Kirklees & Calderdale 45

FREE Please

KIRKLEES & CALDERDALE

take on

e

MARCH - MAY 2015

EDITION 45

Jane McDonald Still Following Her Dreams

Hairy Bikers

Healthy Low Calorie Recipes

New Looks for your Home this Spring

Mobility & Living Aids THE LOCAL MAGAZINE FOR THE OVER 50s

Calderdale Council has something for everyone. Lose weight, get fit and expand your knowledge!

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Join the fun at our 50+ fitness classes

fitness for every body

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INSIDE...

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Scam Watch What’s your favourite prank to play? Whether it’s with unsuspecting friends or the grand-kids, we’ve probably all pulled – and been on the receiving end of – a trick or two in our time. But what about those tricks that aren’t quite as innocent – the ones that are designed to part you with your cash. Well, you’ll be glad we “made you look” as we go through some of the more common pranks you should be on the look-out for.

Shoulder surfers: one of the most common ways for fraudsters to acquire your PIN is not through sophisticated techniques of card cloning, but simply by watching over your shoulder as you enter it. Always be wary of people standing behind you at cash points and when entering your PIN in a shop.

Phishing: have you won a lottery you didn’t enter? Had a

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Twittering On...

By Graham Smith.

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Robinsons Holidays...

Affordable peace of mind.

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River Cruising... in Style!

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Jane McDonald...

Still following her dreams.

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Interior Design...

New looks for your home this Spring.

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The Hairy Dieters...

‘Eat For Life’ recipes.

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RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield & District Branch...

Can you help?

6th Floor | 120 Bark Street | Bolton | BL1 2AX T: (01204) 860 194 | F: (01204) 860 213 e: mcgrathadmin@btconnect.com

request from “your bank” to confirm your details? These are all phishing scams and you will end up losing money. Look out for the email originating from an unusual address, or failing to address you by name. Some can be more convincing and even look like they have been sent to you by friends. If in doubt, don’t give your details out.

Hang-up, no you hang-up: imagine it – you receive a call from

your bank telling you your account had been compromised and you need to act fast to save your cash! You’d do exactly as you were told right? But stop, this is a scam. Your bank would take its own steps to prevent fraud on your account, it would never require you to give out your full account number, password, PIN or hand over your card to a courier – ever. Even if you’re convinced you’re on the phone to your bank – never give out this information.

Payment protection insurance (PPI) refunds: you receive a text or call from someone claiming to be your bank, the Ministry of Justice, or a PPI company telling you that you’re owed money from mis-sold PPI. But, you must pay an administration fee before the refund can be processed. Don’t give away any money! If you have a PPI complaint, you can come to the ombudsman for free and save yourself giving your cash to claims managers unnecessarily.

Online shopping scams: many of us are beating the queues

by shopping online these days – and the good news is that the majority of transactions are completed with no problem. But always be wary of a seller (or buyer) who asks you to complete transactions outside of the official payment channels like PayPal – as you may find you’re not protected if the item you’re buying, or the money for the goods you’ve sold, doesn’t show up.

We hope these tips help you get ahead of the game. But if you’ve lost out to a fraudster, don’t panic. Tell your bank what’s gone wrong but if you’re still not able to get things sorted out, the ombudsman may be able to help on 0300 123 9 123 or www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk.

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TWITTERING ON She told television stations WFLA and WFTS that after she rapidly gained weight last autumn, doctors confirmed she was pregnant.

Ms Ford said she thought she was having twins at first.

Debbie Moore, a registered nurse at the hospital, said they would "definitely not" have recommended a natural birth if they had known how much Avery weighed, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

Graham Smith

Keeping abreast of the times Celebrity culture is big business. To join this band of elite, dysfunctional people you need certain qualities. You should preferably be verbally challenged to the point where you cannot string a sentence together, tattoos over most inches of exposed flesh are a necessity, metal objects inserted in each bodily orifice add to the attraction, oh, and you must be vulgar.

My 2015 award for vulgarity has to go to Leeds lass, I think, Josie Cunningham who hit the headlines after having a boob job on the NHS and then employing an agent of dubious origin to publicise the episode and subsequent miscreant meanderings of a sexual connotation which included offering to have an abortion so she could take part in Big Brother. Worrying isn’t it?

In a “fly on the wall” TV documentary this fearsome looking specimen came over as a complete half wit whose antics are capable of extracting large amounts of money from today’s downmarket tabloid media. Her baseball capped agent was shown ferrying her around in a taxi to various photo shoots and locations in his quest to make a financial killing. He’s an oddball who has a grasp of how to manipulate social media so the femme fatale thinks she is rising to iconic proportions in the popularity stakes while, truth is, he is lining his own pocket.

There’s enough collagen in her lips to keep a small trawler afloat in heavy seas and her so far untended teeth would mean most sane men would need an anaesthetic and several strong men to drag them under the mistletoe with her. Her dulcet Leeds accent makes a Billingsgate fish wife sound like an elocution expert and she uses enough profanities and vernacular to keep Gordon Ramsay going for six months.

Barely a sentence goes by without use

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Avery's father, Allen Denton, told the newspaper: "I got a linebacker now instead of a fullback." of the procreation verb or adjective and coming out of that falsely constructed generous gob it sounds like fingernails down the side of a ship.

In a scene of blissful domesticity she was shown with her mother painting skirting boards at the family home and holding a tasteful discourse about how much they ******* love each other and anyone who doesn’t like it can go forth and multiply.

Their application of the gloss paint was as thick as their awful accents and the result was very similar to their sordid way of life, runny, lacking in finesse and full of drips.

Josie describes herself as a model, for what I’m not quite sure. She sets out to shock and invariably succeeds. If your son brought her home you’d leave it. she is surely an ambassador for the cause of celibacy if ever I saw one.

In one of her outbursts, proudly sticking out her prosthetically enhanced chest, she said fat people did not deserve a gastric band on the NHS. She deserves two. One around her vile, over inflated gob and the other strategically placed and tightened about six inches lower.

Stone me!

A woman in the US has given birth to a baby weighing 14.1 pounds (6.4kg) - and he is already eating double the amount of an average-sized newborn.

Maxxzandra Ford's son Avery is the heaviest ever baby to be born at St Joseph's Women's Hospital in Tampa, Florida.

Avery, who was delivered in a natural birth lasting 18 hours, is one of the largest-ever born in the state.

Ms Ford did not know she was pregnant until about 35 weeks in, according to media reports in the US.

Ms Ford, who already has a one-year-old son and a five-year-old daughter, said she "just melted" when she finally held Avery.

Bear necessity Passengers on the London Underground were stunned to see an eight foot polar bear climb aboard a train.

The giant bear, created by Hollywood special effects experts FX, was spotted at Charing Cross tube station, as well as Hampstead Heath and the South Bank of the Thames.

The huge puppet was made by a team of 19 prop specialists and made from more than 60 different materials including 90 sq ft of white fur.

It was controlled by two puppeteers who spent weeks studying footage of real polar bears in the wild before spending five days rehearsing with the device.

The bear was created to promote new Sky Atlantic drama Fortitude.

Sky Atlantic director Zai Bennett said: "To launch our new Arctic-noir thriller we wanted to bring a realistic polar bear to the streets of London to give people an up close experience of what it must be like to come face to face with one of the biggest, but uncredited stars of our new show."

There’s something for everyone at Calderdale Libraries Including health, volunteering and local history to home library service, internet training and talking books

Infinite Possibilites

TRAVEL

The Great British Holiday IF there is one thing that the recession has taught us it’s about getting value for money. And it’s not just being pro-British to say that you can now get the best holidays here at home.

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when you’re having a staycation.

They don’t have to endure tiresome flights, hanging around in airports or not liking the food abroad. Children can make themselves understood to everyone, and discover for themselves just how beautiful is their own country.

ABTA – the well-respected Association of British Travel Agents – says that their recent research shows that 20 per cent of people surveyed would be spending more on holidays in 2015.

They also discovered that nearly seven in 10 people, that’s 68 per cent, took at least one UK holiday last year. Mark Tanzer, ABTA’s chief executive, believes that good weather in the UK in June and July helped. He says that “the research shows there are reasons to be optimistic for 2015.”

All of which is no surprise to the thousands of tourists who flock into Great Britain each year from other countries around the world. They come determined to discover the many attractions here. Perhaps we Brits are simply slower to pick up on noticing the wonders around us, but we are getting better at it.

Andy Kinnaird from Robinsons Coaches knows that the Great British Holiday is very attractive to the homegrown market.

His business, based near Blackburn in Lancashire, was established in 1923 and today has 23 coaches with more than 160 staff kept busy dealing with this burgeoning travel market.

He finds that more people than ever are opting to stay in the UK for their annual holidays, citing “the hassle of going through customs and airports etc” as well as the constant discovery of new places without ever leaving these shores.

Favourite destinations for the many people he takes on their holidays around the country include the Isle of Wight,

Eastbourne and Torquay. More unusual destinations are the Hebrides, the Isle of Man and the Scilly Isles, although he does transport some foreign visitors like the Australian couple who wanted to tour Scotland.

Andy and his family shunned the charms of the Costas and the Balearics last year for the delights of Camarthen in Wales and Loch Lomond in Scotland. “Yes,” he insists, “like everyone, we appreciate going to beautiful places in the UK.” If we can stand back a little from the whole subject of holidays and try to take a dispassionate look at what the UK has to offer, there really is something for every traveller and taste.

A holiday in the UK can turn into the kind of voyage of discovery that used to be reserved for early travellers setting foot in ancient lands for the first time.

The sense of wonder is on offer in cities, towns and in tiny hamlets boasting a village church and a history recorded in the Domesday Book.

You can take the whole family – including the dog – to a luxury cabin in ancient woodland in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, or wake each day on the banks of an ancient millpond in a beautiful dwelling in Deerpark in Cornwall, deep in a peaceful wooded valley.

If you like walking, you can see the ruggedly beautiful hills of Wales or the sleepy villages set in rural Yorkshire. Stay in a YHA hostel in the South-east and take a gentle family chauffeur punt down the river in Cambridge or experience the thrill of the rides at Chessington World of Adventures.

The great thing about holidaying in the UK with your family is the wonderfully broad spread of activities on offer.

Youngsters can run about, take part in planned activity programmes, go swimming or even take their bikes along

Couples can quietly discover the real Downton Abbey – Highclere Castle in Hampshire – where fact meets fiction in fascinating English history. Our country has plenty of history, with stunning landmarks in Norwich spanning the Norman, Medieval, Georgian, Victorian and modern eras to Bath with its fascinating Roman baths. Visit York, where history leaps out at you around every corner. Travel to the capital and see the magnet of attractions that draw the constant crowds to its major art galleries, packed with masterpieces, the British Museum exhibiting the works of man from historic to modern times or the London Eye where the best views over the city are available to fascinate.

Our coastlines are among some of the world’s most stunning. Just walk along the rugged cliffs of Boscastle in Cornwall and you’ll be treading on rocks first laid down 300 million years ago. Mind you, it’s also got some of the best beaches, too, and the longest: 476 km of luscious coastline.

You can cycle through the wilds of Yorkshire or take a more sedate luxury barge along the Lancaster Canal – or just please yourself and do both!

The Great British Holiday is the one that you like the best. And it’s completely achievable, even with one eye on the weather.

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Holidays from

£149

Robinsons Own Hotels

2015

Sunny Sussex Eastbourne

The Garden Isle Isle of Wight

Delightful Devon Torquay

Eastbourne is an “all year round” holiday destination with one of the best sunshine records in the UK.

The Isle of Wight offers stunning landscapes, award winning beaches, breath taking seascapes and not forgetting its extensive history.

With its mild climate and trademark Palm Trees, Torquay is one of the UK’s premier seaside resorts and has been fashionable since the 19th Century.

The Ocean View Hotel is an elegant hotel commanding magnificent views across Sandown Bay, the balconies provide the perfect place to enjoy the sunset on summer evenings. Guests can unwind in the piano lounge before enjoying an evening meal in the spacious restaurant. A night porter ensures 24 hour reception service.

The Abbey Lawn Hotel is an elegant Georgian hotel, in the grounds of the former Torre Abbey, with it’s newly refurbished conservatory / lounge offers the discerning holidaymaker an exceptional standard of comfort throughout.

The Imperial Hotel is an impressive Victorian hotel situated at the seaward end of Devonshire Place, an imposing tree-lined boulevard, less than fifteen minutes walk from the facilities and amenities in the town centre and across the road from the promenade and the bandstand. The hotel offers the guest a good standard of accommodation, spacious lounge areas and a majestic restaurant all in a dignified and tranquil ambience for the discerning holidaymaker.

Hotel amenities l All rooms have private facilities, telephone, television and complimentary tea/coffee and hairdryers l Traditional English breakfast l Lunch snacks available daily l Table d’hote evening meal with choice of menu, plus tea or coffee l Live entertainment most evenings l Lift serving all floors l Porterage.

Hotel amenities l All rooms have private facilities, telephone, television and complimentary tea/coffee and hairdryers l Traditional English breakfast l Lunch snacks available daily l Table d’hote evening meal with choice of menu, plus tea or coffee l Live entertainment most evenings l Indoor heated pool l Indoor bowling green, table tennis and snooker room l Lift serving all floors l Porterage.

Freephone: 0800 083 9900

Many of the bedrooms offer panoramic views of the bay.

Hotel amenities l All rooms have private facilities, telephone, television and complimentary tea/coffee and hairdryers l Traditional English breakfast l Lunch snacks available daily l Table d’hote evening meal with choice of menu, plus tea or coffee l Live entertainment most evenings l Indoor and seasonal outdoor pool l Lift serving all floors l Porterage

Groups: 0800 785 1025

The Robinsons Difference

Great choice of menus l Executive coaches with extra legroom l Includes excursions l Friendly staff l

Local joining points No single supplements* l High standard of accommodation l l

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5 Day Tours

7 Day Tours

8 Day Tours

4 Nts dinner, bed & breakfast

6 Nts dinner, bed & breakfast

7 Nts dinner, bed & breakfast

Date 09 Mar 16 Mar 23 Mar 29 Mar 03 Apr 08 Apr 13 Apr 20 Apr 26 Apr 04 May 11 May 18 May 25 May 15 June 13 July 17 Aug 14 Sept 05 Oct 12 Oct 19 Oct 26 Oct

Imperial Ocean View Abbey Lawn £169 £169 £169 £179 £179 £179 £189 £189 £189 £199 £199 £199 £199 £199 £199 £209 £209 £209 £219 £219 £219 £219 £219 £219 £219 £219 £219 £229 £229 £229 £229 £229 £229 £239 £239 £239 £249 £249 £249 £269 £269 £269 £269 £269 £269 £259 £259 £229 £229 £229 £229 £229 £229 £219 £219 £219 £219 £219 £219

Supplements per person 7 Days: Imperial: Premier Room £20 Ocean View: Premier Room £30 -Sea View Room £10 Abbey Lawn: Premier Room £30 - Front Facing Room £10

We offer you ...

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Own hotels in great locations Peace of mind security l Payment in instalments * Robinsons own hotels l

4 nights dinner, bed & breakfast 2 included excursions Free pick-ups Service of driver/courier

Loyalty Bonus Here at Robinsons, we are committed to ensuring that our customers are rewarded for their loyalty to us. For 2015, we are pleased to offer all our passengers the opportunity to take advantage.

A voucher will be given to all passengers by the tour driver whilst on holiday. This can either be redeemed on the next holiday booking, or can be saved in multiples towards a future holiday.

Date 30 Mar 05 Apr 12 Apr 19 Apr 26 Apr 03 May 10 May 17 May 24 May 31 May 07 June 14 June 21 June 28 June 05 July 12 July 19 July 26 July 02 Aug 09 Aug 16 Aug 23 Aug 30 Aug 06 Sept 13 Sept 20 Sept 27 Sept

Imperial Ocean View Abbey Lawn £249* £249* £249* £249 £249 £249 £259 £259 £259 £269 £269 £269 £279 £279 £279 £319 £319 £319 £339 £339 £339 £349 £349 £349 £359 £359 £359 £369 £369 £369 £369 £369 £369 £369 £369 £369 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £369 £369 £369 £369 £369 £369 £359 £359 £359 £329 £329 £329

* Monday departure Supplements per person 7 Days: Imperial: Premier Room £30 Ocean View: Premier Room £45 -Sea View Room £13 Abbey Lawn: Premier Room £40 - Front Facing Room £13

We offer you ...

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6 nights dinner, bed & breakfast 2 included excursions Free pick-ups Service of driver/courier

Date Imperial Ocean View Abbey Lawn 02/03 May £369 £369 £369 09/10 May £369 £369 £369 16/17 May £379 £379 £379 23/24 May £389 £389 £389 30/31 May £399 £399 £399 06/07 June £399 £399 £399 13/14 June £399 £399 £399 20/21 June £409 £409 £409 27/28 June £409 £409 £409 04/05 July £409 £409 £409 11/12 July £409 £409 £409 18/19 July £409 £409 £409 25/26 July £409 £409 £409 01/02 Aug £409 £409 £409 08/09 Aug £409 £409 £409 15/16 Aug £409 £409 £409 22/23 Aug £409 £409 £409 29/30 Aug £409 £409 £409 05/06 Sept £399 £399 £399 12/13 Sept £399 £399 £399 19/20 Sept £389 £389 £389 26/27 Sept £359 £359 £359 Supplements per person 8 Days: Imperial: Premier Room £35 Ocean View: Premier Room £50 -Sea View Room £15 Abbey Lawn: Premier Room £50 - Front Facing Room £15

9 Day Tours 8 Nts dinner, bed & breakfast Date 02 May 09 May 16 May 23 May 30 May 06 June 13 June 20 June 27 June 04 July 11 July 18 July 25 July 01 Aug 08 Aug 15 Aug 22 Aug 29 Aug 05 Sept 12 Sept 19 Sept 26 Sept

Imperial Ocean View Abbey Lawn £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £409 £409 £409 £419 £419 £419 £429 £429 £429 £429 £429 £429 £429 £429 £429 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £429 £429 £429 £429 £429 £429 £419 £419 £419 £389 £389 £389

9 DAYS ~ ONLY STANDARD ROOMS AVAILABLE

We offer you ...

4 7 nights dinner, bed & breakfast - 8 Days 4 8 nights dinner, bed & breakfast - 9 Days 4 2 included excursions 4 Free pick-ups 4 Service of driver/courier

Visit us online at www.robinsons-holidays.co.uk and book a great deal today!

Park Garage, Great Harwood, Blackburn BB6 7SP.

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50 Plus Travel

sponsored by

River cruising in style

By Chrissy Nason from Silver Travel Advisor Following a long travel career, Chrissy Nason brings her experience and eye for stylish detail as an advisor and travel writer for Silver Travel Advisor, the information and review website for mature travellers.

For my first river-cruise experience I was delighted to be invited by Avalon Waterways on their inaugural 3 night sailing of Poetry II, from Cologne to Amsterdam.

First impressions didn’t disappoint: sleek, elegant, with a full-length sky deck, spacious lounge and dining areas, the ship exudes style. The staterooms (cabins) have the benefit of wall-towall panoramic windows to facilitate maximum viewing and create a balcony within the room. Beautifully decorated in contemporary style and furnished

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to a high standard, the staterooms are luxurious and comfortable. Storage in small spaces, always a challenge, was plentiful. The marble tiled bathroom and shower was a decent size, beautifully appointed, with complimentary L’Occitaine toiletries.

Ready to explore, I opted to join a walking tour of the city centre, keen to get a feel for Cologne before sailing later that afternoon. All destination excursions have an expert local guide and individual audio sets to give a personalized experience.

Cologne is home to Eau de Cologne, the fragrance created in 1709 by Johann Maria Fabrina. The original shop has its own little museum and although they now offer a wide range of fragrances, the original cologne is still sold.

The Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an architectural masterpiece and famous as the home of the shrine of The Three Wise Men, whose remains were brought to Cologne in the 12th century. The Cathedral miraculously escaped the WW2 bombing, apparently the spires were used as a navigational landmark to target the main railway

station located immediately next door.

A few minutes walk back to the ship, a short mandatory safety drill and with the sun setting behind the Cathedral’s spires, we set sail.

Relaxation and dining room facilities are plentiful and spacious for the ship’s 128 passenger capacity. After a pre-dinner drink in the lounge we headed down to a delicious dinner: typically, a three or four course a la carte menu, including regional dishes, with complimentary wine or local beer. The food throughout was very good with a choice of hot food to order or a buffet and salad bar.

The next morning we docked at Tiel with a choice of sightseeing: Arnhem or the Kroller-Muller museum (Van Gogh paintings). Most of us opted for Arnhem.

We drove over the famous reconstructed bridge to Oosterbeek and Villa Hartenstein, now an excellent museum.

We also visited the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery. Surrounded by woods, viewed through mist and rain it was deeply moving.

After lunch we sailed a short distance to Willemstad, a small picturesque town with well-preserved fortifications and a

TRAVEL lovely octagonal church where we were treated to an organ recital. Back to the ship, another memorable supper and a great night’s entertainment from a local group who had everyone tapping and clapping and yours truly on the dance floor.

Overnight we sailed to Dordrecht with a choice of excursions: the worldfamous Keukenhof tulip gardens or the Kinderdijk Dutch windmill heritage site.

I opted for the Keukenhof Gardens, an hour’s drive. Open only 8 weeks each year, the gardens offer a stunning horticultural display: 7 million spring-time flowers within a wooded landscaped park with 700 tulip varieties.

Back on board, I requested a tour of the ship. Erik, the Cruise Director, pointed out some subtle design features: “slightly higher chairs and tables, perfect for those guests who can no longer touch their toes” he said giving me a knowing look. Coffee tables that can be raised to dining table height to allow guests inroom dining, should they prefer. The skydeck, a tremendous space for sunbathing and watching the world go by, with a hot-tub, loungers and a bistro area for lunchtime barbecue grills.

Certainly, for someone like me who suffers from seasickness, one of the joys of this cruise was the gentle, relaxing, motion of the ship. I rarely felt any vibrations and in the superbly comfortable beds (complete with memory foam mattress topper) I slept very well. Soundproofed cabins, Avalon’s state of the art design, quiet engines and generators no doubt helped, though the wine probably played its part too!

A river cruise with Avalon ticks a lot of boxes: inclusive guided on-shore excursions; full-board a la carte dining with complimentary local wines and beers; onboard gratuities; transfers and a private chauffeured taxi from your home to the nearest UK airport or Eurostar station (within a 100 mile radius). How good is that?

We arrived in Amsterdam all too soon.

Most people chose to add an additional hotel night to allow for sightseeing, but my flight home beckoned. After such a wonderful experience I’ve already got my eye on Avalon’s themed Opera cruise next year: on-board performances as you glide down the Danube from Budapest to Prague. I can’t think of a better way to experience Europe’s rich heritage.

Sample Itinerary for 2015 ‘ Tulip Time’ The eight day Tulip Time cruise takes in the tranquil, open landscapes of Holland and Belgium and the Keukenhof’s magnificent spring flowers and the wooden windmills of Kinderdijk on this memorable river cruise. Highlights include an orientation walk in Veere, a canal cruise in cosmopolitan Amsterdam, sights with Local Guides in Antwerp, Ghent and Middelburg and the fascinating city of Maastricht. Cruises run from 31 March until 1 May 2015 and prices include return flights and airport transfers, a door-to-door home pick up service, a seven night full board deluxe cruise with wine and beers served with dinner, on-board gratuities and included excursions.

Avalon Waterways 0800 668 1801 or visit www.avaloncruises.co.uk

Silver Travel Advisor is a travel review, information and advice website exclusively for over 50’s, packed with articles, suggestions, tips and ideas. For free and independent travel advice as well as reviews about holidays, hotels, restaurants and days out, please visit www.silvertraveladvisor.com or email service@silvertraveladvisor.com. It’s free to register as a member of Silver Travel Advisor, and you could win a fabulous holiday prize.

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Our advice to keep your pipes and drains flowing freely

Snow, ice and protecting your pipes As temperatures drop here’s some helpful advice on how you can be winter ready and avoid the hassle of burst or frozen pipes.

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Spot the potential problem areas Are any pipes, taps, cisterns, tanks and water meters exposed to freezing temperatures?

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Find and turn off your stop tap If your pipes freeze and then burst, you’ll need to turn off your stop tap. It is usually located under your kitchen sink.

Check for dripping water No leaks? Turn your stop tap back on and open a kitchen tap to allow melting water to flow out. Find the frozen pipe and use a hairdryer to gently melt the ice. Never use a naked flame.

Protect your pipes and taps After identifying the pipes and taps most at risk, wrap them in lagging.

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Keep the central heating ticking over If you can, try to leave your heating on constantly at a low temperature.

For more advice see our Home Happy guide online at

Looking after our customers: It’s part of our Blueprint for Yorkshire

yorkshirewater.com/homehappy #HomeHappy

Beware of bogus callers If an unexpected visitor calls at your door claiming to be from Yorkshire Water, follow these steps to check they are genuine.

Stop it before you block it Fats and wipes can block your pipes. Avoid kitchen calamities and bathroom blockages.

Think! No fat down sinks!

Don’t put leftover fat and greasy food scraps down the sink – these can solidify in your pipes and stop waste water escaping.

Bin and wipe before you rinse!

Let fat, oil and grease cool, collect in a suitable container and put it into the bin. Wipe pots and pans out with kitchen roll before washing up.

Flushing wipes and other sanitary items can block pipes too!

Don’t flush anything other than human waste and toilet roll.

Use the bin, not the loo!

Please make sure you put wipes (even if they say ‘flushable’), cotton buds, sanitary products, nappies and condoms in bags and in the bin.

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Stop Are you expecting anyone?

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Chain If you have one, put the chain on the door before opening it.

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Check All our staff wear uniforms. Check the identity of the caller by phoning 0345 1 24 24 24.

Do not use phone numbers on their ID cards or ones provided by the caller as they may be bogus.

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Protect yourself from bogus callers Contact us on 0800 1 38 78 78 to set up your own unique password which our staff will then tell you when they visit your home.

Let us lend a Helping Hand We offer FREE services for older customers or those with sight or hearing difficulties, a disability or serious injury, mobility issues or a serious medical condition.

Join today or nominate a friend, relative or neighbour by calling 0800 1 38 78 78 or visiting yorkshirewater.com/hands

Save more this winter By using less hot water you can also save on your energy bills. Order your FREE water saving pack* online at yorkshirewater.com/save or call 0345 1 22 04 22 Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am-8pm and Saturday 9am-5pm. * Yorkshire Water customers only, 1 pack per household.

Jane

McDonald IT’S amazing to think that it’s 17 years since Jane McDonald first captivated viewers in the BBC documentary-soap “The Cruise.”

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The no-messing Yorkshire lass, a singer on the cruise ship, immediately fascinated everyone with her broad Yorkshire accent, warm heart and undoubtedly powerful singing voice.

Right from the first sight of her, we knew she was a straightforward type of person, and she became the enduring image of that first series. The programme also provided a very useful springboard to success for Ms McDonald. But by then she had more than earned the right to it.

Jane grew up in Wakefield. Her father, Peter, was a miner who doubled as a chimney sweep and Jane’s mother, Jean, and Jane’s grandmother ran a boarding house.

Singing was what Jane was destined for, however, and for 12 years, she sang in the clubs throughout the North, honing her singing skills and learning to handle every kind of audience.

She also entertained on cruise ships and in 1995 she met her future husband, Henrik, onboard The Century. They married in May, 1998, and in January, 1998, the BBC began broadcasting its fly-on-the-wall documentary.

The programme was watched regularly by 14 million viewers and her wedding to Henrik, also televised, was watched by a large audience although the couple later divorced.

Such was her instant fame that in July, 1998, Jane released her first, self-titled album which spent three weeks at No.1 and went platinum.

In November the following year, she released her concert video, followed in 2000 by her second album, “Inspiration.”

TV proved to the nation that here was a girl who could not only sing but who was funny and could present. She became a guest presenter on BBC’s “National Lottery” before being given her own show, “Star for a Night”, which helped launch the career of singer Joss Stone.

Because of the way the public first got to know Jane, it’s always been difficult for her to shake off the image, as she says herself, of “‘er off the cruise ship.”

But, in fact, not only has she carved out a very successful TV career but she has regularly toured all over the country, and all over the world including America, bringing her own brand of glamorous glitz and powerful, entrancing singing to her legions of fans.

And she appreciates those fans. “To me, twenty fans are equally as important as twenty thousand fans,” she states.

“When I look out, I don’t see a sea of people but individual faces.”

She also has very loyal fans. “They travel around the country to see me,” she explains, “write to me, send me things and

are all so supportive. I always make sure when I do a concert or a TV show that I meet the fans afterwards.

“There’s been a time when the signing session after the show has lasted longer than the show itself! But I wouldn’t miss that for the world. Without them …. well … I woudn’t know what to do.”

Jane especially appreciates her fans since she became wellknown and started touring because of her tough years in the clubs. “When I sang before I’d have to compete with the bingo callers and people chatting at the bar,” she says. “I thought I’d gone deaf on this tour because the audience was so quiet. It took a while to realise they were quiet because they were listening to me.”

As well as her touring, Jane became a regular presenter on ITV daytime programme “Loose Women” where her forthright opinions were always loved by viewers. She finally left the series last year after 10 years to concentrate on her music career and toured the country at the same time as her latest album, “Singer of Your Song”, came out.

She’s made numerous guest appearances on mainstream TV - from “Ready, Steady Cook” to “All Star Family Fortunes” and “Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway”. She’s reviewed newspapers and had her own autobiography, “Follow Your Dreams” which was published in 2000.

Her shows are unashamedly showbizzy and fun with eye-catching sets and costumes, and Jane belts out all the favourite standards to please her fans. Indeed, she always seems to enjoy herself as much as her audience does.

She’s 51 now, divorced twice but happy finally with musician Eddie Rothe. They first dated at 18 when he was in the band Liquid Gold, but split up and Jane met him again on the set of “Loose Women”.

Her fans are a cross-section of ages, including her own age-group. “I see the same three rows wherever I go,” she states. “I’ve seen them grow up and go through marriages and losses.” And it’s to these loyal fans that she dedicated last year’s album and tour.

She’s just finished a stint in panto at Birmingham Hippodrome, in “Jack and the Beanstalk” playing The Enchantress, before going off on another series of sell-out appearances around the UK. But to all those fans who were first enchanted by her in “The Cruise” and who have remained keen to follow her career ever since, it’s plain that – while life may not have been all plain-sailing for Jane McDonald – she’s determined to continue putting a smile on other people’s faces.

For details of her latest appearances go to www.jane-mcdonald.com

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HOME

Soothing, stylish dining is on the menu with the help of Colours at B&Q

New Looks For Your Home This Spring IF there’s one thing the freshness of Spring brings it’s the chance to take a new look at our homes.

of a CONSERVATORY. The key here is to ensure that it doesn’t look “tacked on” to your property. It’s important to give the appearance of flowing from the main house with the same flooring and décor.

Winter-time tends to make us close the curtains, keep cosy and just enjoy being indoors, but Springtime is all about renewal – and our homes are at the frontline of these plans.

This may be the year, for example, when you finally add that much-needed EXTENSION, SUNROOM or ORANGERIE to your home. Or you can make your living room and kitchen into a major open-plan space that could quickly become the heart of family living.

You may want to add the light and space

Be careful not to over-extend your property, though, at the expense of your garden. Most of us value that bit of green space especially in the Spring and, if you’ve got the time and the interest, your garden can become a pleasing feature of both your home and your lifestyle.

Converting your garage into an extra bedroom or a kitchen extension works well in many homes. Most of us don’t use our garages properly anyway. They can easily become cluttered and many are never employed for their prime use as somewhere to keep the car, so using what your property already has available makes sense.

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Changing your old FRONT-DOOR to a more modern design, preferably with glass to allow in plenty of light, is a simple way to freshen up both the outside and the inside of your home.

This can help update the HALLWAY which, after all, is the first opportunity you have to make an impression on any visitor. Bold wallpaper in bright colours on a white background is a great modernising option here. Hallways need light so look at your lighting and consider updating and add a mirror or two to maximise this.

Before you start buying items or investing in paint and wallpaper, a simple way to brighten up your home and give it a fresh feel is to undertake some serious de-cluttering.

Take an honest look at every room and see what you can take out to allow clearer surfaces, cleaner lines and a general feeling of space. It can be hard breaking the emotional link to many of the items we insist on hoarding but try to be objective about possessions.

Most of us happily take the same items through each house move as though they had a right to be in the new place when, in fact, they’re of no real use to daily life.

Chuck out what you can’t give to the local charity shops. The same applies to dated pieces of furniture – especially those surplus to requirements. Some charities, like the British Heart Foundation and homeless charity Emmaus, sell second-hand furniture to boost their funds and are often glad to collect saleable items in good condition.

Changing your home doesn’t need to be all about costly major changes, though.

light greys and other pleasing shades so that you can eat in a pretty area that makes the whole experience a pleasure.

You don’t need to change everything in your BATHROOM – although if you’ve still got an avocado suite that might prove the exception! The most enduring contemporary look for bathrooms these days is still a white suite.

Brighten up that home office space with a lively blind from Direct Blinds at www.directblinds.co.uk Going for a new COLOUR SCHEME or using WALLPAPER cleverly on a feature wall in an otherwise plain room can transform your property.

Steam-clean your KITCHEN area – you’ll be amazed how this lightens the place and update white electrical sockets with chrome. Kitchens are a central area in most homes these days so it’s worth investing in new cupboard doors or work surfaces for a more modern look.

Go for inexpensive plain tiles in toning colours to highlight smart units and one of the new textured floor coverings or rustic tiles. Even treating yourself to a set of brightly coloured kettle, toaster and coffee-maker can make your kitchen look chic.

Your DINING ROOM or dining area needs to be a place where you enjoy spending time so, even if this is a small space, create something special here.

Buy a lovely chandelier and choose cool

SHOWERS are quite futuristic now, as well as being very lifestyle-friendly, so changing your old shower is a practical improvement that won’t break the family budget. Going for natural colours on the walls, whether in tiles or emulsion, can be off-set by jewel-coloured towels and other accessories that can be picked up relatively cheaply.

If you’re wanting a major change here and want to invest in your home, having a WET ROOM has become popular. Even smaller bathrooms can be adjusted with concealed shower trays that give the appearance of a wet room which can prove very practical.

Get clever with STORAGE in the bathroom in particular. Ditch the laundry basket for a start – you really don’t need to keep laundry here. Replace it instead with a pop-up laundry caddy for each bedroom.

Invest in an over-door towel rail, which is great for hanging up your damp towels. And go through all those lotions and potions that everyone has in their bathroom. They take up a lot of space and it’s a safe bet that you’ll never use most of them!

New BEDDING can alter a tired-looking bedroom, especially if you complement the shades in the rest of the décor.

Jarring colours don’t work well here as this room is all about relaxing and winding down, so go for soothing neutrals with restrained colours.

Now so many people work from home, many of us have a HOME OFFICE but the temptation is just to hive off a space and stick a fitted desk in there. Instead, how about creating a work area that really does promote positive thinking with a fresh lick of white paint and a feature blind on the window with a splash of colour?

Turn your bedroom into a contemporary and relaxing place with Somers bedding from LUMA

18 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Don’t forget the WALLS throughout your home, either. An eye-catching painting, much-loved family photo or just a print that you like can come to life with a beautiful frame that adds interest to your home, and helps promotes the feelgood factor of Spring.

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

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Huddesfield's Best Value Garden Centre Being an independent garden centre is hard when surrounded by the larger chains of centres. But we make our mark by keeping our prices low on as many items as we can.

We stock a wide range of plants bedding, herbaceous, perennials, alpines, shrubs and trees - with multibuy offers on most of these.

We have all that you need for maintaining your garden, from compost, bark and pebbles, to weed killer and pesticides, to the right tools for job.

We also have a giftware section where we hope you can find the perfect gift for someone, or just to treat yourself.

A houseplant and florist area is the first thing you see when you walk in. A wide range of houseplants are available along with a good choice of pots to match. Our florists offer flower arrangements at competitive prices - speak to one of our in store florists for more details. Flower arrangements and housplants are also available, with a discount for regular orders, for offices, receptions, hotels etc.

Our pet department stocks everything you need for your small animals, dogs and cats. We also sell Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Gerbils and Hamsters.

Our garden centre is a bit of a tardis.

If you walk out the back it leads to a childrens play area, sandpit and our pet goats and pigs. Come along to

meet them, they love people, and on a sunny day that area becomes quite a sun trap, making it nice for children to play and parents to relax.

A choice of ceramic, terracotta and plastic pots are available, which can be pre planted for you if you wish.

Our Thirsty Gardener Café is open everyday with a great choice of food available. Check out our café section on the website to see the menu.

Here at Colne Valley Garden Centre we are trying to be as environmentally friendly as we can be.

We have a compost heap that we use for all the animal waste, food etc. We have water butts collecting the run off rainwater. We recycle as much as we can and we bale all our cardboard and plastic.

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| 23

The research shows 82 per cent of people manage more online accounts that require a password than they did last year, with the average Briton dealing with 19. Over a third (35 per cent) of those questioned admit that they do not create strong passwords because they struggle to recall them.

However, poor passwords leave people vulnerable to identity theft, fraud and extortion. Cyber crime is a serious threat to the UK and the government is taking action to increase public awareness of the risk.

The government has dedicated £860 million over five years through the National Cyber Security Programme and is working to transform the UK response to cyber security.

Director of the National Crime Agency (NCA) National Cyber Crime Unit Jamie Saunders said:

Three quarters of Britons risking online safety · 62% of over 55s have up to 5 more passwords than they did a year ago · The average Briton over 55 has 20 password-protected accounts · 15% never change their passwords · 31% of those who don’t use strong passwords say it’s because they won’t remember them · 11% use pet’s name as password.

A new survey from Cyber Streetwise has revealed the vast majority of people are not taking the necessary steps to protect their identity online, with 75 per cent admitting they do not follow best practice to create complex passwords.

New guidance from the government states the key to creating a strong password includes using three words or more and adding a symbol to make the password even more secure.

The figures were released to mark the launch of the latest phase of the government’s Cyber Streetwise campaign. In partnership with the police and industry experts, Cyber Streetwise aims to raise awareness of wise and unwise behaviour online.

24 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Despite 95 per cent of Britons saying it is their own responsibility to protect themselves online, two thirds are risking their safety by not using symbols in passwords. Nearly half (47 per cent) have other unsafe password habits such as using pet names or significant dates as their password.

The new statistics are revealed during Cyber Security Awareness Month and ahead of Get Safe Online week.

Modern Slavery and Organised Crime Minister Karen Bradley said: “When passwords are compromised, financial and banking details can be stolen, causing problems for the person affected, for businesses and for the economy. There is an emotional impact caused by the loss of irreplaceable photos, videos and personal emails, but even worse, these can be seized to extort money.

“We can and must play a role in reducing our risk of falling victim to cyber crime. Most attacks can be prevented by taking some basic security steps, and I encourage everyone to do so.”

“The NCA is working closely with law enforcement colleagues all over the world to target and disrupt cyber criminals, but we should be clear that they will target weakness and therefore having weak passwords will leave you vulnerable.

“Nobody wants their personal financial details, business information or photographs to be stolen or held to ransom, so simple things like using three or more words, a mixture of numbers, letters and symbols, upper and lower case letters will make it much more difficult for hackers to access your details.”

Advice on creating strong, memorable passwords can be found on cyberstreetwise.com, along with other easy tips for staying safe online.

Tips for creating and remembering passwords include: · Loci method: Imagine a familiar scene and place each item that needs to be remembered in a particular location i.e. red rose on the table, book on chair, poster on wall. Imagine yourself looking around the room in a specific sequence. Re-imagine the scene and the location of each item when you need to remember · Acronyms: Use a phrase or a sentence and take the first letter from that sentence · Narrative methods: Remember a sequence of key words by creating a story and littering it with memorable details e.g. ‘the little girl wore a bright yellow hat as she walked down the narrow street…’

GETTING SMART ADVICE The Spectacle Factory Shop (SFS) in Rossendale is an independent optician which has been providing quality patient care as part of a continuous commitment to ocular health across the valley for over 20 years.

anti-reflection coatings, which stands it in a good position when competing with more well-known local and national optician chains.

Its recently refurbished store combines stylish, relaxing interiors with a dedicated children's area, and family eye health is clearly at the heart of this business, which also showcases a large variety of quality designs for little ones. They understand that regular eye examinations and finding the right products are important for healthy eyesight and personal satisfaction so can help you to look after your eyes.

Eye tests, glasses and contact lenses are unavoidable expenses —but clever shopping can help cut the bill and support a local business at the same time.

It may be located out of Rossendale's larger town centres but situated on the main thoroughfare in Stacksteads, it has built a strong reputation in the local area for its friendly, professional service and highly experienced optical consultants.

Because of this, SFS has established a loyal customer base and specialise in eye examinations, frames, designer glasses and prescription glasses.

Members of the team are always on hand to give you a personalised service and see which option suits you best for your needs and your budget.

For those people who are fed up with the same, boring choice of frames and lenses, SFS offers a vast choice of spectacles including Rayban, Oakley and Dolce and Gabbana, as well as Varilux varifocal lenses, transition lenses and

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| 25

ARE YOU READY TO BECOME A GRANDPARENT? The role and demands on grandparents are changing because of new socioeconomic pressures, so whilst you’re immersed in the anticipation and excitement of the new arrival, unexpected friction and conflict can often occur if you’re not prepared, according to cognitive psychologist Dr Lynda Shaw.

“The role of the grandparents is ever changing. Baby boomer grandparents may take on a huge chunk of the childcare responsibilities whilst mums return to work, whether it’s doing the school run, helping when the children are ill or stepping in to lend a hand during the school holidays. This is not new in society. But now and in the near future the sandwich generation will find themselves still working well into their sixties, both because they can and financially they have to, as well as looking after elderly parents.

Therefore, like never before they can’t or will struggle to take on the caregiver grandparent role too.”

Although today’s society plays huge part in the role of the grandparent, psychology theory of grand-parenting is important too. German-born American psychologist, Erik Erikson developed the Generativity versus Stagnation theory, which is typically associated with people who have reached midlife but who instinctively long to create a nurturing environment to support the development and growth of the next generation. For grandparents, they may view this time as a second chance to create a positive impact, a living legacy in the lives of their grandchildren through love and guidance with a hope that they can

make a difference. Stagnation refers to those who find it difficult to contribute positively and who perhaps lack the ability to be involved and connect with others.

There are different sorts of grandparenting personalities. Leading gerontologist Bernice Neugarten identified the core five patterns of grand-parenting as:1. Formal grandparent: follows what are believed to be the appropriate guidelines for the grand-parenting role including occasional services and maintaining an interest, but not being overly involved.

2. Fun seeker: primarily provides entertainment for the grandchild.

3. Surrogate parent: takes over the caretaking role for the child.

4. Reservoir of family wisdom: the head of the family who dispenses advice but also controls the parent generation.

5. Distant figure: has infrequent contact with the grandchildren, perhaps appearing on special occasions.

Ultimately having a baby is not just one of the greatest milestones for the parents themselves, but it is of huge significance for grandparents.

Shaw says: “Having had many years raising their own children, adjusting to ‘grandparent’ status can take a little while and unfortunately, it’s not always a bed of roses. Having already raised children of their own, grandparents are keen to pass on their knowledge and wisdom, but persistent advice and opinion are not always well received.

New parents ultimately want the time and space to figure things out for themselves and to be the key decision

makers and not be told how it should or shouldn’t be done.

“By contrast, less confident parents can also become too dependent with help at hand and rely entirely on the grandparents for support, leaving them feeling unappreciated and taken for granted. Situations such as these can become awkward for both parties and if the ground rules are not set from the word go, this can lead to a fractured and unhappy relationship in the long run. A huge number of factors are involved in successful grandparenting.” www.drlyndashaw.com 5 Top Tips for Expecting Grandparents: 1. Spoiling Them The job of a grandparent is all about the really good bits - shower them with as much love as possible, fun and enduring memories instead of mountains of gifts.

2. Two Hands Are Better Than One Looking after a new baby is all consuming and needs round the clock care and attention. Make yourself useful by offering to cook, do some household chores or run some errands.

Your contribution is guaranteed to bring much relief and will be appreciate.

3. Give Them Space As exciting as it is that you want to be a hands-on grandparent, it’s really important to be led by the parents and not to assume that they are always going to want your help. More often than not, new parents like to work things out for themselves and will ask for help when needed.

4. Don’t Be Judgmental It’s easy to voice your opinion especially when it’s something you disagree with such as an obscure name you dislike or sleeping arrangements with their baby. Whatever the circumstance may be, he or she is after all their child and not yours. Go with the flow and best to keep your feelings to yourself.

5. The Perfect Bond We’ve all heard funny stories of babies crying uncontrollably when being held by certain people. If you’re a grandparent and this happens to you, do not fret! Persevere with it – it takes time for babies to get used to people other than mum and dad.

26 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

THE CROFT CARE GROUP IS A FAMILY OWNED GROUP OF COMPANIES, ESTABLISHED IN 1991 AND SPECIALISING IN THE CARE OF ELDERLY PEOPLE IN THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

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We provide nursing, residential and community based care services in the North of England and currently have six care homes and home care services based in the following locations: •

The Croft Residential Home – Normanton, West Yorkshire

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Laughton Croft Care Home with Nursing – Nr Gainsborough, Lincolnshire

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Croft House Residential Home – Shotton Colliery, County Durham

•

Croftlands Care Home with Nursing – Nr Huddersfield, West Yorkshire

•

Holme House Care Home with Nursing – Nr Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire

•

Croft Dene Care Home with Nursing – Wallsend, Tyne & Wear

The company has been providing nursing, residential and community based care since 1991. The company is owned by Matthew Creegan, Managing Director and is run in conjunction with his two sons:

James Creegan MA STB, Director of Care Martin Creegan NEBS, Director of Finance

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In our care homes we specialise in providing quality care for people in need of:

Our domiciliary care services specialise in providing quality care for people in their own homes, which includes:

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Personal Care Medication Calls Shopping Services Laundry/Cleaning Services Social Support Carer Support

Tel: 01924 220163 www.croftcarehomes.co.uk www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

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Flexible hours to include days / evenings / weekends Full and part time posts available Previous experience not essential Full training and QCF training provided Free uniforms and identification badges Excellent rates of pay including payment per visit and bonus scheme Car driver essential Pension Scheme available

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www.croftcarehomes.co.uk 27 WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 27

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 her team on 01274 862021.

www.croftcarehomes.co.uk

28 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.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

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www.croftcarehomes.co.uk

Croft House Care Home with Nursing

Croft Dene Care Home With Nursing

Croftlands Care Home With Nursing

Shotton Colliery, County Durham

Wallsend, Tyne & Wear

Near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire

Laughton Croft Care Home With Nursing

The Croft Residential Home

Holme House Care Home With Nursing

Near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire

Normanton, West Yorkshire

Near Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire

Please phone for details of our Domiciliary Care Services in Wakefield and Kirklees on 01924 220163

PROVIDING

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SERVICES

SERVING HUDDERSFIELD FOR OVER 25 YEARS

Branches Near You...

• Marsh

Tel: 01484 533731

• Salendine Nook

Tel: 01484 657633

• Bradley

Tel: 01484 428646

• Lockwood

Tel: 01484 532169

• Honley

Tel: 01484 661818

• Elmwood H.C.

Tel: 01484 681069

• Holmfirth

Tel: 01484 683945

• Head Office

Tel: 01484 300444

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| 31

FOOD AND DRINK THE HAIRY DIETERS EAT FOR LIFE "We've cooked the recipes in our first book over and over, and they've become much loved standards in our kitchens, along with our other favourite dishes. We enjoy them so much that, like you, we wanted, more so now we've come up with some new ones that we hope you're going to like just as much."

ALL-IN-ONE SPICY PORK AND RICE 395 calories per portion Lean, tender pork with spicy rice and lots of veggies - what more could you want? This is a scrumptiously simple family supper with big flavours that fulfils all your needs. Only problem is stopping yourself eating too much of it!

Heat the oil in a large, non-stick deep frying pan or sautÊ pan. Fry the onion wedges over a medium heat for 3 minutes until they’re softened and lightly browned, stirring regularly.

Season the pork with salt and black pepper, then add it to the pan and stir-fry with the onion for 2 minutes until lightly browned. Add the chorizo, garlic, peppers and beans and stir-fry together for 2 minutes more. Sprinkle with the spices and stir in the rice, then pour over the stock and bring to the boil.

Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes, stirring regularly, until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice and pork are both lovely and tender.

Serves 4 Prep: 15 minutes Cooking time: about 30 minutes 2 tsp olive oil 1 medium onion, sliced into thin wedges 500g pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into 1 cm slices 50g chorizo sausage, skinned and cut into 5mm slices 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 1 red and 1 orange pepper, deseeded and sliced 100g green beans, trimmed and cut into short lengths 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground coriander 1/2 tsp hot chilli powder 150g easy-cook long-grain rice 750ml chicken stock, made with 1 stock cube flaked sea salt freshly ground black pepper.

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Heat the oil in a large non-stick saucepan or a big flameporof casserole dish. Add the onion and garlic and fry gently for 5 minutes until softened but not coloured, stirring often. While the onion is frying, peel the carrots and slice them into rough 1.5cm chunks. Trim the green beans and cut them into pieces about 3cm long.

Add the chorizo, paprika and carrots to the pan with the sliced onion and cook over a low heat for 2 minutes, stirring until the chorizo begins to release its fat.

Season with salt and lots of black pepper.

Tip the tomatoes into the same pan, add the stock and sugar, then turn the heat up to medium.

A BIG SOUP

157 calories per portion A big soup to make you smaller, this is a tasty wholesome lunch on a cold day. Add a tablespoon of half-fat crème fraiche and a sprinkling of paprika for a guilt-free garnish that adds only 25 calories more per portion.

Bring the liquid to the boil. Reduce the heat slightly and leave the soup to simmer for 12 minutes. Add the canned and fresh beans and the kale and bring it back to a gentle simmer. Cook for 10 minutes until all the vegetables are just tender, adding a little extra water if the soup is looking too thick. Season the soup with salt and black pepper and serve in deep bowls.

Serves 6 Prep: 15 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes 1 tbsp sunflower oil 1 medium onion, finely sliced 3 garlic cloves, finely sliced 3 medium carrots 150g green beans 75g chorizo sausage, skinned and cut into 1cm slices 1 tsp hot smoked paprika 1/2 tsp flaked sea salt, plus extra to season 400g can of chopped tomatoes 1.4 litres chicken stock, fresh or made with 1 stock cube 1 tsp caster sugar 400g can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained 150g curly kale, thickly shredded freshly ground black pepper.

Italian fine dining by zucchini restaurante

FOUR COURSE MENU M O N DAY (5pm - 10.30pm) ONLY

£10.95

per person

zucchinirestaurant.co.uk

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£6.50

TWO FOR ONE W E D N E S DAY (5pm - 10.30pm) on all PIZZA & PASTA DISHES

All offers subject to availability. Two for One pizza and pasta does not apply to starters or takeaways. Main menu only.

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ALL DAY SUNDAY (12 noon - 9.45pm) PIZZA & PASTA ONLY

£6.50

(children under 14 only £5 plus free ice cream)

OPENING TIMES Monday-Friday 12-3pm & 5pm-10.30pm Sunday - 12 - 9.45pm

Visit zucchinirestaurant.co.uk for our café society lunch menu and A la carte evening menu

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FOOD AND DRINK

THAI BEEF SALAD 239 calories per person (if serving 2); 159 calories per portion (if serving 3) The Kingy and I both love this salad. It’s full of fresh, soaring flavours and plenty of heat, but if you don’t like your food too spicy, leave out the chilli or deseed it before slicing. Make sure you wash your hands really well after handling the chilli! You can make this with chicken or fish too.

Trim off any visible fat from the steak and season it with salt and lots of freshly ground black pepper. Heat the oil in a small non- stick frying pan and fry the steak over a high heat for 11/2 minutes on each side until nicely browned. Leave it to rest on a board while you prepare the veg.

Use a vegetable peeler to peel the carrots into thin ribbons, turning regularly. Cut the cucumber in half lengthways and scoop out the seeds with a teaspoon, then cut the cucumber into slices of about 5mm. Finely slice the shallot. Trim the pepper at both ends and cut it into thin strips. Put all the vegetables in a bowl, then strip the leaves off the herbs, tearing any large leaves in half, and scatter them on top.

Serves 2-3 Prep: 20 minutes Cooking time: 3 minutes 1 lean sirloin or rump steak (1.5cm thick) 1 tsp sunflower oil 2 medium carrots, peeled 1/2 small cucumber 1 long shallot or 2 small shallots, trimmed 1 small red pepper, deseeded

To make the dressing, put all the ingredients in a small blow and whisk until well combined. Cut the steak into slices about 4mm thick and add them to the salad. Pour the dressing over the salad, toss lightly and serve.

EXCLUSIVE 50 PLUS OFFER*

A fixed priced 3 course menu with a bottle of Prosecco for two people for just £29.95

HALIFAX Long Can Hall at Fountain Head Village, Wheatley formerly served as the Websters Brewery visitor's centre from 1986–1996 but now is an outstanding village pub & restaurant serving the very best of Gastro Pub Food. Set in beautiful grounds, our reputation speaks for itself. Long can Hall also has a large function room with its own bar available for Black Tie Events, Birthdays, Christenings and of course, Weddings.

To make your reservation call 07538 056 446 Or try the outstanding bar menu which is available from...

Wednesday 12pm-2pm & 5pm-8pm Thursday 12pm-2pm & 5pm-8pm Friday 12pm-9pm Saturday 12pm-9pm Sunday 12pm -6pm *Offer only available Monday and Tuesday from 5pm to 8.30pm. Bokings only. Mention 50 Plus Magazine at time of booking.

TEL: 01422 347 195 OFFER BOOKINGS: 07538 056 446

www.longcanhallhalifax.co.uk | Facebook: /LongCanHall 12 OVENDEN WOOD ROAD, HALIFAX, WEST YORKSHIRE HX2 0TQ

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25g bunch of fresh coriander 25g bunch of fresh mint flaked sea salt freshly ground black pepper Dressing 1 tbsp nam pla (Thai fish sauce) 1 tbsp light brown soft sugar 1 tbsp fresh lime juice 1 red or green bird’s eye chilli, trimmed and very finely sliced.

FRESH FRUIT TRIFLES 239 calories per portion These stunning little puds are a doddle to make and feel like a real treat. No one will guess that they contain under 250 calories per portion - a sensation on the lips but a mere trifle on the hips.

You’ll need 6 glass dessert dishes for this; each one needs to hold about 250ml. You can also make the trifle in a large bowl, but it will take a little longer to set. Break the sponge fingers in half and place them in the base of each dish. Drizzle with a little sherry if you like.

Dissolve the jelly crystals in 300ml just-boiled water in a large jug according to the packet instructions. As soon as they have dissolved, stir in the 600ml of cold water.

Hull the strawberries and cut them in half or into quarters if they are very large. Scatter the strawberries over the sponge fingers. Pour the jelly slowly over the broken sponge fingers and strawberries until they are evenly covered. Cover the dishes with cling film and chill in the fridge for 3-4 hours or until the jellies are set.

Take the dishes out of the fridge and remove the cling film. Spoon the custard on top of each jelly without taking it right to the sides.

Put the cream in a bowl and whisk with electric beaters until soft peaks form. Try not to overwhip the cream it’s ready when it looks like soft, billowing clouds. Add a large spoonful of the whipped cream to each trifle, placing it on top of the custard. Decorate the trifles with fresh raspberries, blueberries and a few fresh mint leaves.

Serves 6 Prep: 15 minutes plus setting time 12 sponge fingers (about 75g) 3 tbsp sweet sherry (optional) 2 x sachets (23g) of raspberry flavour sugar-free jelly crystals 300ml just-boiled water 600ml cold water 200g fresh strawberries 300ml low-fat ready-made custard, preferably fresh 125ml double cream 100g fresh raspberries 100g fresh blueberries fresh mint leaves to decorate.

These keep well in the fridge so you can make them up to 2 days before serving ideal if you’re planning a party.

Syhiba has come a long way since it’s humble beginnings as a simple takeaway but these two factors remain, the reason for our sustained growth and success is simple; our food and our service.

Our menu boasts a great selection of traditional favourites along with some of our very own creations, all freshly prepared by the finest quality ingredients and served by our fantastic team.

The restaurant is now re-opened after an extension and refurbishment and we’d love to welcome you back to our new look venue, the atmosphere is relaxed and informal, perfect for enjoying a meal with family and friends - you can bring your own alcohol (but soft drinks must be purchased in house).

In addition to the restaurant we still have a takeaway service available, we look forward to serving you very soon!

T: 01422 835959

Opening Times

57 Wharf Street, Sowerby Bridge, Halifax HX6 2AF www.syhiba.co.uk | info@syhiba.co.uk

Mon-Thurs: 5pm-11.30pm Friday: 5pm-12.30am Saturday: 4pm-12.30am Sunday: 4pm-11.30pm Open Bank Holidays

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| 35

Want to lose weight?

Take our hand!

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Our vision is for everyone to have the opportunity to have a place they can call home.

Stonewater manages and owns more than 30,000 homes across England and we have one of the UK’s largest development programmes to help meet the rising demand for housing Stonewater was formed in January 2015 from the merger of Jephson and Raglan Housing Associations.

We are one of the UK’s most significant social housing providers, both in terms of the properties we own, and geographic spread.

Our mission is to offer quality homes and services for people whose needs are not met by the open market.

Savile Court

Copley Mill House

Threadneedle Court

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1 bedroom sheltered accommodation with support services available if required Careline provided Common room facilities Guest room Laundry Hairdressing salon Regular social activities

By investing in technology and new approaches, we continually improve our services and meet the aspirations of our customers.

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Copley Village, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX3 0UY

1 bedroom sheltered accommodation with support services available if required Careline provided Common room facilities Guest room Laundry Quiet room Regular social activities King Cross, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 3PF

For more information on our homes call the Homes Team on 01422 373 855 or visit www.stonewater.org WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Charity numbers: 20558R / 19412R / 18964R / 27696R / 31527R.

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OUT & ABOUT

WHAT'S ON AT THE LAWRENCE BATLEY THEATRE?

Park

Raising Agents

Only Yorkshire Date

WORLD PREMIERE

Performed by a multi-talented cast with new 3D imagery, this stunning collision of physical theatre, athletic dance and funky music makes fresh statements about our time.

Bunnington WI is a bit down-at-heel.

Dwindling membership means they can barely afford the hall, let alone a decent speaker. So when a PR guru becomes a member, the women are glad of new blood. At first.

Thursday 19 March Jasmin Vardimon Company

PARK is an urban oasis, a refuge from ordinary life where eight characters play, fight, fall in love and learn to survive. In this playground of relationships, young lovers wrestle in a historic fountain, a graffiti artist sprays his story, a flagwaving bully rants and a busker plays to a bag lady. Their stories intertwine, creating a modern day fairytale that is sharp, funny and cruel.

Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Jasmin Vardimon (Freedom, Justitia, Yesterday) returns to the LBT with a reworked version of her acclaimed production.

‘Bristling with tension, raw excitement and audacious moves.’THE STAGE Main stage 7.30PM TICKETS £15 - £10/Under 26s £6/Kirklees Passport holders £3 off

Sunday 29 March Mikron Theatre Company

The milk of WI kindness begins to sour when she rebrands them the Bunnington Bunnies. They're hopping. With stakes higher than a five-tiered cake stand, a battle ensues for the very soul of Bunnington, perhaps the WI itself!

Following Till the Cows Come Home, Mikron Theatre return to the LBT with a world premiere tale of hobbyists and lobbyists, with music by local folk superheroes O'Hooley and Tidow.

MAIN STAGE 7.00PM TICKETS £12 - £10/Under 26s £6/Kirklees Passport holders £3 off For more information or to book tickets, call box office on 01484 430528.

For more information or to book tickets, call box office on 01484 430528.

Cellar Folk Triple Bill Saturday 28 March

Bridie Jackson and The Arbour + Gilmore & Roberts + Heg & The Wolf Chorus Three exciting young folk groups take the stage, each combining dark traditional sensibilities with a contemporary edge.

Mr Somebody?

Friday 24 April

Cert. 18 Dir. Michelle Heighway GB 2014 | 59 mins Oscillating wildly from eccentric to insightful, Huddersfield’s ‘professional lunatic’ Jake Mangle-Wurzel cuts a hugely imaginative yet lonely figure.

This humorous, moving documentary chronicles Jake’s highs and lows over a five year period that included a councilordered clean-up and a devastating fire.

After sold-out screenings at Sheffield Doc/Fest and Leeds International Film Festival, Michelle Heighway’s film comes home to Huddersfield.

LBT Screen 9.15pm Tickets £6 For more information or to book tickets, call box office on 01484 430528.

With captivating harmonies and string arrangements, the gothic-hued folk of Bridie Jackson and The Arbour has won critical plaudits and celebrity fans including Lauren Laverne. Virtuoso musicians and award-winning songwriters Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts combine folk with indie and Americana, and Heg & The Wolf Chorus’ unique blend of folk and dramatic pop is

inspired by history and legend, with their remarkable group vocals at its heart.

SYNGENTA CELLAR 8.00PM Tickets £13 U25 / KP For more information or to book tickets, call box office on 01484 430528.

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OUT & ABOUT

HUDDERSFIELD LITERATURE FESTIVAL 5 - 15 March 2015

HAIRSPRAY THE BROADWAY MUSICAL

From 5 - 15 March there is a wealth of exciting festival events, including workshops, talks, open mic/poetry slam, music and dance.

17-21 March 2015 The Grand Theatre & Opera House Leeds 46 New Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 6NZ. 0844 848 2700

Since its inception in 2006, the Huddersfield Literature Festival has provided innovative and high-profile events to support and showcase both established and new, emerging writers and performers, as well as offering the opportunity to attend workshops and masterclasses.

LAOS (Leeds Amateur Operatic Society) simply can’t wait to perform this full of life show as their 125th Anniversary performance.

The Festival is a not-for-profit organisation based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire; funding is sourced from ticket sales, grants and sponsorship.

Made famous by the 2007 film, the Tony award-winning musical Hairspray brings to life the bubbly character of Tracy Turnblad and her love of dancing.

1. To celebrate the written word by bringing big name authors to Huddersfield and supporting local talent.

The pleasantly plump teenager dreams of becoming a star on the Corny Collins Dance Show and changing the way 1960’s American Society is segregated. She just can’t keep her feet still and neither will you. With an upbeat score of feel-good songs, rhythm and blues and sixties tunes including Good Morning Baltimore and You Can’t Stop the Beat.

2. To promote Huddersfield as a cultural centre to rival others, not only in West Yorkshire but UK-wide.

Go along and share the energy and fun of Hairspray – you just won’t be able to stop the beat!

3. To bring people and revenue into the town centre for multi-venue events and encourage spending in the town centre (shops, bars, restaurants).

Tickets £12.00 - £29.50 Concessions: Retired, Over 60, Children & Students, registered unwaged £2 discount stalls and dress circle £1 discount upper circle.

4. To provide access to events for those who might not normally attend because of financial or social issues or for reasons such as disability.

Party of 10 or more 11th seat free Monday - Thursday, top three prices only.

Aims and objectives

For more information visit litfest.org.uk

Family Ticket: £85 (2 adults & 2 children) Available Fri 5pm in stalls and dress circle.

For more information and dates please visit www.leedsgrandtheatre.com

Tree Nursery Auction Sale Sat 21 March

Castle Howard, York YO60 7DA T: +44 (0)1653 648333 Howard Tree Nursery For over 55 years Castle Howard Tree Nursery has been growing and supplying quality forestry and hedging plants, trees and shrubs to wholesale and retail customers throughout Yorkshire and beyond.

Join our expert Tree Nursery Manager for our 40th annual auction and bid for native hedging, amenity, forestry and ornamental trees grown in our nursery as well as picking up some top tips and advice along the way.

Refreshments are available but wrap up warm as the sale is outdoors and it can be cold.

For more information visit www.castlehoward.co.uk

Theatre: So it goes - Show and Tell present Onthe run 25 March 2015

Hannah has always wanted to talk about her dad, but in the seven years since he died she hasn’t quite managed it. So, she’s enlisted her friend David to help her on a journey through memory, laughter and sorrow.

8 pm £12, concessions £10 Venue: Square Chapel Centre for the Arts, 10 Square Road, Halifax, HX1 1QG, Tel: 01422 349422

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OUT & ABOUT

© photo northern lights pr

CLassical Music: An evening of piano music with William Green 27 March 2015

Celebrated pianist William Green performs a charity concert raising funds for Square Chapel’s Cornerstone appeal and the Orchestra of Square Chapel.

Tonight will feature pieces by Bach, Debussy, Ravel and Chopin.

Wildside walk:Woodland on the doorstep

Eureka!The National Children's Museum

Meet Chris Sutcliffe for this easy, short walk through Scarr and Long Woods Local Nature Reserve looking for signs of life and talking about the woodland's future.

Event times:

Step into the world of 'Once upon a time' and meet characters and storytellers as we discover the wonderful world of books and stories.

28 March - 19 April 2015

29 March 2015

10.30 am

7.30 pm Admission: £10

Meet at Birdcage Hill end of Albert Promenade, Savile Park, Halifax

Venue: Square Chapel Centre for the Arts, 10 Square Road, Halifax, HX1 1QG, Tel: 01422 349422

For more information or events please visit www.calderdale.gov.uk

The standard ticket is now an Annual Pass which entitles all of the party paid for on the day of the first visit to come back free of charge as many times as they like over the next twelve months.

Adults & child aged 3+ £11.95,Child aged 1-2 £4.25,Under 1's free Eureka! The National Children's Museum, Discovery Road, Halifax, HX1 2NE For more information please visit www.eureka.org.uk

BRAND NEW WEBSITE visit www.50plusmagazine.co.uk exclusive content, advice, news, competitions & useful, interesting lifestyle articles... holidays | HEALTH & FITNESS | HOME & GARDEN | CELEBRITIES | FOOD & DRINK & MORE...

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| 41

Lace up for the 2015 Midnight Memory Walk today!

Saturday 20th June 2015 The annual Kirkwood Hospice Midnight Memory Walk is back for 2015. With a new 10 mile (or shorter 6 mile) walk around Kirklees, starting and finishing at The John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield, this is an event not to be missed.

Saturday 20th June 2015

Over 1,000 people took on the challenge last year, walking through the night along well lit streets to remember someone special and to share precious memories. Money raised from the event goes toward providing care for people living with life limiting illnesses across Kirklees.

under).

One of last year’s walkers was Jeff Barker, whose team ‘Em’s Angels’ took on the 10 mile course in honour of his late wife Emma.

“The walk is about acknowledging what an amazing job Kirkwood Hospice do.” said Jeff.

“Em’s cancer was very aggressive.

She fought it as hard as she could for two years but we found out it wasn’t going to go away.

music and face painting. When you arrive back at the Stadium, you will be presented with a welldeserved bacon butty, drink and medal, which we hope you will wear with pride.

“We were told that she only had a few days left, but in the end we had a couple of weeks at Kirkwood. It was a really precious time for us.

“A lot of the energy for the walk came from the group I was walking with. A lot of them saw Emma when she was really poorly and they wanted to play their part in remembering her.

Whether you decide to take part in the 2015 Midnight Memory Walk in memory of a loved one, to get fit or simply to enjoy a great night out with friends or colleagues, it promises to be a fun, inspiring and rewarding night. So whatever your reason, age or fitness, be sure not to miss the biggest and best fundraising night of the year.

Register By March 31st 2014 For Our Early Bird Discount...

The entry fee is £12 per person (and £6 for walkers and Sign up foraged the16 6 or 10 mile walk today EARLY BIRD OFFER!

Register Now: If you get your entry form in

before 31st March 2015 you will Call: 01484 qualify for the early557911 bird special

price of just £10 (and £5 for How to Register Online at: www.kirkwoodhospice.co.uk walkers aged 16 and under).

Register online at:

www.kirkwoodhospice.

Or pick up a registration form at any Once you sign up you will receive a walker's guide as well as a t-shirt to wear on your training walks and on the night of the walk.

There is no minimum sponsorship requirement. All we ask is that you raise as much money as possible for Kirkwood Hospice.

of our 20 shops

Tweet Us Your Story @KirkwoodHospice

co.uk/mmw

Call the Fundraising team on:

01484 557911

#MMW15 Or pick up a registration form at any of our 20 shops across Kirklees.

A brilliant party atmosphere awaits you on the night of the walk, with entertainment, live

ed ister Reg arity Ch ber: Num 87 5129

The Midnight Memory Walk Is Kindly Supported By:

01484 557911 facebook.com/kirkwoodhosp @KirkwoodHospice

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www.kirkwoodhospice.co.uk

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L I V E F R O M T H E PA L L A D I U M

Neil Sean is a TV presenter, writer and variety performer – He has appeared on both the West End stage and Broadway bringing his long held dream of his own one man show to the Palladium this year …Here in his brand new book “Live from the London Palladium, By the stars who appeared there“ he tells the story of the many bill topping names who have trod the boards of this Frank Matcham gem of a theatre and why it means so much to those who have been lucky enough to do so.

It’s with grateful thanks to my mother and father who were both in the variety theatre world that I have met, performed and interviewed some of the all-time greats of showbiz. My personal favourites? All of them really because each one has a great story to tell and once talking become so revealing. All the interviews are from my TV and radio interviews so listening and looking back has been great fun tinged with sadness as many are simply not here anymore. Here are just some of my favourites that I hope will be yours too.

Mike Winters was without doubt a comedy legend. As one half of the very successful “Mike and Bernie” who enjoyed fame across all bands of showbiz from TV, Radio, Panto and film it appears that they could do no wrong ... so being given the chance to sit down and invite Mike in for a chat about his latest projects was too good an opportunity to miss ...This though turned out to be his last ever TV interview.

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Mike and Bernie Winters were a great comedy double act who played just about every major theatre going and along with their hit films and TV series cemented their place in British comedy. But as Mike told me it was another comedian that he enjoyed more; “Al Reed was a super guy but quite reserved off stage and enjoyed the good life. Quite a few of the set felt he had conned his way in because he had other wealth outside the world of showbiz as they say but for us he was funny ... Simple as that ... When you work with big stars like we did, Tommy Trinder, Bruce etc. you’re not in awe as much as you’re all kind of starting out and foolishly believe that you will be as big as they are with the right breaks and such. But for us we just tried to learn from them... Our act, (laughing) truthfully we would work many aspects out while travelling. It was that bad really but after a while we had a great set up and mainly we would ad-lib around what we had.”

Mike also set to rights the true story of his infamous fall out with his brother and comedy partner Bernie and one that Mike addresses in detail in the film... “Truth is we never really fell out, I mean not in the way the media said... I wanted to do other things and so did he but what mattered was we were still brothers and remained so ... I loved him and adored him but it was a business, you know it’s called show business, and sometimes the lines can get blurred, but truthfully we always remained pals and that was so important.”

Sadly Mike Winters passed away in Gloucestershire aged 82 in August 2013.

Barry Humphries aka Dame Edna Everage “When I first came to London in the late 50s and 60s trying to break into the world of showbiz to me the Palladium was the mecca... You know it was the one place you really wanted to appear but even in my wildest

dreams I had no idea that one day I would play it... I mean I ended my tour at the theatre last year simply because it was my last tour ever, and of course I figured, is there a better place to say goodbye to everyone?”

“I often just take a peek when I am walking past and always stand in awe at the dream that came true... I appeared and starred at the London Palladium... What more can a performer ask?”

Meeting Des O’Connor is like, well, meeting someone you have known for years, thing is I have never met him before & here I am standing on the stage of the Palladium Theatre in the heart of London ... Des who reaches a golden era very soon could easily pass for a man in his late 50’s and I ask him what is his secret, “Genes and of course taking good care of myself ...

I don’t deny and I don’t overindulge, that is the secret, plus I enjoy life and my career. I really do, it’s been such a ride and such fun.”

Keen to know more about his appearances that total over one thousand at the theatre I ask what it’s like to compere a Royal Variety show “Ah they were good. I mean I loved doing them and we had such great stars to introduce, the list was endless, we really had the pick of the crop in those days... Nervous of course but I am a big fan of the royal family and I figured they must have liked the act as I was never sent to the tower.

But seriously I think it’s the biggest honour for everyone to be invited to perform on the show, it’s the pinnacle of your career, after all there is no higher audience now is there?” Des told me he plans to come back to the Palladium and would if asked“ Do the show for free ... I adore the place, why not? If I am not paid at least I would have starred at the Palladium again - it has that pull about it.

Donny Osmond was just a teenager when he was given the opportunity to appear at his favourite theatre “I look back now at the arrogance of my youth and know I took it all in my stride but now I think like, Wow how lucky was I ? ... We were big then, like One Direction now, so my memories are that I think some of the acts found us a tad annoying with all the screaming girls but I do recall how serious the Royal show was and what it meant to

us .. I stood there quietly in the centre of the stage and wondered if like me so many other people like Judy, Frank and Dean had been this nervous... it gives you a good feeling though just to get that far .. I will always consider the theatre to be one of my all-time favourites.”

Writing the book has been a real pleasure and dare I say you forget meeting some wonderful people along the way, real stars like Larry Grayson who remarked “I never thought stardom would happen for me you know ... I was an overnight discovery and yet I had been at it for years and year then bang. Suddenly I was up there with the rest of them.

Tommy Trinder who I met towards the end of his life told me that the key to success as a star and comedian was publicity “Oh yes my son, truly it was ... I used to have massive billboards plastered around London with my image and my catchphrase on “You Lucky People.“ It worked and people would recite it back to me all the time.

I don’t think there is anything wrong with not getting a laugh but trying your best to is the key to it all.

got the booking to the Royal show at the Palladium I was shocked ... I kept thinking is this a joke, is this for real?“ It was of course and Joan was a sensation but she told me “You know one star that has yet to play that stage ... Streisand and you know she was stunned when I told her I had gotten there first ... truly, because at drama club together she was no great shakes in the looks department but she had that voice and she always thought she would beat me to the Palladium but yep I did one thing Ms Streisand “she laughed.

Finally 60s pop icon Lulu told me that she was a mere “nipper“ when she landed a slot on the stage “ I was a wee thing enjoying my first pop success and yes my mam and dad were thrilled because it was the show and all that, but age is great that way, you look back and think … “Wow I did it you know and I was so full of vim and full on confidence which I think changes as you get older” .. She had this to say for her older fans though “Don’t ever give up on your dreams no matter what age you are because life moves along all the time ... they can just be around the corner so snap it up and enjoy it.“

Meanwhile the late Joan Rivers told me that “I think when I finally The full and exclusive interviews plus many more are in Neil Sean “Live from the London Palladium“ Out now via Amberley Books e.store@amberley-books.com

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Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Halifax, Huddersfield & District Branch

E.A.R.S Elderly Animal Rehoming Scheme The RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield and District Branch have developed the EARS Scheme to assist with the re homing of elderly dogs and cats (10 years +.)

These animals enter our centre often due to their owner’s ill health or death, but few prospective adopters want to take on such an animal, mainly because of the possible financial implications.

The Scheme Adopters will pay £5.00 per month to the Halifax, Huddersfield and District Branch which will entitle them to the following benefits:

• Immediate return for re homing via the scheme should an owner be unable to continue looking after an animal.

• Prescription diets will be offered at a discounted price • Discount grooming from Lara at Warilda Grooming Salon

All dogs and cats will be fully vaccinated, de flea, wormed, microchip, neutered, vet checked and fully temperament assessed before re homing.

• Transport to our clinic where necessary • Grants for emergency treatment/ elective surgery dependant on the buoyancy of the Scheme • Emergency cover if an owner is hospitalised

The Twilight Scheme

• Access to our Animal Centre vet during routine clinic times at £5.00 per consultation • 24 hour emergency phone in case the adopter has a personal emergency

• A free booster vaccination and health check once a year

• Euthanasia free at RSPCA Animal Centre

• Free routine worming tablets and discounted flea treatment

• Discount cremation service

• All current and future medication will be offered at a discounted price

• 20% discount for surgical procedures and emergencies(at participating vets)

The Twilight Scheme has been set up to fund the medical treatment of our elderly cats and dogs before they are re-homed. If you are unable to adopt an elderly animal but would like to help, why not join The RSPCA Twilight Scheme to help provide our elderly animals with essential veterinary care?

Please contact enquiries@rspcahalifaxandhuddersfield.org.uk for information on the scheme and how to donate.

WINNER OF THE MARINA ARNSBY AWARD Presented to the branch for the most innovative re homing scheme

If you are interested in this Scheme and would like to know more please contact: ALEX DARWELL at the Animal Centre on Tel: 01422 365628

RSPCA Animal Centre Wade Street, Halifax HX1 1SN.

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Tel: (01422) 365628

www.rspca-halifaxandhuddersfield.org.uk Registered Charity No. 225575

Foster Homes Urgently Needed Would you like to become one of our fantastic fostering team?

A large amount of animals come through our Centre doors each year which require fostering. From a single puppy to pregnant cats, we often call on our fosterers to help out with the temporary care of animals.

Fosterers are provided with everything they need including medical treatment. All we ask in return is for you to love and care for your foster animal until they are able to come back to the Centre for re homing. EARS animals stay in foster care until they are adopted.

If you would like to find out more about fostering or would like to become part of our team please contact Alex Darwell on 01422 365628 or AlexDarwell@rspca-halifaxandhuddersfield.org.uk

We Need Your Donations...

Every item donated makes a difference All your donations will be used to raise money for our Animal Centre in Halifax where we rehabilitate and rehome animals that are in need of our help.

Our Charity Shops...

HALIFAX

Queens Hall, Queens Road Halifax HX1 3NS. Tel: 01422 362461 28 Union Street Halifax HX1 1PR. Tel: 01422 343858

BRIGHOUSE

SOWERBY BRIDGE 6 Regents Parade, Wharf Street Sowerby Bridge HX6 2EH Tel: 01422 835525

HEBDEN BRIDGE

53 Commercial Street Brighouse.

HD6 1AF Tel: 01484 714571

14 Bridge Gate Hebden Bridge HX7 8EX Tel: 01422 842145

HUDDERSFIELD

DID YOU KNOW

6 Byram Street Huddersfield HD1 1BX. Tel: 01484 469402 37 Trinity Street Huddersfield HD1 4DL. Tel: 01484 426181

We accept furniture donations & we will even collect your items for FREE. To arrange a collection please call 01422 362461

Upcoming RSPCA events...

1st June – 7th June

RSPCA Week Donate to your local branch this week!

Saturday 6th June

Furry Friends Open Day RSPCA Animal Centre

Sunday 5th July

K9 Party in the Park Manor Heath Park, Halifax

Thursday 23rd July

RSPCA Dog Day Afternoon Shibden Park, Halifax

Sunday 16th August

Catnapped RSPCA Animal Centre

www.rspca-halifaxandhuddersfield.org.uk WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 47

Age UK Calderdale and Kirklees mobility and living aids At Age UK Calderdale and Kirklees, we want to help people stay safe and independent in their own homes.

We sell a range of assisted living aids that can help you to maintain independence and manage your situation better. These may be a wheelchair, a walking stick, a gadget to open bottles and cans, or a stairlift.

Sometimes you can get help with adapting your home and we have Advice Workers available to advise you of any entitlements.

The Council also has a wide range of assistive technology.

Call Gateway to Care for more information.

Age UK Choices Centre An aid is only useful if you know how to use it properly and safely.

At our Choices Centre in Halifax we have staff who will take time to understand your needs and explain how things work and will come and visit you at home if necessary.

We also have a handyperson team who can deliver and install equipment for you.

Tailor made products and services for the over 50s • Home Insurance • Travel Insurance • Car Insurance • Gas and Electricity • Personal Alarms • Funeral Plans

Handrail helps Jean get out again Jean from Brighouse recently had a spell in hospital and when she came out, our Home from Hospital team visited her to help with shopping, household admin, sorting home adaptations and general reassurance, as she had lost much of her confidence.

A while later, Jean was feeling trapped inside her house as her driveway is very steep and she didn’t feel able to tackle it unaided. She came back to Age UK and was referred her to our Mobility Dept, who installed a handrail up the side of Jean’s drive.

‘Thanks to Age UK, now I can get out and remind myself that there is still a world outside my front door!’ said Jean.

If you want to find out more about Age UK Calderdale and Kirklees products and services you can: • • •

visit our Choices Centre shop at The Woolshops in Halifax call us on 01422 399830 email us on enquiries@ageukck.org.uk

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For a no obligation quote, visit: Age UK Calderdale & Kirklees Trading Limited (Huddersfield) 5 Upperhead Row, Huddersfield HD1 2JL Tel: 01484 535994 (Open Mon to Fri 10 - 4) 4-6 The Square, Woolshops Halifax HX1 1RJ Tel: 01422 250524

or call

0800 085 3741

or visit www.ageuk.org.uk/products Home, car and travel insurance are provided by Ageas Insurance Limited. Gas and Electricity is provided by E.ON Energy Solutions Limited.

Age UK is a registered trademark of Age UK (Charity number 1128267). The use of the name and logo Age UK is done so under a licence agreement between Age UK and Age UK Enterprises Limited, its commercial services arm. Net profits are donated to Age UK. Age UK Enterprises Limited.

Tavis House, 1–6 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9NA. ID200457 03/12 MP2210V3MAR12 SL117732_14

Advertorial feature

Getting to know your elderly care options A guide to help you plan for your needs in later life.

If you’re concerned about the care of a loved one, it can be difficult to know where to turn. It’s not always easy to talk about elderly care and you may go through a range of emotions, or feel that you’re on your own.

Aside from the emotional strain, families also have to get to grips with the implications of paying for care, which can be complex. There’s also the decision about which care to choose, which will depend on a number of factors, including the level of care required.

Many care homes provide a range of care types at one location giving the home the ability to meet individuals’ changing care needs within a single setting. This means that residents may not need to relocate to another care home should their care needs change in the future.

There are several types of care that homes can provide, such as short-stay, residential, nursing and dementia, each of which offers a specific kind of support to meet individual needs.

Choosing the right care home is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. For this reason, it is important that you research and fully understand all the different options available to you, including the likely costs, to ensure you make the right choice.

It’s common for someone needing a care home to feel a burden and for relatives to feel guilty about not being able to provide the care themselves. However, life in a care home can bring great benefits; helping people to stay independent for longer in a safe and homely environment, while ensuring help is at hand when needed.

Care homes can also offer a real community spirit, where people can interact with their fellow residents, families and friends and enjoy a more active social life based on their interests and hobbies.

If you would like advice based on your personal circumstances, or you are just not sure where to start, whether it’s queries about funding, getting help to look after someone at home, or just starting the conversation with a loved one about care, Bupa offers a free advice service run by experts.

They are there to listen to your circumstances and, by explaining your options, help you to make choices that are right for you and your loved one.

To discover what care could mean for you in Kirklees and Calderdale, talk to an expert today. Call 0333 331 5797 †

READER OFFER For your free ‘A Guide to Making Choices for the Years Ahead’, send this coupon to: Care Journey Experts, Bupa Care Services, Bridge House, Outwood Lane, Leeds, LS18 4UP Name: ........................................................

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Locala HomeCare, a homecare provider in Huddersfield, was launched in July 2013 and provides a high quality, personalised service.

Commission inspectors said in their last report:

“We spoke with one person who used the service and one relative. Both people we spoke with told us the person receiving the service received good care from staff who knew them well. The relative we spoke with told us their relative received the care they required to meet their personal needs. For example, daily record Our philosophy is that every care plan logs identified that carers stayed with should be tailored made to the individual’s the person who used the service for the needs, not one that’s the closest fit. allocated amount of time and care had been provided as detailed in the person’s We are regulated by the independent individual plan”.

Care Quality Commission (CQC) which sets stringent quality and safety standards Wherever possible our aim is to help our for the management and operation of care service users retain their independence services. Information about the CQC can whilst focusing on their specific needs. be found at www.cqc.org.uk where you This has been the driving philosophy can read our latest inspection report and behind Locala HomeCare from the compare our performance against other beginning. We are delighted that the care providers. Here’s what the Care Quality we provide has been officially recognised to be of the highest quality by the CQC. We are a people-focused business, from our hands-on managers who have local knowledge and experience in the areas we serve to our committed, compassionate home care assistants who do what they do because they care.

"The last few months of her life were made significantly more bearable by the suppoUsing a regular team of carers to deal with individual clients in the way you provided is the optimum way of creating an atmosphere of trust and mutual understanding."

“Carers are very sociable, caring and consistent.”

The philosophy behind Locala HomeCare comes from the years of experience behind the people at Locala Community Partnerships, a community interest company – a type of social enterprise – which provides NHS community healthcare services in and around Kirklees.

Locala HomeCare is a subsidiary company with the same values driven approach and the belief that the patient or service user should always be at the centre of all that we do.

“Excellent carers.”

Take that first step and find out how we can help you promote your independence, in your own home, with services tailored to suit your own needs.

holidays | HEALTH & FITNESS | HOME & GARDEN | CELEBRITIES | FOOD & DRINK & MORE...

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THE LOCAL MAGAZINE FOR THE OVER 50s

Subscription Form

To receive the next two issues of 50 Plus Magazine hot off the press, either for yourself or to treat a friend, please fill in the form below and post with a cheque for £3.40 made payable to McGrath Media: 6th Floor, 120 Bark Street, Bolton BL1 2AX

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

Title: 50 Plus Magazine in................................

Issue Numbers:.................................................

Tel:......................................................................

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

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Helping you ke

“Carers are very sociable, caring and consistent.”

“Excellent carers.”

“Couldn’t wish for a better service, no praise high enough.”

Helping you keep your independence If you think that our carers can provide the right care for you and would like to discuss our service further please contact Charity Dube our HomeCare Manager.

Tel: 07970 810 844 or 01484 467 625.

Email: charity.dube@locala.org.uk If Charity is not available when you call you can speak to Julie and she will also be able to help you. www.locala-homecare.org.uk

Providing quality care and support at home

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OUR ATTITUDE TO OLD AGE AND OLDER PEOPLE Different cultures and societies have different attitudes to Old Age and the Aged. Some cultures revere older people and keep them within families, listen to them and respect their views and opinions on family matters.

Sometimes the grandfather teaches the children and supervise their schooling and education. In case of ‘arranged’ marriages, the grandparents always

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have a say which is counted seriously.

That said, frictions with older members, parents-in-law etc are also fairly frequent and the younger ‘new-comers’ ie the daughters-in-law do not always get on with the older folks in the family and tend to ‘ignore’ and ‘evade’ them.

In Western societies, the situation is somewhat different. Here most younger people leave their paternal home even before marriage and live separately – no question of any day to day ‘conflict’! The loving relationship, however, continues with regular visits and attendance at times of worry eg illness etc.

So far so good and there is no need to change the traditional systems in any society. But what about the general ‘attitude’ to older people? In the joint /extended family set – up, do the young genuinely love and respect their elders whether outside or within their own families? With a rapidly changing world and general behaviour of people and the values , is some sort of ‘conflict’ inevitable? Politeness and good behaviour may prevent an open warfare but the ‘tension’ remains somewhat tacit. In societies, where the next generation resides separately, the chances of such ‘internal psychological’ tension may remain minimal.

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

But again what do the younger people think and feel about the old.

‘Generation’ gap can be filled to a certain degree but the actual styles of living may cause conflict.

What about the general social attitude to the elderly?

Lets forget about specific areas e.g. health-care, but how does the society treat older people? Are they seen as a ‘resource’ of wide experience and knowledge or simply a nuisance always asking for help and assistance? Dependent and frail without any further use to the community! And is it this latter perception that is the root cause of ‘Ageism’ in social life?

Discrimination only based on chronological age is called Ageism! Just like Sexism and Racism, it is an integral part of social attitude. And it is widespread and quite often ‘institutional’ in areas like the Health Service. This ‘attitudinal’ problem is being pointed out and discussed openly in the media. But is it likely to change? A general impression that all ‘older’ people are stupid, poor and chronically sick, may contribute to the development of a ‘negative’ attitude towards the old. It is a ‘fixed and rigid’ view, difficult to eradicate completely. Regular mixing between the old and the young, allowing older people to keep on playing a part in society or even showing some old faces on the TV might help.

As the media e.g. TV, Radio or Newspapers often stigmatise the elderly, perhaps their own attitude ought to change first. The stereotyping of the older people must stop. If this can be achieved, the rest would be a lot easier.

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Clark & Partners are open:

Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, Saturdays 9am-3pm.

HUDDERSFIELD: 01484 420082 7 Bradley Mills Road Ind. Estate, HD1 6PQ Find us opposite John Smith’s Stadium Free parking / info@clarkandpartners.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

BRADLEY 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

01484 534 488

9 Copthorne Square, Bradley, Huddersfield

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

Pre-Paid Funerals

Golden Leaves FuneralWWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK Plans | 55

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