Retirement Today Summer 2013

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The magazine for pre and post retirement

www.retirement-today.co.uk

Issue 71 Summer £2.90

R E T I R E M E N T

• Wildlife • Lifestyle • Travel • Culture • Competitions • Health • Recipes •


Every year thousands of people put their faith and trust in Cats Protection when looking for a new addition to the family. Behind each volunteer and member of staff is a wealth of experience and expertise which means when you adopt one of our cats, you can feel safe in the knowledge that he has been given the best possible care. When he leaves Cats Protection, your cat will have been treated to a top-to-tail medical. This means he will have been: • Fully examined by a veterinary surgeon • Vaccinated at least once against flu and enteritis • Treated against fleas, roundworm and tapeworm • Neutered if old enough • Microchipped We also provide four weeks’ free insurance (terms and conditions apply) giving invaluable peace of mind and reassurance as you and your cat embark upon this lifelong friendship.

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Find a Cats Protection cat looking for a home in your area. Simply scan the QR code with your smart-phone to use our new find-a-cat search tool, or get in touch on the details below.

T: 03000 12 12 12 E: helpline@cats.org.uk W: www.cats.org.uk Reg Charity 203644 (England and Wales) and SC037711 (Scotland)


CONTENTS

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4 Divorce – the end of the beginning

WELCOME TO RETIREMENT TODAY MAGAZINE

Divorce is on the increase amongst older couples. It may be your decision, or one forced upon you, but one thing’s for sure is that it’s a painful process. Philippa Dolan, from the law firm Ashfords, writes about the consequences of a couple’s separation.

7 Update The 50+ Show - Britain’s biggest exhibition at Olympia for the 50 plus age group; Are you ready for the unexpected – make sure your pet is cared for if something unexpected happens; Foreign Office releases list of most bizarre requests; Discrimination is forcing early retirement.

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8 A Perfect Day for a Picnic There’s nothing like eating outdoors to capture your sense of adventure and add a flair to your food. Recipes to try for that perfect picnic.

11 An Apple a Day Explore different ways of making tried and true apple dishes, while expanding your horizons with novel apple recipes, both savoury and sweet.

Image top left: Taken from A Perfect Day for a Picnic by Tori Finch (Ryland Peters and Small) Image bottom right: Taken from Shed Chic by Sally Courthald, (Jacqui Small)

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12 British Animal Charities have Worldwide Impact Frank Anslow takes a look at how several British animal charities working overseas offer veterinary care to help the plight of many suffering animals, and how constant campaigning against animal crime and the protection of endangered species is an ongoing struggle.

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16 Out and About Read about events taking place nationally.

20 Footloose in Switzerland Continuing our Footloose series, read about Debra Rixon’s experiences as she visits the spectacular scenic areas of Switzerland.

23 Heritage Railways on Track for Vacation

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For many, the pleasurable experience of stepping back in time and travelling by steam is a joy to behold. Frank Anslow takes a look at some of the heritage railways not to be missed.

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27 Discover Kingston The town of Kingston is ideal for a short break. Maria Hann gives an insight into this historic town and places to visit in the area.

35 Competitions Your chance to win some great prizes, including theatre tickets to see The Ladykillers.

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37 The Perfect Stay

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.

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If you are after an idyllic break in affordable luxury then look no further than the Loch Melfort Hotel, on the isolated coast of Argyll and Bute, 30 minutes from Oban.

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38 Creative Spaces – space to create Read about how sheds make fantastic creative spaces, where you can be imaginative, original, inventive and purposeful, without any outside interference!

41 Charity News Read what’s happening within the world of charity. RETIREMENT

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D

ivorce is always painful. It may be your decision, or one forced upon you. You might have found someone new or be contemplating a single existence. You may be wondering how to divide millions of pounds of assets, or worrying about whether there are sufficient funds to pay two sets of bills. And you may be divorcing after a year of marriage or a very long marriage; divorce amongst older couples is on the increase. Take Katherine who came to see me recently. She was an attractive, seemingly composed woman who’d asked to see me to discuss divorce. She told me that she and her husband, David had been married for nearly forty years. They had three children - Joe, aged twenty eight and working in the City, Simon, twenty four and still at university after a series of gap years, and Georgia who was in her second year at Sheffield studying medicine. I found out that Katherine and David were both sixty three.

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David had announced to Katherine the previous weekend that he was no longer interested in their plan to retire to Dorset. He wanted a divorce and was moving in with Annabel, a colleague from work of whose existence Katherine had been dimly aware. David had worked in insurance since he left university and had the benefit of a decent pension. Katherine had not worked since Joe was born.They owned a house in London and a cottage close to the sea in Dorset together worth about £1.2 million pounds. I gave Katherine some information about how the court was likely to view her case. “Yours is a long marriage and the starting point when looking at the assets will be an equal split. That will include David’s pension, and the court will make what’s known as a pension sharing order. In fact, you will probably get more than half the pension fund because women still tend to live longer than men although the odds are shortening. When it comes to income, the amount you receive will depend on David’s salary and his and your financial needs. You will each have to prepare a budget. If there’s enough money to keep you both, the court wouldn’t expect you to work, but it wouldn’t expect David to delay his retirement either, even though he’s the cause of the financial problem.”

Divorce - the end of the beginning

by Philippa Dolan, partner in the Family team based in the London office of Ashfords, a law firm

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couple’s lives. On divorce, although there may be an argument for saying it’s “non-matrimonial property”, the chances are that sums inherited years ago will simply be shared equally along with all the other assets. So what about, say, Katherine’s mother who’s in her mid eighties with no other children and sitting on a substantial property and decent investments? Provided she’s in good health, the court will probably ignore Katherine’s inheritance prospects. It’s one sided, but stems from the British laissez faire approach to inheritance. Katherine’s mum can leave everything to her predatory neighbour for all the court knows, and it won’t be prepared to make assumptions. This is the case even though, for example, David’s parents died a number of years ago and his share of their estate was used to buy Katherine and David’s cottage in Dorset. A bit of pay back for Katherine, perhaps. Couples with children often feel the need to protect them on divorce from the unscrupulous partners that they suspect their spouses have acquired, or may acquire in the future. The divorce court can’t impose inheritance planning on the couple. The court’s view is that, whatever asset share David and Katherine acquire as a result of the divorce is theirs to do with as they like. The court can’t order the couple to make a will, nor order them to leave their estate to any particular We went over some other concerns that Katherine had, then person. However, couples often do agree to do the meeting ended and she left with lots of forms to fill in. She this as part of the divorce settlement and draft looked devastated and I suspected she would never fully recover wills can be attached to the document lodged from the way in which her world had changed forever. with the court.The order also includes promises that the wills won’t Divorce law is the same whether you’re twenty three or sixty three. be changed in the future. But the preoccupations of a young career woman, for example, are However, Katherine should be aware that Annabel may still be very different from those of a wife such as Katherine. What are the able to get her hands on some of David’s estate if they live together issues that particularly concern older couples facing divorce? for more than two years. Someone who’s been a financial dependent Usually, they’ll already have built up such of the person who dies can bring a claim Divorce law is the same whether against their estate and there’s an automatic wealth as they’re going to have so they’ll both be facing a significant reduction in you’re twenty three or sixty three. claim where a couple have been married. their assets that cannot be replaced. This So even if David and Katherine decide to means facing up to a reduced lifestyle just at a time, certainly for leave all their money to the children, this would not necessarily someone like Katherine, when the world seems a very bleak and exclude Annabel from a claim, especially if, in the fullness of time, insecure place. Often wives who’ve been sheltered from financial she and David marry. concerns during their marriage can appreciate the support and What if Joe decides that he will never forgive his father for the guidance of a financial advisor who’s neither pushy nor patronising. way he’s treated his mother and says that he’s not allowed to see his Inheritance can play a big part in older divorces. The general rule son, David’s grandson, Fin? Fin’s two and David adores him. Would is that the family’s assets are divided equally. What of assets that have David still be able to see him? Well, there’s legislation in place that been inherited during the relationship? It’s all in the timing. It can enables grandchildren to see their grandparents if the court regards often seem very unfair when the parents of one of the couple have it as being in their best interests. Generally speaking, it’s regarded as died and the inheritance has already been absorbed into the divorcing not in the interest of a young child to see a grandparent if there’s hostility between the grandparent and their own child. However, there are cases when this could happen. Had Fin been older at the time David delivered his bombshell, and had a separate and independent close relationship with his grandfather, David would have had a chance. However, David’s decision to bail out from family life with Katherine has probably come too early for that. He’ll have to hope that Joe’s attitude will soften as time goes by. When I met Katherine, I had predicted somewhat gloomily that she would never fully recover from the way David had ended their marriage. However, suppose Katherine finds solace, swiftly followed by love, at the local gardening club where she becomes a very active member? What happens if she realises that all men are untrustworthy and strangely unattractive? Enter Jane, also a divorcee, who’s discovered later on in life that she no longer likes men either. She and Katherine start living together, with the blessing of Joe, Simon, Georgia and Jane’s children.As a cohabiting couple, they have the same rights as David and Annabel. And if they choose to marry, once the well publicised gay marriage bill is in place, or enter into a civil partnership, they will each have precisely the same claims over each other’s property as David and Katherine acquired when they made their vows to each other during the sweltering summer of 1976 n

THE END OF THE BEGINNING

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Divorce - the end of the beginning

“But what about the fact he’s ruined my life after nearly forty years of loyalty, hard work, bringing up his children and putting up with his mother?” “Irrelevant,” I reply. “Courts simply don’t care about behaviour. Unless,” I correct myself, “it involves murder or extreme depravity. I’m afraid adultery doesn’t count.” “And Simon and Georgia? Will he have to carry on supporting them?” “It’s too early to say. Probably not Simon, simply because of his age. With Georgia, you may well receive maintenance for her, though less than if she was at home full time, and David may be ordered to pay her tuition fees as he’s paying them already. It’s an area where Judges are split. Some say children should negotiate directly with their fathers and then pay a sum to their mother for the time they’re at home. Others still order fathers to pay some child maintenance for adult students during their first degree, often including a prior gap year”.

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This is the Life ……

Luxury, tranquillity, security – three words that create the picture of a perfect retirement most people dream of. Now the over-55s can secure a future built on just these three principles at the new East Park development in the prestigious Inchmarlo Retirement Community Village, on beautiful Royal Deeside in Aberdeenshire. Established in 1986, Inchmarlo is based around a 52-bed care home in the listed Georgian Inchmarlo House, with seven individual neighbourhoods around the estate overlooking the Dee. It was founded on the principle of supporting residents to enable them to live in their own homes for as long as possible − saving on long-term care fees − and now has over 160 residential homes, of which those for sale at East Park are the latest. Built to the highest levels of quality and comfort, they give residents the opportunity to live in tranquil surroundings – the nearest neighbours are the trees of the Alpine Garden – but with the security of knowing that support is always available. Inchmarlo’s success has made it one of a small number of retirement destinations in Scotland to be awarded the highest grading by the government’s Care Inspectorate. As part of the inspectorate’s

monitoring, regular surveys of residents are carried out giving a clear picture of life there. In the latest many residents praised the “peace and beautiful surroundings” “friendliness of staff ” and “numerous activities and events” on offer. One comment summed up the replies of many on what they liked about living at Inchmarlo saying it was “the freedom to live the lifestyle one prefers, secure in the knowledge that assistance is on hand if required”. And when asked what they would like to change the overwhelming opinion was “nothing”, or as one resident put it: “Nothing – we are quite happy.” What better accolade could there be? n

E US N HO PE OW O SH NOW

Retirement living around a 100 acre garden paradise on Royal Deeside Our new neighbourhood of East Park is now for sale. All properties are very spacious, have two bathrooms and most have garages. Prices from £210,000 - £235,000 offer tremendous value “Freedom to live the lifestyle one prefers secure in the knowledge that assistance is always on hand if required” “The reassurance of help if needed”

This is the Life…….

“Peace and security”

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Inchmarlo offers specialised services that will enable you to live independently in your own home. If, or when, health patterns change additional services can be tailored to enable you to continue living in your own home longer than might be the case elsewhere. By postponing the move into a Care Home, significant savings can be made of up to £35,000 per year • 24 hr security wardens • care support • help call system • home delivery of meals • regular visits by befrienders • priority entry to Inchmarlo Care Home rated grade 6 – excellent by the Care Inspectorate • Respite care • Social Committee and events programme • private function room

Resale available in all neighbourhoods one and two bedroom apartments and two - four bedroom houses from £100,000 - £350,000

Inchmarlo Retirement Community Village with Continuing Care

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Visit our website for more Home Owners Comments

Tel Sales Office: 01330 826242 or visit www.inchmarlo-retirement.co.uk RETIREMENT

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UPDATE

The 50+ Show London Olympia 11-13 July 2013

For many readers, one exhibition that is not to be missed is The 50+ Show, Britain’s biggest exhibition for the active over-50s. The exhibition is held at 4 venues over the year and for the first time this year, due to popular demand, the show at Olympia has been extended to 3 days. Celebrating everything from cookery and gardening to beauty, health and fitness, the hall will be packed with a wide variety of stands. Being 50+ is no excuse to slow down, visitors can take part in dance and fitness sessions, or try out a climbing wall. Free health checks will be available around the site. Plus fashion shows featuring mature models, and you can even get a free makeover. Visit Retirement Today at stand number C37A and enter our competition for a chance to win many prizes including a luxury overnight stay with breakfast for two at the 5-star London Waldorf Hilton Hotel, plus top price theatre tickets to see the awardwinning comedy The Ladykillers at The Vaudeville Theatre. We look forward to seeing you! www.50plusshow.com

ARE YOU READY FOR THE UNEXPECTED? If something unexpected happened, do you know who would look after your dog? Would your chosen carer know how much to feed your cat, what medication to give your guinea pig or whether your furry friend likes to be tickled behind the ears?

As well as finding new homes for hundreds of domestic animals a year, NAWT has advice and information to help you put an easy care plan together whether for the short or long term. For further information visit www.nawt.org.uk/tailsoftheunexpected

Foreign Office releases list of most bizarre requests Silencing a noisy cockerel, and providing contact details for Sir Paul McCartney’s wife were among the most unusual requests to British posts abroad in 2012/13, according to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). These are often good natured but can take valuable time away from helping those in genuine distress. Enquiries received by FCO staff include: • A man asked FCO staff in Rome to translate a phrase for a tattoo that he wanted • A woman requested that consular staff in Tel Aviv order her husband to get fit and eat healthily so that they could have children • Consular staff in Kuala Lumpur were asked if the FCO could help pay to send their children to an International School • A man asked consular staff in Stockholm to check the credentials of a woman whom he had met online • A man asked the Consulate in Montreal for information to settle a £1,000 wager on the colour of the British passport • A number of our staff across the world have been asked for the best place to watch the football www.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo

DISCRIMINATION IS FORCING EARLY RETIREMENT Discrimination and short-sightedness is at the root of a growing army of unemployed over 50’s at a time when the mature workforce need more income, according to Cognitive Neuroscientist and Business Improvement Strategist, Dr Lynda Shaw. “We all know that experience comes with age, but in business, experience is often put to one side because of implied associated higher costs. It is a rather short sighted business model,” argues Dr Shaw. “The problem is compounded by the fact that we are living longer, therefore we need to work longer to pay for our longevity. If we are not being allowed to work as long as we want and are able, there will be serious financial implications globally. The numbers simply don’t stack up. Many over 50s are now being forced to set up their own businesses having been pushed out of the workforce. For many this ends up working well, but for others this means a pattern of home startup businesses that can lead to isolation with little monetary gain.” www.drlyndashaw.com RETIREMENT

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Update

Only half of the nation’s pet owners have an idea about who would look after their pet should something unexpected happen to them. And just 6% of them have actually written it down and notified those concerned.

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A PERFECT DAY FOR A PICNIC

T

here’s nothing like eating outdoors to capture your sense of adventure and add a flair to the food –whether you are entertaining friends or family or preparing a romantic feast for two.

Grilled Halloumi Cheese & Mediterranean Vegetable Stack Roasted vegetables and halloumi are a wonderful amalgamation of tastes and textures, but be careful not to overcook the halloumi as this can make it a tad rubbery and squeaky, but still delicious though. 1 large aubergine 3 small courgettes, any colour 1 large red onion 2 red bell peppers 3–4 tablespoons olive oil 3 large sprigs of rosemary freshly squeezed juice of ½ lemon 2 x 250 g blocks of halloumi cheese, sliced sea salt and ground black pepper a griddle pan cocktail sticks

A perfect day for a picnic

Serves 6

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Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F) Gas 7. Slice the aubergine and the courgettes widthways into 1-cm thick slices. Peel and chop the onion into ¹⁄8¬ th wedges. Lastly, chop the peppers in half, remove the seeds and cut into 1 cm thick strips. Drizzle a little olive oil on a baking sheet and arrange the vegetables with the rosemary sprigs on top. Drizzle over more olive oil, making sure there is plenty on the aubergine slices as they tend to dry out in the oven, and season very well with salt and pepper. Roast in the preheated oven for 30–40 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and lightly browned on the outside. Leave to cool before squeezing the lemon juice lightly over all of the vegetables. Brush a griddle pan with olive oil and set over a medium– high heat. Cut the halloumi lengthways into around 6 slices per block and cook on the griddle for 30 seconds on each side until lightly golden lines appear. To assemble, start with a slice of the halloumi cheese on the bottom and layer up your vegetables and 1 further slice of halloumi per stack. Secure with cocktail sticks to keep the stacks together whilst transporting, but remember to remove them before serving!

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Recipes extracted from A Perfect Day for a Picnic by Tori Finch published by Ryland, Peters and Small


Mint Tea Cocktail

Serves 6

You cannot talk Middle Eastern cuisine without including mint tea in the equation. In Morocco especially, mint tea is synonymous with hospitality; usually this is handfuls of fresh mint and enough sugar to keep the spoon vertical, covered with boiling water. This cocktail chills the mint tea, throws in a touch of gin and has much less sugar than the tea you might find on the streets of Marrakech.

In a large saucepan, bring 1 litre of water to the boil. Once bubbling, remove from the heat and add the peppermint tea bags and a good handful of mint leaves to the pan. Allow to steep for approximately 3–5 minutes before fishing out the tea bags and mint. Add the sugar and stir to dissolve, allow to cool before decanting into a jug and putting in the refrigerator to chill. Once thoroughly chilled, decant the cocktail into a thermos flask filled with ice along with the gin, if using. To serve, pour the chilled cocktail into glasses and garnish with lemon and lime slices and mint leaves.

4 peppermint tea bags a handful of fresh mint leaves, plus extra to garnish 2 tablespoons caster sugar 200 ml gin (optional) 4 handfuls of ice cubes ½ lime, whole sliced ½ lemon, whole sliced

Ham hock, broad beans, mint and mustard are a marriage made in flavour heaven and this salad is summer served on a plate. If you are making this to take out on a picnic, I find it is best to keep the ham hock, herbs and pea shoots separate from the dressing until just before serving, as the herbs and shoots tend to wilt. Keep the two elements in separate containers, then combine when ready to serve. 750 g Jersey royal new potatoes, washed and left whole 750 g fresh broad beans, shelled 750 g fresh peas, shelled 500 g mangetout, trimmed 1 bunch of fresh flatleaf parsley, roughly chopped 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint 180 g cooked ham hock meat, shredded 70 g pea shoots, to garnish (optional) sea salt and ground black pepper

For the creamy mustard dressing: 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar a good pinch of sea salt 1 generous teaspoon French wholegrain mustard 2 teaspoons crème fraîche 1 banana shallot (or two small shallots) very finely diced

Serves 4-6 Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil, add the new potatoes and boil for 15–20 minutes until cooked through. Remove from heat, drain and leave to cool. Add more water to the pan, bring to the boil again, then add the broad/fava beans and after 1 minute add the peas and mangetout/snow peas. Boil for a further 1 minute before draining, then transfer to a bowl of iced water to refresh. Drain all the peas and beans and put to one side. For the dressing, put the olive oil and white wine vinegar in a large mixing bowl with a good pinch of salt, and beat with a fork to dissolve the salt in the vinegar. Add the mustard, crème fraîche and shallot and mix well again. Pop the mixed peas and beans and the new potatoes in the bowl with the dressing and mix well. Just before serving, add the parsley, mint and ham hock to the dressed peas and beans and toss together. Season to taste with sea salt and ground black pepper, then sprinkle the pea shoots on top, to garnish, if using.

Rosewater Pavlova The dessert that everyone loves. I have given a simple pavlova a twist by adding rosewater for a scented, perfumed quality, like a summer garden in bloom. You could also try flavouring creams and even meringues with lavender or orange-blossom water, too. If you can find candied rose petals (or have the time to make them yourself) sprinkle them over the top to garnish. If you are planning a picnic away from your garden, it is best to take the meringue, cream and raspberries in separate containers and assemble just before serving.

For the meringue: 4 egg whites 225 g golden caster sugar 1 teaspoon cornflour 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar

For the topping: 250 ml double cream 1 tablespoon rosewater 1 tablespoon caster sugar 350 g fresh raspberries icing sugar, for dusting a baking sheet lined with nonstick baking parchment

Serves 6 Preheat the oven to 120°C (250°F) Gas ½. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the egg whites with an electric hand whisk until they just form stiff peaks. Gradually add the sugar, a couple of tablespoons at a time, whisking well between each addition. When all of the sugar is added, continue whisking for 3–4 minutes or until the meringue is stiff and glossy and stands up in peaks, then whisk in the cornflour and vinegar. Spoon the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and use a palette knife to shape it into a circle about 20-cm in diameter. Bake in the preheated oven for 1½ hours, then turn the oven off, leave the door ajar and leave the meringue inside to cool completely (you could make the meringue the day before and leave to cool overnight). When cool, carefully peel the meringue off the baking parchment and place on a serving dish. Don’t worry too much if it breaks – there is plenty of topping to hide the cracks! Put the cream in a mixing bowl and whisk until just thickening up. Add the rosewater and sugar and carry on whipping for a few more minutes until the cream is thick enough to spread. Spoon the rosewater cream onto the meringue, heap the fresh raspberries on top and dust with icing sugar. RETIREMENT

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A perfect day for a picnic

Ham Hock, Bean & Mint Salad with a Creamy Mustard Dressing

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An Apple a Day

T

he versatile apple is given a fresh twist in this one-of-a kind new cookbook, with recipes carefully selected to reflect the holidays, seasons and months of the year. Explore different ways of making tried and true apple dishes, while expanding your horizons with novel apple recipes for savoury meals, salads and cocktails. Here are three we have chosen for you to try.

Apple and Vanilla Roll-Ups with Honey Yogurt

Recipes extracted from an Apple a Day by Karen Berman and Melissa Petitto, Race Point Publishing, RSP £16.99 hardback.

Escarole, Apple, and Walnut Salad with Ricotta Salata Made from sheep’s milk, ricotta salata is a fresh cheese that has been pressed, salted, and dried. It is especially delicious shaved or grated over green salads such as this one.

Keep prepared crepes and fresh apples on hand and you can make this dessert whenever the mood hits.

Makes 4 servings

Makes 2 servings

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Dressing 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

3 Gala apples, cored and cut into 8 wedges each

1 teaspoon honey

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

6 (9-inch) prepared crepes

Lentil, Feta, and Apple Salad

Honey Yogurt

Makes 2 servings

2 cups plain Greek-style yogurt

2 cups French lentils, cooked

1 head escarole, cored and roughly chopped

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 Honeycrisp apple, cored and diced

1 Honeycrisp apple, cored and sliced

¼ cup honey

1/2 stalk celery, diced

1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts

1/4 cup crumbled feta, crumbled

1/4 cup chopped parsley leaves

¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped

1/4 cup shaved ricotta salata

In a 3-quart saucepan, combine the apples, sugar, and cinnamon. Split the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape the seeds into the pan; add the pod to the pan. Stir over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until the apples are soft. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Remove and discard the vanilla pod. To make the honey yogurt, combine the yogurt, cinnamon, and honey in a small bowl. To make the roll-ups, arrange 4 apple pieces down the center of each crepe and roll up. Place each crepe seam side down on an individual dessert plate. Serve with honey yogurt.

2 tablespoons walnut oil

1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar 1/4 teaspoon sea salt 1/2 freshly ground black pepper Combine the cooked lentils, apples, celery, feta, parsley, and basil in a medium bowl. Drizzle with the olive oil and red wine vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Toss gently and divide the salad between 2 salad plates. Serve immediately.

To make the dressing, whisk together the vinegar, mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Drizzle in the oil, whisking continuously to form an emulsion. Add the chopped escarole, apples, walnuts, and parsley. Toss to coat with the dressing. Top the salad with the ricotta salata. Divide the salad among 4 plates and serve immediately.

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An Apple a Day

1 vanilla bean

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Struggling to survive. Sani was found on the streets of India, severely emaciated and covered in mange but still desperately trying to care for her three young pups. Sani was one of the lucky ones, her infected skin was treated and, once the pups were weaned, she was neutered and vaccinated thanks to a Mayhew International sponsored vet working for a local welfare group. Mayhew International helps to fund animal birth control projects and treats thousands of innocent animals around the globe. You could help us do so much more by making a one-off donation or setting up a small, regular payment. Please call 020 8968 2446, visit themayhew.org/donate, or send a cheque to Mayhew International at the address below.

My donation £

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Elephants The involvement of the EIA with extensive investigations in Africa, China, and the Far East, into elephant poaching and the illegal ivory trade has had a significant impact.Their actions have served to convince the authorities at the highest level that action must be taken to save the elephants from the barbaric practices that have prevailed. Of major concern was the decision of the Convention on the

Yes, I am a UK taxpayer and would like The Mayhew Animal Home to treat all donations I have made over the past four years and all donations I make in the future (unless I notify you otherwise) as Gift Aid donations. I am not a UK tax payer/not a UK resident. By ticking ‘Yes’ you confirm you have paid or will pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for each tax year (6 April to 5 April) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the charities or Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) that you donate to will reclaim on your gifts for that tax year. You understand that other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify. You understand the charity will reclaim 28p of tax on every £1 that you gave up to 5 April 2008 and will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 that you give on or after 6 April 2008.

Mayhew International Working to alleviate the suffering of animals abroad

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Mayhew International is part of The Mayhew Animal Home Trenmar Gardens, London NW10 6BJ Call 020 8968 2446 Registered Charity Number 1077588

Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/mayhewinternational

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Tigers being killed for the sale of their skins, and elephants and rhinos that are stripped of their tusks for the illegal trade in ivory, are matters that are almost too cruel for civilised people to contemplate. These matters are of great concern to many. A British animal charity has however been extremely active in dealing with these issues, through effective undercover investigation and actions initiated in many countries. British animal charity organisations in general, are at the forefront of many of the initiatives that have made a huge difference to animal protection and animal welfare across the Globe. The initiatives take on many forms in dealing with animal related problems and the wellbeing of both domestic and wild animals are central to their aims. The majority of the work is carried out by volunteers. The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) is a leader in the pursuit of animal crime investigation. It is an international campaigning organisation that is committed to exposing animal crime around the world.

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Elephants-Kenya ©Mary Rice

British Animal Charities have Worldwide Impact

No donation, but please send further information

The thought of wild animals being hunted poached and killed for commercial gain is abhorrent.


British Animal Charities have Worldwide Impact

also extremely active and effective. Teams of British vets are typically seconded to underdeveloped and developing countries. They provide hands on veterinary skills and aid in the form of veterinary equipment drugs and advice. Veterinary training is considered to be vital to the improvement of animal welfare, and a number of initiatives have been set up for the benefit of veterinary personnel from overseas.

By Frank Anslow

For example

International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) who in 2011 decided to grant China, approved buyer status for ivory.This decision opened a legal domestic ivory market which increased demand on the legal and illegal ivory trade. This had a devastating effect by increasing elephant poaching. At a meeting of the CITES in March 2013, the EIA worked at government level to endorse a prior agreement that Japan and China’s approved buyer status was not enduring and had expired. This marked a major achievement on the part of the EIA. Prior to the meeting Tanzania submitted a proposal to allow sales of its stockpile of ivory. The EIA produced evidence of its extensive investigations into ivory poaching and lack of government enforcement measures in Africa, as a consequence of this pressure Tanzania withdrew their proposal.

Tigers The EIA is campaigning for adequate legislation, and for investment to combat all trade in the parts, skins etc. of tigers and other Asian big cats. The EIA investigations, usually undercover, throughout Asia have exposed the poaching and trade in tigers and other Asian big cats, plus the expansion of tiger farming in China. These actions have convinced the Indian Government and regional authorities to take action to protect the tiger habitat and to take measures to combat poaching.

Global Governance

IAR - Bannerghata Bear Cubs

• Training programmes are arranged to promote high-volume sterilisation techniques for controlling animal populations in developing countries, and to encourage the advancement of animal welfare abroad through humane education. • Practical surgery training is provided. • Veterinary teams are assembled to run workshops, seminars, and provide practical training in developing countries, working in conjunction with veterinary college’s local authorities and local animal welfare groups. • One to one training is also provided To fully appreciate the impact of the excellent work carried out it is necessary to take a look at the particular activities involved. The work of the Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) is active in many countries worldwide. The main aim of the WVS is to supply veterinary aid to animal welfare charities and non-profit organisations throughout the world, where it would not otherwise be readily available. Aid is provided in the form of volunteer teams, veterinary equipment, drugs and advice. WVS is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. Over the last decade WVS has grown rapidly and is now an established veterinary resource, supporting over 500 charities in over 100 countries. A major aspect of the WVS charitable work is to provide animal welfare organisations with skilled veterinary volunteers. Since 2006 WVS volunteers have worked across 5 continents and treated over 70,000 animals, ranging from dogs and cats in Europe to elephants in Africa. In September 2010 WVS set up a large-scale initiative in India. The WVS International Training Centre was formed. This unit provides practical surgery training to Indian vets and promotes animal birth control throughout the country. A further large-scale initiative that is planned for 2013 is ‘Mission Rabies’. An all-terrain mobile veterinary clinic will be sent to India to vaccinate 50,000 dogs in the space of one month. This will be achieved by WVS working with local charities in 10 rabies hotspots across the country. After the initial launch ‘Mission Rabies’ will then establish the first Indian rabies network providing cheap effective vaccinations, training local vets and vaccinating a further 2 million dogs. WVS also offers a service to visit emergency disaster areas in order to provide immediate help and support.

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The work of the EIA has contributed to raising the profile of animal crime to the highest level: In 2012, Hilary Clinton launched an initiative to raise the profile of wildlife crime at the highest political levels. In April 2013, the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) adopted a resolution, which called for improved legislation and enforcement to combat wildlife crime. As recently as the 22nd May 2013 EIA representatives attended a meeting on the invitation of HRH the Prince of Wales and Owen Paterson, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. It marked the beginning of a process to secure a greater commitment from heads of state to combat wildlife crime. Prince William was a keynote speaker. With regard to animal welfare overseas British animal charities are

• Information and advice is offered in the setting up and running of neutering and vaccination programmes.

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British Animal Charities have Worldwide Impact

WVS

• British vets work with like-minded vets from overseas to introduce sustainable programmes for the management of animal welfare issues in their local communities.

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in their community welfare initiatives. The initiatives include a trap, neuter, release programme, a rabies vaccination project for Ranchi, education across schools and community groups on the benefits of neutering street dogs, rabies prevention, and how to behave with dogs. Mayhew also works in other parts of India, for example the Andhra Pradesh region where support is provided to the Visakha Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (VSPCA) and at Tamil Nadu where they work in conjunction with the WVS at their International Training Centre. A British animal charity that comes to the aid of suffering animals around the world is International Animal Rescue (IAR). IAR work tirelessly to come to the aid of suffering animals. The rescued animals are cared for and treated and then wherever possible returned to their natural environment. IAR specialises in comprehensive sterilisation and vaccination programmes for stray dogs and cats to control the population and prevent the spread of disease. Much of their work involves the prevention of cruelty to animals and working with other organisations to develop legislation to protect animals from cruelty and neglect. The compassionate and humane treatment of animals is central to the cause of the IAR and a great deal of effort is put into educating the public in this regard. IAR - Baby orangutan Gunung ©Julie O’Neill

A representative of WVS Mr James Tubb said ‘There are teams of volunteers who make themselves available to tackle emergencies in disaster zones wherever they occur. WVS supply resources, equipment and supplies to help with various livestock such as farm animals, cattle etc. and this provides great assistance to the local community’. Another British animal charity that makes a major impact worldwide is Mayhew International. Mayhew International works to promote companion animal welfare and the management of street populations of homeless cats and dogs. This is achieved through a range of community animal care initiatives and access to veterinary training. Training vets in animal welfare is an important element of the work which has a special significance for international development. Mayhew works with governments and local authorities in an advisory capacity to control and contain street animal populations, and improve their welfare conditions. Information and advice is provided on neutering and vaccination programmes, as well as practical help from experienced veterinary professionals. The International Vet Training Programme is designed for overseas vets and students, to provide help to set up sustainable programmes for the management of welfare issues in their local communities. The training programme aims to promote highvolume sterilisation techniques for containing and controlling animal populations in developing countries.

A number of important projects for the care and protection of animals are on-going: Cat Welfare

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Mayhew International

Dog Welfare

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British Animal Charities have Worldwide Impact

Sterilisation is the only humane and effective way of reducing and controlling large populations of stray cats. IAR’s vets in India and Indonesia routinely sterilise stray cats. A team from Catastrophes Cat Rescue in the UK also conducts sterilisation trips for IAR in Spain and other parts of Europe, intensively trapping and sterilising communities of feral cats and giving them treatment for injuries and illness.

On-going initiatives include work in the following countries: Russia Mayhew has supported animal welfare in Russia since 2001. The help provided includes sponsoring the neutering of homeless dogs and cats in private apartment shelters, and for families with pets who have limited financial resources. The support extends to the training of Russian vets that assist with neutering, and lobbying the local and federal government on animal legislation and best practice.

India In Ranchi, Mayhew provides support on training and development to the local organisation HOPE & Animal Trust RETIREMENT

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IAR was set up in Goa on the west coast of India to reduce the suffering of the stray dog population. Unregulated breeding had resulted in large numbers of sick and starving dogs and puppies on the streets and beaches. IAR sterilisation and vaccination programmes in Goa and Tamil Nadu have dramatically reduced the numbers of strays.

Primate rescue and rehabilitation Widespread destruction of the rainforest and the illegal trade in primates in Indonesia inflict terrible suffering on animals that are caught from the wild to be killed for bush meat or sold as pets. They also pose the threat of extinction to some endangered species. IAR’s team in Indonesia specialises in rescuing and rehabilitating orangutans, macaques and slow lorises and releasing them back into protected areas in the wild. The impact of British animal charities working oversees is remarkable and such work can only be done with the support of the public to generously donate. The tasks involved are demanding but through the dedication and hard work of mainly volunteers there is a steadfast determination to win the battle and to protect and sustain the well-being of animals across the Globe n


Do you want to help ensure a future where humanity can still marvel at elephants, tigers and whales?

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Conservation of the natural world is the most precious gift anyone can leave to future generations. By remembering EIA in your Will you can support our unique campaigns to save threatened wildlife and precious habitats. For nearly 30 years EIA has been protecting the environment with intelligence – using pioneering investigative methods to defend the environment and protect it for the future. With your support we can continue our vital work.

“Working undercover to expose international crime, EIA brought about changes in international laws and government policies, thus saving the lives of millions of endangered animals and putting a stop to the devastating effects wrought by environmental criminals.”

United Nations Environment Programme

EIA

62–63 Upper Street London N1 0NY Tel: 020 7354 7960 www.eia-international.org legacy@eia-international.org

Reg charity no: 1145359

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Out&About...

Burt Bacharach Glasgow Jazz Festival

Glasgow Jazz Festival Burt Bacharach, The Blind Boys Of Alabama, Georgie Fame and Leo Blanco and many more 26th – 30th June 2013

Paul Gauguin (1848-1903) Bathers at Tahiti, 1897 Oil on sacking, 73.3 x 91.8 cm The Trustees of the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham

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Collecting Gauguin: Samuel Courtauld in the ‘20s Courtauld Gallery, London

This is the 27th year of the Glasgow International Jazz Festival. Set in various venues across Glasgow including the prestigious Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, the acoustically breathtaking City Hall Recital Rooms and the awe inspiringly beautiful Old Fruitmarket, the programme this year is bursting with superstar names, jazz legends and groundbreaking newcomers. Headlining the festival will be the iconic composer Burt Bacharach, whose internationallyrenowned compositions have helped shape popular culture for decades. This rare UK performance is bound to be very special and a wonderful focal point for the festival. A full festival programme and tickets are available at www.jazzfest.co.uk

The Courtauld Gallery holds the most important collection of works in the UK by the Post-impressionist master Paul Gauguin (1848-1903). Assembled by the pioneering collector Samuel Courtauld (1876-1947), it includes major paintings and works on paper as well as one of only two marble sculptures ever created by the artist. This special summer display presents the complete collection together with the loan of two important works by Gauguin formerly in Courtauld’s private collection. Today, Gauguin is widely celebrated as one of the most important artists of the 19th century and this exhibition offers an opportunity to consider the contribution of Samuel Courtauld in developing the artist’s reputation in this country. www.courtauld.ac.uk

Matthew evangelist miniature ©British Library

20 June – 8 September 2013

Lindisfarne Gospels centrepiece of major new exhibition 1 July – 30 September 2013

One of the world’s greatest books and a remarkable landmark of human cultural achievement, the Lindisfarne Gospels, will be the centrepiece of a unique exhibition at Durham University. The culmination of a partnership led by Durham University along with Durham Cathedral, Durham County Council and the British Library, Lindisfarne Gospels Durham will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to see a selection of St Cuthbert’s treasures alongside the book that was written in his honour. Also in the exhibition, will be the St Cuthbert Gospel, Europe’s oldest surviving bound book, and some of Britain’s most significant and precious Anglo-Saxons artefacts and medieval manuscripts. Artefacts in the exhibition include gold pieces, Celtic silver and amber, and stone sculpture; they have been drawn from the British Library which is lending six items in all, national collections, Durham Cathedral and Durham University. www.lindisfarnegospels.com

Birthday bash for Birmingham’s military spectacular Jacob van Hulsdonck (1582-1647) A Banquet Piece, c. 1615 Oil on panel, 71.5 x 104 cm Johnny Van Haeften Ltd

Rediscovered Masterpieces to be unveiled during Master Painting Week

Out & About

28 June – 5 July 2013

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Master Paintings Week is now in its fifth year and already an important event in the London art calendar, and for the first time has the support of The Crown Estate. The successful collaboration between twenty leading dealers and three international auction houses highlights the extraordinarily wide selection of European paintings dating from the 15th to the 20th centuries available in London. Special exhibitions and other events will be staged by dealers, all of whom are situated a short walk from one another in the heart of London’s Mayfair and St James’s. For further information visit www.masterpaintingsweek.co.uk RETIREMENT

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Britain’s biggest indoor military tattoo, with over 1,200 performers, will celebrate its silver anniversary this year by bringing together military bands, gymnasts, dog display teams, field gun and many other performers to the NIA in Birmingham. They will join forces for this year’s 25th Birmingham International Tattoo on Saturday 30th November at 6pm and Sunday 1st December at 2pm. Representing Norway will be the world famous Band and Drill Contingent of the King’s Guard, joining them will be the Royal Band of the Belgium Navy, the Slovenian Services Band and our own Royal Air Force Band, the Air Training Corps National Band and the National Youth Marching Band. Other exciting displays will include the Inter-Service Field Gun Competition, the Blue Falcons Gymnastics Team, the popular dog display and one of the largest gatherings of Massed Standard Bearers. The Tattoo will culminate in a Spectacular Grand Finale featuring all performers in a spectacle of light and sound. Birmingham Tattoo Producer Norman Rogerson MBE said: “This year’s line-up is one of the very best in our 25 year history and we are really looking forward to a full three hour show with something for all the family.” Tickets are priced between £14.50 and £25.00 (may be subject to admin and fulfilment fees) and are available online at www.theticketfactory.com or by calling 0844 338 8000. Reduced prices are available for children, senior citizens and groups of 10 or more.


EVENING, DAYTIME, SATURDAY, WEEKEND AND ONLINE CHRISTMAS, EASTER AND SUMMER SCHOOLS OVER 1000 CREATIVE COURSES FOR BEGINNERS THROUGH TO PROFESSIONALS:

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PLUS THESE SPECIALLY DESIGNED PROGRAMMES: COURSES FOR 13 – 15 AND 16 – 18 YEAR OLDS • DUAL CITY SUMMER 2013: MILAN, BARCELONA, PARIS, NEW YORK • SEMESTER STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMME • BESPOKE TRAINING

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Historic Stores Farm Museum Acorns Café

VISIT A TRULY HISTORIC EXPERIENCE! Where the past comes to life Step back in time with a fun-packed trip to Oakham Treasures. Whether you’re 8 or 80, you’ll be fascinated by this unique collection of memorabilia from days gone by. There really is something for everyone, from the thousands of items in the Historic Stores, to the impressive display of historic tractors and farm equipment.

Discover fully stocked and equipped stores from the past, transported into the present day. Marvel at the countless original items on display – not just the packaging but the contents too, still fully intact. Immerse yourself in a fabulous and unique trip down memory lane. And if you’ve worked up an appetite by the end, you can visit our fabulous Acorns Café. Oakham Farm Portbury Lane, Portbury, Bristol BS20 7SP Tel: 01275 375 236 For more information visit www.oakhamtreasures.co.uk Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 5pm. Just off the M5 at Portbury, Bristol.

b at t l e p r o m s pIcNIc coNcerts Jsl productIoNs preseNts

Burghley house - 6 July • Blenheim Palace - 13 July • hatfield house - 20 July highclere castle - 3 august • althorP Park - 10 august • ragley hall - 31 august

a celeBration of classical music with... fireworks sPitfire cannons cavalry PLUS! Aerobatic Team wIth charIty FlIght booKINgs

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www.battleproms.com tel: 01432 355416 18

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BP 2013 Ad 90 x 135 all venue.in1 1

23/5/13 22:56:18


an Auto-Sleepers motorhome and it shows. The furniture, fittings and fitments are all of the highest quality, modern and stylish coupled with quality and innovation, all hand built to offer many years of pleasure. And because our designers use and live with our motorhomes and caravans, they know from experience what works and how to make the best use of every cubic centimetre of interior space. That’s why so many of our customers keep coming back to us. With a wide selection of both coachbuilts and van conversions on a choice of VW, Peugeot and Mercedes chassis, Auto-Sleepers have a selection of luxury motorhomes to suit almost every buyer. Over the years Auto-Sleepers have won numerous awards. Recent awards have served to reinforce their strength within the industry and highlight their much respected design quality and attention to detail in what has become a competitive and growing market. If you like the idea of a life of luxury whilst out on the open road, then discover the great outdoors with a prestigious AutoSleepers motorhome, handcrafted to last. For further information, brochure request or to locate your local dealer call 01386 853338 or visit www.auto-sleepers.com n

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Auto-Sleepers

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uto-Sleepers have been building motorhomes since 1961. But, that’s the pedigree AutoSleepers can call on as the UK’s most experienced maker of top quality motorhomes, they have even helped pioneer the industry through innovative design with the first ever rising roof on a motorhome. It all started over half a century ago with the Trevelyan family, who were searching for a touring holiday with a difference. Resourcefully, they built their own motorhome based on a Morris J2 van, which took them to the South of France for their holidays. Learning valuable lessons from the prototype, they returned and incorporated design refinements into a second model, Austin-based this time, which soon attracted the attention of dealers Henlys of Bristol. Faced with an order for five more models, they employed local builder Bob Halling as a subcontractor, who was later employed as Works Manager for the company, and Auto-Sleepers was born. Today Auto-Sleepers remains a family orientated business and is still staffed by people who are passionate about quality motorhomes. But, one theme has remained constant – the blend of quality and luxury, allied to a customer service record that’s considered the best in the business! Great time, care and effort go into the making of

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Footloose in Switzerland

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By Debra Rixon

e drove to Switzerland, just to be different, and we had a really good run down there. Switzerland was always going to be nostalgic, not only because it had been my first and only school trip of which I had fond memories; but also because it was where Dave proposed to me, in the car park in Grindelwald, in the rain. You know where you are with Switzerland no nasty surprises, everything as it should be, with a ponderous sense of humour. My only memory of the Lauterbrunnental was a coach trip on the said school holiday to the Trümmelbach Falls, so I really did look at it with fresh eyes, and what’s not to like? You overdose on spectacular scenery in Switzerland everywhere you look, and with the Staubbach waterfall crashing down the valley walls right in the village, I breathed a sigh of contentment; wherever we went, the pictures would be wonderful. But mountain weather has a will of its own, so our walk along the valley floor to Stechelburg was fated to be in the rain, with the clouds descending and rather obliterating the stunning view upwards that we knew was there.

But as we were also going inside the mountain to see the Trümmelbach Falls, it didn’t really matter - we were going to get wet whatever we did. They were as spectacular as I remembered, and I unashamedly enjoyed getting soaked in such a special way. Wengen and Mürren were very pleasant to wander through with so little traffic and always with those wonderful views. For July, to me, it was remarkably uncrowded which meant I could linger in little shops and alleyways whilst Dave plonked his camera wherever he could.This is always a nice part of the job - when we are not on the trail it becomes a relaxed walk through certain parts that is always refreshing. I love trains, and trundling on and off all these little networks was fine with me, although train fares in Switzerland are not cheap. I was suitably (and not often!) speechless at the price of reaching the Jungfraujoch, and could have shed a tear for a family of four! But it is worth it, oh, it most certainly is. You really feel the altitude up there, and there are signs everywhere warning you not to hurry but take your time.The Observatory platform affords a fascinating view of the glacier, but I’m not a fan of the seethrough gratings, I really have to keep my eyes fixed firmly on the horizon on these things. I pestered Dave for a dog-sled ride, and it was over far too quickly. The dogs are bred on the glacier, and the urge to pull is so strong that the one dog that was ‘resting’ strained on his leash to be part of the sled team whenever it set off. It was very busy up there, with a constant

stream of walkers following the roped guides to various viewpoints. At the cog railway station there was a large party of Japanese tourists who came out onto the snowy observation area, had a group photo taken and then departed. I felt that they had completely missed the experience; you need to stand and gaze around you and take it all in - it’s so beautiful a single glance just won’t do. The walk from Mannlichen to Kleinescheidegg was an absolute delight - I’ve never seen so many alpine flowers, and an English couple who were regular visitors told us that it seemed exceptional to them too. Typically in Switzerland, the way signs were immaculate, uniform and upright, and gave the exact distance, the time to walk it and the gradient of the path as well, which was a bit too much information in a way. It did rather take the guesswork out of it all, and sometimes, that’s part of the fun. But a Swiss map is exact, so I suppose there was never any real chance of getting pleasantly lost. Kleine Scheidegg itself was a zoo and almost completely without character - it was just a terminus for the bahn up to the Jungfraujoch, so we didn’t spend a lot of time there. We walked down the mountain to Grindeldwald (of course!) and had a fond moment reminiscing before catching the Bernese Oberland Bahn (BOB) back to Lauterbrunnen.

Jungfraujoch Wavy train

Footloose in Switzerland

Trail Jungfrau

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Bern Oberland RETIREMENT

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Lucerne Kappelbruke


Lucern

Lucerne Steamer

outdo - each other with their steam whistles, only try to avoid sitting underneath one of these as it truly makes you jump out of your skin at full volume. Cruising around Lake Lucerne on a warm and sunny day is charming, and unfortunately makes me terribly lazy to do anything else.You can hop-on, hop-off at any of the pretty lakeside villages, and there is always the fabulous view to be had from Mount Pilatus or Rigi. Lucerne is home to the Swiss Transport Museum, and I thoroughly recommend it, whether you have children with you or not. I love museums, whether they are about knitting or electronics, and this one is superb (without the knitting bit). It takes you from the early days of learning to get about in their mountainous country, to the Swiss solution for difficult transport situations and finally to space.You really need a good half-day to get through it all, if like me you do actually read the text beside the exhibits, and there is an IMAX theatre there too.We were fortunate to have an interviewee that was not only knowledgeable but was extremely eloquent and enthusiastic about his museum. I was surprised to learn that the British and the Swiss have a long association, particularly to do with boats and trains.The Swiss like their models, and we found them both inside and outside the museum. There is a lot to do in Lucerne, it’s a quite a mixed bag of attractions new and old, and there is a retired paddle steamer that is now Debra in a stationary restaurant. There Grindelwald is even a Lido for those hazy days of summer when a dip in the lake is the only way to cool down. Lucerne isn’t the biggest city in Switzerland or the most important, but I did think it might be the most interesting n Debra and David drove to Switzerland, and based themselves in Lauterbrunnen for the first part of their trip, using rail and cable car combination passes. There is a hefty supplement from Kleine Scheidegg up to the Jungfraujoch, and early morning is best for fewer crowds and clouds. They filmed in July, and the weather was variable as you would expect for the mountains, and warmer and drier in the city. Details of their walks can be found on the Switzerland page of their website. After David took early retirement from the BBC, they have focussed on their own productions, and for over eight years have been renowned for their walking films in Europe. For information on all the Footloose films, take a look at www.footloose.tv or watch previews of the walks on Youtube.

Footloose in Switzerland

The Heimat Museum there was really interesting, although we seemed to be the only visitors. Granted there were a great many wooden tools and objects, but there were also rare records of the first tourists to the valley, and other items that told the history of the skiing boom there - it appears the British have the honour of having invented winter sports in the valley. The lace making group were great fun to talk to; my German is rusty but kept improving so I was able to have a reasonable chat with the ladies who have my total respect for the dexterity and nimbleness of their fingers and their absolute focus I don’t think I have the concentration to follow the intricacies of their lace patterns. It is so labour intensive that it is possible to understand the demise of the industry; that and the penchant for machine made items. As usual, the food in Lauterbrunnen was very good, but it is expensive, so we quite often bought rolls and cheese and cooked meats and made our own meals for the trails, which we tend to do anyway. Everyone is so courteous and efficient that your stay in Switzerland is guaranteed to go without a hitch, except for the unpredictability of the weather. Lucerne was exactly as I remembered it from my school trip; what I didn’t know was that the old covered bridge, the Kapellbrüke over the Reuss, had burnt down, destroying over half of the ancient monument. In typical Swiss fashion, it was rebuilt within in a year, and if one doesn’t go looking for the

unweathered wood, and apart from several missing triangular paintings, no-one would ever know. Strolling through old Lucerne is a joy; the buildings are painted, and the centre of the old town is compact and easy underfoot. We took a stroll along the riverside past the pristine churches, chapels and museums to Spreuerbrüke, the covered mill bridge, with more paintings that are decidedly macabre – they are all themed around the Devil, and unusually, there is a chapel in the middle. We climbed up the 15th century city walls to get a better look at the celebrated clock in one of the towers that, as befits its ancient status, is the only one that is allowed to chime a minute before the other clocks of the city. Of course it is perfectly restored, this is Switzerland after all, and the walk atop the battlements affords a brilliant view of the haphazard rooftops. Two visits stand out for me – one is to the Bourbaki Panorama, which I found to be mesmerising. The 112 metre by 10 metre large painting is one of the last giant panoramic paintings of the 19th century that have been preserved. The subject is dour – the retreat of the defeated Eastern French army in the Franco-German war of 1870 – but the skill of the painting and the added foreground objects that give it its 3-D effect simply draws you in. I sat on the central round seat and just gazed – and gazed. One of the last of its kind, this 360° painting truly involves you by surrounding you with its pathos. The other place of special note was the Dying Lion monument. Again, a morbid subject but the skill of the sculptor brings a lump to your throat as you look upon this magnificent creature in its death throes, its pain etched poignantly. I don’t think you can fail to be moved, but I could be a touch too sentimental, it has to be said. For a lighter note, the Glacier Garden next door is an interesting antidote. A ride on the paddle steamer is a ‘must’, and I am beginning to suspect that I am regressing to a point where something as simple as a boat ride can fill me with delight. I adored the steamer; I loved the way the captains saluted – and tried to

WIN

We have 5 copies of the DVD ‘Footloose in Switzerland’ to give away. For a chance to win send in your name and address, quoting ref FS, to: Amra Media Solutions, 46a Brook Street, Aston Clinton, Bucks, HP22 5ES Closing date: 29 July 2013 RETIREMENT

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Dining with Distinction A culinAry steAm trAin ride

discover a world of timeless elegance and vintage flair onboard a luxury dining carriage! • • • • • •

Four-course Evening Diners Classic Lancastrian Lunches Cream Tea Specials Murder Mystery Nights Mid-week & Themed Diners Private hire for small & large groups

to find out more and to book your seats visit www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk or call 0161 764 7790. east lancashire railway, Bolton street, Bury Bl9 0ey

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LET OFF STEAM!

Travel by steam train through 10 miles of beautiful Hampshire countryside. Open from January - October with lots of special events throughout the year! 7 miles from Winchester on the A31.

TO FIND OUT MORE CLICKETY CLICK TO WWW.WATERCRESSLINE.CO.UK


Heritage Railways on Track for Vacation work of the volunteers that such an important part of our heritage can be maintained and preserved for the enjoyment of all. The network of heritage railways and steam centres is considerable, and on the evidence of the latest information published by the Heritage Railway Movement there are 108 operating railways, tramways, and rail cableways, and 60 steam centres operating throughout the UK and Ireland, who are members of the Heritage Railway Association. There are circa 800 locomotives in operation at any one time, consisting of steam, diesel, and electric, with many others undergoing routine overalls or being restored. The heritage railway and steam museum scene presents a major tourist attraction in many areas, and while each individual organisation offers their own unique stamp on things, a common theme includes the following attractions:

For Heritage Railways: • A locomotive train journey through the beautiful British countryside and passing through well preserved heritage railway stations, villages and towns. • Steam and diesel gala days • Thomas the Tank days • Santa Specials • Dining and catering facilities which in some cases includes a quality dining experience • Other theme journeys • A souvenir shop

For Steam Museums:

• A historical journey from the first beginnings of the steam engine during the time of the industrial revolution, to the present day. • A good selection of heritage steam locomotives and rolling stock. • Famous named steam locomotives often on display • Catering facilities • A souvenir shop The opportunity to visit a heritage railway or steam centre is endless, with a wide selection available throughout the UK. Some of the top heritage railway attractions across the heritage railway and steam museum scene include: The STEAM Story – Museum of the Great Western Railway in Swindon This museum is one of Wiltshire’s top tourist attractions. It follows the journey of steam from the opening of the Swindon Railway Works in 1843 which opened as a repair and maintenance facility, through its peak in 1930 when the Works covering 300 acres was capable of producing three locomotives a week. The last steam locomotive completed at Swindon was ‘Evening Star’ in 1960. The museum tour characterises the story of the men and women who built, operated, and travelled on the Great Western Railway, a network inspired by the vision of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Exhibits, famous locomotives, and GWR memorabilia complete the picture and are all well displayed.

s

he nostalgic smell and sight of the steam train as it meanders majestically through the British countryside, is indeed a joy to behold. To board the train and take the journey, rekindles memories of a time long passed when quality locomotives chugging along the track were the order of the day. Such a magical journey is now open to us all, and as summer vacations and good days out are uppermost in our minds, a visit to one of the country’s heritage railways or heritage steam museums is an opportunity not to be missed. Memories of the railways and tramways of a bygone age are engrained in our very existence, and there can be a no more pleasurable experience than travelling to, and through, the many traditional railway stations that have been preserved and restored to their former glory. To make any visit such a pleasurable experience, much work is required by the heritage railways and steam museum staff who work tirelessly to pamper to the public’s every need. The majority of the staff are volunteers from all walks of life, who readily give up their time to fulfil the duties required to uphold and maintain the standards and qualities required of the heritage railways and steam museum network. Of the workforce employed in the heritage railway industry today, some 18,000 are volunteers and the total workforce is in excess of 20,000. Many of these people are employed on a part time basis and often carry out duties that are far removed from their normal working life. For example, it is possible to become an engine driver by working through the ranks of starting as a loco cleaner, to fireman, and then after a number of years progressing to an engine driver. Then of course there are opportunities to perform the duties of the operating staff which includes guards, signalmen, control staff, ticket inspectors, booking clerks and platform staff. Existing skills are also used to a great extent, and this is particularly the case for locomotive engineering, signalling and telecommunications, and carriage and wagon preservation and repairs. In addition there are the tasks associated with infrastructure, catering, retail, marketing and administration. The preservation of the heritage railway network is excellent, but it is only through the considerable hard

Heritage Railways on Track for Vacation

T

By Frank Anslow

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West Somerset Railway

Barry Tourist Railway

This heritage railway meanders its way through beautiful West Somerset countryside between Minehead and Bishops Lideard.The train service runs daily throughout July, August and September.The season concludes with a Steam Gala between the 3rd and 6th of October which this year has a theme of the Cambrian Railways, to mark the 150th anniversary of two of the constituents of that company.

The Barry Tourist Railway is part of the Barry Railway Centre in South Wales. The centre was acquired by Cambrian Transport in late 2009.The centre is undergoing a continuing development programme.The train journeys involve the use of visiting steam locomotives and resident diesel locomotives on selected days throughout the year. The Glamorgan Heritage War Museum was recently completed at the Centre, and this tourist attraction is open at times to coincide with the Barry Tourist Railway, and other dates. Other attractions include model railway exhibitions, a car rally and a toy fair.

Special features include: • A Real Ale Festival at Minehead Railway Station, run jointly with CAMRA, on 7th and 8th of September. • Driver experience days which provide an opportunity to drive a diesel locomotive or chartered steam locomotive. • Drive the engine for a tenner on gala days

Epping Ongar Railway The heritage railway of Epping Ongar is in Essex and is the closest to London. Vintage buses start from the front door of Epping station, and transport the passengers to period stations, where they embark onto diesel and steam trains. Passengers experience the romance of travel in bygone times, while passing through picturesque countryside, beautiful forest and historic towns.

Heritage Railways on Track for Vacation

Special features include:

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• Travel on a return journey from North Weald to Ongar acting as driver, and taking another trip in the position of fireman, tending to the fire, throwing coal into the firebox, managing the water level in the boiler and helping the driver look out for signals.

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East Lancashire Railway The East Lancashire Railway are a vital part of the areas landscape which has helped shape the destiny of the towns along its route. From its beginnings in 1844 it is famed for the transportation of goods and people. Now a heritage railway company it’s steam locomotives pass through beautiful East Lancashire scenery connecting towns, which set the scene for a great day out.

Special features include: • The Rail Ale Trail ‘Every stop is a stout... or a bitter, or a mild, or a lager on the Rail Ale Trail. Join us on a steam-powered pub crawl through the Irwell Valley’. • Quality ‘Pullman’ dining events • Driver training

Buckinghamshire Railway Centre The Buckingham Railway Centre is a 25 acre working steam museum with a large selection of locomotives, rolling stock and railway memorabilia. The London Railway Preservation Society, formed in 1962, arrived in 1969 to set up its permanent home. Since those early days both yards have been redeveloped to house around 170 items of locomotives and rolling stock and an adjacent Second World War Ministry of Food Buffer Depot has been taken over to display many items awaiting their turn in the restoration queue. A re-created 1890’s country station in the heyday of steam travel, offers steam train rides on selected days.

The line was extended to Kinneil in 1987 and to Birkhill in 1989 where the fireclay mine is open to the public. Since 2010 the passenger service has continued to Manuel. The Railway is a popular film location. The Museum of Scottish Railways, which is set in a 15,000 square feet hall, is adjacent to Bo’ness Station. Over 60,000 people visit the Railway every year.

Mid Hants Railway The Mid Hants Railway is affectionately known as the‘Watercress Line’ due to their connection with transporting watercress from the beds in Alresford to London. In 1973 this heritage railway was saved from total extinction by a group of volunteers, who raised enough money to re-open the line in 1977 as a visitor attraction from Alresford to Ropley, and their continued fund-raising enabled them to relay the track to join up with the South West Trains station at Alton by 1985. Operating a fleet of steam locomotives, today the railway runs between the market towns of Alresford and Alton, preserving 1940’s – 1970’s railway heritage for this generation and many more to follow. Special events throughout the year include War on the Line, Dene Rally, and Alton Bus Rally.

Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway The Scottish Railway Preservation Society operates the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway, which has been developed since 1979 on a green-field site by the south shore of the Firth of Forth. Several historic buildings have been obtained and re-erected to provide a traditional railway setting. Bo’ness station opened in 1981.It is run entirely by volunteers.

Any one of the above venues offers a fantastic day out which will stay long in the memory. There is nothing quite like the nostalgia that is engendered by heritage railways and a ride on a steam or diesel train from a bygone age is a truly magical experience, that can be enjoyed by everyone, young or old n


barry tourist railway Come and ride on the vintage trains of the Barry Tourist Railway, a key element of the Barry Rail Centre which has been developed around the famous Woodhams Yard - where most of the steam locomotives now operating on the UK’s heritage railways were rescued from. Learn about this famous seaside town and port, its wartime history, and how more than 200 locomotives, made redundant by Beeching, were saved for posterity. Tel: 01446 748816 www.barrytouristrailway.co.uk

London Waterbus Trips

] LITTLE VENICE ] LONDON ZOO ] CAMDEN LOCK

Cruises along the peaceful Regents Canal, through Regents Park, the Maida Hill tunnel and London Zoo. Trips on traditional canal boats, one way or return, with a stopover to shop in the lively bustle of Camden Lock or a picnic in the tranquil elegance of Little Venice, or trips with entry to London Zoo. Daily service April to September, weekends in winter. Discount fares for booked groups.

Tel: 020 7482 2550 www.londonwaterbus.com

STEAM Museum of the Great Western Railway

A First Class Day Out STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway Fire Fly Avenue, Swindon SN2 2EY Tel: 01793 466646 www.steam-museum.org.uk www.facebook.com/steammuseum @steam_museum

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NG HOL LKI ID A AY W Y S N ALBA

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Discover

Kingston Kingston Upon Thames, just 25 minutes by train from central London, is an idyllic mix of historic buildings, café culture, riverside walks and much more. A short break is the ideal way to acquaint oneself with the town, Maria Hann takes a look.

K

ingston is a vibrant bustling town, very much with its own unique identity and proud of its history and heritage. The first thing to do is take a look at the old town, the ancient cobbled streets are steeped in history going back 100’s of years and the towns’ royal connections are dotted throughout the area. In the 10th century, Kingston was the coronation place of Kings and as many as seven Anglo Saxon Kings may have been crowned here. The best way of seeing the town is to take one of the official walking tours with a guide, which takes place every Sunday in the summer and can be organised through the tourist office. Our excellent guide, who possessed an in depth knowledge and great enthusiasm for her subject explained in detail that housing many retail outlets in the town was a building with an ancient and unique heritage. Meander to one of the numerous river pubs, book a river cruise or just sit and relax soaking up the atmosphere with a glass of Pimms. One of the best recommendations for taking a break in Kingston is that everything is within walking distance and can be seen over a two day period. Some of the places not to be missed are ..

All Saints West Window

All Saints Church

Discover Kingston

Kingston River

s

There has been a church on this site since the 9th Century when it was part of the Saxon royal estate.The church dates from the 12th century, and has been extended or added to in every century since. Must sees include a 16th Century tomb of Sir Anthony Been, a 14th Century wall painting of St Blaise and a marble font attributed to Sir Christopher Wren. Today, the church is very much at the heart of the community, providing a welcome to the homeless and concerts throughout the year.

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Old London Road

to tell. Visitors are able to explore the rituals, and find out what really happened in the royal bed chamber where heirs were born and monarchs passed away, all these events taking place before an audience of courtiers, politicians and family members.

Kingston Museum

Comprising of a museum, local history room and an archives service. The museum has three permanent exhibits, Ancient Origins and Town of Kings which relate the borough history from Saxon times, and the third is an exhibition of the renowned Victorian photographer Eadweard Muybridge.

Ham House and Garden

Located in nearby Richmond, Ham House is one of the finest 17th century houses in England, owned and managed by the National Trust. It was the vision of Elizabeth Murray, Countess of Dysart, who was embroiled in the politics of the English Civil war and the restoration of the monarchy. The beautiful kitchen garden is a delight and not to be missed. Shakespeare is often performed here during the summer months.

Shop

If shopping is your thing then Kingston doesn’t disappoint! Familiar names, John Lewis, Jo Malone, Heals, Space NK and Zara dot the high street along with independent retailers. For those in search of the quirky, Old London Road is home to Kingston Antiques Centre where over two floors of dealers offer a range of retro goods mainly with a 1950’s vibe. Don’t miss the falling over phone boxes or ‘out of order’ by artist David Mach. Kingston’s Ancient Market at the heart of the town is open daily, except Sunday, offering fresh produce, and visiting continental markets and festivals are often featured.

Secret Bedchamber

Market Place

Eat

The town is home to a wide range of restaurants and cuisines including Jamie’s Italian and Wagamama. Virtually every palate is catered for from the formal to informal. But for something completely different why not head to Steins a Bavarian restaurant and beer garden on the river. Bavarian classics are the order of the day, portions are big, and if the weather permits you can dine alfresco riverside.

Culture

Highly recommended is a visit to The Rose Theatre, newly opened in 2008. The theatre offers a diverse programme to cater for all tastes. Visit the website www. rosetheatrekingston.org for a full list of forthcoming productions.

Sleep

Just a short walk across Kingston Bridge takes you to the White Hart Hotel, a hotel and pub managed and owned by Fullers Brewery. Bedrooms are stylish and comfortable. I would definitely recommend booking one of the suites for that extra special occasion, all are individually designed and named after one of Henry VIII’s wives. We stayed in the Catherine Parr suite which was luxuriously furnished with a huge four poster bed and a bathroom with a bath, power shower and marble fittings. Breakfast is freshly cooked and delicious with an excellent choice provided. However the final word must go to the staff, who provide excellent service with a smile and genuinely seem to go that extra mile to ensure the guests every need is catered for n

King William Privy Gardens, Historic Royal Palaces

Discover Kingston

©

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No visit would be complete without taking a short bus ride to to see one of the most iconic palaces in England if not the world, Hampton Court Palace, the former residence of Henry V111. View the grand state rooms, explore the kitchens and stroll through the glorious gardens without getting lost in the world famous maze. On now until 3 November a new exhibition, Secrets of the Royal Bedchamber, explores the bedchamber of the 17th and 18th century royal court. There are six magnificent royal beds each with a dramatic, and often poignant tale

Catherine Parr Suite,White Hart Hotel

Hampton Court Palace

For further information: Hampton Court Palace www.hrp.org.uk

White Hart Hotel www.whiteharthoteluk.co.uk Kingston Tourist Information www.kingstonfirst.co.uk


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New Prostate Quarter Page:Prostate Quarter Page 22/05/2012 19:55 Page 1

A life worth living Your legacy gift to Vitalise

Vitalise is a national charity oering a lifeline to people with severe disabilities and carers. Our purpose-built, accessible UK Centres oer our guests the opportunity to experience the kind of freedom that most of us take for granted. That’s why many thousands of disabled people and carers come to us for desperately-needed respite breaks each year. For them, their time with Vitalise means so much more than a mere change of scene - it means the dierence between coping and despair. We simply couldn’t provide this service without the generosity of our supporters. If you remember Vitalise in your Will, or make a donation, you will be helping us make a dierence to the lives of disabled people and carers for years to come.

TREATING PROSTATE CANCER QUESTIONS & ANSWERS For a FREE copy of this booklet please contact us at the address below.

This booklet has two aims: • to help you become better informed about prostate cancer and its treatment.

atting ea Tre Tr

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If you can help us by raising funds for our research or to make a donation please contact us at the address below.

Your support is vital!

To discuss your legacy gift to Vitalise, please call our Legacy Manager, Tony Parker, on 0303 303 0147 or email tparker@vitalise.org.uk

www.vitalise.org.uk Registered charity number 295072

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Prostate Cancer Research Centre • 67 Riding House Street • London • W1W 7EJ Tel: 020 7679 9366 • email info@prostate-cancer-research.org.uk • www.prostate-cancer-research.org.uk


Vitalise

Traditionally, respite is seen as something for the carer - a chance to get away and take a break from caring. But little thought is given to the needs of those they care for. People with disabilities need opportunities to take time away from the daily routine and enjoy a change of scene every bit as much as those who care for them.Vitalise understands this. Its philosophy takes into account the needs of people with disabilities and their carers in equal measure. This innovative approach to respite care sets Vitalise apart from most other care providers.

Vitalise provides activity-centred breaks in a holiday environment for people with disabilities and carers at three accessible UK centres around the UK in Chigwell in Essex, Southampton and Southport. Each centre provides 24-hour care on call from experienced nursing and care staff and the personal support and companionship of residential volunteers. The charity endeavours to provide a completely accessible, diverse and inclusive environment, with real independence, social inclusion - and fun.

couples coping with Alzheimer’s or dementia in their daily lives. The aim of these breaks is to provide an opportunity for such couples to spend quality time together - a place where they can rediscover a loving connection and shed the burdensome labels of carer and cared for, if only for a few days. An estimated six million disabled people in the UK exist below the poverty line. They struggle to meet the cost of their care and find statutory support for all but their most basic needs inadequate and difficult to access. Even though regular breaks are essential for their emotional and physical wellbeing, a great many disabled people and carers are forced by lack of funds to forego

– respite care with a difference Driven by the fundamental belief that people with disabilities are entitled to the same choices and opportunities that anyone else would expect in life,Vitalise attempts to give its guests the kind of opportunities that might be impossible for them to access by any other means. Providing subsidised short breaks with care is at the core of Vitalise’s activity. But what’s unique about Vitalise is that it provides freedom and choice as well. The charity’s breaks enable people with disabilities to take time out from their daily routine and enjoy an energising change of scene. Carefully selected activities and excursions, designed to stimulate and inspire, enable them to restore their ability to cope and face life’s challenges with renewed vigour. Carers also benefit from Vitalise’s breaks. The temporary relief from caring that Vitalise provides helps carers restore their ability to cope and reconnect with their loved ones. In addition to supporting people with physical disabilities, Vitalise also provides bespoke Alzheimer’s Weeks, which are devoted exclusively to

the opportunity to take a break, no matter how short. In its determination to ensure that nobody should have to miss out on the opportunity to take a break for financial reasons, Vitalise subsidises the cost of each break it provides through its own fundraising efforts. Despite the subsidies Vitalise offers, many people may still struggle to find the money to pay for their break. This is why the charity also offers discretionary funding through the Joan Brander Memorial Fund, named after Vitalise’s founding trustee. Nobody expresses the difference that Vitalise makes each day to people’s lives more eloquently than those who benefit from the breaks the charity provides breaks. This is what Vitalise guest Alex had to say: “There’s nowhere else I feel so relaxed, so cared for.The atmosphere is incredible. I become a different person when I’m here. I forget my wheelchair exists, I almost feel able-bodied for the week. My parents are pleased that I’m going places they could never take me. Until I found Vitalise they hadn’t been able to take a holiday. When I came here for the first time they went abroad for the first time in 15 years! Vitalise is a massive thing in my life. It recharges me to such an extent that I’m feeling the benefit of it for months. I come back thinking ‘I can survive’ and I’ve got another holiday to look forward to. For the small amount of time I’m here, I’m safe, I’m free, I’m human” For more information about Vitalise breaks, call 0303 303 0145, email info@vitalise.org.uk or visit www.vitalise.org.uk n RETIREMENT

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Vitalise - respite care with a difference

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or hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities and carers throughout the UK, a regular break from the daily routine can make the difference between coping and despair, between just existing - and really living. Yet the complexity and cost of organising even the shortest of breaks often presents an insurmountable barrier. That’s why, for thousands of people with disabilities and carers each year, Vitalise is a lifeline. The charity provides accessible, affordable breaks to those who so desperately need them.

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CARE AND COMPASSION: WHO IS RESPONSIBLE? In the wake of the Francis Report into care failings at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation and cases such as the Winterbourne View private hospital it is understandable that people seek to apportion blame. In a knee-jerk reaction to publication of the reports it was suggested that nurses should be more stringently monitored in order to achieve higher standards of patient care. However, these serious failings have occurred in a healthcare environment which is more heavily regulated than ever before.

Governments should learn from this that increased legislation does not always lead to a better outcome. It must be recognised that compassion cannot be placed into a hospital as though it were a tangible asset. What is necessary is to instil a culture in the organisation whereby each member of staff feels that they have a personal responsibility for the wellbeing of patients. This must reach beyond nursing and ward care to every department throughout

the hospital. Genuine compassion and consideration is more likely to be displayed to patients when staff understand that they are not merely employed to do a job, but all play a part in delivering high quality care to patients whether involved in nursing, cleaning, catering or administration. This can only be achieved by example and wise managements recognise that treating colleagues with respect and consideration, even when under pressure, will be reflected in the way in which the service is delivered to patients. Instilling a true sense of care and consideration in any organisation is not something which can be achieved overnight. Unfortunately, time is not a virtue which is offered in spades to politicians and NHS managers, who are under constant pressure to deliver immediate results. Press coverage of gagging clauses and whistleblowers in our health service organisations only serve to illustrate the extent of the problem. The very phrase ‘whistleblowers’ charter’ suggests

an environment where nothing is done until things reach such a stage that individuals feel they can no longer remain silent. It is of course desirable that people who draw attention to important failings should not be punished for their efforts, but whistleblowers’ charters will be meaningless unless the culture that they seek to promote is instilled into the organisation from the very top to the very bottom.

St. Anthony’s Hospital in North Cheam and its sister organisation St. Raphael’s Hospice, have a reputation for providing exemplary levels of patient-centred care for the last 109 years. Owned by a Roman Catholic order of nuns and operating as an independent organisation, the hospital aims to focus on the needs of the patient. For further information visit www.stanthonys.org.uk Advertisement feature

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We specialise in complex cardiac cases, orthopaedics, urology, vascular, breast and colorectal cancer surgery – and in the dedicated, compassionate care of the individual. St. Anthony’s has been established at North Cheam for over 100 years. The only independent hospital in the area to provide full intensive care, it offers a safe and secure setting for complex and routine surgery. For more information please call our Helpline

020 8335 4646 St Anthony’s Hospital, North Cheam, Surrey SM3 9DW Registered Charity no: 1068661

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a gReat Way to fight PoveRty fRom caRe inteRnational uK anD the co-oPeRative

Analyn’s small shop will prov ide an income for her young family

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Whose life Will you change With an investment of just £15? at caRe international, we know that sometimes, all people need is a little investment to change their lives forever. That’s why we’ve set up this revolutionary new way to help some of the world’s poorest people. It’s called lendwithcare – and instead of giving a donation, you can lend from just £15 to fund a fledgling business. Analyn Abarico and Jose Armijos are just two of the people you could help to work their way out of poverty when you make a loan through lendwithcare.org.

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CARE International UK. Registered charity no 292506. CARE, 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP The loan status and amounts required were correct at the time of creating this advertisement.

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Time to Dig Out Those Old Photos

from this...

Now that you can look forward to a bit more free time, you can finally turn your attention to those old photos and videos that have been accumulating for the last 50 years. The best way to start is to buy a Memory Library ScanShare package which includes a substantial box for the photos and courier delivery to us and back to you. We will clean and improve the images, using our Digital Ice process, and give them back to you on DVD. We also load them onto you own personal web page, to enable you to view and share these with all the family.

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Win one of two pairs of top price tickets to see The Ladykillers!

stumped but Mrs Wilberforce becomes wise to their ruse and Marcus concludes that there is only one way to keep the old lady quiet. With only her parrot, General Gordon, to help her, Mrs W. is alone with five desperate men. But who will be forced to face the music?

The award-winning comedy THE LADYKILLERS returns to London this summer at The Vaudeville Theatre. THE LADYKILLERS (WhatsOnStage.com Awards Best New Comedy) written by Graham Linehan (Father Ted) and directed by Sean Foley (The Play What I Wrote) tells the classic black comedy tale of a sweet little old lady, alone in her house, pitted against a gang of criminal misfits who will stop at nothing.... Featuring a stellar cast of some of the finest stage and screen comedy actors including, Simon Day (The Fast Show), Ralf Little (The Royle Family), Olivier Award winners Con O’Neill and John Gordon Sinclair, Chris McCalphy, and Angela Thorne (To The Manor Born) as the sweetly innocent Mrs Wilberforce. Posing as amateur musicians, Professor Marcus and his gang rent rooms in the lopsided house of sweet but strict Mrs Wilberforce. The villains plot to involve her unwittingly in Marcus’ brilliantly conceived heist job. The police are left Peter Backhouse

Afternoon Tea on a Steam Train

Win Afternoon Tea on a Steam Train at the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway near Edinburgh for you and up to three friends. The friendly staff will look after you on a nostalgic journey on a steam train along the shore of the River Forth. Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea of freshly made sandwiches, cakes and homemade scones with clotted cream and a pot of coffee or tea on a wonderfully restored steam train. More information can be found about this delicious treat on their website www.bkrailway.co.uk. For a chance to win send in your details, quoting ref. AT Closing date: 29 July 2013

Vaudeville Theatre. Box Office: 0844 412 4663 Opens: 29 June 2013 For a chance to win send in your details, quoting ref. TL. Closing date: 19 July 2013

Win one of five pairs of tickets to Lowry and the Painting of Modern Life at Tate Britain.

This summer, Tate Britain presents a major exhibition of landscapes by British painter L S Lowry the first show held by a public institution in London since the artist’s death. Bringing together around eighty works, this show aims to re-assess Lowry’s contribution as part of a wider LS Lowry Industrial Landscape 1955 Tate © art history and to argue for his The estate of LS Lowry achievement as Britain’s pre-eminent painter of the industrial city. Lowry’s most frequent subjects were drawn from the streets he walked daily whilst working as a rent collector, subjects such as football matches, protest marches, evictions and fist-fights and workers going to and from the mill. But above all Lowry was a landscape painter and wished to show what the industrial revolution had made of the world. Without his pictures, Britain would arguably lack an account in paint of the experiences of the 20th-century working class. Lowry and the Painting of Modern Life is showing at Tate Britain from 26 June – 20 October 2013 www.tate.org.uk Terms and conditions apply. Competition tickets are valid from 26 June 6 October 2013. Subject to availability. No refunds allowed.

For a chance to win send in your details, quoting ref. TB Closing date 29 July 2013.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

ROBOT & FRANK A heartfelt, charming comedy about an unusual friendship that will make you laugh, make you think and break your heart, Robot & Frank is released on Blu-ray, DVD and to download on 15 July. Experience a sincere and delightful story of how one man’s reluctance towards technology, can blossom into a lifealtering partnership that brings his whole family closer together. Jake Schreier’s critically acclaimed directorial debut, with a stellar Hollywood cast, including a Frank Langella, Susan Sarandon, James Marsden, and Liv Tyler, Peter Sarsgaard as the voice of the Robot. We have 3 copies of the DVD to giveaway. For a chance to win send in your details , quoting ref. RF Closing date 29 July 2013

Name Address

Have Retirement Today posted direct to your door so you never miss an issue

Special Send you name and address Offer together with a cheque for £14.99 to: Subscriptions Department, 12 issues inc p&p) Amra Media Solutions, The Old Lavender Mill, 46a Brook Street, Aston Clinton, Buckinghamshire, HP22 5ES

£14.99

Subscriptions

©

Terms and conditions apply. Prize is valid on all Mon-Fri performances until 30 August 2013. All prizes are subject to availability. Prize is as stated and cannot be transferred or exchanged. No cash alternative will be offered.

Competitions

COMPETITIONS

For a chance to win any of the prizes, send your name and address (quoting reference code) to: Amra Media Solutions, The Old Lavender Mill, 46a Brook Street, Aston Clinton, Bucks, HP22 5ES or email: info@amramedia.co.uk

Post code email

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Don’t sit on the side, take part in our diabetes trials We want to improve the lives of people with diabetes but we need your help. As a world leader in diabetes care, Novo Nordisk are looking for people who would like to help make a difference by taking part in diabetes research. By participating in our clinical trials, you could help us to develop medicines that may benefit you and others like you. You may also get access to potential future treatments and learn more about your condition.

To find out more, call free now on

0800 077 6755 or go online www.changingdiabetesresearch.co.uk Together we can change the future of diabetes.

Changing DiabetesÂŽ is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk

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Date of Preparation: January 2013: UK/DB/0113/0020


I

Perfect Stay

f you are after an idyllic break in affordable luxury then look no further than the Loch Melfort Hotel, emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. on the isolated Argyll coast, Dishes to savour include Loch Fyne 30 minutes from Oban. With Langoustines, Roast Rack of Argyll Hill breathtaking sea views and bracing Lamb and Roast South Minch Monk Fish. coastal walks this remote hotel ticks For those who prefer a more informal all the boxes for a perfect break. setting there is also a bistro attached. Although Loch Melfort has a 3* rating, Readers familiar with my reviews know it is definitely a hotel that deserves higher that a freshly cooked breakfast is top of accolades. A historic building that was once my list of must haves, Loch Melfort again the home of J Arthur Campbell, with the doesn’t disappoint with a wide range spectacular National Trust of Scotland of options. A special mention must go Arduaine Gardens on the doorstep. The to the staff, who are warm and friendly gardens are glorious at any time of the but extremely professional, a winning year, but Spring is the time to see them at their finest. The interior of the hotel exemplifies warmth and comfort. A log fire burns, family portraits of the house’s original owners are dotted throughout, with comfortable areas for chilling and taking time to admire magnificent views across the bay to the islands of Islay and Jura or watch the hotels own highland cattle meandering by. Loch Melfort has an award winning AA 2 Rosette Restaurant where fine dining is to Contact be savoured. There is both an A La Carte Retirement Today 1-2 page 05-2013_Layout 1 15/05/2013 17:20 Page 1 www.lochmelfort.co.uk Menu and Table d’hote Menu, with an

combination! Bedrooms are spacious each with a unique style and some with balconies. What better way to finish off a meal than returning to a room with a view, a good malt, to enjoy one of the most stunning coastlines in Scotland. Unfortunately time didn’t allow us to explore everything that this stunning area of Scotland has to offer and all too soon our visit had to end. Many guests we met were staying for a special occasion, others had returned after previous visits and it is not hard to see why. This is a hotel that doesn’t disappoint, providing a commitment to guest welfare combined with unrivalled luxury making each stay a unique and special treat n

LEARN ABOUT and be INSPIRED by THE OUTDOORS A range of day and short residential courses to help you discover and enjoy the natural world. Walking, Photography, Wildlife & Arts courses l Stunning locations across the UK l Meet like-minded people l Comfortable sole occupancy accommodation

Perfect stay

l

Call: 0845 345 4071 Visit: www.field-studies-council.org/discover-something-new RETIREMENT

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Creative spaces – space to create

space to create

Creative Spaces

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Sheds make fantastic creative spaces where we can be imaginative, original, inventive and purposeful, without any outside interference – places in which to pursue pleasures and pastimes such as music making, writing a novel or throwing pots. Much of our daily life is about routine or responsibility, so it is a great treat to be able to design and create a space where we can really let go and be ourselves. Garden sheds have long been a place of inspiration for artists, musicians and writers. From inventor Trevor Bayliss, tinkering away on his wind-up radios, to Benjamin Britten composing masterpieces, many of history’s most talented people found inspiration and innovation at the bottom of their gardens. Dylan Thomas, Roald Dahl, Louis de Bernières, Rudyard Kipling, Philip Pullman, Agatha Christie, Arthur Miller and Charles Dickens all penned bestselling novels from their huts, while Harley and Davidson created their first motorcycle in a backyard shed. Sheds have even captured the imagination of a famous museum. London’s Victoria and Albert Museum recently brought together a group of contemporary artists and designers to transform ten garden sheds into creative and conceptual spaces. Unlike houses, sheds offer us the chance to build a creative room from scratch – one that can be as noisy, messy and chaotic as we please. All manner of joyful activities can take place in a shed – music, photography, art, woodwork, pottery, stained glass, flower arranging, collecting, model building … anything we like, really. We can glue, stick, draw, cut, scratch, scrape, mould, spray and sprinkle to our heart’s content. And, when we

are finished for the day, we can simply down tools and wander back up the garden path to civilization. Perfect. But how do you go about making a creative space? Much will depend on the nature of your hobby or interest, but there are some general rules to follow if you want to make the most of your shed. Consider the location, size and structure of your shed, where and how you will work inside, and suitable storage options, as well as lighting and creating the right atmosphere for your particular creative pursuit.

LOCATION You need to make a space that supports your creativity. To do that, your shed should offer you lots of stimulation without too many distractions. A painter might want to make the most of any garden views, for example. Noisy hobbies such as metalwork need to be located away from neighbours, while pastimes that use lots of heavy or cumbersome materials should be located near a convenient access point for deliveries. If you are planning to store a lot of valuable items in your shed, this can dictate your choice of location – perhaps closer to the house, or away from any natural screening such as trees and shrubs within the garden. Additional outdoor security lighting is a good idea. Quiet pursuits, such as writing. painting or composing, which require maximum concentration and

minimum disturbance, will almost certainly need an isolated spot in the garden, away from the hustle and bustle of domestic life, and protected from intrusive noise. A shed on stilts may be appropriate in a sloping garden or site. This option also works when a shed is to be used as a children’s playroom, as it leaves space beneath the structure for playing games and outdoor toys.

SIZE AND STRUCTURE Think about the size of the creative space you need. Does your hobby require a large floor area or tall ceilings? Does the shed floor need reinforcing? Certain activities, such as woodworking or sculpture, often need generous working space, while artists and photographers can pursue their interests with little more than a small seating area. Do you want the flexibility to be able to leave work ’in progress’, or will you have to pack everything away and clean up every time? Think, too, about how much natural light is necessary and how the nature of that light will be affected by the time of year and the climate in which you live. Depending on the quality and intensity of natural light you want, you can orient the position of your shed to gain the most benefit from the sun’s path through the sky. You may need French windows, sliding glass doors or skylights, to maximize light – and to allow easy transport of bulky materials. Inside, natural light can be reflected throughout your creative space by using light paint colours, mirrors and light window treatments. Creative spaces need to be constructed from materials that


CREATIVE WORKING Many crafts and hobbies need a workbench, where tools, supplies and equipment can be safely stored and used. As the bench will be a working surface, too, it is important to keep all your tools and equipment stored within reach on the wall at the back of the workbench or in handy drawers underneath. Clear labelling and a logical storage system will go a long way towards keeping it all in order. Being organized actually helps most people be creative – if you have to spend too long scrabbling around for the right brush, pen or tool, motivation soon vanishes. If you do not need a workbench, think about the kind of work surface you do need. Would a desk, drawing board, easel, sewing table or trestle table be more useful? What about working on the floor or utilizing the walls or ceiling? Can you simply work from a chair or a daybed, futon or beanbag?

STORAGE Creative spaces benefit from good storage for materials and equipment. Think about the scale and type of materials you need to store. In a small space such as a shed, you need to make your storage count. As well as the usual options such as shelves, cupboards and drawers, think about storing items in unusual places such as the ceiling void or the space above the door. Furniture such as benches, trunks and coffee tables that double up as storage are another useful option. And make use of reclaimed furniture such as freestanding glassfronted display cabinets for fabric scraps, electrical equipment or fragile artwork. Don’t be afraid to hang tools and equipment from the walls, or to use Shaker-style peg rails, which can hold bags, clothing, mirrors and even chairs. Simple hooks and racks also make great shed storage, especially for items you need to have close to hand. A shelf perched above them will provide additional storage. Cardboard boxes, plastic tubs, baskets and bags all add to your options, and can be part of a display wall as well as a storage solution. Have fun being inventive, and ideas will start to flow as you play with the space n

Creative spaces – space to create

are suitable for the activity within. Soundproofing is a good idea for a home music studio, while fireproof considerations come into play if you plan on using a blowtorch for pursuits such as stained-glass making. Messy activities may need a more robust shed than usual. Are you going to be able to clean up easily? Wipeclean surfaces, durable materials and tough, sturdy furniture last much longer than traditional domestic tables and chairs under these conditions. Even with careful forward planning, you may still discover that you need to modify your shed as time goes by – sometimes you can only discover what makes an effective creative space by spending time in it.

An extract from Shed Chic by Sally Coulthard, published by Jacqui Small Readers can order Shed Chic at the special price of £20 (rrp.£25) with free p&p. To order please call 01903 828503 quoting ref JS 224. RETIREMENT

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Making a Difference…

LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR

With supported housing, nursing and dementia care, the Church of England Pensions Board provides security and peace of mind in retirement to those who have given their lives towards helping others in the name of Christ, including Clergy Widows and Licensed Lay Workers. We rely on donations and legacies to continue this much needed work.

PLEASE HELP US IN ANY WAY YOU CAN

Thank you

The Church of England Pensions Board (RT) FREEPOST 898, LONDON SW1P 3YS Tel: 0207 898 1808

LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR

Superior Provincial, 2a Meadow Road, London SW8 1QH Tel: 020 7735 0788 Fax: 020 7582 0973 Email: mp.lond@lsplondon.co.uk www.lsplondon.co.uk Online donation gratefully accepted

Web: www.cepb.org.uk/appeals Email: cepbappeals@churchofengland.org Registered Charity Number: 236627

Registered Charity No. 234434

For 200 years , The National Benevolent Charity has been a lifeline to people who have fallen into poverty and distress and who have nowhere else to turn. People like nurse Leah, 58, and her artist husband David, 63.

They

wanted a happy retirement together but Leah became crippled with arthritis and cannot walk. David is dedicated to his wife and cares for her full time. But, the loss of earned income has been devastating, and they are poverty-stricken. Despite state benefits, sickness, disability and old age can still mean a life of awful hardship. For Leah and David and hundreds like them, The National Benevolent Charity can help.

Please support the 1812-2012 Bi-Centenary Appeal Donations should be sent to:

The National Benevolent Charity Peter Hervé House, Eccles Court, Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8EH For more info visit www. t h e n b c . o r g . u k or telephone 01666 505500 Patron: HRH The Prince of Wales Registered Charity Number 212450

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The Little Sisters of the Poor is a Congregation of religious sisters dedicated to the service of the elderly of modest means, regardless of nationality or creed. Founded in France in 1839 by Jeanne Jugan, established in Britain in 1851, our work is today carried out among the elderly in thirty-one countries on five continents, with 17 Homes throughout England, Ireland and Scotland. In providing total care we believe in enabling Residents to fulfil their physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs. We have at heart to recognise their dignity, desire of being respected, esteemed and loved and their longing to feel themselves useful. With your help we wish to respond to their need for companionship, security in health as in sickness, until death, in a family atmosphere. We really do count on you for support to enable us to continue our care of the elderly. We greatly appreciate DONATIONS – GIFT AID – LEGACIES


Charity N E W S

Care Home Pampering A globetrotting fundraising teddy bear recently embarked on a walk to raise funds for Bield’s Care Home at Gillie Court, Dunfermline. On Sunday 17th March the fundraising mascot, Hamish Haggis, together with his owners Dunfermline Liberal Democrat Councillor, Joe Rosiejak and his wife Dorothy, walked from Gillie Court, then cycled over the Forth Road Bridge and back, arriving back at the Care Home on foot. Funds raised will go towards setting up a pamper room at Gillie Court. Dorothy, who volunteers at Gillie Court and whose mother is a resident there, said: “We have been all over the world with Hamish to raise funds for worthy causes so it is an honour to be involved in raising money for Gillie Court as they have provided such excellent care for my mother.” “The proposed pamper room will allow the residents and service users to have a dedicated relaxation area which will be tremendously beneficial to all involved.” Hamish has participated in over 100 fundraising walks in support of a variety of causes all over the world including Cancer Research and Marie Curie. Bield is Scotland’s leading provider of housing, care and community services for older people. www.bield.co.uk

A Truly Worldwide Veterinary Service

Dorset based animal welfare charity celebrates it’s 10th Anniversary. The Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) was registered as a charity in 2003 and is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. WVS supplies veterinary aid to animal welfare charities and non-profit organisations all over the world. Providing vital veterinary aid in the form of volunteer teams, veterinary equipment, drugs and advice, WVS is a lifesaving resource that would otherwise be unavailable. Operating out of a small office in the rural village of Cranborne, on the edge of the New Forest, the charity has established itself as a global veterinary resource supporting over 500 charities, in over 100 countries. A major element of WVS’ work is to send veterinary aid parcels to charities in need and in the past 10 years, a massive £1.3m worth of aid has been sent. Combine this with the constant flow of WVS volunteers working all around the world, who have treated over 70,000 animals and WVS is set to become one of the major animal welfare charities in the UK. For more information on WVS and how you can support them please visit www.wvs.org.uk or email info@wvs.org.uk or call 01725 551123

Royal badge of honour for chss volunteers! Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s volunteers were awarded a commemorative royal badge of honour during National Volunteers Week in June to mark the charity’s achievement of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award. This prestigious award was granted to only three organisations in Scotland and is a wonderful tribute to the enormous contribution the volunteers make to the charity’s work.

Many CHSS volunteers offer their services after retirement and the charity finds that these older volunteers have a huge amount to offer in terms of energy, experience and general life skills which makes their contribution particularly valuable. There are also personal benefits. As well as being fulfilling and enjoyable, research has shown that volunteering is actually good for your health. It helps beat stress and keeping physically and mentally active can often improve your state of mind. Their volunteers certainly make a great contribution to the lives of people in Scotland with chest, heart and stroke illness and additional volunteers would enable them to do even more. If you would like to join their friendly team, have fun and make a real difference in your local community then please give them a call on 0800 169 5139 or visit their website at www.chss.org.uk. There is also a CHSS Advice Line offering confidential information and advice on all aspects of chest, heart and stroke illness on: 0845 077 6000 RETIREMENT

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Charity News

CHSS’s volunteers across Scotland give more than 135,000 hours of their time each year to support their local community and raise funds. There are volunteers supporting people who have had a stroke, befriending volunteers, charity shop and fundraising volunteers.

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Britain’s BIGGEST

EXHIBITION

for the ACTIVE

over-50s!

LONDON OLYMPIA Thurs-Sat 11-13 JULY 2013 Opening times: 9.30am - 4.30pm GLASGOW SECC

Thurs-Sat 7-9 NOV 2013 NEC BIRMINGHAM

Fri-Sat 6-7 DEC 2013

Features: • Cookery demonstrations • Seminars & information • Financial tips & advice • Park & holiday homes • Have-a-go dancing • Health checks • Motor zone (London) • Craft zone • Climbing wall • Beauty zone • Gardening • Fashion shows • Keep fit sessions • Prize quiz • Music & entertainment • FREE 50+ Show Magazine and visitor bag while stocks last!

Pre-register for FREE today!

3 ways to register: 1. Register online via www.50plusShow.com 2. Call the free ticket hotline on 01372 8409 63 or 68 3. On-site Registration* (*On-the-door is £10 without on-site registration)

www.50plusShow.com For exhibiting enquiries, call 01372 743 837


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