Bolton & bury issue 49

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NOVEMBER - JANUARY 2016

BOLTON & BURY EDITION 49

Paul Nicholas

FROM JUST A GOOD FRIEND TO AN EASTEND GANGSTER PLUS

John Torode’s NEW RECIPES

Love your Garden

Whatever the Weather with Urban Decor & Colourfence

Great Gift Ideas at Bolton Market WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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Bolton Crompton Place Shopping Centre. Tel 01204 521 122 Bury Mill Gate Shopping Centre. Tel 0161 763 3916 Middlebrook 35 The Linkway. Tel 01204 521122

Selected photo courtesy of Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH. ©2015 Specsavers. All rights reserved.

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Bolton Crompton Place Shopping Centre. Tel 01204 521 122 Bury Mill Gate Shopping Centre. Tel 0161 763 3916 Middlebrook 35 The Linkway. Tel 01204 521122

2 for 1: Cannot be used with other offers. Second pair from £69-£169 ranges, to the same price range or below and to the same prescription. £69-£149 ranges: PENTAX and other 1.5 single vision lenses included in both pairs. For PENTAX 1.5 Standard varifocal or bifocal lenses you pay for the lenses in your first pair. £169 Fineform and Rimless ranges: PENTAX and other 1.6 single vision lenses included in both pairs. For PENTAX 1.6 Standard varifocal or bifocal lenses you pay for the lenses in your first pair. All lenses are scratch-resistant. Extra Options available at an additional charge on both pairs. Excludes safety eyewear. SKU 25672022. ©2015 Specsavers. All rights reserved.

CONTENTS

10-12 INSIDE...

6-7 let’s amble rather than ramble

John Carter takes a look at various

tantalising destinations 10-12

LAKE GARDA, ITALY a special interest trip

16-17

PAUL NICHOLAS laid-back high-acheiver plays Scrooge in A Christmas Carol

18-19

being fit and over 50 a guide to what’s out there

20-21

how physical activity can lower your risk of death

16-17

26-27 TOP TIPS FOR A BEAUTIFUL HOME THIS CHRISTMAS

decorate your home for the festive season

30-31

ARE YOU MISSING OUT the age of the computer and internet

35

PREPARING YOUR GARDEN FOR THE WINTER tips to get your garden ready for the cold months

44-47

COOK WITH JOHN TORODE! delicious recipes from his new book

56-59

christmas recipes with Rosemary Shrager!

60-68

out and about places to visit and things to do

package price

70

THE EYES ... a window to good health

includes 6kg Cube Gas Butane cylinder and Cylinder Refill Agreement

74-75

LEARNING ABOUT DEMENTIA signs to look out for

The stylish new way to heat your room

Heat Cube

£124.95

Boltons Bottle Gas Ltd, Bolton.

01204 527946 boltonsbottlegas.co.uk

6th Floor | 120 Bark Street | Bolton | BL1 2AX T: (01204) 860 194 | F: (01204) 860 213

Offer ends 31/03/16 and is subject to availability and change. Boltons Bottle Gas Ltd, Waterloo Industrial Estate, Slater Lane, Darbishire Street, Bolton, BL1 2TN.

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302308_Calor_Bolton Heat Cube Advert_125x90.indd 1

e: admin@mcgrathmedia.co.uk

13/11/2015 15:53

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Twittering On with Graham Smith

“They are anointed and I declare passes when your Graham Smith children sit for exams. They are said to work for anyone who is sitting for any test,” he said.

According to Nigerian Watch, one parishioner testified: “My son is not very bright and I think this will help him.

With the knowledge he has acquired and this pen from the man of God, I think it is going to work.”

One student said he scored highly in his A-levels last year after using the pen he was given by the prophet.

Love a duck A bow-tie wearing duck has been injured in a drunken pub brawl with a local dog in Chulmleigh, Devon.

The booze-loving bird, affectionately named Star, was enjoying a pint in The Old Courthouse Inn with his handler, Barrie Hayman, when Hayman’s canine Meggie sparked a bar brawl.

Star was left with injuries to his beak after the fight.

“Star pushed his luck too far and Meggie snapped - splitting Star’s bottom beak right down the middle,” Hayman, 69, told the Cheddar Valley Gazette.

“He gave her a stare, then promptly stood on her back. It was not pretty and not nice. We were so scared we would lose Star.

“He had to be rushed to the vets and go under anaesthetic, which is always risky and could go either way with ducks and other small animals.

“Thankfully our Star is a tough cookie and it looks like he came out okay.”

Hayman has cared for Star ever since he was a chick, carrying him around in his pocket. Once the duckling grew up, he developed a taste for real ale and started following his owner to the pub.

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“He just won’t leave me and so we go everywhere together,” Hayman said.

“I’ve not trained him to follow me.

He just seems to like it and he is one fantastic duck.

“He loves to come to the pub, where everyone loves him. He is such a personality and attracts so much attention.”

Chicken feed An Australian Thai restaurant has trained a live chicken to run its Twitter account.

Apparently the chicken pecks out the messages on the keyboard with its beak. Woe betide it if anything untoward appears there or I see a whole new meaning to chicken fried twice!

Mighty pens!

A Zimbabwean pastor has reportedly convinced his congregates his holy pens can make students pass their exams - and the more you pay for one, the better grades you’ll get.

Prophet Sham Hungwe of House of Grace International Church in Harare is selling the pens, which cost from $1 up to $20.

According to News24Zim, the prophet told his congregation those sitting exams only needed faith and one of the special pens to pass.

Note the pastor’s Christian name…. they’re not all locked up are they?

Good baahaviour!

A sheep has been promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in the British Army for good baa-haviour.

Private Derby XXX was promoted to the rank at an event in Chester, marking eight years of being in the Mercian Regiment.

The ram was awarded his honor by the Colonel of the regiment, Brigadier Andrew Williams.

The Swaledale sheep is officially classed as a soldier and he is the 30th in a line of mascot rams running back to the Indian Mutiny War in the mid-19th Century.

Formerly known as Private Derby 30th, his promotion now entitles him to wear a single stripe on his uniform.

The Mercian Regiment celebrated his success on its Facebook page, writing: “He was resplendent in his scarlet coat with Lincoln green and gold facings, emblazoned with the Regiment’s main Battle Honours.”

During his career, Lance Corporal Derby XXX helped switch on the Christmas lights in Ashbourne and met Prince William at the unveiling of a memorial commemorating the 1914 Christmas Truce.

5

50 Plus Travel

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memories are likely to be mutual. And also knowing that the holidays will enable us to take a little gentle exercise - if only to prove that we can still do it.

Adagio is a collection of holidays from Ramblers Worldwide aimed at those who nowadays prefer to amble rather than ramble. And “Montalbano’s Sicily” fits the bill as perfectly as the inspector’s sharp suits fit the frame of actor Luca Zingaretti.

There is much of interest in that somewhat neglected south eastern region of Sicily - the world heritage site of Ragusa, Syracuse, the Baroque town of Noto and the cave systems of the Cava Ispica gorge. Including locations featured in the television programmes adds a little fun to the mix. As does a three-course lunch and wine-tasting at Noto.

Let’s Amble rather than Ramble

By John Carter

John Carter, patron of Silver Travel Advisor and long-time presenter of TV’s ‘Wish You Were Here’ and “The Holiday Programme” and seasoned globetrotter now enjoys a little ambling rather than rambling to various tantalising destinations.

We encountered no British holidaymakers when, in 1972, we went to Aghios Nikolaos on the north coast of Crete. Two years later, the resort was packed with them.

A BBC television drama “The Lotus Eaters”, had been filmed there, and fans were eager to follow the footsteps of their heroes and heroines. The harbour cafes sported handwritten notices - in that style of bad English the Greeks do so well - informing us that this or that place was the very establishment where the stars had eaten (“Shrims in Clay Pot” being a favoured dish).

6

Why recall that ancient memory?

Because of Inspector Montalbano.

The stories by Andrea Camilleri were adapted for television in Italy, found their way to BBC Four and recently enjoyed considerable popularity in that channel’s Saturday evening “Subtitle Slot”. So much so that a holiday dedicated to the Sicilian hero appears in the latest Adagio brochure.

As I mentioned earlier, I have a soft spot for Adagio and think it provides an ideal holiday for anyone who has enjoyed more active breaks in the past but who - for all sorts of reasons prefers to take life at a slightly slower pace. You’ll find yourself with likeminded folk who will, more often than not, share memories of past holidays and destinations with which you are already familiar.

In this context, I was a little concerned to see they’ve introduced something called Adagio Plus to the 2016 programme - offering “more challenging walking opportunities”.

From what I gather, it is a way of combining the occasional morning on the hoof with some afternoon

I have a soft spot for Adagio as I was in at the birth of the idea. It comes to all of us as the years take their toll - the stiffening of the joints, the thickening of the waist and the realisation that, though the spirit is more than willing to tackle the roughest of rambling trails, the flesh is weaker.

The ideal solution is to take holidays with folk with whom we can share our memories, knowing that those

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TRAVEL

sightseeing - which doesn’t seem to be too taxing. Just as long as they don’t get carried away.

the cable cars and alpine railways of the region, which are used to carry you to fine walking country.

Some of these holidays are, literally, mouthwatering. One is based in Bologna, Italy’s gastronomic capital. Instead of dwelling on the sights to be seen, I found myself thinking of the food - mortadella, parma ham, parmesan cheese and the like. I ate and drank very well indeed when I was last in Bologna. I even did some sightseeing, but not much. The city’s nickname “la grassa” (the fat one) is well earned, and this holiday enables you to visit, in addition, historic locations such as Ravenna and Modena.

But, as I said, the walking has to be regarded as the cherry on the cake with these holidays, aimed as they are at people who have chosen to take holidays, and life, at a slower pace.

Another destination which recently surprised me by the range and high quality of its cuisine is the Istrian peninsula of Croatia. My far more knowledgeable companion took me to several restaurants and small hotels during the course of a week, where we ate extremely well. I was introduced to the “slow food” movement - which began as a protest against American-style fast food, but which took on a wonderful life of its own.

It is quite remarkable how well one can now eat in Croatia, and for that matter in other parts of former Yugoslavia.

Those of us old enough to remember when it was not “former” will know all too well how limited in scope and style its cuisine used to be. Nowadays, in restaurants throughout Istria, you can discuss with the waiter the merits of the various olive oils on offer before going on to discuss the wine list.

Factbox: Silver Travel Advisor recommends Adagio Holidays. For more information, visit adagio.co.uk or contact info@adagio.co.uk or call 01707 386700

ARCHAEOLOGY & TRAVEL Perfect Combinations of Leisure and Interest • Minoan Crete & Santorini • Cyprus: North & South • Pompeii & Campania • Malta's Millennia • Ancient Greece

I’m pleased to see that the ancient town of Rovinj features in this holiday. I think it is a gem. It still shows evidence (specifically carvings of the winged lion of St. Mark) of its link with the Venetian empire, but before the Venetians, there was Illyria, the Roman and the Byzantine eras.

France, Portugal and the Azores are also in this latest programme, along with holidays to Estonia and Latvia as well as the island of Jersey. A winning mixture of comfortable hotels, leisurely (and, of course, optional) walking, the pleasant company of like-minded folk, and some first class food and wine. Switzerland is featured, too. One holiday to Zermatt and the Matterhorn features

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• Informed Travel • Beautiful Locations • Bespoke Itineraries • Expert Guides • Local Airports

RESERVE YOUR PLACE FOR 2016 www.hiddenhistory.co.uk enquiries@hiddenhistory.co.uk tel: (UK) 0121 444 1854

7

WHY CHOOSE US? The Robinsons Difference ....

Good quality hotels Coach seating with extra legroom Air-conditioning and washroom /W.C. on all tour coach Reserved coach seats on main tour coach at time of booking Regular comfort stops en route Home pick up service available Interesting excursions No single supplements at our own hotels and many other hotels Excellent selection of great value checked hotels Friendly drivers and porterage services to help with your luggage Pay in convenient instalments at no extra cost All holidays Bonded for passengers financial protection Friendly & informed reservations staff to take care of all your booking arrangements Freephone telephone number to save you money Full group booking service with great offers for group organisers Optional insurance cover for 2015 now available

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

We offer you ...

✔ Accommodation with dinner, bed & breakfast ✔ 2 included excursions ✔ All rooms have private facilities

SINGLES ....

COME ALONG AND MEET NEW FRIENDS LOTS OF ACTIVITIES AND ENTERTAINMENT TO GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER

Imperial Hotel Eastbourne

Ocean View Hotel Isle of Wight

Abbey Lawn Hotel Torquay

14th De c 5 Days

INCLUDES: WELCOME RECEPTION AFTERNOON TEA DANCE WITH OUR RESIDENT ENTERTAINER FESTIVE GALA DINNER (ON 1 NIGHT) 2 LOCAL EXCURSIONS

£149

5 DAY TOUR

4 NIGHTS DINNER, BED & BREAKFAST

6SFMRWSRW 3[R ,SXIPW )EVP] 7IEWSR 8SYVW

20hu1re6now

broc ilable! ava

7 DAY TOUR

5 DAY TOUR

9 DAY TOUR

6 NIGHTS DINNER, BED & BREAKFAST

4 NIGHTS DINNER, BED & BREAKFAST

8 NIGHTS DINNER, BED & BREAKFAST

Imperial

Ocean View

Abbey Lawn

DATE

Imperial

08-Feb

£129

£129

£129

27-Mar

£219

£219

£219

30-Apr

£395

£395

£395

15-Feb

£139

£139

£129

03-Apr

£229

£229

£229

07-May

£409

£409

£409

22-Feb

£139

£139

£129

10-Apr

£249

£249

£249

14-May

£419

£419

£419

29-Feb

£139

£139

£139

17-Apr

£259

£259

£259

21-May

£429

£429

£429

07-Mar

£155

£155

£155

24-Apr

£269

£269

£269

28-May

£429

£429

£429

DATE

14

Abbey Lawn Hotel

Ocean View Hotel

Imperial Hotel

TOUR

include S excurs2i local ons

Imperial Ocean View Abbey Lawn

DATE

Ocean View

Abbey Lawn

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To book or order a 2016 brochure, call 0800 083 9900 or visit your local travel agent.

GET FESTIVE WITH...

Celebrate Christmas and New Year in comfort and free from stress at one of Robinsons own hotels

Imperial Hotel Eastbourne

£399 THURSFORD CHRISTMAS MARKET 5 DAYS Set in the magical surroundings of mechanical organs and fairground carousels, word of this amazing show has spread and it is now generally recognised as being the largest show of its kind in the country, if not Europe.

A three hour fast moving celebration of the festive season and the largest Christmas show in the country, with a cast of 130 professional singers and dancers.

Link Park Hotel 4 nights dinner, bed & breakfast.

Mon 09 Nov £399 Mon 07 Dec £399

£275 BABBACOMBE Seabury Hotel | 5 DAYS Situated on the north eastern fringe of Torquay, Babbacombe boasts stunning views of the coastline and harbour. A holiday destination with its own charm and character, colourful promenade, a wide selection of shops, restaurants and bars, Babbacombe offers something for everyone. Spend your days relaxing on the charming beach beneath the cliffs, or discover the rock pools and coastal walks. For interesting and scenic walks, the South West Coastal Path is a popular route, or why not visit the historic cliff railway, one of the few original funicular railways still in working order.

Seabury Hotel 4 nights dinner, bed & breakfast.

Mon 16 Nov

£275

Christmas & New Year

Ocean View Hotel Isle of Wight

BABBACOME, SEABURY HOTEL Wed 23 Dec

£399

£295

Includes 4 nights dinner, bed & breakfast. 3 resort lunches and 1 mystery excursion

BOURNEMOUTH, MAYFAIR HOTEL

Abbey Lawn Hotel Torquay

Wed 23 Dec

£485

Includes 4 nights dinner, bed & breakfast. 3 resort lunches and 1 mystery excursion

Llandudno, situated between the Little Orme to the east and the Great Orme to the west, is the largest resort in North Wales and incorporates some of the most beautiful scenery in the Welsh mountains and coastline. The long flat promenade which possesses one of the finest piers and its town centre, with excellent shopping facilities, contribute to making Llandudno a very popular tourist resort.

WESTON SUPER MARE, SANDRINGHAM HOTEL

Kensington Hotel 4 nights dinner, bed & breakfast.

Includes:

Includes 4 nights dinner, bed & breakfast. 3 resort lunches and 1 mystery excursion

bed & breakfast ❄ 3 resort lunches ❄ 1 mystery excursion

LLANDUDNO, KENSINGTON HOTEL

❄ 4 nights dinner,

LLANDUDNO Kensington Hotel | 5 DAYS

Wed 23 Dec

Wed 23 Dec

£475

£519

Mon 07 Dec

£295

Includes 4 nights dinner, bed & breakfast. 3 resort lunches and 1 mystery excursion

Wed 23 Dec £399 Wed 29 Dec £349

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2016 BROCHURE OUT SOON, CALL NOW FOR YOUR FREE COPY

www.robinsons-holidays.co.uk Park Garage, Great Harwood, Blackburn BB6 7SP.

15

50 Plus Travel

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Lake Garda, Italy a special interest trip

By Jacqueline Jeynes from Silver Travel Advisor.

Jacqueline is an experienced writer and traveller, who travelled to Lake Garda to sample the gastronomic delights of the region. A tough assignment but someone had to do it!

Lake Garda is the perfect place to experience what this stunning region of Italy has to offer mature travellers. We particularly enjoyed the trips to Verona, Venice, a vineyard for wine tasting and, probably our favourite, learning to cook Italian style.

Half-board accommodation at Hotel Continental in Nago (near Torbole at the northern end of Lake Garda), included a carafe of wine with dinner each day and as a family-owned hotel, had a friendly relaxed atmosphere – especially the live music in the hotel courtyard and ‘happy hour’ from 5-6pm each evening. The barman was brilliant, suggesting different drinks to try and with a wicked sense of humour!

Locally a glass of Prosecco is around 2.50, and a spritz cocktail with Prosecco base, Apperol for the pink colouring plus a dash of soda water, is a similar price. Definitely a drink that became an easy habit as it is light, refreshing and easy to drink, bars that offer the spritz generally including a bowl of olives, crisps and nuts at no extra charge.

Naturally we felt obliged to try out every version of the cocktail at different bars we visited.

At the northern end of the lake, no motor boats are allowed (except for the ferry) so it is a centre for sailing, wind surfing and other water sports plus walking and cycle routes around the

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lake. The ferry is €6 return, only takes ten minutes to Riva and leaves every half an hour. Riva del Garda is an old town with narrow streets, lots of little shops (open on Sunday) plus friendly bars and restaurants so worth popping over for the day.

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TRAVEL

Learning to cook Italian style

Venice

At Tinazzi winery for the cookery course, our group of 12 worked as couples to produce what we ultimately ate for lunch. We soon discovered six different approaches to breaking 2 eggs into a bowl for the tiramisu!

After a very early start and long journey, our excellent guide explained the history of Venice, how and why it is expensive, and how to get the most out of a one-day visit.

He offered to arrange things for us – gondola trip at €22 for half an hour, boat trip around the islands €16 for an hour, lunch at a little restaurant off the main square at €15 each for two courses plus wine. It was a perfect option.

We made pasta, an easy process that requires muscles, a steady table when kneading it into submission, and two of you to stop it falling on the floor as you roll it thinner.

The chef was very helpful and, finishing with a huge mixed vegetable stir-fry to go with the pasta, we enjoyed our freshly-prepared tasty lunch with an exceptional Bardolino red wine.

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The Venice basics first: • If you sit for food or drink, you will pay • If you stand for coffee or a drink it is much cheaper • If you want to sit down, visit a church which is free. continued overleaf ...

11

TRAVEL Verona Excellent tour guide Ambrish explained the history of Verona, the architecture, why the Arena (amphitheatre) was built, and the development of street lighting, aqueducts and take-away food in Roman times. He was interesting, very knowledgeable then repeated it all again in German – brilliant.

It is a lively, bustling city and on Friday 26th June there was a motorbike convention with hundreds of them arriving in town square, horns blazing and flags flying – spectacular.

It is worth joining a guided tour for an hour, as the guide explains the finer details you might not notice and takes you to see the balcony of Romeo & Juliet (supposedly) where you can have a photograph with Juliet on the balcony or sign your name on the graffiti wall.

Aida in Verona We were excited to find Aida was on in Verona on our free Saturday. It was €308 for two of us, including coach pick-up from the hotel, and was all booked for us over the phone by our excellent hotel manager. Though hot and sunny during the week, dark clouds gathered as we arrived in Bra Piazza around 6.45pm on Saturday, as did the official sellers of plastic raincoats at €5 each. As we entered the Arena, the rain started. We sat, huddled, while thunder, lightning and torrential rain targeted the audience until it was so bad they crammed us into the lower corridor, water pouring down steps and dripping off our less-than-adequate raincoats.

There is no cover over the Arena so if the performance cannot start due to bad weather, or is delayed for 2 hours, they have to refund your money. If they start then stop due to rain, there is no refund. With an audience of up to 10,000 you can see this might be a worry.

The performance finally started at 10.20pm, with one interval instead of three and lightning still flashing in the far distance. It was spectacular, a superb performance with incredible number of performers on stage and an impressive set that takes up a quarter of the Arena.

If you want to fit in as much as possible, and enjoy some different experiences in this beautiful part of Italy, then this holiday is highly recommended.

FACTBOX Archers Holidays features the ‘Lake Garda’s Gastronomic Experience’ based at the four star rated Hotel Continental, Lake Garda and includes excursions to Venice, Verona, and a cookery class at the Tinazzi winery with an experienced Italian chef using local ingredients to make pasta and sauces with participation from the class. A half day excursion is also included to discover the wine tradition of the region of Veneto at the vineyard “Tenuta Ugolini” with wine tasting included.

The holiday is priced from £762 per person for a departure on 12 October 2016 to include return flights, airport transfers, seven nights half board accommodation and all excursions. For more information, please visit www.archersdirect.co.uk/holiday/ lake-gardas-gastronomic-experience-new

Door to Door Coach Tours with Ellen Smith Membership No: 10228

Coach Holidays with a difference.

We all know that often coach holidays get a bad press – waiting in bus stations for the coach to arrive, long arduous pickup routes to an interchange, waiting around there for your holiday coach all before you’re destination bound!

Once you’re there too often poor quality hotels with mass catering, an extra charge for outings and then to top it all off the same gruelling journey home – no chance of the six o’clock news!

If that all sounds too familiar why not give us a try?

We are Manchester based and offer the only true ‘Door to Door’ coach holiday service in the area.

Established as far back as 1900 in Rochdale we have a long and distinguished history as a good quality, value for money coach holiday operator.

What’s so different about us?

Firstly our ‘Door to Door’ service. This is a true door to door service. We pick you up from your home address at a pre-arranged time in a taxi or small minibus and take you straight to one of our two meeting points, Birch Services near Heywood or Poplar Services near Lymm. There you meet up with your driver and coach who will take you on your holiday.

There’s no hanging around, you’re usually on your way within 15 to 20 minutes. We don’t leave anyone behind!

On your return date the reverse of the first day happens. Your taxi is waiting for you at one of the two service stations and you’re usually home with a cup of tea in time to watch the news!

What else can we tell you?

All our holidays are fully bonded by the Confederation Of Passenger Transport Bonding Scheme, which is a government approved consumer protection scheme ensuring your money is protected. We offer very popular ‘Mature Singles’ holidays where all bedrooms at the hotel are used for sole occupancy – great for the single traveller.

Oh and we offer continental coach holidays, this year Lake Como, Lake Garda, Swiss Chocolate Train & A Taste of the Alpine and Normandy for the D Day landing beaches.

We have a regular news letter the ‘Tiger Talk’, (our logo is a tiger) that offers new tours during the year and several of our popular ‘Mystery Tours’ during each year.

We have a website www.ellensmith.co.uk that has all the details of our holidays – and you can book on-line too.

If you wish to call us our staff are very experienced individuals who know lots about our range of holidays.

Finally we offer Fred Olsen cruises from Liverpool at prices you won’t believe and a variety of Air, Cruise & Worldwide holidays - all with our ‘Door to Door’ service included.

Your Driver is an experienced individual and the coach will be of an executive standard with toilet, air conditioning and reclining seats. On the journey to the hotel we tend to avoid motorway services and visit a village, town, city or other suitable location instead. Because of our timely departure we plan to arrive at our destinations at about 4:30pm giving you plenty of time for a quick snooze prior to dinner.

All the hotels we use are normally 3 or 4 star with the odd family run 2 star hotel, that we have used for many years. We use a range of different hotels to suit a particular tour. Many of our tours are themed – ‘Royal Sandringham & the Sport of Kings’ and ‘An Irish Country House Experience’ to name just two. All our tours include day excursions (no extra charge – ever!), which can include canal journeys, train journeys, castles, country estates and so much more.

The vast majority of our hotels offer a porterage service, so you rarely have to touch your case.

Want to know more?

Call us on 01706 648126

for a copy of our 2015 brochure – you’ll wonder why you ever went away in your car! www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

13

Why not join one of our Quality Door to Door Coach Tours?

We pick- up at your door in most of the Greater Manchester area. We visit every part of the UK from the Shetland Islands to Cornwall. Our drivers are very experienced mature individuals with a wealth of knowledge about our wonderful country. We do city breaks, historic adventures, scenic tours, train rides, boat rides, canal trips, not forgetting our numerous costal resorts.

On your first day of travel we pick you up at your front door at a pre-arranged time in a minibus or taxi. You are then transferred to a central meeting point, either Birch Services or Poplar Services dependant upon where you live, where the coach is waiting for you. Within 15 to 30 minutes you’re on your way aboard our luxury coach travelling directly to your holiday destination, making suitable stops en-route.

The hotels that we use are of a 3 or 4 star standard or occasionally a good quality family run 2 star hotel. Upon your return to either Birch Services or Poplar your taxi or minibus is waiting to whisk you home.

Included in every tour... l

Good Standard Hotel l Half Board l All Excursions l Door to Door Service

Ellen Smith Price Promise 14

1. Everything is included in the final price – no hidden charges 2. If we reduce a tour all customers previously booked receive same refund 3. No currency surcharges 4. Any supplement imposed by the hotel will be the exact amount we charge www.50plusmagazine.co.uk 5. If you find a similar holiday cheaper we’ll refund twice the difference!

DATE

TOUR

HOTEL

INFO

PRICE

4

£249

Brook Hotel, Norwich Ticket for Xmas Spectacular Show!

3

£269

Yuletide’ York & Castle Howard

Burn Hall Hotel Harrogate; York; Castle Howard

4

£279

6th Dec

‘Mature Singles’ Dunoon

Esplanade Hotel All Single Rooms; Spectacular Scenery

5

£299

7th Dec

Torquay ‘Turkey & Tinsel’

Headland Hotel Dartmoor National Park; Tavistock; Sidmouth 5

£269

11th Dec

Llandudno ‘Holly & Mistletoe’

Tynedale Hotel Entertainment; Scenic Snowdonia; Caernarfon 5

£319

23rd Dec

Christmas in Bournemouth

Trouville Hotel

Get away from it all…

5

£469

24th Dec

Christmas in Blackpool

Doric Hotel

Customer’s favourite

5

£479

24th Dec

Christmas in Hadrian’s Country

Gilsland Spa Hotel

Superb Setting!

5

£399

28th Dec

Twixmas in Llandudno

Tynedale Hotel

Only 2 rooms left!

3

£185

04th Jan

Paignton ‘Cosy Break’

The Palace Hotel

Prime Seafront Location

5

£215

11th Jan

Oban ‘Houseparty’ theme

The Regent Hotel

Getaway to the Isles

5

£199

4th Dec

Winchester Christmas Market

4th Dec

Thursford Christmas Spectacular

6th Dec

Reading Hotel

Xmas Market -Winchester/visit to Oxford

DAYS

OUR 2016 BROCHURE IS NOW AVAILABLE INTERESTED? Call our reservations office on 01706 648126 and request a copy

of our 2015 or 2016 brochure. You’ll be surprised at the variations of tours we operate.

Visit our website at www.ellensmith.co.uk

Find us on facebook www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

& twitter (search for ellensmithtours) www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

15

Paul Nicholas

Eastenders Bad Boy

Laid-back high-achiever Paul catches up with us to discuss his long career, from Just Good Friends right up to his current roles as Gavin Sullivan in Eastenders and Scrooge in A Christmas Carol which runs from December 4th - January 3rd at Winter Gardens, Blackpool.

It's quite likely that one of the keys to actor Paul Nicholas’s success is a no-stress policy that extends to most parts of his life.

When we talked, he was in the middle of a lengthy run of the Agatha Christie play “And Then There Were None”, and had been playing in Westcliff on Sea that day. “We’re somewhere else next week but I’m not sure where,” he replies

16

in the familiar and friendly tones that have endeared him to TV and theatre audiences for the past 40 or so years.

The exact tour location wasn’t somewhere he was particularly worried about but the play – in which he is a judge “typically serious and quite posh, actually” – was one project sandwiched among several. For example, he had also just come back from a stint directing the musical “Tommy” in Blackpool with Joe McEldery – “who is brilliant and really can sing”.

These commitments had made another facet of his recent career, as Kathy Beale’s husband, Gavin Sullivan, in TV favourite “EastEnders”, a challenge to achieve as filming had to be arranged around the hectic Nicholas schedule.

So, was he enjoying this new TV role.

“Oh yes,” he asserts, happily. “I love doing different things and this is great.” Gavin is a bit nasty, but you will get to know his nice side as well. It will be interesting to see how his character develops.

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CELEBRITY INTERVIEW It ended in 1986 with the couple marrying and afterwards Paul starred in major drama series “Bust” and another “Close to Home” - a sitcom about a vet. In fact, during this period he became a small screen regular and favourite for millions, especially women.

Since then, he has returned to the theatre to play numerous roles, notably as the Pirate King in “The Pirates of Penzance” and in the lead role in “Barnum”.

...we all need to continue doing the things we like, and also doing a variety of things.

I think that’s what keeps you healthy.

This laidback but high-achieving approach has stood Paul Nicholas in good stead ever since he first came to public attention as a pop singer called Paul Dean in the late 1970s. He had two Top Ten hits but then decided to combine singing with acting and headed for the stage, taking the role of Rum Tum Tugger in the original London cast of the musical “Cats” in the early 1980s to great success.

He also had a film career around this time with appearances in the Beatles’ film “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and followed that up with “The World is Full of Married Men.” He then went against his perceived nice-guy type as the loutish punk singer in “The Jazz Singer” before starring with Joan Collins in “The Nutcracker” in 1983.

What many TV fans remember Paul most for, however, was the role of Vince in the gentle romantic comedy “Just Good Friends” with Jan Francis, written by John Sullivan. Millions tuned in each week to see how the engaging romance, and its two charismatic central characters, fared.

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He has both toured and had West End runs. His mercurial nature means he doesn’t mind touring too much, although he was hoping that his EastEnders’ character would have some longevity as “it’s only half an hour away from home for filming and so it’s easy.”

He’s canny enough to know that appearing on TV also sells theatre tickets – “well, people like to come to see you when your profile is high, don’t they?”

But he has plainly been offered plenty of high-profile theatre roles and is naturally viewed as a box-office safe bet.

Ask him to name his own favourite roles and he immediately plumps for Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof” and King Arthur in “Camelot.” “I like playing King Arthur,” he confides. “You know, Lancelot runs off with his wife Guinevere. We always get a few sniffles from the audience at the end, which tells you that it’s working.”

He’s 69 now, with six children and 11 grandchildren, but he’s retained a youthful look and still has that glint in his eye. He appears to refuse to take most things in life seriously. He doesn’t exercise – “that’s not true, really. My house has a basement and three floors so I try to run up the stairs. Well, I run up the first few!”

He doesn’t drink alcohol much, likes a “meat and two veg” kind of diet with no spicy food and is unlikely to die from stress. His mother lived until she was 92, which he takes as a positive sign – “it’s in the genes” - but his workload continues to be quite full-on.

Does he feel like slowing down a bit as he gets older? “Not really,” he says,

Paul in Scrooge mode mildly. “I’m sure that, like most of your readers, we all need to continue doing the things we like, and also doing a variety of things. I think that’s what keeps you healthy.”

He doesn’t feel the need for labourintensive pets these days, “but I have a tortoise called Toby that I’ve had for 20 years who is wonderful,” he states.

“He goes around our walled garden all day and I bring him in at night, if I can find him. He’s perfectly happy – I bought him a little lamp the other day and he loves keeping warm!”

With most information that Paul Nicholas gleefully imparts, you feel you should be taking it with a large pinch of salt. But there is no denying that he has a relaxed philosophy on life that has stood him in very good stead over the years.

He has no real desire to play particular roles, although was looking forward to a four-week stint as Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” at Blackpool Winter Gardens from December 4th to January 3rd. “Yes, it’s an exciting production,” he enthuses. “It’s quite an adult show but it’s got ghosts for the children and families do love this show.

“I like Blackpool,” he adds. “It’s a great place for all ages. It doesn’t pretend to be anything it isn’t and people have a good time.”

And, actually, that general description could be extended to Paul Nicholas himself. He’s a talented actor and singer, not to mention a director and producer, whose life just seems to go from one success to another – all quite by some mysterious quirk of fate.

17

HEALTH & FITNESS The British Heart Foundation has its own initiative called Walking for Health which results in walks being run in various areas of the country.

Find out more about your nearest one at www.walkingforhealth.org.uk The National Trust also organises walks – as you would expect, around some of the country’s most stunning countryside and parks. Just go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk to discover how a walk can be turned into a fascinating day out.

Check with your local council’s website about not only other established walking groups but also any walks that they may be organising. Many councils run regular walks in the Spring and Summer which are easy to access and usually free.

BEING fit and over 50 goes together far more these days than it once did and for all sorts of reasons.

Our parents may not have gone to the gym as part of their weekly routine, played a sport or watched their diet, but tougher times in particular didn’t lend themselves to this kind of selfawareness.

Today, we are all expected to live far longer, thanks to a better diet, healthcare and improvements in technology and medical research.

However, just how we live our lives is entirely up to us.

It’s a fact that we have never before had sport and healthy activities more available and accessible to everyone.

Of course, you don’t necessarily have to pay for these pastimes. One of the best exercises of all is entirely free: walking.

There are plenty of national organisations with local groups wherever you live around the UK. The British Walking Federation, for example, organises walks for people of all ages and abilities. You don’t have to be a member to take part and you can find out about their local activities at www.bwf-ivv.org.uk 18

And if you’re looking for something slightly more challenging than a short walk, the Long Distance Walkers Association may have just the trips for you. Go to www.ldwa.org.uk to find out more about their long walks in rural, mountainous or moorland areas.

It’s not just the exercise that’s involved in walking with others, don’t forget. You are also gaining the company of like-minded individuals, enjoying plenty of fresh air and probably discovering some wonderful new parts of our glorious countryside.

Invest in a decent pair of hiking boots, some warm, weather-proof clothing and you’re on your way!

If you’re planning on taking up a new sport, rather than just increasing the amount you are walking, do check with your GP first – especially if it’s an activity that could be much more energetic than you’re normally used to.

GPs are generally very supportive of all of us taking responsibility for our own health and improving the amount of exercise we get, so expect a practical and supportive approach along with some good advice.

Swimming is a great exercise for all ages to do regularly, even if you have health problems like arthritis or other joint difficulties. The water can support your body, making this a kinder and

more effective exercise which avoids weight-bearing yet allows a range of movement.

Your local council website or town hall is again the best place to start for information if you haven’t got a local pool nearby. Many council-run pools have special sessions for older swimmers which may be free or at least subsidised.

If you want to improve your enjoyment and accomplishment in the pool, invest in some swimming lessons from a qualified coach. To find out more about available coaching and swimming generally go to the Amateur Swimming Association’s website at www. swimming.org/asa Costs are minimal to enjoy swimming - although if you’ve not been for a while it might be worth reviewing your swimwear!

Badminton offers exercise for all ages, and the chance to enjoy a game whatever your level. Again, local sports centres may well run open sessions or clubs may be based there.

If you have never played before, select either a club with coaching sessions or go to a coaching session at a centre or private club. Badminton England has plenty of information about clubs up and down the country and is a good place to start for general information on the sport at www.badmintonengland. co.uk You will need suitable trainers and lightweight sportswear – even tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt will do at the start although you may soon wish to progress. Badminton racquet costs go right across the range, but a sports shop can easily advise you on a good racquet to begin playing, preferably from a well-known manufacturer so you can get any broken strings easily repaired later.

Tennis is another sport with plenty of activity and a good social aspect to offer. Parks locally may well have tennis courts available for hourly hire at low cost, and may even hire out racquets.

Trainers and lightweight sportswear are again suitable here, and if you want a racquet opt initially for a cheaper one that you could swap for a costlier model later if you like the sport.

There are plenty of local tennis clubs all over the country; go to the Lawn Tennis Association website www.lta. org.uk for more information and for the coaches’ register if you want lessons.

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Table tennis is a very accessible sport, too, with sports centres and private clubs around offering competitive or social play. Many will have bats to lend if you’re a novice or just don’t possess one currently. Lightweight sportsgear and indoor trainers are handy here but it’s not an expensive sport to try out and you will definitely meet plenty of new people, too. Find out about local club venues from Table Tennis England at www.tabletennisengland.co.uk

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Many people take up golf in their later years and it is certainly a sport with a strong social life attached as well as the opportunity to play at a variety of courses. It’s not necessarily a cheap sport if you join a club – although worthwhile if you play regularly – but it offers enjoyment in the fresh air in attractive rural surroundings.

Comfortable, lightweight but waterproof clothes and suitable golf footwear are necessary, and if you can’t borrow clubs or hire them, you will need to invest in a decent set of golf clubs. However, it is possible to pick up clubs second-hand on ebay or elsewhere. The sports’ governing body is England Golf, which can tell you about clubs and courses around the country. Go to www.englandgolf.org If you don’t want to take part in any specific sport but do want to improve your fitness, how about going to the gym? You don’t have to be a member of some gyms based in local sports centres, and private gyms may have special rates for senior citizens.

Look in your local telephone directory or opt for an established gym in your own area. Staff are usually very helpful with advice – after all, everyone wants us to be fitter and healthier as we grow older!

WE TAKE THE WORK OUT OF WORK OUT Conventional gyms too much hassle?

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Book a free visit chat with a trainer and see what we can do for you. We do love a challenge, great weight loss plan that’s easy to follow, lose weight while losing the inches.

Motorcise Bolton has been in the town Centre for 15 years, it was taken over by Ann Hanlon [was Wood} 7 years ago and has gone from strength to strength with lots of happy members. Not only is Motorcise a great place to get fit but you can also relax, chat, make friends over a coffee and join in the variety of fund raisers done throughout the year. We are one big happy family and you are not just a number.

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Friendly Gym for Ladies Only Motorcise is a women’s gym in Bolton that provides specialised exercise programmes that can help improve your fitness and health without the need for strenuous workouts.

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Motorcise benefits l Increased strength l Improved posture and joint mobility l Healthy eating programme to help weight loss l Increased aerobic capacity and energy.

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HEALTH & FITNESS pressure have gone down significantly.

Tests earlier this year showed that my heart condition was improving too.

“My doctor was amazed with the changes, which must be down to walking.”

Professor John Morrill

John, a widower, makes sure that he includes a walk somewhere in his daily routine. He says that the ease of it is convenient in his life, which is still very busy.

Half an hour of physical activity 6 days a week linked to 40% lower risk of death in elderly men Recently (May 2015), the British Journal of Sports Medicine stated that half an hour of physical activity irrespective of its intensity, six days a week is linked to a 40 per cent lower risk of death in elderly men. This report went on to say that the impact of physical activity on health is as good as giving up smoking.

John says: “I found that to walk was an absolute delight. I mainly go for walks near to where I live, and it has really heightened my senses, I thoroughly enjoy the sounds and sights I see and hear. Starting to walk was first and foremost about my health but has become about discovery and feeding my curiosity.”

Professor John Morrill is 69 and, in theory, retired from his work lecturing on British history at Cambridge University. Although he hasn’t found giving up work easy (he still attends business meetings in London and avidly writes non fiction) he easily gave up any exercise, until a heart condition forced him to get active earlier this year.

John began walking to help his health.

And help his health it has. His blood pressure has gone down, the swelling in his legs has alleviated and fluid that had been in his lungs has reduced. In fact, his hospital has recently reduced the amount of times they see John each year, because he is no longer a serious case.

Health issues beginning in John’s 60s included Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), high blood pressure and problems with his heart. His doctor told him exercise would help, so he tried swimming, going to the gym and finally, fell head over heels for walking.

“Walking everyday has massively improved my legs,” says John. “I had aches and pains in them for years and whenever I slept without pressure stockings the swelling of my legs would return. That is until I started walking.

Now the swelling and my blood

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He says: “I get up and think about how to best fit my walk in today. That could be going out after breakfast to a local meadow, or along ancient bridle paths, or it could be walking to my meetings in London, rather than taking the tube or a cab, like I used to.

“I like pleasurable walks; even walking from my college to the station I can deviate through parks or along the river and even if I have to increase my journey time, I enjoy discovering new things. It has proved to be a great way to kill an hour between meetings.

“I once even found a village deserted since the Black Death on one of my walks, which was along an ancient footpath with endlessly self-renewing hedgerows. It was an amazing discovery! I enjoy hearing no traffic and feel much, much better for the walking I’ve been doing. I feel more vital.”

Since January, John has walked every day for at least 45 minutes and does a minimum of 5,000 steps. In the past he has struggled with his weight and also found that walking helps him to lose the pounds.

“I am now 16½ stone and am losing weight. I’ve tried lots of diets but gradually the weight goes back on. I like walking steadily and the fact that it doesn’t feel like an obligation or stop me from being sociable. From day one I knew walking would help; it clicked.

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“I burn about 400 calories on my walks and it really is taking me back to my senses. I’ve even moved the sofa around in the living room so that I can see the contrast of a copper birch and sycamore tree out of the window! It now works better with the colours it sits with. I put that down to spending more time looking and listening to nature.”

John Morrill is a friend of Living Streets, the national charity that stands up for pedestrians.

Living Streets aims to make streets safer and more attractive places so that they are more enjoyable places to walk.

He says: “I think the work that Living Streets is doing in encouraging people to walk more and improving urban areas so that they can do so, is very important. I found the joys of walking through a health scare but by walking more, it can prevent health issues like mine. I hope that the government continues to provide funding and working with charities such as Living Streets, to improve the walking experience in the UK.” Cycling has always been a popular way to enjoy the countryside whilst staying fit. However, the electric bike has opened it up to a new section of cyclists.

Some people may argue that a conventional cycle will keep you fitter. John Aspden from ‘on yer bike’, the North’s largest e-bike store says “The argument depends on how often you use it. We believe and our customers confirm it that you will use an electric bike more often and go further, as the usual limiting factors such as hills and headwinds are no longer an obstacle. The bikes are fun to ride so you will be more motivated to hop on and ride out in the fresh air.”

A recent Australian study shows that on an electric bike a rider maintains a heart rate intensity that is mainly in the target range where cardio vascular benefit is gained, fats are burned in producing energy and no lactic acid build up occurs. Riding a conventional cycle provides the strongest cardio vascular and fitness workout. The intensity, however, is often so high that carbohydrates would be used for energy along with lactic acid build up.

A study of 20 healthy but sedentary subjects (10 male and 10 female) showed improvement to general health condition, stating: “The conclusion remains that the electric assisted bike can help overcome the barrier to physical activity.”

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The Jubilee Centre

Age UK Bury runs the Jubilee Centre in Bury. It is situated opposite the beautiful Clarence Park Lido and shares the surrounding park and Lido with swans, ducks and geese.

The Jubilee Centre is an activity centre for people, aged 50 and over, and we have 28 activities throughout the week. These include Tai Chi, yoga, line dancing, bellydancing, art, Pilates, chair based exercise, indoor bowling, keep fit, a quiz afternoon and much more.

These classes are led by a tutor and members pay a fee of £2.50 to £4.00 which pays for the tutor’s fee and upkeep of the Jubilee.

The Jubilee Walking group holds two walks a week and our knit and natter group now meets twice a week, having recently recruited their first male knitter. Nordic Walking is the latest craze and our new group has attracted a large following.

The Jubilee Centre is also home to The Chatterbox Café, which offers homemade daily specials and freshly prepared sandwiches at competitive prices. For a special treat, you can book yourself a quintessentially English afternoon of tea and treats, featuring a range of finger sandwiches, assorted cakes, complemented by a lovely pot of tea.

Andy Hazeldine, Chief Officer at Age UK Bury said “We know that the Jubilee Centre has bought so many people together and its value is not just in the activities that we provide, but in the friendships and mutual support that people gain. By providing a focal point for local

22

Exercise to Music Class

people, we now have a regular attendance of over 600 members every week and an optional membership scheme which has attracted over 850 older people.”

The Jubilee Centre holds a new member’s coffee morning, every first Wednesday of the month from 10.30 to 12 noon. This is a great way to find out more about the centre and the other services of Age UK Bury.

To find out more, visit the Jubilee Centre from Monday to Friday, 9.15 to 4.00.

The address is

Mosley Avenue, Bury, BL9 6PQ and our telephone number is

0161 763 9030.

We are online at

www.ageukbury.org.uk.

Please pop in and see us!

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Top tips for a Beautiful Home at Christmas 1. The Christmas tree is often the

main feature of decorating your

home for the festive season, so

place it in the room you will use the

most. Putting the tree by the

window gives a vision of warmth

and comfort to you and your

visitors before you have even come

inside, or putting it next to the

fireplace gives a fantastically

traditional setting for Christmas morning.

2.

Alternatively you could have trees in a number of rooms, which can be decorated to suit their environment – for example an edible selection of treats for the kitchen tree, and a tiny tree or just a decorated branch for the children’s rooms with wooden trains, soldiers, drums and fairies.

3.

If you are using a traditional colour scheme at Christmas of red and green, make one colour more dominant than the other such as lots of red with a splash of green as this will be more pleasing on the eye.

26

4.

Alternatively, a theme focusing on metallics could incorporate browns, oranges and golds, as well as amber and bronze to bring warmth to your decor. Find branches of mottled oak leaves and create a display or a wreath using small bronze beads or gold acrylic drops.

5.

Glass can bring a stunning ice effect to your decorations. Choose a glass sculpture for the entranceway, or place baubles in decorative glass bowls for the table.

6.

A Jack Frost theme of white, silver and aqua will bring about a wintery charm. Choose a white berry garland that will add sparkle, or icicle lights for the tree. Crystals and clear baubles in floral decorations will glisten nicely - try them with a combination of white ranunculus, tulips and hyacinths for a stunning scent.

7.

A more decadent look can be achieved using heavier materials such as velvet. Mix rich red, purple and blues together for a sumptuous style. A purple feather wreath would welcome the theme warmly and velvet Christmas sacks and velvet skirts for under the tree will look gorgeously effective.

8.

Bringing the outside in is a fundamental part of Christmas decorating, and alongside the tree, holly and ivy look fabulous with traditional amaryllis and roses.

Try creating a spray of lush green over a painting or on a mantle piece, or use a berry-covered branch to display your Christmas cards.

9.

Christmas wreaths also come in all shapes, textures and colours now, as well as the traditional green. Rings of bells will make a musical front door, or a feather version in unexpected hues such as

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aubergine, or even lime, will make an original statement. Twig wreaths for the minimalist can be enhanced with sticks of cinnamon, and a ring of eucalyptus or tiny fresh flowers would make a wonderfully scented arrangement.

10. Lighting is key at this time of year, and a

beautifully lit house is a welcoming sight at the

end of the working day. Fibre optic displays

will bounce light around in windows and rope

lights look glorious under the tree. For high

ceilings, a chandelier will bring the ultimate

decadence to your home.

11. Candles come into their own at Christmas and a

show of differing types and sizes look wonderful

when combined with interesting vases. Candles

also glow beautifully through cutwork metal and ceramic.

12. Outdoor lighting can also have a transformative

effect on your home. A well-chosen lantern for

the porch will provide a festively warm welcome,

or contemporary wall lights that pick out feature

stone or house numbers add to the outdoor

décor. If you are have them then pick out niches,

columns or other architectural features to

celebrate the façade of your home, or decorate

a choice shrub or tree instead to highlight your

good taste.

By Niki Schäfer, MD of Dwell-Being

www.dwell-being.co.uk

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computer savvy, and use it before they shop, or book holidays and airline tickets, frequently saving themselves a significant amount of money. From my own personal experience, I recently saved well over £150 by booking a holiday apartment in the Algarve on the Internet, instead of going through a travel agent.

Are You Missing Out? Have you noticed the revolution that’s been going in recent years? Everyone seems to be talking computers, laptops, broadband or facebook.

Well, maybe you‘ve noticed and decided that even the terminology is beyond you. In any case, why, you ask yourself, would you need e-mails or digital cameras? But there’s a lot more to computers than that. They’ve changed the way we shop, book holidays, compare prices and keep in touch with family. We can look up recipes, check on the latest tools for the garden and home, check on the latest scams targeting older people, look up organisations offering respite care, wheelchairs or other equipment, and we can get up to the minute advice on help for the elderly or disabled.

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There was a time, not so long ago, if we were travelling by train, when we had to check time tables by going to the station, and bought our tickets just before we boarded. For holidays we had to rely on checking adverts for hotels and air flights, then hoped our chosen holiday company were giving us the best possible prices. Quite often of course, once on holiday, we discovered there were far better hotels, at far more competitive prices, but we’d had no way of knowing about them. And closer to home, you’ve discovered your neighbours have bought the same washing machine as you, but at much less cost, because they did price comparisons on the Internet. They’re

Jobs take our families far from home, but the computer can bring them into your living room at the touch of a button. You can e-mail them, and get a response in minutes. You can send pictures of your prize winning dahlias, or the cat, and receive pictures of your children and grandchildren.

You can even get e-mails from your grandchildren at a very early age, because children use computers almost as soon as they can read.

And how often have you missed your favourite programme on the TV. With a computer, you can look up the last seven days programmes on BBC or ITV, and it couldn’t be simpler to re-run them. You can also check on the latest news, weather and financial ups and downs.

Just before Christmas, I was snowed in. Normally, this wouldn’t have been too much of a problem, but at this time of year, without a computer, it could have been a disaster. I had to get to the bank, I needed to get more Christmas cards, and I’d promised to send photos of the family to relatives.

Apart from that, I was keen to do a few price comparisons before I bought late Christmas presents. As it was, I had the computer, I had the Internet, and within the hour, I’d transferred funds from a savings account to my current account, I arranged to send Christmas e-cards to various far flung relatives, I’d e-mailed the photographs, and I’d checked on a few prices. As a real bonus, just days before, I’d trawled the shops searching for an old fashioned alarm clock, but was told ‘they didn’t do that sort of clock any more’. A quick check on e-bay resulted in at least ten different models of clocks which still had alarms to blast the most comatose teenager

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out of bed within seconds. Within minutes, I‘d ordered one, and paid through PayPal, which has a system of checks and balances in its system which makes it the leader in safe online payments.

And what about photography?

Who, these days, still takes snaps with a wind on camera, and then has to take them to be developed, only to find that half of them are useless. Today, we have digital cameras, which allow us to check through the viewfinder to make sure the picture is good. Then we can plug our camera into the computer, bring up the pictures, and play around with them. We can crop, straighten, increase or decrease size, sharpen focus and change light settings. We can put them in a frame, or make them into greetings cards. Keen gardeners can open a special folder for pictures of their prize vegetables or flowers,

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and keen cooks can take photographs of their special iced cakes or pastries, and send them off to other keen cooks with the recipes. It doesn’t stop there. Whatever your hobby, you can look it up on the Internet, and find others with the same passion.

The age of the computer is well and truly upon us, and anyone who doesn’t have this technology is missing out.

It may seem daunting to a beginner, and the terminology is alien to anyone over sixty, but don’t be put off. Find a course at your local Adult Education Centre, and make a start. If you don’t own a computer, your local library probably has some for use by the public, and you can practise between classes on these. Before you know it, you’ll be computer literate, and a whole new world is right there

in front of you, just waiting to be explored.

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LOVE YOUR GARDEN

WHATEVER THE WEATHER

Urban Decor are a family run, professional landscaping company operating across the North West.

We combine a modern approach with traditional values and pride ourselves in offering a quality service at a competitive price.

The largest range of Garden Buildings in the North West.

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Contact Urban Decor on 07985 497988 www.customlandscaping.co.uk Urban Decor, Ashworth Street, Elton, Bury BL8 1NU

HOME

preparing your garden for winter No matter how vast or small your garden might be, the onset of winter requires off-season prep and clearing out.

Many people make the mistake of assuming that once summer is over, they can hang up their gloves and let the garden do its thing until next year. This assumption might not sound unreasonable, but gardeners who fail to put their garden to bed properly for winter usually find that it has grown into disarray by next season. Follow these top tips to prepare your garden for the colder months.

Tidy your borders Winter presents a great opportunity to smarten up your garden’s borders, as you can move, replace, and compost any old or misplaced plants. It’s is a good idea to dig up annuals such as marigolds and petunias, as this prevents them from wilting and turning into mulch under snow and ice. It is also advisable to cut back any dull perennials to just above ground level, as this refreshes them and also provides shelter for insects while they regrow.

Maintain your lawn It’s not unusual for your lawn to look a little tired or worse for wear at the end of autumn/start of winter. Maintaining your lawn is therefore important to

prevent any lasting damage. Firstly, you should keep mowing (weather permitting) if your grass is still growing due to mild conditions. Remember to mow on a high setting to ensure roots are protected from harsh weather conditions.

Secondly, you should prepare the ground for new grass. This time of year is great for preparing any areas that you want to seed in the spring, so dig them over and pack them down by walking on them or using a garden roller, then rake them and repeat the rolling. You can also improve your lawn’s aeration by pronging the entire garden with a fork, which creates deep holes for drainage.

Lift delicate plants Delicate plants such as cannas and dahlias should be lifted from your garden, once their leaves have started to blacken and before temperatures plummet. You should then clean the soil away from the plants and store them in a cool place, in trays filled with dry compost (ensure only the crown is visible).

Your plants can then be replanted for next year’s spring.

Clean your tools Winter is an ideal time for servicing your machinery and ensuring your tools are cleaned and oiled ready for next year. It is also a good time to invest in new garden tools, as there are some great offers available and you can hone your technique ahead of spring. Gardening expert Mantis regularly have special offers on machinery and garden products.

Net your pond Dead foliage around your pond, such as decomposing leaves, can fall into the water over winter months.

As they rot, they release gases that are harmful to wildlife. Save yourself the trouble of having to remove dead foliage by catching leaves in pond netting before they have the chance to fall in. Knowle Nets, based in Dorset, produce bespoke nets that are cut to order so you have no excess.

It might seem like hard work at first, but once you’ve cleared out your garden you can enjoy the winter months knowing that you’ve given yourself a head start come spring.

Follow these tips to ensure botanical brilliance.

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35

BEFORE *

AFTER

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Are you fed up with painting your fence year in year out with expensive treatments? Well now you do not have to, as this amazing Colourfence is maintenance free and never needs painting.

Steve Beaumont is running the only firm which offers Colourfence in the Bury and Bolton area.

This is great news for homeowners who have become tired of the costly, timeconsuming and never-ending upkeep involved in timber fencing. Colourfence is the smart choice for long-lasting, low-maintenance fencing which comes with a 25 year guarantee and the builtin strength to withstand harsh climates including wind gusts of up to 130 miles per hour.

Over the past 10 years, Colourfence has altered the way in which gardens can be fenced, and it is now available locally.

Just imagine, for the price of a comparable quality timber fence, you could have a fence that’s professionally installed, will stay in place no matter what, and requires no more work than the occasional hose down with water to keep it looking as good as new.

Creosote, fence paint, wood stain — all things of the past with Colourfence, so it’s time for the fence brush to be consigned to the dustbin.

All surveys and installations are handled by Steve and his team, who promise an honest and friendly evaluation of your fences, and a noobligation, no-strings attached quote.

Not only will a Colourfence product provide the perfect backdrop to your garden all year round and perfect privacy from prying neighbours’ eyes, it will also give the peace of mind of having a most secure boundary to your property. With 80 per cent of burglaries taking place after access through garden fences, according to Steve this has to be an added bonus which can’t be ignored.

Timber fences need annual upkeep and painting, and yet they will age, spoil and need replacing within a matter of years.

A good-looking & well maintained fence enhances the appearance of your garden as well as improving security & safety for your family

Steve, who has more than 40 years’ business experience, said:“This is great news for the people of Bury, Bolton and the surrounding areas as Colourfence is a premium fencing solution at affordable prices, choosing the product line is a no-brainer.

“There’s virtually no maintenance, and it offers so much more strength and durability than timber fences,” he said.

“We offer a no-nonsense, all-in price which includes installation by ourselves. “Combined with the cost and guarantees, this means that Colourfence is much better value than timber in the long term.”

Colourfence, on the other hand, is made of a strong Colorbond steel, with a special anti-corrosion layer that won’t scratch or rust, topped with a special coating, primer and a beautiful finish coat in four colours to choose from.

Matching railings and gates are also available, which are guaranteed not to rust of flake for 10 years.

Colourfence built its business model on ethical trading, and promises that it will never use hard-sell methods.

Steve said: “We just arrange a friendly meeting to see how we can help customers make a great choice in fencing.

“This includes an honest and straightforward survey of the garden and fences. We show the customer a range of photographs and samples, and offer a no-obligation, no-pressure quotation.

“The benefits of the products are such that we just don’t need to ‘sell’ them.”

For more information, visit colourfence.co.uk, or contact Steve Beaumont on stephen.beaumont@colourfence.co.uk or 07793 437581. www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

37

PARK LODGE, OVER HULTON… …. A new concept in Retirement Living.

Melrose Living, a division of the Melrose Group, focuses on the retirement sector and their new approach to retirement living has at its core, a small and more exclusive type of development so; if you have already retired or thinking of downsizing then Park Lodge in Over Hulton, Bolton, with just 14 elegantly designed apartments may well be the first step towards a more secure and relaxed way of life.

Full gas central heating comes as standard and the bathrooms feature Villeroy and Boch sanitary ware with low level showers and Porcelanosa tiling. The kitchens are fitted with a full range of integrated appliances that include Fridge /Freezer, dishwasher, built-in oven/grill, induction hob, microwave and washer /dryer. All the apartments have built-in wardrobes and some have en-suites.

A Duty Manager is in attendance for part of the working day (Mon to Fri) He’s there to lend a hand in an emergency, to keep an eye on things and to ensure the development looks at its best.

Peter Styles the Melrose spokesman said ‘most Homeowners will regard the Duty Manager as more of a friendly neighbour, there to pass the time of day or discuss those little ups and downs in life.’

In addition to the Duty Manager there is a 24/7 Emergency Call Line linked to a central control centre, further reassurance to you and your loved ones that help is on hand if it’s ever needed.

Forget the burden and stress of conventional home ownership because the Management Team will take care of external maintenance and window cleaning. Internal cleaning of the

communal areas, plus the gardening and buildings insurance are other duties they perform.

Melrose have given a great deal of thought to the design of each home and they say the choice is yours to live independently within a safe secure environment in your own privately owned energy efficient apartment and to share in a community of like-minded neighbours.

The development has a lift to all floors and features an impressive Owners’ Lounge with a sitting out area where you can socialize with new friends and neighbours and chat over tea and coffee.

A Guest Suite is provided and is fitted out like a quality hotel room and for a small charge visiting friends or relations can stay for a few days or overnight.

For more information visit our website www.melrosehomes.co.uk and click homes for sale or call our Freephone telephone number

0800 622889.

To live independently with the knowledge that the development is Secured by Design adds to the peace of mind of each Homeowner and allows you to pursue a less hectic and more leisurely lifestyle; something we would all like to do at some stage.

Peter, Melrose Living’s spokesman goes on to say “the furnished show homes are open for viewing most days between 11.00am and 5.00pm but closed Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Our selling prices range from £143,950 to just under £200,000 and several apartments are either sold or reserved. The completed development really does look good and potential buyers are invited to see for themselves what a difference quality without compromise can make.”

For the retirement you deserve

Implanting

confidence

Ann Knight was so impressed with her husband’s new dental implants that she turned to the same expert team – and the retired business duo from Cheshire are delighted with the results!

Leading the way in UK implant technology is Lancashire-based Douglas Lee, who was one of the first dentists in the country to adopt the highly successful pioneering ‘Fast and Fixed’ technique.

Highly experienced in this same-day implant procedure, Douglas Lee Dental Associates, have a team of professionals, including in-house dental technicians, to replace teeth permanently – omitting the need for dentures.

It was Douglas Lee’s national reputation for excellence that originally led Barry and Ann Knight to the practice two years ago.

Barry was referred to Douglas Lee by another implant dentist who had attempted to replace Barry’s top 40

teeth, which had been damaged by a serious car accident, with implants.

Barry explains: “The original implants were loose, they weren’t right so the dentist said he could not go any further with it and referred me to Douglas Lee. “I travelled over from our home in Cheshire to see Dougie and he immediately said he would be able to help but he was totally honest and said it would take some time.

In the lead up to the ‘Fast and Fixed’ day Dougie and the team were fantastic. It’s not like going to the dentist, it’s like visiting a friend.

They explained everything so I wasn’t at all nervous about the procedure. www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

I had got to know them and it is obvious that they are experts in their field,” adds Barry, who is now retired from his manufacturing business.

Implant expert Douglas Lee explained what would be necessary and reassured Barry that the problem could be fixed.

On the day of the procedure Barry arrived at Douglas Lee Dental Associates early in the morning.

Sedated, Barry was painlessly fitted with a completely new set of upper implants in a procedure that has made Douglas Lee Dental Associates a flagship practice and a teaching surgery for the German pioneered ‘Fast and Fixed’ technique.

“To become a teaching surgery for ‘Fast and Fixed’ is a real compliment.

It is a massive boost to us and it gives us the chance to show other dentists what can be achieved,” says Dougie.

Testament to their high level of skills, Douglas Lee Dental Associates were the first team in the UK to carry out a full set of upper and lower jaw implants within a day.

During their years of experience, the team has refined the procedure and have state-of-the-art in-house technology including a Cone beam CT scanner, a Helbo laser that eradicates over 99 per cent of harmful bacteria and an on-site dental lab with a technician who custom makes the teeth implants so patients can benefit from this amazing same-day procedure.

Preparation is key to the success and the team of dental nurses, cosmetic dentist Usman Riaz, dental technicians and Dougie himself, all play their part on the day. www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Sedation ensures that no pain is felt and the patient remains relaxed.

“I didn’t feel a thing,” says Barry. “It was a long day and I was a bit tired but it was completely painless. I had slight bruising afterwards but that soon disappeared – and the implants are fantastic!

“They feel like my own teeth, the sensitivity is still there when you are biting and chewing. I am thrilled with them and I can’t thank Dougie and the team enough.”

Barry’s wife Ann underwent major dental work around 30 years ago, however her teeth were beginning to fail and she was too nervous to consult her dentist.

“Barry told me I had to go and see Dougie, so I plucked up the courage and went. I was adamant that I wanted a good set of dentures as there was no way I was going to undergo any pain with implants,” recalls Ann. When she went to see the team at Douglas Lee Dental Associates, Ann was told, following an x-ray, that the news was not good. Her gums were in bad shape and she had several failing teeth.

I have always looked after myself and losing my teeth was my idea of hell. It was a terrible shock.

Dougie said I wouldn’t like dentures but left the decision totally to me.

“He explained the procedure and reassured me it would be pain free so I eventually made the decision and said ‘yes’.”

In Ann’s case, she was so delighted with the results in her upper jaw that shortly before Christmas, she had her lower set of implants done under the same ‘Fast and Fixed’ procedure.

“When I looked in the mirror and smiled it was unbelievable!” recalls an emotional Ann. “I have always covered my mouth when I smiled because of my teeth, but now I smile all the time as it has given me so much confidence.

“They don’t look fake, or overly white, they just look totally natural and I am thrilled! I am 110 per cent happy with them – and I told Dougie and the team that I don’t take this for granted, I am very grateful to them all.”

FINALIST

2014

Douglas Lee A S S O C I A T E S

Douglas Lee Dental Associates 115 Whalley Road Accrington BB5 1BX 01254 237517 hello@douglasleedental.co.uk

41

Don’t get left out in the cold this winter, make your Lasting Power of Attorney With the cold weather starting to bite, many older people will be thinking about staying warm this winter. But it’s not just the winter chills that can leave people vulnerable; age related illnesses are on the increase.

In 2013 there were more than half a million people aged 90 and over living in the UK and while the general quality of life has improved over the last 50 years or so, our chances of developing conditions that can affect the mind have also increased.

Being diagnosed with a degenerative mental illness such as Dementia ultimately means there will be problems maintaining your independence. Support will be critical and once your mental ability starts to fail, if you haven’t made arrangements, your way of life could end up being decided by strangers.

But, by drafting a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) you can stay in control of your future by arranging for someone –

42

an attorney – to make decisions on your behalf when the time comes that you can’t do it yourself. Your attorney can be anyone and you can have as many as you like, although they must be over 18 years old. Also, if you want to set up a property and affairs LPA, your attorney can’t have been declared bankrupt.

When you set up an LPA, you’re literally putting your life in someone else’s hands so it’s really important to consider who should be your attorney. You should think carefully about who you can trust and whether they have the skills to carry out the role. Although it’s likely your attorney will be a relative or friend, you can choose an independent person, such as a solicitor or accountant.

There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney; one allows your attorney to handle your financial affairs, such as any property and savings you may have, while the second takes charge of your personal welfare. This allows your attorney to make decisions about any medical treatment you receive or where you live, for example. You don’t have to take out both LPAs but if you do, you can have the same attorney for both or they can be different.

LEGAL A property and affairs LPA focuses on decisions about the material things in your life. This includes conducting your financial affairs, such as paying bills, collecting your income and benefit and, if necessary, it also deals with selling your house. Appointing someone else to be responsible for your assets is a lot to ask so, if you want, you can place restrictions or conditions about what your attorney can do within your LPA. A health and welfare LPA allows your attorney to make decisions on a wide variety of issues concerning your day-to-day care, including your medication, diet and how you live. You can even give your attorney the power to accept or refuse life-sustaining treatment on your behalf.

While an LPA is a legal document, what it really offers is peace of mind. None of us like to think we could develop conditions that affect our mental health, but the reality is that we’re all at risk of losing our faculties at any time - whether that’s the result of illness or an accident. An LPA is a way on ensuring that if something happens to you, there will be someone who has your best interests at heart and who is able to help make your life a little bit more comfortable and secure.

When you set up your Lasting Power of Attorney, you can choose when it becomes effective so you don’t have worry about giving up control of your finances or treatment suddenly. That said, the main thing to remember is that you can only set it up while you’re well.

This is because it demonstrates that you’ve decided for yourself that you want to make a Lasting Power of Attorney and that you understand what it means and the consequences of it. Once you’ve lost capacity, it’s too late as an LPA won’t be legally binding because it could be argued that you’ve been coerced into making it and that you’re not fully aware of what you’re doing and the implications of it.

If you would like to know more about Lasting Powers of Attorney, drop in to one of our branches or call us on 01204 399 299. As everybody’s circumstances are different, we offer a free, no obligation, consultation to discuss things you need to consider so you can understand what options are available to you.

Russell and Russell Solicitors have been providing legal services since 1887. The practice has nine offices across the North West, offering legal advice on wills and probate, property, family, personal injury and criminal law.

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

43

FOOD & DRINK

Cook with John Torode!

Delicious recipes from his new book - My Kind Of Food GLAMORGAN SAUSAGES My search for a great vegetarian sausage recipe took me far and wide, from Australia to Asia to Ireland, with Europe in between. I finally stumbled across these little beauties closer to home – in Wales. They’re simply made with some cheese, breadcrumbs and a couple of eggs and they are grand. To my mind, they taste a bit like the stuffing you get from a good chicken. They are moreish, so beware.

Feeds 4 175g Caerphilly cheese or Cheshire cheese, grated 225g fresh breadcrumbs 1 banana shallot, grated 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley 1 tablespoon chopped chives 1 egg, beaten 20ml milk 1 teaspoon hot English mustard plain flour, for dusting 300ml vegetable oil, for frying salt and freshly ground black pepper jar of apple sauce or apple chutney, to serve

rode John To

For the coating 1 egg, beaten 50ml milk 50g plain flour 1 teaspoon paprika Prep the sausage mixture In a large bowl, mix the cheese, breadcrumbs, shallot and herbs and season with salt and pepper.

In a jug, beat together the egg, milk and mustard. Pour the egg mixture over the cheesy breadcrumbs and mash together until you get a dough.

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On a lightly floured worktop, roll out the mix into long sausages roughly 2cm thick and then cut the sausages into 8cm lengths – you should get about eight.

Coat them

Beat the egg and milk together in a shallow dish. Spread out the flour in another dish and season with the paprika.

Roll the sausages in the egg mixture and then in the seasoned flour. Leave on a tray in the fridge for 10 minutes to set.

Cook the sausages

Heat the oil in a heavy-based frying pan and gently fry the sausages over a medium heat for about 4–5 minutes, turning, until brown all over. Drain well on kitchen paper. Serve with apple sauce or apple chutney.

For a non-vego version

Add bits of crisp bacon, flaked smoked haddock or shredded ham and chopped-up peas to the sausage mixture and then coat and cook as above.

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DINING

ROOMS

Christmas Fayre Menu

PURPLE SPROUTING BROCCOLI, LINGUINE, CHILLI AND PINE NUTS This is one of my quick, quick, the kids are starving (so am I) recipes. The amount of chilli you use is up to you; I serve some on the side for those who like it. Chopped sausages are a good addition: push the sausages out of their skins and cook them with the chilli and onions for a more blokey type of feast.

Feeds 4–6 50ml olive oil, plus extra for the pasta water 500g linguine 1 red onion, sliced 4 garlic cloves, sliced 2 long red chillies, split in half, de-seeded and sliced (optional) 300g purple sprouting broccoli, boiled for 2 minutes

Available from the 23rd November to 24th December 2015 Served 11.30am - 6.30pm (subject to availabilty)

MAIN COURSE ONLY £8.95 2 COURSES FROM £12.95 3 COURSES £15.85 TO START Fresh homemade soup of the day-roll & butter Homemade chicken and liver pate served with toast and tomato & cider chutney MAIN COURSE

Hand carved Slow Roasted Turkey, sage & onion stuffing with lashings of gravy Finest top side of beef served with horseradish sauce Vegetarian option - Nut roast with finely blended vegetables served with mixed nuts All dishes served with traditional vegetables and potatoes DESSERTS Traditional Christmas pudding served with brandy sauce Traditional Homemade Sherry Trifle BOOKINGS FROM 4 O’CLOCK HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

20g pine nuts salt and freshly ground black pepper a big hunk of Parmesan, to serve Bring a really large pan of water (about 5 litres) to the boil with 2 teaspoons of olive oil and add the pasta. Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions.

Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a frying pan over a low– medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, cook gently and slowly for a few minutes until they are soft; keep the temperature low. Season the onions well with loads of salt and pepper. Drop in the chilli (if using), and cook for a minute or so. Now drop in the cooked broccoli, give it a good stir and cook for a couple of minutes so that the broccoli gets hot. Add the pine nuts.

Drain the pasta and pour it into the pan with the onion and broccoli.

Turn up the heat and toss everything together.

Spoon onto plates or pile into a large heated bowl, and make sure there is loads of Parmesan to grate over the top.

Or try...

For grown-ups you can add a few anchovies.

Use different varieties of broccoli or Romanesco cauliflower, or even add some bitter leaves, like radicchio.

Christmas Parties Special offer of 6 and over All parties of 6 adults and above, who book in advance, will receive a FREE BOTTLE OF HOUSE WINE per table compliments of Curleys. Please note: Bookings must be taken before 4pm on the day. Offer available 4pm to 6.30pm.

THIS OFFER RUNS IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR NORMAL MENU’S

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january SPECIAL OFFER BUY 2 MAIN COURSES FROM THE MENU AND RECEIVE THE SECOND HALF PRICE

MON-THURS 5pm-7.30pm* THROUGHOUT JANUARY 2016. *Only one voucher per visit may be used.

OFFER ENDS 31st JANUARY. CHEAPEST MEAL HALF PRICE.

FOOD & DRINK

TOMATO AND PESTO TARTS I have always been a sucker for anything cooked in, or with, puff pastry. These deep tarts are topped with the concentrated flavour of sweet tomatoes and the kick of a punchy pesto. Serve with peppery watercress. If you like, just make smaller individual ones as snacks for your hungry hordes.

Makes 4 tarts* * 1 each as a starter

500g block puff pastry (all-butter, if possible) plain flour, for dusting 1 egg, beaten 2 tablespoons pesto (see page 160 for home-made, or just use a jar) 8 plum tomatoes, sliced salt and freshly ground black pepper To serve 100g watercress 10ml peppery olive oil

Prep the pastry Heat the oven to 220°C/gas 7. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.

On a lightly floured worktop, roll the puff pastry out until it is about 2cm thick.

You will need to cut four circular discs from the pastry so you need to find a small plate or saucer that’s about 16cm in diameter to use as a template. Place the plate over the pastry and run a sharp knife around the edge to cut out the first disc. Repeat until you have four.

Lift the disks onto the baking sheet and brush with the beaten egg. With a fork, prick the inner circle but not the outer edge – this will stop the pastry from rising in the middle but will allow the outer edge of the tart to rise up.

Now you need to lightly score a margin about 1.5–2cm in from the edge of the pastry discs, so find a smaller plate or bowl that you can use as a template.

Place the smaller plate in the centre of each pastry disc and lightly run a sharp knife around the edge, being careful not to cut all the way through.

Take a good amount of the pesto and spread it over the inner circle of each tart. Place the tops and bottoms of the tomatoes in the centre of the tarts, then start to lay the slices on top of the pesto so they overlap and create a swirl effect – it should look a bit like a Catherine wheel. Season with salt and pepper.

Build the tarts

Place the tarts in the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, until well risen and coloured. Mix the watercress with the olive oil and serve with the tarts.

Tip

Cut out pastry discs, stack them between layers of cling film and keep them in the freezer – ready in case of an emergency!

Just take them out of the freezer 10 minutes before you want to cook them, then make the tarts and bake as above.

Find these recipes and more in John’s latest book is My Kind of Food: Recipes I Love To Cook at Home by John Torode, published by Headline priced £25.

FOR MORE FOODIE ARTICLES VISIT WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

200g butter 4 eggs 30ml milk icing sugar, for dusting Heat the oven to 180°C/gas 4. Line the base of a 23cm springform cake tin with baking parchment.

Prep the peaches

PEACH UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE My Nanna used to grow lots of fruit in her back garden – ladyfinger bananas, passion fruit, apples, limes, lemons, mulberries and strawberries – but my favourite were the peaches. Whenever I cook this cake I feel as though I could be 9 years old again, standing next to Nanna on a sunny Saturday, peaches just picked from the tree at the side of the house and the smell of her perfume and the wood-burning stove.

Makes 1 cake 5–6 peaches, cut in half and stones removed 400g caster sugar 1 vanilla pod, split in half lengthways and seeds scraped out 200g plain flour

Pop the peaches in a large pan with 200g of the sugar and the vanilla seeds and pod, cover with water – just enough to cover the fruit – and bring to the boil. Turn off the heat and cover with a lid and leave them for 20 minutes.

Make the cake batter

Sift the flour and the baking powder together into a bowl three times to aerate.

Beat the butter and the remaining sugar until white and doubled in size (an electric whisk is good for this). Add the eggs one at a time, beating until well mixed, then add the sifted flour and milk and mix well.

Lift the peaches out of their cooking liquid and arrange the wet peaches, cut-side down, over the base of the cake tin. Pour the cake batter over the peaches and bake in the oven for 25–30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the tin a little – about 10–15 minutes – then gently turn out onto a plate and carefully peel off the paper.

Leave to sit for 30 minutes. Dust with icing sugar and serve warm.

Swap in... Pears, apricots, cherries or apples with cinnamon all work well instead of peaches.

1½ teaspoons baking powder

Enjoy Christmas at the Waggon & Horses.

Recently refurbished in June of last year we serve fresh food in a pleasant environment. All food is cooked to order and served in a relaxed atmosphere.

Food served all day everyday from 12-9pm.

Here at the Waggon & Horses we have an ever changing range of cask ales on offer.

Why not let us do the cooking at Christmas? We are now taking bookings for our festive menus.

FESTIVE LUNCH available 12-5pm 1st to 24h December

5 Courses £17.50 4 Courses £14.50 Waggon & Horses 170 Chorley Road, Westhoughton Bolton BL5 3PN

T: 01942 812273

www.waggonandhorseswesthoughton.co.uk @The-Waggon-Horses-Westhoughton

FESTIVE EVENING available 5pm onwards 1st to 24h December

7 Courses £19.50

CHRISTMAS DAY

6 Courses £49.95 per person

FREE STARTER OR DESSERT WITH EACH MAIN MEAL PURCHASED Can not be used in conjunction with any other offer.

EATING OUT

THE

Garsdale COUNTRY INN & RESTAURANT

Christmas Menu Available 2nd December 12pm-2pm & 6pm-9pm

2 Courses - £13.95 3 Courses £17.50 Celebrate New Years Eve with Darren Phillips!

READER OFFER WITH THIS ADVERT

VISIT US IN JAN 16 AND WE WILL GIVE YOU A 10% DISCOUNT ON ALL FOOD FROM OUR STANDARD MENU Woodhill Road, Bury BL8 1BT

T: 0161 764 1968

www.thegarsdale.co.uk

N a m P l o y i s a T h a i Re sta u r a nt a n d b a r w h i c h i s tu c ke d a w a y i n B o l to n , L a n c a s h i r e . N a m P l o y b a s e s its e l f o n h a b itu a l T h a i c u sto m s w h i c h m a ke s a d i n i n g ex p e r i e n c e at N a m P l o y , tr u l y c h a r m i n g a n d u n i q u e .

N a m P l o y Re sta u r a nt & B a r 9 9 C h o r l e y O l d Ro a d B o l to n B L 1 3 AS Te l : 0 1 2 0 4 5 3 3 3 9 2 - P r i vate P a rty Ro o m s Ava i l a b l e T h i s Vo u c h e r E ntit l e s y o u to a f r e e b ot t l e o f Re d o r W h ite Wi n e w h e n f o u r o r m o r e p e o p l e d i n e i n at N a m P l o y .

T h i s o ffe r c a n n ot b e u s e d i n c o n j u n cti o n w it h a n y ot h e r o ffe r a n d i s n ot va l i d o n ta ke a w a y o r d e r s .

P l e a s e p r e s e nt y o u r C a r d b e f o r e o r d e r i n g .

Offer valid until from 1st Jan – 31st Jan 2016

- Ka r a o ke & DJ Wit h L a r g e B o o k i n g s - Ta ke a w a y & d e l i ve r y ava i l a b l e - O uts i d e C ate r i n g ava i l a b l e f o r P a rti e s a w a y from Nam Ploy

EATING OUT

Delicious

at The Fusiliers Delicious at The Fusiliers is a fabulous licensed café with lots of great homemade food for you to choose from.

Our homemade scones are famous, people from all over have tried them & said that they are the best they have tasted. Come & see what you think.

The fresh approach to Delicious Food Buffet, brunch or maybe lunch?

Delicious use only the freshest, and locally sourced produce available. All our menus are made to order with soups, specials and cakes being home made.

Delicious are passionate about delivering exactly what it says on the tin. We’ve grown and developed to ensure that every need is catered for.

Delicious also offer bespoke catering solutions for any function, from a business lunch, a wedding to impress or a party to remember, we’ve got everything covered. Wow your guests with “Delicious” catering, tailored to your specific requirements whatever the occasion.

Did you know Delicious is an award winning venue with it’s relaxing Café in the Fusilier Museum on Moss Street?

Delicious at the Fusiliers, The Fusilier museum, Moss Street, Bury, BL9 0DF

T: 0161 763 8988 www.mydelicious.co.uk

@deliciousbury

January 2016 SPECIAL OFFER £20 off a meal for 4.

Like us on Facebook! : Grappa At The Crofters

Follow us on twitter! @TheCroftersArms

@delicious Bury

BURY’S FIRST CHOICE FOR FISH AND CHIPS

TOMPSONS

Restaurant & Takeaway This local family business has been supplying superb fish and chips in Bury for over 40 years!

Licensed restaurant

l

Holland’s pies

l

Children’s Menu

l

Smaller Portions

l

As featured on BBC2 “Great British Railway l

AS WELL AS SERVING FIRST- CLASS MEALS, TOMPSONS IS FULLY LICENSED TO SERVE WINE, BEER AND LOCAL ALES. The restaurant boasts seating for 33 diners, has fresh decor and air conditioning ensuring you can eat in, in total comfort.

Opening Times:

Using only the finest ingredients and products everything is home cooked and prepared fresh daily. With a huge selection of food, six varieties of fish, pies, puddings, sausage, burgers and more...

Sunday: 12.00pm - 5.00pm (restaurant closes at 4:30pm)

So, for first class fish and chips look no further than Bury’s oldest most well renowned chippy - Tompsons Restaurant and Takeaway.

Monday - Friday: 11.00am - 9.00pm (restaurant closes at 7:30pm) Saturday: 11.00am - 8.00pm (restaurant closes at 6.00pm)

Alcoholic drink orders will cease half an hour prior to closing times.

Fantastic service and fantastic food. Excellent, clean, friendly and welcoming.

Michelle M

Food as good as I remembered it when I moved to York 17 years ago. Just moved back and relieved Thompsons are still here. Staff all smily and friendly thanks.

Rita B.

Tompsons Restaurant & Takeaway 143 The Rock Bury BL9 0ND @tompsonsbury@gmail.com T: 0161 452 7133

EATING OUT

Country Pub and Restaurant 1448 Chorley Old Road, Bolton BL1 7PX.

“Lorraine and Stewart bought the Bob’s Smithy Inn from Tetley Walker in November 1990. This November, they celebrate along with their son Jordan, 25 years at this well known family run land mark pub. This is an outstanding achievement in this industry, due to a high turnover of licenses and pub closures. Bob’s Smithy has been and still is an original free house, enabling them to serve hand pulled traditional ales. They always have 3 rotating Guest Ales and 3 Permanent Ales comprising of Bank Top ‘Flat Cap’, originally known as ‘Freds Cap’, as requested by John Feeny to be the first pub to sell it permanently. The other permanent ales, favourites amongst the customers is Timothy Taylors ‘Bolt Maker’ and Marston’s ‘Wainwrights’.

The pub has been in the Good Beer guide for 20 years and won ‘Pub of the summer season 2011’.

Over the Years, the pub has had many changes and refurbishments have occurred, taking walls down, a new outdoor patio area and opening through into the adjoining cottage to create a successful restaurant ‘The Old Forge’.

What’s in store for the next 25 years?

That’s up to Jordan.”

Enjoy fresh home cooked food. Lunchtimes and evenings. 6 Hand Pumps serving award winning real ales including Champion Beer of Britain Timothy’s ‘Boltmaker’ and Continental Lagers. Large Beer Garden.

Mid-Week Evening Special 2 Course £13.95 3 Course £16.95 Join us for Sunday Lunch 2 Course £12.95 3 Course £15.95

NEW LUNCH TIME MENU COMING SOON Serving Pub Lunches:

WED-FRI 12pm till 2.30pm / SAT & SUN 12pm till 4pm

Old Forge Restaurant:

WED-SAT evenings from 6pm / Sundays from 12pm till 6.45pm

Bob’s Smithy Inn & Old Forge Restaurant Festive Menu

Lunch: 2 courses £16.95 3 courses £18.95 served 12pm till 4pm

Evening: 2 courses £17.95 3 courses £19.95 served 5pm till 9pm

(Excluding Saturday evenings and Sundays) Available from 2nd December - 23rd December

To reserve a table or for more information call: 01204 842622 or visit our website at www.bobs-smithy.com

AN UNFORGETTABLE MEDITERRANEAN DINING EXPERIENCE We are a modern Mediterranean restaurant located in the heart of the vibrant city of Bolton, with the aim to deliver an unforgettable dining experience to all our customers.

OUR FOOD Our menu, carefully developed by our Chefs, captures the essence and ingredients of the traditional Mediterranean cuisine embracing delicious dishes such as Chorizo al Vino and Fried Calamari.

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We have a wide variety of dishes to suit all tastes.

With a wide range of Appetisers, Tapas Meats, Fish, and diverse vegetarian options, Tapaz can offer something for everyone in a stylish and relaxed setting.

So, if you are seeking a place to share a special moment or try a different experience, Tapaz restaurant will definitely exceed your expectations and delight you with the contagious Mediterranean environment.

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

CHILDREN’S MENU NOW AVAILABLE

LUNCH evening SPECIAL SPECIAL 3 TAPAS 5 TAPAS

Christmas bookings now being taken ...

& coffee

only

only

£9.95

£13.95

set menu Everyday - Monday to Sunday 12noon 6pm

set menu Monday to Thursday 6pm - 11pm

SUNDAY BUFFET with live music

only

£14.95

FESTIVE MENU

FREE GLASS OF PROSECCO FOR PARTY ORGANISER ON PARTIES OF 8 OR MORE

Every Sunday 2pm - 10pm

Gift Vouchers for Xmas NOW AVAILABLE

£5 OFF

À la carte menu only Minimum 2 persons.

Not available on Special Menus.

Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

TA PA Z

R I S T O R A N T E

33 Bradshawgate, Bolton BL1 1EL www.tapaz.co.uk Tel: 01204 395 505 accepted

O P E N I N G

H O U R S

Monday to Saturday 12 noon til 11.00pm Sunday 2.00pm til 10.00pm

connect with us

SIGN UP FOR MEMBERSHIP WITH THIS ADVERT AND RECEIVE A FREE BOTTLE OF COSTCO PROSECCO! COSTCO OLDHAM ONLY. VALID UNTIL 31/12/15.

NOW OPEN IN OLDHAM

QUALITY FUEL

WITH PERFORMANCE ENHANCING ADDITIVES FOR MEMBERS USE ONLY. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE SPEAK TO ONE OF OUR MEMBERSHIP REPRESENTATIVES

EATING OUT

The Belmont Bull The Belmont Bull is a traditional pub, recently refurbished, located in the friendly village of Belmont nestled in the rolling hills of the West Pennine Moorland area of Lancashire and famous for being located on the Iron Man UK route.

You will find a relaxed atmosphere and receive the warmest of welcomes in the Belmont Bull.

As well as serving traditional drinks and pub food, we also have Auntie G’s Tea Room. Sit back, relax and enjoy afternoon Tea (or Prosecco) with some delightful sandwiches and classic British cakes and biscuits. The tearoom also has a Brasilia coffee machine for all you coffee lovers.

Afternoon Tea £9.50 or £18 for 2 add prosecco £13 or 2 for £25. Served daily 12.30pm and 3pm.

There is a large car park, front and rear and bike racks for cyclists.

THE BELMONT BULL 101 HIGH STREET BELMONT, BOLTON BL7 8AJ

T: 01204 811370 www.belmontbull.co.uk

@TheBelmontBull

50 PLUS READER OFFER The Belmont Bull

15% OFF

YOUR FOOD BILL Tues-Fri 12-6pm Simply present this voucher when ordering your meal and receive 15% off your food bill.

THE VICTORIA INN - FANNY’S A local pub serving real ale, fine wine and good food in a traditional way.

Try British classics like fish and chips, steak and ale pudding or our famous fish finger butty. Or why not try something different from our specials board? Which includes or Senior Citizens Special for £5.95.

Our new lounge bar is available for small functions including funerals, christenings and birthday celebrations.

Christmas and Cocktails, there’s no better combination so be sure to check out our Christmas menu. Bookings for Christmas are now being taken.

Tickets now on sale for our New Year’s Eve celebration.

Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, visit us at www.victoriainn.co and keep up to date with our forthcoming events. Our business is your pleasure.

TEL: 01204 849944 WWW.VICTORIAINN.CO MARKLAND HILL, BOLTON BL1 5AG

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

/VictoriaInnFannys /FannysBolton

55

FOOD & DRINK

Christmas recipes with Rosemary Shrager!

PRUNE, SAUSAGE AND SAGESTUFFED TURKEY Preparation/cooking time: 40 minutes. Serves 4.

Ingredients

Prune and Cinnamon Lamb Shoulder

100g sausage meat

Serves 4.

100g prunes, chopped 4 sages leaves, chopped

Ingredients

4 turkey breast steaks

300g prunes 1kg lamb shoulder off the bone cut into 2.5 cm cubes

700ml chicken stock enough just to level with the meat

2 large Spanish onions very finely sliced

2 cinnamon sticks

Preheat the oven to 2000C/4000F/Gas Mark 6. Mix together the sausage meat, prunes and sage leaves.

3 cloves garlic finely chopped

1 tablespoon sugar

Lay the turkey breasts out flat on a board then divide the sausage and prune mixture into four. Place a portion on each turkey breast then roll them up tightly and secure with a cocktail stick.

Sit them joined side down in a roasting tin.

30g butter

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper splash olive oil

Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Put in the oven to cook for 20-25 minutes or until the turkey is cooked through and golden. Remove and leave to rest for 5 minutes then remove the cocktail sticks and slice to serve. Serve with roast potatoes and vegetables.

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60ml olive oil black pepper

4 sprigs thyme Salt

1. First, put the olive oil into a large saucepan over a medium heat.

Season the lamb and then brown on all sides. Place the lamb into a

casserole dish.

2. Add the onion to the saucepan and soften in the butter. Now add the

California prunes and cook for two minutes.

3. Add the onion and California prunes to the casserole dish along with the

stock, cinnamon, thyme and sugar.

4. Put into the oven at 190째c for 30 minutes and then turn down to 150째c for

another one hour or until tender.

5. Remove and serve with pearl barley.

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

THE NORTH WEST’S

....

Ashburner Street, Bolton BL1 1TJ

Have a great Christmas with all the trimmings At Bolton Market we’ve got all the ingredients to make your Christmas a cracker.

Open: every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9am to 5pm.

The market has over 200 stalls to choose from located both indoor and outdoor which are all under cover. Customers travel for miles just to visit the famous fresh Fish, Meat, Fruit & Vegetable halls and our newly refurbished Lifestyle hall and food court seating area.

The outdoor, undercover market compliments all our halls on Bolton Market.

The Lifestyle section offers everything from furniture to flowers, bedding to broomsticks.

Plus much, much, more along with a friendly service, hints and tips. Plenty of Christmas gift ideas for all ages.

There are plenty of eateries to choose from and a food court for the more leisurely where you can sit and watch the world go by whilst eating and drinking both continental and traditional foods.

Bolton Market provides everything you need for your weekly shop and to stock up ready for the Christmas and New Year festivities all at fantastic value. Fruit and vegetables can be plain or exotic, but always fresh and healthy.

The famous fish and meat market is considered to be the best and largest in the north west, offering outstanding variety, low prices and excellent quality fish, meat, eggs, poultry & frozen foods. So there is only one place to be when planning for your Christmas and New Year festivies, Bolton Market.

Contact: 01204 336825 Email: bolton.markets@bolton.gov.uk @boltonmarkets

Bolton Council

Bolton Markets

FOOD & DRINK

Prune and Duck Tartare Tartlets Prep time: 1 hour 30 minutes Cooking time: 15 minutes Makes 16

– Rosemary Shrager Very finely dice the duck then mix with the rest of the ingredients.

Cover with cling film and leave in the fridge for an hour to marinate.

Ingredients For the duck tartare:

For the pastry:

80g prunes finely chopped

115g plain flour

350g duck breast, skinned

10g corn flour

1 tablespoon Hoisin sauce

25g icing sugar

1 chilli, finely chopped

20g butter

4 tablespoons chopped coriander

1 egg

1 spring onion, diced

“This recipe makes beautiful canapés using canapé pastry cases, or is also perfect as a delicious burger.”

Drop of milk

Mix together the flour, corn flour and icing sugar then rub in the butter till the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

Add the milk and egg and mix well, making a dough. Cover with cling film and refrigerate for at least half an hour.

Roll out the dough very thinly and line mini tart tins with the pastry, then bake blind for 15 minutes at 180°C. When cool, put a teaspoon of duck tartare in each pastry case.

Prune & Walnut Tart Serves 4 Preparation time: 1hr 45min Cooking time: 30min plus 40min

Ingredients Sweet Pastry Ingredients:

25g flaked almonds

100g unsalted butter

50g softened unsalted butter

60g sifted icing sugar

80g golden caster sugar

1 egg yolk

50g ground almonds

200g plain flour

25g plain flour

1 tablespoon cold water

3 eggs (beaten)

Filling Ingredients:

60g honey

100g/10 Prunes finely chopped

200ml double cream

100g chopped walnuts

Zest of 2 oranges 10 Prunes to garnish

the fridge for 30 minutes) and roll out the dough to a 3mm thickness.

Line the 20cm tart ring, making sure you press well into the corners.

Place in the fridge for one hour.

This sort of dish is an all year round dish and it works perfectly as prunes are a very handy store cupboard product.

I love California prunes and when you crumble the walnuts and mix with the sweetness of the prunes, it just works really well together. Rosemary Shrager

Place greaseproof paper into the pastry base and fill it with rice or baking beans.

To make the pastry put butter, icing sugar and flour into a mixing bowl and rub the butter into the flour and sugar using your index and middle finger against your thumb to make breadcrumbs. Alternatively put the ingredients into your food processor and process to breadcrumbs.

Mix the prunes and walnuts in a bowl and pour them into the base of the tart.

Add the egg yolk and water and process to a dough.

Put onto a floured surface (if the dough is too soft put it in

58

Bake the pastry in the oven for 20 minutes, remove the paper and place it back into the oven for another 5 minutes. Allow to cool.

In the same bowl cream the butter and sugar until pale.

Add the ground almonds, flour, eggs, honey and orange zest and mix well, then fold in the cream.

Pour the mixture into the tart and bake in a preheated oven at 1600C for approx. 40 minutes.

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Prune, Port and Cherry Christmas pudding

Your perfect recipe needs top quality ingredients...

Serves 8 Preparation time 20 mins, cooking time 3 hours

Ingredients 400g prunes, chopped 100g dried sour cherries, chopped 3 tablespoons brandy

100g fresh white breadcrumbs 1 tablespoon treacle

100ml port

225g dark brown sugar

100g self-raising flour, sieved

50g blanched almonds, chopped 50g hazelnuts, chopped

1 teaspoon mixed spice

zest and juice of 1 orange

1⁄2 teaspoon each of ground cloves, ginger and cinnamon

1 apple, grated 3 large eggs, lightly beaten

You will need a lightly greased 1.1 litre pudding basin, greaseproof paper, kitchen foil and some string Put the prunes and sour cherries in a bowl and pour over the brandy and port. Leave for 1 hour if time permits or 15 minutes to soak. In a large bowl, add the flour and spices. Add the breadcrumbs and treacle, sugar, nuts, orange zest and the grated apple and mix together until well combined.

Now tip in the soaked fruit and liquid along with the orange juice and stir well then add the egg and mix until it reaches a dropping consistency.

Spoon into a prepared pudding basin, cover with pleated greaseproof paper, then foil and secure with string. Sit the pudding in a pan of simmering water, about half way up the bowl and cook gently with the lid ajar for 3 hours. Top up with boiling water as soon as the level gets low. Remove from pan then remove the foil and greaseproof paper. Leave to stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Tip: To reheat and eat; cook as per the recipe and remove the foil and paper. Replace with fresh paper, wrap in foil and store in a cool place for up to 9 months. To serve, steam again for 11⁄2 hours or reheat in the microwave for 10 minutes on high setting.

PER SERVING 423 kcalories, protein 9.2g, carbohydrate 67.2g, fat 10.9g, saturated fat 1.4g, fibre 4.4g, sugar 50.9g, salt 0.4g

Bury Market, winner of BBC Radio 4’s Food and Farming Awards (Best Food Market) really has it all.

With over 350 stalls open every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday you will find our friendly traders sell everything you need for making delicious home-cooked meals.

Great quality produce at great value prices, brought fresh to market every day!

Bury Market Tel: 0161 253 6520

: @BuryMarket

Email: burymarkets@bury.gov.uk Web: www.burymarket.com Recipes & photos courtesy of the California Prune Board.

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

59

OUT AND ABOUT

Bolton Winter Festival Date: Saturday 28 November Time: 11:00 - 18:00 A fantastic Winter Festival is coming to Bolton town centre this Christmas with a special seasonal programme featuring celebrity chefs, a festive market and two ice rinks.

28th & 29th November and 5th to 24th December

From Saturday, November 28 to Sunday, January 3, the town centre will be putting on its best festival finery with several attractions in and around Victoria Square.

COME AND MEET SANTA AND HIS REINDEERS AT OUR WINTER WONDERLAND! COMING ALL THE WAY FROM LAPLAND TO VISIT YOU AT THE CROFTERS ARMS!

The 2015 BBC Masterchef champion, Simon Wood will be hosting Nordic-themed supper nights and Great British Bake Off finalist Luis Troyano will be performing Christmas themed cookery demos in giant tipi tents set up in the square.

ENTRY FEE IS ONLY £9.95 PER CHILD! THIS INCLUDES A MEET AND GREET WITH SANTA AND THE REINDEERS, A GIFT AND A CHILD’S MEAL!

The two tipis will also host entertainment, bar, food, and a stage area. The Mayor’s Christmas Fayre will also be held there on December 5.

IF THE CHILD IS UNDER 10 THEY MUST BE ACCOMPANIED

BY AN ADULT, ENTRY FEE FOR ADULT IS £2 Call 01204 594386 103 Bradshaw Road, Bolton, BL2 3EW

And this year, the square will be covered with not just one, but two ice rinks, with one especially for children and winter sports such as curling, and a super-sized one for skating.

Bolton Christmas Pantomime Jack & the Beanstalk

Father Christmas will be returning with a new and larger Santa’s Grotto, on Oxford Street, which will also become a story telling and children’s entertainment area after Christmas Day.

Friday 4-19th December Time: 10:00 - 12:00

Prices and times vary for the cookery demos, supper nights and attractions. Tickets will be available on www.visitbolton.com/ winterfestival.

Crashing into Panto Land with a Giant bang this year is Jack and the Beanstalk at the Premier Suite, Macron Stadium which has been transformed into a 1000 seating theatre for the 38 shows being performed there. You will find all the favourite traditional elements of panto in this production, plenty of audience participation, songs we all know and love with fantastic comic timing and visual gags from Simple Simon and his mum Dame Dolly Dumpling, plenty of opportunities to ‘Boo’ at our baddies, the Giant, Baron Von Tightwad and his dim witted assistant Mirfin, and some good old fashioned fairytale romance from Jack and Jill, with our ditzy Fairy Cabbage trying her best to help along the way!

This production is suitable for anyone from 2-102, there’s something for everyone in this brand new script which has been modernised and brought up to date with 2015, fast paced, upbeat with topical gags and local references without forgetting the traditions and all the golden elements of a good old family panto!

Bolton Whites Hotel & Events, Bolton BL6 6SF CALL: 0844 248 2345

Ramsbottom Choral Society & Orchestra Present Verdi’s Requiem Saturday 5th December @ 7:30pm Soloists: Soprano: Suzanne Mather Mezzo: Margaret McDonald Tenor: Craig Jackson Bass: Maurice Rusby Conductor: Barry Sugden Tickets £8 at the door or from the Bury Metro Tourist Office Further details from Barry Sugden: 0161 761 2985 Bury Metro Tourist Office, Moss Street: 0161 253 5111 EHT S’TSEW HTRON

www.ramsbottomchoralsociety.com Bolton Road Methodist Church, Bury, BL8 2PH FESTIVE POSTERS.indd 2

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The Albion Christmas Band Thursday 10th December, 8:00pm

The Last Drop Village Christmas Markets & Funfair

The Albion Christmas Band, in its 17th year, will be offering a showcase of festive carols, spoken word, readings and dance this December at The Met, Bury.

Sunday 13th December, 10:00am

This is the perfect way to start your festivities. The band will offer a collection of new material alongside favourites from their back catalogue of Christmas albums.

We will have musical entertainment including carollers, brass bands & more throughout the day.

A funfair will be on from 10am-4pm for the children, with games onsite.

Festive food and drink, arts & crafts, and wonderful christmas themed stalls presenting an ideal opportunity to finish your christmas shopping with a unique style. From 11am-4pm

Cost: £20 adult, £18 for concessions The Met, Bury

Westhoughton Market Christmas Fun Day Saturday 12th December 11am – 1pm meet the reindeers Xmas hamper raffle Xmas tombola Traders all in fancy dress Free face painting Live music Bolton FM Hot food and drink available.

Come down and meet Santa @ 10-12 and 1-3pm with selection box for every child - £2

Celebrate the christmas season with all the family...

The village pub will be open for Carvery & A Festive Afternoon tea from 12:30am Entertainment in the pub begins at 1pm

Ramsbottom Christmas Festivities Sunday 13th December, From 10am Ramsbottom is hosting a truly festive event with Percy Penguin coming to town! Come along to Church Gardens at St Pauls Church and meet the penguins. There is also an ice rink with Christmas music to really get you in the spirit. You can also meet Father Christmas and the festive farmers market on Market Place.

St Pauls Church Gardens Crow Lane, Ramsbottom, Lancashire BL0 9BR

Cosy Wint er Breaks at ENJOY A FABULOUS 2 NIGHT WINTER BREAK WITH DINNER FROM ONLY £239 PER COUPLE Sawrey House Hotel offers you a very special combination of comfort and elegance set amidst the stunning beauty and tranquillity of the Lakeland fells. Located in the heart of the English Lake District, this splendid Victorian country house nestles in the pretty village of Near Sawrey right next door to Hill Top Farm, the once home of Author Beatrix Potter.

Our fantastic value Winter Warmer breaks are available from 1st November and include 2 nights’ accommodation in a Lake View or Classic room, our award winning 3 course dinner both evenings and our delicious Cumbrian breakfast each morning.

Please mention Fifty Plus Magazine when booking to get these special rates.

Sawrey House Country Hotel, Near Sawrey, Ambleside LA22 0LF | 01539 436387 | www.sawreyhouse.com www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

61

TAMESIDE CHRISTMAS MARKET 2015 THIS year’s third version of the Tameside Christmas Markets will have a true festive feel.

include the hugely popular Great2Skate rink in close proximity to the children’s rides.

close to the food stalls near the clock tower, with the popular rustic beer tent, with its selection of continental beers and steaming mugs of mulled wine which offers visitors a central location and meeting point where they can oversee the whole event.

In response to demand from people from all over the borough, the organisers have concentrated on bringing in different traders, including Christmas wreaths and cards and a raft of festive goods from candles and cakes to cards and crafts.

Many local dance troupes and entertainers have already signed up to appear on the stage, which will be sited

The layout of the market will revert to the successful version of 2013 and will

The opening times are 10am-7pm Monday to Thursday, 10am-9pm & Fridays and Saturdays, 10-am-5pm Sundays.

The market opens on Friday December 11 and runs through to Sunday December 20.

Friday 11th - Sunday 2 th 0 December Market Street, Ashton-under-Lyne(next to indoor Market)

Food & Festive Gift Cabins•Festive Bar Area•Santa’s Grotto (Synthetic) Ice Skating Rink LIVE Entertainment• 62

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What are you asking for this Christmas and New Year?

Festive two night energiser breaks in December and January start from just £239 per person, including an aqua thermal journey, dinner, full English breakfast, an overnight stay and seasonal stress buster treatment.

The SPA Hotel at Ribby Hall Village has most things a grownup could ask for in a festive hotel break. For those looking to escape and relax why not try the unique spa facilities including the aqua thermal journey and its outdoor terrace hot tub – to be enjoyed during the daytime or underneath the stars and surrounded by gorgeous countryside views?

Bury Market has a well deserved reputation for friendly service, fantastic produce and great value.

Located off J2 of the M66 and with over 350 stalls open every Full Market Day it’s easy to find and even easier to enjoy!

Bury Town Centre is also home to the Fusilier Museum, East Lancashire Railway, Bury Transport Museum and Bury Art Gallery.

Don’t just take our word for it, join the conversation and see what others guests have said about their stay.

Expect delicious food and discerning service. Enjoy intimate and candle lit dining in The Orangery. There’s a fabulous array of wines and Laurent Perrier champagnes to help you celebrate; as well as the tantalising afternoon tea for two.Choose from a whole host of luxurious treatments for both men and women and seek sanctuary in a luxurious and spacious hotel room with 24 hour room service.

Gift vouchers from The SPA Hotel at Ribby Hall Village The perfect Christmas gift!

For more information regarding The SPA Hotel’s Christmas & New Year Breaks visit Ribbyhall.co.uk/spa-hotel or Call FREE on 0800 107 0336 Bury Market Hall: Open every day except Sunday Full Markets Open: Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays

For those who prefer something a little more active there’s a gym within The SPA Hotel itself with the option of booking your own personal trainer. Also, an awardwinning health club within The Village welcomes all hotel guests to their adult only 25 metre swimming pool, numerous racket sports and more than 80 group fitness classes a week. Alternatively, on a crisp winter’s day perhaps you’d prefer to simply wrap up and take a gentle meander throughout our 100 acres or explore the Woodland Trail?

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“Winner National Coach Tourism Awards” Coach Friendly Shopping Destination of the Year “Winner NABMA’s” Best Market Attraction

Bury Market Management: Tel: 0161 253 6520 Email: burymarkets@bury.gov.uk Web: www.burymarket.com : @BuryMarket

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4th December 2015 - 3rd January 2016 BOOK BY PHONE:

0844 856 1111 (BOOKING FEES MAY APPLY)

BOOK IN PERSON:

WINTER GARDENS BOX OFFICE

CHURCH STREET BLACKPOOL (OPENING HOURS VARY)

www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

OUT AND ABOUT The Met, Market St Bury, Lancashire BL9 0BW Contact Tel: 0161 761 2216

Dementia-Friendly Sunday Lunch

Frozen-themed Afternoon Tea!

Sunday 13th December, 2:00pm A Dementia-friendly roast dinner will be taking place on the second Sunday of every month, with one hour of entertainment and the chance to socialise.

Wednesday 23rd December Fairy Godmothers’ Pamper Palace are hosting a magical Frozen-themed afternoon tea just before Christmas!

Second Sunday of every month from 2.00pm.

Cost: Just £4.50 One hour of entertainment followed by a tasty roast dinner.

Here, you’ll be able to meet other individuals with dementia and their carers/family.

Elmhurst Residential Care Home, Whitefield

Meet Elsa and enjoy an scrumptious afternoon tea at this Bury-based pamper palace! This will make a fantastic early Christmas gift! Cost: £15 Children will sing with Elsa, receive a gift, sweet cone and glitter tattoo!

Book your place now! Simply call 0161 933 7736.

DINING Fairy ROOMS Godmothers’ Pamper Palace, Stand Lane, Radcliffe

Boxing DayWinter Special Warm-Up

at Bolton Steam Fancy something different, why not have a curry on Boxing day Museum Plus Live Piano 12.00pm - 2.00pm & 6.00pm - 8.00pm and a traditional log fire £6.95Mon 28th and Tue 29th December Our volunteers have rescued and restored 27 old stationary steam engines - some of the engines which once powered the cotton mills and woollen of the North of England. The 8oz Rump Steak with onionmills rings & mushrooms includes 2 rare beam engines plus a free 200ml bottle of collection Prosecco Only £15.95 (the oldest is 180 years...

New Years Eve Special

Christmas Shop

now open On the 4th floor

Six magically themed rooms to inspire and excite

Grimm’s Faery With Live Piano 12.00pm -Feast 2.00 pm & 6.00pm - 8.00pm and a traditional log fire 17 Dec 2015 - 24 Dec 2015

Bolton Steam Museum, Morrison’s Supermarket Site, off Chorley Old Road, Bolton, Lancashire BL1 4EU

New Years Day Special

An original and wonderful adaptation of the Grimm’s Tales. Perfect for a Christmas treat, intergrating quality Why not enjoy our extended breakfast times available from 9.00am - 4.00pm culinary treats created by award winning With Live Piano 12.00pm - 2.00pm & 6.00pm - 8.00pm and a traditional log fire chef Stephen Taylor.

Saturday 2nd January, 1:00pm

Charity Party

served intoconjunctionCome withand ourjoin normal menus Walk throughNote: a darkall forest to get us on Jan 2nd 2016 for Cinderella’s ballroom where the feast is a late New Years party in aid of Bury Curley’s Festive opening times taking place. Open the ballroom doors, Hospice and Graces Place. We will have - 8.30pm see the candlelit table and Christmas enjoy the Eve 9.00am a DJ a short play and many other fun Christmas Day Closed tasty treats cooked by the storytelling events for the day. If you can help please Boxing Day 9.00am - 8.30pm chefs. Be transported to a works of food, contact us on 0161 672 9530 - 8.30pm forests and fairies. £12 andNew £10 Years Eve 9.00am Radcliffe Town Centre M26 2SH New Years Day 9.00am - 8.30pm Last food orders 7.15pm Plus free delivery

www.botanybay.co.uk Come along and buy a Christmas tree from Curley’s.

A full range of Christmas trees will be available throughout the Christmas period.

Wallsuches, Off Chorley Old Road, Horwich, Bolton BL6 6PP www.curleysdiningrooms.co.uk ~ Tel: 01204 691783 www.50plusmagazine.co.uk Follow us on Facebook & Twitter or comment on Trip Advisor

J8, M61 Canal Mill, Botany Brow, Chorley PR6 9AF

#GetWrappedUp BotanyBay

@ BotanyBayUK

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OUT AND ABOUT

Scotsman in Steam Preview 9 – 10 and 16 – 17 January 2016 Preview Flying Scotsman in its black undercoat as it visits the East Lancashire Railway on 9 – 10 and 16 – 17 January 2016. This will be the first opportunity for visitors to ride behind the famous Flying Scotsman ahead of its official completion. The dedicated “Scotsman in Steam Preview” event will see the engine take to the tracks for both passenger services and dining experiences. Find out more about the event and reserve not only your place in history but bragging rights too!

The East Lancashire Railway Bolton Street Station, Bolton Street Bury BL9 0EY

SHREK THE MUSICAL Tuesday 2nd to Saturday 20th February 2016 SHREK THE MUSICAL arrives at The Lowry in February 2016. Based on the award-winning DreamWorks animation

film, SHREK THE MUSICAL is this year’s must-see show for all the family.

The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ www.manchestertheatres.com

CATS Saturday 30th January to Saturday 13th February 2016 Don’t miss CATS, Andrew LloydWebber ‘s extraordinary recordbreaking, smash-hit musical! With an amazing musical score that includes the timeless Memory, spectacular set designs, stunning costumes and breathtaking choreography, CATS is a magical musical like no other.

Manchester Opera House, Quay Street Manchester. M3 3HP

THE CLASSIC ROCK SHOW Saturday 27th February 2016 After its sell out 2015 tour, The Classic Rock Show returns in 2016 to perform the ‘Top 20 Greatest Guitar Riffs Of All Time - Part 2’! Sore throat guaranteed!

Upcoming Holidays and Festivals in England January 1: New Year’s Day (closures) February 15–27: Jorvik Viking Festival, York (costumed warriors, battles) February 19–23: London Fashion Week February 26–March 6: Bath Literature Festival March 25–28: Easter Weekend (Good Friday through Easter Monday; some closures) May 2: Early May Bank Holiday May 12–15: Keswick Jazz Festival May 20–30: Bath International Music Festival May 24–28: Chelsea Flower Show, London May 27–June 12: Bath Fringe Festival (alternative music, dance, and theater) May 30: Spring Bank Holiday

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June 3–4: Keswick Beer Festival (music, shows) June 11: Trooping the Colour, London (military bands and pageantry, Queen’s birthday parade) June 14–18: Royal Ascot horse races, near Windsor Late June (1 week): Golowan Festival, Penzance (midsummer celebration) June 27–July 10: Wimbledon Tennis Championship, London July 8–16: Early Music Festival, York July 28–31: Cambridge Folk Festival August 29: Summer Bank Holiday Last weekend in August: Notting Hill Carnival, London (costumes, Caribbean music)

The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ www.manchestertheatres.com

BRENDAN COLE Sunday 6th March 2016 Always a sell-out, Strictly Come Dancing ‘s Brendan Cole is once again set to dazzle audiences across the UK with his latest show A Night to Remember.

Loaded with ballroom magic and Latin excitement, Brendan’s newest live music and dance extravaganza will be 2016’s must see show !

Manchester Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester. M3 3HP

BRIAN CONLEY Sunday 6th March 2016 The multi-talented and irrepressible Brian Conley returns to the stage in this all-new show.Showcasing his many talents, there’ll be singing, laughs, and much, much more in this latest variety show from one of Britain’s most loved performers.

The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ www.manchestertheatres.com

September 2–November 6 (likely): Blackpool Illuminations (waterfront light festival) September 9–18: Jane Austen Festival (Bath) September 16–20: London Fashion Week September 23–October 2: York Food and Drink Festival November 5: Guy Fawkes Night (fireworks, bonfires, effigy-burning of 1605 traitor Guy Fawkes) November 11: Remembrance Day (two minutes of silence at 11:00 to remember WWI dead) November 12: Lord Mayor’s Show (traditional pageants in the City of London, including horsedrawn coach parades and fireworks) November 13: Remembrance Sunday (people wear poppies on lapels, royals lay wreaths at Cenotaph on Whitehall in London for WWI dead) December 24–26: Christmas holidays

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

BL-ingo Christmas Spectacular Saturday 12th December 10pm Till Late

Play bingo in the dark for amazing prizes. Have a claim? Then hug the host but no stalking! Plus the UK’s No1 tribute to Kylie Minogue performs live!

Tickets are £5 in advance or £10 on the door 01204 388 394 Mecca Bingo | Ormrod St | Bolton | BL3 5DJ

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

67

AGE UK VOLUNTEERS RECEIVE RECOGNITION BY BEING NOMINATED FOR TWO EXTERNAL AWARDS THIS YEAR

We are all living longer but a well -respected local charity knows that the best way to ensure that we live well in our later years is to stay as mentally, physically and socially active as possible for as long as possible. Their fantastic 300 plus volunteers are living proof of that. Working with 5,000 older people every year they also know that our later years can present challenges, of a health or financial nature or sadly loneliness. Sometimes we just need a little advice and practical support to help us make the most of things. It could be finding travel insurance cover, receiving help after discharge from hospital, or the opportunity to take up a new activity or to socialise with friends old and new.

1) Pat Reynolds was nominated for and a finalist in the North West Inspiring Women of the Year 2015 awards in the Community Category awarded at the Midland Hotel in May.

Largely self-financing Age UK Bolton was established in 1947 and recently moved into impressive new premises at ‘The Square’ on Victoria Square. Securing and refurbishing the former Gas Showrooms was achieved through an innovative colocation partnership with Hoot credit union and Furniture 4U.

2) Our HfH team was nominated for and finalists in the Bolton FT Hospital’s Annual Awards dinner at the Macron Stadium in the category of Volunteer of the Year.

Why not take Chief Executive, Suzanne Hilton up on her invitation to join Age UK Bolton staff and volunteers for a cuppa in ‘The Brew Station’ to see what’s on offer.

It is worth noting that all the commission earned from Age UK insurance products is gift aided to support the charity’s services.

OUR SERVICES

Are you a Couple?

Do you have a Cooking Partner in Crime?

Our services

Age UK Bolton is a registered charity that offers a range of services, products Age and activities for is people aged 50 charity and over.

Weoffers are a range UK Bolton a registered that of services, products and activities for people aged to 50 and independent and self-financing and rely on the support of others over.

We are independent and self-financing and rely on continue our work.

OUR SERVICES

theAge support of others to continue ouroffers work.

UK Bolton is a registered charity that a range of services,

products andinclude: activities for people aged 50 and over. We are Our services include: Our services

independent and self-financing and rely on the support of others to

ncontinue Information Information &our Advice work.& Advice n Insurance Products & Services “I love coming here, Insurance Products & Services nOur it keeps me going.

Legal Advice & Will-making services include: Channel 4’s hit show Come Dine with Me is coming to Legal Advice & Will-making Service

Service Everybody is so friendly Bolton and the surrounding areas Information Advice Befriending & Afternoon Teas n Befriending &&Afternoon Teas and at 90 I’m still here, “I love coming Insurance Products & Services n & Lunch & Clubs Leisure Clubs Lunch learning newme things.”

Leisure it keeps going. and we’re looking for COUPLES to take part!

Legal Advice & Will-making n Physical Activity Classes Service Everybody is so friendly Physical Activity Classes Befriending & Afternoon Teas Syd,at IT n and 90Student I’m still Leisure & Creative Classes Do you and your partner host the best dinner parties in Leisure & Creative Classes learning new things.”

Lunch & Leisure Clubs n town? Come Dine With Me are looking for the perfect Home from Hospital Service Home Hospital Service

partnership to create the recipe for success! n from Physical Activity Classes Wheelchair Hire Syd, IT Student Wheelchair

n Room Hire (at our Farnworth site) Hire Leisure & Creative Classes If you’re over 18 & have the combined skills to produce an

from Hospital Service Room Hire amazing dinner party… (at our Farnworth Our 300Home volunteers play a site) vital role in our work and in helping Wheelchair Hire We want to hear from you! us to deliver all of the above services.

Room Our 300 volunteers playHire a vital role in our work (at our Farnworth site) and in helping us to Three couples. Three nights. Three dinner parties.

UKabove Bolton at The Square deliver allAge of the services.

Our 300 volunteers play a vital role in our work and in helping us to And a £1,000 cash prize.

53-55 Victoria Square Bolton BL1 1RZ deliver all of the above services.

Tel: 01204 382411 or www.ageukbolton.org.uk

If you or any couples you know would like to take part contact us with your names, ages & numbers NOW! Filming dates 19th January 2016

Email: comedinewithme@shiver.tv Tel: 08712 003 939

(Callers from a BT landline will be charged a set up fee of 14p per call plus 10p per minute.

Calls from other networks may be higher and from mobiles will cost considerably more.)

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21/09/2015 11:44

21/09/2015 11:44

ORION

THE DAZZLING HUNTER WITH THE GLOWING SWORD Brian Jones Visible high above the southern horizon during winter evenings, Orion is arguably the most beautiful constellation in the sky. Its conspicuous and unmistakable pattern of bright stars becomes ever more prominent as winter progresses and, once seen, is unlikely to be forgotten.

Greek mythology tells of the mighty hunter Orion who boasted far and wide of his prowess and who declared himself a match even for the gods.

This angered Diana, the Goddess of the Hunt, who challenged Orion to a hunting match, a challenge which Orion gladly accepted. He and Diana spent many days in the chase, but in the end there was nothing to choose between them, and the contest was declared a draw. Once more Orion

bragged and, in a fit of anger, Diana commanded a scorpion to crawl out of the ground and kill him. She then placed the mighty hunter among the stars where he can be seen to this day.

One of the most conspicuous stars in Orion is the red giant Betelgeuse.

This is one of the largest stars known to astronomers and, if Betelgeuse occupied the position of our Sun, its outer surface would extend beyond the orbit of Mars. The ruddy glow of Betelgeuse contrasts sharply with the brilliant white of Rigel, another giant star which is so far away that the light we are seeing from it set off towards us only a few years after the Domesday Book was compiled.

Along with Betelgeuse and Rigel, the two stars Bellatrix and Saiph complete

the main outline of the constellation, central to which are the three stars Alnitak, Alnilam and Mintaka that form the Belt of Orion. The easternmost of these is Alnitak, the area immediately surrounding which is rich in stars and well worth a closer look through binoculars.

The trio of stars forming the Belt of Orion have been given other names in the past, Australian natives referring to them as ‘Young Men’, Greenlanders calling them ‘The Seal Hunters’ and mariners identifying them as ‘The Golden Yardarm’.

Perhaps the silliest episode relating to the naming of these three stars took place in 1807 when the University of Leipzig christened them ‘Napoleon’, whereupon an irate Englishman promptly retaliated with the title ‘Nelson’. Needless to say, neither name found its way on to star maps!

Just below the Belt of Orion is a line of faint stars, within which can be found the magnificent Orion Nebula.

Visible as a glowing patch of diffuse light, this is one of the most famous and eye-catching objects in the entire sky. Shining because of the energy from hot stars embedded within it, the Orion Nebula is clearly visible to the naked eye on dark, clear moonless nights. The wide field of view of a pair of binoculars brings it out well, and the sight leaves the observer with a sense of wonder when it is realised that inside this glowing cloud stars are actually being formed.

It may be winter, and the nights are predictably cold.

However, don’t let that stop you checking out what the impressive Orion has to offer.

Happy stargazing!

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69

The eyes... A window to good health What else do we need to be aware of as we age?

There are some eye conditions which are typically associated with ageing which we need to look out for.

These are:

We don’t always think about our eyes when we think about ageing and our changing bodies.

After all, we only tend to notice problems when we feel pain or discomfort. However, careful management of our lifestyle, our diet and the level of exercise we get can be of benefit for the whole of our bodies, including our eyes.

So how do we know if we are starting to have problems?

Difficulty reading and doing close work As we age the shape of our eye lens changes and becomes less flexible. This makes it more difficult for our eyes to focus on objects that are near to us and we may need more light to see things that are close to us. This is a known eye sight problem of ageing and is known as presbyopia.

Problems with glare Changes in the lens shape of the eye mean that the light entering the eye, through the pupil ,tends to be scattered as opposed to being focussed on the retina. The result is that we may experience more glare from headlights and the sun.

Changes in colour perception As we age the lens can become discoloured, making it harder for us to distinguish different shades of a colour.

Dry eyes The tear ducts tend not to produce as many tears as we age, particularly for women after the menopause. This can lead to dry eyes and irritation.

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Cataracts: These are caused by clouding of the lens in the eye. Symptoms include some of the above that occur in the normal ageing process but if you notice troubling symptoms associated with nighttime glare, loss of visual acuity and colour differentiation it is best to get it checked out by an optician.

Glaucoma: Glaucoma occurs when there is a rise of pressure inside the eye which can damage the optic nerve. Quite often there are few symptoms at first, which makes it all the more important for those at risk to have regular eye checks.

People who are at an increased risk of developing the condition are those with diabetes, heart disease or a hereditary factor. Symptoms to look out for are pain around the eyes, headaches and loss of peripheral vision.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): AMD is the most common cause of vision loss in people over the age of 55 years. It is caused by deterioration of the retina and in the early stages there is little or no vision loss. However, as the disease advances the central part of vision is affected and people find that they can only see well peripherally.

How to look after our eyes There can be no substitute for regular sight tests after the age of 45 years, but awareness of the conditions that could affect our eyes as we age will help to notice and manage these conditions, hopefully in the early stages of onset.

So what can we do to help our eyes stay healthy?

Keep up the anti-oxidants!

The eyes, particularly the lens, retina and macula typically contain high levels of antioxidants which protect the body from free radicals. Too many free radicals

behave like toxins in our bodies and are known to alter lipids, proteins and DNA which can lead to disease. The antioxidants that are known to help protect the eyes against disease are Lutein and Zeaxanthin, but as we age, levels diminish , meaning that it becomes more important to replace them through our diet.

Getting the right anti-oxidants through food Not greens again!?

Yes, they really are the best thing for us.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin can be found in leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach. For those who don’t eat much of these types of vegetables, add them to existing recipes. Finely chopped into casseroles and bolognaise can ensure that we get the nutrients we need. For those who love leafy green vegetables, just eat more, larger portions and more regularly.

Studies have also shown that omega 3 is useful in retinal function and so a combination of foods containing omega 3 and these antioxidants is essential to maintain good eye health after the age of 45 years.

Remember though, if you would prefer—seek out a supplement. It is better to have these nutrients and good fats in our diet than not at all.

Fruit, especially bilberries All fruit in general, particularly of the citrus variety is good though as it contains Vitamin C which is good for our general health and immune systems.

Bilberries have been shown to be another powerful antioxidant. This fruit contains substances known as anthcyanosides which help to protect both the retina and the lens of the eye.

It is a well- known- fact that the RAF during the Second World War were offered bilberry jam to help the pilots see their target in the dark!! So for those lucky enough to live near morrland—get picking, otherwise, there is always jam or again supplements, if the latter is not available.

This article has provided you with some information about the problems that can affect our eyes as we age. However let’s look at them (excuse the pun!) head on and practice prevention, with a good diet, as opposed to cure which can be, but not always, as effective.

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Home from Hospital re-adjustment period once they are back home after a stay in hospital.

As well as providing help in getting to appointments, shopping, prompts to eat well and keep up exercise and medication regimes, Home from Hospital offers a ‘good neighbour’ service, and as we have been finding, it’s often just having time to spend chatting and offering social and emotional support that is most appreciated by HfH’s clients.

Since moving into our office off the main hospital corridor, the HfH service has progressed from strength to strength.

Going into hospital can be a worrying experience at any time but, for many older people who live alone, (or are the main carer for another), coming out can be even more so, as they wonder how they are going to cope. Sadly over the last 10 years there has been an 88% increase in readmissions to hospital of older people (65+) in the days or weeks following discharge. So many times this situation, which is very distressing for the person and costs the NHS £2.2 billion a year, could have been avoided if they had only received a little bit of help and support in the first days and weeks after discharge.

With families increasingly living at a distance and working neighbours living busy lives, often reticent to “get involved”, many older people no longer have the traditional support networks around them to help out when they are at their most vulnerable.

The Home from Hospital (HfH) service was established towards the end of 2014 in a joint venture with Bolton NHS Foundation Trust Hospital, Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group, Bolton Council Adult Services and initially Senior Solutions. It provides support for elderly Bolton residents who have been recently discharged from Bolton Hospital. The prime driver behind the service is the desire to reduce avoidable re-admissions to the hospital by providing an extra layer of practical and emotional support to vulnerable people during what can often be a very difficult

have reduced readmissions among the clients we support to 8.1%. The patient experience comments have been quite powerful.

Mr A in telephone call to Age UK’s Farnworth office: “I want to thank you so much for the support you have given me, I don’t know what I would have done without you. Linda was like a ‘Mother Hen’ to me and helped me to get organised. I can’t thank you enough”

The feedback we are getting from clients and their families is that the service is very much needed and indications are that this is already having an effect on reducing re-admissions of people over 65 to Bolton Hospital.

Home from Hospital offers up to six weeks’ support, free of charge, and just to give an idea of the service on offer here are some examples of the types of support provided for clients: • Taking a client to a hospital appointment • Taking a client to a lunch club • Chatting over a cup of tea • Taking a client out for tea and cake • Cooking a client a meal • Taking a client to a computer class • Sitting with a client while their partner goes shopping • Helping a client to complete a Blue Badge form • Taking a client shopping • Referring a client to bereavement services • Taking a client to Manchester Infirmary • Taking a client’s dog for a walk • Referring a client to Age UK’s Information and Advice service • Helping a client to go through paperwork • Taking a client to visit a relative • Going out for a walk with a client Because of the success of the pilot over the Winter of 2014/15 the service has been funded by the CCG for 2015/16 and is going from strength to strength.

Average readmission rates for patients 65 plus in Bolton is 18.66%. Even though we work with and support the most vulnerable within this group we

Volunteers Julie Walsh (left) and Gill Chamberlain (right) have both been volunteers with H.f.H since its infancy.

Retiring after 21 years working in Social Services Home Care, Gill saw an advert for volunteering with the service and felt that her experience could help. Gill comments “I have had the opportunity to meet people from all different backgrounds and have listened to their experiences and tales. The role is flexible so it suits us and the client and it is always varied, from taking someone out for lunch, or to a hospital appointment or just listening. Every day is different and it gives the satisfaction of making a difference to someone’s life”.

Julie, an ex ward sister, feels that her knowledge of hospital work and care suits the Home from Hospital service.

“Many families are at work during the day or do not live locally and the six to eight weeks support that we offer gives us the chance to build a rapport with the client and help them to get back to living independently at home.

We receive full training and ongoing support which enables us to provide the service required.”

If you would like to become a volunteer please contact Heather Crook on 01204 710525 or email: heathercrook@ageukbolton.org.uk

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HEALTH

Quality dentures mean a quality lifestyle The Importance of Dentures

•

The eyes, nose and teeth are the focal points of every face; they give the first impressions of your personality.

• •

Natural teeth grow in proportion and in harmony with your facial features and your dentures should be made accordingly.

Your teeth, or your dentures, have many important functions: to support your facial muscles, to help formulate your speech, and most importantly to chew your food and start the digestive process.

It is very important to chew food properly, as poorly chewed food will take longer to digest, especially for the elderly who could risk problems in the digestive system.

Choice of Dentures There are four main quality standards in denture materials.

The denture base (gum coloured on which the denture teeth sit).

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Standard Quality High Impact Acrylics (much stronger)

Injection Pressure Formed (Premium Denture Base) Flexible (Partial Dentures) Metal Denture

The Denture Teeth • • • •

2 Layer Acrylic (economy) 3 Layer Acrylic (harder wearing) 4 Layer Reinforced (hard wearing, natural look) N.F.C. (Nano filled composite) premium teeth.

Of course, the materials alone will not make a good denture. In the hands of a skillful and experienced Clinical Dental Technician the best results are achieved.

Dentures Need Regular Servicing Dentures are in constant use almost 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They are also in a pretty hostile environment in the mouth, being attacked by strong acid, bacteria, hot, cold and spicy food.

Denture material absorbs liquids and food odour.

Daily cleaning is essential as well as professional ultrasonic cleaning in a dental laboratory at least once a

year. Due to constant bone resorbtion dentures will become loose sooner or later.

Loose dentures will increase damage to the gums and bone structure, and increase the risk of breakage. Have them re-lined as soon as possible to get a good fit. It only takes a day or two.

Have your dentures inspected by a Clinical Dental Technician at least every two years, or more frequently if necessary.

Your Dentures need Attention 1. When they become loose.

2. When teeth or denture base discolours.

3. When tooth surfaces become flat.

4. When denture base does not fit around natural teeth (in partial dentures).

5. When you develop deep lines around your mouth.

6. When your chin sticks out, and the corners of your lips are constantly wet, developing sores.

7. When you stop smiling and feel embarrassed.

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My Dentures have become loose!

Should I have a spare set of Dentures made?

This is easily remedied by a procedure know as Re-lining. A new layer of Denture base is added to your existing Denture, improving the fit and restoring confidence.

Yes, it is very important to have a spare set of dentures for emergencies in case of breakage.

Dentures with worn down teeth Teeth excessively worn, require a new set of dentures.

Dentures on Implants

This type of Denture is constructed in conjunction with the Dental Implant Surgeon. This is a very good procedure when the patient has limited control and retention of their Dentures. The finished Dentures ‘click’ into position offering the ultimate in Denture Retention.

Major improvements in Facial Features Padding dentures to reduce lines and fill up sunken cheeks will require a new set of dentures. It is advisable to have a new set of dentures made every 5 to 10 years.

Difficulties in Constructing a Good Set of Dentures Constructing a functional and aesthetically pleasing set of dentures is the most difficult task in dentistry.

We are not only replacing lost teeth, but also lost tissue matter and bone. In other words, we have to re-create your facial features as they were before the loss of your natural teeth.

In most cases we do not know what your teeth looked like, what size they were or what position they were in originally. We have a few indications but mostly we have to rely on our visual and artistic judgement.

At the same time we have to use our technical expertise in order to make the denture stable and functional. Denture construction is more art than science.

What is a Clinical Dental Technician?

under gone further Education and Training in areas such as Medical Emergencies Cross Infection Control and Oral Pathology (cancers and anomalies) to name just a few sections that make up the Diploma in Clinical Dental Technology as Awarded by the Royal Collage of Surgeons (RCS).

It is this qualification that allows the clinicians at Bolton Denture Centure to be able to be registered and regulated with the General Dental Council (the official body for protecting the public with regards to dentistry) and carry indemnity insurance. It is this qualification, which means that only Dentists and Clinical Dental Technicians are the only Dental Professionals permitted to supply dentures direst to the public. A dental technician is not qualified to supply a denture directly to the public. However, despite this being an act of Mal practice many technicians will still practice illegally without informing the patient that they are not qualified. If you are unsure if your denture provider is qualified; ask them for their GDC registration number, then contact the GDC to see if they are registered not just as a dental technician but as a CDT.

A Clinical Dental Technician (CDT) is a qualified dental technician that has

BOLTON DENTURE CENTRE for your next quality denture • Qualified Clinical Dental Technicians • New Dentures and Relines • Dental Repairs • Denture Cleaning Services • Free Consultations

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CARE •

•

Putting themselves and others at risk - by forgetting to light the gas on the cooker for example Hallucinations and difficulty in perceiving events

Late stage During this time, they’ll be totally dependent on others to help care for them. Their loss of memory will become paramount, being unable to recognise objects, surroundings and their closest friends and family members.

You’ll notice that they’ll become increasingly frail at this point, showing difficulty in walking and eventually they’ll be confined to a bed or wheelchair.

Other symptoms are:

Learning about Dementia Each person experiences dementia differently so it’s helpful to sort the condition into stages to help detect the symptoms earlier. This will let you know whether you need to look for care and support for a loved one. Dementia is a progressive illness affecting a person’s mental capacity, their memory and communication will gradually decline and will require support to carry out daily living routines.

Stages of Dementia Early stage The early stages of dementia are very minor changes in a person’s behaviour and can often be mistaken for normal ageing attributes. Loss of memory for most recent events is an early sign that someone may have dementia. Be on the lookout for these signs: • The person becomes slower at understanding new ideas • They repeat themselves • They lose interest in other people and activities • They blame others for taking their misplaced stuff • They’re forgetful about recent events or conversations • They find it hard to make decisions • They’re unwilling to try out new things In these situations it’s tempting to support them to help them cope, but in order to retain their independence

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and self-esteem, they should have the chance to do activities for themselves, with a little support if necessary They’re likely to become agitated and distressed in this condition, so be ready to provide emotional support and reassurance to boost their confidence.

Middle stage As dementia progresses, the changes in the person become more noticeable.

They need support to help manage their daily living, with frequent reminders to eat, use the toilet, wash and dress. Being forgetful of people’s names and repeating the same phrase several times are signs of decline in their memory.

During the Middle stage they may lose their confidence and become clingy.

You may also notice some other signs, be careful of: •

•

Confusion about where they are and becoming lost after walking off Waking up at night because they’re mixing up night and day

• Difficulty in eating and swallowing • Considerable difference in weight, some people may lose weight and others may eat too much • Loss of their bladder control and sometimes their bowels • Loss of speech, repeating a few words or crying out from time to time

Support to stay in your own home If you want to live as independently as possible, you may need support to stay in your own home. The health and social care trust in your area can provide services to help you.

Health and social care assessments A range of support is available. For example, you might need help with cleaning, or you may find it useful if you had a bath rail fitted. You may be entitled to financial help to maintain your own home. To find out what sort of help you could get, your local trust will assess your health and social care needs. It is important to tell the health and social care trust what will make your everyday life easier.

You may also be entitled to ‘direct payments’. These are trust payments available for anyone who has been assessed as needing social care, and who would like to buy services instead of receiving the trust’s services. For example, direct payments could be used to pay a home help.

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Care in your own home Care in your own home is offered to people who require help with personal care like washing or dressing, or help with other daily domestic tasks such as cooking and cleaning, or help in managing finances.

Direct payments - arranging your own care and services Direct payments are local Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust payments for people who have been assessed as needing help from social services, and who would like to arrange and pay for their own care and support services instead of receiving them directly from the local trust.

A person must be able to give their consent to receiving direct payments and be able to manage them even if they need help to do this on a day-to-day basis.

Who is eligible?

If you already receive social services Your local trust is obliged to offer you the option of direct payments in place of the services you currently receive. There are some limited circumstances where you are not given this choice and your local trust will be able to tell you about these.

If you’re not receiving social services

HOME CARE PROVIDERS The Care you deserve in the place you love

To get direct payments you’ll need to contact your local trust to ask them to assess your needs. Direct payments are normally available if you: l

have a disability and are aged 16 or over are a carer aged 16 or over, including people with parental responsibility for a child with disabilities l are an older person l

How much do you get?

The amount you receive will depend on the assessment your local trust makes of your needs.

How it’s paid Direct payments are made directly into your bank, building society, Post Office or National Savings’ account. If you need someone who cares for you to collect your money, or you are registered blind, payment can be made by sending a cheque which can be cashed at the Post Office.

Independence at home If you have a disability that makes living alone difficult, making some adaptations to your home may help. You may also get extra support to help you live in your own home.

If you need improvements and adaptations to your home so you can continue to live there independently, you may qualify for help.

A health and social care assessment with the social services department is often the first step towards getting the help and support you need. Following an assessment your occupational therapist may recommend types of equipment and ideas about adapting your home.

At Platinum Care we’re proud to offer a tailor-made home care living solution that we consider one of the greatest values in social care living today. We believe in the care you deserve in the place you love.

Assisted Living: Trained carers provide assistance with medication management and support for service users to live as independently as possible. Coordinating with other stakeholders. Platinum Care will deliver the very best assisted living for those seeking to live as independently as possible.

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Bolton Dementia Support As part of the Dementia festival of ideas Dementia Services Development Centre at the University of Stirling has conducted a yearlong survey which highlights the differences between male and female’s views of dementia.

living with dementia can attend a session designed to meet their specific needs in an adjacent room.

These differences are significant because most of the people affected by dementia are women either as patients, carers, or care workers and the most of the influential decision makers whether in government or charities are men – including government ministers, civil servants, senior doctors and the chief executives and boards of the leading dementia specific charities.

It would appear that men view dementia as something that will respond to more community support, hospital care and drugs and also are positive in believing that families can take a greater role.

Women appear to experience more dread. They report more negative direct experience of dementia which culminates in them reporting more concern about the knowledge level of care staff and the quality of health care particularly in hospitals. The fact that the family caring role often falls to women may explain the findings that women are less convinced than men that families can cope and that services are helpful.

Whatever views you may have you are welcome to attend our Tuesday morning support session at Thicketford where carers can air their views and receive advice, information and support in a friendly environment whilst the person

We also have a carers support group each Tuesday morning from 10:30am12pm at the Thicketford Centre, Thicketford Rd, Tonge Moor, Bolton BL2 2LW. On the last Thursday of each month we hold an evening social at St Gregory’s Social Club, Church St, Farnworth from 7-9pm.

Statistics show that men and women view dementia differently.

By 2015 there will be 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK (Alzheimer’s Soc 2015)

Wednesday 2-4pm Bar Lane Bowling Club, Ivy Bank Rd, Astley Bridge

Why not join us for an evening of entertainment and refreshments.

Memory Cafe at Bar Lane.

We also have a variety of other activities that you may find useful.

We hold three memory cafes each week; Monday 2-4pm Victoria Hall, Knowsley St, Bolton town centre Tuesday 2-4pm RMI Club, Chorley New Rd, Horwich

We now have a Young Onset Group, specifically designed for younger people diagnosed with dementia and their carers/family (under 65).

The group meet up on the third Monday of each month at different venues across the Borough to suit the needs of our members.

Thanks to further funding from Bolton Adult Services we are appointing a Community Outreach worker who will be able to visit people at home and enable them to attend outings and events and to give them back a life. If you are interested in applying for the post please ring for an application form.

Closing date is November 20th.

If you are affected by dementia in any way or at any age why not come along and see what we can offer.

You may have dementia but dementia doesn’t have to have you!

Come along and live life to the full Please contact Barbara Clarke on 01204 386696 for details.

We have also recently opened our very own CHARITY SHOP - 329 Bury Road, Bolton, BL2 6BB Volunteers Required-please contact 01204 773435/01204 386696 Find out about what we do on our website: www.boltondementiasupport.btck.co.uk

Bolton’s own Dementia Support

The Dementia Support Group.

The Dementia Support Group.

Bolton Dementia Support

Supporting people with dementia and those who care for them.

Proud to serve the people of Bolton.

If you would like information or advice please contact:

Bolton Dementia Support Registered Charity No : 1123776

Carers Resource, Thicketford Road, Bolton BL2 2LW.

Bolton’s own Dementia Support Group.

Telephone: 01204 386696 www.boltondementiasupport.btck.co.uk

porting people with dementia and those who care for email: boltondsg@gmail.com them.

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More than 46,000 older people stripped of their meals on wheels service More than 46,000 older people have been stripped of their ‘Meals on Wheels’ service in the past three years, according to The Malnutrition Task Force.

unaffordable for pensioners living on a low fixed income.

The findings, released to mark Meals on Wheels Week, show that in just three years spending on ‘Meals on Wheels’ for older people aged 65 and over has fallen by 47 per cent, from £42.1m in 2010/11 to £22.3m in 2013/14. Public spending on this vital service has been slashed at the same time as cuts to adult social care services, needed to help older people lead more independent and healthier lives.

Age UK estimates that there are about 300,000 people aged 65 and over in England who need help with eating or have difficulty eating unaided.

The Malnutrition Task Force reveals that older people are either losing their meals on wheels provision because of local authority budget cuts or face extremely steep price increases, which can make the ‘Meals on Wheels’ service

The Malnutrition Task Force (MTF) is an independent group of experts across health, social care and local government united to address avoidable and preventable malnutrition in older people. The MTF is co-sponsored by Age UK, Royal Voluntary Service, British Association of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN), Apetito and Nutricia Advanced Medical Nutrition. More information can be found www.malnutritiontaskforce.org.uk

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The Malnutrition Task Force was set up in 2012 to raise awareness of malnutrition and dehydration among older people and to develop solutions for preventing and tackling these often overlooked problems. The Task Force, chaired by Age UK Chairman Dianne Jeffrey, aims to share its expertise and work with partners in hospitals, care homes, local authorities and private and voluntary organisations. Members include local government, commissioners, professional associations, GPs, dieticians, NHS service providers and community meal providers.

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In less than 10 years, the number of people receiving ‘Meals on Wheels’ has tumbled by over 80 per cent – equal to 125,000 older people missing out on ‘Meals on Wheels’.

The decline of the ‘Meals on Wheels’ service has happened at the same time as a significant increase in the number of hospital admissions for malnutrition.

This mainstay of community care not only provides a nutritious hot meal, but it is often the only social contact a vulnerable older person has during the day. Meals on wheels staff are also well placed to be able to keep a watchful eye and raise any concerns about a person’s health or their ability to cope at home, before a crisis is reached.

Older people are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition, with estimates suggesting 1.3 million aged 65 and over suffer from it. More than nine in ten of them are living in their own homes in the community.

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