Kirklees Issue 85

JUNE - JULY 2026

Meryl Streep

THE ART OF BECOMING SOMEONE ELSE

Fill your Garden with Colour

EVERYTHING YOUR GARDEN NEEDS IS AT GORDON RIGG GARDEN, HOME & LEISURE

Pearson Solicitors CELEBRATES STRONG FIRST YEAR IN UPPERMILL

Recipes

FROM DAN TOOMBS (AKA THE CURRY GUY)

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Celebrity Feature

THE STRINES INN

MERYL STREEP - THE ART OF BECOMING SOMEONE ELSE

Despite being within Sheffield's border, the Strines Inn could be a world away. Nestled amongst breathtaking moorland scenery, it is one of the local landmarks in the Peak District National Park.

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Originally a manor house, it was built in 1275 for the Worrall family, although most of the present day structure is 16th Century. After becoming an Inn in 1771 when John Morton leased the property from the Worrall's, it got its name from an Olde English word meaning the meeting of water, quite appropriate as nowadays it overlooks the Strines Reservoir.

In the height of Winter the Inn attracts walkers and visitors on a daily basis. The roaring fires and stunning views perfectly compliment the excellent food and drink available, with many dishes being homemade.

The Strines Inn is also famous for its numerous peacocks, the previous Landlord having introduced several pairs twenty years ago, there are now over thirty of them.

There is also accommodation available for those people looking to escape for a few days to relax. Our rooms all feature four-poster beds, en-suite bathrooms, hot drinks facilities and colour televisions. Each has a dining table where breakfast will be served to you, offering you comfort and privacy. Two of our rooms have fantastic views across the reservoir, so please ask if you would like a room with a view.

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IN THIS ISSUE 8-9

TWITTERING ON

By Angela Kelly

12-13

TRAVEL Celebrating in style

18-19

CELEBRITY FEATURE Meryl Streep - the art of becoming one

23-24

HOME Spring fresh your home

27-28

GARDEN Gardening for Summer

29-31

FOOD The Curry Guy Slow Cooker

32-33

HEALTH Angelcare Residential Living

Four-poster bed En-suite facilities Breakfast included

THE STRINES INN BRADFIELD DALE, SHEFFIELD S6 6JE TEL: 01142 851247 www.thestrinesinn.co.uk 4

Celebrating in Style

Ground Floor | 546 Blackburn Road Astley Bridge | Bolton BL1 8NW. Sales Enquiries : T: (01204) 238180 E: artwork@mcgrathmedia.co.uk www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Special Celebration for Richard Eastwood: 25 Years of Excellence guidance, while colleagues and peers regard him as a steady and forward-thinking leader. His impact also extends far beyond the firm itself. As an active figure in Oldham’s business community, Richard’s involvement in the Oldham Business Awards steering group is a testament to his commitment to fostering local enterprise. Richard often takes to the stage to address an audience of more than 500 professionals, an indication of both his expertise and his respected standing within the community.

Richard also holds the distinction of being the first Financial Adviser in the UK to become a Partner of a law firm, a pioneering step that helped shape Pearson’s identity as a thoroughly modern, integrated legal and financial practice.

His professional credentials further reflect his dedication: as a member of the Personal Finance Society and the Chartered Insurance Institute, he brings deep specialist knowledge of tax, trust and estate planning to clients who rely on his thoughtful and strategic advice.

This year marks an extraordinary milestone for Director Richard Eastwood, who celebrates an impressive 25 years with Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers Ltd. It is a moment that not only recognises his longevity with the firm but also honours the exceptional contribution he has made to its growth, reputation and strategic direction over a remarkable quarter-century.

Richard has been instrumental in shaping the firm’s evolution. As a director and valued member of the Executive Committee, he has played a key role in steering the business through shifting economic landscapes, regulatory change and continuous modernisation. Working closely with fellow directors and advisers, he has helped drive both innovation and stability, supporting the firm’s development into one of the region’s most respected multi-disciplinary practices.

Alongside his directorship at Pearson, Richard set up his own financial services practice in 2020, a move that allowed him to bring his vision for client-focused financial planning to life.

The business has continued to grow, driven by his passion, expertise, and forward-thinking leadership.

Outside work, Richard’s drive shows no sign of slowing down. A devoted father of three sons and proud grandfather to three grandsons, he balances family life with an impressive level of personal fitness. Most mornings begin at 5:45 am at CrossFit, and his calendar is filled with races, competitions and Hyrox events. Each winter he heads to the mountains for snowboarding adventures with his sons, an annual tradition that reflects both his love of activity and the joy he finds in sharing it with his family.

Here’s to you, Richard and here’s to the next 25 years of leadership, energy and inspiration.

With almost three decades of financial services experience, Richard has built a reputation as an adviser of outstanding insight and integrity. Clients value his clear, practical

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Pearson Solicitors Celebrates Strong First Year in Uppermill

Beautifully restored building at 92-94 High Street, Uppermill

Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers is celebrating a highly successful first year at its Uppermill office, marking a confident return to Saddleworth and strengthening its commitment to serving the local community.

The restored High Street premises, formerly home to the Oldham Chronicle, has quickly become a busy hub for legal and financial services, client meetings and collaboration.

Meeting rooms and the boardroom have been in constant use since opening, supporting a steady flow of private client and business meetings. The move has also attracted both new and existing clients from Saddleworth, many of whom now choose to be seen locally rather than travelling to offices in Oldham.

A standout feature of the first year has been the ongoing partnership with the Saddleworth Group of Artists. Quarterly exhibitions have transformed Pearson’s meeting spaces into rotating galleries, showcasing local talent and bringing colour and creativity into the workplace.

Pearson Solicitors said the Uppermill office represents both a homecoming and a long-term investment in the area, combining modern facilities with deep-rooted community connections.

What began as a redevelopment has quickly become a thriving local hub for legal, financial and community activity.

As the firm looks ahead, its message is clear: Uppermill is not just a place to work, it’s a place to grow.

The firm continues to provide a full range of legal and financial services, including family law, wills, trusts and probate, employment advice, property matters, dispute resolution, corporate and commercial work, medical negligence, personal injury and childcare matters.

The Uppermill base has also enhanced working life for staff, with its canal-side setting encouraging wellbeing breaks and flexible working. On-site parking has proved a significant benefit for visiting clients.

Local businesses have also felt the impact, with increased weekday footfall supporting cafés, restaurants and independent retailers across the village.

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Artwork by Saddleworth Group of Artists

LEGAL SERVICES FOR YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS

7

TWITTERING ON | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

TWITTERING ON

By Angela Kelly - because x’ing on doesn’t sound quite the same

Summer and believed it gave “insights to build on future engagement activities.”

The flip-side of that comes in other photogenic areas like Notting Hill where influencers have become a nuisance with their constant cameras and posing on private property for an entertaining shot or video.

There are also problems in some restaurants where influencers have arrived complete with cameras and tripods to film. Some fed-up restaurateurs have turned them away while others complain that influencers expect free food for their review and exposure.

We are now very used to both reading and posting reviews of holiday hotels, restaurants and places like theme parks. In fact, many of us automatically study reviews before we book to check the consensus of opinion and they are useful.

INFLUENCERS DIVIDE PUBLIC OPINION WHAT are your views on influencers?

These are the individuals who forge a reputation on their opinions of everything from restaurants and hotels to beauty products and fashion shared online?

I’m quite torn on the subject as, while I can see they often provide a valuable service offering the consumer’s eye view, they may need curbing in some areas.

Influencers can earn a surprisingly large amount of money from their endorsing work with UK influencers collectively commanding audiences exceeding 650 million followers across Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

So perhaps we just have to accept influencers for what they are and enjoy what they have to tell us. Or just ignore it all and go your own way.

SECRETS OF MORE INNOCENT TIMES TODAY the lives of celebrities and film stars are open to scrutiny via all kinds of media.

Unlike when generations of us were growing up, these lives are not just reliant on studio press releases sanitising their existence or offering a view that Hollywood demanded.

Then, in much more naïve times without the information overload we’re used to now, we weaved fairytale existences around the stars we really liked.

As you might guess, they are both more popular and more influential among younger age groups. However, perhaps we can all agree that many are entertaining and informative and can be very useful, especially in engaging with younger and hard to reach groups.

We believed the studio press releases absolutely.

The Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA), for example, spent £6,000 on a pilot scheme of paid-for influencer content last year on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube ahead of the peak visitor season.

This iconic screen star with the fragile beauty was the epitome of grace. But not everyone knew the truth about her background, revealed far more recently by her son’s fascinating memoir of his mother.

This aimed to “educate more people about how to visit the Lake District responsibly”.

By the time Holland was liberated during World War 2, Audrey had seen men executed and had risked her own life many times working for the Resistance.

It came amid mounting pressure for the park to deal with inconsiderate parking, illegal camping and fly-tipping. The messaging centred around litter, fell safety, visiting less congested areas and wild camping guidance.

The Authority found using influencers reached 1.8 million young people, encouraging them to respect Nature. They were pleased enough to consider continuing with the campaign ahead of this 8

Some of these disguised rather more unacceptable facts then but, for others, amazing lives were hidden from view.

One of these was the legendary Audrey Hepburn.

The roots of that delicate beauty lay in starvation and hardship.

Even that engaging angle of her head and neck - so loved in studio photos - had a much more sinister origin.

Audrey had ventured out into the garden of her home near Arnhem to soak up some sun as she was pale as a ghost from malnutrition and months trapped indoors.

She had almost dropped off to sleep when a shell landed nearby.

She expected to be “blown to oblivion” and dug frantically into the earth as gravel hit her skin like buckshot and metal fragments flew all around.

What she never told anyone until a few years before her death was that a small piece of shrapnel embedded itself in her neck, preventing her from bending her neck in the normal way.

Hence what became her trademark “angle.”

It says much about the star that she insisted that this fact was never revealed during her lifetime.

Although it’s very tempting for ultra-busy parents to encourage children to play alone with their screens, there are down-sides.

The Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, and Department for Education scientific adviser Professor Russell Viner have reviewed the latest evidence and state that long periods spent on screens alone can affect children’s sleep and physical activity. These are key to their development.

They’ve also found that watching screens with an engaged adult is linked to better cognitive development than using screens alone.

The Government has previously said that around 98 per cent of children are watching screens on a daily basis by the age of two.

Commonsense is surely the key here and cutting down screentime and making use more of a joint activity sound like the way forward. Computer screens definitely have their uses but a child’s development – preferably with parents – comes first along with a structured approach.

DOGGY ‘BAND OF BROTHERS’ IMPRESSED WHO could not have been touched by the sight of a small group of dogs in China who had escaped a meat factory and tackled together the 10-mile journey home?

HOW MUCH SCREEN-TIME FOR TOTS? IT’S interesting to see that new Government guidance states that children under five should be limited to one hour of screen-time a day while under-twos shouldn’t be watching screens alone.

This “band of brothers”, as they’ve come to be known, even looked after one injured German Shepherd, with a Corgi leading the pack and glancing back regularly at their injured pal.

We’re told they all made it home, and I really hope they did.

It’s inevitable that the idea will spark a film – and I’m definitely going to see that!

or email: help@aamail.org 9

Ava Travel Leyland Ltd

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HOME PICK UP & DROP OFF INCLUDED ON ALL OUR HOLIDAYS*

Established in 2016 we offer fantastic holidays in the UK and across Europe.

With fabulous excursions, quality hotel accommodation, executive coaches and top class tour drivers, a trip with AVA Travel is one to remember!

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OVER 200 HOLIDAYS AND SHORT BREAKS TO CHOOSE FROM!

VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR CALL OUR FRIENDLY TEAM TO ORDER YOUR FREE BROCHURE TODAY!

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Celebrating in Style!

Gillian Thornton and her husband celebrate a special occasion with a slow boat through southern France painted walls and grand boulevards of the peninsula between the Rhone and Saône.

After lunch, Thomas Hardy turned north up the Saône into Burgundy, and we had time to enjoy this luxury ship which takes 167 passengers.

Waking up next morning in Chalon-sur-Saône, we enjoyed a sunshine drive up the Route des Grands Crus through a ‘wine list’ of villages including Puligny-Montrachet, Volnay and Pommard, before arriving in Beaune. The Saturday market was in full swing and there was time to browse after our tour of the Hôtel-Dieu, founded in 1443 as a hospital for the poor and location for an annual charity wine action.

Basilica of Notre Dame From the top tier of the Roman theatre in Vienne, it is easy to imagine life here 2,000 years ago. Built into a steep hillside above a broad meander of the Rhône, the theatre once sat 13,000 citizens of the Empire and dominated the bustling city that straddled this strategic waterway.

Today, Vienne’s antique theatre is amongst several outstanding Roman attractions along the Rhône, which rises in the Alps and flows into the Mediterranean between the wetlands of the Camargue and the ancient port of Marseille.

Cruising overnight again, we head back through Lyon to Vienne with a free morning to explore independently. Not just the spectacular theatre but also the Roman Temple of Augustus and Livia, one of only two intact temples surviving in France. An afternoon on the water was a welcome chance to watch the river scenery pass by from the sun deck.

Second time, new experiences And so, our week unfolded in a relaxing mix of discovery and relaxation.Yes, we had visited some places before, but the Rhone Valley offers some outstanding sights that are well worth a second visit. We enjoyed following the route on the concertina-map provided for each guest, and even though overnight rain left moody skies and low mist for our excursion to the spectacular Ardeche Gorges, the weather can never spoil the dramatic underground rock formations of the Grotte de la Madeleine.

As a travel writer specialising in France, I have visited many of the historic riverside towns by car, but had never enjoyed the tranquillity and scenery of a journey by water. So, with a significant wedding anniversary providing the perfect excuse, I booked a holiday in late October with my husband John, cruising from Burgundy to Provence on board Riviera Travel’s MS Thomas Hardy.

Sights and scenery We joined the Thomas Hardy in Lyon, a city we both know well, so instead of joining the guided excursion included in the itinerary, we opted for an independent morning on a nostalgic tour of old haunts. The beautiful Renaissance Old Town with its hidden passages; the hilltop basilica of Fourvière and twin Roman theatres; and the 12

Hotel Dieu

Overnight, we slipped seamlessly from the Rhone-Alpes region into Provence, arriving in Arles where Vincent Van Gogh spent one of the most productive periods of his life from February 1888 to May 1889. Close to our mooring, a reproduction of his famous Starry Night revealed the exact spot where the troubled artist stood.

Arles is another Roman gem. The theatre is smaller than those in Vienne and Lyon, but a vast amphitheatre rises up in the centre of town, still used for bull games and cultural events today. But the best was still to come in a week already packed with archaeological highlights – our afternoon excursion to the three-tier aqueduct of Pont du Gard. Here we had free time to take photos from every angle and tour the excellent visitor centre with museum, movie and café.

We really enjoyed linking some of our favourite French destinations by water, watching the scenery change dramatically between the gold-tinged vineyards of Burgundy and the grey-green olive groves of Provence. We met some lovely passengers – some celebrating 30 years of married life, others with more than 60 on the clock – and for us, the MS Thomas Hardy proved the perfect celebration of 45 happy years.

And finally, to Avignon, famous not just for that bridge – or what’s left of it – but for the towering Gothic Palais des Papes, home to nine popes between 1316 and the early 15th century. After visiting both sites with a local guide, we enjoyed wandering Avignon’s historic streets in glorious autumn sunshine, people watching from a café terrace, and stocking up on Provençal gifts to take home.

Your cruise, your choice This is a cruise that can be as active or passive as you please.

There is no pressure to join in any of the included excursions or the post-dinner programme which included a lively music quiz, a hilarious French ballroom dancing display, and a tasting of Rhone Valley wines. Local guides were charming and knowledgeable; city mornings were always well positioned; and coach transport to excursions, comfortable and efficient.

Pont d’Avignon Next steps Find out more about Riviera Travel: silvertraveladvisor.com/riviera-travel/ To plan and book a Riviera cruise or tour, call Silver Travel Advisor on 0800 412 5678.

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Ashburner Street, Bolton BL1 1TJ

T: 01204 336825

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The Bush

By Steve Howarth

IF you like history, comfort and great food then The Bush in Farnham is a must stay place.

This impressive town centre hotel has been welcoming guests through its doors since 1618 so is steeped in history yet has a contemporary feel and all the very latest comforts and amenities - a perfect blend of the old world and the new.

Situated in the heart of Farnham’s historic town centre, but with private parking and nestled within its own private gardens, the 4 star awarded AA hotel offers a calm environment from the hustle and bustle of the high street just yards away.

We were invited to stay and sample the hospitality of this friendly, independentlyowned hotel. On arrival guests are welcomed by the classic ivy-clad original elevation which overlooks idyllic garden lawns and a tranquil terrace.

Inside the hotel boasts many original features, roaring fires and 95 comfortable and uniquely designed bedrooms. We had a first floor suite which was spacious, comfortable and luxurious boasting a walk in wardrobe, super king sized bed and quality furnishings and décor.

Before setting off to explore Farnham we wandered around this impressively expansive property which includes a recently refurbished meeting and event space with state-of-the-art conference facilities and studio space plus is a wonderful venue for weddings and parties.

The historic Garden restaurant and Oak Lounge are open for all day dining, serving a 14

seasonal menu for both lunch and dinner as well as afternoon tea. We enjoyed a delicious dinner of steak and fish and chips cooked to perfection and served piping hot. The Garden Restaurant is also available for weekday breakfasts, private lunches and events.

But before our meal we worked up an appetite by wandering around Farnham. This market town in Surrey is around 36 miles southwest of London on the North Downs and close to the River Wey, a tributary of the Thames.

A charming mix of quirky independent shops and high street regulars even I enjoyed a little retail therapy with ‘her indoors’ in the spring sunshine.

The next day we climbed to the top of Castle Hill. With its Keep dating back over 900 years, Farnham Castle is one of the few remaining great medieval houses of England and a big tourist attraction.

The powerful and wealthy Bishops of Winchester built Farnham Castle and for hundreds of years it served as an administrative centre, fortress and accommodation, providing a convenient stopping place between London and Winchester.

After 1660, the Palace became the Bishop’s principal residence and many English monarchs, from King John to Queen Victoria, have visited or stayed at Farnham Castle.

The earliest evidence of human activity in the area is from the Neolithic period and, during the Roman period, tile making took place

close to the town centre. The name Farnham is of Saxon origin and is generally agreed to mean “meadow where ferns grow”.

From at least 803, the settlement was under the control of the Bishops of Winchester and the castle was built as a residence for Bishop Henry de Blois in 1138. Henry VIII is thought to have spent part of his childhood at Farnham Castle.

In the early modern period, the town’s weekly corn market was said to be the second largest in England after London. Between 1600 and the 1970s, the area was a centre for growing hops and for the brewing industry. The town began to expand in the early Victorian period, stimulated in part by the opening of the railway in 1849 and the arrival of the army in nearby Aldershot in 1855.

The Farnham area has long been associated with the creative arts and with pottery making in particular. Other notable buildings in the parish worth a visit include the ruins of Waverley Abbey and the 18th century Willmer House, now the location of the Museum of Farnham.

With direct train links to London, cycling and walking routes to the Surrey Hills, close proximity to Farnborough airport and easy access to the M3, A3 and A31, the Bush is the perfect location to explore this beautiful part of England.

Room rates start from £95 based on two guests sharing a vintage snug room only.

For more information see https:// farnhambush.com/

DOOR TO TOURS D ODOOR O R COACH T O D O O R 2026 COAC H

T O U R S

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www.ellensmith.co.uk

WE DO THINGS A BIT DIFFERENTLY THAN OUR RIVALS.

All our tours include our ‘Door to Door’ service.

That means that you are picked up by a taxi or small minibus right from your front door. No feeders, no interchanges, no changing coaches, no changing drivers and definately no hassle!

WE ARE FINANCIALLY SECURE. We are members of the Bonded Coach Holiday group overseen by The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Ltd. This is a Government Approved Protection Scheme.

HOW DOES IT WORK? On the morning of travel we pick you up at a prearranged time and take you to our waiting coach at Birch Services or Stockport.

WITHIN 30 MINUTES. We normally have everyone on board and we’re on our way.

We often have a second pickup at Stockport, but again this is timed for minimal delay.

SUPER HOTELS, ALL INCLUDED!

We use a wide range of mainly 3 and 4 star hotels, some privately owned many part of larger chains. All entrances and excursions are included in the price stated.

COACHES AND DRIVERS. We use modern executive coaches and all our drivers are experienced, mature and friendly!

WHAT HAPPENS ON THE RETURN. Your taxi will be waiting for you to take you home.

Membership No: 10228

TRAVEL INSURANCE? All our customers are offered our coach specific insurance, pre-existing medical conditions are covered for UK travel with no upper age limit.

ELLEN SMITH 2021 BROCHURE.indd 1

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SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Nothing we can think of!

INTERESTED? Call our reservations office on 01706 648126 and request a copy of our 2026 request brochure. You’ll be surprised at the variations of tours we operate.

mithtours Visit our website www.ellensmith.co.uk

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WYE VALLEY

KILLARNEY & THE RING OF KERRY

cruise, a relaxing train ride and visits to historic towns.

This is a place where you can recharge your batteries, get off the beaten track and escape the everyday.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Cruise on the River Wye. Dean Forest Railway. Hereford & Ross-on-Wye.

oldest and most popular tourist destination. On our tour we enjoy a jaunting car ride, a Lake Cruise as well as exploring the spectacular Ring of Kerry.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Jaunting Car Ride. Cruise on Lough Leane. Guided Tour of the Spectacular Ring of Kerry.

Monday, 17th August | 5 Days | £559

Monday, 17th August | 5 Days | £499

Monday, 24th August | 6 Days | £779

SURPRISING LONDON

HEART OF ENGLAND The Abbey Hotel

The Haddon Hall Hotel

On this tour we explore some of our Capital City’s finest attractions,visit probably the most famous Botanic Garden in the UK, and enjoy some magnificent sightseeing during a cruise on the iconic River Thames.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Buckingham Palace. St Paul’s Cathedral with Guided Tour. Houses of Parliament with Guided Tour. Kew Gardens. River Thames Boat Trip.

The Heart of England is a place steeped in history, art, and culture. Based in Great Malvern with the beautiful Malvern Hills overlooking the town, we take you on a lovely sightseeing holiday, showcasing some of the very best the region has to offer.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Whitlenge Tea Room Cream Tea & Stourport-on-Severn. Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway. Sudeley Castle & Gardens.

Eastbourne is a town with grace and elegance that has something for everyone – a landscaped, pedestrianised town centre bordered by a large range of shops, a clean, well-managed beach and seafront renowned for its three-tier flower decked promenade.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Great Dixter House & Gardens & Rye. Alfriston & Lewes. Battle Abbey & Hastings.

Brighton Pavilion & Brighton.

Monday, 24th August | 5 Days | £709

Monday, 24th August | 5 Days | £539

Saturday, 29th August | 8 Days | £779

THE ISLE OF MAN

ST ANNES ON SEA

Membership VINTAGE VARIETY WEEKEND No: 10228

This beautiful island, 32 miles long and 14 miles wide, lies in the Irish Sea, approximately equidistant from Britian and Ireland. It is dominated by Snaefell Mountain, rising to over 3,000ft.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Manx Electric Railway & Snaefell SMITH 2021 BROCHURE.indd 1 MountainELLEN Railway.

Port Erin & Cregneash. Manx Aviation & Military Museum & Castletown. Douglas.

St Annes on Sea, on the Fylde Coast, offers a gentle and peaceful way of life. St Annes boasts a beautifully restored Victorian Pier, promenade with views across to North Wales, multi award-winning beach huts, a wide-open sandy beach, plenty of places to eat, and wonderful seaside charm.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Lytham Hall & Lytham. ‘Showtown’ & Cleveleys.

We don’t travel too far from home on this trip to Yorkshire for a weekend of vintage-fuelled entertainment.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: The JDs Rockin’ Good Nite Band Good Old Days Variety Show. Murder on the Embsay & 01/02/2021 10:53 Bolton Abbey Railway. The Lipsticks – 1940s & 1950s Classy Ladies Trio.

Sunday, 30th August | 6 Days | £759

Monday, 31st August | 5 Days | £399

Friday, 4th September | 4 Days | £499

YUMMY YORKSHIRE

Best Western Burn Hall Hotel Today, some of the best meat, cheese, beer, and baked goods can be found in Yorkshire and there’s no better way to enjoy them than on this culinary adventure based in York. TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Black Sheep Brewery Tour & Tasting. Wensleydale Creamery. York Chocolate House. Yorkshire Afternoon Tea. Single Train Journey.

Whitby Fish Tea.

The Delta Hotel

Ramsey Park Hotel

Killarney Towers Hotel www.ellensmith.co.uk A bustling town and full of character, Killarney is Ireland’s Experience this magical borderland on a scenic river Bells Hotel

St Ives Hotel

EASTBOURNE

Cedar Court Hotel

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Ellen Smi th Tours Ltd Globe Hou se, Moss Bridge Roa Rochdale d, OL16 5EB

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2026

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smith.co.

uk

The Orida Hotel

Brackenborough Lakes Resort Hotel

LINCOLNSHIRE

BEAUTIFUL LAKE DISTRICT

In recent years, Kent has become a popular area for Vineyards & Wineries, over 50 have popped up over the last 30 years. Kent has its own micro-climate and gives way to some fantastic gardens.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Hall Place Gardens. Sissinghurst Gardens. Wine Tasting & Tour at Balfour Winery. Light Lunch at Balfour Winery.

Revel in grand estates, historic cathedrals, and scenic landscapes on this escape to Lincolnshire. Discover a stunning example of Elizabethan design, explore over 900 years of history and craftsmanship.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Doddington Hall & Gardens. Lincon Cathedral. Stokes Tea & Coffee! Lincolnshire Wolds & Coast Guided Tour.

The Lake District is England’s largest National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover spectacular landscapes, picturesque villages, a warm welcome and a rich cultural heritage.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Grasmere & The Gingerbread Shop. Keswick & Ullswater Steamer.

Monday, 7th September | 5 Days | £559

Monday, 7th September | 5 Days | £599

Sunday, 13th September | 5 Days | £479

NORTH WALES

BLACKPOOL ILLUMINATIONS The Doric Hotel

The Royal York & Faulkner

On our new tour to North Wales, we explore the past at Nantclwyd y Dre Wales, Wales’s oldest timber framed townhouse, built over 500 years ago. We visit Britain’s smallest cathedral, St Asaph, where the first bible translated into Welsh is on display.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Natclwyd y Dre. St Asaph Cathedral. Anglesey Sea Zoo

A holiday in Blackpool will leave you feeling refreshed, relaxed, and recharged p even if you are on the go 25 hours a day! Perhaps it’s the resort’s infectious zest for life, or may it’s just that, uniquely, whatever your routine, Blackpool can offer a perfect break from it.

Sidmouth is probably the most unspoilt resort in the country and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful.

Quiet and unhurried, Sidmouth has preserved the natural beauty of the countryside with colourful gardens, open spaces, and tree-covered hills.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: The Donkey Sanctuary. Seaton & Seaton Tramway. Exmouth & Sidmouth Bay Cruise.

Bicton Park Botanical Gardens & Exeter

Monday, 14th September | 5 Days | £599

Monday, 14th September | 5 Days | £399

Wednesday, 16th September | 6 Days | £719

WARWICKSHIRE

SCENIC SUFFOLK Priory Hotel

The Merrion Hotel

Warwickshire, Shakespeare’s England, comes with a story to tell, vibrant towns, surrounded by charming countryside, it has its own unmistakable identity.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Shakespeare’s School Room & Stratford Uon Avon. Cotswolds – Stow-on-the-Wold & Cirencester. Kenilworth & Packwood Tudor House.

Charming Suffolk is home to rural villages, lush green meadows, and sandy heathlands depicted by the famous painters Constable and Gainsborough. On this tour, we enjoy a Constable-inspired guided tour, visit historic Bury St Edmunds with its connections to Dickens, and enjoy a relaxing cruise on the River Deben. TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Guided Tour of Constable Country. Flatford Mill & The Vale of Dedham. River Deben Cruise.

Llandudno is Wales’s largest resort, uniquely situated between the Great and Little Ormes with two wonderful beaches, the award-winning North Shore and the quiet, sand-duned West Shore.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Portmeirion. Snowdonia & Llangollen.

Monday, 21st September | 5 Days | £489

Monday, 21st September | 5 Days | £499

Monday, 21st September | 5 Days | £609

KENT’S GARDENS & GRAPES

The Kinmel & Kinspa Hotel

Walton Hall Hotel

The Lakeland Kendal Hotel

SIDMOUTH

LLANDUDNO

INTERESTED? Call our reservations office on 01706 648126 and request a copy of our 2026 request brochure. You’ll be surprised at the variations of tours we operate. of tours mithtours Visit our website www.ellensmith.co.uk

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CELEBRITY FEATURE | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

MERYL STREEP

The Art of Becoming Someone Else There are movie stars, and then there is Meryl Streep—an actor whose very name has become shorthand for excellence. For more than five decades, she has inhabited characters so fully that audiences forget the performer behind them. Accents melt into bone, gestures feel inherited rather than learned, and emotional truths land with the quiet authority of lived experience. In an industry addicted to novelty, Streep’s true miracle is endurance: she remains essential not because she repeats herself, but because she never does.

Streep’s career is often reduced to a statistics game—record Oscar nominations, shelves of awards, reverent headlines.Yet numbers can’t explain the strange intimacy she builds with viewers. We don’t simply watch her characters; we recognise them. The anxious mother, the ruthless editor, the grieving widow, the dazzling chanteuse—all seem plucked from real life, as if Streep has slipped into parallel worlds and returned with souvenirs. She has made a vocation of empathy.

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That gift for transformation began with discipline. Trained in theatre, Streep absorbed the rigour of voice, movement, and text long before Hollywood called. The famous facility with accents is not a party trick but a key to psychology: speech patterns reveal class, history, and fear. When Streep speaks as someone else, she isn’t decorating a role; she is decoding it. This is why her performances feel less like impressions and more like revelations.

What sets her apart is not just technique but taste. Streep has never chased youth or glamour as a brand. Instead, she has chosen complexity. Early on, she refused to be boxed into ingénue territory, insisting on parts that showed women as contradictory— strong and fragile, moral and compromised. Long before the industry began talking seriously about representation and agency, Streep was practising it, one role at a time.

Consider how often her characters stand at crossroads. They must decide between love and duty, comfort and conscience, silence and speech. In those moments, Streep avoids melodrama. She

lets doubt flicker across her face, trusts the audience to lean in, and finds drama in restraint. A pause can be as devastating as a monologue. It is a reminder that acting, at its highest level, is less about display than about disclosure.

Her range has become legend, but range alone is not the point. Plenty of actors transform physically or vocally. What Streep transforms is the temperature of a scene. She can raise it with wit, cool it with sorrow, or let it simmer with ambiguity.

In lighter fare, she understands timing and mischief; in darker stories, she knows when to hold back. Comedy and tragedy, often treated as separate disciplines, sit side by side in her work. She proves they are cousins.

As Hollywood matured, so did Streep. She embraced middle age not as a decline but as an expansion. Where many actresses found roles narrowing, hers widened. Mothers, bosses, politicians, artists—women with histories rather than hopes. She showed that visibility after forty need not be an apology.

It could be a declaration. In doing so, she quietly challenged the industry’s fear of wrinkles and wisdom.

Off screen, Streep’s influence is just as marked. She has never been interested in celebrity as spectacle. Interviews reveal a thoughtful professional who treats acting as labour, not mystery. She speaks of rehearsal, research, and responsibility—words more common in a workshop than on a red carpet. When she does step into public debate, it is with a measured clarity that echoes her performances: precise, humane, and grounded in evidence rather than outrage.

Her collaborations read like a map of modern cinema, spanning auteurs and crowd-pleasers alike. This eclecticism is deliberate. Streep resists the idea that prestige must look one way. She appears in small dramas and glossy musicals, in literary adaptations and broad comedies. Each

choice widens the conversation about what a leading actress can do and where she can do it.

There is also joy in her work— often underestimated because of the gravitas that surrounds her reputation. Watch her in musical numbers or sharp comedies and you see an actor who relishes play.

That sense of fun is not frivolous; it is fuel. It keeps her curious, open to surprise, and willing to look foolish in pursuit of truth.

The courage to be silly is as important as the courage to be serious.

Perhaps Streep’s greatest legacy is the permission she grants other women. Permission to age, to be complicated, to take up space, to be loud or quiet as the story requires.Younger actresses cite her not just as a role model but as proof that a long career can be artistically rich rather than merely sustained. She has turned longevity into an aesthetic.

In an era of algorithms and franchises, Streep’s career feels almost radical. It is built on the slow accumulation of craft rather than the flash of a single hit.

Each role adds a brushstroke to a larger portrait of what acting can achieve. She is not defined by one character but by a philosophy: that the job is to listen deeply and respond honestly.

So why does Meryl Streep still matter?

Because she reminds us that performance is a form of citizenship. By stepping into lives not her own, she enlarges the audience’s sense of what is possible. She doesn’t tell us what to think; she shows us how to feel without fear. In a culture quick to categorise, she specialises in nuance. In a world hungry for certainty, she offers questions.

but because the conditions that allowed such patient growth are rarer now.Yet her example remains a standard against which new work is measured. Excellence, in her case, is not an adjective but a practice.

And so, as the awards tally climbs and the filmography thickens, Streep continues to do the same thing she has always done: become someone else, and in the process, help us become more ourselves. That is not just star power. That is art.

Meryl Streep is once again stepping back into the icy stilettos of Miranda Priestly for The Devil Wears Prada 2, a long-awaited sequel to the 2006 fashion classic that’s due in cinemas on 1 May 2026. Nearly two decades after the original, Streep returns alongside Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci, with director David Frankel and screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna reunited behind the camera.

We may never see another career quite like hers—not because talent has vanished,

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Tai Chi & Qigong

Why not discover Huddersfield & District’s U3A? If you’re looking for new activities, to discover new things, to enjoy discussions, or just to meet other people for a couple of hours a week, why not think about getting involved with Huddersfield & District U3A? We’re a vibrant 40-year old voluntary organisation for people in their ‘third age’.

If you’re retired, semi-retired or have a disability, you’ll surely find something in our activities for you.

Dates are aligned to school terms to allow for those who have grandchildren-sitting duties during school holidays! Some activities continue in the summer, including bowling, art, music, wood carving, and walking groups.

We normally also run a series of talks open to all (with a small charge to cover room hire).

To join a group, you don’t need to be knowledgeable about the subject.

Membership costs £19 for 2026-2027 and then you choose the group(s) you like. Most are £20 per 10-week session, which helps cover the cost of renting the rooms. Group leaders, organisers and staff are all unpaid volunteers and we are a registered charity that is financially self-supporting.

Bridge, board games Dancing Bowling, Table Tennis HE CHOICE IS ENDLESS! We cover more than 100 subjects with a wide variety of interests and activities walking, cycling, languages, arts and crafts, photography, science and technology, and board games, plus music groups and choirs.

Some of our current groups include philosophy, poetry and literature, interpreting the landscape, yoga, the history of transport around Huddersfield, mahjong, and wood carving. Groups meet in venues around the area (some in the centre of town, others in surrounding areas) for two hours a week over 10 weeks during autumn and spring.

Topics for these have included ‘Artificial Intelligence’, ‘Music Hall and melodrama in Victorian Huddersfield’ and ‘A Career in International Wheelchair Tennis’. The music groups give public concerts and we have a special one each year with our AGM. There’s also our annual carol service at Huddersfield Parish Church with our choirs and where we all join in the carols.

Our groups are small and friendly, with group leaders volunteering their time to share knowledge and expertise and encourage members to do the same.You may fancy finding out about something new or pursuing an existing hobby.

New members are always welcome, but so are new group leaders. If you have an interest, skill or knowledge you could share with others why not talk to us about starting a group? We organise venues, membership etc.

Check out our website huddersfieldu3a.org or the Huddersfield & District U3A Facebook page. Volunteers normally staff the office on Tuesday and Thursdays between 10a.m. and 2p.m. There is an answerphone at other times.

Telephone: 01484 308482 E-mail: office@huddersfieldu3a.org

Huddersfield & District U3A

Retired? Registered Disabled? Keen to make new friends? Interested in doing something new?

Our groups include: • Environment • History • Music • Photography • Yoga & Tai Chi • Languages • Walking & Cycling • Arts & Crafts • Bridge, Mahjong • Science & Maths • Board Games • Poetry & Literature • Dancing • Philosophy • Bowling There are choirs and music groups (the photo is from one of our concerts) as well as summer activities...THE CHOICE IS ENDLESS! Website: www.huddersfieldu3a.org | Telephone: 01484 308482 Email: office@huddersfieldu3a.org | Facebook: Huddersfield & District U3A 120

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HOME | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

Refresh your Home something else to either throw out, sell or give to charity.

Spring also offers the chance to renew areas of your home that you’ve been promising yourself to improve all through the Winter.

If, for example, you really need new WINDOWS – both to keep your home cosier, cutting energy bills, and to brighten up your rooms with a fresh perspective.

Try to go on personal recommendation from family and friends when it comes to buying from a supplier. Most have websites with genuine reviews, too, which demonstrate individual strengths and weaknesses.

The best way to refresh your home is to begin is with a “blank canvas” which means that you need to make a serious stab at DECLUTTERING. This basically involves identifying what you’re happy to let go of this year and it makes all kinds of sense to start in the kitchen.

There are always cupboards here with forgotten items. The result can be expired food items, especially condiments and spices, and anything not in a tin or with an expiry date.

Tinned food generally keeps food fresher longer because it’s airtight.

When it comes to clothes, sort through your items and remove anything that’s damaged, doesn’t fit or that you haven’t worn for at least 12 months.

If it’s in reasonable condition, bag it all up and take it along to your favourite charity shop so that local charities can benefit from your Spring-clean. Or, take them to shoe and clothing collection points run by organisations like Samaritans. Just Google the address of your nearest.

Understand the factors that influence the cost as prices really do vary. Bear in mind that uPVC is the most affordable option followed by aluminium and timber designs. Timber framed designs are the most expensive but do offer better insulation. In other words, you get what you pay for.

Large, complex windows are generally more expensive than standard casement windows, with double glazing standard. If you want triple glazing costs can increase by 30% to 50%.

New FLOORING can also make a great difference to freshening up your rooms and maximising available space.

The latest design choices to enhance your home’s comfort, energy efficiency and long-term value include warm, earthy tones like honey oak, soft caramel woods and muted terracotta shades for that welcoming feel.

At the same time, rustic stone floors are very popular and patterned vinyl flooring offers a stylish and practical way to introduce colour into your home.

Consider timber and re-claimed wood for that cosy atmosphere but ensure it suits the age of your home.

You could, of course, sell it on Vinted or offer it to one of the Freecycle organisations dotted around the country to give someone a free bargain.

Go through all your beauty products, make-up etc, check for expiry dates or if you just don’t use them regularly. Any new items or gifts, take along to the charity shop, otherwise just enjoy a simpler beauty routine with the items you really like.

On bigger items like furniture, if you have some you really don’t need, contact charities like homeless organisation Emmaus, the British Heart Foundation or your local hospice if they have furniture-only outlets to see if they’re suitable for them.

This way you’re not only giving them stock to sell to fund their much-needed work but most big charities will come and collect items from you, which makes life much easier.

The general rule on De-cluttering which works well for almost any item is “one in, one out”. So if you buy something new, earmark 23

BATHROOMS, if your wanting to refresh your bathroom you could usse light colors to make a small bathroom feel larger.

Incorporate natural materials like wood accents for warmth.

Mix two or three finishes (e.g., matte black fixtures with white tiles and oak shelving). Add plants that tolerate humidity, such as Snake Plant or Pothos.

Atlas Bathrooms & Heating based in Huddersfield as a company has a wide variety of both traditional and contemporary products hand picked from British, European, and American design led manufacturers.

Their fabulous bathroom showroom is amongst the largest and best in the country with prices, like for like, that are second to none.

You will be blown away by the variety of bathroom designs, the quality of the designer brands on display and the outstanding customer service.

If you have handsome FIREPLACES, especially anything vintage, make them a feature this year.

Amber and brown-coloured glass are among contemporary trends for 2026 lights that can give warmth to any room. Sunshine shades like yellow or pink also provide that lovely glow we associate with the warmer months.

Striped fabric shades or tinted glass all add to this seasonal cosy glow with coloured glass pendants particularly popular to light up a room.

Wall lights are a 2026 trend that many older homes will already have. Give them a more modern vibe as part of light layering in rooms perhaps in a metal finish to blend in with contemporary décor.

Keep the quality of light in mind as well. Warm-toned lighting gives a homely ambiance and a dimmable feature in rooms will also allow you to change the atmosphere far better.

Take a fresh look at WALLCOVERINGS and consider textured walls and finishes like plaster, wood panels or patterned wallpapers to add depth and interest.

When they’re not doing their “day job” warming up rooms, ensure they shine with baskets of flowers or ferns or are home to large, leafy houseplants or even imaginative artificial flowers.

In general, warm, earthy tones can combine with metallic accents for a sophisticated look that works today. Echo those tones in fabric cushions or throes to catch the eye and reinforce room shades or opt for the occasion flash of a contrasting colour.

Mantelpieces come to life with family photographs and even small trinkets to prompt memories of special occasions. If you are making it a special place, perhaps aim a spotlight in that direction to really bring it to life.

Even BEDS and bedding offer an opportunity to show your domestic style. Go for considered layered textures, patterns and colours – a contrasting textured coverlet or upholstered headboard can provide a focal point for a bedroom or create a pleasing contrast.

LIGHTING is particularly important as the warmer months and longer days come in. If you’ve got your windows sorted and are perhaps introducing blinds or lighter curtains for the Summer months, ensure that your lighting enhances life daily.

Add ART to your walls throughout your home. If you or your family are not artistic, look at individual work on offer in smaller galleries or online or visit a local art collective for a pleasing bargain.

Wetroom & Walk-in Shower Specialists

Great choices for the smallest room Thinking of updating your bathroom? Then take a look at the extensive showroom at Huddersfield’s Atlas Bathrooms of Lockwood.

With now even more choice in store, Atlas has invested heavily in the extensive showroom and now has even more displays of bath suites, showers and wet rooms to choose from.

It now has one of the biggest displays of bathrooms and accessories in the Huddersfield area. Spread over two floors it has ranges from top manufacturers including Jacuzzi, Heritage, Roca and Ideal Standard.

There is also plenty to suit all budgets with bathrooms and showers ranging in price from affordable to the luxurious end of the market.

Victoria Mill, Albert Street, Open: Lockwood, Huddersfield Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Saturday, 9am to 4pm

Tel: 01484 547110 Email: hudd@atlasbathrooms.co.uk

www.atlasbathrooms.co.uk 24

For more information, look at the website www.atlasbathrooms.co.uk or ring 01484 547110.

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S H O P I N S T O R E | C L I C K & C O L L E C T | L O C A L & N AT I O N A L D E L I V E R Y

FILL YOUR GARDEN WITH COLOUR We Have Everything Your Garden Needs Right Now!

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GARDEN | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

Summer Gardening to continue producing. Leaving mature vegetables on the plant for too long may slow down future growth and reduce yields.

Gardeners should also monitor vegetable plants for signs of nutrient deficiencies, pests, or diseases.Yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and unusual spots can indicate problems that may require attention.

Flower gardens reach their full glory during summer. Popular summer flowers include sunflowers, zinnias, marigolds, petunias, dahlias, and lavender. These plants provide vibrant colors and attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Pollinators play a crucial role in the garden by helping many fruits and vegetables develop properly. Planting a variety of flowering species ensures a continuous supply of nectar and pollen throughout the season. Deadheading, which involves removing spent flowers, can encourage many ornamental plants to produce additional blooms and maintain a tidy appearance.

Summer is one of the most rewarding seasons for gardeners.

Longer days, warmer temperatures, and abundant sunshine create ideal conditions for many flowers, vegetables, herbs, and shrubs to flourish. Whether you have a large garden, a small backyard, a balcony, or a few containers on a patio, summer offers countless opportunities to grow healthy plants and enjoy outdoor spaces.

Successful summer gardening requires proper planning, regular maintenance, and an understanding of how plants respond to heat and sunlight.

One of the most important aspects of summer gardening is watering. During hot weather, plants lose moisture more quickly through evaporation and transpiration. As a result, gardeners need to ensure that plants receive adequate water to remain healthy and productive. Deep watering is generally more beneficial than frequent shallow watering because it encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil. Plants with deep root systems are often more resilient during dry periods. Early morning is usually the best time to water because temperatures are cooler, allowing moisture to penetrate the soil before the heat of the day causes evaporation.

Watering in the evening can also be effective, although excessively damp conditions overnight may sometimes encourage fungal diseases.

Weed control becomes especially important in summer because weeds compete with desirable plants for water, nutrients, and sunlight. Warm temperatures and occasional rainfall can lead to rapid weed growth. Regular weeding prevents weeds from establishing deep roots and producing seeds that may cause future infestations. Mulching can significantly reduce weed growth, but gardeners should still inspect beds and borders regularly.

Removing weeds when they are small is generally easier and more effective than dealing with mature plants later.

Pests and diseases can present challenges during summer gardening. Aphids, caterpillars, whiteflies, slugs, and spider mites are common garden pests that may damage leaves, flowers, and crops. Regular inspection allows gardeners to identify problems before they become severe. Encouraging natural predators such as ladybirds, lacewings, and birds can help maintain ecological balance and reduce pest populations. Good garden hygiene, proper spacing between plants, and adequate air circulation can also help minimize the risk of fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and rust.

Container gardening is particularly popular during summer because it allows people with limited space to grow a wide variety of plants. Pots, window boxes, and hanging baskets can accommodate flowers, herbs, vegetables, and even small fruit

Mulching is another valuable practice during the summer months.

A layer of organic material such as compost, bark chips, straw, grass clippings, or leaf mold spread around plants helps conserve soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

Mulch acts as a protective barrier, reducing water loss from the soil surface and keeping roots cooler during periods of intense heat.

In addition, as organic mulches break down, they improve soil structure and add nutrients that benefit plant growth.

Summer is often the peak growing season for vegetables. Crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, peppers, courgettes, and lettuce can produce abundant harvests when properly cared for.

Regular harvesting is important because it encourages many plants 27

plants. However, container-grown plants generally require more frequent watering than those planted directly in the ground because the soil volume is smaller and dries out more quickly. Choosing containers with drainage holes and using high-quality potting compost helps promote healthy growth. Regular feeding is often necessary because nutrients can be depleted rapidly in container environments.

Summer is also an excellent time to plan for future seasons. Gardeners can take notes about plant performance, record successful varieties, and identify areas for improvement. Some latesummer tasks include sowing crops for autumn harvests, taking cuttings from favorite plants, and preparing areas for future planting. By thinking ahead, gardeners can maintain productivity and ensure year-round interest in the garden.

Lawn care is another important aspect of summer gardening. Grass may become stressed during prolonged periods of heat and drought. Raising the mower height slightly can help protect the lawn by reducing moisture loss and encouraging deeper root growth. Watering deeply but infrequently is generally preferable to frequent shallow watering. In many cases, lawns naturally slow their growth during hot weather and recover when cooler conditions return. Avoiding excessive fertilization during periods of drought can reduce stress on the grass.

Beyond the practical benefits, summer gardening provides opportunities for relaxation, exercise, and connection with nature. Spending time outdoors can be enjoyable and rewarding, whether tending vegetables, cultivating flowers, or simply observing wildlife. Gardens often become gathering places for family and friends, offering beauty, fresh produce, and a sense of accomplishment.

Herb gardens thrive during summer and provide fresh ingredients for cooking. Herbs such as basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary, mint, and oregano grow vigorously in warm weather. Regular harvesting promotes bushier growth and prevents some herbs from becoming woody or flowering too early. Many herbs also attract pollinators and beneficial insects, making them valuable additions to both ornamental and vegetable gardens.

In conclusion, summer gardening combines careful maintenance with the enjoyment of abundant growth and colorful displays. Success depends on consistent watering, mulching, feeding, pest management, and regular harvesting.

Whether growing vegetables, flowers, herbs, or lawns, gardeners who provide proper care can enjoy healthy plants and productive outdoor spaces throughout the season. With attention and dedication, a summer garden can become a thriving environment that offers beauty, nourishment, and satisfaction for months to come.

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FOOD | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

The Curry Guy Slow Cooker Dan Toombs (aka The Curry Guy) has perfected the art of the restaurant curry.

After over 20 years of travelling around, sampling dishes, learning secrets from restaurant chefs and refining those recipes at home, Dan has created recipes that taste just like a takeaway but in less time and for less money.

Dan’s first book, The Curry Guy (2017), was a bestseller; he is also the author of Curry Guy Easy, Curry Guy Veggie, Curry Guy Light, Curry Guy Bible, Curry Guy Thai and Curry Guy BBQ.

e Guy uy

He lives in Yorkshire with his curry-loving family.

TOM KHA GAI Tom kha gai is one of the most popular Thai soups, together with tom yum gai, so I knew I needed to include both in the book.This recipe could not be easier!You just have to throw the ingredients in and let your slow cooker do its job.

SERVES 4 PREP TIME: 10 MINS, COOKING TIME: HIGH 3 HRS, LOW 6 HRS 500g (16oz) chicken thighs or breasts 2 lemongrass stalks (white parts only with thick outer layers removed) bruised and cut into about 6 slices 3 kaffir lime leaves, stems removed, thinly sliced 1 thumb-sized piece of galangal, sliced into 7 pieces and bruised 10 coriander (cilantro) stems, finely chopped 1 litre (4 cups) shop-bought or homemade chicken stock (page 117) or water 400ml (13/4 cups) thick coconut milk 2 tbsp palm sugar 8 shiitake or chestnut mushrooms, quartered or halved 70ml (1/4 cup) Thai fish sauce* 2 tbsp Chinese crispy chilli oil 80ml (1/3 cup) lime juice, or to taste 3 spring onions (scallions), roughly chopped

METHOD Place all the ingredients up to and including the mushrooms in your slow cooker and stir well. Slow cook on the high setting, covered with the lid, for 3 hours on the high setting or 6 hours on low.

When the chicken is cooked through and the broth is already starting to taste amazing, remove the chicken and shred it by hand or using a couple of forks.

Return the chicken to the broth and add a couple of tablespoons of fish sauce. Try the broth and add more fish sauce to taste, if needed.

I usually add about 5 tablespoons but you might want more or less. Stir in the Chinese crispy chilli oil, with as many of the crispy chillies as you like, and also add the lime juice to taste.

Serve hot, garnished with the chopped spring onions and more crispy chilli oil, if you like.

Some Thai fish sauces contain gluten, but there are gluten-free brands available.

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could attach canvas sails to the frame.

GARDEN | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

Arbours look lovely and provide covered seating from where to leavesaand produces allspace. summer. you enjoy favourite viewscented of yourflowers outdoor TheAlternatively, design has been could attach canvas sails to thebut frame. around for hundreds of years look out for those with a modern twist that provide storage in the seat – ideal for having cushions and | GARDEN 50 PLUS MAGAZINE Arbours look lovely and provide covered seatingAlternatively, from where you to rugs immediately to hand. leaves and produces scented flowers all summer. enjoy a favourite view of your outdoor space.

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Dal makhani isn’t a dal you can rush, as these lentils need a good long cook – so this canvas recipe sails is perfect the slow cooker. In fact, I think around for hundreds of years but look out for those with a modern Creating a lifestyle they are better if you cook on low for 8–10 hours rather than trying to speed things up by cooking on the high setting. So some forward twist that provide in the seat – ideal for having cushions Arbours look them lovely provide covered seating from where toand When comes to storage eating and entertaining outdoors there’s something planning might be a good idea. I usually soak the lentils all day on day one, thenit place inand the slow cooker overnight.

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DAL MAKHANI cooked, this is a quick and easy dish.

SERVES 4, OR MORE AS PART OF A MULTI-COURSE MEAL PREP TIME: 10 MINS, PLUS SOAKING TIME COOKING TIME: LOW 8–10 HRS

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Help and Advice Freely Given, Home Visits, Detailed Brochure

Monumental Masons

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around forto hundreds of years but look out forhuts. those with a modern barbecues pizza ovens and even barbecue With built-in grill, Creating a lifestyle twist that provide storage in the seat – ideal for having cushions and chimney and benches the latter is ready for use at any time of year, rugs immediately to hand.

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Firepits are a big trend for taking any chill out of the air. There are steel basins in a range of finishes that can be moved into different positions to suit or more permanent brick or concrete structures and even table-top versions. The choice now is vast, making it really easy Firepits a big takingand anygarden chill out of the air. There are to find onearethat fitstrend your for lifestyle design. steel basins in a range of finishes that can be moved into different METHOD positions to suit or more permanent brick or concrete structures and For best results, rinse soakany thechill urad lentils hours. even table-top versions.

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04/04/2022 11:40 for years to come.

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36 E-mail: jenny@jchildmemorials.co.uk 30

53

be a relaxing haven at the height of summer, it will have a magic that keeps on drawing you to it for so much longer, not only this year but for years to come.

BUTTER CHICKEN Butter chicken is usually made with grilled tandoori chicken, and the creamy yogurt marinade is mixed with cream to make the sauce.This version is quite a lot easier but you still get a very good, if perhaps less authentic, butter chicken.

SERVES 4 PREP TIME: 15 MINS COOKING TIME: HIGH 3 HRS, LOW 6–8 HRS 1kg (2lb 4oz) chicken thighs, skinned and cut into small pieces FOR THE MARINADE Juice of 1 large lemon 2 tbsp rapeseed (canola) oil 1 level tsp sea salt 1 tbsp Garlic and ginger paste 1 tbsp Kashmiri chilli powder 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground coriander ½ tsp ground turmeric 1 generous tsp Tandoori masala FOR THE SAUCE 15 raw cashews, soaked in water for 15 minutes 250ml (1 cup) passata 2 tbsp ghee or rapeseed (canola) oil 2 medium red onions, blended with 2 tbsp water if needed 2 tbsp Garlic and ginger paste 1 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder or paprika 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground coriander ½ tsp sugar, or to taste 100g (4oz) butter 200ml (¾ cup) double (heavy) cream, whisked 1 tbsp kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves) ½ tsp Garam masala Sea salt, to taste

METHOD Whisk all the marinade ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.

Add the chicken pieces and stir them in to coat. Allow to marinate for 30 minutes or up to 4 hours but no longer! Strain the soaked raw cashews and blend them with the passata for the sauce together until smooth. Set aside.

When ready to cook, heat the ghee or oil in your slow cooker using the sauté/searing mode or in a pan over a medium–high heat. When it begins to bubble lightly, remove as much of the marinade from the chicken as you can and retain all the marinade.

Sauté the chicken in one layer for about 5 to 7 minutes to lightly char the exterior. Transfer to a plate using a slotted spoon. The chicken will not be cooked through at this point.

Now stir in the blended onions and fry for about 5 minutes to cook out the raw flavour. Then stir in the garlic and ginger paste and

fry for an additional minute. Stir in the chilli powder or paprika, cumin, ground coriander and sugar, then pour in the blended passata and cashews and bring to a simmer. Stir in the chicken and all the marinade. Bring back to a simmer.

In your slow cooker, put on the lid and cook for 3 hours on the high setting or 6–8 hours on low until the chicken is cooked through.

Stir in the butter and let it melt into the sauce. Then add the whisked cream (you don’t have to add it all if you don’t want to).

Add the kasoori methi by rubbing it between your fingers over the sauce, then stir in the garam masala. Season with salt to taste just before serving.

Credit: Curry Guy Slow Cooker by Dan Toombs (Quadrille, £16.99), Photography © Kris Kirkham

31

Angelcare Residential Living is accepting admissions for short and long term stays in Calderdale’s award winning, only fully private care home.

Services include, but are not limited to, the following: · · · · · · ·

Situated in a secluded Georgian property with enviable transport links and an abundance of local shops, activities and amenities, they offer the luxury experience you’d expect from an all inclusive holiday, with the warmth and welcoming feeling of your own home. They believe that a truly luxury care home is one that pays attention to both the small touches as well as the overall experience, and have many years of experience tailoring bespoke home care packages, ensuring that you’ll receive exactly the level of care you require to provide you with happiness, comfort and the level of independence you deserve.

At their home, the team are a family, and their extensively trained and vetted home makers all seek to provide both a high level of care and a friendly atmosphere for you to feel at home in. No home is truly a home without people, and the team are on hand to meet your care requirements while also providing company, compassion, and friendship during your time with them.

Their Approach · A Full package of care tailored to you · Focused on your quality of life · Developing a healthy social network 32

Residential Care Step Down Care Short term & Respite Care End of Life Care Postoperative Care Dementia Care Specific Illness Care

The home is built on the approach that has led them to becoming one of the premier home care providers across West Yorkshire.

They are a family company and have almost two decades of experience working with individuals in their community. Now they can bring that approach out from people’s homes into their own purpose-built space. The goal is to provide a service that works for you, and your rights and freedoms are a top priority for the team. All the individuals who live there have care that is bespoke. The full package of care is tailored to the requirements of you, the individual, to either increase your qualify of life when staying with them or extend the great quality of life you have had before coming through their doors. The home offers a social network, exemplary personal health (supervision with medication) and meals, in beautiful surroundings, all for less than the cost of live in care.

Facilities Angelcare have invested a significant amount of time into developing first rate facilities at the home and have taken advice both from the community and their home care residents as to what they would like to see in premises like theirs. They are delighted to be able to offer the following facilities, all maintained and staffed to the highest standard: Full Kitchen: A full kitchen that allows them to create beautiful meals for the residents and their guests, giving you true home style cooking in comfort without any hassle.

In this occasional feature we focus on a prominent local company.

SPOTLIGHT ON: Angelcare Residential Living A luxury living experience Bar: A fully stocked bar in their living space provides all the amenities you expect, including fresh bottled water, bottled beers, wine & spirits.

Living Room: A generously proportioned and fully equipped living room provides ample space for residents and guests, with a smart television and comfortable seating for watching sport, socialising, or catching up on a good book.

Rooms & Suites: All the rooms have are fitted to the highest standards, with ensuite bathrooms and top of the line furnishings. Whether you are looking for the cosy space of a room, or if you would like to upgrade to a suite including a walled off sleeping area, living space, and built in kitchen.

Entertainment & Community Engagement : You will never get bored with a full entertainments programme of live music, games night, visits form local schools and animal farms.

AngelCare 50 Plus Magazine Advert 2a.pdf 1 25/03/2022 10:44

NOW ACCEPTING ADMISSIONS

ting admissions and for respite and permanent stays. Completely d and 100% modernised, Angelcare Residential Living is Calderdale’s NOW ACCEPTING ADMISSIONS only all-inclusive fully private care home.

NOW ACCEPTING ADMISSIONS

accepting admissions and for respite and permanent stays. Completely renovated and 100% modernised, Angelcare Residential Living is Calderdale’s accepting admissions and for respite and permanent stays. Completely only all-inclusive fully private care home. renovated and 100% modernised, Angelcare Residential Living is Calderdale’s RESPI only all-inclusive fully private care home.

T CARE E

er it gets harder to run your own home.

Our All-Inclusive approach provides our residents eone you love, starting struggle no hidden or additional fees.

Theseourinclude As you get is older it gets to harder to run your ownwith home.

Our All-Inclusive approach provides residents If you, or someone you love, is starting to struggle with no hidden or additional fees.

These include ound Angelcare Residential Living. everything from meals, haircuts, newspapers and any take a look around Angelcare Residential Living. everything from meals, haircuts, newspapers and any As you get older it gets harder to run your own home.

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These include to create beautifully appointed rooms We are fully COVID safe with regular testing of staff refurbishment to create beautifully appointed rooms We are fullyfrom COVID safehaircuts, with regular testing of staff take a look around Angelcare Residential Living. everything meals, newspapers and any es forand both individuals and couples. and clients! luxury suites for both individuals and couples. and clients!

Our Victorian mansion has just had a complete care you may require. refurbishment to create beautifully appointed rooms and luxury suites for both individuals and couples.

We are fully COVID safe with regular testing of staff and clients!

If you’d like more information or to arrange a viewing for yourself or a loved one,

01422 419710 please contact us on 01422 419710 emailLane, living@angel-care.co.uk www.angelcareresidentialliving.co.uk | 116 or Green West Vale, HX4 8BL If you’d like more information or to arrange a viewing yourself or a loved one, please contact us on or emailfor living@angel-care.co.uk

like more information or to arrange a viewing for yourself or a loved one,

ontact us on

01422 419710 or email living@angel-care.co.uk

www.angelcareresidentialliving.co.uk | 116 Green Lane, West Vale, HX4 8BL

Affordable Funeral Service

Losing a loved one can be one of life's most upsetting and distressing times. We go out of our way to help ease the worries where funeral arrangements are concerned.

Not only involved with losing a loved one is the emotional upset, but it can also be a time of financial worry and strain and we not only lend a sympathetic ear but also an affordable funeral service too.

Or maybe you see not the need for an elaborate funeral and want only a simple, low key occasion without all the fuss.

34 26 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK 26

Serving all areas

Affordable without compromising on care.

If we can help please call for an informal chat and advice

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Your Local Caring Independent Funeral Director cremation at a fixed price inclusive of all necessary disbursements, Direct £1200 Direct Direct Cremation Cremation --£1200 cremation fee, doctor’s fees and an eco friendly coffin (no funeral service)

LowFuss FussFuneral Funeral - £2250 Low - £2495

InclusiveFuneral Funeral - £2700 Inclusive - £2995

• The payment of a cremation fee

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• The payment of the Doctor's fees

• The payment of the Doctor's fees

• The payment of the Minister's / Celebrant fees

• The payment of the Minister’s / Celebrant fees

• The conveyance of your loved one into our Chapel of Rest

• The conveyance of your loved one into our Chapel of Rest

• The provision of an oak effect coffin with handles

• The provision of an oak effect coffin with handles

• The arranging and conducting of the funeral

• The arranging and conducting of the funeral

• The provision of the hearse and necessary staff on the day of the funeral

• The provision of the hearse and necessary staff on the day of the funeral

Bespoke Funeral - £2695 Bespoke Funeral - £2400

• The viewing of your loved one at our traditional chapel of rest

• All of the above plus..

• The leaving from a home address on the day of the funeral before proceeding to the crematorium

• The viewing of your loved one at our traditional chapel of rest • The leaving from a home address on the day of the funeral before proceeding to the crematorium

• Obituary in the local newspaper • Floral tribute to the value of £50 • One family limousine

ALL OTHER FUNERAL REQUIREMENTS UNDERTAKEN AFFORDABLY

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Tel: 01422 327 382

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at today's prices guaranteed with Golden Leaves Funeral Plans Please call for an information pack or informal chat

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