wigan courier oct 2nd edition

25p

where sold

WIGANWIGANTheTheCourierWigan’s GoodNews Paper

email: [email protected] October 2nd 2012 Issue no 207

WIGAN Town Centre is barely recognisablethanks to the multi-million pounddevelopment of the Wigan Life Centre.Wigan Council’s new information ‘hub’has been praised

for the standard of its customer care.A few months after the opening of theWigan Life Centre, with

its innovative “one-stop-shop” approach to dealing withresidents’ queries and concerns, the national Govmetric surveyhas placed the council number one for customer satisfactiononline, on the phone and face to face.The council’s cabinet lead for efficiency, Cllr Ged Bretherton,

announced the news at a meeting ofthe full council and thanked staff fortheir level of service.Members across the political divide

warmly commended officers for theirhigh standards.The council’s director for policy and

customers, Alison McKenzie-Folan,said: “Govmetric, who independentlyscore more than 70 local authoritieson an overall Customer SatisfactionIndex, foundWigan were ranked firstfor overall satisfaction over thephone, face to face and on the web.“As a result of increased calls now

being put through for customersatisfaction comments, we havejumped up from outside the top ten torank as first in the country.”The council was also placed fourth

in the national ‘County/UnitaryCouncil’ feedback table.Cllr Bretherton said: “This great result is due to the hard work and

efforts of all staff across the council. We know we need to makefurther improvements and in line with the council’s values, we arealways keen to do better.”The council receives around 10,000 calls each week, with residents

booking services, reporting on incidents and asking for advice.Officers have now introduced a ‘call back’ facility at the contact

centre. This means that at times of high demand, residents can leavetheir details and a member of staff will ring them back.New ‘Queuebuster’ technology is improving call waiting times and

officers are dealing with an additional 2,500 calls per week bydeploying additional staff to increase capacity at the contact centre.

The council website, which can already takebookings for services twenty four hours a day, is alsobeing reviewed to better serve customer demand.Ms McKenzie-Folan added: “I’d urge our customers

to use the many different ways to contact us - over thephone, through the web site and in the Life Centres.There’s plenty more work to do, but we’re workinghard for the people of the borough.”

AUTUMN SALE

DISPLAY SALE - SAVE UPTO 50%Call in for details

aqua: bathing excellence

DOMESTIC APPLIANCECENTRE

DOMESTIC APPLIANCECENTRE

YOUR LOCAL DYSON SPECIALISTSales, Spares & Repairs to most...

• Washing Machines • Cookers • Dryers • Fridges• Freezers • Dishwashers • Vacuums • Etc

New and Reconditioned AppliancesAlways In Stock

FREE Delivery, Connection & Removalof Old Appliance

37 High Street,Standish

Wigan, WN6 OHAwww.standishdomestics.co.uk

01257 47370501257 473705

TToopp mmaarrkkss ffoorrWWiiggaann iinn ssuurrvveeyy

Good Trader

Wigan TradingStandards

SchemeSee pages 20 & 21

WAGGON& HORSES170 Chorley Road,Westhoughton, Bolton

ALL NEW MENUS AVAILABLE2 for 1 - 3 Courses

Daily traditional carvery

TRADITIONAL SUNDAY CARVERY£7-29pp

NEW - O.A.P.’s Lunch ClubMonday - Saturday 12 noon till 4.00 p.m.

2 Meals £6.95Tea or Coffee and Cream Scone £1.95 pp

All occasions catered for

Saturday 6th October Michael Buble Tribute

1

Courier2 THE WIGAN COURIER - WIGAN’S ONLY FREE NEWSPAPER THAT COVERS LOCAL SPORT

Platt Lane, Worthington, Standish, Wigan

0011225577 442211335544FFrreeeepphhoonnee:: 0088000000 668866667788

CAMRA National Pubof the Year 2010 (Finalist)

SSaattuurrddaayy 1155tthhDDeecceemmbbeerr

– A Tribute to Elton JohnFFrriiddaayy 2211ssttDDeecceemmbbeerr

– A Tribute to ElvisSSaattuurrddaayy 2222nndd DDeecceemmbbeerr– A Tribute to Tom Jones.

Remember, Rememberthe 4th of November!!!!

Firework DisplaySunday November 4th

Firework Display, Firepit, Barbeque, Outside Bar,Kids entertainer and disco, and lots moreItʼs a great family night. And Free Entry!!!!!

Our restaurant will be open as usual serving our fullala carte menu and specials plus bar meals and

snacks available in the pubStarts at 6pm, fireworks @7pm

FREE ENTRY

REAL ALE FESTIVALThe Black CountryREAL ALE FESTIVALThe Black Country

Party Nights at the Crown, Xmas 2012...

...A three course meal, tribute actentertainment and disco for only £24-95pp

Superb 3 course meal in TheBalcarres Suite every Friday andSaturday Night with someamazing tribute acts.

Arrive 7:30pm – Dine 8:00pm Bar until Midnight.

OONNLLYY ££2244..9955ppppThe only way to start your Christmas party season!

The Tribute acts thisyear are -

FFrriiddaayy 3300tthh NNoovveemmbbeerr –A Tribute to 70s Soul with

Lance GoldSSaattuurrddaayy 11sstt DDeecceemmbbeerr– A Tribute to Freddie Mercury

FFrriiddaayy 77tthh DDeecceemmbbeerr –A Tribute to Neil Diamond

SSaattuurrddaayy 88tthh DDeecceemmbbeerr– Jaxmad - a superbtribute to the 80s

FFrriiddaayy 1144tthh DDeecceemmbbeerr– A Tribute to Rod Stewart

VViiss iitt oouurr wweebbssiittee ffoorr iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn oonn aall ll oouurr eevveennttss ::wwwwww..tthheeccrroowwnnaattwwoorrtthhiinnggttoonn..ccoo..uukk

BOOK

NOWto avoid

disappointment

- these evenings

are

in high demand!

NNoovveemmbbeerr 11sstt,, 22nndd,, 33rrdd && 44tthhTThhee CCrroowwnn HHootteell bbeeccoommeess tthhee CCrroossssrrooaaddss MMootteell eeaarr llyy iinn NNoovveemmbbeerr -- nnoo,, wweeccaann’’ tt ooffffeerr ppeerrssoonnaall aappppeeaarreenncceess bbyy MMeegg RRiicchhaarrddssoonn,, AAddaamm CChhaannccee oorr DDaavviiddHHuunntteerr,, bbuutt wwee ccaann gguuaarraanntteeee tthhee aappppeeaarreennccee ooff DDaann aanndd TTrraaccyy PPrriinnccee,, aannddmmoorree tthhaann 2255 ffiinnee aalleess ffrroomm tthhee BBllaacckk CCoouunnttrryy -- sseeee bbeellooww -- ssoo jjooiinn uuss ffoorr aa rreeaallBBrruummmmyybbrreeww oorr ttwwoo aass aauuttuummnn cclloosseess iinn.. .... ....

FFeeaattuurriinngg tthhee lleeggeennddaarryy SSaarraahh HHuugghheess ‘‘DDaarrkk RRuubbyy MMiilldd’’ @@ 66%%

�� KKiinnvveerr�� SS..HH..�� HHoollddoonnss�� IIrroonn BBrriiddggeess�� SShhiirreess�� MMaa PPaarrddooss�� BBaacckk YYaarrdd�� BBaatthhaammss�� TToollll EEnndd

�� BBeeoowwuullff�� JJoosseepphh HHeerrbbeerrtt SSmmiitthh�� BBiirrddss�� CCaannnnoonn RRooyyaall�� FF lloowweerr PPoott�� EEnnvviillllee�� MMoorrttoonn BBrriiddggee�� QQuuaarrttzz�� SSllaatteerrss

2


StandishChurches

Together forMacmillan

Wigan Expo at DW Stadium

STANDISH ChurchesTogether, the umbrellaorganisation that representsSt Marie’s, St Wilfrid’s andStandish Methodists, held acoffee morning at StandishMethodist Church Hall onFriday September 28th insupport of the MacmillanCancer Care charity.Local folk turned out in

considerable numbers despite the

inclement weather, and organiserMarjorie Brindle told the Courierthat the morning had raised amagnificent £1,160 for thecharity.Our pictures show just some of

the people who were enjoyingthemselves in the hall, and thestall outsdid the church whosebrave ladies were doing brisktrade with passing pedestriansand those motorists stuck in thequeue for Standish lights!

We will transfer:Your LP collection to CD

Your special videos to DVDYour old Cine films to DVD

Standish Video & DVD26a High Street, Standish

01257 426937 / 07774 775877

franco’sItalian Restaurant

NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR CHRISTMAS PARTIES,CHRISTMAS EVE & NEW YEAR’S EVE

5 Rodney Street, Wigan Town Centre

CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS

Lunch Time Festive MenuONLY £14.95

(Available all throughout Dec)

Christmas Party DinnerONLY £24.95

Sunday to ThursdayONLY £22.95

(Available every night in Decemberexcept 24th & 31st)

Friday & Saturday(With live music from 8.30 p.m.)

Tel: 01942 248668 Fax: 01942 248775Open: Lunchtime Thurs - Fri 12pm - 2pm

Mon - Sat Eve 5.30pm - Midnight Sunday from 5pmwww.francositalian.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

WIGAN BUSINESS Expo Twenty12, held atthe DW Stadium on Friday October 12th, is thebiggest business event in the Wigan Boroughand this year it is set to be bigger than ever.Organised by Wigan Council, Wigan Chamber Council,

local company Hughes Brothers, the local branch of theFederation of Small Businesses and the School for SocialEntrepreneurs, the must-attend event is aimed atshowcasing the wealth and diversity of theWigan Boroughbusiness community.During the event there is an exhibition of local businesses, an

opportunity for local businesses to arrange one-to-one meetingswith buyers from major local and regional organisations.There will also be seminar programmes delivered by key note

speakers, all in expert fields, as well as a chance for businesses toreceive one-to-one advice from experts across a variety ofdisciplines.The event is free to attend, and no pre-registration is

required.More information about the Expo at:

www.wigan.gov.uk/Services/BusinessRegeneration/BusinessExpo.

A. 4 sides A5 (A4 sheet folded)printed in colour

Printed on on 120gsm white100 copies £100.00.150 copies £120.00200 copies £140.00

Printed on on 160gsm cream100 copies £110.00.150 copies £135.00200 copies £160.00

B. 8 sides A5(2 A4 sheets folded and stapled)Printed in colour

Printed on 120gsm white,100 copies £150.00.150 copies £190.00200 copies £230.00

Printed on 160gsm cream100 copies £170.00.150 copies £220.00200 copies £270.00

Other quantities available -please ask

Standish Media Services. Suite 107 The Standish Centre, Cross Street,Standish. WN6 0HQ Tel: 01257 400026 Email: [email protected]

We can produce professional Service Sheets, providing a veryquick turn around - all you need to do is provide the words andpictures. Email, telephone or call into our offices to discussyour requirements....

A

B

FuneralService Sheets

3


The next Courier is published on

Tuesday 23rd OctoberDeadline for advertisers:Monday22ndOctober 12noon

Advertising & EditorialTel: 01257 400026Fax: 01257 400078

www.standishmedia.co.ukThe ONLY independent newspaper in

• Wigan • Standish • Shevington • Scholes• Aspull • Wrightington • Highfield • Ince

• Orrell • Appley Bridge • Winstanley

Suite 107 The Standish Centre, CrossStreet, Standish,Wigan WN6 0HQ

CourierCourierWIGANWIGANTO CONTACT

Call Michelle, Jane or Mark on

www.standishmedia.co.uk

The Wigan Courier is starting a newfeature: Street Corner- News From YourLocality.We are looking for correspondents

from across Wigan to share news fromyour local area, particularly Swinley,Orrell, Aspull, Wrightington, Standish,Marylebone, Standish Lower Ground,Appley Bridge, Shevington, Gathurstand WhelleyIf you want to be one of our local

correspondents, please send yourcontact details, the area that you wouldlike to cover, any news from the area thatyou would like to see published in thepaper, and a photograph of yourself viae-mail to Hannah Smith at [email protected], or for further information giveus a call on 01257 400026.

CourierStreet CornerNews From Your Locality

StandishRoyal British

Legionare hosting a

Table Top/Boot Salein the

Standish Community Centre,Moody Street, Church Street,

Standish , Wiganon Saturday 27th October 201210am – 3pm. Free entryRefreshments are available

Tables £6.00 eachCall

N. Williams 01257 401274E. Wilde 01257 400165

FREECAVITY WALL & LOFT INSULATION

While grant lasts!Advantages of having your home insulated:-* Reduce your annual heating bill byapproximately 25%

* Reduce green house effect* Warmer home in the winter, cooler home in thesummer

* Condensation is eliminated* Draughts are reduced around windows and doors* Will also maintain a constant temperaturethrough the houseAlso FREE boiler & fire service worth £80.00 for

every customer who has cavity walland loft insulation!

Call us now on 01942 518038Or visit us at 40 Market Street,Hindley, Wigan, WN2 3AN

PLANS for the future ofhousing across theborough are set to bediscussed by seniorcouncillors.Social and affordable housing,

homelessness and families intemporary accommodation areall on the agenda at WiganCouncil’s ’Confident Places’scrutiny committee.The council published its housing

strategy four years ago but becauseof changes to government policyand cuts to local services, thedocument is now being revisited.Cabinet lead for housing, Cllr

Chris Ready, said: “It is achallenging time and we’re facedwith tough decisions, includingresponding to the government’swelfare reforms. But there’s a lotof good news about the provision

of affordable homes and our workwith the private sector. I’m pleasedthat a record high number of ourproperties are rated at the topstandard.”277 new affordable homes were

built in Wigan Borough in the lastthree years, this compares with just59 in the previous three years. Inthe same period, the council hasmore than halved the number ofhouseholds living in temporaryaccommodation.Councillors will hear that there

has been a continuing drive toincrease the number of local socialhousing officially classified asdecent. This was 95 per cent in2008/9 and is now 99 per centacross the borough.The remaining few, described as

‘non decent’, mainly include thosehomes where proposedimprovements, including updated

kitchens or bathrooms, go againstthe tenants’ wishes but which willbe actioned when the propertybecomes vacant.However, councillors will hear

that the income stream to thepublic sector which enabled cuts inthe number of empty homes hasbeen reduced. Numbers on housingbenefit in socially rented housinghave remained relatively stable inrecent years at around 18,000households.The committee will hear of

concerns including older housingstock, the impact of benefitreforms and the demands of theageing population.The recommendations made at

the meeting will then be passed tothe council’s cabinet for finalendorsement by senior politicians.

Wigan Council sets out new housing plans

WORK to remove therhododendrons in HaighCountry Park will start thiswinter as part of a three yearprogramme to protect thisregionally importantwoodland.Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust(WLCT), who manage the site onbehalf of Wigan Council, hasidentified ramorum disease - causedby a fungus-like pathogen calledPhytophthora ramorum (P. ramorum)- on the site, which poses a significantrisk to the 100-acre woodland.The disease is responsible fordestroying more than three million treesto date in the UK since it was firstidentified in 2002. So far, WLCT hasidentified several infected areas ofrhododendrons.Rhododendrons act as “sporulatinghosts”, leading to a higher infection ratein the trees that surround the infectedrhododendron bushes.Removal of therhododendrons from the site will protectthe woodlands at Haigh Country Parkand contribute to the national strategyto contain the spread of infection.Graham Workman, BiodiversityServices Manager for WLCT, said:“Doing nothing is not an option. Thiswork is compulsory and part of a

national strategy to stop the spread ofinfection.“By working now to remove therhododendrons from site we cansafeguard the future of this regionallysignificant woodland.”The disease is called Sudden Oak Deathin North America, where a slightlydifferent form of P. ramorum has killedmillions of North American native oakand tanoak trees.However, the name is misleading in theUK, where our two native species ofoak have proved resistant to the disease,and the name “ramorum disease” ispreferred.The disease can attack several otherspecies of trees including Beech, Larch,Ash, Horse Chestnut and SweetChestnut, and can take years to damagetrees to the point where they need to befelled, although it kills larch trees veryquickly.WLCT is currently scientificallymapping out the number and locationsof rhododendrons on site with partnersfrom Red Rose Forest.This study will form the basis of afunding application to the ForestryCommission, who will fund 80 per centof the removal costs. Early estimatessuggest the work could cost £100,000.Removal of the rhododendrons will takeplace during the winter months, whenvisitor numbers are lowest. All of theplant material will be burned on site to

Rhododendron removalin Haigh Country Park

prevent spread of thedisease.The disease only affectsplant life and is notharmful to humans. Workis scheduled to becompleted by the winterof 2015.

WIGAN Leisure & Culture Trust is setto launch a new service which willprovide support for local businessesand their employees to improve theirhealth.Working with Wigan Borough CCG and

workplace health experts, Health@Work, the newinitiative will support employers to address anyhealth concerns their staff may have.Dr Kate Ardern Executive Director of Public Health

for the Borough of Wigan said: “We are pleased tosupport this scheme. Having a healthy workforce canreduce sickness absence, lower staff turnover andboost productivity - this is good for employers,workers and the wider economy.”The scheme will offer 50 free health checks for staff.Training will also be available for employees whowish to become workplace health champions, tosupport their colleagues.Dr Tim Dalton, local GP and Chair of Wigan

Borough Clinical Commissioning Group (WBCCG)said: “Businesses have the potential to make asignificant contribution to the health of the Boroughand I would encourage businesses across the Boroughto get involved.”The service is open to all businesses within the

Wigan Borough, from micro-organisations with ahandful of employees up to large, multi-nationalcompanies.For more information on the service visit:

www.getactivewiganandleigh.co.uk

WLCT launchesnew service

DOUGLAS Music’s season ofSaturday Night Live Music,celebrating local and internationalmusical talent, is back for its 39thseason.Kicking-off the season at the ArenaAuditorium,

Parbold Village Hall on 6th October, is ten piecebrass ensemble, Intrada.Members of the ensemble were drawn from the best

players from the North West’s prize-winning bandsto make the ten piece.With four trumpets in the line-up the band promises

a lively opening to the season and expert playing withswing, Gershwin and medieval dance music.On October 27th, the internationally-celebrated and

locally raised pianist, Stephen Hough will play hisnewly composed sonatas, and a major works bySchumann and Chopin, his recordings of which havereceive universal critical approval.For more information visit:

www.parbolddouglasmusic.org

DouglasMusic season is back

4


Also: PVC roofline systems, soffits, fascias,gutters & downspouts

FAMILY BUSINESS WITH OVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE01257 793506 Mobile: 07803 155573

WINDOWS & CONSERVATORIES

WINDOWS, DOORS & CONSERVATORIESNo hidden extrasFree quotationsReliable local firm10 years insurancebacked guaranteeCertass registered

Personalsatisfaction is our

aim......your satisfaction isour GUARANTEE!!

All property repairs and homeimprovements undertaken

• Healthy Family Eating • Free House• Fine Ales • Fantastic Atmosphere

The White Crow, Chorley Road, Worthington WN1 2XL. www.thewhitecrow.co.uk Email: [email protected] 474344Relax and enjoy Wigan’s History and Tradition in our friendly, local,

family run pub, an Old Coaching Inn set in the lovely Wigan countryside.

Chorley Road, WorthingtonWN1 2XL

TheWhiteCrow

TheWhiteCrow

Worthington

Selection ofGreat RealAleschangesregularly!

Open all day, every day, including Bank Holidays...Open for Food: Sun - Thurs 12noon - 9pm. Fri & Sat 12noon - 10pm Bar Open:Mon - Sat 12noon-11pm. Sunday 12noon - 10:30pm

OUR SPECIAL AUTUMN OFFERS!MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS - THE £5MEAL DEAL NIGHTSAdifferent special meal every Monday and Tuesday from

5pm to 9pm - check the board for what’s on - just £5 a meal!THURSDAYS - ULTIMATE DOUBLE BURGER CHALLENGE

AsuperbAberdeenAngusdoubleburger,withall the toppings.Clearyourplate in15minsandgetafreedrink(ondraught),Stayfor theQuiz,

andwinthe1stprizeofamealvoucher- just£12-00all in!

FRIDAY NIGHT IS STEAK NIGHT!An 8oz British steak, served with garlic butter, onion rings,chips and peas OR salad. Two steak platters for just £20

paninis and freshly madesandwiches lunchtimesMonday to Saturday

NOWSERVING...CHRISTMASMENUSNOWAVAILABLE

Please book early to avoid disappointment -more information on our website or

call in for a pint and a leaflet

Starter + Main Course

only£9.95 ppMonday - Thursday

(excluding Bank Holidays& special occasions)

COURSEMEALDEAL!22

from£2.95All day, every day

UNDER12sMEALS

THURSDAY QUIZ NIGHTA fun quiz and a FREE SUPPER -with loads of prizes! Starts 9pm.

FREE ENTRY!All

proceedsto DerianHouse

The White Crow hasdonated £3,218 so far thisyear to Derian House inloving memory of DanielBirch - thanks to all ourcustomers and friends foryour generous support

ORGANISERS of the borough’s ActiveChoices activity sessions are hopingTeam GB’s Paralympic success willprove an inspiration over the next fewyears.Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s (WLCT)Active Living Team has been organising activitysessions for adults with learning disabilities,physical disabilities or severe and enduringmental illness for over five years.Last year more than 600 people attended eventswhich included Boccia, tennis table, badminton,dance, drama, adapted cycle sessions and a variety ofsports and gym sessions. Now they’re hoping TeamGB’s magnificent record breaking tally of 120 medalswill serve as a launch pad for greater involvement herein Wigan and Leigh.Elanor Reynolds, Active Living Officer for WLCT,said: “The aim ofActive Choices is to improve accessand choice, to get more people physically active in the

borough, but we also want to keep the legacy ofLondon 2012 alive and kicking in the borough.“Whether people want to aspire to become the nextEllie Simmonds or David Weir, or maybe just want tohave fun and try something new, we are here tosupport that.”As well as providing activity and sports sessionsevery week, Active Choices can also help thoseattending to find out about different places where theycan go to be active and play sport and which sportsclubs would suit them best.Wigan Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, CllrChris Ready, pictured above left taking part in aBoccia session at Robin Park, added: “These sessionsnot only improve health and wellbeing but can alsoimprove confidence.“We’ve had a fantastic summer of sport now wehave to build on that here in Wigan and Leigh andinspire the next generation of Olympians andParalympians.”For more information call 01942 488 481 or visit:www.getactivewigan

Trust’s Active Choicesset to inspire Wiganers

5


CourierClubCorner

OPERATIONCHRISTMASCHILD 2012

For anymore information

or leaflets which have a full list of items and have

boy/girl age labels to put on box please contact

JOAN SCHOFIELD on 01257 473548

We are collecting shoeboxes again thisyear to include: toys, educational

supplies, hygiene items, sweets, gloves,scarfs, sunglasses, caps, bangles,

necklaces etc

Please can you help as this year we are lookingto get up to our 100 MILLIONTH SHOEBOXwhich will have been sent to children in other

countries from all around the UK.

Shoeboxes can be brought toStandish Methodist Church, High Street,

Standish

Monday 5th November toFriday 30th November 2012

The Church will be openMonday to Friday 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.and Saturdays 10.00 a.m. - 2.00 p.m.

The co-operative funeralcareSupport, care and re-assurancewhen it matters most.The UK’s leading funeral director

Call Nicola or Sue on01942 213374 (24 hours)The co-operative funeralcare788-790 Ormskirk Rd, Pemberton. WN5 8AXwww.co-operative.coop/funeralcareAshton branch: 2b The Gerard Centre, Ashton-in-Makerfield. Tel: 01942 727159

Members ofAppley BridgeWIwere treated to atalk by GordonMedlicott abouthis life as alighthouse keeper.Gordon, who servedin the Merchant Navybefore joining theTrinity HouseLighthouse Service in1966, gave a down-to-earth account of his lifein a lighthouse.Before his retirement in1998, Gordon visited noless than 22 lighthouses

and completed 32 yearsof service, travelingaround the coasts ofEngland, Wales andChannel Islands.Appley Bridge WI’sWalking Groupcontinues to thrivedespite the bad weather.The Book Club is alsovery popular.The next AppleyBridge WI meeting willbe held on WednesdayOctober 10th 7.30pm atAppley Bridge VillageHall,Appley Lane South,when they will beholding their AGM.

Meeting datesfor WiganFriendshipGroup

JOYCE Holmes, member of AppleyBridge WI, has been presented withtwo WI awards during her recent tripto Canada.Joyce, a member of theWI for more than 41years, was awarded a Friends of Lee LifeMembership and was made a Golden CharterMember of Stoney Creek WI, the first everWI branch.During her stay in Canada, Joyce spoke to agroup of WI members from across eight branches,

representing Wentworth, Hallimand, Lincoln andNiagara districts.Joyce was surprised that members meet in eachothers houses due to low membership.She said: “The members were amazed when Itold them thatAppley BridgeWI has 56 members.They were envious at the numbers.“It was a wonderful experience. I wasoverwhelmed by their kindness, and I feel veryproud to be a WI member.”

WOULD you like to join an informalladies friendship group?The waiting list for the Wigan & DistrictWomen’s Lecture Luncheon Club is now open tonew membership applications.In 1931, a small group of women started to meet ona monthly basis in each other’s homes and has grownfrom strength to strength ever since.In 2011, they celebrated their 80th anniversary witha membership of 160 ladies and held a celebratory

lunch attended by the Mayor of Wigan.They now meet,and have done so for many years, atthe DW Stadium on the first Thursday of each month,October to May. At each event, they enjoy a twocourse sit-down lunch followed by a guest speaker.Past speakers and topics have included Sir BernardIngham, Lady Anne Foley, TV’s Green GoddessDiana Moran, Antiques Roadshow Specialist DavidBattie and The Calendar Girls.For more information, please contact PaulineDalton, Membership Secretary on 01942 725395. THERE’S a new programme of events

forWigan Friendship Group and thereare some very interesting talks linedup.Meeting dates have been organised, and onceagain, the women’s group are to be treated totalks by guest speakers, card and calendar makingsessions and a Christmas meal.Local choir Deep Harmony will also beentertianing the ladies during November.Members meet at Wigan Voluntary Youth ServicesCentre, Penson Street, Wigan, at 1.30pm- 3.30pm.Everyone is welcome.The Wigan Friendship Group meeting dates andprogramme are as follows:Oct 11th: Cruising the Baltic & St Petersburgby Mr Malcolm TrantorOct 18th: Salvation Army by Major Lee EvansOct 25th: LeisureNov 1st: No meeting.Nov 8th: "Canada" by Mrs LyonsNov 15th: Deep Harmony ChoirNov 22nd: "Through the eyes of a Magician"by Peter TurnerNov 29th: Making a Christmas Card/ CalendarDec 6th: Christmas meal at The OakDec 13th: Christmas party at the Club.Entertainment by Ken Gibson

THERE’S another excitingyear ahead for the Probus Clubof Standish.The club, now in its 11th year, is goingfrom strength to strength and this yearmembers can continue to look forwardto another interesting programme ofinformative speakers.Formed in 2001, as an offshoot of theRotary organisations by inauguralChairman Arthur Atkinson, the clubattracts retired business and professionalmen and women from Standish and thesurrounding areas.A number of excursions, visits and sociallunches also take place throughout the year.Potential new members are welcome atany of the regular meetings held in the function roomof The Crown at Worthington, Platt Lane at 10.30am

on the second Tuesday of each month.For more information please contact the ClubSecretary on 01257 424994

Appley Bridge WI memberpresented top award in Canada

WRIGHTINGTON Art Group areholding their annual exhibition inNovember, at St James, Church Hall,Wrightington.After enjoying the summer months preparing fortheir forthcoming exhibition, the art group arenearly ready to showcase their work.Some of the members have had their paintingsdisplayed in Wigan Galleries for the public to enjoy,whilst others have been entering their paintings in thelocal village shows with success.

Interesting times at theProbus Club of Standish

Wigan and DistrictLecture Luncheon Club

Life at sealesson forAppley

Bridge WImembers

Members of Standish Probus discussing theirantiques and collectable following a recent talk

given by Betty Hayhurst

The Art Group went on their annual outing inAugust. This year they visited the Ilkley Art Show.They were able to observe professional artists at workand that has given them some wonderful inspiration tocreate even better pictures this year for the Exhibition.Mr John Dodd, Head Tutor at the group said: “I feelsure that this year the exhibition will be better thanever!”TheArt Exhibition will take place on Saturday 10thand Sunday 11th November 2012 from 10am - 4pm atSt James, Church Hall, Wrightington, WN6 9SL.Admission is free. Refreshments will be on sale for£1

Wrightington Art Groupexhibition takes shape

Member Josephine Edge proudly showsher latest painting for the exhibition

6


Ashfield Park DriveStandishWN6 0EQ

t: 01257 473500 www.ashfieldhousehotel.co.uk

Festive Lunch - £16Festive Dinner & Disco - from £18

Christmas Day Lunch - £67Christmas Eve Candlelit Dinner - £32

Boxing Day Lunch - £30New Years Eve - from £40

Ashfield House is the perfect place to celebrate the festive season, our charming and sophisticated Christmas

decorations, period features and beautiful decor create a special atmosphere.

Our food is excellent and everything on our menus is home-made and freshly prepared, something we do not compro-

mise on even during the busy festive period. All of our Festive functions are a choice menu.

We can cater for private parties from 2 to 130 guests in the Restaurant, Music Room, Langtree Suite or Langtree Bar.

CHRISTMAS BROCHURE

ONLINE

CHRISTMAS& NEW YEAR

Festive Dinner & Disco MenuHome-made pea & ham soupPearls of seasonal melon marinated in a mint & ginger syrupSmoked mackerel & Dijon mustard tian, Quince puree and creamedhorseradish mayonnaiseChicken liver & pork pate, cranberry & orange chutney, toasted briocheDeep fried black pudding in batter with blacksticks blue cheese saladButton mushrooms, goats cheese & chilli filo pastry parcels---------Sage butter roasted turkey breast, chipolatas and apple & sage stuffingBreast of chicken with tomato & tarragon sauceHaddock roulard with a spinach & nutmeg cream sauceCarved leg of English lamb with a redcurrant & rosemary gravyRoast topside of beef served with Yorkshire pudding and roasting jusVegetable toad in the hole with roast vegetable gravy-------Christmas pudding with traditional brandy sauceSticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream and butterscotch sauceLemon cheesecake topped with blackberries steeped in red wineTraditional Italian tiramisuApple, cinnamon & orange crumble with custardBakewell tart with crème fraiche-------Warm mince pies

Bar open from 7pm, dinner served at 8pmDisco from 10pm, bar and music close at midnightPrices from £18, see brochure or website for details

7


Church Chatter...

THERE was a double celebrationat Jireh Baptist Church, Wigan,on Saturday September 15, asthey welcomed their new pastor,Matthew Gray, and celebrated thechurch’s 161st anniversary.More than 100 visitors, mostly from the

NorthWest churches, joined to celebrate theoccasion, so the service was held at TrinityMethodist Church, a larger church.The service, led by Peter Day, marked the

retirement of Alan White’s post as pastor andthe new appointment of Matthew Gray aspastor. Alan White, who has served at thechurch as pastor for the last eight years, will beremaining as an elder in his retirement and withhis wife Georgie will continue to help thechurch.Matthew, aged 35, has moved from Grace Baptist

Church, Southport, where he was a member for nineyears and six years as a deacon.A graduate in Hebrew and geography from St.

Andrew’s University, Matthew worked as a financialadvisor before starting his pastoral ministry. He ismarried to Helen and they have three children,Abigail, Christopher, and Barnaby.

Refreshments wereserved after the service.They also had a chance towatch a PowerPoint

presentation which illustrated the life of the Churchover the last twelve months and gave a flavour of ouractivities.The church are glad to welcomeMatthew, Helen and

their family and they pray for God’s blessing on hisfuture ministry.The photograph shows from left to right,AlanWhite

(retiring pastor at Jireh), Billy McCurrie (pastor atAughton, and preacher at service), Richard Waller(Jireh Church secretary), myself Matthew Gray (newpastor at Jireh), my wife Helen Gray, Arnold Dixon(deacon at Jireh) and Peter Day (from Grace BaptistChurch, Southport who led the service).

Standish St.Wilfrid’sArts andMusic Festival 2012Diary of EventsSaturday October 6th10.30am Church Tour with AlanStone3pm Song Recital Alex Tiffin &Mark Millington7.30pm (Parish Hall) StandishChoraleSunday October 7th ChurchServices8am Holy Communion10am Family Communion6.30pm Choral EvensongMonday October 8th12.15pm Holy Communion7.30pm St. Wilfrid’s Church Lads

& Church Girls’ Brigade Bandwith supporting artistsTuesday October 9th2pm Church Tour with JoeBazeley7.30pm Wayne Gorner & YoungMusiciansWednesday October 10thSchools’ Day10am Holy Communion2pmWoodfold, St. Marie’s and St.Wilfrid’s Junior Schools7.30pm Standish High School andSt. John Rigby CollegeThursday October 11th2pm Church Tour with JoeBazeleyFriday October 12th Feast of

St. Wilfrid’s7.30pm Concert with MichaelLuntsSaturday October 13th2pm Christine Raynor School ofDance7.30pm Wigan Intermediate &Wigan Youth Brass BandsSunday October 14th ChurchServices & Patronal Festival8am Holy Communion10am Family Communion &parade11.15am Sung Mattins6.30pm Songs of Praise led by thecombined church choirs ofStandish, Shevington & AppleyBridge St. Wilfrid’s Church, Standish is once

again hosting its Arts and MusicFestival in October.From Saturday October 6th- Sunday October

14th, the Grade I listed building is playing host tomany events, celebrating local talent, from musicalconcerts, dance shows and art exhibitions.Saturday’s Matinee performance, a Song Recital, by

Alexandra Tiffin and Mark Millington will open thefestival.Friday night’s concert, ‘By George’ with Micheal

Lunts will celebrate all the quirks of the English.On Wednesday, local schools and colleges are

presenting the festival’s School Day. Performances

from Woodfold, St. Marie’s and St. Wilfrid’s JuniorSchools will take place in the afternoon, followed byan evening of songs by Standish High School and St.John Rigby College.To close the curtain on the final day of the festival,

a Songs of Praise concert, led by the combined churchchoirs of Standish, Shevington &Appley Bridge, willtake place in the church on Sunday October 14th.Exhibitions from Standish Art Group and Wigan

Photographic Society are on show in the churchthroughout the festival.Due to the financial climate ticket prices are to be

kept the same at £5 for adults and £1 for children andstudents. Tickets for Standish Chorale may differ.

Standish Arts &Music Festival

New pastor at Jireh Baptist

Shhhhhhh!

AFTER the Brownies of St. Stephen’s Church, Whelley,raised church funds the ladies of the church decided that ifthe Brownies could do it, so could they!Despite all those who said that it couldn’t be done, the ladies of St Stephen’s

managed to stay quiet for an incredible thirty minutes. It could almost be describedas a miracle!Everyone at St Stephen’s would like to thank the Brownies and the ladies of the

parish for their sterling work, as more than £500 was raised for the church.

MA KITCHENS LTD701 Ormskirk Rd, Pemberton, Wigan 01942 213327

Open 6 days www.makitchens.co.uk

• Traditional • Modern • Contemporary •

Hand-built bespoke fitted kitchensMore than 15 kitchen displaysFree home visitsNo pressure salesFull fitting service or supply onlyComplete package available iebuilding work, plumbing, electrics,plastering, tiling etcFree planning, computer aided 3Ddesign & quotation10 year insurance-backedguarantee schemeLocal family firm established for 28 years

HAND-BUILT BESPOKEFITTED KITCHENS

Appliances atunbeatable prices100s of appliances

on display

8


ST. MATTHEW’S Church, Highfield,are holding a table top sale on SaturdayOctober 6th from 9am-1pm in thechurch’s Parish rooms.Tables cost £8. Refreshments are available. Carparking is also available on both the Church andChurch Hall car parks.The Parish rooms are situated on the 631 and 632 busroute.Pre-booked tables only. To book please call 01942222905

THERE is a new style of churchstarting for all the family at St. Luke’sChurch, Orrell- Messy Church.Messy Church allows all the family to have fun, tobe creative with craft, to celebrate and to eattogether in a relaxed atmosphere, and it doesn’tmatter if there is a mess.Messy Church starts at St. Luke’s, Church Street,Orrell, on Friday October 19th from 4.30pm-6.30pm.Everyone is welcome (children must be accompaniedby an adult).

A GROUP people from three localchurches have combined to form a newchurch in the centre of Wigan.Members of St. Mark’s, Haydock, BillingeFamily Church, St. Thomas’Ashton, have formed

Gateway, a church-planting initiative by theLiverpool Diocese.Gateway works with and alongside existingchurches and aims to explore new ways of religionthrough engaging with the eclectic mix of people inthe town centre, particularly young people and youngadults.September saw its official launch, with guestsincluding the Rt Rev. Richard Blackburn, Bishop ofWarrington and Suffragan Bishop of the LiverpoolDiocese, and the Mayor of Wigan.Gateway meets every Sunday at 3pm at DeaneryHigh School.For more information contact [email protected] photo shows Gateways official launch.

PEMBERTON’S MountZion IndependentMethodist Church iscelebrating its 140thanniversary with twospecial services.Established in 1871, tocreate a new cause in anentirely new district, Mount

Zion IM church was built tooffer a new place of worshipto other churches in Wigan.The Independent MethodistChurch was accepted into fullunion of the Connexion ofIndependent Methodist Churchesin 1873, and began to grow fromstrength to strength.The church continued to prosper,a new, larger church was born in

the minds of the leaders and thenew church, on Ormskirk Roadwas built.Opening its doors on October 281934, the church is nowcelebrating its 140th anniversarysince its establishment, in 1871,with two special services.The services will take place onSunday 28th October at 10.45amand 6pm at Mount Zion IMChurch, Ormskirk Road.

ST. ANNE’S Church of Beech HillAvenue, Beech Hill, is holding an AtticSale on Saturday October 20th at 8am.Tables to sell your goods are available at a cost of£7. Refreshments are available.To reserve a table please ring 01942 825183.

ST. ANDREW’S Parish Centre isplaying host to a Guides Fun Night onFriday October 26th.The Fun Night of Beetle & Bingo, at StAndrew’sParish Centre 120 Woodhouse Lane, Springfield,starts at 7.30pm-9pm to raise money for the Guidesat St. Andrew’s Church.A chocolate tombola, gift tombola, a raffle andrefreshments will be available.The money will be used to pay the Guides annualsubscription fees, equipment and badges.

Church Chatter...

Attic sale at St.Anne’s Beech Hill

Fun nightfor Guides

St. Matthew’stable top sale

MessyChurch!

Church launches in Wigan

140th anniversary for Mount Zion

THE service ofCollation andInduction of theRev Polly Mason,took place onFriday September14 at St. James theG r e a t ,Wrightington withHeskin.The Collation wasmade by the LordBishop of Blackburn,the Rt. Rev. NicholasReade, and theInduction by theArchdeacon ofBlackburn Rev JohnHawley.The Church Warden,the PCC and the peopleof Wrightington and

Heskin, welcomed theRev Polly Mason as vicarof the Parish of St James’the Great.Rev. Polly will spendhalf her time serving inthe parish, and the otherhalf at the College. Shecommenced her part timeduties at St. James’ onSunday September 16th.The choir andcongregation of St.George’s Church,Chorley, where Rev.Polly served as AssistantCurate for the past fouryears, were invited to theservice. The RunshawCollege Chaplain, theclergy at ChorleyDeanery andrepresentatives of theWrightington and HeskinParish Councils alsoattended.

New Vicar atSt. James’

Rev. Polly with the Lord Bishop of Blackburnand the Archdeacon of Blackburn

TAKE OUR ADVICE, THEN SLEEP ON ITOVER 200 TOP BRAND BEDS AND MATTRESSES ON DISPLAY AT AFFORDABLE PRICES

Medium/Firm Micro QuiltedDamask mattress complete

with 2 drawer base

Luxury deep posturflexmattress complete with

2 drawer base

(Double) £499SALE PRICE£299

(King size) £549SALE PRICE£349

Handmade pocket sprungmemory foam mattress

complete with 2 drawer base



Firm 1000 pocket sprungmemory foam mattress

complete with 4 drawer base

Luxury 1500 pocket sprung memory foammedium firm mattress complete with 2

drawer base (available in 14 fabric colours)





Top of range 2000 pocketsprung wool, silkand cashmere mattress complete

with 2 drawer base(available in medium or firm).

Top range absolute luxury 4000 pocketsprung handmade mattress upholsteredwith all natural cotton and wood fillings

complete with sprung divan base





Luxury deep handmade 1400 pocketsprung mattress upholstered with naturalwool and silk complete with 2 drawer base

(available in medium or firm)





MATTRESS ONLY? NO PROBLEM OVER 200 ON DISPLAY

Firm BackcareSingle £119Double £149King size £189

MiracoilSingle £139Double £179King size £199

1400 Pocket SprungSingle £199Double £269King size £299

THE BEDSTEAD CENTREOver 150 on display

Doubles/Kingsizefrom £149

Over 40 Singles on displayfrom £79

FREE DELIVERY &ASSEMBLY ONEVERYTHING

A FAMILY BUSINESSWITHOVER 50 YEARS EXPERIENCE

OLD BED RECYCLINGSERVICE

Subject to availability• Pictures for illustration purpose only

ELECTRICAL ADJUSTABLE BEDSAll sizes available 2’3” 2’6”3’0” 4’ (3/4) 4’6” 5’0” 6’0”

Complete Range Available prices from

££449999 TTOO ££11449999VAT exempt for disabled/medical grounds

• Bases on legs• Deep bases• Available with drawers• Massage Units• Infra-red Remote Controls• Power lifted to prevent bad backs• Pocket Sprung• Pocket Sprung with Memory Foam• Reflex Foam without Springs• Memory Foam without Springs

OVER15 MODELSON DISPLAY

FromSingle £199Double £299Kingsize £399

Available in over

50 fabrics

ULTIMATE STORAGEOTTOMAN BASES AND

BEDSTEADS

Any news from your Church for our readers -

Contact Hannah Smith [email protected]

9


COUNCILLOR ChrisReady, cabinet champion forleisure, has reassuredStandish residents thathouses will not be built onAshfield Park.The council has made situationclear that it has not grantedpermission for houses to be built onland at Ashfield Park and has nointention of releasing the park forhousing.It was thought by Standish residentsthat plans were underway to build morehouses on a number of sites in thevillage, includingAshfield Park and theformer Golf Club. However, thecouncil is committed to retaining thisimportant space as a leisure facility forlocal residents to enjoy.Cllr Chris Ready said: “The currentplaying fields and children’s play areaare an important leisure facility forStandish. There has never been anyplanning permission granted forbuilding houses on this site and we

have no plans to release this space forhousing.“The council recognises howimportant Ashfield Park is for thecommunity and we hope this messagereassures the public. I am verysaddened that rumours have been widespread in Standish about the future ofAshfield Park. Residents can beassured that the park will not be builton. ”The council recently opposed anapplication for the park to become aVillage Green. If the park became aVillage Green it would stop anyimprovements and developments thatcould be made to the park, includingbetter sporting and recreationalfacilities.Residents may be aware that someconsultation is taking place aboutpossible housing developments.The government have asked thecouncil to identify areas suitable forbuilding new houses, butAshfield Parkis not one of these options and neverhas been.

WHEN Sheila and TrevorFairhurst established the CarlyFund, they wanted to create alasting legacy in memory of theirbeloved daughter, tragically killedby her abusive partner in 2006.And now a plaque inmemory of Carly hasbeen unveiled in Wigan Life Centre, WiganCouncil’s ‘one stop shop’ which provides awide range of public services under one roof.Over the past six years, Sheila and Trevorfrom Hindley have channelled their grief intoraising money to fund the vital counsellingservices which kept them going after theirdaughter’s death.

So far, they’ve raised more than £50,000 forThe Carly Fund. This provides a counsellingservice through Wigan’s Victim Support forlocal people in need of emotional support andpractical help.Now, visitors to the state-of-the-art publicservices centre in the heart of Wigan will get aconstant reminder of the work of the Fairhurstsand the role of Victim Support in thecommunity.The unveiling of the plaque in memory ofCarly was held in the presence of theMayor ofWigan, Cllr Myra Whiteside; the ChiefExecutive of Victim Support Javed Khan;Trevor and Sheila Fairhurst, and an audience offamily, friends and volunteers.The decision to dedicate a plaque to Carly

came about after the relocation of the Wiganbranch of Victim Support from its previoushome in Gerard Winstanley House, where acounselling roomwas named inmemory of theteenager.“It’s a cause that is close to our hearts,” saysTrevor. “TheCarly Fund has given us a purposein life, a reason to carry on.After losing Carly,we relied heavily upon the counselling servicesprovided by Victim Support. It was literally alife-saver.“As well as doing something positive forCarly to keephermemory alive,we alsowantedto ensure that other people in need could accessthe same support that we benefitted from.”At the unveiling, JavedKhan,VictimSupportChief Executive Officer, said:“Trevor and Sheila stand out as an inspirationto all victims of violence and abuse. No wordscan describe the loss they have had to endure.But they have turned their pain and tragedy intosomething positive.“The contribution they have made, with thesupport of friends and family, is a testament totheir daughter Carly and we are all indebted tothem.“We thank you for the support you haveshown to Victim Support here in Wigan, forspreading the message and raising awarenessabout violence in the home, and for providingthemeans for victims acrossWiganBorough tobenefit from vital practical and emotionalsupport.”Trevor Fairhurst said: “This plaque means somuch to us as a family.We’re very grateful thatWigan Council has dedicated this to Carly andwe hope her legacy with carry on for years tocome.”

Ashfield Park willnot be built on

Life Centre plaque unveiled for Carly

From left to right: Mayor of Wigan Borough, Cllr Myra Whiteside isjoined by her consort Mr John Hurst; and are pictured with Trevorand Sheila Fairhurst; and Javed Khan.

WIGAN BOROUGHmarked Health Week withscores of activities organisedin local libraries- including abike challenge between twotown centre libraries.Wigan triumphed over Leigh in theborough’s first inter library bikechallenge clocking up an impressive304.5 miles on their exercise bikecompared to Leigh’s 270.7 miles.Health professionals fromBridgewater Community HealthcareNHS Trust were on hand to offer adviceand top tips on weight loss, quittingsmoking, how to eat more healthy and

drinking sensibly.Leigh MP and Shadow HealthSecretary Andy Burnham attended anunder five storytelling sessions atGolborne Library which encouragesyoungster to care for their teeth.He said: “Libraries are ideal placesfor people to find out more abouthealthy living and these types of eventsare definitely something I’d like to seemore of. Health promotion andprevention have a major role to play insociety.”A number of special events were alsoorganised including street dancedemonstration at Wigan Library, acookery demonstration at HindleyLibrary.

Wigan’s HealthWeek

10


THE North West’s GermanClassic Car show was once againa success, raising funds for localcharity,Wigan and Leigh Hospice.More than 350 classic German cars wereon display at Haigh Hall at the annual eventcar show. The amount of money raised is stillrising, but has already broke the £1,000mark.Due to the success of this year’s event, nextyear’s car show has been confirmed and willtake place on Sunday August 11th 2013 atHaigh Hall.

Classic Car show raises fundsforWigan and Leigh Hospice

H A I G HWindmill haswon anotheraward – thistime on thenational stage.The newly restoredmill, actually awindpump for an oldbrewery, has receiveda GreenAppleAward

in the category Building Conservation - LocalAuthority - Gold.The project has been recognised by the independentGreen Organisation, who present what are consideredthe most prestigious awards for environmentally-aware companies on the international platform.John O’Neill, chair of the Greenheart PartnershipBoard, said: “This brings well-deserved recognitionfor combined efforts of the council, the architects andthe craftsmen. It is also excellent news for the peopleof Haigh as an important landmark has been

sensitively returned to its glory.”Alan Kay of the Friends of Haigh Windmill said hisgroup were delighted with the restoration: “Thislandmark building has been restored to as near itsoriginal design as is practically possible by WiganCouncil, with the aid of Heritage Lottery Funding.”Two years ago, Wigan Council successfully bid for£50,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to repair the1845 structure, which had lost some of its sails andhad badly decaying brickwork. Officers worked withthe local friends group and one of the last Millwrightsin the country.Wigan Council’s Environmental Education Teamspent time in three local schools to teach children thehistory of the windmill ahead of it ‘unveiling’ lastyear.Earlier this year, the mill won the council’s own topdesign prize at the Urban Design Awards. Therefurbishment competed against schemes includingnew and refurbished houses, schools and public artacross the borough.Our pictures show Sports Commentator Phil Clarkewith his children declaring the newly restoredwindmill open last year.

Green Apple for HaighWindmillA warm welcome awaits you, dine and relax in our tastefullytransformed bar & lounge with friendly service, excellent

wines and real traditional cask ales.

View all our menus & opening times onlinewww.rigbyearms.com

2 Whittle Lane, Wrightington, Wigan, WN6 9QB

0011225577 446622335544 www.rigbyearms.com

22 CCOOUURRSSEE SSPPEECCIIAALLMMoonnddaayy ttoo FFrriiddaayy

1122nnoooonn ttoo 22ppmm aanndd 55ppmm ttoo 77ppmmcchhoooossee ffrroomm oouurr 22 ccoouurrsseessppeecciiaall bbooaarrdd ffoorr jjuusstt

££1100..9955!!!!ppeerr ppeerrssoonn

11


WIGAN Council tenantsenjoy world class servicefrom their housingContact Centre – that’sthe view of the CustomerContact Association(CCA), the leadingindependent authority onthe way organisationsacross the worldcommunicate with theircustomers.Following the inspectionearlier this month, the CCAgave Leigh based, Wigan and

Leigh Housing’s ContactCentre a glowing report,confirming the centre had onceagain achieved the prestigiousworld wide Global Standardfor contact centres. This is a setof key principles agreed byindustry experts to increasereliability and effectiveness forcustomers.Neil Turner, Chair of Wigan andLeigh Housing said: “I amdelighted that our Contact Centrehas met these very high standardsand was shown to have such clearstrengths.”Tenant Yvonne Fairhurst from

Norley Hall was very impressed

with the service she received.She said: “I had no heating or hotwater and was about to start a fullweek of 12 hour shifts when I rangthe Contact Centre to report asudden problem with my boiler.“A boiler engineer was at myhouse within the hour and fixed itstraight away. I was so relieved andimpressed with the speed andefficiency of the service.”Councillor Chris Ready, portfolioholder for Housing, added: “Yearon year Wigan and Leigh Housingare continually improving theircustomer service and it is clear thatstaff are very committed toproviding the best possible serviceto tenants.”

Wigan and Leigh Housing world class

YOUNGSTERS from Aspull ChurchPrimary School enjoyed a tour aroundHaigh Hall this week, courtesy of theirlocal councillors.The children spent time learning about theheritage of the site of the historic hall from its daysas a manor house of the Medieval period throughthe Industrial Revolution to present day.They also learned about the many families to havelived there including the Bradshaighs and theLyndsays as well as the fabled tale of Lady Mabel.The trip was organised by Aspull Councillors RonConway and Chris Ready and paid for out of their

Brighter Borough fund.Cllr Ready said: “We want to get local schools more

involved in understanding their heritage. Visiting localplaces of historical interest gets them more involved,can save schools money because they don’t need totake expensive trips outside of the borough and if theywalk to the venue - likeAspull Church Primary Schooldid today -can also promote health and wellbeing atthe same time.”Cllr Conway added: “Haigh Hall is a wonderfulplace with a great story to tell and I hope today’schildren will take away fond memories of their visit.”The tours are organised by Wigan Leisure andCulture Trust. Groups interested in taking a touraround Haigh Hall should contact 01942 486 900.

AspullschooltoursaroundHaighHall

SOME of the world’s best inventionswere thought up by inquisitive teens.Now, the search is on for Britain’s next youngthinkers, inventors and innovators, to putforward their ideas in the country’s mostprestigious creative contest- the NationalScience and Engineering Competition.11-18 year-olds in Wigan are being challenged tosubmit their big ideas and represent rising talent inthe region for the chance to compete for top prizesand international experiences worth over £50,000.To qualify, youngsters need to come up with a

novel idea, invention, concept or solution to aproblem.

Entries can be uploaded online atwww.thebigbangfair.co.uk/nsec through a writtensubmission or by producing a short film.Entrants have until October 31st to take part, andthose with the best projects could see themselvesrepresenting Wigan at the final of the NationalScience and Engineering Competition in March2013.There, Britain’s bright young sparks will get toshowcase their big idea to more than 60,000 visitorsand come face to face with top celebrity judges in aDragons’ Den style competition process.For more information about this year’s competitionvisit www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/nsec

Kids come upwith the brightest ideas

Focus on Standish

WIGAN Council is asking residents tohave their say about its plans for a newLocal Council Tax Support Scheme.FromApril 2013 the Government is abolishing thenational Council Tax Benefit scheme and giving thecouncil 10-15% less money to spend on helping lowincome households to pay their Council Tax.The council wants local residents to have a voice inhow it provides support for people on low incomes topay their Council Tax.A six week public consultation exercise starts on 18September 2012 and residents are being encouraged tofill in an online survey to give their views on theproposals. The feedback from the survey will be usedto help shape the new scheme ready for April 2013.Get more information about the proposed schemeand complete the survey atwww.wigan.gov.uk/counciltaxconsultation.You can also download a copy of the consultationbrochure. There’s advice for people who don’t haveaccess to the internet on 01942 489967. The surveycloses on 31 October 2012.

HHaavvee YYoouurr SSaayy oonnCCoouunncciill TTaaxx SSuuppppoorrtt

M-W BUILDINGAND

HOME IMPROVEMENTSFor all your

home improvement needsExtensions - Porches -

ConservatoriesPVC Windows & PVC Products

supplied and fitted

For a FREE Quote call Martin onALL ASPECTS OF BUILDING

07944805397

[email protected]

Retail in StandishWE HAVE anumber of unitsavailable on theHigh Street, onMarket Street andon Preston Road.Rents starting aslow as £500 percalendar monthand flexible leasesare available.OfficesOffices areavailable withinStandish and thesurrounding areasfrom small multi-letserviced officefacilities to moretraditional selfcontained offices.Again rentals vary,starting at circa£5.00 per sqft fornon serviced

accommodation upto circa £20.00 persqft for an allinclusive rentaloption.

Workspace &Industrial UnitsBradley HallTrading Estate inStandish providesthe maine m p l o y m e n tdestination andthere are currentlynumerous units ofvarious size

available. Unitsstart from circa 500sqft increasing toanything up to14,000 sqft.Recent newsregarding theredevelopment ofBradley HallTrading Estate hasgiven some peoplethe impression thatthe commercialspace there will beredundant andhave a short life

span, however thiscould not be furtherfrom the truth andthe reality is thatsome of the older

stock at BradleyHall Trading Estatewill be lost,however much ofthe space andadditional newspace will beretained/createdand there iscertainly long termplan for thec o m m e r c i a lelement to the site.For information onavailable premises,within Standish and

the wider Wiganborough localityplease contactParkinson PropertyConsultants viaany of the methodsbelow.E m a i l :[email protected] www.parkinsoncpc.comTel: 01942 741800Fax: 01942 741616

12


ONE ofWigan’s most famous paintingsis heading for a tour of China!Donated to Wigan Council in 1922, by

Alexander Young, Going North by George Earlis a bustling narrative of nineteenth centuryrailway life, depicting friends travelling fromKing’s Cross to Scotland for a summer of grouseshooting.It currently hangs in Wigan Town Hall but soon the

prestigious painting will be on a journey of its own aspart of the tour of China organised by the InternationalTouring Exhibition Group in an exhibition called

“Toward Modernity: Three Centuries of British Art”.Paintings, drawings and watercolours from across

Greater Manchester and the North West of Englandhave been selected for the 12 month exhibitionopening at the Hunan Provincial Museum, Changshain September.Yvonne Webb from Wigan Leisure and Culture

Trust’s Heritage Service said: “This exhibition willdraw on the great richness of art that is the legacy ofcollecting and patronage by the men and women ofthe North West.”It’s estimated that over the 12 months the exhibition

will be seen by more than four million peopleshowcasing Greater Manchester and the NorthWest’srich heritage, talent and diversity to the world’s secondlargest economy.The tour will end at the Henan Provincial Museum,

Zhengzhou in August 2013.Wigan Council’s Cabinet member for Leisure and

Culture, Cllr Chris Ready, said: “This is an excitingexhibition and we’re delighted to be able to loanGoing North as part of it and to proudly showcase thepainting on the other side of the world. AlexanderYoung’s gift to the people of Wigan epitomises thegenerosity that exists throughout the region and showsthat art has a universal meaning and is of great benefitto all people.”

Wigan painting goes to China

FOLLOWING the success of the recentLeader Listens session, local people arenow being offered more opportunitiesto put their questions face to face to theman in charge.Lord Peter Smith, Leader of Wigan Council,

plans to hold further public meetings afterwelcoming local people to the initial drop-insession at Wigan Town Hall last month.The Leader will be available at the event at the

Wigan Life Centre from 4.30pm to 7.00pm onThursday 18th October and is keen for people to come

along and share their comments, questions andsuggestions.Further drop-in sessions across the borough are also

being planned for later in the year.Feedback from the previous event on 22nd August

was overwhelmingly positive, with members of thepublic discussing a number of issues with the Leader.If you have something to share with the Leader of

Wigan Council, now is the time to book your seat.People who wish to book a session with the Leader

are invited to call Paula Clisham on 01942 827282.Places are limited so book early.Alternatively, submityour questions online by [email protected]

Another word in your ear, Lord Smith?

You really have to see ImagineKitchens to believe it!Billy and his team provide their

customers with high quality, bespokeservices from designing to installingthe finest kitchens in the area.Imagine Kitchens has consistently

offered their clients some of the bestkitchen products on the market.Imagine Kitchens offer you a fullinstallation service by their in houseteam of plumbers, tilers, plasterersand electricians. All work carried outby qualified tradesmen.Mr and Mrs Deardon are very

satisfied customers: "We are reallypleased with our new kitchen. Thequality of the units and appliances isexcellent. We were extremelyimpressed with every aspect of the‘package’ - from the planning/designstage through to the final fitting.”Mr and Mrs Spicer commented,

“The manner of all the work forcewas extremely good. All worked to avery high standard and wereconsiderate and respectful at alltimes. We are delighted with our newkitchenThis is just a couple of our many

glowing recommendations thathave been accredited to Imagine.As customers of Imagine know, the

company caters for all tastes

incorporating modern andcontemporary to traditional andpractical but far more importantlythey always focus on the quality of theproduct and installation.There is a wealth of exquisite stock

to view and all kitchens are made toorder and built by cabinet makers,no mass production here!The kitchen of your dreams is

available under one roof, all it takes isa no fuss 30 minute home survey withnone of the pressure of the hard selltactics.With the help of the experts let your

imagination run wild and give Billy acall on 01257 403003

High Spec Kitchen Units!• Solid, robust cabinet• Hand built 18mm rigidcarcase with solid 18mmbacks

• Colour co-ordinatedcabinets to match doors

• Made to any size

No sales gimmicks - quality kitchensand bathrooms at realistic prices.

Use yourimagination!

Due to popular demand we now offer youour same bespoke service for bathrooms!Our clients who visit our kitchen showroomhave been so impressed with the way we

handled the planning and designing of theirkitchen. That we are now being constantlyasked for a fitted bathroom service.

AT IMAGINEWE NOWOFFER THIS SERVICE.

From professionally planning anddesigning your bathroom our team willthen complete the job including wallremovals, electrics, plastering, tiling

through to the ceiling lightsyou may require.

Give us a call or call into showroom todiscuss your requirements.

We will be happy to help and give youour professional advice.

NEW Bathroom Service

NEW

We now offer bathrooms

13


DON’T give up and keep ontrying - that was the advice fromMPLisa Nandy to young peopleafter she dropped into theiryouth group.Lisa Nandy visited the Access 2Opportunities (A2O) group, run byWiganCouncil youth workers, at InceCommunity Centre, after she kindlyorganised a trip to theHouses of Commonsfor the them.TheWiganMPchatted to the young people atthe A2O group about the difficulties of findinga job, politics and the daunting feel of theHouses of Parliament during the session.The ShadowChildren’sMinister said: “I thinkthe thing young people come and see me aboutthemost is not being able to get a job. It is young

people of all ages whether they are leavingschool, college or university and it is reallydispiriting for them.“I had a problem getting a job when I left unias well and there were a lot more jobs aroundback then. The one thing I would say is don’tgive up because you will get there eventually ifyou keep trying.”In return the youth group members gave theiropinions on the importance of expressing theirviews in life.GroupmemberMeganBamber, 18, said: “Weget a lot of opportunities through this youthgroup, and there should be more opportunitiesin other areas like employment.“It should be easier for young people to getjobs when you try your best at college and getthe best grades you. We are learning to try andget our point across about things like this nowbecause if we can’t now thenwe certainlywon’tbe able to as adults.”

Lisa also urged the young people to challengeher and keep her on her toes.She said: “Regardless of what party yousupport and what you believe, challenge usMPs.“Wework for you and it is helpful for uswhenpeople say, come on what are you going to doabout this.”Youth worker Vicky Perry said: “Weencourage young people to think for themselvesand to question things, and that is exactly whatyou have to do as aMPso it’s been great to havethis session.“This whole group have been on a journeyfrom us youth workers meeting the youngpeople out on the streets to having them in thegroup, hearing their views and askingquestions.”For information onA2O youth group contactthe Wigan Council’s Voice and EngagementTeam on 01942 486237.

WiganMP drops in on young people in Ince

Mayor toasts Jones DevelopmentWIGAN MAYOR, CouncilllorMyra Whiteside, officiallyopened thenew showhome atThe Signature Collection inStandish.The Signature Collection is JonesHomes' latest development,comprising just 12 prestigious fivebedroom detached homes.Visiting the development at the weekend,The Mayor was one of the first to view thestylish showhome as well as look aroundone or two of the homes at The SignatureCollection.The Mayor said: "I am very impressedwith The Signature Collection- it is abeautiful development with exceptionalfamily homes. The show home is beautifuland I was honoured to officially open theshowhome."

Julie Hardy, sales director at JonesHomes, added: "The Signature Collectionis Jones Homes' most prestigiousdevelopment in the region and we arethrilled The Mayor was able to attend thelaunch."We are proud of the properties at TheSignature Collection and the results of ourshowhome which I am sure will createfurther interest in the coming weeks. "The properties feature an open-plankitchen complete with utility room, andadjoining family room, a lounge, diningroom and conservatory, on the groundfloor and on the first floor, two of the fivedouble bedrooms have en suite bedrooms.To coincide with the launch, JonesHomes has released for sale the first sixproperties at The Signature Collection,with prices starting from £445,000.For further information call Jones Homessales centre on 01942 834991 or visitwww.jones-homes.co.uk

CROSS Street artists, Jane Fairhurst,Chair of Cross Street Arts, and PaulaFenwick are proud to present theirexhibition, ‘Paula and Jane’sEmporium of Curious Objects’.The exhibition, at their gallery opposite the libraryin Cross Street, opens with a preview evening, opento all, from 7- 9pm on Thursday October 4th.Like a museum of curiosities or an old fashionedshop, their Emporium of Curious Objects will be a mixof the fascinating and the curious.Complete with real cinema seats the exhibition alsoincludes a ‘Secret Cinema’ showing a selection offascinating images collected from across the world.The emporium will be open to the public onMondays & Wednesdays 12-4pm and Saturdays 12-3pm or by appointment.

Cross Street Artsexhibition

We are a

Maxlife Service Station

01257 251018Opposite Appley Bridge Railway Station,Appley Lane, Wigan

Opening times:8.00am - 5pmMon to Fri8.00am - 12pmSaturday

TYRES & EXHAUSTSSERVICING • MOTS • REPAIRS • BRAKES

SERVICING • MOTS • REPAIRS • BRAKES

• Run flat tyre specialist• Any make and sizeof tyre supplied & fittedfor any make and model

Tyre dealer

WINTER TYRESnow in stock

call for prices & sizes

WINTER TYRES

� �• Main Dealer Services

• Full and Part Services

• MOT Preparation

• Brake Servicing Centre

• Mechanical Repairs

• Snap on Diagnostics

14


15


16


17


18


Parbold PictureHouse winsNational award

FORMER WIGAN Mayor,Michael Winstanley hasbeen selected as theConservative candidate tobe Manchester Police andCrime Commissioner.Michael, who has contested in

the last four General Electionsincluding Makerfield, BoltonNorth East andWigan, has servedas a councillor for 11 years from2000-2011.Michael, who is currentlyemployed as a Senior DataAnalystat St. Helens and KnowsleyHopsital NHS Trust, said: "I am

delighted to have been selected byGreater Manchester Conservativesfrom a very strong and wellqualified field, to be their candidatein the November election forGreater Manchester Police andCrime Commissioner."I'm looking forward to workinghard and getting out on the streetswith Conservatives across GreaterManchester to ensure success inthe November election."The Government is determined

to bring direct local accountabilityfor policing and crime reductioncloser to those affected. I feelprivileged to have the opportunity

to make this exciting new initiativea real success and to be a championfor the people of GreaterManchester.”Conservative Party Chairman,Sayeeda Warsi, said: “Michael isan excellent candidate for GreaterManchester Police and CrimeCommissioner, with a track recordof public service."Michael’s top priority will be tocut crime and make GreaterManchester safer and over the nextfew months he will be out andabout, listening to what localpeople have to say about crime andpolicing."

WIGANLEISUREandCultureTrust’sActive Living teamhas been awardedsecond prize fortheir Tai Chisessions.As part of Active LaterLife programme, anational campaign to getolder people active,WLCT took a group ofover 60s, fromWigan andLeigh, to Haigh Hallgardens.The group walked from

Haigh windmill alongLytham Promenade toLowtherGardenswhere theytook part in aTaiChi session.Tai Chi’s mixture of slow

and gentle movements haslong been lauded as a greatexercise for older people, andhelps reduce stress, improvebalance and increase strength.Gill Healey, Specialist

Activity Instructor forWLCT, said: “We’redelighted to be awardedsecond place.Taking part instrength and balance

exercises can assist olderpeople to maintain theirindependence in later life.“By staying active and

getting involved, older peoplecan be more healthy, happyand able to contribute to thecommunity.AtActiveLivingwe know that’s true and wewant to help older people ofall interests and abilities to

choose an active life.”To mark the achievement

Active Living has beenawarded two free places on acontinued professionaldevelopment course byLaterLife Training.Active Later Life delivers

various sessions to helpprevent older people fromfalling.˚

PARBOLD Picture House has beenawarded the Jim Dempster award forinnovation at the 2012 BritishFederation for Film Society Awardsceremony, in London.The award celebrates groups that think‘outside the box’ and break the usual mouldof community cinema in the whole of theUK. Parbold Picture House acheived theaward for its Talking Pictures discussiongroup and the new Front Row series of LiveTransmissions of Theatre, Opera and Ballet.In London on Saturday, 22nd 2012, PThe

Picture House is based in the transformedParbold Village Hall and is an activity of theParbold CommunityAssociation, which operatesthe Village Hall for the community.Talking Pictures is the regular 2.00 pm,Wednesday afternoon discussion and film-viewing group with a growing membership thatchooses the films they want to review and talkabout over tea and biscuits.With a grant from theArts Council, The PictureHouse has started the new Front Row series ofLive satellite transmissions from renownedtheatre, opera and ballet companies from aroundthe world to give rural audiences access to theworld’s finest performances.For more information about how to join in theactivities or to buy seats for the screenings,please contact the Box Office Telephone: 01257463878 or 01257 464533.

FormerWiganMayor selected

Trust gets a silver for its Tai Chivillagehairdesignby Amanda Carney ‘Use Your Head’

Open six days a week with two late nights62 High St. Standish, WN6 0HF

01257 425105FREE CUSTOMER PARKING to the rear of vhd

For all aspects of quality hair design at realistic prices

OPEN: Mon & Tues 9.30am - 6pm. Wed 9.30am - 3pmThurs 9.30am - 8.00pm. Fri 9.30am - 7.00pm. Sat 9.00am - 4.00pm

We’re now booking appointments forChristmas and the New Year!

19


Good Trader Scheme

The Trading Standards-backedscheme helps local people findreputable traders - and supportslocal businesses.Become a member and:• enhance your reputation;• stand out from the crowd;• gain a competitive edge;• gain independent recognition of your business;• receive free advice on Trading Standards law.• earn a place at the annual Good Trader Awards;• improve consumer confidence in building andassociated trades;• help combat doorstep crime by marginalisingrogue traders.The application process is straight-forward andmembership is free. All you need to do is tick theright boxes when it comes to consumer protectionand other relevant legislation, and make acommitment to dealing fairly and honestlywith customers.Your details will be held on our online databasemeaning your contact details will be just a click ora call away for potential customers. Localcustomers can search for businesses by tradesector and/or geographical area – or alternativelyphone Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.Stars in their eyesAlthough the scheme is administrated byTrading Standards, it’s customer satisfaction thatcounts.Members are expected to encourage customersto provide feedback on performance andsatisfaction direct to Trading Standards.Businesses will then be awarded an online starratingof up to five gold stars – and the more satisfiedcustomers you have the better your rating.And although the council does not ‘approve’ thebusinesses listed nor guarantee their work,Trading Standards will investigate poor ratings toensure that feedback is genuine and take actionwhere necessary.Members can themselves contact TradingStandards in the event of a customer dispute.Traders also have the option of withdrawing fromthe scheme at any time by giving 28 workingdays written notice.How do we make sure that the feedback isgenuine?From time to time checks will be carried out tomake sure customer feedback is genuine.Feedback is refused if customers refuse to give ustheir contact details.What if the feedback is poor?If you are given an overall satisfaction rating of2 stars or less we will contact the consumer tocheck that the feedback is genuine.If it is genuine, we will intervene if the customerwants us to and establish with you if the mattercan be resolved. If it can be, the customer will begiven the opportunity to amend their rating.

Schemebenefits

Our range of products includes• PVCu double-glazed windows• PVCu insulated Doors• PVCu DG conservatories• Failed Unit Replacement

For a FREE, no obligation

quotation call 01257 251631

• Windows • Doors • Conservatories •

www.d-luxupvc.co.ukD-LUX UPVC WIGAN

RannardElectrical ServiceAll aspects of electrical workDomestic • Commercial • Industrial

Freeestimates

Tel: 01942 214 846or 07877 907730

John DohertyPainter & decoratorMore than 30 years experienceInternal & External workTel: 01942 230 733Mob: 07931 873991

PAINTING AND DECORATINGCONTRACTORS

T/F: 01942 212096 M: 07831 102511www.jpmoorcroft.com

J&PMOORCROFT LTD

46 Valley Rd.,Pemberton,WiganWN5 9HN

Every aspect of buildingExtensions & loft conversionsRefurbishmentsFree, no obligation quotesand advice

Call us on01942 [email protected]

ABH Builders & Sonswww.abh-buildersandson.co.uk

WIGAN MP Lisa Nandy met withsome of Team GB’s archery team andArchery GB, the governing body forarchery in the UK, to try her hand atthe Olympic sport.The event took place on Speakers Green, next toBig Ben.Lisa was joined by a number of Parliamentarycolleagues to celebrate the Sports FellowshipPartnership and to promote Arrows, a product whichhelps primary school children get involved in archery.Arrows can be delivered by teachers and sports co-ordinators who have no formal archery experience orqualifications.Lisa Nandy said:“At a time when the Government

is scrapping the requirement for schools to provide aminimum period of physical activity for schoolchildren, it is vital we encourage children to getinvolved in sport – that could be playing football inthe park or trying something completely different likearchery.“It was great to meet the people from Archery GB

and fantastic to try a new sport. Although I have along way to go before I reach their level, I did manageto hit the bull’s-eye on my final shot!”Archery GB now has over 34 thousand membersthroughout the United Kingdom, and with the sports’profile raising thanks to the Olympic and Paralympic

tournaments, the sport is positively booming inpopularity, with beginners’ courses fully booked allover the country.Our photograph shows Lisa aiming at the target.

LICENSEES across Wigan are waitingto find out if their premises areconsidered ‘Best Bar None’ when itcomes to responsible managementpractices and safeguarding customers.Altogether, twenty-one licensed premises in thetown centre have applied for membership of thenational accreditation scheme – and now it’s timefor judges to decide which of the bars, clubs andpubs have make the grade.Governed by the British Institute of Inn Keeping andapproved by the Home Office, Best Bar None is anationally recognised accreditation and award schemewhich has a proven track record in improvingstandards and reducing crime in the night timeeconomy across the country.Premises are required to meet certain standards inoperational management, particularly in relation tomeasures designed to reduce crime and disorder,prevent public nuisance, promote public safety,protect children from harm and raise awarenessaround alcohol consumption.Wigan town centre is the latest addition to the

scheme, which was first piloted in Manchester in2003.Cllr KevinAnderson,Wigan cabinet portfolio holderfor safer communities, says:“Many pubs, bars and clubs across Wigan towncentre have applied for accreditation and it’s now timeto find which of those meet the standards required byBest Bar None assessors.“By ensuring our premises run safe businesses, wewill not simply help to reduce crime but also alcoholrelated hospital admissions attributed to illness andinjury.“This makes sound financial sense in an era whenbudgets across the entire public sector are stretched, italso means that an even greater number of visitors arelikely to be attracted to our town centre because of itsgrowing reputation as a safe and fun night timedestination.”The overall winners will be recognised at aprestigious awards ceremony on 16th October at theOrwell in Wigan.Sponsors already confirmed to support the schemeinclude Diageo (GB), LWV Printworks, and Britvicsoft Drinks.For further information visit: www.bestbarnone.com

CONGRATULATIONS to Ian and Mandy Morrellfrom Worthington, who tied the knot at Coppull

Parish Church on Friday September 28th,before celebrating their marriage with friendsand family at The Beeches Hotel in Standish.

WiganMP tries herhandwith the bow

BBeesstt BBaarr NNoonnee -- iitt’’ss jjuuddggeemmeenntt ttiimmee!!

WWiiggaann ssppoorrttss cclluubbss uurrggeedd ttoobbee aacccceessssiibbiillee ffoorr ppeeooppllee

wwiitthh hheeaarriinngg lloossssWITH many people being inspired by theLondon 2012 Olympics and Paralympics,Action on Hearing Loss is urging sportsclubs and gymnasiums in Wigan to ensurethey are fully accessible for people who aredeaf or hard of hearing.Action on Hearing Loss is encouraging sports clubsand gyms to be more accessible by following thecharity’s deaf awareness tips, ensure staff are trained inbasic deaf awareness, install a hearing loop inreception for hearing aid wearers, and regularly checkthat it’s working, make sure you have the person’sattention before you start speaking and little or nobackground noise are best for conversations, face theperson so you can be lipread and speak clearly, checkwhether the person understands what you are sayingand, if not, try saying it in a different way. You should also, keep your voice down as it’suncomfortable for a hearing aid user, and provide aregistered sign language interpreter for people whocommunicate by British Sign Language.

20


Wigan Trading StandardsAre you looking forthe right trader?

LOOKING for the righttrader? The answer’s in thestars!It's possibly the worst time of the

year to get a leak in the roof.If you do need repair work around

your home, you’ll probably need tocall in a professional.The sheer choice of local traders can

be baffling.Youwant to ensure repairsare up to standard.You don’t want to have to call for

more repair work in a few months’time. So, what to do?Well, if it's a good trader you're

looking for, then look no further thanthe gold stars!Wigan Council's The Good Trader

Scheme is a directory of approvedbusinesses. Customers award thescheme’s members star ratings of upto five gold stars.Themore satisfied the customer, the

better the business rating. Ratings aregiven based on workmanship andcustomer service.Home owners have peace of mind

that the trader they use from thisdirectory must adhere to terms andconditions of the scheme.While the council cannot approve

the businesses listed or provide aguarantee of quality, TradingStandardswill investigate traderswithpoor ratings andwill take actionwhereappropriate.Wigan Council's Chief Trading

Standards Officer Julie Middlehurstsaid: “Whenhiring a trader, the choicecan be overwhelming. To help makethe decision easier look out for theGood Trader Scheme.”

“All traders that bear the GoodTrader Schememark have joined on avoluntary basis and have met thecriteria set by Trading Standards forthe quality of their workmanship andcustomer service.”To find out more about the GoodTrader Scheme visitwww.wigan.gov.uk/goodtrader ortelephone Helene Mason on 01942489649

Good Trader Scheme co-ordinator Helené Mason isurging Wiganers to use the scheme.

• Boiler Replacements• Service and Repairs• System Upgrades• 7 Year Warranties

Telephone01257 421660

Or 07931 766684

GREENSCAPEPROFESSIONAL LANDCSAPESCall Brian on 01942 217022or 07958 790 250All gardening andlandscape work undertaken

Howarth & WinnardUPVC WINDOWS • ROOFLINE • ROCK DOORS

• DOORS AND CONSERVATORIES

Quality remains long after theprice has been forgotten

Mark 01942 700413 / 07813 083256Stuart 01257 401085 / 07815 896178

www.upvc.itWe will try to beat any like for like written quotationGood Trader Award Winners 2010/11

PP BUILDING SERVICESJoinerySpecialists

Weundertake:-• All aspects of joinery work • Garage/Loft Conversions

• Extensions • Conservatories • Doors • Windows• Kitchen/Wardrobe Fitting • Fencing • DeckingLOCAL, RELIABLE, FRIENDLYAND HONEST

Call Phil: T: 01257 425997 M: 07703 007675

BLACKLEDGESURVEYORS

Chartered Building SurveyorsChartered Valuation SurveyorsAdrian F Goulding BSc (Hons) MRICS

Available evenings and week-endsTel/Fax: 01942 241330Mob: 07523 459621

Email: [email protected]

New Kitchens,Makeovers, DIY

Kitchens Completed,Replacement Doors,

Units etc.01942 873 781 or 07766 017 438

A & J Kitchen Fitters

• Brick & Stonework • Indian stone• Decking • Landscaping • Driveways• Gardens • Fencing • PatiosTel: 01942 492301Mob: 07866 520494

G&L Fencing & LandscapingAll aspects of fencingsupplied and fitted

Give yourhome abrand

new look!

Call01942 735515Sean - 07917 352182

Fascias, cladding, soffits and dry vergeUnique seamless aluminium gutters

www.orrellroofline.co.uk

2a Gathurst Rd., Shevington,Wigan WN6 8HAt: 01257 403 003 / 07835 639 753www.imaginekitchenswigan.com

The kitchen of your dreams

See ourmain adverton page 13

All aspects of plumbing and heating work carried out• Plumbing installation and repairs

• Heating installation and maintenance• Bathroom installation • Gas Boiler servicing

• Annual safety certification • Emergency breakdownsPlease contact Phil on: 07879 256629

or 01257 430244www.wiganheating.co.uk

J&S RoofingComplete roofing and

roofline servicesT: 01942 738624M: 07913 140122

• Kitchens• Extensions• Loft Conversions• Conservatories

Good Trader SchemeBest Newcomer Award 2010Customer feedback award 2010Anthony Wood:Tel: 01257 427 079 / 07904 370618E: [email protected]

WOODHOME IMPROVEMENTS E R V I C E S www.woodhis.co.uk

How the schemeworks...

How do traders join thescheme?

By application and verification.To earn their Good Trader Scheme "badge",traders agree to tick the right boxes when it comesto consumer protection and other relevantlegislation, and commit themselves to dealingfairly and honestly with their customers.How does the scheme work?

The scheme is administrated by TradingStandards, but it’s customer satisfaction thatcounts!Customers award scheme members a star ratingof up to five gold stars – and the more satisfiedthe customer, the better the business rating.Members’ details are held online atwww.wigan.gov.uk/goodtrader where you cansearch for traders and see how other customershave rated them by looking at how many starsthey’ve been awarded.

Do Trading Standardsguarantee the quality of the

work?Scheme members agree to comply with the spiritand the letter of the law. However, we cannotguarantee the quality of their work.Do scheme members offer the

lowest price?No. We always advise customers to get a leastthree quotes (remember that the cheapest quote isnot necessarily the best one). Trader membersshould let you know before work is started howmuch the work will cost.

21


Courier EDUCATION

The Children and Staff of

would like toinvite you to our

Friday 9th November9.30 a.m. - 10.30 a.m.1.30 p.m. - 2.30 p.m.4.00 p.m. - 5.00 p.m.

ALL PROSPECTIVE PARENTS WELCOME

OPEN DAY

Green Lane, Standish, Wigan, WN6 0TSTel: 01257 400271

email: [email protected]: www.woodfold.wigan.sch.uk

Headteacher: Mrs G.C. Lloyd

WOOD FOLDPRIMARY SCHOOL

& FLEDGLINGS NURSERY

St Bernadette’s CatholicPrimary School

St Bernadette’s CatholicPrimary School

St Bernadette’s Shevingtonis a one form entry Catholic Primary School.

The school is holding an

Open DayFriday 19th October 9.30 a.m. - 11.30 a.m.

and 1.30 p.m - 2.30 p.m.Open Evening

Tuesday 23rd October 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Church Lane, ShevingtonTelephone:

01257 401125

“Growing together in Faith,

Love and Learning”

when parents of any child who is due to start school inSeptember 2013 are welcome to visit and look around the school

Primary Schools in Aspull,New Springs and Whelleytook part in a Design aPlanter competition.Aspull Church school, Our Lady’s

R.C., St. David’s Haigh & AspullC.E., Holy Family R.C. and CanonSharples entered thecompetition.Jimmy Roberts and Councillor

Ron Conway, both members ofAspull, New Springs andWhelley Forum, visited eachschool and provided them withplant pots and compost to getthem started. A few weeks laterthey returned to the schools andwere amazed at the results.Cllr Conway said: “The

students of each school hadchosen a theme and producedfantastic planters. They reallythought about the planting andthe designs on the plant pots,which were beautifully andcolourfully decorated.“It was a pleasure to go into

schools and work with such atalented and enthusiastic

students and staff. We are certainlylooking forward to next year’scompetition.”Each school was awarded a

certificate to celebrate their success.Our photographs show Jimmy

Roberts and Councillor Ron Conwaywith staff, puils and their planters.SCHOOLS in Wigan are

being invited to enter theirdesigns for a Road SafetyBanner competition, inpreparation for Road SafetyWeek, from November 19-25.This is the fourth year that local

promotional products, name badgesand school uniform specialistsRecognition Express Wigan hasjoined forces with the national roadsafety charity Brake to run thepopular competition.Brake organises Road Safety Week

and the theme this year is Slower

Speeds=Happy People.Graeme Underhill, who owns

Recognition Express Wigan with wifeGill, said: “We get more and moreentries every year, which shows thatthis is clearly a subject close to thechildren’s hearts. Running thiscompetition gives us the opportunity toraise awareness amongst children andhopefully help to keep them safe. Wesupport Brake’s campaign to introducea 20mph speed limit in and aroundresidential areas and near schools.”Children aged 4-11 are being invited

to submit their designs for a road safetybanner to display outside their school tohelp get the message across to cars toslow down.The winning school(s) will receive a

full size printed versionof their banner, plus 300high-vis drawstring bagsfor their school and aspecial golden star awardfor the pupil who drewthe winning design.Every school that

participates will be givenfree annual membershipto Brake, which includesa Road Safety Week e-action pack withdownloadable posters,and tips on activities thatschools can run duringthe week, as well as on-going news bulletins onother Brake initiativesand campaigns.Competition entries

must be in by FridayOctober 19th.For more information

w w w . r e -wigan.co.uk/roadsafety

Schools design plantersSchools partake inmake a road safetybanner competition

22


Our Open Evenings can help you make the rightdecision about your future studies and will showyou why our students think that St John Rigby

College is a great place to learn.

St John Rigby College students achieved afantastic set of results in August 2012. The overallpass rate on Level 3 courses climbed above 99%

- a record high.

A stunning 26 out of 34 subjects achieved a 100%pass rate, many achieving this for the fourth

consecutive year. In addition to an overall passrate of nearly 100% the number of students

obtaining the very highest grades (A*, A or B) wasalso a new College record.

St John RigbyCollege

Gathurst Road, Orrell, Wigan, WN5 0LJTel: 01942 214797

Email: [email protected] www.sjr.ac.uk

St John Rigby CollegeVisit us on one of our

Open EveningsWednesday 10th October 2012Tuesday 23rd October 2012Tuesday 13th November 2012

5.30 p.m - 8.30p.m.

23


24

A La carte7 days a week

Mon to Fr i6pm- 11pm

Sat - Sun1pm - 11pm

Buf fetSun 1pm - 7pm

Take awayAvai lab le onl ine and over

the phoneMon to Fr i5pm- 11pm

Sat - Sun1pm - 11pm

Cal

ln

ow

-0

12

57

42

66

48

Riv

ajR

est

aura

nt,

24

8M

oss

yL

ea

Rd

.,W

righ

tin

gto

n,

Wig

anW

N6

9R

Nw

ww

.riv

ajo

nli

ne

.co

.uk

Am

ple

par

kin

g

ONE NIGHT EXTRAVAGANZA!!MICHAEL JACKSON tributeon Monday 22nd October at 7 30pm

All night entertainment & 4 Course Exclusive Banquet only £22.95pp


Complimentarypoppadums

Coffeefor £1.00

25


Aerials

Obituary

A.J.M. Aerials & Satellites LtdRegistered Digital Installer

Digital AerialsExtra TV PointsSky DishesMultirooms

LCD/Plasma Wall MountsDomestic & Commercal

Tel: 01942 237689Mob: 07999 4244951www.wigandigital.com

BlindsBOND STREET FACTORY BLINDS

FREE SAME DAYMEASURING & NEXT DAY FIT

DISCOUNTS FOR SENIOR CITIZENSMOST OF OUR BUSINESS ISBY RECOMMENDATION

CALL US LAST FOR YOUR BEST QUOTE - QUALITY ASSUREDCHOICE OF QUALITY FABRICS TO CHOOSE FROM 8AM - 10PM

01942 5020157 Days a week

7 Verticals from £129and 6 rollers from £129

UK WINDOW BLINDS

CHOOSE AT HOME - LARGE SELECTIONABSOLUTELY NO PRESSURE OR OBLIGATION

FREE MEASURING, FREE FITTING!

5 YearGuarantee

SUPERSALETop quality Blinds at Low prices

VERTICAL BLINDS4 from £99

Also full house from only £150. Ask for details

CONSERVATORY, ROOF AND SIDEBLIND SPECIALIST

Tel: 01942 714882 Anytime

UP TO55% OFFOur StunningUK VerticalSpecialCollection

40% OFFWOODENBLINDSMust beseen

35% OFFROMANBLINDSLarge

Selection

50% OFFALUMINIUMVENETIANBLINDSOver 140

colour options

ROLLERBLINDSLess than1/2 PRICEMASSIVECHOICE

Carpet Clean

CARPET CLEANDIRECT

Call David on01942 70384207805 413702

Carpets cleaned,supplied and fitted.Upholstery & suites.Fabric & leather.

Flood RestorationsPet odours removed.10% OAP discount

CleaningSTANDISH

CLEANING SERVICESThe CleaningProfessionals

• Industrial • Commercial• Domestic

• Daily & Weekly OfficeCleaning • Windows •

Floors • Walls • Dry FoamCarpet CleaningRELIEF STAFF

Call us today for a keenquotation

Tel: 01257 422977Mobile: 07801 695447

Electrician

Joiners

EX NORWEB ELECTRICIAN31 yrs experience - Rewires, Showers, Alarms,

Security Lights. No job too smallTel: 01942 234454 Mob: 07950 756305

Fencing

J P FENCINGAll types of fencing work undertaken including heavy duty

closeboard, heavy duty waneylap, concrete, rock face & plain.Flagging, drainage, land clearance, any sensible prices will be

beaten. Quality workmanship. 20 yrs exp.Ring John for a free quote

01942 230858 07834 772287

Fitted Bedrooms

www.arleycabinets.co.ukEST 1952 - 2010

KITCHENS & BEDROOMSALL MADE TO ORDER

REPLACEMENT DOORS & TOPSBATHROOM UNITS * HOME OFFICEWorktop joints & cutting service

SHOWROOMMon - Fri 8-4.30 Sat 9-12

01942 246190GIDLOW LANE, WIGAN, WN6 7BN

FITTED BEDROOMSFREE DESIGN & QUOTETELEPHONE 01942-824396OR VISIT OUR FACTORY SHOWROOMUNIT 10 SWAN MEADOW INDUSTRIAL ESTATE

Funeral Services

Kitchen Fitters

New Kitchens, Makeovers,DIY Kitchens Completed,

Replacement Doors, Units etc.01942 873 781 or 07766 017 438

A & J Kitchen Fitters

Landscaping

STONESCAPE

STONESCAPE

NATURAL STONE PAVING SUPPLIERS

THE STONE CENTRECEMETERY ROAD, LOWER INCE, WIGAN WN3 4NNTelephone 01942 866666 OPEN 6 DAYS Prices exclude VAT

Why choose expensive concrete imitations for your patio when youcan enjoy the lasting beauty of real NATURAL STONE for less?

New natural Sandstone Paving Slabs £15.00 sq mtrNew natural Limestone Paving Slabs £15.00 sq mtrChoice of colours and sizes available from stock

also MASSIVE STOCKS of Circle Features, Stone & GraniteCobbles, Stone Walling, Copings, Rockery, Decorative Stone,

Troughs, Slates, Bricks, Reclaimed Yorkshire Flags & Much More.At trade prices

New Oak Railway Sleepers (Untreated) £20Old Oak Railway Sleepers (Grade A) £15

All Our Products Are Top Quality & Everything Is Available Ex Stock.Why not let our expert design and installation team create your DreamGarden or Driveway. Our work is second to none. Call now for a free

no obligation quotation from the experts.Full masonry workshop facility on site, we can make you just about

anything in beautiful natural stone. Please enquire.Visitors welcome to view our display areas. Delivery service available.

Mobility Aids

MELLINGS DECORATORSQuality WorkFree EstimatesDomestic andCommercial WorkContact NEIL MELLING

01942 7423110771 511 7409Ten years in the trade - A local business

Painting & Decorators

Painting &Decorators

GM Painting& Decorating

Clean & tidywork

Honest andReliable

All areas coveredTelephoneAnytime!

01257 401579Mob: 07930 638 090

Plans Drawn

PLANS DRAWN� Building

regulations andplanning permission

submitted� Free estimates

� 20 years experience

PPhhoonnee DDaavviidd

0011994422 8822118811220077441111 664444994499

PlasteringSpecialists in external renderingAll plastering and Artexing. Quality work, cheap

rates. References on request. Tel 01942 706 395 or 07761 444 746

Plumbing & Heating

• Sales • Insulation • Service • Repair• Plumbing • Heating • Renewables

• Cavity Wall/Loft InsulationLATEST OFFERS

• Boiler Supplied & Fitted from £1095.00 plus VAT• Boiler Service £50.00 plus VAT• Gas Fire Service £50.00 plus VAT• Solar PV from £6495.00 plus VAT• Solar Thermal from £3459.00 plus VAT5% VAT on all renewable work

7 year Warranty on selected boilers

Accredited installer and Service PartnerFREE CAVITY WALL AND

LOFT INSULATION!Until December 2012

Visit us @40 Market Street, Hindley,Wigan, WN2 3AN. Tel: 01942 518038www.haighplumbingandheating.co.uk

Roofing

ASHTON’S ROOF CAREASHTON’S ROOF CARE

Call Billy on 01257 423620or 07879 881927

• Flat Roof Specialists • PVC gutters & fascias• Competitive Rates • 30 Years Experience

Property Maintenance

Stationery

C.B.S.Commercial & Business Supplies

Suppliers of office and home stationeryVisit our shop full of paper, ink cartridges, (Epson

compatibles from only £1.50 inc. VAT) books, desks,chairs and hundreds more products always in stock

Telephone us today for our current verycompetitive prices

0011225577 441111559955UUnniittss 33&&44,, SSaannddhhaamm SSttrreeeett,, CChhoorrlleeyy,,

WANTEDStairliftsCash PaidFreephone

0800 756 7578

StairliftsFitted &

Guaranteed£499

www.499stairlifts.co.ukTelephone:

0800 756 7578

MMrrss AAiilleeeenn MMoossss ((nneeee CCllaarrkk))MRS AILEEN Moss died on September 20th 2012aged 76. Finally at rest. Deeply missed by family,friends and those whose lives she touched. Her funeralwill be held at Golders Green Crematorium onThursday 4th October 2012 at 1pm. Family flowersonly. Donations, if desired, to Marie Curie Hospice,c/o J.H. Kenyon F/D, 9 Pond Street, Hampstead,London NW3 2PN.

WAREHOUSE BLINDSSALE SALE SALE

01942 3319980800 587 8914

WE WILL BEAT ANY OTHER BLINDS COMPANYON PRICE AND QUALITY GUARANTEEDFREE MEASURE AND NEXT DAY FIT!

www.warehouseblinds.co.uk

KEN FOSTERJOINER & BUILDER

TEL: 01942 738015MOB: 07946 384072NO JOB TOO SMALL

Loft Conversions,Garage Conversions,Extensions, Pointing,Roof Repairs &Insurance Work.

All Genuine QuotesMatched/Undercut

PLANSDrawn & Submitted

Telephone07712 215237 or01942 247617

• Good Rates• Quick Service

Heating &Plumbing Engineer• Service, Repair and instalation of gas

appliances • Landlord checks KC Heating &Plumbing

07967 499 084

For A First Class ServiceAt A Reasonable Rate

• Flat Roofs • Tiling • Slates • Re-Roofs• Chimneys • Guttering • Fascia & Soffits

• Storm Damage • Insurance Work• All General Repairs

FREE No Obligation Quotations

Tel: 01942 470079 or 01257 720016

JOSEPH GEE ROOFING

26

Next edition of the Courier is published onTuesday October 23rd - deadline for your adsvia e-mail or coupon is Friday October 19th


DO IT YOURSELF!Don’t ...trust the

experts!

...help is at hand!

AinscoughSkip Hire

Mini, Midi, Maxi, Builders

Email [email protected] add us on facebook

01942 247339 / 07912 085 001

Same DayService

We won’t be beaten on price and service!

VEHICLE BREAKERSSKIP HIRE

ROOFING SERVICESBUILDER

• Brickwork• Joinery• Roofing• Plastering• Internalalterations• Gardenconstruction• all types ofbuilding workundertakes

No job too smallReasonable pricesQuality work

Call Neil on07939 961190 (day)01942 230402 (eve)

NEIL SIMPSONReliable local builder

Leaflets. brochures,flyers from 10 to 100,000,any size, fast turnaround,design and layout fromyour text and pictures -

call us at SMS -

01257 400026- or e-mail us

with your requirementson

[email protected]

Tilers

Situations Vacant

Wall and Floor TilingKitchens, Bathroomsand Conservatories.For free estimates and

advice phoneCarl on...

Mob: 0771 031 4157Home: 01257 423325

CBCERAMICS

Skip Hire

Windows and doors

SKIPHIRE

ALL AREASCOVERED

01942 496097

Est 1988

Free noobligationquotes

• Windows • Doors • Conservatories• Bi-folding doors • Emergency glazing• Any window & door repairs• PVC roofline installers

Tel: 01257 424432standishglazing.co.uk

Free Ads - Articles for sale

Just fill in the coupon below and post it tous at: The Wigan Courier, Suite 107 TheStandish Centre, Cross Street, Standish,

Wigan WN6 0HQor e-mail your advertisement to us at

[email protected] 25 words. Be sure to include a

contact telephone number.

Name

Address

Daytime telephone number

Item for sale (with price and contact number)

CHICO BABYWALKER. Collapsable.Very good condition.£25.00. Telephone:01257 421862.GRAPE VINE PLANTS

£4 each, Black

Hamburg. Nice and

sweet, 3 years old, will

fruit next year, parent

plant can be seen,

Shevington area tel

01257 255030.

GENTS BLACK leatherjacket 40” chest superbcondition bargain at£25, also gentschocolate brownsheepskin jacket 40”chest, immaculatecondition £25 tel 01942224324.TREK mountain bike

gents rock solid

recently serviced wide

comfortable seat £30

01257 400026.

BRAND NEW boys bikesuit 2/3 yo, never used,£10 ideal Xmas presenttel 01257 402119 after4pm.YAMAHA PSR-150

electronic keyboard

£50 tel 07513 033631.

GOLF clubs and golfbag £50 tel 07513033631DISC game (air

hockey) table top

good condition £10 tel

07925 390214.

FOOTBALL boots size 1adidas black with limegreen logo exc cond £5-50 tel 07925 390214.BRIGHT STARTSBounce about activitycentre. Very goodcondition, £25.00.Telephone: 01257421862.B R A Z I L L I A NMAHOGANY front door.2ʼ9” x 6ʼ6”, 2 DG leadedhalf glass panels.Complete with morticelock and letter box.Excellent condition,£40.00. Telephone:01257 422553.TOYOTA Knittingmachine KS 901,Toyota K33 knit tracer,lace carriage, woolwinder, and table -£75 Tel: 01942 246426

Full timeCHEF/COOK on a rotaincluding evenings and weekends. Musthave own transport due to the location.

Call Helen or Rachel to applyon 01257 474344

TheWhiteCrow

Worthington

27

The Civic SE comesfitted with airconditioning, electricwindows and mirrors,and a USB and MP3-compatible stereo asstandard.But, despite being

cheaper to buy, theCivic Ti adds colour-coded wheelarchesand special 17-inchTeam Dynamics alloywheels, inspired bythose used byHonda’s BritishTouring CarChampionship racer.Inside, standard kit

on the Civic Tiincludes a leather-wrapped steeringwheel and gearknob,plus Bluetooth forhands-free mobilephone calls.Buyers will have the

choice of threeexterior colours:Milano Red, WhiteOrchid Peal andAlabaster SilverMetallic.The previous

limited-edition HondaCivic Ti was limitedto just 500 examples,but the success of themodel has promptedHonda to double theallocation to 1,000cars this time.


ClassifiedCourierTEL: 01257 400026 to advertise in themotors section

MOTORS

Review courtesy AutoExpress, your No1 stop fornews and information about

the motor tradewww.autoexpress.co.uk

New Civiclimited editionfrom Honda

Two new engines forre-vamped Beetle

HONDA HAS announced a new limited-edition Civic Timodel, which will go on sale from this month.The limited-edition model will cost from £16,995, which is £1,175

cheaper than the 1.8 SE model on which it’s based.

NORTHWEST LTDESTABLISHED SINCE 1982

T: 01942 829976F: 01942 243491E: [email protected]

Bosch Car Service...the nationalnetwork of independent garages

AFFORDABLE QUALITY YOU CAN TRUST

All majorcredit cardsaccepted

MOT£29.95

SPECIAL OFFERFREE MOT

WITH A MAJOR SERVICE

CLAYTON STREET, WALLGATE, WIGAN WN3 4DAwww.rsnorthwest.co.uk

SSRR

�� SPECIALISTS: BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, VW, 4x4. �� ALL MAKES: Serviced and Repaired. �� DIAGNOSTICS: £39-95 inc VAT. �� TIMING BELTS: Brakes, Clutches, Tyres, Batteries, Exhausts, Wheel Balancing, etc. �� ALL MAKES AIR CONDITIONING: Repair, Diagnostics + Service, FREE HEALTH CHECK�� AUTO ELECTRICAL: Repairs, Engine Management, ABS, Air Bag, Fault Finding.�� ALL WORK carried out by fully qualified vehicle technicians.�� 12 MONTHS OR 10K parts and labour guarantee. Conditions apply

Retain your manufacturer’swarranty when serviced atBOSCH

Having your car serviced with us will not affect your manufacturers warranty

CALL MARK 01942 498444Chapel Street, Off Queen Street, Wigan, WN3 4HX

MOTOR DIAGDIAGNOSTIC & SERVICE CENTRE

VAUXHALL SPECIALISTSWe service & repair any make or model, using the latest

information & dealer level diagnostic equipmentminor

yr1/3/5/720/60/100/140k

Inter2/6/10

40/120/200k

Major4/8/1280/160

Example of ourFixed Price VauxhallServicing

CORSA 06 OW 1.2 16v £80.00 £110.00 £150.00

VECTRA 02-08 1.9 CDTI £90.00 £135.00 £165.00

VECTRA 02-08 1.8 16v £90.00 £135.00 £170.00

ZAFIRA 05 OW 1.6v £90.00 £135.00 £180.00

ASTRA 10 OW 1.6v £90.00 £125.00 £180.00

ASTRA 10 OW 1.7 CDTi £100.00 £135.00 £190.00

INSIGNIA 09 OW 2.0CDTi £115.00 £150.00 £215.00

INSIGNIA 09 OW 1.8 16v £95.00 £130.00 £180.00ALL PRICES Inc. FREE BRAKE FLUID CHANGE

(when required)GENUINE GM PARTS, Oil & VAT. ALL WORK GUARANTEED

M.O.T.COMPETITIVE PRICESON ALL TYRES

www.prospectgaragecarsales.co.uk

Tel: 01257 423337

GaragePRO

SPECT

GARAG

E

TYRE

SAVE

CENTRE

Bradley Lane, Standish. WN6 0XF

JUST IN JUST IN

ANY VEHICLE SUPPLIED TO YOUR REQUIREMENTSAll vehicles come with:

FULL SERVICE, MOT & WARRANTED. P/X WELCOME

Family run business with over 40 years experience

59 Renault Clio 1.2 16V EXTREME 3DR23,000 miles,white FSH ABS airbags, Radio/CD,steel wheels, front fog lights, Remote centrallocking ......................................................... £5,695

58 Kia Sportage 20 COTI XE, silver, blacktrim, one owner, 20,000 miles, dealer servicehistory, 7 year dealer warranty from new, CDplayer, RCL, ABS, elec windows............... £8,995

58 Nissan Note 1.4 Accenta, in blackmetallic with black trim, 1 owner with 4 xe/windows, elec mirrors, alloy wheels, air bags, RCL,Air con, CD player, 43,500 miles with full servicehistory 43,500 miles.................................. £5,295

09 Fiesta 1.4 Zetec, 5 door, silver metallic, withdark trim, 1 owner and supplying dealership covering32,000 miles, with air con, alloys, CD player, electricfolding mirrors ....................................................... £7,395

06 Mini Cooper S Convertable 1.6,metallic blue, black trim (half leather) alloywheels, full electric roof, e/w, air con, CDplayer, front fogs, RCL 56k .................... £7,395

59 Nissan Note 1.4 NTEC, insilver metallic, with black trim. A localcar covered 12,000 miles with alloywheels, Blue Tooth and sat nav,Excellent car at.......................... £6,995

10 Suzuki Swift 1.3 SZ2, 5door, finished in BurnedOrange with black trim, 1owner vehicle, 13,000 milesgreat value at........................................................... £5,795

08 Fiesta 1.25 Zetec, 5door. Blue with black trim, 1owner 9,000 miles with alloysrev sensors, aircon electricfolding mirrors, excellent carat.................................................... £4,995

60 Chevrolet Aveo LS, 5 door, finished ingrey metallic with black trim 16,000 miles withaircon, CD player, RCL, locally ownedvehicle...................................................... £5,495

CAR OF THE MONTH

• Air conditioning servicing • MOT testing centre• CATS & Diesel testing • Service & repairs

• 24 hour recovery service

10 Toyota Auris 1.3 Dual TR 3 13,000 miles,alloy wheels, excellent car at door, grey metallic,1 owner, 13,000 miles RCL, aircon, radio/Cd,airbags, alloy wheels, great fuel economy,excellent car at............................................ £7,695

TWO NEW engines havebeen added to the VW Beetleline-up, completing the UKrange and also reducing thecost of the entry-level Beetleby £1,405.The all-new Beetle can now be

had with a 1.2-litre TSI petrolengine and a six-speed manualgearbox, which joins the DSGversion of the same engine.

It becomes the entry-level model andis available from £15,195.Also available is the 1.6-litre TDI

with BlueMotion Technology, which isoffered with either a five-speed manualor seven-speed DSG transmission.Prices for this car start from £17,030.Both models are available in entry-

level Beetle or mid-spec Design trimlevels. The new Beetle derivates areavailable to order now, with firstdeliveries expected in January 2013.

28

THE GOVERNMENT has announcedit will investigate the scandal of oiltraders and City speculators allegedlyrigging markets to drive up pumpprices.Energy Minister John Hayes said he was soconcerned by the alleged abuse that he will askfinancial watchdogs to look into the oil marketafter more than 80 MPs – led by Tory MPRobertHalfon - demanded action over soaring petroland diesel prices.He said he would include alleged oil market riggingin the planned investigation into the inter-bank lendingscandal (LIBOR) which artificially inflated interestrates for millions of bank customers.He will also ask the Financial Services Authority(FSA) to look into the matter and has instructed hisown Civil Servants to ‘revisit’ the issue.He said his own Department’s analysis showed thatfalls in the oil prices are passed on, but he said:‘Nevertheless I am going to ask my officials to lookat this matter again, to revisit their analysis, as a directresult of this debate. The Government would be happyto take action again if the evidence legitimises it.Robert Halfon called on the Government to regulatethe market and imprison those found guilty of suchabuses.Mr Halfon told MPs there was ‘evidence of dodgyspeculators rigging the market and pushing up the

price of oil’ and that as a result ‘petrol and diesel havenever been more expensive in real terms.’He said hedge funds and speculators were ‘riggingthe market’ - pointing out how pump prices were quickto rise when oil prices soared, but slow to fall whenthey dropped.The Office of Fair Trading has already announced aprobe into the issue of alleged price-fixing.But yesterday Mr Halfon told the Commons that theFinancial Services Authority should launch a fullinvestigation into UK oil firms, while those foundguilty of manipulating the markets should be sent toprison as has happened in the United States.He cited the evidence of a City oil trader‘whistleblower’ who had described massive buyingpressure on oil futures during the summer toartificially inflate the price.

Speaking in the Commons, the MP said: ‘There areallegations of price-fixing. This means that even if theoil companies are doing the right thing, the hedgefunds and speculators are rigging the price of oil tokeep it artificially high.’He said Germany had acted quickly to stamp outprice fixing, whileAustriawas now regulating itsmarket to stop rigging byspeculators. His motionwas signed by 82 otherMPs from across thepolitical divide.The debate follows anear 10p a litre rise sinceearly July to near recordlevels at the pumps.Petrol is now costing140.07p a litre and diesel144.38p, according tothe AA.That is up from asummer low of 130.81pfor petrol and 136.12 onJuly 1 adding nearly £20 amonth to the fill-up costscost of a two car family.The record set in mid-April was 142.48p forpetrol and 147.93p fordiesel.


ClassifiedCourierTEL: 01257 400026 to advertise in themotors section

MOTORSInquiry into fuel price rigging

Reviews courtesy Auto Express,your No1 stop for news and

information about the motor tradewww.autoexpress.co.uk

Yorkshire drivers’ record congestion levels

VEHICLE DIAGNOSTICS • LASER TRACKING • SERVICES

TYRES

John AthertonAutos LtdCAR CARE CENTRE

BEST PRICESIN TOWN

CARS - VANSMOTORHOMESCLASS 7 VEHICLESMOT

VEHICLE DIAGNOSTICS • LASER TRACKING • SERVICES

TYRE

S•E

XHAU

STS•M

OTS

TYRES•EXHAUSTS

•MOTS

� Air con Re-Gas � Exhausts� Service and Repair � Clutches� Unipart Car Care Centre (National Parts Guarantee)� Quality Workmanship by Qualified Mechanics� HOFMANN Computerised 4-wheel alighnment RAMP

2 WOOD STREET, WIGAN(Next to The RANGE)

WIGAN 01942 497474www.johnathertonautos.co.uk

SPRING STREET GARAGESPRING STREET, WIGANWIGAN 01942 242059

Rear of 50 Preston Road, Standish, WiganCall Colin on 01257 423740

• Cars• Light Vans• Motorcycles• Scooters

• Servicing• Repairs• MOT• Test repairs

Parkes Standish MotorsFamily run business since 1978

MOTCENTRE

DRIVERS OVER the border inYorkshire face a delay of 36minutes for every hour they drivein peak periods, according to astudy by sat-nav companyTomTom.It's enough to make Leeds-Bradfordthe seventh most traffic clogged cityin Europe.While Leeds-Bradford was labelledthe most congested city in Britain, thestudy also identified London andBirmingham as bad cities forcongestion. Both are in the worstcongested 20 cities of the 31 thatwere looked at in detail.Motorists in Birmingham spend 73hours a year at a standstill, withLondon drivers faring worse,spending 74 hours caught in rush-hour.However, Leeds-Bradford trumpsthem both - drivers in Yorkshirespend an astonishing 86 hours a yearstuck in traffic.And the traffic's getting worse inYorkshire. Since last year there hasbeen a 5% increase in congestion –the biggest rise anywhere in Europe.On average, all cities analysed

suffer from congestion 24% of thetime, slowing journeys substantiallyin the rush hours.There are even certain days whenmisery for motorists is ramped upfurther. Leeds-Bradford andBirmingham’s worst congestionperiods strike on Tuesday andThursday, especially at peak times.But TomTom records suggestMonday and Thursday are worst inLondon.

The top 10 most congested citiesin Europe, ranked by overallcongestion level1. Warsaw 42% congestion level2. Marseille 41%3. Rome 34%4. Brussels 34%5. Paris 32%6. Dublin 30%7. Leeds-Bradford 28%8. London 27%9. Stockholm 27%10. Hamburg 27%

29

Action pictures from Aspull’s recent victory over Vale of Lune atWoodshaw Park on 15th September, courtesy of Marc Taylor.

at Gathurst Golf Club. Thiscompetition is the same format as theVictory Trophy Shield but is playedover 18 holes and players have to be

55 years of age or over.Our photograph shows the Captain

of Gathurst Golf Club, Peter Davies,with the winning teams.

Robins comefrom behind

Gathurst golfers’ trophy success


Courier SPORTWIGAN’S FIRST Citizen has paidtribute to those local sportsmen and-women who have taken part in theOlympics and Paralympics thissummer.Speaking at a meeting of the Full

Council at Wigan Town Hall, theMayor Cllr Myra Whiteside praisedthe dedication and skill of competitorsand gamesmakers from our borough.

The Mayor said: “We have a famoussporting tradition in our area and manyof our schools, colleges and clubs haveseen skilled athletes and playerscompete at the highest level. I amproud of them all and today I want tothank them and our Olympians forputting our borough on the map andbeing an inspiration to us all.“When the Olympic Torch came to

town in May I was thrilled to see so

many local people carrying the Flame.The support and turnout on thatafternoon was huge and was onlybettered by the national feeling ofgoodwill to all those involved in theLondon games.“Thank you to everyone and I hope

that local people will use thisopportunity to maybe go for a jog orpay a visit to the gym.”

Mayor’s praise forWigan athletes

Aspull v Vale of Lune

BY WINNING the Victory Trophy Shieldand the Seniors Victory Trophy, 2012 hasproven to be a successful year for GathurstGolf Club .The Victory Trophy Shield, which was

held this year at Hindley Golf Club, is acompetition that began in 1921 and is heldannually, but was interrupted for 6 yearsdue to the outbreak of World War II. It isplayed in rotation between 7 local golfclubs including Ashton, Deanwood,Gathurst, Haydock, Hindley, Leigh andWigan.Over the years, the competition has been

modified to include team events which runalongside the individual competitions.The competition is for the best team gross

score and takes place over 36 holes, 18 inthe morning and 18 in the afternoon. Eachteam consists of 10 players with the best 6scores from that team counting.In addition to winning the Victory Trophy

Shield, Gathurst also won the SeniorsVictory Trophy which this year was played

Orrell 3 Wigan 26South Lancs and Cheshire Div 1Saturday September 22ndWIGAN MOVED into 3rd positionin SLC1 with a bonus point winagainst local rivals Orrell, courtesyof some incisive attacking play inwhat was otherwise a fairly evencontest.Orrell took the initiative early on and,

assisted by a series of penalties, pinnedWigan in their own territory. However,their favoured pick and drive tacticfoundered on solid Wigan defencewhich was also given respite by someexcellent work in the lineout by SimonBarton and Peter Rigby.Having weathered the storm for 15

minutes, a driving maul on half wayreleased Mike Rigby who charged intothe Orrell '22' where Martin Gamblesprovided the link for Lloyd Hughes totouch down near the posts,AndyWhittleadding the conversion.Orrell then enjoyed another period of

dominance as a Wigan prop languishedin the sin bin but again failed to find away through and went further behindjust before the break, Mike Rigbysplitting the Orrell defence from a lineout before powering over in the corner.Orrell reduce the arrears with a penaltyfrom Chris Owen for 3-12 at theinterval.Wigan took the initiative in the second

half, a break by Matt Jeffrey found JonBlan in support on the inside, the wingbattling over.Whittle added the conversion and it

was the outside half again this timechipping over the Orrell defence forHughes to hack on with Gambles onhand to gather and dive between theposts, Whittle again adding the extras.

WIGAN ROBIN Park came from behind twice tobeatAFC Blackpool on the windswept Fylde Coast.

With the rain hammering down, the Robins - who weremissing eight players through injury and unavailability - werethe first to adapt to the conditions. Phil Howard tested theBlackpool keeper Nathan Worrell with two stinging shots inthe first few minutes.However, it was the home side that went ahead on eight

minutes.After James Edgar lost the ball on the halfway line a long

ball found Ben Waddington who coolly slotted past JayFoulds.The lead was to last just seven minutes. Colin Quirk

threaded a ball through to Richie Livingston - who wasmaking his full debut on the left wing - who squared it backfor Howard to dink it over the keeper for an exquisite goal.With the wind on their backs and wide men Edgar and

Livingston causing all sorts of problems, Howard and Joe Hullpeppered the 'pool goal but Worrell was the equal to theirefforts and the half finished even.The second period started disastrously for the Robins as -

from the restart - a routine ball into the box caught the defencenapping and Waddington nipped in for his second to put theTangerines ahead.This proved to be a minor setback as the Robins - with

Quirk pulling the strings in midfield - got a stranglehold on thegame and tested the home defence with wave after wave ofattacks.However it was a good old-fashioned hoof out of defence

that saw the visitors draw level on 65 minutes.With nothing on SeanWhite simply put his foot through the

ball, Howard out-muscled his marker, drew his defender andlet fly.His shot was saved by Worrell but debutant Hull followed

up and squeezed the ball home at the back post.The Robins sensed victory as Livingston, Hull and Howard

all went close as Blackpool's defence struggled to deal withthe pace of the visitors.With six minutes remaining it was the quick feet of Quirk

that led to Wigan drawing level; as he was upended 25 yardsout. With Howard and Ben Kay hovering over the ball it wasHoward that got the call and he thundered the ball into thecorner of the net much to the delight of players andmanagement. The Robins immediately shut-up shop and sawout the final moments before being applauded from the pitchby their travelling fans.

Picture special by Marc Taylor

Phil Howard races through on goal to scorehis 2nd goal of the evening against Blackpool.

James Edgar leaps clear of a desperate last ditch tackle.

Richie Livingston hugs the touchline and beats his man.

Wiganwinderby honours

30

WIGAN HAD three teams in the NorthWest Counties U12's RL finals day atFylde RUFC.In the Development Plate Final,Shevington Sharks beat RochdaleMayfield 8-6 in a closely contestedencounter that went right down to thewire.In the Development Cup Final, Ince RoseBridge were unlucky to lose 28-4 to a verystrong Telford Raiders side who had somesizable players in an unstoppable mood.In the North West Counties Cup Final,Wigan St Judes put in a sensationalperformance to blow away ChorleyPanthers 48-4, scoring almost at will.More photographs from these matchesare available from the North WestCounties official photographer’s website :http://www.kt8photography.co.uk/index.php?page=gallery.

Ince Rose Bridge squad.

Wigan St Judes are presented with the U12s Cup.

Ince Rose Bridge score a consolation try.

Shevington Sharks celebrate winning the plate final.

Wigan St Judes celebrate their cup final victory.

Young RL guns shine at finals

Mixed fortunes for local RU teams


Courier SPORT

Picture special byMarc Taylor

WIGAN ATHLETICmust be one of theunluckiest teams in thePremiership.Take for example the finalday of last season when weplayed Stoke at the DW;someone decided it would bea good idea to have 60seconds of applause duringthe eighth minute of the gameto celebrate eight seasons inthe Premier League. Andwhat do we go and do?Concede. You couldn’t makesomething like that up, couldyou? So when Fulham’s HugoRodallega returned to face hisformer club, I had thathorrible sinking feeling thathe would score against us.And he did.However on a weekend thatwas dominated by the ‘will-he-won’t-he’ handshakefiasco, I felt a sense of pridewhen the fans applaudedHugo off the field when hewas substituted. Many club’ssupporters would have booedoff a former player, but not us.The sportsmanship that takesplace week in week out isexemplary, and is just one ofthe many reasons why I’mproud to call myself a Latic.Old TraffordTrips to Old Trafford usuallymean an away day execution,and unfortunately this seasonwas no different.We dominated the first 45minutes with our counter-attacking football, and thepick of the action was a great

penalty save from Al Habsiwho got the better of DannyWelbeck.However, the second 45 wasa different story. A scruffyPaul Scholes goal saw headsdrop and shattered our game-plan, with our dopey defenceinviting Man United to scorea further three goals. Despitethe lacklustre performance itwas only our fourth defeat in13 games and there were stillmany reasons to remainoptimistic.Golden OpportunityWe had a goldenopportunity in the first halfagainst Fulham to take thelead, with Figueroa’s crossfinding Boyce in the box. TheBarbadian got his head to the

ball, but it went just wide ofthe post. Two minutes later,Berbatov delivered a dead-ball cross at the other end ofthe pitch and former Laticslegend Rodallega thumped itin past his former team-mateAl Habsi to make it 1-0 toFulham. Damien Duff made it2-0 in the 68th minute andFulham kept control of thegame pretty much until theend. A late goal from Koneproved only to be aconsolation for the Latics, andattention turned to the mid-week Cup game against WestHam.WisdomMany heads turned whenRoberto announced sevenstarting changes from theFulhammatch, but his tacticalwisdom once again paid offwith McManaman and Boselliworking their socks off tokeep possession in the finalthird. Maiga put the Hammersahead in the seventh minutebut the lads rallied and Bosellihad a storming match,opening the scoring forWigan. Just before half time,Ivan Ramis scored his firstgoal for the club, capping offan all-action display from theSpaniard. Boselli scored asecond minutes later with acheeky chip over StephenHenderson to make it 3-1, andeverybody’s favourite love-hate player Jordi Gomezscored a late penalty to makeit a very convincing 4-1 winfor the Latics. A fourth roundtie against Bradford awaits.

FrustratingThe latest away offering atthe Stadium of Light againstSunderland was arguablyruined by poor refereeing,with Howard Webb making anumber of dubious decisions.He chose to send off JordiGomez for a tame challengein the second half andconsistently favoured thevisitors throughout the match.Minutes after the sending off,Steven Fletcher continued hisexceptional run of goal-scoring and made it 1-0 to theBlack Cats. We were unableto recover and overall it was afrustrating afternoon, whereour chances were limited dueto us only having ten men onthe pitch when we conceded.Oh well, onwards andupwards…Looking ahead to October,there could be nine points onoffer if we ditch theinconsistency and play to ourfull potential. We welcomeEverton and West Ham to theDW with every intention oftaking full points from bothgames. The Toffee’s will giveus a run for our money, but ifwe keep an eye on thecreative genius of Fellaini weshould do well. And theHammers? Anyone fancyanother 4-1 win?The only other game thatmonth is against Swansea atthe Liberty Stadium. With theSwans faltering after a goodstart under Michael Laudrup,you sense that Roberto mightjust be able to get one over hisformer club. In Bobby wetrust!

Wigan 30 Ruskin Park 0South Lancs & Cheshire Div 1Saturday September 29thWIGAN maintained the winning habitand remain in 3rd place in SLC1 afteroverwhelming Ruskin Park at DouglasValley.Following early skermishes, Andy Whittlebroke the deadlock with a penalty before goodwork by Jon Blan and Martin Gambles sentflanker Josh Beever over for the opening try.Whittle converted and added a further penaltyearly in the 2nd period to stretch the lead to13-0.The stand off then repeated the dose on 22minutes to give Wigan a 16 point cushion asRuskin increasingly went on the offensive andwere unfortunate to lose possession with theline at their mercy.Wigan weathered the storm and added twolate tries in the final 10 minutes, StevePeacock taking Whittle's delicate chip on thefull to touch down unopposed and MattGregory stealing possession with the Ruskindefence in disarray to send Gambles in at thecorner, both converted by Whittle.

Ashton-on-Mersey 48 Orrell 10South Lancs & Cheshire Div 1Saturday September 29thASHTON opened with a penalty andcrossed for try to take an 0-8 lead andwent 0-13 ahead from a catch and drive.Ashton came again and although the Orrelldefence stopped the initial drive the ball wasrecycled and an inside pass allowedAshton toscore a converted try between the posts.With just over 10 minutes to the break withan Ashton player yellow carded, Orrell took

advantage and a good break by John Presho,carried on by Chris Cunliffe, took the ball deepinto the Ashton half from where Matt Pegggot over in the corner.Again from a break and kick ahead byPresho and although held up Pegg was oncemore on hand to go over for 10-29 at half time.Ashton increased their lead after the breakwith a try from a drive over the line andalthough again down to 14 it was theopposition who touched down within 5minutes from the restart to add a fifth.Orrell attempted to come back but wereconstantly pinned in their own half by goodreturn kicking by Ashton who added a finalconverted try from a pick up at a scrum.

Burnley 2nds 25 Aspull 24Raging Bull Div 4nSaturday September 29thASPULL lost to the unbeaten league leadersof Raging Bull 4 North in a very closecontest.The forwards performed well with JohnParker and Ian Roberson leading the pack.Chad Boyce, Neil Duddy and John Parkerscored tries with Duddy successful with threeconversions.

ORRELL’S second team defeated Ashton-on-Mersey comfortablt 29-5 to move up tosixth in Raging Bull Div 2N.WIGAN’S second team were edged out atFylde as the league leaders in Raging Bull Div2N maintained their 100% start with a 32-23victory, leaving Wigan in third position.Rossendale 3rd beatWIGAN 3rds 25-12 toleave the Douglas Valley side in 2nd positionin Raging Bull Div 4N.(Geoff Lightfoot)

Opinionstraight fromthe goalmouth

By our LaticscolumnistSam Oliver

31


32

wigan courier oct 2nd edition

Documents

council number

council website

customer demand

contact centre

wigan councils new information

wigan town centre

councils director

councils values