Looking for something?
Wife. Mother. Sister. Woman.
Parenting and lifestyle
Remember remember the 5th November...
The following article was published in The Irlam and Cadishead Times Magazine.
Bonfire Night will soon be upon us and celebrated in the customary style of firework displays and
lighting bonfires together with the burning of Guy Fawkes.
Guy Fawkes’ planned to kill King James I and to restore a Catholic monarch to the throne. On the 5th
November 1605, he was caught in the cellars of the Houses of Parliament along with several dozen
barrels of gunpowder. He and his co-conspirators were tried as traitors for plotting against the
Government. Guy Fawkes was tried by Judge Popham and was sentenced to death by being hung,
drawn and quartered. This form of execution is unimaginable in this day and age but reflected the
serious nature of the crime of treason.
There is a well-known poem we use to remember the acts of Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators;
Remember, remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot…
An interesting fact to note is that until 1959, it was illegal not to celebrate Bonfire Night in the UK!!
If you are planning Bonfire Night celebrations with the lighting of a bonfire and setting off
fireworks, I must advise that you must take care when letting off fireworks. It’s probably best to
assign just a one or a couple of people who will take on this responsibility. It goes without saying
that it’s not a good idea to smoke near where the fireworks are being stored or handled. All
fireworks should be contained in a secure box (well away from the bonfire) until they are ready to be
used. Another good idea is to have a bucket of water or sand, or even a Fire Blanket, close at hand.
Prior to the event, it’s advisable to read the instructions written on each of the fireworks and re-read
them once again just before setting them off – probably a good idea is to have a torch handy. Make
sure that the wind and the angle of the fireworks are away from spectators. If the weather turns
extremely windy, it’s advised that the event is cancelled.
Whether a family event or an organised event, if a firework fails to go off do not be tempted to go
back because it could be still live and explode, Leave at least half an hour before you return to the
firework. At no time should you consider lighting the bonfire with flammable liquids such as paraffin
or petrol.
Before lighting the bonfire, check to make sure that there are no animals such as hedgehogs
inside; and don’t burn dangerous items such as aerosols, paint tins or foam-filled furniture.
At the end of the event, ensure the bonfire is extinguished before leaving the venue – or retiring to
bed. Please don’t forget about consideration towards the older generation, veterans and pets – As this
can be an extremely stressful experience for them. Where appropriate ensure pets are safely
indoors, ensure a TV or radio is on to help dull loud noises and that distressed persons or animals are
comforted.
FINALLY... I wish you all a safe, enjoyable and Happy Bonfires night!
The leisure centre
The following article was published in The Irlam and Cadishead Times Magazine.
​
The weather in the recent months has been glorious, heatwave after heatwave has been the perfect
opportunity to get active, exploring the local parks, fields and walkways especially with the Pebble Art
Salford programme being such a huge success. In the heart of Irlam resides prince's park. The park not
only gives access to the children play area but facilitates a free outdoor gym and is also surrounded by a
beautifully maintained bowling green, football pitches, tennis courts and skate parks as well as the indoor
leisure centre. The leisure centre is a hive of activity, open 7 days a week the centre offers access to
squash courts, indoor fitness suites, aerobic studio, 25-metre pool and an enormous 4 court sports hall that
caters for football, basketball, netball, trampoline sessions, gymnastics and sports courses/classes. With
such a wide variety of resources at our disposal, there is something that will cater to all. The free parking
facilities and coffee shop make this spot an ideal place to socialise with friends, relatives and meet like-
minded local people while learning new skills and hobbies.
Investing in yourself and learning new skills is a great way to boost self-esteem, motivation and balance
the mind, body & soul. If workout sessions and classes do not appeal to you there is a lot to offer at a
a more relaxed pace that still offers the opportunity to get fresh air; such as the recently revived old river
fishing, after the 2008 pollution incident the river Irwell has been cleaned and restored with a trench,
bream, pike and more, making it the perfect relaxation spot to soak up local wildlife, fresh air and sun.
If heading out in the early mornings to fish isn't your calling why not show off your green thumbs
spending the days out in the garden renovating your space into your perfect piece of paradise. The local
garden centre situated between prince's park and Irlam leisure centre is a perfect place to gather resources,
update your home and embark on some light gardening. The garden centre is a community ran business in
partnership with the ability cooperative, supporting disabled community members in the working
environment. The garden centre is open all year round providing a range of plants, trees, shrubs and many
other garden products at a reasonable price. They grow most of their own plants themselves from seeds
and cuttings. With the assistance of trained professionals, the employees produce high-quality woodwork
products from bird tables and garden boxes to coffee tables and decorative wooden ornaments.
This hidden gem of our community is a source of amazing potential all ages meaning you can embark on
a new adventures and hobbies, having fun exploring the local community and socialising with the
residents of our wonderful area.​
Rixton with Glazebrook carnival
The following article was published in The Irlam and Cadishead Times Magazine.
24th July saw another successful carnival event take place in Hollins green. The sun was shining and
lots of people came together for a day packed with fun!
Wishing Well Radio did an excellent job in making sure the party atmosphere was on point while also
narrating the day's events so we didn't miss a thing! It was very nice to see some of our favourite stalls
and events again this year such as the Emergency services, Wild Bird Sanctuary, the At Home shabby
chic stall, Vintage tractors and bikes, along with Old Faithful Steam Engine to name just a few, and of
course the Rotary club of Irlam were hosting the wine challenge stall, keeping us all refreshed with free
ice pops.
One of the community favourite returning events is, of course, the Rixton Dog school 'Fun Dog Contest'
where the four-legged friends of our community compete. They each take turns to win rosettes in a
number of categories from best puppy to fancy dress dog and dog who looks most like their owner! It
never fails to bring an abundance of cheering, laughter and fun to the day!
The Scouting Group from Hollins Green set up a fantastic tightrope challenge while also meeting all of
your BBQ needs, not far from the caravan bar ensuring there was lots of prosecco and over 30 different
types of gin to go around provided by Gin Meister!
The Mad science lab slime stall was a huge hit along with the glitter tent, pebble painting from Pebble
Art Salford, and Rixton with Glazebrook's pre-school's pottery painting stall providing hands-on crafting
for the kids! The new headmaster Mr Jones was very eager to take part in community life, The authority
tables turned as he volunteered to spend that day in the stocks taking it in turns having wet sponges
thrown at him much to the students' delight! The football skills challenge was very popular where children
tried to score in a points system then depending on your point gained they could choose from an
abundance of prizes. As usual, the teacups and inflatable activities and slides were an excellent addition
to the day!
Some new stalls this year always bring a fresh feeling to the carnival, this year the carnival hosted The
Lawnmower Man who owns over 250 vintage lawnmowers!! (that must be one huge garden... ) Some
local businesses had their own stalls such as the antique store Nic Nacs and the graffiti artist group who
shared with us their incredible skills creating custom artwork and masterpieces! Sarah treated us to an
exhibition of her crafting skills with the Crocheted with love by Sarah stall selling her handmade
creations, everything from beautiful dream catchers and blankets to hair accessories and keyrings.
In the big tent throughout the day a variety of live music and performances took place from the fantastic
Cadishead Band to Manchester United youth Foundation Choir along with a variety of dance from Dance
Rhythm, Warrington Wolves Fusion and Michele’s Z-style and belly dancing groups. Also inside the big
tent, you could find a showcase of all the MR Men and Little Miss sculptures that had taken part in the
Garden Safari day took place a few weeks back.
All in all the carnival was fantastic allowing the community to come together once more enjoying a day of
fun, laughter and summer sun! A huge congratulations to everyone involved in making this event
possible and thank you for all your hard work.
​
The following article was published in The Irlam and Cadishead Times Magazine.
​
One of our local communities hidden treasures is located just a short walk from the top end of Cadishead
and Hollins green. Rixton Claypits is a former clay extraction site but in recent years has been managed
by Warrington Borough Council and allowed to return to its original nature.
Surprisingly the nature reserve is very large, 37 acres in fact, and is jam-packed with local wildlife from
dragonflies, bees, sheep, a number of fish and pond species including the protected species of the
Northern Crested Newt. Throughout Rixton Claypits there are a number of environments such as
woodland, meadows, open fields and ponds of various sizes. Having such a varied environment
encourages not only insects to the area but larger wildlife and birds.
The vast changes in scenery do not only make a wonderful home they also make for an invigorating walk
and an excellent form of exercise for the whole family. Walking through the nature reserve it is very easy
to forget about town life making it a perfect place to unwind, spending time on self-care or quality time
with the kids, just remember being in such natural environments, not all the paths are suitable for
pushchairs and can be a little uneven. There are many paths around the reserve and after 10 years of
visiting there are still new areas and routes I come across still.
There are two car parks used to enter the Claypits, one by Chapel Lane and one used by the Warrington
Anglers Association on Moat Lane. The Rangers hut is used by the employees of Warrington Borough
Council who maintain the area, they have informational posters on wildlife, Maps and also a hall where
they hold educational talks for schools and small groups as well as practical activities to explore nature
such as pond dipping.
So if you're heading out over the summer looking for something free, that burns excess energy, get some
fresh air and experience nature I highly recommend Rixton Claypits.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Walking in the woods
​
The following article was published in The Irlam and Cadishead Times Magazine.
As the summer sun draws us out of our winter hibernation and into the streets I would like to raise our awareness to 'the streets'. It has become blatantly obvious that throughout the streets of M44 we have an increasing issue with the lack of duties to our doggy waste! In particular I am going to talk about dog waste as this is the type of excrement we encounter due to humans being in control of these animals, your more like to come across a dog at the beach, park, woodland and streets of your neighbourhood than a cat or other animal.
So let’s talk poop, it’s not nice, I don’t think anyone enjoys bagging up the butt dumplings but it’s part of the responsibility of inviting our four legged friends into our life. Clearing up your animals waste is not only going to make your streets look nicer but will improve hygiene within our local area. Leaving the faeces to manifest invites vermin such as rats to the local area and produces maggots along with an infestation of flies and bugs.
Dog doo's are not only unpleasant in appearance and smells but is actually quite dangerous. The reason there is a law against not clearing dog fouling and not any other animal is that dogs present the Toxocariasis bacteria or more commonly knows as the roundworm. This is a Nasty bacteria produced by parasites in the digestive system passed between dogs and is present in there excrement, if handled by humans who haven’t cleaned their hands properly or for example a child falls and it gets into their mouth and eyes it can lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and possibly loss of eye sight!
This does not create the environment we strive for in our community and I’m sure is not an area you wish to live among which is why it is so important to take pride in our M44 making it a safe and pleasant area for us all, so next time your heading out to walk the pup please remember to scoop that poop!
Caring for our town
The health and benefits of handicraft and hobbies.
The following article was published in The Irlam and Cadishead Times Magazine
There has been a lot of buzz around participating in handicrafts recently such as knitting and crochet. I know I know your thinking Knitting Nana's and crochet cronies! This Is not the case however many younger generations, male and female, in recent years have taken to the hooks including myself! The power of social media supports the breakthrough of this stigma and it is becoming more and more popular showcasing recently on popular ITV programme This Morning.
So what are the benefits I'm sure your asking?? let me tell you-you're in for a treat as there is more than just one!
Handicrafts have recently been scientifically proven to help improve multiple aspects of life. Taking part in activities such as sewing, Knitting and crochet have shown to stimulate your motor cortex, frontal and occipital lobes. This action strengthens your mind while slowing down cognitive impairment's such as Dementia and Alzheimer's disease before and after diagnosis, so no matter if you have been diagnosed and in the early stages or there is a history of cognitive impairments in your family history, handicraft can be a helpful tool to exercise your memory and slow down any signs and developments.
In an ever stressful world, we live in mental well being is an ever growing awareness and we are more tuned into our emotions than ever before! Crochet and Knitting have been directly linked to stress and anxiety reduction. Working on projects and creating a practical and useful object provides happiness, self-satisfaction, and a purpose while also providing a welcoming distraction and positive direction to focus your thoughts. The therapeutic elements of the repetitive action provide a soothing rhythmic motion helping ease thoughts and worries while also reducing hyperactivity and improving concentration and focus, a form of meditation if you will. Taking part in handicraft is a great way to take some needed self care time and detox from the digital world society lives in along with all its expectations, yet, on the other hand, there are wide online circles to showcase your skills, make new online connections and build your support circle and social skills as well as finding small intimate support/friend groups.
So if you or someone you know could benefit from some handicraft why wait another moment! Head over to HDT for the beginner's Knitters and crochet session on a Wednesday and if you really can't wait you can search for online resources or a fellow handicraft-er to give you a hand!