Warrington & wigan 40

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WIGAN, WARRINGTON & ST. HELENS APRIL - JULY 2014 EDITION 40

Robert Lindsay

Talks about the Northwest Premiere of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels...

Rick Stein

In search of the perfect curry...

THE LOCAL MAGAZINE FOR THE OVER 50s

WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

H O L I D AY S

& T R AV E L

Memory Lane is a well established coach company offering a high level of service. Our tour programme offers a wide range of UK and Continental Tours to many destinations and represent good value for money. All our Tour coaches are air conditioned for your comfort and most tours include admission with hot and cold drinks available.

Our Diner Coaches offer extra leg room as they are full size vehicles. The on board hostess will offer Morning Coffee and Lunch on touring days. All service and coaches are of the highest quality.

CALL NOW

FOR YOUR 2014 BROCHURE -INCLUDING DA Y EXCURSIONS

British & Continental Holidays & Short Breaks 13 May SCARBOROUGH - Esplanade Hotel 5 days/ 4 nts HB £315

Inc NYM Railway SS NIL

APRIL 2014 06 Apr BATH/CHEDDAR GORGE - Limpley Stoke 5 days/ 4 nts HB £299

Includes a day at Longleat SS 50

16 May CORNISH SPECIAL - Rosemundy House 6 days/ 5 nts HB £399

Inc Eden Project SS NIL

11 Apr DURHAM & STEAM - Honest Lawyer 3 days/ 2 nts HB £199

Great North Steam SS 25

25 May TORQUAY - Corbyn Head Hotel 6 days/ 5 nts HB £399

2012 Price SS NIL

13 Apr BOURNEMOUTH - Hinton Firs 5 days/ 4 nts HB £275

Dorset Charms SS NIL

25 May TORQUAY - Livermead Cliff Hotel 6 days/ 5 nts HB £399

2012 Price SS NIL

14 Apr BABBACOMBE - Anchorage Hotel 5 days/ 4 nts HB £167

NEW HOTEL SS NIL

25 May THE VERY BEST OF GERMANY 12 days/ HB £969

Berlin, Dresden, Harz Mountains SS 200

24 Apr DUTCH BULBFIELDS - Spannder Hotel 6 days/ 5 nts HB £479

Bulbfields inc Keukenhof Garden SS 110

31 May SIDMOUTH - Kingswood & Devoran Hotel 6 days/ 5 nts HB £439

Superb Quality SS NIL

26 Apr TENBY - Park Hotel 6 days/ 5 nts HB £399

Pembrokes Best SS 25

MAY 2014

JUNE 2014 01 Jun BOURNEMOUTH - Hinton Firs 6 days/ 5 nts HB £379

DINER TOUR SS NIL

04 May BAMBURGH - Victoria Hotel 6 days/ 5 nts HB £419

2013 Price - DINER TOUR SS NIL

10 Jun

15 Jun

04 May JERSEY BY AIR - Mayfair Hotel 8 days/ 7 nts HB £599

Flying from Liverpool SS NIL

16 Jun WYE VALLEY & HEREFORD - Warner Holme Lacy 5 days/ 4 nts HB £445 SS NIL

05 May LLANDUDNO - Queens Hotel 5 days/ 4 nts HB £295

Bank Holiday Special SS 15

17 Jun DUBLIN - Tara Towers Hotel 5 days/ 4 nts HB £349 SS 70

02 May LLANDUDNO - Queens Hotel 4 days/ 3 nts HB £209

Extravaganza SS 13

NORWICH - Best Western Brook Hotel 5 days/ 4 nts HB £359 Sandringham Cruise SS 65 CUMBRIA - Gilsland Spa 6 days/ 5 nts HB £349 Summer Holiday SS 25

ALL TOURS - DOOR TO DOOR

HEATH STREET, GOLBORNE, WARRINGTON WA3 3AD.

22 Jun ISLE OF WIGHT - Channel View Hotel 6 days/ 5 nts HB £459

Great Position SS NIL 22 Jun YPRES AND WW1 - Novotel Ypres 5 days/ 4 nts HB £425 SS 100 30 Jun GREAT MALVERN - The Abbey Hotel 5 days/ 4 nts HB £379

Many visits included SS 45

JULY 2014 04 Jul CUMBRIA - Gilsland Spa 3 days/ 2 nts FB £159

Line Dance Weekend SS 10 06 Jul DUMFRIES - Cairndale Hotel 5 days/ 4 nts HB £369

DINER TOUR SS 60 06 Jul ISLE OF MAN - Rutland Hotel 5 days/ 4 nts HB £429

Steam Train Included SS 40 12 Jul TORQUAY - Kistor Hotel 8 days/ 7 nts HB £439

Summer Holiday SS NIL 12 Jul PAIGNTON - Marine Hotel 8 days/ 7 nts HB £499

Summer Holiday SS NIL 13 Jul DUNOON & COWEL - Esplanade Hotel 6 days/ 5 nts HB £369

DINER TOUR SS NIL 20 Jul NORMANDY - Mercure Pont L’eveque 6 days/ 5 nts HB £595

Visit to Monet’s Garden, Guide tour of Battlefields SS 169 20 Jul DOWNTON ABBEY - Hilton Hotel Swindon 5 days/ 4 nts HB £329

Inc. Highclere & Lacock SS 90 27 Jul IRELAND CLONMEL - Hotel Minella 5 days/ 4 nts HB £475

Great Excursions included SS 120

AUGUST 2014 03 Aug FRENCH ALPS & ANNECY - 8 days/ 7 nts HB £715

Best Western Alpen Rock, Clusaz SS 179 08 Aug Edinburgh Tattoo - Best Western Kings Manor 3 days/ 2 nts HB £275

Good Tickets included SS 50 09 Aug Jersey by Air - The Mayfair Hotel 8 days/ 7 nts HB £659

Battle of the Flowers - Parade tickets inc. SS NIL 22 Aug Edinburgh Tattoo - Best Western 3 days/ 2 nts HB £275

Kings Manor Good Tickets included SS 50 22 Aug Llandridnod Wells - Metropole Hotel 4 days/ 3 nts HB £289

Victorian Festival SS 30 22 Aug Scotland in Miniature - 2 Centre Holiday 7 days/ 3 nts HB £479

DINER - Menzies Irvine & Best Western Kinloch SS 60 30 Aug Eastbourne - Haddon Hall Hotel 8 days/ 7 nts HB £449

Late Summer Holiday SS NIL 30 Aug BOURNEMOUTH - Hinton Firs 6 days/ 5 nts HB £395

DINER SS NIL

SEPTEMBER 2014 04 Sept ANGERS IN THE LOIRE - Mercure Centre Foch Angers 6B&B £399

Wigan’s twin town visit including Accroche-Coeurs Festival SS 145 14 Sept LLANDUDNO - Queens Hotel 6 days/ 5 nts HB £375

Inc. train to Porthmadoc SS 18 14 Sept TORQUAY - Corbyn Head Hotel 6 days/ 5 nts HB £439

2012 Price SS NIL 14 Sept TORQUAY - Livermead Cliff Hotel 6 days/ 5 nts HB £439 SS NIL 21 Sept BAMBURGH - Victoria Hotel 6 days/ 5 nts HB £419

DINER TOUR SS NIL 22 Sept BLACKPOOL - Park House Hotel 5 days/ 4 nts HB £249 SS NIL 22 Sept WARNERS - Cricket St Thomas 5 days/ 4 nts HB £419

To The Manor Born SS NIL 28 Sept LOOE CORNWALL - Hannafore Point Hotel 6 days/ 5 nts HB £429

Including Eden Project SS NIL 29 Sept BABBACOMBE - Anchorage Hotel 5 days/ 4 nts HB £209

Bargain Break - 3 nights entertainment SS NIL

OCTOBER 2014 03 Oct BLACKPOOL LIGHTS - Park House Hotel 4 days/ 3 nts HB £195

SS NIL 07 Oct Jersey by Air - The Mayfair Hotel 5 days/ 6 nts HB £429

SS NIL 08 Oct SIDMOUTH - Kingswood & Devoran Hotel 5 days/ 4 nts HB £349

Superb Quality Hotel SS NIL 10 Oct CUMBRIA - Gilsland Spa 3 days/ 2 nts FB £159

Line Dance Weekend SS 10 12 Oct DUNOON & COWEL - Esplanade Hotel 6 days/ 5 nts HB £339

DINER TOUR SS NIL 13 Oct WARNERS - Sinah Warren 5 days/ 4 nts HB £389

DINER TOUR SS NIL 13 Oct WARNERS - Lakeside Resort 5 days/ 4 nts HB £329

Lakeside Resort SS NIL 19 Oct BOWNESS ON WINDERMERE 3 days/ 2 nts HB £229

Lindith Howe Hotel 4* SS 50 20 Oct CRICCIETH - Lion Hotel 5 days/ 4 nts HB £299

DINER TOUR SS NIL 24 Oct PAIGNTON - Marine Hotel 5 days/ 4 nts HB £299

Turkey & Tinsel SS NIL 26 Oct TENBY - Belgrave Hotel 5 days/ 4 nts HB £279

ALL INCLUSIVE Turkey & Tinsel SS 20

NOVEMBER 2014 10 Nov TORQUAY - Kistor Hotel 5 days/ 4 nts HB £245

Turkey & Tinsel SS NIL 10 Nov CUMBRIA - Gilsland Spa 5 days/ 4 nts HB £299

Turkey & Tinsel SS 20 14 Nov CUMBRIA - Gilsland Spa 4 days/ 3 nts HB £239

Turkey & Tinsel SS 15 16 Nov THURSFORD XMAS - Holiday Inn Norwich 3 days/ 2 nts HB £239

Quality Show SS 60 17 Nov LLANDUDNO - Queens Hotel 5 days/ 4 nts HB £279

Turkey & Tinsel includes afternoon tea SS 20 23 Nov THURSFORD XMAS - Holiday Inn Norwich 3 days/ 2 nts HB £239

Quality Show SS 60 23 Nov BOURNEMOUTH - Hinton Firs Hotel 5 days/ 4 nts HB £289

Turkey & Tinsel - QUALITY PACKAGE SS NIL 27 Nov valkenburg - Schaepkens Hotel 5 days/ 4 nts HB £395

Dutch & German Xmas Markets SS 90 28 Nov LLANDUDNO - Queens Hotel 4 days/ 3 nts HB £229

Turkey & Tinsel includes afternoon tea SS 15 30 Nov LUDLOW - Feathers Hotel 5 days/ 4 nts HB £269

Pre Xmas Break SS NIL

DECEMBER 2014 08 Dec FOLKESTONE- Grand Burstin Hotel 5 days/ 4 nts HB £199

4 drinks per night plus Euro tunnel to France inc.

SS NIL 23 Dec LLANDRINDOD WELLS - Metropole Hotel 5 days/ 4 nts FB £525

Christmas Package - Luxury Full Board SS 40 23 Dec DUMFRIES - Cairndale Hotel 5 days/ 4 nts HB+ £379

Christmas Package SS 60 24 Dec CUMBRIA - Gilsland Spa 4 days/ 3 nts FB TBA

Christmas Package SS 24 Dec LLANDUDNO - Queens Hotel 5 days/ 4 nts FB £539

Christmas Package SS 13 30 Dec DUMFRIES - Cairndale Hotel 4 days/ 3 nts HB+ £420

Hogmanay Package SS 80 30 Dec CUMBRIA - Gilsland Spa 4 days/ 3 nts HB+ TBA

New Year Package SS

( 01942 728960 www.memorylanetravel.co.uk

Taking the credit

8-9

10-11

Imagine a world where 007 isn’t as cool as you’d think. Or a land where 999 doesn’t set the alarm bells ringing. Welcome to the world of credit references. A world where your score is between 000 and 700, or even 1000 - and the higher it is the better.

From credit card applications to car loans, our credit file can have a big impact on our every day lives. But what do you know about yours and what can you do if it’s holding you back? We asked the Financial Ombudsman Service – the free service that sorts out money problems – for some tips on what to look out for.

14-15

Check it out! - To tackle your credit score you need to find out

what it is from one of the main agencies, Experian, Callcredit or Equifax. You can get hold of your file for a nominal fee (around £2). Or, for a monthly fee, you can get regular updates on changes to your ‘credit worthiness and score’. Most of the credit reference agencies offer a free trial but make sure you know when the trial ends. Giving your credit file the once over gives you the chance to spot any mistakes that need correcting.

12-13 24-25

18-20

Direct Debits - The most common way to get a black mark on

your credit file is to miss a payment – whether it’s on your credit card or your mobile phone bill. Those missed payments stay on your record for years. Always make sure you have enough money in your account to cover any payments due. If you think you’ll struggle to make a payment, speak to the business straight away.

Old Credit Cards - If you’ve got old credit cards that you

inside...

Portugal ...

Two of the most traditional and interesting regions of the country.

never use, tell the lender you want to close the account and cut the card up so the number is unreadable. Not only is this therapeutic, it keeps your credit file clear of old accounts.

8-9

Other People’s Problems - If your partner has had a few credit hiccups along the way, it could have an impact on your ability to get credit. If you want to separate another person’s credit score from your own, ask the credit reference agency to add a “notice of disassociation”. This will mean their financial flaws shouldn’t have an impact on you.

10-11 Robinsons Holidays...

Affordable peace of mind.

How To Correct Things - Even things like not being on the electoral roll to being can have an impact on your credit file.

If you do have a problem, for example you missed a payment because you were made redundant, you can add a “notice of correctionto your credit report to explain things. Anyone searching your report will see the note and take account of it when you apply for credit. Look out for accounts being registered to the wrong address or anything that looks unfamiliar. If there’s a problem, write to the lender involved and ask it to correct the mistake. If it won’t, get in touch with the ombudsman who will try to help you get it sorted.

14-15 Home Tips ...

How colours can change a room.

If you do spot something out of the ordinary on your credit file and you’re not able to sort it out with the credit reference agency or lender, the Financial Ombudsman Service may be able to help. Just call on 0300 123 9 123 or have a look at www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk 4

12-13 Robert Lindsay...

Talks about the Northwest Premier of

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

18-20 Rick Stein ...

In search of the perfect curry.

24-25 The Brindley Theatre...

Highlights of the Spring/Summer season.

McGrath Media.

Unit 6 | Moses Gate Workshops Gladys Street | Bolton | BL3 2QG. T: (01204) 796 494 | F: (01204) 791594 e: mcgrathadmin@btconnect.com

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

OPEN

FREE ENTRY AND PARKING

The Farmers Market & Craft Centre

TUES - SAT 10AM-5PM SUN 10.30AM - 4.30PM & BANK HOLIDAYS

at Heskin Hall Estate

5 MINS FROM J27 M6, 2 MINS FROM CHARNOCK RICHARD SERVICES

Wood Lane, Heskin, Chorley, Lancashire PR7 5PA • 07599 831907 • www.heskinfarmersmarket.co.uk

FOOD HALL ~ CRAFTS ~ ANTIQUES ~ TEA ROOM

Relax, dine and shop at Heskin Hall Estate Over 40 shops and businesses including: leading art gallery, high quality butchers, florist and plant centre, craft studios, food shops, ladies & gents clothing, gifts with a difference, handbags and jewellery, childrens clothing & toys, hair & beauty, furniture, fredericks ice cream, Hoggs of Fife Country Clothing, Ladybird Lounge Craft Cafe and much more…

The Two Birds Tea Room

Check out our website for news, upcoming events, and much more.

Why not relax and enjoy our freshly made paninis, toasties, sandwiches, soups and salads made using our fresh local produce. Summer specials and Sangria now available.

Heskin Hall Free Range Butchers www.heskinfarmersmarket.co.uk We have a wide range of high quality meats and products including beef,

lamb, pork, chicken, turkey, venison, water buffalo and selection of game.

Try our freshly made quality sausages, tasty meat balls, beef burgers, buffalo burgers and stir-fries.

Our beef and lamb comes from our own free range herds, 100% grass fed, producing the highest quality meats and the very best natural flavour.

All of our other meats and products are also carefully sourced from free range farms and producers.

Bracken Country Clothing A wide range of top quality country wear for both men and women at discounted prices.

All sizes available in a wide range of colours.

From agricultural use or just for the man or woman who loves the feel and look of the country side.

Orders are welcomed and if we don’t have your desired item in stock arrangements can be made to have the item delivered within 5 working days! www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Units available, email: info@heskinfarmersmarket.co.uk

5

GRAHAM SMITH - TWITTERING ON

To lick or not to lick?

Social media shrinks the world When I began my career it was with a three-ton Remington typewriter that deafened the street, now I can find friends in Louisiana with the flick of a finger.

Graham Smith Twitter Column

Social media has shrunk the world, technology is advancing at such a pace that it is difficult to keep pace with the latest developments and new inventions that were once the stuff of science fiction are an everyday occurrence.

But at what cost is all this in terms of progress? Sales of printed books have plummeted as the world spends an increasing portion of its life on computers, tablets and mobile phones and I worry sometimes that there is a danger of losing the power of joined up thought. Recently I was reading a piece sent to me on the Internet and half a dozen of the sentences written didn’t even begin with the standard capital letter. Worrying.

I know people who are closing their Facebook accounts now because they have almost taken over their lives, and I have to say that on Twitter some of the most inane facts and comments are creeping in now. Do you really need to say, "Goodnight tweeps”? Just turn the thing off!

Neither is the net and social media the province of the young, as it was. Increasing numbers of older people are using the social interaction on offer and in many cases it can provide a relief for loneliness and replace a social life lost due to immobility or loss of a partner, so no bad thing there.

Drives you mad Motorists are often an easy target but I notice that recently some have been getting away with blue murder.

Did you read about the idiot who was caught driving with his hands behind his head? The clot was doing 62mph on a major road in a large four-wheel drive and argues in court that he was in full control of the car. Fortunately the court didn’t agree and banned him for a year and imposed a hefty fine and community service order. But what possesses these people?

There are also cases of motorists still driving with over 30 and sometimes 40 points on their licences because magistrates have shown leniency towards their circumstances. Why? If you’ve clocked up that amount of points you’re quite simply not fit to drive a vehicle and I have serious doubts whether you should be using a wheelbarrow without stabilisers.

6

Do you seal your envelopes? Apparently whether you should or not has been the subject of a major and no doubt costly operation. Many older people labour under the misapprehension that you can send an unsealed envelope with a second class stamp on and it will be delivered first class. Err, no.

The younger generation have other ideas. One Internet observation reads, “ Whilst I do seal my envelopes the first thing that came to mind when I saw the headline was the story that went round when I was at school and later repeated on a viral email about cockroach eggs being laid on the glue and when you lick it if you get a paper cut they can hatch in your lip.”

A quick Google showed this story is still on the urban legends websites but it wouldn’t surprise me if that was the reason for people around early 30s.

Health and Safety nonsense Yes I know I’ve twittered about this before but here goes again.

Our village church clock was stopped for several months recently because the Health and Safety ogres decreed that the ladder used to reach the mechanism was too short. This was despite it having been used for years by a six-foot plus expoliceman. Consequently it was twenty past three in Haworth for eight months until a grant was raised to provide a longer ladder!

You couldn’t make it up could you? The bell ringers swung on ropes every Monday night during that period but the poor chap couldn’t wind the clock up because some mentally challenged twerp had nothing better to do than condemn the ladder.

Have these people nothing better to do? How come one of them was lurking in Haworth Church clock tower to see the ladder in the first place?

And he was back at Christmas to chuck Santa Claus out of the boiler room because there might have been asbestos!

Poor chap had to cuddle customers in a gazebo outside the building. Talk about no room at the inn, and the donkey had to wear a coat.

These chaps would have been a riot in Bethlehem.

There’s have been no stable accommodation, too draughty and get those sheep of the bedclothes. You cannot bring your camel in here and stop swinging that foul smelling stuff under the baby’s nose….and has that chap with the wings got a Civil Aviation licence? The mind boggles.

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m e b e m r e holi days made to R

Feel-Good Holidays * FROM ONLY

£280

FOR 6 PEOPLE

In the heart of the Lancashire countryside you will find the beautiful Ribby Hall Holiday Village. Over 100 acres of luxury accommodation, restaurants, cafés and bars, leisure facilities and an award winning Spa. Just a short distance away you’ll find the charming seaside town of Lytham St Annes and the bright lights of Blackpool. With something to keep every age entertained, Ribby Hall Village is the perfect place to enjoy a holiday with family or friends.

Our fabulous cottages, with all the luxuries of home, start from just £280 for six people.

To book or request a brochure call us FREE on 0800 107 0096 or visit www.ribbyhall.co.uk *Terms and conditions apply. £280 lead in price applies to four night break between 17 Nov – 18 Dec 14 in a Poppy Cottage.

6276 RHV LW&W Magazine 50 Plus Full-Page Ad.indd 1

19/02/2014 15:

50 Plus Travel

sponsored by

By Noel Josephides, Managing Director of Sunvil www.sunvil.co.uk

to a considerable degree upon this wonderful natural product. Portugal is the largest cork exporter in the world.

NASA uses Alentejo cork to insulate the cones of its space capsules and to protect them from heat damage on reentry to the earth’s atmosphere. And cork is not only for wine bottles – you can buy cork jewellery, cork umbrellas, cork i-Pad covers - in fact, just about anything and everything can these days be manufactured from cork.

The Alentejo and the Centro Region of Portugal Visitors to Portugal who fly into Lisbon Airport tend either to head south to the Algarve or north to Estoril, Cascais, the city of Porto and the Douro Region.

In doing so, they inadvertently miss out on two of the most traditional and interesting regions of the country. Both the Centro region - immediately north of Lisbon - and the Alentejo region - between Lisbon and the Algarve - are areas that tend to be driven through quickly yet, together, they make up half of Portugal, and both deserve to be visited in their own right.

The Alentejo was known as the bread basket of Portugal and it boasts some of the country’s tastiest dishes. The countryside is made up of wide, sweeping plains interspersed with medieval hilltop villages topped by dramatic castles. In spring the region is awash with colour - the fields are full of flowers of red, yellow, white 8

Evora, just a 75-minute drive inland from Lisbon on uncrowded roads, is the capital of the Alentejo (which means below the Tejo, or Tagus, river).

It is steeped in history, yet really alive and buzzing courtesy of the university within its ancient walls. It was the seat of the Kings of Portugal in the 15th and 16th centuries and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety.

The Atlantic coastline, south of Lisbon, is like that of the Algarve 50 years ago and much of it is protected by law. Coastal villages like Porto Covo and Vila Nova de Milfontes are firm favourites yet have escaped mass development and still have great character; they are ideal for a lazy summer holiday and perhaps a little gentle coastal walking on a wellmarked pathway, the Rota Vicentina, if that appeals. The coast is a few degrees cooler than inland, often with a pleasant breeze in the height of summer. Beaches are many and seldom crowded, even in the peak of the season.

and purple or blue hues. The Alentejo produces 46% of Portugal’s excellent wine but has a mere 6% of its population. It is quiet, it is uncrowded and it is beautiful.

In the summer it’s very hot - in fact, the hottest place in Portugal. Around May/June, depending on the weather, they harvest the cork trees; this is the region of the cork oak tree and the economy of the Alentejo still depends

So why have so few people heard of this region? It’s a very rural area with some excellent accommodation of character but local politics has meant an initial lack of interest in tourism, making it a latecomer to the travel game. This very fact will stand it in good stead – it has been able to learn from mistakes made elsewhere.

The north of the Alentejo region is next-door to Centro, the central region of Portugal or, as I prefer to call it, the

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That permission can be refused because, within the ancient walls, the Dean wields as much power as the President of the Republic.

Needless to say, Coimbra is a must but there are also other interesting ancient cities to explore, like Aveiro on the coast and Viseu, the gateway to the Estrela National Park. Each area has its own local cuisine and specialities.

Some of the most famous and delicious Portuguese cheeses come from the Estrela region.

Heart of Portugal. This is an area that stretches from its Atlantic coastline, with long beaches stretching for miles, into a mountainous region with some historic fortified villages and castles along the border with Spain that defended Portugal from invasion in the Middle Ages. The most impressive are Almeida, Castelo Rodrigo, Monsanto, Sortelha, Piodao and Idanha-A-Velha.

These castles and villages conjure up images of knights in armour, of damsels in distress and heroic deeds.

Legends abound in this area which, in turn, was overrun by the Romans, Moors and Spanish. Tales are recounted of epic battles and ancient rituals, and religious festivals are still very much part of daily life. The Serra da Estrela national park is snow bound in winter and, in the summer, ideal for walks with breathtaking views across forested landscapes.

The capital of the area is Coimbra, recently awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. This is a thriving, vibrant city, with a population of

2.3 million, and it is the seat of the oldest university in Portugal, dating from 1290. Since then, it’s been at the centre of Portuguese intellectual life. A visit to the university is a must and the 18th century Baroque library is one of many priceless historical monuments. There are three exquisite gilded chambers housing 300,000 leather-bound texts behind imposing wooden doors, probably some 30 feet tall. The precious books in this library are safeguarded from insect damage by resident bats, which sleep behind the serried rows of ancient tomes by day and eat insects by night; the mahogany reading tables are covered in cloth overnight to protect them from bat excrement. I would visit Portugal simply to re-visit the library - it is so fascinating and so totally extravagant.

The university is nicknamed the ‘Little Vatican’ as it is protected by ancient charter and even the police have to request permission from the Dean before they enter the campus.

These two provinces, the Centro/ Heart of Portugal and the Alentejo, together make ideal fly-drive holiday combinations. There is some stunning accommodation, too, with two of my personal favourite hotels found in the adjacent regions. The Casa da Insua is a wonderful 18th century Baroque confection, located on the outskirts of Viseu in Centro, where you can try your hand at making cheese in the dairy if you wish, afterwards exploring an excellent in-house museum and art gallery. In the Alentejo, just outside Evora, is the Covento do Espinheiro, a historic monument once lived in by the Kings of Portugal - a superlative hotel that manages to be friendly while offering the best of cuisine and comfort. The manager’s tour of the hotel and a wine tasting in the former monastery’s water cistern is not to be missed.

The true character of Portugal lies very much within these two regions and yet so many of us simply drive through on our way south or north. I urge you to spend a little time exploring them; you’ll enjoy a relaxing and inspiring taste of the real Portugal.

Vist www.sunvil.co.uk for further information about holidays to this region or call 0208 568 4499.

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

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

9

Est.1923

Coach Holidays Enjoy a relaxing holiday by coach to great hotels and destinations throughout the UK and Europe with Robinsons Holidays.

2014 ROBINSONS OWN HOTELS Stylish hotel located in the grounds of the former Torre Abbey.

Facilities at the Abbey Lawn Hotel include:

The Abbey Lawn Hotel, Torquay AA3H

An impressive Victorian building set amidst a beautiful tree lined boulevard.

The Robinsons Difference Complimentary Insurance l 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

Indoor Heated Pool/Outdoor Pool, Lounge, Large Conservatory, Sea View Rooms available*, Lift, Porterage.

Facilities at the Imperial Hotel include:

l

l

Two Residents’ Bars, Ballroom, TV & Complimentary Tea & Coffee in all Bedrooms, 2 x Lifts, Porterage.

The Imperial Hotel, Eastbourne, Robinsons 3H An elegant hotel commanding magnificent views across Sandown Bay, Golden Beaches and a quaint collection of shops.

Facilities at the Ocean View Hotel include: Indoor Heated Pool, Indoor Bowling Green, Table Tennis, Snooker Room, Sea View Rooms available* Lift, Porterage.

The Ocean View Hotel, Shanklin, Robinsons 3H

Payment in instalments

* Robinsons own hotels

10

See brochure for full holiday details, Terms & conditions apply.

FREEPHONE 0800 0839900 FOR GROUPS 0800 785 1025

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l

Eastbourne

l

5 Day Tour ~ 4 Nights Half Board Date 06 Apr 13 Apr 18 Apr 23 Apr 27 Apr 03 May 07 May 11 May 17 May 21 May 25 May 31 May 04 Jun 08 Jun 14 Jun 18 Jun 22 Jun 28 Jun 02 July 06 July 12 July 16 July 20 July 26 July 30 July 03 Aug 09 Aug 13 Aug 17 Aug

Imperial Ocean View Abbey Lawn £165 £165 £165 £169 £169 £169 £179 £179 £179 £175 £175 £175 £179 £179 £179 £185 £185 £185 £189 £189 £189 £195 £195 £195 £199 £199 £199 £205 £205 £205 £209 £209 £219 £219 £225 £225 £229 £229 £235 £235 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 £239 -

SUPPLEMENTS - PER PERSON ABBEY LAWN HOTEL Front View Premier Room

8 DAYS £15 £50

5 DAYS £10 £30

IMPERIAL HOTEL Premier Room

£35

£20

OCEAN VIEW HOTEL Sea View Premier Room

£15 £50

£10 £30

Isle of Wight

l

Torquay

8 Day Tour ~ 7 Nights Half Board Date 03 May 04 May 10 May 11 May 17 May 18 May 24 May 25 May 31 May 01 Jun 07 Jun 08 Jun 14 Jun 15 Jun 21 Jun 22 Jun 28 Jun 29 Jun 05 July 06 July 12 July 13 July 19 July 20 July 26 July 27 July 02 Aug 03 Aug 09 Aug 10 Aug 16 Aug 17 Aug 23 Aug 24 Aug 30 Aug 31 Aug 06 Sep 07 Sep

Imperial Ocean View Abbey Lawn £359 £359 £359 £359 £359 £369 £369 £369 £369 £369 £379 £379 £379 £379 £379 £389 £389 £389 £389 £389 £389 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399

All tours include 2 Excursions and Complimentary Insurance 11 11 www.50plusmagazine.co.uk www.50plusmagazine.co.uk BOOK ONLINE www.robinsons-holidays.co.uk Park Garage, Great Harwood, Blackburn BB6 7SP.

INTERVIEW: ROBERT LINDSAY

DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS Robert Lindsay had been out walking his dogs and taking the opportunity to learn his lines for his latest show.

The fact that it’s the musical version of the 1988 hit film Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, set to premiere in Manchester before going into the West End, was exciting for the 63 year-old actor. But not because he was reprising the role Michael Caine took onscreen as the suave Riviera conman Lawrence Jameson whose life is suddenly disrupted by Steve Martin’s character, the anarchic Freddy Benson.

“I’ve never seen the film,” he admits, “but it’s a wonderful show. The script is incredibly funny and the score by Yazbek (award-winner David Yazbek) is amazing – the man’s a genius.”

The show did run for a time on Broadway where it won awards, “but it seemed to fade away,” adds Lindsay. “This is a totally different show, and there’s a fantastic buzz about it already. I think the plan long-term may be for it to go back to Broadway.”

All of this is a long way from the very first time the Great British Public became aware of young Robert Lindsay when he played a Cockney layabout in the ITV series Get Some In! However, it was when he headed up the Tooting Popular Front as likeable but inept urban guerrilla Wolfie Smith in the hit comedy TV series Citizen Smith that the public really noticed him.

This ran for three years, from 1977 to 1980, and established the actor firmly in viewers’ consciousness. He felt pretty comfortable in the role as he’d come from a council estate in Ilkeston, Derbyshire before graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), and had admittedly leftwing views.

An early flexibility and desire to take on other, different roles – “as well as wanting to play posh people,” he quickly points out – steered him towards more serious productions.

He played Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing in the BBC’s

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Shakespeare series, and then moved up to Manchester to play Edmund in a Granada TV version of King Lear alongside Sir Laurence Olivier.

He happily admits that his first love, though, is musicals and he famously played the role of Bill Snibson in the acclaimed 1984 London revival of Me and My Girl. This role not only won him an Olivier Award but, when it later transferred to Broadway, a Tony Award as well.

“I find musicals easier because you’ve always got the music, it’s familiar,” states Lindsay.

He has, however, also enjoyed plenty of film roles.

Interestingly, he was at the same place making a different film (Strike It Rich with Mollie Ringwald and Sir John Gielgud) where Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was being filmed.

“I met Steve Martin one day – we’d met previously when I’d been in the States and had dinner together – and he told me about the film he was making,” explains Lindsay. “He seemed to have some reservations about the script and I got the impression that they were adding to it quite a bit themselves.”

Television has proved a remarkable showcase for Lindsay’s talents over the years. Although he believes that he wanted to get away from his roots for a long time – “I lost my way

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The Generation Game with Bruce Forsyth – have three sons and he also has a daughter from his relationship with actress Diana Weston.

It’s plain he doesn’t like being away from his home and family. “But sometimes they have to understand that you have to be, you’re doing it for them,” he states.

For the most part, his children don’t like roles that take him away from them, or his being acknowledged as an actor rather than “just Dad” when he’s with them. “When I was in Hornblower and picking them up from school it was different. Normally, they don’t want me to walk with them and disown me, but suddenly I was cool!”

Ask about the highlights of his career and he swiftly points to the work with Alan Bleasdale and Me and My Girl. “I suppose Citizen Smith, The Entertainer at the Old Vic and Cyrano de Bergerac at the Haymarket were also special,” he adds.

He’s still regularly on TV and had just recorded Have I Got News For You as programme presenter. “You have to watch Mr Hislop and Mr Merton, though,” he says light-heartedly.

“They’re very quick but I think they like actors because they understand timing and not hogging the lines.”

“I find musicals easier because you’ve always got the music, it’s familiar,” a bit in my 30s,” he says – he particularly enjoyed working with gritty Northern writer Alan Bleasdale. Lindsay was in his dark comedy serial G.B.H. (for which Lindsay won a BAFTA) as well as another Bleasdale play, Jake’s Progress with Julie Walters, and recalls both experiences with genuine affection.

He played another posh character when he took on the role of Captain Pellew in the long-running and very successful series of Hornblower with Ioan Gruffudd as the young midshipman of the title.

Was this largely sea-going adventure a fairly physical experience for Lindsay? “Not so much for me, but definitely for Ioan,” he laughs. “What was interesting was that it was the first time I had played a father character.”

His longest running role was also as a father: as dentist Ben Harper in the popular BBC sitcom My Family – this ran for 11 years and still surfaces on Sky channels. “Zoe (Wannamaker) and I had a great time making that,” he states.

Lindsay himself is very much a family man. He and second wife Rosemarie Ford – she was a dancer and a presenter on

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Is there any TV he’d like to do, like Downton Abbey? “No,” he states, “that’s not my bag.

“But I’ve just done a cameo role in Atlantis as the father of Icarus – that was good fun. It’s a very well made series and the boys there were great. My children were also very impressed!” * Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is at Manchester Opera House from February 12 to 22, 2014, in Aylesbury Waterside Theatre from February 26 to March 1 and then at the Savoy Theatre, London from March 10. To find out more go to www.scoundrelswestend.com

IN THE HOME Colours in the living area are so important and have a big impact on the feel of the room and the mood of the people within it. Painting a room is a much quicker and cheaper way of decorating because it is then easier to change and redecorate in the future, without the hassle of removing and replacing wallpaper.

If you are looking for a warm and energetic environment, try a red or orange tone. This may not be suitable for those wanting to relax with the family as they are loud colours, but if you are the type of person who likes entertaining, then the warmth will brighten up the vibe of the room. Yellow is the perfect warm colour for livening up your space, but try to keep it to a feature or accent wall. Too much of it can be overpowering.

For those folk who want to feel laid back and relaxed, a cooler blue or green room might be more suitable.

Do be careful of the shades you pick however. An icy blue may make visitors feel unwelcome. A warmer shade, such as turquoise, may give the desired effect you want, but make others feel more welcome as well.

For a more sophisticated feel, stick to neutral tones, whites and creams.

Not only do these provide a blank canvas to incorporate furniture and patterns, but allow the room to become a peaceful setting, which looks elegant and refined.

HOW COLOURS CAN CHANGE A ROOM It’s surprising how much the colours and fabrics in a room can vastly improve and change the look of it. Picking a new colour for the walls, or buying a new rug or carpet can mix up the style of your home and make it look brand new.

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Combinations of fabrics and patterns are also hugely inspiring when it comes to decorating and can create a theme for your house that you may wish to follow; from a cosy cottage to a Tuscan villa. If your tastes cater to soft pastels, floral fabrics and rustic wood furnishings, then a cottage style home may be your cup of tea, where as finding wallpapers with an old plaster texture, tapestry style rugs and cushions with gold, coppers and greens infused can give the feel of Tuscany in your home.

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You may think that adding a splash of colour to your home will get expensive but that isn’t the case.

Paint is a much cheaper option than wallpaper, but how about just repainting and wallpapering one wall in a vibrant colour or pattern to add some variation. If you can’t afford a new sofa or lounge chair, find some new fabric you like and get the existing furniture reupholstered.

Wooden furniture is easy to transform too. Take an old chair that needs a make over, or buy a cheap one from a second hand shop. All it needs is sanding down and a coat of paint, to fit whatever mood you are going for in the room, and you have a brand new piece of furniture.

The same can be done with tables, cupboards, and fireplaces.

FINAL TIPS...

• Fabrics can easily change up a room, don’t be afraid to experiment.

• Be aware of light and colours.

Warmer light coming into your house allows for cooler colours. With colder light, try a warmer colour.

Carpets are a highly important part of a room. Many people prefer plain, block colour materials on their floors, which are great for flexibility when designing and changing styles. However they can make a large room look empty. Going for a patterned carpet might seem a bit risky, but if the right one is selected, it can make a big difference. Patterns can create a focal point in a big room if you feel like keeping the furniture quite simple, but try and avoid busy patterns in a small room as this can make the space seem closed in and cluttered.

Fabric texture is also important.

Kristen Schmitt says on Better www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Homes and Gardens that: “Texture adds dimension to a room. It appeals to our senses, both visual and tactile, which makes the room interesting.” Add some pillows and cushions to your bed and sofa; fluffy, ruffled, floral,tartan, anything that takes your fancy.

Even a textured throw for the end of the bed can provide a contrast in a room. Bring in a patterned rug to create a focal point and make small rooms look larger. Round shapes in a square room can also soften the space. Don’t be afraid of contrasting patterns and colours either, but try not to go beyond three and use samples to decide on the best combinations.

• Something as simple as adding a mirror can instantly make a room look bigger.

• Patterns are good, but don’t go overboard.

• Buy a signature piece of furniture or rug you like and base the colour scheme around that.

• Bright ornaments and furniture can look great in an otherwise plain, white room.

• You don’t need a massive income to completely change your style.

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RELAX, BREATHE AND LOSE WEIGHT Yoga is the perfect activity to help fine tune body and mind it provides a positive outlook to enhance and encourage successful weight loss.

Yoga reduces stress, raises energy levels, strengthens and tones the body, improves sleep, massages and stimulates the internal organs and inspires a healthy lifestyle.

It also encourages useful breathing techniques. Oxygen is our main source of fuel and helps the body to function more efficiently it plays a vital role in converting food to energy (metabolism).

Yoga brings so many benefits and is so easy to do. You do not need to be flexible, strong, fit or thin to begin a yoga practice. Yoga is suitable for all age groups. Postures can even be performed whilst seated in a chair.

Sue Fuller is the creator of the Yoga 2 Hear range of audio yoga classes.

Yoga 2 Hear was the first online UK yoga store to retail yoga classes as MP3’s. They are now one of the only online stores globally that retail their full content on CD and MP3.

All Yoga 2 Hear classes are professionally recorded for an audio market. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, guide booklets www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

are available to download free from the site and Sue offers free support and guidance to anyone who has purchased online classes.

Sue Fuller has been practicing yoga since 1990 and teaching since 1996.

She has trained globally including India, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and the UK. She is a course author for the British School of Yoga, a mother of two and a regular writer for The Yoga Magazine and Natural Health UK.

Solid foundations will lead to a stronger practice and an injury free body.

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FOOD & DRINK

RICK STEIN - IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT CURRY

PRAWN FRITTERS WITH CHUTNEY AND KACHUMBER FROM THE ALLEN KITCHEN, KOLKATA I couldn’t work out why these prawn cutlets were so delicious; there seemed to be nothing to them, just a simple batter, a bit of lemon, some onion rings and a bottle of mustard sauce.

But the very enthusiastic blogger from Calcutta called Kaniska was keen to point out that this tiny little hole in the wall was one of the most popular foodie spots in the city. They may have put a secret ingredient in the batter, but I expect the success lies in using chickpea flour and frying the battered prawns in pure ghee. I consumed a few plates of them while having a thoroughly enjoyable conversation about the almost infinite possibilities of street food in that city. Later I woke up in the middle of the night in my hotel with my head spinning, thinking the pace of life was so frenetic that I was surely locked into a madhouse, albeit with some of the tastiest food I’ve ever found. This makes a quite soft batter, not a thick, crisp batter like you’d get with fish and chips.

METHOD To prepare the prawns, pull off the head and peel away the shell, leaving the tail intact. Use a small, sharp knife to run down the back of the prawns and pull out the black intestinal tracts, if visible. Then use the knife to cut almost all the way through the prawns and butterfly them open. Flatten them out a little with the palm of your hand. Pat dry with kitchen towel.

For the batter, mix the flours and salt together, whisk in the egg and enough of the water to give a smooth batter the consistency of single cream.

Serves 4 12 extra large unpeeled Raw prawns For the batter 60g plain flour 60g chickpea flour ¼tsp salt 1 free-range egg 150–225ml water 70g ghee, for frying To serve Lemon wedges, Mustard chutney Tomato chutney or Chilli garlic relish and Kachumber salad

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Heat the ghee in a heavy-based saucepan or karahi over a medium heat. Once hot, dip 2 or 3 prawns in the batter and carefully lower into the ghee. Fry for 2–3 minutes, turning once, until crisp and golden and cooked through. Drain on kitchen paper. Repeat with the remaining prawns. Serve with lemon wedges to squeeze over and chutney and kachumber salad on the side.

KACHUMBER SALAD - SERVES 8 -10 300g vine-ripened tomatoes, thinly sliced 1/2 cucumber, sliced 100g red onions, halved and thinly sliced 1 fresh green chilli, finely chopped 1/2 tsp toasted ground cumin seeds 1/4 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder Large handful of fresh coriander leaves, roughly chopped Freshly ground black pepper 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice or white wine vinegar Lime wedges (optional), to finish Layer the ingredients, or gently toss together, just before serving. Serve with lime wedges, if desired.

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SWEET AND TANGY POTATO SHREDS Lilo chevda This is a snack beloved by Gujaratis, a sweet and sour shredded spiced potato dish. The shredded potatoes are deep fried until crisp, as are the lentils, cashew nuts and peanuts, but plenty of lime juice is sprinkled on just before you start eating so you get this tantalizing mix of crisp bits and soft bits. There’s plenty of chilli in it, sweetness from the raisins and sugar, sharpness from the lime juice, and a good sprinkling of salt too. Perfect balance in street food.

Serves 8 150g chana dal (Bengal gram or split yellowpeas), soaked overnight in coldwater 1kg potatoes, such as Maris Piper, peeled, coarsely grated Vegetable oil, for deep frying Salt 3 tbsp unsalted cashew nuts or peanuts (skinned) 1 tbsp sesame seeds 1 tbsp fennel seeds ½tsp turmeric 1½tbsp caster sugar, plus extra to taste 2 fresh green chillies, finely chopped with seeds 2 tbsp raisins Juice of 1–2 limes

METHOD Drain the chana dal and pat dry with kitchen paper. Spread out on a tray lined with a clean tea towel (or more kitchen paper) and leave on one side. Soak the prepared potatoes in salted water for 20 minutes.

Drain, use your hands to squeeze out any excess moisture, then pat dry with kitchen paper.

Two-thirds fill a large, deep-sided sturdy pan with vegetable oil and place over a medium heat. Test it’s hot enough by dropping in a piece of potato; it should sizzle and turn golden in about 20 seconds. (Or use a deep-fat fryer heated to 180°C.) Deep-fry the potatoes in batches until crisp and golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper. Season with half a teaspoon of salt and set aside. Using the same oil, fry the chana dal in batches for about 3–4 minutes, or until they rise to the surface and turn a shade darker. Drain on kitchen paper, and add to the fried potatoes.

Heat a heavy-based frying pan over a low-medium heat. Add the cashew nuts or peanuts and fry for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly toasted. Add the sesame seeds and fennel seeds and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring all the time.

Remove from the heat and stir in the turmeric, followed by the sugar, half a teaspoon of salt, the chillies and the raisins, then mix with the potatoes and lentils. Add plenty of lime juice to give a sweet-sour flavour (you may need to add more sugar and salt at this stage to balance the flavour). Serve at room temperature in small bowls as a snack.

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FOOD & DRINK

MADRAS FISH CURRY OF SNAPPER, TOMATO AND TAMARIND I have written at some length in the main introduction about finding this curry, which I have nominated as my favourite.

I’ve used the same fish it was cooked with on that day in Mamalla puram – snapper – but in the UK I recommend using any of the following: monkfish fillet, because you get firm slices of white, meaty fish; filleted bass, preferably a large fish, because although you’ll get softer flesh it has plenty of flavour; or gurnard. I think more than anything else that this dish typifies what I was saying about really fresh fish not being ruined by a spicy curry. I can still remember the slightly oily flavour of the exquisite snapper in that dish because fish oil, when it’s perfectly fresh, is very nice to eat. I always think oily fish goes well with curry anyway, particularly with the flavours of tomatoes, tamarind and curry leaves.

SERVES 4 – 6

Method Heat the oil in a heavy-based saucepan or karahi over a medium heat. When hot, add the mustard seeds and fry for 30 seconds, then stir in the onion and garlic and fry gently for about 10 minutes until softened and lightly golden.

Add the curry leaves, chilli powder, coriander and turmeric and fry for 2 minutes, then stir in the tomatoes, tamarind liquid, green chillies and salt and simmer for about 10 minutes until rich and reduced. Add the fish, cook for a further 5 minutes or until just cooked through, and serve with plain rice.

60ml vegetable oil 1 tbsp yellow mustard seeds 1 large onion, finely chopped 15g/3 cloves garlic, finely crushed 30 fresh curry leaves 2 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder 2 tsp ground coriander 2 tsp turmeric 400g can chopped tomatoes 100ml Tamarind liquid 2 green chillies, each sliced lengthways into 6 pieces, with seeds 1 tsp salt 700g snapper fillets, cut into 5cm chunks Boiled basmati rice to serve

Extracted from Rick Stein’s India by Rick Stein, BBC Books hardback £25 Photography: James Murphy

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EATING OUT

THE CROWN The Crown at Worthington is a unique and individual Country Pub and bed and breakfast in the Lancashire countryside located between Chorley and Wigan, close to the village of Standish, with close access to the M6 and M61 motorway networks.

It’s a great place to eat, drink and relax. All our food is freshly prepared by our team of chefs using quality locally sourced ingredients. We are famous for our Butchers Block Steak counter where you can create your own unique steak meal. A multiple Camra award winning pub we have 8 varied casks ales on from the nations micro-brewers.There are 10 ensuite bedrooms, making the Crown ideal for business or leisure guests Whether it be for lunch, dinner, or a superb bed and breakfast weekend break – this country pub has so much more to offer.

T: 01257 421354 | www.thecrownatworthington.co.uk PLATT LANE, WORTHINGTON, STANDISH, WIGAN, LANCASHIRE WN1 2XF

THE STAR INN The Star Inn is a picturesque country pub serving delicious restaurant food.

The 2 course £10.99 early diner menu is outstanding value with real size portions and real produce all freshly prepared by their fantastic brigade of chefs.

Their tribute nights are always popular with upcoming artists including Meat Loaf on May 4th and Robbie Williams on May 25th with your table for the night and a 3 course meal for £24.99.

Easter Sunday April 20th has a Kylie Minogue tribute with some surprises up her sleeve.

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LIFESTYLE on track and help you meet people with similar interests. A scheme called Walking For Health aims to get people active and their walks can be located all over the country on their website.

Cycling

Make a Change!

By Kelly Spencer

I’m sure there were many of us that made a New Year’s Resolution to lose weight, stay healthy and do more exercise. But putting too much pressure on yourself can lead to giving up on your goal and going back to old habits. However, doing a little bit as often as possible can make a big difference, and there are simple activities to help you achieve this.

Eating Well If you’re thinking about going on a diet, don’t try one of these complicated have nothing but juice for a week fads that are currently all the rage. The best way of losing weight and feeling healthier is to cut out the ‘rubbish’ from your diet.

Eating fewer snacks, sweets, and junk food and adding fruit, nuts and other nutritious foods instead will automatically make you feel better.

Allowing yourself a ‘cheat day’ where you can eat what you like will also help you stay on track to reach your ideal weight.

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Swimming Swimming is one of the best exercises to do, and it’s fun as well.

It has a number of health benefits such as lowering blood pressure and improving joint movement in arthritis. There are plenty of classes available to suit everyone’s needs, including those for older adults. Aqua Gym is one of these and is on offer at most leisure centres, where you do gentle exercising in the water. Set aside an evening each week to go and take part in a class. You’ll see a big difference in yourself and make some new friends at the same time.

Walking If you’re stuck for money but still want to get out there and get fit, walking is a great activity to take up. The brilliant thing about it, is it’s free and you can do it absolutely anywhere. Whether it’s walking the dog or using your legs to get to the shop, rather than jumping in the car, there’s nothing better for you than getting out into the fresh air. Head to your local country park and see what trails you can find, or see if they run any guided walks. Many areas have their own rambling or walking clubs; joining one of these could keep you

Regular exercise can reduce stress and depression and cycling is a low impact activity, helping to keep you fit and alert. Research shows that regular cyclists have, on average, the health of someone ten years younger. Not only is it an activity you can do anywhere, it is also a good solution to transport issues to get you from point A to point B. Try taking your bike out on the weekend and cycling for a couple of miles or even changing your travel habits and using your bike to get to work rather than a car or bus.

Dancing With the popularity of BBC show Strictly Come Dancing, ballroom dancing is now a much loved past time for many people, and is also excellent for getting in shape as it exercises the whole body. There are hundreds of dance schools across the country offering classes for beginners up to the professional level. You could take this up with your partner or friend, or even go alone and meet new people. Dancing is a skill that will come in handy at many social occasions, so learn to dance and show off to your friends.

Simple Exercises There are plenty of other ways to stay in shape in the New Year but the easiest is to set aside a bit of time each day and do some simple exercises at home. You can do these morning, noon or night, while watching the television. Something as basic as a few stretches or even a bit of yoga every day or so will soon start showing differences. If you’d like something a bit more tailored to you, your local leisure centre or gym may have a personal trainer programme, who will assist you in deciding on the best exercises to improve the areas you want, in a safe and productive manner.

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Food Court | Fresh Bakery | Groceries | Gifts | Electronics | Fine Jewellery | Designer Apparel | Digital Photo Processing and more!

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OUT AND ABOUT ~ THEATRE 10 - 13 APRIL

The Lowry,Pier 8, The Quays, Salford, Manchester M50 3AZ

SCOOBY DOO THE MUSICAL

Zoinks! Scooby- Doo and the gang are back by popular demand with even more spooky mystery and fun. www.thelowry.com

18 & 19 APRIL

SCIENCE MUSEUM LIVE – THE ENERGY SHOW

Buxton Opera House, Water St. Buxton Derbyshire SK17 6XN Explosive family theatre with curious minds produced by the world famous Science Museum in London.

BOX OFFICE: 0845 127 2190

10 APRIL & 25 JUNE

JASON MANFORD "FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS"

Heath Street, Crewe, Cheshire CW1 2DA Everybody's favourite northern comedian, Jason Manford is taking the show on the road.

CALL: 01270 368242

7 & 8 APRIL

Russell Watson

Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street Manchester M2 3WS Russell Watson is a two time Classical BRIT Awards award winner who has sold over seven million records worldwide and is perhaps the UK’s greatest ever tenor.

CALL: 0161 907 9000

10 APRIL - 10 MAY

duet one one

BY TOM KEMPINSKI

Octagon Theatre, Bolton World famous violinist Stephanie Abrahams has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and is now confined to a wheelchair.

CALL: 01204 520661

8 MAY to 7 JUNE

THE LAST DAYS OF TROY

The Royal Exchange Theatre, St Anns Square, Manchester, M2 7DH At a time when the nation is commemorating World War 1, it tells the story of an ancient battle, its legendary heroes and noble losers.

CALL 0844 815 4873

16 MAY

JOE LONGTHORNE

King George's Hall, Blackburn BB2 1AA. Joe Longthorne is recognised as one of the most dynamic entertainers in British show business. His impressions have an uncanny ability for accuracy and his impressive voice will take you on a kaleidoscope journey of music and fun.

CALL 0844 847 2277

17 MAY

Magic - A Kind of Queen

97 Oxford St, Manchester, M1 6FT Magic have dedicated a full concert to the music of Freddie Mercury and Queen. There is no attempt to emulate Queen visually in their concert, but rather to celebrate the music of one of the greatest bands of all time.

CALL 0844 871 7660

18 MAY

PAUL HOLLYWOOD

97 Oxford St, Manchester, M1 6FT TV's baking star Paul Hollywood brings his first ever live show to the UK in 2014. Paul Hollywood Live - Get Your Bake On! sees Paul take to the stage for an evening of baking, comedy and fun.

CALL 0844 871 7660 CALL 0844 871 7660

24 MAY

Northern Showtime - The Story of Frank Sinatra Albert Hall, Bolton BL1 1SA The Northern Showtime Orchestra’s latest show.

CALL 01204 33440 CALL 0844 871 7660

7 JUNE

ABBAMANIA

King George's Hall, Blackburn BB2 1AA. ABBAMANIA are widely regarded as the UK's Top ABBA Tribute Show with countless sensational LIVE performances to their credit which has taken them throughout Europe.

CALL 0844 847 2277

13 JUNE to 12 JULY

BILLY LIAR

The Royal Exchange Theatre, St Anns Square, Manchester, M2 7DH Billy Fisher is a 19 year-old nobody. He lives at home and has a dead-end job. He's going somewhere only in his imagination – which he's furnished with an elaborate fantasy world, from which lie after lie spills forth.

CALL 0844 815 4873

19 JUNE to 12 JULY

LOVE STORY

The Octagon Theatre, Bolton.

Two worlds collide when spirited ItalianAmerican Jennifer Cavilleri and wealthy, privileged Harvard Alumni Oliver Barrett IV fall in love. The pair, whose backgrounds could not be more different, are united by love.

CALL 0871 230 2201

5 JULY

STARS FOR TONIGHT 2014

97 Oxford St, Manchester, M1 6FT Local performers from the Natalie Woods School of Theatre and Dance bring their latest production. The school will showcase their talent and delight a captive Manchester audience, not to be missed!

CALL 0844 871 7660

OUT AND ABOUT ~ ART & EXHIBITIONS

Frances Broomfield: The Curious Invention of Lewis Carroll 25 Jan 2014 - 31 May 2014, All Day At Warrington Museum & Art Gallery In 1840 a young Lewis Carroll (or Charles Dodgson as he was then known) came to see an exhibition in Warrington. There he discovered a treasure trove of curiosities – works of art, specimens of natural history, and mechanical objects, including a Phantasmagoria Lantern and the mysterious Invisible Girl! In this new exhibition, Warrington artist Frances Broomfield reinvents some of the eccentric characters and scenes from Carroll’s famous stories and also reimagines that 1840 exhibition of curiosities and wonders.

Markmakers 25 Jan 2014 - 3 May 2014, All Day Warrington Museum & Art Gallery From fake mermaids to willow patterned plates, Warrington Museum’s Ethnology collection has inspired the contemporary visual arts collective Markmakers to create new works for this exhibition. Some have retained a very direct relationship to those in the collection, while others have evolved into wider considerations of modern day politics, how we address memory, and our labeling and appropriation of other cultures.

For more information visit www.culturewarrington.org

For more information visit www.culturewarrington.org

St.Helens Sinfonietta is about to embark on it’s 17th season.

Some of you may be thinking “Never heard of it! What is it?” It is the town’s first and only professional orchestra. It was founded in 1997 with the aim of presenting some of the world’s best music to the people of St.Helens. We have partially succeeded in that and have a loyal and enthusiastic following. However I feel there are still many people out there who aren’t aware of us. There may be some who assume we’re an elitist organisation. That’s far from the truth as our current audience are from a wide variety of backgrounds and work experience. However, we do have players who are top-notch, many of whom have played in the likes of the Liverpool Phil, Halle and BBC orchestras. They also have a wide age range. Some are in their 20s and 30s. If you haven’t yet sampled the orchestra I would invite you to give it a try at a concert that tickles your fancy. You’ll be sure of a warm welcome. Here is just a sample of the delights we have going on...

Our Past. Our Present. Our Future.

1 Mar 2014 - 21 Jun 2014, All Day At Warrington Museum & Art Gallery Within Warrington, there is a real desire to ensure that we never forget the events of our past, including the tragic events that took place when an IRA bomb exploded in Bridge Street on 20th March 1993. However, it is also important that we look to the future. This exhibition of stunning images has been produced by children from twenty schools that took part in workshops led by the artists Andy and Sharon Shaw and represents Warrington’s commitment to peace and reconciliation.

For more information visit www.culturewarrington.org

Six Pack - RECITAL £10

Harp & Flute - RECITAL £10

A Night in Old Vienna

The Irwell Sextet Saturday 26th April, 7.30 pm at the United Reformed Church Dewi Tudor Jones & Rosy Williams (violins). Aimee Johnson & Fiona Dudley (violas). Doug Badger & Graham Morris (‘cellos) Tchaikovsky: Souvenir de Florence Brahms: String Sextet No. 1 Our brilliant regular visitors from Manchester present two major 19th-century masterpieces for this unusual instrumental medium.

The Malandra Duo Saturday 17th May, 7.30pm at the United Reformed Church Maxine Molin Rose (harp), Debbie Adewale (flute) Music by Debussy, Ravel, Bizet and Elgar

GRAND CHARITY CONCERT £12 St. Helens Sinfonietta Saturday 21st June, 7.30 pm at ST.HELENS TOWN HALL Conductor Alan Free Programme includes...

Mozart: Overture to The Marriage of Figaro Schubert: Symphony No.8 (the Unfinished) and favourites by the Waltz King Johann Strauss.

are just These events hat we w of n io a select this year. have on offer

Mozaritiana - RECITAL £6 Thursday 5th June, 2pm at the United Reformed Church Peter Hill (clarinet), Valerie Warr (clarinet), Sandra Downing (bassoon).

The clarinet was a new instrument in Mozart’s time. It fascinated him and he wrote a number of works for it, including several Divertimenti for 2 clarinets and bassoon.

This concert of popular classics for full orchestra is to raise funds for Willowbrook Hospice and for future Sinfonietta outreach projects. The performers are giving their services.

For more information please visit www.sinfonietta.org.uk or ring Alan on 01925 291 273 or Colin on 01744 883794 e-mail colin.horlick@virginmedia.com FOR TICKETS: Lyn Wallace on 01744 600846 or 07914 114635

OUT AND ABOUT ~ WHAT’S ON Wigan Musical Theatre Group presents ANYTHING GOES 9th April 2014 St Michael’s Parish Hall, Shaw St, WIGAN WN1 2BQ WMTG is staging Cole Porter’s’Anything Goes’ (Beaumont version) from 8 - 12 April 2014. Songs include ‘I get a kick out of you’,’You’re the Top’,’It’s delovely’, ‘Blow, Gabriel, Blow’ and of course ‘Anything Goes’.

Easter Monday Fun Day 21st April 2014 Fun for all the family 11am - 4pm Craft stalls, mini beauty treatments, sassy robes, cake sale, raffle, tombola, DJ, hot food, ice cream Performance by the Hawks Cheer and Dance Team.

Come along and meet Peppa Pig and Fireman Sam and have your photo taken with them in the photo booth.

All proceeds to Wigan & Leigh Hospice This event takes place at St Aiden’s Social Club, Winstanley, Wigan.

For further information please visit www.wlh.org.uk HIGHFIELD SOUL CLUB 2nd ANNIVERSARY ALLDAYER 23rd April 2014 | 3.00pm-12.00am It’s coming up to that time of year once again that The Wigan Young Souls celebrate the opening of Highfield Soul Club. This is the 2nd Year Anniversary and we want to make it a special one to remember by bringing some of the greatest DJ’s to the decks of Highfield Soul Club.

If you haven’t been to Highfield Soul Club its the place to be on the last Saturday of the month and now firmly established,The 1970’s youth club venue two miles out of The Heart of Soul Wigan boasts Wall to wall of dance floor and one great sound system!

It’s £6.00 on the door and takes place at Highfield Parish Hall, Billinge Rd, Wigan, WN3 6BL For more information please visit www.wiganworld.co.uk

The S.S. American, sailing from New York to England, carries an unusual group of passengers. Included amongst them are a gangster (Moonface Martin), a wealthy debutante and her mother (Hope and Evangeline Harcourt), a nightclub singer (Reno Sweeny), and a wealthy New York businessman and his stowaway assistant (Elisha Witney and Billy Crocker). It turns out that Hope is Billy’s long-lost love. Unfortunately, she is now engaged to a wealthy Englishman, Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. After a series of comedic happenings, Billy manages to win back Hope.

Meanwhile, Billy’s friend, Reno, manages to seduce and win Lord Evelyn. All this happens while Moonface Martin attempts to escape the law and Hope’s mother strives to maintain her social status.

Tickets are priced £8 and £7 concessionary. Ticket secretary 01942 706106 For further information contact the secretary on 01257 423202 or Chairman on 01942 204461.

OPEN

FREE ENTRY AND PARKING

The Farmers Market & Craft Centre

TUES - SAT 10AM-5PM SUN 10.30AM - 4.30PM & BANK HOLIDAYS

at Heskin Hall Estate

5 MINS FROM J27 M6, 2 MINS FROM CHARNOCK RICHARD SERVICES

Wood Lane, Heskin, Chorley, Lancashire PR7 5PA • 07599 831907 • www.heskinfarmersmarket.co.uk

FOOD HALL ~ CRAFTS ~ ANTIQUES ~ TEA ROOM

Relax, dine and shop at Heskin Hall Estate Over 40 shops and businesses including: leading art gallery, high quality butchers, florist and plant centre, craft studios, food shops, ladies & gents clothing, gifts with a difference, handbags and jewellery, childrens clothing & toys, hair & beauty, furniture, fredericks ice cream, Hoggs of Fife Country Clothing, Ladybird Lounge Craft Cafe and much more…

The Two Birds Tea Room

Why not relax and enjoy our freshly made paninis, toasties, sandwiches, soups and salads made using our fresh local produce. Summer specials and Sangria now available.

Heskin Hall Free Range Butchers We have a wide range of high quality meats and products including beef, lamb, pork, chicken, turkey, venison, water buffalo and selection of game.

Try our freshly made quality sausages, tasty meat balls, beef burgers, buffalo burgers and stir-fries.

Our beef and lamb comes from our own free range herds, 100% grass fed, producing the highest quality meats and the very best natural flavour.

All of our other meats and products are also carefully sourced from free range farms and producers.

Bracken Clothing Heskin Country Barns NOW OPEN A wide range of top quality country wear for both men and women at discounted prices. of the centre including New extension All sizes available in a wide range of colours.

From agricultural use or just for the man or woman who loves the feel and look of the country side.

Orders are welcomed and if we don’t have your desired item in stock arrangements can be made to have the item delivered within 5 working days!

Wine Cellar, Mediterranean Tile Company, Vintage Vogue Collectables & Reclamation Yard.

Units available, email: info@heskinfarmersmarket.co.uk

Budget In brief Keeping your finances SIMPLE We’re taking a look at the key measures announced in the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne’s fifth Budget speech, in which he unveiled plans to support economic recovery - including tax breaks to boost productivity, exports and manufacturing.

The deficit Mr Osborne announced would be lower than expected this year at 6.6% - and he said the Government was on track to post a surplus of 0.2% in 2018/19, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasts.

This was a Budget billed for makers, doers and savers. The changes announced in Budget 2014 are set to redefine financial planning with the reforms aimed at boosting savings in the long term. These reforms included the amount people earn before tax going up by £500 to £10,500. There was an increase to the annual Individual Savings Account (ISA) allowance from £11,520 to £15,000, from 1 July this year, which will combine Cash and Stocks & Shares allowances into a New ISA (NISA).

The Chancellor announced a series of radical reforms to the pension system, giving people unprecedented freedom over how they draw their pension. From April 2015, anyone who is aged 55 or over will be able to take their entire pension fund as cash - although only the first 25% will be tax-free. The remaining 75% of the fund would be taxed at the saver’s marginal rate.

Pensioners will be able to drawdown as much or as little of their pension pot as they want, anytime they want. No caps. No drawdown limits. No one will have to buy an annuity.

REVIEW YOUR FINANCIAL PLANS AFTER THE BUDGET We hope you enjoy our summary articles on some of the key Budget 2014 changes. In particular the areas around pensions and the new tax-efficient NISAs are very significant. If appropriate to your particular situation, you should review your financial plans immediately. Don’t delay. To discuss how the changes announced in Budget 2014 could impact on your financial plans going forward, please contact us for further information. We look forward to hearing from you.

The key announcements at a glance The Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne gave his Budget to Parliament on 19th March 2014. These are his key announcements.

ECONOMY •

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecast to grow by 2.7% this year and 2.3% next year, then by 2.6% in 2016 and 2017, and by 2.5% in 2018

BANK OF ENGLAND •

Bank of England’s remit to keep inflation at 2% renewed

TAXATION •

Point at which people start paying income tax will be raised from £10,000 to £10,500 from 6 April this year

•

Threshold for 40p income tax to rise from £41,450 to £41,865 from 6 April this year and by a further 1% to £42,285 from 6 April 2015

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Those accused of using a tax avoidance scheme and appealing will have to pay tax up front while they appeal, rather than after

•

Inheritance Tax waived for members of emergency services who give their lives in job

•

Tax on homes owned through a company to be extended from residential properties worth more than £2m to those worth more than £500,000

SAVINGS •

Cash and Stocks & Shares Individual Savings Account (ISA) to be merged into a single New ISA (NISA) with an annual tax-efficient savings limit of £15,000 from 1 July this year

•

The 10p tax rate for savers abolished

•

Cap on Premium Bonds to be lifted from £30,000 to £40,000 in June this year and £50,000 next year

PENSIONS The Chancellor George Osborne plans to fundamentally redesign the UK private pensions system.

He announced in his Budget speech that by removing the effective requirement to buy an annuity which will be introduced from April 2015, people will have greater flexibility in accessing their pensions.

These are: •

Reducing the amount of guaranteed income people need in retirement to access their savings flexibly, from £20,000 to 12,000

•

Increasing the amount of total pension savings that can be taken as a lump sum, from £18,000 to £30,000

•

Increasing the capped drawdown withdrawal limit from 120% to 150% of an equivalent annuity

Increasing the maximum size of a small pension pot which can be taken as a lump sum (regardless of total pension wealth) from £2,000 to £10,000 and increasing the number of personal pots that can be taken under these rules from two to three.

Under the new system, regardless of the size of their defined contributions pension pot, everyone will be able to choose any of the options in the above diagram. This will mean that everyone has access to full withdrawal, an annuity of drawdown, and potentially other products created by providers.

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All tax restrictions on pensioners’ access to their pension pots to be removed, ending the requirement to buy an annuity

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COINAGE

Taxable part of pension pot taken as cash on retirement to be charged at normal income tax rate, down from 55%

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Increase in total pension savings people can take as a lump sum to £30,000

WELFARE

New Pensioner Bond, paying ‘marketleading’ rates, available from January 2015 to over-65s, with possible rates of 2.8% for one-year bond and 4% for three-year bond - up to £10,000 to be saved in each bond

ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO

Twelve-sided £1 coin to be introduced in 2017

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Budget to be capped at £119bn for 2015/16, rising in line with inflation to £127bn in 2018/19. The cap includes child benefit, incapacity benefit, winter fuel payment and income support - but does not include State Pension and Jobseeker’s Allowance

ENERGY

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Beer duty cut by 1p a pint

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Duty on spirits and ordinary cider frozen

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Tobacco duty to rise by 2% above inflation, and this escalator to be extended beyond the next general election

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TRANSPORT •

ENERGY AND FUEL •

Fuel duty rise planned for September will not happen

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£7bn package to cut energy bills, including £18 per ton cap on carbon price support, predicted to save medium-sized manufacturers £50,000 and families £15 a year

The carbon price floor will be capped as part of a £7bn package to save manufacturers from increasing energy costs

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Air passenger duty reformed: all longhaul flights will carry the same tax rate as current visits to the US A £200m pot for councils to repair pot holes

HOUSING/INFRASTRUCTURE •

Help to Buy equity scheme for newbuild homes extended to 2020

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Support for building of more than 200,000 new homes

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£270m guarantee for Mersey Gateway bridge

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Legislation to give Welsh Government tax and borrowing powers to fund infrastructure needs, including improvements to M4

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£140m extra for flood defence repairs and maintenance

•

£200m made available to fix potholes

Read our existing client reviews at http://www.vouchedfor.co.uk/financial-advisor-ifa/st-helens/1031-allie-baglow

KEEP YOUR FINANCES SIMPLE!

VOTED AMONG THE TOP 200 ADVISERS IN THE UK, ALLIE BAGLOW BELIEVES THE NEED FOR INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVICE HAS NEVER BEEN GREATER.

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SAVINGS

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INVESTMENTS

M MORTGAGES P

PENSIONS

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LIFE PROTECTION

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EQUITY RELEASE

To arrange your free initial consultation to discuss your requirements in more detail, please contact the office on

01744 885555 www.allisonsfinancial.com

HOME VISITS AVAILABLE FRIENDLY, INDEPENDENT ADVICE

Allisons Financial Planning Ltd is an appointed representative of Tenet Connect Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct authority.

Dealing with the death of a loved one.

This January saw the death of Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street after a long and hard struggle with

cancer. The storyline was praised for its sensitivity and powerful acting. However, it has left us thinking about an issue that we often have to deal with as solicitors: how to handle yourself when a loved one passes away.

Luckily for Coronation Street, Hayley’s passing is a fictional one - but it’s a reality that people face every day. Losing a loved one is a challenge: balancing the shock and the grief with handling the deceased’s estate is not easy.

In real life we recommend that you have a folder with all the details of your bank accounts, saving accounts, any shares, stock or insurance policies as well as any overseen property. This way, when the time comes, you will help lighten the burden for your loved ones.

However if that has not happened It can be hard to know where to start when you lose someone, so we’ve created a guide to ease you through the process.

Our Advice 1. When writing an obituary, try not to give too much away. Admitting to an empty property can tip off thieves.

2. Arrange your time off work as soon as you can, and ensure the amount of time you’re taking off is reason able. You will be able to take unpaid leave for a funeral, and will find that most employers offer payment during this period if the relative is immediate family.

3. Registering the death can be done by a relative, close friend or someone present at the death or by you as a personal representative. You must register the death within five days and bring the death certificate, marriage certificate, birth certificate and pension or state benefit books. You must also inform the registry office of any other names the deceased was known by, their occupation and the occupation of their spouse.

Ask for several copies of the death certificate, as it is the only form of evidence that can be presented to banks.

4. The Will is often lodged with the deceased’s solicitor or bank. You may also be able to find a copy within the deceased’s personal effects. Only the executors can read the Will at this stage and you may only check it to find out who the executors are and find out any funeral wishes.

5. If there is no Will, the personal representatives are established under the rules on intestacy and your solicitor will be able to explain that to you.

6. Informing friends and family is difficult, but it is important that you check address books, phones and emails to ensure that everyone is aware of the death.

7. The deceased’s property must be as secure as possible and insurance must be kept to protect the property. It’s important to take care of any pets.

8. Small, personal items should be taken into the care of personal representatives and not left in the deceased’s property.

One of our most important pieces of advice is arranging a funeral. This may begin with checking for organ donation and the type of funeral the deceased would have wanted. There is no legal obligation to this, but there may be a moral one. Then, you can find a funeral director who works within your budget. It can also be useful to find a life insurance policy or funeral plan to help you cover expenses. If you’re on a low income, you can receive a Funeral Payment through the government to help cover the costs.

This guide should help you take the first steps you need when dealing with death. You can also help a loved one by ensuring that you have a Will in place before you die, helping the process for them too.

If you’re struggling to deal with the death of a loved one, or want to make the process easier when you pass on email us enquiries@goddardsmith.co.uk or call us on 01942 316144

HEALTH a vital part known as the cochlea.

This is a coiled tube with two fluid filled chambers. Here there are 17,000 hair cells, each with a structure known as stereocilla. The sound waves passed along the ear cause these to move which sends an electrical sign down the auditory nerve to our brain, where it is recognised as sound.

Vastly improve your quality of life for years to come Hearing loss is a common problem and many of us will experience some hearing difficulty as we get older. But this isn’t something we have to suffer with and there are many ways in which to seek help if you feel you need it.

Action on Hearing Loss estimate that in the UK around 10 million people have some degree of hearing impairment or deafness and 6.3 million of this total are of retirement age. This problem usually develops gradually over time, due to age or repeated exposure to loud noise, although, a small group of people may experience sudden hearing loss.

The outer ear is the external part which we see on the side of our heads. This section is attached to the ear canal, which is the passage in which sound travels. The middle ear is a small cavity filled with air and contains three important bones called ossicles. When sound hits the ear drum, it vibrates and these vibrations are passed onto these bones Finally, the inner ear contains

Hearing loss is the result of sound signals not being able to reach the brain. There are two types of hearing loss. The first is where there is damage to the sensitive hair cells in the inner ear caused by either age or injury, known as sensorineural hearing loss. The second is where sound can’t pass through the ear due to a blockage, usually caused by a build up of earwax or an ear infection. This is called conductive hearing loss.

Some people may experience both of these types and this is known as mixed signal hearing loss.

The main symptoms of hearing difficulty are not hearing people clearly or misunderstanding what someone says, having to ask someone to repeat themselves several times and finding yourself needing music or the television on a high volume to be able to hear.

Our hearing is a complicated process and the ear is made up of three different parts which help us do this; the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear.

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Experts say that age is the most common cause of hearing loss.

Everyone will experience some form of this as they get older and by age 80, most people will have significant hearing problems.

However, noise induced hearing damage is very common. People who find themselves regularly exposed to very loud noises, usually at work, are most at risk, such as construction workers using pneumatic drills, or those who are employed in bars and nightclubs.

Those regularly attending loud music concerts and events can also be at risk.

This can also be a cause of tinnitus, which is where a person experiences a constant ringing or buzzing inside their ears.

If you think you are experiencing hearing loss, you should see a specialist hearing aid dispenser as soon as possible as there are many

options out there to help. They will give you a simple hearing test and examine the inside of your ear to look for any problems and are qualified to identify any medical contra-indications for onward referral to an ENT consultant etc.

In most cases, people who are experiencing hearing problems will be fitted with a hearing aid.

There are many types available depending on the person and the problem.

Prentice Professional Partners provide help and advice to those who are experiencing difficulties with hearing loss, as well as access to try out the technologies that may be of help – completely free of charge.

Their latest technology includes an invisible hearing aid, which will help those who do have hearing issues and need a device to help them in their everyday lives, but do not want it to be visible.

Figures show that around four million people in the UK could benefit from a hearing aid but do not wear one.

Action on Hearing Loss audiology specialist, Crystal Rolfe, told NHS Choices: “Many people are put off by the idea of wearing hearing aids because they think they are unsightly,” “We need a new attitude to hearing aids. Wearing them should be as unremarkable as wearing glasses.”

It is important that if you are experiencing any issues with hearing loss that you get the necessary help you need. There are many options out there to make your hearing better and vastly improve your quality of life for years to come.

Written by Kelly Spencer 50 Plus Magazine.

Your hearing is important Don’t take it for granted...

At Prentice Professional Partners we understand your hearing is important and can offer a variety of services to help if you are worried about your hearing or simply need a new hearing aid.

Our services include: • • • •

St Helens Hearing Centre

Free Hearing Test Advanced Micro Suctions for Wax Removal Latest Digital Technologies Available Up to £1000 trade-ins on your old hearing aids

As your local company we wish to extend a 10% discount for you when you mention 50 Plus when booking your appointment.

St Helens Hearing Centre 34, Hall Street, St Helens WA10 1DL

Tel: 01744 754400 www.prenticeprofessionalpartners.co.uk

BT Engineers Deafness Claims 36

Hampson Hughes Solicitors are currently acting on behalf of a number of clients who have suffered noise induced hearing loss whilst working as engineers www.50plusmagazine.co.uk for British Telecom.

These engineers were using “tone sets” which are essentially oscillators and amplifiers used to detect certain faults on lines.This is essential maintenance work which they were required to carry out on a daily basis, and there was no other way around it than to listen with these sets.

BT engineers who have also worked in, or around, the construction side of the business have also suffered significant hearing loss.

These engineers have used or been in the vicinity of machines such as jackhammers, kango’s and mole ploughs.

Both types of engineers have complained about hearing problems such as having to turn the television up ‘too loud’, missing conversation, struggling with telephone conversations, and quite commonly a hissing or buzzing noise known as tinnitus.

There is no need for you to have visited your doctor or had your hearing tested of your own accord.

As part of the claim process with Hampson Hughes Solicitors, we will arrange for you to see an Ear, Nose & Throat Specialist (Otolaryngology) and Audiologist, who will be able to diagnose the loss you have incurred.

The ENT specialist will also be able to recommend to you any future treatment which may be beneficial.

There are certain time limits imposed upon bringing a claim against a previous employer for Noise Induced Hearing Loss.

In these cases it is limited to 3 years from the date of when you first realised you had hearing loss and linked it to your employment.

Each case is decided upon its individual merits, so we advise you contact Hampson Hughes Solicitors as a matter of urgency to allow our expert team to investigate your potential claim without delay.

Many of our clients report not having noticed hearing loss at all.

This is because it is such a gradual thing. Family members are often the ones who point out that their hearing is deteriorating.

If you feel you may have even had the slightest damage to your hearing, our team of specialists may be able to help you determine whether this is the case. Maybe you’ve noticed hearing problems in a family member?

We are here to help.

BT themselves have made admissions as to their liability with these claims.

They accept that the “green” and “unmodified yellow” tone sets emitted excessively high noise levels, often over 80 decibels, thus causing hearing difficulties for the user.

Thanks to this admission from BT, these claims are now generally easier and quicker to process.

A simple causative link is needed to be established in order to succeed now that liability has been admitted.

The compensation gained from claiming for this hearing loss could prove essential for future therapy for tinnitus, and the possibility of requiring expensive hearing aids.

Other areas we cover: Accidents at Work Accident Management Accidents on Holiday Catastrophic Injuries Dog Bites Head Injuries Industrial Disease Medical Negligence Passengers Rehabilitation Road raffic Accident Slips, Trips & Falls Uninsured Motor Claims

Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority Firm Number 512839

If you or someone you know has suffered hearing loss as a result of working for BT, contact Hampson Hughes Industrial Disease Team on

0800 888 6888

or email industrialdisease@hampsonhughes.com

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

A Guide to Dentures ....

The Importance of Dentures The eyes, nose and teeth are the focal points of every face; they give the first impressions of your personality.

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 visual and artistic judgement.

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

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.

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.

Difficulties in Constructing a Good Set of Dentures Constructing a functional and aesthetically pleasing set of dentures is 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.

Choice of Dentures There are three main quality standards in denture materials: Denture Base Acrylics: standard quality, high impact much stronger non brittle and the latest thermoplastic.

Denture Teeth: 2-layer acrylic very basic and cheap, 3-layer acrylic re-enforced much harder, 4-layer composite extra hard and natural looking.

However, good materials on their own will not make good dentures. A skilful and experienced clinician and technician are required. The best results are achieved when the whole job is done by the same person.

Removal Partial Dentures It was long thought that removable partial dentures had to be rigid to be effective. The innovation of the Valpast flexible partial denture allows the appliance to adapt to the constant movement and flexibility in your mouth.

The preparation is relatively simple as your natural teeth don’t need to be altered. The Valpast flexible partial denture is virtually invisible, no telltale metal clasps and the material itself blends with the tissue in your mouth so that the only thing that shows is your beautiful smile.

How Long Should Dentures Last?

The question we should ask is, how long will my dentures be functional for? Dentures can last twenty or more years, but will lose their function (chewing ability, proper fit etc.) probably after two years. This will depend on many factors:

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4.

Quality of dentures.

Age of Patient.

General health of patient.

Any drastic change in weight.

Dentures Need Regular Servicing

Summary

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.

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

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.

Have your dentures inspected by a dentist or denturist at least every two years, or more frequently if necessary.

Your Dentures need Attention 1.

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When they become loose.

When teeth or denture base discolours.

When tooth surfaces become flat.

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

When you develop deep lines around your mouth.

When your chin sticks out, and the corners of your lips are constantly wet, developing sores.

When you stop smiling and feel embarrassed.

Clean your dentures daily with a denture brush and denture cream.

Have your dentures inspected every two years, and re- lined or ultra-sonically cleaned.

Have a new set made every 5 years if possible.

Keep a spare set for emergencies.

Remember, dentures do not have to hurt and do not need to be uncomfortable.

With a new set of dentures, you should receive a written guarantee, a detailed prescription of the materials used in your dentures, cleaning and servicing instructions, and a cleaning kit.

Dentures so life-like you’d think they were real.

This article was written by 50 Plus journalist Sheila Alcock.

Express Denture Repair Service

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Loose Dentures Can be re-lined by adding a thin layer of the new acrylic to fit the surface of the dentures, making them fit better (takes one or two days).

Dentures with worn down teeth Teeth can be replaced with a new set.

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?

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

Where do I go to have a good set of Dentures made?

Every dentist can make dentures, but not all of them will specialise in denture making.

Denturists will take the greatest care to make your dentures look natural and fit properly. They can give you and your dentures the time and attention you deserve.

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PRIZE DRAW Located in the heart of the Lancashire countryside, this award-winning five-star Visit Britain holiday destination is just 10 minutes from the seaside towns of Blackpool and Lytham St Annes.

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You can choose from a midweek break or a weekend visit. Your break includes a stay in a luxury self-catering Poppy cottage, which can accommodate up to six people. The cottages all have a living room, kitchen, master bedroom with en-suite, two separate bedrooms and a family bathroom, plus their own patio and barbecue area and a private parking space.

Ribby Hall Village has plenty of facilities and activities to keep the family entertained, such as horse riding, segways, archery, a golf course and a gym. You’ll have unlimited use of the swimming pools, play areas and fishing ponds, too. There are also lots of great bars, restaurants including Starbucks, Papa John’s pizza store & takeaway and family fun and adult only entertainment venues. Prices start from just £280 for a family cottage for four nights.

Ribby Hall Village’s have some fantastic offers.

Call 0800 085 1717 8am-8pm, seven days a week.

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Post your entry to: McGrath Media Unit 6 Moses Gate Workshops, Gladys Street, Farnworth, Bolton BL3 2QG.

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Closing date for entries: 30.4.14. Winner will be notified by post.

Terms and Conditions apply to offer, please call Ribby Hall Village on 0800 085 17 17 for more details. Prize Terms and conditions: The holiday can be taken any time before the end of December 2014 (excluding Winter Wonderland and New Year Breaks) and is subject to availability. Prize is not transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash, Ribby Hall Village may contact you directly by mail, email, text or phone with special offer information or new product updates. Your details will not be passed on to any third parties. Terms and conditions apply.

In the heart of the Lancas beautiful Ribby Hall Holid accommodation, restaura and an award winning Sp

Just a short distance aw Lytham St Annes and th to keep every age ente place to enjoy a holiday

Our fabulous cottages, just £280 for six people up to £60 off your holid

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Subscription Form To receive the next two issues of 50 Plus Magazine hot off the press, either for yourself or to treat a friend, please fill in the form and post with a cheque for £3.40 made payable to McGrath Regional Media: Unit 6, Moses Gate Workshops, Gladys Street, Bolton BL3 2QG. 40

To book or request a broc 0800 085 17 17 or vis

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PROSTATE NEWS

As we get older, we have an increasing risk of prostate cancer.

Researchers have shown that Lycopene (the red colour in tomatoes and one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants) is beneficial for those at risk as well as those who already have the disease.

For example, the following studies all point towards positive benefits: Harvard Medical School, USA A study of 50,000 men showed a significant reduction in the incidence of prostate cancer for men on high (tomato) Lycopene diets.

“Frequent consumption of tomato products is associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer.”

Kings College Hospital, London A 12 month trial involving men with confirmed prostate cancer found that about 70% of those consuming Lycoplus, a dietary supplement containing Lycopene, benefited from a much reduced rate of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) increase or an actual reduction in their PSA. “Our clinical study lends weight to the probability that dietary supplementation with Lycopene [from Lycoplus] slows disease progression in men with prostate cancer.”

Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, USA Amongst a group of men with prostate cancer who were to have radical prostatectomy, some took a Lycopene supplement, some not. Following surgery it was found in the Lycopene group that more than two-thirds had the cancer confined to the prostate whereas in the other group more than half found the cancer had spread. Similarly, in the Lycopene group less than 20% had tumours larger than 4cc but in the other group the equivalent number was approximately 50%.

“Lycopene as tomato extract may not only help prevent prostate cancer but also may be useful to treat prostate cancer.”

Although the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, it is known that Lycopene accumulates in the prostate gland. 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 simultaneously and there is much research currently being conducted across the globe to understand these interactions.

In the meantime, many men are not waiting for full scientific explanations but are turning to Lycopene to reduce the risk of prostate disease. Humans possess no mechanism to make Lycopene; instead we accumulate it from our diet. Furthermore, natural Lycopene is hardly taken up at all from the consumption of raw tomatoes and only becomes “bioavailable” if the fruit is cooked and/or processed prior to eating. Consequently, supplements such as Lycoplus EXTRA are an increasingly attractive option.

Reactivating Lycopene with Vitamin C Every time a damaging free radical is removed by a Lycopene molecule, the antioxidant becomes “spent” – in essence, 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.

Thus, vitamin C is believed to prolong the antioxidising effects of Lycopene.

STOP PRESS Diet rich in tomatoes may lower breast cancer risk In work to be published in 2014 in the Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Dr Adana Llanos from Rutgers University, USA shows that a tomato-rich diet could help to protect at-risk post-menopausal women from breast cancer because Lycopene affects the level of hormones that play a role in metabolism and cancer risk. The risk reduction was clear for older (50+) women after only 10 weeks of 25mg Lycopene per day – approximately 2 capsules of Lycoplus Extra daily.

Staying Informed George & Partners is committed to providing readable, up-to-date, scientifically robust information about lycopene research, particularly that related to prostate cancer, breast cancer, heart disease and skin health. To sign up for our free newsletter, please call 08000 234 235 or visit www.lycoplus.co.uk.

Based at Keele University Science Park, George & Partners is the collective brainchild of three internationally renowned professors who have published more than 800 scientific papers over the last 30 years.

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.

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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

41

HEALTH

Making Life Easier Keeping fit and healthy is an important part of growing older and staying mobile even more so. Regular exercise and good diets are essential to maintaining your independence.

However, studies show around 2.45 million people in England require help on a regular basis.

42

At Home Mobility superstores situated around the country, specialise in products to help people live independently. They sell thousands of items to allow you to feel comfortable at home.

Climbing the stairs is one task that becomes increasingly difficult as we age. But not to worry, a stair lift or extra hand rails can make this much easier. Fitted to the wall of the staircase, they create a better grip when climbing or allow you to sit and bypass the steps altogether.

Bathing can become tricky too, especially with slippery surfaces. However, bath lifts and safety rails have been created to aid movement in the bathroom. These give extra support when getting in and out of the bathtub,

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by lowering and lifting you from the water, if this is found to be most challenging.

Specialist furniture stores also sell remote controlled chairs and beds that move and adjust to allow sitting up and lying down without any pain or problems.

Aquability can help you prevent problems before they occur and enable you to stay independent for longer. Sometimes a simple solution is all that is needed to improve home safety, such as installing grab bars or using a specially designed inflatable cushion to get in and out of the bath.

Out & About Finding you have trouble walking can be a daunting thing and can make leaving the house hard. Mobility stores have a selection of walking aids and frames, in a variety of shapes, colours and sizes, fitted to the individual. Wheelchairs can be purchased, but they are accessible on the NHS, so look into your options.

As the UK’s leading bathing solutions provider Aquability have been changing the lives of their customers for over 15 years. Their mobility products include walk- in baths, sit-down showers, powered safety seats and more.

With a comprehensive product range that is constantly updated and an expert team on hand to advise you, Aquability can deliver the perfect solution to your mobility needs, on any budget.

Mobility scooters are a great invention too if you’re wanting to get out and about. Although, they can be pricey, they are worth the satisfaction of knowing you can travel wherever you like, without the assistance of others. You may however have to register with the DVLA.

Visit www.aquability.com to find out more.

NO WORRIES! Bath out - Shower in

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STRUGGLE TO GET IN & OUT OF YOUR OLD BATH? Designed to fit in the same space as your old bath, the Shower Module’s unique construction enables it to be FITTED IN JUST ONE DAY* with NO MESS, NO FUSS and NO RE-TILING either! ● ● ● ● ● ●

Fits in same space as your old bath!

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Postcode Lines open 24 hours 7 days a week. Or return coupon to FREEPOST RRGY-AHAX-AHSX, Aquability UK Ltd, Farnborough, GU14 0NR. Or visit - www.aquability.com Send to: FREEPOST RRGY-AHAX-AHSX, Aquability UK Ltd, Farnborough, GU14 0NR.

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

43

Sheltered Housing in Leigh...

Are you worried about maintenance and security? Looking for companionship and help with support-but still want to keep your independence? Abbeyfield Leigh has supported sheltered housing available in Leigh for People aged 55 and over. � Well maintained all inclusive accommodation with en suite facilities � 24/7 Security with residential house managers � Beautiful communal garden conservatory lounge with Sky TV � and Wi-Fi Internet, and garden decking area � No cooking, bills or repairs to worry about � Freedom to come and go as you please � A balance of privacy and security � Furnished and decorated to your own taste � Friendly and supportive environment � No strict rules other than those of common courtesy � Assured tenancies affordable to all (Short stays and trial periods may be available)

ROOMS ARE AVAILABLE – APPLY NOW! For more information on our accommodation in Leigh, please contact the house managers on: 01942 607833 or download a brochure at www.abbeyfield.com Or call in with no obligation at anytime at: 44

The Abbeyfield(Leigh)Society 57-61 Bond Street, Leigh www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

The Personal Touch at Victoria House Here at Victoria House we provide residential care for older people and are registered for older persons with dementia. The home is under new management and bringing new ideas with a fresh approach to care.

With over 20 years delivering highly professional and friendly care services for the elderly, the management and staff here at Victoria House pride ourselves on creating a warm, welcoming environment.

When people have worked hard throughout their life and have been committed to helping others, we think they deserve extra cherishing. They need a home where individuality is emphasised, with staff who have time to give attention to small detail, and where they have the choice of enjoying the company of like-minded fellow Residents.

FIRST CLASS CARE

Our person centred approach and care policy extends to six basic values and as such, our aim is to create a ‘A Home For Living In’. These basic values are: Privacy, Dignity, Independence, Choice, Rights and Fulfilment.

Twenty-four hour dedicated Service User care is provided and the care staff enables our Service Users to maintain their independence, rights and choices in order to live their lives

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to the full. Service users are encouraged to express their individuality and we welcome people’s personal belongings to be brought into the home.

We recently had a very successful ‘Dignity Day’ which was a special day for everyone involved. There was a 1940s theme ‘Digni-tea’ that was held between 2-4pm on Friday 7th February, where classic songs from the era were playing to raise awareness of Dignity. A ‘Digni-Tree’ was also made and the service users were encouraged to write on a heart shaped leaf about what dignity means to them.

There is a key worker system in operation providing our Service Users with a high standard of holistic care, meeting each individual’s needs, which will be identified through assessment and formulation of the Care Plan; the emphasis being to provide our Service Users with the ability to make choices, in order to make their own decisions regarding their care.

We are pleased to accept Service Users (Residents) for long term, and short term for convalescence and holiday stays.

We understand that moving to a home is a big decision for you and your family so we welcome you to come along and have a coffee, chat and a walk round the home; you can even try out our wonderful food, if notice is given.

We look forward to welcoming you at Victoria House.

45

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My Bronte Book Your autobiography captured in a beautiful, illustrated volume for your family to treasure.

Complete with a web site of your pictures and recordings of your stories. Written in Haworth, home of the Brontes.

Haworth gave birth to the historic novels of the Bronte sisters and it can become the birthplace of your personal story.

Makes a wonderful gift for loved ones.

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Bronte Book will publish your personal autobiography, written and published in Haworth, to pass on as a living legacy after making detailed recordings.

Within the four month long process comes your own web site (also available separately) containing recordings, pictures and special stories. Your own living legacy which we know you will enjoy compiling.

WIGAN, WARRINGTON & ST. HELEN’S IS PUBLISHED IN JULY

You may choose a book and/or a web site and an e-book within the package which starts from £300 ranging to £2,750 for the full process, which can include up to 20 books. A deposit with instalment payments plan is available.

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Details from www.brontebook.com or Bronte Media, brontemedia@outlook.com Tel: 01535 959002, Mobile: 07866 626090

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looking to celebrate that special anniversary? ring your favourite restaurant

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1942 606668

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Order online at www.llgwheelchairs.co.uk or call us on 01942 606668 or visit our local showrooms

Order online at www.llgwheelchairs.co.uk or call us on 01942 606668 ww.llgwheelchairs.co.uk call usshowrooms on 01942 606668 orReclinevisit our Adjustable beds from £595 Rise and chairs from £595 or visitorour local

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NOW AVAILABLE elchairs.co.uk or call us on 01942 Order 606668 online or visit at www.llgwheelchairs.co.u our local showrooms A lot of people currently receiving high rate mobility or a war pensioner’s mobility supplement, are unaware that as well as being able to receive a car on the scheme, they can also receive either a mobility scooter or a powered wheelchair suited to their needs.

with very little for the customer to do. All the paperwork, banking etc. is all done by us.”

A customer will generally receive their Scooter or Powerchair within 7 days of contacting us. A deposit is required and all products come with 3 years FREE breakdown cover, 3 Sterling Sapphire £1295 years insurance and 3 years warranty. You don’t even need to visit the showroom either, a specialist from the Motability Centre will visit you in your own home if you require to discuss your needs. The Mobility Centre is the only Matability Specialist in Leigh Boothstown

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A team of Mobility Specialists at The Mobility Centre, based in Leigh/Boothstown says: “Most people know about getting a car through the Mobility Scheme, but are suprised to find they are also able to receive either a Mobility Scooter or a Powered Wheelchair. It’s a very simple process,

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A lot of people currently receiving high rate mobility or a war pensioner’s mobility supplement, are unaware that as well as being able to receive a car on the scheme, they can also receive either a mobility scooter or a powered wheelchair suited to their needs.

with very little for the customer to do. All the paperwork, banking etc. is all done by us.”

A customer will generally receive their Scooter or Powerchair within 7 days of contacting us. A deposit is required and all products come T u Getting The Most From Your Motability?

Are You Getting Your Motability?

A team of Mobility with 3 years FREE

ently receiving high rate mobility or a war pen- with very little for at theThe customer do. All the paperwork, A lot of people currently receiving high rate mo Specialists Mo- to breakdown cover, banking 3 Little sioner’s mobility supplement, are unaware that a pplement, are unaware that Star as well£650 as being able etc. isBOOTHSTOWN all done by us.” BRANCH £1295 Sterling Sapphire FINANCE LEIGH BRANCH bility Centre, based in years insurance and lot can of people currently to receive a car on theAVAILABLE scheme, they can also rece e scheme,Athey also receive either a receiving mobility high rate Parsonage Garage, Kirkhall lane, Leigh, Unit 1, Stanfield Centre, Boothstown, Leigh/Boothstown 3 years Youwithin scooter or a powered wheelchair suited to their n wheelchair suited toortheir needs.

A customer will generally receive their Scooterwarranty. or Powerchair mobility a war pensioner’s mobility supplement, NHS Wheelchair voucher Greater Manchester, WN7 5RP Manchester, M28 1FB says: don’t even need to come 7 days of contacting us. A deposit is required and all products are unaware that as well as being able to receive scheme accepted here.

- 8.30am - 5pm 01942 606668A team of Mobility with 0161 7909071 A 3“Most years FREE know people visit the showroomMon-Fri eiWe also offer Saturday - 8.30am - 4pm a car on the scheme, they canMoalso receive either a 3 Sp Specialists at The breakdown cover, about getting a car ther, a specialist from Sunday Closed Little Star £650 tar £650 4 Sterling wheel rollators from £50 Preand owned scooters from part exchange Rise Recline chairs from£295 £595 bi Sapphire £1295 servicescooter & repairs arebased available at all our to service centres mobility orCentre, a powered wheelchair suited bility in years through insurance and the Mobil- the Motability Centre Le You their needs. Leigh/Boothstown 3 yearsitywarranty.

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lgwheelchairs.co.uk or or call call us us on onYour 01942 01942Motability?

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BOOTHSTOWN BRANCH OPEN: LEIGH BRANCH BOOTHSTOWN BRANCH Unit 1, Stanfield Centre, Boothstown, Mon-Fri 8.30am - 5pm Parsonage Garage Unit 1, Stanfield Centre Manchester, M28 1FB Sat 9am - 4pm Kirkhall Lane, Leigh Boothstown Mon-Fri -Sun 8.30am - 5pm 0161 7909071 - CLOSED Greater Manchester Manchester

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NHSAVAILABLE Wheelchair voucher scheme accepted here.

NHS Wheelchair voucher We also offer scheme accepted here.

FINANCE FINANCE part exchange We also offer part AVAILABLE AVAILABLE exchange.

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01942 Unit 606668 0161Boothstown, 790 9071 ne, ne,Leigh, Leigh, Unit1,1,Stanfield StanfieldCentre, Centre, Boothstown, Manchester, Manchester,M28 M281FB 1FB P 47 scheme schemeaccepted acceptedhere. here. www.50plusmagazine.co.uk Mon-Fri Mon-Fri --8.30am 8.30am-service -5pm 5pm 0161 01617909071 7909071 Services & repairs are available at all our centres We Wealso alsooffer offer Saturday Saturday--8.30am 8.30am--4pm 4pm Sunday Sunday--Closed Closed part partexchange exchange available availableat atall allour ourservice servicecentres centres

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e e s ic o t t s n ta i l l an ! a C r F ers ou Off

NOW OPEN Selection of Sofa’s Available on 7 day Delivery

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01942 233333 263 Woodhouse Lane | Wigan | Lancashire | WN6 7NR