About Me

This time of year brings with it the usual rounds of coughs, colds and other irritating infections as well as low feelings brought on by cold dull rainy days. Complementary therapies can be an effective way of combating infections, depression and stress as they work on a physical and emotional level.

Through continuing training at Christie Hospital, Manchester, I can now provide Hand, Foot and Precision Reflexology, Aromatherapy and Indian Head Massage. These therapies are becoming increasingly accepted as an important part of a healthy life style as they can help to:

Why not set aside an hour or so for some quality relaxation time in the comfortable calm surroundings of a specially adapted room in my home, or treat someone special to a different gift this year by buying them a therapy gift voucher?

For full information about any of the above therapies, to book an appointment or to purchase a gift voucher please ring: Bernadette (Detta) Macdonald on 01257 463661

PCA Chairman’s Report by Roger Perry: Good News. We are now able to move forward with our proposed improvements to the Hall. We have placed orders with the relevant contractors and hope to start in March. Watch out for news of the re-opening celebration.

And now SHOW TIME: This month we have one event, being a Piano weekend - Gala Concerts on the 8th & 9th March. Details of the event appear over the page.

I'd like to offer my apologies for some of my jokes in past newsletters, they were given to me by my friend, Terry Bull! See you next month.

The Festival this year will take a different format – we will be using the Village Hall and the WI. We hope to be able to return to the usual Festival field in 2009, but in the meantime keep a watch on your Newsletter for up-dates on the 2008 Festival. The theme for this year’s Festival is “Animal Carnival”.

Parbold W.I.

Our March meeting is on Tuesday, 4^th at 7.30pm. This will be a Musical Evening in the capable hands of Graham Jackson.

Diary dates for March

Saturday, 15^th March - Table Top Sale in W.I.Hall from 9.00am until 1.00pm. Local organisations & charities will be most welcome to book a table (hire cost is £10 per table) and raise funds for their own group. Entrance fee 30p and refreshments and cake stall will be available. Contact Sylvia Wright on 463411 further details.

Tuesday 25^th March – ‘An Evening of Colour & Style’ presented by Jean Cox. 7.30pm. Tickets (to include refreshments) £5. For further details please contact Sylvia Wright on 463411.

All welcome to this interesting evening.

Junior Disco – Friday 14^th March 7-13 year olds. 7.30 – 9.30pm. Admission £2.50 ¯¯

Parbold & District Flower Club meets on Wed March12^th at 1.45 pm in the WI Hall. v ‘Design Connections’ by Diane Fair

Parbold Newburgh & district garden society’s Annual General Meeting on Wed 19^th March at 8 pm in the WI Hall.

And JAPANESE ZEN ROCK GARDENS by David Pennington Everyone welcome –Phone Tom on 462647 or John on 462514

HILLDALE COFFEE & CAKE MORNING Hilldale Village Hall Sat March 29^th from 10.30 am – 12 noon Home made cakes, Parbold Fruit &

Art & Craft Open Morning Monday March 10^th from 10 am to 12.30 Parbold Evangelical Church (Schoolroom) Hilldale

Red Lion Railway Circle Tuesday 11^th March at 7.30 pm The Red Lion, Newburgh Tel: 462641

Derian House Craft & Gift Fayre Sunday March 16^th10 am to 4 pm Tel: 07930 674 567

MAHARISHI SCHOOL OPEN EVENING with Headteacher Derek Cassells ALL WELCOME Parbold Village Hall 8.00 pm Wednesday 12^th March

If you wish to attend a Church Service at Easter please contact one of the following, or look on their website or noticeboard. We regret we have not had room to put all their dates in this month.

Christ Church Douglas in Parbold Tel: 07925 176186

Our Lady and All Saints Roman Catholic Church, Lancaster Lane Tel: 463248

Parbold Evangelical Church, Chorley Road, Hilldale

Pastor Vince Smith 464347 or 0772 0062211

Elim Pentecostal Church tel: 464129 ?

Parbold Chamber Choir are presenting a concert of Brahms, Fauré and Janacek, plus Via Crucis by the Lancashire composer Adrian Self, under their conductor, Jim Cooke. The venue is St. Michael's, Dalton with the kind permission of the Vicar, Rev. Tim Barton, on April 12th. at 7.30pm. Tickets from Choir members or on the door.

Vaughan Williams: Five Mystical Songs. Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition. Copland: Dance Episodes from Rodeo.

DOUGLASmusicPARBOLDLancs Reg. Charity No:506675 Live music at the Weekend

PIANO WEEKEND - GALA CONCERTS at the Village Hall 7.45 pm

Saturday 8^th March Peter Donohoe. Sunday 9^th March Elaine Burns & Peter Donohoe

(Pre-concert talks on both nights at 6.30 pm - free to ticket holders)

Saturday 5^th April at the Farmer’s Arms, Chorley Road, Hilldale 7.45pm

Celtic Music with White Water and Julian Gregory from the BBC Phil.

Please note that the new date and venue for this event has been changed due to the refurbishment of the Village Hall

Free Celtic Dance Workshop Sunday 30^th March 2 – 5pm at the Parbold Women’s institute

Phone Phone Box Office for tickets, or admission on the door.

The Box Office: 01257 421526, or 462382 and is posted on the website: www parbold.org

Since becoming Community Pond Warden for the Parbold Parish, I have been able to survey a number of ponds and register their locations for the Lancashire Pond Survey pilot scheme. Most of the ponds I have visited are super wildlife habitats and as a result, are home to a variety of frogs, toads, newts, dragonflies, pond skaters and a whole host of aquatic mini-beasts that make these wonderful ecosystems thrive. The Pond Survey scheme is ongoing and I therefore welcome any calls or emails from people wishing to participate. Having a pond is one of the best and most rewarding ways of encouraging wildlife into your garden, and advice on building ponds, problems with invasive species or enhancing your pond for wildlife is available from:
Rachel (01257 464154) Email: admin@risingseven.com or
Rebecca Cleaver (Pond Conservation) , 01942 614013 Email: Rebecca.cleaver@naturalengland.org.uk
Extensive information can be found at: www.pondconservation.org.uk .

Finally, just a little note on pond maintenance: The frogs are already active and the toads and newts will be getting ready, so it’s advisable to undertake any pond clearing as soon as possible.

There’s a prowler on the loose in the district and the womenfolk live in fear of the next attack. The local Dramatic Society gather on stage to rehearse their next production. There’s an undercurrent of infidelity, suspicion, unrequited love, tyranny and blackmail. When the prowler strikes again, why won’t Doris call the police ? What is she hiding ? What does she know ? How is the scarf connected to the attack ?

Then there’s the murder. Everyone is a suspect. Everyone has a reason to see the victim dead. Slowly the plot unravels, dark secrets are uncovered, tension mounts and in a dramatic climax, the identity of the prowler is revealed as well as the identity of the murderer.

DON’T MISS IT - Thursday 17, Friday 18 and Saturday 19 April at the WI Hall, starting at 7.30 p.m. (Please note new EARLIER starting time). Tickets available from 1 March from Kennedy Partnership or ring Sandra on 462430 or Alan on 464426. £5 (no concessions)

Guess the identity of the Prowler and win a Bounty, guess the identity of the Murderer and win a coconut. Come along – don’t be shy.

BUS TRAVEL: 'Hoppa Shoppa' bus service operated by 'Click Services'. The 203 service running hourly between Ormskirk and Skelmersdale via Burscough, Lathom and Parbold. was taken off on 18^th Feb. LCC are setting up a replacement service which will be provided by 'Stagecoach'. v

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE RAILWAY HOTEL. In 2007 TRAID collected 2950 Kg of clothing and shoes from their textile recycling bank. TRAID is a charity committed to protecting the environment and reducing world poverty by recycling and campaigning at home Funds raised in the UK through the collection and sale of reclaimed clothing and shoes help to divert waste from landfill and fund sustainable development projects in some of the poorest regions of the world. Many thanks for your support. www.traid.org.uk. (COLLECTION POINT IS IN THE CAR PARK AT THE RAILWAY HOTEL, STATION ROAD, PARBOLD)

Rail Travel Update for March 2008 .The direct London line South of Stafford remains closed on Saturday and Sunday through to mid-May adding nearly an hour compared with weekday journey times from Wigan. On Saturdays the London trains call at Birmingham, making it the only day when there are good connections to and from the SW. Over Easter weekend the lines through Rugby, Carlisle and Huddersfield are closed. Details are not yet available but it appears that with Pendolinos running through Birmingham New Street alternative arrangements should be less chaotic than at Christmas for London travel, but again add 2 hours to the journey: travelling via Manchester and Sheffield into St Pancras is likely to be the easiest option from Parbold. More information on rail travel opportunities from Parbold is available for Web users in the rail travel section in 'odds and ends' in www.parbold.org . Any suggestions for additional material to David Gelder, Tel. 01257 462716

West Lancs Footpath Group –Sat 15^th Siding Lane off Rainford Bypass. 1.30 pm tel: 01704 880782 or 01257 425776. Life Long Learning – Group Walk Fridays with Pub lunch tel: 01695 579095.

West Lancs Ramblers Assoc. Wed 12^th at 1.30 pm Meet Rufford Station. 6 miles. More Details 01772 812034.

Mere Sands Wood, Rufford – Wed 19^th at 7.30 pm ‘Climate Change – The Natural History of the Future’ by Dave Wilkinson. Tel: 01704 821809.

West Lancs Countryside Events: Sat/Sun 8^th/9^th from 10.30 am Countryside Crafts weekend. Equinox Walk Friday 21^st 4pm . Short stroll around the Beacon. Contact the Rangers 01695 622794 email beacon.park@westlancsdc.gov.uk

HOME PERSONAL TRAINING - Get the body you want in time for summer in the comfort of your own home. For a free Personal Training session please call Steve on 07779 183036

WELL PRESSED IRONING SERVICES – Hand finished, very competitive rates, FREE local collection and delivery. Just call Anne on 01704 822109