Oldham, Rochdale & Tameside 48

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OLDHAM, ROCHDALE & TAMESIDE

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NOVEMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016

EDITION 48

John Torode The Master Chef

Shares some recipes with us

Paul Nicholas

The Eastender heads for Blackpool

The Azores

An amazing archipelago

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CONTENTS

Twittering On with Graham Smith

INSIDE...

4-5

8-9

14-15

20-21

Graham Smith

Love a duck A bow-tie wearing duck has been injured in a drunken pub brawl with a local dog in Chulmleigh, Devon.

The booze-loving bird, affectionately named Star, was enjoying a pint in The Old Courthouse Inn with his handler, Barrie Hayman, when Hayman's canine Meggie sparked a bar brawl.

24-27 4-5

The Azores An amazing archipelago.

8-9

Canal Cruising An indulgent treat and education rolled into one .

14-15

Changing Rooms Take a fresh look at your home.

20-21

John Torode The Master Chef.

24-27

My Kind Of Food John Torode shares some of his favourite recipes.

34-39

Out and About What's going on in your local area?

34-39

Star was left with injuries to his beak after the fight.

"Star pushed his luck too far and Meggie snapped - splitting Star's bottom beak right down the middle," Hayman, 69, told the Cheddar Valley Gazette.

"He gave her a stare, then promptly stood on her back. It was not pretty and not nice. We were so scared we would lose Star.

"He had to be rushed to the vets and go under anaesthetic, which is always risky and could go either way with ducks and other small animals.

"Thankfully our Star is a tough cookie and it looks like he came out okay."

Hayman has cared for Star ever since he was a chick, carrying him around in his pocket. Once the duckling grew up, he developed a taste for real ale and started following his owner to the pub.

"He just won't leave me and so we go everywhere together," Hayman said. "I've not trained him to follow me. He just seems to like it and he is one fantastic duck.

"He loves to come to the pub, where everyone loves him. He is such a personality and attracts so much attention."

Chicken feed An Australian Thai restaurant has trained a live chicken to run its Twitter account.

6th Floor | 120 Bark Street | Bolton | BL1 2AX T: (01204) 860 194 | F: (01204) 860 213 e: admin@mcgrathmedia.co.uk

Apparently the chicken pecks out the messages on the keyboard with its beak. Woe betide it if anything untoward appears there or I see a whole new meaning to chicken fried twice!

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50 Plus Travel

sponsored by

The Azores – an amazing archipelago

By Jennie Carr from Silver Travel Advisor Islands are fascinating places, and none more so than The Azores, an archipelago of nine islands in the mid-Atlantic.

The result of a volcanic ridge, they are in fact, Portuguese, officially discovered in 1432 by Goncalo Velho Cabral, even though Lisbon is nearly 1,500 kilometres to the east.

And why on earth would you visit these somewhat isolated islands? Ben Fogle, adventurer, explorer and broadcaster, waxes lyrical about The Azores due to the contrasts that occur within them – other worldly landscapes as you would imagine on the moon, with pumice stone and frozen lava formations, then a hillside away, lush, dense plants growing in the fertile volcanic soil producing magnificent azaleas and hydrangeas.

The volcanic craters are now filled with deep blue, green lakes and steaming,

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bubbling fumaroles, a reminder that whilst the local volcanoes are dormant, they are certainly not extinct! A trip to the Furnas Valley will swiftly provide evidence of this. Another great fan of The Azores, Noel Josephides founder of Sunvil Holidays, compares them to New Zealand, both in their startling geographical features and also their ambiance, more of which later.

The British are famous for their love of gardens and plants, which are some of the greatest attractions here, with the hydrangeas producing stunning displays across the islands in June and in April, the azaleas are at their best.

The wild agapanthus grow with gusto and rather gorgeous tree ferns add to the remarkable list of self-seeding plants here. It seems as if the climate, which is mild and temperate due to the Gulf Stream, where even on winter days it never gets colder than 14C, with the summers reaching about 27C and rain

TRAVEL always a possibility, combined with the rich earth provide growing conditions in which almost anything can flourish.

The unexpected Gorreana tea estate and plantation, over 125 years old, is certainly testament to this as are the pineapple greenhouses on Sao Miguel, where the Ananaz (the specific pineapple grown on the Azores) is celebrated.

So apart from the horticulture, what is there to do? These islands are certainly a draw for the outdoor types, there is walking and hiking aplenty to enjoy, just so long as you take a good waterproof jacket as a shower is never far away. The UNESCO heritage site at Santa Luzia vineyards is certainly worth a visit and if your legs are up to it, Mount Pico can be climbed! For those who are happy in or on water, kayaking and canyoning are on offer, the former a gentle way to explore the coast line of dramatic cliffs and the latter a type of coastal obstacle course which really gets you up close and personal with nature. There is no getting away from the fact that The Azores are in the middle of the Atlantic, so a boat trip is a must, with the strong possibility of seeing whales, sharks and mantra rays. And swimming with dolphins is an option too.

To return to the ambiance of The Azores, they are proclaimed to be ‘homely’ rather than sophisticated, no designer clothing needed, sturdy footwear essential, running at a leisurely pace and on ‘island’ time, which does sound relaxing and rather calming.

Accommodation here is comfortable, with small family hotels and charming quintas, giving the opportunity to get to know the locals and understand the way of life. International hotel chains have yet to arrive here, no bad thing perhaps for preserving a special place.

And whilst the islands are based on historic volcanic activity, it seems that

the current tranquil, laid back lifestyle is doing all it can to counteract this. Ben Fogle’s infectious enthusiasm for the Azores encourages all active travellers to pay a visit and find out more.

Visit silvertraveladvisor.com and type Ben Fogel into the Search box to listen to his radio interview with Jennie Carr.

Visit the Azores with the experts - Sunvil Discovery The unspoiled beauty of the Azorean archipelago, the warm and welcoming nature of the local people and the abundance of wildlife – whales, dolphins, turtles and migrating birds to name a few captured the heart of independent tour operator, Sunvil Discovery, 25 years ago.

With first-hand knowledge of the nine islands, the team at Sunvil can carefully craft a holiday to meet your individual requirements.

Whether you are searching for a whale and dolphin watching holiday; a multi-island adventure; a trip incorporating visits to fascinating sites of geological importance and botanical gardens, a climb of MountPico – Portugal’s highest peak or walking, jeep touring, canyoning and kayaking, they can help.

Prices from £543 per person including return direct flights from London Gatwick, transfers and 7-nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation on Sao Miguel.

For more information visit www.sunvil.co.uk/discovery Or call + 44 (0)20 8758 4722

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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WHY CHOOSE US? The Robinsons Difference ....

4 Good quality hotels 4 Coach seating with extra legroom 4 Air-conditioning and washroom /W.C. on all tour coach 4 Reserved coach seats on main tour coach at time of booking 4 Regular comfort stops en route 4 Home pick up service available 4 Interesting excursions 4 No single supplements at our own hotels and many other hotels 4 Excellent selection of great value checked hotels 4 Friendly drivers and porterage services to help with your luggage 4 Pay in convenient instalments at no extra cost 4 All holidays Bonded for passengers financial protection 4 Friendly & informed reservations staff to take care of all your booking arrangements 4 Freephone telephone number to save you money 4 Full group booking service with great offers for group organisers 4 Optional insurance cover for 2015 now available

We offer you ...

4 Accommodation with dinner, bed & breakfast 4 2 included excursions 4 All rooms have private facilities

SINGLES ....

COME ALONG AND MEET NEW FRIENDS LOTS OF ACTIVITIES AND ENTERTAINMENT TO GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER

Imperial Hotel Eastbourne

Ocean View Hotel Isle of Wight

Abbey Lawn Hotel Torquay

14th De c 5 Days

INCLUDES: WELCOME RECEPTION AFTERNOON TEA DANCE WITH OUR RESIDENT ENTERTAINER FESTIVE GALA DINNER (ON 1 NIGHT) 2 LOCAL EXCURSIONS

£149

5 DAY TOUR

4 NIGHTS DINNER, BED & BREAKFAST

20hu1re6now

Robinsons Own Hotels Early Season Tours!

broc ilable! ava

Imperial Hotel 5 DAY TOUR

4 NIGHTS DINNER, BED & BREAKFAST

TOUR

include S excurs2i local ons

Abbey Lawn Hotel

Ocean View Hotel 7 DAY TOUR

9 DAY TOUR

6 NIGHTS DINNER, BED & BREAKFAST

8 NIGHTS DINNER, BED & BREAKFAST

Abbey Lawn

Date

Imperial

08-Feb

£129

£129

£129

27-Mar £219

£219

£219

30-Apr

£395

£395

£395

15-Feb

£139

£139

£129

03-Apr

£229

£229

£229

07-May £409

£409

£409

22-Feb

£139

£139

£129

10-Apr

£249

£249

£249

14-May £419

£419

£419

29-Feb

£139

£139

£139

17-Apr

£259

£259

£259

21-May £429

£429

£429

07-Mar

£155

£155

£155

24-Apr

£269

£269

£269

28-May £429

£429

£429

Date

Imperial Ocean View Abbey Lawn

Date

Imperial Ocean View

Ocean View

Abbey Lawn

book or order a 2016 brochure, call 0800 083 9900 or visit your local travel agent. | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK 6 To

GET FESTIVE WITH...

Celebrate Christmas and New Year in comfort and free from stress at one of Robinsons own hotels

Imperial Hotel Eastbourne

£399 Thursford Christmas Market 5 DAYS Set in the magical surroundings of mechanical organs and fairground carousels, word of this amazing show has spread and it is now generally recognised as being the largest show of its kind in the country, if not Europe.

A three hour fast moving celebration of the festive season and the largest Christmas show in the country, with a cast of 130 professional singers and dancers.

Link Park Hotel 4 nights dinner, bed & breakfast.

Mon 09 Nov £399 Mon 07 Dec £399

£275 BABBACOMBE Seabury Hotel | 5 DAYS Situated on the north eastern fringe of Torquay, Babbacombe boasts stunning views of the coastline and harbour. A holiday destination with its own charm and character, colourful promenade, a wide selection of shops, restaurants and bars, Babbacombe offers something for everyone. Spend your days relaxing on the charming beach beneath the cliffs, or discover the rock pools and coastal walks. For interesting and scenic walks, the South West Coastal Path is a popular route, or why not visit the historic cliff railway, one of the few original funicular railways still in working order.

Seabury Hotel 4 nights dinner, bed & breakfast.

Mon 16 Nov

£275

Christmas & New Year

Ocean View Hotel Isle of Wight

BABBACOME, SEABURY HOTEL Wed 23 Dec

£399

£295

Includes 4 nights dinner, bed & breakfast. 3 resort lunches and 1 mystery excursion

BOURNEMOUTH, MAYFAIR HOTEL

Abbey Lawn Hotel Torquay

Wed 23 Dec

£485

Includes 4 nights dinner, bed & breakfast. 3 resort lunches and 1 mystery excursion

Llandudno, situated between the Little Orme to the east and the Great Orme to the west, is the largest resort in North Wales and incorporates some of the most beautiful scenery in the Welsh mountains and coastline. The long flat promenade which possesses one of the finest piers and its town centre, with excellent shopping facilities, contribute to making Llandudno a very popular tourist resort.

WESTON SUPER MARE, SANDRINGHAM HOTEL

Kensington Hotel 4 nights dinner, bed & breakfast.

Includes:

Includes 4 nights dinner, bed & breakfast. 3 resort lunches and 1 mystery excursion

bed & breakfast d 3 resort lunches d 1 mystery excursion

LLANDUDNO, KENSINGTON HOTEL

d 4 nights dinner,

LLANDUDNO Kensington Hotel | 5 DAYS

Wed 23 Dec

Wed 23 Dec

£475

£519

Mon 07 Dec £295

Includes 4 nights dinner, bed & breakfast. 3 resort lunches and 1 mystery excursion

Wed 23 Dec £399 Wed 29 Dec £349

2016 brochure out soon, call now for your free copy

www.robinsons-holidays.co.uk

Park Garage, Great Harwood, BlackburnWWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK BB6 7SP.

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Canal Cruising alongside the Severn is no bore

By David Graham from Silver Travel Advisor.

David has worked for much of his professional life as a journalist for national newspapers. Now retired, he is an advisor and writer for Silver Travel Advisor, the only information and review website for mature travellers.

Time and tide being what they are, we didn’t manage to see the Severn Bore but then again, cruising gently alongside the River Severn on Britain’s first-ever ship canal wasn’t a bore, either.

It turned out to be a really indulgent treat and an education rolled into one, travelling on the Gloucester to Sharpness Canal in splendidly-catered comfort on board the 153-tonne MV Edward Elgar, thanks to English Holiday Cruises.

Leaving the car in Gloucester, we headed for the boat, the largest hotel boat on Britain’s inland waterways, for 6pm, in nice time to find our cabin and then muster for a welcome drink and introductions all round, before dinner and a table quiz.

Sleep is on the lower deck, with berths for 22 passengers in 11 outside twin cabins with a window well above the waterline, all en-suite with a walk-in ‘wetroom’ shower and all mod cons, and

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with everyone looked after by a fivestrong crew, led by Captain Nick.

begins to form before racing upstream at certain times of the year.

Nick has been a mariner all his working life and his skills were evident on our first morning, when he deftly pulled away from the West Quay mooring, before heading off to exit the docks under Llanthony Bridge, lifted bang on time to let us start our journey along the canal.

We moored up here, boarded a small coach and headed past Frampton’s charming canal-side church dating from 1086 and were driven inland alongside the longest village green in England, before arriving at picturesque, poundnotes-and-pedigree Berkeley Castle.

Steeped in history and home to the same family line since the 12th century, the castle in its eight acres of gardens is well worth a visit.

This gave us time to practice waving to the people we held up, a rehearsal for our meticulously-timed arrival at Two-Mile Cut and the huge, modern Netheridge Bridge, which carries Gloucester’s south west bypass and swung open to allow our stately progress. There are a good many more bridges en route, both manual and machine-operated, each with a smiling bridge keeper.

Fuelled up with a ‘full English’ from the galley, it was time to retrace the route of the tall ships that used to carry goods between Gloucester and all parts of the world. Standing on the upper deck we did get a tall-ish view over the lush, rolling countryside to the Forest of Dean and the Cotswolds. We headed through Saul Junction, and pressed on to Frampton-on-Severn, looking across the stretch of river where the notorious Bore

Back at the Elgar, there was time for a stroll before captain’s cocktails and dinner – pate with chutney; slow-cooked blade of beef; followed by summer fruit terrine, then cheeses and coffee and another diverting table quiz.

After a good night’s sleep, we carried on to Sharpness, still with its connection to the sea into the Bristol Channel, and a skilled U-turn was called for to start the return trip. This brought us back past the remains of the old Severn railway bridge, before we moored up to see the Purton Hulks – an astonishing site where redundant barges have been beached to form breakwaters and protect the vulnerable banks of the canal from the fierce tidal flows of the Severn Estuary.

TRAVEL Then on board again for a lunch-on-the-move as we headed back to the docks in the heart of Gloucester – timed to the second, like our departure, to negotiate both swing and lift bridges on the approach.

Time for goodbyes all round as skipper Nick spun the Elgin on its axis to moor up inch-perfect at Alexandra Quay. Hands-on company chief Richard was soon on board to help make way for the afternoon arrivals for the next cruise down the canal.

I was sorely tempted to ask him if there was room for a couple more.

Aerial surveys have revealed at least 80 historic hulks in this nautical graveyard.

Factbox

Then it was time to move on to the nearby Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre founded by Sir Peter Scott, seen as the birthplace of nature conservation.

David Graham was a guest of English Holiday Cruises aboard their 4-Star Hotel Boat ‘Edward Elgar’. He took a 4-day/3-night ‘Historic Canal’ cruise along the Gloucester-Sharpness canal.

It was easy to have a lively conversation over dinner, as for much of the trip there were only12 people on board, although there are berths for 22 in the 11 en-suite, outside cabins, as well as the live-in crew. It’s also worth noting at this stage that coffee and tea are available all day and night, and there’s also a daily happy hour in the bar from 6 – 8pm, with bargain wine and 20 per cent off all drinks.

Glass in hand, there was no quiz on our final night, but excellent live entertainment from swing and jazz duo Ain’t Misbehavin’ – an unexpected treat.

A late, great night, and our last day dawned all too early, but then breakfast set us up for a sail to Saul Junction and the Cotswold Canals Trust Visitor Centre where enthusiasts Clive and Jill Field told of the splendid project to restore two historic waterways and connect the Severn to the Thames.

Several canal cruises are available in October and April each year at special rates starting at £230pp for a weekend cruise.

The Edward Elgar also offers longer ‘mini-Rhine’ style cruises out of Gloucester on the River Severn from May to September, including a new 7-day ‘Severn Wonders’ cruise in 2016.

All cruises include 3 meals daily, wine with dinner, free-flow tea/coffee, outside tours at every stop, one night of live entertainment, WiFi and more.

For a free brochure and bookings, call 01452410411 or visit www.englishholidaycruises.co.uk

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Why not join one of our Quality Door to Door Coach Tours?

We pick- up at your door in most of the Greater Manchester area. We visit every part of the UK from the Shetland Islands to Cornwall. Our drivers are very experienced mature individuals with a wealth of knowledge about our wonderful country. We do city breaks, historic adventures, scenic tours, train rides, boat rides, canal trips, not forgetting our numerous costal resorts.

On your first day of travel we pick you up at your front door at a pre-arranged time in a minibus or taxi. You are then transferred to a central meeting point, either Birch Services or Poplar Services dependant upon where you live, where the coach is waiting for you. Within 15 to 30 minutes you’re on your way aboard our luxury coach travelling directly to your holiday destination, making suitable stops en-route.

The hotels that we use are of a 3 or 4 star standard or occasionally a good quality family run 2 star hotel. Upon your return to either Birch Services or Poplar your taxi or minibus is waiting to whisk you home.

Included in every tour... l

Good Standard Hotel l Half Board l All Excursions l Door to Door Service

Ellen Smith Price Promise 1. Everything is included in the final price – no hidden charges 2. If we reduce a tour all customers previously booked receive same refund 3. No currency surcharges 4. Any supplement imposed by the hotel will be the exact amount we charge 5. If you find a similar holiday cheaper we’ll refund twice the difference!

10 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

DATE

TOUR

HOTEL

INFO

DAYS

PRICE

3 £225

20th Nov

Ascot Shopping

Coppid Beech Hotel

Shopping, Racing & ‘Behind the Scenes’

23rd Nov

Bournemouth ‘Turkey & Tinsel’

Trouville Hotel

Salisbury; Lymington & New Forest

5

£249

4th Dec

Winchester Christmas Market

Reading Hotel

Xmas Market -Winchester/visit to Oxford

4

£249

4th Dec

Thursford Christmas Spectacular

Brook Hotel, Norwich Ticket for Xmas Spectacular Show!

3

£269

6th Dec

Yuletide’ York & Castle Howard

Burn Hall Hotel Harrogate; York; Castle Howard

4

£279

6th Dec

‘Mature Singles’ Dunoon

Esplanade Hotel All Single Rooms; Spectacular Scenery

5

£299

7th Dec

Torquay ‘Turkey & Tinsel’

Headland Hotel Dartmoor National Park; Tavistock; Sidmouth 5

£269

11th Dec

Llandudno ‘Holly & Mistletoe’

Tynedale Hotel Entertainment; Scenic Snowdonia; Caernarfon 5

£319

23rd Dec

Christmas in Bournemouth

Trouville Hotel

Get away from it all…

5

£469

24th Dec

Christmas in Blackpool

Doric Hotel

Customer’s favourite

5

£479

24th Dec

Christmas in Hadrian’s Country

Gilsland Spa Hotel

Superb Setting!

5

£399

28th Dec

Twixmas in Llandudno

Tynedale Hotel

Only 2 rooms left!

3

£185

OUR 2016 BROCHURE IS NOW AVAILABLE INTERESTED? Call our reservations office on 01706 648126 and request a copy

of our 2015 or 2016 brochure. You’ll be surprised at the variations of tours we operate.

Visit our website at www.ellensmith.co.uk

Find us on facebook & twitter (search for ellensmithtours) www.50plusmagazine.co.uk WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 11

Door to Door Coach Tours with Ellen Smith Membership No: 10228

Coach Holidays with a difference.

We all know that often coach holidays get a bad press – waiting in bus stations for the coach to arrive, long arduous pickup routes to an interchange, waiting around there for your holiday coach all before you’re destination bound!

Once you’re there too often poor quality hotels with mass catering, an extra charge for outings and then to top it all off the same gruelling journey home – no chance of the six o’clock news!

If that all sounds too familiar why not give us a try?

We are Manchester based and offer the only true ‘Door to Door’ coach holiday service in the area.

Established as far back as 1900 in Rochdale we have a long and distinguished history as a good quality, value for money coach holiday operator.

What’s so different about us?

Firstly our ‘Door to Door’ service. This is a true door to door service. We pick you up from your home address at a pre-arranged time in a taxi or small minibus and take you straight to one of our two meeting points, Birch Services near Heywood or Poplar Services near Lymm. There you meet up with your driver and coach who will take you on your holiday.

There’s no hanging around, you’re usually on your way within 15 to 20 minutes. We don’t leave anyone behind!

On your return date the reverse of the first day happens. Your taxi is waiting for you at one of the two service stations and you’re usually home with a cup of tea in time to watch the news!

What else can we tell you?

All our holidays are fully bonded by the Confederation Of Passenger Transport Bonding Scheme, which is a government approved consumer protection scheme ensuring your money is protected. We offer very popular ‘Mature Singles’ holidays where all bedrooms at the hotel are used for sole occupancy – great for the single traveller.

Oh and we offer continental coach holidays, this year Lake Como, Lake Garda, Swiss Chocolate Train & A Taste of the Alpine and Normandy for the D Day landing beaches.

We have a regular news letter the ‘Tiger Talk’, (our logo is a tiger) that offers new tours during the year and several of our popular ‘Mystery Tours’ during each year.

We have a website www.ellensmith.co.uk that has all the details of our holidays – and you can book on-line too.

If you wish to call us our staff are very experienced individuals who know lots about our range of holidays.

Finally we offer Fred Olsen cruises from Liverpool at prices you won’t believe and a variety of Air, Cruise & Worldwide holidays - all with our ‘Door to Door’ service included.

Your Driver is an experienced individual and the coach will be of an executive standard with toilet, air conditioning and reclining seats. On the journey to the hotel we tend to avoid motorway services and visit a village, town, city or other suitable location instead. Because of our timely departure we plan to arrive at our destinations at about 4:30pm giving you plenty of time for a quick snooze prior to dinner.

All the hotels we use are normally 3 or 4 star with the odd family run 2 star hotel, that we have used for many years. We use a range of different hotels to suit a particular tour. Many of our tours are themed – ‘Royal Sandringham & the Sport of Kings’ and ‘An Irish Country House Experience’ to name just two. All our tours include day excursions (no extra charge – ever!), which can include canal journeys, train journeys, castles, country estates and so much more.

The vast majority of our hotels offer a porterage service, so you rarely have to touch your case.

Want to know more?

Call us on 01706 648126

for a copy of our 2015 brochure – you’ll wonder why you ever went away in your car!

12 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Changing Rooms

by Angela Kelly

TAKING a fresh look at our homes gives us the opportunity to re-evaluate lifestyle and try to improve it.

This can happen at any time in our lives but often when we have more time, like when we retire, or simply find that our daily routine is more homebased.

You may want to undertake major change like an EXTENSION. Building a CONSERVATORY can also add space and style to a home. There are some fabulous designs and deals around currently, but do look first at what you want from this extra space and communicate this properly to your chosen provider. You might also need planning permission or building control approval so it’s worth checking first on the Government website www.planningportal.gov.uk If you’re looking at revamping rather than rebuilding, interior designer Sharon Rodriguez suggests that you start at your front door and work forwards.

That means taking a hard look at your HALLWAY. “This is one part of the home we tend to forget about,” she says, “but it’s very important and reflects the rest of

14 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

the interior. It should set a style for the rest of the property.”

It’s worth keeping your hallway light and bright. Narrow hallways can be opened up by using mirrors to give the illusion of doubling space, and they allow light to reflect back in.

If you’ve got a large hallway, which can look cavernous and unwelcoming, Sharon suggests artwork and framed photos can be showcased to create an interesting and eye-catching feature. There also needs to be functional space – shelving, cupboards or a console table to store items – “this will break up the space and act as a focal point,” she says.

Consider the colour scheme here. A bold patterned wallpaper with a light-coloured backdrop (a feature wall) can look good in a hallway. Avoid dark colours generally unless you have a long, narrow hallway, and if you do and want to make it appear shorter, paint the short wall furthest away in a darker colour.

The hallway is a high traffic area so carpets aren’t always the best choice here. Try hard or wooden floor surfaces but soften them with a runner or rug, which can work

well against plain-coloured walls.

The LOUNGE is often a central spot for day to day life but if you’re having a revamp and want to invest in new furniture, draw a rough floor- plan of your room first, advises Sharon, measuring furniture to ensure it fits. “Think about access and how you’re going to get into the room,” she adds. “This will save time and one big headache.”

Sharon also believes that most of us are too scared to try out colour and so often end up with large amounts of neutral décor. “Using colour is about confidence,” she states. “Try using a colour wheel and/or paint manufacturers’ swatches to choose the right colour combination.

Colour inspiration comes from all sorts of sources – artwork, photographs, a favourite piece of fabric or nature.”

It’s also worth keeping in mind that colour looks different throughout the day and under artificial light. “Buy swatch pots and paint lining paper with your chosen colours and place them on the wall. Move around during different times of the day, and look at it under artificial lighting.”

HOME If you’re choosing patterned wallpaper, match the pattern and place the two pieces side by side on the wall to see how it looks.

Paint radiators the same colour as the walls for a cohesive look. Alternatively, they can be boxed in if you don’t want them to show. And if you’re using pattern in fabrics or wallpaper, think about scale and colour continuity. Take a look at home interior magazines and see what is currently in favour when it comes to themes and designs.

“I love botanical designs,” says Sharon, “and they seem to be popular this year.

There are some lovely floral and leafy prints available to bring a fresh look to any room.”

Investing in new furniture will always change a room, but if you’re on a budget you can instantly refresh and update your lounge with new cushions and throws which can be colour-matched to your chosen décor.

“Neutral décor can be brought to life by layering different textures, adding rugs and using reflective surfaces such as glasstopped tables and mirrors which give a sense of space.”

Don’t dismiss buying second-hand furniture out of hand. Try flea markets, car boots or charity shops. “You can pick up some fabulous pieces here,” adds Sharon.

Existing pieces of furniture can also be updated and re-used with a lick of paint and new handles.

Window treatments depend on the style you want to create and space in and around the windows to hang or tie-back. If you don’t want to open and close curtains, window blinds might be more suitable.

However, curtains tend to insulate, absorb noise and dress the room.

Voile curtain panels are another option, and come in a great range of colours, allowing a nice, diffused light to enter the room. If you have a bay window, consider window seats and keep floor covering cohesive with your décor whether you’re choosing carpets, wooden floors or tiles.

If you love to collect items, display them in an organised way. White shelving with a bold background colour and lighting, possibly in a recess, accentuates a collection like glass.

The KITCHEN is probably the most important space in the home and needs to be functional. If you’re looking to install a new kitchen, consult a reputable design company who will cleverly design and maximise space and storage.

To update your kitchen units if they’re in good condition, try some new doors or

paint existing ones. They could match or contrast with the colour of the walls, and new handles can quickly update them.

Back-splashes are an alternative to tiling and are stylish and easy to maintain, and worktops can be replaced without breaking the bank.

Ceramic tiles are popular in kitchens but Sharon suggests that trying vinyl or cork tiles can be more comfortable “especially if you spend a lot of time in the kitchen.”.

For ideas on kitchens, bedrooms and more why not take a look at what Fineline Interiors can do for you.

Fineline is a thriving local kitchen and bedroom manufacturer soon to be embarking on its 30th year in business with three decades of success.

With both established and new staff on board, Fineline is flourishing with energy and new ideas to grow the business further whilst retaining those strong roots that consistently deliver outstanding customer service and award winning designs.

Based in Oldham, Lancashire and with two other stores, one in Littleborough and the other in Nantwich, Cheshire, Fineline works with leading appliance brand Neff and supplies kitchen furniture from Second Nature kitchens, 1909 kitchens, Metris kitchens and Schuller kitchens.

No project is too small or too large and our years of experience have been gained by working on both residential and commercial projects with clients, builders, property developers, architects, joiners, electricians and plumbers.

“Lots of things have changed over the last 30 years and we have had to adapt and embrace those changes, whilst continuing to give value for money kitchens and bedrooms, train staff and invest in new technology says Managing Director Mike Jackson.

“But the one thing that has never changed and never will is our commitment to doing everything we can to ensure our customers

are happy. The majority of our customers are via word of mouth and repeat custom.

“We pride ourselves in following every job through to completion. Our designers regularly visit the customer during installation to check on progress but also because, even after 30 years we still get just as excited as our customers get to see their dreams become a reality.

For further inspiration, please view our collections online at www. finelineinteriors.co.uk. You can also visit our showrooms in Oldham, Littleborough or Nantwich where our design and demonstration teams will be more than happy to assist you. (See their advert on page 13 for more information) The DINING ROOM is best kept practical, particularly if it doubles as a study or office. Choose furniture that adapts, such as an extending dining table and folding chairs. Shelves and cupboards are perfect for display and storage, and add a pop of the colour red here and there – “It’s said to promote conversation and appetite!” adds Sharon.

If you’re investing in new units for your BEDROOM, make sure they suit your lifestyle and provide plenty of space and storage. Soft grey can be a restful and relaxing colour for bedrooms, with splashes of colour added for contrast in quilt covers, lampshades, rugs and draped curtains.

Table lamps add mood and ambience to this space.

And another place for relaxation is the BATHROOM. Soothing greens and blues are always a good choice here although keep sanitary ware white for a clean look.

If your bathroom is small, try using larger floor and wall tiles as they make the space look bigger (plain not patterned) as do mirrors or mirrored vanity cupboards.

“Slate tiles are a good choice in a bathroom because of their durability and slip-resistance, they’re also non-porous and warm. And don’t discount the use of artwork in the bathroom.” * For more advice email Sharon Rodriguez from Urbano at sharon.0022@hotmail.com

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| 15

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| 17

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John Torode

The Master Chef

BY A N G E L A K E L LY

IF ever there was a guest to whom you would be distinctly nervous at serving your home-made vegetable lasagne John Torode is probably it.

It’s not that the MasterChef judge and food expert would be automatically rude about your efforts – he’d probably be sparing in his remarks. It’s simply that he would only have to fix you with that so-familiar steely glare for you to realise that there was a chance your food might not pass his strict standards.

All of which is probably both what you would expect from a renowned foodie and from a high-profile cookery guru used to imparting the judgement of Solomon when it comes to individual would-be chefs and their creations.

But, of course, it’s also what helps make TV’s MasterChef and Celebrity MasterChef such compelling viewing. And what has

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Doing your own cookbook is a personal catalogue of life, and I’m very lucky to have done it. catapulted the likeable Aussie into the nation’s consciousness as the go-to expert opinion on good and bad dishes.

Born in Melbourne, John Torode’s early interest in cooking led him to work as an apprentice in restaurants around his home city. He began his cooking career formally at the age of 16 by attending catering college, and then – like many young and ambitious Antipodeans before him and since - moved to the UK in 1991.

A year later, he began working at Le Pont de la Tour and Quaglino’s as a sous chef for the Conran Group under Terence Conran. It’s also where he first met fellow MasterChef judge Greg Wallace, whose company supplied the vegetables for the restaurant.

John’s reputation grew swiftly and this, combined with an engaging manner, soon prompted him to become the regular chef on ITV’s This Morning show from 1996 until 2000.

It goes without saying that he’s a big fan of cooking from scratch, but I wondered how important he felt food was in bringing people generally - and the generations in particular together.

“Everyone in the world has to eat,” he stated. “Sitting with friends and family is vital. It is where conversation happens and knowledge is shared. It’s where values and morals are learnt. It’s important, really important.”

And what kinds of culinary expertise can be learned from older people? “With age comes wisdom and with wisdom comes calm,” he said. “The older the cook, the more confident and more knowledgeable they are.

“Just watch an old Chinese chef through the windows in China town and that will teach you more than you would ever think possible.”

John Torode with fans.

His 1998 cookery book The Mezzo Cookbook won the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Food Photography – something he is happy to accept as a highlight of his career so far. “Getting the chance to write a book is a pretty special thing,” he explained, “be it my first one at Mezzo or my latest My Kind of Food. Doing your own cookbook is a personal catalogue of life, and I’m very lucky to have done it.”

In 2000, John opened his first London restaurant, called Smiths of Smithfields. The BBC show MasterChef was being re-launched with an updated format, and Torode and Wallace were chosen as the new presenters. This entertaining combination helped create a winning formula and by 2011, the show had been sold to 25 countries.

Perhaps it was always the unscripted nature of the show, combined with the kitchen banter of Torode and Wallace, but viewers across the world were fascinated by what MasterChef had become. The spin-offs – Celebrity MasterChef and Junior MasterChef – also became hits and John continued his restaurateur success, opening another capital venue called The Luxe, near New Spitalfields Market.

Last year, he fronted John Torode’s Australia – the highest rating TV show of the year on UKTV Good Food Channel - retracing the flavours of his childhood, and this year he presented A Cook Abroad: John Torode’s Argentina for BBC2.

While he is now a familiar face on TV, I asked him how anglicised he had become after so many years living in the UK and what Australian traits he still retained.

“My brothers and Aussie mates think I sound like a pom!” he told me. “But I feel as Aussie as I always have. I love my Australian passport and, of course, the cricket and the rugby – where I will always side with the Aussies!”

As for how influential cookery programmes like MasterChef have been in improving the standard of British cookery, John Torode is very definite. “The more that people watch MasterChef and similar programmes, the more knowledge they have,” he added. “The knock-on effect is that the public become more demanding and worldly wise.

“I think the shows are quite influential. Restaurants and eateries of all kinds have sprung up everywhere in the UK, and the standard has to be high or they do not survive!”

So what makes a MasterChef winner? “Tenacity and real want,” explained John. “Being a good cook is one thing, but wanting to feed people without an ego is a rare thing and something all the MasterChef winners have had.

“They are people without egos, who love to watch people smile because their food is delicious.”

As to what culinary disasters the TV audiences doesn’t see, the famous presenter asserted: “None. You get to see everything – including Gregg’s dancing!”

And who has been your favourite Celebrity MasterChef contestant? “Now that would be a little unfair …. But I do, however, have a soft spot for Lisa Faulkner!”

As for what the future holds for him and whether he would like to appear in any other kind of TV programme, John was happy to elucidate. “To travel the world, discover and cook is what I want to do.

“So take me anywhere and point a camera in my face and I would be as happy as Larry! I have just got back from filming in Malaysia and that was awesome.”

And that tempting morsel of information about what comes next for our culinary hero has only whetted our appetites for future appearances of the man who has helped encourage thousands of would-be cooks in their own kitchens. Even when vegetable lasagne is on the menu.

John’s latest book is My Kind of Food: Recipes I Love To Cook at Home by John Torode, published by Headline priced £25.

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| 21

HOME

Top tips for a Beautiful Home at Christmas 1. The Christmas tree is often the

main feature of decorating your

home for the festive season, so

place it in the room you will use the

most. Putting the tree by the

window gives a vision of warmth

and comfort to you and your

visitors before you have even come

inside, or putting it next to the

fireplace gives a fantastically

traditional setting for Christmas morning.

2.

Alternatively you could have trees in a number of rooms, which can be decorated to suit their environment – for example an edible selection of treats for the kitchen tree, and a tiny tree or just a decorated branch for the children’s rooms with wooden trains, soldiers, drums and fairies.

3.

If you are using a traditional colour scheme at Christmas of red and green, make one colour more dominant than the other such as lots of red with a splash of green as this will be more pleasing on the eye.

4.

Alternatively, a theme focusing on metallics could incorporate browns, oranges and golds, as well as amber and bronze to bring warmth

22 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

to your decor. Find branches of mottled oak leaves and create a display or a wreath using small bronze beads or gold acrylic drops.

5.

Glass can bring a stunning ice effect to your decorations. Choose a glass sculpture for the entranceway, or place baubles in decorative glass bowls for the table.

6.

A Jack Frost theme of white, silver and aqua will bring about a wintery charm. Choose a white berry garland that will add sparkle, or icicle lights for the tree. Crystals and clear baubles in floral decorations will glisten nicely - try them with a combination of white ranunculus, tulips and hyacinths for a stunning scent.

7.

A more decadent look can be achieved using heavier materials such as velvet. Mix rich red, purple and blues together for a sumptuous style. A purple feather wreath would welcome the theme warmly and velvet Christmas sacks and velvet skirts for under the tree will look gorgeously effective.

8. Bringing the outside in is a

fundamental part of Christmas

decorating, and alongside the tree, holly and ivy look fabulous with traditional amaryllis and roses.

Try creating a spray of lush green over a painting or on a mantle piece, or use a berry-covered branch to display your Christmas cards.

9.

Christmas wreaths also come in all shapes, textures and colours now, as well as the traditional green. Rings of bells will make a musical front door, or a feather version in unexpected hues such as aubergine, or even lime, will make an original statement. Twig wreaths for the minimalist can be enhanced with sticks of cinnamon, and a ring of eucalyptus or tiny fresh flowers would make a wonderfully scented arrangement.

10. Lighting is key at this time of

year, and a beautifully lit house is

a welcoming sight at the end of the

working day. Fibre optic displays

will bounce light around in windows

and rope lights look glorious under

the tree. For high ceilings, a

chandelier will bring the ultimate

decadence to your home.

11. Candles come into their own at

Christmas and a show of differing

types and sizes look wonderful

when combined with interesting

vases. Candles also glow beautifully

through cutwork metal and ceramic.

12. Outdoor lighting can also have a

transformative effect on your home.

A well-chosen lantern for the porch

will provide a festively warm

welcome, or contemporary wall

lights that pick out feature stone

or house numbers add to the

outdoor décor. If you are have

them then pick out niches, columns

or other architectural features to

celebrate the façade of your home,

or decorate a choice shrub or tree

instead to highlight your good taste.

By Niki Schäfer, MD of Dwell-Being www.dwell-being.co.uk

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| 23

FOOD & DRINK

Cook with John Torode!

Delicious recipes from his new book - My Kind Of Food GLAMORGAN SAUSAGES My search for a great vegetarian sausage recipe took me far and wide, from Australia to Asia to Ireland, with Europe in between. I finally stumbled across these little beauties closer to home – in Wales. They’re simply made with some cheese, breadcrumbs and a couple of eggs and they are grand. To my mind, they taste a bit like the stuffing you get from a good chicken. They are moreish, so beware.

Feeds 4 175g Caerphilly cheese or Cheshire cheese, grated 225g fresh breadcrumbs 1 banana shallot, grated 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley 1 tablespoon chopped chives 1 egg, beaten 20ml milk 1 teaspoon hot English mustard plain flour, for dusting 300ml vegetable oil, for frying salt and freshly ground black pepper jar of apple sauce or apple chutney, to serve

rode John To

For the coating 1 egg, beaten 50ml milk 50g plain flour 1 teaspoon paprika Prep the sausage mixture In a large bowl, mix the cheese, breadcrumbs, shallot and herbs and season with salt and pepper.

In a jug, beat together the egg, milk and mustard. Pour the egg mixture over the cheesy breadcrumbs and mash together until you get a dough.

24 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

On a lightly floured worktop, roll out the mix into long sausages roughly 2cm thick and then cut the sausages into 8cm lengths – you should get about eight.

Coat them

Beat the egg and milk together in a shallow dish. Spread out the flour in another dish and season with the paprika.

Roll the sausages in the egg mixture and then in the seasoned flour. Leave on a tray in the fridge for 10 minutes to set.

Cook the sausages

Heat the oil in a heavy-based frying pan and gently fry the sausages over a medium heat for about 4–5 minutes, turning, until brown all over. Drain well on kitchen paper. Serve with apple sauce or apple chutney.

For a non-vego version

Add bits of crisp bacon, flaked smoked haddock or shredded ham and chopped-up peas to the sausage mixture and then coat and cook as above.

FOOD & DRINK

Your perfect recipe needs top quality ingredients...

PURPLE SPROUTING BROCCOLI, LINGUINE, CHILLI AND PINE NUTS This is one of my quick, quick, the kids are starving (so am I) recipes. The amount of chilli you use is up to you; I serve some on the side for those who like it. Chopped sausages are a good addition: push the sausages out of their skins and cook them with the chilli and onions for a more blokey type of feast.

Feeds 4–6 50ml olive oil, plus extra for the pasta water 500g linguine 1 red onion, sliced 4 garlic cloves, sliced 2 long red chillies, split in half, de-seeded and sliced (optional) 300g purple sprouting broccoli, boiled for 2 minutes 20g pine nuts salt and freshly ground black pepper a big hunk of Parmesan, to serve Bring a really large pan of water (about 5 litres) to the boil with 2 teaspoons of olive oil and add the pasta. Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions.

Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a frying pan over a low– medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, cook gently and slowly for a few minutes until they are soft; keep the temperature low.

Season the onions well with loads of salt and pepper. Drop in the chilli (if using), and cook for a minute or so. Now drop in the cooked broccoli, give it a good stir and cook for a couple of minutes so that the broccoli gets hot. Add the pine nuts.

Drain the pasta and pour it into the pan with the onion and broccoli.

Turn up the heat and toss everything together.

Spoon onto plates or pile into a large heated bowl, and make sure there is loads of Parmesan to grate over the top.

Or try...

For grown-ups you can add a few anchovies.

Use different varieties of broccoli or Romanesco cauliflower, or even add some bitter leaves, like radicchio.

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| 25

FOOD & DRINK

TOMATO AND PESTO TARTS I have always been a sucker for anything cooked in, or with, puff pastry. These deep tarts are topped with the concentrated flavour of sweet tomatoes and the kick of a punchy pesto. Serve with peppery watercress. If you like, just make smaller individual ones as snacks for your hungry hordes.

Makes 4 tarts* * 1 each as a starter

500g block puff pastry (all-butter, if possible) plain flour, for dusting 1 egg, beaten 2 tablespoons pesto (see page 160 for home-made, or just use a jar) 8 plum tomatoes, sliced salt and freshly ground black pepper To serve 100g watercress 10ml peppery olive oil

Prep the pastry Heat the oven to 220°C/gas 7. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.

On a lightly floured worktop, roll the puff pastry out until it is about 2cm thick.

You will need to cut four circular discs from the pastry so you need to find a small plate or saucer that’s about 16cm in diameter to use as a template. Place the plate over the pastry and run a sharp knife around the edge to cut out the first disc. Repeat until you have four.

Now you need to lightly score a margin about 1.5–2cm in from the edge of the pastry discs, so find a smaller plate or bowl that you can use as a template.

Place the smaller plate in the centre of each pastry disc and lightly run a sharp knife around the edge, being careful not to cut all the way through.

Lift the disks onto the baking sheet and brush with the beaten egg. With a fork, prick the inner circle but not the outer edge – this will stop the pastry from rising in the middle but will allow the outer edge of the tart to rise up.

26 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Build the tarts Take a good amount of the pesto and spread it over the inner circle of each tart. Place the tops and bottoms of the tomatoes in the centre of the tarts, then start to lay the slices on top of the pesto so they overlap and create a swirl effect – it should look a bit like a Catherine wheel. Season with salt and pepper.

Place the tarts in the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, until well risen and coloured. Mix the watercress with the olive oil and serve with the tarts.

Tip

Cut out pastry discs, stack them between layers of cling film and keep them in the freezer – ready in case of an emergency!

Just take them out of the freezer 10 minutes before you want to cook them, then make the tarts and bake as above.

FOOD & DRINK

PEACH UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE My Nanna used to grow lots of fruit in her back garden – ladyfinger bananas, passion fruit, apples, limes, lemons, mulberries and strawberries – but my favourite were the peaches. Whenever I cook this cake I feel as though I could be 9 years old again, standing next to Nanna on a sunny Saturday, peaches just picked from the tree at the side of the house and the smell of her perfume and the wood-burning stove.

Makes 1 cake 5–6 peaches, cut in half and stones removed 400g caster sugar 1 vanilla pod, split in half lengthways and seeds scraped out 200g plain flour 1½ teaspoons baking powder 200g butter 4 eggs 30ml milk icing sugar, for dusting Heat the oven to 180°C/gas 4. Line the base of a 23cm springform cake tin with baking parchment.

Prep the peaches

Pop the peaches in a large pan with 200g of the sugar and the vanilla seeds and pod, cover with water – just enough to cover the fruit – and bring to the boil. Turn off the heat and cover with a lid and leave them for 20 minutes.

Make the cake batter

Sift the flour and the baking powder together into a bowl three times to aerate.

Beat the butter and the remaining sugar until white and doubled in size (an electric whisk is good for this). Add the eggs one at a time, beating until well mixed, then add the sifted flour and milk and mix well.

Lift the peaches out of their cooking liquid and arrange the wet peaches, cut-side down, over the base of the cake tin.

Pour the cake batter over the peaches and bake in the oven for 25–30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the tin a little – about 10–15 minutes – then gently turn out onto a plate and carefully peel off the paper.

Leave to sit for 30 minutes. Dust with icing sugar and serve warm.

Find these recipes and more in John’s latest book is My Kind of Food: Recipes I Love To Cook at Home by John Torode, published by Headline priced £25.

FOR MORE FOODIE ARTICLES VISIT WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

| 27

Peace of Mind for Your Future Like many of our clients you may be approaching or are in your retirement years, but have you prepared for the future, organised your affairs, made a Will, sorted out your pensions and thought what would happen if someday you were to become incapable of managing your own financial and welfare affairs?

The reality is that as the average lifespan increases the need to plan ahead is becoming ever more important.

We often hear talk about the ‘sandwich generation’, this is not people brought up on jam and bread, but instead a generation of adults sandwiched between supporting elderly parents and their own children, often making a will for themselves to protect their children’s inheritance, as well as managing the affairs of the older generation.

There are currently more people of pensionable age than there are children under 16 in the UK and more ‘60 year olds’ than there are ‘18 year olds’ and these figures are set to rise.

Our long-established Private Client team have a proud history of helping generations of clients. In fact, the fourth generation of the Pearson family works in this area of law. Private Client lawyers act, as the name suggests, for private individuals on a wide range of legal matters.

They write Wills and administer estates on death, in accordance with the terms of the will, before winding up the estate.

Our solicitors also deal with any disputes that arise as there can sometimes be a contentious side to this area.

Our work in this area includes: • • • • • • • • • •

Wills Trusts Probate Intestacy Lasting Powers of Attorney Tax, Estate & Financial Planning Services for Older People Contentious Probate Retirement Planning Court of Protection applications

Wills & Trusts Leaving your estate to those you intend and not the State need not be a complicated matter. Unfortunately, many people assume their spouse or partner will automatically inherit all of their estate or without proper planning, often leaving family members with a larger than necessary tax bill. A professionally drawn Will can also help to

avoid costly disputes which can eat into the inheritance of family and friends.

If you marry, have remarried, cohabit, have surviving children or grandchildren, are in a civil partnership, or are a single person with no close relatives, it is all the more pressing that a Will is made and reviewed every 5 years or as your personal circumstances change.

A carefully drafted tax-efficient Will can also minimise Inheritance Tax which is not only a massive tax but also a very avoidable one.

Trusts can also play an important part in this strategy.

Why make a Will?

Everyone who has property and who cares about what will happen to it on his or her death should make a will. If you die without one, your money and possessions may be distributed to people you do not believe should inherit them.

By making a will, the testator (the person who makes a will) will be able to determine by whom and the way in which his or her assets will be dealt with after death. It will also be possible to ensure that the people he or she wishes to benefit will do so, and in the manner intended.

your finances and make health and welfare decisions on your behalf when you are incapable.

Why do I need a Lasting Power of Attorney?

Powers of Attorney can be crucial and it is important not to leave it too late. If you do not appoint an attorney and are then deemed mentally incapable of running your finances, your assets will effectively be frozen and it will be up to a court to decide who handles your affairs.

It will become necessary for your relative, friend or solicitor to apply to the Court of Protection to obtain a deputyship and this can be a drawn out and expensive procedure.

How can Pearson Solicitors help?

Because we are experts and deal with clients every day we are the people to turn to. From our offices in Oldham, Ashton or Hollinwood we can meet with you face to face and answer any questions you may have, or we can arrange home visits to suit you.

What is a Grant of Probate?

Here’s one example of a client who needed an LPA:

Probate is the legal term describing the administration of the affairs of someone who has died. A member of our skilled team will guide you through this complex process.

Executors may need to apply for a Grant of Probate to be able to obtain the monies due to the estate, or for example to sell a property.

A recently bereaved gentlemen who had health issues was advised by a colleague to see us about a Power of Attorney. The colleague was going through the difficult, lengthy and costly process of applying to the Court of Protection for an order allowing him to deal with his mother’s affairs following her unexpected loss of capacity.

What if I want to contest a Will?

Our client went on to prepare both Health and Welfare and Property and Financial Affairs Powers of Attorney, giving peace of mind to him and his adult children – something his colleague wished he had sorted out with his own family.

Our specialist Contentious Probate team have the experience to advise you fully in what can often be a very difficult time if a will or estate is contested, or if you need to make a claim against an estate.

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?

This is a legal document allowing someone to make decisions on your behalf, manage

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“Obviously there is cost involved but in my experience this is far outweighed by the peace of mind a properly prepared Power of Attorney brings and the potential costs and inconvenience caused if you don’t” said Private Client Partner, Daniel Prince.

“Retirement should be a time to reward yourself and your family for many years of hard work and by planning ahead you increase the likelihood of living a financially secure retirement, maximising the returns on your investments and ensuring your wishes are carried out.”

“Our team includes solicitors who specialise in advising clients on their inheritance tax planning, will writing and services for older people. We also have a dedicated legal team who can challenge the elements of care that should be funded but haven't been. They can advise on whether or not you have been treated fairly, or if you are entitled to more financial and care support than you are currently receiving. It is that holistic approach that makes Pearson’s unique,” he explained.

Why not make it your New Year resolution to start 2016 off on a positive note and help safeguard your personal and financial wellbeing?

Open Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5pm Home visits and out of hours appointments can be arranged Whilst we can provide a consultation over the telephone we prefer to meet clients face to face to gain a true understanding of their individual needs and advise accordingly.

Professional Advice for all the family...

Contact us for a chat about any of our Private Client services, please call 0161 785 3500 or email

We provide appointments at any of our offices in Oldham, Ashton and Hollinwood.

enquiries@pearsonlegal.co.uk

“We pride ourselves on creating longstanding relationships with our clients and believe this is what makes us one of the most trusted law firms in the area.”

Private Client Solicitors

Wills, Probate, Intestacy, Estate Administration

Professional help in a time of need We have a proud history of helping generations of clients who trust us to make their Wills and administer their estates on death.

• • • •

Wills and Trusts Lasting Powers of Attorney Probate Intestacy

www.pearsonlegal.co.uk

Speak to us today

0161 785 3500

• Estate Planning • Contentious Probate • Services for older people

enquiries@pearsonlegal.co.uk

Paul Nicholas Laid-back high-achiever Paul catches up with us to discuss his long career, from Just Good Friends right up to his current roles as Gavin Sullivan in Eastenders and Scrooge in A Christmas Carol which runs from December 4th - January 3rd at Winter Gardens, Blackpool.

It's quite likely that one of the keys to actor Paul Nicholas’s success is a no-stress policy that extends to most parts of his life.

When we talked, he was in the middle of a lengthy run of the Agatha Christie play “And Then There Were None”, and had been playing in Westcliff on Sea that day. “We’re somewhere else next week but I’m not sure where,” he replies

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in the familiar and friendly tones that have endeared him to TV and theatre audiences for the past 40 or so years.

The exact tour location wasn’t somewhere he was particularly worried about but the play – in which he is a judge “typically serious and quite posh, actually” – was one project sandwiched among several. For example, he had also just come back from a stint directing the musical “Tommy” in Blackpool with Joe McEldery – “who is brilliant and really can sing”.

These commitments had made another facet of his recent career, as Kathy Beale’s husband, Gavin Sullivan, in TV favourite “EastEnders”, a little difficult to achieve as filming had to be arranged around the hectic Nicholas schedule.

So, was he enjoying this new TV role.

“Oh yes,” he asserts, happily. “I love doing different things and this is great.” And is Gavin nice or nasty?

“He’s not one or the other, really,” he states. “Just highly strung.” So we’ll have to wait and see how this interesting character develops.

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW It ended in 1986 with the couple marrying and afterwards Paul starred in major drama series “Bust” and another “Close to Home” - a sitcom about a vet.

In fact, during this period he became a small screen regular and favourite for millions, especially women.

Since then, he has returned to the theatre to play numerous roles, notably as the Pirate King in “The Pirates of Penzance” and in the lead role in “Barnum”.

He has both toured and had West End runs. His mercurial nature means he doesn’t mind touring too much, although he was hoping that his EastEnders’ character would have some longevity as “it’s only half an hour away from home for filming and so it’s easy.”

...we all need to continue doing the things we like, and also doing a variety of things.

I think that’s what keeps you healthy.

This laidback but high-achieving approach has stood Paul Nicholas in good stead ever since he first came to public attention as a pop singer called Paul Dean in the late 1970s. He had two Top Ten hits but then decided to combine singing with acting and headed for the stage, taking the role of Rum Tum Tugger in the original London cast of the musical “Cats” in the early 1980s to great success.

He also had a film career around this time with appearances in the Beatles’ film “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and followed that up with “The World is Full of Married Men.” He then went against his perceived nice-guy type as the loutish punk singer in “The Jazz Singer” before starring with Joan Collins in “The Nutcracker” in 1983.

What many TV fans remember Paul most for, however, was the role of Vince in the gentle romantic comedy “Just Good Friends” with Jan Francis, written by John Sullivan. Millions tuned in each week to see how the engaging romance, and its two charismatic central characters, fared.

He’s canny enough to know that appearing on TV also sells theatre tickets – “well, people like to come to see you when your profile is high, don’t they?”

But he has plainly been offered plenty of high-profile theatre roles and is naturally viewed as a box-office safe bet.

He doesn’t feel the need for labourintensive pets these days, “but I have a tortoise called Toby that I’ve had for 20 years who is wonderful,” he states.

“He goes around our walled garden all day and I bring him in at night, if I can find him. He’s perfectly happy – I bought him a little lamp the other day and he loves keeping warm!”

Ask him to name his own favourite roles and he immediately plumps for Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof” and King Arthur in “Camelot.” “I like playing King Arthur,” he confides. “You know, Lancelot runs off with his wife Guinevere. We always get a few sniffles from the audience at the end, which tells you that it’s working.”

He’s 69 now, with six children and 11 grandchildren, but he’s retained a youthful look and still has that glint in his eye. He appears to refuse to take most things in life seriously. He doesn’t exercise – “that’s not true, really. My house has a basement and three floors so I try to run up the stairs. Well, I run up the first few!”

He doesn’t drink alcohol much, likes a “meat and two veg” kind of diet with no spicy food and is unlikely to die from stress. His mother lived until she was 92, which he takes as a positive sign – “it’s in the genes” - but his workload continues to be quite full-on.

Does he feel like slowing down a bit as he gets older? “Not really,” he says, mildly. “I’m sure that, like most of your readers, we all need to continue doing the things we like, and also doing a variety of things. I think that’s what keeps you healthy.”

With most information that Paul Nicholas gleefully imparts, you feel you should be taking it with a large pinch of salt. But there is no denying that he has a relaxed philosophy on life that has stood him in very good stead over the years.

He has no real desire to play particular roles, although was looking forward to a four-week stint as Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” at Blackpool Winter Gardens from December 4th to January 3rd. “Yes, it’s an exciting production,” he enthuses. “It’s quite an adult show but it’s got ghosts for the children and families do love this show.

“I like Blackpool,” he adds. “It’s a great place for all ages. It doesn’t pretend to be anything it isn’t and people have a good time.”

And, actually, that general description could be extended to Paul Nicholas himself. He’s a talented actor and singer, not to mention a director and producer, whose life just seems to go from one success to another – all quite by some mysterious quirk of fate.

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Are You Missing Out? Have you noticed the revolution that’s been going in recent years?

Everyone seems to be talking computers, laptops, broadband or facebook.

Well, maybe you‘ve noticed and decided that even the terminology is beyond you. In any case, why, you ask yourself, would you need e-mails or digital cameras? But there’s a lot more to computers than that. They’ve changed the way we shop, book holidays, compare prices and keep in touch with family. We can look up recipes, check on the latest tools for the garden and home, check on the latest scams targeting older people, look up organisations offering respite care, wheelchairs or other equipment, and we can get up to the minute advice on help for the elderly or disabled.

There was a time, not so long ago, if we were travelling by train, when we had to check time tables by going to the station, and bought our tickets just before we boarded. For holidays we had to rely on checking adverts for hotels and air flights, then hoped our chosen holiday company were giving us the best possible prices. Quite often of course, once on holiday, we discovered there were far better hotels, at far more competitive prices, but we’d had no way of knowing about them. And closer to home, you’ve discovered your neighbours have bought the same washing machine as you, but at much less cost, because they did price comparisons on the Internet.

They’re computer savvy, and use it before they shop, or book holidays and airline tickets, frequently saving themselves a significant amount of money. From my own personal experience, I recently saved well over £150 by booking a holiday apartment in the Algarve on the Internet, instead of going through a travel agent.

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Jobs take our families far from home, but the computer can bring them into your living room at the touch of a button. You can e-mail them, and get a response in minutes. You can send pictures of your prize winning dahlias, or the cat, and receive pictures of your children and grandchildren. You can even get e-mails from your grandchildren at a very early age, because children use computers almost as soon as they can read. And how often have you missed your favourite programme on the TV. With a computer, you can look up the last seven days programmes on BBC or ITV, and it couldn’t be simpler to rerun them. You can also check on the latest news, weather and financial ups and downs.

Just before Christmas, I was snowed in. Normally, this wouldn’t have been too much of a problem, but at this time of year, without a computer, it could have been a disaster. I had to get to the bank, I needed to get more Christmas cards, and I’d promised to send photos of the family to relatives. Apart from that, I was keen to do a few price comparisons before I bought late Christmas presents. As it was, I had the computer, I had the Internet, and within the hour, I’d transferred funds from a savings account to my current account, I arranged to send Christmas e-cards to various far flung relatives, I’d e-mailed the photographs, and I’d checked on a few prices. As a real bonus, just days before, I’d trawled the shops searching for an old fashioned alarm clock, but was told ‘they didn’t do that sort of clock any more’. A quick check on e-bay resulted in at least ten different models of clocks which still had alarms to blast the most comatose teenager out of bed within seconds. Within minutes, I‘d ordered one, and paid through PayPal, which has a system of checks and balances in its system which makes it the leader in safe online payments.

And what about photography?

Who, these days, still takes snaps with a wind on camera, and then has to take them to be developed, only to find that half of them are useless. Today, we have digital cameras, which allow us to check through the viewfinder to make sure the picture is good. Then we can plug our camera into the computer, bring up the pictures, and play around with them.

We can crop, straighten, increase or decrease size, sharpen focus and change light settings. We can put them in a frame, or make them into greetings cards. Keen gardeners can open a special folder for pictures of their prize vegetables or flowers, and keen cooks can take photographs of their special iced cakes or pastries, and send them off to other keen cooks with the recipes. It doesn’t stop there. Whatever your hobby, you can look it up on the Internet, and find others with the same passion.

The age of the computer is well and truly upon us, and anyone who doesn’t have this technology is missing out. It may seem daunting to a beginner, and the terminology is alien to anyone over sixty, but don’t be put off. Find a course at your local Adult Education Centre, and make a start. If you don’t own a computer, your local library probably has some for use by the public, and you can practise between classes on these. Before you know it, you’ll be computer literate, and a whole new world is right there in front of you, just waiting to be explored.

TAMESIDE CHRISTMAS MARKET 2015 THIS year’s third version of the Tameside Christmas Markets will have a true festive feel.

include the hugely popular Great2Skate rink in close proximity to the children’s rides.

close to the food stalls near the clock tower, with the popular rustic beer tent, with its selection of continental beers and steaming mugs of mulled wine which offers visitors a central location and meeting point where they can oversee the whole event.

In response to demand from people from all over the borough, the organisers have concentrated on bringing in different traders, including Christmas wreaths and cards and a raft of festive goods from candles and cakes to cards and crafts.

Many local dance troupes and entertainers have already signed up to appear on the stage, which will be sited

The layout of the market will revert to the successful version of 2013 and will

The opening times are 10am-7pm Monday to Thursday, 10am-9pm & Fridays and Saturdays, 10-am-5pm Sundays.

The market opens on Friday December 11 and runs through to Sunday December 20.

Friday 11th - Sunday 2 th 0 December Market Street, Ashton-under-Lyne(next to indoor Market)

Food & Festive Gift Cabins•Festive Bar Area•Santa’s Grotto (Synthetic) Ice Skating Rink LIVE Entertainment• WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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OUT & ABOUT

Springhill Hospice Fundraising Christmas Fair

Of Mice and Men

Springhill Hospice, Broad Lane, Rochdale OL16 4PZ Sunday 15 November 2015 10.00am - 3.00pm

Set during hard times in 1930s California, this is an adaptation from the wonderful classic novel by John Steinbeck.

Lyceum Theatre, Oldham

by John Steinbeck 13 – 21 Nov 2015

Enjoy a festively fun day walking around the 2015 Christmas Fair. With over 40 stalls and seasonal treats for everyone, it is not to be missed!

Pedal the Ashton Canal

FREE!

Portland Basin Museum An easy five mile family bike along the Ashton Canal to the Fairfield Moravian Settlement and back.The bike ride will be led by Sky Ride. Helmets must be worn by all under 18's regardless of ride level.

All ages are welcome.

Sunday 22nd November 2015 from 1:15pm to 2:45pm

For more information call 01706 641790

Cinderella

Hyde Festival Theatre

Those under the age of 5 must be in a BSI approved child seat, trailer or tag-a-long.

Please make sure your bike is in good working order, Ride Leaders are there to help but are not responsible for your bike. Booking recommended.

30th November - 5th December 2014 @ 7.15 pm Saturday Matinee at 2.15 pm Cinderella is probably everyone favourite panto and was, in fact our first pantomime in 1974. This version has all the traditional elements slapstick, chitchat, a touch of romance and a story everybody knows.

For more information call 0161 343 2878

Corporation Street, Hyde, Tameside SK14 1AB

THE NEXT ISSUE OF

Desperado (Eagles Tribute) Friday 27 November 7:30pm Waterside Arts Centre, 1 Waterside Plaza, Sale M33 7ZF £14 Advance/£16 on the Door

OLDHAM, ROCHDALE & TAMESIDE IS PUBLISHED IN FEBRUARY

For details of advertising CALL 01204 860 194 or email artwork@mcgrathmedia.co.uk today.

For more info visit www.lyceumtheatre.org.uk 95 Union Street, Oldham, OL1 1QG

A Passionate Woman at the Millgate Arts Centre 21-28 Novemner 2015 Sponsored by Saddleworth Rotary

by Kay Mellor

Betty, a passionate doting mum from Leeds finds it hard to accept that her son, Mark, is leaving the fold to get married.

On the wedding morning she retreats to the loft where she relives her long-lost youth and the affair with the man she might have married.

It provides great entertainment not just for the kids, but mums and dads and the rest of the family too.

For more information email info@hydefestivaltheatre.org.uk Tel: 0844 8042634

On winning the Nobel Prize for Literature, he talked about celebrating “man’s capacity for greatness of heart and spirit; gallantry in defeat; courage, compassion, and love.” This play embodies these human traits, as you are drawn into the journey of Lennie and George and the people they meet.

Desperado pay homage to the musical phenomenon that is The Eagles by faithfully recreating all of the biggest selling singles from their extensive repertoire - and many more of your favourite songs - live on stage in their new show.

Join them on that street corner in Winslow Arizona or on that dark desert highway, and relish sweet vocal harmonies and great guitar licks, slides and solos: the trademark of one of the world’s favourite bands.

For more information email watersideartscentre@trafford.gov.uk

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A heartfelt, provocative, often very funny and beautifully written play.

Saddleworth Players Saddleworth Players is a thriving amateur theatre company based in the Millgate Arts Centre, Delph. The society produces five plays per season, a Christmas production and participates in the fouryearly Saddleworth Festival of the Arts.

The standard season consists of five plays, in additional to which they put on one act plays which tours the north of England performing in festivals, regular Christmas productions, and a subscribers’ night show at the end of each season. There is always room for new actors, workers on stage, backstage helpers, front of house and bar staff. For more information, please contact Edwina Rigby on 0161 626 3917.

They also have regular play readings which take place in the bar, which are a great opportunity for people to come along, meet people from the theatre and get involved. For more information, please contact Maurice Reid on 01457 874096.

OUT & ABOUT

Problems with your Motorhome or Caravan?

Visit Hollingworth Lake Hollingworth Lake Visitor Centre, Rakewood Road, Littleborough OL15 0AQ In Victorian times Hollingworth Lake was known as the "The Weighvers' Seaport".

Now once again visitors can enjoy many outdoor attractions and an excellent Visitor Centre. Spanning 118 acres with the dramatic backdrop of Blackstone Edge, the lake is one of the most popular days out in the area.

Oldham Symphony Orchestra - Soloist Kenneth Heeks (Clarinet) 7:30 pm, Sunday 22nd November 2015 Hulme Grammar School, Chamber Road,Oldham OL8 4BX Finzi: Clarinet Concerto Butterworth: A Shropshire Lad Vaughan Williams: A London Symphony Tickets: £10, (concessions £6, children £3) For more information call 01457 877743

With boating, a nature reserve, trails, events, guided walks, Visitor Centre, community arts, environmental exhibitions, play and picnic areas it is the perfect day out for all the family.

The Water Activity Centre on Lake Bank caters for groups and individuals wanting instruction in windsurfing, dinghy sailing and other water-based sports, and now arranges training for groups in mountain biking and climbing. The Lake is also a base for a sailing club and a rowing club.

The wider Country Park has plenty of walking routes, from easy strolls around the lake shore to sturdier trecks in the surrounding hills. The Country Park Visitor Centre, off Rakewood Road, has leaflets and guide books for these walks. Whilst the Country Park is open every day of the year, the Visitor Centre is open on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday during the winter.

The lake is well served by a selection of cafes, pubs, and restaurants, as well as B&Bs and a caravan and camping site for overnight stays.

Hollingworth Lake Craft Fair Sunday 29 November 2015 11.30am - 3.30pm

• Motorhome and Caravan repairs • Recovery service • MOT preparation • FULL servicing Refurbishment • Luxury motorhomes built to order • ...and much more

CALL

0161 8500 949 or EMAIL

info@regalcoachworks.co.uk

FOR FREE COLLECTION

Enhance your walk around Hollingworth Lake with a visit to our ever popular craft fair.

With 15 stalls, cafe and play area there's something for everyone.

Free!

For more details contact Karen Clewer 01706 373 421

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Christmas at Tommyfield Clear your calendar this Christmas and spend a day at Tommyfield Market Hall.

With the new tram links from Manchester and Rochdale, it’s now even easier to visit Tommyfield.

December sees a mix of events in Oldham town centre: Christmas Reindeer Parade 14 November, 11am–3pm, High Street.

It’s not just Santa Claus who’ll be flying into town – he’ll be bringing his real reindeers with him.

Oldham’s Light Switch On 22 November, food market and funfair, 2–4pm, stage show, 4.45–5.45pm, behind the Market Hall.

Food stalls, funfair, performances from Bing and Flop and Britain’s Got Talent stars, ‘Old Men Grooving’. Plus a fantastic firework display.

Brass Monkeys 5 December, 11am–4pm, High Street.

See performances from Britain’s best brass bands whilst you shop throughout the day.

Victorian Steampunk Saturday 19 December, 10am–5pm, High Street.

Be transported back in time with traditional attractions, side shows and magical street entertainment.

There will be free face painting in Tommyfield Market Hall, 11am–3pm, at each event so bring the kids or grandkids and have a browse around the many businesses.

For more information:

www.oldham.gov.uk/markets

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Our Christmas opening times: This year the Market Hall will be open on the three Sundays before Christmas 6, 13, 20 December.

Christmas Eve - 8.30am–4pm Christmas Day - closed Boxing Day - closed 28 December - closed New Year’s Eve - 9am–4pm Live performances from brass bands every Sunday and free facepainting, every Saturday and Sunday from 6 December.

Tommyfield Market Hall

Discover the secrets - you might be surprised at what you’ll find.

Located in the heart of Oldham, just a short journey from the bus and tram networks, its home to some of the best produce and people around.

Albion Street, Oldham town centre, OL1 3BG. • www.oldham.gov.uk/markets E: markets@oldham.gov.uk • F: facebook.com/tommyfieldmarkethall

OUT & ABOUT

Sponsored by

Oldham's award-winning traditional family panto is back!

Off Peak Performance Prices Full Price: £17.00 Child (under 16): £13.00 Concessions: £15.00 Family Ticket: £54.00 Peak Performance Prices Full Price: £19.50 Child (under 16): £14.50 Concessions: £17.00 Family Ticket: £62.00

‘‘If you’re ready for some festive magic, it definitely starts here’’ - Manchester Evening News

Saturday 14 November 2015 - Saturday 9 January 2016 0161 624 2829 / coliseum.org.uk

50 Plus Mother Goose.indd 1

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10/6/2015 11:11:25 AM

OUT & ABOUT

FREE LEGAL ADVICE GENERAL SURGERY EVERY MONDAY & THURSDAY 4.30 - 5.30PM

CHILDCARE SURGERY EVERY WEDNESDAY 4.30 - 5.30PM FAMILY SURGERY EVERY MONDAY & THURSDAY 3.30 - 5.30PM

T: 0161 330 6821 F: 0161 343 1719 Out of hours: 07785 531221

www.bromleys.co.uk 50 Wellington Road, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 6XL

The Oldham Pals Exhibition

Bury Market has a well deserved reputation for friendly service, fantastic produce and great value.

Running now until 8 Jan 2016 Oldham Council is commemorating the borough’s heroes of World War One with a new roving exhibition.

The displays recognise the bravery of the ‘Oldham Pals’.

‘The Oldham Pals’, remembers the legacy of the 24th Manchester’s Battalion. It recalls the efforts of the Oldham Pals on the Western Front and Italy using archives and stories of the men who were there.

Located off J2 of the M66 and with over 350 stalls open every Full Market Day it’s easy to find and even easier to enjoy!

Bury Town Centre is also home to the Fusilier Museum, East Lancashire Railway, Bury Transport Museum and Bury Art Gallery.

The exhibition will travel to different libraries from September 5 and will spend approximately three weeks in each facility.

The Oldham Pals available to view in Crompton Library from September 5.

If residents have any stories to tell conflicts in World War One or World War Two, get in touch.

These will play an important part in the four year project, Oldham Remembers.

If you do have a story to tell, please email oldhamremembers@oldham.gov. uk or call 0161 770 3297 For more information visit www.oldhamremembers.org.uk

Bury Market Hall: Open every day except Sunday Full Markets Open: Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays “Winner National Coach Tourism Awards” Coach Friendly Shopping Destination of the Year “Winner NABMA’s” Best Market Attraction

Lowry Walk

Sunday 22nd November 2015 from 1:30pm to 4:00pm

CONNECT WITH US ONLINE

Portland Basin car park Join Paul Nethercott on a walk around Portland Basin looking at its natural and historic aspects and spot the views which Lowry used in some of his paintings.

For more information call 0161 343 2878

Bury Market Management: Tel: 0161 253 6520 Email: burymarkets@bury.gov.uk Web: www.burymarket.com : @BuryMarket

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

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PROTECTING YOUR HEART’S HEALTH Dr Jonathan Swan, MBChB, FRGP (UK) MD Consultant Cardiologist

It’s never too late to improve your lifestyle and protect your heart, or if you’re already suffering from heart disease, there are steps you can take to prevent it from getting worse.

Angina is the term used for chest discomfort or pain due to reduced blood flow through the coronary arteries, which take blood to the heart. Angina pain often occurs with activities or stress, as this is the time when the heart requires more blood.

The heart requires a constant supply of oxygen. Coronary arteries carry blood containing this oxygen to the heart. Coronary artery disease, which causes the coronary arteries to become narrowed or blocked, is the commonest cause of angina.

Coronary artery disease has a number of well-known risk factors including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking. Angina is most commonly related to exertion but will also be aggravated by cold weather, emotional stress and large meals.

Patients with suspected angina chest pains require prompt referral to a Consultant Cardiologist for full assessment, diagnosis, advice and treatment.

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CARDIOLOGY

EVERY HEARTBEAT MATTERS Management includes use of medications to control the symptoms, prevent progression of disease and reduce the risk of heart attack. Specialised investigations are often used to confirm the diagnosis and direct long term treatment.

Revascularisation may be necessary using either percutaneous coronary intervention and stents (PCI) or coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).

The Cardiologist will also advise on lifestyle issues to help prevent progression of the disease; undoubtedly prevention is better than cure and nowadays there is a strong emphasis on coronary prevention strategies.

This includes careful assessment, monitoring and treatment of the known risk factors.

BMI The Highfield Hospital is part of BMI Healthcare, Britain’s largest provider of independent healthcare.

Our commitment is to quality and value, providing facilities for advanced surgical procedures together with friendly, professional care.

BMI The Highfield Hospital has 47 beds with most rooms offering the privacy and comfort of en-suite facilities, satellite TV and telephone.

The hospital has three theatres and an extended recovery area. These facilities, combined with our technology and on-site support services, enable our consultants to undertake a wide range of procedures from routine investigations to complex surgery. This specialist expertise is supported by caring and professional medical staff, with dedicated nursing teams and Resident Medical Officers on duty 24 hours a day.

For more information, or to book an appointment, please call us on 0800 096 2987.

Serious about health.

Passionate about care.

CDS11110

CARDIOLOGY

HAVE YOU BEEN FEELING OFFBEAT RECENTLY? At BMI North West Heart Clinic we offer a comprehensive healthy heart service – so if you’ve been suffering from chest pains, blackouts, palpitations or breathlessness come and talk to us, we have a package that’s right for you.

Based at both The Alexandra Hospital in Cheadle and The Highfield Hospital in Rochdale, our highly specialised consultants are supported by a multi-disciplinary team of nurses, imaging staff and cardiac physiologists, enabling us to offer you high quality care to keep things ticking over.

EVERY HEARTBEAT MATTERS. Full assessment including blood tests, blood pressure check, urine analysis, BMI assessment, ECG, echocardiogram and exercise ECG available for £550.

What’s more, even if you aren’t covered by private medical insurance, ask us about our BMI Card* to spread the cost of your treatment at 0% APR representative for the first 12 months.

For more information, or to book an appointment, please call us on 0800 096 2987.

Serious about health.

Passionate about care.

Working with:

*BMI Card is a credit facility offered by BMI Healthcare Limited, BMI Healthcare House, 3 Paris Garden, London, SE1 8ND. 0% interest for 12 months then 0.79% per month, representative 9.9% APR variable. Up to £20,000 available (subject to status). Monthly repayment 5% of balance or £25 whichever is greater or balance if lower than £25.

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The eyes...

A window to good health We don’t always think about our eyes when we think about ageing and our changing bodies. After all, we only tend to notice problems when we feel pain or discomfort.

However, careful management of our lifestyle, our diet and the level of exercise we get can be of benefit for the whole of our bodies, including our eyes.

So how do we know if we are starting to have problems?

Difficulty reading and doing close work As we age the shape of our eye lens changes and becomes less flexible. This makes it more difficult for our eyes to focus on objects that are near to us and we may need more light to see things that are close to us. This is a known eye sight problem of ageing and is known as presbyopia.

Problems with glare Changes in the lens shape of the eye mean that the light entering the eye, through the pupil ,tends to be scattered as opposed to being focussed on the retina. The result is that we may experience more glare from headlights and the sun.

Changes in colour perception As we age the lens can become discoloured, making it harder for us to distinguish different shades of a colour.

Dry eyes The tear ducts tend not to produce as many tears as we age, particularly for women after the menopause. This can lead to dry eyes and irritation.

What else do we need to be aware of as we age?

There are some eye conditions which are typically associated with ageing which we need to look out for.

These are:

Cataracts: These are caused by clouding of the lens in the eye. Symptoms include some of the above that occur in the normal ageing process but if you notice troubling

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symptoms associated with night-time glare, loss of visual acuity and colour differentiation it is best to get it checked out by an optician.

Glaucoma: Glaucoma occurs when there is a rise of pressure inside the eye which can damage the optic nerve. Quite often there are few symptoms at first, which makes it all the more important for those at risk to have regular eye checks. People who are at an increased risk of developing the condition are those with diabetes, heart disease or a hereditary factor. Symptoms to look out for are pain around the eyes, headaches and loss of peripheral vision.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): AMD is the most common cause of vision loss in people over the age of 55 years.

It is caused by deterioration of the retina and in the early stages there is little or no vision loss. However, as the disease advances the central part of vision is affected and people find that they can only see well peripherally.

How to look after our eyes There can be no substitute for regular sight tests after the age of 45 years, but awareness of the conditions that could affect our eyes as we age will help to notice and manage these conditions, hopefully in the early stages of onset.

Studies have also shown that omega 3 is useful in retinal function and so a combination of foods containing omega 3 and these antioxidants is essential to maintain good eye health after the age of 45 years.

So what can we do to help our eyes stay healthy?

Remember though, if you would prefer— seek out a supplement. It is better to have these nutrients and good fats in our diet than not at all.

Keep up the anti-oxidants!

Fruit, especially bilberries

The eyes, particularly the lens, retina and macula typically contain high levels of antioxidants which protect the body from free radicals. Too many free radicals behave like toxins in our bodies and are known to alter lipids, proteins and DNA which can lead to disease. The antioxidants that are known to help protect the eyes against disease are Lutein and Zeaxanthin, but as we age, levels diminish , meaning that it becomes more important to replace them through our diet.

Getting the right anti-oxidants through food Not greens again!?

Yes, they really are the best thing for us.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin can be found in leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach. For those who don’t eat much of these types of vegetables, add them to existing recipes. Finely chopped into casseroles and bolognaise can ensure

SPEC TACKLE

that we get the nutrients we need. For those who love leafy green vegetables, just eat more, larger portions and more regularly.

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is believing Budget to designer ranges starting from only £19.95 complete with single vision lenses!

All fruit in general, particularly of the citrus variety is good though as it contains Vitamin C which is good for our general health and immune systems.

Bilberries have been shown to be another powerful antioxidant. This fruit contains substances known as anthcyanosides which help to protect both the retina and the lens of the eye.

Bring in your current prescription and choose from 100's of frames. All types of lenses available.

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It is a well- known- fact that the RAF during the Second World War were offered bilberry jam to help the pilots see their target in the dark!! So for those lucky enough to live near morrland—get picking, otherwise, there is always jam or again supplements, if the latter is not available.

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This article has provided you with some information about the problems that can affect our eyes as we age. However let’s look at them (excuse the pun!) head on and practice prevention, with a good diet, as opposed to cure which can be, but not always, as effective.

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Can your will protect your property from residential care fees?

We are a nation of home owners and for most people their property is their main asset and they have saved long and hard to buy their home, both so they have something to live in but also so that they can leave it to their children and families. Therefore a particular area of concern for many people is how they will fund residential care home fees and whether they will be forced to sell their property to pay fees.

People are living longer and the cost of long-term care is increasing. So how can you protect your estate and pass your assets on to your children or chosen beneficiaries?

The Current Position

Should you or your partner/spouse require residential care, the local authority will assess both your income and assets (bank accounts, property, stocks and shares etc.) to determine what (if any) financial assistance is available to you.

With care fees starting at £20,000 per annum but typically costing considerably more, the reality of care costs is a worry and your assets may quickly become depleted.

The table below sets out the current assessment rules employed by local authorities

Value of assets (including the family home)

Local authorities are becoming more vigilant about schemes that give away a person’s home or other assets during their lifetime, especially if that person’s motivation in doing so is to avoid paying long-term care fees.

New legislation has given the local authorities increased powers to pursue those assets.

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What can be done?

However, as the old saying goes, “where there is a will, there is a way”. With careful planning and advice a couple can make wills, while both partners are alive and mentally capable, that can protect at least a half share of their jointly owned property.

It is important to make a will so that you can choose how you wish your estate to be distributed and who you would like to benefit from your estate. By taking advice and putting in place a will which includes a trust to protect a half share of your jointly owned property you are also ensuring that you will have an estate left to pass to your beneficiaries and loved ones.

SUSANNE FURNESS sfurness@bromleys.co.uk

Bromleys Solicitors have been serving the needs of the Tameside community for over 150 years. Our lawyers are recognised experts in their field. We have extensive experience of drafting wills for all types of situations. If you want to know how best to protect your assets and wish to make a will or discuss this or any other matter, then please feel free to call or contact one of our experts in our Wills and Probate team.

Financial assistance from the local authority

Less than £14,250

Full financial assistance available

Between £14,250 and £23,250

Partial assistance available

Over £23,250

No financial assistance available

KATE FLETCHER

kfletcher@bromleys.co.uk

50 Wellington Road, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 6XL T: 0161 330 6821 F: 0161 343 1719 W: www.bromleys.co.uk

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The contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article.

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HEALTH & FITNESS

Importance of Sleep to the Brain and our Psychological Health 1.

Uninterrupted Sleep Our brain works at its best - including our concentration, creativity and ability to retain information - when our mind is well rested. Uninterrupted sleep activates changes in the brain and establishes firmer connections between brain cells thereby transmitting information from one area of the brain to another more efficiently.

2.

Limit Your Working Hours Forcing your brain to work well into the night and depriving it of sleep is not conducive to career success, nor wellbeing. Sleep deprivation has been known to lower the immune system and can also affect our mental health, leading to problems such as depression and anxiety.

3.

Early Night Busy lifestyles and consistent sleep shortage is known to affect blood flow to the brain even causing brain cells to lack necessary oxygen which can contribute to sending our memory into serious decline.

4. Insomnia The brain of a patient with chronic insomnia is like someone who is always switched on and ‘wired’. Compared to good sleepers, neurons have been found to be more ‘excitable’. This evidently explains why sufferers struggle with sleep because the brain is constantly active.

Some of us are able to train our brains

to let us sleep so talk to your GP to see about the various things you can do to help yourself including hypnotherapy.

5.

Electronic Devices These days, we’re hardly ever without an electronic device within arm’s reach.

Detailed studies have shown that light emitted from electrical devices can miscue our brain to assume that we should remain awake. Keep them in another room when you sleep.

6.

Weight Gain Some studies suggest as much as 33% of us don’t get as much sleep as we need.

Our hormones can be affected by lack of sleep and it is thought that there is a decrease in a hormone which causes satiety and an increase in a hormone which causes hunger as a result of sleep deprivation. Be aware that almost certainly when we are tired we can trick ourselves into thinking we need to fuel ourselves with more food to get through the day.

7.

Improved Learning Studies have shown that those who are well rested are more effective when it comes to learning or problem-solving.

Sleep offers time for the brain to rest with fewer distractions and new things to respond to, with renewed energy helping

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By Dr Lynda Shaw to process and consolidate information more efficiently.

8.

Safety First Lack of sleep prevents the mind and body from functioning well throughout the day and can be particularly dangerous for those who are driving. Sleep deficiency has been known to impair driving ability with similar responses to those who have had too much to drink.

9.

Burning The Midnight Oil New researchers claim that prolonged awake time can destroy a certain type of brain cell (locus ceruleus) neurons, which is key to controlling our awake and alert state and can even lead to irreversible injury to the brain.

10.

Preserve Emotional Memory Studies have found that sleep helps us to preserve our greatest memories and downgrade those that are of lesser importance. Without sufficient sleep, our brains can almost certainly find it more difficult to distinguish between the two.

www.drlyndashaw.com

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H.REVELL &

S O N S

A F A M I L Y B U S I N E S S F O R S I X G E N E R AT I O N S Denise and daughter Cassie are the Funeral Directors at H. Revell & Sons, a family-owned and run company based in Stalybridge. The company was formed in 1888 by Denise's great, great grandfather, Edward Hepworth Revell. With Denise's daughter Cassie Roberts now part of the team, this makes it a family business for six generations!

“Over the 126 years we have carved out a reputation as a company that people can trust, and this milestone is an achievement of which we are very proud.”

Although funerals have changed considerably since Victorian times, we believe their traditional values still hold true.

“We were taught to be honest in our dealings with the public and to help them as much as possible in their hour of need.

Integrity is everything. Because people are vulnerable when they lose someone, the funeral profession needs to conduct itself honourably. We are bound by a strict code of conduct, as stipulated by our trades association, The National Association of Funeral Directors.”

The company ethos is to provide a dignified, quality and caring service whilst keeping a competitive edge. “Most of our work comes from repeat business or referrals from our clients. There are families where four or five generations have used our company. Knowing you can turn to someone you know and trust can be a tremendous relief.”

A good Funeral Director needs to be strong, yet sensitive; they need to have excellent organisational skills, be genuinely interested in people and be willing to go that extra mile.

With Denise and Cassie's leadership skills we discreetly take control of the situation, relieving the pressure that inevitably accompanies death.

Pre-payment plans for peace of mind “A lot of our clients are now asking about pre-payment plans. With the cost of funerals rising faster than the rate of inflation we are finding people want to freeze the cost by taking out a pre-paid plan. It offers great peace of mind if there are no relatives to make arrangements and if there are relatives, then it takes the burden off them and reduces the stress that comes with losing a loved one.”

If you would like to discuss funeral plans further please give Denise, Cassie or Linny a call.

David was looked after by Denise and we cannot thank her enough for the way she handled everything. Denise and the staff were excellent and made this very difficult time much easier for us. She organised everything for us and rang us daily to check we were ok - a very caring service. Thank you so much.

Lesley & Charly

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Tel/Fax 0161 338 2520

96 Stamford Street, Stalybridge, Cheshire SK15 1LU

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