Life magazine Autumn 2014

Life MAGAZINE FOR LIFE MEMBERS

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COVER

WALKING FOOTBALL Life members Steve Hyde and Les Turner dust off their boots and shin pads to take part in the fastest-growing sport for over-50s men in the UK INSIDE

‘HOW NAHT SAVED MY JOB’ NAHT PARTNERS READER SURVEY

AUTUMN 2014 ISSUE 84

18/11/2014 16:30

PARTNERS GRAYBROOK

Professional indemnity and public liability insurance If you are undertaking work such as educational consultancy, a school-improvement partner or inspections, you may be required to have your own professional indemnity and public liability insurance. To help you, NAHT works closely with Graybrook Insurance to ensure you are offered the most appropriate cover at a competitive price.

Some of the key benefits of the insurance cover are: • optional limits of professional indemnity insurance; • £5 million public liability insurance as standard; • optional cover for employers liability insurance; • all previous work included; and • five-year run-off cover provided automatically when retiring or ceasing to practise.

To obtain a quotation, or to find out more about the scheme, contact Graybrook.

PARTNERS’ CONTACTS Useful numbers NAHT is committed to negotiating high-quality, value-added benefits and services for its members.

If you have any comments on the services provided by our affinity partners, please email John Randall, NAHT’s commercial marketing manager: john.randall@naht.org.uk.

www.graybrook.co.uk/naht-members

ROCK enquiry@graybrook.co.uk 01245 321185 8 Chandlers Way, South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, CM3 5TB AVIVA

Get complete peace of mind on your home and car insurance Aviva has teamed up with NAHT to offer you comprehensive cover through the UK’s largest insurance company. With dedicated UK-based call centres, Aviva offers car and home insurance specifically to suit the needs of education professionals.

So, if you need to take a pupil or colleague from one education site to another in your vehicle, our car insurance covers this at no extra cost. With our home insurance if you need to take school equipment home or take personal possessions to work you will be covered automatically.

Telephone only offer – up to £70 Amazon.co.uk gift certificate* A £35 Amazon.co.uk gift certificate is yours if you take out a new car insurance policy – and a further £35 Amazon.co.uk gift certificate is also yours if you take out a new home insurance policy (excluding buildings-only cover). The voucher offer does not apply to policies purchased online. For more information and to get a quote contact Aviva. www.fromyourassociation.co.uk/NAHT 0800 656 9716** Lines are open 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, except bank holidays, 9am to 12.30pm Saturday * Offer may be withdrawn at any time. Terms and conditions are available at www.fromyourassociation.co.uk/NAHT. ** Calls from UK landlines are free. Calls may be monitored and/or recorded.

Insurance underwritten by Aviva Insurance Limited. Registered in Scotland No. 2116.

Registered office: Pitheavlis, Perth, PH2 0NH. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

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Travel insurance 0844 482 3390 www.nahttravelinsurance.co.uk AVIVA Home, contents and motor insurance 0800 046 6389 www.fromyourassociation. co.uk/NAHT CS HEALTHCARE Private medical insurance 0800 917 4325 www.cshealthcare.co.uk (promo code 147) GRAYBROOK INSURANCE BROKERS LTD Professional indemnity and public liability cover 01245 321 185 www.graybrook.co.uk/nahtmembers Email: enquiry@graybrook. co.uk MBNA Credit card www.mbna.co.uk SKIPTON Independent financial advice 0800 012 1248 www.skiptonfs-naht.co.uk Email: sfsnaht@skipton.co.uk

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18/11/2014 15:42

Editorial Life support from NAHT

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he overwhelming message from this edition of Life is: ‘NAHT is there to support you’ whether you are working full-time, part-time, active at your local branch or happily settled in retirement.

Birmingham principal Bhupinder Kondal can testify to this. She was caught up in the ‘Trojan horse’ affair with an increasingly bullying chair of governors who asked her when she was going to retire; when was she going to resign; and told her they needed a “bitch”, not an “auntie” as their head teacher. All this when Ofsted had recognised the school as ‘outstanding’.

As you can read on page 8, Bhupinder is now back behind her desk and grateful for NAHT’s assistance. If you would like to help school leaders like Bhupinder, there’s a reminder on pages 6 about the training available to branch officials. You can also find our listing of active Life member groups on page 15. Please email naht@redactive.co.uk with any updates to the list.

There’s also a focus on fitness this issue, with our health slot (page 12) offering ways to cut back on your alcohol intake and our feature on page 10 looking at ‘walking football’. Two active Life members, Les Turner (Lancashire NAHT casework officer) and Steve Hyde (Lancashire treasurer and north-west NAHT training officer), have seen their fitness levels shoot up due to their participation in this game for the over-50s.

Lastly, if you get a moment, tell us what you think of Life magazine – see page 6 for some prompts. Email publications@naht.org.uk with your thoughts. And don’t forget the association is on Twitter at @nahtnews.

CONTENTS

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NAHT PARTNERS Selected services for members.

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NEWS NAHT calls for Ofsted reform; Support for Birmingham schools; Backing for ‘Read On. Get On’.

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NEWS Advanced training course for branch officials; Main party leaders pledge to support Primary Futures; Help us get Life right for you.

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OPINION NAHT past president Dr Rona Tutt.

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FIGHTING BACK “If it wasn’t for NAHT, I wouldn’t be here,” says reinstated Birmingham principal Bhupinder Kondal.

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10 WALKING FOOTBALL Life members Steve Hyde and Les Turner have dusted off their football boots in a bid to stay healthy.

12 HEALTH How to reduce your alcohol intake.

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13 RECIPE Chef Tom Kerridge’s delicious ultra-choc brownies.

14 TRAVEL Why not visit the city at the centre of the world – Istanbul.

15 CONTACTS AND CROSSWORD Find a local group; and test our Life member crossword compilers. Tip: don’t look at the answers below.

Steve Smethurst, Managing editor

CROSSWORD SOLUTION EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES

EDITORIAL

Life is published by Redactive Publishing Limited on behalf of the NAHT

Managing editor: Steve Smethurst Designer: Adrian Taylor Senior picture editor: Claire Echavarry Production director: Jane Easterman Printed by: Gemini Press

ASSOCIATION ENQUIRIES NAHT, 1 Heath Square, Boltro Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 1BL www.naht.org.uk Tel: 0300 30 30 333

17 Britton Street, London EC1M 5TP www.redactive.co.uk Tel: 020 7880 6200 Email: naht@redactive.co.uk

ADVERTISING Sales executive: Joe Elliott-Walker Sales director: Jason Grant

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18/11/2014 15:50

NEWS ROUND-UP NEWS IN BRIEF

NAHT calls for Ofsted reform

Support for Birmingham schools Children should be protected from extremism and radicalisation of any kind – and radical ideologies are not the exclusive domain of any one religion, race or political group. That’s the message from Russell Hobby, NAHT general secretary.

Five years of support needed

VICTOR DE JESUS / UNP

Ahead of Ofsted’s planned consultation, NAHT believes the time has come to stop tinkering with school inspection and instead transform it to make it fairer and more accountable.

NAHT general secretary Russell Hobby (pictured) said: “Ofsted’s legitimacy hangs in the balance.

Schools can no longer learn effectively from its adversarial approach. The current model of inspection has reached the end of its useful life and now holds the education system back.

“The regime stifles innovation, provokes unnecessary bureaucracy and damages recruitment. Small changes will not be enough.

“NAHT’s manifesto for education contains positive suggestions for a new approach to inspection. We’d like to see a system of peer review, where school leaders lead rigorous and accredited reviews of other schools.” bit.ly/NAHTmanifesto

He said: “The ‘Trojan horse’ allegations have triggered a major crisis in Birmingham’s schools. This will take time to heal. We should support school leaders calmly and closely, with neither panic nor complacency.

This situation needs a sustained focus and long-term commitment. It is not acceptable for authorities to go back to ‘business as usual’ when the media spotlight moves on.”

Birmingham principal Bhupinder Kondal’s fight for justice, page 8

‘Read On. Get On’ urges NAHT NAHT is a key partner in an initiative from Save the Children to improve the children’s literacy.

The Read On. Get On campaign launches this month with thousands of children reading with an adult for at least 10 minutes. The initiative fits in with NAHT’s manifesto, which states the profession should take ownership of standards. NAHT

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general secretary Russell Hobby said: “By taking ownership, we will set better, fairer standards and crowd out political interference.

“I have drafted a letter to MPs asking them to back the campaign. Our goal is to help every child leaving primary school by 2025 to read confidently.” tinyurl.com/readongeton

Research by NAHT shows two thirds of teachers who aspire to be heads would welcome tailored and convenient support to achieve their goals. NAHT surveyed more than 1,000 teachers and 69 per cent said it would take them five years to feel confident they could lead their school, with just eight per cent currently feeling confident. bit.ly/Five_years

Family Action’s toy appeal As a part of NAHT’s partnership with Family Action, schools are being encouraged to raise funds for the charity. Family Action supports more than 45,000 children and families. This year, you can help to ensure thousands of children receive a Christmas present by getting involved in the charity’s toy appeal. It is asking schools to donate toys or raise funds to bring festive joy to children who may not otherwise receive a gift. www.family-action.org.uk

Strong interest in NAHT Edge There has been a high number of applications to join NAHT Edge, with thousands of visits to the website. Louis Coiffait, NAHT Edge CEO, said: “Edge is incredibly helpful for middle leaders. If you have a colleague who could benefit, please encourage them to take a look.

As an NAHT member, for each person you refer who subsequently joins, you will receive a £20 Amazon voucher.

And they’ll get a discount too.” www.nahtedge.org.uk

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18/11/2014 15:59

Neglect is the most common form of child abuse The 1933 law on neglect is basic and out of date It doesn’t prevent neglect and leaves children at risk

Help us keep children safe Join our campaign to change the law Text neglect3 and your email address to 88080 or visit www.actionforchildren.org.uk/neglectlawchange

Design by Dinah, 14, who has been supported by Action for Children services Text will cost your standard network charge. Providing your email address is optional. If you choose to text neglect to 88080 you are opting-in to receive further information about Action for Children by text message and email. Please contact 0300 123 2112 for further information.

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17/11/2014 16:35

NEWS ROUND-UP

Building a stronger NAHT ADVANCED TRAINING COURSE FOR OFFICIALS LEADS TO A MORE EFFECTIVE UNION

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AHT has held an advanced training course for officials. National president Gail Larkin spoke about what it means to be a branch official and the importance of having confidence to represent colleagues.

Delegates then took part in an interactive advocacy skills workshop, where participants split into two teams and prepared either a prosecution or defence of a mock gross-misconduct hearing. The hearing was then acted out by a representative from each side.

Clare Cook, Norfolk branch secretary, said: “The panel hearing has given me a clear insight into the advocacy aspect

of branch secretary work and has made me feel more confident in protecting and supporting my members in Norfolk.”

Delegates also heard from NAHT senior solicitor Simon Thomas regarding employment law, TUPE and the new ACAS early conciliation policy.

Sarah Winder, recruitment marketing manager, talked about recruitment

The three main party leaders, depicted in the photograph by pupils at Islington’s St Luke’s CE Primary, have joined more than 100 MPs to pledge their support to Primary Futures.

Through the scheme, which launched in October, more than 1,000 primary schools now have free access to a network of volunteers from different backgrounds and professions, from archaeologists to zoologists.

The project has been developed by NAHT in partnership with the Education and Employers Taskforce charity, which runs Inspiring the Future.

On the Isle of Man, NAHT branch secretary Carol Walsh, head at Ballacottier Primary School in Douglas, said the initiative had really taken off: “We had a variety of people set up a careers convention for the children and John Higgins at Manx Utilities led science lessons for us in the morning.

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PRIMARY FUTURES

Main party leaders pledge to support Primary Futures

“We then had the training officer for BP Shipping, a microbiologist from Manx Utilities, a hospital engineer and a female engineer from Manx Gas. I can’t believe how enthusiastic people have been.” www.primaryfutures.org

initiatives that can be delivered locally, while branch analyst and adviser Kim Bowden spoke to delegates regarding HQ support and ideas for rejuvenating branches.

Steve Cleverly, training presenter and South West regional officer said: “This is a terrific development to improve the quality of support to our members and empower local officials.”

NAHT plans to deliver this training (and also an introductory session) across the country. If your branch or region is interested, contact NAHT governance officer Henry Fowler. henry.fowler@naht.org.uk 01444 472495

Help us get Life right for you…

Education is a vocation and, as an NAHT Life member, we know that even if you no longer work in a school, you will still be engaged with the profession and its issues.

Life is designed to help keep you abreast of developments in school policy and practice and provide information on targeted products and services. We hope it is also a way of keeping in touch with former colleagues, whether retired or still at the coalface.

However, we’d like to know what you think of the magazine and how it could be improved. For example, please tell us if you would like to see more or fewer: • education-focused news features?

• features based on health and fitness?

• features based on retirement?

For any suggestions or comments, contact us at the address below. publications@naht.org.uk

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18/11/2014 16:01

VIEWPOINT

Opinion Oaths of office THE NEXT GOVERNMENT MAY MAKE US SWEAR, BUT IS THAT ANY DIFFERENT FROM ANY PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION?

RONA TUTT VIEW FROM A PAST PRESIDENT

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he main parties seem to have realised what many of us pointed out from the start: that as more schools become academies there comes a point at which it is not possible to manage them from Whitehall.

So, having circumnavigated local authorities, the Conservatives have come up with the idea of having eight regional schools commissioners (RSCs) to keep an eye on existing academies and to ensure that more schools, willingly or otherwise, move to academy status.

Hardly had the RSCs taken up their posts, than the prime minister said that their role should expand to taking control of any school seen by Ofsted as ‘failing’ and to do so from the day the report is published.

Not tried, not trusted Running alongside this change is a proposal for a national teaching service. This would be a pool of superteachers ready to be parachuted into failing schools. Nicky Morgan, who replaced Michael Gove in the last reshuffle, added: “The next phase of the plan must go further and faster in targeting schools where failure has become ingrained… we will not tolerate failure and where we find it we will use tried and trusted

interventions to turn things around.”

She went on to explain that these interventions consisted of the RSCs, who have only just been put in place, and a national teaching service, which is still in the pipeline.

Meanwhile, over in the red corner, current shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt has been busy following the well-thumbed MPs’ Guide to Education, which states if something works in one school, it will work for all.

Also, if it works in another country, it can be imported lock, stock and barrel.

Thus, he returned from Singapore committed to the idea of newly qualified teachers taking an oath.

Speaking to the BBC, he said: “I’m very attracted by this notion of having almost a Hippocratic oath about the meaning and purpose of teaching.”

His comments sent Twitter into overdrive, with suggestions that it would be better to take an oath pledging to work 60 hours a week before being forced out with exhaustion, or swearing to follow education policies that had been thought up by people with no relevant experience beyond the fact that they went to school.

As there is a lack of space to do justice to the other parties, I can only mention the Lib Dems’ enthusiasm for first aid being a

It would be better “ to take an oath pledging to work 60 hours a week before being forced out

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compulsory subject; UKIP’s desire to see a grammar school in every town; and the Greens’ yearning for youth schools. This is the model in Denmark and elsewhere, which gives young people from the age of 14 more extended opportunities than the extended schools programme.

Whoever holds the reins of power after the next election will need to decide the role of local authorities, which are still being given fresh responsibilities, for example under the Children and Families Act, while having their former raison d’être increasingly removed.

Amid all this, one manifesto is complete, NAHT’s Owning what is ours: a manifesto for education. This puts the profession in the driving seat, exactly where it belongs.

Rona Tutt is a retired head teacher and a past president of the NAHT

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18/11/2014 15:38

MEMBER SUPPORT

‘If it wasn’t for NAHT I wouldn’t be here’ Principal Bhupinder Kondal is back behind her desk after a traumatic few months. She tells Susan Young about the support she received from NAHT

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ithout the bravery and determination of school principal Bhupinder Kondal (pictured, far right) in refusing to go down without a fight, the allegations in the ‘Trojan horse’ letter (see panel) might never have been taken seriously.

When Bhupinder was forced to resign from Birmingham’s Oldknow Academy, her family persuaded her to tell officials from NAHT what had happened. Crucially, unlike most others in Birmingham, she had spotted a pattern emerging.

Bhupinder is confident and gutsy, but the strain is apparent as she talks of worsening years of trouble with her chair of governors, until she finally resigned in January. She’d noted

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other heads losing their jobs under similar circumstances and hadn’t fully appreciated the help NAHT would be able to offer.

“I used to hear one day a head was there, the next day they were gone.

I also heard about rifts between the head and the governors. I remember thinking: ‘It’s always the head that goes in those circumstances.’

“I thought I was on my own.

A head teacher has very few people to talk to and I didn’t say anything to anyone. Eventually, it reached the stage where I handed in my resignation. But my family said: ‘You’ve got to talk to the union.’

“When I spoke to NAHT’s regional officer Rob Kelsall, I worried he wouldn’t believe me. Yet he phoned me back and told me it was really

important I had support. He also told me about the Trojan horse letter. My feet haven’t touched the ground since.”

Bhupinder describes her relationship with her governors as “traumatic” until the official inquiries led to certain members being replaced.

Her problems with them escalated from 2009. “First, they wanted the urinals removed because they said they were not Islamic. I was overpowered – there were 17 governors and only one of me. I was told most children were from a Muslim background, so why was I doing things that were ‘un-Islamic’? That was the start.”

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‘TROJAN HORSE’ AT A GLANCE • The ‘Trojan horse’ letter - believed to be a hoax by many – was sent to Birmingham City Council, NAHT officials and journalists. It includes documents that appear to explain to a recipient in Bradford how to replicate the ‘organised disruption’ caused by recruiting hard-line Muslims in Birmingham to governing bodies, with the aim of taking over schools • After the letter became public, and partly because of pressure by the NAHT, there were two enquiries, plus inspections by Ofsted and the Education Funding Agency • The DfE enquiry, led by former counter-terrorism chief Peter Clarke, found evidence of an “aggressive Islamist agenda”. He told the BBC: “The report gives a description of a number of practices that really have no place in state, non-faith schools.”

• A report by Ian Kershaw, independent chief adviser to Birmingham City Council, found evidence that some governors had placed: “…demands on head teachers to modify curriculum provision which denies students their right to access a broad and balanced curriculum including the right to understand other world religions and the right to relationship and sex education

GETTY / LAURA RAYMOND

• Ofsted inspected 21 schools and put five into ‘special measures’

Next came the demand for an in-school Madrassa (an Islamic school), the teaching of Arabic and a trip to Saudi Arabia, billed as helping the children to practise the language.

“It was a holy trip as well... and, while parents were happy, it was something else that was changing the ethos and the character of a non-faith school. But I didn’t have a choice.”

There was some segregation around PE and discussions about teaching children how to recite the Koran.

“The discussions didn’t involve the whole governing body, it was mainly coming from the chair. He had plans

to introduce an Islamic curriculum in a big way and the full governing body did not realise these conversations were going on.”

Then came Christmas. “I was told to cancel it. The children were upset because they wanted a party. I was told I couldn’t because standards were ‘too low’.”

Matters got worse. Bhupinder was told to move on two assistant heads and failed her performance management (although the school was ‘outstanding’). She says she was set unattainable targets and was told the governors had lost confidence in her.

“The chair started to ask when I was going to resign and when my retirement date was coming up. The school needed a ‘bitch’, he said. They didn’t need an auntie or a grandmother. I cried throughout the conversation.”

Bhupinder resigned and two weeks later had her first conversation with NAHT, setting in train a series of events that led to her being reinstated in August. She faces an uphill struggle still: her previously ‘outstanding’ school is now in ‘special measures’.

However, Bhupinder is determined.

She says: “The staff have been amazing, the children and the majority of the parents really welcoming but there’s a lot of work to do and everything’s being looked at under a microscope.”

She also has new governors, including local head teachers. “I’ve never had a governing body like this,” she says. “It’s different. Smaller, more proactive and supportive, not interfering. I am being treated like a principal.”

Bhupinder is amazed by the level of support she has received, in particular from NAHT and regional officer Rob Kelsall. “It’s been phenomenal. I didn’t think I was going to be supported in the way I have been.

“It’s been 24/7, I’ve been able to phone Rob at midnight when it’s been frantic with things in the press. And I am back in my job: if it wasn’t for NAHT I wouldn’t be here.”

If you need professional advice, call 0300 30 30 333

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18/11/2014 15:38

NAHT UNITED

Keeping healthy is a walk in the park Dust off your football boots and your shin pads because walking football is coming to a town near you, say Steve Hyde and Les Turner

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f asked to name the fastest growing sport for over-50s males in this country, the majority would never think to consider football as their first guess. But this is exactly what is happening up and down the length of the country. Walking football is aimed mainly at the over 50s but also involves many rehabilitation and inclusion groups at a younger age.

It is well recorded that Sir Stanley Matthews (of Stoke City and Blackpool FC fame) played professionally to the age of 50, but the idea is for large numbers of new and past participants to achieve a level of competence and fitness at a more modest level.

The majority of amateur and professional players retire in their 30s due to injuries, aches and pains, family commitments or a disenchantment with the game they once loved. But, supported by various agencies (such as Age UK) and local sports associations, many veterans are being enticed back to their sporting roots, redeveloping skills long cast aside into distant memory.

This has been highlighted in the recent Barclay’s Digital Eagles advertisement on television.

In Lancashire, two former head teachers and NAHT Life members

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have joined the swelling numbers of rejuvenated ‘mature gentlemen’ helping to kick-start a health initiative. Les Turner (Lancashire NAHT casework officer) and Steve Hyde (Lancashire treasurer and north-west NAHT training officer) are keen to share their experiences of the scheme as widely as possible to promote the health and fitness angle of looking after oneself in retirement. Both played football to a reasonable standard earlier in their careers and have a similar background in coaching the schools’ game to district level – Les in the North East and Southampton; Steve in Coventry.

Walking football in Blackpool was set up by Terri Sawkill, senior manager at Age UK Blackpool and Blackpool FC Community Trust. It is funded by a sports lottery grant with the football club providing coaching sessions, led by the football club’s inclusion officer, Dave Maclean.

The group, known in its competitive

format as the Senior Seasiders, has grown since its December 2013 inception from just a few interested people to 40 members and up to 20 regular players at their twice-weekly sessions. The age range is from 53 to 76 with a complete spectrum of ability, fitness and enthusiasm.

Steve reports: “To start playing football again at 60 is a fantastic way to keep the mind and body re-energised, but to have Jimmy Armfield (a former England captain and Blackpool FC Age UK’s president) as full-back at the first session was unbelievable.”

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Left to right: Les Turner in his Sunderland shirt, Blackpool FC’s inclusion officer Dave Maclean and Steve Hyde, who is wearing a Finland top

Both Les and Steve have benefitted from an increased level of fitness as well as significant weight loss. This is reflected when talking to the whole group of participants. Some could barely manage the 10-minute walking warm-up when they started.

The over-50 male section of society is increasingly hard to reach when looking at increased physical activity, hence Age UK’s support for the Blackpool veterans because they can see the value in improving their mobility and fitness.

Aston University’s Dr Peter Reddy, speaking at the British Science Festival in Birmingham in September, told delegates: “By the age of 55-64, only 32 per cent of men say they take the recommended half-hour of strenuous exercise five times a week. Football is one answer to this puzzle. Older people who play have more muscle, harder bones, better cardiovascular system, lower heart rate and blood pressure, less fat and better oxygen absorption.”

Reddy added that the psychological benefits of football are as important

as the physiological ones. “A study shows that they have high levels of what we term ‘flow,’ which means ‘psychological reward and satisfaction’.

They see it as fun and rewarding.

They report that the level of stress and exertion involved is comparatively low, even though measurements show that they are working hard.”

Les tells Life: “Our competitive streak is still alive and kicking even though our legs don’t move as well as they used to. We still wear shin pads just be on the safe side and all of us hope that our favourite team (Sunderland for Les; Stockport County for Steve) is going to spot our potential and call us up into their first team squad.”

Steve adds: “We even have, the local vicar, playing – which is very useful if anyone is the victim of a lifethreatening tackle from Les.” Other added benefits are the camaraderie enjoyed by meeting people from a variety of backgrounds both during the sessions and

afterwards in the cool down tea-break.

Already the group has played at Blackpool’s Bloomfield Road ground (Les being the latest player to score a hat-trick there) and taken part in tournaments in Glossop, Oswestry and Blackpool. Other teams have made the journey from Rochdale, Shrewsbury, Grimsby, Chesterfield, Fleetwood and Rotherham. The latter laying claim to the youngest of the Charlton brothers, Tom, as their captain.

Steve is the team goalkeeper, mainly because he is the only one who can still get down to the low shots with his hands. Getting up afterwards is a slightly different matter, he says.

And, of course, there’s nothing to stop women from setting up their own teams so it may be that the walking football league tables can also strike a blow for gender equality too…

www.walkingfootballunited.co.uk bit.ly/BlackpoolFC_Facebook

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18/11/2014 15:37

Health Be drink aware IT’S EASY TO FALL INTO BAD HABITS WHERE DRINKING IS CONCERNED AND WE ALL KNOW THAT ALCOHOL CAN HAVE ADVERSE EFFECTS ON YOUR HEALTH. HERE ARE SOME WAYS TO CUT BACK…

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ith the news that Scotland and Northern Ireland are looking to toughen their drink-driving stance; calls to label wine with a calorie count; and the excesses of Christmas just around the corner, it’s probably a good time to look at why it’s beneficial to cut down on drinking – and how to do it.

The UK government advises that men should not regularly (most days) drink more than one and a half pints of beer (three to four units of alcohol) and women a 175ml glass of wine (two to three units).

Stick to these guidelines and you’re what the government defines as a lower-risk drinker. If you consistently drink more than this, you face an increasing risk of developing health problems and, if the amount you’re drinking is usually double or more than the above amounts, you’re at a higher risk of developing health problems. These include: liver problems, reduced fertility, high blood pressure, increased risk of various cancers and heart attack.

The key to cutting down successfully is to make small but important changes in your attitude towards drinking.

Lots of little changes can add up to a big change in your lifestyle. Here are some simple ideas: • Replace alcohol with soft drinks. The soft option doesn’t have to be dull, since the supermarket shelves are packed with upmarket cordials, smoothies, fizzy drinks and even non-alcoholic beers and wines. But bear in mind that too many sugary drinks aren’t good for you either.

• Impress your dinner guests. Why not go for something a bit different and serve a selection of non-alcoholic mocktails. Anyone driving home will appreciate it.

• Size matters. Remember that home measures are often more generous than you’d find in a pub or restaurant. Buying small wine glasses or an alcohol measure are good ways of making sure you don’t drink more than you intend to.

• Try smaller measures. Rather than sticking to pints or large wine glasses, try a bottled beer or a small glass of wine.

• Opt out of rounds. Drinking in rounds can make you drink a lot faster than you’d like or realise. Opt out or try buying drinks with a smaller group of friends instead.

• Watch out for cocktails. They can contain more alcohol than you might think.

• Try a diluted alcoholic drink. Order a spritzer or a shandy.

• Space with soft drinks. Have a soft drink or two with each alcoholic drink to help you stay hydrated.

FIVE REAL BENEFITS TO CUTTING BACK ON YOUR ALCOHOL INTAKE 1. Weight loss. Alcohol is heavy on calories. With a whopping 682 calories in an average bottle of wine, cutting down is a great way to stay in shape.

2. Better-quality sleep. Drinking less means that you get more high-quality shuteye because alcohol interferes with the normal sleep process.

3. Reduced stress. Some people say they drink to relax but excess alcohol can actually make you feel more stressed because it’s a depressant.

4. No more hangovers. Keep to the daily unit guidelines and you can kiss goodbye to a sore head, dry mouth and the dreaded: “what on Earth was I thinking last night?” feeling.

5. Stay healthy for longer. Drinking less alcohol reduces the risks of alcohol-related cancers, diabetes and heart disease. It puts less pressure on the liver too.

Source: www.drinkaware.co.uk

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Recipe Ultra choc brownies THESE TREATS, DEVISED BY TOM KERRIDGE’S FRIEND NIKKI, ARE FREE FROM WHEAT AND DIARY BUT ARE INTENSELY RICH AND CHOCOLATEY. IN FACT, THEY ARE ONE THIRD DARK CHOCOLATE

INGREDIENTS 200g dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa solids) 100g coconut oil (raw or odourless) 100g ground almonds 75g brown or white rice flour A pinch of salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 2 large eggs 150g soft light brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional) 75g walnuts (roughly chopped)

METHOD (MAKES 12) Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas 4. Line a brownie tin or baking tin, about 24cm x 16cm, or 20cm2, with baking parchment.

Break up the chocolate into small pieces and put into a heatproof bowl with the coconut oil. Set the bowl over a pan of just-simmering water and leave to melt slowly, stirring occasionally until smooth, then leave to cool until barely warm. You can do it in a heavy-based saucepan over a very low heat – but super carefully, removing from the heat when the chocolate is about half melted and stirring to finish the melting. Either way, the molten mix must not be hot when you add it to the other ingredients later.

Sift together the ground almonds, rice flour, salt and baking powder; set aside.

Whisk the eggs and sugar together, with the vanilla if using, until well blended and frothy. It doesn’t have to be a thick mousse: a minute with an electric whisk will do it, a couple by hand with a rotary or balloon whisk.

Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients. Pour in the egg and sugar mix, followed by the molten chocolate. Starting slowly, mix the whole lot together with a wooden spoon or whisk until all is combined in an even but thick batter. Stir in the walnuts.

Scrape the mixture into the prepared tin, spread it out with a spatula and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the top looks firm and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out fairly clean but with a few moist crumbs sticking to it.

Extract taken from: Tom Kerridge’s Best Ever Dishes.

Published by Absolute Press, £25.

Photography by Cristian Barnett.

Let the brownie cool in the tin completely – leave for several hours or even overnight – then cut into squares or slices. These brownies are fairly gooey and a bit fragile – but very yummy indeed. If you put them in the fridge they’ll get a bit fudgier and a bit firmer.

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Travel

A Turkish delight to savour FANCY A JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE WORLD? ISTANBUL MAY NOT BE THE CAPITAL OF TURKEY, BUT IT REMAINS ONE OF THE GREATEST CITIES ON EARTH

I

t’s been said that Istanbul is at ‘the heart of the world’ – East meets West, Christianity meets Islam – and it’s home to more than 14 million people, comfortably more than any other European city. It began in 660 BC as Byzantium, then spent more than 1,500 years as Constantinople. It has also been at the centre of four empires, Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman.

Today, it’s a wonderful melting pot of history, religion, culture, art, food and fashion. You’d do well to find a more interesting city.

Istanbul is also a genuine year-round destination. From mid-December to mid-March it does get chilly, with cold winds, fog and even snow. To compensate, there’s usually plenty of sunshine, no crowds and lower prices. A visit in late spring or early autumn brings the best of the weather and, if you can stand the sultry heat, summer is perfect for exploring the coast, eating alfresco and enjoying a Turkish coffee at a pavement café.

The most popular sights include the Byzantine church Aya Sofya, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (the ‘Blue Mosque’), Topkapi Palace, the Kariye Museum, the Basilica Cistern, the Galata Tower and the Sülemaniye Mosque.

Exploring the city Exploring on foot is recommended, but so is a good map or at least a good phone. Among the best apps is Triposo’s Guide to Istanbul, which shows attractions and has a handy direction finder. The Turkey Travel Planner website also comes highly

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recommended (www.turkeytravelplanner.com). For foodies, there’s Istanbul Eats (www.istanbuleats.com) with an app and guidebook.

Talking of food, Mikla restaurant is well-respected and has lovely views. Gile is a fine-dining eaterie with contemporary Turkish cuisine. Lacivert, on the Asian side, can be reached by boat and has spectacular views of the Bosphorus. Ulus 29 and the Sunset Grill and Bar also have good views and great food.

For traditional Turkish cuisine, the historic Pandeli restaurant on the Spice Market is a must, but is only open for lunch, while one of the best-kept secrets for modest and tasty food is Sahil Lokantasi in Balat.

Istanbul’s museums are many and varied but all offer a sense of history. The new Naval Museum at Besiktas has a stunning collection of massive Imperial caiques (a type of boat). The Pera Museum, in Galata, shows both contemporary and Ottoman art and ceramics, while the Rahmi M Koç Museum of transport and industry is a haven for children of all ages. Exhibits include cars and trains and even a U-boat.

ISTANBUL ON THE WEB wikitravel.org/en/Istanbul www.theguideistanbul.com www.lonelyplanet.com/turkey/istanbul bit.ly/TripAdvisor_Istanbul www.istanbulcityguide.com www.istanbul.com/en/travel

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Recycle your magazine and seven days later it could come back as your newspaper.

The possibilities are endless.

LIFE.11.14.015.indd 15

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Cryptic crossword

LIFE MEMBERS’ REGIONAL GROUPS These groups are known to be active. Please email naht@redactive.co.uk or call 020 7880 7666 with any additions or changes AVON ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED HEADS AND DEPUTIES President: Beatrice Murray Tel: 0117 962 0573 Hon secretary: Daphne Spitzer Tel: 0117 950 4936

com or Malcolm Shore (berilldon@aol.com)

BANES (BATH AND NORTH EAST SOMERSET AND WEST WILTSHIRE) Anna Grayson Tel: 01225 742 877 Email: annagrayson@icuknet.co.uk

LONDON RETIRED HEADTEACHERS’ SOCIETY Chairman: Don Crispin Tel: 020 8651 5330

BOLTON RETIRED HEADS ASSOCIATION Secretary: Brian Essex Tel: 01706 221 028 Email: essexbrian@hotmail.com

LONDON BOROUGH OF SUTTON Janet Overell Tel: 01737 556 684

NAHT CYMRU Carys Brown Tel: 01656 650 685 Email: carysbrown@gmail.com

NORFOLK RETIRED HEADTEACHERS Chairman: Brian King BRADFORD Membership secretary: Secretary: Pamela Reader Jill Wigy. Tel: 01603 432 115 Tel: 01535 631 628 Secretary: Bill English Email: Les33pam@talktalk.net Tel: 01362 850 433

This crossword is 1ac 27ac, being a 22ac.

Across 1 Not further defined. (14) 10 Stun ‘zip-a-dee-doo-dah’ and start removing clothes.

(5) 11 Carpal rot leads to surveillance visit. (6,3) 12 Seafood brings on a tanning hue after a day in the sun. (7) 13 Fish operate a soldier with a jack knife perhaps. (7) 14 Direction in two more different directions to give you fibre. (5) 16 Storage facility has issue with echo. (9) 19 Tessa and Lear are mixed up in business viability. (5,4) 20 Jack sounds like he is in the middle of a church. (5) 22 Not further defined. (7) 25 Giddy steeds reverse tune for a drink. (7) 27 Not further defined. (9) 28 Radiation sees shafts of warmth after the unknown.

(1-4) 29 Sid in the shed and I on the table get a bit confused which is bad news for the church. (14)

Down 2 Zeal by son becomes a waster. (9) 3 Hope it’s endless then get lost!

(3,2) 4 Chomp around the first episode for a coalition. (9) 5 Add child starting universal playschool. (3,2) 6 A hundred pieces of hair operate like this. (9) 7 Relief to see part of Cumbria. (5) 8 Fry tons of smalls. (1-5) 9 French interrogation reduces allowances but keeps us warm.

(6) 15 Jaw set floor covering resolution for containers. (5,4) 17 Currer no favour in Acton for the third sibling’s nom de plume.

(5,4) 18 Siesta with transport will help you get higher. (9) 19 Cheated after digital phrase gave practical use. (7) 21 Scrabble please to pass the time. (6) 23 Canoodling from jewellery pieces without fine material. (5) 24 Or am I a girl? (5) 26 Former partner in paperback becomes a focal point. (5)

Compiled by Life members Gale Freshwater and Anthony Hunt.

Answers to the crossword can be found on page 3.

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BURY (LANCASHIRE) LIFE MEMBERS GROUP Dorothy Bailey. Tel: 0161 766 3972. Email: dorothoy.bailey @ntlworld.com

NORTHERN IRELAND Dr Desmond Hamilton Tel: 028 9076 0731 Email: desmondhamilton@ btinternet.com

COVENTRY AND WARWICKSHIRE Secretary: Yvonne Rich 11 Field House, Priory Road, Kenilworth, Warks CV8 1RA

NORTH EAST Eric Fisk Tel: 01669 620 112 Email: cloudcottage@fsmail.net

DONCASTER Acting secretary: Mike Townsend Tel: 01302 728 032 Email: mickayt@tiscali.co.uk ESS-EX HEADS Vice-chairman: Helen Jackman Tel: 01277 822 247 GWENT John Granger Tel: 01633 769 684 Email: john.granger@ntlworld.com KENT AND MEDWAY HEADREST Membership secretary Jean Pilcher, 34 Sandown Drive, Rainham, Kent ME8 9DU. Email: jeanpilcher@ hotmail.com LEEDS RETIRED HEADS SOCIAL GROUP Peter Spencer Tel: 01943 872 722 LINCOLNSHIRE RETIRED HEADS SOCIAL GROUP Gini Smith: vasmith@hotmail.

NORTH WEST ENGLAND Dave Johnson Tel: 01257 253 556 Email: davejohno69@gmail.com NORTH YORKSHIRE Sue Lonsdale York.

Tel: 01904 744 209 Email: sue.lonsdale@tiscali. co.uk NOTTINGHAMSHIRE Secretary: Robert Tristram Tel: 0115 926 3909 Email: rtristram2@sky.com OLDHAM Ossie Millar Tel: 0161 624 7268 WAKEFIELD (two groups) Recently retired heads: Colin Moran Tel: 01924 240 494 Email: cmoran@nahtwf.force9.co.uk Senior retired heads: Alwyn Peel Email: alwyn. peel@ntlworld.com WESSEX Ralph Cooper Tel: 01202 513 101 Email: ralphandcarole. cooper@ntlworld.com

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