Hull, east riding & york 28

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HULL, EAST RIDING & YORK MARCH - MAY 2014 EDITION 28

Robert Lindsay

Talks about the Northwest Premiere of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels...

Rick Stein

In search of the perfect curry...

THE LOCAL MAGAZINE FOR THE OVER 50s

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East Yorkshire Coaches

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njoy our wonderful selection of coach holidays - ranging from 3 days away at the Chelsea Flower Show, through to 10 amazing days away to the Italian Dolomites or Austria. We’ve also added a little something for that festive time of year!

Our friendly, helpful staff are only a phone call away and will help you to choose the right holiday. Remember, when you book with East Yorkshire Coaches you are choosing a locally owned and managed company that has been around for more than 85 years.

Our reputation for providing quality service is second to none - let the kite take you there, get in touch with us today...

Quote “50 Plus” to book:

01482 222 444

Italian Dolomites & Lake Garda 10 days away Saturday 17 May

London Weekends

FREE BAR £655

3 days away Friday 7 March Friday 25 July Friday 12 December

Our journey commences with the overnight crossing from Hull with P&O Ferries and an overnight stop in Stuttgart before arriving in the Dolomites for our five night stay.

You will enjoy a mystery day out with the hotel owner or if you choose you can enjoy the free day and enjoy Fai della Paganella. We enjoy a full day tour of the fabulous Brenta Dolomite mountain range. We pay a visit to the beautiful spa city of Merano, Merano is a must, and you will have time to enjoy strolling around the town’s vibrant centre. Then in the afternoon we drive along the Adige Valley’s famous wine route. Our final day in the Dolomites sees us having a day out to Riva del Garda, based on the north point of this stunningly beautiful and largest Italian lake.

Your Hotels: Hotel Paganella, Dolomites.

This small and friendly three star family run hotel is ideally located for touring. Bedrooms are well appointed and all 26 have hairdryer and TV. The hotel has a lift.

Overnight stops outward and inward will be taken at the Mercure Hotel Stuttgart Boblingen.

£169 £179 £179

Staying at the Hilton London Metropole, only a ten minute walk from Oxford Street and Marble Arch. The largest hotel in the UK has every facility you would expect. And our fantastic break is a great opportunity to explore London at its very best without the hassle of driving.

There’s just so much to see and do - Madame Tussauds, Tower Bridge, London Eye, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace... the list goes on. How much can you fit into a wonderful weekend away!

Your Hotel: Hilton London Metrople.

The largest hotel in the UK has every facility you would expect, from restaurants and bars to a fitness centre with pool and sauna.

All the bedrooms have full facilities including a 32” flat screen TV.

Price Includes:

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◆ 2 nights on board P&O Ferries from Hull in en-suite cabins. ◆ 2 nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast in Stuttgart. ◆ 5 nights’ 4 course dinner, bed & breakfast at Hotel Paganella. ◆ Unlimited wine & water with dinner. ◆ Free bar 6pm -10.30pm, beer, wine, soft drinks & national spirits (Main hotel only). ◆ Evening entertainment (Main hotel only). ◆ Excursions as detailed.

Single Supplement - £120 Cabin upgrade available, ask for details.

East Yorkshire Coaches - part of East Yorkshire Motor Services

Price Includes: ◆ 2 nights’ bed & breakfast in London. ◆ Lots of free time to explore the capital.

Single Supplement - £100

A ‘BUSK Simply Safe’ member.

Wonderful holidays & short breaks by coach!

Malvern Spring Show

All-Inclusive Austria

3 days away Friday 9 May

10 days away £185

Saturday 6 September

FREE BAR £655

Price Includes: ◆ 2 nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast. ◆ Admission to Malvern Spring Show. ◆ Tour to David Austin Plant Centre.

WIN £100!

Simply book your holiday, and pay your deposit at the same time, to be entered into our monthly prize draw. A monthly winner, picked at random, will win £100!

One draw entry per booking, regardless of number of passengers booked.

(4 singles with no supplement - any extras will incur supplement).

Get your 2014

Chelsea Flower Show 3 days away Friday 23 May

£239

Price Includes: ◆ 2 nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast. ◆ Free time in Oxford & London. ◆ Admission the Chelsea Flower Show.

Single Supplement - £45

Single Supplement - £150 Cabin upgrade available, ask for details.

2 days away

3 days away £199

Price Includes: ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

◆ 2 nights on board P&O Ferries from Hull in en-suite cabins. ◆ 2 nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast in Karlsruhe. ◆ 5 nights’ three course dinner, bed & breakfast in Kirchberg. ◆ Unlimited house wine/beer/soft drinks from 10am-10pm in main hotel. ◆ Excursions as detailed.

For full descriptions of these holidays, plus lots more, get your FREE copy of our 2014 brochure!

Call us: 01482 222 444 or email us at: bookingline@eyms.co.uk

Thursford Christmas Spectacular

Hampton Court Flower Show Friday 11 July

Brochure!

Price Includes:

2 nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast.

Admission to Hampton Court Flower Show.

Admission to RHS Wisley.

Free time in Stratford upon Avon.

(2 singles with no supplement - any extras will incur supplement).

Sunday 16 November Sunday 7 December

£145 £145

Price Includes: ◆ 1 night dinner, bed & breakfast. ◆ Ticket to Thursford Christmas Spectacular. ◆ Free time in Norwich.

(6 singles with no supplement - any extra will incur supplement).

Get 10% OFF

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Exclusive offe r for 50 Plus Magazine re get 10% off aders any of these coach holid ays!

When you rin g to book a holiday with simply quote us, the code ‘50 Plus’ and we give you 10% ’ll off your coac h holiday!

Terms and co nditions: Holiday mus t be booked by phone dir Booking Line ect with our - 01482 222 444.

Not valid for internet book ing by the end of s. Bookings m ust be made June 2014. Ma code ‘50 PL ke sure you qu US’ at the sta ote the rt of your ca cannot be ap ll, as discoun plied after the t Some exclusio booking is co mpleted. ns do apply, ask for details ’phone to bo when you ok.

Quote “50 Plus” when booking: 01482 222 444 lines open daily, 8am-8pm

GRAHAM SMITH - TWITTERING ON

To lick or not to lick?

Social media shrinks the world When I began my career it was with a three-ton Remington typewriter that deafened the street, now I can find friends in Louisiana with the flick of a finger.

Graham Smith Twitter Column

Social media has shrunk the world, technology is advancing at such a pace that it is difficult to keep pace with the latest developments and new inventions that were once the stuff of science fiction are an everyday occurrence.

But at what cost is all this in terms of progress? Sales of printed books have plummeted as the world spends an increasing portion of its life on computers, tablets and mobile phones and I worry sometimes that there is a danger of losing the power of joined up thought. Recently I was reading a piece sent to me on the Internet and half a dozen of the sentences written didn’t even begin with the standard capital letter. Worrying.

I know people who are closing their Facebook accounts now because they have almost taken over their lives, and I have to say that on Twitter some of the most inane facts and comments are creeping in now. Do you really need to say, "Goodnight tweeps”? Just turn the thing off!

Neither is the net and social media the province of the young, as it was. Increasing numbers of older people are using the social interaction on offer and in many cases it can provide a relief for loneliness and replace a social life lost due to immobility or loss of a partner, so no bad thing there.

Drives you mad Motorists are often an easy target but I notice that recently some have been getting away with blue murder.

Did you read about the idiot who was caught driving with his hands behind his head? The clot was doing 62mph on a major road in a large four-wheel drive and argues in court that he was in full control of the car. Fortunately the court didn’t agree and banned him for a year and imposed a hefty fine and community service order. But what possesses these people?

There are also cases of motorists still driving with over 30 and sometimes 40 points on their licences because magistrates have shown leniency towards their circumstances. Why? If you’ve clocked up that amount of points you’re quite simply not fit to drive a vehicle and I have serious doubts whether you should be using a wheelbarrow without stabilisers.

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Do you seal your envelopes? Apparently whether you should or not has been the subject of a major and no doubt costly operation. Many older people labour under the misapprehension that you can send an unsealed envelope with a second class stamp on and it will be delivered first class. Err, no.

The younger generation have other ideas. One Internet observation reads, “ Whilst I do seal my envelopes the first thing that came to mind when I saw the headline was the story that went round when I was at school and later repeated on a viral email about cockroach eggs being laid on the glue and when you lick it if you get a paper cut they can hatch in your lip.”

A quick Google showed this story is still on the urban legends websites but it wouldn’t surprise me if that was the reason for people around early 30s.

Health and Safety nonsense Yes I know I’ve twittered about this before but here goes again.

Our village church clock was stopped for several months recently because the Health and Safety ogres decreed that the ladder used to reach the mechanism was too short. This was despite it having been used for years by a six-foot plus expoliceman. Consequently it was twenty past three in Haworth for eight months until a grant was raised to provide a longer ladder!

You couldn’t make it up could you? The bell ringers swung on ropes every Monday night during that period but the poor chap couldn’t wind the clock up because some mentally challenged twerp had nothing better to do than condemn the ladder.

Have these people nothing better to do? How come one of them was lurking in Haworth Church clock tower to see the ladder in the first place?

And he was back at Christmas to chuck Santa Claus out of the boiler room because there might have been asbestos!

Poor chap had to cuddle customers in a gazebo outside the building. Talk about no room at the inn, and the donkey had to wear a coat.

These chaps would have been a riot in Bethlehem.

There’s have been no stable accommodation, too draughty and get those sheep of the bedclothes. You cannot bring your camel in here and stop swinging that foul smelling stuff under the baby’s nose….and has that chap with the wings got a Civil Aviation licence? The mind boggles.

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Taking the credit

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Imagine a world where 007 isn’t as cool as you’d think. Or a land where 999 doesn’t set the alarm bells ringing. Welcome to the world of credit references. A world where your score is between 000 and 700, or even 1000 - and the higher it is the better.

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From credit card applications to car loans, our credit file can have a big impact on our every day lives. But what do you know about yours and what can you do if it’s holding you back? We asked the Financial Ombudsman Service – the free service that sorts out money problems – for some tips on what to look out for.

Check it out! - To tackle your credit score you need to find out

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what it is from one of the main agencies, Experian, Callcredit or Equifax. You can get hold of your file for a nominal fee (around £2). Or, for a monthly fee, you can get regular updates on changes to your ‘credit worthiness and score’. Most of the credit reference agencies offer a free trial but make sure you know when the trial ends. Giving your credit file the once over gives you the chance to spot any mistakes that need correcting.

Direct Debits - The most common way to get a black mark on

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inside...

6-7 The Great British Holiday ...

Discover wonders of the world on your doorstep.

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Robert Lindsay...

Talks about the Northwest Premiere of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

10-11 The UK Solar Panel Shop ...

Save energy whilst saving money.

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Monks Cross Tiles & Bathrooms ...

Create your dream bathroom.

18-20 Rick Stein...

In search of the perfect curry.

26-27 Vision Care Optometry...

Ensure your eye health.

McGrath Media.

Unit 6 | Moses Gate Workshops Gladys Street | Bolton | BL3 2QG. T: (01204) 796 494 | F: (01204) 791594 e: mcgrathadmin@btconnect.com

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your credit file is to miss a payment – whether it’s on your credit card or your mobile phone bill. Those missed payments stay on your record for years. Always make sure you have enough money in your account to cover any payments due. If you think you’ll struggle to make a payment, speak to the business straight away.

Old Credit Cards - If you’ve got old credit cards that you never use, tell the lender you want to close the account and cut the card up so the number is unreadable. Not only is this therapeutic, it keeps your credit file clear of old accounts.

Other People’s Problems - If your partner has had a few credit hiccups along the way, it could have an impact on your ability to get credit. If you want to separate another person’s credit score from your own, ask the credit reference agency to add a “notice of disassociation”. This will mean their financial flaws shouldn’t have an impact on you.

How To Correct Things - Even things like not being on the electoral roll to being can have an impact on your credit file.

If you do have a problem, for example you missed a payment because you were made redundant, you can add a “notice of correctionto your credit report to explain things. Anyone searching your report will see the note and take account of it when you apply for credit. Look out for accounts being registered to the wrong address or anything that looks unfamiliar. If there’s a problem, write to the lender involved and ask it to correct the mistake. If it won’t, get in touch with the ombudsman who will try to help you get it sorted.

If you do spot something out of the ordinary on your credit file and you’re not able to sort it out with the credit reference agency or lender, the Financial Ombudsman Service may be able to help. Just call on 0300 123 9 123 or have a look at www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk

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TRAVEL AND LEISURE You can sample local ales in Devizes in Wiltshire, enjoy international arts in Salisbury and explore stone circles and Iron Age forts in the countryside.

Consider an escape to the country’s largest oak forest in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, see Dover’s stunning white cliffs or visit the beautiful cathedrals of Rochester and Canterbury. Then there’s the glorious ancient woodland of the New Forest where William the Conqueror once hunted.

The Great British Holiday When it comes to choosing a break away many of us automatically go online or get brochures from the travel agent to look beyond our own shores to possibly sunnier climes in other parts of the world.

That blinkered approach to homegrown charms means we may not appreciate the best of what this country has to offer. But, for the discerning, The Great British Holiday has become THE way to enjoy time away from home.

Look at the basic reality: you don’t have to worry about changing money to a different currency or learning a foreign language, agonise over flight delays, spend long hours at the airport doing nothing or deal with the often baffling laws and customs of another country.

By discovering the genuine wonders of the world on your own doorstep, you plug into a much more relaxed holiday that can quickly awaken all of us to just why so many visitors from other countries converge on the

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UK each year as their destination of choice.

For a start, there are all kinds of holidays we can take in this country – ranging from active adventure holidays to tailor-made tourism around fascinating towns and villages, to ultra-relaxing breaks to allow mind and body to rest and recharge to face the rest of life.

There are few countries in the world where so many holiday choices are available. You can hire a cottage in a remote rural spot, take over a country lodge for a family break, stay in a piece of English history, or just put your trust in a reliable travel company and let a coach whisk you away on a scenic route to a super hotel homefrom-home.

When you’ve got past the family holiday style of seaside breaks or activity holiday parks, you may just love the luxury and sheer lack of responsibility of being taken on a coach tour holiday.

Our first National Park in the Peak District is the scenery which inspired the Brontes, or you can view Creswell Crag’s stunning Ice Age legacy. Little around the world is as beautiful as our own Lake District and Cumbria, while the Yorkshire Dales offer mile upon mile of unspoiled landscape as a feast for the eyes and the senses.

Explore the historic streets of Salisbury and Stonehenge and tuck into tasty local farmers’ produce, or wander the banks of the River Wear in Durham.

Spare some time, too, to visit its iconic cathedral there before appreciating the wild and lovely countryside of the Durham Dales.

Our cities have much to fascinate – from stunning landmarks in Norwich spanning the Norman, Medieval, Georgian, Victorian and modern eras to Windsor Castle, bursting with a thousand years of history.

Soak up the atmosphere in Bath and visit the fascinating Roman baths or wonder at York’s remarkable old buildings and visit the Shambles, voted the country’s most picturesque street.

And there is just so much to see and do in this country!

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Make a pilgrimage to Canterbury and discover the bloody history behind Chaucer’s tales. Or travel to our historic seats of learning and culture to stimulate the intellect and the imagination. Stratford upon Avon is home to all things Shakespeare; see works

by Michaelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Picasso at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, or study Charles Darwin’s specimens at the Zoology Museum in Cambridge.

Of course, holidays don’t all have to be about sitting around or simply strolling about looking at tourist spots. You might prefer your walks brisk, exploring the Cornish coast, or hiking over the many English hills and dales.

You might be one of the thousands of people who love caravan holidays, taking your accommodation with you to the hundreds of well-organised camp sites and their useful facilities to structure your own days. You might prefer to try out well-appointed static caravans at holiday parks which also offer entertainment on your independent holiday.

Boating holidays are more popular than ever, with the country’s wonderful network of canals and rivers introduced to new fans every year.

The Lancaster Canal, for example, is one of our most scenic and gentle waterways, running for 42 lock-free miles through pleasant pasturelands, overlooked for most of the way by the foothills of the Pennines.

Today’s narrowboats come fully-equipped, some with central heating, full-size shower and TV, appealing to all.

As Robert Foulkes of Crabtree Narrowboat Hire explained: “Last year we had people in their early 20s, grandparents with their grandkids and 50-somethings whose children had left home and this was their first holiday on their own for 20 years.”

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A ‘BUSK Simply Safe’ member. Travel with confidence.

From Only

£10.50

Coach Days Away

Coaches from: Beverley Cottingham Hull Willerby Anlaby Hessle Elloughton

Child/ Adult Over 60’s Mon 10 Mar Bakewell & Matlock Bath .... £16.30 £15.50 Sun 16 Mar Holmfirth & Haworth ........... £15.00 £14.00 Mon 24 Mar Scarborough & Whitby ....... £15.25 £13.25 Sun 30 Mar Mother’s Day Lake District... £25.00 £21.00

March

April

Fri 4 Apr Sat 5 Apr Fri 11 Apr

Doncaster/Meadowhall ..... £10.50 Liverpool & Albert Dock ...... £20.00 Skipton & Settle .................. £15.00

£10.50 £17.50 £13.00

Easter day trips!

Sat 12 Apr Blackpool ........................... £22.75 £20.25 Wed 16 Apr Yorkshire Wildlife Park*......... £19.50 £17.25 Mon 21 Apr Robin Hood’s Bay & Whitby £15.25 £13.25 Wed 23 Apr Stockton & Yarm ................ £19.50 £14.75 Fri 25 Apr Harrogate Spring Show* ..... £26.50 £26.50 FREE for under 16s when accompanied by an adult

May

Mon 5 May Fri 9 May

Whitby & Heartbeat............ £15.55 £13.25 Harewood House* ............. £25.00 £22.00 Children only £18.00!

Wed 14 May Bury’s Market ...................... £16.50 £14.50 Sat 24 May Llandudno ......................... £22.50 £20.00 Sun 25 May Hemswell Market/Lincoln .... £12.50 £11.50

Whit Week!

Mon 26 May Wed 28 May Fri 30 May Fri 30 May

June

Thu 5 June Sun 8 June Mon 9 June Tue 10 June Sat 14 June Sun 15 June Fri 20 June Wed 25 June Sun 29 June Mon 30 June

Whitby ................................ £15.25 £13.25 Yorkshire Wildlife Park*......... £19.50 £17.25 Chester .............................. £19.50 £17.50 Chester Zoo* ..................... £32.50 £30.00 Children only £18.00!

Sandringham House* ........ £27.00 East Coast Vintage Run ..... £17.00 Bakewell & Matlock Bath .... £16.30 Blackpool ........................... £22.75 Swinging 60s at the North York Moors Railway* ....... £38.00 Whitby ................................ £15.25 Ilkley & Haworth .................. £16.50 Skipton & Grassington ........ £15.00 Skegness ............................ £15.50 Historic Lincoln ................... £12.50

£23.00 £15.00 £15.50 £20.25 £36.00 £13.25 £14.50 £13.00 £14.00 £11.50

See our Coach Days Away leaflet for our full range of great days out!

How to book: * Includes admission or train ride.

Child prices are for ages 3 - 15 inclusive (except Sundown which is 2 -10 inclusive).

Children under 3 will not be allocated a seat unless one has been booked and paid for.

Quote “50 Plus” when booking. Lines open daily, 8am-8pm:

01482 222 444

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The Great British Holiday – in all its forms, price-ranges and activities or lack of them - offers the freedom to choose exactly how YOU want to spend your break.

And the bonus is that it’s often a brand new voyage of discovery of the fabulous place that is our country.

East Yorkshire Coaches

INTERVIEW: ROBERT LINDSAY

DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS Robert Lindsay had been out walking his dogs and taking the opportunity to learn his lines for his latest show.

The fact that it’s the musical version of the 1988 hit film Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, set to premiere in Manchester before going into the West End, was exciting for the 63 year-old actor. But not because he was reprising the role Michael Caine took onscreen as the suave Riviera conman Lawrence Jameson whose life is suddenly disrupted by Steve Martin’s character, the anarchic Freddy Benson.

“I’ve never seen the film,” he admits, “but it’s a wonderful show. The script is incredibly funny and the score by Yazbek (award-winner David Yazbek) is amazing – the man’s a genius.”

The show did run for a time on Broadway where it won awards, “but it seemed to fade away,” adds Lindsay. “This is a totally different show, and there’s a fantastic buzz about it already. I think the plan long-term may be for it to go back to Broadway.”

All of this is a long way from the very first time the Great British Public became aware of young Robert Lindsay when he played a Cockney layabout in the ITV series Get Some In! However, it was when he headed up the Tooting Popular Front as likeable but inept urban guerrilla Wolfie Smith in the hit comedy TV series Citizen Smith that the public really noticed him.

This ran for three years, from 1977 to 1980, and established the actor firmly in viewers’ consciousness. He felt pretty comfortable in the role as he’d come from a council estate in Ilkeston, Derbyshire before graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), and had admittedly leftwing views.

An early flexibility and desire to take on other, different roles – “as well as wanting to play posh people,” he quickly points out – steered him towards more serious productions.

He played Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing in the BBC’s

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Shakespeare series, and then moved up to Manchester to play Edmund in a Granada TV version of King Lear alongside Sir Laurence Olivier.

He happily admits that his first love, though, is musicals and he famously played the role of Bill Snibson in the acclaimed 1984 London revival of Me and My Girl. This role not only won him an Olivier Award but, when it later transferred to Broadway, a Tony Award as well.

“I find musicals easier because you’ve always got the music, it’s familiar,” states Lindsay.

He has, however, also enjoyed plenty of film roles.

Interestingly, he was at the same place making a different film (Strike It Rich with Mollie Ringwald and Sir John Gielgud) where Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was being filmed.

“I met Steve Martin one day – we’d met previously when I’d been in the States and had dinner together – and he told me about the film he was making,” explains Lindsay. “He seemed to have some reservations about the script and I got the impression that they were adding to it quite a bit themselves.”

Television has proved a remarkable showcase for Lindsay’s talents over the years. Although he believes that he wanted to get away from his roots for a long time – “I lost my way

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The Generation Game with Bruce Forsyth – have three sons and he also has a daughter from his relationship with actress Diana Weston.

It’s plain he doesn’t like being away from his home and family. “But sometimes they have to understand that you have to be, you’re doing it for them,” he states.

For the most part, his children don’t like roles that take him away from them, or his being acknowledged as an actor rather than “just Dad” when he’s with them. “When I was in Hornblower and picking them up from school it was different. Normally, they don’t want me to walk with them and disown me, but suddenly I was cool!”

Ask about the highlights of his career and he swiftly points to the work with Alan Bleasdale and Me and My Girl. “I suppose Citizen Smith, The Entertainer at the Old Vic and Cyrano de Bergerac at the Haymarket were also special,” he adds.

He’s still regularly on TV and had just recorded Have I Got News For You as programme presenter. “You have to watch Mr Hislop and Mr Merton, though,” he says light-heartedly.

“They’re very quick but I think they like actors because they understand timing and not hogging the lines.”

“I find musicals easier because you’ve always got the music, it’s familiar,”

Is there any TV he’d like to do, like Downton Abbey? “No,” he states, “that’s not my bag.

“But I’ve just done a cameo role in Atlantis as the father of Icarus – that was good fun. It’s a very well made series and the boys there were great. My children were also very impressed!” * Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is at Manchester Opera House from February 12 to 22, 2014, in Aylesbury Waterside Theatre from February 26 to March 1 and then at the Savoy Theatre, London from March 10. To find out more go to www.scoundrelswestend.com

a bit in my 30s,” he says – he particularly enjoyed working with gritty Northern writer Alan Bleasdale. Lindsay was in his dark comedy serial G.B.H. (for which Lindsay won a BAFTA) as well as another Bleasdale play, Jake’s Progress with Julie Walters, and recalls both experiences with genuine affection.

He played another posh character when he took on the role of Captain Pellew in the long-running and very successful series of Hornblower with Ioan Gruffudd as the young midshipman of the title.

Was this largely sea-going adventure a fairly physical experience for Lindsay? “Not so much for me, but definitely for Ioan,” he laughs. “What was interesting was that it was the first time I had played a father character.”

His longest running role was also as a father: as dentist Ben Harper in the popular BBC sitcom My Family – this ran for 11 years and still surfaces on Sky channels. “Zoe (Wannamaker) and I had a great time making that,” he states.

Lindsay himself is very much a family man. He and second wife Rosemarie Ford – she was a dancer and a presenter on

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HOME

SAVING ENERGY WHILST

SAVING MONEY

By Angela Kelly

The rising costs of keeping our homes heated and fuelled always seems to dominate during the Winter months.

Yet the reality is that, by planning ahead and taking advantage of the latest systems and initiatives, it’s possible to cut these vital bills and improve your household budget all year round.

In fact, some of the latest energy systems available can be working for you 12 months of the year – taking advantage of sunlight when the UK weather deigns to allow it, and translating that into not only free fuel for your home but also as a means of earning money.

SOLAR PANEL electricity systems – which are also

known as solar photovoltaics (PV) – simply capture the sun’s energy using photovoltaic cells. The great news is that these cells don’t even need direct sunlight to work as they can still generate electricity on a cloudy day. This electricity can then be used to run household appliances and lighting.

After you have paid for the initial installation, your electricity costs are reduced. And you also get paid for the electricity you generate through the Government’s Feed-in Tariffs which pay you for what you generate even when you use it yourself.

The even better news is that if you generate more electricity than you need – or when you can’t use it – you can sell it back to the national grid.

Solar electricity is green, renewable energy and doesn’t release harmful carbon dioxide or other pollutants so you cut your carbon footprint. A typical home solar PV system could save more than a tonne of carbon dioxide a year, which is more than 30 tonnes over its lifetime.

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The average domestic solar PV system costs between £6,000 and £9,000 (including VAT) but costs have fallen significantly in the past year. This is bound to vary between installers and the various products so it’s worth getting quotes from at least three installers, and certainly talk to people who have had solar panels installed about their experiences.

Because using renewable energy makes sense for the country and the planet as well as for the householder’s bills, the Government has introduced the Green Deal to encourage more people to adopt initiatives like having solar panels installed.

This starts with an Assessment carried out by a Green Deal Advisor or Assessor and may be subject to a charge. They will use standardised software to look at possible energy efficiency or generation of your own energy and what the savings would be. They’ll explain how the payments work, identify improvements that are likely to be cost-effective and produce a Green Deal advice report showing your options. If they have any links with individual Green Deal Providers, they have to declare these.

After you’ve got your report, you can take this to any of the Green Deal Providers to arrange and fund the improvements, and sign up for a Green Deal Plan which is the contract involved with your Provider. Green Deal Installers are vetted to ensure they meet the Green Deal standards.

You can pay back the costs involved over time through your electricity bill, and your electricity supplier will pass your payments on to your Green Deal Provider. This amount will be no more than a typical household will save on heating bills, so you’re likely to be better off overall.

Interest is charged on the payments but the rate is fixed. It’s up to the Green Deal Provider to set the interest rate, so it’s worth shopping around for the best deal. You can, though, pay off the plan early if you want to.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that this is not a conventional personal loan. The charge is attached to the electricity meter in your house and paid back through your electricity bill.

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5% DISCOUNT

Should you move house, the new occupant will pick up this charge as he or she will be benefitting from a more energyefficient property.

ON ORDERS PLACED BEFORE

MAY 2014

Many householders up and down the country have already benefitted from the savings they have made by taking advantage of the latest energy technology.

Rob Brown had 16 solar panels installed on the roof of his large semi-detached home near Manchester two and a half years ago. “We’ve found that it definitely gives us lower electricity bills, and we also get a cheque a couple of times a year for the energy we don’t use,” he said.

“By careful management – like using your kettle and toaster consecutively rather than at the same time – you can save even more.”

Steve Baillie, director of The UK Solar Panel Shop Ltd based in Skidby but with customers over a wide area, explained that having solar panels was even more economical these days because installation costs had come down so much.

“More and more people are deciding to combat the ever increasing cost of their energy by installing solar PV” he said. “as the technology improves and costs come down, solar PV is an investment that is impossible to ignore.”

Improvements also mean that the next step is combined solar PV and solar thermal installations.

“These give you cheap electricity, hot water and central heating,”

The Green Deal loan scheme can also cover draught-proofing, double-glazing and insulation as well as renewable energy generation. You can find out more about it by calling the Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234 or check out the Energy Saving Trust’s website on www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

OTHER WAYS TO SAVE....

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DRAUGHT-PROOFING can be a cheap and cost-

effective way to reduce your heating bills and may be as simple as blocking draughts and lining curtains.

INSULATION is definitely worth looking at around your home. Check on the areas where heat is lost; walls account for a third of this and an uninsulated loft can be blamed for a quarter of lost heat. Insulate hot water tanks and pipes and water stays hot for longer.

CAVITY WALL INSULATION can be very effective

in homes with external walls made of two layers with a small gap or cavity between them. This is where the insulation material goes.

Check that your BOILER is working efficiently. Replacing your old gas boiler with an A-rated high-efficiency condensing boiler and improving your heating controls could not only save you as much as £305 a year but will also significantly cut your home’s carbon dioxide emissions.

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www.theuksolarpanelshop.co.uk info@uksolarshop.co.uk

01482 210089

2 Pollard Garth, Skidby, Cottingham, East Yorkshire. HU16 5GA

IN THE HOME Colours in the living area are so important and have a big impact on the feel of the room and the mood of the people within it. Painting a room is a much quicker and cheaper way of decorating because it is then easier to change and redecorate in the future, without the hassle of removing and replacing wallpaper.

If you are looking for a warm and energetic environment, try a red or orange tone. This may not be suitable for those wanting to relax with the family as they are loud colours, but if you are the type of person who likes entertaining, then the warmth will brighten up the vibe of the room. Yellow is the perfect warm colour for livening up your space, but try to keep it to a feature or accent wall. Too much of it can be overpowering.

For those folk who want to feel laid back and relaxed, a cooler blue or green room might be more suitable.

Do be careful of the shades you pick however. An icy blue may make visitors feel unwelcome. A warmer shade, such as turquoise, may give the desired effect you want, but make others feel more welcome as well.

For a more sophisticated feel, stick to neutral tones, whites and creams.

Not only do these provide a blank canvas to incorporate furniture and patterns, but allow the room to become a peaceful setting, which looks elegant and refined.

HOW COLOURS CAN CHANGE A ROOM It’s surprising how much the colours and fabrics in a room can vastly improve and change the look of it. Picking a new colour for the walls, or buying a new rug or carpet can mix up the style of your home and make it look brand new.

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Combinations of fabrics and patterns are also hugely inspiring when it comes to decorating and can create a theme for your house that you may wish to follow; from a cosy cottage to a Tuscan villa. If your tastes cater to soft pastels, floral fabrics and rustic wood furnishings, then a cottage style home may be your cup of tea, where as finding wallpapers with an old plaster texture, tapestry style rugs and cushions with gold, coppers and greens infused can give the feel of Tuscany in your home.

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You may think that adding a splash of colour to your home will get expensive but that isn’t the case.

Paint is a much cheaper option than wallpaper, but how about just repainting and wallpapering one wall in a vibrant colour or pattern to add some variation. If you can’t afford a new sofa or lounge chair, find some new fabric you like and get the existing furniture reupholstered.

Wooden furniture is easy to transform too. Take an old chair that needs a make over, or buy a cheap one from a second hand shop. All it needs is sanding down and a coat of paint, to fit whatever mood you are going for in the room, and you have a brand new piece of furniture.

The same can be done with tables, cupboards, and fireplaces.

FINAL TIPS...

• Fabrics can easily change up a room, don’t be afraid to experiment.

• Be aware of light and colours.

Warmer light coming into your house allows for cooler colours. With colder light, try a warmer colour.

Carpets are a highly important part of a room. Many people prefer plain, block colour materials on their floors, which are great for flexibility when designing and changing styles. However they can make a large room look empty. Going for a patterned carpet might seem a bit risky, but if the right one is selected, it can make a big difference. Patterns can create a focal point in a big room if you feel like keeping the furniture quite simple, but try and avoid busy patterns in a small room as this can make the space seem closed in and cluttered.

Fabric texture is also important.

Kristen Schmitt says on Better www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Homes and Gardens that: “Texture adds dimension to a room. It appeals to our senses, both visual and tactile, which makes the room interesting.” Add some pillows and cushions to your bed and sofa; fluffy, ruffled, floral,tartan, anything that takes your fancy.

Even a textured throw for the end of the bed can provide a contrast in a room. Bring in a patterned rug to create a focal point and make small rooms look larger. Round shapes in a square room can also soften the space. Don’t be afraid of contrasting patterns and colours either, but try not to go beyond three and use samples to decide on the best combinations.

• Something as simple as adding a mirror can instantly make a room look bigger.

• Patterns are good, but don’t go overboard.

• Buy a signature piece of furniture or rug you like and base the colour scheme around that.

• Bright ornaments and furniture can look great in an otherwise plain, white room.

• You don’t need a massive income to completely change your style.

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looking to celebrate that special anniversary? ring your favourite restaurant

looking to sort out that pension problem? ring the ombudsman 0300 123 9 123 14

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Create your dream bathroom with

Monks Cross Tiles & Bathrooms.

The 20,000 sq ft stunning showroom is one of the largest in the area housing a high-quality collection of basins and baths, bidets and toilets, baths, showers and bathroom furniture including a fabulous range of taps and accessories. There is something to suit all tastes and budgets!

Add to this an extensive range of affordable tiles and natural stone, experienced staff on hand to answer all your questions and provide custom-design solutions perfect for your needs and you will create the bathroom of your dreams.

If you’re looking for a high tech bathroom that can host your music or allow you to watch TV whilst relaxing in the bath we can help you with a wide range of solutions available.

Perhaps you may be thinking of underfloor heating – well we can help you there as well. We have the products and expertise to help you make the right choice.

To help you finish your dream look we also have a huge range of fabulous tiles and stone including

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ceramic, porcelain, glass, mosaic, Victorian and handmade and of course the adhesive and grout to get the job done. We can show you examples of how the tiles you choose can look by using just one choice of tile or mixing with others for a truly individual look. We will listen and advice you on the best choice to obtain the look you want.

Visit our bathroom and tile showrooms to experience this for yourselves.

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www.monkscrosstiles.co.uk www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

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The Tre The Treasure House Coffee Lounge is open on the first floor set amongst stunning exhibitions with a warm and relaxed feel.

It is open daily Monday to Saturday from 9.30am so why not come along and join us for a hot tasty coffee or sit back and enjoy the surroundings and indulge yourself with a slice of handmade cake, a creamy scone or choose from our range of muffins and pastries?

You’re sure of a warm welcome by the friendly and efficient staff.

There are also two rooms available for meetings & events for which refreshments and other catering can be arranged.

To book a room, please call 01482 392780 To book refreshments and buffets for The Treasure House please call Julie Storie on 01482 395127

Beverley Library offers free books, free Internet and instruction, free information, free reading and knitting groups; in a welcoming and relaxing environment with knowledgeable and helpful staff.

Come and join us!

easure House East Riding Museums Our museums celebrate the world of art and the fascinating heritage of the area at Beverley Art Gallery, the Treasure House, Beverley Guildhall (Friday only), Goole Museum, Skidby Windmill and Sewerby Hall and Gardens.

Call now for details: 01482 392770 or visit: www.eastriding.gov.uk/museums

East Riding Archives Why not start a new hobby, trace your family tree or find out about the history of your house, town or village?

Our friendly staff are happy to assist you and while visiting the Treasure House why not enjoy the view of historic Beverley from the Tower, take in the temporary exhibitions and relax in the Treasure House Coffee Lounge.

Call now for details: 01482 392790 or visit: www.eastriding.gov.uk/archives

The Celtic sword cache at the Treasure House

Temporay heritage displays at the Treasure House

History displays at the Treasure House

We look forward to seeing you!

The Treasure House, Champney Road, www.50plusmagazine.co.uk Beverley HU17 8HE.

17

FOOD & DRINK

RICK STEIN - IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT CURRY

PRAWN FRITTERS WITH CHUTNEY AND KACHUMBER FROM THE ALLEN KITCHEN, KOLKATA I couldn’t work out why these prawn cutlets were so delicious; there seemed to be nothing to them, just a simple batter, a bit of lemon, some onion rings and a bottle of mustard sauce.

But the very enthusiastic blogger from Calcutta called Kaniska was keen to point out that this tiny little hole in the wall was one of the most popular foodie spots in the city. They may have put a secret ingredient in the batter, but I expect the success lies in using chickpea flour and frying the battered prawns in pure ghee. I consumed a few plates of them while having a thoroughly enjoyable conversation about the almost infinite possibilities of street food in that city. Later I woke up in the middle of the night in my hotel with my head spinning, thinking the pace of life was so frenetic that I was surely locked into a madhouse, albeit with some of the tastiest food I’ve ever found. This makes a quite soft batter, not a thick, crisp batter like you’d get with fish and chips.

METHOD To prepare the prawns, pull off the head and peel away the shell, leaving the tail intact. Use a small, sharp knife to run down the back of the prawns and pull out the black intestinal tracts, if visible. Then use the knife to cut almost all the way through the prawns and butterfly them open. Flatten them out a little with the palm of your hand. Pat dry with kitchen towel.

For the batter, mix the flours and salt together, whisk in the egg and enough of the water to give a smooth batter the consistency of single cream.

Serves 4 12 extra large unpeeled Raw prawns For the batter 60g plain flour 60g chickpea flour ¼tsp salt 1 free-range egg 150–225ml water 70g ghee, for frying To serve Lemon wedges, Mustard chutney Tomato chutney or Chilli garlic relish and Kachumber salad

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Heat the ghee in a heavy-based saucepan or karahi over a medium heat. Once hot, dip 2 or 3 prawns in the batter and carefully lower into the ghee. Fry for 2–3 minutes, turning once, until crisp and golden and cooked through. Drain on kitchen paper. Repeat with the remaining prawns. Serve with lemon wedges to squeeze over and chutney and kachumber salad on the side.

KACHUMBER SALAD - SERVES 8 -10 300g vine-ripened tomatoes, thinly sliced 1/2 cucumber, sliced 100g red onions, halved and thinly sliced 1 fresh green chilli, finely chopped 1/2 tsp toasted ground cumin seeds 1/4 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder Large handful of fresh coriander leaves, roughly chopped Freshly ground black pepper 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice or white wine vinegar Lime wedges (optional), to finish Layer the ingredients, or gently toss together, just before serving. Serve with lime wedges, if desired.

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SWEET AND TANGY POTATO SHREDS Lilo chevda This is a snack beloved by Gujaratis, a sweet and sour shredded spiced potato dish. The shredded potatoes are deep fried until crisp, as are the lentils, cashew nuts and peanuts, but plenty of lime juice is sprinkled on just before you start eating so you get this tantalizing mix of crisp bits and soft bits. There’s plenty of chilli in it, sweetness from the raisins and sugar, sharpness from the lime juice, and a good sprinkling of salt too. Perfect balance in street food.

Serves 8 150g chana dal (Bengal gram or split yellowpeas), soaked overnight in coldwater 1kg potatoes, such as Maris Piper, peeled, coarsely grated Vegetable oil, for deep frying Salt 3 tbsp unsalted cashew nuts or peanuts (skinned) 1 tbsp sesame seeds 1 tbsp fennel seeds ½tsp turmeric 1½tbsp caster sugar, plus extra to taste 2 fresh green chillies, finely chopped with seeds 2 tbsp raisins Juice of 1–2 limes

METHOD Drain the chana dal and pat dry with kitchen paper. Spread out on a tray lined with a clean tea towel (or more kitchen paper) and leave on one side. Soak the prepared potatoes in salted water for 20 minutes.

Drain, use your hands to squeeze out any excess moisture, then pat dry with kitchen paper.

Two-thirds fill a large, deep-sided sturdy pan with vegetable oil and place over a medium heat. Test it’s hot enough by dropping in a piece of potato; it should sizzle and turn golden in about 20 seconds. (Or use a deep-fat fryer heated to 180°C.) Deep-fry the potatoes in batches until crisp and golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper. Season with half a teaspoon of salt and set aside. Using the same oil, fry the chana dal in batches for about 3–4 minutes, or until they rise to the surface and turn a shade darker. Drain on kitchen paper, and add to the fried potatoes.

Heat a heavy-based frying pan over a low-medium heat. Add the cashew nuts or peanuts and fry for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly toasted. Add the sesame seeds and fennel seeds and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring all the time.

Remove from the heat and stir in the turmeric, followed by the sugar, half a teaspoon of salt, the chillies and the raisins, then mix with the potatoes and lentils. Add plenty of lime juice to give a sweet-sour flavour (you may need to add more sugar and salt at this stage to balance the flavour). Serve at room temperature in small bowls as a snack.

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19

FOOD & DRINK

MADRAS FISH CURRY OF SNAPPER, TOMATO AND TAMARIND I have written at some length in the main introduction about finding this curry, which I have nominated as my favourite.

I’ve used the same fish it was cooked with on that day in Mamalla puram – snapper – but in the UK I recommend using any of the following: monkfish fillet, because you get firm slices of white, meaty fish; filleted bass, preferably a large fish, because although you’ll get softer flesh it has plenty of flavour; or gurnard. I think more than anything else that this dish typifies what I was saying about really fresh fish not being ruined by a spicy curry. I can still remember the slightly oily flavour of the exquisite snapper in that dish because fish oil, when it’s perfectly fresh, is very nice to eat. I always think oily fish goes well with curry anyway, particularly with the flavours of tomatoes, tamarind and curry leaves.

SERVES 4 – 6

Method Heat the oil in a heavy-based saucepan or karahi over a medium heat. When hot, add the mustard seeds and fry for 30 seconds, then stir in the onion and garlic and fry gently for about 10 minutes until softened and lightly golden.

Add the curry leaves, chilli powder, coriander and turmeric and fry for 2 minutes, then stir in the tomatoes, tamarind liquid, green chillies and salt and simmer for about 10 minutes until rich and reduced. Add the fish, cook for a further 5 minutes or until just cooked through, and serve with plain rice.

60ml vegetable oil 1 tbsp yellow mustard seeds 1 large onion, finely chopped 15g/3 cloves garlic, finely crushed 30 fresh curry leaves 2 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder 2 tsp ground coriander 2 tsp turmeric 400g can chopped tomatoes 100ml Tamarind liquid 2 green chillies, each sliced lengthways into 6 pieces, with seeds 1 tsp salt 700g snapper fillets, cut into 5cm chunks Boiled basmati rice to serve

Extracted from Rick Stein’s India by Rick Stein, BBC Books hardback £25 Photography: James Murphy

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Your needs are

our Priority...

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HEALTH

Making Life Easier Keeping fit and healthy is an important part of growing older and staying mobile even more so. Regular exercise and good diets are essential to maintaining your independence.

However, studies show around 2.45 million people in England require help on a regular basis.

At Home Mobility superstores situated around the country, specialise in products to help people live independently. They sell thousands of items to allow you to feel comfortable at home.

Climbing the stairs is one task that becomes increasingly difficult as we age. But not to worry, a stair lift or extra hand rails can make this much easier. Fitted to the wall of the staircase, they create a better grip when climbing or allow you to sit and bypass the steps altogether.

have been created to aid movement in the bathroom. These give extra support when getting in and out of the bathtub, by lowering and lifting you from the water, if this is found to be most challenging.

Aquability can help you prevent

problems before they occur and enable you to stay independent for longer.

Sometimes a simple solution is all that is needed to improve home safety, such as installing grab bars or using a specially designed inflatable cushion to get in and out of the bath.

As the UK’s leading bathing solutions provider Aquability have been changing the lives of their customers for over 15 years. Their mobility products include walk- in baths, sitdown showers, powered safety seats and more.

With a comprehensive product range that is constantly updated and an expert team on hand to advise you, Aquability can deliver the perfect solution to your mobility needs, on any budget.

Bathing can become tricky too, especially with slippery surfaces.

However, bath lifts and safety rails

Specialist furniture stores also sell remote controlled chairs and beds that move and adjust to allow sitting up and lying down without any pain or problems.

Out & About Finding you have trouble walking can be a daunting thing and can make leaving the house hard. Mobility stores have a selection of walking aids and frames, in a variety of shapes, colours and sizes, fitted to the individual. Wheelchairs can be purchased, but they are accessible on the NHS, so look into your options.

Mobility scooters are a great invention too if you’re wanting to get out and about. Although, they can be pricey, they are worth the satisfaction of knowing you can travel wherever you like, without the assistance of others. You may however have to register with the DVLA.

Visit www.aquability.com to find out more.

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Planning For The Future

By Sharon Richardson Director at Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors – York, Selby and Malton Everyone should consider some basic legal planning to make sure that their families and loved ones are protected in case of future events which can affect anyone. Here we consider the “essentials” of making a Will, Lasting Power of Attorney and Gift of Property into Trust.

REASONS TO MAKE A WILL Making a Will is important, particularly when you realise that without a Will the Government will decide who will receive your money and possessions after you die. Unfortunately this can cause many difficulties for your surviving family and relatives at an already distressing time. By making a Will you can help alleviate additional pressures on your family.

The myth that ‘my spouse will receive everything anyway’ is not true. Your estate would be shared out in accordance with the ‘Statutory Legacy’ rules and your spouse may only receive the first £250,000 with the rest going to other family members. This might not be enough to enable your spouse to keep the matrimonial home. You may have also heard the term ‘common law husband or wife’. Under UK law when determining www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

who receives your estate on death this term means nothing. Only people who are legally married or have formed a civil partnership will be classed as husband, wife or civil partner and only they can enjoy the benefits of automatically inheriting part of their spouse’s estate. You would have to go to Court to claim part of the estate which will come with the usual costs and expenses.

Children are another reason why it is important to make a Will. If something was to happen to you and your children were still minors or disabled, you can appoint Guardians to look after them. It is also important if you are married for a second time and have children from a previous relationship. If you were to die first and your estate was below the ‘Statutory Legacy’ your whole estate would pass to your second spouse and your children would have no absolute right to anything. If you are legally separated the ‘Statutory Legacy’ will still apply until the divorce is finalised so if you want your estate to pass to someone else then you must make a Will.

You should have your Will prepared by an experienced Solicitor who will make sure all the relevant points are covered especially if your Will is complicated and Tax Planning Advice may be required.

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LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY Most people know they should have a Will, but have you considered what would happen if you were to become unable to manage your own affairs during your lifetime?

Who would make difficult financial and personal decisions on your behalf? You can protect yourself by making a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA).

The LPA is a legal document in which you can appoint another person or persons as Attorney(s) to act on your behalf in relation to your financial affairs and/or personal welfare if you become unable to do so for yourself. The LPA was introduced under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and must be registered with the Court of Protection before it can be used. It is useful if you are ill or in hospital or residential care when it is difficult for you to look after your personal finances or you are unable to make welfare decisions. There is one type of LPA dealing with your financial affairs i.e. managing your Bank Accounts and Investments and also selling your property if required. There is also an LPA dealing with your personal welfare i.e. issues relating to your personal care and where you should live and also giving or refusing consent to certain medical treatment.

It is important to note that you can only make an LPA if you have sufficient mental capacity and this has to be confirmed by a Certificate Provider. In some cases it may be necessary to obtain a Doctor’s opinion if there is any doubt. It is also important to note that it does not take away your independence as one of the main principles of the Act is that capacity is decision specific and Attorneys should assist people to make their own decisions wherever possible. If you should lose capacity without having an LPA in place then it will be necessary for someone to apply to the Court of Protection for authority to deal with your affairs which can be a very slow and expensive process.

An LPA is an important legal document which should be properly prepared and explained to you by an experienced Solicitor.

GIFT OF PROPERTY INTO TRUST Most people are concerned about the costs of long term residential care. Currently if your assets exceed £23,250 including the value of your property then you will be self funding and have to pay for the cost of your care yourself.

The biggest concern for most people is that you may have to sell your property to pay for the care. However it is possible to avoid this by giving your property away during your lifetime, usually to your children.

The gift however must be made in good time and not simply with the intention of avoiding future care fees 24

otherwise it may be caught by the Local Authority’s anti-avoidance measures.

You could simply make an outright gift to your children but as you will probably wish to continue to live in your property this could cause problems. If you were to fall out with them or if they were to experience matrimonial problems or bankruptcy it could lead to someone else making a claim against their share of your property. Additionally, it could also cause problems for your children in owning a share of a second property and could give rise to possible Capital Gains Tax implications for them on the eventual sale of the property.

We would therefore always recommend that a gift of property should be a gift into Trust which would protect you and your children from most of these potential difficulties. The Trust would provide for you to remain living in the property for as long as you wish on the basis that you continue to be responsible for all the outgoings as at present. The Trust can also provide for the property to be sold and a replacement property purchased for you to live in if you so wished. When you no longer live in the property for whatever reason, the trust would come to an end and the property could be sold with the proceeds divided between your children.

In this way you may no longer be treated as the legal owner of the property if you were to be assessed for long-term care fees. Also as you are occupying the property which is held in trust, this usually means that main residence exemption from Capital Gains Tax can be claimed although this is decided by the Revenue on a case by case basis.

Obviously giving away your property is a major irrevocable decision which requires specialist legal advice.

Make sure you carry out your legal planning in good time with the benefit of specialist legal advice from a Solicitor who is experienced in such matters.

At Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors they have specialists who can advise and give information on why it is important to make a Will, LPA’s and gifts of property into Trust.

Contact Sharon Richardson or Belinda Poulter at Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors on 01904 624185.

You can also visit www.crombiewilkinson.co.uk www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

crombie wilkinson solicitors York, 19 Clifford Street 01904 624185 Selby, 6 Park Street 01757 708957 Malton, Market Place 01653 600070

We have a specialist team of lawyers who deal with private client matters at each of our offices in York, Selby and Malton. Our experienced team will be happy to arrange a meeting with you at one of our offices to discuss your personal circumstances or indeed come and visit you if you need us to.

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Our services are especially relevant to the elderly, such as making a Will, making a Lasting Power of Attorney, registering an Enduring Power of Attorney, dealing with Tax Planning matters, creating Trusts and dealing with Estate Administration and Court of Protection.

More information about our elderly client and private client services can be found on our website www.crombiewilkinson.co.uk

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HEALTH

ENSURE YOUR EYE HEALTH WITH A SPRING MOT As soon as we have our first hint of spring, we take to clearing out cupboards and draws as part of the annual spring clean! This year the Eye Love My Local Independent Optician campaign is encouraging people of every age to spring clean their health starting with an all important eye test.

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A quarter of people surveyed recently admitted to not having had their eyes tested for more than two years.

It is time to get booked in for an MOT. Under the Eye Love My Local Independent Optician campaign, [insert practice name] in [insert location] is urging people of every age to book an eye test to maintain the health of what 75 per cent of those surveyed regarded as their most valued of all the four senses.

Colin Perrott, a spokesperson for Vison Care Optometry, said: “If the New Year didn’t make you sit back and think about your health then we hope that encouraging you to get your eyes tested as part of your annual spring clean will.

“Many people today put their eye heath at risk by falling into the habit of visiting an optician only when encountering problems with their sight. We recommend and encourage everyone to have an eye exam at least every two years to maintain prolonged eye health.”

“Many general health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and raised cholesterol, can be identified as part of a routine eye examination. In addition, regular eye tests help in early diagnosis of common eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration. Treatment of these

conditions in the early stages can be vital to help prevent sight loss.

“We wrongly assume that if we can see, then our eyes must be healthy. However, many eye conditions do not have a serious affect on vision in the early stages. The sooner a condition is diagnosed, the sooner it can be treated and good sight can be maintained.”

Vison Care Optometry with practices based in York and Castleford is urging people in the areas to get their eyes checked following predictions that by 2020 the number of people with sight loss will rise to over 2.25-million.

The current number stands at 1.8 million, and while the vast majority are understandably older people, it’s estimated that 80,000 of these are of working age and 25,000 are children. In 2050, the number of people with sight loss in the UK is expected to double to nearly four million.

Yet over 50 per cent of sight loss is due to preventable or treatable causes, according to a report by Vision 2020 UK. A regular eye exam can drastically reduce these numbers.

Eyecare in the comfort of your own chair If you are housebound or in care you are entitled to a free eye exam in your chair, not ours.

Please call us to arrange your NHS funded eye exam

York 30 York Road | York | YO24 4LZ york@visioncareoptometry.co.uk 01904 784 040

Castleford 19 Sagar Street | Castleford | WF10 1AG castleford@visioncareoptometry.co.uk 01977 552 361

www.visioncareoptometry.co.uk

Eyecare in the home 265x170mm.indd 1

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29/05/2013 14:52

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PROSTATE NEWS

As we get older, we have an increasing risk of prostate cancer.

Researchers have shown that Lycopene (the red colour in tomatoes and one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants) is beneficial for those at risk as well as those who already have the disease.

For example, the following studies all point towards positive benefits: Harvard Medical School, USA A study of 50,000 men showed a significant reduction in the incidence of prostate cancer for men on high (tomato) Lycopene diets.

“Frequent consumption of tomato products is associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer.”

Kings College Hospital, London A 12 month trial involving men with confirmed prostate cancer found that about 70% of those consuming Lycoplus, a dietary supplement containing Lycopene, benefited from a much reduced rate of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) increase or an actual reduction in their PSA. “Our clinical study lends weight to the probability that dietary supplementation with Lycopene [from Lycoplus] slows disease progression in men with prostate cancer.”

Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, USA Amongst a group of men with prostate cancer who were to have radical prostatectomy, some took a Lycopene supplement, some not. Following surgery it was found in the Lycopene group that more than two-thirds had the cancer confined to the prostate whereas in the other group more than half found the cancer had spread. Similarly, in the Lycopene group less than 20% had tumours larger than 4cc but in the other group the equivalent number was approximately 50%.

“Lycopene as tomato extract may not only help prevent prostate cancer but also may be useful to treat prostate cancer.”

Although the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, it is known that Lycopene accumulates in the prostate gland. Many researchers think that Lycopene’s antioxidant properties help to protect the body’s DNA from damaging free radicals. Others believe that Lycopene improves cell-to-cell communication, reducing the risk of the uninhibited growth seen in cancer cells.

In all likelihood, several mechanisms are at work simultaneously and there is much research currently being conducted across the globe to understand these interactions.

In the meantime, many men are not waiting for full scientific explanations but are turning to Lycopene to reduce the risk of prostate disease. Humans possess no mechanism to make Lycopene; instead we accumulate it from our diet. Furthermore, natural Lycopene is hardly taken up at all from the consumption of raw tomatoes and only becomes “bioavailable” if the fruit is cooked and/or processed prior to eating. Consequently, supplements such as Lycoplus EXTRA are an increasingly attractive option.

Reactivating Lycopene with Vitamin C Every time a damaging free radical is removed by a Lycopene molecule, the antioxidant becomes “spent” – in essence, the Lycopene sacrifices itself to protect the body’s DNA. However, research has shown that the presence of plenty of vitamin C allows the “spent” Lycopene molecules to be reactivated, rejuvenating them and preparing them to quench another poisonous free radical.

Thus, vitamin C is believed to prolong the antioxidising effects of Lycopene.

STOP PRESS Diet rich in tomatoes may lower breast cancer risk In work to be published in 2014 in the Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Dr Adana Llanos from Rutgers University, USA shows that a tomato-rich diet could help to protect at-risk post-menopausal women from breast cancer because Lycopene affects the level of hormones that play a role in metabolism and cancer risk. The risk reduction was clear for older (50+) women after only 10 weeks of 25mg Lycopene per day – approximately 2 capsules of Lycoplus Extra daily.

Staying Informed George & Partners is committed to providing readable, up-to-date, scientifically robust information about lycopene research, particularly that related to prostate cancer, breast cancer, heart disease and skin health. To sign up for our free newsletter, please call 08000 234 235 or visit www.lycoplus.co.uk.

Based at Keele University Science Park, George & Partners is the collective brainchild of three internationally renowned professors who have published more than 800 scientific papers over the last 30 years.

Natural Lycopene Supplement Each Lycoplus EXTRA one-a-day capsule contains 15mg of natural Lycopene plus 60mg of vitamin C which reactivates “spent” Lycopene, enhancing and prolonging the effect of the supplement.

One box of 30 capsules (one month’s supply)

£17.95

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2 boxes for

£30.90

Save £16

4 boxes for

£55.80

All prices include free UK postage & packing

To order call Freephone 08000 234 235 or visit www.lycoplus.co.uk

George & Partners Limited, Keele University Science Park, Staffordshire ST5 5NL 28

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How to choose a Home Care provider Home care is the best option of support to enable your loved one to stay within the comfort of home, living independently. It is an affordable alternative to a care home and without the stress of moving and leaving familiar surroundings.

Choosing a home care provider can be difficult as there are so many, but how do you choose the right one that will provide the quality of care that your loved one deserves.

How to choose a home care provider without worrying if you are making the right decision is to have the right questions to ask or to know what to look for.

Regulatory bodies for home care Always ensure that the home care provider is registered with the relevant care regulator for their country and in the UK, this is the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Care regulators will audit the provision of care regularly to ensure that each provider is meeting their statutory requirements.

Memberships and associations Look for membership with United Kingdom Home Care Association (UKHCA), this is the professional association of home care providers.

They promote higher standards of care, and act as one voice for care providers to bring about changes in legislation and policy. A good care provider will be actively involved in contributing to the betterment of the social care system.

Experience and continuity of care When looking at home care providers, it is good to have an understanding of what experience they have, how long have they been operating for in the area.

Also check how long the company itself has been operating and that is robust so able to provide care for the foreseeable future.

Valuing home care workers A good home care provider will value their home care workers, providing them with adequate training and regular refresher training. Investment in care staff is important to ensure that they are happy and confident in their role. Care staff should have regular supervision and be supported to gain health and social care qualifications.

Free home care assessment A free home care assessment should always be provided, this includes a risk assessment. Care planning should also be, ideally person centred which means that they listen to the needs and wishes of the customer, putting them at the heart of what they do.

Community involvement A Home Care provider that is active in its local community will be able to offer more than just care in the home. It will a good awareness of local services and help the cared for not be isolated within his/her home. The provider will also assist with the integration of care through having good relationships with other care and medical professionals in the area.

Natural Carers...

Providing people with expert and independent advice regarding their care and support options is an everyday task of the Bluebird Care team in Hull and Beverley.

We are a family owned business which has been set up by professionals qualified in health and social care and with a mission to offer local people a quality of service they may not have experienced before.

We make a point of listening hard to what our customers are saying because it is about them and not us. Unsolicited comments from them are all the reward we need...

“I feel my mum is in safe hands” “The care staff are brilliant, they are so kind and caring, I don’t know what I’d do without them” “Many thanks for your care...which was first class” And even a comment from an applicant for a position with the company.....”just to say thank you for meeting me today, it was a privilege to meet someone so passionate about caring” .

Bluebird Care can provide temporary (to get you through a period of illness/ hospital discharge etc.) or longer-term support for you and your family. Our customers are both private or social services and health funded.

Call our professional team on 01482 332267 What we offer We offer everything from personal care to shopping, cleaning or social visits.

In fact everything you need to stay in the comfort of your own home.

Alternative

qrf ree.kay wa.com (312×312)

Bluebird Care offers a realistic cost effective alternative to residential care.

With familiar friends, relatives and possessions around, Bluebird Care ‘just happens’.

Our staff Our staff are ‘natural’ carers, trained and undergo robust recruitment procedures..

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www.bluebirdcare.co.uk/hull Bluebird Care Hull and Beverley Victoria House, 36 Derringham Street, Hull 29

Plan ahead

A thoughtful decision

There comes a stage in all our lives when it’s natural to think about when we won’t be here. We wonder about loved ones and what to leave them.

A Golden Charter plan will bring you peace of mind

There are some things, however, that we wouldn’t wish to leave them. These include the burden of high funeral costs and the worry of deciding on the funeral arrangements.

If you have concerns about such matters, a Golden Charter funeral plan will bring you peace of mind.

So many reasons to choose Golden Charter: Consideration for loved ones is the most frequent reason for purchasing a Golden Charter Plan.

A Golden Charter plan covers all the costs within our independent funeral directors’ control.

Consideration for others is the most frequent reason for buying a Golden Charter funeral plan. With Golden Charter you know that your loved ones will be spared some of the burden of bereavement. You’ll have specified every detail of the funeral in advance, selected the funeral director and made provision for the costs.

More than 160,000 people in Great Britain have planned their funerals with Golden Charter, an independent company that is British-owned and run. They know that their money is secure and their funeral director’s services are fully guaranteed

A guarantee A Golden Charter plan covers all your independent funeral director’s services

Your payment will be held by an independent Trust Fund on behalf of your selected funeral director.

Once you’ve paid for your Golden Charter plan, you can be sure that neither your loved ones nor your estate will be asked for a penny more for the services within the control of your funeral director - no matter how much these costs may rise in years to come.

Proven value

An allowance for disbursements

On past evidence a Golden Charter plan is better value than a high-interest building society account.

Some costs are paid on your behalf by the funeral director but are not within his control. Known as disbursements, they include the fees of cemeteries, crematoria, doctors, clergy, newspaper notices and memorials. Only if the increase in these costs were to exceed the disbursements amount allowed for in the plan might there be a balance to pay at the time of need.

Financial security

Freedom of choice There are no restrictions on your choice of funeral director.

Woodland Trust A free feature of every plan, unique to Golden Charter - when you purchase a plan, a tree will be planted on your behalf by the Woodland Trust.

Financial security Your payment will be held in an independent trust fund.

Your payment will go directly to the Golden Charter Trust, which will hold the money for your funeral on

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behalf of participating funeral directors. This is why your funeral director is able to provide a legally binding contract, guaranteeing that your selected arrangement will be carried out when required.

In 1926, Herbert expanded the company by purchasing a property in Hallgate, Cottingham.

The house which was fronted by a shop, originally housed his father and later passed through the generations to Herbert’s son, Eardley.

The Trust Fund is a legally separate entity from Golden Charter. In the unlikely event of something untoward affecting the company, the Fund would continue until every plan has been carried out.

By 1932, the Cottingham-based property became a workshop and then, once extended, a chapel of repose.

The Kemp family later decided to move all of its business to the Cottingham area purchasing several more properties in Hallgate.

When someone has purchased a Golden Charter funeral plan they know that the family they have left behind need not worry about the cost of the funeral and making difficult decisions in order to keep their loved ones wishes at an emotionally stressful time.

Today, owner, Geoffrey Kemp, Eardley’s second son, runs the business along with his own son, David, and offers a complete funeral service for the whole of east Yorkshire.

If you require any further information please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Still going strong When a loved one dies, arranging the necessary arrangements can be difficult.

Placing your trust in a company to organise the funeral arrangements is not the easiest decision to make.

H. Kemp and Son Funeral Directors, in Hallgate, Cottingham, is a family-run business with a history spanning 116 years and has built a reputation as one of the oldest and best personal services in the region.

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN: H. Kemp and Son Funeral Directors in Waterloo Street, Hull.

The business, which was founded in 1893 by Herbert Kemp, who was 23-years-old, was originally based in Waterloo Street, Hull. It was a joinery company which then developed into an undertaking business.

H. KEMP & SON LTD FUNERAL DIRECTORS - Established 1893

Genuine Family Business for a Hundred Years FUNERALS RESPECTFULLY CONDUCTED l DAY OR NIGHT l PERSONAL ATTENTION AT ALL TIMES HOME OR ABROAD l COMPLETE FUNERAL SERVICE l

t: 01482 844695

PRIVATE REST ROOMS AVAILABLE l LIMOUSINES l GOLDEN CHARTER PRE-PAYMENT PLAN AVAILABLE l

259-261 Hallgate, Cottingham, Yorks. HU16 4BG

Fax: 01482 843898 www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

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