Breezethe village
FREE TO TAKE AND USEFUL TO KEEP
How to prepare for retirement
Retirement marks the beginning of a significant new chapter. So it’s wise to think about it well in advance, reviewing both the financials and your life plans.
State pensions
By the end of 2028, you won’t be able to draw your state pension until you’re 67 – check your date on the government website (www. gov.uk/state-pension-age). If you plan to continue working, you can defer drawing the state pension, which means you’ll receive higher payments later.
Private pensions
Many private pension schemes allow you to start taking your pension at 55 (57 from April 2028), though the earlier you retire, the lower your payments are likely to be. This also applies if you take a 25% tax-free lump sum.
Lost pensions
If you’ve had several jobs during your career, you may have lost track of older pensions. Gretel is a free investments tracing service (www.gretel.co.uk), or the Government’s Pension Tracing Service is at www.gov.uk/findpension-contact-details).
Where you’ll live
Downsizing can also be useful to free cash, but if you’re planning to move house, you must consider access to facilities and people dear to you. Do you want to be close to a hospital, the shops or your family if they live elsewhere? Or is it more important to stay near friends and the activities you enjoy? Think about future mobility needs, as steps and stairs might be harder to climb in a decade or two.
Your own money
You might also have savings and other investments that could supplement your retirement income. The governmentsponsored MoneyHelper service (www.moneyhelper.org.uk) has a pension calculator to help you work out how much money you’ll have and what you’ll need.
Life planning
Financial planning is essential but it’s equally important to consider what you are going to do with your time. Will you carry on working, even if only part time? You might prefer semi-retirement to keep busy and socially connected, as well as bringing in extra cash.
The ultimate dream for many is taking more holidays but think seriously about how you’ll feel not seeing family and friends for weeks at a time, and equally how longer periods with your significant other will work out! Also, if you don’t have anything to do between trips, you can quickly become dissatisfied.
Many people get a dog, relishing the prospect of walking for pleasure and fitness, but factor in vets’ bills and kennels when you want to go away.
Where to get help
The financial aspect can be hard to get your head around, so it’s helpful to seek financial advice. Find a qualified adviser on Unbiased (www.unbiased.co.uk) or the Personal Finance Society (www.thepfs.org).
For your lifestyle changes, lots of discussion with family and friends, and putting ideas on paper will help clarify your thoughts. There’s definitely value in going onto YouTube (look for UK-based presenters) and seeing what other recent retirees have said.
The May display
Rewards are rich and glorious throughout May. Look around the gardens this month to enjoy the very best of spirit-boosting blooms.
You can bring the outdoors inside too, during a month notorious for changeable weather. Peony flowers are sumptuous and keep very well in a vase.
Spring colour
During this fresh, vibrant month, various types of Euphorbia display their exuberant lime-green and yellow flowers and appear like a splash of sunshine in the borders. Wallflowers, including the perennial Erysimum ‘Bowles Mauve’, are at their best, while hardy geraniums are just beginning to plump up and display their long-lasting blooms. Taller spring beauties, including Camassias,
make a statement amongst the delightful tapestry of spring flowers, such as lupins. Those fortunate enough to have acidic soil may also be enjoying glorious Rhododendrons and Azaleas. If you want to plant some, be sure to check flower colours look good together and give them room to spread. Some of the larger varieties can easily reach a height and width of four metres.
Wonderful Wisteria
One of the most easily recognised garden climbers is Wisteria. It looks stunning when trained onto a house frontage, over a pergola or against a tall fence. But this is not the easiest plant to maintain – Wisteria is vigorous. It will happily romp away through trees, but they need to be strong enough to support its mature weight and few people will be able to enjoy its flowers, which will appear high in the canopy, hidden from view.
Most people want Wisteria to be wellbehaved so that the sight and scent of those purple, lilac, blue, pink or white flowers can be fully appreciated. It needs vertical wires to climb up, then horizontal wires to aid the training of the side shoots. Remember that many of the racemes (clusters) of flowers are long – some can reach more than a metre in length, depending on the variety. These can easily obscure the windows of a house and block the pathway through a pergola. A Wisteria-supporting structure needs to be large.
Make sure there is adequate access for pruning and be certain to do this at least twice a year, once in late winter and again after flowering during July and August. Cut back to the desired framework of the climber, taking care to prune just above a young, strong shoot, ideally around 20cm long from the main stems. Clear away any suckers that appear near the roots and remove unwanted shoots completely to preserve the desired shape.
Shared celebrations
Strokes: Signs and Survival
THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES
By far the most common is an ischaemic stroke. This occurs when a clot cuts off blood flow to part of the brain and it’s the cause of 85% of strokes. Less common is a haemorrhagic stroke, caused by bleeding in or around the brain when a blood vessel bursts or leaks.
The third kind is a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke. It happens when there’s a temporary blockage, which usually clears within 24 hours but is a warning you could have a more serious stroke. Always go to A&E if you have signs such as arm or face weakness, or speech problems, even if they go away.
YOU CAN LOWER YOUR RISK
The biggest risk factor is high blood pressure which is not something you will be aware of without testing. It can damage blood vessels, making them stiffer and narrower and causing atherosclerosis, a buildup of fatty material which can break off into clots. Blood vessel damage can also lead to bleeding on the brain. High cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, drinking and being overweight also increase your risk.
Make sure you keep an eye on your blood pressure (a home monitor will help you do that), which should ideally be less than 120/80, and get checked for diabetes and cholesterol. You might need medication if lifestyle changes don’t work.
An irregular heartbeat can put you in danger of stroke
Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common heart rhythm
disorder, means you’re five times more likely to have a stroke. It can cause blood to pool in the heart and clots to form, which can then travel to the brain.
If your heart seems to flutter, beat fast or skip a beat, see your GP. Take your pulse to check if it’s racing or irregular. AF can be controlled with medication.
THERE ARE SOME SURPRISING RISK FACTORS
Suffering from migraines with aura, having had Covid in the past year and even taking some over-thecounter drugs can slightly increase your chances of a stroke. Researchers have identified a link between high doses or long-term use of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which include ibuprofen, and strokes. In women, having endometriosis, being on the combined contraceptive pill or HRT, or having pre-eclampsia can elevate your risk.
ACT FAST
Clot-busting drugs have to be given within four and a half hours of a stroke in most cases. A new treatment, thrombectomy, which involves pulling out the clot, can be done within six hours but is not available everywhere.
The acronym FAST is used to remember the most common signs of a stroke. F stands for Face, in particular drooping on one side, A is for Arms (can you raise them?) and S stands for Speech, which could be slurred or hard to understand. T is for Time, meaning you must call the emergency services immediately if you notice any of the first three signs.
AFTERNOON TALK WITH...
MICHAEL SMITH 'Celebrating Derby'
Michael Smith is a local historian, story teller, author and broadcaster who grew up in a local neighbourhood in Derby. If you want to hear more come along to Ashby u3a and listen to Michael telling his story. Come along to the Congregational Church, Kilwardby Street, Ashby-de-la-Zouch LE65 2FQ [Look out for our flag on the pavement outside] on Tuesday 27th May. Doors open at 1.30pm for 2pm start. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available – along with a warm welcome. Why not come along as our guest for a ‘taster’ visit? In addition to our monthly talks we also have different interest groups, come and see. For more information visit: ashbyu3a.co.uk email: members@ashbyu3a.co.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/Ashby u3a
Thrilling theme parks
Whether you're an adrenaline junkie looking for the wildest roller coasters or a family planning a oncein-a-lifetime vacation, no one is ever too old for a theme park holiday. Here are some destinations from all corners of the globe.
Tenerife, Spain
SIAM PARK
Europe’s largest waterpark Siam Park is unsurprisingly one of Tenerife’s most popular attractions. Nestled in a prime spot on the island’s southern coastline, the Thailandinspired park is most famous for its Tower of Power, an extreme 28-metrehigh water slide that dominates the site. There are plenty of chilled attractions too. Float along the Mai Thai River or grab a sun lounger by Siam Beach and watch the pool’s waves roll in.
Orlando, USA
WALT DISNEY RESORT AND UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
No list of theme park holidays is complete without Orlando’s multi-park metropolis, Walt Disney World Resort. Boasting four theme parks, as well as a duo of waterparks, it’s the most visited in the world. Expect an impressive line-up of family-friendly rides, daily parades, firework displays and a healthy portion of nostalgia.
Just down the road is Universal Orlando Resort, made up of Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Volcano Bay and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Here, you can go behind the scenes of your favourite screen classics, including the worlds of Harry Potter and the Simpsons.
Paris,
France
DISNEYLAND PARIS
If you’re looking for a dose of Disney closer to home, Disneyland Paris’ two parks can easily be ticked off in a weekend.
Highlights of Disneyland Park are the iconic pink castle and Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Meet your favourite film character and enjoy a West End-worthy show, finishing with an afternoon at Walt Disney Studios Park where you can explore the world of film production.
Tokyo and Osaka, Japan
TOKYO DISNEYLAND, TOKYO DISNEYSEA AND UNIVERSAL STUDIOS (pictured top)
Nowhere does a theme park quite like Japan. Tokyo Disneyland and the nautical-themed DisneySea are just as immersive and magical as the parks in the USA. In fact, DisneySea is the only park of its kind in the world. Osaka’s Universal Studios Japan is another huge draw. Incorporating attractions from its American counterpart, it's also home to the first Super Nintendo World, packed with colourful rides and themed restaurants – all dedicated to Mario and friends.
Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates FERRARI WORLD
This Ferrari-inspired theme park on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi is a holiday haven for motorheads. Primarily indoors to protect visitors from the Middle Eastern heat, it’s home to the world's fastest roller coaster, Formula Rossa, which reaches speeds of 149mph!
For even more thrills, experience driving a Formula 1 car with the Scuderia Challenge racing simulators, complete with advanced hydraulic systems and panoramic screens.
First Drive : Kia EV3
The new EV3 is the latest addition to Kia’s everwidening line-up of electric vehicles. Jack Evans gets behind the wheel.
WHAT IS IT?
As more manufacturers push towards an electrified future, we’re seeing a greater number of batterypowered models arriving. Kia has been one of the frontrunners in this area, with EVs that beat many key rivals to the punch.
But this car – the new EV3 – arrives with a lot of competition from the likes of the Volvo EX30, Volkswagen ID.3 and the upcoming Skoda Elroq. Can it deliver?
WHAT’S NEW?
The EV3 is the newest and most compact addition to Kia’s EV range. But importantly, Kia has equipped it similarly to the EV6 and EV9. Features such as a widescreen infotainment setup and lots of eco-friendly materials come as standard, while its 460-litre boot resoundingly trumps that of many of the EV3’s key rivals. There’s a handy ‘frunk’ in the nose of the car for storing charging cables, too.
Performance-wise, a 201bhp electric motor on both versions means a 0-60mph time of under eight seconds. There’s also the option for full one-pedal driving – whereby the car automatically starts to slow down when you lift off the accelerator. This is useful around town or in stop-start traffic.
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
It’s the refinement of the EV3 that is particularly noticeable. It’s comfortable and well-damped over lumps and bumps, transforming this relatively compact car into one that feels more grown-up. It’s quiet, too, even at motorway speeds.
WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET?
You’ll be able to get the EV3 in two different battery specifications. The first, in standard cars, incorporates a 58.3kWh battery which brings a total range of up to 270 miles. Switch to the larger 81.4kWh battery version and you’ll unlock a 372-mile range, more than you’ll find on many more expensive offerings. You’ll pay from £32,995 and £35,995 respectively, so there isn’t too much additional cost for the longer-range version.
Visibility is generally good – aside from the rather chunky rear pillars blocking your over-theshoulder view. The steering is accurate enough to allow you to place the car just where you want it.
HOW DOES IT LOOK?
The EV3 bears a close resemblance to other cars within the Kia EV range but it has a number of touches to help differentiate it. There’s a variety of ecofriendly materials used across the exterior and active aerodynamic flaps at the front of the car.
GT-Line versions stand out through their standard-fit 19-inch alloy wheels and privacy glass. There’s a cool ‘pistachio’ shade as well, which adds a quirky edge to the EV3’s aesthetic.
WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?
You’ve got a good mix of pleasant materials and usefully ergonomic features. A clever slide-out table that comes from the central armrest provides a useful spot for a laptop or lunch when you’re stopped. Good adjustability allows all passengers to get comfy.
You're the voice...
