Leeds & Harrogate 39

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LEEDS & HARROGATE

MARCH - MAY 2015

EDITION 39

Jane McDonald Still Following Her Dreams

Hairy Bikers

Healthy Low Calorie Recipes

New Looks for your Home this Spring

THE LOCAL MAGAZINE FOR THE OVER 50s

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YOUR DREAM RETIREMENT

is now an affordable reality!

For thousands of people, residential parks have come to mean security, peace of mind and a delightful living environment plus real financial benefits.

Now, thanks to a long-established Yorkshire family firm, all of these features can be enjoyed at a new development of park homes in Ripon.

The name of the development is Aldermans Meadow, and it's based on Quarry Moor Park just a two-minute drive from cathedral city Ripon's historic centre.

Here, those aged 50-plus can enjoy living in high-quality and attractively landscaped surroundings with the added bonus of a warm and friendly community atmosphere.

Many residents say that what they really enjoy about park home living is the old-fashioned sense of Yorkshire "neighbourliness" which seems to have disappeared from many aspects of urban life.

But residents can be more comfortably off financially too, especially if they have sold a bricks-and-mortar home to fund a park home.

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Park homes generally cost considerably less than nearby houses of a similar size, and are virtually maintenance-free throughout their long lives.

Aldermans Meadow takes its name from philanthropist Alderman Thomas F Spence who, in 1945, donated Quarry Moor Nature Reserve to the citizens of Ripon.The nature reserve is directly adjacent to Quarry Moor Park and is rich in flora and fauna, including many protected wild flowers such as orchids, and rarely-spotted wildlife including water voles.

Indicative plan of the new development A total of seven park home plots are available – and at the time of going to press, the first has already been sold.

Prices start from £115,000 – and there is an opportunity for buyers to configure the home to their precise specifications, including the sizes of the rooms and their layout.

‘I was thoroughly impressed by how quickly they understood my needs and then offered the relevant choices.’

The park home will also come fully equipped with a modern kitchen and carpeting, so that's another expense which buyers won't have to worry about.

Double-glazing and central heating are also included as standard, and the insulation standards of park homes often exceed those of brick-built properties.

Each home on Aldermans Meadow has its own plot with patio, garden shed and parking, and residents also enjoy the peaceful landscaped surroundings of the park itself.

Nearby amenities include an excellent selection of shops and supermarkets, a swimming pool, doctors' practices, banking, and a reliable local bus service.

For those wishing to find out more, a member of York House Leisure's team will be pleased to provide a tour of the park, and to answer any questions.

There is never any sales pressure because the business – celebrating its 50th anniversary this year – believes in letting their parks speak for themselves.

To make an appointment for an informal tour, do call us on 01423 323190, and Phil, one of the Directors, will be happy to help.

York House Leisure

Country & Coastal Holiday Retreats www.yhlparks.co.uk | Tel: 01423 323190

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CONTENTS

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.

INSIDE...

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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.

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

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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21-23

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Twittering On...

By Graham Smith.

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River Cruising... in Style!

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Robinsons Holidays...

Affordable peace of mind.

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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.

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

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

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.

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."

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.

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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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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.

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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 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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

l

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 02 Mar 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 £159 - £159 £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 ...

4 4 4 4

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 ...

4 4 4 4

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.

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

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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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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.

1

Stop Are you expecting anyone?

2

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

3

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.

4

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.

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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.

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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

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.

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.

HOME 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

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.

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OUT & ABOUT

LEEDS CAMRA BEER,CIDER & PERRY FESTIVAL Thursday 12 - Saturday 14 March Pudsey Civic Hall, Dawsons Corner, Pudsey, Yorkshire LS28 5TA 0113 214 6110

The 2015 Leeds CAMRA Beer, Cider and Perry Festival will take place 12-14 March, with the Pudsey Civic Hall hosting the event. Session information is below.

CAMRA members are admitted to the festival 15 minutes prior to the advertised starting time and free of charge, for all sessions.

To celebrate local sporting success and Leeds’ selection as a host city for the World Cup, the theme for the festival will be Rugby. More details about rugbythemed events at the festival will follow.

We’ve listened to our customer’s feedback and the popular 2/3rd glasses are back, as well as no break during the Saturday session.

Each year we also have a charity partner and for this beer festival we’re delighted to announce that St Gemma’s Hospice will be our partner.

We always welcome volunteers to help run the festival, interest can be submitted by emailing membership@leeds-camra. com.

HAIRSPRAY THE BROADWAY MUSICAL

17-21 March 2015 The Grand Theatre & Opera House Leeds 46 New Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 6NZ. 0844 848 2700 LAOS (Leeds Amateur Operatic Society) simply can’t wait to perform this full of life show as their 125th Anniversary performance.

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.

ATOWN AT WAR

17 January - 13 April 2015 The Royal Pump Room Museum, Crown Place, Harrogate HG1 2RY Tel: 01423 556188 Exhibition Discover the extraordinary stories of ordinary people from the Harrogate area in a new exhibition commemorating The Great War at the Royal Pump Room Museum, Harrogate.

These are revealed through letters, photographs and personal objects on loan from local families as well as selected items from the museum collection.

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.

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

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

We’d like to also thank our sponsors Leeds Brewery and Pudsey Legal for their support, interest on sponsorship can be submitted by emailing membership@ leeds-camra.com.

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

For more information visit www.leeds-camra.com

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

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

MOTHER's DAY LUNCH

15 March 2015 Lightwater Country Shopping Village North Stainley, Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 3HT Treat your Mum to a three course lunch in the Granary, including a free glass of Prosecco for all Mums!

A wonderful choice of Starters, Main Courses & Desserts plus Tea or Coffee Adults £13.95 Children (under 12) £7.95 Served from 12pm, booking is essential, please telephone the Granary on 01765 634501

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OUT & ABOUT

Swan Lake 2015 Moscow Ballet La Classique 22 March 2015 Harrogate Royal Hall, HG1 2RD

The world-renowned Moscow Ballet - La Classique demonstrate their continued quality of dance and performances in a dramatic production of this timeless favourite set to Tchaikovsky's superb score.

The ballet is a favourite of ballerinas and audiences alike; all leading dancers want to dance Swan Lake during their careers and all audiences want to see them dance in this, the ultimate fairy tale ballet.

Music: Piotr Ilyich Tchiakovsky Librettto: Vladimir Begichev & Vasily Geltser Choreography: Marius Petipa & Lev Ivanov

Italy, Austria, Norway, Israel, Thailand, Taiwan, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand as well as the UK and this world famous company have gained vast international acclaim.

Originally presented, with choreography

by Julius Reisinger, at the Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow 4 March 1877 but superceded by a new choreographic version by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov at the Maryinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg 8 February 1895 and subsequently established as one of the masterpieces of ballet.

Some of the male dancers in this talented Company have themselves achieved star status in their own country and the incredibly athletic Andrey Lyapin is one such principal dancer who is featured in this most entertaining production of Swan Lake. The National Dances featured here are both colourful exuberant and accurate to the finest detail and all performances are a credit to them and to the Moscow Ballet – La Classique trainer Alexander Vorotnikov, lovingly known as “Sacha” to his friends and colleagues, as is the Russian way for anyone bearing the name Alexander.

The famous Act II of Swan Lake, choreographed by Ivanov as part of a memorial tribute to Tchaikovsky who had died the year before, is performed by almost every ballet company in the world.

The famous Moscow Ballet of Classical Choreography - "La Classique" was founded in 1990, utilising ballet dancers from the leading theatres of the CIS Countries and the Bolshoi, Kirov and Ballet Theatres of Kiev and Odessa.

Please note that the accompanying music although played by the Ballet La Classique Orchestra it will be recorded.

For more information or to book please visit www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk

Moscow Ballet - La Classique has thrilled ballet lovers during hugely successful tours of Egypt, Morocco, France, Spain,

802_50Plus_half-page_Jan14

looking to celebrate that special anniversary? ring your favourite restaurant

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

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WHAT IS A GRANT OF PROBATE? After a person dies with or without leaving a Will, their money, property and belongings need to be dealt with and administered to the beneficiaries.

If you have been chosen as an executor of someone’s Will (or an administrator, if the deceased has not left a will,) you are the person whose duty it is to identify the assets and debts of the deceased’s estate and ensure they are distributed correctly and any debts paid from the monies remaining.

If it is a sizeable estate, you may need to apply for a grant of representation (this is called a Grant of Probate when there is a Will and a Grant of Letters of Administration when there is no Will) called intestacy. An application has to be made to a district probate registry of the High Court. This has to be applied for to the court.

It is normal to feel lost when someone close to you dies, adjusting to these changes is often challenging GM Wilson Solicitors Ltd have years of experience handling the sensitive and delicate matters that arise when a loved one passes away.

GM Wilson Solicitors like to assure all their clients that all matters relating to Wills and Probate will be dealt with in a professional manner giving clients the peace of mind knowing that the affairs and wishes of their deceased loved ones are in safe hands and will be brought to a conclusion as soon as possible.

WHEN IS A GRANT OF REPRESENTATION REQUIRED? A Grant of representation is required if the value of the deceased’s estate is over £5000 after paying funeral expenses.

However, banks and building societies have their own discretionary limits as to when they need a Grant of representation and sometimes will release funds up to £10000.

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SOLICITORS LTD Let us help you...

Contact us now on 01226 794140 GM Wilson Solicitors Ltd, 4 Great Cliffe Court, Great Cliffe Road, Dodworth, Barnsley, S75 3SP (also at) 1 Crown Court, Wakefield WF12 2SU. www.gmwilson.co.uk | info@gmwilson.co.uk

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Tomatoes, Prostate Health and the Mediterranean Diet The Mediterranean diet is often associated with healthy living. Research suggests that the humble tomato is a key constituent of this diet and may play a significant role in human health, especially of the prostate.

The belief that tomatoes have health benefits can be traced back to South American Indians, ideas that were brought to Europe by Columbus in the 15th century. Tomatoes were also thought to be aphrodisiacs, sometimes being referred to as Pommes d’Amour or “love apples”.

The key ingredient of tomatoes is lycopene, one of the world’s most powerful, naturally occurring antioxidants.

Responsible for tomatoes’ distinctive red colour, it is a member of a large family of coloured compounds called “carotenoids” that are found throughout the natural world.

Humans possess no mechanism to make carotenoids, instead we accumulate them from our diet. Some, such as betacarotene, are easily accumulated whereas others are much less easily absorbed.

Our bodies are hardly able to take up lycopene from raw tomatoes and need the fruit to be cooked or processed prior to eating. Alternatively, “bioavailable” lycopene supplements are becoming increasingly popular.

Lycopene is sometimes presented in the National media as a panacea, a miraclefood that cures almost everything. Whilst many claims are exaggerated, there is a large and credible research base that reports lycopene health benefits, particularly in relation to prostate cancer, heart disease, breast cancer and skin health.

The most extensive research has been conducted in the area of prostate cancer.

Lycopene is known to accumulate in the prostate gland and this has driven scientists to try to investigate its impact on the disease.

Some of this research has shown not only a positive association between high lycopene intake and a reduced risk of prostate cancer, but also benefits for those who already have the disease.

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Professor Ed Giovannucci from Harvard Medical School has been following the progression of 50,000 men since 1986, investigating the relationship between prostate cancer and lycopene consumption. In his latest 2014 report he notes: ‘Dietary intake of lycopene was associated with reduced risk of prostate cancer, especially lethal prostate cancer’.

A smaller trial at King’s College Hospital, London concluded: ‘Our clinical study lends weight to the probability that dietary supplementation from lycopene slows disease progression in men with prostate cancer.’

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

In all likelihood, several mechanisms are at work.

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

Staying Informed Professor George Truscott and two internationally renowned colleagues formed George & Partners back in 2000. The company provides readable, up-to-date, scientifically robust information about lycopene research, particularly that related to prostate cancer, breast cancer, heart disease and skin health. The company also develops food supplements based on the latest research.

To sign up for a free newsletter, please call 08000 234 235 or visit www.lycoplus.co.uk.

SPECIAL OFFER FOR 50 PLUS READERS

Natural Lycopene Each Lycoplus EXTRA capsule contains 15mg of natural lycopene plus 60mg of vitamin C which reac;vates "spent" lycopene, enhancing and prolonging the effect of the supplement.

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To order call 0333 088 0331, visit www.lycoplus.co.uk or write to Freepost PROSTATE, Keele University Science Park, Staffordshire ST5 5NL

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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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.

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.

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 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.

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FIVE-MINUTE PIZZA 250 calories per pizza Our super-quick pizza is based on a tortilla wrap instead of pizza dough, which makes it lower in calories and fast to prepare - a pizz-a genius! We like to add some pitted olives to our pizza before grilling but don't forget that every 15 grams of olives ups the calorie count by 15.

Preheat the grill to its hottest setting. Place the tortilla on a baking sheet and spread with the passata, leaving a 2cm gap around the edge.

Tear the ham into strips and arrange them on top of the tortilla. Sprinkle with the oregano and then the grated Cheddar. Season with black pepper.

Toss the rocket or salad leaves with olive oil and a dribble of balsamic vinegar if you like. Put to one side.

Place the pizza under the grill and cook for about 11/2 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the edges of the pizza are beginning to brown. Watch carefully so it doesn't burn! Slide the pizza on to a board or a warmed plate, top with the salad and serve immediately.

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.

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

Makes 1 pizza (serves 1) Prep: 31/2 minutes Cooking time: 11/2 minutes 1 large flour tortilla wrap 3 tbsp passata with basil 20g wafer-thin ham (a couple of slices) 2 good pinches of dried oregano 20g half-fat Cheddar cheese, finely grated small handful of rocket or baby salad leaves 1/2 tsp extra virgin olive oil 1/2 tsp good balsamic vinegar (optional) olives in brine (optional) freshly ground black pepper.

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.

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Why choose Dentures from a Clinical Dental Technician?

What is a Clinical Dental Technician?

A Clinical Dental Technician or CDT is a registered Dental Care Professional who is trained and qualified to offer a range of Denture Services – services that were previously only available through your Dentist.

What qualifies a CDT to work on my Dentures?

• Feel more secure about eating the food you want • Countering sagging facial muscles and sunken features that can make you appear older (especially around your mouth, lips and cheeks)

Partial Dentures If one or several of your teeth are lost or missing, a CDT can help you restore your smile with a Partial Denture. By replacing your individual missing teeth,

With many years experience working as Dental Technicians, CDTs have the advanced technical and clinical skills needed to carefully design and handcraft every denture to the individual requirements of the patient.

Every Clinical Dental Technician has following credentials: • Graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons • Holds a Diploma in Clinical Dental Technology • Is registered with the General Dental Council as a Dental Technician and CDT • Has appropriate insurance to work with patients Never seek Denture advice or treatment from someone who is not trained or qualified to practice as a Clinical Dental Technician or Dentist in the UK.

Complete Dentures If you are experiencing the total loss of all your natural teeth, a Clinical Dental Technician can help you.

As well as taking its toll on daily activities like eating, talking and even laughing, total tooth loss can impact heavily on self-esteem and quality of life. A CDT will create and fit the Complete Denture that replaces your missing teeth and adjacent tissue in your lower and upper jaws.

A CDT can help you find the Complete Dentures that will: • Help you to form sounds and bring new clarity to your speech

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Partial Dentures can give you back the look and function of a full set of healthy, natural teeth.

As well as replacing any missing teeth, Partial Dentures also look after the future health of your mouth by preventing your remaining teeth from rotating, tilting and moving into positions that prove unsightly and awkward for eating and talking.

Depending upon your individual needs and preferences, your CDT may recommend Chrome Cobalt dentures.

Following your initial consultation, a Clinical Dental Technician will assess your mouth and develop a personal treatment plan. Working with a Dentist, they will identify any possible problems. In this way, your Denture will be designed correctly and for the long-term, and ensure that you receive the highest standards of care and the right treatment for you and your teeth.

HEALTH

Denture Relines If your dentures tilt, wobble or rub, a Clinical Dental Technician can reline your denture, making the small alterations that make a big difference to the way they fit and feel.

Please be aware that a Denture Reline will normally require that you leave your dentures with your Clinical Dental Technician so be prepared to be without them for a short period of time.

Denture Repairs Half Centre If yourPanel Denture fractures or breaks, the CDT can

mend your dentures as follows, making them wearable once more.

• Repairing cracks or multiple fractures

Over time, the shape of your mouth can change as part of the natural ageing process, as a result of the under use and lack of stimulus for your jawbone. If your Dentures break while you are wearing them, it is probably for one of the following reasons: • Poor fit as a result of bone resorbtion (shrinkage) • Excessive force possibly due to tooth grinding If you would like your new dentures to replicate all the favourable aspects of your existing Dentures, then a Clinical Dental Technician can help you.

From copying exact tooth position and shape, to improving the way they fit with your mouth and gums – your Copy Dentures will be just like the Dentures you have now, only better.

• Repairing chipped false teeth • Repairing your Denture base Half CP M1 & M2 Fibreglass

HUGHES DENTURE CLINIC • Complete Dentures • Partial Dentures • Denture Relines • Denture Repairs

At the denture clinic we can make a difference to your life with dentures!

Jonathan Hughes, Clinical Dental Technician

Whether it’s for aesthetics or function, confidence or comfort...

Here you will receive a different kind of treatment and service, because you will be treated by the person who is actually making your dentures.

Your best interests are our priority. Only if we feel that we can improve your quality of life, by providing you with a new denture would we begin treatment.

Scan here with your smartphone

Call for a FREE consultation 01423 520368 E: mail@hughesdentallaboratory.com • W: www.hughesdentureclinic.co.uk Unit 26 Claro Business Park, Claro Road, Harrogate HG1 4BA

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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.

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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.

M.V. MOBILITY M O B I L E S HOW ROO M Established 2003

Scooters from £295

Lift Recline Chairs from £495 Adjustable Beds from £595 • Wheelchairs, bath lifts & stair lifts • No obligation free home demonstrations • Distance no object

CALL US TODAY...

Written by ARUP BANERJEE PROFESSOR ARUP K BANERJEE OBE JP D.Sc(Hon) FRCP (Lond, Edin, Glasg & Irel.)

LEEDS 0113 887 5259 HARROGATE 01423 227 611 WAKEFIELD 01924 668 483 Part exchange welcome. Written details on request. All major credit cards accepted.

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At Simplyhealth Independent Living Leeds we offer a large range of mobility products and daily living aids to help you, your friends and your family live more independently.

We and our company are proud to be recognised by the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) which means that we go above and beyond our legal obligations to provide an excellent level of customer service; but in our Leeds store, we don’t just aim for excellence we aim to be the best.

Our home consultants and engineers are experts in their field, they’ll help you to find the right product for you through demonstrations in free home assessments. We are even on hand after you’ve purchased the product with a view to help you keep being independent in the long term.

Whether you’re looking for a mobility scooter to help you get around, a rise and recliner chair to relax in or even just looking, our staff provide friendly expert advice tailored to yours and your loved ones needs.

However, we’re not alone when it comes to help meet the communities’ needs. We are partnered with the Mobility Scheme which enables individuals who are on high-rate mobility allowance to lease an electric powered wheelchair or Scooter. We are also the largest stockist of Cosyfeet extra roomy shoes in West Yorkshire and Monday to Saturday we run a Shopmobility scheme in conjunction with Leeds City Council.

So for any help with your Mobility or Independent Living needs, give us a call on 0113 246 1086 or just pop into our store in the Merrion Centre, Leeds, for some free, honest and professional advice.

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Advertorial feature

Getting to know your elderly care options in Leeds, Harrogate & Wakefield 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 Leeds, Harrogate & Wakefield, 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: ........................................................

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

Tel No: .......................................................

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

Tick this box if you do not wish to receive further information about Bupa’s products and services.

†Calls to 03 numbers from any line are charged at no more than UK national rates and count towards any inclusive minutes from mobiles.

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

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

For more information please call

07779 704 100

• 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 | 31

Abbeydale

RETIREMENT HOME

Enjoy high-class comfort and care in Ilkley, with panoramic views across the scenic valley and surrounding countryside.

When you walk into Abbeydale you enter a stylish and luxurious home that feels more like a hotel. The recently refurbished rooms provide bright and positive accommodation, and encourage a happy and satisfying life for residents.

The spacious en-suite bedrooms with adjoining sitting room, are furnished to the highest standards and come with colour television, smoke detectors and 24 hour nurse call system. There are various elegant reception rooms and lounges, where residents may convene for a chat or smaller more intimate rooms for a quiet place to read.

A full programmes of entertainment and activities are organised daily, and outings take place regularly.

Abbeydale's own vehicle can take up to six residents out into the beautiful countryside, shopping trips into Ilkley and afternoons at tea rooms. We also promote the continuation of personal hobbies and interests.

The personal needs of each individual is carefully identified and care programmes are created to ensure that the best care is provided.

In order to do this all staff receive in house training and follow Abbeydale's philosophy of care which is designed to give residents privacy and control over their daily lives.

Our care staff provide for special bathing, dressing and changing needs, serving meals and tending to laundry, as well as medication, supervision and co-ordination of any appointments for the GP, Dentist and Optician.

So, if you are a retired person or couple seeking a comfortable life in Ilkley, Abbeydale could prove to be the perfect solution.

Please call us now for a brochure or call in to visit us.

About Abbeydale...

• • • • • • • • •

24 hour care by caring staff All bedrooms with en-suite Excellent meals with special diets catered for Happy pleasant atmosphere Regular outings and entertainment Tastefully furnished throughout Warm, safe and comfortable environment Set in large beautiful gardens Hairdresser and beautician

01943 603074

www.abbeydale-care.com info@abbeydale-care.com

Please call us now for a brochure or visit us today.

A retirement home with a difference...

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