Alkrington Life (October 2015) ONLINE

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Welcome to the October Issue of Welcome

Alkrington Life Contents

Welcome to the 10th Birthday Edition of Alkrington Life! 62Puzzles
16What’s On
What a decade it has been ! I never imagined when I began this 28Drinks
journey ten years ago, that our community magazine would grow to 36Editorial
become such a successful publication with three sister magazines in 50Editorial
the surrounding areas. I have met many great people over the years 66Recipes
and have made some wonderful friends. As ever, I urge readers who 48Kids Page
use the magazine to share the ‘Local Love’ with the businesses they 54Advertise
contact, to prove the usefulness of the LIFE PUBLICATIONS. I thank all 60Numbers
of our featured businesses and advertisers: some of whom have been Index 74
with me since the beginning; our feature and editorial contributors and
YOU the readers for helping me to build a fantastic local magazine.
Let’s keep on, keeping it local - Here’s to another decade of LOCAL
LIFE!

There are so many fantastic features and events in this month’s
bumper birthday issue, check out pages 16 - 20 for seasonal events not
to be missed. I urge you all to pop in to see Toni at Vero Amore p12
and see what a fantastic showroom and workshop she has lovingly
created.

I also wish to sincerely thank Beverley Eagleton
for sharing the story of her brave journey with
us on p.50.

Happy Birthday to my brave little girl Sophie, Advert
who will be 5 on the 14th and thank you to all of
the staff at Oldham Hospital and NMGH who APLRATSETX6E7INRxIGN9G3
took amazing care of her recently, following a
nasty accident, which resulted in a quadruple COVING
front tooth removal and a record breaking NO JOB TOO SMALL
pay-out from the tooth fairy !
Telephone:
Best Wishes to you all !
0161 653 6310
Clare Cartmell xxx
Mobile:
ALKRINGTON LIFE does not accept
responsibility for the products or 07866 817 110

services advertised in this magazine.

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Crescent Roofing, Manchester, have the skills, knowledge
and experience to manage any roofing project.

Crescent Roofing based in Middleton, Manchester, specialise in meeting the roofing needs of every
customer with safe systems of work, quality workmanship and superior materials, from the smallest repair to
the largest renewal.
We’ve got you covered!
Slating
Tiling Over the past 20 years the company has
Flat Roofs become an established and trusted name
Sheeting throughout Manchester and the UK.
Rainwater Goods We pride ourselves on having a reputation
Lead Work for courteous, professional service and a
Planned & Reactive Maintenance
dedication to health and safety.
Find us on A Competent Roofer member can self-certify
their own work saving Time and Money and
removing the risk

Tel: 0161 877 3447

www.crescentroofing.co.uk

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Service only your local
independent electrical
retailer can provide

Tel: 0161 681 1622360 Moston Lane, Moston Manchester M40 9JS

SALES & REPAIRS

WASHING MACHINES

TUMBLE DRYERS SAME DAY FREE DELIVERY
REFRIGERATION

DISHWASHERS

INTEGRATED APPLIANCES

ELECTRIC & GAS COOKERS

INTEGRATED APPLIANCE SPECIALISTS

Internet Prices on all leading Mon - Fri
brands from Your Local High Street. 9 till 5
Saturday
www.mostonlaneappliances.co.uk 9 till 3

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David Briggs

Your Local Professional
Painter & Decorator

Bringing high
quality decorating

to your home
or business.

Tel:
0161 654 8436

Mob:
07930 871 066

BOOST YOUR POCKET
MONEY AND PENSION –

A Winner’s Guide to
Buy-To-Let Investment

by BILL KEETH

8 alkringtonlife.com Kindle book £2.99 from Amazon

or
autographed paperback £10
by first class return post from:
Bill KEETH, No. 3, M24 1FX

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145 Oldham Road, Middle-
ton M24 2LD Tel: 07591
203 411

Established in 2012 after proprietor Toni found inspiration from a friend
to ‘upcycle’ a piece of furniture for her son’s bedroom. Vero Amore
comes from Italian meaning True Love. It is exactly this true love,
which has driven this business, from humble beginnings, to thrive.
Toni has a passion for creativity and she was eager to open a shop in
her local town and to bring a sense of community to Middleton.
Toni and her mum Debbie would like to invite you to call in and say
hello, take a look around the shop and view some of the stunning piec-
es and perhaps take a trip down memory lane with some of the vintage
furniture and accessories.
Toni is also keen to share the
hand painting furniture and
unique upcycling service,
which is an eco friendly
method of enabling people to
keep the family pieces that
they love.

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OUR SERVICES:

Bespoke Hand Painted Furniture
Handmade Gifts
Craft Workshops
Nostalgic Homewares

OPENING HOURS:

Monday - Closed
Tuesday - 9-12
Wed to Sat - 9 - 5
Sunday 11 - 3
PARKING AT REAR

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What’s On

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ALKRINGTON VILLAGE QUIZ NIGHT
CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR
RNLI Middleton
Sunday 6th December Branch

11am - 3pm At The Woodside Club
Alkrington Community Centre & next door at Higher Wood Street

the Moving On Day Centre, Hardfield Rd. On Thursday 19th November 2015
Handmade Goods, Food, Decorations, Cards At 7.30pm

and everything special for Christmas! Tickets £5.50 pp
Mulled Wine, Face Painting, Including Supper
Tombola & Café. CASH PRIZE !!!
FREE ENTRY Tickets From 0161 653 9265
All proceeds to
British Heart Foundation (Will Deliver)
Or from any Committee Member.

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For a free quote call: “Quality is a promise”

0161 633 3288 or 07966 438 307

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Made, Supplied, Fitted and Maintained.
We can repair your Electric Gates

24 hour Call Out Service

Ask to view Electric Gates in operation we
have made and installed in the area.

All Areas Covered

www.hillfarmforge.150m.com
Email: hillfarmforge@gmail.com

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DRINK

Drinks Review

By John Boylan

This month I was on the hunt for some Big Wave by Kona. This is a very fashionable beer,
andTHE beer to be seen with at any Hipster gathering. I had heard a rumour that M&S
had it in, so off I went, full of hope and excitement, to M&S Simply Food in Prestwich.
Imagine my disappointment then, when after searching high and low, I was told that the
Prestwich store doesn’t stock Kona. Other stores do, just not that one. Mission: FAIL.
Or so I thought…
Marks’ wouldn’t be the most obvious of places to head to if I fancied a nice beer to wel-
come in a weekend, but I thought since I was there I might as well see what else they had
to offer. I was in the mood for a lighter (in terms of colour and flavour), hoppy, ale and
there were a few that caught my eye. So I bought one of each and set about doing some
‘market research’ while watching the Rugby World Cup. Perfect!
First up was Session IPA by Fourpure Brewing Co. Very nicely presented in a can, which I
actually like, and which is an allusion to the American influence at work.
A Session Beer is defined by beeradvocate.comas “Any beer that contains no higher than
5 percent ABV, featuring a balance between malt and hop characters (ingredients) and,
typically, a clean finish - a combination of which creates a beer with high drinkability” and
therefore allowing the drinker to have multiple beers (if he/she so chooses) in a drinking
session without getting wrecked.
At 4.5% ABV, this pale ale was exactly what I was after. Light, crisp, refreshing but still full
of flavour. Definitely a hit.

Next, I went for Infrared by Hardknott which describes itself as “as hoppy as a bucket of
frogs”. And so it proved.

For me, and I can only go off my own personal taste here, there is a fine line between a
beer that has the right level of hoppiness making the aroma and taste of the beer a beau-
tiful, light and citrusy tang and then there being too much hop which makes the flavour
very bitter. Certainly too bitter for me.

Unfortunately I experienced the latter with this beer, and combined with a 6.5% ABV and
the heavier flavours from the Crystal malt that give the beer a ruby-red colour, made it
just too much for me. That said, it did suffer a disadvantage of having followed a light beer
and I wonder whether if I had started with this whether my opinion would have differed.
I’ll let you know.

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Next was 9 Hop. I was excited about the potential promised by the name. This one is
brewed for M&S by Westerham Brewery and has an ABV of 4%. Again, I may have slipped
up by having this beer follow the Infrared, but the name did not live up to it’s potential. It
was refreshing and good as a palate cleanser, but ultimately quite bland.

So far, so British. But next in line were 3 American Pale Ales.

Sierra Nevada were previously known to me and were a fairly safe bet, so I went for two
of their beers: Pale Ale and Torpedo.
The Pale Ale is a classic and is arguably the benchmark of the American pale ale style.
With 5.6% ABV, the blend of American hops gives this beer its iconic pine and grapefruit
notes with a sweet malt that is complemented well.
The Torpedo is the bigger and bolder brother to the Pale Ale. At 7.2%, it is strong and
gives a big hoppy aroma. There is a danger of this beer being too bitter, but the citrus and
pine flavour do just enough to temper the bitterness.

Like I say, the Sierra Nevada beers were safe bets, but there is a reason for that.

Last, but not least: Lagunitas Brewing Co IPA.
Lagunitas is one of the top 5 selling craft breweries in the US and specialise in their inter-
pretations of beer styles. The beer itself is full of flavours and aromas of pine and citrus
fruit and perfectly displays the best American hops. It is perfectly balanced with just the
right amount of carbonation. It was a new one for me, but I’ll be having it again.

All in all, I was quite pleased with my selection. And what was demonstrated is that if
what you are looking for isn’t there, don’t be afraid to try something new or different.

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Beverley Calvert

M. Inst. Ch. P.
HPC Registered Chiropodist
Gentle & Efficient Chiropody
in the comfort of your
own home.

Tel: 0161 653 9811
Mobile: 07748 562 937

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DPL BRICKWORK MANUFACTURING UPHOLSTERERS

BUILDING & MAINTENANCE Have your new sofa and
chairs hand made to order in sizes
EXTENSIONS
of your choice.
CONSERVATORIES All work done by British
craftsmen in our factory.
POINTING We also offer a friendly,
reliable re-upholstery service.
GARDEN WALLS Call now for a free estimate

DRIVEWAYS without obligation.
Telephone: 0161 624 4477
PATIOS
Unit A2, Falcon Centre
PORTFOLIO OF WORK AVAILABLE Victoria Street, Chadderton

FREE ESTIMATES & ADVICE Oldham, OL9 0HB

Tel: 0161 653 4347
Mob: 07745 636 556

DPLBRICKWORK@AOL.COM

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Contact us for a free no obligation consultation
Teresa.Bianchi@bianchiaccountants.co.uk
www.bianchiaccountants.co.uk

07779 716 663

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R CULLEN

Painting & Decorating

Over 25 years experience
Locally based
High quality decorating
Interior and exterior work
Free quotes
Competitive prices

Tel: 0161 654 7430 or
07808 722343

MIDDLETON HANDYMAN
& PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

I can repair and fix ANY problem job-All those jobs you never get around to do.
Quality work done cheaply and efficiently. I am your local tradesman who offers a
fast and friendly service. Local references available.
Using 33 years experience I am happy to give free advice and quotes.

If your job is not on the list, I am sure I will be able to do it!

All aspects of joinery, plastering, electrical, plumbing, roof repairs, soffits and fascias.

Gutters repaired, replaced and cleaned

Kitchens, new doors, worktops or full replacements..

Brickwork and pointing. Small jobs
Window repairs / replacement both wood and uPVC. A Pleasure
Double glazed units, new and replacement.
Painting and decorating inside and out. 10% off
Jetwashing.

All doors and window locks supplied and fitted. Soffits & Fascias
All types of fences supplied and fitted or repaired.

Ring Mike on: 0161 654 0841 or 07985639512

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L & C Floral Design Manchester

Bespoke Freelance Florist
with over 30 years experience.

Specialist in Weddings & Functions

No matter how intimate or grand your
special day is going to be, let us create
your perfect floral package, designed
especially for you to meet your design
style and budget.

Contact us via our Facebook page or
telephone Catherine on 07768 619 833
or 0161 795 3120 or Louise on
07932 895 052 for a no
obligation quotation.

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Editorial

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Call us now for your FREE quotation on 0161 653 2890

Established 1985

A genuine local family
run company

30

YEARS OF Registered
EXCELLENCE Company

6 Boarshaw Road
Middleton M24 6BR

We are Rockdoor
approved installers

Windows, Doors, Conservatories
Porches, Door Canopies, Car Ports
Fascias & Soffits, Guttering, Bi-fold Doors

www.crown-windows.comUpvc Repairs, Locksmiths, Replacement Glass Units

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SPECIALISING IN DAY TO DAY MAINTENANCE
& GENERAL BUILDING SERVICES...

QUALITY WORKMANSHIP - NO JOB TOO SMALL
All types of property maintenance
Refurbishments, small building works & alterations
Roofing & Re-Roofing
Re-Plastering
Plumbing & Electrics (appropriate certificates issued)
Kitchens & Bathrooms
Fascias / Gutters
Conservatories / Windows & Doors
Joinery & Brickwork
Pointing & Acid Cleaning
Tiling
Fencing, Decking & Flagging
Solid Wood Floors & Laminates

T : 0161 643 4649 (eve) M : 07812 527075 (anytime)

TRANSFORM Your Kitchen

With over 25 years experience manufacturing
and installing granite, marble and quartz we
are confident you will appreciate our knowledge
and the quality of our workmanship.

Replacement & Worktop Updates

Kitchen Worktops

Bespoke vanity tops

Bespoke table tops

Undermount & inset sinks Tel. 0161 653 1014
Bespoke fireplaces and surrounds Fax. 0161 654 9010
Splashbacks & upstands

Window sills & shelves www.stonebridgegranite.com

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Conservatory Cleaning with our pole Now Taking Bookings
system not jet washed. for Christmas !
Block Paving / Patios & Drives
re-sanded if required
Gutter Cleaning with our unique Gutter
Vac & Camera - no need for ladders

www.cleanandgreen.co.uk
info@cleanandgreen.co.uk
T: 0161 624 8632 M: 07922 503 658

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Time Served
Plasterer

1ST CLASS JOB
VERY CLEAN

NO MESS GUARANTEED

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07912 984 603

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Alkrington Library News

Macmillan Coffee Afternoon...

Library staff and members of the
Alkrington Knitters would like to
say a huge thank you to all who
came along and supported our
Macmillan Coffee afternoon, We
raised a fantastic £400!

Frances Brody Author Visit…

Join library staff at Middleton library on
Sunday 25th October 2-3pm for a talk
for the popular crime author Frances
Brody, writer of The Kate Shackleton
Mysteries.

This is quirky, historical crime fiction
with a wonderfully whimsical female
narrator. Leeds-based Frances Brody
is the author of the Kate Shackleton
Mysteries, as well as many stories and
plays for BBC Radio, scripts for televi-
sion and, writing as Frances McNeil,
four novels, one of which, Somewhere
Behind the Morning, won the Elizabeth
Elgin Award for best new saga of the
millennium. Her stage plays have been toured by several theatre companies
and produced at Manchester Library Theatre, the Gate and Nottingham Play-
house, and Jehad was nominated for a Time Out Award. “Frances Brody has
made it to the top rank of crime writers.” (Barry Turner, writing in The Daily
Mail). Visit www.rochdaleliteraturefestival.co.uk to book your place,

tickets cost £5 and include a cup of tea and a scone!

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Digital Skills Sessions…

We have two digital skills sessions running
at the library. An Introduction to Digital
Photography is every Monday morning
between 10am & 12pm. Explore your IPad
or Tablet is every Friday morning between
10am & 12pm. Volunteers and staff will be
on hand to help you gain confidence as you
set foot into the digital world!
Both sessions are free and there is no need to book.

Children’s Writing Workshop…

Bring the kids along to our latest writing
workshop during the school holidays.
Our friends from Explore learning are back
this time delving in to the world of the
Astrosaurs! This session is on Monday 26th
October 2.30-3.30pm and is free but
booking is advisable.

For more details on anything regarding Alkrington Library,
please contact the library on

0161 643 7799 during library opening hours.
You can also email Alkrington.library@rochdale.gov.uk

For book renewals please ring 0300 303 8876
Monday-Friday 8.00 a.m. – 8.00 p.m.,
Saturday 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.

www.facebook.com/RochdaleBoroughLibraries

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Kids Page

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We have many years experience in
the SMART Repair Business.

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Bev’s Inspirational Story...

Tonight I had the privilege of spending some time with a friend of mine and her lovely
mum. We shared a coffee alongside her two fluffy cats - Angel and Frank, while she
shared the story of how she has recently fought and conquered breast cancer.

My friend’s name is Beverley Eagleton and many of you will know her. She is a young,
vibrant and successful wife and mother and she is one of the funniest and at times the
most outrageous (in a good way) people I know - definitely the life and soul of any party.
Last September Bev was diagnosed with a grade 2 ‘Invasive ductal carcinoma’, a 2.3cm
cancerous lump in her breast, to you and I.

Bev’s diagnosis at North Manchester General Hospital came on her wedding anniversary
and marked the start of a terrible year for the whole family. Unbelievably and cruelly, just
one month later in November, Bev’s father-in-law Roy, was given the news that he had
throat cancer. Then on Boxing Day, Gayna, Bev’s sister-in-law collapsed; she was told she
had two primary cancers. Tragically Gayna passed away in February aged just 53 and only
two months after her initial diagnosis. It is astounding to consider the weight of such
tragedy on one family, especially in such a short space of time. Sadly this is the reality of
cancer, but it is also a testament to Bev and her families’ positivity and courage that they
have lived through such adversity with dignity and strength.

Following the removal of Bev’s lump, she made the brave decision to undergo both
chemotherapy and radiotherapy to be certain that all traces of the cancer were eradicat-
ed. The gruelling 18 week chemo treatment began on January 19th and initially Bev
coped well despite being pumped with “four massive vials of poison” each time. By the
time Bev had endured five bouts of treatment and with her immune system at its weak-
est, she reached her lowest point both emotionally and physically. Bev recalls ,

“ The chemo basically kills you to make you better”.
In constant pain, unable to walk and with swollen lips, Bev found the dehumanising loss of
eyebrows and lashes rendered her unrecognisable in the mirror. Ironically, Bev breezed
through the loss of the hair on her head, in fact she embraced the ordeal with a “to the
bone” head shave with a razor - courtesy of husband Ju, which suited her beautiful,
delicate features.

It was during this time that Bev had been in contact with Sian at The Christie Cancer
Support Centre with an idea she had for The Royal Oldham Hospital Christie Unit.
Thankfully Bev’s father-in-law completed his radiotherapy treatment in February and the
whole family were there to see him ring the bell at The Christie Manchester to mark the
end of his treatment. The idea is thought to have first emerged in the US. The bells are
seen as a symbol of hope for patients as well as giving them a chance to mark a major
milestone in their treatment with their families, hospital staff and other patients. Bever-
ley was so inspired that she asked if she could donate a bell to The Christie at Oldham.

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