Kirklees & calderdale issue 51

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W W W. 5 0 P L U S M A G A Z I N E . C O . U K NOVEMBER 2016 - JANUARY 2017

KIRKLEES & CALDERDALE EDITION 51

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Arise Sir Rod AS HE PREPARES FOR A NEW TOUR

A HOLIDAY FOR TWO WITH ROBINSONS HOLIDAYS

Kirkwood Hospice SPONSOR A KIRKWOOD NURSE TODAY

Mobile Foot Health Clinic Details inside...

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Est.1923

Coach Holidays

2017 BROCHUR OUT NOW E Eastbourne

Isle of Wight

Freephone: 0800 083 9900 Visit us online at www.robinsons-holidays.co.uk

Torquay

Park Garage, Great Harwood, Blackburn, BB6 7SP

IMPERIAL HOTEL POSTCARD.indd 11

Located on the south coast within the historic county of Sussex, lies the elegant seaside resort of Eastbourne. Renowned for its top sunshine records and award winning beaches, Eastbourne is understandably a popular holiday destination for all.

With a sprinkling of high street shops, centrally located, a Victorian pier and a rich history boasting a variety of castles, museums and galleries, Eastbourne is sure to cater for your every need.

Imperial Hotel Located just a stone’s throw away from the promenade and band stand, this grand Victorian hotel is full of character and home to a number of spacious, comfortable bedrooms, all accessible via lifts.

Guests are able to unwind in the relaxing lounge area before an evening meal in the Majestic Restaurant, offering hearty, home cooked food.

Hotel facilities l All rooms are en-suite with telephone, television and hairdryer l Free WiFi in Public areas l Premier rooms available* l Complimentary tea and coffee in all rooms l Waiter service l Traditional English breakfast l Lunch snacks available daily l Table d’hôte menu l Optional a la carte menu available l Live entertainment most evenings l Ballroom/Dance floor l Two lifts serving all floors l Porterage.

Take a short boat ride across the Solent and discover the Isle of Wight, an island of astounding natural beauty with a variety of attractions to suit all ages.

Located on the south east coast of the island, the traditional seaside resort of Shanklin is home to golden sandy beaches and a quaint collection of shops housed in traditional thatched cottages. It is understandably one of the most popular resorts on the island with plenty to entertain.

Ocean View Hotel Situated in a premier location with an idyllic seaside position, the charming, well-appointed Ocean View Hotel boasts uninterrupted panoramic views across Sandown Bay. The hotel also offers a large sprung dance floor and provides live entertainment most evenings.

Hotel facilities l All rooms are en-suite with telephone, television and hairdryer l Free WiFi in Public areas l Premier and sea views rooms available* l Complimentary tea and coffee in all rooms l Waiter service l Traditional English breakfast l Lunch snacks available daily l Licensed bar l Table d’hôte menu l Optional a la carte menu available l Live entertainment most evenings l Ballroom/Dance floor l Heated indoor swimming pool l Indoor bowling green, table tennis and snooker room l Lift serving all floors l Porterage.

Please note that on each floor of the hotel, some steps may need to be negotiated.

19/12/2014 Located in the heart of the English Riviera, Torquay is renowned for its mild climate, award winning sandy beaches and secluded coves and has been a popular holiday destination since the early 19th century.

With its distinctive European atmosphere, sophisticated environment and beautifully varied scenery, Torquay remains a popular holiday destination.

Abbey Lawn Hotel If you’re looking to unwind in style, this elegant Georgian hotel is the place to stay. Located in the grounds of the former Torre Abbey with stunning views of the bay, the Abbey Lawn hotel offers an exceptional standard of comfort throughout.

The hotel comprises superb facilities, including a heated indoor swimming pool and a conservatory lounge overlooking the bay, where guests can relax and enjoy a drink.

Hotel facilities l All rooms are en-suite with telephone, television and hairdryer l Free WiFi in Public areas l Premier and front facing rooms available* l Complimentary tea and coffee in all rooms l Waiter service l Traditional English breakfast l Lunch snacks available daily l Licensed bar l Table d’hôte menu l Optional a la carte menu available l Live entertainment most evenings l Ballroom/Dance floor l Heated indoor pool l Lift serving all floors l Porterage.

09:58

5 Days from £129 7 Day Tours 2017

5 Day Tours 2017

4 nts dinner, bed & breakfast IMPERIAL OCEAN VIEW

6 nts dinner, bed & breakfast ABBEY LAWN

Sat/Sun Departure

£219

£219

04/05 Mar

-

£219

ABBEY 11/12 Mar £249 £269 IMPERIAL OCEAN£249

IMPERIAL OCEAN VIEW

ABBEY LAWN

12 Mar £219

6 Feb

-

£129

-

13 Feb

-

£129

£129

18 Mar

-

£135

19 Mar £219

£219

-

20 Feb £135

-

-

£139

26 Mar £219

£219

£219

06 Mar £145

£145

£145

02 Apr

£229

£229

£229

13 Mar £149

£149

£149

09 Apr

£249

£249

£249

20 Mar £155

£155

£155

16 Apr

£259

£259

£259

27 Mar £159

£159

£159

23 Apr

£269

£269

£269

27 Feb

-

03 Apr

£165

£165

£165

10 Apr

£175

£175

£175

14 Apr

£179

£179

£179

19 Apr

£185

£185

£185

24 Apr

£189

£189

£189

01 May £199

£199

£199

08 May

£209

£209

-

15 May £219

30 Apr

IMPERIAL OCEAN VIEW

ABBEY LAWN

-

£259

VIEW

- LAWN

18/19 Mar

£259 £259 £279

25/26 Mar

£269 £269 £289

01/02 Apr

£279

£279 £299

08/09 Apr

£289

£289 £309

15/16 Apr

£299

£299 £319

22/23 Apr

£325

£325 £329 £349 £349

£299

£299

£299

07 May £315

£315

£315

29/30 Apr

£349

£359 £359 £359

14 May £325

£325

£325

06/07 May

21 May £335

£335

£335

13/14 May

£369 £369 £369

28 May £345

£345

£345

20/21 May

£379 £379 £379

04 Jun £355

£355

£355

27/28 May

£389 £389 £389

11 Jun £379

£379

£379

03/04 Jun

£399 £399 £399

18 Jun £379

£379

£379

10/11 Jun

£409 £409 £409

17/18 Jun

£409 £409 £409

24/25 Jun

£409 £409 £409

01/02 July

£409 £409 £409

08/09 July

£409 £409 £409

15/16 July

£409 £409 £409

22/23 July

£409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409

£219

£219

22 May £225

-

£225

29 May £229

£229

£229

25 Jun £379

£379

£379

05 Jun £239

£239

-

02 July £379

£379

£379

12 Jun £239

£239

£239

09 July £379

£379

£379

19 Jun £239

£239

-

16 July £379

£379

£379

26 Jun £239

£239

£239

23 July £379

£379

£379

03 July £239

£239

-

30 July £379

£379

£379

10 July

£239

£239

06 Aug £379

£379

£379

-

8 Day Tours 2017

7 nts dinner, bed & breakfast

17 July £239

£239

£239

13 Aug £379

£379

£379

29/30July

24 July £239

-

£239

20 Aug £379

£379

£379

05/06 Aug

£409

£409 £409

£379

12/13 Aug

£409

£409 £409

19/20 Aug

£409

£409 £409

26/27 Aug

£409

£409 £409

02/03 Sept

£389 £389 £389

09/10 Sept

£379 £379 £379

16/17 Sept

£369 £369 £369

23/24 Sept

£359 £359 £359

Imperial Hotel: Supplements per person: Premier Room £20 Ocean View: Supplements per person: Premier Room £30 Front Facing Room: £10 Abbey Lawn : Supplements per person: Premier Room £30 Front Facing Room: £10

27 Aug £379

£379

Only standard rooms available on 7 Day Tours

Your Groups’ Specialist for coach holidays in the UK and Europe

We can tailor make tours to your specific requirements, if you want more information then contact our groups department on 0800 7851025 or email groups@robinsons-holidays.co.uk

With over 90 years of experience in tailor making holidays, we at Robinsons offer a personal service. Whether you need help with part or all of your groups holidays we can lend a hand in organising, booking and everything in-between.

We are flexible in our approach and can offer destinations found in this brochure or we can tailor make to your specification, whether in the UK or Europe. We offer all of our group’s excellent benefits: • 1 FREE place for every 10 paying passengers • Special interest and activity groups catered for • Complete financial security-BCH Bonded

Imperial Hotel Supplements per person: Premier Room - £35 Abbey Lawn Hotel Supplements per person: Premier Room - £50 Front Facing Room - £15 Ocean View Hotel Supplements per person: Premier Room - £50 Sea View Room - £15

The Robinsons Difference Local joining points l No single supplements* l High standard of accommodation l Great choice of menus l Executive coaches with extra legroom l Includes excursions l Friendly staff l Own hotels in great locations l Peace of mind security l Payment in instalments * Robinsons own hotels l

We offer you ...

3 4/6/7/8 nights dinner, bed & breakfast 3 2 included excursions 3 Local pick-up points 3 Service of driver courier

Robinsons Holidays, Park Garage, Great Harwood, Blackburn BB6 7SP

The sports fuelling the rise in Britain’s position in the medals’ table over the past eight years – like athletics, boxing and cycling – were rewarded with more investment.

Oddly, swimming, which had its funding cut, performed very well in Rio, but perhaps that just means that swimmers are a particularly hardy breed, determined to win under all circumstances.

Thanks for the golds, Lottery fans IS buying a few Lottery tickets a weekly habit for you as you rely on your “special” numbers and mentally plan how you’d spend your £20 million?

In the bigger picture, what it definitely means is that you are doing a pretty remarkable job by buying a Lottery ticket or five. So, along with that wonderfully stomach-churning, heart-stopping weekly moment when those balls bounce down the chute and you wonder if your life will change forever, just bear in mind that you have already helped change the life of a budding athlete somewhere.

Just by buying a Lottery ticket.

I mention this interesting fact not because I’ve just won the roll-over (we stopped doing the Lottery 20 years ago when we fell out badly over how we would spend our imaginary winnings - ridiculous, I know) but because of how important Lottery money has become to sport in this country.

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KELLY

The “baby boomers” are generally those born between 1947 and 1964 and as I fall into that category my interest was piqued. The rest of the headline, however, had me seething “I don’t belieeeeeeve it!” as it read “Generation wants to spend, spend spend, rather than leave cash to kids.”

The story was about a new study which revealed that one in four 18 to 34 year-olds questioned said they were relying on inheriting the money built up by their parents so they can retire in financial security.

What makes the developing situation interesting is that two out of three of the “baby boomers” questioned said they would rather spend their inheritance than pass it on, and they won’t bankroll the future security of their children.

I should think not!

While I’m all for helping our children as much as I can and in the way I want, I’d like to think they weren’t making firm future plans based on my bank balance. That way lies trip-wires and unusual-tasting mushroom soup.

Personally, I think there’s nothing wrong with spending the money I’ve earned. And if I want to fritter it away on wine, a Hollywood smile, young men called Sebastian in tight trousers, holidays to Paphos or a trout pout then I will.

If it is, you’re one of almost 45 million people around the UK filling in Lottery tickets each week.

The figure announced on the radio the other day was £340 million going from the Lottery to Olympic and Paralympic sports between 2013 and 2017. That was in the same news’ programme as a round-up of the amazing haul of medals won by Team GB in the Rio Olympics. And these two facts are not un-related.

BY

PONDERINGS

ANGELA

Hands off the cash – I’m spending it I HAD a real Victoria Meldrew moment the other day when I read a headline in a national newspaper about “Selfish Baby Boomers”.

I always thought the greatest “legacy” you could leave your children was the work ethic and a decent set of values. That currency doesn’t change.

Saucy incident left me red-faced I’M not allowed those little cartons of sauce you’re given in cafes and restaurants any more.

The reason is simple. My husband and I were having lunch in a pleasant café which was full of families and office staff obviously on their lunch break.

I was having my usual HP sauce on my chips (this is the King of Sauces and I will brook no argument) and it was brought in generous little plastic packs that you ripped off and then squeezed out. Unfortunately, I got my ripping and squeezing a bit muddled and suddenly, a plume of sauce sped over my left shoulder.

As it happened, a rather pretty girl in her teens was sitting with a couple of young men, obviously on their lunch hour, at the table directly behind us. It was a nice day and she was wearing a snowy white blouse.

In a kind of terrible slow motion, as I turned towards her I could see globules of HP settling in an artistic arrangement all over the back of her pristine top.

I felt terrible! I started apologising profusely but she couldn’t really see the damage. “Don’t worry”, she told me, kindly.

“Is it very bad?” she asked one of her colleagues. Eyeing my shocked face, he gamely said: “No, not really” even

though the brown mess had now turned nicely into a map of Australia.

They all got up to go back to their office – the girl still oblivious of her brown “backpack” - but for some reason my appetite had deserted me.

When we got outside, my husband, who had been serious-faced and sympathetic throughout, doubled up in a heap laughing.

We still can’t talk about this incident without the tears coming – his not mine – and I am now only allowed sauce bottles when we eat out.

Shaken very slowly, of course.

Setting a boozy example THE thorny subject of children and alcohol has been under scrutiny again recently.

No, not about adults going into offlicences to buy booze for gangs of teens so they can sit in the park and see who can shout the loudest or throw up the longest.

This time, it‘s about whether parents should allow children to drink at home before the age of 14. New figures show that half of parents do,

and one in 10 even lets them have alcohol between the ages of five and seven.

This is tough because if you make alcohol a no-go completely, there’s the danger of them wanting to try it and going off binge-drinking secretly with their mates. And if you introduce too much at home you might encourage bad long-term habits.

Most of us settled long ago for the middle road and gave older children a small drink of wine (which they mostly hated) but banned it for younger ones. More important, possibly, is the parental role model of how we drink – which could affect their behaviour much more than we think.

inside TRAVEL...

BHUTAN: LAND OF THE THUNDER DRAGON PAGES 6-7

ROD STEWARD NEW TOUR 12-13

INTERIORS...

HOME LIFE

PAGES 29-32

ANTONIO CARLUCCIO

THE MASTER OF ITALIAN COOKERY PAGES 34-36

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BHUTAN:

The Land of the Thunder Dragon What’s the name of a country the size of Switzerland, landlocked too, with a constitutional monarchy, located in South Asia and only recently connected to the internet, where the king insists on measuring Gross National Happiness each year?

Oh yes, and visited by the Cambridges in April 2016, with great success.

Where?

The answer is indeed, Bhutan: a country bordered in the north by China, and India in the south, west and east. So just a tad inaccessible, and mountainous to boot. It really was pretty closed for centuries and has only recently encouraged tourism, although numbers are somewhat controlled.

This is, in part, because the number of pilots licensed to land at Paro airport, Bhutan’s only international airport, was just eight, for some time. Flying in from Kathmandu is recommended as you can see Mount Everest if you sit on the left hand side of the plane. And wherever you come in from, Delhi, Mumbai, Singapore or Bangkok, the landing is almost vertical, after an approach through deep valleys, with towering mountains above.

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How? You can only visit as part of a group with a designated local guide, and there’s a daily fee for tourists, so it’s not the place for free-wheeling backpackers.

Tourist infrastructure is rudimentary as it’s a new-ish development, so signs are not in English and trails not always well-marked when trekking. Guides take charge and add much to the visitor experience. One of the most popular expeditions is to hike in the central region, through the Himalayan foothills, taking a trip for 3 or 4 days, sleeping in tents, passing through traditional villages and immersing yourself in the pristine natural environment.

Why? This is a country that rewards the visitor time and again: it has been compared

to Shangri-La, the mythical utopia of James Hilton’s 1933 book, Lost Horizon.

The way of life is happily traditional, staying the same for centuries, and now the outside world is arriving in the form of tourists, television since 1999 and the internet (still only in Thimphu, the capital): so if you wish to experience authentic Himalayan Buddhism in a living culture before it dies out, this is where to go. Even now, there is inevitable change as this society strives to cope with the influences beamed in by satellite. However, there is no doubt that here, ceremonies, practices and Buddhist culture are still of paramount importance. The monthly festivals held around the country are noisy, colourful and steeped in history, they are full of music and dancing, with ancient stories

TRAVEL

enacted and celebrated by dancers in extraordinary masks. Tourists are welcome to be part of all this: the Bhutanese love to share the Tourism Council says. Try archery, but maybe not yak riding!

Schoolchildren dress traditionally, in the gho for boys, a knee-length, brightly coloured, belted coat with knee-high socks and smart brogues. For girls, a kira is worn, often a full length skirt and neat jacket, equally brightly coloured.

The Duchess of Cambridge wore an approximation of the kira during her visit to Bhutan.

What is striking about the people in Bhutan is their love for the king, who they truly revere, the Buddhism that defines them and their general joy in life. The current King’s father, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, was responsible for introducing the measurement of Gross National Happiness, which considers the individual and society in many ways – economic, religious, communal and cultural. It is an intrinsic part of Bhutan, which gives rise to a unique people, whose principles include no harming others and intense reflection.

In each town and city centre is the dzong, a fortress-like buildings that acts as a monastery and administrative centre. It is seen as a symbol of the community and very much part of daily life. They are splendid buildings, said to

When?

have been created by llamas, without formal plans, or use of iton or cement.

Even the airport terminal is built in this style.

Nature too is astonishing here: the landscape is diverse and dramatic: the plunging valleys are often filled with fast flowing rivers. The wildlife is abundant, with little to have encroached on it and the Buddhist beliefs protecting it. Bengal tigers, red pandas, snow leopards, black bears and takins, the national animal, are just a few of the species to be seen. Many rare birds live here too, making it a birders’ paradise.

The climate in the south is subtropical, leading to abundant and lush vegetation, poinsettias grow almost as tall as an adult, whereas in the north it is decidedly chillier, almost polar in fact.

This gives rise to real contrasts when travelling around.

And just a world about the food, it is not all vegetarian, with chilli cheese (Ema Datshi) being a real favourite locally. Should you choose a homestay with a Bhutanese family, which is a popular tourist option, red rice will be frequently eaten too!

There are 4 clear seasons here.

Spring is magical for wildlife and acres of mountain flowers, including the famous blue poppy which is the country’s symbol. And in autumn the harvest takes place, so you can really appreciate the agricultural way of life outside the cities.

The best time to visit is October to April, which is the dry season. The Tourism Board is keen to encourage visitors from December to February when, whilst cooler, days are bright and sunny, and there are fewer visitors.

From June to September, there is rain for 2 or 3 hours a day, and conditions can feel almost like a monsoon.

Who? The Tourism Council recommends Bhutan for everyone who wants a unique experience, beautiful nature, geography and people with perhaps a few spiritual insights along the way. In fact, it employs the phrase ‘Happiness is a place’ to describe the country. Can there be any better recommendation?

With many thanks to Amit Verma of Cox & Kings and Damcho Rinzin of the Tourism Council of Bhutan

FACT BOX

Cox & Kings offer group and private tours to Bhutan.

Visit www.coxandkings.co.uk.

For reviews on this wonderful country, visit www.silvertraveladvisor.com, and type Bhutan into the search box.

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7

Superb Seaside Holidays Coach SELF-DRIVE & COACH INCLUSIVE BREAKS

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have our own fleet of executive Our coach inclusive option allows guests across the UK to travel in ches that usoffer totheoffer comfort, while enables our self-drive holidays freedom of having your own car. el from a selection of pick up Every break includes: nts across the UK. • Return coach travel (self-drive option available) • Comfy en suite accommodation

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• Live nightly entertainment also boast friendly drivers who will warmly greet elp you settle into your pre-allotted seat and let Certificate of Excellence Awards now of any planned comfort breaks.

We aim to We are proud to announce that five of our group – The Barrowfield, Devonshire,depending Daish’s, Bournemouth ou to your hotel between 3-5pm, on Sands and Claremont Hotels – have been awarded the coveted TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2016. ngth of the journey.

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Price includes return coach travel from: Halifax, Bradford, Leeds, Wakefield (Denby Dale Road),Sheffield & Tibshelf Services.

All offers are subject to availability and standard terms and conditions (see brochure or website for T&C’s).

DATE

HOTEL

DAYS

PRICE

NOVEMBER 20

Russell Hotel – Weymouth

5

£199

22

Somerset Hotel – Llandudno

7

£299

25

Daish’s Hotel – Isle of Wight

5

£209

28

Hotel Prince Regent – Weymouth

5

£219

28

Devonshire Hotel – Torquay

5

£189

DECEMBER 01

Claremont Hotel – Eastbourne

5

£199

03

Barrowfield Hotel – Newquay

5

£189

10

Russell Hotel – Weymouth

5

£179

13

Claremont Hotel – Eastbourne

5

£199

15

Daish’s Hotel – Isle of Wight

5

£189

16

Sands Hotel – Bournemouth

5

£169

JANUARY 09

Daish's Hotel - Isle of Wight

5

£124

13

Devonshire Hotel – Torquay

5

£129

14

Hotel Prince Regent – Weymouth

5

£139

18

Claremont Hotel – Eastbourne

5

£144

19

Barrowfield Hotel – Newquay

5

£134

23

Sands Hotel – Bournemouth

5

£144

24

Russell Hotel – Weymouth

5

£144

28

Somerset Hotel – Llandudno

5

£154

Prices shown are per person based on two people sharing a Standard Room. Supplements apply on twin/ double rooms with sole occupancy. Optional local excursions can be booked at the hotel. Many more coach or self-drive holiday dates available in 2016. If you would prefer to self-drive, deduct £20 per person from prices shown.

Llandudno

Newquay

Weymouth

Weymouth

n available)

Call 01202 638840 or visit daishs.com quote 50PlusWY facebook.com/daishs

Somerset Hotel

Barrowfield Hotel

Hotel Prince Regent

Russell Hotel

@daishs_holidays

TRAVEL and Het Loo respectively. And there’s no doubt that the gardens at Alhambra in Spain may not follow traditional lines, they are truly stunning, and fitting for a Moorish palace, with dancing, sparkling fountains, lacy stone work and shady courtyards. It’s peaceful outdoor space in a harsh, hot climate which has been carefully created.

Floral Tours and Cruises B y J ennie C arr f r o m S ilv er T rav el A d v isor As the great Gertrude Jekyll reputedly said: ‘The lesson I have thoroughly learnt, and wish to pass on to others, is to know the enduring happiness that the love of a garden gives.’ And how right she is! Brits are known worldwide for their love of gardens and tours to some of the world’s most fabulous are really popular. You can stay in the UK and travel by coach to take in the likes of Heligan, Alnwick and Wisley.

Or cruise to Honfleur, perhaps, to visit Monet’s deservedly revered waterlilies.

And for the adventurous, trips to China to follow the footsteps of the Victorian plant hunters are on offer. Near and far, there are gardens and superb examples of horticulture to behold!

The UK: We are actually very spoilt indeed in the UK, with most of us living within close proximity to a gorgeous garden. The Royal Horticultural Society has its own wonderful estates at Wisely, Rosemoor, Harlow Carr and Hyde Hall, each are different and have a magnificent range of plants. The RHS also have 195 associated gardens to visit and there are, reputedly, more than 800 places of horticultural interest in the UK! Their Garden Holidays have great opportunities to go to some of the remarkable gardens on the Sicily Isles and Channel Islands, both of which have kinder climates than the mainland. These tours are often arranged as cruises, with guest botanists giving talks, on Minerva from Swan Hellenic or Voyager from Voyages of Discovery. Both are small

10 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

ships, with a friendly atmosphere, that allow passengers to tour in comfort, whilst unpacking just once!

Many National Trust properties often boast the most spectacular grounds which are continuously maintained and improved. Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, Vita Sackville-West and of course, Gertrude Jekyll are creators of extraordinary gardens, often attached to architecturally important houses, now in National Trust stewardship.

VisitEngland have designated 2016 as Year of the English Garden, so there is much going on to celebrate this across the land.

Europe: Italy immediately springs to mind when thinking of gardens, and particularly the Italian Lakes where the climate is just perfect for gardens. And they exist in abundance. Both the Royal Horticultural Society Garden Holidays and Kirker Holidays offer tours around the lakes, where there’s the opportunity to take in magnificent villas as well as the flora. Camellias are a favourite near Lake Maggiore, and the islands of Isola Bella and Isola Madre showcase stunning planting: the former more formal and Italianate, the latter known as highly diverse and British in style!

Whilst France and the remarkable vegetable plot, albeit stunning and very large, at Villandry or the Scottishdesigned La Bagatelle in Paris are wellknown, Germany and The Netherlands also have glorious gardens at Wurlitz

Many capital cities have botanical gardens as part of their civic offering, and so it is in Prague, although the nearby Castle Gardens and Wallenstein Garden should not be missed either. Portugal’s quintas have the most extraordinary horticultural reputation, and the Atlantic islands of Madeira and The Azores are destinations of great interest. Many cruises, including Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and Cruise and Maritime Voyages, dock here for a day or two for this very reason. Or you could stay with Sunvil on one of the islands, and immerse yourself in the plant life.

Worldwide: North Africa and in particular, Morocco have some unexpected gems, Yves St Laurent’s Majorelle Gardens are truly inspiring as are many of the riad gardens, decorated with tiles and dainty fountains amid lush greenery.

Further afield, the gardens in China have long filled the imaginations of those searching for exotic plants. There are many botanical gardens to be explored a well as adventures to be had, following the journeys taken by plant hunters in the I9th century. Think Indiana Jones cum Alan Titchmarsh! These journeys are usually led by horticultural experts, so you can really benefit from their knowledge and find out if the Chinese tree peony will really grow well back home in York.

RHS Garden Holidays have fabulous tours to South Africa, Chile and New Zealand: with very different growing conditions and some quite bizarre plants.

Voyages Jules Verne offer a trip to Costa Rica which has one of the most biodiverse environments in the world, with over 2,000 species of orchid for starters and several micro-climates too.

Wherever you may choose to go, in the world’s gardens there is beauty, tranquillity, formality, surprise, wildness and plants ranging from small and discreet to nature’s real showstoppers, bold and brash.

Contact service@silvertraveladvisor.com for more information.

Sir

Rod Stewart

THAT rich raspy voice, the little red rooster haircut and the cheeky grin – you immediately know it’s Rod Stewart. The enduringly popular singer at 71 is still pulling in the crowds, the hits and the accolades.

In fact, he’s just been knighted!

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CELEBRITY INTERVIEW Sir Rod is also on the verge of a major sell-out national tour that starts and finishes at the Liverpool Echo Arena and takes in major venues from Belfast to Birmingham, including London’s O2 Arena. And if you thought that decades of touring had made him jaded, you’d be wrong. “What a great line-up of venues!” he stated. “These are some of my favourite buildings in my favourite cities.

“I give you fair warning – fasten your seat belts. I’ma pulling out all the stops!”

It’s fair to say, though, that the singer’s career has always involved pulling out all the stops.

The following year was pivotal in his career. The Faces released their second album, Long Player, which did better than the first, and Rod released his third solo album, Every Picture Tells A Story, which made him a household name.

The track Reason to Believe was taken from the album and became a minor hit in both counties but when DJs started playing the B side, Maggie May, the fun really started. It became No.1 in both the UK and the US. By the time Rod released his fourth solo album, it looked like his time with the Faces was coming to a close

He was born in Highgate, London, the youngest of five children of a Scottish father. Young Rod had a happy childhood; there was a household interest in football and it spawned a love of the game, and a love of Scottish football specifically, that has been a hallmark of Rod’s life.

Early in 1966, the group disbanded and Rod joined Shotgun Express, before becoming a member of better known the Jeff Back Group. This heralded a rise to stardom and where he honed his style as a dynamic, sexy lead singer. Hit records followed but, sadly, the group began to fall apart.

As fate would have it, along came the Small Faces and at the same time, Rod signed a solo record contract.

The Faces, as they became, built a solid fan base in the UK and America, releasing an album in 1970. In the meantime, Rod released his second solo album, Gasoline Alley, and supported it with an American tour.

Rod recognises that people have certain sartorial expectations of him. As he commented: “I don’t think people expect Bruce Springsteen to come out in a pink satin jacket but Rod Stewart they do. And I like doing it, I don’t wear it just because I think I have to. I’m a very flamboyant person.”

His love life has been almost as famous as his music, and certainly as flamboyant as his appearance. He has been married three times, previously to Alana Stewart and Rachel Hunter, and is currently married to Penny Lancaster. He has eight children.

He has never shrunk from publicity, but never particularly courted it, either. His philosophy on this is simple: “I don’t know anybody that doesn’t like being famous in the first place.

“I think it’s absolutely marvellous being famous. I love it. I like walking down the street and being recognised. I don’t go out of my way to be recognised.”

He was talented in the sport, too, and had trials at Brentford FC, in the Third Division at the time, but he was never signed.

Fortunately, music was another love in his life and he was influenced by top soul singers then like Otis Redding and Sam Cook. This was the early ‘60s and pop music was sweeping the nation. Rod joined Birmingham-based rhythm and blues group Jimmy Powell and the Five Dimensions and toured the UK. Back in London again, he then joined Long John Baldry’s band, the Hoochie Coochie Men, which later became Steampacket and toured as support for The Rolling Stones and the Walker Brothers.

and often eye-popping fashions that helped establish his sense of style.

That Scottish heritage also makes him canny about cash. “I don’t mind buying one round of drinks,” he stated, “but I am b****y well not going to buy another.

“I’m a very flamboyant person.” and he later moved to America.

In the intervening years since those early heady years, his music has evolved much like the man himself and his hits are equally legends.

The days of raw rock like Do Ya Think I’m Sexy? gave way to a smoother, very different repertoire and in the early 2000s he released a series of successful albums interpreting the Great American Songbook.

In spite of changes in musical fashion, Rod has always had his fans and been a major star, probably because he has been able to adapt. And it’s worked - he’s sold more than 200 million records worldwide and is viewed as being able to sing virtually any type of song.

He has always been a snazzy and contemporary dresser, from his early trademark upright hairdo - kept in place by hairspray and determination - and his Mod clothes to the tight tartan trousers

“I don’t miss a penny. I get a daily statement about where every penny is going and every investment. I wouldn’t say I worry about money, but you never know what’s around the corner.

“I worry more about my children’s views on money sometimes. They’ve grown up privileged and it’s an ongoing battle they know the price of everything and the value of nothing.”

His great, deserved success might have meant a lessening of his enthusiasm for getting onstage. But, as the tickets leap from the box-office for this latest tour, From Gasoline Alley to Another Country – the title of his latest album - Rod is as enthusiastic as ever about performing for the fans, who can expect plenty of his chart-toppers.

Generously, though, while he is always honest about his talent, he insists that he is not the main man.

“Elvis was the king,” he stated. “No doubt about it. People like myself, Mick Jagger and all the others only followed in his footsteps.”

For more details about Rod Stewart’s latest tour go to www.rodstewart.com/events WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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Through the Christmas Forest to Santa’s Grotto!

The Mill Outlet in Batley is stepping into Christmas with a host of new and exciting initiatives this year.

Kicking off with late night openings every Thursday from October to December, The Mill is offering shoppers who take advantage of the extended opening hours the chance to win their shop. Every Thursday from 5pm – 8pm one lucky customer will be chosen at random to have their shopping paid for by Centre Management.

In November the new Garden Centre, opened earlier this year, will transform into a Christmas Forest of Nordic pine trees, in preparation for the main event in November.

Yes, Santa himself will be taking up residence in his grotto ready to greet all the good boys and girls with a special Christmas gift. Of course, all the naughty children also get to meet Santa – but will they have their names entered into Santa’s Book of Good Boys and Girls?

The Big Book of Names will be on display in the Garden Centre and children will be able to see if their name is in it! Be sure your child’s name is in there by posting a letter to Santa when you visit the grotto.

Meanwhile choose any of the beautiful Nordman non-drop pines in the Christmas Forest to bring the wonderful smell of a real tree into your home this Christmas. Prices are £15 for 3 to 4 foot tree or £20 for a 5 to 6 foot tree; all come with a

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free stand. Real trees and wreaths will on sale from November 26th.

Choose a real wreath for your door, and a gorgeous garland for your fireplace and balustrade. Staff are happy to help decorate wreaths in your preferred style with baubles, bows and ribbon; fruits, berries, fir cones and cinnamon sticks.

Wreath dressing workshops will be held December 8th and 15th.

Santa’s Grotto

Santa’s Grotto opens Saturday 26th November at 12 noon and every weekend thereafter from 12-4pm; Thursdays from 3pm – 7pm and costs £7 per child.

Clip out the voucher below or take a photo with your phone to enjoy a £2 discount for entry to Santa’s Grotto.

Merry Christmas Shopping Make The Mill Outlet your first destination for Christmas Shopping this year and treat yourself to browsing the largest gift department in the region, the brand new Gift Tree on the 2nd floor.

You will also have the choice of two dedicated Christmas Shops selling a fabulous array of dressed artificial trees, co-ordinated décor and themes plus magical statement pieces.

Party season comes hand in hand with Christmas and the all-important outfit for the big day or the works ‘do’. For the men Skopes is a one stop destination for the perfect suit all accessories required. Party dresses and occasion wear is delivered with unrivalled style and elegance from Precis and Jacques Vert, whilst Roman and Klass fill in with sparkle and sequins this year. Pavers has the perfect pair of shoes to finish off any ensemble, and you can buy Grandad those slippers whilst you’re there!

Gift shopping isn’t restricted to the Gift Tree – Yankee Candle and Peter Jones are everybody’s favourite scents and collectibles. Old Guys Rule is fantastic for t shirts, whilst old mods will love a Lambretta top under their tree! Scarves, hats, gloves – all the essentials plus luxury items for that special someone can all be found at outlet prices in The Mill.

Don’t forget to choose late night shopping every Thursday when you can win the cost of your shopping between 5pm and 8pm.

Lifestyle Image by Jacques Vert

See website for further information and more details.

Bradford Road, Batley WF17 5LZ www.themillbatley.com

CELEBRATING COLOUR IN ACTIVE AGEING Have you ever considered the impact of colour as we age?

Helen Venables, Managing Director of House of Colour does; every day with her clients and 100-person team in fact.

COLOUR - THE POWER OF BEING POSITIVE “Colour is key to every part of our lives and we see every day how what you wear can affect how you feel. For example, the right colours make us feel positive and full of vitality whilst the wrong ones drain us and can alter our moods negatively. This becomes increasingly obvious in how we dress as we age and in my view the more we embrace our true colours, the more we can influence how we feel and how others feel about us.

“Given that, whether we like it or not, we make decisions about someone and the way they look within seconds of meeting them, we need to consider what message we want to give others - perhaps that we are stylish, fun or professional? Many clients come to us because they are on emotional journeys, perhaps they are having a milestone birthday, have lost their style confidence or something significant has happened in their lives such as divorce or retirement.

“Whilst most of us know being active is important to combat heart disease, diabetes, and dementia, how many of us think about the link between positive emotional stimulation and good ageing?

Our levels of dopamine and serotonin naturally increase when we are happy and energised, and cortisol is suppressed. In fact, a positive outlook in life is thought to be able to add up to eight years to a life, so if we know colour affects our moods and outlook, then we know that colour is important as we age.”

So how else do we know colour is important in ageing? Psychologists have documented that colour does more than appeal to the senses. It also boosts memory by helping us to process and store images more efficiently than black and white would. People suffering from dementia may have visuo-perceptual difficulties, for example they may mistake a blue coloured floor as water or may

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have problems telling the difference between blue and purple.

AGEING STYLISHLY Venables argues every decade or so, we change the way we dress because the psychological drivers to keep us feeling attractive and healthy change with age.

“For women in their 50’s in particular, there is often a stark realisation that weight, skin and physical appearance are changing. For those in their 60’s, many will be coming to the end of a career. In our 70’s plus we may feel most positive through the gift of grandchildren.”

Our skin also changes, intrinsically because it may become more dry and atrophied, with loss of elasticity and new fine wrinkling because of hormonal changes and a decline in tissue function; and extrinsically because of exposure to ultraviolet light including altering pigmentation and collagen degeneration. Whilst we don’t change so much as we age that our colour seasons alter, we can apparently shift within our season. “We suggest that clients get re-rated every five to seven years to check that their wow colours haven’t shifted slightly because, as we age, we lose some of the contrast in our natural colouring which fade with time.

The right coloured make-up is a good way of adding the contrast back into natural colouring.

“Essentially wearing the right colours, feeling great about ourselves, and shining rather than becoming increasingly invisible is a vital part of active and positive ageing.”

THE PROCESS OF COLOUR ANALYSIS House of Colour personal stylists use a selection of either yellow or blue based colours to test what suits each client.

Fabric drapes are held against the face to determine the most appropriate range of colours, aptly labelled: spring, summer, autumn and winter. Accessories and make-up are also discussed as part of the programme to assess what really suits the client and what makes them look healthy.

The process consists of wearing a white cloak, facing the mirror with hair tied

back in natural daylight to stop any distractions. Colours are compared with the pigments that sit underneath someone’s skin to determine which colours of clothing and accessories lift the face, and which ones are more unflattering.

HISTORY OF COLOUR ANALYSIS In the 20th century the Swiss artist Johannes Itten, who worked and taught at the Bauhaus School of Art in Germany, is attributed with being the first person to associate colours with four types of people and the twelve point colour wheel which is widely used today on paint charts for home decorators, in dyeing kits and in hairdressers' colour charts.

Itten and others, through their involvement with colour, established that each individual has a basic skin pigment which falls into one of four groupings which are defined by the unique combination of depth, hue and tone; in colour analysis these have become known as Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter because of the pattern of colours found in each group. Two of these groups reflect warm-based colours which complement Spring and Autumn; the other two reflect cool-based colours which enhance Summer and Winter.

Robert Dorr, an artist who knew of Itten's theories of colour groupings, questioned his medical friends who confirmed that the make-up of the skin's layers can be tinged slightly blue or yellow. The base colour or undertone gives the hue while the surface colour is known as the overtone hence someone can be blue-based with yellowish overtones or yellow-based with a bluish look. The 'Image Consultant' was born.

FASHION KNOW YOUR NEUTRALS It is always sensible to ground most of your core investment pieces (suit, skirt, trousers, jacket) in a darker neutral and add your best colours for impact through your tops, jewellery, bags, lipstick, shoes or other accessories.

Don’t be shy. Neutrals are a wonderful foundation for work but colour is likely to make you more memorable than if you were in just black and white.

Psychologists reckon you are up to 10 per cent more memorable if you pick a colour, even in its neutral tone.

If you’re a winter palette, consider silver, charcoal, indigo, navy, mole and stone.

They are a simple but a fun variation to the typical black, white and grey.

If you’re a summer colour theme, pink beige, mushroom, rose brown, winter white, french navy, dark blue grey, light blue grey, airforce blue and burgundy.

Burgundy also works wonders as a bold lipstick or can be blended into a smokyeye for a change to typically bare-faced, work make-up look.

For those with an autumnal palette, pick dark brown, tan, oyster, coffee, camel, beige, khaki, lizard grey, dark olive, bronze and a marine navy. Particularly for accessories like shoes, belts and coats. This will add diversity to a classic work wardrobe and help to make you stand out and increase your confidence at work.

Spring colour themes can be made neutral with choices like chocolate, beige, dove grey, light dove grey, bright navy, oxford blue, tan, honey, oatmeal and cream. Blues work well as flattering skirts or trousers and creams look lovely on top as a blouse, jumper or cardigan.

Don’t be afraid to mix in current colour and fabric trends with traditional business wear as long as they fit within your style. It’s all about adding your own twist to your outfit. Be confident and comfortable and be visible for all the right reasons.

When you want to add colour and make your outfit more memorable, a bright scarf or tie can add a pop of colour to a predominantly neutral outfit.

A great way to inject colour and add impact is to wear your neutral seasonal colours but carry a statement colour tote handbag or bag. See what reaction you get.

At work, perhaps wear a bold colour or pattern in just one item of your outfit.

For example, without being over-the-top or flashy, you could pair a red dress with a neutral cardigan, tights and shoes.

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR WINTER COAT 1. See a coat as an investment rather than a typical clothing purchase; you will be wearing it more than any other item during the cooler months. Take your time to find exactly the right one.

2. A classic coat in your seasonal neutral colour never goes out of style and you can create different looks with scarves, boots, or an amazing hat and of course a fabulous handbag!

Accessorising is an easy way to change the look of your coat in an instant. If you are a warm coloured person for example, try a pop of the right shade of orange as a scarf with a dark brown coat or lift a grey coat with a splash of red if you are a cool palette!

3. Choose a colour that lights up or adds warmth to your face and do not be afraid of patterned fabrics that include more than one colour. Winter coats do not need necessarily need to be dark. If you can afford it, I recommend having one classic neutral coloured coat from your seasonal palette, perhaps chocolate, camel, grey or dark blue, depending on your season and a second coat in red or another of your brighter wow colours. Match the coat to your mood, outfit and where you are going.

4. Be practical rather than being overly concerned with trends when buying a coat. The weather at this time of year is why you need a coat in the first place so

you need one that can put up with most varied conditions. Will you be swishing around elegantly at Christmas parties or doing the school run and supermarket sweep?

5. What shape suits you? If you have a tall, narrow frame you are likely to be able to pull off a long, tailored coat with button detail. If you’re smaller than average, a knee-length coat will suit you perfectly and is great for showing off your legs too.

6. There are no set rules of course, but if you have a larger frame, opt for smooth, less bulky fabrics that offer lots of movement and hang well.

7. If you find the perfect coat but you don’t like the buttons, simply change them to something that better suits your style.

8. Don’t forget, you could be wearing layers and chunky knitted jumpers under your coat so make sure there is enough room – especially in the sleeves.

9. Colourful winter wear can lift your mood and energise you when its dull and dark outside. To help you find the right colour, do an online search for your favourite coloured coat but make sure you go in to the shop to try it on.

10. Think about how it makes you feel.

If you look fabulous and feel a million dollars when it’s wrapped around your body, then it’s the right coat. Now for a matching handbag…! www.houseofcolour.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT your budget, this will enable Kirklees based children and charities who want to make Christmas special and treat them to a VIP theatre experience, something they wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise. They’ll come to see our traditional family pantomime, CINDERELLA, meet the cast or have a backstage tour and make sure they don’t miss out on an ice-cream.

If you would like to make a donation you can do so online, by completing our donations form or contacting our Christmas Angels Coordinator Rose on rose@thelbt.org or 01484 484458.

French Without Tears Wednesday, 16 November 2016 7:30pm - Saturday, 19 November 2016 - 7:30pm

Lawrence Batley Theatre

Queen St, Huddersfield HD1 2SP

CHRISTMAS ANGELS Can you make a difference to local children this Christmas? We are asking for donations from local people and businesses whose generosity can enable us to give children the chance to share in the magic of live theatre. If you can donate to this cause, whatever

Following a critically acclaimed sell out run at London’s Orange Tree Theatre, Terence Rattigan’s sparkling 1936 comedy whisks us away to the French Riveria this November.

After a group of young men arrive at Monsieur Maingot’s French School for the summer to cram for the Diplomatic exam, their concentration is disrupted by beautiful visitor Diana Lake. Quelle

surprise, they must learn another new language: Girls.

At first, it seems pretty simple. Kit loves Diana and she loves him. And Bill. Oh, and darling Alan, of course.

Then there’s Jack: she’s in love too. Meanwhile, Babe conceals his feelings… Not so simple after all.

FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS presents an enormously enjoyable entanglement of comic bravado and mischievous deceit, as we witness all the boys going after the same teasing girl.

Main stage, 7.30pm, Saturday Matinee 2.30pm Tickets: £19 - £10 / Under 26s £7 / Kirklees Passport holders £3 off

Cinderella Friday, 9th December 2016 - 10:00am - Saturday, 31st December 2016 2:30pm Main Stage, performance times vary.

Tickets: £17 - £10 / Children under 16 £2 off / Kirklees Passport Holders £3 off.

Family Tickets: five for £65 to the best available seats (must include at least two children) In a fairy-tale kingdom, poor Cinderella is a servant to her cruel stepmother and

Lydgate Lodge makes a real difference to the lives of our residents. Offering 24 hour residential and dementia care, Lydgate Lodge’s caring and highly trained staff cherish our residents, assisting them to remain independent and ensuring they enjoy an active lifestyle.

It puts my mind at rest knowing my wife is in good care. I would have no hesitation in recommending Lydgate Lodge to family or friends.

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ugly stepsisters. When a handsome prince invites all the maidens of the land to his party, she only has rags to wear. With the help of her friend Buttons, and a sprinkling of magic from her Fairy Godmother, will she make it to the ball after all?

This classic rags to riches story includes everything you love about a traditional pantomime - sparkling scenery, stunning costumes, plenty of audience interaction, well-known songs and live music - with two dames for twice the laughs.

New to the LBT this Christmas, CINDERELLA is the creation of pantomime royalty Joyce Branagh and Andrew Pollard.

Come along for a show that's suitable for all ages - you'll have a ball!

Halifax Playhouse King Cross Street, Halifax HX1 2SH

Sense and Sensibility Tuesday 6th to Saturday 10th December Starts at 7:30pm with Saturday Matinee at 2:30pm Jane Austen’s book adapted for the stage by Jessca Swale.

Directed by Ian Byfield In Jane Austen’s timeless, tongue-incheek sideswipe at the manners which draw together and hold apart young couples, the eminently sensible Elinor is guarded in her expectations of her

upright Edward, while the impulsive and artistic Marianne loses herself in the idea of her hero on horseback.

In Jessica Swale’s delightful stage adaptation of this dearly-loved classic, we follow the fortunes of Elinor and Marianne, their family and their suitors as they in turn attempt to carve out their own routes to happiness.

This full-blooded, fluid and almost cinematic production propels the audience from the great houses under star-lit skies, through wind-swept beaches to humble parlours, all in a breath-taking second, as the story twists and turns, amuses and endears towards an all-resolving ending.

Bad Guys, Fat Sam’s Grand Slam, and of course My Name Is Tallulah.

Snake In The Grass

by Yvonne Kniveton

The illuminated installations and street festival from 5pm until 7pm, the lantern parade will be at 7pm and end with a grand finale at about 7:45pm.

Directed by Ian Byfield Tuesday 17th to Saturday 21st January Starts at 7:30pm with Saturday Matinee at 2:30pm Alan Ayckbourn’s Snake in the Grass, is a haunting tale of blackmail and murder.

Annabel Chester returns home to her sister after the death of their abusive father, only to be confronted by a blackmail plot, which quickly escalates out of hand.

FEBRUARY Bugsy Malone by arrangement with Warner Chappel Wednesday 22nd to Saturday 25th February 7:30pm each night, plus Saturday Matinee at 2:30pm Music Ltd administered by Boosey & Hawkes Ltd Libretto by Alan Parker.

Words & Music by Paul Williams New York 1929: a war rages between two rival gangsters, Fat Sam and Dandy Dan. Dan is in possession of a new and deadly weapon, the dreaded “splurge gun”. As the custard pies fly, Bugsy Malone, an all-round nice guy, falls for Blousey Brown, a singer at Fat Sam’s speakeasy.

His designs on her are disrupted by the seductive song-stress Tallulah who wants Bugsy for herself. As in the film, disputes are settled with splurge guns and custard pies instead of bullets.

This charming, funny (and very messy) show features brilliant numbers such as

A Halifax Light Opera Society Juniors production

Lamplighter Festival 19th Nov 2016 Lamplighter Festival is a magical winter night-time event in Todmorden, featuring a parade of communitymade lanterns that culminates in a performance in Todmorden town centre where our mythical ‘Lamplighter’ puppet lantern lights a torch, symbolically guiding the community through the dark winter months.

The Adventures of Ebenezer Scrooge (adapted from Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol by Steve Goddard) Sat 19 Nov, Sun 20 Nov, Tue 22 Nov to Sun 27 November Dewsbury arts group, Artspace, Lower eel st Off Bradford Road, Dewsbury, West Fun, festive, family friendly tale follows that well known Victorian misery, Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey from being a grumpy miser into being a better person. On that journey, he has to brave the many reappearances of his neighbours Potty...

HEBDEN Bridge Christmas Lights Switch On 25th November 2016 Come to St George's Square Hebden Bridge on Friday November 25th for the Christmas Lights Switch On.

ARTbound Community is proud to return to The Town Hall, Hebden Bridge for our 2nd annual Christmas ARTfair at this venue.

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OUT & ABOUT

  

MOBILE CLINIC

Lou Matthewman BSc (Hons) S.A.C Dip. Registered Foot Health Practitioner s218977



Lou Matthewman Lou Matthewman BSc (Hons) BSc (Hons) S.A.C Dip. S.A.C Dip. Registered Foot Registered Foot Health Practitioner Health Practitioner s218977 s218977

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TREATMENTS INCLUDE...

TREATMENTS INCLUDE...• Quality the MOBILE CLINICfootcare in

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TREATMENTS INCLUDE...

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Lou Matthewman BSc (Hons) S.A.C Dip. Registered Foot Health Practitioner s218977



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Lights Switch On November in St Michael's Church Hall, Sponsored by Lister Lou Matthewman St Michael's Square and the Memorial  BSc (Hons) Horsfall Gardens, Mytholmroyd from 12 noon Lou Matthewman S.A.C Dip.

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live music, ice carving, face painting, reindeers, Santa, food & drink, a fireworks finale and of course many stalls selling crafts, food, toys and more to help get your Christmas shopping started!

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special time of year.

To make a dedication and find out about when we will be lighting up our remembrance tree and associated memorial services, please visit lightup.overgatehospice.org.uk

Christmas Concert With Uppermill Brass Band Victoria Hall, Ripponden As the festive season begins, come along to our Christmas Concert listen to old favourites performed by Uppermill Brass Band. Apologies this event is held in a non accessible room.

Doors open 7.45 pm Music begins 8.00 pm Tickets £5.00, these can be purchased from the Conservative Club Bar during opening times Contact telephone: 01422 822297

Saltaire Vintage Home & Fashion Fair Sat 3 December. 9.30am - 4pm.

Victoria Hall, Victoria Road, Saltaire, West Yorkshire BD18 3JS 40+ stalls of quality vintage fashion, homewares and small furniture from the 1920's to the 1980's. + Interlude Tearoom providing refreshments. £3 entry/£2 concessions (U-16's free) .

Contact telephone: 07985181120

Aire Valley Christmas Market Sunday 4 Dec 2016 Mercure Bradford Bankfield Hotel, Bradford Road, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD13 5HF More than 40 indoor and outdoor stalls, food and drink and live music at this festive event for all the family.

11am to 4pm. Free entry. Programmes available at £1 with half the proceeds being donated to the Levi’s Star Charity for Children With Brain Tumours.

Contact telephone: 07871 264 610

Visit Santa Sunday 4 December 2016 - 12:00pm 4:00pm, Various charges apply.

Bagshaw Museum, Wilton Park, Woodlands Road, Batley, WF17 0AS 01924 324765 / 01924 326164 Join us for an afternoon of festive fun.

Visit Santa in his magical grotto and follow the, Guess the Christmas carol trail. Make a special Christmas cracker and enjoy festive carols with a choir and then listen to extracts from Dickens' famous seasonal story.

Kirkheaton St John the Baptist Church Sat 10th & Sun 11th Dec 2016 Come along to see a wonderful display of creative trees by local groups and businesses. There will be live music, light lunches & refreshments, activities for children and lots of lovely trees to enjoy.Entry donations welcomed.

Closes with carols around the trees on Sun 11th Dec at 4.30pm. To be part of this event call 01484 531449 See more at: www.kirklees.gov.uk

Peter Pan Saturday 10th December 2016 to Monday 2nd January 2017 Victoria Theatre 2 Fountain Street Halifax HX1 1BP Let Your Dreams Take Flight!

Come and join us on a magical journey as we fly away to Neverland in this fantastic new panto for 2016.

Can Wendy, Michael and John help Peter Pan and the Lost Boys defeat the villainous Captain Hook?

Peter Pan is a swashbuckling adventure panto, with spectacular song a dance routines, a lot of traditional panto slapstick, and of course, a ticking crocodile! £15 - £18.95

Winterlight Festival Free 11th Dec 2016 WINTERLIGHT takes place on Hollins Mill Lane, Sowerby Bridge HX6 2QG in the area around The Works and the local Public Library.

WIN A £25 M&S GIFT CARD!

Sowerby Bridge Winterlight Festival is a feast of sights and sounds created by a group of artists, musicians and technicians from across the community who have sought to create an outdoor vision of the true future heart of the town. It's free to attend so come along and enjoy the music, performances and fireworks!

Winter Woolly Day 16 December 2016 Dig out your best (or worst!) festive jumper and take part in Kirkwood’s Winter Woolly Day this December!

Simply donate £1 to Kirkwood Hospice and wear your Winter Woolly around the office for the day. Simple!

Why not take the fun even further by holding a bake sale or coming up with your own festive fundraiser on the day?

For more information call Emily on: 01484 557911 or email: events@kirkwoodhospice.co.uk

Annual Gala Carol Concert Saturday, 17th December 2016 Starting at 7pm at Halifax Minster, Causeway, Halifax HX1 1QL Ticket price £12.

Tickets are available from 6 weeks prior to the event from: Overgate Hospice, 30 Hullenedge Road, Elland HX5 0QY Harveys of Halifax, Commercial Street, Halifax, HX1 1LJ Shoesmiths, Commercial Street, Halifax, HX1 1BE (next to Victoria Theatre) By calling the Choir Secretary – Tel. 01422 373252 Email: enquiries@overgatehospicechoir.co.uk Further information can be found by visiting www.overgatehospicechoir.com

Todmorden Folk Festival 28th – 30th Apr 2017 The annual Todmorden Folk Festival brings you three days packed with live music and dance at several fantastic venues across Todmorden Town Centre.

SIMPLY VISIT OUR COMPETITIONS SECTION ON WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK TO ENTER

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FOUR FLOORS OF EVERYTHINg

YOU NEED FOR THE HOME

Come and visit the four-floor department store that is Dixon & Franks situated in the heart of the Holme Valley in Honley, Holmfirth. As well as offering everything you could need to fit out your home - carpets, flooring, furnishings, dining tables and beds - we can give expert advice in store on what best suits your requirements.

Our range of quality products is forever expanding, some of the prestigious brands we stock include, Voyage Maison, Emma Bridgewater, Karndean, Ted Todd, Crucial Trading, Brintons and Jacaranda to name just a few. As well as this we are willing to price match any of our biggest brands, so come and speak to us to see how we can give you the best deal on our range of quality products at Dixon & Franks in Honley.

COME AND HAVE A LOOK - VISIT US IN THE HEART OF THE HOLME VALLEY

CARPETS

GIFTWARE

FLOORING

BEDROOM

DINING

FINISHING TOUCHES

The Old Corn Mill, Westgate, Honley, Holmfirth, HD9 6AA

22 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK CALL 01484 662614 EMAIL info@dixonandfranks.net WEB dixonandfranks.net

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ENTRANCE & FREE PARKING

MAKE YOUR LAWN A YORK Yorkshire Artificial Grass are suppliers of affordable, high quality artificial grass products.

The artificial grass products that we are able to offer have been developed considerably since the early days of synthetic grasses.

Our range has something for everybody.

The artificial grass we supply is perfect for creating safe play environments for children, the turf can be complimented with safety impact matting to achieve critical fall heights. We have seen a huge uptake by schools and nurseries who have installed artificial turf to create colourful, safe outdoor spaces which can be used by the children all year round.

All our landscape artificial grasses are manufactured from polyethylene. All our turfs are guaranteed against colour fade and breakdown and have a life expectancy of 15 - 20 years. The grasses are safe for children and pets which makes it an ideal solution for domestic lawns but also perfect for a wide variety of other applications which include swimming pool surrounds, roof terraces, patios, balconies, promotional areas, and sports pitches to mention just a few.

Yorkshire Artificial Grass supply and install quality artificial grass to both the commercial and domestic market places throughout the whole of Yorkshire. We supply or install from the UKs largest stocks of premium artificial grass providing you with a unique combination of superior quality, excellent value and unrivaled service.

Yorkshire Artificial Grass are at the forefront of the artificial grass industry. We have been established within the industry for over 20 years and continue to grow - unlike our grass!

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GARDEN of the south of France, Italy and Spain. Here, gravel is often used between areas of drought-tolerant plants like lavender, olive trees, rosemary and vines.

Contemporary gardens feature clean lines and clever use of space without fussy detail or clutter. Stone, slate and wood are ideal here, along with clipped hedges, specimen trees and simple blocks of planting. Think minimalist.

Formal gardens offer a balanced design symmetry and a clear floor plan, and cottage gardens need abundant planting that spills over onto narrow pathways to provide masses of colour and scented flowers.

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR GARDEN WE all try to enjoy our gardens until the very last days of Summer but planning ahead is as important as planting ahead when it comes to making the most of gardens every year.

And, as the Summer becomes a distant memory, it’s not only a good time to continue getting the most from your little piece of rural England but also to consider how you can improve your garden to enjoy all over again in 2017.

You might want to call in an expert to help with a garden design or pop into your local garden centre for advice. Much, of course, depends on the type of garden you have in the first place.

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City gardens have to tick all the boxes – providing an outdoor space for planting, relaxation, play and entertaining. But you may have only a small area for this so most urban gardens have to be functional spaces or plant-filled havens to help escape city life. The Royal Horticultural Society recommends minimal designs and repeated patterns for maximum effect.

Wildlife-friendly gardens feature plants and structures that attract native wildlife like birds, beneficial insects and small mammals. Log piles, hedgehog boxes and bee hotels are among the ideas to help accomplish this.

Mediterranean gardens take their inspiration from the shrubby vegetation of the hot, dry climates

Containers can add seasonal colour to any type of garden. Use them for shrubs, bulbs or annuals or topiary.

Many pots are also ideal for growing fruit and vegetables, especially for beginners in this practical field. A cluster of colourful pots can brighten up a patio.

Garden centres are great places to look for good-value pots and other types of containers – along with giving you useful gardening advice generally – but using old sinks, chimney pots or even big, old saucepans can offer a quirky, personalised look to your garden.

A visit to any sales of garden furniture will also help you plan ahead for your own Great Outdoors next year. There are all types of garden furniture available, from wrought iron tables and chairs to hardy raffia couches and loungers, wooden benches and more modern shapes to suit your own style.

Fortunately, browsing through garden catalogues is pleasing at any time of the year but particularly in the Winter when thoughts of getting out in the garden once more cheer us up!

Place a bench at the end of your garden to help “draw” you into your outdoor space, and consider having decking in your garden. A wellplanned decking area offers that lovely spot to sit and eat, entertain

guests or just regularly enjoy the fresh air with family and friends.

Tiered decking with railings around it, for example, provides a fascinating central feature for any reasonable-sized garden.

And consider painting your decking in vibrant colours if you feel your garden needs a quick brightener.

An area of grassed lawn is still a very pleasing sight for many of us and even mowing – thanks to the latest light and effective lawnmowers – isn’t a major chore or too difficult a price to pay. However, sometimes as we get older, trying to regularly mow a large or difficult to access area becomes just too much so it could be worth thinking about alternatives.

Artificial grass has come a very long way from the rather unattractive carpet-like product it once was. Today’s artificial lawns are not only beautiful and very naturallooking but also feel great to the touch and are very hardwearing. They can be both children-proof and pet-friendly so it’s definitely worth an enquiry. Check out someone else’s garden where they have had artificial grass if you can and you could be pleasantly surprised.

If you have the space – and the budget – how about your own swimming pool? They come in all shapes and sizes to allow you to exercise in the heated

waters anytime you want to, or just to chill and swim casually.

They’re always popular with children and on the hottest days of our British Summers they’re an ideal place to cool off and really enhance that time in your garden.

The Imperial Hotel Eastbourne

The Ocean View Hotel Shanklin, Isle of Wight

The Abbey Lawn Hotel Torquay

WIN A 5 DAY HOLIDAY FOR 2 PEOPLE TO A ROBINSONS OWN HOTEL IN 2017 Choose either Eastbourne, the Isle of Wight or Torquay.

Prize includes 4 nights half board accommodation at chosen hotel in either a standard twin or double room, excursions as per tour itinerary, coach travel to/from standard pick-up point and entertainment as per itinerary.

Simply enter your details below to receive a Robinsons 2017 Brochure and we will enter you into a prize draw to be drawn on 2nd January 2017.

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Please post your entry to Robinsons Competition, McGrath Media, 6th Floor, 120 Bark Street, Bolton BL1 2AX or enter online at www.50plusmagazine.co.uk Closing date for entries: 31st December 2016. This prize is not valid over Public Holidays and is non redeemable.

It is subject to Robinsons terms and conditions and availability. The winner will be notified by email/telephone.

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28 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

HOME where they can be viewed. It’s definitely worth seeing what they can do first, and talking to current owners about longterm satisfaction.

HOME ENTERTAINMENT has never been more diverse, or accessible. The latest Smart TVs access apps like BBC iPlayer, stream films on Netflix or surf websites on the big screen. There are Blu-ray players sound bars and laptops all offering programmes and films in your own home and to the highest specs of sound and vision. Or opt for a home cinema system and bring the latest films right into your living room.

The choice on the high street is endless

HOME LIFE

but a good place to go for impartial reviews of what is on offer before you buy is Which? magazine on www.which. co.uk

Have you noticed how more and more of us are homebased as our lives unfold?

Now may be the right time to invest in a new KITCHEN or to modernise your current one with better units or a revamp on doors and the latest handles. It’s surprising just how modern a kitchen can look with small

In fact, there has never been an

home with extra rooms, perhaps as a

improvements although there is nothing

easier time to enjoy life at home, all

sewing room, a gym or a spacious TV

to beat the sheer style of a brand new

underpinned by the latest technology,

room.

kitchen with the latest streamlined and

gadgets and services that encourage us to make the most of our lives.

built-in units.

If you need a reliable builder either get someone you know who has had work

We all spend a large proportion of our

But, how do you make your life at home

done to refer theirs (and see the work

lives in the kitchen and for many it’s the

happier, healthier and easier? Well,

in situ first) or to find local builders go

heart of the home so it’s worth getting

reviewing your lifestyle and deciding how

to the websites of either the Federation

it just right. Open up dark spaces with

to improve it is an excellent start.

of Master Builders at http://www.fmb.

bright paintwork and new window

org.uk or the National Federation of

blinds. Invest in some new, comfortable

Builders at http://www.builders.org.uk/

kitchen furniture to make mealtimes or

Begin with your HOME itself. Is it too big or too small? Maybe it has outgrown your

just reading a pleasure.

family’s needs now that your children

The same principle applies to

are adults. Although grandchildren may

CONSERVATORIES or ORANGERIES.

Kitchen appliances have never been

come to stay for some weekends, it’s

There are plenty of trustworthy

more user-friendly. Even kitchen sinks

likely that you may not need a house with

companies dotted around the country

and taps are designed to make life as

all the accommodation you had when

but try to get one referred locally

easy as possible and the latest gadgets

their parents were young.

whose work you can view first. Many

make every task – from peeling and

installers actually have examples of

slicing to boiling and frying – as easy as

their work onsite or may suggest homes

can be.

You may have quite the reverse of this problem and want to EXTEND your

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HOME

BEAUTIFUL

BATHROOMS

Whether its a main bathroom, en suite or cloakroom our knowledgeable staff can advise you on our vast range of products and we offer a free survey and Virtual Worlds design service which together with our highly skilled installers will transform your dream bathroom into a reality.

FULL DESIGN AND INSTALLATION SERVICE

Have you, for example, got a small TV in the kitchen? Even this addition to kitchen life alters every task you do and encourages you to spend more time there – perhaps emulating TV’s MasterChef and trying out new cookery ideas!

DECORATING rooms not only brightens them up but gives them a new lease of life that can make an under-used room suddenly somewhere you want to sit or work. Use lighter shades to open up dingy hallways and add mirrors to maximise space – a trick you can use all over your home.

Take a fresh look at your FURNITURE. Is it dowdy and past its best? If your sofa is looking a little threadbare or your dining table and chairs scuffed and well-used, it’s definitely worth investigating buying new ones.

Just fitting new covers for a three-piece suite can make all the

2 Carlton Buildings, Albert Street Hebden Bridge HX7 8ES

Tel: 01422 847 021 www.bradburybathrooms.com

30 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

difference, although the latest furniture designs span every sort of décor, from ultra modern to comfortable traditional.

And with new furniture you will need to realistically assess your curtains and blinds. New additions here to complement any new furniture or decorating can make that special difference that easily give a room the “wow” factor.

If y for m at

WONDERFUL WETROOMS

you’ve had the same bathroom many years, you will be amazed what contemporary styles and fitments are now on offer.

Could your BATHROOM do with upgrading? If you’ve had the same bathroom for many years, you will be amazed at what contemporary styles and fitments are now on offer. Large

For some people bathing can cause difficulties including standing up whilst showering or getting in and out of the bath. We make it easier with our range of wetrooms, low profile shower trays and vast array of glass panels and doors.

EXTENSIVE RANGE OF PORCELAIN & CERAMIC TILES

tubs, free-standing taps, walk-in showers and clever storage space ideas are all on view at your local suppliers once you start looking at what’s available.

The whole concept these days is built around making bathrooms use not only functional but relaxing and stressfree, and even small alterations can move towards this.

We spend large parts of our lives in our BEDROOMS so this might be just the right time to improve yours. Beds have never been more varied or dedicated to your comfort with Memory Foam mattresses that mould to your body shape, supporting and ensuring a better night’s sleep. Décor and

2 Carlton Buildings, Albert Street Hebden Bridge HX7 8ES

Tel: 01422 847 021 www.bradburybathrooms.com

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HOME

lighting can be geared to enhancing that relaxation and

A new patio or wooden decking can make all the difference

toning bedding can blend in with your new décor and add

to gardens of all sizes, as can the latest garden furniture,

to that somnolent atmosphere.

a new shed or greenhouse or perhaps a hot tub to take advantage of the outdoors while staying warm and

You may feel that you want to enjoy your GARDEN far more

cosseted in the warm, bubbling water.

now that you have the time to make the most of it. Getting in an expert to re-design your garden isn’t as expensive

Often, it’s not the big differences but the small ones that

as you might think or you can get advice from your local

make our lives more enjoyable on a daily basis – and

garden centre on creating new areas in which to sit or even

promote a sense of wellbeing that makes us smile every

work.

day.

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.

There is also a wide choice of bathroom furniture and accessories along with a new display of Christy Towels, one of the UK’s longest established iconic brands. Atlas Bathrooms has recently been appointed an official stockist. He said: “We have something for all tastes and to suit all sizes of bathroom, from the very traditional to the very modern. Wet rooms are growing in popularity along with larger walk-in showers.” Atlas also has a great range of accessories which are sure to add the finishing touch.

Victoria Mill, Albert Street, Lockwood, Huddersfield Tel: 01484 547110 Fax: 01484 432037

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

Open:

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Saturday, 9am to 4pm

www.atlasbathrooms.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK

Antonio Carluccio’s PASTA Antonio Carluccio shares his love of Italy’s favourite food, providing innovative and exciting recipes. Here we share three from the ultimate book on pasta from the master of Italian cookery!

Minestrone di Verdure Vegetable and Pasta Soup This version of minestrone is influenced by those served in Lombardy and Liguria, but you will find similar soups – and some surprisingly different kinds – throughout the country. Most minestroni use bits and pieces of vegetables left in the fridge, such as courgette, aubergine, carrot, celery, cabbage, quartered Brussels sprouts, etc.

You could add some potatoes as well, to add thickness.

SERVES 4 4 tbsp olive oil 1 garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped 2 litres chicken or beef stock about 1kg vegetables (see above), prepared and cubed 150g dried tubettini pasta 1 x 400g can borlotti beans, drained 3 tbsp fresh pesto salt and pepper, to taste 40g Parmesan, freshly grated

Put the oil in a pan and fry the garlic and onion for a few minutes. Add the stock and prepared vegetables, and cook for about 12 minutes. Add the pasta and drained beans, and cook until tender, about another 6–7 minutes, then remove from the heat.

Mix in the pesto and salt and pepper to taste, and heat very gently. Serve straightaway, sprinkled with Parmesan.

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ALTERNATIVES If you don’t want to have a vegetarian soup, you could add some Parma ham, prosciutto, cooked ham or bacon chunks. You could also use rice instead of pasta, or any other shape of pasta.

FOOD & DRINK

Ravioloni Dolci con Marmellata ~ Baked Pastry Squares Stuffed with Jam

In our household, when I was a child, this was the best way of using up some of the huge amounts of jam my mother used to make during the season. It was always a delight to come home from school and find these stuffed baked parcels for tea. With six of us to cater for, huge quantities were made each time. The addition of butter to this basic pasta dough (flour and eggs) makes the dough shorter, which makes it more like a pastry and enables it to be baked.

MAKES 24 PARCELS PASTRY 300g Italian ‘00’ flour a pinch of salt 3 medium eggs, beaten 75g unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus extra for greasing TO FINISH 400g jam of your choice icing sugar, for sprinkling

To make the pastry, sift the flour into a bowl with the salt, and make a well in the middle. Put the eggs in the middle along with the melted butter, and start to mix the flour from the sides into the liquid ingredients. Mix with your fingers until everything is amalgamated, and you have a smooth pastry. Wrap in cling film, and let the dough rest for an hour in the fridge.

Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas 4.

With a rolling pin or a pasta machine roll the dough out to sheets 3mm thick

and as long as you can. Cut into bands 12cm wide and position a tsp of jam at 5cm intervals (each tsp placed closer to one edge of band than the other). Brush some water around the jam.

Cover the dollops of jam by folding the other long side of the pasta over the filling and press with your hands all round the jam dollops to seal the ravioloni. Cut with a pastry cutter and put the parcels on a greased baking tray.

Bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes. Serve hot, sprinkled with icing sugar, or leave to cool. Either is delicious.

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FOOD & DRINK

Culurgiones ~ Plaited Sardinian Ravioli Every region has some sort of stuffed pasta on the menu, which is often made in order to use up leftovers. Sardinia has a different kind of stuffed pasta, a so-called raviolo whose filling can vary from potato to cheese. Also known as culurzones (and a number of other names), these ravioli even look different from those of other regions. They are delightful anyway, despite the fact that a little more work is involved.

SERVES 4 fresh egg pasta salt and pepper, to taste 60g pecorino cheese, freshly grated FILLING 30g unsalted butter 200g spinach, blanched, squeezed dry and finely chopped 300g fresh ricotta cheese 2 medium eggs, beaten 80g pecorino cheese, freshly grated 1 sachet powdered saffron a pinch of ground cinnamon SAUCE 50ml olive oil 1 small onion, peeled and finely sliced 120g minced beef 120g lean minced pork 50ml dry Vernaccia white wine 500g canned crushed tomatoes 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh sage leaves

Make the filling by melting the butter in a wide pan, and frying the dry squeezed spinach for a few minutes. Let it cool, then add the ricotta, beaten eggs, grated pecorino, saffron and the cinnamon. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and work everything thoroughly together to a well-mixed paste.

Cook slowly for 30 minutes, then taste for salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, make the sauce. First of all, heat the oil in a large saucepan and fry the onion for about 5 minutes to soften. Add the two meats and brown a little, about 5 minutes, then add the Vernaccia followed by the tomatoes, parsley and sage.

Cook the pasta in plenty of boiling salted water for 4 minutes or until al dente. Drain, mix with the sauce and serve sprinkled with pecorino.

Meanwhile, roll the pasta dough out thinly, by hand or machine, to 1mm thickness, and cut into 8cm circles. Make and fill the culurgiones .

Pasta by Antonio Carluccio (Quadrille ÂŁ10) Photography: Laura Edwards

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W H E N YO U ' R E N OT T H E R E We know that pet owners worry about leaving their pets behind when they die and so it is important to think about future provision for your pet.

The RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield and District Branch can help look after your pets once you are no longer there.

The Willing to Care Scheme...

...is for any persons over the age of 18 who are concerned about the welfare of their dog or cat after their death and requires the peace of mind that their pet will be rehomed with loving new owners.

How does the scheme work?

•

You must specify in your Will that you are leaving your pet to the RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield and District Branch under the 'Willing to Care' scheme.

•

If you are teaken into a nursing home or feel unable to look after your pet, you can sign your pet into our care for rehoming and they will be given priority entrance.

•

On being informed of a members' death, the Branch will arrange to care for and if necessary, collect your beloved pet.

•

We will ensure your pet is adopted to a suitable home for the rest of their life.

How do I become a member?

Our Willing to Care Scheme is completely free so all you need to do is simply fill in the application form below and return it to the Branch.

WILLING TO CARE APPLICATION FORM Title:..........................................................................................

Forename/Initial:...................................................................

Surname:..................................................................................

Address:................................................................................... ................................................................................................... ................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................

City/Town:...............................................................................

Postcode:.................................................................................

Email:........................................................................................

Telephone:...............................................................................

Mobile:......................................................................................

Please state number wishing to join the Scheme...

DOG o CAT o Please tick if you would like to receive further information on the following (✓) E.A.R.S THE ELDERLY ANIMAL REHOMING SCHEME

o

THE TWILIGHT SCHEME

o

F.A.N.S. FRIENDS OF ANIMALS IN NEED SCHEME

o

SPONSOR AN ANIMAL SPACE

o

Please fill in the form & return to the RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield & District Branch, Wade Street, Halifax HX1 1SN

“My niece bought me my chair from Shackletons you know” Shackletons the name you know and trust. We are the designers of the first high seat chair, as seen in the famous 80’s T.V advertisement ‚ “My niece bought me my chair from Shackletons you know”.

TO TAKE A SHOWROOM TOUR AT

E

✓

40 YEARS O Join us as w N! e to find the ‘n aim face of Shac ew’ k and win you letons r high seat ch own air!

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Offering modern and traditional designs, made to the highest standards, with extensive fabric choices, you‚ll be sure to find the perfect addition to your home.

ONS

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Our seating experts know how a chair fits to an individual; one size definitely doesn’t fit all!

Their personal service will take you through a step-by-step Comfort Guide to help you identify what to look for in ensuring your chair is right for you.

When it comes to comfortable seating, if we don’t know which is the right chair for you, then nobody does.

Times may change, but quality and service still remain! www.shackletonsltd.co.uk

E - FIT P L

Based in the mill town of Batley, our range of chairs, sofas, and footstools are designed and manufactured by craftsman who still apply our age-old techniques to making the perfect seat for your comfort.

After two generations experience supplying you the perfect chair we know you will agree...if Shackletons don’t know which is the right chair, then NOBODY DOES!

As our customers, we want you to be reassured that you’re buying the best furniture.

With a heritage rich in producing quality and long lasting furniture we are passionate about maintaining those quality principles and comfort. We believe that everyone who uses our furniture deserves to sit comfortably. They’ve earned it.

Try our seating out for yourselves in our large customer-friendly showroom where our seating experts will guide you through three distinct quality collections; Heritage, Signature, and Motion.

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Visit the Shackletons showroom with its wide range of chairs, three piece suites, leather ranges and motion riser recliners from Sherborne and our own range as well as our famous range of Shackletons high seat chairs.

Open seven days a week with ample parking delivering the best value in the area.

£199 EDINBURGH CH AI SELECTED FA R BS.

359 Bradford Road Batley WF17 5PH www.shackletonsltd.co.uk FREE PARKING SHOWROOM OPEN 7 DAYS!

Tel: 01924 440600

Dementia independence Receiving the news that you have been diagnosed with dementia can be a scary and vulnerable time. People automatically fear that they are going to lose their independence, however a diagnoses of dementia does not necessarily mean you can no longer live in your own home.

Instead, it just means that more precautions should be taken to keep you safe.

Support Network

Firstly, you must ensure that you have a stable support network. This may be through friends and family who assist you in everyday tasks like helping with house work or taking you shopping.

Alternatively, you could attend a support group which enables you to speak with others who are suffering from dementia

and have the chance to listen to how they are coping with everyday life. Social services are also available. For example you may have a health worker who helps around the house or prepares meals for you. There are also day centres where you can interact with others and participate in a range of activities. No matter what forms of support you have, it is important that you do not become isolated and alone and that you keep some form of human contact.

Assistive Technology

Other ways to maintain your independence is through the use of different types of aids (assistive technology) to suit your individual needs. This can range from medication boxes which allow you to keep track of which medication needs to be taken on which day to more advanced telecare systems which alert carers when there is a problem.

Legal and Financial Affairs

It is also important to have your legal and financial affairs in order. It can become difficult to remember everyday tasks such as paying the bills. Therefore, it may be beneficial to set up direct debits for utility bills or set up a joint account so that somebody you trust with your finances.

It is also important to plan ahead for the future. You may wish to consider setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney in order to give authority to someone that you trust to deal with your affairs and wellbeing. You may also be entitled to certain benefits such as attendance allowance which can support you whilst remaining in your own home.

A diagnosis of dementia does not mean that you are entirely dependent on others and there are a variety of ways that you can ensure that you live a safe, happy, independent life. If you would like to start planning for your future then contact our specialist private client team today.

Solicitors in Ramsdens Private Client team are officially accredited as Dementia Friendly so we can provide extra help for people with Alzheimer’s Disease or similar conditions.

Call us free on 0800 988 3650, we're here to help or email willsandprobate@ramsdens.co.uk.

with 12 offices across West Yorkshire, we're never too far away 0800 988 3650 www.ramsdens.co.uk WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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CAN YOU HELP

BY SPONSORING A KIRKWOOD NURSE TODAY?

£5 A MONTH OR £60 A YEAR

£10 A MONTH OR £120 A YEAR

£15 A MONTH OR £180 A YEAR Kindly supported by:

Kirkwood Hospice is a Registered Charity (No. 512987)

www.medicarechemists.co.uk

MEDiCARE We're here to keep you healthy

REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS FREE COLLECTION & DELIVERY SERVICE OUR SERVICES...

Nominate Medicare

To nominate Medicare as your chosen pharmacy, simply complete and post the form below to Head Office with your details and chosen Medicare chemist (See branches opposite)

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Alcohol Intervention Scheme Disposal of Unwanted Medicines Electronic Prescription Service FREE Collection & Delivery Service Medicine Compliance Aids Medicine Use Reviews Minor Ailments Service New Medicines Service NHS Prescriptions Palliative Care Stock Private & Veterinary Prescriptions Private Consultation Area Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles Signposting Smoking Cessation Supervised Consumption Support For Self Care

Electronic Prescription Service

BRANCHES

Full Name:....................................................................

• Marsh

Tel: 01484 533731

Email: ...........................................................................

• Salendine Nook

Tel: 01484 657633 Tel: 01484 428646

Telephone No:.............................................................

• Bradley • Lockwood

Tel: 01484 532169

• Honley

Tel: 01484 661818

• Elmwood H.C.

Tel: 01484 681069

• Holmfirth

Tel: 01484 683945

• Head Office

Tel: 01484 300444

Date of Birth:...............................................................

Branch:..........................................................................

Join our mailing list?

Post to: 1 Meltham Road, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire HD1 3TJ

Have you reported your changes?

Council tax reduction or housing benefit Report a change of circumstances If you receive council tax reduction and/ or housing benefit you must tell us straight away if your circumstances change.

If you do not tell us within 21 days depending on the circumstances you may be fined £70, or your benefit amount could be affected.

Changes we need to know about include:

• changes to your income or capital • someone moving into, or out of your household • changes to income or capital belonging to anyone in your household • moving home, or into a different room if you live in a shared property • changes to the amount of rent you pay

You can report your change online at: www.kirklees.gov.uk/changecircumstance

NOW OFFERING DAY CARE SERVICES FROM ÂŁ25 PER DAY

Holme House Care Home with Nursing

Oxford Road, Gomersal, Cleckheaton BD19 4LA Holme House is a modernised care home in a stunning stone building which will be home to 68 residents both residential, nursing and EMI. All bedrooms are single rooms with en-suite shower facilities. Each room has beautiful fitted furniture with an integrated fridge and a television/dvd with freeview as standard. Sky Television is also available if required by the resident. Each bedroom has its own telephone and residents can make and receive outside calls from the privacy of their own room.

Each nursing bedroom has a ceiling hoist for safe and easy moving of residents and also has a profiling nursing bed as standard as well as all the above facilities.

Our premium ground floor bedrooms have their own front door access for more independent residents to live in.

The home offers a hairdressing salon and lots of activities space with a dedicated computer room with internet access for use by residents. Each floor has a beautifully decorated and furnished lounge and dining room. All the communal bathrooms have tracking hoists which adds to the ease and comfort of the people who live in the care home.

The superb kitchen has the most up to date equipment and is managed by a head chef and his team. An extensive menu of the highest quality food is offered to our residents. Choice is available at every meal. In addition to the main kitchen, each floor of the home has its own dedicated kitchen area with drinks and light snacks available all day and night if required.

All in all this is a attractively designed care home which offers the highest quality accommodation which is matched by high quality nursing and residential care for a dedicated and well trained staff team.

Treat yourself or your loved one to a five star care experience, you deserve it and we want to help you enjoy it.

For information, to view our beautiful home, please contact the Manager or any of the team on 01274 862021.

www.croftcarehomes.co.uk

Croftlands Care Home with Nursing Kirkburton, Huddersfield HD8 0TH Croftlands is a stunning stone-built care home for 55 residents, both residential, nursing and people with dementia related needs.

All bedrooms are single rooms with en-suite shower facilities. Each room has beautiful fitted furniture with an integrated fridge and a television/dvd with freeview as standard. Sky Television is also available if required by the resident. Each bedroom has its own telephone and residents can make and receive outside calls from the privacy of their own room.

Each nursing bedroom has a ceiling hoist for safe and easy moving of residents and also has a profiling nursing bed as standard as well as all the above facilities.

All the communal bathrooms have tracking hoists which adds to the ease and comfort of the people who live in the care home.

An extensive menu of the highest quality food is offered to our residents. Choice is available at every meal. In addition to the main kitchen, each floor of the home has its own dedicated kitchen area with drinks and light snacks available all day and night if required.

All in all this is an attractively designed care home which offers the highest quality accommodation which is matched by high quality nursing and residential care for a dedicated and well trained staff team.

Treat yourself or your loved one to a five star care experience, you deserve it and we want to help you enjoy it.

The home offers a hairdressing salon and lots of activities space. Each floor has a beautifully decorated and furnished lounge and dining room. There are also a number of quiet lounges. For people with EMI needs there is a reminiscence room and a sensory room.

Couple with extensive grounds and well maintained gardens this is a wonderful environment to live in.

For information, to view our beautiful home, please contact the Manager or any of the team on 01484 604864.

www.croftcarehomes.co.uk

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.

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Personal Family Touches We strongly believe that a funeral service for a loved one should be as personal and unique as they were and we will do everything possible to ensure that all wishes are carried out to make things easier on the day.

Be it that family members would like to carry the coffin or perhaps certain members would like to speak within the funeral service. We encourage family involvement and are more than happy to discuss all options possible.

Serving all areas

Affordable without comprominsing on care.

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

Affordable

Funeral Ser vice

local caring independent funeral director

Low Fuss Funeral - £1650

Bespoke Funeral - £1800

• The payment of a cremation fee

• The payment of a cremation fee

• The payment of the Doctor's fees

• The payment of the Doctor's fees

• The payment of the Minister's fees

• The payment of the Minister's 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 and interior of your choice

• The provision of an oak-effect coffin and interior of your choice

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

ALL OTHER FUNERAL REQUIREMENTS UNDERTAKEN AFFORDABLY

Springhead Funeral Service

7/9 Stainland Rd, Halifax (opposite Andy Thorntons)

Tel: 01422 327 382

Bradley Funeral Service 9 Copthorne Square, Bradley, Huddersfield

Tel: 01484 534 488

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

Pre-paid Funerals

at today's prices guaranteed...

Golden Leaves Funeral Plans 47 WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK || 47