Senior Times Magazine

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Issue 78 Nov./Dec. 2015 E3.95 (£3.20)

The magazine for people who don’t act their age

Time traveller Michael Palin talks exclusively to Senior Times

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Issue 78 November/December 2015

Contents

6

52

90

News:

2

Creative writing:

Time traveller:

6

Eileen Casey profiles artists Paul Bewicke who has recently celebrated her 80th birthday

Nigel Baxter talks to Michael Palin Paris..but not as you know it:

12

Engaging ageing:

Claire Bourke offers a guide to the French capital’s lesser

Dublin City University is at the forefront of research

known places of interest

Tunesome twosome:

Derby winner:

22

the Derbyshire Dales 30

What’s on in the arts:

76

Age no barrier to wage:

90

Dermot Gilleece traces the life and times of one of

offer this year

golf’s all-time greats

Home security:

34

The rise and rise of two bakers:

Back to (cookery) school:

42

Maretta Dillon meets two enterprising go-getters who

cookery school 48

UCD Institute of Food and Health Centre of Excellence is looking for volunteers Pat Keenan loved the food, the people and sites in the

52

Northern notes:

102

Meeting place:

110

Crossword:

118

Crafts:

120

‘heel’ of Italy Publishing Directors: Brian McCabe, Des Duggan Editorial Director: John Low Editor At Large: Shay Healy Consultant Editor: Jim Collier Advertising: Willie Fallon Design & Production: www.cornerhouse.ie Contributors: Lorna Hogg, Dermot Gilleece, Maretta Dillon, Jim Collier, Peter Power, Matthew Hughes, Mairead Robinson, Eileen Casey, Debbie Orme, Connie McEvoy

96

successfully changed direction

Mairead Robinson enrolled in the Cooks Academy

In praise of Puglia:

72

Shay Healy caught up with Frances Black and

Lorna Hogg looks at Christmas markets packages on

Leading the way in healthy ageing research:

70

Kieran Goss before they embarked on a nationwide tour

Lorna Hogg finds plenty to interest in the city of Derby and Markets magic:

60

Published by S& L Promotions Ltd., Unit 1, 15 Oxford Lane, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 Tel: +353 (01) 4969028.

Fax: +353 (01) 4068229 Editorial: John@slp.ie Advertising: brian@slp.ie Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

News Now Labour ‘ determined to ensure’ that older people feel the recovery.

As the economic recovery ‘becomes more widespread’ around the country, Labour, according to a statemernt from the party, ‘ is determined to make sure that older people are fully part of that recovery. The Statement of Government Priorities 2014-16, agreed by Tánaiste Joan Burton, specifically acknowledged the huge and vital contribution that older people make to our communities and our country.

‘Labour ensured that vital measures to support older people were protected and maintained even during the most difficult economic circumstances. This includes the State Pension and the free travel pass and TV license.

‘Last year, the emerging recovery allowed us to begin to restore living standards for older people, families and workers under Budget 2015. Labour in government, for example, prioritised the extension of GP coverage to people over 70. This is an important milestone in the rollout of universal primary care. It is also a key part of Labour’s agenda to help keep people well in their own communities. The successful rollout of free GP

Healthwave opens in Galway

Shane O’Sullivan, pharmacist and founder of Healthwave at the opening of the Galway store. Photo Mike Shaughnessy.

Healthwave, the Irish pharmacy claiming to offer up to 90% savings on prescription medications, has opened a store in Galway. The low price pharmacy ‘provides transparent pricing and universal access’ to affordable medication.

care for the Over 70s this summer, means that nearly 40,000 extra people over 70 will now not have to worry about the cost of seeing a doctor.

In total, over 2.1 million people in 2015 will have a medical or GP visit card.

‘This year also saw the first increase in the Living Alone Allowance since 1996. This increase will help provide a greater level of income for over 177,000 people at an annual cost of €12 million. In addition, the 25% restoration of the Christmas bonus for all social welfare recipients including pensioners provides additional income support at a time of year of greater financial strain. But, Labour in government is determined to also ensure that the everyday quality of life for senior citizens in their own community is improved. That’s why we secured investment of €133 million in community programmes, including €46million for the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme and €45 million for LEADER. This includes funding for senior alerts, which supports the provision of monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their own homes.

We have also restarted recruiting new Gardai for the first time since 2009. There will be 550 extra Gardai at work in communities around Ireland by the end of the year, as well as the rolling out of 370 new Garda vehicles as well as specialised Garda deployment vehicles.

‘More than 120,000 new jobs have now been created since the peak of the crisis in 2012. Older people have made a huge contribution to the economic recovery over recent years, in many cases they have supported adult children and their families through the worst of the crisis. As a result of the ongoing recovery, the 0.6% Pension Levy ended in 2014 and the additional 0.15% levy will expire at the end of 2015.

‘Last year, we began the process of social recovery and of restoring living standards. We have the potential to do so much more over the next five years. Labour in government wants to drive a social, cultural and community renewal with older people at its heart and with greater investment in key public services’.

Report identifies top Dublin ‘energy poverty’ areas A new report by Dublin’s energy agency Codema has identified the top 10 areas most at risk of energy poverty in the city, with sections of the inner city and parts of Cabra, Finglas and Ballyfermot highlighted as some of the areas worst affected.

The Dublin City Spatial Energy Demand Analysis analysed over 200,000 dwellings in the city and used three key factors – the cost of energy, unemployment levels and the energy rating of homes in the city – to map these results and identify areas most at risk of energy poverty.

Parts of Ballybough and Coolock were also included on the list.

The 865 households located in these areas have a typical Building Energy Rating (BER) of E1 and

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on average would need to spend almost €2,000 a year to heat and power their homes sufficiently.

The numbers of people who are unemployed or unable to work are also higher in these areas compared to other parts of the city, meaning that these households are most at risk of not being able to heat or power their homes to an adequate degree when all factors are taken into account.

The areas (not in any order) are: Cromcastle area of Coolock, Cappagh Road area of Finglas, Decies / Muskerry Road area of Ballyfermot, Landen / Lally Road area of Ballyfermot, sections of Blackhorse Avenue, Dublin 7, Belvidere Avenue area of Ballybough, Ventry Park area of Cabra West, Arran Quay, Sherrard Avenue area of Ballybough, Cabra Road area of Cabra.

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At the launch from left: An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, Don Morgan, Rob Morgan, Ben Morgan and Omar Ishrak, Medtronic, CEO

Irish Heart Foundation and Medtronic launch free national blood pressure roadshow The Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) has warned that hundreds of thousands of adults in Ireland are not aware that they have high blood pressure and run the risk of a heart attack or a stroke unless they get it checked.

The warning came as the organisation launched its Free National Blood Pressure Roadshow with the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD and Medtronic CEO, Omar Ishrak. The

Roadshow is being rolled out across the country with the support of Medtronic, a global leader in medical technology.

to arteries, heart and kidneys without a person’s knowledge, it often fails to get any attention as it can be silent and symptomless.

According to the national charity which fights heart disease and stroke, many adults react to health symptoms such as flu, back ache or toothache. But when it comes to high blood pressure, which is known as the ‘silent killer’ because it can cause serious internal damage

Sons of the late Father Ted star Dermot Morgan, Don, Rob and Ben, were also on hand to launch the Roadshow, which will visit 45 locations across the country over the coming weeks.

The Limerick Older Peoples Council at its first meeting

A key objective of the Age Friendly Limerick Strategy 2015-2020 was delivered recently when the Limerick Older People’s Council held its inaugural meeting at County Hall in Dooradoyle.

Comprising 36 members drawn from Active Retirement and Senior Citizen Groups, Probus Groups and the Limerick Seniors Forum, the Older People’s Council has been established to become the voice of Limerick’s older people ensuring they are involved in decisions that affect their lives.

The forum has been set up by Limerick City & County Council as part of its commitment under the Strategy.

Figures from the Central Statistic Office show that while the population of Limerick grew by

3.4% (3,187 people) between 2006 and 2011, the number of people aged between 55 and 85 years increased by 13.4%. Furthermore, the average age of a person living in Limerick in 2006 was 35.6 years of age in 2006 compared to 36.5 years of age just five years later.

Guide to pet friendly attractions Increasingly dog lovers are more and more unhappy leaving their much loved companions behind when travelling. The result is more and more people wanting to bring their dog with them on breaks.

The challenge is that ‘pet friendly’ often means very different things in different places.

The problem is the reality often fails to match the marketing, with unhappy pet owners and stressed dogs. It can be very difficult to get accurate, up-to- date information information, specifically as to what pet friendly / dogs’ welcome’ really means and what restrictions, if any, apply. To make it even more difficult, many hotel websites give no details of their pet policies.

WoofAdvisor provides comprehensive listings of pet friendly accommodation, destinations, dog-friendly amenities (beaches, parks), and pet services (vets, doggie day care).

The rollout of the Limerick Age Friendly Programme is being overseen by the Limerick Age Friendly Alliance, which comprises representatives from Limerick City and County Council, An Garda Síochána, the HSE, local academic institutions and voluntary organisations from across Limerick.

WoofAdvisor helps you plan your trip around your pet and his/her needs: from finding / checking out the premises in terms of petspecific reviews / pet policies, what you need to bring, to what amenities and facilities are available for your dog in the vicinity of your final destination.

For further information contact:

Visit: www.WoofAdvisor.com How it Works video: www.youtube.com/ watch?v=dzv574QZZEA Facebook: www.facebook.com/ WoofAdvisor

The Community Section, Limerick City & County Council, Tel. 061 407 155 or email customerservices@limerick.ie .

4 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

Profile

Time traveller Nigel Baxter talks to Michael Palin about Python days and his endless travels, ahead of his three Irish shows later this month

You might recall how, at some stage over the past 50 odd years, you took a journey with Michael Palin. Arguably, the journey has never really stopped.

From Pole To Pole, around the New Europe, across the great oceans and up to the Himalayas, he’s been there, and before all that

there was the small matter of Monty Python and the holy grail and The Life of Brian and God knows what else. He’s been a fixture in our lives, and a welcome one. As he says himself: ‘I’ve been incredibly lucky.’

Michael’s seemingly endless travels bring him back to Ireland at the end of this month for The

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Thirty Years Tour, a stage show to mark the publication in paperback of his third and most recent volume of diaries, Travelling To Work, which covers the years 1988 to 1998. The show will have Michael, aided by archive footage, photographs and recordings, casting a long look back at what has been a truly remarkable life.

A BETTER FUTURE

FOR OLDER PEOPLE

a few years he had married wife Helen, met Terry Jones, a future Monthy Python partner, and was working for the Frost Report.

After all that, the graph just kept going up and up. By 1969 the first Python series was aired as the group became the Beatles of alternative comedy. Michael wrote and starred in the Python films which have become cornerstones of modern popular culture, then later we had his brilliant turn in A Fish Called Wanda, and then he turned himself into the David Attenborough of travel programmes.

I joke to Michael (he laughed; he didn’t have to but he did) that when I looked up the ‘long’ version of his CV, printed on his website, it took me most of the night. ‘Sorry about that,’ he chuckles, but my comment wasn’t entirely tongue in cheek. Now aged 72, he seems to have lived three lives. Born in Sheffield in 1943, his first stage appearance while at school resulted in him falling off stage. Chances are it got a laugh, and by the time he’d wended his way to university at Brasenose College Oxford, he was a regular thespian. At college he began writing comedy while reading history. Within

It’s mind boggling, so it’s not surprising to hear that he’s happy with the way it all turned out.

‘There are moments where I could say my career could have gone more towards acting, I could have gone on to being a more ‘regular’ performer, but then I think, well, what has enriched my life is going off in all sorts of directions,’ he says. ‘Some of them have been cul -de-sacs, but not many.’

Recent diaries The most recent diaries begin at a time when Michael was about to embark on one of his most famous journeys, Around the World in 80

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Days. It became a TV classic, but it’s remarkable now to consider that at least four people had turned it down before the opportunity landed on Michael’s desk. When he says ‘I’ve never regretted it’, it’s a stylish understatement.

The show perfected the template: Michael as an engaged, humane and always interested travel companion for the viewers at home.

Looking back, he says people responded to seeing other people from different parts of the world but broadly living similar lives. ‘When we did the series we talked to people doing their everyday things, rather than trying to put a perspective on it, of experts talking about global warming’ he says. ‘It was really just about the people you find out there, whose lives can be just a daily grind like our own.’

Before that series he had made a programme about the Derry to Kerry train journey, something that allowed him to seek out i nformation about his Irish-born great-grandmother. He says now that it is his family that imbued him with a work ethic which has stood him in good stead over the decades - even if it meant he ultimately parted from the script his parents had written for him.

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‘My mother and father always had the virtue of work and doing things and being involved in things,’ he says, ‘but I think it was partly due to the fact that I didn’t fall into what my father perhaps hoped I would, which was some professional job, I don’t know, whatever.

I bluffed my way through university doing comedy and writing comedy material and then we got our first job in the Frost Report, and it was always a series of just bluffing my way through, saying ‘I’m sure we can write this up, I’m sure we can do this. There were no clear parameters.’.

He talks about the enduring ‘fear of the freelance’ and of getting to the stage where, in most areas of his working life, he doesn’t feel the need to be so competitive any more. Novel writing - he has already penned two - is the one area in which he still feels a drive to match and beat what else is out there.

He prefers to keep looking forward, whether it’s from the Python reunion mega-shows or his own trip down memory lane.

‘I’ve had a fairly long life now in the business, getting on for 50 years, so there is an awful lot of material from the past that people want to know about,’ he says. ‘So if you’re not very

Michael Palin with wife Helen

careful you’ll spend most of your time talking about things you’ve done rather than concentrating on something new. So that’s why I’m quite enjoying doing this series of shows for the book and that will give me a chance to talk about that in my own way, talk with the audience, hopefully get their reactions, and then I can leave that and get on with something new.’

It promises to be a few evenings of glowing reflection, spent in the company of someone whose hugely likable screen persona seems to match the man in real life. ‘I don’t feel I have got to retirement age,’ he says in words that should inspire anyone of similar vintage. ‘When I was 65 I didn’t feel ‘well, that’s it, I’ll put my feet up’. Absolutely not. There is more and more to do.’.

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Michael Palin’s The Thirty Years Tour will play at the Cork Opera House on October 28, Dublin’s Olympia Theatre on October 29 and Belfast’s Waterfront Hall on October 30.

Travelling To Work is published by Wiedenfeld & Nicolson.

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Travel

Claire Bourke, who has lived in the French capital for some years, offers a guide to some of its lesser known attractions, centering on her adopted area, Monmartre

Paris..but not as you know it Square Suzanne Buisson : Most tourists never hear of this square or even see it.

The rooftop terrace at the hidden gem that is the Terrass Hotel

Monmartre is like a little Paris within Paris, and is Paris’ famous artistic neighbourhood. Forgo the touristic spots, get away from the ‘Amelie’ strip, and discover some secret gems only known to locals. Mingle with Parisians in bustling food markets, visit the small streets that are a reminder that Montmartre was once quiet countryside and discover a hotel-top bar to watch the sun set over the Eiffel Tower..

Enquire when making your hotel booking about arranging a shuttle bus service from the airport direct to your hotel, or consult the many companies online (www.supershuttle.com, www.airport-shuttle.com/, www.parisshuttleservice.com).

Stay off the beaten track in Terrass (www.terrass-hotel.com) 182, 12-14 Rue Joseph de Maistre). The hotel has been around for more than a century and was refurbished entirely in 2015.

The Terrass hotel is a hidden gem: great location (within walking distance of sights like the Sacre-Coeur, Place Tertre, Montmartre Cemetery and the Saint Ouen Flea Market), and fabulous views from its rooftop terrace of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, perfect after a day’s sightseeing. Room Tip: Request a large room rather than a room with a view. The big rooms have stylish bathtubs.

Since early times Montmartre has always been a place of worship: from the Gallic Druids and the Romans with their temples honouring Mars and Mercury, to the oldest church in Paris, L’Eglise Saint-Pierre, and finally, the Sacré Coeur Basilica which was built during the 19th century. An inspiring and rare way to discover this lesser known facet of the hill’s soul would be spending a night in the Maison d’accueil d’Ephrem, the guesthouse of the famous Basilica of Sacré Coeur, which offers you the chance to stay in the heart of Montmartre for as little as 15 euro per night, ‘prayers for your immortal soul included.’

The only drawback to your stay would be the relatively early curfew (10pm), but that would be a small price to pay for the spiritual journey and religious hospitality you would begetting in return. A booking to the Ephrem guesthouse can be made at adoremus@sacre-coeur-montmartre.com – email replies take about aweek. The Ephrem guesthouse’s address is: Maison D’Accueil Ephrem 33, Rue Du Chevalier De La Barre, 75018, Paris. Tel: 0033 1 53418909 www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com/english/guesthouse-and-pilgrimages/article/ the-guesthouse-of-the-basilica.

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Other hotels with reasonable prices and excellent facilities include the 2 star Comfort Hotel Place du Tertre www.comfort-placedutertre.com/hotel-en_INDEX ( rooms from €75) as well as the large Hotel Regyns Montmartre, with rooms starting at €80 (www.hotel-regyns-paris.com/). The location is magnificent: right on the Place des Abbesses with a metro stop on your doorstep. Other well-rated hotels in the heart of Montmartre include the Bonséjour Montmartre www.hotel-bonsejour-montmartre.fr/, ( about €80 a night ), the Hotel Audron www.hotelaudran.com ( €80) and the pleasantly named My Hotel inFrance Montmartre www.hotel-basss.com ( €90) at the foot of the hill.

Saint Denis

On Wednesdays and Saturdays until 1pm, visit Rue Ordener’s outdoor market between rues Montcalm and Championnet,

Take the Metro to Notre-Dame-de-Lorette (line12), and walk this market street, a favourite with locals. Lined withspecialty food shops, excellent cheese shops, butchers, fish shops, fruit and vegetable vendors and even supermarkets, you can findeverything you need for a gourmet meal at home along Rue des Martyrs.

For a glimpse into traditional Parisian markets, on Wednesdays and Saturdays until 1pm, visit Rue Ordener’s outdoor market (Rue Ordener, between rues Montcalm and Championnet, 75018 Paris, Jules Joffrin station, Métro line 12). Mingle among Parisiens shopping for seasonal fruit and vegetables in this market created in March 1888, or sip a coffee in one of the many bistrots and people-watch.

On the nearby Rue de Ronsard, the museum in the former Halle Saint Pierre covered market in the shadow of Sacré-Coeur specialises in contemporary & experimental paintings & graphic art www.hallesaintpierre.org/, 2 Rue Ronsard, 75018 Paris, +33 1 42 58 7289, temporary exhibitions: €8.50, reduced price €6.50), in addition to local exhibitons, a gift shop and a pleasant café all set inside an old renovated warehouse.

at high prices, Le Gabin (25, rue Lambert, 75018 Paris, telephone: 01 53 28 27 93), a very small and very local restaurant will be just what you seek. Tasty dishes, with friendly staff, and a one-, two-, or three-course lunch from 10 to 15 Euro! Set away from the touristy cafés on the Rue des Abbesses, La Mascotte dishes up some of Paris’s best fruits de mer and sole meunière. This typical Parisian brasserie is open 7/7 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. (52 Rue des Abbesses, 75018 Paris, www.la-mascotte-montmartre.com/). A little-known bistrot, in a great location for people watching, is Le Nazir, 56 Rue des Abbesses, 75018 Paris, +33 1 46 06 07 17.

Far from the Sacré-Coeur hubbub, Villa Leandre, a discreet street named after local comedian Charles Leandre, reminds us that Montmartre was once quiet countryside, before being annexed to Paris

After lunch, stroll up and down rue Durantin and discover the ‘Monmartoises’ (‘from Montmartre’) shops windows (from the number 17 to 35). The characteristic of this street is that old signs have been kept to preserve its authenticity. Discover for example an accountant (n°17) or a crèche (n° 26) inside ancient ‘Boulangeries’. While walking, look at the building fronts: they date from the 19th century and are now protected.

The Church of Saint Peter of Montmartre (église Saint-Pierre de Montmartre) is the oldest surviving church in Paris, dating from the 12th Century

Far from the Sacré-Coeur hubbub, Villa Leandre, a discreet street named after local comedian Charles Leandre, reminds us that Montmartre was once quiet countryside, before being annexed to Paris in 1860.

in 1860. It is one of the quietest and more expensive streets in Paris where you will find yourself in a world that does not resemble Paris: houses built in the Anglo-Saxon style with traditional front gardens. Stroll 20m ahead of Villa Leandre to Square Suzanne Buisson - this small square is hidden from the public eye. Most tourists never hear of this square or even see it, unknowingly walking past the entry steps as it sits elevated above Rue Junot. An area terraced in 1951 in Art Deco style, it has a statue of St Denis in the centre of the garden, a children’s playground and open space and benches to rest for a Montmartre moment. 7 bis Girardon 75018

Oldest church in Paris

Romantic and poetic yet strangely obscure, the lyrically named Allée des Brouillards (the Alley of Mists), linking the Square Suzanne Buisson to Place Dalida (metro Lamarck - Caulaincourt, line 12) and the eponymous Chateau des Brouillards which borders it are two Montmartre legends which seem to have remained surprisingly untouched by time. This charming area appreciated by artists like the poet Nerval, the painter Modigliani and the filmmaker Jean Renoir to name but a few.

Le Gabin restaurant In Montmartre, hungry and looking for lunch but tired of tourist food

The Church of Saint Peter of Montmartre (église Saint-Pierre de Montmartre) is the oldest surviving church in Paris, dating from the 12th Century but the lesser known of the two main churches in Montmartre, the other being the more famous 19th-century Sacré-Cœur Basilica. The church contains some original Roman columns - it is said that Dante came here to pray.

Paris is not the first city that usually comes to mind when one thinks windmills. Hard as it is to imagine, until the beginning of the 20th century the Parisian landscape was dotted with numerous mills, which once numbered more than 300. The Radet (83, Rue Lepic) and the Blute–Fin (now part of an Italian/French restaurant located on the corner of Rue Girardon) are the sole survivors, which collectively form the grounds of the legendary Moulin de la Galette, known for its illustrious ball immortalised by Renoir’s painting Bal du Moulin de la Galette).

As you wind down in the early evening, sip a refreshing drink on the elegant rooftop terrace and restaurant of the Terrass Hotel with stunning panoramic views of the Paris rooftops and be dazzled by the light show that is the Eiffel Tower occurring each hour on the hour.

12 Rue Joseph de Maistre, 75018 Paris Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie 13

The popular 69 bus is a great way to see many of the Paris sights

Fine Dining Montmartre offers an excellent selection of restaurants, discretely hidden away from the tourist traps with waiters waving menus on the pavement. Some of the addresses whispered conspiratorially between locals: Miroir, 94 r. des Martyrs 75018 Paris, +331 46 06 50 73, www.restaurantmiroir.com Bistro Poulbot, 39 rue lamarck 75018 Paris,+33 1 46 06 86 00, www.bistropoulbot.com Specialising in all thing poultry: LE COQ RICO, 98 r. Lepic 75018 Paris, +331 42 59 82 89 www.en.lecoqrico.com/ And finally, want to pack as much of Paris as possible into your pocket? Check out these 10 indispensable apps for your smartphone: bit.ly/1haJPg1, including scrolling through the best of 1200 Paris pâtisseries, sorted by speciality, arrondissement and quality, and ‘Where to pee in Paris - public toilets’.

you’ll pass the Jardin des Plantes and Notre Dame cathedral; then you’ll continue along the Seine to the Musée d’Orsay, Place de la Concorde, and Place de la Madeleine.

Bus 42 The 42 bus route begins at the Gare du Nord train station and cuts diagonally across Paris going through Place de la Opéra, past the grand Garnier Opéra, around Place de la Madeleine and Église Madeleine, through Place de la Concorde, up the lower ChampsÉlysées, across the Seine on the Pont de l’Alma bridge, along the Left Bank quais of the Seine, through the Champs de Mars and around the Eiffel Tower.

Bus 69 The 69 bus goes from Gambetta (in the 20th arrondissement) to Champ de Mars (in the8th) and back. If you take the bus towards the Champ de Mars you’ll see the following things along the ride: Cimetière du Père Lachaise, Bastille, St Paul, the Louvre, St. Germain, Invalides Musée d’Orsay, the Invalides and finally a view of the Eiffel Tower and the Champ de Mars.

Transport information: Paris public transport system, one of the world’s most comprehensive and efficient, includes the Métro (lines 1 - 14), the RER (light sub’ costs €1.80, and is valid for transport on the metro, RER, bus, tram and Montmartre Cable car (Funiculaire de Montmartre). A ‘carnet’ (karn-ay) of 10 single-use tickets costs €14.10. Carnets can be purchased on arrival at airports and in tobacconists.

Paris Visite travel cards are available for 1, 2, 3 or 5 consecutive days www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/r_61654/parisvisite/, and offer 20% reduction to certain monuments). However, these passes do not represent good value, as a traveller almost never makes more than the ten journeys daily needed to make the purchase worthwhile.

Line 1 of the Parisian metro crosses the French capital from west to east, and serves important sites such as the Champs-Élysées, the Louvre, Bastille, the Pompidou Museum.

Paris Metro tickets are valid for transfers within 1 hour 30 minutes of first use, but only between certain methods of transport and depending on the type of transport used. For example, you cannot transfer from the Paris Metro to the Bus. Individual tickets and Carnets of tickets can be used any time, even months after they were purchased. Keep them (and all passes) away from magnets and cards with magnetic strips. Skip those huge red tourist buses and do it like a local instead, on one of the following buses: Bus 24 Bus number 24 goes all the way from Gare St-Lazare (in the 8th arrondissement) to École Vétérinaire de Maisons-Alfort (a little bit outside the city centre of Paris). On the way to the Gare St-Lazare 14 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

Three popular restaurants worth checking out: Le Gabin (25, rue Lambert), La Mascotte dishes up some of Paris’s best fruits de mer and sole meunière, (52 Rue des Abbesses, 75018) and a little-known bistro, in a great location for people watching, is Le Nazir, 56 Rue des Abbesses

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Call: 01-294 1000 Visit: www.cruisescapes.ie Email: book@cruisescapes.ie Prices correct at time of going to print but are capacity controlled and may change at any time. Please call for latest prices. Fares are per person, based on twin occupancy of the lead-in cabin subject to availability. Offers may be amended or withdrawn at any time without prior notice and cannot be applied retrospectively. All bookings are subject to Fred. Olsen’s standard terms and conditions, available at the website. In the event of making a booking from this advertisement, your holiday contract will be with the Reseller, Cruisescapes, not Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. Terms and conditions apply. Some ports may be at anchor, intermediate days at sea. FOCL reserve the right to amend itineraries for operational reasons. ‘pp’ is per person, ‘pppn’ is per person per night. E&OE. ** All inclusive-upgrade covers selected house wines by the glass, selected beers, spirits and soft drinks, subject to availability. Tours, tips, medical facilities and other spend, during travel to the ship and while on board are not included. Any additional expenditure will need to be paid separately. Refer to website for full terms and conditions.

Health

Vaccination is the only protection Influenza (flu) is a highly infectious acute respiratory illness caused by the flu virus. Flu affects people of all ages, with outbreaks occurring almost every year. Flu symptoms come on suddenly with a fever, muscle aches, headache and fatigue. Most people recover from flu in 2-7 days. This is different from a cold which is a much less severe illness compared to flu. A cold usually starts gradually with a sore throat and a blocked or runny nose. Symptoms of a cold are generally mild compared to flu.

In some instances, flu can be severe and can cause serious illness and death. Serious breathing complications can develop, including pneumonia and bronchitis, to which older people and those with certain chronic medical conditions are particularly susceptible. Some people may need hospital treatment and a number of people die from flu each winter.

Flu is spread by coughing and sneezing. Anyone with flu can be infectious from 1 day before to 3-5 days after onset of symptoms. This means that you can pass on flu or the flu virus to somebody even before you know that you are sick.

Each year the seasonal (annual) flu vaccine contains three common flu virus strains. The flu virus changes each year this is why a new flu vaccine has to be given each year. This year’s flu vaccine contains the Swine Flu strain which is likely to be one of the common strains causing flu this winter.

The best way to prevent flu is to get the flu vaccine. The vaccine is recommended for all those 65 years of age and over

Pneumococcal vaccine If you are over 65 or have a long term medical condition you should also ask your doctor about the pneumococcal vaccine which protects against pneumonia, if you have not previously received it. You can get the flu vaccine at the same time as your pneumococcal vaccine.

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) is recommended for those aged 65 years and older and those over 2 years with long term medical conditions. This vaccine protects against 23 types of pneumococcal disease including those most likely to cause severe disease.

Pneumococcal disease is a bacterial infection. The bacteria that cause pneumococcal disease live in the nose and throat.

A person who carries the bacteria can spread the disease by coughing, sneezing or even breathing.

Pneumococcal disease can cause serious illness including Pneumonia, Meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain) or Septicaemia (blood poisoning).

You only need to get pneumococcal vaccine ONCE after you reach 65. If you received your first dose of this vaccine before you reached 65 years of age you should receive a second dose at least 5 years after the first dose.

If you are under 65 you may need a second dose if

those with long term medical conditions e.g. heart or lung disease

You have no spleen or your spleen is not working properly,

all frontline healthcare workers including carers

You have a medical condition causing a weakened immune system.

Vaccination should ideally be undertaken in late September or October each year. Flu vaccines have been used for more than 60 years worldwide and are very safe. Flu vaccine contains killed or inactivated viruses and therefore cannot cause flu. It does, however, take 10-14 days for the vaccine to start protecting you against flu. The vaccine and consultation are free to those within the recommended groups who have a ‘Medical Card’ or ‘GP Visit Card’.

GPs charge a consultation fee for seasonal flu vaccine to those who do not have a ‘Medical Card’ or ‘GP Visit Card’.

More information is available GP, Public Health Nurse or pharmacist. www.immunisation.ie provides details about flu vaccination, along with answers to any questions you may have about flu.

16 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

You cannot get pneumococcal disease from the vaccine as it does not contain live bacteria.

You can get the flu vaccine at the same time as your pneumococcal vaccine.

The vaccine and consultation are free to those within the recommended groups who have a ‘Medical Card’ or ‘GP Visit Card’. GPs charge a consultation fee for seasonal flu vaccine to those who do not have a ‘Medical Card’ or ‘GP Visit Card’.

More information is available from your GP or Public Health Nurse. www.immunisation.ie provides details about flu vaccination, along with answers to any questions you may have.

EVERY YEAR FLU CAUSES SEVERE ILLNESS AND DEATH. IF YOU ARE:

HSE

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Have a longterm illness

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GET YOUR FLU VACCINE NOW.

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For more information, talk to your GP or Pharmacist

Flynn Medical Exercise Clinic Your Medical Exercise Professional

Are you worried that you or a loved one might be at risk during your day-to-day, or when exercising?

Are you concerned that either one of you could have a hidden underlying heart or lung condition?

Here at Flynn Medical Exercise, our qualified healthcare professionals are the experts in safe, effective exercise. When you avail of our scientific Medical Health and Exercise assessments, you’ll get a comprehensive picture of your health which you can’t get anywhere else. Just some of the unique elements we examine: • Percentage Body Fat Percentage Body Fat has replaced Body Mass Index as the most advanced indicator of overweight and obesity.

It accurately tells us your Basal Metabolic Rate (how fast your body burns calories) and the exact total weight of the fat in your body - very helpful when you consider that each kilogram of fat in your body takes roughly 3,500 calories to burn off!

• Lung Function Your lungs breath in and out 15-25 times every minute of every hour of every day, so keeping an eye on them is vital.

If your lung function is reduced, then you’re more likely to die younger! However, the earlier we find out, the quicker we can train up your lungs to be fitter and healthier again.

So it’s not all bad news! Exercising under the supervision of our physiotherapists can help train up your whole body which increases your chances of living a longer, healthier life. Why not book your health check up with Flynn Medical Exercise today, and start a new, healthier chapter in your life.

WEB: www.flynnmedicalexercise.com; EMAIL: info@flynnmedicalexercise.com; PHONE: +353861546175 18 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

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Down Cathedral was built on the ancient Hill of Down in the 12th century. It has some marvellous stained glass windows and has recently been renovated and was officially reopened on last St Patrick’s Day by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

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Build a retirement fund that will give you the retirement you desire Help you make the right choices at retirement Help you with issues around Inheritance Planning

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Servatus means to Guard, Watch Over, Protect, Preserve. Our name reflects our attitude toward you and your finances. At

Servatus we feel that financial advice should be a professional consultancy service, built around a lifelong relationship and not a sales process.

We engage with our clients through a process known as Holistic Financial Planning which is a 1st class financial planning and retirement planning service aimed at clients who wish to fully understand their financial position, set their financial goals, know how to achieve them and therefore gain control of their finances.

Visit us at www.servatus.ie or our dedicated Retirement Planning website www.retirementplanningireland.ie To arrange a free consultation call: 01-5547310 23 Fitzwilliam Street Upper, Dublin 2.

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20 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

CELTIC ARCH at the Manor Irelands Premier Traditional Irish Dance Music experience

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An ideal fun filled show for all active groups or individuals ‌ For further details call us on 01 6013700

Celbridge Manor Hotel, Clane Rd, Celbridge, Co Kildare Or Email sales.show@celbridgemanorhotel.ie Visit www.celbridgemanorhotel.ie

Travel

Derby winner

Lorna Hogg finds plenty to interest in the city of Derby and the Derbyshire Dales

Chatsworth, `The Palace of the Peaks’,dates from 1552, with equally famous water cascade and gardens, its splendour and treasures have something for everyone.

‘Great place, great base.’ That’s the claim for the ancient city of Derby, and locals can back it up. They’re very proud of of their vibrant mix of heritage, their award winning food and famous ales, festivals, eclectic shopping and nightlife. It’s easily reached from Birmingham and East Midlands airports, and within a stone’s throw (and bus/train rides) of the magnificent Derbyshire Dales and Derwent Valley. There, the once`dark satanic mills’ are now UNESCO listed and bustle with visitors, as do the area’s many stately homes..

Derby’s Cathedral tower dates back to the 1500s and the area has given its name to a City Quarter noted for its architecture, restaurants and hotels.

Derby’s Cathedral tower dates back to the 1500s and the area has given its name to a City Quarter noted for its architecture, restaurants and hotels. For city centre luxury, try the comfortable Cathedral Quarter Hotel, originally a police station, or the Hallmark Midland near the train station.

The comfortable Holiday Inn Express and Days Hotel are also within short walking distance of the city centre.

Foodies are well looked after in Derby, thanks to artisan skills and local produce. Try the local dish – pyclets, or flat crumpets, at Pyclet Parlour in the splendid Victorian Market Hall. Don’t miss Jack Rabbits, a top rated spot for local food. La Bistro Pierre, plus Wonky Table and Masa are local favourites. If you like traditional atmospheric pubs, Ye Olde Dolphin, The Silk Mill Ale House and The White Swan fit the bill. Some pubs come complete with ghost, befitting Britain’s most haunted city! You can also take a Ghost Walk, and even endure an overnight Gaol Vigil.

welcoming museum of all Derby’s industry. Train buffs will love The Railway Quarter, where up to 8000 men built Britain’s locomotives for almost a century. Steel, wood and paint rolled in, and steam engines rolled out, plus armaments and `Bomber Repair’ during world wars. The Roundhouse, built in 1839, contains the only remaining central turntable in the world, which allowed sixteen locomotives to be simultaneously worked on. Recently restored and now part of Derby College, it hosts tours.

Factory first..

China light

They know how to make industry interesting in Derby. The world’s first factory, the water powered Silk Mill was built here As part of the Derwent Valley Mill Complex, it lies at the start of the UNESCO listed Derwent Valley Mill complex and is now a thoroughly modern, inclusive and

Factory tours abound these days. However, few can offer the entire manufacturing process on a continuously used century old site. Royal Crown’s Derby’s tour allows access to virtually all areas. So, you can see (and ask!) just how artists and craftsmen and women turn raw clay - and

22 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

Photographs courtesy of visitpeakdistrict.com

The ultimate AWARD WINNING easy-to-use range of clamshell mobile phones Amazing loud and clear sound Adjustable font and text size just how you need it Large, easy to read keys A brilliant display for taking and viewing photos

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The charming town of Matlock

Thrill seekers might prefer the cable car ride to The Heights of Abraham, near Matlock Bath, to see the gorge views and show caverns of the area.

some brown coloured brown gold paint, into collectable hand painted fine bone china. Admire displays of international commissions, visit the museum, or `spot which china service’ in film stills from Downton Abbey and various Jane Austen productions. Then, finish with a Royal Crown Derby served cuppa in the 1750 Cafe, and visit the shop, not forgetting the `seconds.’

No trouble at mills..

Travel back to the eighteenth century on the fifteen miles of Derwent Valley Mills, from Derby to Matlock Bath. You can explore mill complexes and villages, shop, watch looms cluttering and drive belts whirring all in the magnificent Dales countryside. You can see contemporary views of how of early industry looked by the famous Wright of Derby, at Derby Museum and Art Gallery. One of the most complete mill village complexes, Darley Abbey, is also within walking distance of the city.

Get some route advice at Derby Tourist Office and ask about the Derby Wayfarer Day Rover ticket. It gives travel on the nippy TransPeak buses and local trains to many attractions. One of them is Belper, home to the famous `fireproof’ Strutt’s North Mill, and a `must see’. Then it’s on to Cromford and a canal walk, boat ride or village tour. You could also visit the nearby John Smedley Mill and factory shop. Cromford is home 24 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

The pretty Pudding Shop at Bakewell , The Irongate Quarter of Derby.

Photo courtesy Matthew Jones Photography

to the world’s first successful water powered cotton spinning mills, built

by Arkwright, and which can be visited. His home at Willersley Castle is nearby. So are the unmissable Masson Mills, (reached from Cromford or Matlock Bath) which offer machinery demonstrations, and discount shopping floors.

Rising to the Heights Thrill seekers might prefer the cable car ride to The Heights of Abraham, near Matlock Bath, to see the gorge views and show caverns of the area. Shoppers will enjoy the pretty market town of Bakewell and its great Bakewell pudding debate. Controversy over which shop has the oldest recipe started in the 1800s, when one local cook stirred the mix into the pudding, rather than putting it on top of the jam. Research with an even handed visit to both The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop and The Bakewell Tart Shop and Coffee House.

Palaces and panelling Stately houses don’t always live up to their reputation – Chatsworth, `The Palace of the Peaks’, exceeds it. Dating from 1552, with equally famous water cascade and gardens, its splendour and treasures have something for everyone. You can see documents signed by Queen Elizabeth, superb architecture, art and design. You can stroll in gardens,

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WATERFORD

Derby’s Cathedral tower dates back to the 1500’s.

A Royal Derby Crown bear. Royal Crown’s Derby’s tour allows access to virtually all areas.

browse the Farm Shop, or sample local produce at formal and informal restaurants and the excellent farm shop cafe, or just settle under a tree with a view. Chatsworth is reachable on the TransPeak bus line, from Derby, or train and bus from Chesterfield.

If Chatsworth is splendid, Haddon Hall, near Bakewell, is enchanting.

Entering the fortified mediaeval manor, you step into fourteenth and fifteenth century life. Visit old kitchens, complete with slaughter area, pastry and bread ovens, and spits. See the Chapel, wander through the famous Long Gallery, Banqueting Hall and the cosy Tudor Parlour along winding stone passages onto the terraced gardens. Overlooking the river Derwent, they were originally intended as part of the overall manorial design. Complete with topiaries and a `knot garden,’ they offer peaceful outdoor nooks and crannies with views. Haddon, near Bakewell also has an excellent cafe/restaurant, and is reachable on the TransPeak bus service.

Hardwick Hall, just a stone’s throw from the ruins of Hardwick Old Hall, was built to impress – and so it does. Bess of Hardwick, the richest women in Tudor England after the Queen, incorporated splendid carvings, tapestries , and paintings in her design. All were lit by bright sunlight, as Hardwick Hall – `more glass than wall’, must have shocked the locals in 1500s, in times when window tax was exorbitant. Get there from Chesterfield, and by local bus.

Kedleston Hall, the seat of the Curzon family, is just a short bus/taxi ride from Derby, and its perfect Georgian symmetry is surrounded by Capability Brown landscaping. Magnificent rooms, a dome topped entrance hall and pretty Chapel make it perfect for an afternoon visit.

Chatsworth featured in the most recent Pride and Prejudice film, and The Duchess. Haddon Hall has hosted no less than three Jane Eyres, plus `Pride and Prejudice’, Elizabeth and The Other Boleyn Girl. Kedleston Hall also appeared in `The Duchess’, `Jane Eyre’ and `Women in Love.’

26 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

Masson Mill is a UNESCO World Heritage site

Further information www.visitderby.com Derby Tourist Information Centre Tel. 0044 1332 255802 www.visitpeakdistrict.com www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk www.royalcrownderby.co.uk www.roundhouse-events.co.uk www.derbygaol.com

www.nationaltrust.org.uk www.chatsworth.org www.haddonhall.co.uk www.heightsofabraham.com www.derwentvalleymills.org

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Dementia Friendly Business Programme Addresses Isolation Among Family Caregivers – Sign up Your Business Today!

DEMENTI

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In conjunction with

ww Home Instead Senior Care is launching a new campaign designed to make the community more dementia friendly. Through the Dementia Friendly Business programme, the home care provider will provide free training to businesses throughout the country to help equip employees with information and resources needed to welcome families who are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia.

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In a recent survey of Alzheimer’s caregivers, 83 percent reported that they and their loved ones have become more isolated from the community as a result of the disease. Furthermore, 86 percent reported that they feel isolated and spend less time in the community as a result of caregiving responsibilities*.

“For many caregivers, the unpredictable nature of the disease can make going out in public with their loved one intimidating,” said Ed Murphy, CEO and Founder of Home Instead Senior Care in Ireland. “Our research shows that family caregivers might be reluctant to frequent public places because of the behaviours that could be associated with the disease.”

Census forecasts predict the population of people with dementia will increase from an estimated 48,000 at present to around 140,000 by 2041 — a 240% increase of the 2006 figure of 41,447.

28 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

“Given the statistics, most businesses that deal with the public will be serving people with dementia and their families,” said Murphy.

“It’s critical that businesses start working now to build dementia friendly communities to better serve their customers with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.”

Businesses can work directly with the local Home Instead Senior Care office to coordinate in-person training. Once the training is successfully completed, businesses will receive a window cling with the Dementia Friendly Business designation. The designation will be valid for two years.

Senior Times Ad Creative Winter 2015.pdf 1 9/25/2015 2:55:36 PM

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insureandgo.ie LoCall: 1850 224 225 MAPFRE ASISTENCIA Compania Internacional De Seguros Y Reaseguros, S.A., trading as MAPFRE ASSISTANCE Agency Ireland, MAPFRE WARRANTY and Insure and Go Ireland, is authorised by Direccion General de Seguros y Fondos de Pensiones del Ministerio de Economia y Hacienda in Spain and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for conduct of business rules.

Travel

Market magic Lorna Hogg looks at Christmas markets packages on offer this year When it comes to traditional Christmas Markets, Prague and Krakow are always amongst top choices. Along with unspoiled architecture with fairylit stalls, hot spicy snacks, artisan crafts and carols, there is the possibility of a snow sprinkled break. With value deals for under €200, it’s hardly surprising Irish visitors return – and return. Prague is offered by Click & Go, with a 3 night trip, 4 star hotel 2 adults sharing, B&B double room, with return flights for €199 PPS in December. Krakow is available from €159pp, 3 nights, 2 adults share, 3 star apartments, December dates. Click & Go also have good deals to Vienna, Berlin and Budapest. www.clickandgo.ie Vienna oozes style – from Demel’s lavish Christmas window confectionery displays, to traditional coffee shops, concerts, shopping and fiacre rides, so you’ll never be bored here.

Pick gifts from 150 stalls in markets spread throughout this atmospheric city. Add in some inclusive sightseeing with Travel Department’s deals for Vienna in Nov/Dec. A 3 night break, B&B in a 4 star hotel, plus an inclusive visit to the Schonbrunn Palace, starts from €399 PPS, including flights, excursions, accomodation and taxes. Travel Department also offers several other destinations, including KRAKOW, departing on 29th November, with 4 nights at a three star hotel, for €399. Once there, you can enjoy an inclusive full city walking tour and plus a visit to the famous Wieliczka Salt Mines. Cost from €399, flights included, plus accomodation and excursions. www.traveldepartment.ie Tel. 01 637 1650 If you’re looking for a value break, but to a more unusual destination, how about Amsterdam or Munich? lowcostholidays offers good deals to both - Munich on 12th December, 4 star hotel from €260 PP, B&B. Enjoy market traditions dating back the fifteenth century, with gingerbread and sugar plums and almonds,

and admire beautiful artisan crystal and artisan wooden gifts. The Amsterdam break also departs on 12th December, with 4 star hotel, 2 nights acccomodation and return flights from Dublin, from €156 B&B. Once there, you can enjoy the traditional market in the atmospheric Leidesplein and Rembrandsplein. Alternately, take the short train ride to picture postcard Haarlem, complete with canal and windmill, and which holds a Dickens Market, starting from 12th – 13th December. Lowcostholidays also has a good choice of other destinations, including Prague Vienna and Budapest. www.lowcostholidays.ie Tel. 01 4853835 Why not combine a Christmas Markets with a late holiday break, on an organised tour or a river cruise? Sunway has some excellent escorted Christmas market tours, combining beautiful cities with the chance to admire and buy the local craft in festive surroundings. The 8 day German Christmas markets escorted tour by luxury coach through the scenery around the Rhine, Black Forest, Bavarian Alps, takes in Frankfurt, Rothenburg, Nuremberg, Erfurt, Dresden and Leipzig, plus Berlin. With plenty of `insider moments’ this comprehensive tour is available in November and December from €1569 PP. Sunway also offers a luxury 7 night river cruise, Christmas on the Rhine, on the luxurious Ama Certo. Board at Basel to take in cities such as Strasbourg, Heidelberg and the superb Christmas market destination, Cologne, en route to Amsterdam. Departures - 14th December, including flights from Ireland, transfers, de luxe accomodation, tours, fine dining with beer and wine included at meals, themed dinners plus entertainment. Prices from €1997, PPS. www.sunway.ie/rivercruise/ Tel. 01 231 1868. www.sunway.ie/escorted-tours

30 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

There’s style and luxury, - and then there’s Uniworld Boutique cruising, known for the comfort of the vessels, the standard of inclusive escorted local trips, on-board accomodation and fine dining. With such style, the only surprise is the value of this 8 day European holidays markets cruise, on the River Princess.

Departing Vienna on 15th December from €1485PP (flights extra.) It’s an all inclusive cruise in the lap of luxury – superb dining, inclusive fine wines, beverages, transfers and lectures on board, plus trips and entertainment.

You will take in the Vienna markets, encounter fairytale villages and conclude in the ancient and beautiful Nuremburg, deep in Bavaria and famed for its market. www.uniworld.com/ie/cruises/ holiday-markets/european-holidaymarkets/2015/pricing Tel. 1800 98 98 98 If you can’t make it all the way to a German Market Christmas such as Frankfurt, then why not meet it half way? For two decades, the Frankfurt Christmas market in Birmingham has drawn visitors to sample 180 traditional stalls, offering wares ranging from crystal to hand woven rugs. You can revive yourself with plenty of pretzels, bratwurst and gluhwein before examining the wide range of local artisan produce or even taking a turn on the outdoor skating rink. Pierce Kavanagh Coaches is offering 2 night coach trips on 22nd November, with return ferry crossing, coach transfers and two nights accomodation in Birmingham city centre , from €169pps. They also have other UK shopping destinations, and trips to other UK destinations and both Dublin and Belfast, the latter two from €139 PPS. www.kavanaghcoaches.com Tel. 0818-365-265 All prices and tours are correct at time of going to press.

The National Dairy Council

Nutrition&You Series The ‘Nutrition & You’ series has been developed by the National Dairy Council and endorsed by the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute to highlight the importance of a healthy lifestyle throughout the life stages.

50+ Years Nutrition&You

In Ireland, as in many countries in the world, people are now living longer than ever before. To enjoy this phase of life to the full we need to maintain our energy and vitality – whether we choose to continue working into our later years, take up new hobbies or run after the grandchildren!

50+ Years

This booklet highlights the importance of a nutritious diet and active lifestyle at this stage of life. It provides advice for positive ageing with top tips on healthy living such as bone and muscle health, keeping active, dental health and practical food choices.

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Also available in the Nutrition&You series Nutrition&You

Nutrition&You

aged 5 years and up

The National Dairy Council Innovation House, 3 Arkle Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18, Ireland t: +353 (0)1 290 2451 e: nutrition@ndc.ie w: www.ndc.ie NDCIreland

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Booklets may be downloaded from www.ndc.ie/publications or a limited number of copies may be ordered by contacting info@ndc.ie

07/08/2015 14:41

Lorna Hogg reports on how you can help make your home difficult for burglers to enter when you are away

Home security

Going away?

Don’t have a shocking return Home security – when we’re there, and not there, is of major importance to all of us. Especially so when loved ones may be alone, isolated, elderly and perhaps extra vulnerable. So it’s comforting to know that we can take simple steps to increase that security, and also take advantage of the latest security hardware to add another level of protection, from burglary, smoke or carbon dioxide inhalation or a medical emergency.

A LIVED IN LOOK – use timers to help lights/radio to switch on at

Home safety is not usually near to the top of holiday makers’ last minute planning – we’re often more preoccupied with concerns about currency, holiday insurance and flight timings. However, coming home to the results of a burglary can mar or even spoil a holiday memory – especially if easy entry was involved. Who knows better what can go wrong than a security company - so, before you close the front door, make sure to check through the handy list of last minute home safety checks suggested by Mercury Security Management.....

EVERYBODY NEEDS GOOD NEIGHBOURS – ask them to check the

LOCK BEFORE YOU GO – lock windows and doors, and fit restrictors to prevent forced entry.

differing times.

QUIET, PLEASE - caring can mean not sharing – don’t widely reveal your absence from home.

LIGHT LUGGAGE - don’t put your name and address on labels – just name and mobile number.

house at regular intervals.

STRONG BOX SECURITY - invest in a strong box, and work out its best home location.

GADGET GLEE – mark gadgets with an ultraviolet pen, and don’t leave valuables on display..

SHED YOUR FEARS – lock up ladders, tools etc.

CAR SAFETY – put on the steering lock and garage your car.

BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING – consider investing in CCTV – check

BE ALARMED – don’t forget to set that alarm!

out the Mercury Eye for details...

SEE THE LIGHT – think about some outdoor lighting, maybe solar powered.

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32 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

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Home, secure home You don’t have to look far to realise that there are plenty of DIY security aids available to make your home safer. Start with simple, effective steps. Time after time, open or unlocked windows, ladders and old storage boxes lying about the garden or propped up at the side of a house are linked with easy access for burglars. Discourage them with prickly plants and shrubs, such as holly or pyracantha under the windows. Invest in a good cylinder (Yale) lock with a deadlock. If you’re a fan of the dangerous practice of leaving a key dangling near/ over the inside letter box, which can be fished out through the letter box to open the front door – re-think it. It’s a practice as well known to burglars as leaving that spare key under a garden ornament. Fit a basket over your letterbox, which will prevent anyone trying to reach in or insert tools through your letter box to force an entry.

Not advertising your absence goes much further these days, however.

True, timers can switch lights and radios on and off, and occasional visits by friends to vary the routine will help. However, these days, people who use social media share their plans, experiences and movements widely.

We’re all much more open with details of our plans and activities.

However, not everyone who reads, hears or overhears the details wishes you well. So when it comes to time away from home, it’s safer to save those trip details until you come back.

Good friends and neighbours remain one of the best safeguards, as movement and lights in a home are one of the best protectors against burglary. Be aware, however, that it has been known for well-meaning but absent minded friends to forget to re- lock the door, so choose wisely!

Finally, many people still carefully fill out their full names and addresses on those free disposable labels we often receive from tour companies.

It’s safer to restrict details to name and mobile number. If the luggage is lost, there may be some form of ID in your luggage, and if you’re clearly absent from that neatly printed home address, well then..........

Alarming protection

If you feel that you need a further level of protection, perhaps due to an isolated home or solo living, then it could be time to consider a Home Alarm. Phone Watch has plans offering the latest technology, and at time of going to press, offers a package including Control pad, keypad, and motion sensors with inbuilt camera coverage, door contact, smoke alarm sensor, key pads and decoy carbon monoxide detector. At time of going to press, their standard current 6 sensor package starts from €699. Check for any available special deals on offer. The annual €420 fee covers monitoring of security cameras, panic response, labour and parts, emergency repair and maintenance and support.

One of the optional extras of Phone Watch (which can be purchased only through Phone Watch) that could be of interest is a Medical Alert Key fob. It can be worn as a pendant or wrist band. It offers a panic button which will alert the service, which will then contact named key holders. Failing any contact, the Gardaí will be alerted. This service runs twenty four hours a day. www.phonewatch.ie Tel. 01 207 6100 . You can also request an online quote.

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Gardening

No fear of winding down At 82, Jim Commins finds he is as busy as ever in the garden

The corner of the garden with the gazebo which proved somewhat troublesome to assemble.

Grandson Dara gave a hand with the planting.

It was in mid-June this year when my wife Rosemarie said that she ‘was just thinking’ that as I was now approaching 82 years of age that I should consider give up planting the spuds and winding down a bit. This, I was reluctant to do as my current year’s crop was one of my best, probably because the seeds were certified and farmyard manure was used. They were British Queens, they came in really early and were ‘balls of flour’. They were dug at the beginning of June when we arrived back from the picturesque village of Ardmore. They boiled in no time and were eaten skins and all with plenty of butter and no vegetables. Scallions

dipped in salt were added as a complement.

Our dessert was fresh Wexford strawberries smothered in cream. To enhance the meal we broke open a bottle of wine. What more could a body ask for? A simple but a simply delicious meal. It would probably have been a dietician’s nightmare.

As I was loath in giving up growing vegetables and in order that I would not have withdrawal symptoms from winding down too rapidly, Rosemarie proposed dividing the plot into two parts. The plot was about 900 sq. feet in size and a parallelogram in shape. One half

36 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

was for vegetables and soft fruit and the other part for flowers and shrubs. With ruler and compass (they brought back memories of my early school days when I had a tin box with a compass, square and protractor) she sketched out a diagram. It was of a square with triangular corners and a circle in the centre. The circumference of the circle to be planted was marked with a string radiating from the middle.

The perimeter was fenced with short wooden stakes. Paths were laid out with roofing laths for edgings and with pebbles. The wood was painted with a preservative and kept in position with trowelfuls of concrete.

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Senior Times l May-June 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie 37

Compost was added to the soil to improve the condition of the flower beds. My wife, because of her artistic talents had a keen eye for colour combinations and contrasts, undertook the selection and planting of the flowers with the aid of our grandson Dara. The old reliables, pansies, lobelias and cyclamens were chosen.

A coralline plant was picked as a centerpiece for the round bed and ferns for the triangular ones. The birds and the bees were not forgotten. A separate section was reserved and wild flower seeds put down for them. Later on we had second thoughts and pulled up the shoots as soon as they appeared. This I did not mind doing because I found that breaking up clods of clay and yanking up weeds neutralized negative emotions! In the empty space we planted hydrangeas, agapanthus, hebes and aucubas, also some daffodils, pheasant-eye narcissus bulbs and crocus corms.

Weed-killer was applied to the empty spaces between the beds before a membrane was laid down. It in turn was covered with bark mulch which became a happy hunting ground for blackbirds. They seemingly enjoyed themselves foraging for insects and scattering the bark all over the pebbled path. The path pebbles were delivered in a large plastic receptacle containing a ton. The stones then had to

be wheel-barrowed through the garage, over the lawn to the newly developed plot. I never sweated so much, not even in the scorching sun of Sharjah. Spreading the stones on the path was the easiest part.

For a bit of comfort, old cushions (you might need them someday) were retrieved from the attic, remodeled and recovered for the gazebo seat. At each side of the structure we placed a pot with a clematis Montana.

Decking was the next task to be tackled as a gazebo was planned for one of the corners.

For it, small squares of decking wood were acquired and joined together to form a unit of 36 sq. feet. The gazebo itself came in a flat-pack and putting it together was more difficult than at first envisaged. The drilling of holes for screws by Rosemarie (one of her first choices for one of her wedding anniversaries---was a drill!) proved to be problematic.

Knots in the timber prevented the bits from making holes where indicated on the assembly diagram. One would imagine that the gazebo manufacturers would pre drill holes and have some consideration for pensioners with arthritic fingers. At one stage, our 13 year old grand-daughter Sorcha who was watching us and seeing our difficulty in tightening home the screws took a screwdriver and with no bother whatsoever had them screwed in no time.

Our son Sean also helped. His assistance was greatly appreciated especially in putting on the canopy and manoeuvering the completed unit into position.

The birds were still not forgotten. Two feeders, one with nuts and another with a mixture of seeds were hung from a lilac tree. They attracted finches, jackdaws, magpies and flocks of sparrows. Unfortunately the feeders had to be removed and replaced with ornamental lanterns. An object which I thought was a leaf blowing in the wind turned out to be a mouse.

The ‘wee beastie’scurried along the wall for cover, to some bushes. It was neither ‘cowering nor timorous’!

It was still glorious weather at the end of September. We were enjoying lattes and buttered digestive biscuits in our small summer-house feeding crumbs to a robin and throwing some to a shy dunnock that was reticent about coming too close when out of the blue, my wife looking at the other part of the garden that was now somewhat neglected, with a gleam in her eye exclaimed ‘I have just been thinking..’

Alarm bells began ringing!

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Personal finance

Taxing times ahead???

There are ways of legitimately reducing an exposure to Capital Acquisitions Tax and availing of the various reliefs such as Section 86/Dwellinghouse Relief, Agricultural Relief, Business Relief, utilisation of the small gift exemption and utilising tax thresholds effectively. John Fahy advises OJ Simpson was found not guilty on two counts of Murder, Divorce was illegal and the price of a pint was under £2, and the euro currency merely a foreign concept. This was twenty years ago and also was a time when the Inheritance Tax Thresholds were at the same low level they currently are at, given the drastic reductions made in successive Budgets since 2009.

These low thresholds coupled with a recovering housing market mean that many parents, particularly in the Dublin area, are discovering it is extremely difficult to gift or bequeath their properties to their children or near relations without landing them with a hefty Inheritance/Gift Tax Bill.

Capital Acquisitions Tax the collective name given to Inheritance and Gift Tax, simply put, is a tax on gifts or inheritances. The tax operates on a “lifetime” basis whereby a beneficiary ( the party receiving the gift/inheritance) pays tax at 33% on any amount which exceeds their relevant threshold. The thresholds are based on the relationship between the Donor ( party making the gift/inheritance) and the beneficiary ( the party receiving the gift/inheritance). The current thresholds are €225,000 for a Child,€30,150 for a sibling/nephew/niece/grandchild and €15,075 for all other relationships.

The Parent/Child Threshold has dropped from €542,544 in 2009 to €225,000 today. (A fall of circa 60%). When you consider house prices have recovered strongly in the past few years with the average house price in South Dublin now circa €400,000 -€500,000. All of this means we have currently one of the harshest tax regimes in the world in relation to inheriting property (particularly in Dublin and its surrounds).

To illustrate let’s take an example, a Father leaves under his will his estate to his two children consisting of his home €500,000) an investment property €250,000) and some savings etc. (€200,000).

Back in 2009 his children would not have paid any Inheritance Tax on same. If they were to inherit the same Estate in 2015, they would be liable for an Inheritance tax Bill of€82,500 each (€165,000 in total).

Indeed the Tax bill for inheriting property from a relative other than a parent is far steeper, where only a €30,150 tax threshold applies. If your Aunt bequeaths you property and the property is valued at€300,000.

This will trigger a tax bill of around€90,000.

40 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

Furthermore the tax is due by the 31st October in any tax year regardless of whether there are cash assets in the Estate to pay it.

Pressure is building on the Government to revise the Tax Thresholds upwards and to raise same more in line with current property values.

There are however ways of legitimately reducing an exposure to Capital Acquisitions Tax and availing of the various reliefs such as Section 86/ Dwellinghouse Relief, Agricultural Relief, Business Relief, utilisation of the small gift exemption and utilising tax thresholds effectively.

All such reliefs are quite technical and in the case of Inheritance Tax may be overlooked unless careful consideration is given to drafting a Will or advice on tax planning is sought. Many conditions of these reliefs have been changed in recent years particularly in relation to agricultural relief with the Government tightening the requirements to avail of same.

A simple example would be utilising the Small Gift Exemption of €3,000 a year. Take the example where a couple wish to benefit their son, daughter in law and three grandchildren. By utilising this relief properly they could lend assistance towards their education, living expenses, mortgage etc. Both parents can transfer €3,000 each, each year. If the couple were to gift this amount to their family, annually it is a way of transferring €30,000 each year to the family with no erosion of their family’s CAT thresholds.

In reality the current regime when contrasted with other jurisdictions is entirely unfair. Many jurisdictions (such as Australia) have no inheritance tax, and the UK our nearest neighbour recently increased its thresholds and set out further changes into the future, even allowing Inheritance tax credits to people to downsize their properties with a view to getting more properties into the market. In addition most people would have paid hefty stamp duty rates (up to 9%) if the property was brought prior to 2007 and thus have already paid tax on the property. Minister Noonan has hinted that the thresholds will be reviewed in the budget however drastic revision of same is required along with more sympathetic deferred payment options.

Please note the purposes of this article is informative only, expert advice should be sought in relation to the above and indeed to any area of taxation. The examples are illustrative and are based on presumptions which may not always apply given the particular circumstances.

John Fahy, BCL, Solicitor STEP, is a Trust and Estate Practitioner of Elderlaw Solicitors, 6 Lower Kilmacud Road, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin.

Tel :01 283 2155 E-mail ; Fahysolicitors@eircom.net Website: www.elderlaw.ie

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Food

Mairead Robinson extols the merits of taking a cookery class – at any age

Back to (cookery) school Mairead Robinson extols the merits of taking a cookery class – at any age.

Over the past few years there has been a huge increase in the number of cookery programmes on television – from celebrity chefs sharing their secrets to amateurs battling it out against the clock. The Great British Bake-Off and Come Dine With Me are just two such programmes that are now replicated all over the world in several different languages. And it seems that we are not all ‘arm-chair’ cooks ourselves, as cookery schools have been popping up all over the country and people of all ages have been learning new skills and having a lot of fun at the same time.

In all my years involved in the world of food and restaurants, I only ever took one cookery class, and that was ten years ago in the beautiful Villa San Michele in Tuscany. Needless to say that was all very Italian and luxurious as we were staying in the beautiful hotel during the three days of the course. Plenty of prosecco was consumed with our culinary creations during the day and the chefs cooked up amazing dinners for us each evening. It was a fabulous holiday!

But back to Ireland and the rise and rise of our interest in cooking and the range of cookery

schools, many also attached to hotels; that are offering courses of all types. One thing that I particularly like about cookery classes is their range of appeal across all ages. A big part of the fun and interest of these classes is the social interaction between both sexes and all age demographics. You see grandparents and parents with their adult children, fathers and sisters and couples and friends. It is extraordinary how broad the appeal of something as fundamental as preparing food can be.

A short while ago I decided to buy a Cookery Workshop for my daughter who is a “keen foodie” and has over the last year decided to become completely vegetarian.. We had lots of vegetarian meals when she was a child – nut roasts were our Sunday favourites – but with all the new and exotic products that are available on the market these days, not to mention all the vegetables and herbs that we grow in the garden and polytunnel, new recipe ideas are always welcome.

After some research I came across Cooks Academy in central Dublin and booked the one day workshop in vegetarian cooking for a surprise birthday present for her. I later decided to join her, as I thought we would have fun

42 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

working together and indeed I could certainly do with picking up some tips and tricks too.

There are an incredible range of courses available at Cooks Academy from the eight week Certificate in Professional Cookery, from which many go on to open their own restaurants or guest houses; to the four week Certificate in Practical Cookery. For some this is the first step on the ladder to becoming a professional chef, caterer or opening a food business. There are one day and half day courses on all types of ethnic cookery as well as knife skills, chocolate, gluten free, bread, cup cakes, salads etc. There are even ‘men only classes’ for shy males!

So off we went on a recent Saturday for our Vegetarian Workshop and were greeted with coffee and carrot cake – a great start! I loved that we got a recipe menu of ten different dishes, and we did half before lunch, and the other half afterwards. Most of the others on the course were there on their own, there was one Italian couple, and one mother with her daughter, and us. We had our own workstations, shared bits and pieces and chatted away throughout the day in a friendly atmosphere of busy activity. Our tutor Cormac, was constantly on hand as needed, and Aoife was

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busy helping us prepare ingredients, weigh and measure what we needed for each dish.

We did not have to spend any time watching demonstrations, but we got ‘stuck in’ to cooking straight away. Help and advice was there as much as we wanted, and while some people worked on their own, my daughter and I enjoyed splitting the jobs between us. So what did we make?

Mixed bean pate and some bruschettas, spicy pepper and tomato soup, a stunning risotto with herbs and beans, a veggie tagine and a

quinoa salad – and that was all before lunch!

the full day might be too much, and it is a great way for two people to really enjoy spending time together. It is highly sociable and a wonderful way to learn a new skill at any age.

In fact Cormac told me that some time ago a man in this 80s came to a class, a gift from his daughter. He was unsure about it at first, but found he really enjoyed it, and enrolled in subsequent classes, and now holds regular dinner parties for family and friends. This was a man who had never cooked before; had gone from his mother’s cooking to his wife’s cooking and after being left a widower he could hardly boil an egg on his own. What a great new lease of life he got from that initial present!

It is lovely to see an older person across the workstation from a teenager, and how they both learn together in an atmosphere of fun and friendship.

Great dishes, we tasted them all and chatted around the table, before resuming for the afternoon and making Pumpkin Muffins, Feta and Leek Fritata, and a great pie with Filo pastry. There were lots of fresh herbs and some spices in the dishes, and we were constantly encouraged to taste and adapt as we liked.

I would highly recommend buying a cookery course for yourself, a family member or a friend, it was certainly one of my better gift ideas! You can opt for a half day if you think

There is no digital or linguistic advantage and enthusiasm is contagious. My daughter is going to buy a course for her fiancé for Christmas – maybe a barbeque one, Steak & Sauces or certainly something meaty. I am going to an evening workshop on Matching Food & Wine!

There is certainly a course to suit all tastes and there is certainly a cookery school near you.

So, let’s get cooking! www.cooksacademy.com 01-6111667

Meadowlands Hotel Transformations- Adding Style to Active Retirement Holidays

Transformations in Time for Autumn Guests!

The Meadowlands Hotel has undergone a major transformation throughout and ready in time to welcome Autumn arrivals. With the successful development of the Wild Atlantic Way, the O’Matúna family we saw the importance of investing time and money into renovating key areas, improving services and rebranding the hotel to enhance the hotel’s reputation as a Premier Gaeltacht Hotel in Kerry with a stylish new image.

Coming out of recession times, the family-run, four star hotel wanted to create a fresh new look by using brighter colours and lighting with a splash of colour. As a result, the Meadowlands hotel has been fashioned with a contemporary and stylish design while maintaining a traditional and cosy atmosphere. Renovations to the guest rooms, restaurant, bar, lounge and reception areas have been completed and the hotel has been rebranded with new logo, website and design to reflect its new image.

Menus have gone local, reflecting Kerry’s best locally produced ingredients and customized to accommodate all dining requirements to include 44 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, guests seeking healthy alternatives and traditional restaurant fare. The fish and seafood is even sourced from the family’s fish company in Dingle and delivered fresh to the hotel on a daily basis.

Located just a short stroll from Tralee Bus & Train station, the Meadowlands Hotel is a convenient base with a vast array of adventures and opportunities from the doorstep. Specializing in Active Retirement Groups & Holidays, the Meadowlands Hotel’s experienced team creates individually tailored packages to suit group requirements.

Group activities such as dancing, bowls, exercise & yoga classes, bridge, cards & bingo can be organized in the conference centre, gardens and lounge areas of the hotel. Activities combined with adventures, tours and entertainment create an active holiday in style and an experience to remember!

The Ó Mathúna Family are looking forward to a new era at Meadowlands Hotel and welcoming new and returning guests to their stylish hotel. For more information on individual and group packages, please contact info@meadowlandshotel.com or 066 718 0444.

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Travel

Killarney Experience It Your Way! Nestled within 26,000 acres of natural parkland and surrounded by three magical lakes, Killarney is every nature lover’s paradise.

Take a leisurely stroll through the Park and experience the elegant Muckross House, Traditional Farms, Historical Sites and Heritage Trails.

Getting around Killarney has never been easier with Killarney Shuttle Bus at your service; the train station located in the town centre and the shuttle bus operating town centre routes along with all the main destination highlights and some accommodation stops. The Hop on Hop off Bus is also a recent addition to the transport offering in Killarney; taking in all the scenic destination trails and hot spots.

Uniquely home to the traditional Jaunting Car, a local jarvey will regale you with stories behind the wondrous 18th century Victorian Manor Estate that is Muckross House, the battles and conquering of the 15th Century Tower House ‘Ross Castle’ and the legends that shaped Killarney’s Culture.

The Gap of Dunloe has been inspiring writers, poets and visitors for centuries; an area so elegantly designed by nature, it is an experience, a feeling that you will hold forever.

Top 10 Things to Do in Killarney!

• The Gap of Dunloe Experience • Visit living History – Tour the 18th Century Muckross House & 15th Century Ross Castle • Get out on the Lakes! – Water Cruise & Boating • Pamper Yourself as Killarney is home to 6 World Class Spas & Leisure Centres • Play like a Pro at Killarney’s Championship Golf Course • Take a unique trip around the park with a Traditional Jaunting Car • Sample the locally brewed beer & treat yourself to local cuisine • Take in a Show/ Concert/ Theatre Production at the I.N.E.C • A leisurely Shopping Trip awaits the fashion lovers, arts & crafters with plenty more to discover!

• Traditional Music & Dance to entertain your Evening Appetite

For more information, please visit www.killarney.ie or contact Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce on 064 6637928 or email info@killarney.ie 46 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

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Health

Experiments relating to taste and smell in the Sensory Suite

Leading the way in research to support healthy ageing UCD Institute of Food and Health Centre of Excellence looking for volunteers The current trend towards the demand for high quality food and beverages associated with health and ‘wellness’ continues, particularly in the areas of childhood development, weight management, sports nutrition, and specialised products for the elderly. The UCD Institute of Food and Health was established in 2008 to bring together all those researchers working in the area of food and health at UCD into one centre of excellence and to target its research in many of these areas. The Institute hosts over 120 PhD and MSc students and almost 100 research and academic staff, from areas spanning public health medicine, food science, animal science, nutrition, engineering, and consumer science.

To support our research it is often necessary for us to recruit volunteers. In this article we briefly outline some of our current research projects for which we require the assistance of volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, or would like to find out more about our research, please contact Geraldine Quinn at geraldine.quinn@ucd.ie or on 01 7162808.

Healthy ageing supported by exercise and nutrition A consequence of ageing is an age-related decrease in muscle size and strength known as sarcopenia. Declining rates of physical activity and inadequate dietary intake among older people further contributes to the increased risk of developing this condition.

48 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

When muscle size and strength decrease below a critical threshold, activities of daily living are compromised and disability occurs with elevated risk for falls and fractures, and poorer general health. For instance, older adults with lower-body weakness are up to 2.5 times more likely to fall, and up to 9 times more likely for a recurrent fall. Moreover, small muscle size contributes to type 2 diabetes and is recognised as a major health concern linked to loss of independence and decreased life expectancy. On average, 5 to 13% of people aged 60 to 70 years are affected by sarcopenia, increasing to 11 to 50% for those over 80 years. However, sarcopenia doesn’t just happen overnight and, in fact, from the age of 30, most adults begin to lose muscle mass at a rate of 3 to 8% per decade. In other words,

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The state-of-the art DEXA scan 1 is used to measure bone density

A volunteer is treated in the interventios suite

the preservation of muscle mass and health is critical to healthy ageing.

Physical activity and exercise participation is fundamental to muscle and healthy aging. In exercise studies, different effects are seen depending on whether someone does aerobic training like walking, compared to strength or resistance training such as going to the gym to lift weights. Combined, both aerobic exercise and resistance exercise have benefits in the prevention of disease but the optimal dose and/or combination for older adults is not established. Therefore, one major research theme within the Institute is exploring the optimal prescription of exercise in older adults at risk of physical and cognitive decline.

To support this research we are currently seeking volunteers 65 years of age or older, living in South Dublin, for a research study examining the effects of both strength and aerobic exercise training on physical function and mental well-being in older adults. The study will require you to take part in a free 12 week exercise training programme that involves three sessions of exercise training per week.

You would also be required to visit UCD on three occasions during the 3 month period for assessments of your physical and mental ability.

NUTRIMAL: New research project commences on malnutrition and muscle health in elderly.

Chronic malnutrition is common among older people and in Ireland it is estimated that there are approximately 140,000 malnourished citizens, most of whom are aged over 65 years. This can have detrimental effects by accelerating sarcopenia and physical function.

A new research project entitled NUTRIMAL, has recently commenced at UCD with a view to developing new food products to combat malnutrition. This research programme will survey the levels of malnutrition and sarcopenia among older adults in Ireland, and examine their consumer behaviour with a view to developing new food products to target sarcopenia.

It will also investigate the effects of dietary interventions targeting malnutrition-related sarcopenia. Individuals with an interest in healthy ageing and the prevention of malnutrition in older adults are welcome to contribute to this research project.

The UCD Twin Study We are all fascinated by twins (indeed, in anything that is identical), almost as much as we are obsessed about our diet. We are currently combining these two fascinations in a national study of adult twins, the first of its kind to be carried out in Ireland. The study, called the UCD Twin Study is measuring the metabolism and food intake of identical and non-identical twins.

Our metabolism is influenced by a combination of factors such as our genes, diet, and lifestyle.

By conducting research we can separate out exactly which aspects are influenced by our environment and which are affected by our genes.

Identical twins share nearly 100% of their genes whereas non-identical twins share only about 50% of their genes. For example, if one identical twin is overweight while their twin isn’t, we can assume that this difference between them is caused by their lifestyles and not their genes.

We could then use this information to explore what part of their lifestyle is having the biggest

50 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

impact on their body weight. In the UCD Twin Study one of the big questions being asked is what impacts what a person eats and in turn what impacts their metabolism.

We are looking for identical and non-identical male twins up to the age of 65 years. If you would like to take part in this exciting study you will be asked to complete a questionnaire about what you eat, and to provide one sample of blood. You will also be asked for a urine sample on a few occasions. In total, this means approximately 3 hours of your time over a 10 week period spread over 6 different occasions. The researchers are very flexible with their schedule and accommodate participants to suit their schedules.

Dairy fat and heart health Saturated fat, as found in cheese, has long been associated with negative health outcomes. Yet, recent research suggests that cheese consumption, even in large amounts over prolonged periods, may have a beneficial effect on heart health. This seems at odds with the current dietary advice on saturated fat and cheese intake, and the aim of this study is to help to understand why. In our study we will use cholesterol levels as a way of looking at how the food source of the dairy fat found in cheese impacts on heart health. We call this the ‘matrix effect’. To support our study we are seeking healthy individuals who are, over 50 year of age and who have with a BMI of 25 or more.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, or would like to find out more about our research, please contact Geraldine Quinn at geraldine. quinn@ucd.ie or on 01 7162808.

CRUISING ON THE SHANNON

River Run - Athlone

Based in Athlone ,Cruise the River Shannon in the comfort of our luxurious 55 seater passenger vessel. River Run is ideal for day trips, corporate events and social gatherings. The pleasure cruiser has been recently refurbished to the highest standard of safety and comfort and is fully wheelchair accessible. River Run has a licensed bar on board serving an extensive range of beverages.

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Travel

The famous Trulli dwellings

Pat Keenan loved the food, the people and sites in the ‘heel’ of Italy

In praise of Puglia Some of the olive trees date back to Roman times

In 1958 Italy came third in the Eurovision Song Contest with a song called Nel blu, dipinto di blu (In the sky, painted blue). It became a worldwide runaway hit as Volare performed by Dean Martin and a slew of others, Louis Armstrong, Cliff Richard, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, all sang their versions. Just 35k south of Bari Airport, near the top of Italy’s heel in Puglia, is Polignano a Mare, a town perched on craggy cliffs high above a very blue Adriatic Sea. Entering the town a large statue greets with outstretched arms. It commemorates singer-songwriter Domenico Modugno, born and raised here, who wrote and performed that familiar and catchy song.

It’s a three and a half hour direct flight from Dublin to Bari, to vast stretches of sandy beaches, nature trails, historic treasures and the renowned laid back lifestyle of southern Italy. We came to discover the simple charm of good down-to-earth local cooking, first-rate olive oils, and discover some unique red wines.

Puglia has over 60 million olive trees, many wonderfully gnarled and very old, two and a half, maybe three thousand years old, maybe more. So much so that in their old age they are often propped up by pillars of bricks and mortar. The olive trees of Puglia provide around 40% of Italy’s olive oil and have 4 Denomination of Origin of Production (DOP) areas: Collina di Brindisi; Dauno; Terra D’Otranto and Terra di Bari.

I visited Masseria Brancati near Ostuni, one of the oldest farms in the area with a vast olive grove with trees dating back to the Middle

Ages or even the Roman periods. The present owner, Corrado Rodio, with some enthusiasm walked us by rows and rows of trees, introducing many of the older ones by name, as if introducing members of his family. For six generations the Rodio family has produced extra virgin olive oil and now they also have opened the masseria’s doors to guests on a bed and breakfast basis. His guided tour included a visit to an old underground olive mill, abandoned in 1880 but now a museum containing the original stone mills, still in perfect condition, and the numerous tools used in the production of olive oils over the centuries. The tour ends with a tasting of their own extra virgin olive oils, and an opportunity too to take home some tasty bottled memories.

52 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

During my visit I opted to stay at a Masseria, There are of course other options, hotels, apartments, even traditional trulli, but what makes masserias special is that they are old farm houses that once would have been a centre of the local community, probably owned by noble or wealthy family, and are now restored to the level of a boutique hotel.

Many are still working farms with large groves providing their own olives, figs, limes, oranges and vegetables. So it is not surprising to expect some special high-end traditional Apulian cuisine.

I stayed at Masseria Valente dating from the late 1700s, built over an underground olive oil mill in caves that existed long before the farm

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COME TO WEST CORK West Cork is an area of outstanding natural beauty and the Celtic Ross Hotel is in the heart of it all.

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A fresco at Boro San |Marco

Masseria Il Frantoio, famous for its food and museum

was built. Just off the reception area, old stone steps take you down to you down to the caves where age-old methods for making olive oils are on display. Masseria Valente has 37 acres of natural park, gardens and olive groves, all staunchly committed to organic farming.

I dined one evening at Masseria Il Frantoio, another fine farmhouse turned guesthouse, this time dating back five centuries and also a working farm. The food served here was really outstanding. The owner and entertaining host , Armando Ciannamea, talked to us with a poetic turn of phrase in good Italian accented English, insisting that we were not in a restaurant, rather, we were simply guests of his family with food prepared in the farmhouse kitchen by his wife Rosalba and some cooks he underscored that by proclaiming: ‘no chefs!’

They also produce their own DOP extra virgin olive oil, homemade organic jams and liquors using lemons or oranges and added odd ingredients like wild fennel or olive tree leaves … oddly enough, they work.

I remember, as a youth growing up in an Ireland, where butter, margarine or dripping

was what the mammy cooked with and olive oil belonged in the chemists, we were not sure what for, perhaps a medication for waxy ears, a pre-Brylcreem hair oil or even to be smeared on to soothe sunburn. All these years later, here in the spiritual home of olive oil, it seems we were half-right. At the Masseria Asciano, yet another farmhouse guesthouse with a fine range of extra virgin olive oils, they also produce an extensive range of olive based creams and cosmetics.

It was a once a sanctuary for Byzantine monks fleeing persecution in the twelfth century, a fortress for the Knights of Malta in the fifteenth century and the Amati family farm from the eighteenth century to the present.

The Masseria Borgo San Marco welcomes guests. In the grounds, surrounded by old olive trees, all that history unravels. Olive cultivation here goes back five centuries. The buyldings once used to house farm livestock was discovered to be a cave church from the twelfth century, contains Orthodox Christian frescos of saints and medieval Greek writings, hidden for hundreds of years behind whitewash and plaster.

Puglia has a long and varied coastline. From Bari, heading south, it begins as a mostly rocky shore becoming in places impressive cliffs but punctuated every now and then with secluded sandy beaches, like the one at the ‘Volare’ towns of Polignano a Mare, another is Monopoli, which I didn’t get to visit but was recommended as well worth a visit. Continuing south toward Ostuni and Brindisi, we get to the long sandy beaches of Marina di Ostuni, the Natural Park of the Coastal Dunes and the Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve, a protected marine

54 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

reserve. It’s a heaven for naturalists combining unspoilt woods, vegetation, shrubs and small trees, so characteristic of coastal regions in the Mediterranean and, mile upon miles of sandy beach to relax and soak up the sun or for long walks. I walked up across the Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve to the Argonese tower built in 1563 to defend against mostly Turkish raiders and pirates There is a thriving industry in cosmetics based on olive oil

Southern Italy has less art treasures than northern Italy but it has some well worth a visit.

Near the town of San Vito dei Normanni there are so-called rock art sites, some made by Byzantine monks fleeing persecution in eastern Europe. We visited San Biagio, one such Byzantine sanctuary carved into a massive grass covered mound of rock. They contain fine Orthodox Christian frescoes, one dedicated to Saint Blaise reminded me of my birthday and his feast day and how I nearly ended up with the dashing name of Braise Keenan.

The other frescoes are of St. Nicholas, St. Andrew, St. George, St. James and St. John, all inscripted in Greek except St. Nicholas in Latin, perhaps a sign of unity between the Orthodox and Churches.

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Backstreet ‘shop’ in Ostuni

Food Throughout Puglia the pasta of choice is orecchiette, usually homemade by the woman of the family, who else, sitting on a stool outside the front door. You will see them as you wander the streets of towns making this small ear-shaped pasta. It is usually served with cime di rapa, sometimes called Rapini, that’s turnip top leaves to you and me, add olive oil, breadcrumbs and garlic and there you have it, delicious. Bread crumb were a poor mans substitute for a parmesan style hard cheese.

Orecchiette is sometimes served with fresh tomatoes and ricotta cheese, in truth, it can be used with any sauce!

Another Puglia treat is pettole, sweet or savoury doughnuts. The savoury version can be plain, or they might add olives, cooked cauliflower, salt cod, sundried tomatoes and anchovies. The sweet versions are drenched in vincotto, a dark sweet condensed grape juice, and cooked until it caramelizes and has reduced to about one fifth of its original volume.

You might also try a taralli which, they say, is

More information Pat Keenan travelled with Discovery Puglia, (www.discoverypuglia.com) 19 Hazel Road, Dublin, Ireland.

Booking enquiries & information + 353 1 254 42 80 Or E-mail: info@discoverypuglia.com Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) fly direct Dublin to Bari

56 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

Italy’s answer to the pretzel, which but isn’t. It’s a snack food - a sort of cracker with the texture of a breadstick. Also local is Capocolli - a smoked sausage made from the loin of a pig.

And don’t leave Puglia without sin, try a guilty glut of burrata, a local delicacy with less than delicate ingredients, The outer shell is a solid burrata, a local mozzarella style cheese, inside it is soft burrata cheese with added cream and a mixture of butter and salt (sweet versions have sugar). In Italian, burrata means buttery or buttered.

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Over 50’s Package 2 Nights Luxury Accommodation l Full Irish Breakfast each morning l Enjoy an Irish Coffee on arrival l 2 Course Gourmet Dinner each night at McGettigans Cookhouse & Bar l Complimentary Pass to Cork City Gaol l Complimentary use of Gym l

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Creative Writing Eileen Casey

The Lives and Loves of Pauline Bewick Pauline Bewick celebrated her 80th birthday on 4th September last, a birthday which saw new work being launched at Taylor Galleries, Kildare Street, Dublin. ‘Life, Love and Launch,’ proved to be another major success as Bewick’s themes through the ages have always proved compelling. She is a constant delight, as artist, sensual woman, wife, mother, grandmother. All of these layers are what make her the individual she undoubtedly is. She also appeared recently with Ryan Tubridy on The Late Late Show, proving she is as articulate and beautiful as ever. This exhibition is aptly named for an artist who has lived well and packed enough into her 80 years to fill several lifetimes. She has loved also and has always been totally honest in this regard. The sensual side to her nature constantly reveals itself in uninhibited expressive ways in her paintings, indeed it is a wellspring for the magical way she depicts men, woman and the natural world.

One of the main themes in the paintings in ‘Life, Love and Launch,’ is the un-knowability of people to each other, even those in close romantic relationships. There is an abundance of bridal images on her canvases, beautiful young, dreamy-eyed, women in white dresses overshadowed by men made up entirely of bees. As an observer free to interpret these images, I read them as Bewick imagining these men as having a sting in their tails and likely to swarm at the prospect of their honey being taken away. Her paintings are very lyrical, a poet’s word made flesh.

At one time Bewick had two hives which provided her and her family with delicious honey for many years. Unfortunately, one day when her 60 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

husband Pat was stung by a bee that managed to get through his green veil, it was discovered that he was highly allergic to bee stings and that was the end of the bees.

As if presenting a new exhibition of fabulous paintings wasn’t enough, ’80 A Memoir’ (Arlen House) was also published on her birthday. The memoir is extremely well crafted, a frank and thorough account of early life and loves. Among other elements of her life, it tells of her relationship with her mother, Alice (nicknamed ‘Harry’),her sister Hazel and her psychiatrist husband Pat Melia (they were married in 1963). Pat is the love of her life, alas now suffering from Alzheimer’s. She is very close also to their two daughters Poppy and Holly and her grandchildren.

Her other most passionate love affair has been with her creative spirit.

There’s a relationship between the artist and the canvas that comes directly from possessing such an unfettered spirit, a generosity towards the universe which reveals itself in her willingness to explore themes and images which help her to make sense of the world in general. Bewick, to date, has led a very bohemian life and one which involved lots of travels and many adventures. Bewick says that ‘I don’t look back – the odd time little replays (like a smell that brings to mind the steps of a house in the village of Caiole-in-Chianti or the taste of mango brings me back the South Seas) might flow to mind, odd insignificant moments and memories. In fact, pondering in the past seems a sad thing to do.’ While working on the memoir Bewick closed her eyes ‘and felt the past become the present’ as she told her story.

Pauline, Sebastian and Pat in Jammets, 1957

Nicely structured in linear fashion, the memoir opens with Bewick coming to Ireland (Gleninchaquin in County Kerry) as a young child from Newcastle with her mother and sister, after ‘Harry’ fled from her husband, Corbett Bewick, because of his alcohol addiction. Kerry has always been home and after a lifetime of relocations and travel (Northern Ireland, London, Dublin, The South Seas, Tuscany), this much admired and respected artist is living the life she loves, back in Kerry.

When Publisher Alan Hayes suggested that the memoir be written, he stressed that he wanted it to be in her own voice. And that’s exactly how it reads. It’s like sitting down with a very interesting and intriguing friend who has lots of stories which are like tableaux vivant. One of my own favourite narratives concerns The Yellow Man. Bewick conceived of this creation while in Tuscany in 1979. She was sitting under a grapevine when she doodled him into being in a sketchbook. She sketched him with two antennae and he was walking over the Tuscan hills. Two little boys next door, Stephano and Roberto saw him and asked her to draw more. She later realized that the little yellow man was their neighbour Gino, a farmer. She says ‘he has little brown eyes that dart from one of us to the other. He giggles, yet seems to accept the inevitability of life in a silent unconscious way, making Gino a magical man.’

Where does Bewick’s enormous appetite for painting come from?

Apart from possessing a natural flair, her development as an artist was always deeply encouraged by her mother who had the foresight to keep Bewick’s paintings and drawings from the age of two upwards. Bewick is dyslexic but thanks to her first teacher at a school in Douris, County Kerry, instead of being pilloried for it (as many children at that time were), Miss Murphy invited the young artist to draw the object on the blackboard instead of attempting to spell it. When Bewick drew her first bird she says that apart from her mother, ‘this was my first taste of positive attention for producing a picture.’

Travel and different styles of ‘homemaking’ were very much part of

the young Bewick’s domestic experiences. In 1944, having lived in County Kerry for six years, the family moved to Northern Ireland, setting down roots in County Derry. Hazel (who subsequently died young, tragically) moved back to England to train as a hospital dietician. However, Harry and Pauline lived in a caravan at Salford ( it was flooded by the river Avon) before settling on a boat called ‘Jaunty,’ (also occupied by their cat, ‘Salty’ – cats feature prominently in Bewick’s work). In 1949, it was back to Ireland again. A year later, they moved to Dublin where Bewick attended NCAD, her teacher being Sean Keating. Harry bought a large house on Frankfurt Avenue, taking in students to help defray expenses.

In her inimitable way, she encouraged these students to draw on the walls so that floor to ceiling was covered in their artistic endeavours. I can’t help but envy subsequent owners of that house and wonder if they kept these impromptu murals or painted them over? Harry was also enterprising, a really fascinating woman in her own right. She went on to buy stocks and shares in commodities (Portuguese telephones, cardboard and black molasses) which gained in value and which made her wealthy, even though she appears to have had no big grá for material possessions. Harry eventually moved to Wicklow (Laragh) where she lived out her days. The ‘fruit man’ dropped off boxes of rotten bananas and out of date vegetables for Harry. She would find lots to eat from this free supply. Black bananas were her favourite.

Bewick’s first exhibition in Dublin was in 1957 at the Clog Gallery and Café. She exhibited all the drawings and paintings of her life. She received a call from Mr Kiko of the Kiko Gallery in Japan asking if they could exhibit her work. Indeed, some of her paintings display a distinct oriental edge as in Plums, China depicting a beautiful oriental girl and luscious fruit. She was commissioned to design the cover for the Trinity College magazine Icarus. However, Bewick also had a number of jobs.

She worked for Dr Keys in Wicklow Street, painting artificial eyes. Dr Keys, an optician, had a new experiment. Bewick would hold a cardboard disc, the size of the patient’s iris, on the handle of the paintbrush

Party in Heytesbury Lane 1989 recorded by Pauline Berwick. Luke Kelly is depicted as the devil.

and copy the patient’s good iris in great detail, all the lines and squiggles and the exact colour of the patient’s eye. She also worked in The Clover Nightclub on 0’Connell Street where she sang Marlene Dietrich and Bessie Smith songs, ‘my lips close to the microphone.’ Over a long, successful career Bewick has worked for the BBC, RTE and has had numerous documentaries and books written about her. She has written and illustrated many books and is an elected member of the Royal Hibernian Academy and Aosdána.

When Bewick came back to Dublin in the 1970s (having lived in London for a time), her first encounter with Luke Kelly of The Dubliners was at the Light House Cinema. Luke was brought up not far from the Dublin Docks. He even showed her where he and other lads jumped into the dark waters of the River Liffey. Her description of this incident is very lyrical: ‘I could picture his white youthful body and his red hair bobby about, swimming in the dark river.’ When eventually they became lovers at Luke’s place in Dartmouth Square, the description of him is equally poetic: ‘A little light shone from the landing, then Luke appeared completely naked, his alabaster white body and red hair looking surreal.

He came down the stairs, clutching a silvery grey glistening pigeon tight against his white chest. It had flown in through the attic window and Luke brought it down to show me.’ She finally persuaded him to go up to the skylight and release it.

Having lived a life where she followed her heart and her artistic dreams, Bewick now spends her days sharing life with her beloved Pat. They go on walks together, gathering mushrooms, looking at nature and birds. One of their favourite walks is along Lickeen river. In the memoir, she recounts an incident when their golden retriever Ben, jumped into the river, grabbed a stick and then started to drift downstream with it. ‘I think he’s going under. I think he is drowning,’ Pat said. Without any thought for the cold, Bewick took off her padded winter coat and the nightie she 62 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

‘Yellow man’ at window looking out at figs 1980s

wore underneath it. Then she jumped in to save Ben who was rushing towards a waterfall. Their grandson Aran was with them at the time and he was too young to jump in and Pat ‘was too old.’ When the dog was safely on the river bank Bewick says she couldn’t remember anything about it. She was told later that women over fifty get a condition called sea amnesia when a sudden rush of cold water hits the back of the neck. Having survived a stroke (though she still suffers weakness and dizzy spells) Bewick feels ‘like a young woman pulled back by an old woman.’ She is glad that the work for the exhibition and the memoir is completed because she can start something new. She is healthy and thinks she can live for another 80 years. Such a philosophy is surely the true secret of a contented life.

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Opinion by Jim Collier ‘Special penalties required for attacks on elderly people’ Eva Sutton (89) was left seriously injured following an attack in her home where she lives alone on 10th of September 2015. The picture of her recovering in hospital is horrific. She was left with a broken nose, a punctured lung, broken ribs and severe bruising to her back. She is lucky to have survived. She was also robbed of her jewellery. The cowardly thugs who attacked her while she slept, tied her up and assaulted her for up to 30 minutes. These vicious thugs, one in his 30’s and one in his 20’s are apparently known to the Gardai for previous burglary and assault incidences. They were obviously at large and are still at large due to the leniency of the judicial system.

more frequent. I believe it is time there were special penalties applied where victims are vulnerable older people. The fact that there has been a reduction of Gardaí on patrol in our communities seems to have heightened the risk of such incidences.

Eva has suffered nightmares since the attack. She wakes up screaming in hospital fearing that her home is again being broken into. This brave lady had been living in her home for 45 years. Such are the extent of her injuries she may not be able to live at home again, unless she has fulltime care and facilities. Her life expectancy will no doubt be shortened as a result of this horrific attack. I sincerely hope that this will be taken into account when the culprits are brought to task for what they did.

Assaults and burglaries against older people living alone are becoming

For those living alone or vulnerable, funding is available to assist in providing monitored alarms and pendant alarms, security lighting etc. through the CSOP Unit in the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. For further information telephone 0719 1867 00.

Older people living alone have suffered most due to the austerity measures and now they have to suffer from such vicious attacks also.

Families of those living alone should familiarise themselves with groups such as Age Action, Active Retirement Associations, Crosscare etc.

They provide assistance in many ways.

The upcoming Over 50’s Show at the RDS from the 9th-11th October, 11am-5:30pm will have lots of information for families who are concerned for the care and security of their older relatives.

New ‘talking money’ guide from Irish Life Personal finance experts Jill Kerby and Karl Deeter recently launched their Talking Money guide, a unique personal finance guide for Irish consumers.

Sponsored by Irish Life, the guide is based on content from Jill and Karl’s weekly ‘Talking Money’ slot on RTE Radio 1’s Drivetime programme. It features useful information, facts, advice and discussion on a variety of everyday, but important money topics that need to be addressed at various life stages– all presented in a way that makes financial planning more straight-forward and actionable for everyone.

Talking Money focuses on a range of big-ticket money issues that affect everyone in their daily lives, from pensions to property, and investments to weddings. The information and advice is presented in six easy to read chapters; Talking Savings, Talking Protection, Talking Lifestyle, Talking Investments, Talking Property, and Talking Pensions. Throughout the guide there are helpful checklists, examples and quotes highlighting the benefits of good financial planning.

Jill Kerby outlined her hopes for the Guide: ‘We really hope Talking Money will provide practical help for Irish consumers who are unsure about how to tackle some of the big personal finance issues. One message we hope we’ve been able to get across is that while gaining control of your finances and steadily building wealth over your lifetime is worth pursuing, we think there’s a far more important and timeless goal to aim for, which is complete financial peace of mind.’

Also speaking at the launch of Talking Money Bill Kyle, Chief Executive, Irish Life said: ‘Irish Life is delighted to sponsor the publication of such a comprehensive personal finance guide. I think it is really impressive to 66 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

Jilly Kerby, Bill Kyle Irish Life CEO and Karl Deeter at the launch

have a wealth of advice in a single source. Jill and Karl have a great way of breaking down the barriers of some complex financial topics and giving clear, insightful and impartial guidance to help people learn about the essential building blocks of financial security.’

The Talking Money Guide is available free of charge to download from www.irishlife.ie

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Health

Over 40% of people in Ireland suffer from a food intolerance

The corner of the garden with the gazebo which proved somewhat troublesome to assemble.

Survey data from YorkTest Laboratories has found that over 40% of Irish respondents suffer, or think they suffer, from a food intolerance.

With almost a fifth (17%) claiming to suffer from a food intolerance and more than a quarter (26%) thinking they may do, the research looked at how well educated we are when it comes to food intolerances and where there are still areas of uncertainty.

The survey of 502 Irish people revealed that while 69% claimed that they knew the difference between a food intolerance and an allergy, only 51% got it correct. It also revealed that despite being an area that is surrounded by misconceptions over 90% of respondents believed that food intolerance is a fact of life and not just a fad which shows the increased awareness of food intolerance that exists in Ireland today.

YorkTest is keen to help clear up the confusion many people have about the differences between food allergies and intolerances. While they are often thought to be variations of the same thing this clearly isn’t the case when their biological mechanisms, the severity of the response and how they affect you, are taken into account. There are also a wide range of

types of tests for food allergy, sensitivity and intolerance available and this can be confusing too. Making sense of the different types of reactions and the test types available can really ensure that those with symptoms can get the most effective solution for them.

people whose life has been transformed with thanks to YorkTest. Cathy has been suffering from prolonged digestive problems and unfortunately medical tests undertaken were unable to get to the root of the problem so Cathy then decided to try the YorkTest programme.

YorkTest Laboratories Food&DrinkScan Programme aims to help those who think they might be reacting to foods and have not been able to find a solution from a GP. The nutritionally supported test offers an aid to the management of dietary intake and test results are delivered as part of a programme which includes a guidebook, food diary and nutritional advice from a registered Nutritional Therapist to ensure that any food eliminated from the diet is replaced with a suitable alternative and no major food groups are excluded.

Commenting on her story, Cathy said, “Following my YorkTest results which found that I was reacting to certain foods, and the detailed consultation I had with the YorkTest Nutritional Therapist I was able to better understand the changes I needed to make to my diet and ensure that I replaced my trigger foods with nutritious alternatives. I found that with new increased energy levels I was able to go to the gym more and my weight dropped considerable, lifting my mood and changing my whole attitude to food and life. I am delighted to see my body changing and my new shape and my confidence levels have soared.”

‘The purpose of the YorkTest food intolerance programmes is not to diagnose allergy or intolerance but to help provide the starting point for an elimination diet for those who do not feel well and need help optimising their health and wellbeing. We know from an independently audited study that 76% of those who followed a YorkTest elimination diet felt they had benefited from the service’.

Cathy Maguire, is just one of the many Irish

68 Senior Timesl November l July-August 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie Senior Times - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

The comprehensive Food&DrinkScan Programme from YorkTest analyses your IgG reaction to 158 foods and drinks, providing you with clear results and nutritional support to help you replace your problem foods and optimise your diet. The convenient home to laboratory test is priced at €350 and can be purchased online at www.yorktest.ie or by calling YorkTest on (01) 202 2701.

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Ageing Research

Engaging ageing Dublin City University at the forefront of current research

Thanks to advances in medicine and technology, life expectancy rates are soaring with predictions of the older population doubling over the next 20 years. Yet, current national programmes which try to address the issues and needs of an ageing population tend to focus narrowly on health-care and medical services.

Since its earliest days, DCU has been committed to widening access to higher education, and this includes enhancing the lives of older members of our community through innovative educational programmes, research, online education, health and wellness activities, arts and culture programmes and civic engagement opportunities. DCU’s Age-Friendly University (AFU) initiative specifically aims to adopt a more holistic approach by developing new programmes and research over the coming years to create an environment which respects and caters for the needs of all ages in society.

The rationale for DCU’s Age Friendly initiative is informed by the fact that older people are now living longer and tend to be healthier than previous generations. It is recognised that people need to have access to meaningful forms of engagement in society at a time when they may be retiring from employment and/or be less engaged with family.

Despite being a ‘young’ university, it is not unusual to see older people on campus in DCU. The Intergenerational Learning Project offers a selection of dedicated modules designed with the older learner in mind. This wide range of short, competitively priced courses delivered by DCU lecturers, provides

opportunities to study subjects ranging from psychology to everyday science to genealogy. Drawing on the help of student mentors, the Project has brought more than 600 older adults on campus and engaged 300 DCU students in teaching and volunteering.

In February 2016, DCU will be offering a wide range of credit bearing modules which can be taken on a standalone basis or as a contribution towards a primary degree. This flexible learning option encourages more mature students to consider a university course.

MedEx (Medical Exercise), another unique aspect of the Age Friendly Initiative, is a chronic illness rehabilitation service which has grown dramatically over the past six years to become one of the largest centres of its kind in Europe. It delivers exercise-based rehabilitation programmes for people with diverse chronic illnesses, hosting over 600 visits per week and transforming the lives of participants and their families.

Meanwhile, over at DCU’s School of Nursing, the Memory Works screening clinic is available to anyone over 40 who feels they are developing memory problems. The clinic, which aims to fill a gap in the existing health service, operates on a self-referral or GP referral basis aimed at identifying people with a pathological reason for their memory problems. In addition the Elevator Project conducts research and support for those with dementia and those caring for people with dementia. This project has produced a series of training modules for staff working in the financial service, leisure and retail industries on how to deal with customers and service users with dementia.

70 Senior SeniorTimes Timesl November l July - August 2015 l2015 www.seniortimes.ie 70 - December l www.seniortimes.ie

On November 2nd and 3rd next, DCU will host the inaugural international Age Friendly Universities Conference Engaging Ageing – universities as engines to promote and support active and healthy ageing. Dr Jane Barratt, the Secretary General of the International Federation on Ageing will give the keynote address and, with more than 60 presentations over the two days, it will generate discussion and debate on how to plan for an older population in Ireland, and how universities can engage in the process. The conference is open to the public with a special attendance rate of €20.00 (oap/student) for the two days.

A dedicated Age-Friendly Coordinator, Christine O’Kelly, supports a multidisciplinery team on campus and works with local communities and an external advisory panel comprising older people’s organisations to advise and inform a work programme which drives the university’s goal to promote a greater, more connected and productive quality of life for older adults.

For more information on DCU’s Age Friendly Initiative or any of the programmes above, please contact:

Christine O’Kelly DCU Age Friendly Coordinator Tel 01 700 8933 Christine.okelly@dcu.ie Website: www4.dcu.ie/agefriendly/register.shtml

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Music

Tunesome twosome Shay Healy met Frances Black and Kieran Goss as they were about to embark on a nationwide tour I am standing in the pulpit, in a church in the middle of Carrick-onSuir, delivering a eulogy to Liam Clancy, the last of the famous group, made up of the three brothers, Paddy, Tom and Liam and Tommy Makem.

Bob Dylan was quoted as saying Liam Clancy was the ‘best ballad singer in the world’ and it is hard to refute Dylan’s contention when you listen to Liam singing The Parting Glass, Carrickfergus, Go Lassie Go and the heart-breaking tale of the Croppy Boy. He exuded a kind of spiritual hush into the songs and he could quiten the noisiest room with the first three or four notes.

The Clancys and Tommy Makem are very important in the history of Irish music, because they presented us with a repertoire of our own Irish ballads that everyone could sing. Songs also brought us our folk history through the eyes of the singer and more and more, outside influences, people like Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Joanie Mitchel Gordon Lightfoot, Tim Rose, Ewan McColl, Sandy Denny, opened the door to give Irish songwriters of the Sixties a chance to flex their muscles.

Kieran Goss, took a year out after he qualified with a law degree in Belfast and the university most importantly, gave him an excuse and a platform to sing on. He supported himself through college by gigging and along the way he played as support to Elvis Costello, Christy Moore and Joe Jackson. It was a step up for Kieran, but he opted to become a busker, in Europe as an alternative.

In the Black family home in Charlemont Street, Dublin folk music was the soup de jour.

There were three brothers Shay, Michael and Martin (echoes of the Clancys) and two sisters, Mary and Frances. A lot of music was joyously celebrated in that house. At 17 Frances joined the family band and they made a couple of albums, which showed how such much variety of music had shaped Frances.

During her time as front singer with The Family Black, she learnt from all the others in the band, the art of performing, as well as just singing.

In 1993, Kieran Goss took the ball into his own hands and with his brother, an accountant, set up a record label. This course of action was related to the difficulty of getting a deal of any substance and eventually the only 72 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

avenue left open to him was to create his own independent record company. Fortunately for him, it was a clever and intuitive move and Brand New Star, the album, introduced Kieran to his Irish audience.

‘It was very difficult at the time to get any kind of independent deal so we took the decision to go it alone. My brother, the smart one in the family, who knew about money, was the anchor I needed. From the moment of its inception, I changed from being lawyer/singer to being plain singer/ songwriter, Kieran Goss. The album Brand New Star got into the Irish charts and I had emerged like a butterfly’.

Kieran’s roots are loosely based in his parents’ record collection, which included Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson on his father’s side, his mother’s Frank Sinatra records and his sister’s Rolling Stones records. These varied influences melded into a pop-folk musical style and Kieran, naturally witty, proved a huge hit with the audience. Kieran followed up Brand New Star with Just Around the Corner, which came to the attention of Mary Black, who was preparing her album Babes in the Wood. She recorded both songs, which now identified Kieran as a substantial songwriter. ‘That’s when I met Frances’.

‘I liked Kieran the minute I heard him singing. I had just finished a tour with Arcady’, said Frances. They liked each other’s style so much they recorded the album Frances Black and Kieran Goss and one of the songs on the album Wall of Tears, in a stroke of good fortune, was picked up and included on the hit album A Woman’s Heart.

‘I struck gold, because the album sold 120,000 copies, which made it the highest selling album in Irish music. But it was cover of the Christie Hennessy All the Lies That You Told Me, which was her first release for Dara Records who gave her a record deal in 1994. The album spent eight weeks at No. 1 in Ireland. Frances had arrived.

The first time foray as a duo 20 years ago was a very successful experiment on a tonal basis - their voices complemented one another and they each had a relaxed style on stage. But for some inexplicable reason they each went separate roads and it has taken 20 years for them to re-emerge as a pair. The tightness and the quality of the singing has lost none of its sparkle. The blend is perfect for harmonies and they both enunciate with great clarity. The easy relationship between the two performers makes for a most melodious contribution to the current popular scene.

So why has it taken them 20 years to get back together? ‘I can’t explain really’,says Kieran. ‘Time just galloped away and we found ourselves doing different projects with different people and have gone full circle to get back to where we are now,’. Frances added ‘I can’t explain it either.

It was just one of those things where you just drift away, but now that it has happened I am really enthusiastic to be back behind the mic .again.

I love singing and I love all the songs’.

Kieran had one aberration in 1998 when his one-man-and-his-guitar persona took the soul song Out of my Head and turned it into a folk classic. This is the essence of Kieran Goss, the combination of voice, subtle but brilliant guitar playing and a dollop of wit. His sound fills theatres as much as a full band. Out of my Head was a huge radio favourite and was the second most-played song of 2000 on Irish radio ‘I’m really looking forward to going back on stage’, says Frances. ‘My life for the last couple of years has been devoted to my Rise Foundation.

We provide counselling and services to family members of people

affected by addictions and mental health problems. We are trying to raise money all the time and it is very difficult to keep going, but I believe in it and nobody else is delivering this kind of service. I’m at the Foundation every day and it gobbles up time, but it is a great thing and I have met lots of interesting people’.

‘I admire Frances and the great work she is doing’, says Kieran, but I can selfishly say I’m glad that we are doing this tour and I am really looking forward to being back on stage with Frances’.

Win a break for two at Castle Dargan Resort, Sligo Castle Dargan Resort in Sligo is giving one lucky reader the chance to win a break for two including two nights B&B in one of the 4-star hotel’s stunning bedrooms, dinner on one evening and the choice between a spa treatment in Icon Spa or a round of golf on the Darren Clarke designed golf course.

To enter our competition, just answer the following question Who designed the championship golf course at Castle Dargan Resort?

Set on 170 acres of rolling parkland in a stunning country setting, the 4-star Castle Dargan Resort, complete with a Darren Clarke designed golf course and Icon Spa, is the ideal venue for a relaxing break in the north west of Ireland. Located just a short ten minute drive from Sligo town, the resort’s centrepiece is the opulent Castle Dargan House, built in the 18th century and lovingly restored to modern standards. Castle Dargan Resort’s championship golf course, which was designed by Darren Clarke in 2006, offers visitors 18 spectacular holes with a short game putting green facility, driving range, golf shop and The Middleton Bar & Terrace, which overlooks the spectacular course. For off the

course relaxation, Castle Dargan Resort’s Icon Spa is an ideal destination for rest, relaxation and rejuvenation in Sligo. Complete with panoramic views over the Darren Clarke designed golf course from the spa’s relaxation suite, Icon Spa offers treatments using Elemis and Fuschia products ranging from balneotherapy baths, dry flotation, massage, facial and beauty treatments. Accommodation at Castle Dargan Resort offers guests a range of luxury 4 star hotel accommodation with other options including luxury suites in the 18th century Castle Dargan House, one, two and three bedroom lodges and apartments which are perfect for family breaks and self-catering holiday rentals.

Visit Castle Dargan Resort in 2015 and avail of fantastic offers such as ‘Midweek Tranquility’ for two nights B&B, 1Dinner, Golf or Spa & a bottle of wine from €95pps Castle Dargan Resort, Ballygawley, Co, Sligo Email: info@castledargan.com www.castledargan.com Send your entry by post to: Senior Times / Castle Dargan Resort Comp Unit 1, 15 Oxford Lane, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 Or by email to info@slp.ie Subject : Castle Dargan Resort Deadline for receipt of entries 12th November.

First correct entry drawn is the winner

Health

The benefits of implants over dentures Samantha Teasdale explains Did you know that a healthy mouth means a healthy you? Our teeth play a vital role not only in how we bite and chew but in how our whole body functions. Incorrectly functioning jaws due to missing teeth; dentures or bite issues can create problems such as grinding teeth, bone loss to the jaw, sunken chin and nose, slumped shoulders, curved spine and back pain.

The science behind this is simple, when the jawbone is not being used to support natural teeth, the jawbone deteriorates losing its strength and firmness and because the jawbone sits at the top of our spine, when the jaw no longer sits or functions in the normal position this has a knock on effect to our posture. In short, the body is a bit like building blocks, when you take a piece out of the tower, the whole construction starts to wobble.

Dental implants are the only dental restoration option that preserves and stimulates natural bone, actually helping to stimulate bone growth and prevent bone loss in the jaw, thereby playing a vital role in our general overall health, appearance and wellbeing.

Dental implants are placed over two stages, the first stage being the surgical part when the implants and temporary crowns or bridgework are placed and the second stage, some 2 – 6 months later (healing period), when the permanent crowns or bridge work are placed. A single implant takes roughly 15 minutes surgery time to place and most patients feel little or mild discomfort afterwards.

Popular dental tourism misconceptions It is a popular misconception that if you travel

abroad you would receive low quality dental treatment by less qualified, less experienced dentists who know and understand little English. Obviously there are cowboys everywhere, but this misconception was started solely for the purpose of instilling fear in the general public about researching alternative options and therefore to keep them lining the pockets of the ones who started the myth in the first place!

As should be the case with any dentist you choose to have treatment with, you should check the dentist’s credentials with their country’s dental register and question the quality of materials/sterilisation protocols they are using to make sure they are of the highest and latest standards. Last but not least, you should ask to speak with previous patients to ensure that the staff and surgeons do speak your language fluently and that their level of work and expertise is something that they would recommend to you.

Reasons to join S-Mile High club Bucharest British Dental Place is a British owned and family run dental clinic based in Bucharest, Romania’s Capital City. We are leaders in the dental tourism market because of our unique selling point, we can offer our patient’s a home from home dental experience

by British staff and British trained professionals at a fraction of the cost elsewhere, without the worry of anything being lost in translation.

We work with some of Romania’s top specialists and confirm to the latest EU guidelines on standards and sterilisation, we perform all procedures under magnification (microscopic dentistry) and we only work with materials that are of the highest quality and that we know provide the best predictability for longevity.

74 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

Even when you factor in the cost of treatment, number of visits, flights and accommodation, patients can still save up to 50-70% of the cost back home whilst holidaying in a country which truly is a hidden gem! We also offer a free day tour to all overseas patients to visit two castles outside Bucharest.

Our practice is open weekends to afford our overseas patients the luxury of flying here for a long weekend break, meaning less time off work and more pleasure filled weekends.

Airport collection by a British member of staff and hotel and clinic pick up and drop off are included, together with local mobile phone and city guide. There are cheap flights daily to Bucharest. Once in Bucharest, accommodation starts from as little as 34 euro/night, a 3 course meal with wine 13 euro, a pint of beer 2 euro.

In order for us to best advise on how we can help get your smile back we would need you to email us at samantha@getyoursmileback. co.uk with full mouth x-rays and a wide smile photograph, together with a brief description of what it is you wish to achieve. On receipt, our team of highly trained professionals would be able to provide you with a personalised treatment plan and cost estimate.

Samantha Teasdale is Treatment Plan Coordinator with the Bucharest British Dental Place Contact details: No 37, Strada Putul lui Zamfir, Bucharest, Romania Tel: 00 40 733 150 605 Email: samantha@getyoursmileback.co.uk www.getyoursmileback.co.uk

The Collectors’ Gathering

October Coin Fair Coins, Tokens, Banknotes, Medals, Stamps & other collectables

Friday, Saturday, Sunday 16th 17th 18th October 2015 Serpentine Hall, RDS Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland (Anglesea Road Entrance) Open 11am-6pm each day ADMISSION €5

€3 WITH THIS AD

Culture

Maretta Dillon reports on notable up coming cinema releases, opera and a book festival

Le Pré aux clercs is a touching romance in which a young countess rebels against the suitor chosen for her by the King of France.

Delius gem for Wexford Wexford Festival Opera’s ongoing commitment to reviving and rediscovering opera continues this year with Frederick Delius’, Koanga, considered to be the first opera written about African-Americans.

Inspired by the African-American songs Delius heard as a young man on an orange plantation in Florida, Koanga is a powerfully atmospheric opera about a proud African prince, sold into slavery in Louisiana, who falls in love with a mixed-race maid, with tragic consequences.

At the other end of the scale is Le Pré aux clercs (The Clerks’ Meadow). Set during the French Wars of Religion, Le Pré aux clercs is a touching romance in which a young countess rebels against the suitor chosen for her by the King of France and hatches a daring plot to escape with her lover to Navarre.

Wexford Festival Opera also has a taster menu of one hour ShortWorks (daytime short operas) for you to sample as well as lunchtime

recitals and a gala concert. A special extra is that the winner of the Dublin International Piano Competition 2015 will also perform. All the details from www.wexfordopera.com The long awaited screen version of Colm Tóibín’s acclaimed novel Brooklyn finally opens with Irish actor Saoirse Ronan in the lead.

Choosing between home in Ireland and the promise of a new life in America is the exquisite dilemma that faces Eilis (Saoirse Ronan) in 1950s Ireland. You can expect to see it everywhere from November 6.

Meanwhile UK stalwart Maggie Smith continues to shine post Downton Abbey in director Nicholas Hytner’s adaptation of Alan Bennett’s play, The Lady in the Van. Smith plays Miss Shepherd, a destitute and irascible lady of an indeterminate age who resides in her van up the street. When she outstays her welcome with the neighbours, playwright Alan Bennett

76 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

takes pity on her and allows her to park the van in his driveway, not realising that she will remain there until her death 15 years later. This is a true story! From November 13 nationwide.

Music Network are hosting German lyric baritone singer Benjamin Appl in November with a programme to include arias from popular Mozart operas such as The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute, as well as arias from Lehár’s The Merry Widow and Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos. Well known songs

by Mendelssohn, Poulenc and Schubert will also be performed during the tour. Info and venue details from www.musicnetwork.ie Finally keep a look out for what’s happening at Dublin Book Festival from November 12 to 15 which always has an eclectic line up of books and authors for those cold wintry evenings. See www.dublinbookfestival.com

€1 off any NESTLÉ® SHREDDED WHEAT® Pack Expiry Date: 31st December 2015

To the Consumer: This coupon entitles you to €1 off any NESTLÉ® SHREDDED WHEAT® Pack and may not be used against any other item. Only one coupon can be used per transaction. This coupon cannot be exchanged for cash or used in conjunction with any other offers. Coupon expiry date: 31st December 2015.

To the Retailer: This coupon will be redeemed by NESTLÉ® Cereals Ireland, C/O PHS Ireland, PO Box 5149, Crumlin, Dublin 12 provided that is has been taken in part payment against any NESTLÉ® SHREDDED WHEAT® Pack. We reserve the right to refuse payment against improperly used coupons. Only one coupon per purchase. All coupons must arrive by 31st March 2016.

The long awaited screen version of Colm Tóibín’s acclaimed novel Brooklyn finally opens with Irish actor Saoirse Ronan in the lead.

Events around the Country / October – November 2015 15th ANNUAL SHACKLETON SCHOOL History Four day event including exhibitions and lectures that focuses on the life of explorer Ernest Shackleton.

October 23 – 26 / Athy, Co. Kildare Information: www.shackletonmuseum.com MACNAS TWILIGHT PROCESSION – BRAM STOKER FESTIVAL Festival Galway’s Macnas marks the Halloween festival of Samhain in Dublin with a city wide procession.October 26 Information: www.bramstokerfestival.com HOW TO KEEP AN ALIEN Theatre A funny autobiographical tale of Irish Sonya and Australian Kate who meet and fall in love but the visa runs out October 1- November 27 / nationwide tour.

Information: www.roughmagic.ie WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERA Music Forgotten artistic gems and masterpieces are brought to life against the backdrop of the National Opera House.

October 21 – November 1 Information: +353 53 9122400 / www.wexfordopera.com BALLET IRELAND / COPPÉLIA Dance Coppélia reimagined in a country fair and

inspired by the eternal obsession with youthful perfection.

October 29 – December 20 / nationwide tour Information: www.balletireland.ie OLIVER CALLAN ON TOUR Comedy New live show from the comedian featuring an array of characters from sport, politics and entertainment October 10- November 28 / nationwide tour Information: www.olivercallan.com / www. ticketmaster.com THE GALWAY MUSIC RESIDENCY Music The Galway Music Residency with a new series of lunchtime concerts in their new venue in Galway City Museum.

November 05-08 Information: www.galwaycitymuseum.ie KILKENOMICS ECONOMICS FESTIVAL Discussion Brings together some of the world’s leading economists with some of the funniest and sharpest stand-up comedians.

November 5 - 8 Information: www.kilkenomics.com BROOKLYN Film Saoirse Ronan heads the cast in the film adaptation of Colm Tóibín’s acclaimed novel Brooklyn.

November 6 nationwide

78 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

Maggie Smith continues to shine post Downton Abbey in director Nicholas Hytner’s adaptation of Alan Bennett’s play, The Lady in the Van.

DUBLIN BOOK FESTIVAL Literature All the news and chat from the world of books with visiting writers and authors.

November 12 -15 Information: www.dublinbookfestival.com THE LADY IN THE VAN Film Maggie Smith reprises an earlier stage success based on an Alan Bennett play and directed by Nicholas Hytner.

November 13 nationwide BENJAMIN APPL Music German lyric baritone singer takes to the stage on tour in Ireland in November.

November 15 - 23 Information: www.musicnetwork.ie Finally, if you’d like your event to feature in our list of What’s On please email: events.country@gmail.com

Why not subscribe to Ireland’s publication for people who don’t act their age?

SeniorTimes magazine is packed full of informative articles covering health, finance, retirement advice, hobbies and pastimes, interviews with senior personalities, competitions and much, much more!

For just €36 you can have 8 issues of SeniorTimes delivered to your door. Last months 96 page issue can be viewed by going to www.seniortimes.ie You can subscribe by: • Phoning us on 01 496 9028 during office hours • Paying via PayPal on the Subscribe Page of the SeniorTimes website • Or by filing out the form below and posting to the address at the bottom I would like to subscribe to SeniorTimes magazine for €36 for eight issues including postage Name ___________________________________ Address _____________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Tel: __________________________ Please debit my Credit/Debit Card: Card Number _____________________________________________ Expiry ___________________________________ Signature ____________________________________ SeniorTimes magazine is published by S&L Promotions Ltd Unit 1 , 15 Oxford Lane, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 • Tel: 01 496 9028 • Email info@slp.ie

Are you finding it difficult to keep your home warm and comfortable or pay the fuel and electricity bills? You could benefit from help available through the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme.

Administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme (BEWH), funds energy efficiency improvements in the homes of the elderly and vulnerable, making the homes more comfortable, healthier and more cost effective to run.

What services are available?

The service involves the installation of standard energy efficiency measures, subject to SEAI survey, budget allocation and available capacity.

The service is provided at no cost to the household.

The types of measures currently available include:

• • • • • •

Attic insulation Draught proofing Lagging jackets Low energy light bulbs Cavity wall insulation Energy advice

“I celebrated my 89th Birthday on the 28th June 2015 and during the last few weeks I have received the best present I have ever received in my life time. This was by way of the insulation in my attic and installation of central heating in my home. You have ensured that I will have a comfortable warm home for the coming winter and the rest of my life.” Bill, Better Energy Warmer Homes Recipient Who can avail of the scheme?

This scheme is available to homes which meet the following criteria:

• • • • •

•

Owner occupied, non-Local Authority homes Home constructed before 2006 The homeowner is in receipt of one of the following: Fuel Allowance as part of the National Fuel Scheme Job Seekers Allowance for over six months and with children under 7 years of age Family Income Supplement

To apply, call us on 1800 250 204 or email warmerhomes@seai.ie 80 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

The Hermitage Medical Clinic provides a full range of medical and surgical care across a broad spectrum of specialities. We offer top quality healthcare with access to over 100 leading consultants.

Our hospital facilities include 101 beds, 25 day-beds and 7 operating theatres.

Our diagnostic facilities include CT, MRI, PET/CT, Nuclear Medicine, Mammography, Ultrasound, X-ray and Fluoroscopy.

Our Cardiology Investigations Department is equipped with the latest diagnostic equipment, non invasive cardiac imaging and a Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory.

We have a comprehensive Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery program in the hospital

The Hermitage Medical Clinic has fi Consultant expertise in the areas of Surgical & Radiation Oncology. The Unit has 2 state of the art identically Linear Accelerators.

Our Emergency Department is a ra service provided by Consultants in E Medicine.

Access for all.

Agreements with Ireland’s health VHI, Laya Healthcare, Aviva Hea GloHealth ensures the broadest patient cover. The hospital is ope of other health schemes includin Medical Aid, Prison Officers As the Defence Forces.

The Hermitage Medical Clinic Old Lucan Road, Dublin 20 Telephone (01) 645 9000 www.hermitageclinic.ie

Ombudsman can now examine complaints about private nursing homes which occurred on or after 24 August 2015.

Before bringing a complaint to the Ombudsman the person affected must have tried to resolve their complaint with the nursing home in the first case.

The public can now bring complaints about private nursing homes to Ombudsman Peter Tyndall. From 24 August 2015 the Ombudsman has had his powers extended so that he can independently examine complaints about private nursing homes in receipt of public funding under subvention or through the Nursing Home Support Scheme (also known as ‘Fair Deal’).

The Ombudsman’s Office has developed a ‘model complaints system’ and standardised complaint form for use by all private nursing homes when dealing with complaints. The form, and other information on making a complaint about nursing homes, are available from the website www.ombudsman.ie

The Ombudsman’s office has always been able to examine complaints about HSE-run nursing homes. However the Ombudsman had previously highlighted a gap in independent oversight of such homes. Residents of public nursing homes could have their complaints independently examined while most residents in private nursing homes could not.

What does the Ombudsman do?

The Ombudsman examines complaints about the actions of a range of public service providers such as Government Departments, Local Authorities and the Health Service Executive (HSE), including HSE-run nursing homes. The Office of the Ombudsman provides a free, independent and impartial service for dealing with complaints. You may feel that you, or a person on whose behalf you are complaining, have been treated unfairly or have received a poor service through some failure on the part of a private nursing home. If this has caused

Peter Tyndall said: “The extension of my remit will ensure that some of the most vulnerable people in our communities can have their complaints examined independently”.

The extension of the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction will apply in relation to complaints about events

you hardship the Ombudsman may be able to look into your complaint.

We can normally only deal with a complaint if you have already gone through the complaints procedure of the public service provider concerned.

How do I make a complaint?

You can complain: by phone: LoCall 1890 22 30 30 or 01 639 5600 by e mail: ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.ie in writing/in person: Ombudsman, 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2. online: www.ombudsman.ie

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Three copies of Murial Bolger’s book Out of Focus Nuala Higgins, Mullingar Monica Robinson, Ballinagh, Co Cavan Dorothy Rushe, Athleague, Co Roscommon

Normal heart

New power to your heart With the discovery of coenzyme Q10, science has found a natural way to help the heart contract with greater force. Two recent studies clearly show how this natural compound makes a difference.

Every once in a while science comes up with an intriguing new discovery that makes headlines. One of the most fascinating scientific breakthroughs in recent times is the uncovering of coenzyme Q10 and this vitamin-like compound’s pivotal role in human heart health. Science has unveiled one of the secrets to why we humans lose our vigor as we grow older, and the good news is that with help from coenzyme Q10 we can actually restore some of that strength and stamina - simply by refueling an ageing heart.

Making weak hearts strong again Q10’s impact on the heart was clearly demonstrated by Danish scientists who decided to test the substance on patients with chronic heart failure. Normally, a large number of patients die within a five-year period after being diagnosed with heart failure but things worked out differently in the Q-Symbio study, which was published last year in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Heart Failure. 420 patients with chronic heart failure were randomly assigned to Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie 83

either 3 x 100 mg of high-quality coenzyme Q10 or identical “dummy capsules” as add-on therapy to their conventional heart medication. The outcome made jaws drop!

Total number of deaths 45 40

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Coenzyme Q10 is produced in the body, primarily when we are young. Levels of coenzyme Q10 in vital organs like the heart peak in our twenties and gradually decrease from that point onward. We don’t feel this until we reach midlife and notice how our energy levels have dropped notably. A Q10 supplement can compensate for this deficiency in a natural way.

120

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Placebo

Q10

Q-Symbio is one of the most convincing studies of a natural compound.

By adding a nutrient, ubiquinone Q10, to the standard drug regimen for chronic heart failure, it is possible to lower mortality rates by 43%.

µg/g

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43% fewer deaths In the Q10 group, there were 43% fewer heart-related deaths. In addition, the weakened hearts had more power and strength to pump compared with the hearts of patients in the placebo group. The improvements were attributable to the Q10 capsules alone, and cardiologists across the globe could hardly believe their eyes and ears when the study was published.

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Cardiovascular mortality

The substantial reduction in mortality rates observed in the Q-Symbio study has taken the medical industry by storm.

The heart loses Q10 with age Heart disease is one of many diseases associated with reduced Q10 levels in cells. However, as a natural part of the ageing process our Q10 levels drop so everyone experiences auction in heart strength. With Q10 supplements, we have a natural way of dealing with that problem and, as the Q-Symbio study showed, we can even apply this strategy to people with pre-existing heart conditions.

Treatment cuts cardiovascular mortality by 50% Combined therapy featuring a special selenium yeast and the vitamin-like compound coenzyme Q10 has been shown to significantly reduce cardiovascular deaths among elderly people while giving the heart muscle what is best described as a “natural boost”.

84 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

19-21 years

39-43 years

77-81 years

Coenzyme levels in a person´s vital organs peak at the age of 19-21, suggesting Starting our mid-twenties, thethebody’s endogenous that this in is the time of life where you have most energy.

production of coenzyme Q10 begins to dwindle. As a result, the cellular energy output decreases, and this may be one of the underlying causes of the ageing process.

Swedish scientists have just come out with breaking news about a combination of selenium yeast and a vitamin-like compound called coenzyme Q10 that can significantly reduce cardiovascular deaths among elderly people. In addition, the natural treatment provides the heart muscle with a boost that enables it to pump with increased force.

These interesting findings are published in the International Journal of Cardiology.

The five year, randomized, double-blind study, involved 443 healthy Swedish citizens aged 70 to 88 years. It conducted by researchers from Linköping University and Karolinska University Hospital. The trial was headed by Professor Urban Alehagen, a cardiologist from the Heart Center of Linköping University, in collaboration with, among others, Professor Ulf Dahlström .

Mortality reduced by 50% Alehagen and his colleagues demonstrated that study participants who were given daily supplements of selenium yeast (200 micrograms) and coenzyme Q10 (200 mg) had less than half of the cardiovascular deaths observed among those who were given identical “dummy pills” - also known as placebo. In the active treatment group 5.9% of the participants had died of cardiovascular disease at the end of the five-year follow-up period, compared with 12.9% in the placebo group. In addition, the volunteers in the treatment group had significantly lower levels of a substance known as NT-proBNP, which is a biochemical marker of heart failure.

Increased levels of this substance indicate that the heart is working under greater pressure.

Also, echocardiography measurements demonstrated that the selenium and coenzyme Q10 treatment improved cardiac output. This was seen, among other things, on the increase in EF (ejection fraction), a clinical measure for the force by which the heart contracts.

Supported by earlier research Earlier studies have suggested a potential role for both selenium and coenzyme Q10 in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. A Finnish study observed a 2.9-fold increased risk of cardiovascular death in patients with low selenium, while several studies have demonstrated low myocardial levels of coenzyme Q10 in patients with cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease).

The recent Swedish study warrants further investigation of the two natural substances as a useful preventative strategy for lowering the risk of cardiovascular deaths among ageing people.

A natural shortcut to well-being Supplementing with coenzyme Q10 is an effective and natural way of boosting cellular energy production. Of course, someone with heart failure requires larger amounts of the energising compound than someone who is otherwise healthy but has insufficient Q10 levels as a result of the ageing process.

Coenzyme Q10 is produced in the body, primarily when we are young. Levels of coenzyme Q10 in vital organs like the heart peak in our twenties and gradually decrease from that point onward. We don’t feel this until we reach midlife and notice how our energy levels have dropped notably.

A Q10 supplement can compensate for this deficiency in a natural way.

Always check for documentation The Q10 supplement that was used in Q-Symbio and KiSel-10 is manufactured using a unique technique that ensures complete absorption of the active ingredient in the body. With more than 100 published studies to document its bio-availability, quality, and safety, this supplement is the best documented brand on the market and the preferred choice among researchers who conduct studies with Q10. In fact, this specific Q10 supplement has been selected as the official science reference (gold standard) of the International Coenzyme Q10 Association (ICQA), which is the organization that coordinates all Q10 research internationally.

Your cells are small “power plants” Every single cell in the human body is a small “power plant” that churns out energy to fuel the cell. Some cells have greater need for energy than others. For instance, cells in heart muscle tissue requires enormous amounts of energy to fuel the rhythmical contractions of the heart muscle.

Also, sperm cells need a lot of energy to enable them to fertilise the egg. For that reason, the mitochondrial density varies from one type of cell to another.

Q10 contributes to the biochemical process in the mitochondria, that turns food into energy.

For more information about the two studies, check out www.q-symbio.com and http://www.kisel-10.co.uk/

Can a capsule make you feel young again?

Researchers may have found a way to stop and reverse the ageing of muscle mass in elderly people by giving them supplements of coenzyme Q10.

It’s no surprise that most of us lose strength as we age.

This has something to do with the fact that the ageing process affects our muscle fibres by gradually switching off the “slow-twitch” fibers that are associated with aerobic work and switching on the “fast-twitch” fibres that deliver peak output, for instance in situations like lifting. What scientists have discovered is that by giving elderly people supplements of coenzyme Q10, they can reverse the process and, increase muscle strength by boosting the efficacy of fast twitch muscle fibres.

What they found 14 men aged 57 and older took part in the study where researchers looked at muscle fibre composition of a group that supplemented with Q10 and another group which received identical placebo. They found that in those who took 300 mg coenzyme Q10, the genes that stimulate fast-twitch fibres were activated, whereas the genes responsible for slow-twitch fibres were deactivated.

In other words, the muscle mass changed in a more youthful direction.

Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie 85

Exciting discovery may help fibromyalgia victims Spanish scientists effectively reduced pain, fatigue, and morning tiredness in a group of women suffering from fibromyalgia simply by giving them supplements of coenzyme Q10, a widely used supplement for increasing energy levels.

Here is a bit of good news for sufferers of the painful and debilitating condition known as fibromyalgia. According to a recent Spanish study of 20 female fibromyalgia patients, those who took daily supplements of coenzyme Q10 had significantly less pain and fatigue than those treated with identical “dummy pills”, also known as placebo.

Less pain and fatigue Supplemented with 300 mg of coenzyme Q10 per day, a natural compound typically used to increase energy levels and improve heart health, the women experienced 52% less pain, 47% less fatigue, and 44% less morning tiredness, all typical symptoms of fibromyalgia.

No side effects were observed.

Safe and natural The study, which is published online in the science journal Nature, is particularly interesting because current drug therapies for fibromyalgia offer limited effectiveness. Particularly frustrating for those who suffer from the condition is that they are often labeled as hysterical because there are no visible signs of their ailment. Now, with help from a safe and completely natural substance, they may be able to limit the symptoms that make daily living a struggle.

What is fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome that is typically accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, headache, sleep disturbances, and depression.

It affects around five per cent of the general population worldwide. Scientists have not been able to map out the exact mechanisms responsible for the disease. Recently, researchers have hypothesized that oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction (failing cellular energy turnover) may play a role.

Fibromyalgia typically affects women.

All body functions depend on Q10 The entire body needs the presence of coenzyme Q10.

Besides energy production and heart muscle function, Q10 is useful for things like: Male fertility Sperm cells need massive amounts of energy to fuel their tail-wagging action that propels them forward in their race to fertilise the egg. Studies have shown that men who produce sluggish sperm cells that are unable to swim are often helped with supplements of Q10

86 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

Blood pressure Several studies have pointed to coenzyme Q10 as a worthy substitute for anti-hypertensive drugs. Coenzyme Q10 holds the potential to reduce levels of upper and lower blood pressure. One should always consult a physician before replacing prescription drugs with Q10.

Cholesterol management Cholesterol-lowering drugs disrupt the body’s own production of Q10, sometimes leading to mitochondrial dysfunction of the muscle cells. Supplements of Q10 given together with the cholesterol-lowering drugs can compensate for this and prevent side effects like muscle aches and muscle fatigue.

Gingival pocket

Bacterial coating

Enlarged gingival pocket

In healthy gums the gingival pockets have normal depth. In inflamed gum tissue, bacterial activity causes the healthy tissue to erode. The result is enlarged gingival pockets and further damage to soft tissue and the supporting bone.

Perodontitis starts as an infection at the edge of the gums. The infection then advances down into the narrow pocket between the gum and neck of a tooth. Gradually the attack spreads to the root membrane, cement and bone, eroding these supporting tissues and loosening the tooth to the point where it may fall out.

Gums and the heart

is there a connection?

Did you know that periodontal disease increases your risk of cardiovascular disease? As surprising as this may sound, science has observed a clear link between the two health problems. Apparently, bacteria that develop in the oral cavity in connection with periodontal disease are able migrate to the heart by way of the bloodstream. Here, these bacteria set the stage for inflammatory processes that may lead to artery clogging and other types of complications.

Although the evidence is not clear at this point, experts do find these findings intriguing. The American Academy of

Periodontology says that people with periodontal disease are twice as likely to have coronary artery disease. In fact, one study showed that common oral problems such as gum disease (gingivitis), cavities, and missing teeth were every bit as useful as cholesterol levels for predicting heart disease Interestingly, levels of coenzyme Q10 in diseased gums are lower than in healthy gums, and the same is the case with hearts affected by disease. Researchers have also shown that supplementing with coenzyme Q10 improves both gum and heart health.

The only really natural energy supplement There are dozens of ways people can boost their energy levels.

Or, let us rephrase that - there are dozens of things that will make you feel invigorated. Coenzyme Q10, however, is the only completely natural energy supplement based on the fact that it is a compound which is found in all our cells and which the body depends on to produce energy.

Commonly used boosters like ginseng, guarana, and caffeine are stimulants that affect the central nervous system. They effectively raise your awareness levels and make you feel refreshed, but with coenzyme Q10 it is an entirely different story. This vitaminlike compound literally intensifies the energy production that takes place in all our cells. You are actually taking “body fuel� in capsule form. That energy is required for every imaginable body function, so your entire organism benefits from the increased coenzyme Q10 intake.

EnErgy the natural way - with the original Q-Symbio Q10

• The first and best selling Q10 brand in Europe • Effect and absorption documented in over 100 scientific studies • Official reference preparation of the International Coenzyme Q10 Association (ICQA) • Highly specialised manufacturing process Q10 Pharma Nord contains coenzyme Q10 and vitamin C, which supports an energy-yielding metabolism and helps with the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

88 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

Tel: 01 630 5470 • Fax: 01 630 5475 Email: ireland@pharmanord.com Web: www.pharmanord.ie

The BioXtra range of mouth care products offers a complete solution to dry mouth that works throughout the day and night.

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Spraygel and Moisturising Gel for instant and long term relief from the effects of dry mouth, perfect for all night comfort - prevents waking to drink water at night. Containing enzymes and proteins similar to those present in natural saliva. The BioXtra products reinforce the natural defences of saliva, which can be deficient in the case of dry mouth.

Prescribed and recommended by doctors and dentists

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Movial Plus – joint support now and for the future

Running, walking and cycling are some of the best and most popular forms of cardio exercises to help us keep fit and healthy, but they can take their toll on our joints which can lead to problems later on life. In fact, you don’t have to be an athlete to wear your joints out – any repetitive movement can cause problems. Even our lifestyle can lead to inflammation, oxidative stress and wear and tear inside our joints and being overweight can, not surprisingly, also lead to serious joint damage.

One of the most important factors in joint health is the fluid inside the joint. This synovial fluid not only lubricates or “oils” the joint, but actually nourishes the whole joint, including the synovial membrane and the cartilages – protecting them from damage and assists in the healing process. Interestingly the quality of the synovial fluid is just as important in prevention

of damage as in assistance in healing a dam aged joint. Two main components contribute to its quality: hyaluronic acid and collagen. These are found in large amounts in all our connective tissues, ensuring stability and proper function.

Hyaluronic acid is found in the highest concentration in our joints, cushioning and lubricating them and in addition it might alter the way the body responds to injury. Just like a spring, the longer this molecule is (the higher the molecular weight), the better its cushioning effect.

Collagen, especially type II collagen is the main protein – or building block in cartilage. Studies suggest that taken orally in a hydrolysed form (pre-digested) it can improve the body’s own production of joint collagen.

Vitamin C is probably the best known antioxidant and it is also important for the integrity of all connective tissues. Additionally one of the

richest sources of polyphenols and flavonoids is pomegranate. Studies show it may help to reduce inflammation that contributes to the destruction of cartilage in your joints, a key reason for the pain and stiffness felt by many osteoarthritis sufferers. One study even found that pomegranate extract blocked the production of a cartilage-destroying enzyme, while maintaining joint integrity and function.

There is a new supplement complex in your pharmacies and health food stores with all the above ingredients. Movial Plus contains a patented formula; Fluidart @ with its combination of Type II collagen, hyaluronic acid, pomegranate extract and Vitamin C to support joint health.

Clinical studies have shown its efficacy in reducing inflammation and pain while improving mobility and quality of life. A perfect support whether you lead an active lifestyle or struggle with stiffness and pain due to osteoarthritis or other forms of joint disease.

Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie 89

Dermot Gilleece traces the life and times of one of golf’s all-time greats

Golf

Iced tea.. one of the numerous endorsements that have made Arnold Palmer a multi-millionaire.

Arnold Palmer..still competing in his late seventies

Age no barrier to wage for Arnold Palmer Arnold Palmer earned an estimated $40 million last year, which isn’t too dusty for a retired sportsman who was 86 on September 10th.

In fact he is second only to Michael Jordan among the highest-earning retirees, notwithstanding that his last Major championship triumph was back in 1964 and his last success in a regular tour event was in 1975, when he beat Ireland’s Eamonn Darcy into second place in the Penfold PGA Championship at Royal St George’s.

As it happens, Palmer has far more tangible ties to this country. His first experience of links terrain was when he partnered Sam Snead to victory in the Canada Cup at Portmarnock in 1960, before going on to make his Open Championship debut at St Andrews where he was runner-up to Kel Nagle.

Some decades later, when he had embarked into golf-course design as a significant element of his retirement from the competitive scene, his company were responsible for the new Tralee course at Barrow, in 1983. And he returned to these parts before that decade was

over, to handle the design of what would become the Palmer Course at The K Club, as the venue for the 2006 Ryder Cup. Further work there culminated in the Smurfit Course which offers the contrast of an open, wind-blown experience compared to the rich parkland of its more illustrious neighbour.

The return of the Open Championship to Royal Troon next year, brings to mind one of the great stories associated with Palmer and the basic love of people which is at the core of his enduring popularity. When we met at The K Club several years ago, he talked happily about the 1962 Open Championship and how he found the time to sign an autograph for a 10-year-old fan from Glasgow.

In the climactic moments of that Open, a stampeding crowd, showing what was described as ‘a revolting disregard for stewards and police’, closed in on the final pairing of Palmer and Nagle. It was when, in the words of the inimitable Pat Ward-Thomas, Palmer, as defending champion, produced ‘the greatest exhibition of golfing supremacy, Britain has seen in modern

90 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

times’, to secure a six-stroke triumph over the Australian, so avenging his defeat on the Old Course two years previously.

Reading reports of the chaos on the 72nd hole at Troon, one can only imagine the problems a certain young lad by the name of Ian Hay must have had, as he attempted to get close to the final green. His objective was to obtain the autograph of this amazing American, who had shot a record aggregate of 276.

In the event, we adults have long since accepted the remarkable resourcefulness of children.

And by way of proving his success, young Master Hay had the evidence of a photograph which was published in the Glasgow Evening Citizen. Then we fast-forward, as they say, to the beginning of 1997 when Palmer’s countless admirers throughout the golfing world were stunned by the announcement that he had prostate cancer. The good news, however, was that a successful diagnosis was made by a specialist in the Mayo Clinic, leading ultimately to surgery and what became a full recovery.

As it happened, a key member of the medical

team had a rather special photograph hanging in his rooms. ‘I got Arnie to sign the picture,’ said Dr Hay. ‘It’s been wonderful, being able to help my boyhood hero.’

During our chat at The K Club, Palmer positively beamed at the memory. ‘I have an appointment with Ian in a couple of weeks at the Mayo Clinic,’ he said of the medic who became his so-called quarter-back in the famous Minnesota medical centre, 35 years after their meeting at Troon. ‘When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer four years ago, my wife and daughter went with me to the Mayo Clinic and we met Ian Hay,’he went on. ‘And he became my quarter-back, that’s a term I use. If you go to a clinic it’s nice to have a man who watches everything you do. And Ian got me to the right doctor and then watched what happened when I was there being operated on.

‘And when I got out, he kept track of my progress with my local doctor. So I always say he’s the best quarter-back in the league.

He’s an internal medicine man who knows the right people to treat your particular complaint. I believe that that’s part of why I’ve had so much good fortune in my life. Because I talk to people.

I find it you’re nice to people, it always comes back to you, one way or another.’

Then, having talked about his experiences in such exclusive surroundings, it seemed odd to hear him refer to early days of deprivation, accompanied by surprising bitterness. ‘I was

devastated after winning the US Amateur in 1954 to find that I wouldn’t be able to play in the British Amateur or the Walker Cup team,’ he said. ‘I couldn’t afford it. I had no money. I had gone to Wake Forest on a full scholarship - my books, tuition and room and board. And there wasn’t money for any frills.’

Instead of an extended amateur career, he turned professional and joined the PGA Tour the following year. So, it was true that he eloped with his wife Winnie? With a conspiratorial grin, he admitted: ‘t is. I met Winnie when she was a hostess at a tournament I was invited to play in the week after the Amateur. I met her on Tuesday, took her out Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and asked her to marry me on Saturday. I had a job as a manufacturer’s rep, making $500 a month. But I had no money.

Zero.’

How did he plan to finance a marriage?

‘Well,’came the child-like reply, ‘I was bold.’ He explained: ‘After asking her to marry me, I had to buy her a ring. And not having any money, I borrowed from my golfing friends who were more than happy to oblige. It cost $4,000 so I was now seriously in debt.’ That was huge money back then, I suggested. ‘It was a nice ring,’ he acknowledged, with one of those disarming smiles. And was the story about Pine Valley true? ‘This is how it happened,”’he went on. ‘My friends took me to Pine Valley to play golf and I won enough to pay back the

money I’d borrowed. I had never played the course before, but I shot 68 on my first round and that was worth a lot. They were betting me I wouldn’t break 100.’

With his eyes noticeably misting over, he then talked with moving sensitivity about his relationship with his wife, who died of cancer in 1999. ‘I suppose you could describe Winnie and I as lovebirds - every minute for 45 years. Her death was terrible. She was not just a wife but she was a friend, a partner.’ Meanwhile, flying had remained a huge part of the great man’s life since 1955. At the time of our chat, his craft was a Citation 10 and he was immensely proud of having flown 17,000 hours, which is about 70 per cent more than the average airline pilot will do over an entire career.

By way of summing up his raison d’etre, Palmer talked about his father, Deke, who was a club professional. ‘He was a very tough task-master, a fighter who could also be very sentimental. He liked people and he didn’t like it when others did things that weren’t nice. And he drove that home to me constantly.

‘Sure, you treat everyone the same as you’d like to be treated, but there was more. You had to play the whole thing out and remember it at all times. It became bred into me to the extent that I didn’t have to work on it. Now, people are my life.’ Clearly, the lessons of the father were well learned.

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The World’s largesT TiTanic VisiTor experience Located in heart of Belfast, at the ship’s birthplace and just a 5 minute drive from the city centre. Housed in an iconic 6 floor building, this state-of-the-art visitor experience tells the story of Titanic from her conception in Belfast; through to her construction and launch; to her famous maiden voyage and her subsequent place in history.

To book tickets visit titanicbelfast.com Titanic Belfast, 1 Olympic Way, Queen’s Road, Belfast, N. Ireland, BT3 9EP

Situated on Francis Street, renowned for it’s antique shops, in the heart of The Liberties.

Voted the best craft shop in Ireland in 2012 by The Irish Times and its readers. Upstairs is a bright and cheerful 500sq ft studio wherepopular classes and workshops on knitting, crochet, sewing, crewel embroidery, embroidery, quilting, felting, tatting etc are held.

Maire Treanor, author of Clones Lace, The Story and Patterns of an Irish Crochet, visits us frequently for one-day workshops.

We host craft hen parties and visiting craft tours, mostly from the US and Canada.

We stock lots of Irish yarns such as Studio Donegal and Cushendale. Our Indie hand-dyers include green elephant yarns. We have a huge supply of fibres (some Irish) for felting & spinning. We are the only supplier of HiyaHiya.

We also stock popular brands such as Schoppel-Wolle, Katia, Rico, WestYorkshire Spinners & Artesano.

Rosemary Murphy The Constant Knitter 88 Francis Street, Dublin 8

087 996 7197 info@the constantknitter.ie www.the constantknitter.ie

Four pairs of tickets to be won for Putting On The Ritz!

Tickets are from €35 including booking fee and are on sale now

Featuring dance stars Trent & Gordana and Robin & Anya from the hit TV Show STRICTLY COME DANCING And the music of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter & George Gershwin THE GAIETY THEATRE, DUBLIN 02 – 07 NOVEMBER 2015 Audiences can expect the hear great songs including “Cheek to Cheek”, “Alexander’s Rag Time Band”, “Birth of the Blues”, “Swanee”, “Night and Day”, “I Got Rhythm”, “Easter Parade” and “Puttin’ On The Ritz” To enter the competition, answer this question: Who are three composers featured in Putting On The Ritz? Send your answers to: Putting On The Ritz Competition, Senior Times, Unit 1, 15 Oxford Lane, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.

Or email: john@slp.ie

The first four correct entries drawn are the winners. Tickets are for Monday 2nd November performance. Deadline for receipt of entries is Monday 26th October

Your Chance to Win a BioXtra Hamper Worth €500!

We want to hear your story! Tell us how you are living life to the full and be in with a chance to win a BioXtra hamper of personal care products worth €500.

Dry mouth can be a life limiting condition and is often described as a “nuisance” by sufferers. It can affect your speech, appetite and your ability to taste and enjoy your food. Ageing is one of the major causes along with diabetes, hormonal changes and certain medication. So why not tell us about how you are living life to the full and be in with a chance to win this wonderful hamper!

Tell us about something extraordinary you did recently, how active and busy you are since retiring; maybe some volunteer or charity work, grandchildren, a new hobby you took up? Skydiving!

Anything that breaks down the stereotype that people are ‘set in their ways’ when they get older.

Send your entry by post or e mail to the address below.

We will publish some of the replies (with your consent) and pick and announce a winner in the next issue of SeniorTimes magazine.

Send your entries to SeniorTimes BioXtra Competition Unit 1, 15 Oxford Lane Ranelagh, Dublin 6 Or email info@slp.ie The hamper of Pamex personal care products to the value of €500 includes: Bioxtra for Dry Mouth Alflorex Precision Biotic for digestive health Dermatonics Heel Balm Total Shaving Solution Herbacin hand cream Kin B5 Mouthwash and Toothpaste Carmex Lip Balm

Spinal Decompression at Koru Clinic

Gently drawing apart each joint like an accordion allows the spine to reset, and the pumping action enhances soft tissue nutrition and rehabilitation.

Each of us is constantly in a battle—with gravity! A frequent casualty is the soft disc material that separates each spinal bone.

Pressure from our weight, trauma from an accident and other causes can increase the pressure on a weakened disc. In extreme cases, the soft pulpy centre of the disc can escape. That can be quite painful.

We use the latest technology to help relieve the effects of back pain due to herniated and degenerated discs. Since discs are constantly under weight-bearing pressure, they can be slow to heal. By gently “stretching” your spine, we help relieve pressure and enhance healing.

This is called disc decompression.

While not a cure-all, our decompression table is highly effective, especially when combined with chiropractic care. Our experience shows that decompression can be helpful in supporting cases prone to frequent relapses. Do you know someone we could help overcome the effects of gravity?

First, we’ll have you lie down on our specially-equipped table. Then, ever so slowly, we’ll stretch your spine. And then relax it. Stretch.

And relax. Our patients tell us this tractioning process is quite pleasant, even relaxing.

Because they don’t feel the need to “guard” their spine, each sequence helps the damaged disc receive nourishment, expel cellular waste and enjoy reduced pressure. Then, healing can begin.

On the left, note that the disc is herniated and compressing the white vertical tissues, which are the nerves and spinal cord.

On the right, after spinal decompression, the disc is resorbed back into the center of the spine.

94 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy uses computerized traction patterns to gently stretch the spine and decompress the Intervertebral Discs.

Spinal Decompression Therapy creates a negative pressure (“vacuum effect”) inside of

the Spinal Disc. This negative pressure helps to “suck” the Nuclear Jelly back inside the Annulus of the targeted vertebrate(s).

When we can create negative pressure inside of the disc via Spinal Decompression, it helps to “suck” extruded nuclear jelly and fluid back inside of the annulus. In Spinal Decompression Therapy, this is known as the “Vacuum Effect”, and is exactly what we are looking for. A negative pressure inside of the disc literally “sucks” or “pulls” the Nucleus Pulposus back inside of the torn Annulus Fibrous.

Once the Nucleus has been drawn inside the Annulus, the pressure begins to come off of the spinal nerves and spinal cord, and the Annular Ligaments that hold the Nucleus in place can begin to heal. Bear in mind that each individual treatment only pulls the disc apart a little bit. But over the course of a six week Spinal Decompression Therapy Protocol, the results can be amazing.

Koru Chiropractic patient Mr N. Leahy describes his experience Mr Leahy, can you describe you initial injury and symptoms?

I hurt my back during a football match, very quickly after the tackle I developed SEVERE lower back pain with 12 out of 10 right leg pain

Is the Lumbar Disc Decompression therapy uncomfortable?

treatment option to take?

No not at all. The treatment is quite relaxing, in the beginning there is some discomfort, but this is far outweighed by the relief given, I used to be eating pain killers like smarties!, then I started getting 6 hours relief, then 12 hours, then longer, I am experiencing 36 hours pain relief, and I only take 1 neurofen if I need it to get to sleep. In fact, SOMETIMES I DOSE OFF WHILE ON THE TABLE!

I would advise them to do a course of spinal decompression therapy first, understand that it takes 6-10 weeks of treatment to get good results, and to finish the course of treatment, look at me I am getting back to the gym and starting swimming and cycling, I worked through the whole program and the biggest thing for me is; I got off the painkillers every 3-4 hours which were wrecking my stomach!

How many treatments have you had so far?

Go and see Stefan at Koru and see what he can do, because it works!

I have had 4 weeks of intensive treatment, 4 weeks of flexibility, stability and strength rehabilitation, I am just about to start the last 4 weeks of monitoring and start maintenance. I know that it will take another 6-9 months for my disc to keep healing, but now I can move and function again without the debilitating sciatic pain.

Who Benefits From Spinal Decompression Therapy?

There are several groups of Chronic or Acute Low Back Pain Sufferers who are likely candidates to be helped by Decompression Therapy. This group includes those diagnosed with;

How does your back feel now?

My Lower back feels much stronger and more stable. The severe sciatic pain has all but gone, it will continue to fade over the next couple of months.

Do you think you have had a successful outcome?

What treatment had you tried before Lumbar Disc Decompression therapy?

I think that the improvements over the last 8 weeks have been dramatic, my back feels way stronger than before the disc injury plus I have avoided spinal surgery.

I tried two different Physios, which made no difference

What advice would you give to someone with a disc bulge who is not sure which

• HERNIATED DISCS • DEGENERATIVE DISCS • SCIATICA (leg pain or numbness / tingling) • FAILED BACK SURGERY SYNDROME • SPINAL STENOSIS • FACET SYNDROME To see if you’re a candidate for spinal decompression treatment, contact our office at 021-429 2445 and visit us on the web at www.koruchiropractic.ie

Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie 95

Enterprise Simon May acknowledges his 40 years as an accountant helped him in starting up his bakery.

The rise and rise of two baking entrepreneurs Maretta Dillon meets two enterprising go-getters who successfully changed direction

Irish soda bread from the Bread Naturally range

Simon May retired as an accountant at age 63 but started his own business as a baker less than six months later. Cathy Whitty turned her home baking venture into a new business start-up at the age of 59. Meet the new old entrepreneurs.

Simon’s bakery, Bread Naturally, is in the northside suburb of Raheny in Dublin and opened in January 2015. A variety of breads are baked on the premises daily. Simon works fulltime in the business and employs one other baker.

Cathy’s company, Cathy’s Spelt for Health, sells pre measured spelt flour and other grain products in a bag with a recipe on the outside that allows customers to bake the product themselves. Cathy is now in partnership with her daughter and works full time in the business in Tinahely, Co. Wicklow.

Simon and Cathy are part of a growing trend worldwide. Older entrepreneurship is on the rise with figures from the US suggesting that this type of entrepreneurship is most evident in those aged 45+ with those aged 55+ experiencing a bigger increase. In Simon’s case he felt that, ‘he wanted to start his own business and didn’t want to be idle. Baking was something I had always loved’.

For Cathy, a health scare warned her off wheat

products so she started baking with spelt flour.

‘I started baking by accident, baked and sold in farmer’s markets and then started baking loaves to order for my local health food shop’.

For both individuals retirement was not for them. In fact, the retirement and employment landscape is rapidly changing. When the Retirement Planning Council in 2014 asked a group of recent or soon to be retirees what they thought, more than 61% felt that they had more to contribute to the workforce with 37% planning to work or volunteer during retirement.

At the same time the state pension age is increasing. Pensionable age is now 66 with the qualifying age rising to 67 in 2021 and 68 in 2028. People used to expect to retire at age 65 but with the new pension age changes, that idea is undergoing review. To add to the perfect storm, there is growing concern about the low level of pensions held by workers particularly in the private sector. Finally, we are all ageing with the number of people over 55 in the EU expected to be 30% by 2030.This means that continuing to work well into our sixties is now a reality for those currently in employment.

While money is an important reason for continuing to work it is often not the only one. For Cathy wanting to do something for herself was always a motivation, ‘I wanted a career after the kids…financial independence was important

96 Senior Times l November-December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

to me. People assume that you are getting old and stupid but I think you are free to do whatever you want’. Simon, who had arrived in Ireland from South Africa with just a rucksack and a bike fifteen years ago, says that for him, ‘it was ‘a combination of need and want. I did not think I had enough set by even though I had been diligent about pension contributions since beginning to work here’.

In Simon’s case he acknowledges his 40 years as an accountant helped him in starting up his bakery but he was also very pro-active in getting himself on a Start Your Own Business Course with his local enterprise centre in Baldoyle. He found it ‘easy to do a business plan and would have found it a lot more difficult without a business background’. He was the oldest person on the course but not by much. He also says that the enterprise people were ‘surprised at his age but not in any negative way.

Cathy also did the same course in her local area in Co. Wicklow. Neither of them experienced any ageism or age discrimination with Cathy stating that she ‘never felt discriminated against in any way along the line and that the enterprise boards were very helpful’.

Both of them are realistic about the amount of effort it takes to run their own business and the level of commitment involved. Cathy comments that ‘on a good day, it’s really great. You meet someone who likes your product at

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In the future he may look at a situation where he puts ‘someone in place to manage it as a going concern’.

Cathy hopes that her daughter will continue to work with her and that she might be interested in taking over the business.

So if older people retain their health, there seems to be no reason why they cannot continue to work even if this is at a different pace or level than previously undertaken. In this way, older people can continue to make a contribution to society and reap the mental health benefits for themselves.

Cathy Whitty: A health scare warned her off wheat products so she started baking with spelt flour..

a tasting but it can be hard going…almost lonely working on your own, sometimes working seven days a week’ but she likes the flexibility involved. She worries about cash flow which ‘is always a big headache trying to keep the money coming through’.

Simon adds that, ‘the best thing of starting your own business is the satisfaction of doing it and getting it right’. There’s not really a worst thing but be careful what you wish for as it is hard work and long hours’.

Entrepreneurship or self-employment can be a great alternative to traditional organised employment. Older people can in effect be employed on their own terms with more flexibility and control. Though Simon laughingly notes that, ‘being your own boss is a myth: the boss is the business’.

Reaction from family and friends was important to both of them. ‘There were a few questions but most people were very positive with lots of curiosity from young relations,’ says Simon whose eight year old grandchild takes a special interest. Cathy’s family have also been supportive and she credits her daughter Yvonne as very central. ‘I needed Yvonne’s help especially her computer skills. I would have gone so far and then would have had to take on someone to do this work’.

There are barriers as to why older people might find it hard to make the transition to entrepreneurship. Some of this might be because they never had to develop entrepreneurship skills as they often worked in the same job for their entire careers. Sometimes they don’t have the business networks. Other barriers can include access to finance but happily for both of our entrepreneurs this was not an issue. Cathy says ‘her attitude to risk is very careful but that you have to take some risks’. She mentions packaging as an example saying that they often ‘have to buy packaging for 15,000 units in one go’.

Digital literacy is often a lack for older people.

Cathy notes that she is not very confident in terms of her social media and digital skills and admits that she ‘doesn’t know how to go about it’. Acquiring new skills in older age can be challenging but keeping the brain stimulated and engaged is perhaps one of the huge benefits of working longer.

There is also the question of time – a lot more has to be packed into a shorter space of time.

Neither Cathy nor Simon is planning to stop anytime soon so declining health is not an issue for them. Simon states that ‘the long term plan is to keep it going’. He has no intention of expanding to further outlets but wants to develop his existing bakery and keep it busy every day.

98 Senior Times l November-December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

In the 2015 Action Plan for Jobs, the Government highlights the need for entrepreneurship as a key objective but doesn’t see older entrepreneurship as a priority. This is in contrast to the Entrepreneurship Forum who think that seniors are an often forgotten group who have untapped potential both as entrepreneurs and as business mentors. Given the changing situation around employment, retirement, pensions and an ageing population, hopefully the Government will review this and push supports for older entrepreneurship higher up the agenda.

And as for what is needed in any successful entrepreneur? Both Simon and Cathy would describe themselves as very optimistic. When asked if they would recommend older entrepreneurship, Simon replied wisely, ‘Do your homework on the business and try and see the bigger picture’. Cathy would ‘definitely advise others but be cautious and start small’.

If you are interested in more information or advice about entrepreneurship then check in with your Local Enterprise Office – www.localenterprise.ie.

You can find out more about Simon’s business, Bread Naturally, on www.breadnaturally.ie or on the Facebook page of the same name.

See www.cathysspeltforhealth.ie for more information about Cathy and her start-up.

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When Crime Arrives at Your Doorstep It seems like a good idea at the time. A nice fella arrives at your door and offers to fix your gutter for “a fiver”. While he’s up on his ladder he discovers that your roof needs extensive repair. He insists that it needs to be repaired immediately or you face leaks and potentially even a collapse. Before you know it you’ve given him €800 cash to buy materials and carry out the repairs. The only trouble is, he took your money and never returned.

It can be very tempting to hire a trades person who offers his services straight away often at what appears to be a very cheap rate, but it comes with a risk.

Bogus Callers, Rogue Traders and Scammers Scams take many forms but usually involve a cash payment to a doorto-door trades person and subsequently little or no work being completed. Sometimes scammers wait until after the work is complete and then use intimidation and threats to extract payment that is in excess of what was agreed. They may even offer you a lift to the bank to get more money. Other times the scammers will use the work being completed as an excuse to get inside your house to check for valuables then return to steal them at a later date.

The Real Deal If all door-to-door trades people were bogus then they would be easy to spot but there are a lot of roofers, guttering experts, painters and others who are honest professionals. You can check that a company or individual are credible by asking for a brochure or other documentation that has a contact number, address and a VAT registration number.

100 Senior Times l November-December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

Once you are happy that they are credible, always ask for a detailed written quote for the work that is to be completed and the cost. If the tradesperson says that he has completed work for a neighbour, check with your neighbour to see if they were satisfied with the work. Take your time and don’t feel pressured into making a quick decision.

Above all else, trust your instincts. If your gut is telling you that something isn’t right, it probably isn’t.

What to do if you fall victim to a scam If you are scammed, do not be too ashamed or embarrassed to report it to the Gardaí. Bogus traders are very conniving—you will not be the first person to fall for their scam and unfortunately probably not the last.

Talk to someone about it. Don’t underestimate or downplay the impact it has had on you.

If you have been the victim of a scam, or any other crime, you can ring the Crime Victims Helpline for support and information. The Crime Victims Helpline 116 006 is a free and confidential service that provides emotional support and information to victims of crime.

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‘One man from Randalstown’

Reverend Derek Kerr and some of his royal memorabilia

During the TV coverage of the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011, local ears pricked up when a reporter among the crowds on the Mall announced that ‘one man from Randalstown’ was definitely enjoying the festivities.

‘Enjoying the festivities’ was the understatement of the year, because that ‘one man from Randalstown’ was the Reverend Derek Kerr, a man, who has both worshipped the Lord and hero-worshipped the Royals for years.

The quirky, chirpy and ultra-cheerful Church of Ireland minister is a lifelong Royal Family devotee with both an historical knowledge that would put many ‘experts’ to shame and living room walls festooned with letters from the Royals, such as the Queen (‘thanking Mr Kerr for her birthday card’) The letters are, however, a small – very small – part of Derek’s vast collection of memorabilia.

Cups, saucers, plates, scrapbooks...they’re all there in their hundreds. The collection, which sits under the watchful gaze of a metre-high portrait of the Queen, now forms the basis of Derek’s successful series of talks on the Royal Family.

‘Even as a young boy, I loved castles, knights, royalty and everything associated with them,’ he tells me. ‘Maybe I had delusions of grandeur,’ he laughs. ‘I used to love visiting big houses and imagining what it would be like to be living there.’

Around the time that Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spenser, in fact on that very day 29th July Derek turned 17, he was of an age

to indulge in royal memorabilia and so the heroworship began!

At the age of 19 Derek realised that the church was his future and so he headed off to London.

During his first three years at college in the English capital, Derek was able to nurture his love of royalty by visiting places of significance, such as the Mall and Buckingham Palace, and it was on his penultimate day in London that he was to see the Queen in person for the first time.

‘My friend’s dad was in the Welsh Guards and he had been given tickets for the Trooping of the Colour, but couldn’t use them, so he’d given them to me. I just remember the Queen coming round the corner into Horseguards in the carriage and I was so excited and emotional.

I didn’t know whether to watch her or take photos of her, so I did both. It really moved me.

To be honest I found it mindboggling.’

Soon after, Derek returned to Dublin where he continued his studies. It was during this time that he was to come across another statesman for whom he has a great word: Garret Fitzgerald, whom he met while on placement at a church in Dublin.

‘People don’t realise that, despite being Irish through and through, Garret Fitzgerald actually had a British dad who had been born in and lived in London for 21 years,’ he says. ‘He was a real delight to speak to, but when I found myself sharing a cab with him on the way back to college, I was a bit tongue-tied. (For those who know Derek – yes, I said ‘tongue-tied’ –

102 Senior Times l November-December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

Garret Fitzgerald was some man....). After all, here was me, a wee Prod from Dungannon and a former An Taoiseach! There was me sitting wondering what I would talk about and then he starts the conversation with ‘When I was having lunch with Prince Charles the other day....’ I was so jealous. How ironically sad that he died one week before the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived in Dublin in 2012...that a man, who would have much encouraged the President of Ireland to make the visit happen, didn’t live to see it! So sad.’

Soon after, Derek was ordained as a Church of Ireland minister: a calling that is dear to his heart but it was a couple of years later, when he attended a Christian event, ‘Summer Madness’, that he was to find an outlet in which he could indulge his other passion.

‘As part of Summer Madness I was asked to speak at a debate on ‘This house believes there is no future for the monarchy’. Needless to say, my speech was extremely passionate and heartfelt and, at the end of the debate, one of my colleagues’ wives came up and said ‘that was fabulous, would you come and speak at our Mothers’ Union?

‘Initially I didn’t have much memorabilia to accompany my appearances, so I mainly talked, but gradually, through sourcing items myself, and people giving me things, my collection began to grow to its current, substantial size.

I’ve become something of a ‘blue-rinse pin-up’ – I keep getting elderly people coming up to me and saying ‘I was going to throw this out but I’m giving it to you’.’

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Does he have a favourite item?

‘I actually have two favourites. One is my mother’s rattle, which was given to her to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary in 1935. I keep it in a glass cabinet because it’s such a family heirloom.

The other is a little delph bell which was bought by my Granny Harper to celebrate the birth of Prince William in 1982. They’re very personal to me and I love that I have my own, home-grown, royal heirlooms.

When Derek talks to you about the Royals, you realise that his knowledge of both their life and their history is phenomenal. Until I spoke to him (and despite my History A level), for example, I didn’t know that Queen Victoria was the great, great grandmother of both the Queen and Prince Philip!

Needless to say, Derek is a regular visitor to London for special Royal events. On the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday, he joined the thousands who thronged the Mall and was able – and I quote – to ‘shout and cheer and act like a buck eejit’.

Nominations required for Belfast’s Age-friendly Older Volunteer Awards

Nominations are now open for Belfast’s Age-friendly Older Volunteer Awards which celebrates the valuable contribution people aged 60 and over make to groups, organisations and communities across the city.

Highlighting the broad variations in volunteering there are five different award categories to choose from. These include Older Volunteer of the Year Award, the Marie Mathews Participation Award, the Arts and Culture Award; Team/Group Award and the Intergenerational Award.

‘We work closely with older people and the Healthy Ageing Strategic Partnership on a regular basis and know firsthand the valuable contribution they make,’ said Lord Mayor, Arder Carson.

‘We are working to create an age-friendly city and these awards are very much part of that. We want older people to know that they are valued and listened to, that we appreciate their help in formulating policies that have a ripple effect on our wider society. I am sure we all know someone who does more than their bit for the community, let them know you appreciate it and nominate them for one of our awards. Information and nomination forms are available at www.belfastcity. gov.uk/volunteering Nominations will close on Friday, 23 October and award winners will be announced at a presentation event in Belfast City Hall in December.

Silver Sunday brings golden moments

But it was at a garden party at our own Loughry College in 2002 that he was finally able to both meet the Queen and shake her hand. He may not have made a memorable impression on Her Majesty on that occasion, but he most certainly did on the next....

‘I went to Windsor for the Queen’s 80th birthday and had taken her a little silk sachet of paper hankies as a gift,’ he tells me. The Lord Lieutenant came over to receive it. Very nice of him except Derek didn’t want to give it to him so said, rather too loudly, ‘Can she not come over herself and get it?’ ‘To my amazement, she looked round and came over and took my gift.’

Derek’s speaking engagements continue to fill his spare time and he’s now using them to raise money for church projects. Last week, for example, to mark Queen Elizabeth becoming Britain’s longest-reigning monarch this week, he exhibited his memorabilia at Randalstown Church of Ireland hall, and the money raised will be going towards funding work that he and his team will be doing on their trip to Uganda for Fields of Life in January 2017.

Meanwhile, Derek is literally cock-a-hoop at the thought of next June, when, in the space of a few days, the Duke of Edinburgh will turn 95, the Queen will turn 90 and the Trooping of the Colour will be specially held (instead of in April) to mark the occasion.

‘It’s only another 184 sleeps,’ he laughs. ‘It’s going to be a fantastic event if, of course, it all goes to plan!’

For this lifelong Royal fan and devotee, it can’t come too soon. With such devotion and passion there’ll surely have to be a knighthood somewhere down the line.

A ballet class at the last ‘Silver Sunday’

Northern Ireland is joining in the celebrations on Silver Sunday - the first Sunday in October, where local communities and individuals put on free events for their senior citizens. Older people aged 65+ can celebrate the fourth Silver Sunday by taking part in a packed schedule full of free events and activities across the UK on Sunday 4th October. The day aims to combat loneliness and presents an opportunity to bring generations together. It also helps us celebrate the contribution of older people, while increasing their happiness and wellbeing.

Silver Sunday 2014 was a tremendous success with over 350 different events taking place across the country; thousands of people were able to get out of their homes, attend a special event and gain the opportunity to make new friends and connections. On this basis, it is a reasonable assumption that Silver Sunday 2015 will have just as much if not bigger impact.

There are over 100 free events taking place across the UK from the South of England to Glasgow and all the way to Belfast. Highlights of this year’s events include a rock ‘n’ roll Sunday disco in Waltham Forest with the DJ spinning the finest classics from the 50s, 60s and 70s, a centenarians’ tea party in Southend for those who are over 100, a murder mystery over a three course in East Sussex, a tour of Botanical Gardens in Belfast and many more.

‘Who cares what it says on your birth certificate?’ says Silver Sunday supporter, former newsreader, Angela Rippon. ‘It’s how you feel about yourself that matters. We all have just one life to live. Make sure you live it to the full.’

For details of events taking place across the UK and to submit your own Silver Sunday event please visit www.silversunday.org.uk

104 Senior Times l November-December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

Senior Help Line is Looking for Volunteers Senior Help Line, Ireland’s only peer listening service is looking for new volunteers in Dublin.

Established 17 years ago, Senior Help Line is Ireland’s only national confidential telephone service for older people provided by trained volunteers. Last year Senior Help Line took calls from over 25,000 older people from all parts of Ireland.

Callers can be lonely, anxious, in financial difficulties, worried about home security, health or family. Some callers are depressed or suicidal, or may be suffering from elder abuse. Some callers contact very regularly for company and social contact.

Senior Help Line is open every day of the year, from 10am to 10pm. The service is a programme of Third Age, a voluntary organisation, promoting the value of the contribution of older people.

work in city centre, Donnybrook and Leopardstown. The time commitment is a three-hour rota every three weeks. There is flexibility around days of the week and times that suit.

We are looking for women and men aged 55+ who would be available to do our five-day training. We need people who are good listeners and realise the value of listening to someone who may be in distress or may have few people to talk to.

People volunteer for the help line because they have time on their hands and they want to do something worthwhile, they feel they may have skills and experience they would like to us.

Others enjoy the social aspect, and we have a volunteer social group who engage in visits, outings and get-togethers.

If you are interested in volunteering for Senior Help Line, please phone Beryl on 087-3948856

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Seeks gentleman with similar interests and outlook. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T4

KERRY LADY EARLY 60s, fit, sincere, outgoing, loves nature, travelling, dancing and fishing.

WLTM sincere man for friendship and companionship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER P2 ROMANTIC DUBLIN GENTLEMAN, 60s, civilised, open, tall, no children, GSOH, positive, loyal, dependable. WLTM cheerful widow to share this wonderful world, in friendship, perhaps romance, perhaps committed relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER P3 DUBLIN BASED LADY, 50s, originally from country, interested in weekends away, cinema, reading, dining out, gardening, outdoor life, music.

WLTM man for friendship and possible relationship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER P4 REFINED, EDUCATED DUBLIN MAN, EARLY 60s, WLTM sincere female from anywhere in Ireland for friendship and maybe more.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER P5

CORK LADY 64 SINGLE, likes dancing, gardening, history, animals and walking. Good listener, GSOH, NS, SD, WLTM respectable gent, single or widower, from anywhere in Ireland for friendship/ companionship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F5

GALWAY LAD, EARLY 50s, NS, SD, enjoys nights out, keep fit, healthy eating and much more.

WLTM male 50-60 for a relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER P6

ATTRACTIVE, PETITE, DUBLIN LADY, single, retired professional, late 60s WLTM kind, sincere, respectable. Interests include dancing, cinema/ theatre and walking and eating out.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F6

CORK LADY 50sh looking for a male pen friend.

Love baking, cycling, swimming, beaches, fresh air, comedy, nature and day trips, travelling.

WLTM man of around 50, single, NS. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER P7

NORTH WEST DONEGAL LADY, very young 64, nature lover, enjoys going for country walks, WLTM meet either male or female for friendship, weekends away, or perhaps form a friendship group. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F7

LIMERICK LADY MID 60s, unattached, runs own business, young in outlook, caring, sincere, and personable. Interests include film, theatre, dancing and travel. WLTM gent of similar vintage and with same interests. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER P8

DUBLIN LADY 60s, retired. Interests include history, dancing, reading, cinema and travelling with gentleman with similar interests.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F8

DONEGAL LADY, VERY YOUNG 64, nature lover, enjoys going for country walks, WLTM either male or female for friendship away etc. or perhaps form a friendship group.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER P9

RETIRED FEMALE PRIMARY TEACHER living in the midlands, early 50s, wishes to meet interesting man for friendship or maybe more. Enjoys reading, walking, history, sport.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F9

DUBLIN LADY 70s WLTM sincere gentleman for friendship, companionship with GSOH similar interests which include travel, walking, reading, bowls and music. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER P10

SINGLE TIPPERARY LADY, never married, no ties, well travelled, own home, GSOH, loves theatre, music, sports, walking, WLTM refined, caring gent 65-75, single or widower.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F10 CORK LADY MID-60s, sincere and good sense of humour. Enjoys dancing, animals and good conversation and people with a good sense of humour. WLTM sincere single or widower teetotaller gent with a good sense of humour.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M1 KERRY LADY EARLY 60s, NS, occasional drinker, would like to correspond with honest, caring and respectable person for friendship and companionship. Many interests, including reading, walking, gardening, wildlife, cinema, current affairs etc. Told I am a good humoured and caring per

MATURE, RETIRED BUSINESS LADY, MUNSTER REGION, NS, ND. Still young at heart and searching for that special man to share retirement years. Many interests and include dancing, bridge, walking and travel. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER P11 SINGLE SOUTH DUB GENT, MID 60s, interested in travel, reading, eating out, outdoor life. NS, SD, WLTM friendly lady, mid-50s to mid-60s for companionship and perhaps more.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T1 DUBLIN LADY, MID-60s, WLTM Dublin-based professional gentleman, 60s to 70s. Love Island hopping in the summer and have lots of interests such as travel, reading and dining out. ALA. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T2 RESPECTFUL DUBLIN MAN, 60s, never married. Interests include walking, travel, art, etc.

110 Senior Times l November-December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

MIDLANDS MAN, LATE 50s, retired civil servant, well-travelled. Interests include gardening, fishing, walking, cycling, amateur drama and independent travelling. WLTM a genuine, interesting lady, who enjoys life, for friendship and travelling REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T5 SOUTH CO DUBLIN LADY, MID 60s, seeks friends who enjoy travel, opera, classical and popular music, literature and theatre.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T6 LOVE OF LIFE SOUTH DUBLIN GENT, seeks lady mid-50s who loves life but missing a friend or companion/soulmate to share those special moments. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T7 DUBLIN GENT, 67, NEVER MARRIED, cheerful, cultured, unpretentious, presentable, respectful.

Too many interests to mention. Seeks positive lady to share the joy of life, the joy of living and the joy of laughter. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T8 NORTH CORK MAN, LATE 50s, single, shy lonely. Interests in many things. WLTM down to earth non-professional lady with no family or ties for shared mutual pleasure. Age or size unimportant. Ideally living in North Cork area. Discretion assured. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T9 DUBLIN WIDOW NS, 70s, kind, educated (‘I’m told I’m attractive), seeks honest, caring widower for friendship, companionship for the Golden Days! Varied interests: outdoors, current affairs, reading, cinema/theatre, quizzes, travel, and game for a laugh. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A1 DIVORCED CORK LADY WLTM gent 65-75 for companionship. Interests include archaeology, walking, dancing and adventures.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A2 DUBLIN NORTHSIDE WIDOWER, early 70s, full of life with many and varied interests. NS, SD. Spring approaching and need a lovely lady to hold my hand! Discretion assured. Seeking friendship and possible relationship. ALA REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A3 SOUTH COUNTY DUBLIN PROFESSIONAL LADY (64) WLTM genuine, unattached gent for friendship, possible relationship. I am petite, considered to be a good conversationist and very feminine. I have travelled extensively and am interested in the arts, history, science, theology and current affairs. Also enjoy walking and reading.

GSOH, NS, SD. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A6 TIPP LADY WLTM LADIES aged 60-75 from Limerick, Clare Tipperary area for outings and days out and for a having a chat. Interested in crafts, reading, and arts.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A7 EDUCATED, ATTRACTIVE SOUTH EAST MAN, 66, divorced, no family and no ties WLTM sincere lady 50-75 for mature relationship. Very honest, genuine, respectable, kind and caring.

Enjoy walking, reading, current affairs, travel,

good conversation, theatre, sport, keeping fit and active. 6ft in height, NS, SD with GSOH. All genuine replies welcome. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A8 SOUTH EAST FEMALE (60) with an outgoing, positive personality, WLTM genuine gent for friendship and possible relationship. NS, SD with many interests, including walking, travel, dining out and bridge. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A9 KERRY/LIMERICK BASED LADY, 60s, returned emigrant would like to hear from similar males and females for friendship, travel, socialising. NS. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A10 SINGLE PROFESSIONAL, SOUTH DUBLIN LADY, mid 50s, good looking, slim, 160cm, enthusiastic, university degree, interested in walking, ballet, ballroom dancing, theatre, yoga, healthy lifestyle, WLTM A single professional, caring man with similar interests, 55-63, NS, SD, for friendship, companionship, leading to possible relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A11 MIDLANDS MAN, RETIRED PUBLIC SERVANT, EARLY 60s, WLTM an interesting lady for friendship and travelling. Widely travelled, no ties, enjoys walking, fishing, cycling and outdoor activities and travelling.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A12 WIDOWED MIDLANDS LADY, 60s. NS, SD, GSOH, enjoys good company, music, dancing, walking, reading, foreign travel and weekends away in Ireland. WLTM gentleman with similar interests. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A13 SINGLE SOUTH DUBLIN LADY,mid 50s, good looking professional, interested in ballroom dancing, hillwalking, ballet, theatre, yoga, healthy lifestyle, WLTM a single professional man with similar interests, aged 57-60, fit, NS, ND and DGOH, for friendship and companionship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A14 WIDOWED DUBLIN LADY, 60s, NS, SD, attractive, active, fit, with outgoing personality. Enjoys walking, music, theatre and dining out. WLTM educated, sincere gent with GSOH for friendship and companionship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A15 DUBLIN MAN, LATE 50s, returned emigrant, WLTM men and women with similar experience who may be interested in meeting and possibly to form a group. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A16 DUBLIN WIDOW, EARLY SIXTIES, but don’t look it, WLTM caring widower for friendship and socialising. Interests include reading, gardening and eating out. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A17 NORTHSIDE DUBLIN LADY, 39, Libra, well-educated and travelled, smart, kind and caring, enjoys good conversation, dining out in decent restaurants, cinema and theatre. WLTM a man with GSOH and similar interests for romance and maybe more. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A18 FEMININE DUBLIN LADY, EARLY 60s, well-travelled, semi-retired, fit, fun and engaging.

WLTM a kind, laid back, easy going gentleman who has sound values and principles. And a wee twinkle in his eye! Would like to hear from you!

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A19 DUBLIN GENTLEMAN, 60s, WLTM lady for friendship/companionship. Interests include golf, bridge, dancing and reading. ALA REPLY TO BOX NUMBER Y1 WICKLOW-BASED LADY, 60s, returned emigrant, would like to hear from emigrants of similar age, with a view to friendship or perhaps forming a Returned Emigrants Association?

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER Y2

SOUTH DUBLIN LADY, attractive, with outgoing personality, likes outdoors, walking, theatre, travel, dining out, WLTM sincere, active, unattached man in his 60s for companionship and perhaps deep friendship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER Y3 SINCERE CAVAN WIDOWER, young 67, NS, ND, presentable, kind and caring. Seeks gentle, caring lady soul mate with no ties. Interests include country life, walking, nature, reading, dining out, weekends away etc. Photo appreciated and exchanged. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER Y4 WIDOWED DUBLIN LADY, 60s, NS, no ties, would enjoy company of man of similar age or older. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER Y5 ATTRACTIVE CORK LADY, 64, semi-retired WLTM kind sincere gentleman with common interests for friendship, travel and the simple things in life. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER Y6 PROFESSIONAL GALWAY LADY seeks honest and caring male companion (single or widower) fifties or early sixties for friendship. Interests include reading, walking, some gardening, cinema, travel etc. NS, SD, GSOH. WLTM man in Galway area of similar age and interests.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER X1 60 YEARS YOUNG DUBLIN WOMAN seeks male ballroom dance partner to attend social dances in Dublin area. Having attained bronze level in both international standard and Latin dances. I seek a partner who leads well; a plus if you also dance the Hustle REPLY TO BOX NUMBER X2 ATTRACTIVE, EDUCATED WIDOW, 65, interested in gardening, music, reading, arts, animals, nature etc., would like to find a pen friend or/and a friend to enjoy good things in life.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER X3 LONELY REFINED EDUCATED 65 year old man seeks female soul mate anywhere in Ireland.

Love theatre, literature, cinema, walking. Tall, grey, handsome with GSOH. NS. Like a glass of wine.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER X4 ROMANTIC LADY. Kind and caring, divorced, no ties. Enjoys walking and socialising, travel, cinema, theatre and bridge. I am NS, SD and WLTM a gentleman Late 60’s with similar interests for friendship and companionship in the Dublin area.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER X5 SOUTH SIDE DUBLIN MALE, 61, NS, SD, slim; dress well; have GSOH; very active. Like classic/ traditional music, hiking to country side; travelling; dining out in decent restaurants. Would like to meet lady with good dress sense who can hold a decent conversation and has GSOH. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER X6 MIDLANDS WIDOWER, 60’s, non-smoker, social drinker, sincere with GSOH, interests include music, cinema, par-3 golf and gardening, would like to meet attractive petite lady for friendship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER X7 PERFECT GENTLEMAN 67, Dublin, digital, active, cheerful, sharing, caring, positive, respectful, vibrant, house, car, fully single, full of life, love and laughter. Seeking similar lady, to share the joyful wonder of life. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER X9 ATTRACTIVE 51 YEAR OLD professional woman in County Louth, NS, GSOH, interested in life and all it has to offer! Enjoys music, literature, cooking, theatre, driving to name but a few.

WLTM a gentleman in the same age group with similar interests, a GSOH and a positive outlook on life. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER X10 DUBLIN WIDOW, recently retired, professional,

varied interests, films, music, outdoor life and travel. WLTM sincere gent and hopefully end up as Soul mates! REPLY TO BOX NUMBER X11 WILD ATLANTIC WAY MAN seeks lady for weekends away, theatre, cinema, country walks, eating out and frequent travel to the West from anywhere in Ireland. Refined, educated and house trained 64 year old. Tall, grey and handsome with GSOH. ALA. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER X12 SINGLE LADY 58 from East Europe, attractive, warm personality, many interests. WLTM honest caring gentleman 58-68 for genuine lasting relationship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER X13 69 YEAR OLD IRISHMAN just back from working abroad, seeks female partner 63 to 73 for company, perhaps romance. Loves theatre, cinema, walking and talking. Friendly and easy-going.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER X14 HI I’M A 52 year old woman who would like to meet men in the Dublin area aged 50-55 for friendship, my interests are reading, music and dining out. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER X15 GALWAY MAN LATE FIFTIES. Interests include walking, reading, farming, travelling and gardening.

WLTM woman of similar age and interests.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER X16 DUBLIN SOUTHSIDE FEMALE aged 52 WLTM males or females for friendship, companionship or socialising. My hobbies are walking, gardening, swimming, travelling and dancing.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER X17 NORTHSIDE DUBLIN MALE VEGETARIAN, 63, interested in meditation, walking, nature etc.

NS, ND, WLTM similar males and females for friendship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER X 18

TO PLACE AN ADVERTISEMENT If you are interested in meeting someone of the opposite or same sex, send your advertisement, with four stamps (which is the average reply rate) enclosed in the envelope, to: Meeting Place, Senior Times, Unit 1, 15 Oxford Lane, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.

Or email: john@slp.ie IMPORTANT Ensure you give your approximate age and the area you live, noting your interests. The advertisement should not be more than 60 words.

If you are replying to the advertisement via Senior Time’s email, ensure you include your postal address for those not on the Net. (Only Senior Times will have these details). Deadline for receipt of advertisements for the next issue is 23rd November 2015 TO REPLY TO AN ADVERTISEMENT Each reply to an advertisement should be enclosed in a plain, stamped envelope, with the box number marked in pencil so that it can be erased before being forwarded to the advertiser. Send these envelopes in a covering envelope to the address above so that we can forward them to the advertiser. There is no limit to the amount of advertisements to which you can reply, provided each one is contained in a plain, stamped envelope.

Ensure you give your approximate age and the area you live. For those submitting their advertisements by email ensure that you also supply Senior Times with your postal address so that we can post replies from those who have replied by post. (Only Senior Times will have your postal address).

Never speak ill A short story by Dermot Lane “God save us, Patsy, but I hear Johnny Briscoe had the priest an’ the doctor,” Benny Halpin whispered in his friend’s ear. “Sure musha, God help him, he’s one gentle giant of a man,” Patsy replied.

“Faith an’ he’s that an’ all,” Benny agreed, as he settled his backside on an adjacent window sill, placing his blackthorn stick between his knees, and resting his hands on top. Patsy raised the peak of his cap and scratched his head, trying to make sense of the sad news. Johnny Briscoe of all people, strong as a horse, laid low. Another one as good as gone, another one of the old stock. “God bless us all, sure it won’t be long ‘till were top of that queue ourselves,” he said, and then changing tack, “Do you remember his old Anglia? You could hear it comin’ an’ he still beyond in Mulinavat!”

247 ZL

“Be-dad an’ I do, ‘twas a silver grey colour when he scraped the muck off of it,” Benny replied, “and the fumes out of it an’ he motorin’ up Tinkers Hill. Poor auld Johnny, last of old timers, a bit like meself and yourself,” he said, echoing Patsy’s thoughts. “I’m off to Barnable’s to lift a pint in his name. You comin’?”

“Sure I left the tractor running abroad in Driscolls’ haggart,” Patsy offered lamely, “and Betty’s expecting me home with the bread and milk and the bit of ham for the lunch,” he said, holding aloft as proof the bag containing said items. “Divil the lunch, sure haven’t you time for a quick one?” “I’m sure the bould Johnny would approve,” said Patsy, wilting under the insistent gaze of his friend.

imposed by the gombeens above in the Dáil. A few framed newspaper cuttings adorned the walls, celebrating the local hurling team and their only ever victory in the county final. Pride of place went to a faded photograph of grinning Jed Barnable, back in the day when he had hair, with his arm around an obviously embarrassed Jack Charlton, who wore a club scarf around his long neck and waved a hurley awkwardly over his head. The hurley itself was mounted over the fireplace, held securely in place by a strong bracket ever since what became locally as The Night Of The Row, an event embellished with new depravities at every retelling and long since assimilated into the folklore of the village.

Benny levered himself away the window sill and led the way, all six foot of him striding along in front with Patsy in tow, not quite five foot in his high heeled boots, a sight long since familiar to all in the village, who had nicknamed the duo Mór agus Beag. Benny was a bit unsteady on the pins these days as he point blank refused to travel to Dublin to get the hip done, and he had no wife or family to force the issue, but nonetheless he hobbled along at a fair pace with the aid of the stick, there being no better motivation that the promise of a creamy glass of stout.

“Two large bottles, gentlemen?” asked the landlord, the same Jed Barnable from the photograph, and the answer was yes, of course, as it always was.

The men made their way to their usual seat in the tiny snug at the back of the bar.

Barnable’s Bar and Lounge, a regular watering hole for the two men since their younger days, had grown decrepit even as they grew old and except for the installation of a new bathroom when the patrons got notions about themselves, didn’t change much over the years. Nicotine stains were still visible on the ceiling many years after the cursed smoking ban had been 112 Senior Times l November-December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

“Poor old Johnny, he was a great man for the dances beyond in Carrick,” Patsy said, as he skilfully poured the stout down the side of the glass, pouring at just the right speed and tilting the glass at just the right angle to create the perfect head. He took a long swallow and emptied half the glass. ”Isn’t that where he met herself?” he continued, licking the foam from his whiskered upper lip and pouring again.

“Erra, poor auld Nora, ‘twas awful sad in the end, God rest her, a harmless

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19/02/2015 15:16

woman. I’d a grá for her meself back in the day, an’ I’d say I never told you that. Remember how we used to look forward to the cup of tea and a slice of the apple tart, an’ we all slavin’ abroad in the River Field saving the hay?”

“And the lashings of cream on it.”

“She was a great woman for the apple tarts.”

“Took him a while to get over it.”

“Twas a hard knock an’ there’s no doubt.”

“He was doin’ grand, mind you, till he met the quare one.”

“Lonely hearts in the Farmers Journal, was it?” “‘Twas,’ twas... “ “Or was it Ireland’s Own?” “Be gob, now ye have me, Patsy. Wasn’t it Farmers Journal for the Lonely Hearts and Ireland’s Own for the Pen Friends?” ”Will she be back for the wake I wonder? ’Tis a long way from Manila.”

“Can’t she afford it? It’s his own money anyway.”

Patsy made a move for the bag of groceries as he spoke, making shapes to leave, but Benny drained his own glass and called for two more. Jed was more than happy to oblige.

“Ah now Benny, the tractor is still running beyond in Driscolls’…”

“Ah Divil the tractor. Where’s it going to run to by itself?”

“And Betty will be waiting for the lunch…”

“Would you look at poor Johnny above, hours away from the wooden box, God help us, an’ we’ll be long enough dead Patsy Welsh, and soon enough too, aren’t we next in the queue, you said it yourself. So whisht now and have one for the road.”

Benny bounced the tip of his blackthorn stick firmly on the wooden floor, the better to emphasise the final point. Never one to refuse a drink more than once, Patsy had the stout half poured before Benny had finished his rant.

“Well there’s no gasson to put a claim on it anyhow,” Patsy said, “an’ a fine farm a land it is too.”

“Hasn’t he the nephew above in Dublin?”

“The actor fella? Sure he was a right lunatic altogether, a martyr to the whiskey. Didn’t he drink away the farm his own father left him? Faith an’ I’d say Johnny Briscoe would be too cute, now, to leave it to him”.

“Ah Divil the cute, blood is thicker than water, or whiskey for that matter.

Speaking of whiskey…”

“Ah now …”

Benny caught Jed’s eye through the hatch and gave him the nod. Two Powers arrived within the minute.

“Has he the horses yet?’

“Faith an’ you have me there, Patsy. But there’s the man would know. Jed, has Briscoe still the horses?”

Jed looked up from his Racing Post, his reading glasses hanging precariously to the tip of his nose. “I think so, didn’t he win a rosette last year at the Spring Show?” he said, “but why don’t you ask him yourself? He’s in the lounge beyond with Kitty Brennan.”

“He’s what?” Patsy’s puzzled gaze shifted from Jed to Benny and back again, like a man watching a tennis match.

“He’s in the lounge with Kitty Brennan out of the clinic, by all accounts they’re having a fling, sure ‘tis the talk of the town. Father D’Arcy and Doctor Tracy tried to talk sense into him, but sure ye know what he’s like,” Jed explained quietly.

“Know what he’s like?” Benny spluttered. His already ruddy face grew redder by the second. “Sure wasn’t he the same when poor old Nora died, out gallivanting again within a couple of months, the woman not cold in the ground, an’ she the finest poor auld cratur of a woman in the parish.”

“Ah now Benny, ‘twas a hard knock, sure weren’t we just sayin’…?” Patsy tried to reason with him, looking to Jed for support, but the barman had suddenly found some glasses that needed polishing at the far end of the counter.

114 Senior Times l November-December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

“A hard knock me eye, and him and his lonely hearts from Manila, the eejit, with his fancy cars and racehorses, thinkin’ he’s better than the rest of us.

Kitty Brennan is it, and she only a young wan of fifty, oh I know what he’s like alright, and I told so him too, The Night Of The Row. I should have skulled him with the hurley when I had the chance and if it wasn’t bolted to the wall, begod, I’d have another go at him now...gimme that blackthorn stick, and I’ll let him have the flavour of it, the auld blackguard!”

Benny made a grab for the stick before Patsy could calm him down but his sudden leap out of the chair was too much for his old hips, and he landed with a thud in a heap on the floor, purple faced and grimacing with pain.

Patsy helped him into a chair, winded and with his sudden anger somewhat dissipated. Patsy could have sworn he saw a tear in the eye of his beloved friend as the normal colour returned to his face, but if he did, tact prevented him from embarrassing his old companion further.

“I think I might need a brandy after that,’ Benny wheezed, regaining his composure. Jed Barnable, who had suddenly reappeared, magically produced two brandies.

“Hennessy,” he said, “On the house.”

“But the tractor, still running below in …” Patsy’s protest was cut short.

“For the love o’ Mike,’ Benny cut him short, “Jed, will you do me one more favour. Go get the keys outta this man’s tractor, he’s not going anyplace anytime soon. And put up two more large bottles before you go.”

“But Betty’s waiting for the bit of lunch…”

“Ham you say? And bread? Slap it up there, Patsy, we need to line the auld tummies, It’s not livin’ that your doin’ if it feels like dyin’ and we’ve a bit of livin’ to do yet!”

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Crossword Crossword Number 73 by Zoë Devlin

ACROSS 1 6 10 16 17 18 19 20 21 23 26 28 29 30 31 34 36 37 42 44 45 46 49 50 51 52 57 58 60 61 66 67 68 69 72 73 75 81 82 83 84 86 88 89 90 95 96 97 98 100 101 102

A lone whale loves this end of October feast! (9) Ate greedily (8) It begins with All Saints’ Day (8) Can this Spanish nobleman put on clothes? (3) Provides amusement for the inner state? (10) State capital of S. Australia (8) Moo like a cow (3) They are under suspicion (8) Custard-like food made from curdled milk (6) Person who meddles in others’ affairs (8) Accumulate or gather (5) Chapel in Vatican City (7) Lion born in July or August? (3) I’d be wary of being lopsided or crooked! (4) Small secluded room in a pub (4) Martin Cahill film, starring Brendan Gleeson (3,7) An artist such as Renoir, Gauguin or Millet (7) Stitch together with needle and thread (3) Mediocre - ordinary - indifferent (2-2) Underground tunnel as in ancient Rome (8) He wrote ‘The Playboy of the Western World’ (5) Debonaire - refined - smooth (5) Vaporise - fade away gradually (9) Tell a porky! (3) U.S. university or make of door locks? (4) Male sheep (3) Witty person who makes jokes (3) Citrus fruit loved by Emil? (4) Moggy or bowler or special loved one? (3) Disparage, belittle or deplore (9) Chilling - alarming - provoking fear (5) Form of quartz used as a gemstone (5) Lacking courage - faint-hearted (8) Indonesian island and type of coffee (4) Memorable saying or cutting implement (3) Sticky, dark syrup or sentimental mush! (7) Welsh soldier, ___, who organised an Arab revolt (1.1.8) Surface of ground - often used as fuel (4) Ridge which moves across surface of sea (4) Institute legal proceedings against someone (3) Joyce uses sly words in his best-known novel (7) Was Puccini’s opera written at Ascot? (5) You can use a blowgun on this little house (8) Celtic language of Brittany (6) Twelve days after Christmas (8) Products of human creativity (3) There’s only one wheel on this bike (8) Calculated - not accidental (10) Antelope with a gun? (3) Comes last every year! (8) Our deputy head of government (8) And our head of government (9)

118 Senior Times l November-December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 22 24 25 26 27 32 33 35 38 39 40 41 43 45 47 48 53 54 55 56 59 60 62 63 64 65 70 71 74 76 77 78 79 80 85 87 88 91 92 93 94 99

Conceals - prevents from being discovered (5) Expanse of scenery seen in one view (9) Excessively fat (5) Demesnes - extensive landed properties (7) Wife of author of 84 across, __ Barnacle (4) Spectacular - striking - sensational in effect (8) Small beards or Flemish paintings? (3,5) Ultraviolet, in short (2) Quilt filled with duck feathers (9) Notice of someone’s death (8) Author of ‘Brideshead Revisited’, ___ Waugh (6) Thin inflatable rubber bags - for parties? (8) Pay a dowry to be this raucous and loud! (5) Pixie or goblin (3) Bing sang he watched the sun go down here (6,3) Adventures, exciting undertakings (9) Elaborate representation of historical scenes (7) Public performers, dancers or singers (8) City and canal in N.E. Egypt (4) Sacred river of the Hindus (6) Publication of large folded sheets (9) Former husband - found in Essex? (2) Shirley ___, star of ‘The Apartment’ (8) Vatican City is an enclave within this city (4) Teeny-weeny, itty-bitty (3) Fairy in ‘Romeo & Juliet’, Queen ___ (3) Exchange or barter (4) Not gregarious - alone - lacking companions (8) James Cook landed here in 1770 (6,3) Barrier to contain flow of water (3) White alpine flower, song from ‘The Sound of Music’ (9) Primate found in an apex or an aperitif? (3) She was the heroine of ‘Dr Zhivago’ (4) Can Da reveal this founder of Fianna Fail? (2,6) First-class - splendid (9) Least powerful piece in chess (4) Help . be of service (6) UK’s Special Air Service (3) Waterford-born singer, ___ Doonican (3) Go safe o’er the waves to these N.Atlantic islands (7) Fourth note of the tonic solfa (2) Small bar across fingerboard of string instrument (4) Smallest continent and former penal colony (9) Longing for something past - maybe lost again? (9) Perhaps an entire FC, excessively frenzied? (8) Supporter of James II (8) Was Sir Alec a kind of stout person? (8) Explosive compound (8) Female singer such as Te Kanawa, Callas or Sutherland (7) Absence of matter - or type of cleaner (6) Recognisable kind - identification mark (5) Lean on the print media? (5) Young man or boy (5) Type of cereal grass, ingredient in black bread (3) Gusto, relish or piquance (4) Atomic number 73 or just a short ‘Thank you’? (2)

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Send your entries to: Crossword Competition, Senior Times, Unit 1, 15 Oxford Lane, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.

The first correct entry drawn is the winner. Deadline for receipt of entries is 24th November 2015

f Crafts

f Making your Christmas box

f

Connie McCoy shows you how to make a trinket box which makes an ideal Christmas present Requirements: 1 wooden box with a hinged lid, (a cigar box was used in this project.

Sufficient black felt to cover the outside of the box outer lid/top, base and sides, + oddments of green in three shades for the spray that consists of holly, ivy and mistletoe.

Some glass beads: red for the holly, purple for the ivy and some pearl beads for the mistletoe.

Red silk to line inner box lid/top, base and sides, it will be necessary to allow 1cm for turnings when cutting the silk.

Lightweight wadding for padding, card to use as templates, fabric glue, black embroidery cotton, 1 button, a nail file and a fine needle.

Lining and padding for box inner sides: Begin by cutting four pieces of card that will fit neatly around the inner sides of the box, use these pieces of card as templates to cut matching pieces of wadding. Glue the wadding onto one side of the card and glue the other side of the card to the appropriate inner box sides making sure that the fit is accurate/neat.

Allowing for turnings including the thickness of the wood at sides topline, one turning at centre back joining, turning at base, and a fold at each corner cut a strip to requirement from the red silk on the straight of the fabric.

Starting at centre back, apply a narrow line of glue to the top of outer side of the box (including around the hinged areas) to just beyond the 1st corner, apply a narrow line of glue to the base of the box on the inside to beyond the 1st corner also. Turn 1cm of red fabric on one short end to wrong side and press, position the unturned end at centre back of inside box and glue in place over the card and wadding.

Keeping the strip of silk running straight position the allowance at box base on the glue

and fix in place, slit the top allowance (in order to fit hinged areas) then push allowance between the lid and box top to outside of box and pull down onto the glue fixing securely. Make a neat pleat at the corner before fixing in place, continue thus making a neat pleat at each corner until the pressed allowance is fixed neatly in place at centre back.

Lining and padding for inner box base: Cut 1 piece of card that is a neat fit for the base + 1piece of foam to fit card, smear one side of the card with glue and fix the foam onto it. Allowing for turnings on all sides cut the required amount of red silk on the straight of fabric, smear glue along all sides of the unpadded side of card and pull the long sides first to the be fixed there, repeat procedure at the short sides after forming a neat pleat at each corner before fixing in place, glue random areas of the now padded inner base and push onto the box ensuring a neat fit. Repeat this procedure for box inner lid but glue the allowance to outer side of lid.

Outer box sides: Cut a strip from the black felt that will include a turning allowance at the base only on the long side + at one short side. Fold the felt in half to find the centre and stitch the button on the centre of the area that will be at the front of the box, then starting at centre back and with the aid of a nail file spread some glue sparingly along the silk allowance that has already been secured on outer box sides, continuing to the

120 Senior Times l November-December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

first outer box corner. Place the strip of felt against the glued silk but not flush with the box top edge in order to allow the red lining to be visible, pull the felt around the corners (no need for pleats) continue thus to centre back where the felt should be accurately merged before excess allowance is cut away. Spread a line of glue along outer edges of box base, pull the remaining edge of the felt strip to the base and fix in place on all areas/sides. Cut a piece of card to fit the base, also a piece of black felt of similar size that can be fixed onto one side of card with glue then the entire can be glued to the box base felt side out.

Outer box lid: Cut a piece of card slightly smaller than the lid, cut a piece of black felt that is flush with all sides of lid. Make a loop at the centre of the felt by working buttonhole stitch over two loose threads in the area that is to be the front of the lid, and is large enough to reach the button when the lid is closed. Using a nail file spread a fine line of glue along the sides and centre of one side of the card, fix the felt centrally on top making sure that the loop is facing out. Smear glue liberally on the other side of the card before fixing the entire onto the outside of the lid.

As this trinket box is intended as a Christmas gift it has been decorated with a spray of holly, ivy and mistletoe all worked in felt with the inclusion of some beads and fixed in position as desired with dabs of fabric glue in order to add a festive touch.

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