Retirement Today Autumn 2019

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R E T I R E M E N T

www.retirement-today.co.uk

The magazine for pre and post retirement

FINANCE•LIFESTYLE•TRAVEL•CULTURE•GARDENING•HEALTH•RECIPES

Issue 100 Autumn 2019 £2.90

Everyone has one story, bring yours to life.

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CONTENTS

4 Tracing Your Ancestry Geographical Mobility and Population Growth

WELCOME TO RETIREMENT TODAY MAGAZINE

Read how the further you go back with your research, the more likely it is that you will find that your ancestors stayed in the same place for generations

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6 Complaints and ‘how to complain’

In life sometimes things inevitably go wrong. Useful information and the progress to take when you need to make a complaint.

8 Easy Recipes, Fast Food, All Healthy

Real, fast and delicious family food that just so happens to be good for you!

11 Update

The revolutionary Ta Da Walking Stick/Tripod Chair; Holidays with a difference; It’s never too late

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12 Book Reviews

Melanie Ward reviews some of the best books this Christmas.

15 Four City-Breaks in one Provence

19 Out and About

Leighton House Museum; Walthamstow Wetlands; All Aboard Panto Express; Birmingham Tattoo

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21 Animal Adoption

A fantastic way of giving someone a truly memorable gift and at the same time making a wonderful contribution to animal welfare

• Published by: Amra Media Solutions Ltd The Old Lavender Mill 46a Brook Street Aston Clinton Buckinghamshire HP22 5ES • Tel: 01296 632700 • Email: info@amramedia.co.uk • www.retirement-today.co.uk • Designed by: Tom Evans Design All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior permission of the publisher.

The opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. Although every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information and the advertisements contained within the magazine, the publishers cannot accept any liability.

Retirement Today would be pleased to receive your articles and photographs for possible publication. Although all reasonable care will be taken the magazine can assume no responsibility and contributors are advised to retain a copy.

i et oc

27 Back to School in Retirement

You are never too old to learn a new skill or pursue a hobby, and Retirement is a good time to start something you have always wanted to do but never had the time whilst working.

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24 Shades of Grey

Thinking of decorating? Grey is the colour of the moment, and the perfect neutral whether dark and dramatic or pale and Nordic.

aria

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Vege t

Top left – Courtesy of Ontario Travel Bottom left – from Shades of Grey © Ryland Peters & Small Bottom right – © Vegetarian Society

Considering a city-break escape? Ontario has it all with bustling cities, world wonders and excellent food!

©

oker©Hodder & Stoug Issy Cr hton

29 Festive Flavours

Add a sprinkling of inspiration to your Christmas kitchen with delicious dishes from The Vegetarian Society.

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33 Charity begins at Christmas

Christmas is the season of goodwill, why not give a thought to charities this year and see how you could make a difference.

37 Charity News

British Wireless team up with Talking News Federation to provide free, easy access to local news; Royal College of Surgeons Library launches first digital exhibition; Helpline and free information packs for people with Diabetes; Help provide home essentials this Christmas and support mental illness.

38 Charity News

The most important numbers you could ever know; Cows about Cambridge; Positive outcomes, transformed lives; Legacies help Action for Children protect and support vulnerable children.

41 Charity News

Christmas Spirit: Believe in later life; With your help we are giving children hope.

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RETIREMENT

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TRACING YOUR

Geographical Mobility

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he further you go back with your research, the more likely it is that you will find that your ancestors stayed in the same place for generations. Most people were poor, and the Poor Laws would not allow the movement of people between towns and villages without documentation, so it was easier for most people to stay in the town or village where they were born.

Some people would have had trades, such as the blacksmiths and bakers and these trades would have been passed down from father to son. It is likely that they would have provided for the same town or village through generations. Most however, would have been casual labourers working on local farms and earning what they could when it was available. Agricultural work was seasonal and often poorly paid.

With the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, things began to change. New machinery on farms could do the work of a dozen men and many moved from the rural areas into the ever-expanding town and cities, their already precarious choice of living made even harder.

Factory jobs employed men, women and children all year round, so despite the often squalid and cramped conditions of urban life, it was considered preferable to starvation. Consequently, the population movement within England became far more common.

Other factors that lured people to the towns and cities were the better chance of education for their children in Sunday Schools and the belief that the houses were built better.

As well as people moving within England, there also began to be more migration. This was sometimes due to the transportation of criminals, sometimes through necessity and sometimes through

ANCESTRY

and Population Growth choice. There was a whole new world waiting for them across the oceans and many took a chance and ventured forth.

From the early 19th century the Irish had been coming to England and the USA, and the potato blight of the 1840s saw an estimated one million Irish leave their shores for a new life.

Tracing Your Ancestory

From the early 19th century the Irish had been coming to England and the USA, and the potato blight of the 1840s saw an estimated one million Irish leave their shores for a new life

During the late 18th and into the middle of the 19th centuries the Scottish Land Clearances, which saw tenant farmers being forced from their homes, meant that the Scots too were forced to flee. Many emigrated to Australia, New Zealand or Canada, but some moved across the border to England.

Between 1700 and 1750, the population of England stayed relatively stable. Then, between 1750 and 1850, it more doubled.

This however, was not just due to the arrival of the Scots and Irish.

Indeed, during this time many English families were emigrating to the British Colonies themselves, which would, to a degree have counteracted it.

In fact, the combined population of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales in 1801 was an estimated eighteen million; by 1851 it was twenty-seven million. The death rate was decreasing as children were more likely to survive infancy. There was a better awareness of the need for sanitation, along with the introduction of some inoculations.

Another factor was that people were beginning to marry younger.

With a steadier income it was easier for people to set up home together and earlier marriages meant more children. So, there were simply more people being born than were dying.

In 1700 an estimated seventeen per cent of the English population lived in urban areas, by 1801 this had increased to around twentyeight per cent, and by 1851 over half lived in the towns and cities.

Of course, one thing that made movement from one place to another much easier was the great advancements in transportation.

With the building of the railways, a journey that would have taken days could be done in hours. Prior to the increase in geographical mobility following the Industrial Revolution, other factors played a part. For centuries religious belief had led to discrimination against both Protestants and Catholics depending on the monarch at any given time, and in the early 18th century more than fifty thousand French Protestants or Huguenots fled to our shores to escape their own persecution.

Whilst on the subject of religion, it is worth mentioning here that parish records for English Catholics are not the easiest to fine online. Ancestry and Find My Past have a few, as does www.thegenealogist.co.uk but it is more likely that local research will be of further use on this subject, although the websites www.catholic-history.org.uk and www.catholicfhs.wordpress.com may also be of some help.

If you are looking for Jewish ancestors, then there are a couple of very useful websites at www.jewishgen.org and www.jgsb.org.uk.

An extract from Grow Your To sum up, there has always been Own Family Tree Second some mobility within, as well as to and edition – A Comprehensive from England, but prior to 1800, you are Guide to Tracing Your much more likely to have ancestors that Ancestry by Pauline Golds, stayed put. published by Emerald If you can trace a surname back to the Publishing 1851 census where if first gives a place of birth, then there is a reasonable chance that you may have found the village or at least an adjoining village or town where your ancestors had lived for generations. Of course, as with any other research, take care. Forenames were not very varied, and your line might have married and moved away, with a cousin with the same name still residing in the one you are looking at.

As mentioned before, villages and towns are not always within the same county or boundary over time. Make allowances for this.

A useful source for checking historical counties is ‘Great Britain, Atlas and Index of Parish Registers’ on Ancestry.

One last website worth mentioning if you want to know more about the places and times that your ancestors lived is www.britishhistory.ac.uk. This site has a wealth of information from primary and secondary sources relating to British history from 1300 onwards including maps and gazetters, and it can help to give you a real insight into the lives of those who came before n RETIREMENT

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COMPLAINTS

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and ‘how to complain’

Complaints and ‘how to complain’

hings in life inevitably go wrong and sometimes you lose out when it was not your fault. It is always satisfying when you explain your complaint and an organisation says: We are really sorry for the inconvenience we have caused you. Thank you for taking the time to set out your concerns. We have now fixed the issue and it will not happen again and we would like you to accept a bunch of flowers as our way of saying sorry.

This sort of response is rare and we find it irritating the way more and more companies hide behind websites and make it almost impossible to find someone to speak to directly. Perhaps some businesses will see the benefit of reverting to two-way communications and proper customer care. Many consumers are willing to pay that little bit more for decent service and the assurance that when something goes wrong there will be someone there to do something about it. You should expect justice, fairness, equality and accountability – the mantra of the radical lawyer Michael Mansfield, Q.C.

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Top Tip As the trailblazing punk band The Clash said in 1982… know your rights (and yes, it is hard to recognise that this was indeed 37 years ago!). They sang about three rights and, using this vision, the three rights you may want to cling to are, first you have the right to complain. Second, your rights under Section75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (credit-card rights) are massively powerful when things go wrong. Third, you have rights within the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

You have the right to complain and expect justice, fairness, equality and accountability

When something goes wrong, contact the firm or organisation responsible straightaway and give them a chance to sort out the RETIREMENT

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problem. It is only fair that they have a chance to look into your complaint as there are usually two sides to any story and perhaps you have simply misunderstood the situation. Clearly state your complaint. Spend time thinking about this beforehand so that you can be concise about what has happened and, more importantly, what you expect. If you are vague when you complain then you can expect a vague reply. If you want an apology, say this and say why. If you want compensation, state how much and why.

Your first port of call for assistance and back-up is usually the Consumer Rights Act 2015. It came into effect on 1 October 2015 and covers what should happen when goods are faulty, services don’t match up to what was agreed, or the service was not handled with reasonable care and skill. It also covers unfair terms in a contract (such as online films and games). For more details, including summaries of your rights, use www.citizensadvice.org.uk and go to ‘Consumer Rights Act 2015’.

Up the ante: ‘formal complaint’

When you complain, keep a note of who you spoke to, the date and time, and what they said will happen next and by when. Ask whether it would help if you put your complaint in writing. If the

issue is not resolved, take steps to make it a formal complaint. Ask the organisation for the name, address, telephone number and e-mail of the person or department that deals with complaints. Write a letter or e-mail of the person or department that deals with complaints.

Write a letter or e-mail and head it ‘FORMAL COMPLAINT’ in capitals, quoting any reference you have. Spend time getting it factually correct and attach supporting evidence. If it goes beyond two pages it sounds like you could be rambling. Don’t worry – we all do this when we feel aggrieved. But it probably means you need to set it aside and come back to it with a clearer head, reread it and relegate some information to an attachment. Send it by e-mail and ask for confirmation of receipt by return, or send by recorded delivery and keep a copy, together with the post-office tracking receipt.

Take the case further if the organisation rejects your complaint and you believe they have not addressed your concerns. Unfortunately, some customer relations teams really don’t seem to care what you say or how unfairly you have been treated and will just go through a formula approach, so you may need to significantly escalate things and show you mean business.

Do not be fobbed off at this stage; escalate matters and get more clarity by trying something like:

Dear FORMAL COMPLAINT: Your Ref (reference) X weeks have now passed and I am dissatisfied with the way you have handled my complaint. Please let me have a copy of your complaints policy and if you have not got one please let me know how I may escalate my complaint within your organisation.

Please also let me know of any ombudsman scheme, arbitration service or suchlike that I may go to outside your organisation if I continue to remain dissatisfied about the complaint that I first put to you on (date).

Yours (your name)

Buy now and change lives in the Middle East

Bethlehem Mosaic

C910 £3.99 Pack of 10

Some organisations will try and get rid of you by sending you a ‘go away’ letter. This needs some explanation. They will say that they have ‘fully considered’ your complaint and have now exhausted all opportunities to reach a conclusion. The punchline is that they will no longer respond to any further letters or communications from you and they will close their file. At this stage it is up to you to decide whether to give up (that is what they want) or take them to an arbitration service or ombudsman or even court (but court could be expensive and is it really worth it?) n This extract from The Good Retirement Guide edited by Allan Esler Smith is ©2019 and reproduced with permission from Kogan Page Ltd.

Wonderful Christmas C926 £3.75 Pack of 10

e.org or request Visit shop.embracem g 01227 811646 a catalogue by callin Registered charity no.: 1076329 RETIREMENT

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Complaints and ‘how to complain’

Top Tip

If you remain dissatisfied, say so, and ask for a copy of their complaints policy. This should show you how you may escalate your complaint within the organisation and, if you continue to remain dissatisfied, any external organisation that you may go to (for instance an ombudsman or external arbitration service).

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Easy Recipes,

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uper Food In Minutes is all about real, fast and delicious family food that just so happens to be good for you!

Donal’s latest book includes over 90 recipes, and tips and tricks, for healthy home cooks that will change the way you cook.

Using 10 ingredients or less, each recipe uses streamlined, quick cooking methods with minimal effort and maximum results that help you make the most of your time spent in the kitchen.

Here are some of our favourites for you to try ..

All the Greens Pasta (can be vegetarian) Cook’s Notes: About as simple as it gets – toss it all in the pan, give it a little stir, then just stand back and wait for supper to appear.

Serves: 4 Equipment: Deep sauté pan with lid Wimbledon,

SW20

£1,265,000

A unique, mostly single storey property situated in this sought after residential location, conveniently situated for Raynes Park centre, schools and local amenities.

316a Worple Road, West Wimbledon, SW20 8QU 020 8947 4764 | grant@fullergilbert.co.uk www.fullergilbert.co.uk

Easy Recipes, Fast Food, All Healthy

Bianchina, 8 years old, Palermo LNDC kennel

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She cannot find the Words WE CAN For over 60 years AISPA has been the voice of those who do not have a voice.

Thanks to your support we can help animal welfare projects in Italy to rescue, lovingly look after and find a new home for thousands of animals.

Please help our projects to do more and to do it better.

Please check out our website www.aispa.org.uk Email us at info@aispa.org.uk or fill out the form below and return it to us by post.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - YES, I WANT TO SUPPORT AISPA I enclose a donation of £ ............................... (Cheque/PO/CAF made payable to: AISPA) Please Gift Aid my donation. AISPA will send you Gift Aid information Name ............................................................................................................................................................

Address ........................................................................................................................................................ .................................................................................... Post Code ................................................................

AISPA, Anglo-Italian Society for the Protection of Animals 30-34 New Bridge Street, London, EC4V 6BJ UK registered charity no. 208530 RETIREMENT

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RT/19

Ingredients: 350g (12oz) linguine or spaghetti 240g (8½oz) tenderstem broccoli, trimmed 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 500ml (2 cups) fresh chicken or vegetable stock bunch of asparagus (about 250g/9oz), trimmed 150g (5oz) frozen peas 4 spring onions, thinly sliced 75ml (1∕3 cup) single cream 20g (¾oz) Parmesan cheese, grated finely grated zest of 1 lemon handful of basil leaves Method: 1. Take a large, deep sauté pan and lie the linguine in the middle. Arrange the broccoli around the linguine. Drizzle with the oil, pour in the stock and season well with salt and pepper.

2. Cover and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 8 minutes, stirring every so often to stop the pasta sticking. Add the asparagus, peas and spring onions and cook for 3–4 minutes more.

3. Add the cream, Parmesan and lemon zest and cook for 1–2 minutes more until you have a lovely saucy, creamy pasta. Serve with a scattering of basil leaves and a grinding of black pepper.

Cook’s tip: Make it veggie: swap the Parmesan for a vegetarian alternative and make sure you use vegetable stock.

Fast Food, All Healthy One-pan Vegetable Lasagne (can be vegetarian) Cook’s Notes: This is a fab veggie version of that comfort food favourite lasagne – just without all the pots and pans to wash up!

Serves: 6 Equipment: Ovenproof sauté pan Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil 2 small onions, finely chopped 3 garlic cloves, crushed 3 courgettes, chopped 250g (9oz) cremini or button mushrooms, sliced 1 x 400g (14oz) tin chopped tomatoes 200g (7oz) baby spinach 400g (14oz) fresh pasta sheets, sliced into strips handful of fresh basil leaves, torn 80g (3oz) Parmesan cheese, grated 2 x 125g (4oz) mozzarella balls, sliced

‘Roast’ Chicken Dinner Cook’s Notes: All the flavour of a full Sunday roast, but in a speedy one-pan supper.

Recipes from Super Food in Minutes

by Donal Skehan, published

by Hodder & Stoughton, £25.

Photography by Issy Croker

Method: 1. Heat the oil in a deep, ovenproof sauté pan. Add the onions and fry over a medium heat for 5 minutes until softened, then add the garlic and cook for a minute more.

2. Add the courgettes and mushrooms, increase the heat and fry for about 5 minutes until they are lightly browned. Add the chopped tomatoes and 400ml (1¾ cups) boiling water and season well with salt and pepper.

Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes over a medium heat.

3. Preheat the grill to high. Stir the spinach and pasta strips into the pan and, once the spinach has wilted, stir in the basil and two-thirds of the Parmesan and half the mozzarella. Scatter the rest of the cheese over the top and put under the grill for 3–5 minutes until bubbling and oozingly melty.

Cook’s tip: Make it veggie: swap the Parmesan for a vegetarian alternative

Serves: 4 Equipment: Deep sauté pan with lid Ingredients:

Easy Recipes, Fast Food, All Healthy

1 tsp olive oil 8 skin-on chicken thighs finely grated zest of 1 lemon, plus a squeeze of juice 3 sprigs of thyme, lleaves picked 300g (10oz) baby new potatoes, halved 200g (7oz) baby carrots, halved lengthways 250ml (1 cup) chicken stock 2 tsp Dijon mustard 160g (5½oz) kale, tough stems removed and leaves shredded handful of flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped Method: 1. Heat the oil in a large deep sauté pan over a medium heat.

2. Season the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper and place skin-side down in the pan with the lemon zest, thyme and potatoes.

3. Allow the chicken thighs and potatoes to cook without moving for 10–15 minutes, or until the chicken skin turns crisp and a deep golden brown colour. Turn the chicken and potatoes, add the carrots and cook for 2–3 minutes until the carrots are starting to become tender.

4. Combine the chicken stock and mustard, then add to the pan. Bring to a simmer, then add the kale. Season, cover and cook for 10 minutes more until the chicken is cooked all the way through, the potatoes and carrots are tender and the liquid has reduced slightly.

5. Serve straight to the table with a good squeeze of lemon juice and a generous sprinkling of parsley.

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RETIREMENT

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UPDATE

The revolutionary Ta Da Walking Stick / Tripod Chair is now available in the UK The revolutionary Ta Da walking stick, that converts to a tripod chair in an instant is now on sale in the UK. This very high-quality versatile mobility aid can be used around town, in the countryside and at outdoor events from children’s sports days to local football matches.

If you sometimes need a hand to get around, or need a break when walking, but can’t find a seat, you need the Ta Da Stick.

The one touch rotary switch converts it to a tripod chair, which is great for even or uneven ground. Simply pull the seat back up to make your walking stick again – and as the weight of the seat is at the top, it is very easy to move the Ta Da stick around.

It is available in two heights (85cm or 88cm) and weighs in at less than 1Kg. You can buy it in an attractive range of colours including Autumn Brown, Rose Red, Panther Black, Lime Green and Electric Blue, this walking seat stick is invaluable. It is designed for people weighing up to 100Kgs (15.7 stones) who can walk independently.

It is supplied with a smart drawstring carry bag and a replacement ferrule pack is also available.

Buy from www.iconicare.co.uk and on eBay and Amazon through their exclusive distributors Farm Cottage Brands.

HOLIDAYS WITH A DIFFERENCE “The Past is a Foreign Country”

It’s never too late!

People who start training later in life can have the same performances and health benefits as those who have trained all of their lives, new research has found.

It is said that travel broadens the mind, and especially so when we explore the world’s history and prehistory. We can enjoy fascinating insights in beautiful locations where myth and reality often converge.

Everyone has heard, for example, of the myth of Atlantis but have you visited its most likely location, the Greek island of Santorini, and sailed across to nearby Crete, the land of King Minos, the Minotaur and Europe’s very first civilisation?

Even remoter in time are the Stone Age temples on the tiny Mediterranean island of Malta, which predate Stonehenge and the Pyramids. Everywhere has a story to tell, full of difference and yet also the wider story of humankind, with relevance for us all. This is why archaeology and history tours are so fascinating.

You don’t need to be a history buff nor do all the research and planning yourself. Just go with a specialist tour company who provide the itineraries and bring the stories to life, so you can simply enjoy the experience and the convivial company of a small group of fellow travellers. No prior knowledge is equired and everyone is welcome, whether travelling singly or with a partner.

Turn your travels into worthwhile experiences with a satisfying balance of enrichment and leisure.

Visit www.hiddenhistory.co.uk, or call for a brochure on 0121 444 1854.

Scientists at Manchester Metropolitan University tested the performance, muscle and bone health of master athletes, people aged 60-85 years old who continue to compete at a high level in sport.

A group had been competitive endurance runners all of their lives and another group had only started training after age 50.

They found that by the age of 70, physical fitness, sports performance and muscle health were equally as good in both athlete groups despite a 30-year difference in training history.

The results, published in Frontiers in Physiology, could inform decisions of practitioners and policy makers who are working with middle-aged people living in communities who are thinking of taking up exercise to boost their health or fitness, but are worried that it may be too late to reap the full benefits.

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Update

When our children are younger, family holidays have their own criteria but once they’ve flown the nest we can opt for something a little more adventurous and cultural.

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BOOK REVIEWS

Melanie Ward chooses a selection of newly published books to enhance any coffee table this Christmas

Book reviews

FARROW & BALL LIVING with COLOUR

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COUTURE PRAIRIE And Flea Market Finds

Ros Byam Shaw Ryland Peters & Small RRP £30 Step into 16 homes featured in this book which have developed their interiors using the iconic paints and papers of Farrow & Ball. Each room creates an innovative style using the brand. A perfect gift for those moving house or just wanting to revamp their homes.

Rachel Ashwell Cico Books RRP £25 The author Rachel Ashwell is the founder of Shabby Chic, a look that has inspired countless home owners over the last 20 years. In this book Rachel goes straight to the heart of cowboy country to the Texan town of Round Top, home to one of the world’s biggest flea markets. Those familiar with Rachel’s style wouldn’t be disappointed as she takes a fresh look incorporating the diverse landscape of Texas.

THE ARTISTS GARDEN The secret places that inspired great art

PROVANCE The Cookbook Recipes from the French Mediterranean

Jackie Bennett White Lion Publishing, RRP £30 This stunning book highlights over 20 locations worldwide of gardens, that have been muses to some of our greatest painters, and that can be visited today. From iconic gardens such as Monet’s garden at Giverny, Frida Kahlo’s The Blue House, Coyoacán, Mexico through to The Bloomsbury Group at Charleston, Sussex we take a glimpse into the world of these iconic artists.

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Caroline Rimbert Craig Kyle Books, RRP £22 Provance The Cookbook is an exploration of the Provençal way of cooking for those who want to bring home the taste of the French Mediterranean to their table.

The manta is fresh seasonal cooking with an abundance of flavours.

Probably my favourite cookbook this year and a must have for the cook and foodie alike!

FADED GLAMOUR inspirational interiors and beautiful homes

LIVING WITH COCO CHANEL The homes and landscapes that shaped the designer

Pearl Lowe Cico Books RRP £19.99 This is the perfect book for the lover of all things vintage, which the author Pearl Lowe clearly has a passion for.

We get a glimpse into Pearl’s own home alongside other inspiring homes, all of which highlight a passion for vintage finds and faded grandeur.

Caroline Young White Lion Publishing, RRP £22 There surely can’t be a more iconic name in 20th century fashion than Coco Chanel. This stunningly illustrated biography tells the story of her life, in particular how interiors and landscapes were showcased in her work, providing a fascinating insight into the designer’s life

ASTON MARTIN DB 70 years

THE COMPLETE BOOK OF JAGUAR Every Model since 1935

Andrew Noakes White Lion Publishing RRP £30 Think James Bond and look no further than the iconic Aston Martin, surely the symbol of one of the world’s favourite movie franchises.

This beautifully illustrated book explores the history of one of the world’s favourite luxury sportscars and a symbol of British motoring at its height. A must for any car enthusiast.

Nigel Thorley Motorbooks RRP £45 The Complete Book of Jaguar is a must have for any Jaguar enthusiast.

With page after page of stunning illustrations, the book covers the 80-year history of this iconic car.

Expert Nigel Thorley showcases every model from the first SS to today’s F-Type sports cars.

A coffee table must have for the automobile connoisseur.

READY. STEADY. RETIRE! Would you like to enjoy a worry-free and active lifestyle with all the chores done for you? With an all-inclusive rental model that covers your weekly housekeeping, property and garden upkeep, all dining and refreshments daily, plus your heating and hot water? Then have we got something for you!

Sector leading Well-being Programme • Exercise classes & Activities • All-inclusive living Great amenities on site • Safe & secure • Restaurant quality dining • Coffee Lounge Walking guides designed for all abilities • Library • Landscaped gardens • Staff on hand 24/7 Don’t just take our word for it.

“I’m glad that I moved in to The Hawthorns when I did. If I could speak with potential residents who don’t think they are ready, I would advise them not to leave it too late, make the move whilst you are still able to enjoy all that is on offer.” Valerie Stokoe “The amenities are great with something to do every day and staff are very caring. I am so pleased that I decided to come to The Hawthorns but wish I had done it earlier, at least 6 to 7 years ago.” Bruce McDonald

Call 01603 895417 Search ‘Hawthorns Retire’ online or on Braintree, Essex | Clevedon, Somerset | Eastbourne, Sussex | Northampton, Northamptonshire

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The Hawthorns Has The Measure Of Well-being

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ne of the objectives of The Hawthorns Group of independent senior living communities is to help our residents ‘stay fitter and healthier for longer’ – to maintain their independence and ability to continue to engage in their chosen retirement lifestyle.

It is important that residents could chart their progress in their well-being and we therefore set out to design a model that incorporated a single outcome measure that combined the three major aspects of physical, psychological and social well-being.

In developing our model and measure, an intensive literature review revealed a variety of validated tools available to measure the separate aspects of well-being.

However, we could not identify one single tool that incorporated all three major aspects, so in order to create this, 12 statements from existing validated tools were used and we added three new statements to create the Hawthorns Well-Being Measure, tailored to our resident population.

Now in its third year of development, it will add to the continuing growth of research on well-being data collation. The Hawthorns Model details the concept of Well-Being 14

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and provides a structure to demonstrate and explain how well-being can enhance our residents’ quality of life – how being engaged in meaningful activity can positively influence a person’s overall sense of well-being, with the measure identifying any areas for improvement to help improve a resident’s overall sense of well-being. Since its implementation across the four Hawthorns communities we have seen many significant outcomes where residents have experienced increased levels of well-being and an improved quality of life.

Whilst still independent, residents living in senior communities may still require some level of help to successfully engage in their chosen activities; therefore, in order to identify the most appropriate and effective level of assistance for each individual, the measure provides a score for each aspect of well-being, as well as an overall outcome.

This information and scores are then used to identify appropriate areas of support required to build upon a resident’s attributes, skills and abilities to enable their participation in meaningful and purposeful activities as part of their retirement lifestyle.

The resident is at the heart of the model, symbolic to their being central to any decision making about how they perceive their own well-being and lifestyle choices.The Hawthorns outcome measure acts as an assessment tool enabling the resident to discuss their wellbeing with the dedicated well-being. It also captures responses about how the residents feel about their internal and external environment.

Through this self-reporting measure, the staff can identify key areas of a resident’s life that they either wish to continue with or change, to increase their well-being levels; this evidences that as individuals we all have different needs, preferences and wishes that impact upon our overall sense of well-being.

With locations in coastal towns or semi-rural positions in the centre of England, The Hawthorns offer stylish and spacious 1-bed and 2-bed apartments and studios.

They all have great restaurants, cafés, hair salons, lounges, and an active social calendar. With all your bills, dining, housekeeping, council tax, property maintenance, plus trips out in the private minibus all included, life is enjoyable and stress free. An experienced management team are also on hand 24/7 for your peace of mind in this safe and secure environment.

Enjoy outdoor living, events and activities in landscaped gardens without the burden of upkeep and maintenance. Green-fingered residents can enjoy tending plants and growing produce used by in-house professional chefs, or the gardens can equally be enjoyed by those who want to relax and take in the sights and fragrances, or delight in dining alfresco.

Based on a rental model, there’s no survey fees, legal costs or stamp duty; no service charges, repair costs or ground rent, and importantly no exit fees should your circumstances change. There’s no binding contract either, simply 30 days’ notice.

For more information call 01603 895417, search ‘Hawthorns Retire’ online or see life at our communities on Facebook.

GIFT IDEAS Treasured Gifts from British Jewellery Workshops British Jewellery Workshops is a manufacturer of traditional jewellery based in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter. They specialise in quality handmade and hand polished gold and silver jewellery.

Their traditional range of British handmade lockets are the perfect Christmas gift, as they can be finished plain, hand engraved, diamond cut or stone set, or feature a personal message for a bespoke touch. Your perfect locket can feature space for two special photographs, or up to four photos with our family lockets, so your memories can be cherished forever.

What do you get the person who has everything this festive season?

The decision to know what to buy friends and family seems to get harder each year. Need inspiration, take a look at some unique ideas.

The Gift of Jersey Stamps

Jersey stamps explore a wealth of fascinating subjects including the Royal family, world events, literature and local history. Miniature pieces of art, they make wonderful gifts for collectors but also for those with an interest in history, art and the beautiful island of Jersey.

Every year, Jersey Post produces a yearbook containing all the stamps and Miniature Sheets issued by Jersey Post during the year. The stamps are displayed in clear protective mounts and are accompanied by engaging information and imagery. This year’s themes include The 1970s, Queen Victoria, the Man on the Moon and George Eliot. 2019 was a special year for Jersey Post which celebrated 50 years of postal independence. As such, the yearbook is a special 50th anniversary edition featuring a beautiful gold foil hardback cover, a perfect gift for Christmas or for a 50th birthday or anniversary.

In 2019, Jersey Post issued a set of stamps to commemorate 50 years since the first Moon landing as well as a limited number of prints, created and signed by acclaimed aviation artist, Keith Burns. Hand-numbered, the prints have been beautifully framed together with the set of stamps and would make a wonderful, original gift.

Visit the website to see Jersey Post’s full range of stamps, postcards, albums and gifts. www.jerseystamps.com Email: stamps@jerseypost.com Tel: +44(0) 1534 616717

Their popular range of crosses can be hand finished plain, engine turned, hand engraved or with a Corpus Christi to form a crucifix. Crosses can also be personalised with small messages or dates across the back or sides of the cross.

Your ideal gifts can be made in 9ct yellow, red or white, 18ct yellow or white, or silver.

Their full range of lockets, crosses, signet rings, St Christophers, medical discs, brooches, cufflinks and charms can be found at www.britishjewelleryworkshops.com If you’re looking for something different, or more bespoke you can talk to one of their experienced goldsmiths on 0121 523 5575 to create a unique, treasured gift from British Jewellery Workshops.

CHILDREN’S ADVENT CALENDAR FROM EMBRACE THE MIDDLE EAST This Advent, why not buy a calendar with a difference – one that brings practical support to refugee children, and will help the children in your life think of others who might be having a very different Advent and Christmas.

Behind each window in the Children's Alternative Advent Calendar, children will find the Christmas story of Sami, a real Syrian refugee child.

Pictures of life-changing items are revealed, like warm woolly hats and food that because of the donations you're making when purchasing this calendar, are given to refugees just like Sami.

By buying this calendar for children in your life, you are making a donation on their behalf that will support Middle East Christians who put the love of Christ into practical action, relieving suffering and bringing hope. Every penny of the price of these calendars will be used to support work with refugees across the Middle East.

For further information visit their shop at www.embraceme.org

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Gift Ideas

Your pack includes a day-by-day guide to help children understand Sami’s story and engaging extra activity ideas. And a postcard of friendship to colour and send to Embrace that they’ll take to a school in Lebanon to show refugee children how children across the world are thinking of them.

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FOUR CITY-BREAKS IN ONE PROVINCE CONSIDERING A CITY-BREAK ESCAPE? ONTARIO HAS IT ALL WITH BUSTLING CITIES, WORLD WONDERS, WORLD-CLASS FOOD AND WINTER WONDER!

Peace Tower Parliament Hill Canadian Tulip Festival © Ottawa Tourism

O Toronto skyline

Four city-breaks in one province

Toronto – A cosmopolitan city

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Bright and bustling, Toronto is a cosmopolitan city with everything from world-class cuisine and spectacular attractions, to vibrant new openings and popular sporting events. Start the day at the St. Lawrence Market, which showcases over 120 vendors, merchants and artisans, and ‘must-try’ Canadian cuisine.Visitors can then checkout the Toronto Islands and Lake Ontario, leaf-peeping hotspots in autumn, which showcase scenic hikes and spectacular cycling routes.

For lunch, stop by Canoe restaurant, where each dish has a story reflective of Canada’s diverse landscape, history and culture. Next up, visitors can discover Toronto’s Distillery District on their own or on a guided Classic Distillery District Walking Tour, with the tour pointing out the distillery’s best kept secrets and Instagrammable photo spots.

Later, visitors can get away from the hustle and bustle and experience breath-taking views of the city, 356m above ground, on the CN Tower EdgeWalk, a Canadian Signature Experience, or at the CN Towers’ 360 Restaurant. Alternatively, continue the celebrations at the Scotiabank Arena, with an authentic hockey experience, while watching the Toronto Maple Leafs play. Stay at the luxurious and newly renovated, Fairmont Royal York Hotel, which now showcases a revived lobby and event spaces, for a world-class experience.

Niagara Falls – A bucket-list city

The world-renowned city, Niagara Falls, offers a number of bucketlist experiences, from marvelling at the thunderous falls, to enjoying Canadian Icewine at one of Niagara’s many festivals. Start the day RETIREMENT

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on Niagara’s Maple Leaf Place, which showcases a free tasting and a maple taffy experience, as well as onsite bottling, capping and labelling demonstrations. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, travellers can witness the falls, from above, behind or below, with WildPlay MistRider Zipline to the Falls, Niagara Helicopters or Hornblower Niagara Cruises. Visitors can then unwind at Niagara’s Healing Salt Caves, with the new pink salt flotation tank allowing travellers mind and body to drift away, under twinkling lights. For lunch, the recently renovated, Table Rock House Restaurant, reopened this summer and features a mouth-watering Feast On certified menu. Next up, head to Niagara-on-the-Lake and explore the Heritage District with a horse-drawn carriage, before indulging in Icewine tastings and the Cabernet Chocolate Ganache Bar dessert, at Peller Estates Winery and Restaurant. For dinner, stop by Riverbend Inn and Vineyard, for farm-to-table freshness and views of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s gorgeous vineyards.

Ottawa – A Canadian wonderland

Canada’s capital, Ottawa, is an urban centre on the edge of nature, showcasing famous landmarks, urban playgrounds and green parks and Canada’s rugged outdoors. Most attractions in Ottawa are within a 20-minute walk from many downtown hotels, making the destination

Niagara on the Lake

ntario is beautiful and vibrant, and a trip to the province can tick off a number of Canada’s signature experiences, with the worldrenowned, Niagara Falls, Canada’s capital city, Ottawa and bright and bustling, Toronto, all in its realm. Whether travellers are looking for a cosmopolitan city, a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, a winter wonderland or Canadian adventure, Ontario has it all. There has never been a better time to visit the province, with direct flights to Toronto taking just 7.5 hours, and flight offerings from over 20 airlines.

Ottawa - Rideau Canal © Ottawa Tourism

Medical condition experts We compare insurers Specialist cruise cover

Images courtesy of Ontario Travel

Thunder Bay- SleepingGiant

a perfect city-break escape. Head to the famous fried chicken restaurant, The King Eddy for breakfast, known for its extraordinary chicken waffles and maple whiskey gravy. Later, check-out the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, featuring the world’s largest skateway in winter and an amazing recreational waterway in other seasons. For more outdoor adventure, visitors can try white-water rafting and kayaking on the Ottawa River or alternatively, go bungee jumping on limestone quarry lagoon. For those who prefer to spend their holidays relaxing, Ottawa’s Britannia Beach is great for some afternoon sun. The ByWard Market, which boasts a bustling farmers’ market in the day, is perfect for evening entertainment, full of activity in its restaurants, pubs and nightclubs. Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market offers outstanding sunset views on its 16th floor rooftop lounge, and is always a great choice for local cuisine and a comfortable stay.

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Thunder Bay – An outdoor city

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Four city-breaks in one province

Thunder Bay is the perfect city for visitors to get in touch with their inner adventurer and discover the great outdoors and Indigenous tales surrounding the city. Upon arrival, visitors can head to Current River Bakery for an iconic Thunder Bay Persian, a pink icing topped cinnamon bun that is sure to delight. Next up, cheese lovers can watch how Gouda cheese is made, and experience the wonderful tastes of Thunder Bay, on a Thunder Oak Cheese Farm tour. Summer is the perfect time to canoe on the Kaministiquia River, or enjoy other water sports, such as sailing and paddle boarding, on Lake Superior.

Alternatively, for those wanting to stick to land, Thunder Bay offers spectacular landscape for hiking, rock climbing or mountain biking.

In the cooler months, travellers can take advantage of Thunder Bay’s winter landscapes with ice fishing, skating, skiing, snow shoeing, ice climbing and more on offer. To see the iconic Sleeping Giant in summer, there is no better option than one of Naturally Superior’s classic sailing or zodiac adventures. Alternatively, for a sunset view like no other, head to Hillcrest Park which also showcases a great view of the Sleeping Giant. For dinner, Tomlin Restaurant works along local producers to showcase fresh and electric sharing plates that are sure to inspire. For evening drinks, head to the Dawson Trail Craft Brewery, for a premium beer like no other n

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Visit a Victorian ‘House Beautiful’, the home of illustrator Linley Sambourne and his family, inspired by the Aesthetic Movement.

It features an eclectic display of decorative objects and showcases the artist’s collection of drawings and photographs.

Open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays 11am Conventional and Costumed Guided tours 2 - 5:30pm Public Open Access Evening and Private tours also available Under 18s go FREE! 18 Stafford Terrace, Kensington, London W8 7BH Visit: www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums

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RETIREMENT today 18 Stafford Terrace (Retirement Magazine) Advert.indd 1

18 STAFFORD TERRACE THE SAMBOURNE FAMILY HOME

STEP BACK IN TIME TO 1899 29/08/2019 15:59

Out&About...

Leighton House Museum

18 STAFFORD TERRACE: THE SAMBOURNE FAMILY HOME STEP BACK IN TIME TO 1899 Join our Costumed Tours!

From 1875, 18 Stafford Terrace was the home of Punch cartoonist Linley Sambourne, his wife Marion, their two children and their live-in servants. The house gives an insight into the personal lives of the Sambourne family and also provides a rare example of what was known as an 'Aesthetic interior' or 'House Beautiful' style.

The Aesthetic Movement of the late nineteenth century advocated the use of foreign or 'exotic' influences in the decoration of the home. This can be seen by the various Japanese, Middle-Eastern and Chinese objects throughout the Sambournes' home.

The interiors at 18 Stafford Terrace have remained practically intact throughout the years and are very much a product of Linley's taste. He told a journalist in 1893: "What you see is the very best. That has been my principle throughout; not to buy anything but what was really good. But it has taken time to accumulate.

There has not been an unlimited exchequer to draw upon “ Throughout October and December, the house offers special evening costumed tours with Mrs Sambourne or her parlour maid; visit the Museums website for more information and tickets Ticket Prices Adults £9 | Concessions £& | FREE for under 18s.

Open Access Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday | 2pm – 5.30pm Conventional Guided Tours Wednesday and Sunday | 11am Costumed Guided Tours Saturday | 11am Just 15 minutes from central London, Walthamstow www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums Wetlands is a huge, internationally important reserve for migrating ducks, geese and waders, which fly thousands of miles to overwinter here. In this spectacular natural oasis in the city, you can watch swans glide, ducks dabble and maybe even spot a kingfisher flash past, hear a bittern boom or a see a peregrine zoom overhead.

Enveloped in the peace of the lakes, you might be surprised round a corner and catch sight of the Shard on the horizon. In fact, these are still operational reservoirs owned by Thames Water and they provide drinking water for Londoners. Once only accessible to a few, they were restored and opened to the public in 2017, so you can enjoy an unforgettable experience getting close to nature.

In the autumn and winter, look out for pochards, gadwalls, tufted ducks and you might be lucky enough to spot a bittern.

To find out more about London Wildlife Trust, and how you can support them to protect wildlife for the future, visit wildlondon.org.uk

Visit Walthamstow Wetlands, a ‘London Wildlife Trust’ nature reserve

NEW for 2019!

All Aboard the Panto Express!

A steam train ride with Father Christmas and a live pantomime all in one visit.

The experience starts with a Steam Train Ride: set off from Platform 4 and await the arrival of Father Christmas, his elves and his sack of presents, as they make their way through the train seeing all the children and handing out presents. When you arrive back at the station, come inside and make your way to the pantomime seating and enjoy the specially adapted 30-min live show ‘A Polar Adventure’: a magical, festive story about a young polar bear, n elf and the evil Snow Queen – boo hiss!

Lots of fun for all the family!

There are six session times to choose from on the following dates: 7/8th December 14/15th December 21/22nd December Prices from £15 per person Pre-booking essential, to book please visit: www.bucksrailcentre.org 01296 655720

Britain’s biggest indoor Tattoo (a type of military show), with over 1,200 performers, will return to Arena Birmingham in November, bringing together international military and other marching bands in a three hour spectacle commemorating the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Landings.

Led by the world famous Band and Corps of Drums of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, the massed marching bands from France, Poland, the Netherlands and across Great Britain will be joined by exciting displays including field gun racing, dog display teams and, all the way from Texas, the Kilgore College Rangerettes. Whether you prefer the massed marching bands, the skirl of the pipes and drums, the fast-paced action of the field gun or the flyball dog races, or the spectacular grand finale, there is something for all the family.

The 2019 Birmingham International Tattoo will take place at Arena Birmingham at 6pm on Saturday 23rd November and 2pm on Sunday 24th November. Tickets are priced from £20 to £30 with reduced prices for children, senior citizens and groups of 10 or more.

Visit www.birminghamtattoo.co.uk for more details or call the Box Office on 0844 33 88 222.

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Out & About

Experience the pomp and pageantry of Britain’s biggest indoor tattoo

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LEAVE A LEGACY

Aiden, 25, arrived at Bransby Horses in 2016

It’s been 51 years since our founder, Peter Hunt, rescued his first horse, Sally.

Half a century on, we’re just as committed to rescuing horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules from abandonment and abuse. We now care for almost 1000 equines.

Generous gifts left to our charity in Wills are our lifeline.

Thank you!

To speak to our Legacy Team call 01427 788464 or email: legacy@ bransbyhorses.co.uk

VE LEA FE A LI ING NG CHA IFT G AY! TOD

www.bransbyhorses.co.uk I Charity No: 1075601 Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England and Wales No: 3711676

If you would like to receive free digital copies of Retirement Today magazine, please email info@amramedia.co.uk with code

‘Free RT’

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Animal Adoption – the perfect gift

S

truggling to come up with yet more interesting ideas as gifts for friends and family?

Whether at Christmas, as a birthday present, or for a special occasion, animal adoption or sponsorship is a fantastic way of giving someone a truly memorable gift and at the same time making a great contribution to animal welfare. It can be a great choice for both children and adults who for whatever reason are unable to keep a pet at home, or have a larger

Buttercups Sanctuary

Monkey World, the internationallyacclaimed ape rescue centre, is home to over 250 rescued and endangered monkeys and apes of 20 different species. Set in 65 acres of Dorset countryside, the sanctuary works in conjunction with foreign governments worldwide to stop the illegal smuggling of apes and monkeys, as well as rescuing primates from abuse and neglect from the UK and abroad. At the park, they are rehabilitated to live in natural family groups of their own kind, with specialist care.

You can support Monkey World by taking part in the Adopt a Primate Scheme. This scheme enables them to create additional reserves and a safe haven for the many primates whose lives are still in danger around the world. Your adoption/donation money goes into a 100% fund, which is used solely for the rescue and rehabilitation of primates.

Prices start from £25 (+P&P) for the year and include a photograph, certificate, three editions of the Ape Rescue Chronicle and free entry to the park for a year!

Their apes can all be adopted individually, and the monkeys by group- more for your money! The woolly monkeys are great to adopt, as the only on-show species who are a breeding group. In 2018, they welcomed two youngsters, Layla and Lemmy to their groupvisitors can see them being carried around on the back of their mothers, their prehensile tails anchoring them in place! www.monkeyworld.org Adopt today and receive: • Free entry pass to the park for one year • Adoption certificate • Photo of your chosen primate or group • Newsletter 3 times a year

At Buttercups Sanctuary, goats that have been mistreated and abused, starved and abandoned, are taken into care, giving them an environment of love and kindness.

Here their “hurts” can be treated and their experience of cruelty is replaced with understanding and trust.

Set in ancient Parkland the Sanctuary provides goats who have suffered so much with a safe and loving home for the rest of their lives. As well as open fields in which to roam in, all of the animals at Buttercups have a warm, dry undercover accommodation at night.

It is hard to believe that in today’s world, where television brings us such wonderful images of animal life, that man can still create situations of cruelty and hardship to those who share our planet.

Buttercups Sanctuary for Goats is now home to over 150 goats plus another 130 staying in wonderful “Foster Homes”. They rely entirely upon the goodwill of Friends to provide financial support through donations and legacies.

Buttercups is the only registered goat charity in the UK whose sole aim is to provide relief and care after cruelty and neglect. Why not support them and adopt a goat today, an ideal gift. Contact www.buttercups.org.uk

At a glance Adopt today and receive: • Photo of your chosen animal • Details about their story • Quarterly newsletter • Free visit on ‘Open Day’

Bransby Horses Give the gift of a second chance for a rescued horse, pony, donkey or mule.

Give the gift of a second chance to rescued horses, ponies, donkeys and mules this Christmas. Equine rescue and welfare charity, Bransby Horses, have twelve Adoptions Stars to choose from and adoptions start from just £10.This amazing gift will provide support to rescued equines and is also the perfect present for a friend or family member, especially if they love animals!

The gift consists of an adoption of one of the charity’s Adoption Stars and includes an A5 certificate and online updates on how the Star is doing at the charity. If you live locally to Lincolnshire, you can even go and visit your chosen Adoption Star at the charity site in the hamlet of Bransby.

With such a thoughtful gift like this one, the toughest part is choosing which horse, pony, donkey or mule to adopt! They have ex-Police horse Justice, Nipper the donkey who was found abandoned and Sophie who arrived at the charity with a horrific leg injury and a foal at foot. By adopting, you can help the charity continue their vital rescue and welfare work for years to come.

To find out more or to buy an adoption gift, visit www.bransbyhorses.co.uk or call 01427 788464.

At a glance Adopt today and receive: • Colour Certificate • Postcard together with background information/characteristics of your chosen animal • Leaflet on the charity • Two newsletters • Visit your chosen Adoption Star RETIREMENT

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Animal Adoption – the perfect gift

©

Monkey World

Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre

At a Glance

animal such as a horse, and it can also encourage them to develop an interest in wildlife conservation too.

Animal adoption is a very important method of fund-raising and can also build a lifetimes relationship with a charity too.

The details of animal adoption vary slightly but the essentials remain the same. Here are some examples of great choices for potential adoptees – take a look and why not this year give a truly giving gift – especially to all the animal lovers in your life.

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Redwings Horse Sanctuary

Wild Futures

Wild Futures is a primate welfare charity rescuing, campaigning, educating and providing sanctuary to primates in need.

It is currently legal to keep primates as pets in the UK, but primates are wild animals inherently unsuitable for keeping in domestic situations, and they often suffer both physically and mentally as a result of being kept as pets. Wild Futures campaigns against this trade while offering a safe haven for monkeys rescued from situations of abuse and neglect at their Monkey Sanctuary in Cornwall.

Their are home to over 40 monkeys, each with their own distinct characters and personalities. As pets, many of these individuals were left alone in tiny, barren cages and fed inappropriate diets, some were even physically abused. They offer them a chance to heal and socialise with others of their own kind, and experience a natural environment to explore, forage, play and climb trees in.

Adopting a monkey means that you are helping to provide the resources to give them the best life possible and enable them to continue their vital work campaigning and educating against the UK primate pet trade.

Please visit www.wildfutures.org/adopt

Animal Adoption – the perfect gift

At a glance

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Adopt today and receive: • A cuddly monkey toy • Personalised certificate of adoption • Photo of adopted monkey • Your monkey’s story • Species factsheet • Wild Futures bi-annual newsletters • Discount to their Monkey Sanctuary

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Welfare is at the heart of everything we do.

Redwings Horse Sanctuary believes every equine has the right to a happy and healthy life, free of fear and neglect.

Since forming in 1984, Redwings has become the UK’s largest horse sanctuary charity with over 1,500 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules cared for every day at its farms across the country.

The charity believes every equine has the right to a happy and healthy life, free of fear and neglect. And everything Redwings does is 100% funded by public donations.

Adorable donkey Dotty, who lives at Redwings’ Ada Cole visitor centre, near Harlow in Essex, has been announced as the charity’s latest Adoption Star.

Poor Dotty was rescued by the RSPCA in 2018 from a site in Essex having been discovered with very overgrown hooves which were causing her extreme pain. She was taken to a nearby veterinary practice for immediate treatment and then transferred to Redwings Ada Cole to continue her recovery. Dotty’s suffering could have been easily prevented with regular foot trims.

At the Sanctuary, she’ll receive all the care she needs for life so she’ll never have to fear pain again.

Redwings’ popular Adoption Scheme, which has been running for over 30 years, allows supporters to sponsor an ‘Adoption Star’ horse or donkey from just £15 per year with every penny going towards their care and that of their fellow rescued residents at the Sanctuary. www.redwings.org.uk/adopt.

At a glance Adopt today and receive: • Certificate • Photo of chosen horse/donkey/pony • Their story • Access to online blog • Free entry to Visitors Centre

Tiggywinkles

Tiggywinkles are dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating all British wildlife. They are the World’s busiest wildlife hospital, taking in thousands of casualties every year. they aim to get as many animals back to the wild as possible but the patients that cannot be released live safely at the hospital in nearnatural conditions.

Barney the barn owl is one of their patients that could not be returned to the wild. He arrived at Tiggywinkles two years ago after a member of the public found him by the side of the road. Barney was suffering a head trauma and given his proximity to the road, it is likely that his injuries were a result of a collision with a car.

The impact with the car also caused damage to his eyes, resulting in reduced vision. Whilst owls use both sight and sound to hunt, releasing him with such a degree of visual impairment would significantly inhibit his ability to find food.

He now lives in one of their large outdoor aviaries and despite his eye injury, appears to enjoy his life at Tiggywinkles, particularly the regular meals!

Donations such as adoptions allows them to stay open 24 hours a day, every day and ensures that their life-saving work can continue. www.tiggywinkles.com

At a glance Adopt today and receive: • Photo of your chosen animal • Adoption certificate • Detailed history of your chosen animal • Factsheet • Fridge magnet • The Chronicle (history of Tiggywinkles) • One free entry to Visitor Centre

Your legacy is our future

Looking for a unique Christmas gift?

Sponsor a rescued horse, pony or donkey

The Animal Health Trust is the leading veterinary and scientific research charity dedicated to the health and welfare of your animal.

Contact us today for your FREE Legacy Guide Call: 01638 555648 Email: legacies@aht.org.uk Visit:: www.aht.org.uk

Registered charity no. 209642

Dotty says, “I’ll write to you and you can visit me for free!”

Adopt a rescued donkey (or horse) from Redwings for a whole year from just £15!

www.redwings.org.uk/adopt 01508 481000

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An extract from Shades of Grey: Decorating with the Most Elegant of Neutrals, by Kate WatsonSmyth, published by Ryland Peters & Small. Priced £16.99 Images ©of Ryland Peters & Small

Reader Offer

Grey is the Future

Retirement Today readers can buy a copy of Shades of Grey: Decorating with the Most Elegant of Neutrals for the special price of £12.00 (RRP £16.99) with free UK P&P. To order go to rylandpeters.com and use code RECLAIMRETIREMENT at the checkout. Offer valid until 20 December 2019.

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Grey is the Future

Grey reflects and absorbs the colours around it, so if you have chosen a black floor, you might prefer a paler wall. Polished Pebble by Dulux is strong enough to be grey but won’t dominate.

et’s return to the 21st century. Marianne Shillingford, the creative director of Dulux, says grey is now the colour of progress.

It is, as she points out, the colour of building materials – stone, concrete and pavements/sidewalks.

Grey is the colour of our city environments and, as we have moved from a pastoral-based society to an increasingly urban one, grey is a colour that we are much more comfortable with. Hence the international paint company Dulux confidently offering 557 shades of grey in its paint range.

“Some of the colours already existed but were sold only in

of 28 greys, of which French Grey (warm and velvety) is the most popular. It is, says the MD David Mottershead, a carefully curated collection of shades and there’s no need for any more.

Of course while it’s the safe option, and perhaps the easy option in terms of colour, grey is also the one that requires a great deal of bravery. Some people just don’t want dark grey walls. So for them, the hunt for the perfect shade goes on.

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the Nordic countries where grey has been popular for a long time,” Marianne explains.“Others are completely new”.

But such is the spectrum of grey that these new shades, which even have their own colour wheel, are actually called complex neutrals. It might seem that Dulux has done this just to confuse everyone further. Surely it’s not even remotely helpful to have this much choice?

Little Greene Paint Company, meanwhile, is ticking with its palette

If you’re nervous about making a bedroom too dark, then use a paler shade on the wall, such as Inox or Shallows

by Little Greene, and have a dark headboard like this one that wraps around the bed to create a cocooning space.

Kimberley Duran is an American from Pennsylvania, living in Manchester, England. An interiors blogger at Swoonworthy.co.uk, she has used grey paint in several rooms in her house and is a big fan of the international paint manufacturer Dulux.

“My bedroom is Dulux Nigth Jewels 1”, Kimberley says. “It’s the darkest, chalkiest slate grey I could fine and I love how everything pops against it. Because it’s not a true black, it doesn’t look harsh but has an enveloping, cosy feel to it”.

Sticking with the same paint chart, she used Night Jewels 3 in the dining room and describes it as: ”A lovely sludgy grey with warm purple undertones. If you are considering going dark but feel nervous about taking the plunge, it’s a great shade to start with, as it works with so many other colours and neutrals. It has a similar effect to Down Pipe but at a lower price point”.

Finally, in her living room Kimberley opted for Dulux Dusted Moss 2, the one she calls her “perfect” light grey. “It manages to lift a whole room that doesn’t have a lot of sunlight, it’s easy on the eye and works wonderfully with the original features. Another important point to note is that in a dark room white can just look dingy. A soft grey actually makes the room appear brighter” n

Once you have decided the background colour, you can build up the look with accessories. Stick to strong monochrome colours for a co-ordinated feel and throw in the odd vintage piece to stop it looking too matchy-matchy.

“If I see everything in grey and in grey all the colours which I experience and which I would like to reproduce, then why should I use any other colour?

I’ve tried doing so, for it was never my intention to paint only with grey.

But in the course of my work I have eliminated one colour after another and what has remained is grey, grey, grey”

Even functional taps/faucets become a thing of beauty when framed by dark paint.

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Grey is the Future

Expert opinion

Grey will darken in corners and alcoves. So a very pale shade will appear darker at certain times of day and in different parts of the room. Wood Ash

by Little Greene is a warm pale shade. Cornforth White by Farrow & Ball is also light, but beware in a north-facing room as it can be cold.

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T 020 7324 2563 E info@literaryconsultancy.co.uk W www.literaryconsultancy.co.uk 26

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Classical Early Folk/Gospel Jazz/Light

www.benslowmusic.org +44 (0)1462 459446 • info@benslowmusic.org Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG4 9RB A Company limited by guarantee. Registered in England No 408404. Reg Charity No 313663

‘Back to School’ in Retirement

W

hether you are just about to retire or have already retired, you are never too old to learn a new skill.

Retirement is a good time to start something you have always wanted to do but never had the time whilst working. It’s a great way to keep the mind and body active and at the same time gives you the opportunity of meeting new people with similar interests to yourself. Whether purely for pleasure or with an anticipated qualification in mind, there are many establishments and organisations offering a variety of part-time, weekend or distance learning courses. Maybe you have an interest in writing or maybe music …

The Literary Consultancy CHAPTER AND VERSE MENTORING “For me, the TLC mentoring scheme provided much better value for money than the writing MA I had previously undertaken . . . All the energy was focused on improving my novel, and it really paid off.”

Rachel Connor, Sisterwives (Crocus Books)

At TLC, we believe that being a writer is about much more than being published. It’s about creativity, imagination, and telling your story. That’s why in 2006 we launched Chapter and Verse, a mentoring scheme that focusses on supporting writers to realise their creative projects over a year’s one-to-one work with a writing mentor. If you are working on a novel, memoir, collection of short stories, or poetry, then Chapter and Verse could be for you. Run by the UK’s longest-standing editorial consultancy for writers, Chapter and Verse is a programme you can trust, that fits around your lifestyle.

THE BEST MOMENT WAS… “…when I realised I was enjoying playing again and could actually do it” “Gaining the confidence to play with others and being able to find my place in the music after making a mistake” At Benslow Music they love it when people find motivation through their courses and discover or rediscover their love of music. This is why they are here.

At Benslow Music they offer a huge variety of informal residential and day courses to musicians of all abilities on a wide range of instruments and voices at their beautiful campus in Hitchin, Hertfordshire.

Whether your musical taste is for classical, jazz, early, popular or folk, they have a music course to suit you. They run over 200 residential music courses annually and their tutors are the best in the business.

From their Baroque Opera project, Late Starter String Orchestra, Wind Quintet courses to their Big Band Summer School, there is something for you!

Benslow Music has a unique, warm, friendly and stimulating atmosphere: they employ inspirational tutors, offer tranquilly in their beautiful gardens, and excellent music facilities and catering.

To find your course, visit www.BenslowMusic.org Telephone 01462 459446

As a Chapter and Verse mentee you will receive: • Six written reports, or seven meetings* with your writing mentor • A full manuscript assessment of the completed manuscript (worth £700) • An Industry Day with fellow mentees and a top literary agent • A TLC Writers’ Notebook to keep track of your progress • A tree planted in your name in the National Forest • Access at all times to TLC’s in-house team • A full set of TLC Craft and Creativity Mini Guides* • 25% off TLC Events for one year* 5% of your fee will be donated to a fund for low-income writers. *Premium only Classic (online) £2,200 +VAT Premium (in person) £3,499+VAT Info and testimonials: literaryconsultancy.co.uk/mentoring Email: info@literaryconsultancy.co.uk Telephone: 020 7324 2563

RETIREMENT

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‘Back to School’ in Retirement

Benslow Music

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If you would like to receive free digital copies of Retirement Today magazine, please email info@amramedia.co.uk with code

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Adults and older children will love exploring this year’s collection of stamps from Jersey Post. Beautifully presented as a 52-page hardback book with the stamps displayed in clear protective mounts, the album features engaging information and imagery on a range of fascinating subjects including: world-renowned ballerina Dame Margot Fonteyn, the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, woodland wildlife and popular culture. The album also features Jersey Post’s 2019 festive stamp issue A Children’s Nativity!

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Contact us to receive a free Jersey Stamps brochure. Set up a subscription with us and we’ll post each new stamp issue direct to your door.

View the full range and order online www.jerseystamps.com Email: stamps@jerseypost.com or call us on +44 (0) 1534 616717

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Christmas Galette These filled buckwheat pancakes make a luxurious starter vegetable oil together and set to one side. Preheat the oven on its Preparation: 10 mins lowest setting.

Cooking: 25 mins 2. To prepare the filling, fry the Ingredients: mushrooms in the oil for 5 minutes, then add the remaining filling For the pancakes: ingredients and cook for another 100g buckwheat 5 minutes. Season to taste and 300ml milk or soya milk keep warm. ½ tsp paprika 3. To make the pancakes, heat a little 1 tbsp vegetable oil oil in a medium non-stick frying For the filling: pan. Add a quarter of the batter and cook the pancake for around 1 tbsp vegetable oil 2 minutes on each side, until set 300g mushrooms, sliced and lightly golden brown. Slide the 2 cloves garlic, chopped pancake out of the pan and fold the 40g walnuts, chopped edges in to create a square shape 100g vegetarian or vegan with the centre exposed. Place the cream cheese pancake on a baking sheet, cover 100ml single cream or soya cream, with foil or greaseproof paper, and 1tsp Dijon mustard keep warm in the oven. Repeat 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, chopped with the rest of the batter.

Pinch of salt and pepper 4. To serve, place each pancake on a warm plate. Unfold the edges, To serve: place a quarter of the filling in the 100g vegetarian Cheshire cheese centre, then refold. Sprinkle with or vegan cheese, crumbled or the extra cheese and add a dollop grated of mango chutney or cranberry A little mango chutney and/or sauce, and a side salad if you like. cranberry sauce Serves 4

A side salad (optional) Method: 1. To make the pancake batter, whisk the buckwheat flour, milk or soya milk, paprika and

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The Vegetarian Society

©

Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Broccoli and Walnut Stuffing, and Grilled Brassica Leaves Vegan Serves 4 Preparation: 10 mins Cooking: 40 mins For the broccoli and walnut stuffing: 1 tbsp vegetable oil ½ large broccoli (about 200g), roughly chopped 2 shallots, roughly chopped 100g walnuts, roughly chopped 2 sprigs sage, roughly chopped For the cauliflower: 1 cauliflower 1 tbsp olive oil ¼ tsp turmeric ¼ tsp ground cumin ¼ tsp ground coriander ¼ tsp smoked paprika Pinch fennel seeds Pinch dried parsley Salt and pepper, to taste For the grilled brassica leaves: Leaves from the cauliflower 50g kale 2 tbsp olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste Make the broccoli and walnut stuffing: 1. Heat the oil in a frying pan, add the stuffing ingredients and fry

until just cooked.

2. Transfer to a food processor and pulse to combine ingredients.

Leave to cool slightly.

For the cauliflower: 3. Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4.

4. Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and simmer the whole cauliflower for 5 minutes to soften.

Drain and pat dry with kitchen towel.

5. Cut the bottom of the stem off the cauliflower so it sits flat. Fill the cauliflower by pressing the broccoli stuffing into the cavities between the florets from the bottom.

6. In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, spices and seasoning together and rub over all over the cauliflower.

7. Place the stuffed cauliflower in a roasting tin and bake for 25 minutes until golden.

For the grilled brassica leaves: 8. Preheat the grill. Place the cauliflower leaves and kale on a baking tray and drizzle with oil and season. Cook under the hot grill until starting to brown.

To serve: 9. Arrange the kale and cauliflower leaves around the whole roasted cauliflower and carve at the table.

RETIREMENT

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Festive Flavours

FESTIVE FLAVOURS

hristmas is the perfect time to enjoy great food – whether you are treating yourself or sharing with friends, family or neighbours. Add a sprinkling of inspiration to your Christmas kitchen with delicious dishes from The Vegetarian Society.

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Advertorial

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RETIREMENT

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Help us continue to transform lives…

We have been supporting vulnerable families in the South London area for over 125 years! Please help us continue.

Leaving some money in your Will or making regular or one-off donations will make such a difference to the work of the charity.

Your kind gift will ensure our supported housing continues, improving the life chances of vulnerable young families.

Christian Family Concern, Wallis House, 42 South Park Hill Road, South Croydon, Surrey CR2 7YB Tel: 020 8688 0251 Email: info@christianfamilyconcern.org.uk Web: www.christianfamilyconcern.org.uk

Registered Charity Number: 279962

JJ C

JJ JJ C TM

J JC

JJ C

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J J COOPER & SONS

EXCLUSIVE RESIDENTIAL & HOLIDAY PARK HOME ESTATES

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HERE QUALITY & W LIFESTYLE COME FIRST Please contact our Head Office on 0118 942 8782 to discuss your residential park home or holiday lodge requirements. We can supply park homes and leisure lodge homes from any manufacturer. We have an inventory of stock homes from any of the leading manufacturers available immediately, alternatively you can place a forward order for a home of your choice with a lead time of 12 weeks delivery.

Our parks are located in Berkshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey and Essex with our address details listed below.

We have in excess of 1200 residents living on our estates and have more than 40 years experience in the industry, with our first park ownership in 1976.

We look forward to welcoming you to one of our parks.

Exclusive Park Home Estates at: Garstons Park Home Village, Tilehurst, Berkshire RG31 4TS (Head Office) California Country Park, Finchampstead, Berkshire RG40 4HT • Kingsleigh Park, Thundersley, Essex SS7 3QJ • Cambridge Lodge Park, Horley, Surrey RH6 8PR • Oxford Park Homes, Sandford-on-Thames, Oxford OX4 4YT • Bungalow Park, Amesbury, Wiltshire SP4 7PJ • Robann Park, Fareham, Hamsphire • Lincoln Farm Park, Standlake, Witney OX29 7RH

T: 0118 942 8782

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RETIREMENT 23/03/2018today 15:04

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If we don’t, who will?

You and I know what it’s like to try and navigate the healthcare system to get the help we need. We’ve lived through the anger and frustration. And we don’t want other families to have to face it alone.

Rethink Mental Illness help stop people with mental illness falling through the gaps in the system, but they rely on gifts in wills to fund their Advice and Information Service, peer support groups and campaigning work.

We know that mental illness isn’t necessarily a popular cause. So because of those we’ve lost. And because of those we’ve saved, it’s down to us.

We can change how mental illness is treated, by leaving a legacy to Rethink Mental Illness.

If you’d like a little more information first, visit rethink.org/wewill to request a free guide or call Dan Walshe on 020 7840 3032.

Leave a legacy to change how mental illness is treated Rethink Mental Illness is a charity that believes a better life is possible for the millions of people affected by mental Illness. For 40 years they have brought people together to support each other through their services, groups and campaign.

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Rethink Mental Illness Registered Office 89 Albert Embankment London SE1 7TP United Kingdom email: info@rethink.org Registered in England Number 1227970.

Registered RETIREMENT Charity today Number 271028

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CHARITY BEGINS AT CHRISTMAS

From leaving a legacy to purchasing Christmas cards, there are many ways you can help charities at Christmas and beyond

C

hristmas is the season of goodwill and a time not just of giving but coming towards the end of a decade, a time to reflect on our place and meaning in the world we live in.

At the essence of our role in society is what steps we take to support those in need and the causes that matter. Charities work tirelessly all year round to find a way either to help those in need and to make the world a better place. Perhaps it is time to reflect on how they manage to survive and our role in helping them do so.

‘One of the most important things that one can do in their lifetime is to leave a legacy to charity’

‘The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it’ William James

Many readers have now reached a time in life where they have all

s

One of the main ways of supporting is to give a legacy, a note of intent in one’s Will. With careful consideration and wise investment this could be a great asset to a charity (or charities) that are chosen. Anyone can leave money to charity in their Will, but it can sometimes be a delicate subject when approaching family members. The Institute of Fundraising has guidance and principles on the topic.

Making a Will is very simple, firstly find a solicitor or professional Will Maker. In fact, some charities are offering fee Will writing services. You can also amend an existing Will to include a legacy to one or more charities as many people prefer to help more than one cause.

It is a gift that will help those who need it most, even the smallest of legacies can make a huge difference to a charity

that on a daily basis raising funds is a challenge. Within the magazine there is a diverse cross section of charities all very worthy of consideration. Spend the time reading up about them and their work and the difference you can help them make. Follow a cause that is close to your heart, the reward will be a feeling of well being unimagined. Most charities would be unable to survive without legacies and by remembering them in this way you ensure that their work lives on.

Often charities, when they are approached, or they approach you, ask for monthly direct debit payments. This means that favourite

charities of your choice can be supported with small (or large) amounts over a long period. For many years our family has given regular monthly amounts to different charities. Reviewing these on a yearly basis, we sometimes change these as some recipients have altered due to differing circumstances or their perceived need. One thing to remember, however, if you do change your mind is to notify both the charity and your bank.

Donating through gift aid means charities can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you spend and it doesn’t cost you any extra but only if the donor has paid the same amount through income tax or capital gains tax that year. Websites such as www.gov.uk provide very useful information on this which help the donor seek clarification.

RETIREMENT

today

Charity begins at Christmas

By Rosita Wilkins

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Charity begins at Christmas

the material things they could possibly want.Why not ask friends and family to donate to a charity of your choice instead of purchasing an unwanted gift. Likewise, when it comes to buying gifts for friends and family why not find a way to do this through charities. Go online. Most have a fantastic range of gifts available. It also introduces the recipient to the charity and maybe helps build what might be the start of a lifetimes relationship.

Another way of helping is to buy charity Christmas cards. There are many to choose from. Most charities have their own designs. A quick online search will bring up a fantastic array to choose from.

Perhaps sponsor instead, many charities have unique

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RETIREMENT

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schemes which provide much needed support. Many of our high streets have an abundance of charity shops. Why not take the time to search for a unique gift.

A close friend last year set up a ÂŁ10 challenge. Friends and family all had to purchase gifts from charity shops spending no more than ÂŁ10 per person. Buying over 30 gifts in total individually and within a group of 11 meant a substantial amount of money ended up in

the hands of charities.

I believe it should be the aim of people, especially at Christmas, to give and to help others less fortunate than ourselves. Of course, there is no compulsion to do this and it is up to the individuals who participate in this to chose what organisation they are going to support. However, as I have found, it does give one a great sense of satisfaction to know that there are others who are better off due to our involvement n

Helping others with High Blood Pressure Have you thought of Blood Pressure UK in your Will?

Finding out that you have high blood pressure is traumatic, particularly if you are young.

Most people don’t know anything about the condition and worry about how it will affect themselves and those around them.

But Blood Pressure UK is here to help, and with our information

the blood pressure charity

Untitled-1 1

packs, range of leaflets and our helpline, we provide reassurance and support to sufferers and their families. But all of this work is expensive and while membership subscriptions and general donations help enormously, leaving a gift in your Will can help us make a bigger difference.

It isn’t complicated as you think, doesn’t have to be a large amount and will give you the reassurance that our work helping fellow sufferers will continue once you have gone.

Obviously, providing for your family and friends comes first, but once that is done please consider a gift to Blood Pressure UK in your Will.

We have put together a simple leaflet to guide you through the process and you can get a copy by telephoning: (020) 7882 6255, visiting the website: www.bloodpressureuk.org, or by writing to: Blood Pressure UK, Wolfson Institute, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ.

12/06/2014 16:08

RETIREMENT

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Make your will make a difference...

Please don’t forget the Little Sisters of the Poor when making your will

Your legacy couldhelp us create . brighter

ures fforutyoung people. .and families

You can make such a difference to our work in caring for the elderly of modest means. The Little Sisters of the Poor respond to the needs of the elderly in today’s world in Homes suitably adapted to their needs.

Little Sisters Of The Poor In The Care Of The Elderly

Registered Charity Number: 234434 (England & Wales)

• 2a Meadow Road • London • SW8 1QH • Tel: 020 7735 0788 • Fax: 020 7582 0973 • www.littlesistersofthepoor.co.uk

For more information, email jeni.lawes@break-charity.org or go to www.break-charity.org Registered charity no. 286650

Choose Childhood

e Sisters of the Poor_1/4.indd 1

20/02/2019 10:43

Every 15 minutes a child is taken into care for their own safety.

Pledge to leave a gift in your will and you’ll choose safe and happy childhoods that are free from crisis.

Now and for generations to come.

Leave a lasting legacy: actionforchildren.org.uk/legacy legacies@actionforchildren.org.uk 0300 123 2112

Registered charity nos. 1097940/SC038092. Company no. 4764232. AfC 1148

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RETIREMENT 1148 Legacytoday Retirement Today advert.indd 1

02/09/2019 16:18

Charity N E W S British Wireless team up with Talking News Federation to provide free, easy access to local news

Royal College of Surgeons Library Launches First Digital Exhibition

Available on the RCS website from 30 September, this autumn the Library is launching their first digital exhibition, Medicinae Plantae: healing plants through time. The exhibition looks at some of the beautiful, classic and unusual books relating to herbalism in the Library collection. The tradition of studying and using plants for their healing properties was once at the core of medical education. Plants were used from root to flower and the process of finding, preparing and determining the correct dosage to administer for differing ailments were all explored in print. The exhibition looks at forty works from Schöffer’s Herbarius Latinus 1484 up to Esenbeck’s Planta Medicinales 1833. One interesting example is: In 1682, Joan Huydecoper and Jan Commelin took the initiative in establishing a new Hortus Medicus in Amsterdam. Commelin was a merchant in herbs and pharmaceuticals who sold to apothecaries and hospitals in Amsterdam and other Dutch cities. In his catalogues published post-humously, it was said of the garden that "the rapid expansion of the collection of the Hortus Medicus soon made it one of the richest collections of exotic plants in Europe and in many cases the Commelins published the first illustration of a species. www.rcseng.ac.uk

The Talking Newspaper app can be downloaded directly to a smart device for free from both Apple and Android stores; and is available to people with a variety of difficulties reading text, such as dyslexia not just blind and partially sighted people.

The new app features over 200 regional Talking Newspapers, making it easier to keep up with what’s going on in your own community or in areas where you may have friends or family.

CEO Margaret Grainger said “We are so proud of how our two organisations have come together to develop an app that is both intuitive and inclusive. Talking Newspapers have always been an important part of BWBF’s online streaming service and we are sure this new innovation is going to be a huge hit when we officially unveil it at the TNF conference.” www.blind.org.uk

The InDependent Diabetes Trust (IDDT) offers support and information to people with diabetes, their families and health professionals on the issues that are important to them. Their Helpline offers a friendly understanding ear when the going gets tough.

IDDT supplies a range of FREE Information Packs to people with diabetes, their families, carers, health professionals and teachers so they understand the needs of people living with diabetes. The Trust also provides much needed aid to children with diabetes in developing countries.

Diabetes can cause serious long-term complications and a cure is still illusive so IDDT funds essential research, as well as day-to-day advice and support.

As a registered charity IDDT relies entirely on voluntary donations so if you are thinking about making or reviewing your will, a gift to the “Independent Diabetes Trust” would be most gratefully received.

Help provide home essentials this Christmas and support mental illness

Sarah manages one of the supported housing services provided

by Rethink Mental Illness. Their innovative service exclusively provides housing and support to people severely affected by mental illness who are homeless, struggle to access or sustain a home because of their mental health, or have a history of housing-related problems.

Their specialist help really does make a huge difference to the health and recovery of their tenants, and especially during the colder winter months and Christmas, when it can be particularly hard to cope with tough times and certain feelings.

They are a real lifeline to people with conditions such as schizophrenia, OCD, bipolar disorder and depression. Often, their new tenants move into a bedsit, flat or house and find that there’s nothing in it except a cooker, fridge and washing machine. There’s nothing to sleep on. There’s nothing to cook food with. There’s nothing to even make a cuppa with.

So this Christmas they are asking you to help provide home essentials in the form of starter packs for their new tenants.

If you want to know more please visit www.rethink.org/christmasgifts

www.diabetes.co.uk RETIREMENT

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Charity News

Two years after bringing Talking Newspapers to BWBF’s first ever smart device – Bumblebee – BWBF and the Talking News Federations have been collaborating again.

This time developing a mobile application that can be accessed independently from any specialist BWBF equipment.

Helpline and Free Information Packs for people with Diabetes

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The most important numbers you could ever know

What are the most important numbers when it comes to your health?

It’s not your birthday, your weight or your age. You can’t see them, you can’t feel them, but high or low, they’re always there.

Have you guessed it? We’ll tell you. It’s your blood pressure numbers.

If your blood pressure numbers are too high, they can damage your heart and blood vessels. Without treatment, they can even cause a heart attack or stroke.

Around one in three UK adults have high blood pressure and around half of them don’t know it. It has no symptoms, so it’s called the silent killer.

But there is a solution. You can lower your numbers with a healthy diet and exercise, and medicines if necessary. Blood Pressure UK is the only charity dedicated solely to trying to find those at risk, helping them to lower their blood pressure, and fight for better treatment.

So, what’s the best way to look after your numbers? Keep score. Keep score of your blood pressure with regular blood pressure checks. Keep score of how many pieces of fruit and veg you eat, and how few grams of salt. How many miles you cycle, and how many lengths you swim.

It’s not about winning, it’s about knowing which numbers really count. www.bloodpressureuk.org

Positive outcomes, transformed lives…

Thanks to a generous legacy received last year, Christian Family Concern have been able to achieve their target of converting a further five bedsits for homeless young families.

The units were completed this summer, and they can now offer 21 vulnerable mums and their babies supported accommodation.

Some come to them with absolutely nothing and have no family support; some have chaotic lifestyles.

Charity News

Their staff are available to offer support with parenting skills, practical skills, and help in accessing benefits and continuing education.

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Donations make a real difference and can help provide basic equipment for a young family who arrive with nothing. A regular financial commitment enables them to improve a child’s life chances in the future, thus being of benefit to society as a whole.

It is a joy to witness lives being transformed – and as long as there is a need, they hope to always be here.

“I love having my own space and being independent, but also having the support around when I need it.” www.christianfamilyconcern.org.uk RETIREMENT

today

Cows about Cambridge 2020 is shaping up to be a big year for Cambridge, as children’s charity Break and Wild in Art, alongside principal partner the Cambridge BID are working together to decorate its streets with cows!

Cows about Cambridge will arrive in the spring of next year; up to 50 cow sculptures decorated by incredibly talented local artists will be dotted about the city, providing an interactive art trail for the public to follow. Break’s past sculpture trails have consisted of GoGoGorillas in 2013, GoGoDragons in 2015, and GoGoHares in 2018, and collectively raised over £1 million for the charity.

These bold and innovative campaigns are illustrative of Break’s ethos as a charity – they work tirelessly to provide care, support, and a brighter future for the young people who need them, for as long as they need them. With children’s homes across East Anglia, a centre for families in crisis, and services for children with disabilities and their families, Break’s work transforms lives and allows members of our community to look to the future with hope.

If you’re interested in getting involved with Cows about Cambridge and can volunteer some of your time, or just have any questions, please get in contact with Pete Marron at peter.marron@break-charity.org.

Legacies help Action for Children protect and support vulnerable children Every child should grow up safe and happy. But in the UK today, vulnerable children are being ignored, left to face abuse and neglect, domestic violence, poverty and poor mental health.

These children don’t choose their childhoods. But we can choose to help.

Last year, Action for Children supported more than 387,000 children, young people and their families.

The charity did this through 476 local services, in schools and online.

Gifts in wills make this work possible. Legacies provide 25% of Action for Children’s fundraised income, making a huge difference. These gifts help the charity to protect children from harm, find stable, loving homes, and provide the foundations children need to thrive. They also support projects like Build Sound Minds, which helps young people to improve their mental and emotional wellbeing.

“The demand for our mental health services and the need for intervention is greater than ever before,” says Rachel, an Action for Children Service Coordinator in the Wirral.

“But through Build Sound Minds, we can empower our schools, communities, parents and young people, and create happy, healthy minds together, before formal intervention is required.”

To find out more about the difference legacies make, visit: actionforchildren.org.uk/legacy

Rich Marsham - RMG Photography

Charity N E W S

I N D E P E N D E N T D I A B E T E S T R U S T

IND epe NDe Nt D Iabe tes tRu st

How you can make a difference You can help local wildlife thrive by supporting London Wildlife Trust today

£5 a month

could help protect 90 hectares of nectar-rich wildflower meadow for our city’s butterflies

£10 a month

Indepe ndent Diabet 294 No es Trus rtham t pton NN 1 4XS For furth er info rmatio all our n abou FREE le t aflets co ntact us :

PO Box

Diabet es at C ris01tma HELh PLINE: 604 62 s 2837 ww Email:

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dtinte w.idHE dtiLPnLIteNE rnational.org rn : at60 ww Charity io4n62al28 w.beriddt 01 Num .o37 in4te 105828 rg Regrn isteat rediona l.o314rg

Number

8360

Diabetes at Christmas?

Xmas tips Ask for your FREE copy of our Diabetes at Christmas booklet, full of tips for enjoying the festive period.

InDependent Diabetes Trust P O Box 294, Northampton NN1 4XS. www.iddtinternational.org Charity Number: 1058284 Registered Number: 3148360

could help struggling birds such as the song thrush by conserving 100 hectares of London’s woodland for a year

“As a member of London Wildlife Trust I am inspired by the work you do to preserve and improve the city’s wonderful wild spaces, and equally by the work you do with local children to give them a sense of responsibility and appreciation of the importance of the natural world.”

Lewis, Haringey

£20 a month

could help to bring a threatened native mammal, like the water vole, back from the brink in London’s rivers

JOIN TODAY Visit wildlondon.org.uk/join Hedgehog in autumn leaves: Tom Marshall Common blue butterfly: Mathew Rich Song Thrush: Jane Adams Water vole: Tom Marshall

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page ad.pdf UK registered Legacy charity no. quarter 208530

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www.aquaplancton.co.uk Tel: 214003 Tel:01298 01298 214003

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Last year we helped over 80,000 wild birds and animals like Rudolph

re of later life this Christ mas t in the futu Inves

COME AND MEET MORE THAN 400 RESCUED HORSES for AND eldersDONKEYS! ÂŽ

adding life to later life

#think differently about ageing

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Leave a legacy...

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Not only do we treat more hedgehogs than any other wildlife hospital, but our caring teams save lives every day.

Our aim is simple, to treat injured British wildlife, then return them to the wild. Like Rudolph, who arrived badly injured at just five days old. Our specialist care saved this little deer and he is now facing a brighter future. But it is only with your support we can help casualties like Rudolph; please remember Tiggywinkles in your Will.

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Our late friend Dame Thora Hird actively encouraged others to help us secure funding for our lifesaving work. In her words "All the little wild creatures and I thank you so very much".

For more information please contact: Jenny Babb, Tiggywinkles, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP17 8AF

01844 292 292 mail@sttiggywinkles.org.uk www.tiggywinkles.com Registered Charity No. 286447

Come and have a look around our Visitor Centre.

Opening times can be found on our website www.tiggywinkles.com.

is the busiest wildlife hospital in the world.

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the lives of older people.

FREE ADMIS SION

PL EA SE CH EC K OU R W EB SI TE FO R AC TI VI TI ES AN D EV A EN TS OPE N SEV EN DA YSFor more information or to donate: TH RO UG HO UT TH E YE 4PM MAR 10A WE EK, email: info@actionforelders.org.uk call us on: 030 330 30132

Bransby Horses, Bransby, Lincoln, LN1 2PH or visit: www.actionforelders.org.uk www.bransbyhorses.co.uk | 01427 788464

Registered Charity No: 1075601 | Registered Company No: 3711676

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Support our UK-wide Balanced Lives programmes with a donation this Christmas.

CafĂŠ ic Area Help to end loneliness andPla bring into y Pa rkhappinessPicn

Reg. charity no. 1145996

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A gift in your will no matter how large or small can make a huge difference

Please help me get better

MY

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Charity N E W S CHRISTMAS SPIRIT: Believe in Later Life

At Action for Elders they believe in later life. Their Balanced Lives® programmes - recommended by GPs - are about physical, social and mental wellbeing. They have certainly had a positive impact on participants such as Maria, Bev and Richard. Bev felt very down and depressed but after their programmes she gained confidence and was able to interact with people again. Richard, who by his own admission was fairly idle, now has a better overall quality of life thanks to his new found mobility, while Maria has managed to turn her life around after repeated chronic back problems.

Many of their participants feel like they have opened up a new chapter in life and are ready for the holidays. They believe that charity begins at Christmas, so believe in later life. Older people can smile again this Christmas if you leave a legacy or donate to Action for Elders.

With your help we are giving children hope Today, World Villages for Children cares for over 20,000 children in the poorest countries around the world. Some of these children are older and some younger and just starting out in life, but they all have one thing in common - each of them has known nothing but extreme poverty and neglect.

Thanks to their supporters, they work with the Sisters of Mary to provide these most impoverished children with a safe place at school and day care. They receive proper nourishment and the chance to play, to grow and to learn skills which will in time help them to become independent and productive adults.

In 2019, they began a new school programme in Tanzania. Here, children lack the most basic requirements of life, food, water, sanitation, healthcare and education. With your support, they can help these children. They can welcome them into a place at school, give them regular nourishment, the chance to learn, thrive, reach their potential and live their dreams.

If you would like to help them support more vulnerable children around the world or hear about any other aspect of their poverty relief work please visit www.worldvillages.org.uk, email enquiries@worldvillages.org.uk or call 0207 629 3050.

For information on the Balanced Lives® Legacy Initiative or to DONATE please visit www.actionforelders.org.uk or call 03033 030132

Charity News

Action For Elders are a UK charity working at the heart of local communities. Christmas can be difficult for older people: with issues such as age discrimination; lack of mobility and loneliness becoming amplified over the holidays. During this time, with relatives often away and friends or neighbours busy with social activities, older people can feel a tangible sense of disconnection from the community.

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Catastrophes Cat Rescue

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atastrophes Cat Rescue was set up through our involvement in animal welfare campaigning in the ‘70’s and as we became established and our “nokill” policy became known our work increased dramatically.

Many of the cats have been abandoned or are simply in need of a new home because of a change in people’s circumstances. Some have been ill treated.

They are all in need of love and care.

Our aim has always been to help any cat regardless of age, temperament or behaviour problems, be they wild or tame.

Consequently we tend to get desperate calls for help for elderly, feral and ‘difficult’ to re-home cats. In order to meet these needs we have had to become a sanctuary as well as a cat rescue and re-homing organisation.The cats in our care are given a high standard of veterinary care and we strongly believe in spaying and neutering as a responsible part of pet ownership.

The cats that are difficult to re-home are given the chance to live out their days in a peaceful home environment with the freedom of the country garden that surrounds the sanctuary.

Our work with feral cats involves spaying and neutering complete colonies and giving any necessary veterinary treatment. Feral cats are returned to their site of capture if long-term food and shelter can be provided. If not, they are relocated to a suitable farm or country home or have a home for life with us with complete freedom once they have settled in.

We believe every cat deserves a chance to have a safe, caring and peaceful place to live and enjoy the rest of their lives. Its surprising how often the most seemingly unfriendly and so called ‘spiteful’ cat that arrives hissing, spitting and lashing out, or has the most difficult and anti-social habits and behaviour, can change with love, care and lots of patience. Catastrophes believe that every life saved is worth the effort it takes and with your support more cats in need will have a bright future.

Catastrophes Cat Rescue

For further information: Contact LizVarney Half Moon Cottage, Bakers Lane, Dallington, Heathfield, East Sussex, TN21 9JS Tel. 01435 830212, Fax 01825 768012, Email: lizzie@catastrophescats.org

atastrophes Cat Rescue CATASTROPHES CAT RESCUE

home environment with the freedom of the country es Cat Rescue was set up through our Over the years we have helped an increasing number of garden that surrounds thecats sanctuary. nt in animal welfare campaigning in the kittens in distress, by taking them into our care and finding s we becameand established and our “no-kill” Ourtake work cats involves spaying and neutering ame known ourgood workhomes increased for dramatically. them. The cats we inwith haveferal often been rquay Torquay complete colonies and giving any necessary veterinary e cats have been abandoned or are simply abandoned or badly treated, some are simply strays who have treatment. Feral cats are returned to their site of capture a new home because of a change in people’s never had the chance of a caring home. ifproper long-term food and shelter can be provided. If not, ces. Some have been ill treated. They are in need and we to believe they are relocated a suitable farm or country home of love and care.Our aim is to help any cat that is or have a home for life with us with complete freedom that every cat deserves the chance of a good home. once they have settled in. as always been to help any cat regardless of rament or behaviour be in they wild animals to sleep unnecessarily We doproblems, not believe putting We believe every cat deserves a chance to have a safe, onsequently we tend to get desperate calls for and we actively encourage sterilisation as apeaceful vital partplace of pet caring and to live and enjoy the rest of derly, feral and ‘difficult’ to re-home cats. In remember ustheir in your will. donation lives.

Its Your surprising how often the most seemingly eet these needs ownership. we have hadPlease to become a unfriendly called ‘spiteful’ cat that arrives hissing, or legacy help our work for the animalsand andsosave lives. s well as a cat rescue andwill re-homing spitting and lashing out, or has the most difficult and n. The cats in our care are given a high Contact Liz Varney anti-social habits and behaviour, can change with love, veterinary care and we strongly believe care and lots of patience. Catastrophes believe that and neutering as a responsible part of pet life saved is worth the effort it takes and with your The catschoice that are difficult•toGreat re-home facilities areGreatevery Great oice • facilities support more cats in need will have a bright future. hance to live out their days in a peaceful

el hotel smallwith hotelawith big heart a big and heart and ew... big view... in the in heart the of heart Torquay of Torquay Catastrophes Cat Rescue

Half Moon Great ertainment entertainment • Great value • Cottage, Great Bakers valueLane,

Cat Rescue Dallington,Catastrophes Heathfield, East Sussex TN21 9JS

mes...guaranteed eat times...guaranteed For further Varney Tel: 01435 information: 830212 Fax:Contact 01825 Liz 768012 Half Moon Cottage, Bakers Lane, Dallington, Heathfield, East Sussex, TN21 9JS Email: lizzie@internationalanimalrescue.org 00500 803 400500 Tel. 01435 830212, Fax 01825 768012, Email: lizzie@catastrophescats.org

Registered Charity Number: 1017304 uk w.tlh.co.uk sales@tlh.co.uk sales@tlh.co.uk Visit us on We’re social, join usWe’re on social, join us on

eisure elgrave Resort, Rd, Torquay, Belgrave TQ2 Rd,5HS Torquay, TQ2 5HS 42

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Legacy Yearbook#TLHhotels 2018 page 22#TLHhotels

So, you’ve retired.

What’s next?

The Private Autobiography Specialists

Have you ever wondered what your children really know about you or how you will be remembered?

Do they know about your life, your struggles, your achievements? What will your grandchildren or great-grandchildren know about their origins or what the world was like when you were a child?

Your story In your words For your family

Our authors write their autobiographies for all sorts of reasons, one of the most common being that they don’t want their lives to be forgotten.

Writing a private autobiography ensures this doesn’t happen. It protects the individual’s legacy and guarantees that their life story can be passed down the generations to come.

Why Nigel became a LifeBook author

Author, Nigel Gray – ‘Snapshot’ Snapshot’

Call now & request a

free booklet

0330 127 2144 www.lifebookuk.com

“It started with my daughter, who’s now 33. I’ve always told her stories about what I used to do in the past. Sometimes when I hear her telling them back to people, they’re not exactly what I told her. So, she said ‘All right then, why don’t you write a book, Dad?’ I replied, ‘I couldn’t write a book. I’m not very good at that sort of thing.’ (Sometimes, I can’t even write an email!) Then she suggested, ‘Well, can’t you get somebody to write it for you?’ I thought about this, looked on the internet and found LifeBook. After one call, the rest is history.”

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