february 2012 wn4 local link

Your guide to local Businesses, Events and News in WN4.WN4.

February 2012WN4WN4 Local LinkLocal Link

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Hello and welcome to the Winter edition of the

WN4 Local Link.

There is nothing better than the start of a New Year, even if the New Year’s resolution

did only last all of 5 hours!

We did however enjoy a great break to Amsterdam in between Christmas & New Year. So much so that I have written my take on Amsterdam to share some of the highlights we enjoy and would recommend.

That aside this year we are looking forward to becoming Auntie & Uncle again to two new arrivals, we can’t wait. They will no doubt make the uphill run into Spring a little brighter.

Talking of brighter I am thinking of new ways I can spruce up my house for the new year. It’s a great time to start some DIY and add a little bit of life to the house in preparation for the new season.

When you are ready to start working towards that summer holiday body check out the Pool Guide and also the local sporting activities on Page 26. On a musical note North Ashton Brass Band are looking for new members (P8) and the Parkside Colliery Male Voice Choir are hosting a learn to sing workshop on 18th February (P20). We also have Valentine’s Day and Mothers Day on 18th March to look forward to. See you all in Spring...

Sarah.WN4 Local Link Editor.

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February to March 2012Delivered to around 5,000 homes in the WN4 postcode area.

The WN4 Local Link is produced by the WN Link.

Please note that every care has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information within the WN4 Local Link. The WN Link assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions orconsequences of any information contained within the WN4 Local link.

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contents Page 6

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[email protected]: 07866 389 948

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offersJust a sample of our many offersJust a sample of our many offers

10% OFF BabywearSee Page 8

Cut & Blow Dry for £15See Page 15

Dry Cleaning Offer See Page 19

10% OFF SpectaclesSee Page 19

25% OFF Alteration ServicesSee Page 25

10% OFF Lawn & Garden ProductsSee Page 26

10% & 15% OFF Hair Services See Back Page

Race for LifeAuntie Gels RecipeAshton Pool Guide

Parkside Male ChoirBexbella

Local Sport ActivitiesUseful Numbers

Index of Advertisers

Please note that our next CopyDeadline is the 19th March

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WIGAN women are being urged to join the fi ght against all cancers by entering Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, which opened on Tuesday 17th January.

Women and girls of all ages, shapes and sizes are needed to join forces for the event which will take place at Haigh Hall on Sunday, May 20th.

Race for Life is non-competitive. Women can choose whether to walk, jog or run the 5k route.Most are able to walk 5k in an hour. All women are welcome, regardless of whether they are taking part on their own or as part of a group.

Laura Taylor, Cancer Research UK’s North West Events Manager, said: “Come on ladies – please enter Race for Life in Wigan today! It’s all of us versus cancer and we need you to join the fi ght as soon as possible.”

Last year, 1500 women took part in Race for Life Chester and raised a fantastic £80,000.This year, organisers want 1500 women and girls, again, to put their best foot forward and help raise £85,000.

Laura continued: “We know many women want to take part in Race for Life but are worried they won’t be able to complete the course. We want to reassure them that Race for Life is not about being fast or fi t. Instead, it’s a celebration of sisterhood and hope.

“Most women are able to walk 5k in an hour while chatting and having fun. The really startling fact is that in the same period of time, around four people in the North West will be diagnosed with cancer.”

Laura added: “We are very grateful to everyone who took part in Race for Life in Wigan last year and in the past. Thanks to them Cancer Research UK has been able to fund much-needed research.But the battle against cancer never stops and for this reason we need them to return to the fi ght in 2012 and bring new recruits with them.”

To join Wigan versus cancer, enter Race for Life at

www.raceforlife.org or call0871 641 1111.

Wigan Women Urged To Join The Fight...

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Teeny Tinies & Bee Smart

Venue: Independent Methodist Church.Address: Victoria Road, Garswood. Contact: Julie on 01942 712 106

Teeny Tinies Carer and child group from Birth to 4 years on a Tuesday, 1.30pm till 3pm and Wednesdays, 9.30am till 11am.Price £2.20.

We also run a group for children aged 8 to 12 years on Fridays 5.30pm till 7.30pm, called Bee Smart.Lots of crafts and games played by all. Price £2.00.

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untie Gels Winter Treats

Easy Peasy Minestrone Ingredients

1 x 400g can of chopped tomatoes 1 x 400g can mixed beans - drained 1 jar (400g) of any tomato based pasta sauce 500ml of vegetable or chicken stock 75g soup pasta (macaroni or farfarline)

Method Place tomatoes, hot stock, pasta sauce and drained beans into a saucepan. Bring the pan to the boil and stir in the pasta shapes and cook for 5 – 10 mins (until pasta is cooked) stirring occasionally. Leave to stand for 5 minutes to allow the pasta to swell before serving.

Soda Bread Ingredients

500g plain fl our 10ml (2 tsp) bicarbonate of soda 5ml (1 tsp) salt Approx. 400ml buttermilk or 400ml milk mixed with 15ml lemon juice

Method Preheat oven to 200 degrees C, gas mark 6. Sieve the fl our & bicarbonate into a mixing bowl, stir in salt. Make a well in the centre and pour in the buttermilk & stir. If necessary, add a tablespoon or two of milk to bring the mixture together to form a soft dough. Turn out on to a lightly fl oured work surface and knead for about a minute, just long enough to pull it together into a loose ball. Place on a lightly fl oured baking sheet & dust generously with fl our. Mark a cross in it with a sharp, serrated knife, cut about two-thirds of the way through the loaf. Put in the oven for 40-45 minutes, until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped underneath. Cool on a wire rack if you like a crunchy crust, or wrap in a tea towel for a soft crust. Soda bread is best eaten while still warm.

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Ashton Leisure CentreCheck out what Ashton Leisure Centre has to offer when

you are ready to get back to it this February.

Why not keep for future reference?

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Pool Guide

*These sessions are bookable/payable in advance.

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If you have ever wanted to develop your singing voice, now is the time. Parkside Colliery Male Voice Choir is hosting a One Day learn to singharmony workshop. It is to be held at the YMCA buildings, Hilton Street, Ashton-in-Makerfi eld on Saturday18th February 2012. The course will commence at 10-00am, registration from 9-30am. And runs through to 4pm, with comfort intervals.

Candidates will be given professional tuition by Neil Firth. Neil is the Musical Director of the adult Choir of the Year winners 2008. He will cover the art and

skills of singing, giving advice on voice range, singing in tune, stance and pos-ture for relaxed singing, dynamics, matching pitch and vowel sounds. This will culminate at the end of the day with us all singing a song on four part harmony.

This is an ideal opportunity for anyone wishing to improve their singing technique.

AND IT IS ABSOLUTELY FREE!So what have you got to lose?

If you are interested please contact Jim on 01942 724 477, or Alan on 01942 418 863.

Or visit our website: www.sing.co.nr

Parkside Colliery Male Voice Choir

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You may have noticed bar code type images on adverts, posters and what seems just about any free space these days. But what are they and what do they do?

They are Quick Response Codes or QR for short. Originally from Japan they quickly and effi ciently direct a person to a specifi c piece of information.

How & what? Well all you need is a smart phone, a free downloadable QR reader app. and internet access.

You point your phones camera at the QR code and then scan it via your screen.

You will then be most likely directed to a companies website. But this could simply be the start, as you can produce QR codes to show your address via Google maps, dial a telephone number or even send a text.

So, another geeky bit of IT or a useful innovation?

I would say a great tool for business with endless possibilities for getting products, services and information directly to customers there and then.

Get on board and start using QR codes today, as I bet the competition is. Give me a call for more information on how QR codes could help your business...

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When it’s snowing at home a week in Saint Lucia has to be the perfect winter escape. Tropical print bikinis, cool kaftans and bright hues of nail varnish helped raise the temperatures to a humid 30+ I packed light and bright with bikinis and sun dresses, leaving all heels and sequins at home.

To a Marley sound track I have explored smugglers coves and seen wealthy Europeans on pristine plastic beaches. The volcanic sulphur mud spas of Soufriere were hot hot hot and left the skin feeling silky smooth. Captain Typhoon took a boat trip to Pigeon Island and we snorkelled in a sun drenched bay with ‘Nemos’ and turtles.

Although the coconut palm trees and pool side chat was uplifting, the real hi light for me was undoubtedly horse riding bare back in the crystal clear Caribbean waters with a young local guide of 20 named ‘Alpha Maxon Signal’.

We galloped along the beach at pace on ‘Spartacus’ a dappled grey pony and ‘Opal’ a tall bay mare. I could not have been happier. Al-though he wanted to ‘make me his woman’ which was tempting. He offered 40 horses as part of the dowry, but I politely declined in favour of a poolside rum punch and escaped with 2 beaded bracelets from his pushy sales compatriots at a bar we visited.

With sun blushed limbs I soothed any bare foot riding cuts and bruises with fresh Aloe gel squeezed from the plant and a pamper session in the spa.

I’m feeling very jet setty waiting for a helicopter connection to a fl ight back to a forecasted UK winter wonderland. The stray cats have been fed and befriended, the limbo has been performed and I feel thoroughly refreshed.

One love.

Read more fashion tips and articles at: www.bexbella.blogspot.com

“Snorkelling in a sun drenched bay...”

Ladiesof Ashton.

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Back to JoggingThree Sisters Country Park.

Meet at the Main Car Park. Fridays - 9:30am.. All sessions FREE

Session is open to male and female joggers looking to walk/run 1-2 miles

Hawkley Hall High School, Carr Lane, WN3 5NY.Starting 17th January 2012.

Every Tuesday from 7 - 8 pm for under 16’s and 8 - 9 pm for adults.

First session free then £2 per session.Contact: [email protected]

TRY HANDBALL

Howe Bridge Sports Centre,Atherton, M46 0PJ.Starting January 2012.

For adults of all abilities and creates an opportunity for players to test themselves against other like minded individuals.

The ladder is FREE to enter.

SQUASH LADDER

For more information contact Richard Smith on 01942 488 480or via e-mail at [email protected]

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Why not keep me by the telephone?

Children ServicesAshton Children’s ServiceAshton 01942 723 965YMCAAshton 01942 274 684

CouncillorsAshton WardCllr Nigel Ash 01942 736 216Cllr Walter Carney01942 776 114Cllr Paul Tushingham 01942 776 060

Billinge & Seneley Green WardCllr Alison BaconCllr Joe PearsonCllr Susan Murphy

Bryn WardCllr Gary Wilkes 01942 736 478Cllr John Hodgkinson 01942 776 252Cllr Margaret Rampling 01942 486 856Wigan Council01942 244 991St Helens Council01744 676 789

NHSLeigh Walk in Centre01942 264 000NHS DirectNational 0845 46 47

PharmacyMorris (Ashton)01942 727 498Boots (Bryn) 01942 727 176Billinge Rd (Garswood)01942 719 879

PoliceNon Emergency0161 872 50 50

TransportArriva Buses0871 200 22 33National Rail Enquiries08457 484 950

UtilitiesGas Leaks 0800 111 999United Utilities (Water)0845 746 2200Electricity0800 404090

Other NumbersAshton Library01942 727 119Citizens Advice Bureau0870 1264 459Childline0800 1111

Useful Numbers

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Hair & BeautyAdvanced Skin Care Page 14.Body Cosmetic Clinic Page 27.Deb’s Barber Shop Page 18.Indulge Hair Company Page 1 & 32.J D Cabelo Page 10.Lilly’s Nail and Tan Studio Page 21.Renoir Page 15.The Hamilton Hair Studio Page 6.

Health & Fitness Body Fuel Sports Nutrition Page 4.Jeff Lloyd, Hypnotherapy Page 12.Slimming World Page 25.The Makerfi eld Eye Centre Page 19.Wigan Family Chiropractic Clinic Page 9.Zumba & Salsa Classes Page 18.

Holidays & LeisureLodges in the Lakes Page 15.

Home ImprovementsM Price Construction Page 29.

Ironing ServicesPressed To Impress Page 25.

PetsScizzor Yappy Page 18.

PhotographyCaptured by CAM Photography Page 7.

Plumbing, Heating & InsulationCM Plumbing and Heating Page 20.DOC Solar and Electrical Page 13.GMH Heating Utilities Ltd Page 4.The Lady Plumber Page 28.

Taxis & Private HireATC Private Hire Page 28.

Web DesignKevin Hayden Web Design Page 29.

OtherInkjections Tattoo Studio Page 22.Johnsons the Cleaners Page 19.

WN4 Index of Advertisers

Baby SuppliesBambinos Page 8.

Childrens EntertainerTiny Magic Page 29.

Cleaning ServicesK S Enterprise Wheely Bin Cleaners Page 28.

Clothing, Alterations & Repairs

Fabulous Fashion Page 11.Good42 Page 29. The Alteration Shop Page 25.

Computer Services

PC Repair Centre Page 19.

Driving InstructorPass This Way Page 18.

Education ServicesConfi dent Kids Tuition Page 20.R J Training Page 21.

Fancy Dress HireGood42 Page 29.

Financial ServicesAccident Advice Agency Page 31.Bespoke Legal Services Page 2.

Furniture & UpholsteryAshton Upholstery Page 4.Beds 4 U Page 23.

Garden & Lawn CareKor Agri Page 26.

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february 2012 wn4 local link

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