugars, refined 

grains, fats and salt. They also have very little nutritional 

value and are highly addictive, which explains why they’re 

so prevalent in our diets. They’re hard to resist! Recently, 

highly processed foods have also been linked to heart 

disease, diabetes, obesity and even some cancers. 

As with anything though, moderation is key. There’s 

nothing wrong with a biscuit dipped in your cup of tea or 

a takeaway every now and again. The trick is to eat ultraprocessed 

foods as part of a healthy balanced diet. So, 

how can we limit the amount of highly processed foods 

we consume? 

Check your labels 

One of the easiest ways to check whether a food product 

is highly processed is to read the ingredients list. A label 

full of long words you can’t pronounce is one sign that a 

food is highly processed. You can also check the Nutrition 

Information Panel to identify foods with high amounts of 

saturated fat, sugar and sodium (salt).

23 

Find substitutes 

There are plenty of substitutes to ultra-processed foods 

on the market. Instead of crisps try low-fat popcorn, 

which is wholegrain and a good source of fibre. Swap 

sugary cereals for unsweetened oatmeal, and replace 

white bread with a homemade or granary loaf. 

Cook more meals from scratch 

When you prepare a meal from scratch, you have more 

control over the ingredients you’re consuming. You can 

also pack in plenty of whole foods, such as vegetables, 

beans, legumes and whole grains. Start compiling a list of 

quick and easy meal ideas to prepare when you’re feeling 

lazy. Salads, omelettes and stir-fries require little effort, 

and are super tasty too. 

Be wary of false advertising 

Don’t be fooled by phrases like ‘fat-free’, ‘natural’, ‘no 

added sugar’ and ‘sugar-free’. Foods that are advertised 

as healthy often contain artificial ingredients or other 

chemical additives, such as artificial sweetener, which 

make them significantly more processed – and unhealthy 

– than they might first appear. Remember to check the 

ingredients list! 

Keep healthy 

snacks on hand 

If you’re in a rush, grabbing 

a packet of crisps and a 

cereal bar on your way 

out the door is tempting. 

However, keeping your 

kitchen stocked with 

portable, nutritious 

snacks can make it much 

easier to make healthy 

choices on the go. Fresh fruit, unsalted nuts and hard 

boiled eggs are all good examples of simple but tasty 

snacks that’ll keep you energised throughout the day. 

Take it slow 

If ultra-processed foods constitute a large portion of your 

diet, it’s a good idea to reduce your intake of these foods 

slowly at first. This is because going cold turkey increases 

your likelihood of craving the high-fat, high-sugar foods 

your body has become accustomed to. Plus, sometimes 

highly processed food is simply more convenient. Start by 

trying to enjoy one unprocessed or minimally processed 

meal a day, and gradually increase as you see fit. 

The Chiropody Clinic 

S. Cunliffe & Associates Ltd 

Professional Podiatric care for your feet 

1 st Floor 

Woodside Health Centre 

Woodside Road 

Haydock 

St. Helens 

WA11 0NA 

01744 416300 

For appointments call 01744 416300 

Or book online at: 

www.tccpodiatry.co.uk 

Registered Office : 296 Clipsey Lane, Haydock, St. Helens, Merseyside, WA11 0JQ 

Company No : 10655351 (Registered in England & Wales) 7542321604

24 

Parking Crackdown 

A camera car will be used to enforce a Red Route Clearway 

to stop parking problems at Fairy Glen in Appley Bridge, 

frequently named as one of the UK’s most popular spots 

for day-trippers. 

Lancashire County Council’s cabinet are introducing 

the clearway to stop parking across the entire width of 

the highway, including the pavements and grass verges 

at the beauty spot. Fairy Glen has seen huge numbers 

of visitors, especially in the past two years, with many 

people visiting from outside the area. 

County Cllr Edwards said that the red route measure was 

designed to “discourage inconsiderate parking, remove 

the potential damage that can occur on footways and 

verges and keep the route clear of potential visual 

obstruction due to parked cars”. 

Cllr Edwards explained how the council would ensure 

that visitors stick to the rules. 

“With these red route clearways, we can enforce them 

by a camera car, where we have these available. A car 

just needs to drive down the road and [penalty charge 

notices] will be captured as part of the journey – so 

it’s much more efficient and something we would be 

[looking] to implement further across the network in the 

future”. 

Aside from a lay-by opposite, Fairy Glen has no dedicated 

parking and the large numbers of cars parked along 

grass verges on the A5209 between Parbold and Appley 

Bridge has raised serious safety concerns for visitors for 

and other traffic on a busy road. 

Head over Heels 

If you fancy learning your bridge from your backwards 

walkover, then have a look at the adult gymnastic classes 

at Wigan & Ashton Gymnastics Club. 

The classes are aimed at everyone over the age of 

13 and all abilities are welcome, with structured and 

unstructured classes available on request. 

The classes take place at the gym on Richard Street in 

Ince (WN3 4JN) every Thursday between 8.30-9.30pm. 

Your first session is free and £5 per session thereafter, 

with discounts for block booking. For more information 

or to book your space please contact the gym on 01942 

568 440. 

Always Listening 

• Micro-Suction Wax Removal 

• FREE Hearing Tests 

• Claim your FREE trial of the latest digital 

hearing aids – technology that can’t be 

bought on the high street 

• Hearing Aids & Repairs 

Rest assured you are in safe hands in our 

family owned, state of the art clinic. 

Voted Wigan’s audiologist of the year 

2019, 2020 and 2021 

Call now to make an appointment 

01942 215 391 

Email - info@wiganhearing.co.uk 

8-10 Gathurst Road, Orrell, WN5 8QH

25

26 

Seared Lamb Fillet 

with Beans and Garlic 

Minted Dressing 

Serves 4 

Prep time: 15 minutes 

Marinate: 1 hour or overnight 

Cook time: 50 minutes 

Succulent beef served with a delicious 

rich and tangy garlic and herb sauce 

makes a sensational feast. Any leftover 

meat can be served cold with salad the 

following day. 

Ingredients 

500g lamb fillet 

1 garlic clove, crushed 

Grated zest of 1 lemon 

1 tsp cumin powder 

1 tbsp olive oil plus a little extra for frying 

150g green beans or sprouting broccoli, 

trimmed 

250g mixed green leaves, baby spinach or 

rocket leaves 

150g cherry tomatoes, halved 

½ red onion, finely diced 

Dressing 

1 bulb of garlic 

Drizzle of olive oil 

200g Greek yoghurt 

Handful of mint leaves 

1 tsp honey or maple syrup 

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar 

Pinch of cumin 

½ tsp Dijon mustard 

Method 

1. For the lamb, mix together the garlic, lemon zest, cumin and olive oil 

and rub over the lamb. Leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 1 

hour or overnight. 

2. For the dressing, place the garlic bulb in a piece of foil and drizzle 

over a little oil. Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes. Cool slightly 

then squeeze out the garlic pulp into a blender. Add the remaining 

ingredients for the dressing and blend together. Season to taste. 

3. Preheat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas mark 7. Sear the lamb in a 

frying pan with a little olive oil so that it is brown all over. Place in 

the oven and roast for 15-20 minutes. Allow to rest for 5-10 minutes. 

Slice thinly. 

4. Blanch the beans or broccoli in boiling water until al dente, drain 

and refresh under cold water. Pile the green leaves on a platter and 

top with the beans, tomatoes and onion. Arrange the lamb on top 

and drizzle over the dressing to serve. 

Nutritional information per serving: 437kcal, fat 33g (of which saturates 15g), carbohydrates 6.7g 

(of which sugars 5.7g), protein 28g, fibre 1.9g.

27 

Mother’s Day 

Sunday 27th March 2022 

Treat your Mum on Mother’s Day here at the 

LANCASHIRE 

MANOR 

3 course 

CARvery 

£19.95 per adult 

£10.95 per child 

(10 years and under) 

Lancashire Manor Hotel, 

Prescott Road, Pimbo, 

Wigan, WN8 9QD 

01695 567260 

Free GLASS 

OF FIZZ 

for every 

Mum 

Booking essential! 

www.lancashiremanorhotel.com 

reception@lancashiremanorhotel.com

28 

Gluten-Free Chocolate 

Caramel Tarts 

Makes 8 or 12 tartlets, 

or one 20cm tart 

Serves 8-12 

Ingredients 

Pastry 

200g gluten-free plain flour 

¾ tsp xanthan gum 

100g butter, cut into small pieces 

1 egg 

Caramel filling 

150g pitted soft dates, soaked in hot 

water for 10 minutes then drained 

40g maple syrup 

2 tbsp peanut butter or almond nut 

butter 

3 tbsp coconut oil 

2-3 tbsp boiling water to blend 

1 tbsp vanilla extract 

Chocolate Ganache 

50ml double cream or coconut cream 

200g dark chocolate chips 

If you love Snickers this is the dessert for you! With a gorgeous caramel 

centre and topped with chocolate, this is a rich indulgent treat. For smaller 

portions, use a pastry cutter and line a 12-hole tart tin in the same way as 

if making jam tarts. 

Method 

1. Preheat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas mark 5. 

2. Make the pastry. Place the flour and xanthan gum with the butter in a 

food processor and whiz to form breadcrumbs. Add the egg and a little 

water, if needed for the mixture to come together, to form a moist, 

slightly damp dough. 

3. Roll out the pastry between two sheets of cling film – this will make it 

easier to roll out. 

4. Line either 8 individual tart tins or a 12-hole tart tin, or one 20cm / 8-inch 

fluted tart tin. Ideally use tins with removable bases to make it easier to 

remove the tarts when baked. 

5. Prick the bases all over with a fork and line with baking paper, then fill 

with baking beans and bake for 10 minutes or until the edges are just 

browning. Remove the baking beans and paper and bake for a further 

5-10 minutes or until golden brown all over. Cool completely before 

using. If using a 12-hole tart tin bake them for around 5-10 minutes until 

golden. 

6. To make the caramel filling, simply place all the ingredients in a food 

processor and blend to form a thick paste. 

7. Spoon the caramel into the tart cases then chill for 1 hour to firm up. 

8. Place the cream and chocolate in a small saucepan and warm gently. 

Beat well until the chocolate has melted and you have a thick ganache. 

9. Pour the chocolate over the caramel filling and place back in the fridge 

for 1 hour to set. 

Nutrition per serving (one tartlet of eight): 470kcal, fat 30g (of which saturates 19g), carbohydrates 

42g (of which sugars 24g), protein 7.6g, fibre 2g 

Nutrition per serving (one tartlet of twelve): 314kcal, fat 20g (of which saturates 13g), carbohydrates 

28g (of which sugars 16g), protein 5.1g, fibre 1.3g

29

30 

Mortgage 

Fixed term 

Ending? 

Specialists in: 

• Family Law • Personal Injury 

• Wills & Probate 

Call us today to arrange a 

free 30 minute consultation 

Rachel Jane Taylor 

Solicitor & Director 

RJT Solicitors 

44 High Street, 

Standish, 

Wigan, 

WN6 0HF 

Donna Gamble 

Solicitor 

01257 228027 / 01942 409154 

www.rjtsolicitors.co.uk 

This is an opportunity 

to find a better 

mortgage deal! 

Get in touch today. 

www.armortgagesuk.com 

0345 0099580 

YOUR HOME IS AT RISK IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR 

MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER LOAN SECURED ON IT. Alexander Ross Mortgages is 

a trading style of WE Financial Services Limited FRN: 480853 which is an appointed 

representative of LJ Financial Planning Limited which is authorised and regulated by 

the Financial Conduct Authority and is entered on the Financial Services Register. 

www.fca.org.uk/register with firm reference number 429142. Registered in England 

and Wales. Registered office address: 8 Whitehall Avenue, Appley Bridge, Wigan, 

England, WN6 9JU. Company registration number: 06445369.

31 

Trader Scheme Offer 

Every year, over 40,000 residents of Wigan Borough use 

the Good Trader Scheme to source good quality local 

tradespeople to do maintenance, improvement and 

emergency work in their homes and gardens. 

The Good Trader Scheme has been run by the Trading 

Standards team at Wigan Council for over 15 years. It’s 

amongst the top ten local authority schemes in the 

country, with over 180 local trader members. 

For tradespeople, the scheme obviously offers the chance 

to gain local work within the Wigan Borough, and you 

can also save hundreds of pounds in advertising costs. 

Joining the Good Trader Scheme will cost your business 

a fraction of cost of joining similar schemes such as 

CheckaTrade, Rated People and TrustATrader. 

The Good Trader Scheme is offering local traders the 

chance to join with no membership fees up to the end of 

March 2022. Businesses will just need to pay a one off £40 

administration fee to process their application. 

If you like the scheme and the benefits it brings your 

business, you can renew in April for less than £100 for a 

standard membership. 

For details please email regulation@wigan.gov.uk. If you 

want to join the 40,000 local residents using the Good 

Trader Scheme, visit www.goodtraderscheme.com. 

LOCAL, FRIENDLY 

LEGAL PRACTICE SPECIALISING IN 

WILLS & PROBATE 

The safety of our clients 

and staff is paramount to us 

McHale Baker are a unique legal 

practice specialising in Wills, 

Probate, Asset Protection, 

Lasting Powers of Attorney & 

Court of Protection work. 

We offer offi ce appointments or 

home visits to clients in the North 

West of England and believe our 

approachability removes the barriers 

created by the more traditional legal 

practices. To arrange a meeting with 

one of our understanding specialists, 

please call 01257 463672 

Karen Baker 

Lyndsey McHale 

Clear and simple advice 

from our specialists 

McHale 

Baker 

Wills, Trusts and Estates Practitioners 

Northern Diver Building, East Quarry, 

Appley Lane North, Appley Bridge WN6 9AE 

www.mchalebaker.co.uk 

01257 463672 • admin@mchalebaker.co.uk 

Wills • Lasting Powers of Attorney • Probate • Care Home Fee Advice • Trusts • Court of Protection

32 

Hospice Funding Boost 

Local Vocals Community Choir has earmarked Wigan 

and Leigh Hospice as their charity of the term. The choir 

was founded just twelve months ago by Laura Bennett, 

a graduate of LIPA, and has since grown to nearly two 

hundred voices across three choirs in Wigan, Rainford 

and Leyland. 

Research shows that singing in a choir has tremendous 

benefits for physical and mental wellbeing and the 

opportunity to meet weekly with likeminded people can 

help us guard against social isolation. 

As well as the weekly rehearsal, Local Vocals have access 

to a host of resources online and the chance to engage 

in community activities ranging from art sessions to 

rambling. 

Each term, a charity is chosen by the choir members and 

all events are targeted towards raising money for that 

charity. In their first year, Local Vocals raised well over 

four thousand pounds for Wigan Stars, Derian House and 

Northwest Blood Bikes – something they are very proud 

of. 

This year, they are hoping to increase their fundraising 

efforts further and would appreciate the support of 

anyone who sees them perform at local events. 

If you would like to know more about Local Vocals or 

you’d like to support their charity fundraising efforts, visit 

their website www.localvocalschoir.com or email office@ 

localvocalschoir.com. 

Rugby Women Wanted 

Ashton Bears Rugby League team, based at Low Bank 

Road, are recruiting for their brand-new women’s openage 

team, starting in 2022 or 2023. 

You don’t need to have any previous playing experience, 

just a drive to improve. If you’re interested then please 

call Mark Webster on 07795 101260 

Take a Punt 

Local American Football team, Wigan Bandits are 

currently recruiting for the 2022 season. No experience is 

necessary, but you need to be aged 16-19. 

Full kit will be supplied. To start your American Football 

journey simply email wiganbanditsyouth@outlook.com 

Are you a first-time buyer struggling to get on the 

property ladder or looking to get a better deal than 

your bank has offered? 

If that’s a yes, we offer a FREE initial consultation on: 

• First-Time Buyer Mortgages/Purchases • Re Mortgages • Buy to Let Mortgages 

We have access to some of the most competitive rates on the market 

Your home may be repossessed if you don’t keep up repayments on your mortgage 

We also provide advice on: 

• Home Insurance • Income Protection • Life / Critical Illness Insurance 

Call Steve on: 01695 666 999 

www.mortgagefactoryltd.com 

Pop in to see us: 44A Ormskirk Road, Upholland (Next to Fosters Hair) 

Email: info@mortgagefactoryltd.com

33 

NEW 

ranges of 

ENERGY SAVING 

fabrics 

Harmony 

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30% o f to celebrate our 30th year! 

Blinds | Shutters | Perfect Fit | Remote control blinds 

01942 311342 

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34 

Shops 

QUIZ 

1. What name would be used in the UK for what 

would be called an op shop in Australia and New 

Zealand? 

2. The 2018 BBC TV documentary series Flatpack 

Empire went behind the scenes of which retailer? 

3. A 2021 Christmas TV advert for Tesco was 

cleared of causing widespread offence after over 

5,000 complaints were made regarding a scene 

in which Father Christmas proves he is what? 

4. In the film Notting Hill, Hugh Grant’s character 

owns a shop that sells what? 

5. Which well known retailer has a logo that 

features a yellow arrow going from the first letter 

in its name to the fourth to represent the wide 

variety of products it sells? 

6. In January 2021, which online retailer bought 

the Debenhams brand and website for 55 million 

pounds? 

7. Specialising in home shopping, the letters in the 

name of the company QVC stand for what three 

words? 

8. In the Harry Potter novels, Ollivanders is a shop 

that sells what? 

9. Which of the following retailers started life as a 

“penny bazaar” in 1884, using the slogan “don’t 

ask the price, it’s a penny”?... a) John Lewis; b) 

Marks and Spencer; or c) Sainsbury’s? 

10. In 2019, who launched an online shop called 

Gross Domestic Product, with a disclaimer 

saying it “may prove to be a disappointing retail 

experience - especially if you’re successful in 

making a purchase”? 

Quiz solutions can be found on page 85 of this magazine 

Get into Golf 

Deanwood Golf Club will be hosting a free Open Day 

starting at 11am on Sunday, March 13, with an aim to 

show ladies how golf can help them to achieve their 

fitness goals. 

The ladies’ ‘Get into Golf’ programme at the Lafford 

Lane course was hugely successful in 2021, and the club 

welcomed a number of new ladies. 

Golf can go a long way to helping you feel good about 

yourself. You can master a new skill, and push yourself to 

achieve your 10,000 daily steps in beautiful surroundings. 

If you’re worried about your current skills with a club, 

fear not as the club’s PGA professional, Sam will teach 

you the basics of golf and offers 10-12 lessons for just 

£100 if required. 

Once you’ve got the hang of the game, you will be able 

to progress at your own pace, right the way through to 

full membership. Current ladies will be waiting to help 

you, and will share their experiences and passion for the 

game. 

If you’re interested, call the club on 01695 622219 to 

register for the Open Day. 

Earn extra 

cash! 

Local Life require distributors 

for the following areas; 

Hawkley Hall 

Fulbeck Ave, Navenby Rd & Whitecroft Rd areas 

548 copies £36.99 + leaflet pay 

Howden Dr, Ashby Rd & Firbank Rd areas 


Winstanley 

Sandstone Rd, Crowther Dr & Pepperwood Dr areas 


Longshaw 

Longshaw Common & Upholland Rd areas 


Interested? 

Please email your name, address, 

contact number and date of birth to 

sallyb@locallife247.co.uk

35 

Designs for Life 

STUDIO 

BATHROOM & KITCHEN CENTRE 

NEW 

DISPLAYS 

in our large showroom 

TOTAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT from START to FINISH 

We offer a range of fitted 

wardrobes & sliding doors 

• Full service from design to fitting 

• Over 20 bathroom & kitchen displays 

• Wide choice from many famous brands 

• Boiler Upgrades and Central Heating installations 

• Friendly family run business 

• Large showroom with ample free parking 

TRADE WELCOME 

Open: Monday to Friday 8.30am-5.30pm, Saturday 9am-2pm 

Designs for Life 

290 Church Road, Haydock, St. Helens WA11 0LF 

www.designsforlifestudio.co.uk • T: 01942 274844

36 

Towards Zero, a nail-biting thriller written by Agatha 

Christie and Gerald Verner, is the next production 

scheduled at Wigan Little Theatre in Crompton Street. 

When a house party gathers at Gull’s Point, the seaside 

home of Lady Tressilian, Neville Strange finds himself 

caught between his wife Audrey, and his new flame Kay. 

The play probes the psychology of jealousy before 

bringing the story to a pointed ending. Towards Zero 

runs from Wednesday 9th to Saturday 19th March. 

And arriving in April at the Wigan Little Theatre is Gordon 

Steel’s comedy, Albert Nobbs. 

After a life of hard graft, retirement isn’t at all what 

On the Stage 

Albert Nobbs had expected. Instead of taking things at 

a leisurely pace, Albert finds himself bored and nagged 

senseless by his wife Connie. 

But Albert’s world is rocked by the sudden death of 

Connie, and he struggles to find a reason to carry on – 

until Connie returns as a ghost and sets about organising 

a fulfilling retirement for Albert, including setting him up 

with her best friend Rose. 

Albert Nobbs runs from Wednesday 20th to Saturday 

30th April. 

To book tickets, visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/wiganlittle-theatre-box-office/ 

or call in at the Box Office. 

Exquisite Glasswork 

for your home 

~ Splashbacks & Worktops 

~ Decorative & Patterned Glass 

~ Screens for Showers & Wet Rooms 

~ Glass Balustrades 

~ Bespoke Mirrors 

3 We can create unique design features for your home using 

sandblasting, bevelling, glass fusion and other techniques. 

3 We Supply & Fit UPVC Windows and Doors for domestic and 

commercial customers. 

3 You can expect the highest standards of Quality and Service from 

our family business – we have over 60 years of experience. 

Call us now on 01942 674331 for further details of our work 

St George Glass | 1-7 Brideoake Street | Leigh | WN7 2AG | Also in Bolton! 

Showroom open 8am-4.30 Mon-Thurs, 8am-3pm Friday 

www.stgeorgeglass.co.uk

37

38 

Keeping Good Tenants 

Rents in the UK are increasing 

at the fastest-ever rate as 

tenant competition doubles, 

according to a recent survey 

from Rightmove. 

Average asking rents are 

now £924 per calendar 

month in the North West, 

an increase of 12.5% year on 

year, and the average yield in 

the region is now 6.6%. 

Rightmove predicts that asking rents will rise by 5% in 

2022. Therefore, it’s not surprising that landlords are 

striving to ensure that their rental income is maximised 

by keeping hold of good tenants. 

As a landlord, some of the reasons tenants move on are 

out of your control, while others can be managed. Here 

are five of the most common reasons why renters choose 

to move on, and how you can possibly prevent that 

happening… 

Can’t Afford the Rent - Tenants may move out because 

the rent has become too expensive for them as some 

landlords increase their rental price annually. Another 

reason could be a change in their own financial situations. 

Sometimes it can be advantageous to keep the rent low 

and dodge the void period… just make sure the numbers 

add up! 

Time to Upscale - A marriage, the birth of a child, starting 

a home business, relatives coming to live full-time are just 

some of the reasons that can force your tenant to search 

for a bigger property. There’s not much you can do to add 

space, but if you have a bigger rental available yourself, it 

might be worth mentioning it to them. 

Neighbours - As the theme tune goes, everybody needs 

good neighbours. But what can you do if the neighbours 

are annoying your tenants to the point where they want to 

move? This might sound like 

something that’s out of your 

hands, but it is resolvable. 

The first thing to do is speak 

to the neighbours yourself as 

they may not realise they’re 

doing anything wrong. If 

they’re renting too, the next 

step is to have a discussion 

with your fellow landlord. 

If all else fails, turn to the 

council and seek advice on how to address issues such as 

noise and poor levels of hygiene. 

Ready to Buy - With some rental prices increasing each 

year and interest rates low, many are making the leap to 

buy homes whilst they can. This could be due to various 

reasons, for example, they can finally afford to join 

the property ladder, they are expecting a family or are 

relocating. 

Poor Maintenance – It is your responsibility as landlord 

to keep the structure and exterior of the property well 

maintained and in good repair and provide your tenant 

with a safe place to live in. Landlords are responsible for: 

pest control, damp, gas, water and electricity, leaking 

roofs etc. By acting quickly and resolving maintenance 

issues as they pop up, you’re much more likely to save 

money in the long run by keeping a good tenant and 

avoiding void periods. If you’re too busy or live far away, a 

letting agent is a good solution, able to solve problems as 

they arise, especially in emergency situations. 

Final thoughts: 

There are several reasons good tenants can leave, even if 

they like the property they are in. Smart landlords will get 

out in front of these issues and find ways to keep those 

tenants in their property to avoid turnover costs. 

For more information about successfully letting 

properties in the Wigan area, please give me a call. 

Alan Batt is a member of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and has 

worked within the Wigan property market for over 40 years. 

Alan Batt 

For more of Alan’s tips, guidance and analysis on the Wigan property market, check out his blog at 

www.alanbatt.co.uk

Free 

Rent Check! 

Scan Me! 

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your property 

Wigan Office • 78 Market Street, Wigan WN1 1HX 

01942 233 999 

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40 

Old Courts Update 

The Old Courts are starting 2022 as they mean to go 

and making up for lost time with a packed schedule of 

incredible productions. 

An Evening without Kate Bush is your first offering on 

Tuesday March 1; enter a strange Phenomena and howl 

with the hounds of love as acclaimed performer Sarah- 

Louise Young explores the music and mythology of one 

of the most influential and iconic voices in British music. 

Next up is Black is the Colour of my Voice on Wednesday, 

March 9 – This production is inspired by the life of Nina 

Simone, a successful jazz singer and civil rights activist 

seeking redemption after the untimely death of her father. 

And rounding up the month at The Old Courts is a 

production called Sleepover, which takes place on 

Thursday, March 31. 

The year is 1990, a time of back combed fringes, Just 

Seventeen magazines and White Musk perfume. Go 

and join the cast as they discuss all the best things 

about being a teenager and leave all your grown-up 

responsibilities behind. 

To book tickets for any of these productions please go 

online at www.theoldcourts.com or call the box office on 

0343 208 6015 

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41

42 

Out & About 

BeWell Wigan have announced a series of new activities 

for older adults at Haigh Woodland Park. The ‘Out and 

About’ sessions are designed to include those living with 

dementia and their friends and families. 

All the sessions are fully accessible for wheelchair and 

walking frames and include nature walks, adventure golf, 

arts and crafts, boccia and other indoor activities. Each 

session costs £3 per person and tea and coffee will be 

provided. 

The next couple of sessions will take place on Monday, 

March 14 and Monday, April 11 between 10.30am – 

11.30am. For a full timetable and to book your place 

please email activeinclusive@bewellwigan.org 

Funding Support 

Community groups hoping to launch a project have 

an opportunity to get a helping hand through the 

crowdfunding scheme run by Wigan Council, who are 

ready to match funds of up to £1,000 or 25% of a project. 

Anyone launching a project aimed at benefitting the 

people of Wigan Borough can take advantage of the 

offer by setting out their funding goals on any of the 

major crowdfunding platforms, including JustGiving and 

GoFundMe. Once a project has been launched, support 

can be applied for through the council’s website. 

If you are looking for advice on how to get the best 

results, you can attend one of Wigan Council’s bi-monthly 

Funding Friday events. The next one is due to be held on 

Friday 4th March at Shevington Library between 1pm 

and 3.30pm. 

Saturday Social 

If your child likes to get out into nature and explore their 

belongings, then we have the Saturday Social for you! My 

Outdoor Classroom will be running a Saturday group at 

Greenslate Farm in Billinge for children aged 4-11. 

Children will be given the chance to learn forest survival 

skills, make new friends, play in the woodlands and wolf 

down a few toasted marshmallow treats. The sessions 

will take place weekly between 10am-12pm and cost £12 

per session or £50 for 5 sessions. For more information 

or to book your child’s place please go online at www. 

myoutdoorclassroom.co.uk 

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43 

Pokemon Club 

If you’ve got children between the ages of 5 and 16 

then chances are you know your Pikachu’s from your 

Charizard’s. The Pokémon club event in Wigan takes 

place between 10am-12pm at the Geek Retreat on 

Standishgate and gives Pokémon fans the chance to get 

together and chat about all things Pokémon, trade their 

cards and generally have a great time! 

The event is for under 16s and entry is £5 per child, which 

includes a booster of Pokémon cards. New players are 

very welcome, and staff will be on hand to help. There is 

also an in-store café with a great selection of hot drinks 

and good food to keep the parents happy. 

For more information, please search for the Geek Retreat 

Wigan Facebook page or give them a call on 07722 265736. 

Flower Power 

Fresh flowers can lighten the dullest of days, so if you 

fancy brightening up your days and delving into the 

world of flower arranging, then make sure to contact 

the Wigan Flower Club. The group meets on the third 

Wednesday of each month at the Pemberton Band Room 

Now only 

£895 

* 

for a fully 

fitted electric 

garage door. 

WAS £1,354 INCLUDING VAT. 

on Enfield Street opposite Lidl, and all are very welcome 

to join. Meetings usually include demonstrations of fresh 

flowers by qualified demonstrators from the National 

Association of Flower Arrangers and the arrangements 

are raffled at the end of the evening. 

Meetings start at 7.15 pm and for more information on 

attending or becoming a member, please call Elizabeth 

Scally on 07881 483053 or Jennifer Halliwell on 07808 

811490. 

Band Returns 

Upholland Community Band have resumed their 

rehearsal schedule after their forced hiatus due to 

restrictions. If you know how to play a woodwind or 

brass instrument, then the band would like to hear from 

you. The group rehearse every Monday at 7:30pm in the 

Parish Room in St. Thomas the Martyr CE Primary school 

on Highgate Road. 

Band members range in age from 13 to 60+ so, 

everyone is welcome. If you are interested and would 

like more information, please email the band at 

uphollandcommunityband@gmail.com or text 07906 

234593. 

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44 

Colour Your 

Home Happy 

Lift your spirits and freshen up your 

space by introducing bold, clear shades 

Go for a tropical vibe with a bright and 

breezy accent lampshade, featuring 

abstract palm trees, a gold lining and 

looped fringing. 

Ravenala lampshade, £180, mindtheg.com 

Use colour in unexpected places – such as on a staircase, 

dado rails or skirting boards. This cheering yellow makes 

a great contrast to a grey sofa that’s adorned with fun 

cushions. 

Harlow grey L-shaped sofa, £999.99, furniturechoice.co.uk 

This cool lamp, in a ‘mootard’ glaze, would 

liven up any desk, table or shelf. 

Nellie table lamp, £112, with 35cm 

straight empire shade in Heraldic Ikat, 

£79, pooky.com 

Nothing beats a blanket or throw 

as an easy way to introduce fresh 

new colour, texture and pattern, 

whether over a sofa, chair or bed. 

Manhattan reversible super-soft 

merino lambswool blanket, from 

£150, thefinecottoncompany.com 

Replacing some cushions 

is one of the easiest ways 

to introduce personality 

and pops of colour. 

Combine plains with bold 

patterns for variety and 

interest. 

Jonathan Adler Milano 

Concentric Loops cushion 

in emerald/navy, £134, 

sweetpeaandwillow.com 

Choosing and using bright colours 

• Choose shades that are fresh and clear rather 

than muted or muddy, and neither too pale nor too 

dark. Mid-spectrum brights such as sunny yellow, 

fuchsia pink, emerald green and brilliant blue will 

make your home sing. 

• For this look, keep things simple with a backdrop 

of white or a pale neutral, which will allow you to 

experiment with adding pops of bold colour here 

and there as you wish. Some say it’s best to keep 

the area that’s covered by bold colours to around 

a quarter of the room at most, so as to let the eyes 

rest and not be overwhelmed. 

• Choose two, or maybe three, bold colours and 

add them in gradually – an accent sofa or chair, 

a cushion or throw, a vase or candlestick, and so 

on. Alternatively, make bold colour part of the 

architecture by painting or papering a feature wall, 

or even sections of woodwork. See how things look 

together, and move them around (or even take 

them out again) as necessary. 

• Lovers of pattern may feel confident enough to 

mix pattern-on-pattern with brights; most of us, 

however, will prefer to play a little safer and stick to 

plain colours plus the occasional minimal pattern. 

Simple geometrics look great with this look, and 

have a mid-century style that works really well.

45 

Coloured glass is one of the 

prettiest things – and this 

delightful vase is very ontrend, 

since Pantone’s colour 

of the year 2022 is Very Peri, 

a dynamic violet-blue. 

Small cushion vase in 

amethyst, £27, dartington. 

co.uk 

The smallest accessory in 

the right combination of 

colour and pattern can 

make all the difference, and 

a distinctive piece such as 

this terracotta vase, hand 

made in Portugal, is a great 

example. 

Tangerine Bold pitcher, 

£42.99, softstore.co 

Bold colour probably won’t 

work all around the room, 

but used on a small 

section can create an eyecatching 

feature. 

Out of the Blue paint 

by COAT, £42 per 2.5l, 

coatpaints.com 

A sofa, chair or – in this case – loveseat can make a good focal point 

in a room, especially in a warming, bold colour such as this. 

The Rebel 1.5 Snuggler in marmalade velvet, £899, snugsofa.com

46 

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Upholland 

Grammar 

Through 

the Ages 

by Nicola Gray 

Grammar schools have been a part of our educational history for 500 

years; their aim was to provide a quality education, defined by their 

pursuit of academic excellence and preparing their pupils for life, not 

just for testing. 

One shining example of the dedication to schooling was Upholland 

Grammar School. Many people believe that the grammar school 

operated continually from 1661 in a stone building that still stands on 

School Lane in the village. But the road to Upholland’s scholarly success 

was formed almost sixty years earlier, in 1604, when a rudimentary 

version of the school existed in connection with the priory, known 

today as St Thomas the Martyr Parish Church. 

Little detailed information remains about the original school and the 

teaching practices of the day; we do know that pupils would attend 

their classes in a number of rooms that were located on top of each 

other,in what is now the bell tower of the church, gaining access to 

the tower from the now demolished monks’ quarters along a small 

corridor. Imagination only can conjure up what the classroom working 

conditions would have been, with little in the way of heating and the 

only source of light being an oil lamp. 

Ladders in Bell Tower to upper classroom 

Former entrance to the Bell Tower 

47 

Bell Tower - former lower classroom

48 

The school records jump to the early 1640s when 

headteacher, Adam Martindale was forced to close the 

grammar school and cease teaching due to the ‘constant 

alarms’ in the village during the civil war period. 

Some years after the wars had ended, in 1661, Upholland 

Grammar School, with thanks to the generosity of local 

benefactors, re-opened its doors to pupils just a short way 

down the lane from its priory birthplace. 

Some of the rules by which pupils were expected to 

conduct themselves makes for charming reading of a 

bygone era. The school day started at 7am from February 

1st, till the 1st of October and school departed at 5pm, 

with ‘the residue of the year we meet at eight and (de)part 

at four’. Another rule declared, ‘That offences against God 

immediately such as are cursing, swearing lying either 

within the school or without as also profaning of the 

Lords Day by playing or otherwise and such like offences 

be duly and truly corrected’. 

During the first 200 years of its history, Upholland 

Grammar School endured a roller coaster existence and 

the perseverance of all those involved to keep the school 

open is testament to the importance of and need for 

education in the area. The school found itself in decline 

and falling pupil numbers pointed to a curriculum that 

needed to move with the times. 

Fortune favoured the changes made by Reverend John 

Braithwaite, who was headmaster from 1782 to 1812. He 

changed the name of the school to Up Holland Academy 

Plaque for William Berridge in St Thomas Martyr Church 

and offered a more modern approach to learning to 

attract children from more middle-class families. Many 

pupils boarded with him and his family in one of the old 

priory buildings. 

In the coming years new headmasters tried and failed 

to reinstate a more classical curriculum, dominated by 

Latin and for many years the school again struggled for 

its existence. In 1864, Reverend William Berridge was 

appointed headmaster and immediately began to re- 

Model of former Priory buildings

49 

vitalise the upper school. He attracted more grammar 

school pupils but life on School Lane was congested 

and increasingly unbearable. The problem was partly 

solved when the junior pupils moved to a new building 

in Church Street in 1875, leaving both floors of the old 

grammar school to Mr Berridge and his pupils. 

Under William Berridge, Upholland Grammar School made 

remarkable progress and in 1878 the school moved to new 

premises on the Ox House Heyes Estate – the site of the 

present Upholland High School. The existing house, which 

became Upholland Grammar School had, since the 1700’s 

been the home of the Gaskell family of Upholland, and 

remnants of the original building can still be seen today in 

the high school grounds. The new building was ‘admirably 

adapted for scholastic purposes’ with a charming 

Government Inspector commenting that the school’s only 

‘misfortune is the name of Wigan on the address’. William 

Berridge left the school in 1890 and his presence was 

missed, and the school standards dropped again. 

By 1909 the school was under the financial control of the 

Lancashire Education committee and questions were 

asked about its ‘uncertain usefulness’. In fact, governors of 

the school were advised to consider its closure. In keeping 

with the spirt of the school, they appointed Charles Cox, 

who turned out to be a remarkable headmaster, turning 

round the fortunes of the school. He introduced many of 

the facilities, which were later to become common place 

in schools – including a library, debating society, games, 

museum, weather station, visits and field work. 

The school continued to attract increasing numbers 

of students, with records of pupils coming from Orrell, 

Billinge, Upholland, Wigan, Rainford, Kirkby, Knowsley 

and Bickerstaffe. The Ox House Hayes building was 

bursting at the seams. As a solution, Lancashire County 

Upholland Grammar School locations 

1st 

2nd 

Orrell Road 

ORRELL 

Church Street 

Orrell 

Post 

M58 

Moor Road 

Sefton Road 

Tontine 

St. James Road 

Edge Hall Road 

Church Street 

1st 

St Thomas the Martyr Church Upholland 

3rd 

Orrell 

Station 

Winstanley Road 

Orrell 

Water 

Park 

2nd 

School Lane 

Higher 

End 

Upholland Road 

Crank Road 

Greenslate 

Farm 

College 

4th 

Smethurst Road 

3rd 

Ox House Heyes Estate – Sandbrook Lane 

4th 

Winstanley Road

50 

Council proposed the merger of Upholland Grammar School and Ashton 

Grammar School on a new site. The outbreak of the Second World War 

put these plans on hold and, as we know they were never revisited. 

Just before the outbreak of war, Alfred Maggs became headmaster, and 

his first task was to steer the school through the difficult war years. He 

also had to contend with an influx of pupils, following the Education 

Act in 1944 which stated that all grammar school places should be free 

to those pupils who passed the 11+ exam. The Ox House Heyes site had 

become unfit for purpose and a parent described the classrooms as 

‘faintly reminiscent of the dungeons of the Tower of London’. 

The local community again stepped in and help for Upholland Grammar 

School came in the shape of Squire Bankes from Winstanley Hall. In July 

1944 he made ‘a most public spirited and munificent gift’ of 20 acres of 

land on Winstanley Road for a new school. 

By the time the new facility had been finished it was September 1953 

and Alfred Maggs moved all 461 of his pupils to start the next chapter 

in the school’s winding history. Brian Ellis was the next headmaster to 

take the reins and in true Upholland Grammar School style it continued 

to prosper and develop. In 1965 Lancashire Education Committee 

unveiled proposals to introduce comprehensive education in the 

county, which would mean that Upholland Grammar School could be 

changed beyond recognition. 

Their fears weren’t unfounded as the borough saw itself as being in the 

forefront of educational change and the same fate was befalling other 

schools in the area; Wigan Grammar School for boys had disappeared 

in 1972, becoming Mesnes High School, with Wigan Girls’ High School 

also closing to become Whitley High School and then a housing estate. 

In 1974, following local government reorganisation, the control of 

Upholland Grammar School transferred from Lancashire County to 

Wigan Metropolitan Borough. On 30 August 1977, Brian Ellis became 

the first Principal of a new sixth form college opened in the grammar 

school buildings. Upholland Grammar School came to an end and 

Winstanley College was born. 

Winstanley College has navigated its way successfully through the 

education tables and is consistently ranked as one of the best sixth 

forms in the country. The Upholland Grammar spirit is embedded in 

the ethos of the college and continues to pay tribute to the founding 

members who endeavoured to provide a top-class education by the 

light of an oil lamp. 

Collection of Grammar School student photos 

With thanks to David Robinson a former Grammar School Pupil and owner of Mugs61.co.uk 

a site for all ex pupils and anyone with an interest in up Holland Grammar School. 

If you would like to know more about the school or have any information 

you would like to share please go online at www.mugs61.co.uk 

or email davidrobinson@mugs61.co.uk

51 

Could you be 

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01942 487200 www.wigan.gov.uk/fostering

52 

Porto design hinged door set in 

a RAL-painted finish in black. 

Urban Front: 01494 778 787; 

urbanfront.com. 

First impressions count, so give some 

thought as to how you can transform 

your entrance with colour, hardware, 

lighting… or even a whole new door. 

Front door painted in 

Lavender Quartz. 

Dulux: 0333 222 7171; 

dulux.co.uk/en/products. 

It’s a welcome to visitors, the first thing that greets you 

after a hard day at work, and vital security that keeps 

out noise, draughts, intruders and the outside world 

in general. But is your front door up to scratch? Taking 

a long, hard look may reveal ways in which it, too, can 

be improved. Both practically and aesthetically, the 

difference can be remarkable. 

When choosing a replacement door (if, for example, your 

door has warped, rotted or shrunk beyond repair), you 

may wish to replicate exactly what was there before – or 

it may be possible to update it with something better. 

It’s important to get it right, as a great front door is an 

investment that could even enhance the value of your 

home; get it wrong, however, and the reverse could be 

the case. Start by researching styles to suit the period 

of your property, and consider what material will work 

best. Wooden doors are still the most popular, and are 

ideal for period houses, while uPVC is usually a cheaper 

option that can be complementary for modern homes. 

Aluminium, though expensive, combines strength and 

stability with a cool, industrial look. 

Sometimes it may be appropriate to include some glazing 

with your new door – ideal for introducing extra light 

into a dark hallway. Consider whether you would prefer 

clear, frosted or perhaps even stained glass, depending 

on the overall style, how much privacy you require and 

whether security is an issue. Double-glazed, laminated 

glass is the best option to ensure intruders can’t gain 

access. Speaking of security, an upgrade to your locks 

may also be a good idea – check with your insurers, but a 

five-lever mortice is usually best for timber doors, while a 

uPVC door should have an anti-snap lock and multipoint 

locking system.

53 

Any door should fit well within its frame, but it may still be 

an idea to improve its energy efficiency by adding seals 

around the edges, and a brush strip along the bottom. An 

internal letterbox flap or brush is also a great idea. 

Good lighting is vital for when you’re struggling to find 

your keys or simply need to see the front path on a dark 

evening. It should not be too difficult for an electrician 

to swap your existing light for a swanky new one – or 

perhaps a pair, one on either side of the door. Again, 

you will probably wish to coordinate your lighting with 

the architectural style of your property, whether it’s 

a carriage, lantern or bulkhead model, a decorative 

hanging pendant or a sleek and minimal wall washer. 

If possible, add a motion sensor and always ensure the 

fitting is suitably rated for safe exterior use. 

The fastest way to transform an existing timber door is 

to give it a fresh coat of paint. What colour? It’s a matter 

of personal preference, of course, unless limited by a 

planning restriction, but it’s always a good idea to try to 

coordinate the colour with the style of your property and 

to take account of local approaches. A garish pink in a 

historic terrace where everyone else’s door is neutral may 

result in some unhappy neighbours! Painting a door also 

helps protect it from the weather, so it’s important to do 

Etch-effect house name 

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it properly. Start 

by washing it 

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remove or cover 

the hardware. 

Remove loose or 

flaking paint, fill any holes or cracks, and sand down. Use 

primer on unpainted wood, or undercoat on previously 

painted or uPVC doors – you may need several coats – 

then finish with a couple of coats of the final colour, in 

tough, exterior gloss. 

A lovely finishing touch is a brand new set of hardware 

– letter plate, knocker, knob and numbers, which are 

available in an array of durable styles. Provided you 

measure up correctly, it is surprisingly easy to swap them 

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54 

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56 

Keep taking the tablets 

The best tablets for everybody and every budget 

Tablets are among our very favourite devices. 

They’re fantastic all-rounders, capable of 

turning into glossy magazines or movie screens, 

children’s games or serious workhorses. And 

there’s never been a better time to buy one, 

whether you want a budget bargain or a highend 

tablet for work. 

Amazon’s Fire HD range offers exceptional value 

for money, with models starting at just £49 for 

the Fire 7 to £149 for the Fire HD 10. That’s less 

than half the price of Apple’s iPad, and Amazon 

offers big discounts on Fire tablets every time 

it has a big sales event. You can’t access the 

Apple or Google app stores but Amazon’s own 

App Store is very good, and there are models 

specifically for children, with features including 

tough protective cases and excellent parental 

controls, as well as a year’s free subscription to 

Amazon Kids books, games and TV shows. 

The 500lb gorilla of the tablet world is Apple, 

whose iPads are arguably the best tablets 

around. The pick of the range for most people is 

the standard iPad at £319, but if you need more 

power the iPad Air (£579) and its smaller sibling 

the iPad mini (£479) are better still. And if you 

need the ultimate iPad, the iPad Pro starts at 

£749 for the 11-inch and £999 for the 12.9-inch. 

If you’d rather have a Windows tablet, 

Microsoft’s Surface Pro (£995) is a real rival to 

the iPad Pro, while the more affordable Surface 

Go (£369) is an excellent alternative to the iPad 

and iPad Air. There are also lots of nice tablets 

and 2-in-1 laptop/tablet hybrids from the usual 

PC names. 

Android tablets don’t have a great reputation 

– the cheap ones are usually awful – but 

Samsung’s tablets are up there with Apple in 

terms of quality. Our pick is the Galaxy Tab S6 

Lite (£298), which is the best value Android 

tablet if you want to run apps from the Google 

Play store. 

Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids 

Like the normal Fire HD, don’t pay 

full price for this kids’ tablet: Amazon 

discounts them when it has sales. 

The Kids edition includes a year’s free 

subscription to apps, e-books and 

TV shows. 

£139, Amazon.co.uk 

Microsoft Surface Go 3 

Prefer Windows to iPadOS? 

Microsoft’s excellent tablet 

running Windows 10/Windows 

11 is fast, good-looking and very 

flexible. 

£369, microsoft.com 

Amazon Fire HD 8 

An ideal simple tablet for 

surfing on the sofa, its’s easy 

to use, has a good selection of 

apps including the big names, 

and doesn’t cost much. 

£89, Amazon.co.uk 

Apple iPad 

Apple’s control of the hardware 

and software delivers an 

unparalleled user experience, 

making them the best tablets 

made right now. The basic iPad 

is fine for most. 

£319, Apple.com 

Galaxy tAb S6 Lite 

It’s not quite up to Apple standards 

in terms of software, but the Galaxy 

Tab S6 Lite is a good option if you’ve 

already invested in Android apps 

or just prefer Google’s way of doing 

things. 

£298, Samsung.com

57 

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VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR OPENING TIMES 

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info@gordonsmakeovers.co.uk

58 

Top five 

Cruise 

destinations 

Is there anything more idyllic than waking on a cruise ship and 

drawing your blinds to reveal an endless expanse of ocean? Add 

in cocktails by the pool, daily entertainment and shopping galore, 

and you have all the ingredients for the perfect holiday. That’s not 

even touching on the destinations you stop off at along the way! 

From the Greek Islands to Scandinavia’s Norwegian fjords, cruises 

can take you all over the globe. To give you some inspiration, here 

are five of the world’s most popular cruise destinations for 2022.

59 

The Norwegian Fjords 

If you’re more interested in adventure than sun, 

sea and sand, Norway’s dramatic fjords are sure to 

deliver. These narrow inlets make up the majority 

of the country’s northern coast and boast some 

of Scandinavia’s most exceptional scenery. 

When Cruising 

is the choice, 

we have all the 

answers… 

Exploring from a cruise ship promises to bring 

you close to Norway’s tumbling waterfalls and 

skyscraper cliffs; keep an eye out for rare seabirds 

and sperm whales if you’re lucky! Most cruises 

will also stop at remote fishing villages, where 

you can sample some of the freshest, most 

delicious seafood. 

World Cruises ~ Ocean Cruises 

River Cruises 

Independent Travel Specialist 

Established Cruising Specialists since 1983 

Call in now or contact us on 

01744 893291 

200 Main Street | Billinge | WN5 7PE 

www.markentravel.co.uk

60 

The Greek Islands 

With more than 6,000 Greek islands 

peppering the Aegean and Ionian 

seas, it’s no surprise that islandhopping 

cruises around Greece are 

some of the most popular cruises 

around. This is a corner of the world 

made for exploring by ship. 

Start in Athens and spend your first 

couple of days exploring the capital 

before embarking on your journey. 

Top cruise destinations include 

Mykonos with its waterside cocktail 

bars and white-sand beaches, Rhodes with its Old Town 

and uninterrupted swathes of sand, and Santorini, where 

the sunsets are world-renowned. Many cruises will also 

take you to the archipelago’s lesser known islands too, 

Chania and Thessaloniki being good examples. 

European Rivers 

For bags of culture, river cruising is a great option. Two 

popular cruising choices are the Rhine, which flows from 

Basel, Switzerland, to Amsterdam, passing primarily 

through Germany along the way, or the stretch of the 

Danube between Budapest and Passau, Germany, that 

runs primarily through Austria. 

A cruise here will make you feel like you’ve walked straight 

into one of David Attenborough’s documentaries. Sail 

past gigantic glaciers, snap photographs of sea lions from 

the ship, take a shore excursion to see brown bears and 

witness breaching whales; the cruise itineraries around 

Alaska’s largely untamed landscape are hard to beat. You 

can also expect visits to Alaska’s state capital of Juneau, 

only reachable by air or by water, Glacier Bay National 

Park, and Skagway, a compact city saturated with history 

from the Gold Rush era. 

Cruises along the Rhine and the Danube meander 

through a mix of big city culture, small town sleepiness 

and a few stretches of genuine rural scenery. On the 

Rhine, the big cultural capitals are energetic Amsterdam 

and Cologne, with Strasbourg and Basel also included, 

whilst on the Danube, you have Budapest and Vienna. 

The Caribbean 

The Caribbean’s wealth of white-sand beaches washed 

by turquoise seas make it an incredibly popular cruise 

destination for sun-seekers. 

Thanks to the islands’ close proximity, you could be 

snorkelling with turtles in Tobago one day and dancing 

to reggae beats in Jamaica the next. Although equally 

colourful, each island has its own distinct character, 

meaning there’s enough to please wildlife lovers, history 

enthusiasts, foodies and anyone who just wants to laze 

on the beach. 

Alaska 

Coined ‘The Last Frontier’, Alaska is the USA’s most 

sparsely populated state – and its wildest. 

Beautifully furnished 

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Situated near Sedbergh, 

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Cover photo © Ian Bonnell Photograpthy 

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62 

Short Term Noise 

It has certainly been an eventful start to 2022. 

“Partygate” has dominated the headlines in the UK along 

with the military situation in Ukraine and, of course, we 

are still navigating our way through the pandemic as 

restrictions begin to be lifted again. The cost of day-to-day 

living continues to rise – with energy prices in particular, 

increasing significantly. This threat of inflation and the 

future path for interest rates as a result, has unsettled the 

global stock markets, leading to greater volatility – which 

can be quite unsettling when you consider the positive 

performance of stock markets over the second half of 

2020 and 2021. 

The global stock market is down by around 7% and the US 

by circa 9% at the time of writing this article. Those growth 

companies that performed particularly well through the 

pandemic, have been impacted the most. In contrast, the 

UK’s stock market has performed comparatively better on 

the world’s stage. The reason for this is largely due to the 

type of companies that are listed in the FTSE (e.g. energy 

companies, mining stock and banks – which have been 

more resilient). 

Naturally, because of all these goings-on, investors start 

to feel a little unsettled. It is in our nature to want to “fix” 

things when they don’t appear to be going our way. 

But a key ingredient to investment success is patience - not 

panicking, not ‘fixing’, trying not to let the short-term ‘noise’ 

distract you from your objectives and the bigger picture. 

There’s an old saying: ‘Life knocks you down. Get up’, and 

so often, this is how global markets react as well. They 

roll with the punches, and sooner or later they tend to 

bounce back from adverse events. The trick is waiting for 

the storm to pass. 

Beyond the ‘Noise’ 

There are positives too: we have the first indications 

of success from our national vaccination programme 

and people in England are now able to go about their 

business mask-free, if they feel comfortable doing so. 

Travel restrictions are easing, making it far easier to 

see friends and family and for some maybe even the 

thought of a holiday this year (if you can navigate all that 

paperwork of course!). 

We can all now see that there will be an end to this 

pandemic. 

Revisiting your financial plan is another way to look 

beyond short-term events, to re-focus on your objectives 

and look at current events from a wider perspective. 

It’s worth remembering that money only takes on true 

meaning, only achieves its true potential, when we turn 

it into financial security for ourselves and our family, or 

turn it into enjoyment, by drawing it out and spending it. 

This is where we see the financial plan becomes the most 

important thing to focus on. As long as that is still linked 

to where you want to be, and what you want to do, you 

can start looking beyond the short-term and ignoring the 

noise. We’ve built in the lifebelts to ensure you’ll still get 

from A to B, no matter how turbulent the journey. 

If you need any guidance please feel free to 

contact us on 01257 423800. The initial meeting 

is at our expense and is without any obligation. 

David Barton 

APFS Cert CII (MP) 

Chief Executive Officer 

The value of investments can fall as well as rise which could result in investors receiving less than initially 

invested. Past performance should not be seen as an indication to future returns.

64 


Thirty years ago this month, on Friday 13th March 1992 

to be exact, approximately 600 miners reported for their 

last shift at the last remaining pits in Wigan Borough – 

Bickershaw and Parsonage. The closure of Bickershaw 

and Parsonage left just Parkside in Newton-le-Willows as 

the last pit standing in the Lancashire Coalfield. Parkside 

closed just a year later in 1993. 

Careful environmental management, along with Mother 

Nature, has hidden the black landscapes, spoil heaps 

and other excesses, and nowadays many residents enjoy 

the legacy of the Lancashire Coalfield by walking round, 

fishing and enjoying a multitude of activities on the 

flashes in Wigan and at Pennington. 

The largest physical reminder of the Lancashire Coalfield 

is in Astley Green, a tiny village off the A580 near Leigh, 

which hosts the last surviving headgear and winding 

house in Lancashire at the Lancashire Mining Museum. 

The museum is on the site of the Astley Green Colliery, 

close to the Bridgewater Canal, and was opened in 1908 

by Edward and Alfred Pilkington. Astley Green was finally 

closed in 1970 by the National Coal Board, who cited 

that the pit was uneconomic to operate. The headgear 

and winding house, both of which now have scheduled 

monument and listed building status, and since 1980, a 

group of dedicated volunteers called the Red Rose Steam 

Society Limited have run the 15 acre-site. 

Currently the site is a work in progress. The winding 

house is at the centre of the attraction, with many historic 

exhibits and visitors can also browse round the miner’s 

cottage, the vintage tea-room and ride the narrow-gauge 

railway. 

Garden and the creation of an underground experience. 

Plans also include the opening up of the area between 

the site and the canal to facilitate tourism and to link 

up with other attractions, such as the historic Worsley 

centre, Spinners Mill in Leigh and the new RHS centre at 

Bridgewater. 

For the hardworking Red Rose volunteers, many of whom 

are retirees, developing the Mining Museum site has 

become a labour of love. Bidding for pots of money from 

various sources to fund restoration and development of 

the site has become an ongoing task, but if future plans 

come to fruition, the museum will become a fitting tribute 

to those miners who worked the Lancashire Coalfield. 

The Lancashire Mining Museum is operating on 

winter opening times until 31st March and is open 

from 1pm-4pm on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and 

Thursdays. For more details, visit the website www. 

lancashireminingmuseum.org 

Peaky Blinders 

Fans of the hit show Peaky Blinders will recognise the 

backdrop of the museum site from series 4 – some 

dramatic scenes were filmed there. A Set Dresser for 

the show, Alan Shaw, came back after filming was 

complete to produce an amazing reproduction of a 

miner’s cottage, which is now used as a feature for 

the museum. 

The museum also hosts an increasing number of events 

such as markets, Santa rides, a community bonfire, all 

of which raise the profile of the site and raise funds. You 

can check on future events on the Facebook page @ 

TheRedRoseSteamSocietyLtd1. 

The far-reaching vision for the Lancashire Mining 

Museum is illustrated in a five-year plan which is available 

on their website www.lancashireminingmuseum.org, but 

highlights include the creation of an archive and library 

centre, an heritage education centre, a Miners Memorial

65 

image credit: Dave Green

66 

CMA Accountancy 

Tax Planning Opportunities for Individuals & Companies 

By Kieran Fitzgerald MAAT 

Our previous article covered the Self-Assessment 

deadline which has now passed for the 2020/21 tax year 

submissions. Although the Government allowed some 

room for late submissions, if you are yet to file a return 

and require some assistance, contact our team without 

any further delay. 

As is the way with all matters tax, the focus switches now 

to the end of another tax year, the 2021/22 period that 

ends on the 5th April 2022. Now is a good time to stop 

and take a wider view of the actions required to make 

good use of the relevant tax planning opportunities that 

may apply to your individual and/or companies’ situation. 

In a perfect world, you would be making use of relevant 

opportunities throughout the course of a year. However, 

it is important to stop and take time to reflect and ensure 

the correct opportunities are pursued. 

Make the most of your ISA allowance 

ISAs are free from income tax and capital gains tax. 

The overall ISA allowance is currently £20,000 across all 

different types of ISA and does not carry over between tax 

years. The limits for different ISA types are: 

• Stocks & Shares: £20,000 a year 

• Junior ISA: £9,000 a year 

• Help to Buy ISA: £200 a month (now closed to new 

applicants) 

• Lifetime ISA: £4,000 per year 

Make use of your personal allowances within a couple 

If you are married or in a civil partnership, you may be 

able to save money by structuring your finances to take 

advantage of both spouses’ tax allowances. This can be 

particularly lucrative whereby one spouse pays tax at a 

lower rate than the other. 

Review your buy-to-let profit sharing 

Further to the tip above, in a circumstance where one 

spouse is a basic rate taxpayer and one a higher rate 

taxpayer, it makes sense for the lower earner to receive 

a greater share of rental profits so as to legally avoid a 

higher rate tax charge. 

Utilise your annual allowance for pension 

contributions 

Investments in your pension are free from income tax and 

capital gains tax. Each year you can contribute as much 

money as you earn, usually up to £40,000 (although this 

tapers down to £4,000 for higher earners). Basic rate tax 

relief is obtained at source and higher rate tax relief is 

obtained via your annual tax returns. You may also be 

able to make extra contributions by carrying forward any 

unused allowance from the last three tax years. 

Plan for the High-Income Child Benefit Charge 

This tax charge allows the Government to recover some, 

or all, of any Child Benefit claimed where the annual 

taxable income or the claimant or the claimant’s partner 

exceeds £50,000. To keep your taxable income below that 

threshold, you could reduce it by exchanging salary in 

return for employer pension contributions, or by making 

personal pension contributions. 

Our expert team of accountants are ready to help with 

all aspects of your tax planning needs. Check out our 

website at www.cma-accountancy.com for the latest 

and greatest tips, and you might want to sign up to our 

weekly newsletters whilst you’re there! 

Kieran Fitzgerald – CMA Accountancy 

39 Skull House Lane, Appley Bridge, Wigan, WN6 9DR 

01257 255521 info@cma-accountancy.com 

www.cma-accountancy.com

67 

Do you need 

help and 

guidance with; 

Company Accounts? 

Auto Enrolment? 

Self Assessment? 

Cloud-based Software? 

Payroll Services? 

Making Tax Digital? 

AE 

SA deadline 

VAT 

Benefits 

SA 

FREE 

INITIAL 

CONSULTATION 

Call CMA Accountancy today 

www.cma-accountancy.com 

info@cma-accountancy.com 

Skull House Lane, Appley Bridge. 01257 255521

68 

Puzzle Pages 

CROSSWORD 

down 

1. Building for housing horses (6) 

2. German submarine in World War II (1-4) 

3. Frame supporting the body of a car (7) 

5. Appear suddenly or unexpectedly (3,2) 

6. Windlass used when weighing anchor (7) 

7. Soft yellow substance secreted by aural 

glands (6) 

8. Expert in art, food or drink (11) 

14. Blue-flowered trailing plant (7) 

15. Brilliant and showy technical skill (7) 

16. Group of people assembled to sing (6) 

17. Mary ___, women’s pentathlon gold medal 

winner in the 1972 Olympic Games (6) 

19. Lofty nest of a bird of prey (5) 

21. Mixture of rain and snow (5) 

across 

1. Ornamental plaster used to cover walls (6) 

4. Native North American tribe (6) 

9. Pear-shaped fruit with green skin ripening to black (7) 

10. Writing material (5) 

11. Asian water lily (5) 

12. Volatile liquid used chiefly as a solvent (7) 

13. Narrow strip of rubber formed into a loop for holding 

objects together (7,4) 

18. Book of the New Testament (7) 

20. Long, narrow passageway (5) 

22. Measuring stick (5) 

23. Small guitar with four strings (7) 

24. Agitated (6) 

25. Insect which rests with forelimbs raised as if in 

prayer (6) 

Wordwheel 

Using only the letters in the Wordwheel, you have ten 

minutes to find as many words as possible, none of 

which may be plurals, foreign words or proper nouns. 

Each word must be of three letters or more, all must 

contain the central letter and letters can only be used 

once in every word. There is at least one word that uses 

all of the letters in the wheel. 

I 

N 

R 

E 

M 

target 

Excellent: 50 or more words 

Good: 43 words 

A 

T 

Fair: 38 words

69 

WORDSEARCH 

Fishing 

ANCHOVY 

BARRACUDA 

BASS 

BREAM 

CARP 

CATFISH 

COD 

CUTTLE 

DACE 

DOLPHIN 

EEL 

FLOUNDER 

FUGU 

GUPPY 

HAG 

HAKE 

HERRING 

PIKE 

PIRANHA 

POLLACK 

SALMON 

SARDINE 

SHARK 

SKATE 

SOLE 

TENCH 

TROUT 

TURBOT 

SUDOKU 

word LADDER 

Change one letter at a time (but not the position 

of any letter) to make a new word - and move from 

the word at the top of the ladder to the word at the 

bottom, using the exact number of rungs provided. 

LEAF 

WIGGLE WORDS 

CLUE: The belief or 

hope that the third 

attempt at something 

will be successful. 

Trace a path through all 

the letters to find the 

word or phrase that fits 

the clue. 

I T D R 

M T H I 

E S A C 

M R A H 

STEM 

All the puzzle solutions can be found 

on page 85 of this magazine

70 

Cheshire Castles 

by Chris Pearce 

Distance: 4½ miles Difficulty: Easy 

When choosing Jack’s Tracks to feature in Local Life, we 

usually opt to choose the Lancashire area, often to the 

Trough of Bowland or the West Pennine Moors. However, 

Cheshire has its fair share of notable walks too, and it’s there 

that we turn to this month for the Cheshire Castles walk. 

At just over 4½ miles, this walk takes in two very different 

castles. Peckforton Castle was built in the 1840’s by the 

Tollemache family within their 36,000 acres of Cheshire 

countryside. It’s now best known as a hotel/wedding venue 

and features regularly on TV shows such as Cheshire 

Housewives. 

But we start the walk from the car park at nearby 

Beeston Castle (CW6 9TX). Beeston Castle was 

built by Ranulf, the 6th Earl of Chester in 

the 1220’s, and the castle ruins and the 

woodland park are now looked after by 

English Heritage. Members of English 

Heritage can use the car park free, 

otherwise the cost is £3. 

Leave the main car park opposite the castle entrance, turn 

right, and head up the footpath between the castle wall and 

the overflow car park. Stay left at first as you enter the pine 

woods, and the path eventually drops to Tattenhall Lane, 

from where you can see Peckforton Castle in the distance. 

Turn left on the road, and after a few yards you’ll pass 

Tabernacle Cottage; at this point turn right on a footpath. 

Follow the footpath into the distance until you come to 

a stream. After you cross the wooden bridge, the path 

splits. Follow the path denoted by the ‘S’ marker, which 

heads away from the stream through a field towards 

Peckforton Castle. 

After 200 yards, the path splits again; go right 

through the steel gate and head towards the 

black and white timber framed houses in 

the distance. When you exit the field by 

the houses mentioned, turn right down 

the single-track lane (Horsley 

Lane) for 240 yards.

71 

Elevation 

150m 

100m 

50m 

0.0km 2.0km 4.0km 6.0km 7.5km 

Lowest 64m 

Highest 173m 

Total ascent 139m 

For those with the OS Maps app on your desktop, 

mobile or tablet, this walk is named: JT-Cheshire-Castles 

https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/route/11130280/JT-Cheshire-Castles 

Castleside 

Farm 

Beeston 

Castle 

Tattenhall Lane 

Ettley 

Hill 

Castlegate Farm 

P 

Beeston 

Crimes Brook 

Gregory’s 

Wood 

Peckforton Road 

Sandstone Trail 

Moathouse Farm 

Peckforton Castle 

(Hotel) 

The 

Table Rock 

Horsley Lane 

Willis’s 

Wood 

River Gowy 

Peckforton 

Mere 

Pennsylvania 

Wood 

Stanner 

Nab 

Stone House Lane 

Eddisbury Way 

Barracks Lane 

Hill Lane 

Peckforton 

Higher 

Burwardsley 

Waste Hill 

Peckforton Hall Lane

72 

Just past Ivy Cottage, there’s an entrance on the left to the 

Peckforton Estate. Take this path, again denoted by the ‘S’, 

and after a bit of a climb, the path flattens out and you’re 

treated to great views over the Cheshire plains. Eventually 

you’ll arrive at a junction by a black barrier – take the path 

that goes straight on. 

A little further on, the path forks; take the lower path that 

is denoted ‘Cheshire East’ and head downhill. You’ll exit 

the woodlands shortly afterwards and head uphill on a 

quiet single-track road, which merges into Pennsylvania 

Lane. Pass the Pheasant Inn and then turn left at the 

crossroads into Fowlers Bench Lane. 40 yards further on 

and you’ll take a left into Rock Lane. 

Rock Lane forks shortly afterwards; take the right fork 

and follow this single-track road for over half a mile. 

You’ll pass a barrier as the road becomes a 

path going through woodlands, which 

eventually bears left as you reach 

a disused railway bridge. 

Once you’ve 

passed under 

the bridge, 

carry on down the cobbled lane heading towards a 

barrier. Forty yards on from the barrier, take a left turn by 

the yellow salt bin and then, ten yards after the turn, look 

up and take the path on the right that’s on a higher level. 

Follow the path downhill, over the stile and directly through 

the next field until you reach a stone stile that takes you 

down to Stonehouse Lane. Turn left and follow the road for 

¾ mile past the grand entrance to Peckforton Castle until 

you reach a T-junction. Bear right onto Peckforton Road 

and follow the road for a further 1/3 of a mile into Beeston. 

Turn left at the Smithy Cottage into Tattenhall Lane, and 

then turn right 100 yards later into Chapel Lane. Follow 

the road uphill and round a right-hand bend and you’re 

back at your starting point. 

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. 

Diploma Qualified by Diane 

Tel: 01695 624 098 

Mob: 07442 015 490 

Email: OrrellPoochParlour@gmail.com 

Facebook: Orrell Pooch Parlour

73 

New Starts 

Forget January, there’s no better time for a new beginning than spring… 

The Meaningful Money Handbook – Pete Matthew 

If you need to get your finances in order (that’s most of us then), The Meaningful Money 

Handbook could prove invaluable. It’ll help you to cut through the confusion, figure out how 

to get out of debt, create a personal financial plan and grow your savings. If you’re already 

starting to wince at the thought of reading a book about finances, rest assured that there’s no 

jargon or judgement – just plenty of straightforward advice and useful tips. 

Atomic Habits – James Clear 

All too often, major change feels so daunting that we don’t act, or we give up after a few days. Instead, 

James Clear recommends making tiny tweaks to your daily routines. Atomic Habits shows the reader 

how to break bad habits and start new ones. James Clear sets out, step-by-step, how to make small 

improvements that, over time, become life-altering. His advice is backed by psychologists, but as Clear 

says, this book is “not an academic research paper; it’s an operating manual.” 

Consumed – Aja Barber 

Feel like you shop to fill a void? Uncomfortable with your role in fast fashion? Or do you just want to 

learn how to enjoy fashion sustainably and ethically? Whatever your motivation, this book is well worth 

a read. Aja Barber shares her story of how she came to understand the systemic injustices in the fashion 

industry. You’ll learn about the history of the textile industry, the growing issue of fast fashion and, 

crucially, what you can do to bring about change. 

Survival Skills for Freelancers – Sarah Townsend 

At some point, everyone dreams of quitting their job and becoming their own boss. Whether you’ve 

already made the move or you’re just thinking of taking the plunge, this book can help you to ride the 

roller coaster that is self-employment. It’s full of helpful advice, from how to avoid burnout and look 

after your mental health to how to tackle imposter syndrome. 

Decluttering at the Speed of Life – Dana K. White 

Clutter can be overwhelming. The more possessions you have, the more time it usually takes to 

organise, tidy and clean your home. Unlike other decluttering books, this one isn’t just a ‘how to’ guide; 

it also addresses the emotional challenges that make it difficult to let go of unnecessary possessions. 

It’s also packed with practical advice and tips. Plus, it’s funny. 

30 Day Kick Start Plan – Joe Wicks 

It’s hard to make healthier choices in the depths of winter, but lighter evenings and warmer days are 

just around the corner. 30 Day Kick Start Plan can help you eat better, move more and stay motivated. 

You’ll find 100 recipes to try, along with six workouts and weekly plans to help you stay on track. There’s 

also advice on everything from sleep and meditation to goal setting. In short, it’s far more than just 

another healthy-eating cookbook.

74 

Greenfingers… 

the Alan Titchmarsh column 

He’s a brilliant presenter, accomplished 

gardener, talented novelist and all-round 

horticultural inspiration. This month, 

Alan Titchmarsh talks about how our 

gardens can move us to a place of peace. 

While gardens mean different things to all of 

us, it’s when I venture into these tranquil spaces 

that I truly get a sense of their calming and healing 

power, and I find that hugely enriching. Most gardens 

and landscapes naturally come with a real feeling of 

gentleness – from the choice of flowers and plants, to 

gentle sweeps and curves that guide the eye onwards, to 

a softness and subtlety that may be a world away from 

some of the physical or emotional struggles we are going 

through; and I feel it is this dramatic contrast that really 

transports someone back to a place of comfort, even if 

just for a little while. 

What is also really important for me when I visit gardens 

at hospices and hospitals, is the reminder that these 

spaces are not just for those who are residents. They also 

give hope, clarity, peace and a sense of calm to visiting 

families and, most importantly, the people who work 

there. Certainly, with everything that has happened 

over the past couple of years with Covid, and the 

realisation that we need to consider and protect 

workers and staff who look after us, I would like 

to think those on the frontline can wrestle 

back their own sense of contentment 

when soaking up the fresh air and beauty 

of a garden, where they can move away 

from a job that’s very hard and 

emotionally draining. 

I would like to see more attention given to gardens 

and outdoor spaces in our health institutions, and in 

workspaces in general. They are more important than we 

imagine. Simple sweeps of flowers, plants and foliage are 

inspiring; the sight of an olive tree can move our minds 

to far-off places; and we all know how calming a cascade 

of water can be. It’s all very peaceful and there’s nothing 

complicated or frenetic. 

Gardens are evolving, living things that are always 

changing – in fact they’re much like us in that respect! 

For me, on those days where I feel everything’s a bit 

fraught and frantic, and when I just can’t get to grips with 

anything, I go to sit in the garden or potter about to find 

myself, and it really works! 

Life is a compromise, and you can’t always 

be on top of things, but gardens truly 

prove to me the healing qualities 

that exist within nature, and we’re so 

fortunate to have them.

SMN 

Tree and Landscape Management 

Tree Felling & Pruning 

Site Clearance 

Tree Surveys and Reports 

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Ground Maintenance 

Agricultural & Domestic Fencing 

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Woodland Maintenance 

24 Hour Emergency Tree Work 

West Lancashire Borough Council 

approved contractor 

Wigan Council approved contractor 

Day: 07970 521 692 

Eve: 01942 214 121 

www.smntrees.co.uk 

steve@smntrees.co.uk 

Over 70 Lancashire 

Walks 


FREE to download at 

locallife247.co.uk 

GARDEN GATES 

£159 

fitted 

Call 

Graham 

07801 300 842 

01257 425 958 

www.ashfieldhomeimprovements.co.uk 

QUALIFIED & INSURED 

FREE ESTIMATES 

TELEPHONE: 

01695 623 909 

07903 290 878 

www.gardenrescue-treeservices.com 

• 

• 

• Gates and railings 

• Repairs and restorations 

• Ironwork and welding 

• Traditional forge work 

25 years of expertise 

Tel: 01695 721877 

Mobile: 07951 764202 

The Barn, 286 Ormskirk Road, Upholland 

www.treetechsolutions.co.uk 

• All tree work 

• Hedge cutting 

• Grounds maintenance 

• Stump grinding 

NO JOB TOO SMALL 

EMERGENCY CALL OUTS WELCOME 

Call Wes for a free quote on 

07713 121135 / 01695 363630 

BILLINGE BASED 

75 

Leaflet Distribution 

Service 

Your leaflets delivered alongside this magazine 

to up to 39,000 local homes 

Flexible service for all businesses, large and small 

Prices from £27.50 per thousand (minimum 4,000 leaflets) 

Call or email us for a Leaflet Coverage List 

then simply chose the postcode areas 

you want to target 

Call us on 01695 627999 

Email chrisp@locallife247.co.uk 

www.locallife247.co.uk 

GPS 

Tracked 

Distribution 

DESIGN 

& PRINT 

services 

also available 

LocalLife

76 

Transform Your Garden! 

We’ll design and create your 

new garden from start to finish. 

Stylish, low-maintenance 

gardens are our specialty. 

ARTIFICIAL GRASS SPECIALIST 

01942 387044 View our projects on www.turfco.uk 07941 602539 

Garden Design & 

Quality Landscaping 


Quality work & reliability 

at competitive prices 

Garden makeovers with artificial 

grass a speciality 

Call today for a 

FREE quote 

01942 510 986 

07710 405 214 

Driveways - Paving 

Fencing - Turfing 

Decking - Artificial Grass 

Our aim is to deliver a 

creative, personal service 

adhering to our customers 

requirements and within 

budget. 

All aspects of garden design 

& build - from large projects 

to small makeovers 

www.pdhomeandgarden.co.uk 

07946 751308 

01942 206503 

• Landscaping 

• Driveways & Patios 

• Block Paving 

• Indian Stone 

WE WON’T BE BEATEN ON 

QUALITY OR PRICE 

UP TO 25% DISCOUNT 

Call Al today for a free quote or advice 

OFFICE 

01942 396 818 

MOBILE 

07796 494 463 

All tree work including 

• Shaping & Pruning 

• Felling & Topping 

• Stump Grinding Service 

• Fencing & Decking 

• Turfing & 

Artificial 

Grass 

Man 

& Digger 

for hire

77

£29 for a fu l day 

rural Vi lage 

NUrSErY 

FUNDED LANgUAgE 

A l sta f 

We cater for 

PLACES & SPortS 

paediatric 

CHILDrEN 

Available for LESSoNS 

& first aid 

3 months 

2/3/4 

for 

QUALIFIED 

- 4 years 

year olds pre-schoolers 

oPEN 

Mon-Fri 

8AM-6PM 

£37.50 

per day 

www.cranknursery.co.uk 

rated by 

oFStED 

as 

oUtStANDINg 

Large NEWLY 

outdoor rEFUrBISHED 

PLAY ArEA in 2019 

78 

Need help with your 

garden? 

I’ll do the hard 

work for you; 

• Friendly and professional 

female gardener 

• Regular maintenance service 

• Weeding, planting and pruning 

Contact Hannah on 

01257 402 149 

07454 393 217 

www.artemisgardening.co.uk 

Garden 

Make-Overs 

Before 

After 


• Driveways 

• Decking 

• Design 

Call for free estimate 

Colin 07958 302 166 

Brian 07760 160 988 

01695 633173 

www.wilson-bros.co.uk 

Complete Solution to all 

Garden & Tree Services 

• Garden maintenance 

• One-off clearances 

• Treework 


Approved contractor West Lancs BC 

Call Iain today for friendly 

advice and a free quote 

Tel: 01695 632773 

Mob: 07724 298193 

www.hands-onlandscapes.co.uk 

Billinge-based 

Felled 

Topped 

Pruned 

Re-Shaped 

Stump Grinding 

crown reduction 

Fencing 

Flagging 

Turfing 

Artificial Grass 

Call us today for a free 

no obligation quote 

07879 024070 

01925 271108 

01942 387067 

crown Thinning 

20% 

OFF 

ALL 

autumn 

BOOKINGS 

Email: fourseasons.treespecialists@gmail.com 

Landscapes 

Creating the 

ideal outdoor 

living space 

Garden Design 

& Construction 

All aspects of Paving, 

Driveways & Patios 

Award Winner 

Call Stewart Ashcroft on; 

01695 622460 

or 07894 217191 

email: westdene41@btinternet.com 

Winstanley Road, Billinge 

• Garden maintenance 

• General tidy ups 

• Hedge cutting 

• Pressure washing 

• Fencing 

Call - 01942 225711 or 

07773 296880 

Eton Way, Orrell 

Design & Print 

Flyers, postcards, brochures 

and distribution service. 

Call 01695 627 999 


Little Acorns Nursery 

QUALITY CHILDCARE YOU CAN TRUST! 

Open Mon-Fri: 8am ti l 5.30pm term time 

We operate a b oking system for the 

holidays which saves you money 

We deliver 30 hours fr e entitlement 

Flexible se sions available 

We take children from 2 years old 

Ca l Sarah on 01744 86166 for more information or admin@cranknursery.net 

Li tle Acorns Nursery is situated in a beautiful woodland 

se ting. It is a safe and vibrant place for your child to gain 

lots of wonderful educational experiences. 

We are big on the great outd ors & being down in the forest 

which is g od for your child’s health and we l-being 

Li tle Acorns Nursery 


A l Saints’ Primary Sch ol | Finch Lane | A pley Bridge | WN6 9DT 

01257 252647 

www.li tleacorns-daynursery.com

79

80 

What is the new 

Range 

Rover 

up against? 

The new Range Rover has arrived, bringing with it a predictably luxurious take on the SUV recipe. Packed with 

technological advancements, the new Range Rover looks set to be the most futuristic to date, while a series of plug-in 

hybrid powertrains – alongside traditional petrol and diesel options – means that it’s more electrified than ever. 

But the Range Rover’s job isn’t an easy one. There are more rivals for it than ever, so let’s dive in and check out what this 

latest Range Rover is up against. 

BMW X7 

The X7 sits at the top of BMW’s SUV range, effectively sitting 

as a high-riding version of the firm’s luxurious 7 

Series saloon. It’s a hard car to miss, too, with 

its ultra-large front kidney grilles giving it 

a whole lot of presence out on the road. 

It’s also got space for seven, so it does 

have a focus on practicality, too. With 

a huge amount of interior space, it’s a 

really comfortable choice for longer 

journeys. 

Bentley Bentayga 

The Bentayga has proved to be a real hit 

for Bentley, encapsulating the luxury feel 

of the firm’s saloon and coupe models but 

in a high-riding SUV body style. Much like 

the new Range Rover, it’s available with a 

traditional petrol engine but also a plugin 

hybrid option, giving zero-emissions 

running at lower speeds. 

Bentley recently added a more sporty ‘S’ 

version too, kitted out with a powerful 

4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8.v

81 

Audi Q8 

Though we could opt for the popular Q7 in this list, it’s the Q8 that stands out in Audi’s range of SUVs. Bringing a coupe-like 

design, the Q8 looks truly futuristic on the road, with its full-width rear light bar giving the car a really cool appearance at 

night. 

It’s just as futuristic inside, too, with a good range of materials ensuring that the Q8 feels particularly upmarket. 

Aston Martin DBX 

Aston’s first SUV – the DBX – has really 

made waves, delivering a sporting driving 

experience alongside a level of quality that 

you’d expect from the firm. Both comfortable 

and involving, the DBX is a car capable of 

making a twisty road fun while also taking the 

backache out of longer journeys. 

It’s also got a design in keeping with the rest 

of the Aston Martin range, while a 4.0-litre 

turbocharged V8 engine means it’s got the 

performance to match, too. 

Mercedes-Benz GLS 

The GLS is the largest SUV Mercedes offer and is, in fact, one of the largest 

SUVs on sale today. It’s fitted with some of the firm’s latest technology, too, 

including a superb MBUX infotainment operating system, accessed via a pair 

of 12.3-inch screens set underneath one single piece of glass to create a full 

widescreen effect. 

It’s also supremely comfortable, while the 

option of a range-topping GLS63 

adds a performance variant for 

those who want it. 

Vehicle Repairs ~ Servicing 

Diagnostics ~ Air Conditioning 

Exhausts ~ Tyres ~ MOT’s 

Unit 3 – Otterswood Square 

Martland Mill Ind. Est. 

Wigan WN5 0LF 

01942 211 986 

07961 135 393 

www.jdmechanical.com 

info@jdmechanical.com 

JD Mechanical Services 

For friendly 

advice, affordable 

rates and over 30 

years expertise, 

call us today.

82 

We’ll fix your; 

Paintwork Scratches 

Bumper Scuffs 

Alloy Wheel Damage 

Minor Dents 

No VAT 

charged! 

Quality repairs with a lifetime guarantee. 

Mobile Service – we come to you! 

For your free estimate, call Dave on 

07970 915 504 

c/o JW Gaskell Garages, 

Dingle Garage, Dingle Road, Up Holland, WN8 0EN 

Car Paintwork Repairs 

Services 

Repairs 

Diagnostics 

for all makes & models 

MOT Testing Centre 

for Class 4 

ExperienceReliabilityExpertise 

Dingle Garage, Dingle Road, Upholland, WN8 0EN 

Telephone: 01695 624 261 

www.jwgaskellgarageservices.co.uk 

Open: Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5pm & Saturday 8.30am-12.30pm 

Call Chris on 01942 215 111 or 07969 357 751 

www.cosmeticar.co.uk 

Scuffs/scratches mended 

Minor dents repaired 

Alloy wheel repairs 

No Vat charged 

We’ll beat any quote! 

PCP or lease 

coming to an 

end? 

Call me 

now and 

save 

£000’s

83 

Trading Standards has a directory of local traders you 

can rely on. 

Find the borough’s best online at www.wigan.gov.uk/goodtrader 

or phone 03454 040506 

and ask for Wigan Council’s Good Trader Scheme. 

Call Paul 

Locksmiths 


A Registered Insured NCFE Certified Company 

Call Paul for a Fast, Reliable, Professional Service 

• UPVC & WOODEN DOOR SPECIALIST 

• Emergency Door Opening 

• UPVC Door Lock Repairs 

• UPVC Door Lock Changes 

• UPVC Door Lock Upgrades 

• Wood Door Lock Changes 

• All Work Guaranteed 

TELEPHONE 

01942 901103 

MOBILE 

07932 718362 

WWW.CALLPAULLOCKSMITH.CO.UK

84 

Quality Flooring Fitter 

required for 

these pages 

Call 01695 627 999 



J&P 

MOORCROFT 

LTD 

Professional Painting 

and Decorating 

• Domestic & Commercial 

Work 

• Interior & Exterior work 

welcomed 

• Old/listed buildings a 

speciality 

Call us today for a free quotation 

Home Service available 

Choose from 1000s of paint & 

paper samples in the comfort of 

our own home 

01942 212096 

07831 102 511 

www.jpmoorcroft.com 

GARAGE DOOR 

REPAIRS 

All garage 

doorS 

repaired: 

Springs, Cables, 

Locks, Rollers etc. 

Doors of all ages 

repaired 

01744 894939 / 07891 330214 

NO FIX, NO CHARGE! 

Strawberry Cottage, 

Pimbo Lane, Upholland 

WN8 9QL 

www.garagedoorandlock.co.uk 

Need a new 

look for your 

home? 

Skilled interior and 

exterior work undertaken 

at reasonable prices! 

Chris Smith - Painter and 

Decorator 

01257 415388 

or 07545 065119 

Shevington based business 

4 Exterior & Interior 

Decorating 

4 Domestic & 

Commercial work 

undertaken 

4 Competitive rate 

Award Winner 

Contact Graham now 

free estimate provided 

01257 426234 

07954 139069 

graham@topcoatdecoratingservices.co.uk 

www.topcoatdecoratingservices.co.uk 

HANDS ON 

Property Maintenance 

& Handyman Services 

3 Kitchens & Bathrooms 

3 Painting & Decorating 

3 Building & Joinery 

3 Electrical 

3 Paving, Decking 

& Fencing 

3 Tiling 

3 Plumbing 

Check out my work at 

keith.anderton 

Telephone Keith on 

07812 110476 

• Interior & Exterior Decorating 

• Trustworthy & Reliable 

• Fully qualified with 15 years 

experience 

No job too big or too small 

Call Gavin for a free estimate on 

07870 632 041 

gavowen1984@gmail.com 

• Quality workmanship 

• Interior & exterior 

work 

• No job too 

big or too 

small 

01942 392398 

or 07707 321383 

Handy 

Andy 

Building / Joinery 

Plastering / Tiling 

Plumbing / Roofing 

Flatpack Assembly 

Call Handy Andy on 

01257 369 685 

07899 752 225 

tradesbyandy@gmail.com 

All 

jobs 

considered

85 

Arley Cabinet 

Company Ltd 

• Kitchens & Bedrooms since 1952 • 

We Measure ~ We Make ~ We Fit 

Drop into our 

showroom or call us 

for a free estimate 

214a Gidlow Lane, Wigan, WN6 7BN 

01942 246 190 

www.arleycabinets.com 

We repair: 

4 Phones & Tablets 

4 Laptops & PC’s 

4 Gaming Consoles 

4 Apple Watches 

We also build 

gaming PC’s to all 

specifications. 

If we 

can’t fix it, 

no one 

can! 

QUALITY service 

FREE estimates 

FAST turnaround 

Call the Tech Guys on 01744 410554 

or email info@techguys360.co.uk 

www.techguys360.co.uk 

1st Floor, Rainford Parish Council Offices, 

Church Rd, Rainford, St. Helens WA11 8HB 

Puzzle Solutions 

CROSSWORD 

WORDWHEEL 

Across: 1. Stucco, 4. Apache, 9. Avocado, 10. Paper, 11. Lotus, 12. Naphtha, 

13. Elastic band, 18. Hebrews, 20. Aisle, 22. Ruler, 23. Ukulele, 24. Shaken, 25. Mantis. 

DOWN: 1. Stable, 2. U-boat, 3. Chassis, 5. Pop up, 6. Capstan, 7. Earwax, 8. Connoisseur, 

14. Lobelia, 15. Bravura, 16. Chorus, 17. Peters, 19. Eyrie, 21. Sleet. 

aNSWER: 

MINARET / 

RAIMENT 

T I 

W N 

E 

R 

WORDSEARCH SUDOKU WIGGLE 

WORDS 

Third Time’s a Charm 

WORD 

LADDER 

Here is one possible 

solution (others may exist) 

LEAF 

leak 

leek 

seek 

seem 

STEM 

PUB QUIZ 

1. Charity shop (“op” is short for 

“opportunity”) 

2. Ikea 

3. Vaccinated 

4. Books 

5. Amazon (the arrow goes from “A” 

to “Z”) 

6. Boohoo 

7. Quality, Value and Convenience 

8. Magic wands 

9. b) Marks and Spencer 

10. Banksy


rural Vi lage 

NUrSErY 


A l sta f 

We cater for 


paediatric 

CHILDrEN 


& first aid 

3 months 

2/3/4 

for 

QUALIFIED 

- 4 years 


oPEN 

Mon-Fri 

8AM-6PM 

£37.50 

per day 


rated by 

oFStED 

as 

oUtStANDINg 

Large NEWLY 



86 

New Name - 

Same Fantastic Cleans! 

• Carpets - Quick Drying 

includes moving furniture for you 

• Upholstery - Fabric & Leather 

• Hard floors - Tile/Stone/Vinyls 

FREE Test clean to see the results 

• Curtains - Hassle free 

Cleaned where they hang 

• Rugs 

Collection & delivery service 

Call us 

today for 

a free quote 

01942 470 081 

www.alliancecleaningsystems.co.uk 

Carpet & Upholstery 

Cleaning 

• traditional service, state of the art results • 

• Carpets 

• Rugs 

• Fabric & Leather 

Upholstery 

5 star rating with Wigan Trading 

Standards Good Trader Scheme 

Call today for a free consultation 

& no obligation quote 

Call - 01257 251221 

Mobile - 07908 770808 

e: sales@alliancecleaningsystems.co.uk www.manorhousecleaning.co.uk 

• Professional Carpet, Rug 

& Upholstery Cleaning 

• Leather Cleaning & Restoration 

• FREE Pre-Inspection Visit & Quotation 

T: 01942 409401 

M: 07881 816839 

helen@carrolls-cleaning.co.uk 

Quality Upholsterer 

required for 

these pages 

Call 01695 627 999 



External Cleaning 

Specialist 

• UPVC & Conservatory cleaning 

• Pressure Washing for Driveways & Patios 

• Roof Cleaning, Sealing & Coating 

• Drain Clearing & Cleaning 

• Decking Cleaning & Sealing 

• Imprinted Concrete Sealing & 

Re-Colouring 

Billinge-based 

We’ll get 

the job 

done! 

• Business Telephone 

Systems 

• Voip & Structured Cabling 

• Residential Extensions 

• Faults & Gen Enq 

Call Darren (British Army Veteran) for a free quote 

07931 688 881 

www.proclean-ecs.co.uk quote@procleanecs.co.uk 


required for 

these pages 

Call 01695 627 999 






Call 01695 627 999 



















01257 252647 

www.li tleacorns-daynursery.com 

Tel: 01942 441221 

Askus@LJTelecomServices.co.uk 

www.LJTelecomServices.com

87 

Having a Clear Out? 

Whatever you’re clearing – call us today! 

• House & garden 

• Garage or Shed 

Fast, RELIABLE and 

PROFESSIONAL service 

northwestwaste 

• Office, Warehouse or Shop 

• Probate 

Our services are; 

4 Cheaper than a skip 

4 Fully licenced by the 

Environmental Agency 

4 Completed by smart and 

friendly staff 

The Meadows, Ruskin Drive, St Helens, WA10 6RP 

01744 758 349 / 07557 764 940 

Email: transport@northwestwaste.co.uk 

www.northwestwaste.co.uk 

Man 

& a Van 

available for 

removals 

FROM 

£85 

regular sweep & checks 

new homeowner inspections 

professional & reliable 

01942 387079 

book online at mr-soot.com 

prices 

start from 

£45 

let us clean your oven so 

you don’t have to! 

• professional oven cleaning 

• environmentally friendly 

• we repair ovens too! 

call Steven on 07393 818 392 

www.ovenrescue.co.uk/wigan 

Get your oven 

looking like new! 

We clean ovens, hobs, 

microwaves and fans for over 

500 regular customers. 

Single ovens only £50 

We only use non-caustic, 

totally safe liquids. 

0151 430 0766 

0770 256 6393 

www.theovencleanersgroup.co.uk 

Aspinall’s 

Chimney Sweep 

• Chimney Sweeping 

• Chimney Pots & Cowls – supplied & fitted 

• Bird Nests removed & Birdguards fitted 

• Chimney Stacks re-pointed 

• CCTV Chimney Inspections 

No Mess Guaranteed! 

ContaCT 

Patrick 

for a free quote 

01942 375 076 

07449 456 980 

www.aspinallschimneys.co.uk 

e-mail patrick@aspinallschimneys.co.uk

88 

Outdoor Adventures 

Spring Cleaning Your Home’s Exterior 

In your home, you’ll realise when maintenance jobs need 

doing and rooms need cleaning. But particularly during 

the winter months, any deterioration to the outside of 

your property is likely to go unnoticed until the brighter 

spring days. 

The Roof 

If any part of your roof is north facing, near trees or both, 

you are very likely to see a build-up of moss. This is not 

only unsightly, it’s not good for your roof and the moss is 

likely to block your gutters too. 

If your roof is at a low level or can be accessed from an 

upper window, gently brush the surface to loosen the 

build-up. Generally though, unless you happen to own 

the specialist equipment to ensure you are safe on a roof, 

this really is a job for the professionals. 

The Gutters 

Some debris in your 

gutters will get washed 

away and will mulch 

down, but more often 

it’ll just build up. If your 

gutters are overflowing 

every time it rains, you 

are going to need a 

long ladder and a pair of thick rubber gloves to clear the 

slimy mess. 

A professional will have a camera on a pole to see where 

the worst spots are and to help them clear out all the 

winter debris. Ask about having gutter guards fitted, too 

to help prevent future build-ups. 

Facias and Soffits 

There are two options if your facias and soffits look tatty 

and the paint is peeling: repainting is lower cost but it 

won’t last that long and is fiddly to do; replacement facias 

and soffits are made of uPVC and will last for years. It’s 

well worth considering replacing the guttering at the 

same time. 

Pathways 

The inexpensive way to clean your path is a bucket of 

water and a stiff brush. Alternatively, a jet washer is very 

thorough and reasonably affordable, although you only 

need to use it once or twice a year. 

This is a job you can do yourself, but it’s blooming 

hard work! You will get quite a workout controlling the 

pressure washer hose or sweeping a brush. 

Windows 

This is another one of 

those jobs that is hard 

work and while it’s easy 

to access the inside 

of your windows, the 

upper floor of the 

outside is much more 

difficult. 

Furthermore, a one-off clean is not enough – you are 

looking at your windows all the time so you’ll notice them 

getting dirty again within a month or two. It’s better to 

have a regular arrangement with a cleaning company 

who will usually have a pole system to reach the heights. 

They normally use purified water, meaning that the 

windows dry sparkling clean. 

In Summary 

There are many jobs around the home that you are 

probably capable of doing yourself to save the pennies. 

But these external tasks don’t need to be done very 

often and a specialist will have the equipment, the safety 

training and the insurance to do the job efficiently and 

quickly.

89 

Call Clint for a free no obligation quote 

01942 470 089 

07834 241 642 

www.conservatorycleaningwigan.com 

get your 

gutters 

cleared 

Book any service 

FREE! 

ROOF CLEANING 

• Moss Removal & Bio-Treatment 

• Softwashing / Low Pressure 

POWER WASHING 

• Driveways & Patios etc. 

CONSERVATORIES 

• Exterior & Interior (Cleaning) 

UPVC CLEANING 

• Windows, Fascias, 

Gutters etc. 

SPECIAL OFFER - 20% OFF ALL CLEANING PACKAGES 

Total Cleaning North West 

www.totalcleaningnorthwest.co.uk 

Unit 6a, 

1 Miry Lane, 


WN3 4AG 

One-stop cleaning jobs for your home and garden 

• Clean your dirty Driveway or Patio 

• Seal and Protect your Driveway or Patio 

• Clear out your blocked gutters with our video SkyVac 

• Make your Conservatory sparkle • Render cleaning 

• Clean Gutters, Soffits and Fascias 

Check out our fantastic 5* reviews on Facebook & Google 

Call or text David now for a no obligation quote 

£60 

FIXED PRICE 

GUTTER 

CLEARING 

ONLY 

Your local 

family business 

01942 530483 • 07771 924 887 • www.totalcleaningnorthwest.co.uk

90 

A Genuine Family Run 

Business With Friendly 

& Courteous Staff 

Specialists in central heating installation, 

boiler replacements and upgrades 

• Annual Boiler Servicing 

• Landlord & Home Owner Gas 

Safety Checks 

• Mechanical Power Flushing 

• Thermostatic Valves Radiators Fitted 

• All-in-One Air Conditioning & Heating 

units for Home & Work 

Registration No. 

88604 

WE REPAIR ALL 

MAKES OF BOILERS! 

Telephone: 

01942 504 429 

Tel: 01257 421 660 

Mob: 07515 505 501 

Accredited Installer & Service Partner 

Plumbing & Heating 

Specialist 

Complete Bathrooms 

Installation ~ Repairs ~ Service 

Central Heating Systems 

Boilers & Gas Appliances 

General Plumbing 

Gas Safety Certificates 

Elite 

Bathrooms 

& Wet Room Installation 

John Bailey 

01942 495785 

or 07721 040620 

& 07710 153238 

Based in Kenyon Road, Wigan 

Call Andy for a free quote on 

01942 564 226 

07397 391 935 

acampbellheatingandgas 

597379 

• Bathrooms • Wet Rooms 

• Wall & Floor Tiling 

Please call for a FREE Estimates 

07703 448890 

01942 208926 

We’ve got you covered 

for all aspects of 

plumbing and heating 

Boilers Gas Heating Plumbing Drainage 

Installation • Maintenance • Repairs 

626792 

Want a new boiler with 

ZERO upfront cost? 

Pay monthly with servicing and warranty included. 

Call us now to find out how! 

01942 575730 

07565 060530 

166 Gidlow Lane • Wigan • WN6 7EA 

www.blueflameltd.co.uk 

craig@blueflameltd.co.uk 

Family run business with 20+ years experience. 

Check out our reviews:

91 

Showroom now open at 19 Preston Road, Standish WN6 0HP 

All plumbing services 

including services & repairs 

BOILER SERVICING 

FROM £80 

• Bathrooms/Wet Rooms designed 

and fitted 

• Specialists in Disability 

Installations & Conversions 

• Emergency Call outs welcome 

No Obligation Quotes – Call Mark on 

01257 473026 

07515 894281 

527090 

www.gphwigan.co.uk • info@gphwigan.co.uk 

Bathroom Installation, 

Full Bathrooms & 

En-Suites 

Plumbing Services 

Wall & Floor Tiling 

Ceiling Panelling 

01942 397173 

07803 057940 

Douglas Drive, Orrell, Wigan 

www.ljplumbingandbathrooms.co.uk 

651511 

Boiler Installation 

Boiler Servicing & Repairs 

Boiler Finance Available 

Landlords Gas Safety Reports 

Experienced, Reliable & Friendly Service 

0% 

Finance 

available 

Credit Cards accepted 

01942 221 996 

07769 203 056 

hartheatingwigan@gmail.com 

Winstanley-based

for 

as 

92 

Kitchens Bathrooms 

Floors Walls 

Pools & More 

16 years experience 

We lay all tiles, including marble, limestone, 

porcelain, ceramics and mosaic. 

Call Dan now to discuss your ideas 

and designs. 

07980 258 678 

Or email huxtilingservices@gmail.com 

Huxtilingservices 

AGBathrooms.net 

Quality bathrooms at 

reasonable prices 

Complete bathroom 

installations from design 

to completion. 

For free quotes, call Adrian on 

07816 394 292 

Check out our work on 

www.AGBathrooms.net 

Quality Removals 

required for 

these pages 

Call 01695 627 999 



• Brand New Bathrooms 

• Boiler + Central Heating 

Installs, Servicing + Repairs 

• Extended warranties 

available 

• 24 Hour Call-out 

Freephone: 

0300 3030121 

Dave: 07769 942218 

Matt: 07969 183809 

506515 

FINANCE 

OPTIONS 

AVAILABLE 

• Domestic + Commercial 

New showroom opening soon at: 

2a Gathurst Lane, Shevington WN6 8HA 

Email: info@orrellheating.co.uk 

www.orrellheating.co.uk 

Convert your bath to a 

Walk-In Shower 

AJC 

WALK IN SHOWERS 

Typical price 

£2200 

Fully guaranteed 

One day installation 

No mess - no fuss 

Easy to clean & maintain 

Call Anthony on 

07919 876 825 

Workshop address: Bulldog Tools Ind. Est. 

Darlington Street East, Wigan WN1 3BT 

Microshop address: Hardshaw Centre, 

Church Street, St. Helens WA10 1EB 

We also fit full bathrooms! 


required for 

these pages 

Call 01695 627 999 



Great Value 

Bathrooms! 

Full Bathrooms 

& En-Suites 

Showers, Trays & Cubicles 

Relocation of Bathroom Suites 

25 years bathroom experience 

Call Chris now for a free quotation 

C L Bathrooms 

01942 749085 

or 07801 295483 

www.clbathrooms.co.uk 



Quality carpets & flooring, expertly fitted at competitive prices 


Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) 

Carpets and Rugs 

Laminate Flooring 

Hard Wood Flooring 

www.bespoke-floors.co.uk | bespoke@wjdflooring.co.uk 

No.2 The Old Smithy, Church Road, 

Rainford WA11 8HD 

01744 88 55 14 

Bespoke Fl oring is the trading name of WJD Retail 

& Online Solutions Ltd – Company Number 1248484 


rural Vi lage 

NUrSErY 

A l staff 

paediatric 

& first aid 

QUALIFIED 

oPEN 

Mon-Fri 

8AM-6PM 

FUNDED 

PLACES 

Available for 

2/3/4 

year olds 

£37.50 

per day 

LANgUAgE 

& SPortS 

LESSoNS 

pre-schoolers 

Large 

outdoor 

PLAY ArEA 

rated by 

oFStED 

oUtStANDINg 

We cater for 

CHILDrEN 

3 months 

- 4 years 

NEWLY 

rEFUrBISHED 

in 2019 



For more information 

Call 01695 627 999 




We operate a booking system for the 


We deliver 30 hours free entitlement 


Flexible sessions available 





We are big on the great outdoors & being down in the forest 

which is good for your child’s health and we l-being 


A l Saints’ Primary School | Finch Lane | Appley Bridge | WN6 9DT 

01257 252647 




rural Vi lage 

NUrSErY 


A l sta f 

We cater for 


paediatric 

CHILDrEN 


& first aid 

3 months 

2/3/4 

for 

QUALIFIED 

- 4 years 


oPEN 

Mon-Fri 

8AM-6PM 

£37.50 

per day 


rated by 

oFStED 

as 

oUtStANDINg 

Large NEWLY 



93 

GDR Driveways 

ALL ASPECTS OF PAVING & turfing 

4 Block Paving 

Clean & Re-seal 

4 Indian Stone 

service available 

4 Flagging 

4 Turfing 

4 Artificial Grass 

• TV Aerials Installed 

• TV Wall Mounting 

• Telephone Lines 

• Setup Service 

Ring Paul on 

01942 514 532 

07709 490 095 

Winstanley-based 

www.gdrdriveways.com 

Call Gareth for a FREE quotation: 01942 217 113 or 07715 177 754 

Quality Fencer 

required for 

these pages 

Call 01695 627 999 



Aerial & Sky 

Services 

RX-12 Digital TV Aerials 

£80 supplied & fitted 

Aerial Multi-room System 

at £45 per room 

TV Wall Mounting Service 

Level 5 in Signal Path & Fault 

Diagnostics 

Domestic 

& Commercial 

work welcomed 

30+ years 

experience 

JJ Driveways 

Imprinted Concrete 

Specialists 

Huge range of colours 

& patterns 

• Resin Driveways 

• Block Paving 

• Indian Stone 

• Flagging 

We can also revive 

your old drive! 

Ask about our sealing 

service 

Call Joe for a 

free quotation on 

01942 621 959 

07867 697 972 

www.jjdriveways.co.uk 

Quality Removals 

required for 

these pages 

Call 01695 627 999 



01942 257804 

01257 277802 

07966 488585 

Call anytime for a quote or email: 

andy@aerialandskyservices.co.uk 

TT20778 

www.aerialandskyservices.co.uk 




Call 01695 627 999 



















01257 252647 

www.li tleacorns-daynursery.com

94 

DF 

Installations, 

Upgrades 

& Repairs 

ALARMS 

New systems from £395 

12 years experience 

CCTV – supplied and fitted 

Friendly & reliable service 

07506 518 646 

www.dfalarms.com 

DF Alarms | 58 Chapel St | Pemberton | Wigan 

W.Hurst & Son Ltd 

ELECTRIC 

CONTRACTOR 

www.whurstandson.co.uk 

• All types of electrical work 

• 35+ years experience 

• No job too small 

• Friendly and reliable 

For a free quote 

& advice call Jeff 

01695 622 191 

07850 622 191 

J.Dillon 

Electrical Services Ltd 

Electrician ~ Standish 

• All types of electrical work 

• 30+ years experience 

• Friendly, fast and reliable 

• 24 hour call out service 

Call: 01257 424918 

or 07821 139826 

www.jdillonelectrical.co.uk 

Alarm installations, 

repairs & upgrades 

Domestic and commercial 

work welcome 

Free security assessment provided 

Emergency lock openings 

Lock changes 

No call-out charges 

24-hour service 

60 mins response 

Call 01942 669505 

www.uklocksandalarms.co.uk 

info@ianwalkerservices.co.uk 

A.J.S. 

BAILEYS 

ELECTRICAL 

All electrical work undertaken 

Free quotations 

• Friendly reliable service 

• Mains board upgrades 

• Extra sockets to full rewires 

• Cctv & Ajax wireless alarm 

01942 215 769 

07739 709 005 

a Installation & Maintenance 

a Inspection & Testing 

a Nest Pro Installer 

a CCTV & Alarms 

Tel: 07738 117712 

Orrell based 

All Electrical Installations, 

Maintenance & Repairs 

From full re-wires to 

outside lighting to socket 

replacements 

No job too small 

24/7 emergency call-out 

with no call-out charges 

Over 30 years’ experience 

Call Steve on 

07874 352501 or 01744 368055 

www.billingeelctrical.co.uk 

Jon Wright 

Electrical Ltd 

All types of 

Domestic & Commercial 

work undertaken 

• Inspection & Tests 

• Repairs 

• Solar PV 

• Alarms 

Call now on: 07983 387448 

Email: jonwrightelec@live.co.uk 

Certificate of excellence winner 

2017, 2018 & 2019 

JIB Approved Electrician 

All domestic electrical work 

24/7 call out service 

Friendly, reliable & 

professional 

Call 07557 795 892 

www.johnboughey-electrical.com 

Parbold/Wigan Areas

for 

as 

Superior 

craftmanship at 

competitive rates 

• Home improvements 

• Loft conversions 

• Garage conversions 

& Extensions 

• Staircases 

• Windows & Doors 

For all aspects of renovations 

and maintenance - 

no job too small! 

For a free quote, 

call MT Joinery now. 

01257 422317 

or 07852 202867 

www.mtjoinery.co.uk 

• Conservatory repairs 

• Locks, handles and hinges 

• Replacement glass 

• Windows and doors installed 

• Replacement conservatory 

roofs 

Call MARK now on 

01942 737 381 

0776 315 1720 

conservatoryrepairs@gmail.com 

www.fixmyconservatory.com 

30 Years Experience 

Extensions & Refurbishments 

Kitchens & Bathrooms 

Conservatories & Orangeries 

Windows & Doors 

Roofs & Fascia Boards 

Decking & Balustrading 

All aspects of building works 

No job too small 

Call Peter for a free quotation 

Day: 07961 516 677 

Eve: 01942 745 428 

Cambridge Road, Orrell 

Specialists in 

Replacement 

Double 

Glazed Units 

Ring with sizes for 

a FREE estimate 

Open 7 days 8am - 8pm 

Established Local Family Company 

01942 470 085 

0800 328 8573 

www.steamywindows.net 

Quality Fencer 

required for 

these pages 

Call 01695 627 999 



Number One for House 

Maintenance! 

• UPVC WINDOWS AND 

DOORS. 

• FASCIAS, SOFFITS AND 

GUTTERS. 

• GUTTER AND UPVC 

CLEANING AND REPAIR 

SERVICE. 

• MISTED WINDOW AND 

DOOR UNITS REPLACED. 

• FENCING AND POINTING. 

• GENERAL HOUSEHOLD 

MAINTENANCE. 

No job 

too small! 

Call Mike Darbyshire on 

01942 513 584 

07917 352 181 

Orrell based 



Quality carpets & flooring, expertly fitted at competitive prices 


Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) 

Carpets and Rugs 

Laminate Flooring 

Hard Wood Flooring 

www.bespoke-floors.co.uk | bespoke@wjdflooring.co.uk 

No.2 The Old Smithy, Church Road, 

Rainford WA11 8HD 

01744 88 55 14 

Bespoke Fl oring is the trading name of WJD Retail 

& Online Solutions Ltd – Company Number 1248484 


rural Vi lage 

NUrSErY 

A l staff 

paediatric 

& first aid 

QUALIFIED 

oPEN 

Mon-Fri 

8AM-6PM 

FUNDED 

PLACES 

Available for 

2/3/4 

year olds 

£37.50 

per day 

LANgUAgE 

& SPortS 

LESSoNS 

pre-schoolers 

Large 

outdoor 

PLAY ArEA 

rated by 

oFStED 

oUtStANDINg 

We cater for 

CHILDrEN 

3 months 

- 4 years 

NEWLY 

rEFUrBISHED 

in 2019 



For more information 

Call 01695 627 999 




We operate a booking system for the 


We deliver 30 hours free entitlement 


Flexible sessions available 





We are big on the great outdoors & being down in the forest 

which is good for your child’s health and we l-being 


A l Saints’ Primary School | Finch Lane | Appley Bridge | WN6 9DT 

01257 252647 


95 


96 

PH Profiles 

Re-modelling your 

home in 2022? 

Quality orangeries, conservatories and sunrooms 

designed and constructed. 

Finest installations of all windows, doors 

bi-folds, porches and UPVC Roofline. 

Call Paul today 

for a free estimate and friendly advice. 

01942 204421 | 07841 923230 | www.phprofiles.co.uk 

6 consecutive 

Certificate of 

Excellence awards 

Call us now for ALL your roofline requirements! 

Facias, soffits, cladding, dry verge and gutters 

We specialise in seamless 

aluminium gutters. 

Clean, stylish and guaranteed 

for 25 years! 

Call: 07917 352 182 / 07917 352 183 

www.orrellroofline.co.uk 

Des Pilling 

Plastering 

• Plastering 

• Skimming 

• Artexing 

Coving & Cornice work 

also welcomed 

Orrell based – Established 1986 

Call Des on 

07787 513 235 

www.lakelandplastering.co.uk 

www.despilling.org.uk

K Stone 

Building Services 

All types of building 

work undertaken 

• Brickwork 

• Pointing 

• Garden Walls 

• Patios 

25 years 

experience 

• Roof Repairs 

• Flagging 

• Alterations 

• Driveways 

01942 495412 

07974 496676 

Oak Doors 

from 

£155 

Price includes 

supply & fit 

Orrell 

based 

All aspects 

of joinery 

Call Mike for a free quote 

01942 590514 • 07988 260621 

www.orrelljoinery.co.uk 

• Timber cladding 

• Bespoke furniture 

• All aspects of joinery 

• Fabrication / steel work 

Contact: 

07800 580532 

01744 747787 

www.funkytimber.co.uk 

Unit 17b, Wharton Street, 

St Helens, WA9 5AA 

First Class 

Workmanship 

4 All types of re-roofs 

4 Strip & re-slate or re-tile 

4 Built up felt/flat roofs, 

dormers etc. 

4 Insurance work undertaken 

4 Roofline uPVC 

fascias, soffits 

& guttering 

W.Newman 

ROOFING & REPAIRS 

01695 627 212 

MOBILE: 07774 943 706 

52 HALLBRIDGE GARDENS, 

UP HOLLAND 

Established Over 30 Years 

All aspects of 

roofing & roofline 

NEW ROOFS 

REPAIRS 

FASCIAS, SOFFITS 

& GUTTERS 

Dormers and 

Garages 

Rubber Cover Roofing Specialist 

Guaranteed 50 years 

Call for free quote 

M: 07894 687 384 

Est. 1985 

Roofing & Roofline 

Specialist 

• All aspects of 

maintenance & repair 

• Fascia & soffit 

installation 

• Guttering and felting 

services 

Call us now for 

a free estimate 

01695 633173 

Colin: 07958 302 166 

Brian: 07760 160 988 

www.wilson-bros.co.uk 

B.A. 

Berry 

Building & Roofing 

Specialists 

• All building work undertaken. 

• From a broken tile to a full 

re roof. 

• Flat roofs renewed and 

repaired. 

• Extensions, Alterations, 

Structural repairs including 

Lintels. 

Your local fully 

qualified tradesman 

with 30 years experience 

Call us now for a free, 

no obligation quote 

01695 622 704 

07968 652 320 

www.baberry.co.uk 

97

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98 

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99 

Come and visit the largest 

showroom in the North West 

Quality installations of windows, 

doors, fascias, soffits and gutters 

First for quality 

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warmlightwindowsltd.co.uk • info@warmlightwindowsltd.co.uk 

Representative example: Total cash price £1164, deposit £0, amount borrowed £1164 over 12 months. 12 monthly repayments of £97. Interest 

rate 0%. Total repayable £1164. Credit is subject to the lenders T&C. Warmlight Windows, Doors and Conservatories Ltd is authorised and 

regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN 7700524. We are a credit broker, not a lender and have a facility with one lender.

Tomorrow’s Home Improvements Today! 

Quality ~ Choice ~ Value 

Windows 

Bi-Fold Doors 

Thermally-efficient conservatory roofs 

expertly fitted by accredited installers 

© 

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Don’t just lock it, 

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Manufacturers and installers since 2004 

Contact us on 01744 891717 for a no obligation quote 

Visit our showroom/factory at; Crows Nest, Ashton Road, Billinge, WN5 7XX (near Windy Arbour crossroads) 

www.orrellwindows.co.uk 

28544

Local Life - Wigan - March 2022

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