Preston & Fylde 45

FREE Please

take on

e

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

PRESTON & THE FYLDE COAST EDITION 45

James Martin

SEE PAGES 22-23 FOR GUIDANCE ON YOUR PENSION...

PLATES, MATES & AUTOMOBILES!

IS YOUR CONSERVATORY freezing COLD in winter and baking HOT in summer?

It’s a shame that most people who invest in a conservatory find that they struggle to keep it warm in the winter yet find it too unbearably hot in the summer months.

Our Insulated Conservatory Roofing Solution makes all these negatives a thing of the past. An insulated conservatory ceiling will transform your conservatory into a usable space that is warmer when you need warmth, cooler under the summer sun and generally far more comfortable to use - permanently.

With an Insulated Conservatory Roof, you will spend less on heat in the winter and spend less on air-conditioning in the summer too!

This product has been developed exclusively for Conservatory Insulations

We are proud to have the HIGHEST COMPANY RATING on the Guild of Master Craftsmen website

ADVANTAGES OF OUR SYSTEM ♦ Create a comfortable living space ♦ A proven energy saving product - only 5% VAT to pay ♦ Warmer in winter ♦ Cooler in Summer ♦ Reduced external noise ♦ Stops glare

Call 0800 634 3179

30

%

NOW FOR

DISCOUNT

IN OUR JANUARY PROMOTION

Conservatory Insulations www.conservatoryinsulations.com

CONTENTS

INSIDE...

4

6-7

8-9

10-11

12-13

24-26

Your perfect recipe needs top quality ingredients...

4

Twittering On With Graham Smith.

6-7

Let's Amble Rather Than Ramble John Carter takes a look at various tantalising destinations

8-9

Robinsons Holidays Affordable peace of mind.

Bury Market, winner of BBC Radio 4’s Food and Farming Awards (Best Food Market) really has it all.

10-11

Lake Garda, Italy A special interest trip.

12-13

James Martin Plates, Mates & Automobiles: The Tour!

With over 350 stalls open every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday you will find our friendly traders sell everything you need for making delicious home-cooked meals.

15-16

Downsizing & Decluttering Tips for your home.

24-26

Sweet Treats!

With James Martin; yummy!

Great quality produce at great value prices, brought fresh to market every day!

Bury Market Tel: 0161 253 6520

: @BuryMarket

Email: burymarkets@bury.gov.uk Web: www.burymarket.com

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

WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

|

3

TWITTERING ON

Twittering On with Graham Smith

“They are anointed and I declare passes when your children sit for Graham Smith exams. They are said to work for anyone who is sitting for any test,” he said.

According to Nigerian Watch, one parishioner testified: “My son is not very bright and I think this will help him.

With the knowledge he has acquired and this pen from the man of God, I think it is going to work.”

One student said he scored highly in his A-levels last year after using the pen he was given by the prophet.

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.

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.

4

| WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

“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.”

Note the pastor’s Christian name…. they’re not all locked up are they?

Good baahaviour!

A sheep has been promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in the British Army for good baa-haviour.

Chicken feed

Private Derby XXX was promoted to the rank at an event in Chester, marking eight years of being in the Mercian Regiment.

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

The ram was awarded his honor by the Colonel of the regiment, Brigadier Andrew Williams.

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!

The Swaledale sheep is officially classed as a soldier and he is the 30th in a line of mascot rams running back to the Indian Mutiny War in the mid-19th Century.

Mighty pens!

Formerly known as Private Derby 30th, his promotion now entitles him to wear a single stripe on his uniform.

A Zimbabwean pastor has reportedly convinced his congregates his holy pens can make students pass their exams - and the more you pay for one, the better grades you’ll get.

Prophet Sham Hungwe of House of Grace International Church in Harare is selling the pens, which cost from $1 up to $20.

According to News24Zim, the prophet told his congregation those sitting exams only needed faith and one of the special pens to pass.

The Mercian Regiment celebrated his success on its Facebook page, writing: “He was resplendent in his scarlet coat with Lincoln green and gold facings, emblazoned with the Regiment’s main Battle Honours.”

During his career, Lance Corporal Derby XXX helped switch on the Christmas lights in Ashbourne and met Prince William at the unveiling of a memorial commemorating the 1914 Christmas Truce.

50 Plus Travel

sponsored by

Let’s Amble rather than Ramble

By John Carter

John Carter, patron of Silver Travel Advisor and long-time presenter of TV’s ‘Wish You Were Here’ and “The Holiday Programme” and seasoned globetrotter now enjoys a little ambling rather than rambling to various tantalising destinations.

We encountered no British holidaymakers when, in 1972, we went to Aghios Nikolaos on the north coast of Crete. Two years later, the resort was packed with them.

A BBC television drama “The Lotus Eaters”, had been filmed there, and fans were eager to follow the footsteps of their heroes and heroines. The harbour cafes sported handwritten notices - in that style of bad English the Greeks do so well - informing us that this or that place was the very establishment where the stars had eaten (“Shrims in Clay Pot” being a favoured dish).

6

| WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Why recall that ancient memory?

Because of Inspector Montalbano.

The stories by Andrea Camilleri were adapted for television in Italy, found their way to BBC Four and recently enjoyed considerable popularity in that channel’s Saturday evening “Subtitle Slot”. So much so that a holiday dedicated to the Sicilian hero appears in the latest Adagio brochure.

I have a soft spot for Adagio as I was in at the birth of the idea. It comes to all of us as the years take their toll - the stiffening of the joints, the thickening of the waist and the realisation that, though the spirit is more than willing to tackle the roughest of rambling trails, the flesh is weaker.

The ideal solution is to take holidays with folk with whom we can share our memories, knowing that those memories are likely to be mutual. And also knowing that the holidays will enable us to take a little gentle exercise - if only to prove that we can still do it.

Adagio is a collection of holidays from Ramblers Worldwide aimed at those

who nowadays prefer to amble rather than ramble. And “Montalbano’s Sicily” fits the bill as perfectly as the inspector’s sharp suits fit the frame of actor Luca Zingaretti.

There is much of interest in that somewhat neglected south eastern region of Sicily - the world heritage site of Ragusa, Syracuse, the Baroque town of Noto and the cave systems of the Cava Ispica gorge. Including locations featured in the television programmes adds a little fun to the mix. As does a three-course lunch and wine-tasting at Noto.

As I mentioned earlier, I have a soft spot for Adagio and think it provides an ideal holiday for anyone who has enjoyed more active breaks in the past but who - for all sorts of reasons prefers to take life at a slightly slower pace. You’ll find yourself with likeminded folk who will, more often than not, share memories of past holidays and destinations with which you are already familiar.

In this context, I was a little concerned to see they’ve introduced something called Adagio Plus to the 2016 programme - offering “more challenging walking opportunities”.

From what I gather, it is a way of combining the occasional morning on the hoof with some afternoon sightseeing - which doesn’t seem to be too taxing. Just as long as they don’t get carried away.

Some of these holidays are, literally, mouthwatering. One is based in Bologna, Italy’s gastronomic capital.

Instead of dwelling on the sights to be seen, I found myself thinking of the food - mortadella, parma ham, parmesan cheese and the like. I ate and drank very well indeed when I was last

TRAVEL

REEVES COACH HOLIDAYS Scottish Snowdrops

TEL: 0125415th830545 - 19th February

Angus Hotel, Blairgowrie www.reevescoachholidays.com info@reevescoachholidays.com £289.00

Turkey and

in Bologna. I even did some sightseeing, but not much. The city’s nickname “la grassa” (the fat one) is well earned, and this holiday enables you to visit, in addition, historic locations such as Ravenna and Modena.

4 Continents - 5 days ..

Tinsel Break Isle of Wight Special Trouville Hotel,

Another destination which recently surprised me by the range and high quality of its cuisine is the Istrian peninsula of Croatia. My far more knowledgeable companion took me to several restaurants and small hotels during the course of a week, where we ate extremely well. I was introduced to the “slow food” movement - which began as a protest against American-style fast food, but which took on a wonderful life of its own.

£259.00 £339.00

It is quite remarkable how well one can now eat in Croatia, and for that matter in other parts of former Yugoslavia. Those of us old enough to remember when it was not “former” will know all too well how limited in scope and style its cuisine used to be. Nowadays, in restaurants throughout Istria, you can discuss with the waiter the merits of the various olive oils on offer before going on to discuss the wine list.

7th - 11th March Bournemouth Bourne Hall 17th-21st November Country House Hotel

Easter in the Shires 25th - 29th March Walton Hotel, Wellesbourne

£419.00

Worcester Victorian Crieff Hydro - Singles Christmas Fair and Special the Good Food Show - 18th March at 14th the NEC Crieff Hydro Hotel 29th-30th November

£349.00 £139.00

More Holidays...

Ludlow Spectacular 3rd - 7th April

RELAXING SCOTLAND

Feathers Hotel, Ludlow

2nd-6th February 2015, Crieff Hydro Hotel ..............................£299

I’m pleased to see that the ancient town of Rovinj features in this holiday. I think it is a gem. It still shows evidence (specifically carvings of the winged lion of St. Mark) of its link with the Venetian empire, but before the Venetians, there was Illyria, the Roman and the Byzantine eras.

France, Portugal and the Azores are also in this latest programme, along with holidays to Estonia and Latvia as well as the island of Jersey. A winning mixture of comfortable hotels, leisurely (and, of course, optional) walking, the pleasant company of like-minded folk, and some first class food and wine. Switzerland is featured, too. One holiday to Zermatt and the Matterhorn features the cable cars and alpine railways of the region, which are used to carry you to fine walking country.

But, as I said, the walking has to be regarded as the cherry on the cake with these holidays, aimed as they are at people who have chosen to take holidays, and life, at a slower pace.

Factbox: Silver Travel Advisor recommends Adagio Holidays. For more information, visit adagio.co.uk or contact info@adagio.co.uk or call 01707 386700

£379.00

NEWQUAY SPECIAL

9th-13th February 2015, Fistral Beach Hotel ...........................£289

CYCLAMEN AND SNOWDROPS 20th-23rd Februaryin2015, Hotel .................£279 Springtime the Cheltenham ThePark English Riviera in Trossachs Springtime KENT (SINGLES SPECIAL) 2nd-6th March 2015, Mercury Hythe Imperial Hotel ..............£339 11th - 15th April 24th - 28th April Winnock Hotel, Drymen Livermead Cliff Hotel, Torquay

European £359.00 Escapes...

APRIL IN ITALY...LAKE GARDA

£379.00

10th-19th April 2015, Liberty Hotel ..........................................£699

KILLARNEY and the Peninsulas 25th-30th May 2015, Rhine Hotel .............................................£559

R E E V E S 2015 HOLIDAY DEAL

SPRINGTIME ON THE RHINE

29th May - 3rd June Killarney Towers Hotel

£499.00 COACH HOLIDAYS

£10 off UK holidays and £20 off Tel: Freephone 0800holidays...

9172862 European and Irish TEL: 01254 830545 or 01254 830545 www.reevescoachholidays.com www.reevescoachholidays.com info@reevescoachholidays.com info@reevescoachholidays.com

When you book and pay your deposit before 24 December 2014 Visit www.reevescoachholidays.com for more information

Turkey and | 7 WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK Tinsel Break

Offering Great Value Holidays For Over 90 Years

from only

£129 Sunny Sussex Eastbourne

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

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

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

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

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

8

| WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

The Garden Isle Isle of Wight

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

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

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

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

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

Delightful Devon Torquay

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

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

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

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

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

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

9 Day Tours 2016

8 nts dinner, bed & breakfast IMPERIAL OCEAN VIEW 30 Apr 07 May 14 May 21 May 28 May 04 Jun 11 Jun 18 Jun 25 Jun 02 Jul 09 Jul 16 Jul 23 Jul 30 Jul 06 Aug 13 Aug 20 Aug 27 Aug 03 Sept 10 Sept 17 Sept 24 Sept 01 Oct 15 Oct 29 Oct 06 Nov 26 Nov

£395 £409 £419 £429 £429 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £419 £409 £399 £389 £309 £299 £289 £309 £309

£395 £409 £419 £429 £429 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £419 £409 £399 £389 £309 £299 £289 £309 £309

ABBEY LAWN £395 £409 £419 £429 £429 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £439 £419 £409 £399 £389 £309 £299 £289 £309 £309

Only standard rooms available on 9 Day Tours

8 Day Tours 2016

7 nts dinner, bed & breakfast IMPERIAL OCEAN VIEW 30 Apr 01 May 07 May 08 May 14 May 15 May 21 May 22 May 28 May 29 May 04 Jun 05 Jun 11 Jun 12 Jun 18 Jun 19 Jun 25 Jun 26 Jun 02 Jul 03 Jul 09 Jul 10 Jul 16 Jul 17 Jul 23 Jul 24 Jul 30 Jul 31 Jul 06 Aug 07 Aug 13 Aug 14 Aug 20 Aug 21 Aug 27 Aug 28 Aug 03 Sept 04 Sept 10 Sept 11 Sept 17 Sept 18 Sept 24 Sept 25 Sept

£349 £349 £359 £359 £369 £369 £379 £379 £389 £389 £399 £399 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £389 £389 £379 £379 £369 £369 £359 £359

£349 £349 £359 £359 £369 £369 £379 £379 £389 £389 £399 £399 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £389 £389 £379 £379 £369 £369 £359 £359

7 Day Tours 2016

6 nts dinner, bed & breakfast

ABBEY LAWN £349 £349 £359 £359 £369 £369 £379 £379 £389 £389 £399 £399 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £409 £389 £389 £379 £379 £369 £369 £359 £359

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

IMPERIAL OCEAN VIEW 27 Mar 03 Apr 10 Apr 17 Apr 24 Apr 01 May 08 May 15 May 22 May 29 May 05 Jun 12 Jun 19 Jun 26 Jun 03 Jul 10 Jul 17 Jul 24 Jul 31 Jul 07 Aug 14 Aug 21 Aug 28 Aug 04 Sept 11 Sept 18 Sept 25 Sept 09 Oct 23 Oct 06 Nov 20 Nov

£219 £229 £249 £259 £269 £299 £315 £325 £335 £345 £355 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £369 £369 £359 £329 £249 £239 £259 £259

£219 £229 £249 £259 £269 £299 £315 £325 £335 £345 £355 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £369 £369 £359 £329 £249 £239 £259 £259

ABBEY LAWN £219 £229 £249 £259 £269 £299 £315 £325 £335 £345 £355 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £369 £369 £359 £329 £249 £239 £259 £259

Only standard rooms available on 7 Day Tours

We offer you ...

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

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

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

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

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

5 Day Tours 2016

4 nts dinner, bed & breakfast IMPERIAL OCEAN VIEW 08 Feb £129 15 Feb £139 22 Feb £139 29 Feb £139 07 Mar £155 14 Mar £159 21 Mar £165 25 Mar £175 30 Mar £169 04 Apr £175 11 Apr £179 18 Apr £185 25 Apr £189 02 May £199 06 May £205 10 May £209 16 May £215 20 May £219 24 May £225 30 May £229 03 Jun £239 07 Jun £239 13 Jun £239 17 Jun £239 21 Jun £239 27 Jun £239 01 Jul £239 05 Jul £239 11 Jul £239 15 Jul £239 19 Jul £239 25 Jul £239 29 Jul £239 02 Aug £239 08 Aug £239 12 Aug £239 16 Aug £239 22 Aug £239 26 Aug £239 30 Aug £239 05 Sept £239 09 Sept £235 13 Sept £229 19 Sept £225 23 Sept £219 27 Sept £215 01 Oct £209 05 Oct £205 09 Oct £199 15 Oct £195 19 Oct £189 23 Oct £185 29 Oct £179 02 Nov £189 06 Nov £189 12 Nov £185 16 Nov £185 20 Nov £179 26 Nov £179 30 Nov £179 * 05 Dec £169 * 12 Dec £159 † 23 Dec £399  29 Dec £349

£129 £139 £139 £139 £155 £159 £165 £175 £169 £175 £179 £185 £189 £199 £205 £209 £215 £219 £225 £229 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £235 £229 £225 £219 £215 £209 £205 £199 £195 £189 £185 £179 £189 £189 £185 £185 £179 £179 £179 £169 £159 £399 £349

ABBEY LAWN £129 £139 £139 £139 £155 £159 £165 £175 £169 £175 £179 £185 £189 £209 £205 £199 £195 £189 £185 £179 £189 £189 £185 £185 £179 £179 £179 £169 £159 £399 £349

Imperial Hotel: Supplements per person: Premier Room £20 Ocean View: Supplements per person: Premier Room £30 Front Facing Room: £10 Abbey Lawn : Supplements per person: Premier Room £30 Front Facing Room: £10 Turkey & Tinsel; * Unlimited single rooms; † Christmas Tour includes 3 resort lunches & 1 mystery excursion -  New Year Tour includes 3 resort lunches & 1 mystery excursion

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

50 Plus Travel

sponsored by

Lake Garda, Italy a special interest trip

By Jacqueline Jeynes from Silver Travel Advisor.

Jacqueline is an experienced writer and traveller, who travelled to Lake Garda to sample the gastronomic delights of the region. A tough assignment but someone had to do it!

Lake Garda is the perfect place to experience what this stunning region of Italy has to offer mature travellers. We particularly enjoyed the trips to Verona, Venice, a vineyard for wine tasting and, probably our favourite, learning to cook Italian style.

Half-board accommodation at Hotel Continental in Nago (near Torbole at the northern end of Lake Garda), included a carafe of wine with dinner each day and as a family-owned hotel, had a friendly relaxed atmosphere – especially the live music in the hotel courtyard and ‘happy hour’ from 5-6pm each evening. The barman was brilliant, suggesting different drinks to try and with a wicked sense of humour!

Locally a glass of Prosecco is around 2.50, and a spritz cocktail with Prosecco base, Apperol for the pink colouring plus a dash of soda water, is a similar price. Definitely a drink that became an easy habit as it is light, refreshing and easy to drink, bars that offer the spritz generally including a bowl of olives, crisps and nuts at no extra charge.

Naturally we felt obliged to try out every version of the cocktail at different bars we visited.

At the northern end of the lake, no motor boats are allowed (except for the ferry) so it is a centre for sailing, wind surfing and other water sports plus walking and cycle routes around the

10 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

lake. The ferry is €6 return, only takes ten minutes to Riva and leaves every half an hour. Riva del Garda is an old town with narrow streets, lots of little shops (open on Sunday) plus friendly bars and restaurants so worth popping over for the day.

TRAVEL

Learning to cook Italian style At Tinazzi winery for the cookery course, our group of 12 worked as couples to produce what we ultimately ate for lunch. We soon discovered six different approaches to breaking 2 eggs into a bowl for the tiramisu!

We made pasta, an easy process that requires muscles, a steady table when kneading it into submission, and two of you to stop it falling on the floor as you roll it thinner. The chef was very helpful and, finishing with a huge mixed vegetable stir-fry to go with the pasta, we enjoyed our freshly-prepared tasty lunch with an exceptional Bardolino red wine.

and the development of street lighting, aqueducts and take-away food in Roman times. He was interesting, very knowledgeable then repeated it all again in German – brilliant.

It is a lively, bustling city and on Friday 26th June there was a motorbike convention with hundreds of them arriving in town square, horns blazing and flags flying – spectacular. It is worth joining a guided tour for an hour, as the guide explains the finer details you might not notice and takes you to see the balcony of Romeo & Juliet (supposedly) where you can have a photograph with Juliet on the balcony or sign your name on the graffiti wall.

Venice

Aida in Verona

After a very early start and long journey, our excellent guide explained the history of Venice, how and why it is expensive, and how to get the most out of a oneday visit. He offered to arrange things for us – gondola trip at €22 for half an hour, boat trip around the islands €16 for an hour, lunch at a little restaurant off the main square at €15 each for two courses plus wine. It was a perfect option.

We were excited to find Aida was on in Verona on our free Saturday. It was €308 for two of us, including coach pick-up from the hotel, and was all booked for us over the phone by our excellent hotel manager. Though hot and sunny during the week, dark clouds gathered as we arrived in Bra Piazza around 6.45pm on Saturday, as did the official sellers of plastic raincoats at €5 each. As we entered the Arena, the rain started. We sat, huddled, while thunder, lightning and torrential rain targeted the audience until it was so bad they crammed us into the lower corridor, water pouring down steps and dripping off our less-than-adequate raincoats.

The Venice basics first: • If you sit for food or drink, you will pay • If you stand for coffee or a drink it is much cheaper • If you want to sit down, visit a church which is free.

Verona Excellent tour guide Ambrish explained the history of Verona, the architecture, why the Arena (amphitheatre) was built,

There is no cover over the Arena so if the performance cannot start due to bad weather, or is delayed for 2 hours, they have to refund your money. If they start then stop due to rain, there is no refund. With an audience of up to 10,000

you can see this might be a worry. The performance finally started at 10.20pm, with one interval instead of three and lightning still flashing in the far distance.

It was spectacular, a superb performance with incredible number of performers on stage and an impressive set that takes up a quarter of the Arena.

If you want to fit in as much as possible, and enjoy some different experiences in this beautiful part of Italy, then this holiday is highly recommended.

FACTBOX Archers Holidays features the ‘Lake Garda’s Gastronomic Experience’ based at the four star rated Hotel Continental, Lake Garda and includes excursions to Venice, Verona, and a cookery class at the Tinazzi winery with an experienced Italian chef using local ingredients to make pasta and sauces with participation from the class. A half day excursion is also included to discover the wine tradition of the region of Veneto at the vineyard “Tenuta Ugolini” with wine tasting included. The holiday is priced from £762 per person for a departure on 12 October 2016 to include return flights, airport transfers, seven nights half board accommodation and all excursions.

For more information, please visit www.archersdirect.co.uk/ holiday/lake-gardas-gastronomicexperience-new

WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

| 11

James Martin

Plates, Mates and Automobiles: The Tour!

JAMES Martin – the chef who has made Saturday morning TV a must for millions of viewers – was about to embark on a 25-venue nationwide tour when we chatted and had made a vow: this would be his first, and last, tour.

“I’ve always said I wouldn’t tour because I’ve always felt I didn’t have the right support team in place, but I have now,” he explains. “I’m not doing another, though – there won’t be a second tour!”

Castle Howard estate where his father was a catering manager. Plainly, this influenced him because at 16 he started formal catering training in college which resulted in him being Student of the Year three years running.

The friendly but very decided Yorkshireman had spoken, and that was that. So his fans – of which there are many up and down the country as pre-ticket sales of 30,000 and sold-out venues happily proved– will just have to accept that.

After catering college, he worked for a variety of top chefs in leading restaurants including for famous names Antony Worrall Thompson and Marco Pierre White.

They have, though, accepted the 44 year-old Martin and how he wanted to structure his career from the first moment he stepped onto our screens in November, 1996.

The pleasant and obviously talented young chef immediately impressed, but insisted on doing things his way. And that’s how it has been ever since.

He toured France, working in chateaux kitchens and gaining top-level experience before coming back to England and kickstarting his own career. He was plainly ambitious and in 1994, just before his 22nd birthday, he opened his own hotel and bistro in Winchester. Since, he has opened other hotels including one in Manchester.

Fortunately – both for James and for us viewers – his cookery skills and onscreen charisma have created exactly the right recipe for enduring success.

From his first TV appearance, James quickly engaged with a public which both appreciated his sociable approach to cookery and also his no-nonsense way with food. Youth and natural charm did the rest and when Saturday Kitchen launched in 2006, he was first choice to front the enjoyable and informative programme.

It would have been hard to forecast the level of success, however, when he was a young lad growing up on the

The formula paid off as it became hugely popular, regularly attracting more than 3.5 million viewers and remains part of

12 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

written 15 best-selling and award-winning cookery books as well as his autobiography, Driven.

The title doesn’t only refer to his ambitions but also to his love of cars and speed; he also has a pilot’s licence.

The tour – entitled Plates, Mates and Automobiles – provided a unique challenge for the chef who takes most things in his stride because he wanted to get the formula just right.

“I didn’t just want to have two ovens on stage, give a bit of chat and have questions planted with the audience,” he states. “So we made it more interesting with interactive elements and various surprises.”

So, importantly, what will he eat on this tour? “Good question,” he ruminates. “Probably the usual chef’s diet of takeaways! Actually, several of my mates who have restaurants around the country have already told me to come and see them when I’m touring so I’ll probably get to eat there.”

All of which sounds like a possible theme for a further TV series, I suggest. “Yes,” he laughs. “You might be right.”

What you won’t find James Martin doing work-wise is Celebrity Big Brother or any other reality TV show. True, he did take part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2006 but you get the impression he just fancied the challenge.

the staple weekend entertainment diet. James also became a regular on Ready Steady Cook on BBC2 and for a variety of other cookery shows across the channels.

In 2013, James was honoured with The Craft Guild of Chefs Special Award for outstanding contribution to the industry.

In March, 2014, his series Food Map of Britain was voted Best Daytime and Early Peak Programme by the Royal Televison Society, and in 2015 he was named TV Personality of the Year at the Fortnum & Mason Awards.

He also makes regular appearances around the world including the BBC Good Food Show and Good Food and Wine Show South Africa and Gourmet Abu Dhabi to name just a few.

He has his own range of small electricals with Wahl Cookware, knives and kitchen textiles with Stellar/ Horwoods and serverware with Denby. James has also launched his own range of bread and cake mixes and hampers, was a consultant with P & O Cruises on the restaurants and menus for their Ocean Village cruise ships for many years and is also consultant to Thomas Cook, creating in-flight meals for the airline.

Somehow in between all his achievements and a work schedule that would make a hummingbird dizzy, he has

He’s a genuine advocate of the best of British food, but then he says he believes in the best of food wherever it comes from – “whether that means Spanish ham or British produce.

Personally, his favourite meal is a Sunday roast round at his mum’s house – although he did hint that he would be looking for the best region for fish and chips when touring, which is bound to prove controversial.

He’s very proud of Saturday Kitchen’s success over the past 10 years, strives to get the programme balance just right, but “thoroughly enjoys it all.”

As for his career in 2016, as well as working on his house in the New Forest for which he’s now got planning permission, he’s going to be looking at a variety of options “but the main thing is just working hard.”

He doesn’t have any special TV ambitions, doesn’t embrace the celebrity lifestyle with red carpet events and insists that “if it all finished tomorrow I’d be happy just cooking.”

And being James Martin, you know that this is exactly what he feels, like it or lump it.

For more information go to www.jamesmartinchef.co.uk

Tickets for James Matin’s tour, ‘Plates, Mates and Automobiles’ are on sale now. Visit Livenation.co.uk’ WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

| 13

What will youryour legacy be?

What will legacy be?

Leaving a gift in your Will ensures we can continue our work giving shelter to over 1,000 animals each year.

We depend totally on the generosity of our supporters.

ANIMAL CARE has a long history in the Lancaster & Morecambe area so by remembering us in your Will you are supporting a local charity in a lasting way.

About Baxter...

Poor Baxter is our longest resident at Animal Care and has been waiting for a chance for over 2 years!! Baxter has his issues but nothing that cant be worked on with the right owner. Baxter's ideal owner needs to be physically fit and able to control him on lead as he is a strong boy! (Baxter is a staffie cross Labrador so has a strong build and loves to walk miles.)

Labrad They need to be able to give Baxter time to or cro settle into his new home as 2 years is a long 9 yearsss , Male , time to be in kennels. He needs to be the only old animal in his new home as he is not a fan of other dogs and he can become very vocal when he sees another dog on lead. The staff all love Baxter he gives the best cuddles and loves to struggle up on your lap we really believe that his owner is out there somewhere. Please get in touch if you think you could be Baxter's super star. Š Image by Sarapetphotography.co.uk ANIMAL CARE is a small rehoming centre helping stray, unwanted and ill treated animals until caring new homes can be found for them.

Registered Charity No. 508819

Animal Care

(Lancaster, Morecambe and District)

Blea Tarn Road, Scotforth, Lancaster, LA2 ORD | Telephone: 01524 65495 | Fax: 01524 841819 Email: rehoming@animalcare-lancaster.co.uk | www.animalcare-lancaster.co.uk

14 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Downsizing & Decluttering THERE comes a time for many of us when we look around at our previously much-loved home and decide the time has come to downsize to something smaller.

This may be because your family has left to become independent and the property that once seemed to be bursting at the seams is just too big. It may be that you need to move to more convenient housing because health or financial necessities demand it, or because you would just prefer to look after and maintain a smaller place.

There are more options than ever for retirement living these days and, while property can help fund your care home should you need it, another route is to rent a retirement property.

This is a very popular choice, explained one company, Girlings Retirement Rentals which has around 2,500 properties in more than 600 retirement developments throughout the UK. “It is an easy option for retirement living,” explained Caroline Hull, head of marketing at Girlings.

The company has been in business for 25 years, backed by Norwich Union which is now Aviva. The assured tenancies offer peace of mind, security of tenure and flexibility. Under the assured tenancy the landlord cannot give notice, however, after the initial 12 month's term, the tenant can choose to give notice and leave should they wish to. “This seems to work very well all round and we are getting more and more phone calls reserving properties,” added

Caroline. Girlings is also part of the Places for People Group, which offers tenants even more assurance.

Whatever you do next, you may well be faced with having to sell a property that reflects years of a happy home life. And that can mean a mass of possessions that may not fit into your downsized new home.

In order to sell a property, it needs to be as clear as possible of the life of the previous owner so that a potential-buyer can see where he or she might fit their lifestyle into it.

Decluttering your home takes a particular mind-set and genuine determination. In fact, as professional declutterer Amanda Manson of Orderly Office and Home points out: “The thought of what you’re going to do with everything might fill you with utter dread!”

She recommends a simple plan of action:

START NOW

Beginning decluttering well in advance of putting your property on the market assists in a quick sale and spreads the load over time. “Try 10 minutes a day,” she advises, “little and often. Don’t try a whole room

in one go – you’ll end up exhausted and disheartened. Keep in the forefront of your mind your goal of moving into a new home and you’ll be spurred on to continue each day.”

MAKE A LIST

Keep track of where everything is. “If your new home has been agreed, assign a number to each room, and pack your belongings in a box numbered accordingly,” says Amanda. “If your new home hasn’t been decided yet, start grouping like items with like. Pack Winter/ Summer clothing together, pictures and ornaments, books and bedding (always spread books across several boxes – your removal men will thank you!). Remember to label everything.”

REALITY CHECK

Look at what’s in your home and ask yourself “Do I use it, love it or need it?”

If the answer is “no”, is it time to say goodbye? Amanda suggests that clothing you haven’t worn in over a year you might never wear again so out it goes, along with gifts that you’ll never use. Give them to relatives or friends, a local charity, sell them in the local paper or on an auction site or list them online for free collection. Adds Amanda: “Recycle unwanted items where

WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

| 15

possible, but if unsuitable then it’s a trip to your local rubbish tip or a call to your local council for removal.”

SIZE MATTERS

If you have no garden, garage or guest room in your new home be realistic about whether you’ll use certain items like, for example, a lawnmower if you’re going somewhere with a serviced garden or no garden. Is your furniture too big for your new property? Try to imagine the bare minimum you could manage living with, and take it from there. “Often the additional ‘stuff’ we keep with us becomes an emotional weight around our necks,” states Amanda.

A GIFT TO YOUR CHILDREN

If your loft has been home to items belonging to children like their earliest artwork, toys and other memories, now is the time to give them back. Explain your reasons, keep what you really can’t bear to part with and ask them to collect what’s left, with a deadline.

VISIBLE SPACES

All open surfaces and room space should be as clear as possible ready for estate agents’ photographs. “Buyers can be easily put off by what appears to be a cramped or cluttered space,” observes Amanda.

HIDDEN SPACES

Don’t just wonder if prospective buyers will look inside your cupboards. They will. If you have fitted wardrobes and sleek kitchen cupboards, buyers will want to know what they can fit into them.

STORE UNTIL YOU MOVE

If you have a move date, this makes deciding what to keep out and what to pack away and what can go much easier.

Without one, you’ll have to get organised.

Box up seasonal items and store them away in a loft, garage or in a storage facility until you move and keep your cupboards, wardrobes and kitchen space for things you use often.

STOP BUYING MORE!

If you’re really set on making the move, start paring down any consumables right now, insists Amanda. “Sort through kitchen cupboards and freezer to see what meals you can make with what you already have.

Discard out of date items, meal plan and make amends to your shopping list so you’re only buying the item you really need each week. Repeat the process with your bathroom cupboards and toiletries – and

16 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

avoid the BOGOF temptations as it’s just more stuff to move.”

PAPERWORK AND READING MATERIAL

As the years go by, it’s easy to let papers build up. “Sort through your paperwork piles and discard or shred anything that you really don’t need like outdated bills, manuals for items you don’t now have and old magazines,” says Amanda.

* For more information go to: www.girlings.co.uk www.orderlyofficeandhome.co.uk

Amanda Manson

Orderly Office and Home

Discover the freedom renting in retirement can bring…

Choosing the ideal retirement location can be challenging, particularly when trying to find that perfect property in an interesting location, which also offers long-term security, comfortable living and friendly neighbours.

If you love Preston and the Fylde Coast, we have

enables the landlord to regain possession of the

properties available in Blackpool and Lytham St Annes,

property after the initial agreed fixed term. Renting on

or, should you wish to look further afield, there is

an assured tenancy basis offers the same security of

availability in Southport and Lancaster. For the most

tenure as most social housing providers, only without

part, tenancies are assured, which means you can live

the associated waiting lists. What’s more, services and

in the property for as long as you wish which provides

property maintenance are included in the monthly rent.”

great security and peace of mind. The added flexibility of renting means you don’t have the burdens of home ownership and are free to move wherever you like, whether it’s closer to family and friends or to another part of the country.

For more information, please visit www.girlings.co.uk or contact the lettings team on 0800 525 184.

Many retirement developments feature a communal residents’ lounge in which residents are welcome to socialise and relax and there is also a guest suite for visitors’ use. Residents also have plenty of options to keep busy, with coffee mornings and afternoon tea events taking place within most developments.

Olive Young, Girlings’ resident commented:

Discover the freedom renting in retirement can bring...

“I wanted a decent and affordable home to enjoy my retirement years that would also suit me as I got older.

I came across Girlings Retirement Rentals a few years ago and loved the concept of its assured tenancies which allow people to rent for life. Having now moved into one of their properties, I have a home that I love where I have brought all my furniture. It is modern

like I have finally found my home.”

Girlings Chairman, Peter Girling said: “An assured tenancy offers security and long-term peace of mind.

In the private rental sector, it is common for properties to be let on an assured shorthold tenancy basis which

55+? Did you know you can rent private retirement property on a Life Long Tenancy which gives you the right to remain living in the property for as long as you wish, with service charges and maintenance included in the rent?

0800 525 184 www.girlings.co.uk

ent prop m

all the support facilities are in place if I need help. I feel

Without doubt, the best property decision you may ever make...

ng retire tti

important to me. There is a real community here and

ists in le ial

ty Spec er

and bright and uncluttered – something which is really

Peace of Mind Independence Flexibility Choice

WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

| 17

THE NORTH'S LARGEST

E-BIKE STORE

know what we are doing, having trained mechanics, tools, spares and above all the knowledge and backing of all the leading brands.

In Europe pedal assist cycle sales commonly known as e-bikes are massive and now here in the UK sales are growing at an un-believable rate now that the quality and choice has finely arrived.

HERE IS A SIMPLE GUIDE TO COVER THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS...

MOTOR AND BATTERY

There are two main types of motor, hub drive and crank drive. Hub drive has a motor either in the front or rear wheel supplied with power from a battery this will either pull you from the front wheel or push you from the rear wheel. Crank drive is where the motor is mounted on the frame where the pedals are attached, there are many advantages to this it has a smaller lighter battery, better balanced and less surge as the torque is supplied more evenly throughout the range. The big boys have got behind the crank system with Bosch, Yamaha and Shimano leading the way in technology they cost a little more than the hub system but are our choice of system as they are more reliable have more of a natural feel and perform much better up the hills. As for batteries again the big boys are now involved with Sony and Panasonic leading the way with the lithium cells, there lighter than Ni-cad and generally last longer.

MAINTENANCE

Don't be put off with the motor and electrical bits of kit as most motors and batteries are sealed and need very little maintenance, it will not require much more than a normal bike and we offer free servicing to all our customers for a year. Obviously if you look after it, it will look after you.

TEST RIDES

NOW the most important and fun part, don't just ride it for a few metres we are lucky to have at both our stores flat, bumpy,twisty and dare I say it bloody steep hills, you can try the gears, brakes, position and the different power levels of assist in fact we recommend you try a few. If you want to take bikes out for a few hours we offer accompanied rides free or the chance to hire one for a day or two.

MAKING THAT PURCHASE

After your test rides you should know which bike suites you and your budget, we offer interest free finance, payment by credit, debit and good old cash we will also take any bike as part exchange the choice is yours.

STYLE OF BIKE

Think of any conventional cycle be it Road, Mountain, Commuter, Trekking, Folding and even the three wheel Trike we stock them all plus the equivalent in an electric model. In a nutshell we will have a bike that will meet your needs and aspirations.

SUPPORT & BACKUP

It is essential that once you have purchased your e-bike you have the backup and service, having sold e-bikes for the last twenty years we

AUTHORISED DEALERS FOR...

HAIBIKE | SCOTT | RALEIGH | TREK GIANT | CUBE | AXCESS | FREEGO

ÂŁ40 WORTH OF ACCESSORIES FREE WITH ANY BIKE PURCHASED. PRESENT THIS ADVERT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OFFER.

18 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

THE HEALTH BENEFITS Cycling has always been a popular way to enjoy the countryside whilst staying fit. However, the electric bike has opened it up to a new section of cyclists. Some people may argue that a conventional cycle will keep you fitter.

A recent Australian study shows that on an electric bike a rider maintains a heart rate intensity that is mainly in the target range where cardio vascular benefit is gained, fats are burned in producing energy and no lactic acid build up occurs. Riding a conventional cycle provides the strongest cardio vascular and fitness workout.

The intensity, however, is often so high that carbohydrates would be used for energy along with lactic acid build up.

A study of 20 healthy but sedentary subjects (10 male and 10 female) showed improvement to general health condition, stating: “The conclusion remains that the electric assisted bike can help overcome the barrier to physical activity.”

WITH TWO STORES TO CHOOSE FROM WHY NOT TRY THE NEXT BIG THING AND TEST RIDE ONE TODAY!

GRAB YOURSELF A BARGAIN!

2015 MODELS REDUCED. WHEN THEY'RE GONE THEY'RE GONE RALEIGH VELO XC £1000 £699 RALEIGH VELO TRAIL £1350 £799 AXCESS HUNTER £945 £845 AXCESS MUSTANG £945 £845 RALEIGH DOVER £1699 £999 GIANT TWIST £1695 £1045 RALEIGH STOW E-WAY £1300 £1099 RALEIGH MOTUS (A COUPLE OF LIGHT SCUFFS ON FRAME) £2000 £1599 HAIBIKE HARDSEVEN SL £1850 £1599 SCOTT EVENTURE 30 £2399 £1749 TREK POWERFLY 5 £2000 £1799 SCOTT E-SPORTSTER £2599 £1899 HAIBIKE FULLSEVEN £3400 £2599 HAIBIKE ALL MOUNTAIN RC £3700 £2799 HAIBIKE XDURO ALL MOUNTAIN RX £4400 £3499 HAIBIKE XDURO ALL MOUNTAIN PRO £5500 £4299 P/X BARGAIN - GIANT TWIST £1699 £499

WA N T E D : Q U A L I T Y P R E - O W N E D E L E C T R I C B I K E S

CALL TODAY...

01282 438855 01254 662440

BURNLEY STORE

OFF QUEENS LANCASHIRE WAY, BURNLEY BB11 1AT

BLACKBURN STORE

WHALLEY NEW ROAD, BLACKBURN BB1 9AU

WWW.ONYERBIKEONLINE.COM

Transforming Smiles As an implant centre of excellence, Douglas Lee Dental Associates recently carried out its 150th ‘Fast and Fixed’ same- day implant procedure, a technique that has transformed the smiles, and the lives, of many patients...

BEFORE

Leading the way in UK implant technology is Lancashire-based Douglas Lee, who was one of the first dentists in the country to adopt the highly successful pioneering ‘Fast and Fixed’ technique.

The ‘Fast and Fixed’ implant procedure has made Douglas Lee Dental Associates a flagship practice and teaching surgery for the Germanpioneered technique, Testament to their skills, the team at Douglas Lee Dental were the first in the UK to carry out a full set of upper and lower jaw implants in the same day.

The team were absolutely wonderful, they are so attentive and it’s a very caring practice

After reading about the procedure, sales consultant Jacqueline Shonn called Douglas Lee Dental and arranged for a consultation: “I am 55 but I am not an old 55 and I had to wear dentures on either side of my lower teeth, which I hated with a vengeance!

They made me feel old!

care she received: “The team were absolutely wonderful, they are so attentive and it’s a very caring practice.”

“I had been thinking about implants for a while and after talking to Dougie I decided I definitely wanted to go ahead.’’

Jacqueline, who lives in Manchester, was amazed at the

Having experience in many aspects of dentistry and now a respected expert in implants, Dougie comments: “No-one wants to lose their teeth but sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts, teeth fail and

20 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

After undergoing the sameday implants Jacqueline was delighted with the results: “It has improved my confidence a million per cent! I am thrilled.”

we previously had to resort to prosthetics like removable dentures. Dental implants are a wonderful improvement on these.”

Jackie had lost a number of her teeth and with several failing teeth still in place, she also needed work on her gums.

Sedated, Jackie was then painlessly fitted with her lower implants.

During their years of experience, the team at Douglas Lee Dental Associates have refined the ‘Fast and Fixed’ procedure and have state-of-the-art in-house technology at their fingertips.

In addition to the Helbo laser

PULL QUOTES “The team were absolutely wonderful, they are so attentive and it’s a very caring practice” “I had been thinking about implants for a while and after talking to Dougie I decided I definitely wanted to go ahead”

which eradicates over 99 per cent of harmful bacteria, there is a Cone beam CT scanner and an on-site dental lab with experienced technicians, who are able to custom make the implants on the same day.

Sedation ensures that no pain is felt and the patient remains relaxed throughout the experience.

“To be honest before the procedure I felt quite wary but, it was amazing, I felt no pain or discomfort. I also had four teeth removed and it was still better than going to the dentist for a filling!” says Jackie.

I had been thinking about implants for a while and after talking to Dougie I decided I definitely wanted to go ahead

Preparation is the key to the success and the team of dental nurses, dental technicians, cosmetic dentist Usman Riaz and Dougie himself, all play their part on the day. ‘’No two smiles are the same, so there is no ‘one-size-fits all’ when it comes to this level of cosmetic dentistry, ’’ says Usman.

“Carrying out our 150th procedure was quite a milestone for us and like all the

other patients, the implants have completely changed Jackie’s smile,” adds Usman.

“Implants can transform people – they gain confidence and restore self-esteem. It may sound a cliché but this procedure really does change their lives.”

Douglas Lee

A S S O C I A T E S Douglas Lee Dental Associates

115 Whalley Road Accrington BB5 1BX 01254 237517 hello@douglasleedental.co.uk

WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

| 21

Pensions Guidance...

The Government has launched a FREE GUIDANCE service to help you make important decisions about your pension. The service is called ‘Pension Wise’ and you can see someone at your local Citizens Advice if: 1. You are aged 50 years or older 2. You have a Defined Contribution (DC) pot

3. You have not had a Pension Wise appointment already

Please call in at your local Pension Wise on...

0800 011 9029 For more information visit Pension Wise online...

www.pensionwise.gov.uk

22 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Your Money.

Your Choice...

Q. What is Pension Wise?

A. How people access their pensions changed on 6th April 2015. If you are 50 or over and have a Defined Contribution (DC) pension arrangement (a pension based on how much has been paid into your pot), it is your decision how you take the money. Pension Wise has been set up by the UK Government as a free and impartial service to help you understand what your choices are and how they work. You will be able to get guidance on what you can do with your pension pot; different pension types and how they work; what is tax-free and what is not. It is an impartial service so you will not be given advice or recommendations for specific products or providers.

Q. How can I access the service?

A. Face to Face – through your local Citizens Advice Telephone – through The Pensions Advisory Service Online - through the Pension Wise website

Q. What sort of information will this service provide?

A. Pension Wise is a brand new service to help/empower

people who have access to the new pension flexibilities to decide what to do with their pension savings. The guidance provided will enable people to better understand their options and ensure they know what questions to ask before they commit to decisions about their pension. It will also signpost them to any next steps they might want to take before making any choices. It is a free and impartial service and therefore will not recommend specific products or providers.

Q. Where can I access face-to-face guidance?

A. Pension Wise appointments are delivered via telephone by The Pensions Advisory Service and Citizens Advice, operating out of 500+ locations. Local arrangements can also be made for people in remote locations, including home visits for those with special requirements. To make an appointment, please contact Pension Wise on 0800 0119 029.

Q. Does it matter if I access the guidance online, on the phone, or face to face?

A. No. The guidance offered will be of the same high quality whether people go to their local Citizens Advice for face to face guidance, The Pensions Advisory Service for telephone guidance, or want to go online through the Pension Wise website.

Q. What should I do to prepare for a guidance session?

A. In order to get the best out of the session, it will be beneficial to get some information in advance of your session.

The following is a list of useful details to get: State Pension Statement (by sending off a BR19 form or telephoning the Department of Works & Pensions (DWP) on 0345 3000 168).

Current value of your existing pension pot(s) from your pension provider(s) including details of what options they are offering; details of costs/charges/penalties and any special features/benefits the plan may have (especially for older pension plans).

Think about your personal and financial circumstances particularly your plans for retirement / use of pension funds / other sources of income available before and at retirement (salary; savings; benefits and investments) / debts / retirement age / whether looking for a fixed or flexible income / dependents / health and beneficiaries.

Q. Are there any other important things that the session will cover?

A. Yes. The session will also discuss the importance of

considering the tax implications of taking your pension benefits under the new pension access rules; the changes to the way pensions are treated upon death and also cover the important area of pension scams and what to look out for and what to do if you suspect anything. As the Pension Wise logo states, “Your Money, Your Choice”, so there is no requirement at all to make an uninformed and rushed decision with your pension pot(s). The main purpose of the session is to provide the correct information, guidance and assistance in order to help you make the best informed choice for your needs and circumstances. Deciding how best to use any pension pot(s) is down to each individual, but taking your time before making any decision is probably the most important ‘guidance’ signpost of all.

WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

| 23

FOOD & DRINK

S W E E T TR E AT S The secret to a perfect panna cotta lies in having a slight sharpness – here from buttermilk – to balance the sweetness. The consistency is also important: too much gelatine will give you something you could bounce off the kitchen wall; you want to use just enough for the panna cotta to hold its shape when unmoulded. Combined with raspberry jelly, raspberries and warm, sugar-dusted doughnuts, this is a really delicious dessert on the plate. The remaining doughnuts are great with coffee.

B U T T E R M I L K PA N N A C O T TA W I T H D O U G H N U T S A N D R A S P B E R RY J E L LY For the doughnuts 1 quantity enriched yeast dough, made to the end of the first prove vegetable oil, for deep-frying caster sugar, for dusting For the mascarpone cream 100g mascarpone cheese 25g caster sugar 50ml double cream 1 vanilla pod, split and seeds scraped

Serves 8 250g raspberries, plus 100g for garnish 1 tbsp water 1–2 tsp icing sugar 6 mint sprigs For the panna cotta 300ml double cream 1 vanilla pod, split and seeds scraped 5 gelatine leaves, soaked in cold water for 5 minutes 450ml buttermilk For the raspberry jelly 50g caster sugar 100ml water 300g raspberries 4 gelatine leaves, soaked in cold water for 5 minutes

24 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

x 15cm) with clingfilm and pour the jelly over it to a depth of about 3mm. Chill in the fridge until set.

For the doughnuts, divide the dough into 40 equal portions and roll into balls. Line a tray with silicone paper and space the balls evenly across it. Cover with a tea towel. Set aside at room temperature to prove for 20 minutes.

First make the panna cotta. Place the double cream in a small pan with the vanilla pod and seeds, bring to the boil, then remove from the heat. Add the drained, squeezed gelatine and whisk through until dissolved.

When the dough has proved, heat the oil in a deep-fat fryer to 150°C/320°F. Alternatively, heat the oil in a deep, heavy-based saucepan until a breadcrumb sizzles and turns brown immediately when dropped in.

CAUTION: hot oil can be dangerous.

Never leave unattended.

Set aside to cool, then add the buttermilk and whisk gently to combine.

Carefully pour into 8 small pudding basins or ramekins, making sure you distribute the vanilla seeds equally.

Refrigerate for 4 hours, or until set.

Carefully lower the dough balls into the hot oil in batches and deep-fry for 3–4 minutes, until golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on kitchen paper to drain. Transfer to a plate and dust generously with the sugar.

For the sauce, place the 250g raspberries, the water and icing sugar in a blender and blitz to a purée. Pass through a fine sieve into a bowl and add more icing sugar if necessary. Chill in the fridge until ready to serve.

For the mascarpone cream, whisk the mascarpone, sugar, cream and vanilla seeds together in a bowl until smooth.

For the jelly, bring the sugar and water to a boil in a pan. Add the raspberries and heat until they just start to break down. Remove from the heat and pass through a fine sieve. Don’t press, just let the juice drip through.

Measure 300ml juice and return to the saucepan to warm through. Add the drained, squeezed gelatine and stir until completely dissolved. Remove from the heat. Line a shallow baking tray (20cm

To serve, cut the jelly into squares (about 2.5cm). Briefly dip each panna cotta mould in hot water, then turn out onto a large plate. Place two spoonfuls of the cream on each plate and top with a jelly square. Place two doughnuts on each plate and scatter the remaining raspberries and the mint around. Finish with a drizzle of raspberry sauce.

I first came across really good palmiers when I was working on the pastry section in a restaurant in the south of France. The trick is to get an even dusting of sugar, so that as the palmiers cook it caramelises to a nice glaze.

Palmiers are often offered as a petit four to end a meal, but sandwiched with raspberries and cream, they’re hard to beat for afternoon tea. These are best served at room temperature – once they go into the fridge, the butter in the pastry solidifies, making them less pleasant to eat.

BUTTERFLY PALMIERS WITH RASPBERRIES AND CREAM Serves 6 650g puff pastry or good-quality, bought all-butter puff pastry flour, for dusting 60g caster sugar 100ml stock syrup glaze (optional) For the filling

Experience the 5 star taste!

300ml double cream, softly whipped 200g raspberries Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas mark 4.

Line 2 large baking sheets with silicone paper.

Roll the pastry out on a lightly floured surface to a rectangle 25cm x 40cm and about 3mm thick, with the long side facing you, like a landscape picture.

Dust the pastry rectangle with 20g of the caster sugar then fold one long side of the pastry into the centre.

Repeat with the other long side to meet it, so you now have a piece half the width.

Dust with another 20g of the caster sugar, then repeat, folding each side into the centre, leaving a 5mm gap in the centre. Dust once more with the remaining sugar and repeat – you should now have three folds on each side with plenty of sugar sandwiched in between. Fold both sides together gently as you would close an open book, then transfer to a tray and place in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm up.

Savour your meal in our award-winning 26 seater chip shop and restaurant!

92 Poulton Road, Fleetwood, Lancashire FY7 6TF

Open 7 days a week 11.30am-10pm

Tel: 01253 771380 www.piscesfishandchips.co.uk

£10

MEAL DEAL

Remove the roll and cut into 12 x 1cm-thick slices. Lay on a lined baking tray, spacing them so that they are at least 6cm apart.

Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden and crispy.

Remove the palmiers from the oven, turn them straight over, place back on the tray and brush them with a little stock syrup glaze, if liked. The palmiers are best eaten on the day you make them.

When cold, spoon the whipped cream into a piping bag fitted with a 1cm nozzle and pipe the cream over half the palmiers.

Top with some lightly crushed raspberries and another palmier.

Serve immediately.

2 x HADDOCK OR COD, CHIPS, PEAS, BREAD AND A POT OF TEA Normally £6.99 each (saving of £3.98)

THIS VOUCHER CAN BE USED TWICE. VALID UNTIL 3rd APRIL 2016 Offer only available on production of this voucher. Voucher cannot be used with any other offer.

WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

| 25

FOOD & DRINK I love this simple little dessert that one of my chefs came up with – cherries and chocolate are a great combination.

As with any tart, it’s vital to make sure the pastry is nice and thin, so you get plenty of filling and not too much pastry. Otherwise it can be more like eating a biscuit!

C H O C O L AT E A N D C H E R R Y TA R T WITH CRÈME FRAÎCHE SORBET Serves 8–10 butter, for greasing 1 quantity pâte sucrée 1 egg yolk, for blind-baking flour, for dusting 400g tin cherries in syrup 400g dark chocolate (minimum 60% cocoa solids), roughly chopped 250ml double cream 100g caster sugar 2 tbsp crushed Hazelnut Praline and edible flowers 1 quantity Crème Fraîche Sorbet Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas mark 6. Butter a 23cm x 4cm loose-bottomed tart tin.

Roll the pâte sucrée out on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of 3mm and use to line the tin. Blind bake the pastry.

While the pastry case is baking, drain the cherries through a sieve into a saucepan and place the syrup over a medium heat. Cook the syrup until thick and sticky, and reduced by half. Chop the cherries in half, then add to the pan with the reduced syrup and allow to cool.

Put the chocolate into a large, heatproof bowl. Heat the double cream and sugar together in a saucepan until just simmering then pour over the chocolate and whisk continuously until smooth.

Spread the cherries and their syrup over the base of the tart case, then pour the chocolate filling over the top. Glaze with a blow torch or place under a hot grill until bubbling, then chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to set. Remove and leave at room temperature until ready to serve. Place a line of the crushed praline and edible flowers on each plate, then slice the tart and serve with a scoop of Crème Fraîche Sorbet.

Sweet by James Martin (Quadrille £20) Photography: Peter Cassidy

26 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

ORION

THE DAZZLING HUNTER WITH THE GLOWING SWORD Brian Jones Visible high above the southern horizon during winter evenings, Orion is arguably the most beautiful constellation in the sky. Its conspicuous and unmistakable pattern of bright stars becomes ever more prominent as winter progresses and, once seen, is unlikely to be forgotten.

Greek mythology tells of the mighty hunter Orion who boasted far and wide of his prowess and who declared himself a match even for the gods. This angered Diana, the Goddess of the Hunt, who challenged Orion to a hunting match, a challenge which Orion gladly accepted. He and Diana spent many days in the chase, but in the end there was nothing to choose between them, and the contest was declared a draw. Once more Orion bragged and, in a fit of anger, Diana commanded a scorpion to crawl out of the ground and kill him. She then placed the mighty hunter among the stars where he can be seen to this day.

One of the most conspicuous stars in Orion is the red giant Betelgeuse. This is one of the largest stars known to astronomers and, if Betelgeuse occupied the position of our Sun, its outer surface would extend beyond the orbit of Mars. The ruddy glow of Betelgeuse contrasts sharply with the brilliant white of Rigel, another giant star which is so far away that the light we are seeing from it set off towards us only a few years after the Domesday Book was compiled.

Along with Betelgeuse and Rigel, the two stars Bellatrix and Saiph complete the main outline of the constellation, central to which are the three stars Alnitak, Alnilam and Mintaka that form the Belt of Orion. The easternmost

of these is Alnitak, the area immediately surrounding which is rich in stars and well worth a closer look through binoculars.

The trio of stars forming the Belt of Orion have been given other names in the past, Australian natives referring to them as ‘Young Men’, Greenlanders calling them ‘The Seal Hunters’ and mariners identifying them as ‘The Golden Yardarm’. Perhaps the silliest episode relating to the naming of these three stars took place in 1807 when the University of Leipzig christened them ‘Napoleon’, whereupon an irate Englishman promptly retaliated with the title ‘Nelson’. Needless to say, neither name found its way on to star maps!

Just below the Belt of Orion is a line of faint stars, within which can be found the magnificent Orion Nebula. Visible as a glowing patch of diffuse light, this is one of the most famous and eye-catching objects in the entire sky. Shining because of the energy from hot stars embedded within it, the Orion Nebula is clearly visible to the naked eye on dark, clear moonless nights. The wide field of view of a pair of binoculars brings it out well, and the sight leaves the observer with a sense of wonder when it is realised that inside this glowing cloud stars are actually being formed.

It may be winter, and the nights are predictably cold. However, don’t let that stop you checking out what the impressive Orion has to offer. Happy stargazing!

WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

| 27

OUT & ABOUT

A

oppin

e sh seasid

e

rienc g expe

A traditional market with over 150 stalls.

A shopper’s paradise for gifts, clothing and household goods.

Bag a bargain today! /wyremarkets

Johnny Cash Roadshow 17th April 2016 Welcome back the Johnny Cash Roadshow featuring respected singer/ songwriter Clive John.

The only show to be endorsed by the Cash family!

An even bigger show than ever, introducing the Carter Sisters and brass section the JC Horns accompanied by emotive screen visuals.

This is simply the best celebration of Johnny Cash in the world.

Tickets £21.50 Concessions £19.50 Child £10.75 Under 26s £12.50 (first 50 tickets, weekdays only; subject to availability) BOX OFFICE Telephone 01253 290190 www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk The Grand Theatre Blackpool 33 Church Street, Blackpool, FY1 1HT

BYGONE TIMES GHOST NIGHT 20th February 2016 | Only £30!

STARRING LYN

PAUL

2016 5TH-9TH APRIL E NOW!

Open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday all year round from 9am - 4.30pm Also open all Bank Holidays and Tram Sunday

28 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

PLACES ARE LIMITED...

Call today to reserve yours on 01257 451889 or email enquiries@bygonetimes.co.uk

Free Your Mind (Preston) Free Your Mind (Preston) is a non-profit, volunteer-led, constituted community group based in Preston, Lancashire, with the specific aims of running programmes that will support people who either suffer, or have suffered, from mental ill health and help eliminate barriers, both within the family and within the wider population, by increasing awareness and understanding.

L TICKETS ON SA

wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

Delve into the world of the paranormal and discover what lurks in the corners of Bygone Times.

Victoria Street / Adelaide Street, Fleetwood, Lancashire FY7 6AB Tel: 01253 887651

Projects are of a creative nature, whether that be art, craft, poetry, prose, photography or music based, and also designed to improve self-confidence, networking and overall well-being in those who attend.

For more information go to www.free-your-mind.btck.co.uk/

OUT & ABOUT

WIN A £25 M&S GIFT CARD! SIMPLY VISIT OUR COMPETITIONS SECTION ON WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK OR CALL 01204 860 194 TO ENTER

What is Showzam?

13-20 February 2106

Showzam! is an eight day festival of circus and performance that runs every year in the town during February, coinciding -with the school half term holidays.

This extraordinary and unique festival includes a number of high profile performers, street artists and never before seen acts, showcased throughout Blackpool’s famous landmarks and on the streets.

With a mix of ticketed and free events, family friendly and adult only shows, there's something for everyone, with everyone encouraged to engage and interact with the performances as well as enjoy the workshops and talks by established industry experts.

For more information visit www.showzam.co.uk

Garstang Walking Festival 2016 A programme of 50 walks around Garstang and district. The theme for this year is High Fells and Low Pastures.

Visit www.wyre.gov.uk/garstangwalkingfestival for more details. For more information please contact the Visit Garstang Centre on garstangtic@wyre.gov.uk or 01995 602125.

WIN A SELF DRIVE HOLIDAY FOR TWO... ge See pa

Closing date for competition is 30th April 2016.

Full terms & conditions on the website.

d

re holi

or mo s 8-9 f

...with Robinsons Holidays to either the Abbey Lawn Hotel in Torquay, the Imperial Hotel in Eastbourne or the Ocean View Hotel on the Isle of Wight. ays!

Prize is for any Monday to Friday 4 nights’ stay and includes dinner, bed and breakfast in a standard twin or double room.

GO TO WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK TO ENTER! WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

| 29

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

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.

Brian Conley - Alive and Dangerous

Thursday 10th March 2016 8pm All seats £23 Lowther Pavilion, West Beach, Lytham St. Annes, FY8 5QQ The multi-talented and irrepressible Brian Conley returns to the stage in this all-new show.

Showcasing his many talents, there’ll be singing, laughs, and much, much more in this latest variety show from one of Britain’s most loved performers. www.brianconley.com @RealBrianConley For more information...

BOX OFFICE tel: 01253 794 221 boxoffice@lowtherpavilion.co.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

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

Advertising Sales Position We're expanding!

If you have experience and would like to sell into this prestigious magazine, please give us a call on 01204 860 194 or email CV to john@mcgrathmedia.co.uk

6th Floor | 120 Bark Street | Bolton | BL1 2AX

T: (01204) 860 194

e: admin@mcgrathmedia.co.uk

30 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

St Catherine's Hospice Moonlight & Memories Walk 2016 04 June 2016 - 05 June 2016

Join in for a Night to Remember at our 10th Moonlight and Memories Walk!

In 2016, our biggest annual sponsored event, the Moonlight and Memories Walk, celebrates its 10th anniversary.

To celebrate this truly special night reaching double figures, we’ve introduced two brand new routes.

There’ll be a special 10-mile option – a mile representing every year of the walk (only one lap!) – as well as a family friendly 4 mile route.

Once again, walkers will set off from the hospice in Lostock Hall, before taking a route through Bamber Bridge, Preston, Penwortham and back to Lostock Hall.

Back when we launched in 2007 the event was for ladies’ only but since the Guild Year of 2012 we’ve been welcoming men and children along too.

So please, sign up and spread the word! We promise it will be a Night to Remember in more ways than one.

Entry is £15 for adults and £10 for under 18s. (All under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.) Simply fill out a form for each person you would like to register and add them to your basket. Once you have added everyone, check out to pay.

All funds raised in sponsorship help fund our specialised care for local people facing conditions like cancer, motor neurone disease and heart failure.

For more information email events@ stcatherines.co.uk or call 01772 695290

A new era at Preston Guild Hall After it’s take over back in October 2014, Preston Guild Hall embarked on an ambition plan to create a hub of arts, entertainment and leisure for Lancashire. Now almost 18 months on, the venue has already got a new lease of life and has much more on offer for it’s visitors and guests.

Already home to a 780 seat theatre and 2000 seat concert hall, Preston Guild Hall has always offered a wide variety of shows and events and the past 18 months have not disappointed with top theatre including Agatha Christies The Mousetrap, West End musical Avenue Q, classical music from The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, comedy from the likes of Alan Carr and music acts to suit every taste. The venue has also re-established it’s place as a top sporting venue, hosting the World Seniors Snooker Championship, professional boxing and wrestling to name a few.

As well as increasing the number and quality of shows on offer, the complex has also welcomed several new eateries and businesses since it’s takeover, the first of which was their in-house coffee shop Leaf or Bean which serves everything from cakes to Full English Breakfasts!

Opening it’s doors shortly after, and to rave reviews was on site restaurant Mundo Tapas. Serving a wide range of dishes from around the globe and using

locally sourced ingredients, Mundo Tapas has become a firm favourite with Preston diners and of course is very popular for pre or post show dining. Patrons can receive 10% off their food bill with production of a valid show ticket or pre purchase a voucher online when booking.

You can even book your discounted car park at the same time to save time and hassle on the night!

Review cocktail and wine bar is the newest addition to the complex and has made a huge impact on Preston’s social scene, with a live DJ at the weekend and 2 for 1 cocktails on offer every night from 5.30-10pm, it’s no surprise. From Strawberry Mojitos to Espresso Martinis, the menu offers an exciting mix of classic cocktails with contemporary twists.

Other arts focused businesses to open their doors in the Guild Hall include Curious Minds, a company that helps people release their creative potential, Carol May’s School of Dance and City Beat Radio but the development doesn’t end there with more exciting plans already in place for this year.

Coming up in March English Youth Ballet – Giselle Friday 4th & Saturday 5th at 7.30pm (plus Sat Mat 2.30pm)

James Martin Plates, Mates & Automobiles Wednesday 9th at 7.30pm

Brendan Cole – A Night To Remember - Thursday 10th at 7.30pm Ireland’s Call – Two Countries, One Love Thursday 10th at 7.30pm A Celebration of Neil Diamond Friday 11th at 7.30pm

Paul Carrack - Saturday 12th at 7.30pm Folk In The Foyer - Peter Knight's Gigspanner - Sunday 13th at 7.30pm Preston Opera – The Magic Flute Thursday 17th – Saturday 19th at 7.30pm

The Circus of Horrors – Welcome to the Carnevil Wednesday 23rd at 7.30pm

To find out more and to follow their journey please visit

www.prestonguildhall.com.

Win a pair of tickets!! to a show of your choice and pre-show cocktails* at Review!

to enter, simply visit the competitions section at www.50plusmagazine.co.uk and enter your details in the draw for your chance to win! it's that simple!

The Ultimate Buble Theatre Show Friday 25th at 7.30pm

How The Koala Learnt To Hug Monday 28th at 2.30pm

Tea Dance Tuesday 29th at 2pm

Champions of Magic Tuesday 29th at 7.30pm

Frankie Boyle – Hurt Like You’ve Never Been Loved Closing date for entries - 30th April 2016

Thursday 31st at 7.30pm

*A pre-show drink per person (2 in total) any cocktail on the menu, soft drink or beer. See website for terms & conditions.

WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

| 31

Quality dentures mean a quality lifestyle The Importance of Dentures The eyes, nose and teeth are the focal points of every face; they give the first impressions of your personality.

Natural teeth grow in proportion and in harmony with your facial features and your dentures should be made accordingly.

Your teeth, or your dentures, have many important functions: to support your facial muscles, to help formulate your speech, and most importantly to chew your food and start the digestive process.

It is very important to chew food properly, as poorly chewed food will take longer to digest, especially for the elderly who could risk problems in the digestive system.

Choice of Dentures There are four main quality standards in denture materials.

The denture base (gum coloured on which the denture teeth sit).

32 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

• • • • •

Standard Quality High Impact Acrylics (much stronger) Injection Pressure Formed (Premium Denture Base) Flexible (Partial Dentures) Metal Denture

professional ultrasonic cleaning in a dental laboratory at least once a year. Due to constant bone resorbtion dentures will become loose sooner or later.

The Denture Teeth

Loose dentures will increase damage to the gums and bone structure, and increase the risk of breakage. Have them re-lined as soon as possible to get a good fit. It only takes a day or two.

Of course, the materials alone will not make a good denture. In the hands of a skillful and experienced Clinical Dental Technician the best results are achieved.

Have your dentures inspected by a Clinical Dental Technician at least every two years, or more frequently if necessary.

A range of quality teeth are available.

Dentures Need Regular Servicing Dentures are in constant use almost 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

They are also in a pretty hostile environment in the mouth, being attacked by strong acid, bacteria, hot, cold and spicy food. Denture material absorbs liquids and food odour.

Daily cleaning is essential as well as

Your Dentures need Attention 1. When they become loose.

2. When teeth or denture base discolours.

3. When tooth surfaces become flat.

4. When denture base does not fit around natural teeth (in partial dentures).

5. When you develop deep lines around your mouth.

6. When your chin sticks out, and the

HEALTH corners of your lips are constantly wet, developing sores.

7. When you stop smiling and feel embarrassed.

My Dentures have become loose!

This is easily remedied by a procedure know as Re-lining. A new layer of Denture base is added to your existing Denture, improving the fit and restoring confidence.

Dentures with worn down teeth Teeth excessively worn, require a new set of dentures.

Dentures on Implants

This type of Denture is constructed in conjunction with the Dental Implant Surgeon. This is a very good procedure when the patient has limited control and retention of their Dentures. The finished Dentures ‘click’ into position offering the ultimate in Denture Retention.

Major improvements in Facial Features Padding dentures to reduce lines and fill up sunken cheeks will require a new set of dentures. It is advisable to have a new set of dentures made every 5 to 10 years.

Should I have a spare set of Dentures made?

visual and artistic judgement.

At the same time we have to use our technical expertise in order to make the denture stable and functional.

Denture construction is more art than science.

What is a Clinical Dental Technician?

Difficulties in Constructing a Good Set of Dentures

Professional Clinical Dental Technicians are members of the Dental Health Care Team. They have undergone specific training and education in the skills and knowledge necessary to provide a removable appliance service directly to the community.

Constructing a functional and aesthetically pleasing set of dentures is one of the most difficult task in dentistry. We are not only replacing lost teeth, but also lost tissue matter and bone. In other words, we have to re-create your facial features as they were before the loss of your natural teeth.

Equipped with solid technical training as a Dental Technician - plus posttechnician training in sciences, clinical skills, and interpersonal skills - the Clinical Dental Technician can design, create, construct and modify (repair and rebase) removable appliances to ensure optimal fit, maximum comfort and general well-being of patients.

In most cases we do not know what your teeth looked like, what size they were or what position they were in originally. We have a few indications but mostly we have to rely on our

These skills enable the Clinical Dental Technician, whilst remaining a member of the Dental Health Care Team, to work independently of other Dental Health Care providers.

Yes, it is very important to have a spare set of dentures for emergencies in case of breakage.

LEYLAND DENTURE CENTRE for your next quality denture

• Qualified Clinical Dental Technicians • New Dentures and Relines • Dental Repairs • Free Consultations

NEW DENTURES MADE AT THE CLINIC

PREVIOUS DENTURES

Contact us at:

01772 623 623

Independence House | Golden Hill Lane | Leyland | PR25 3NP Registered with the GENERAL DENTAL COUNCIL

www.leylanddenturecentre.co.uk WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

| 33

Never too Old to Learn From complete computer beginner to daily blogger on a popular local website – an inspirational story from Chrissie for the start of a new year!

If you’re making New Year’s Resolutions and planning how this is going to be the year for you, you might take inspiration from Christine Littlewood. She’s a normal woman just like you but she's also got a split life as a blogger – and it’s opened up a whole new chapter for her in her later years.

Chrissie, as she's known, only learnt how to use a computer in her late 60’s, after living for more than twenty years in the middle of the family design business and decided that if she couldn't beat them she'd join them! Putting paid to the idea that you can't teach an old dog new tricks, Chrissie was 67 when she first picked up a computer - and didn't even know at that point how to turn the machine on. With patience and daily lessons from daughter Jane, she first mastered the machine and then started to write a daily blog.

Chrissie says “All my friends were learning how to send emails and use Facebook and I wanted to be part of what they were sharing. I had a few lessons on Jane’s machine at first and then bought my own, and now I can’t imagine not being able to use a computer and take part in the world which they open up.”

The family publish the Visit Fylde Coast websites and that’s where you’ll find Chrissie’s incredibly popular blog. Now having just turned 71 she’s got a big following of people from all around the

34 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

country and shares stories of family life, what it’s like to creak when you get older, and her opinion on local and national topics.

Chrissie says "Back in the day I'd gone to a Girls Grammar school and always enjoyed writing and English lessons and slowly, with practice the cogs started turning again and I found my old fluent self and I now enjoy writing a piece almost every day.

"I've never been stuck for words, but the strange thing is that now I’ve started blogging I seem to have found my funny bone. I wouldn't say that it's a comedy piece every day but we do have an amusing view on life in our house, and that humour just comes out when I start writing about what’s just happened in our often chaotic household." There's hardly a day goes by when there isn't something funny happening in their house, and following a funny the cry of 'Blog' goes up and the notepad comes out to write it down before everyone has a senior moment and forgets what it is that needs sharing!

Chrissie's family bought their seaside home over sixteen years ago and she still hasn't got over the thrill of living at the coast where every day feels like a

holiday. "I write about all kinds of things - what it's like to live beside the sea, the weather, the antics of our tame seagull called Homer, what we get up to in our community group, and the odd topical thing that happens in the national news that I feel strongly about.

“I love to talk to my readers and friends on Facebook – it’s such a great way to get to know people and to find things out and it makes you feel connected to the community around you. For us oldies it’s a wonderful way of still feeling like you’re part of the world even on the days when you might not be able to go out and physically take part.”

“What’s even nicer is to be recognised when we’re out and about – Jane is forever taking photos of me which usually end up in my blog so people do recognise me when I’m shopping or in the supermarket. I never thought that my face would ever be publicly recognisable when I was a housewife bringing up a family, or when I was looking after my own elderly mum and it’s such a thrill at my ripe old age to have achieved something in my own right.”

Jane finished by saying, "I'm really proud of her, to have got to grips with new technology and made a mark in her own right as a modern day blogger is a big achievement and it just shows that you're never too old to learn.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lycopene is sometimes presented in the National media as a panacea, a miraclefood that cures almost everything. Whilst many claims are exaggerated, there

is a large and credible research base that reports lycopene health benefits, particularly in relation to prostate cancer, heart disease, breast cancer and skin health.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In all likelihood, several mechanisms are at work.

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

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

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

£17.95

Save £5

2 boxes for

£30.90

Save £16

4 boxes for

£55.80

All prices include free UK postage & packing

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

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

WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

| 35

CARE

Learning about Dementia Each person experiences dementia differently so it’s helpful to sort the condition into stages to help detect the symptoms earlier. This will let you know whether you need to look for care and support for a loved one. Dementia is a progressive illness affecting a person’s mental capacity, their memory and communication will gradually decline and will require support to carry out daily living routines.

Stages of Dementia Early stage The early stages of dementia are very minor changes in a person’s behaviour and can often be mistaken for normal ageing attributes. Loss of memory for most recent events is an early sign that someone may have dementia. Be on the lookout for these signs: • The person becomes slower at understanding new ideas • They repeat themselves • They lose interest in other people and activities • They blame others for taking their misplaced stuff • They’re forgetful about recent events or conversations • They find it hard to make decisions • They’re unwilling to try out new things In these situations it’s tempting to support them to help them cope, but in order to retain their independence and self-esteem, they should have the chance to do activities for themselves, with a little support if necessary They’re likely to become agitated and distressed in this condition, so be ready to provide emotional support and reassurance to boost their confidence.

Middle stage As dementia progresses, the changes in the person become more noticeable. They need support to help manage their daily living, with frequent reminders to eat, use the toilet, wash and dress. Being forgetful of people’s names and repeating the same phrase several times are signs of decline in their memory.

During the Middle stage they may lose their confidence and become clingy.

You may also notice some other signs, be careful of: •

•

Confusion about where they are and becoming lost after walking off Waking up at night because they’re mixing up night and day

36 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

• Putting themselves and others at risk - by forgetting to light the gas on the cooker for example • Hallucinations and difficulty in perceiving events Late stage During this time, they’ll be totally dependent on others to help care for them. Their loss of memory will become paramount, being unable to recognise objects, surroundings and their closest friends and family members.

You’ll notice that they’ll become increasingly frail at this point, showing difficulty in walking and eventually they’ll be confined to a bed or wheelchair.

Other symptoms are: • Difficulty in eating and swallowing • Considerable difference in weight, some people may lose weight and others may eat too much • Loss of their bladder control and sometimes their bowels • Loss of speech, repeating a few words or crying out from time to time Support to stay in your own home If you want to live as independently as possible, you may need support to stay in your own home. The health and social care trust in your area can provide services to help you.

Health and social care assessments A range of support is available. For example, you might need help with cleaning, or you may find it useful if you had a bath rail fitted. You may be entitled to financial help to maintain your own home.

To find out what sort of help you could get, your local trust will assess your health and social care needs. It is important to tell the health and social care trust what will make your everyday life easier.

You may also be entitled to ‘direct payments’. These are trust payments available for anyone who has been assessed as needing social care, and who would like to buy services instead of receiving the trust’s services. For example, direct payments could be used to pay a home help.

Care in your own home Care in your own home is offered to people who require help with personal care like washing or dressing, or help with other daily domestic tasks such as cooking and cleaning, or help in managing finances.

Direct payments - arranging your own care and services Direct payments are local Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust payments for people who have been assessed as needing help from social services, and who would like to arrange and pay for their own care and support services instead of receiving them directly from the local trust.

A person must be able to give their consent to receiving direct payments and be able to manage them even if they need help to do this on a day-to-day basis.

Who is eligible?

If you already receive social services Your local trust is obliged to offer you the option of direct payments in place of the services you currently receive. There are some limited circumstances where you are not given this choice and your local trust will be able to tell you about these.

If you’re not receiving social services To get direct payments you’ll need to contact your local trust to ask them to assess your needs. Direct payments are normally available if you: • have a disability and are aged 16 or over • are a carer aged 16 or over, including people with parental responsibility for a child with disabilities • are an older person How much do you get?

The amount you receive will depend on the assessment your local trust makes of your needs.

How it’s paid Direct payments are made directly into your bank, building society, Post Office or National Savings’ account. If you need someone who cares for you to collect your money, or you are registered blind, payment can be made by sending a cheque which can be cashed at the Post Office.

Progress Lifeline offers remote monitoring in your home and emergency personal assistance when you need it to help to make your life easier, safer and more comfortable.

In an emergency quickly gaining access to your property is really important, especially for the emergency services.

We can install a KeySafe, which can provide a quick and easy way for family, care workers, emergency services and other authorised people to gain access to your home without delay.

If you feel that you, or someone you care for, could benefit from our Progress Lifeline service, please contact us for a free, no obligation home demonstration.

We can provide the service in any home all that is needed is a connected landline.

The service works via an easy-to-use personal alarm that you can use to summon assistance or gain reassurance at any time of the day or night.

The Control Centre based in Leyland is home to 20 highly trained and dedicated operators. They are on hand 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to take calls from customers who press their personal alarms, or from any sensors that may send an alert to the Control Centre. The operators make sure that the appropriate help is sent in the event of assistance being required.

We also provide a mobile response service, this is to support people who may not have family or friends living close by who could attend following the personal alarm being activated.

Our friendly mobile responders are available day and night and will attend within 45 minutes. They are all fully trained in assistive lifting. If you fall and are uninjured we can get you back on your feet without the need for the emergency services.

If you are happy with the service recommend it to a friend* and Progress Lifeline will give you both shopping vouchers. *Subject to terms and conditions.

Sumner House, 21 King Street, Leyland, Lancashire PR25 2LW Phone: 01772 678910 Email: lifeline@progressgroup.org.uk

We help hundreds of people live independently in their own homes every day.

Progress Lifeline offers remote monitoring in your home and emergency personal assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year to help to make your life easier, safer and more comfortable.

We can help support you to stay in your own home for longer and also provide much-welcomed reassurance and peace of mind, not only to yourself but also to your family, friends and carers.

FREE installation and first four weeks free

Get in touch For more information call today on 01772 678910 or email lifeline@progressgroup.org.uk (please quote ‘50Plus’) www.progresslifeline.org.uk www.facebook.com/ProgressLifeline

Progress Lifeline is an easy-to-use personal alarm system that can enable you to remain independent and more confident in your own home.

Prices start from ÂŁ3.60 per week.

WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

| 37

Be part of the warm welcome on offer at The Mill, St Catherine's Park Volunteers needed at this cosy café near Preston.

When Helen Brocki retired from her job as deputy principal at Lancashire College, she was keen to find another challenge to keep her busy and motivated throughout the working week.

She knew about the good work of St Catherine's Hospice in Lostock Hall, near Preston, and went online to find out about volunteering opportunities.

After hearing about the charity's latest venture at The Mill - a café and community hub within the grounds of St Catherine's Park - she signed up as a volunteer café assistant.

Since then she has never looked back, and enjoys giving her time each week to support the work of the social enterprise the profits from which are used to support the specialised care of the hospice.

The Mill is now recruiting new volunteer café assistants to help them continue their important work and Helen said she would wholeheartedly recommend it.

"I love volunteering here – it’s a lot more relaxed than working, but it also gives me a structure to my week," she said.

“When I retired, I needed something to keep me busy, I knew about St Catherine's Hospice and the great work they do, so I just looked on the internet to see what was available. I like coming here because I’m meeting customers and working with many different people. I’ve caught up with old friends here and have made many new friends too.”

Volunteer café assistants play a vital role at The Mill, assisting with everything from preparing and serving food and drink to clearing tables and cleaning, all whilst providing welcoming and friendly customer service.

The café prides itself on serving locally sourced, seasonal produce, covering everything from coffee and cake to full meals and deliciously decadent afternoon teas.

The latter features finger sandwiches filled with the finest regional produce - from Mrs Kirkham's Lancashire cheese to Brendan Anderton of Longridge's gammon-style ham - bite-sized quiche of the day, and The Mill chicken liver pate en croute - and that's just the savoury selection.

Freshly baked scones served with clotted cream and preserves, and a selection of indulgent desserts that almost look too good to eat, all topped off with a pot of St Catherine's Blend tea (or coffee), make for a wonderful afternoon treat. And the best bit is that it can all be enjoyed guilt free because the profits are used to support St Catherine's Hospice.

VOLUNTEER CAFÉ ASSISTANT HELEN BROCKI AFTERNOON TEA, THE MILL STYLE

Along with the café, The Mill is a vibrant community hub which offers a host of activities covering everything from yoga and pilates to painting workshops and drop-in advice sessions from its upstairs rooms. Meanwhile, special occasions can be also catered for in The Mill Café which is available to hire in the evenings for private functions, or through The Mill Outside - the outside catering arm of the operation. They can bring a taste of The Mill to you by catering for events such as weddings, Christenings and funeral receptions.

Nicola Hanmer, commercial catering manager, said: "The Mill is a wonderful community project working on many different levels to raise vital funds.

It's a fantastic team to be part of and we'd love to hear from people who are interested in getting involved, having some fun and helping to make a difference."

If you are interested in finding out more about volunteering at The Mill call Minaxi Panchal on 01772 629171 or email themill@ stcatherinespark.co.uk.

The Mill, St Catherine's Park, Lostock Lane, Lostock Hall, Preston, PR5 5XU.

Tel: 01772 695277 | www.themillatstcatherinespark.co.uk The Mill, St Catherine's Park

@TheMillPre

To apply online visit www. themillatstcatherinespark. co.uk. Full training is provided.

Afternoon tea costs £14 per person advance booking required.

BIGGEST & BEST MOBILITY STORE IN THE AREA!

HUGE MOBILITY SALE

UP TO

60% OFF

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY.......

HOME VISITS A PLEASURE! PARATNGE

EXCH OME WELC

New ‘Fold & Go’ Range...

super lightweight, from only 17kg! ‘The lightest in the world’

Folds up in 5 seconds flat!!

Easy to store and great for trains, planes, cruises, buses, car boots etc.

Ex

Scooters

We are contracted to clear a massive amount of Ex ‘Motability’ Luxury 8mph Scooters FINANCE NOW

from These deluxe scooters have a RRP of between AVAILABLE only £9 p/wk £4,500 and £6,000 - to clear from £1,295* and £1,595*. These are the Rolls Royce of scooters available now at a giveaway price.

Part exchange your old scooter for a ‘top of the range’ luxury model.

All lightly used with minor scuffs or damaged packaging etc.

Dozens of scooters on display £300 - £5000 Lightweight & powered wheelchairs & rollators

Bath Lifts

Stairlifts professionally installed

from only

£399 £999

from

£199

from

HOME VISITS A PLEASURE

Memory Foam Adjustable Beds

£699

Riser Recliners Chairs

Double size & Kingsize Available Overnight delivery

from £499

Small medium & large sizes or made to measure in a choice of beautiful /re 2 clin e n er chairs Ju colours

er Ris

Single from

£99

01 5

from

We are also clearing brand new mini fold up scooters from £699*, medium size ‘Shopper’ scooters at only £999*.

All come with a full warranty, FREE insurance and FREE service.

Call Justin, Steve, Jennie or Sophie for friendly helpful advice.

Just telephone and we come to you.*** Shop open daily 10am-5pm. PART EXCHANGE INCLUDED* Head Office...

20 Cambridge Arcade SOUTHPORT PR8 1AS

Telephone Freephone: 0800 980 9822

www.mobilityworldsouthport.co.uk SOUTHPORT • BLACKPOOL • BURY • LLANDUDNO WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

| 39

1145302

***Try before you buy. FREE home demonstration. FREE delivery. All Merseyside, Lancashire, Fylde & Cheshire areas covered.

“I say, have you heard what’s going on at Bygone Times?!”

Antiques & collectables across the ages!

500 STALL HOLDERS - ACROSS 5 ENORMOUS FLOORS Including a Cobbled Alleyway & Courtyard Garden Centre

1000’S OF PRODUCTS NOT TO BE MISSED

LANCASHIRE

TITANIC MUSEUM

Antiques

Collectables

Furniture from every period Silverware & Jewellery Antique timepieces Decadent Pottery

Toys & Figureens Books including 1st editions Tracks & Trains Beautiful Artwork

Memorabilia

Vintage

War Memorabilia Sports Memorabilia Music including artwork Kitchenalia

Spinners Cafe Hot food & drinks, afternoon tea, light bites & cakes

The museum is dedicated to the history and memory of the Titanic and its significant impact on the people of Lancashire.

Jewellery & Clothing Artwork & Ornaments Retro Furniture Vintage Homeware

ith . Sm Mr J co.uk times.

A time to

remember

Save £££’s

...with our membership card!

Don’t miss out, apply for your membership card today!

ygone www.b

Bygone Times, Grove Mill, The Green, Eccleston, Lancashire PR7 5TZ

40 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

FREE ADMISSION INTO THE MUSEUM

We’re open 10:00am - 5:30pm, 7 days a week Call us today on: 01257 451889 enquiries@bygonetimes.co.uk www.bygonetimes.co.uk