Bolton & Bury issue 72

BOLTON & BURY EDITION 72

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2021

Christmas Comes to Tapas in the Tipi

LAUNCHING THIS NOVEMBER AT THE CHERRY TREE

Tom Cruise

GLOBAL MEGASTAR

uded

SUMMERSEAT & BRADLEY FOLD GARDEN CENTRES

James Martin

RECIPES FROM HIS NEW BOOK, BUTTER

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Christmas with all the trimmings

BRADLEY FOLD GARDEN CENTRE

Transform your home into an enchanting winter wonderland this Christmas with our wide selection of indoor & outdoor lights. Whether it’s the authentic fragrance of a real tree or choose a quality pre-lit artificial tree we have the right tree for you. Choose from different themed coloured decorations to ensure your tree sparkles.

Enjoy homemade meals from the Café in the knowledge that all the the food is freshly prepared by our chefs.

Acrylic Sleigh with two Reindeers 96cm £69.99

Allison Pine Prelit 6ft £149.99

Wreath Pine Cones & Berries 30cm £12.99

Bauble tub shatterproof pink mix £14.99

Special events for Christmas Virtual Reality Sleigh Ride.

Christmas Food Fayre.

Santa’s Grotto.

Wreath Making Masterclass.

Breakfast & Tea with Santa.

Bradley Fold Garden Centre, Radcliffe Moor Rd, Bradley Fold, Bolton.

BL2 6RE Telephone: 01204 529949 www.bradleyfold.co.uk OPENING TIMES: Monday to Saturday 9am-5pm. Sunday 10am-4pm.

BRADLEY FOLD GARDEN CENTRE

LATE NIGHTS: Start 15th November Monday to Friday until 8pm.

CONTENTS

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IN THIS ISSUE 4-5

TWITTERING ON

By Angela Kelly

12-13 TRAVEL

The best of Barbados 14-15

ELLEN SMITH Door to Door Coach Tours 2022

16-17

TOM CRUISE A Global Megastar

23-25 HOME

Keeping your home cosy this Winter 37-40

FOOD & DRINK Recipes from James Martin’s new cookbook

48

MOTORING Steve Howarth’s test drive.

Win tickets to see IL DIVO in December VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO ENTER WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Bridgeman House 77 Bridgeman Street | Bolton | BL3 6BY. Sales Enquiries : T: (01204) 238180

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KEEPING YOUR HOME COSY THIS WINTER of

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BY ANGELA KELLY Then the next thing is she becomes a qualifier at the US Open, immediately turns into a whirlwind and takes the women’s singles’ title!

She ends up a Grand Slam Champion and world No.22, all while still studying for her A-levels.

The best thing about our Emma, though, is that she comes across as a very ordinary girl who definitely has her head screwed on tightly.

STRICTLY SHOWS US LIFE AS WE KNOW IT AS a self-confessed fan of Strictly Come Dancing every new season is a genuine joy.

But I’ve also come to realise that Strictly is a microcosm of life itself.

There are goodies and baddies (well, judge Craig Revel Horwood on a mean day), brilliance and awfulness, wonderful success and crushing disappointment.

Some couples become closerthanthis and some seem uncomfortable together, just like life.

Some celebrity dancers reveal hidden talents and some should just stay hidden.

And throughout it all is the joyous music and dance that underpins this very popular programme.

This year’s crop has proved as riveting as always. Some lesser talented going out early and some really surprisingly talented celebs continuing their journey glitterball-bound.

Why, though, is it such a mesmerising programme?

Perhaps it’s because there’s a very strong feeling that if THEY can do it with no dance background, then perhaps we could dance as well.

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Then there’s the costumes, the fake tan, the fabulous sets, the skilled professional dancers – all part of this regular dose of escapist glamour.

It’s also partly a popularity contest, too, with a fickle public that can vote out even the most talented. Every season has shown this can happen and that innate talent and hard work don’t always win out.

She took winning and defeat in the same gracious stride, even when she followed up her epic American win by losing her next competitive match in the BNP Paribas Open in straight sets Such a highly visible loss when you’re riding the crest of a wave might have been tough to take for most players. Not Emma.

She smiled, shrugged her shoulders – and started practising for the next event.

So there is the uncertainty of who might succeed. Also just like life.

She also said of her opponent, Aliaksandra Sasnovich: “I think Aliaksandra played a great match. She was better than me today so she deserves to win.

Whatever the reason, Strictly itself is the main winner. And we’re basically quite happy about that.

“I’m kind of glad that what happened today happened so I can learn and take is as a lesson.

EMMA’S PLAYED HER WAY INTO OUR HEARTS JUST when life looked a bit bleak in our Covid-19 hit world and the UK’s sporting future seemed uncertain, along came Emma Raducanu.

Cometh the hour, cometh the woman.

After winning the LTA British Tour Masters’ title last December, the 18 year-old from Bromley brightened up our ongoing post-lockdown gloom with a dazzling Wimbledon debut.

Even having to quit when she unwell didn’t dent her obvious promise.

“There’s going to be disappointment after any loss. I didn’t go in there putting any pressure on myself because in my mind I’m so inexperienced that I’m just taking it all in.”

No tantrums, no flouncing tempers, no excuses, just sensible acceptance and moving on.

At a time when famous females are often largely personified by non-celebrities and fake fame, she’s a breath of fresh air and a real role model for any youngster. Not to mention a golden prospect for the future.

but replicating those wonderful songs that shook teens and adults alike all those decades ago.

DRIFTING BACK IN TIME FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY THERE are very few opportunities to touch base with your teenage self but a concert by The Drifters is definitely one of them.

Like thousands of others around the UK, I joined an enthusiastic audience to relive those amazing ‘60s and ‘70s that first brought American music to audiences on this side of the Atlantic.

True, these were not the originals. No-one was pushed on in a wheelchair or struggled to warble the high notes.

These were younger members of the Drifter family, strong and vibrant singers

This concert audience, like those around the country no doubt, were mostly of an age. We were probably infinitely respectable, ordinary, Joe Citizen types by day. But here, treated to full-on Under the Boardwalk and Saturday Night at the Movies we were young and excited all over again.

For a start, we all knew all the words to every song – even some of the lesser hits had a major portion of the audience singing along with the four slick Americans in their dress suits entertaining us.

There were short films and slides to remind us of Drifters long ago. Of Ben E King as a Drifter and that amazing voice, of slick dance moves in atmospheric black and white film – a photo album of teenage years that we recognised as our own.

I was with a group of lively older women friends and we fitted right in. We yelled out the words with the rest, using vocal

chords more usually raised in chastising grandchildren or calling in the dog.

Here, we were 17 again – with no arthritis or elasticated waistbands in sight again - just loving this different, tuneful music that captured our souls all over again.

We clapped, we waved our arms, some of us stood up and gyrated. No-one cared because everyone was doing the same thing that just came naturally.

We were united in a giant fan club, sitting in a time-machine that whizzed us back over the years to sample favourite memories.

Music is the great leveller and the Drifters are polished magicians at providing just what’s wanted.

Forget Covid, Brexit, shortages and politics. this was a chance to let loose for a few hours, away from everything.

The old joke is that nostalgia isn’t what it used to be. But that’s wrong – in truth, it can be just as good as ever.

50 Plus Magazine are proud to sponsor Turton Tigers Blacks.

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THE BEST OF BARBADOS a heritage railway experience. The Cave family, owned St. Nicholas Abbey for nearly 200 years, largely as absentee landowners.

The plantation ran under management of an overseer, producing sugar and syrup at the plantation’s mill. The family made periodic visits to the property and in 1935 Charles J P Cave filmed an absolutely charming home movie which is now shown in the great house and is an absolute must-see. It provides a glimpse of plantation life as well as the mill in operation during the height of the sugar cane season and will bring back happy memories I’m sure for many, of the clothes and manners of our parents and grandparents.

Known for its picture-perfect beaches and friendly culture, Barbados proves to be the ideal post-pandemic destination for Petra Shepard.

Sun, sea and sand are closer than you think, and I was lucky enough to be on one of the first planes out to ‘green list’ Barbados earlier this year. Known for some of the most open and inviting luxurious hotels, spacious beaches and rich culture and history, Barbados lends itself as the perfect post pandemic travel destination.

Below are a few of the highlights of my recent stay: Brilliant Beaches Barbados has two distinctive coasts, the calm Caribbean west coast with narrow sugar sand beaches and aqua marine waters, my favourite was Mullins Beach an idyllic spot to soak up those Bajan beach vibes.

The East Coast with the wild Atlantic pounding its shores couldn’t be more different. I’d highly recommend hiring a car and exploring this rugged and picturesque landscape.

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St Nicholas Abbey A tour of the north of the island wouldn’t be complete without a visit to St Nicholas Abbey and one of Barbados’s top attractions. One of the oldest homes on the island, and one of three Jacobean mansions left standing in the world, the Abbey is a stunning relic of Barbados’ past. Lovingly restored by the Warren Family, the historic home boasts rum tastings, tours of the 17th century home and for railway buffs

Hunte’s Gardens, Barbados Keen gardeners will enjoy a visit to Hunte’s Gardens, full of rare exotic plants, exquisitely arranged with wonderful flair and artistry. The wizard who created it, Anthony Hunte has for many years been one of the leading horticulturists on the island and his storytelling and potent rum punch are not to be missed. You’ll need to be able to manage a fair few steps but taking a leisurely stroll through the tall palm trees of what once was a regular gully is a wonderfully peaceful and serene way to spend a morning.

Bushy Park Circuit I’m gradually ticking off my bucket list experiences, although forever adding new ones including riding as a passenger in a racing car, 4 terrifying 100 mph miles around Bushy Park Barbados Circuit and a world away for the tranquillity of Hunte’s

Gardens.You don’t need to be a petrol head to enjoy Bushy Park, the leading circuitracing facility in the English-speaking Caribbean.You’re kitted up in a suit (mine blue and sadly not Ferrari red) and helmet, so you look the part, with the car a Radical SR3 driven by a professional driver. It’s a noisy and thrilling ride and something that’ll seriously impress any grandchildren who ask what you did on your tropical island holiday.

Watch those jaws drop.

A walking tour of historic Bridgetown’s City Centre & Exchange Museum If you can tear yourself away from the beach, historic Bridgetown’s city centre, Exchange Museum and the Garrison Historic area are well worth a visit. The Exchange Museum is housed within a beautifully restored 18th century building which has served many purposes over the years including being a school and Masonic Lodge. It’s where I posed with a model of Rebecca Pringle and learned more about the fascinating story of this Afro-Barbadian hotelier.

Rum Vault at Colony Club Barbados is considered the birthplace of rum and Mount Gay distillery founded in 1703 is believed to produce the oldest rum found anywhere in the world. The Rum Vault at The Colony Club hotel is the first of its kind in Barbados and features 150 rums from around the globe and a 3-course storied rum dinner. On my first night I enjoyed being informed and entertained about all things rum from rum ambassador Corey Sobers whilst feasting on rum glazed pork belly paired with spiced sorrel rum sour followed by a coconut crusted red snapper paired with The Fennel Act (Mount Gay Silver, fennel and ginger syrup with lime). Also, for the first time in my life, I not unsurprisingly suffered no jet lag and slept through the night.

Hotels Barbados has no shortage of hotels from very small and intimate boutique hotels to large resort hotels. I was a guest of Elegant Hotels Barbados and stayed at two of their properties Colony Club and The House. Colony Club is a timeless retreat, restored from a former private colonial

Opening Times: Monday-Friday 8.30am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 4pm

club, replete with soaring palm trees and lagoon-style pools amongst its seven acres of serene tropical gardens. Garden rooms are all on one level and metres from a gently shelving beach and the warm waters of the Caribbean. The House is a luxury, all-inclusive adults only (no noisy children splashing in the pool disturbing your latest Ian Rankin) resort and perfect for romance and relaxation.

At last, we are able to turn our lockdown dreams into reality and if you are wanting to run for the sun as winter approaches, then Barbados is very much back in business.

Fact Box: For general information on Barbados visit www.visitbarbados.org For holidays in Barbados, Silver Travel Advisor recommends Tropical Sky www.tropicalsky.co.uk/caribbeanholidays/barbados Petra Shepherd travelled to Barbados with Virgin Atlantic.

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EMMAUS CHRISTMAS EMPORIUM

HANDMADE CHRISTMAS TREES & DECORATIONS DERBY BARRACKS, FLETCHER STREET, BOLTON BL3 6NF www.emmaus-bolton.org.uk

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info@emmausbolton.org.uk

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Part of

Self-drive & coach inclusive breaks

Group

GREAT VALUE 5 DAY HALF BOARD BREAKS

£169 from

per person

When it comes to inviting, relaxing breaks, we have the ideal holiday for you..

Whether you’re looking for a romantic break for two, a family holiday or getting away with friends, Robinsons’s Holidays offers 12 hotels in 10 of the most popular UK destinations. Our fleet of 26 luxury Mercedes coaches provide return travel in comfort and style from your pick up point and will take you directly to your hotel, aiming to arrive between 3 – 5pm.

If you’d like to get out and about to explore the local area on your holiday, then all of our breaks can also be booked on a self-drive basis so you’ve got the freedom of having your own car.

Request your brochure now!

Every break includes: Return coach travel (self-drive option available)

Comfy en suite accommodation

Breakfast & 3-course evening meal

Live nightly entertainment*

Trip Advisor’s Travellers’ Choice We are proud to announce that six of our group – Barrowfield, Daish’s, Devonshire, Bournemouth Sands, Claremont, Hotel Prince Regent – have been awarded the coveted TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice award for 2020.

Isle of Wight

Torquay

Bournemouth

Llandudno

Newquay

Blackpool

Lake District

Scarborough

Eastbourne

Weymouth

Don’t miss these coach inclusive breaks!

Local pick up points from make it easy to get away.

Price includes return coach travel from:

G1 Pick-up: Bolton, Farnworth, Walkden, Eccles, Stretford, Sale, Altrincham, Lymm Services All offers are subject to availability and standard terms and conditions (see brochure or website for T&C’s).

DATE

HOTEL

DAYS

PRICE

DATE

HOTEL

NOVEMBER

DAYS

PRICE

DECEMBER

10

Somerset Hotel – Llandudno 

5

£214

01

Devonshire Hotel – Torquay 

5

£189

11

Imperial Hotel – Eastbourne 

5

£209

02

Daish’s Blackpool Hotel - Blackpool 

5

£179

12

Daish’s Hotel – Isle of Wight 

5

£204

07

The County Hotel - Lake District 

7

£219

19

Sands Hotel – Bournemouth 

5

£199

08

Barrowfield Hotel – Newquay 

5

£169

21

Russell Hotel – Weymouth 

5

£209

12

Somerset Hotel – Llandudno 

5

£174

24

Hotel Prince Regent – Weymouth 

5

£219

13

Imperial Hotel – Eastbourne 

5

£174

27

Imperial Hotel – Eastbourne 

5

£204

23

Imperial Hotel – Eastbourne 

5

£479

27

Abbey Lawn Hotel – Torquay 

5

£214

30

Abbey Lawn Hotel – Torquay 

5

£389

30

Imperial Hotel – Eastbourne 

5

£394

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@RobinsonsHolida

 Tinsel & Turkey Christmas  New Year  Twixmas Prices shown are per person based on two people sharing a Standard Room. Supplements apply on twin/double rooms with sole occupancy.

Optional local excursions can be booked at the hotel. Many more coach or self-drive holiday dates available in 2021. If you would prefer to self-drive, deduct £20 per person from prices shown.

Call - 0800 083 9900

Quote - 50PlusRG1 or visit robinsons-holidays.co.uk

10 fabulous locations, 12 great hotels.

Bournemouth

Llandudno

Newquay

Weymouth

Weymouth

Eastbourne

Bournemouth Sands

Somerset Hotel

Barrowfield Hotel

Hotel Prince Regent

Russell Hotel

Imperial Hotel

Isle of Wight

Scarborough

Torquay

Torquay

Blackpool

Lake District

Daish’s Hotel

Esplanade Hotel

Devonshire Hotel

Abbey Lawn Hotel

Daish’s Blackpool Hotel

County Hotel

Call 0800 083 9900 or visit daishs.com robinsons-holidays.co.uk

facebook.com/robinsonsholidays1

@RobinsonsHolida

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BEHIND THE BRAND ANDREA ZITO, CEO OF SWAN HELLENIC her ships have to offer 25 years since the original Minerva set sail.

Q. Swan Hellenic is a really iconic brand, traditionally very popular with British cruisers. You’ve been quoted as saying you love the brand: why and what are the reasons?

As this heritage brand prepares to cruise again, Andrea Zito talks to Jennie Carr: find out what the new Swan Hellenic and

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I’ve been close to Swan Hellenic through other cruise line interests since the 1990s.

Swan Tours was pioneering when it began back in the 1950s, creating exciting new cultural expeditions around Greece and Turkey. It evolved into Swan Hellenic and continued this sense of being unique and ground-breaking: it is this aspect which I’m so passionate about – taking guests further afield to parts of the world seldom seen for real cultural experiences.

Q. And are these the reasons the name has been retained rather than launching the cruise line with a new name, which you could have done?

We could have chosen a new name certainly, however the Swan Hellenic brand was available, through many coincidences, and its history and image fit extremely well with what we plan to do. It has a long, well-respected history in cultural cruising and is held in high esteem by passengers and guest speakers alike. When a group of us decided to invest in the polar expedition sector of the cruise market in 2019, the synchronicity of these two things made sense. There is also a huge awareness of the brand in America and Australia as well as in the UK. Q. What is the most exciting aspect of the new Minerva? What is her unique selling point (USP)?

Swan Hellenic will have new ships, with every modern safety device and

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comfort. They will be solid, reliable and interesting vessels, Polar Class 5, so well able to handle extreme conditions.

However, what we are offering are unique experiences. And the remote, little-visited destinations will be our USP. Our passengers will travel to places very few people have been to before. The opportunity to make memories and tell remarkable stories once home are all an extension and continuation of that USP. It’s the long-lasting emotional response that these destinations will evoke which will feed into this too.

Q. You’ve described the ships as ‘elegant’ rather than ‘luxurious’.

What made you use this word?

The ships have sophisticated, understated elegance, with many open and outdoor spaces because the destination has pole position for Swan Hellenic. Our guests with be focussed on what is outside the ship, immersed in the environment and scenery, rather than on what is inside it.

It’s less about onboard opulence and more about the ship being a marvellous way to bring people to extraordinary places. We will not have helicopters or submarines on board as we wish to be as unintrusive as possible when visiting pristine territory.

Q. And who do you anticipate your passengers will be? Older? Well travelled?

Well, certainly mature, we imagine people will be in their mid 50s mainly.

People who are experience and culture seekers, real thinkers, who are inquisitive and curious, with a thirst for knowledge.

And people who are excited about going further, visiting regions not generally found on the tourist trail. I anticipate our guests having a ‘citizen of the world’ outlook and they’ll be fascinated by what’s

to appear around the next corner, wanting to see what others don’t.

Q. Where will Minerva’s first cruises be?

Her first cruises will be to the Antarctic, based in Ushuaia, including a voyage for the Solar Eclipse early December 2021. Before Minerva’s re positioning and cruises along the coast of South and North America through to Japan and the Pacific Ocean, the Antartic itineraries will include the Falklands, South Georgia, the South Orkney and South Shetland Islands.

Volunteer Today Meet new people & learn new skills

Q. What are Swan Hellenic’s plans for the future? There’s a second ship being built I believe?

Yes, there are two ships under construction. Minerva is to launch in November 2021 and then Vega in April 2022, which will sail initially to the Arctic.

Both these ships will have 75 cabins, taking around 150 passengers. Our third ship, currently under construction in Helsinki, will be slightly bigger with 96 cabins and that will be ready for the end of 2022.

Q. If you had just one wish for Swan Hellenic’s future, what would it be?

We want to take guests to exceptional parts of the world and to give them enriching memories; treasures of the mind in other words.

Fact box: To book your cultural expedition cruise and travel to destinations you may never have imagined, visit swanhellenic.com

With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. However, the benefits of volunteering can be enormous. Volunteering can help you meet new people, learn new skills and even feel happier and healthier. If you are looking to get back into work, volunteering can be a great way to build your CV. Give us a call to hear about the volunteering opportunities we have at Emmaus Bolton.

working to live and give Come and join our great team!

Ask for more details on 01204 398056 or email info@emmausbolton.org.uk 11

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Františkovy Lázne

DISCOVER THE CZECH REPUBLIC Once outside the capital Prague, you’re in for a real treat. Fairytale castles, UNESCO sites and spa towns are all waiting to be explored.

The Czech Republic is currently open to fully vaccinated visitors from the UK, who will only need to take a Day 2 test on their return home.

UNESCO sites The Czech Republic is home to 16 UNESCO Heritage Sites, with three spa towns in the Bohemian Spa Triangle added in summer 2021.

Triangle added in summer 2021. In South Moravia, the Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape comprises two glorious chateaux combining Baroque, Classical and Neo-gothic styles. For contrast, visit Villa Tugendhat in Brno, the country’s second city, which was built in 1929/30 and is a fine example of early functionalism architecture: all white, straight lines and glass.

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Spas in the Czech Republic The elegant Spas of West Bohemia, including Karlovy Vary, Mariánské Lázne and Františkovy Lázne, have existed for centuries, using healing mineral waters and centuries old spa traditions. In the 19th century, ‘taking the waters’ in Bohemia was a popular restorative for Europe’s royalty and aristocrats. Each town is unique with its own specialities, which include wellestablished treatments to address various health issues. Recently, many spas have been treating patients suffering the effects of long Covid.

Active Holidays If sightseeing is best enjoyed in the spring and autumn, then the summer offers the perfect opportunity to get into the countryside, with comfortable temperatures. Set off on an adventure along the Vltava River where you can paddle, hike or enjoy cycling the Wine Paths in South Moravia. The Iron Curtain cycling trail, or EuroVelo 13, runs along the south of this country and across the entire continent. In

winter, downhill or cross-country skiing is offered, just a few hours from the capital, in both the Erz and Czech Giant Mountains, while the snowy towns provide a magical setting for Christmas Markets.

Food and drink Traditional dishes are a hearty fare with creamy sauces or cabbage, roasted meat and home-made dumplings. A not-to-bemissed Czech favourite is fried cheese and fries with Tartar sauce. In recent years, high-class dining has seen traditional meals transformed to more sophisticated cuisine, especially in Brno, which is well known for its gastronomy. Czech beer is worldfamous: many hundreds of micro-breweries offer a backstage experience with insights into the creation of the beer. The vineyards of South Moravia, in the ‘Sunshine Country’, has tastings, easily reached on the wine bus tours.

For more information, Visit Czech Republic

DOOR TO DOOR COACH TOURS 2022 If you’ve never tried coach holidays before, why not let We’ve been established for over 120 years so we know a bit about coach holidays!

WE ARE FULLY FINANCIALLY BONDED And use some excellent privately-owned hotels.

All visits and excursions are included in the price.

We use modern coaches and mature friendly drivers.

HOW DOES IT WORK? On the morning of travel we pick you up at a prearranged time and take you to our waiting coach at Birch Services or Stockport.

WE DO THINGS A BIT DIFFERENTLY THAN OUR RIVALS

WHAT ABOUT THE RETURN? It’s the same as the outward journey – but in reverse!

All our tours include our ‘Door to Door’ service.

That means that you are picked up by a taxi or small minibus right from your front door. No feeders, no interchanges, no changing coaches, no

WE NEVER DISCOUNT.

WITHIN 30 MINUTES

WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT?

We normally have everyone on board and we’re on our way. We often have a second pickup at Stockport, but again this is timed for minimal delay.

Either call our office on 01706 648126 or visit our website where you can browse all our holidays and save £10 per person by booking on-line.

therefore everybody onboard pays the same price.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND BOOK ON-LINE TO SAVE £10.00 PER PERSON

Join our facebook community by ‘liking’ our page to view latest offers, customer comments and various photographs.

ellensmithtours

A SELECTION OF OUR COACH TOURS 2022

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R CO AC H

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LOOE, CORNWALL THE THE ENGLISH ENGLISH RIVIERA RIVIERA -- TORQUAY TORQUAY Portbyan Hotel ~ 3 Star The Belgrave Sands Hotel The Belgrave Sands Hotel & & Spa Spa ~ ~ 4 Star Looe is a picturesque fishing harbour situated 4 Star

in Southeast Cornwall, the dayAn award-winning resortfamous where for elegant An award-winning resort where elegant caught fish andawide sandy beach.

Looe has a Victorian villas, bustling harbour and palmVictorian villas, bustling harbour andBridge palmrich history sucha give as the famous fringed beaches the RivieraLooe its fringed beaches give Riviera its and that joins thename.

East andthe West towns well-earned well-earned name.including beautiful woodland hidden treasures and cobbled streets lined with independent boutiques and delicious restaurants.

| Days | £359 28th March 7th March 28th March || 55 5 Days Days || £329 £359

NORTH DEVON SCARBOROUGH NORTH DEVON & & CORNWALL CORNWALL The Durrant House 3 The Park Manor Hotel ~ 2~ The Durrant House Hotel Hotel ~Star 3 Star Star

Based in the port of Bideford, this position tour Scarborough enjoys an unrivalled as Based in the port of Bideford, this tour combines the best of Beautiful Cornwall and one of Britain’s premier coastal resorts, combines the best of Beautiful Cornwall yet and delightful North Devon.

Bideford’s also lies tantalisingly close to Northnarrow Yorkshire’s delightful North Devon.

Bideford’s narrow back streets and alleyways link holiday, the quay andcan rugged National Park. On this back streets and alleyways link the quayyou and the river, the old road has a lovelybridge enjoy theand golden beaches, superb parks and the river, and the old road has a lovelybridge that crosses river linking Bidefordto other gardens andthe wide range of leisure amenities that crosses the river linking Bidefordto other areas Devon. whichof have given Scarborough its justifiable areas of Devon. reputation.

4th | £389 13th March|| 5 Days|| £289 4th April April 5| 5Days Days £289

BEAUTIFUL NORFOLK COAST & BEAUTIFUL NORFOLK DURHAM, BEAMISH & COAST BOWES& CITY CITY The Blackwell Grange HotelNorwich ~ Best Western Best Western Brook Brook Hotel, Hotel, Norwich 4 Star ~ ~3 3 Star Star The beauty of the Durham Dales offers a nice The East Anglia coast is starkly beautiful, with contrast stunning and historic The East with Anglia coast isBeamish starkly beautiful, with picture postcard fishing villages, and much Durham, including the Bowes Museum, home picture postcard fishing villages, and much more, creating an idyll of rural charm. As a of the creating famous ‘Silver The region more, an idyllSwan’. of rural charm.

Ashas a contrast, we feature the lovely Cathedral City lots to offer matter time of year City you contrast, we no feature thewhat lovely Cathedral of Norwich, and the Norfolk Broads. of Norwich, and the Norfolk Broads. visit.

| Days || £389 18th April 18thMarch April | |5 55Days 21st Days |£389 £429

ENCHANTING SOMERSET TENBY TENBY & & PEMBROKESHIRE PEMBROKESHIRE The Wessex Hotel ~ 3 Star The Giltar Hotel, The Giltar Hotel, Tenby Tenby ~ ~3 3 Star Star

For holidays we stayhas in Tenby, its Be these enchanted, Somerset lots ofwith surprises For these holidays we stay in Tenby, with its pastel-coloured buildings, –narrow streets, waiting to be discovered stunning beaches, pastel-coloured buildings, narrow streets, fortified walls, and bustling atmosphere. green countryside, woodlands, lakes, and fortified walls, and bustling atmosphere.

Tenby more.is one of the prettiest resorts in South Tenby is one of the prettiest resorts in South Wales. Whether you take a stroll through the Wales. Whether you take a stroll through the town or along the beaches, or enjoy a ride town or along the beaches, or enjoy a ride along the Pembrokeshirecoast, Tenby is an along the Pembrokeshirecoast, Tenby is an ideal base. ideal base.

| | 5Days 3rd April | £289 7th Days|| £499 3rd March April | 6 6 Days £499

PERTHSHIRE, ST. ANDREWS SHREWSBURY, & & PERTHSHIRE, ST.LUDLOW ANDREWS & EDINBURGH IRONBRIDGE GORGE EDINBURGH Salutation Perth Star BuckatreeHotel, Hall Hotel Salutation Hotel, Perth~~ ~33 3Star Star

Perthshire a region of breath-taking Along theis reaches of the Rivervariety, Severn Perthshire isupper a region of breath-taking variety, from its serene glens and endless expanse of and the borders between England and Wales, from its serene glens and endless expanse of lush forest to its bleakly beautiful moors, the forest countryside of Shropshire shelters lush to its bleakly beautiful moors,some rushing rivers and tumbling waterfalls. of the most landscapes and unspoilt rushing riversbeautiful and tumbling waterfalls. towns that you can imagine.

|| 5| Days || £339 4th | £389 14th March 5 Days 4th April April 5 Days £339

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OBAN, MULL & IONA BOURNEMOUTH BOURNEMOUTH Royal Hotel ~ 3 Star Mayfair Mayfair Hotel~ Hotel~ 3 Star

With seven miles of golden sands andof Oban, Based in the bustling seaside town With seven miles of golden sands and sparkling the vibrant cosmopolitan our toursea, explores the enchanting Innertown sparkling sea, the vibrant cosmopolitan town ofHebridean Bournemouth has of it all – aand vastancient variety Iona. of Islands Mull of Bournemouth has it all – a vast variety of shops and restaurants, We venture across theendless ‘Bridgecountryside over the shops and restaurants, endless countryside offering peace and relaxation andinbeautiful, Atlantic’ to Seil Island and take some offering peace and relaxation and beautiful, award-winning gardens. stunning scenery as we travel along loch-side award-winning gardens. roads with towering mountains.

|| 5| Days || £339 4th | £349 7th April March 5 Days 4th April 5 Days £339

SKEGNESS & LLANDUDNO SKEGNESS & THE THE BEST BEST OF OF LINCOLNSHIRE LINCOLNSHIRE Tynedale Hotel~ 4 Star The Royal ~ 3 Llandudno Wales’sSkegness largest resort, The Royal isHotel, Hotel, Skegness ~ uniquely 3 Star Star

Experience the bestthe of Lincolnshire with Ormes situated between Great and Little Experience the best of Lincolnshire with historic towns and villages, a thriving seaside with two wonderful beaches, the awardhistoric towns and villages, a thriving seaside resort andNorth ‘Bomber Country’ heritage. winning Shore, and the quiet, resort and ‘Bomber Country’ heritage. sand-duned West Shore.

|| 5| Days || £339 11th | £429 15th April March 5 Days 11th April 5 Days £339

WYE VALLEY WYE VALLEY & & THE THE ROYAL ROYAL EASTBOURNE FOREST OF DEAN FOREST OF DEAN The Haddon Hall Hotel ~ 3~Star Bells Bells Hotel Hotel & & Country Country Club Club ~ 3 3 Star Star

BLENHEIM, SEZINCOTE AND THE BLENHEIM, HEART OF SEZINCOTE ENGLAND AND THE KENNET & AVON CANAL KENNET & AVON CANAL TheWestern Abbey Hotel, Great Malvern ~ Best Blunsdon Western Blunsdon House House Eastbourne is a town with grace and elegance Best 4 Star Experience this magical borderland on a Hotel ~ 4 that has something for borderland everyone – on a a Experience this magical Hotel ~ sightseeing 4 Star Star tour with many things of A lovely scenic river cruise, a relaxing train ride and landscaped, pedestrianised townride centre, scenic river cruise, a relaxing train and visits to historic towns. This is a place where bordered by a large ofashops, a clean, visits to historic towns.range This is place where you can recharge your batteries, get off the well-managed beach seafront you can recharge your and batteries, getrenowned off the beaten track and escape the everyday. for its attractive decked level beaten track and three-tier escape theflower everyday. promenade.

| Days || £419 18th April 18th April | 5 5| 5Days | £299 21st March Days £419

Ainterest, lovely tour for the summer as wewith enjoy a based in Great Malvern the A lovely tour for the summer as we enjoy a visit to unique Sezincote, a 200-year-old beautiful Malvern Hills overlooking the town. visit to unique Sezincote, a 200-year-old Mogul Indian Palace.

Spend a day exploring We feature ofSpend the best places the area Mogul Indian some Palace. a day exploring Blenheim Palace and relax with a horse-drawn has to offer.

Blenheim Palace and relax with a horse-drawn barge trip on the Kennet & Avon Canal. barge trip on the Kennet & Avon Canal.

21st April || 5 Days || £449 21st | £389 28thApril March5| Days 5 Days£449

VISIT WEBSITE AND ON-LINE TO SAVE £10.00 PER VISIT OUR OUR WEBSITE AND BOOK BOOK ON-LINE SAVEand £10.00 PER PERSON PERSON INTERESTED? Call our reservations office on 01706 TO 648126 request our facebook community ‘liking’ our to Join our2022 facebook community bybe ‘liking’ our page page to view view a copyJoin of our brochure.

You’llby surprised at the variations of tours ellensmithtours ellensmithtours latest offers, customer comments and various photographs. latest offers, customer comments and various photographs. we operate. Visit our website www.ellensmith.co.uk 14

A SELECTION OF OUR COACH TOURS 2022

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THE ENGLISH RIVIERA - TORQUAY WINDSOR WINDSOR CASTLE CASTLE & & CRUISE CRUISE THE THE THAMES The Belgrave Sands Hotel & Spa ~ THAMES 4 The StarBull The Bull Hotel, Hotel, Gerrard’s Gerrard’s Cross Cross An~award-winning resort where elegant 4 Star ~ 4 Star

Victorian a bustling harbour and palm- of A lovelyvillas, tour as we discover the splendour A lovely tour as we discover theitssplendour of fringed the Riviera Royal beaches Windsor give and explore mighty Windsor Royal Windsor and explore mighty Windsor well-earned name.

Castle. Offering a welcome contrast, we also Castle. Offering a welcome contrast, we also enjoy a relaxing cruise along the River Thames. enjoy a relaxing cruise along the River Thames.

| Days | £489 21st April 28th March 21st April || 55 5 Days Days || £359 £489

PICTURESQUE PEMBROKESHIRE NORTH DEVON & CORNWALL PICTURESQUE PEMBROKESHIRE & BEAUTIFUL GOWER & BEAUTIFUL GOWER The Durrant House Hotel ~ 3 Star The Ivy Bush Royal Based in the port of Bideford, this tour The Ivy Bush Royal Hotel, Hotel, Carmarthen Star combines the best~ Carmarthen ~of3 3Beautiful Star Cornwall and

TENBY & PEMBROKESHIRE SOUTHSEA SOUTHSEA & & CHICHESTER CHICHESTER HARBOUR CRUISE The Giltar Hotel, Tenby ~ 3 Star HARBOUR CRUISE For these holidays we stay in Tenby,Hotel with its Best Western Royal Beach Best Western Royal narrow Beachstreets, Hotel ~ ~ pastel-coloured buildings, 3 Star 3 Star fortified walls, and bustling atmosphere.

A great tourof for theprettiest summer – strollinalong Tenby is one South A great tour forthe the summerresorts – stroll along Southsea seafront, visit the historic cathedral Wales.

Whether you take a stroll through the Southsea seafront, visit the historic cathedral city of Chichester and enjoy a relaxing town or Chichester along the beaches, a ride city of and enjoyora enjoy relaxing harbour cruise and indulge with a gin tasting along the cruise Pembrokeshirecoast, an harbour and indulge withTenby a gin istasting at Bombay Sapphire. ideal base. Sapphire. at Bombay

|| 5Days || £459 25th April 3rd 25thApril April| 6 5 Days Days| £499 £459

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BOURNEMOUTH SPRING, SPRING, SOUTH SOUTH SHIELDS SHIELDS & & THE DURHAM COAST Mayfair Hotel~ 3 Star THE DURHAM COAST With seven miles of golden sands and The The Little Little Haven Haven Hotel Hotel ~ ~3 3 Star Star

sparkling sea, the vibrant town A great Spring tour basedcosmopolitan in South Shields A Bournemouth great Spring tour Shields of hasbased itTyne all –in a South vast variety of overlooking the River and Little Haven overlooking the River Tyne and countryside Little Haven shops Beach.and Werestaurants, explore the endless scenic coastline before Beach. We explore the scenic and coastline before offering and enjoyingpeace time in therelaxation historic city ofbeautiful, Durham as enjoying time ingardens. the historic city of Durham as award-winning well as a visit to Newcastle-upon-Tyne. well as a visit to Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

| Days | £439 25th April 4th April 25th April| |55 5 Days Days| |£339 £439

KENT, GARDEN PERTHSHIRE, ST. ANDREWS & KENT, THE THE BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL GARDEN OF ENGLAND EDINBURGH OF ENGLAND Best Plus Burlington Hotel Salutation Hotel, Perth ~ 3 Star Best Western Western Plus Burlington Hotel ~ 4 Star Perthshire ~ 4 Staris a region of breath-taking variety,

DEVONSHIRE & SKEGNESS & THE BEST OF DEVONSHIRE & ILFRACOMBE ILFRACOMBE LINCOLNSHIRE The Royal & Fortescue The Royal & Fortescue Hotel Hotel ~ ~ 3 Star The Royal Hotel, Skegness ~ 3 Star 3 Star

| Days | £419 1st May 4th 1stApril May| |55 5 Days Days| |£289 £419

| Days | £399 2nd May 4th 2ndApril May| |55 5 Days Days | | £339 £399

8th 11th April|| |5 Days|| |£479 £339 8th May May 55Days Days £479

THE CITY WORCESTER THE HISTORIC HISTORIC CITY OF OFCOAST WORCESTER BEAUTIFUL NORFOLK & & STRATFORD-UPON-AVON & STRATFORD-UPON-AVON CITY Fownes Hotel ~ Fownes Hotel ~3 3 Star Star Best Western Brook Hotel, Norwich This is an area of literary greats, of culinary is an area of literary greats, of culinary ~ This 3 Star brilliance and iconic heritage. We enjoy the

BLACKPOOL BLACKPOOL WYE VALLEY & THE ROYAL The ~ FOREST OFHotel DEAN The Doric Doric Hotel ~3 3 Star Star A holiday in Blackpool will leave you feeling A holiday in Blackpool will leave you feeling Bells Hotel & Country Club 3 Star refreshed, relaxed and recharged –~ even if

BEAUTIFUL CORNWALL BEAUTIFUL SEZINCOTE CORNWALL AND THE BLENHEIM, Rosemundy House Hotel KENNET & AVON Rosemundy House CANAL Hotel AA AA ~ ~ 4 Star 4 Star Best Western Blunsdon House Cornwall is in the far west of Great Britain on Cornwall the far west of Great Britain on Hotel ~is4intumbling Star a peninsula into the vast Atlantic

delightful North Devon.

Bideford’s narrow coast from The natural beauty of the Pembrokeshire Known as the Garden of endless England, Kent boasts its serene glens and of Thestreets naturaland beauty of the Pembrokeshire coast Known as the Garden of England,expanse Kent boasts back alleyways quay and the Gower Peninsula link are the famed all and over beautiful beaches, stunning castles, exciting lush forest to its bleakly beautiful moors, theand Gower areafamed all over beautiful beaches, stunning castles, exciting theand river, the Peninsula old road lovelybridge the world.

Glorious sandyhas beaches and rugged rushing culture, and delicious food waterfalls. & drink. Our tour and tumbling thecrosses world. the Glorious sandy beaches andother rugged culture,rivers and delicious food & drink. Our tour that riverto linking Bidefordto coastline give way the Preseli Hills, historic is ideally based in Folkestone, and we include coastline give way to the Preseli Hills, historic is ideally based in Folkestone, and we include areas of Devon. towns, and little villages. visits to some lovely coastal and inland towns towns, and little villages. visits to some lovely coastal and inland towns

brilliance and iconic heritage.

We enjoy with the The East Anglia coast is starkly beautiful, birthplace of William Shakespeare and a birthplace of William Shakespeare and a picture postcard fishingthe villages, relaxing river cruise, historicand citymuch of relaxing river an cruise, the historic city As of a more, creating idyllbeautiful of rural charm.

Worcester, and the scenic Cotswolds.

Worcester, and the beautiful scenic Cotswolds. contrast, we feature the lovely Cathedral City

refreshed, this relaxed and recharged – on even Experience borderland a if it’s you are on the magical go 25 hours a day! Perhaps you are oncruise, the goa25 hours atrain day! Perhaps scenic river relaxing and it’s the resort’s infectious zest for life,ride or maybe the resort’s infectious for or maybe visits to historic towns. zest This is alife, place it’s just that, uniquely, whatever your where routine, it’s just that, uniquely, whatever your routine, you can recharge your batteries, get from off the Blackpool can offer a perfect break it.

Blackpool offer a perfect break from it. beaten trackcan and escape the everyday.

| Days || £439 8th May 8thApril May || 55 5 Days Days | £389 £439 18th

| Days || £299 9th May 9th April May || 5 55 Days 18th Days | £299 £419

of Norwich, and the Norfolk Broads.

A short break to interest Experience thewith bestexcursions of Lincolnshire with A short break with excursions to interest everyone.

We and takevillages, in NorthaDevon throughout historic towns thriving seaside everyone. We take in North Devon throughout with visits interesting attractions which, resort and to ‘Bomber Country’ heritage. with visits to interesting attractions which, when combined with our excellent hotel, when combined with our excellent hotel, makes this an enjoyable break. makes this an enjoyable break.

a peninsula tumbling into the vast Atlantic surrounded by a AOcean, lovely almost tour forcompletely the summer as we enjoy Ocean, almost completely surrounded by the sea.

Cornwall is lovedafor its dramatic visit to unique Sezincote, 200-year-old the sea. Cornwall is loved for its dramatic coastline, captivating fishing aharbours and of Mogul Indian Palace. Spend day exploring coastline, captivating fishing harbours and of course, itsPalace pastiesand andrelax cream teas!

Blenheim with a horse-drawn course, its pasties and cream teas! barge trip on the Kennet & Avon Canal.

| Days || £519 13th May 13thApril May || 6 6 21st 5 Days Days | £519 £449

INTERESTED? Call our office 01706 648126 request INTERESTED? Call WEBSITE our reservations reservations office on on 01706 TO 648126 and request VISIT OUR AND BOOK ON-LINE SAVEand £10.00 PER PERSON a of our 2022 brochure.

You’ll be surprised at the variations of tours a copy copy of our 2022 brochure.

You’ll be surprised at the variations of tours Join our facebook community by ‘liking’ our page to view we ellensmithtours we operate. operate. Visit Visit our our website website www.ellensmith.co.uk www.ellensmith.co.uk latest offers, customer comments and various photographs.

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CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

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50 PLUS MAGAZINE

TOM CRUISE GLOBAL MEGASTAR IF there’s one thing that global megastar Tom Cruise is good at it’s winning new friends.

And he certainly did that across the UK during 2021.

Cruise, unbelievably now 59 but with enviable youthful looks and the energy of a 25 year-old, was here making the seventh film in the Mission: Impossible franchise.

As a result, he popped up filming in various unlikely places including Birmingham, Yorkshire and Derbyshire and was spotted bringing his stardust to Wimbledon, Silverstone Grand Prix and Wembley Stadium for the Euro 2020 final.

All of which proved a delight for his many UK fans and showed yet again that Cruise is one of the film world’s most popular – and accessible – actors.

Acting certainly wasn’t the first choice for the young Thomas Cruise Mapother IV growing up in Syracuse, New York. At 14, he was a student in a Franciscan seminary with an ambition to join the priesthood.

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He was the only son of four children of nomadic parents. As a result, the youngster spent his boyhood always on the move and by the age of 14 he had attended 15 different schools in the US and Canada.

He finally settled in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, with his mother and her new husband and pretty soon abandoned plans to become a priest, dropped out of school and at 18 was headed for New York and a possible acting career.

The catalyst, he later recalled was “when I saw Akira Kurosawa’s film Seven Samurai.

“After about 30 seconds, I realized that this was not just a cultural thing, it was universal.

“Years later, I read Bushido. It talked about many things that I strive for in my own life:

loyalty, compassion, the idea of looking back on your life and taking responsibility for everything you’ve ever done.

“I’m fascinated by the Samurai and the Samurai code – it’s one of the main reasons I wanted to make The Last Samurai (2003).”

Tom Cruise, as he then became, made his film debut in Endless Love (1981) and, from early on, that star quality was plainly evident to both female and male audiences.

Within five years, the young man with the billion dollar smile was starring in some of the most successful films of the 1980s including Top Gun, The Color of Money, Rain Man and Born on the Fourth of July.

Unsurprisingly, by the 1990s, he was one of the highest paid actors in the world, earning an average 15 million dollars a picture.

The hits continued coming: Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994), the first Mission: Impossible (1996) and Jerry Maguire that same year.

He received an Academy Award Nomination for Best Actor in Jerry Maguire and many Cruise fans still think it was one of his best films.

Mission: Impossible became his biggest franchise, however, earning him a total of 3 billion dollars worldwide and counting.

As an actor, Cruise specialises in likeable, laidback, intelligent characters and is intensely believable onscreen. Not content with being a highly successful actor, he has replicated much of this in producing films including the Mission: Impossible titles.

His work has not only brought him an extremely healthy bank balance but also a raft of awards – from Best Dressed Male Movie Star to one of the Most Beautiful People in the World. He also ranks highly among the top box-office stars over the past couple of decades.

However, he is pragmatic about such conspicuous recognition.

“Awards are wonderful,” he is reported as saying. “I’ve been nominated many times and I’ve won many awards. But my journey is not towards that. If it happens, it will be a blast. If it doesn’t it’s still been a blast.”

What has always endeared Cruise to the filmgoing public, however, has been the knowledge that he has always performed many of his own daredevil film stunts.

in Days of Thunder) and to Katie Holmes in 2006. He has three children Isabella Jane, Suri and Connor.

doesn’t have a cell phone, he doesn’t have email. He’s off the grid. He pays for things in cash.

The latest Mission: Impossible was no different and shots of Cruise hanging out of trains and planes became regular media headline fodder during the year.

He is quite rightly considered being far from a one-dimensional character and renounced his devout Catholic beliefs in 1990 to embrace the Church of Scientology.

“People look at things through the prism of the colours of their life but Jack Reacher does things the way we want to sometimes. In that sense, he’s sort of Dirty Harry, a James Bond, a Josey Wales.”

When he worked with Paul Newman on The Color of Money, he enjoyed plenty of conversations with the politically active actor.

Cruise’s work ethic and attention to detail are legendary. For the film Eyes Wide Shut, he was required to do 95 takes of just walking through a door.

This resulting consciousness-raising affected Cruise and he countered the jingoistic tone of Top Gun by choosing a film with a strong anti-war tonewith Born on the Fourth of July (1989).

He sums up his work philosophy: “The thing about filmmaking is I give it everything, that’s why I work so hard.

Needless to say, he has also acquired a number of injuries doing these as well!

He enjoys skydiving, scuba diving and piloting his Pitts Special S-28 stunt plane.

Cruise is not only remarkably fit for any age but relishes the kind of running and throwing himself around that is the staple fare of his action movies.

He is believable because he is actually doing it!

Cruise has been married three times. In 1987 to Mimi Rogers, in 1990 to Nicole Kidman (whom he met when they starred

He is obviously an actor who considers each role carefully. On his lead role in Jack Reacher (2012), he commented; “Reacher is such a great character. He

I always tell young actors to take charge. It’s not that hard. Sign your own checks, be responsible.

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LEGAL

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50 PLUS MAGAZINE

Make sure you give your solicitor all relevant background information, such as whether you’ve been married before, if you have any children, whether you’re widowed etc. All this information will help your solicitor to outline your options, explain any inheritance tax implications or whether the will needs to include a discretionary trust.

PLAN YOUR FUTURE MAKE A WILL Now the celebrations of Christmas and New Year are over, many people will turn their thoughts to the year ahead. Plans for diets, fitness regimes, holidays and moving home are just some of the best intentions we start the year with.

But one thing that many people leave off the ‘to do’ list is to make a will. While it’s not as exciting as booking a cruise, a will is probably one of the most important financial decisions you’ll ever make. Research carried out

by Royal London revealed that 54% of the adult population doesn’t have a will. For me, as a solicitor, this is a very scary statistic.

A will is an incredibly important document.

Without it, you’ll die intestate which means that you won’t be able to choose who you want to inherit from your estate, exclude those you don’t want to benefit from your death or even nominate those who you would want to look after your children. Instead, the government will decide on all these things and more for you, which may or may not correspond with your wishes, so you should never underestimate the power of a will.

There’s often a misconception that making a will is an expensive, time consuming process, but the cost of applying for a grant of probate – obtaining the legal authority from the court to deal with a deceased person’s financial affairs – is far more expensive. It’s also something that your loved ones would have to do after

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your death which only adds to the stress and heartache they’ll already be going through.

Planning your future in this way could be viewed as a little morbid, but the reality is that death is coming to us all, so it’s sensible to make arrangements in order for you to be able to choose who you want to benefit from your passing.

A good solicitor will put you at ease and explain the process in plain English so that you’re not overwhelmed or confused by any of the legal terms.You’ll also have peace of mind that your solicitor will be regulated by industry bodies, such as the Law Society and the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Some solicitors specialise in older client law and are trained to deal with the specific requirements of older people. They may also be able to visit you at your home to take instructions if you find it difficult to get out.

If you’re planning on disinheriting any of your children or family members, make sure your solicitor knows about it so they can account for it when making your will. There are a growing number of successful claims made by children who have contested a will under the Inheritance Provision for Family and Dependents Act 1975. If your will is challenged, a judge can make an informed decision based on your explanation as to why those people have been left out of your will. If you don’t do it, a judge doesn’t have any evidence that you consciously made this decision and could potentially overturn your will.

There’s a lot to think about when making your will; here’s a list of the main points you should consider: Who will write it?

Unlike some will writers, solicitors are regulated and have a duty of care to act in your best interests. Whilst cheap, online or DIY wills can often cause problems further down the line because they only allow you to draft the most basic of wills. Anything a little more complicated can lead to the will being invalid or your loved ones having to pay a lot more to administer your estate retrospectively.

What are you worth?

In the first instance you need to understand how much you’re worth. Making a list of all your assets – any property, savings, shares, policies, insurances, pensions, jewelry, vehicles, gadgets, artwork, family heirlooms etc. – will help you determine the value of your estate.

Don’t forget to include any online accounts as these are easy to miss if there’s no paper trail.

Do the same thing again, but this time, list all your debts. These will be any outstanding mortgages, credit card balances to pay, loans, finance arrangements – anything you owe money on.

Judith Bromley Russell & Russell

Choosing an executor When it comes to choosing an executor, you can appoint anyone you like as long as they’re over the age of 18. A word of caution though; being an executor is a responsible job that can involve a lot of work. They’re the person who’ll deal with distributing your estate, so you need

to make sure that whoever you choose they’re both capable of doing it and want to.

Who’ll benefit?

Next, think about who you want to inherit your assets. Will it be all family or is there someone who isn’t a blood relative you’d like to leave something to? Also, think about family dynamics. More people are re-marrying, so if this applies to you, you’ll need to think about how this will pan out if you have children from your first marriage, for example.

You might also want to leave money to charity or an organisation.

If this is the case, you’ll need to be careful to list the full name, address and registered charity number. Whoever and whatever you leave your estate to, it’s really important that you’re clear about what exactly you want to leave and to whom.

Make sure it’s valid This can’t be stressed enough. If you don’t sign your will, it won’t be worth the paper it’s written on. This may be obvious, but it’s surprising how many people forget. As well as yourself, you’ll need two independent witnesses to sign in each other’s presence.

The witnesses, their spouses or civil partners can’t be a beneficiary of your will otherwise they’ll lose their right to their inheritance. In fact, they shouldn’t even be present when your will is being signed.

It’s also wise not to ask an executor to be a witness.

If you’re unable to physically sign the will yourself, a clause needs to be added to the will stating that you understand the contents of it. It can then be signed on your behalf (as long as you’re present when it happens) with your consent. The consent basically states that you’re aware of the signing and that you’ve done it voluntarily and without pressure from anyone.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a degenerative mental illness, such as dementia you can still make your will as long as you have mental capacity and understand the effect it will have. Again, you’ll need to add a clause saying you understand the contents of your will before it’s signed, but in addition you may also need a medical practitioner’s statement at the time the will is signed, certifying that you understand what you’re signing.

Keep it up to date Once you’ve drafted your will, it’s vital you keep it up to date.

Events like divorce or marriage will invalidate your will. To avoid confusion, once you’ve updated your will, make sure you destroy any earlier versions.

Storing your will Leave your will with your solicitor for safekeeping and advise your executor of its location. For reference, your solicitor can provide you with a copy. Never attach documents to your will with paperclips or staples because if they become separated and leave marks, it could raise questions about whether the will is missing any parts or amendments.

At Russell & Russell, we specialise in will writing. We’re accredited to the Law Society Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme, which sets the benchmark for best practice and transparency in setting up wills and estate planning. All the solicitors in the wills and probate department are qualified members of Solicitors for the Elderly.

The team is also part of the dementia friends initiative and we offer a free, no obligation consultation so that you can decide what you want to do and what’s best for you.

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KEEPING YOUR HOME COSY THIS WINTER IF there’s one thing we need when the temperature drops and the skies look threatening this Winter it’s a cosy home.

could lose up to a quarter of the heat in your home through the roof otherwise.

Insulating the loft, attic or flat roof is a simple and effective method of helping prevent heat-loss.

We tend to spend more time at home then anyway and it becomes our welcome refuge from snowy days and seasonal deluges. The plus side of this is that we can really appreciate where we live and make it as warm and welcoming as possible.

We all know that energy bills may be rising this year and that we may have to think carefully about when and how much the heating goes on. But, there are other ways to help make your home better insulated and just feeling a lovely place to be in during chilly evenings.

Getting your BOILER serviced is the sensible way to approach Winter always.

Call in the experts and you’ve got an efficient boiler and peace of mind for months.

Update your THERMOSTAT for the same reason. A thermostat controls your home’s temperature by communicating with your boiler and in older homes with older heating systems can degrade over time, which can affect your home’s temperature.

Updating it can prevent energy from being wasted and save you money.

If you’ve not insulated your LOFT yet, this is a really sensible investment.You

Now is a good time to ensure your FRONT DOOR is in good working order and keeps the weather out and your costly heating in.

If it doesn’t, it’s definitely worth investing in a new one – preferably one that lets some light into your hallway to prevent a gloomy atmosphere as soon as you step over the threshold.

DRAUGHT EXCLUDERS can also do a good job around the front door or your kitchen door as gaps under doors are one of the fastest ways for hot air to escape. Seal in that heat with some of those cute sausageshaped excluders, or you could even make your own.

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Keep your HALLWAY welcoming with soft shades and complementary lighting. Visitors get their first impression of your home here so make it a good one.

Make your WINDOWS energy-efficient throughout your home. If they need repairing or changing, there are plenty of excellent suppliers experienced in getting just the right sort for you.

And your home won’t just be warmer, the extra insulation will be helping those pesky energy bills as well.

CANDLES also come into their own in Winter. They offer that lovely light that makes us feel more relaxed and that’s even better if it has your favourite scent so shop wisely – there are plenty of pleasantlysmelling candles at various prices

Investing in COSY TEXTURES throughout the house is always a good idea. Cushions in textures like velvet, wool and fake fur can offer instant warmth in key places like your living room or bedroom.

SOFT LIGHTING is always cosier than brash lights so try not using ceiling lights and using table lamps instead around the room. Even a gently coloured lightbulb can make a difference: think of how a rosy glow affects a seated area.

You can’t beat an OPEN FIRE when the winds are blowing outside and you’re inside. If you’re lucky enough to have a handsome fireplace, an open fire can prove a highly effective room centrepiece – you feel warmer just looking at it!

There are a real variety of fires on offer these days, including wall-mounted fires which can look even cosier with a wood surround as the flames are reflected in the warmth of the wood. Then there are everpopular wood-burners, which are a very effective heat source in main rooms.

Adding SPACE HEATERS to rooms like an open-plan kitchen or bedroom which can be tricky to heat will boost home warmth.

As they’re portable, you can also take them from room to room so if your study or a child’s bedroom needs an injection of warmth, space heaters are a great solution.

Keep your FURNITURE away from your walls. Placing furniture against walls stops the airflow coming through properly which can lead to cold areas in your room. Just moving it forward can improve this and make your room look more spacious.

Position your furniture - like your desk, bed or sofa - around any heat sources without blocking them to make the most of the warmth. Try to keep away from any draughty spots like by a window or door.

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Heavyweight CURTAINS can also prove very useful in Winter. Thermal-lined curtains help keep out the cold especially if you have single-glazed windows. At the very least, go for lined curtains which can prevent warm air escaping and reduce general heat loss.

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Plants can also help purify the air by cleaning it with their extensive root system.

So Nature is helping you get through Winter healthily before it welcomes the warmer months.

The sun usually sets at around 4pm in the height of Winter so, to make most of natural warmth, keep your curtains open until around 3pm.

You’re more aware of COLOURS throughout your home during the colder months – not just because you’re in the home more but also because our mood is strongly affected by colour.

Cosy THROWS are also useful at this time of year. A cheerful throw in a richly textured material can make a sofa or armchair look and feel much warmer.

Layer floors with RUGS. They work particularly well on wooden floors in Winter to offer a different, cosier element than other times of the year and prevent heat from being lost. They also look nice!

So, if you’re considering re-decorating, consider warm hues that make you FEEL cosier.

Bring NATURE into your home as well during Winter. We need to keep that healthy connection.

Having plants inside your home is not only aesthetically pleasing but creates more oxygen for your family to breathe which positively affects health.

Care Connect Bury Ltd We Are Recruiting - Are you interested in joining our team?

• About Us - Care Connect Homecare Services provides care and support to people in their own homes thus enabling them to live as independently as possible. We have been providing Care to Elderly People in Bury, Rochdale and Lancashire since June 2002. Our Services are tailored to meet your needs to help you remain in your own home independently for as long as you desire. Our office is based in Bury.

•

FULL TRAINING PROVIDED

What We Are Looking For -

• Here at Care Connect we are looking to recruit new care staff to our largely growing team of care staff and support workers in Bury and Radcliffe area. If you like to help those in need and want to make a difference, then this could be the job role for you. No training necessary as we provide full free training. We have flexible hours and rotas to suit you, with an added bonus to anyone that makes a referral and completes 6 months of employment could be eligible for 100 pounds.

•

How To Apply –

•

Send your CV to S.khan@careconnect.com, L.wardle@careconnectbury.co.uk

•

Call our office on 0161 763 4228 9am – 5pm

•

Visit our site https://careconnectbury.co.uk/

Our Address: 158 Bolton Road, Bury BL8 2NP

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Call Us On: Speak to our team now on

01706 346372

Or Visit Our Site at: www.gksinteriors.co.uk

for more information or to book a home visit

Once in a decade something new comes along that will have a positive impact on the lives of the people they serve.

Where high pressure sales are forbidden, service is the norm and quality products at a fair price is guaranteed. These are the foundation stones of a new company called GKS Interiors Limited.

When asked about these principles and the reason for them, Steve Mockl, the companies Commercial Director was clear ‘We are putting the customer first in everything we do. We place a premium on gaining the trust and confidence of our customers and we believe these principles are a clear statement of our Many years ago, Gary and Karen Simpson identified an intent to treat our customers correctly and deliver what we say opportunity to sell Lift and Tilt Chairs to people who needed we will.’ them at a working persons price. This worked well and they moved initially to Bury and then expanded to Heywood and Karen explained, ‘delivery flexibility is fundamental for us; we Buxton. facilitate all customers to the best of our ability. To ensure we With many years’ experience in creating beautiful homes, meet your expectations, we have a dedicated professional ‘we wanted to offer our quality products to new customers’ delivery team that provide our clients with a premium or ‘white according to Gary. In an age of on-line retailing, corporate glove’ service. They will work with you to ensure your furniture a high-powered selling, we are putting the customer back as placed exactly where you want it to be and remove of existing first priority. We are proud to go the extra mile in order to furniture (if necessary)’. facilitate a happy customer. And as Karen says, ‘we abhor high-pressure sales tactics and would much prefer for you to buy from us, rather than us sell to you’. Our simple aim: ‘to help create beautiful homes’ at affordable prices.

Now, they have once again identified the need to expand this service. Gary explained ‘Customers are asking for furniture from reputable sources at a fair price, but travel can be difficult’. The events of the recent past have made big changes in most people’s lives and ‘it is our aim to respond to this’.

Karen says ‘over the past year we have invested significantly on research into changing market and customer needs’.

Collaborating with people within the furniture industry, as well as with our customers and professionals within the care industry led to the creation of GKS Interiors Limited.

Building on our strong relationship with key suppliers within the industry, GKS has decided to become a one-stop-partner for a wide variety of furniture and accessories. GKS will provide a wide range of Sofas and Chairs, Lift & Tilt and recliner Chairs all in either genuine leather or fabric finish, assorted wood furniture including; dining suites, beds and bedroom furniture as well as a wide range of quirky and traditional lamps, wall art and accessories. Assorted furniture to furnish an entire house or apartment in accordance to our customer needs and desires.

GKS Interiors will operate to seven key principles with all our customers. Our seven principles are: ✓ Value for money,

✓ Quality products and services ✓ Fantastic customer service ✓ Something that is NEW ✓ Saving you money ✓ Great variety & choice ✓ Complete reliability

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*Scan Me!

And as Steve explained, ‘GKS Interiors has trained service engineers will deliver all motorised products ensuring each unit is working correctly on delivery. They will also carry out demonstrations with customer to make sure you are happy before they leave’.

In line with current market trends, GKS has a comprehensive website to allow our customers view what we have on offer and to engage with us. As Tom Grannell, the company’s business development manager and IT guru explained, “it is vital to give people accurate information and easy ways to get in contact with us”. By logging on to www.gksinteriors.co.uk our customer will be able to see the complete range of furniture available.

Tom highlighted the installation of a QR Code to book home visits. Tom explained ‘by scanning the QR code below *(on any smartphone), it will only take moments to book a home visit’.

As Karen concluded, “All of this shows the service we undertake to provide to all our customers above. This is what everyone at GKS Interiors will work to and deliver for each customer we serve. We want to give you a quality product and service you will be proud of. We hope you agree with the importance of these values and support us by giving us an opportunity to speak with you and allow us to show you what we can offer”.

FREE Local Delivery: Within 30 miles

+ Removal Service

Contemporary & Traditional Furniture From Sustainable Sources

Dedicated Support Team To Help You

Living Room, Bedroom & Dining Room Get in Touch

When you are ready to speak to us, give us a call on 01706 346372 or visit www.gksinterors.co.uk to get a view of the fantastic range of products we have to offer.

You can also book a FREE home visit over the phone or through our website. We will be happy to speak with you and arrange your visit.

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EMMAUS BOLTON SCRAP STORE OPENS Damien Wilton from BBC One show, The Great British Sewing Bee, highlighted the difference your purchases could make at the opening of Emmaus Bolton’s new craft supplies store, with the gift of an upcycled outfit he made during Recycle Week on the show.

Bolton Mayor Linda Thomas and Damien cut the ribbons to Emmaus Bolton’s Scrap Store, and the Recycle Centre where donations are processed into fantastic fabric and haberdashery.

Cutting the (recycled) ribbon Emmaus Bolton’s new Scrap Store is great news for the environment.

Businesses can donate surplus materials to Emmaus Bolton, while secondhand clothes get a new lease of life as they are transformed into pieces of fabric, buttons, zippers and fastenings by our fantastic volunteers at the onsite Recycling Centre.

Alongside the preloved paints, wool, frames and many other art and craft supplies, Emmaus Bolton’s Scrap Store means fewer

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items will go to local landfill and fewer clothes will go on aircraft to third world countries, where sales can have a negative impact on the local textile industry and pose problems in waste disposal. It can result in toxic fumes from burning mounting clothing waste and fabric entering the country’s water supply.

Emmaus Bolton Director Tony Stephenson said: “We were trying to look at the different ways of how we could reuse all of that clothing that we wouldn’t normally use.

Over the next 12 to 18 months, we can be reprocessing 100 tonnes per year, which is massive, and shouldn’t be going to landfill.”

To assist in the charity’s task, Sewing Bee contestant Damien Wilton joined Emmaus Bolton as a volunteer and donated a painting as well as a denim dress that he made during Recycling Week on the show.

Damien said: “What Emmaus Bolton does is great because volunteers at the Recycling Centre are reusing old clothes people don’t want any more to sell on as fabric. Before going on Sewing Bee I bought secondhand clothes and altered them to fit. I didn’t even think of deconstructing clothes and making something practical to wear.”

The Scrap Store is open at Emmaus Bolton, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 10am to 4pm and can be found at Derby Barracks, Fletcher St. Whilst there, you could pop into the café or browse one of our other many shops.

Opening Times: Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 4pm

Emmaus Bolton is always on the look out for volunteers to assist in the charity’s many social enterprises – If you have some spare time and a passion for arts and crafts please call in for more details, telephone 01204 398 056 or email nina@emmausbolton.org.uk.

Do you Sew or Craft?

working to live and give

We have a large stock of fabrics and textiles at unbelievable prices.

Recycling & Textile Centre Derby Barracks, Fletcher Street, Bolton BL3 6NF Tel: 01204 398056

www.emmaus-bolton.org.uk

l

info@emmausbolton.org.uk

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CAN YOU DIY YOUR HOME RENOVATIONS? Tips on How To Achieve This Designing and renovating a home can be one of the most exciting yet daunting projects. It takes time, patience, and creativity to come up with a design that you will love for years to come.

However, if it is not appropriately executed or efficiently by professionals who know what they are doing, it could end up costing you more money than planned. Below are some tips on how to DIY your renovations and save money.

Understand What You Are Doing A lot of homeowners feel like they can do their renovation, which is not always the case.You need to know exactly what you’re getting into and be honest with yourself about whether this project will fit your schedule or end up

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costing more money than it’s worth.

Sometimes DIY projects take longer than expected, but having a deadline set by your contractor might make things easier for you if that happens.

In addition, understanding what you are doing can help you avoid expensive mistakes. This is the first step in being able to DIY your home renovations correctly.

Be Sure To Do Extensive Research Before you start on any renovation, be sure to do extensive research. Make a list of your main goals and focus on the points that are most important to you.

This will help ensure that you don’t get carried away with the renovation itself.

Then, be sure to do extensive research on appliances, fixtures and home decor to find precisely what you’re looking for while staying within your budget.

This is especially important if you plan on designing all aspects of the home yourself- from painting walls, fixing up cabinets or changing out flooring materials. If this sounds like something you’d like to take on but aren’t quite confident enough yet, try browsing Pinterest boards for inspiration!

An extensive research before renovation may be a little daunting, but it can help you succeed in your home renovations.

Renovation is not cheap, and the extensive research should ensure that nothing gets overlooked or forgotten before starting any project. Once done correctly, this will lead to a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved and prevent future problems from arising.

Learn How To Use Different Equipment When it comes to home renovations, different equipment is essential for different projects.You can learn how to use these tools and create your DIY project at the same time.You don’t need to be a pro to complete home renovations. All you will require is some DIY experience and power tools to help you accomplish the task at hand.

You should also know what equipment works best for each specific case, so here are some examples: A drywall saw – This tool can cut through different materials such as wood or metal without fraying it too much because of its sharp teeth. In addition, these blades have very strong tips which keep them from breaking apart while being used. They’re perfect when dealing with any type of material since they won’t damage the surface after cutting into it.

An electric drill – These power tools come in handy whenever you want to make holes or use screws on surfaces like walls or wood.

– The budget that you have set for the renovations.

– What is exactly that you would like done.

– Who will be doing the work and if they require help with specific tasks such as lifting heavy objects or using power tools.

– How much disruption to your daily life this project will cause. The last thing you want during a renovation of your kitchen, for example, is to come home from work every day nervous about what state everything might be in. Once these critical factors are considered, and any possible problems are dealt with accordingly, there should be no reason why even the most novice DIYer cannot successfully complete their home renovation projects.

Planning is key in completing a successful DIY home renovation.

Therefore, before anything else, you should make sure that you plan your projects carefully. Consider the factors listed above and other things that are specific to your chosen project.

A steel ruler – This tool can help you achieve straight cuts since it consists of a durable material that won’t bend while being used. If you want to do your home renovations on a budget, these tools are perfect for that task. By using them with time and patience, you will be able to DIY any project without having an expert by your side.

Be Sure To Consult You can consult with a contractor or architect to provide you with guidance for your renovation.You’ll want their expertise on what is possible, costeffective and beneficial overall based on the upgrades you are planning to make.

They will also tell you whether it makes sense financially for DIY renovations vs hiring contractors out.

Other things to consider include a Rubber Strip, tape measure, a measuring ruler and some glue.

Having knowledge of home renovation equipment can help you save money and time while creating a new project.

These tools are versatile, which makes them perfect for any type of DIY project.

You can also consider hiring a project manager from an agency to oversee your renovation. This will allow you to have someone experienced in this process guide you through the steps of renovations. They will also guide you on what needs to be done for each step, while allowing you freedom on some aspects.

Have a Plan A well-thought-out plan is essential for a successful DIY home renovation.You should make sure that you know exactly what you want to achieve and how much money you are willing to spend on the project. When making your plans, consider things like:

A third option would be DIYing it yourself with help from friends or family members who are skilled at home improvement projects. Consider which level of involvement makes sense for your skillset, budget, and time management abilities, so all parties remain happy throughout the renovation period!

– The time frame in which you would like the renovations done.

working to live and give

We sell Recycled Furniture and Handmade Furnishings all at Very Competitive Prices.

We can also upcycle furniture to order in colours to suit your home.

Opening Times: Monday-Friday 8.30am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 4pm To Donate Your Goods and Arrange a FREE COLLECTION Call

01204 398056

Derby Barracks, Fletcher Street, Bolton BL3 6NF www.emmaus-bolton.org.uk info@emmausbolton.org.uk

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Use Safety Procedures There are many injuries that can occur during home renovations. When doing DIY work, you must take precautions to protect yourself and your family from potential dangers. Use the appropriate tools for your home renovation project.

Do not take on too much work and ensure to get more than one opinion before starting a project.

You can also read up on home renovation tips and tricks for extra safety. These will help you know what to expect from your DIY projects, as well as the potential dangers involved with them.

It’s important to remember that accidents can still happen during DIY projects at home, even with proper preparation. To prevent this from happening, it is crucial that those who choose to go ahead with home renovations, or those who have been assigned the task of completing them, take precautions to protect themselves and their families.

You can also check out some tutorial videos on DIY projects for extra insight,

as well as safety tips that will help you know what to expect from your project, as well as any potential dangers involved in it.

Do Not Handle Any Risky Tasks Without Proper Certifications In case you are one of those individuals who is thinking about DIYing your home renovations, it is crucial that you understand the risks involved. One of these risks involves electric shock or electrocution. This can happen when using faulty electrical equipment and may cause serious damage to your health as well as your property.

It goes without saying that no matter how skilled you might be at performing such tasks, there will always be certain aspects which should not be tackled by yourself; instead, seek help from professionals for this purpose.You don’t want to end up causing more harm than good due to ignorance of some technicalities in construction work like plumbing, air conditioning installation.

So call an expert if needed and ensure proper certification.

Know Your Limits You need to know your limits, so if you are not good with tools or have a busy work schedule, it’s probably best to leave renovations up to the professionals. Knowing your limits means knowing when to ask for help and when to hire a professional. The good thing about knowing your limits is that it saves you a lot of money and time.

Conclusion Your home renovations can be done in a DIY fashion. It is not necessary to hire people for this work, but you need some time and skills, of course. There are many benefits that come with doing them yourself, like the cost reduction or satisfaction after seeing your work finished. If you want to do it yourself, remember to plan well and read the instructions carefully. Also, ask for help from people who know better than you in some parts of this work. Finally, there are many websites with stepby-step tutorials that thatcan be very helpful when doing renovations like kitchen or bathroom.

or email: help@aamail.org 32

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FOOD & DRINK - CHRISTMAS RECIPES

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BBQ PRAWNS, LOBSTER AND CRAYFISH WITH HERB BUTTER AND SIRACHA MAYONNAISE Lobster, prawns and crayfish are often considered delicacies for a special occasion, so this BBQ recipe with smoky siracha mayonnaise and herbed butter is perfect for a showstopping Christmas feast.

Ingredients 2 lobster, sliced in half lengthways 450g king prawns 300g crayfish 150g unsalted butter, softened 1 tsp Maldon salt Cracked black pepper 10g parsley, finely chopped 10g coriander, finely chopped 2 lemons, halves 100g mayonnaise 1 tbsp siracha

Method Begin by mixing together the herb butter for your seafood. In a small bowl mix together the softened butter with Maldon salt, cracked black pepper, the chopped parsley and coriander. Set aside.

The perfect way to cook your seafood is on a hot BBQ, however if you don’t have one then a griddle pan will work too. Make sure it has reached a medium to high temperate, and start by grilling your lobster halves. Cook flesh side down on the griddle until the meat has turned pink and has some lovely charring on it. The shells will turn orangey pink too, and this is when you know your lobster are cooked. Do the same with the king prawns and crayfish, although these will take less time to cook.

While your seafood is cooking, it is also nice to griddle some lemon to serve alongside. Simply add your lemon halves cut side down onto the grill and allow them to cook and char for 3 minutes.

Once your seafood is all cooked, pile onto a large serving platter and using a pastry brush, brush all across the flesh with your delicious herb butter – letting it melt in. Place your griddled lemon onto the serving platter too.

In a small bowl mix together the mayonnaise and siracha. Serve this alongside the platter of BBQ seafood and allow everyone to tuck in!

RUM SPICED ROAST HAM This is a recipe for a delicious Rum spiced Ham, perfect for the festive period – this could be served on Christmas eve or New Year’s Eve and would be perfect alongside slow cooked red cabbage and dauphinoise potatoes. It is surprisingly easy to prepare and any leftovers make the best sandwiches!

Ingredients 4kg gammon joint, boneless 450ml black treacle 2 bay leaves ½ an orange 1 cinnamon stick 1 star anise 6 black peppercorns 6 cloves 50ml spiced rum 2 tbsp black treacle 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 1 tsp Maldon salt Olive oil

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Method Traditionally, a gammon joint would often require soaking overnight to remove some of the strong salt from the cure. However, more often these days the butchers use cures which don’t require this – check with your butcher first if you are unsure.

Take a large pan, big enough to hold your ham and to the pan fill it up halfway with water. To the water add the black treacle and mix in well. Then add your gammon joint and top up the pan with some more cold water until it just covers the ham. Then add the bay leaves, half an orange, cinnamon stick, star anise, black peppercorns and cloves. Then place on the hob and bring the liquid up the boil and then reduce to a low simmer and let it simmer for 2 hours 30 mins. Keep topping up the water level if necessary, to ensure the ham is evenly covered.

Preheat oven to 180C. After 2 hours 30 mins remove the ham from the heat and allow to cool slightly before removing carefully from the pan of water.

Place the ham on a large baking tray and using a sharp knife, score the skin in a diamond pattern. In small bowl mix together the spiced rum, 2 tbsp black treacle, Dijon mustard, Maldon salt and 1 tbsp olive oil. Use a pastry brush to rub this glaze all over the ham. Then place into the oven for 15 – 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush again with any remaining glaze. Let the ham rest for 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

Christmas Magic SPICED GINGERBREAD CHRISTMAS COOKIES These sweet festive cookies are a wonderful treat to gift to friends and are great fun to make with children. They are spiced with the Christmas flavours of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves and then iced with pretty patterns to decorate. The cookies should last in an airtight container for 1 week.

Ingredients 225g unsalted butter, softened 180g soft light brown sugar 300g molasses 2 tsp vanilla extract 2 tsp bicarbonate of soda

700g plain flour 1 tsp Maldon Salt 1 tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp ground nutmeg ½ tsp ground ginger ½ tsp ground cloves 500g icing sugar

Method Using an electric whisk or stand mixer, start by creaming together the butter and brown sugar (ensure your butter is softened to room temperature before you attempt to do this). Once the mixture is pale and fluffy add the molasses and vanilla extract and mix again.

In a separate bowl mix together the dry ingredients; the plain flour, Maldon salt, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves.

Add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture in stages and then mix until it forms a soft dough.Wrap the dough in clingfilm and chill in the fridge for an hour.

Preheat the oven to 170C. After the dough has chilled, remove it from the fridge and on a lightly floured surface roll out the dough until it is roughly ½ cm thick. Use any cutters you like to cut out shapes – gingerbread men, stars, Christmas trees, candy canes – have fun with it! Place the biscuits onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, keeping the biscuits a few cm’s apart (you may need to do this across a couple of trays). Put the trays into the preheated oven and bake for 14 – 15 minutes until the biscuits are slightly darker and baked through.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before lifting onto a wire rack to cool fully.

To make the icing place the 500g icing sugar into a bowl and add 1 tbsp water, mix until it forms a paste. Keep adding a small amount of water at a time till you reach your desired consistency.You want the icing to still be thick enough to pipe and hold its shape. Once you have the correct consistency, pour the icing into a piping bag with a small nozzle attachment and decorate the cooled biscuits anyway you like.

• Artificial Christmas trees, lights and decorations in our showroom • Fresh cut Christmas trees on sale from Mid November (last years prices held!!!)

• Our gift shop is stocked with the most beautiful and unique gifts in town

Christmas Market

Sunday November 28th, 10am - 3pm

Christmas Night Market

Thursday 9th December 5pm-8pm with Black Peas, Mulled Wine and visit from Father Christmas

Licensed Café

CLAUDE’S

AT

HE

ATO N FO

LD

Lunches served Thursday- Sunday 11am - 3pm

OPEN 7 DAYS : Monday-Friday 9am-4pm and Saturday/Sunday 10am-4pm Heaton Fold Garden Centre & Café | Overdale Drive Bolton BL1 5BU. Tel 01204 336848 | www.heatonfold.co.uk

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We’re ready for Christmas

SGARDEN UMMERSEAT CENTRE

RESTAURANT NOW OPEN Dine in our newly revamped restaurant with a wide menu from breakfasts and lunches to fresh cakes and pastries.

New Butchers and Deli

CHRISTMAS FOOD

Christmas Food Order Form Take the hassle out of Christmas this year, and try our new Butchers and Deli Order Form which includes locally sourced turkeys prepared by our butchers. Our service is all about providing everyone with the highest quality produce.

Order before 1st December for FREE delivery

Enyoy the Summerseat

CHRISTMAS EVENTS Santa’s Grotto Have a special time with Santa and receive a present. Santa arrives Saturday 27th/28th November and 4th/5th/11th/ 12th/18th/19th December. All the proceeds go to charity.

Wreath Making Masterclass Decorate your front door with a luxurious mixed foliage Christmas wreath handmade by you. Join Lizzie our trained florist who will take you step by step to create your own wreath from scratch, starting with mossing up the frame, adding fresh eucalyptus and festive greenery, and decorating with finishing touches such as beautiful dried fruits, cinnamon, ribbon, & pine cones.

You can make your wreath from scratch in just one session, all materials are provided and biodegradable.

Please book your Masterclass place at the tills.

SGARDEN UMMERSEAT CENTRE

01204 883048

EXQUISITE FOOD

CHRISTMAS TREES

LIGHTS & DECORATIONS

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Monday to Sunday 9am -5pm

HANDPICKED GIFTS

Summerseat Garden Centre. Railway St, Summerseat, Bury, Lancashire BL9 5QD www.summerseatgardencentre.co.uk LATE NIGHTS: Starts on the 15th November 9am- 8pm Monday to Friday

James Martin brings some of his favourite Buttery dishes in his new book for anyone who loves to cook with this delicious and versatile ingredient.

James showcases this style of cooking at its very best. Here are a sample of recipes taken from the book.

BARNSLEY LAMB CHOPS WITH PEPPERCORN AND GOAT’S CHEESE BUTTER Whipping really soft goat’s cheese with goat’s butter gives an interesting flavour but combined with a grilled Barnsley lamb chop it takes the taste to amazing. You can cook this recipe using standard lamb chops or leg of lamb steaks – either way make sure you grill the lamb until the fat becomes crisp.

Ingredients

Method • Season the chops with salt and pepper. Heat a large non- stick frying pan until hot,

drizzle in the oil and cook the chops for 2–3 minutes until deeply coloured, then

flip over and cook for a further 2–3 minutes.

• Beat together the butter, cheese and ground pepper until smooth. Mix through the

green peppercorns and rosemary. Dot the goat’s cheese butter over the lamb and serve.

• 2 x 200g Barnsley lamb chops • 1 tablespoon olive oil • sea salt and freshly ground black pepper FOR THE PEPPERCORN AND GOAT’S CHEESE BUTTER • 100g goat’s butter, softened • 75g soft goat’s cheese • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • 15g green peppercorns • a sprig of rosemary, chopped

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FOOD & DRINK

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50 PLUS MAGAZINE

FESTIVE OPENING TIMES TUESDAY 21st DECEMBER OPEN 9am to 5pm WEDNESDAY 22nd DECEMBER OPEN 9am to 5pm THURSDAY 23rd DECEMBER OPEN 9am to 5pm FRIDAY 24th DECEMBER OPEN 9am to 5pm SATURDAY 25th DECEMBER CHRISTMAS DAY, CLOSED SUNDAY 26th DECEMBER BOXING DAY, CLOSED MONDAY 27th DECEMBER CLOSED TUESDAY 28th DECEMBER CLOSED WEDNESDAY 29th DECEMBER CLOSED THURSDAY 30th DECEMBER OPEN 9am to 5pm FRIDAY 31st DECEMBER NEW YEAR’S EVE, OPEN 9am to 5pm

CROQUE MONSIEUR A true classic for a reason, the combination of flavours just works.

The key is not to make the sauce too thick, and adding a touch of mustard makes all the difference. Even seasoning with a dash of Worcestershire or Tabasco sauce adds a nice personal touch. The perfect brunch dish!

Ingredients • 4 slices of bread • 50g butter • 6 thick slices of cooked ham

FOR THE BÉCHAMEL • 25g butter • 20g plain flour • 250ml full-fat milk • 125g gruyère, grated • pinch of cayenne pepper • pinch of nutmeg, grated • pinch of sea salt

Method • Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/400°F/gas 6.

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To make the béchamel, melt the butter in a pan over a medium heat, add the flour and cook it out. Pour in the milk slowly, whisking as you go until it’s smooth. Add the cheese, and the spices and salt to taste. Set aside to cool.

• Pan-fry the sliced bread in the butter until golden and crisp.

THE NORTH WEST’S

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THE NORTH WEST’S

• Divide the ham between 2 slices of the bread, then spread a good layer of béchamel over the top. Top with the remaining slices of bread. Transfer to a tray and roast in the oven for 6–8 minutes.

ROAST CRAB WITH LIME AND CHILLI BUTTER This can be served as either potted crab spread on warm toast or, as I like to serve it, just melted in a dish so it warms the crab and fully melts the butter. That way all the flavours of the kaffir lime leaves come out.

Ingredients • 100g butter, softened • zest and juice of 2 limes • 2 kaffir lime leaves, finely sliced • 1 lemongrass stick, finely chopped • 4 spring onions, sliced • 2 tablespoons fresh coriander, chopped, plus extra leaves to serve • 1 red chilli, finely diced • 300g white crab meat • sea salt and freshly ground black pepper TO SERVE toasted sourdough

Method • Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/400°F/gas 6.

• Beat together the butter, lime zest and juice, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, spring onions, coriander and chilli. Season with salt and pepper.

• Spoon the crab into 2 ovenproof dishes and top with the butter. Place them on a baking tray and roast for 10 minutes until hot and bubbling.

• Sprinkle with coriander leaves and serve straight away, with toasted sourdough on the side.

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CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT CAKE The topping for this cake is kind of like a deconstructed hazelnut spread and is made from buttercream with melted chocolate beaten into it and a scattering of hazelnuts. The most important thing to remember with this cake is not to put it in the fridge, as this will set the buttercream too much and will also make the cake go hard.

Ingredients FOR THE CAKE • 200g butter, softened, plus extra for greasing • 200g caster sugar • 4 eggs • 150g self-raising flour • 50g cocoa powder

FOR THE ICING • 300g dark chocolate, melted • 100g icing sugar • 200g butter, softened • 75ml double cream TO DECORATE • 50g toasted hazelnuts, chopped

Method • Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan)/350°F/gas

4. Grease a 20cm round cake tin and line it with

greaseproof paper.

•

Beat the butter and sugar together until white and fluffy, then beat in the eggs one at a time. Fold in the flour and cocoa powder and spoon the mixture into the tin. Bake for 35–40 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool. Once cool, use a knife to cut the cake in half horizontally.

•

Whisk together the melted chocolate and icing sugar and, once cool, beat the mixture into the butter, whisking for 8–10 minutes. Pour in the cream and mix until fully combined. Spread a thick layer of icing onto one of the cakes and sandwich the other cake on top. Spread the remaining icing all over the rest of the cake and sprinkle with the hazelnuts to decorate.

BUTTER: Comforting, delicious, versatile, over 130 recipes celebrating butter by James Martin (Quadrille) Photography: John Carey

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At Christmas

Christmas Menu 2021 Main Course - £12.95 2 Courses - £16.95

Starters

Market fresh soup of the day (V) (VE) (GF) Served with bread roll.

Gratin of mushrooms (V)

In a stilton sauce, served with crusty bread.

Battered halloumi sticks (V) Served with garlic mayonnaise.

Mains

Roast Turkey Saddle

Served with sage, onion and apple stuffing, pigs in blankets and roast gravy.

Braised beef (GF)

Slow cooked with pot roasted vegetables in a warmly spiced red wine sauce.

Filo pastry pie (V) (VE)

With butternut squash, kale and spinach, with a light herb gravy.

All mains are served with mashed and roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables.

For allergen information please ask a member of staff

Party in the Ivy Lounge £19.95

Bucks Fizz on arrival Full Christmas menu, tea/coffee & mince Pie, Christmas cracker Minimum 15 people in our private function room

Afternoon Tea £17.95

Monday - Friday from 2pm - 4.30pm

Psychic Night Coming Soon

Please contact restaurant for more details

Wallsuches, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 6PP | w: www.curleysdiningrooms.co.uk | t: 01204 691783

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Tipi CHERRY TREE at the

Christmas LAUNCHING FRIDAY menu 19TH NOVEMBER this

TA PA S I N T H E T I P I

Warm Turkey Croque Monsieur gravy dipping sauce

‘TAPAS IN THE TIPI’ MENU

Porky Pigs in Blankets sage & onion stuffing mayonnaise

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT BY SIX15 THURSDAY - SUNDAY

Goat’s Cheese & Roasted Garlic Arancini (v) cranberry & chilli dip

WARM MULLED WINE FESTIVE COCKTAILS REAL ALE & PREMIUM LAGER TIPI IS OPEN TO GUESTS EVERYDAY! WALK-INS ONLY - NO RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE

Tipi Private Hire AVAILABLE MONDAY TO WEDNESDAY FOR CORPORATE & PRIVATE EVENTS CALL US FOR MORE DETAILS!

www.cherrytreeblackrod.co.uk Chorley Road | Blackrod | Bolton | BL6 5LA

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Smoked Haddock & Lobster Fishcake shellfish bisque dipping sauce Pulled Beef Bourguignon clotted creamed mash potato, crispy onions Truffled Mushroom Vol au Vent (v) parsley pesto, roasted garlic cream Gin & Dill Cured Salmon Sliders beetroot, pickled cucumber, vodka crème fraîche Sharing Melting Camembert (v) rosemary & sea salt tear & share dipping bread, cranberry jam

JANUARY SALE

ENJOY 20% OFF FOOD MONDAY TO THURSDAY DURING JANUARY 2022

Offer available Monday to Thursday only • not to be used in conjunction with any other offer or loyalty scheme • no cash alternative given • offer on main menu only • set menu not included

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Cardamom Cream Indian Restaurant

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Exclusive Booth Seating VIP Seating Fully Air Conditioned

Christmas Day Opening Times First seating 1:30pm- till 4.30pm Second seating from 5:00pm - 8:00pm

FINE DINING

Normal Takeaway Service Available.

Christmas Day Takeaway available at 10% extra charge from menu.

FINE DINING

Cardamom Cream INDIAN INDIAN RESTAURANT RESTAURANT

Festive rdamom Cream Christmas Day DIAN RESTAURANT Menu 21 Bolton Street, Ramsbottom Lancashire BL0 9HU 01706 827888

www.cardamomcream.co.uk • All prices inclusive of V.A.T. • Sorry we do not accept cheques

Some products may contain gluten and nuts please ask a member of staff for details.

A full-sensory food experience offering modern fusion and traditional dishes from all regions of India.

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£60

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Appetisers

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Guests will be served poppadums and an assortment of pickles.

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Starters

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(choice of one starter per person)

Per Person (Adults)

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Melon Fresh melon with summer fruits and raspberry dressing.

Prawn Cocktail Juicy Prawns with Marie Rose sauce on a bed of iceberg lettuce.

Mixed Kebab Lamb Tikka, Seek Kebab and Chicken Tikka on a skewer and tandoor baked.

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£40

Per Child

Mixed Starter Onion and Lentil Pakora, Chicken Pakora Strips and Lamb Chop.

(Under 12)

Mixed Vegetable Starter Onion Bhaji, Vegetable Samosa and Vegetable Kufta.

Cardamom Special Starter Strips of chicken, garnished with onion, pepper, mushrooms, garlic coriander (various flavours).

Mains

(choice of one main course per person)

Roast Turkey (pre-order ONLY) Roast Turkey with roasted potatoes and seasonal vergetables, served with rich gravy and cranberry sauce.

Cardamom Special Breast of Butter Chicken, cooked with coconut, almonds, rich cream and garnished with butter, in house recipe, highly recommended.

Honey Chilli Chicken A medium strength curry, cooked with tomatoes, onions and peppers and moderate spices, garnished with honey and crushed chillies.

Korai Mixed Grill A characteristic dish with Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Tikka, Lamb Tikka and Sheek Kebab, medium spices, light garam masala, garnished with Onion Bhaji.

Sizzling Sensation Strips of fresh chicken breast, mushrooms, peppers and onions, marinated in tandoori spices and herbs with added garam masala and coriander.

Bengal Machli Pangash (white boneless fish), cooked with onions, peppers, tomatoes, green chillies and fresh duniya, a hot and spicy dish from the Bengal region. Can be cooked mild.

South Indian Garlic Chicken Korai Cooked in a highly flavoured garlic sauce with rich spices and fresh sliced garlic with peppers and onions.

Rezalla Bhuna Succulent Chicken Tikka with mincemeat in a spicy thick sauce.

Naga Desire The essence of Naga Chilli used in moderation for added flavour, garnished with Naga Pepper, a distinctively hot and tasty dish.

Lemon & Chilli Chicken A hot dish cooked with onions, peppers, tomatoes, coriander, garnished with fresh green chillies and lemon.

Korai Shashlik A well flavoured dish cooked with onions, peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes in a medium tandoori sauce with a choice of meat.

All curries are served with saffron rice, steamed rice, mushroom rice, egg rice also nan bread, plain, garlic or peshwari.

(Please select one to accompany your main meal)

Dessert

Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce or Ice cream & Coffee.

Wine

A glass of house wine, white, red or rosé to be served with the main meal.

Any other items charged at normal menu price.

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Please Note: 3 hours have been allocated per booking made.

First seating 1:30pm (customers, can come 15 mins early if they wish).

Second seating 5:00pm. Close 8pm.

A £10 deposit is required per guest to secure your table.

large ones with famous art, to smaller ones with lesser-known artists.

TOP HOBBIES TO TAKE UP BEFORE THE YEAR IS OUT If you are looking for a new hobby, it can be tough to decide what you want to do. Maybe you are coming close to retirement, perhaps you have some extra time on your hands, or maybe you are just looking to set yourself a challenge.

There are so many potential hobbies out there and also so many benefits to taking on something new in your life. If you are looking to add something new to your set of skills or interests, here are some top hobbies that you should look into before 2021 is over…

Classic Cars Classic cars are a fantastic hobby to partake in and you are likely to meet a really great community of like-minded enthusiasts too.You can start your hobby by reading up about classic cars and perhaps watching shows about them.You could look into purchasing your own classic car which you can take to races (be sure to look into a Car Transporter to make sure it gets there in one piece) Or you can just attend and watch different races – the choice is yours!

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Photography Photography is an interesting and useful skill to have and can even lead to you making some money on the side.You can figure out what you like to photograph, whether it is nature, people, sunsets or skies and then learn the different skills and settings on your camera. Why not head to a local photography class or do an online course to help you on your way?

Painting As with photography, painting can cover a broad spectrum of things and just because you may not enjoy one type of art, doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy this.

Dabble around in all different areas of painting such as fine art, life drawing, modern art and more.You can try watercolour, acrylics and pastels too. It can be a good idea to visit art galleries where you can get inspiration for future projects and decide what you would like to do yourself. There are many art galleries all around the country from

Cooking Whether you have always been interested in cooking and never really done it, or you are looking to startup cooking, there is no time like the present! Find recipes online, starting with more simple ones and then progressing into those that are more complex.You could watch cookery shows online, read cookery books and also look into any local cookery schools.

There is also a range of online classes that you can partake in which show you how to cook and will teach you a range of useful skills and knowledge within this. The world is your oyster!

These are just a few hobbies that you can look into picking up as the year nears to a close. It is never too late to take up something new, so why not challenge yourself – you might be surprised at just how much you love it!

HESKIN HALL PHOTOS.pdf 1 26/01/2018 11:15

Christmas Shopping All Under One Roof

COACHES WELCOME

With over 40 boutique shops, we’re the perfect shopping destination • Gifts Galore • Autumn/Winter Fashion • Toys • Stocking Fillers • Jewellery & Watches • Festive Food • Cake Decorating Supplies • Christmas Decorations • Cards • Wrapping Paper & Gift Bags • Wreathes & Pots • Festive Afternoon Teas and so much more!

OPENING TIMES Mon - Closed Tue - Sat 10am - 5pm Sun 10.30am - 4.30pm Bank Holidays 11am - 4pm

ALL COVID GUIDELINES ARE IN PLACE

FREE PARKING & FREE ENTRY

We look forward to seeing you!

Wood Lane

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Heskin

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Chorley

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PR7 5PA

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T: 01257 451464

www.heskinhallshoppingvillage.co.uk

MOTORING

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50 PLUS MAGAZINE

STEVE HOWARTH’S TEST DRIVE

ability to shut down two cylinders when cruising along the motorway. Also helping those MPG figures is an Eco drive mode, but if you want to get a move on the Tiguan is positively peppy in ‘Sport’ doing 0 to 60 in 10.9 seconds with a top speed on 121.

There are now four basic trim levels and all cars get safety-conscious technology like IQ.Light LED matrix headlights plus greater connectivity thanks to the MIB3 infotainment system as well as improved convenience with touch-sensitive steering wheel controls on selected models.

All cars have driver assistance systems including Lane Assist, Front Assist, and a multifunction front-facing camera as standard plus an 8-inch touch screen, DAB+, and streaming plus internet capabilities. Wireless App Connect also facilitates smartphone mirroring via Bluetooth and there are dusk and rain sensors and a multifunction steering wheel.

TIGUAN ACTIVE IF you have even been lucky enough to be in the market for a brand new car then the options list is always a bit of a problem – what do you add that is worth that extra cash?

but being cheaper than premium-badged alternatives from the likes of BMW and Volvo, although the Tiguan is closely-related to Seat and Skoda rival SUV’s that are even more affordable.

Well those nice people at VW have solved it for you with their latest special edition - the Tiguan Active.

Engines range from a 1.5-litre petrol with 128bhp (our test car) right up to a 316bhp 2.0 petrol in the sporty Tiguan R. There’s also a plug-in hybrid (eHybrid) model with a good electric-only range and tax-friendly CO2 emissions.

If you want a newly-revised Tiguan (and lots do as it is VW’s best-selling model worldwide) then the mid-range Life trim is the best seller (from £26,915 on the road). But to add a little more you can get the Active, which comes with a few must have features over the standard car.

These are special alloy wheels, keyless entry and full electric tailgate, power fold heated mirrors, variable ambient lighting, special ‘Active’ upholstery and exterior trim (including neat Active logo puddle lamps), various driver settings and a winter pack.

That is on top of active cruise control, sat nav, heated front seats and steering wheel and all for £28,415.

It isn’t hard to grasp why the Tiguan is so popular with a relatively upmarket image 48

The Tiguan is designed more for the road than challenging terrain but Volkswagen’s 4Motion four-wheel-drive system is available with certain engines and there are adjustable drive modes to help you tackle trickier conditions.

The range upgrades that came with its latest revamp include new trim, design and tech plus even better fuel efficiency – I managed mid 40s in a week of very mixed driving thanks in part to the 1.5 petrol engine’s

The Tiguan Life is fitted with bigger 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails and rear tinted glass while the interior is generously appointed with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, front comfort seats with lumbar support and seat trim covers in ‘Shooting Star’ velour as well as climate control including rear passenger controls.

Expected to be the top-seller in the revised Tiguan range, taking 50 per cent of UK sales, the Tiguan Life also features driver assistance systems including Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Assist and front and rear parking sensors, as well as a Driver Alert System and Dynamic Road Sign Display.

The Tiguan range starts from the base model at £24,915 going up to the R-Line 2.0 Litre TDi 4Motion at £39,010 (0 to 60 in 7.5 seconds and top speed 172mph).

You only have to notice how many Tiguans are already on out roads to realise just how popular the car is and with this revamp VW look set to stay ahead of the mid-size SUV pack.

More information at www.volkswagen.co.uk

More information at www.landrover.com For all the latest car tests see the motoring section of our website at www.50plusmagazine.co.uk/motors/

Bright Street, Bury, Lancashire, BL9 6AQ tel: 0161 761 6416

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LEGAL

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50 PLUS MAGAZINE

CLOUGH & WILLIS SOLICITORS ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ON EQUITY RELEASE Lorraine Stratton-Webb, Partner in the residential conveyancing team at Clough & Willis Solicitors Answers your questions on equity release

Q. What is Equity Release?

Equity release is the releasing of some of the equity/capital that has accrued in

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your property during your ownership. You have two options when choosing an Equity Release product.

long-term care, the loan and interest will have to be repaid usually by the property being sold.

1) The most common is through a lifetime mortgage, whereby you release the lump sum by way of a mortgage against your property. Monthly repayments are not required and the interest accrues against the property. On your death, or on moving into

2) The other option is a home reversion plan whereby you sell all, or a portion of your property to the home reversion provider. Similar to the first option there is no interest to be paid, however it is likely that the provider will buy the proportion

of the property off you at less than market rate.You will have the right to reside in the property for the rest of your life.

It is important that if considering equity release you seek advice from a specialist financial advisor as this product is not right for everyone but it can make a difference to those that it is suitable for, for the rest of their lives.

Q. Can I sell my house if I have taken out an Equity Release?

Yes you can. However the loan would have to be repaid, unless you have agreed with the Equity Release provider that the loan can be transferred to another property.The lender would not automatically transfer the loan as the new property would need to meet the lender’s criteria.

Q.Would taking out an Equity Release affect my Pension credit?

If you are considering taking out an equity release it could reduce your Pension Credit.

It is therefore essential that you obtain the appropriate advice before proceeding with an Equity Release to see whether the product would be appropriate or not.

Q. Will taking out an Equity Release affect my benefit?

Q. Will I no long need to maintain or insure my home?

Equity Release might affect any means tested benefits, particularly if you receive Pension Credit, council tax support or housing benefit. It may affect your tax position. Therefore you should take appropriate advice from the Inland Revenue, Benefits Agency or local Citizens Advice Bureau before proceeding further.

Your obligation to insure and maintain your home continues after taking out an Equity Release. It would be classed as a breach of a term of the mortgage if you did not insure or maintain the property once you have taken out an Equity Release.

If you have any questions on any of the above or any other property matters please contact Lorraine Stratton-Webb on freephone 0800 083 0815

Are you finding life is too short?

Equity release allows homeowners over 55 to remain in their much-loved home and release an income or lump sum from their property.

Lorraine is our specialist Equity Release solicitor who can help you if you are considering releasing money from your home. She will guide you through the process and help you avoid any pitfalls.

For more information on Equity Relase contact Lorraine on freephone

0800 083 0815

Or by email lorraine.webb@clough-willis.co.uk

Q. Can you obtain further money from both schemes if required?

For both types of equity release some providers offer facilities that can allow you to draw more funds in the future.

However, this can depend on the valuation of your property at the time that you require the extra funds. Also if you have opted for a reserve facility this may mean that the interest that you pay is higher than those products without a reserve.

Again it is important that you obtain the advice to ensure that the product you get is appropriate for your particular circumstances.

Bury Head Office 2 Manchester Road, Bury Lancashire, BL9 0DT. Tel: 0161 764 5266 www.clough-willis.co.uk

Little Lever Office 58 Market Street, Little Lever Bolton, BL3 1HN. Tel: 01204 709959 @BurySolicitor

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We’ll get you smiling ...

Many denture wearers suffer with poor fitting, worn out or artificial (false) looking dentures that cause the wearer to feel a lack of confidence in their dentures. This can present itself when chewing or even by just worrying about the denture dropping during a conversation. All these are issues that Bolton Denture Centre specialise in correcting.

Bolton Denture Centre houses the only qualified CDT in Bolton, solely focusing on provide the highest quality dentures.

WHAT IS A CLINICAL DENTAL TECHNICIAN? A Clinical Dental Technician (CDT) is a qualified dental technician that has 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 Centre to be able to be registered and regulated with the

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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 direct 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.

Over recent years there have been many improvements in both the way we construct dentures and in the materials and denture teeth that we use. This means that the end result looks more natural than ever before.

Why not call for a FREE Consultation to find out more about these new innovations in denture design and manufacture?

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

HEALTH

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.

MY DENTURES HAVE BECOME LOOSE! 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.

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.

SHOULD I HAVE A SPARE SET OF DENTURES MADE? Yes, it is very important to have a spare set of dentures for emergencies in case of breakage.

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

Call for FREE your consultion

01204 382244

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50 PLUS MAGAZINE

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.

Bolton Denture Centre can offer all aspects of denture care including; Free Consultations Denture cleaning and polishing service l Repair of broken or cracked dentures l Relining existing dentures to improve fit l New full dentures l New partial dentures (following treatment plan from dentist) * l Sports mouth guards l

What our Customers Say Thank you so much for the care you gave to me and now I can smile again with the lovely teeth you made for me.

PD What a difference you have made for me. I can smile again. No problems.

Thank you so much.

VH

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*Dentist treatment plan can be arranged.

Are you looking for a new smile/dentures before Christmas?

Book your consultation today to avoid delay. Guaranteed for Christmas.

Thank you so much for my new dentures, they fit really well and I am very pleased with their appearance. I have had them for two months and not had any problems, just small niggles that have soon resolved without having to pay you a visit. Thank you for your time and trouble to ensure a perfect fit. I don’t need to use fixative and your recommended cleaning routine is working a treat.

Your sincerely AW (Mrs) Just a few words to thank you for the work you have done.

Everyone has been saying how well I look lately not knowing why. You have given me my smile back and I thank you so very much, you have made me so happy.

C Thank you for putting a smile on my face again.

S

www.boltondenturecentre.co.uk Bolton Denture Centre, 44 Higher Bridge Street, Bolton BL1 2HA.

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LEISURE

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50 PLUS MAGAZINE

TIPS ON AVOIDING AN EXERCISE INJURY We all know that exercise is good for us.

Regular physical activity can benefit our physical and mental health, improve strength and flexibility, and give us more energy. We should all exercise when we can, no matter how old we are.

However, as we get older, we do need to take it easy. Especially if we rarely exercise, it’s important to be careful when we exert our bodies. While we should get up and move, we should also be careful not to push ourselves as we could injure ourselves in the process.

Pushing ourselves too hard is just one reason why an injury can take place.

Other reasons for exercise injuries include: • Exercising without committing to a 5-minute warm-up session first • Failing to rest in between workouts • Using exercise equipment incorrectly • Becoming distracted while running • Doing exercises that aren’t suitable for your level of fitness To avoid an exercise injury then, you should…

Warm up before exercising When we warm up before exercise, we improve flexibility to our bodies, and this prepares us for whatever activities we intend to do to keep fit. As a result, we should experience less muscle tension and pain during and after the workout. Check out these warmup exercises and use them as part of your fitness routine.

Choose your exercises wisely If you’re somebody who hasn’t exercised in a while, it’s important to avoid high-intensity exercises, at least initially. Such exercises can include running, aerobics, and contact sports.

Instead, focus on low-intensity exercises, such as swimming, cycling, and walking.You can work your way up to exercises that are highintensity but it’s better to get your body used to physical activity first.

Speak to your doctor If you have any prevailing health conditions, it might be that certain types of exercise are offlimits to you. Speak to your doctor and ask for their advice on which exercises are least likely to cause you injury or any other health-related problems.

Rest between workouts Your body needs time to recover after exercising so don’t do more than you can handle. Don’t go for a jog in the morning and a swim in the afternoon if your body is telling you to stop. Allow for a day in the week to rest as well, especially if you’re exercising on a daily basis. If your body does hurt, do what you can during your recovery time to ease the pain you feel. CBD Muscle Balm can be recommended as can a warm or a cold compress.

Learn good form Especially when taking on an exercise activity or piece of gym equipment that is new to you, be sure to take time out to learn the basics.

Seek the support of a personal trainer or look for advice online as you are less likely to injure yourself if you can learn the right way to do a particular exercise.

Finally Exercise is supposed to benefit our health and not damage it, so take care when you’re planning your fitness schedule.

Home Help:

A little extra help Home Help: Homecare, plus Home Help: so you can enjoy life. help A little extra Care with a difference A little extra help

soenjoy you can so you can life.enjoy life.

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VITAL THINGS YOU NEED TO DO NOW TO PROVIDE FOR YOUR RETIREMENT

While it may still seem as if it’s very far away, retirement has a habit of creeping up on people, especially when it comes to making sure you have enough money to live the kind of life you want. The good news is you can take action now to secure your finances for when you retire. Keep reading to find out more.  Consider your current situation Before you begin looking to the future and planning your finances for your retirement it’s vital that you consider your current situation. In particular, this means assessing any significant debts that you need to pay off and taking action to complete this.  Additionally, now is the best time to consider any significant assets that you may have and whether you will hold on to them or sell them to release capital that can be used elsewhere. Property is often one of the most popular assets to sell to cover retirement, especially if you find that the market is favorable.  Plan when you will retire Deciding when to retire is less about hitting the right age, and more about doing it when your finances allow. After all, there is no point working after 50 if you don’t want or have to!  Also by settling on an age at which to retire you will have a time scale on which to work. This means that you can plan out how you will save, manage and invest your money in the meantime to give you the best chance of achieving your financial goals.  Explore ways of growing your money In essence, providing for your retirement financially is all about taking the money that you have now and making it work as hard as possible so you have as much as possible for when you are no longer working.  The good news is that there are plenty of options to consider for this purpose. The first is to rely on the state pension, which as long

as you have completed the required amount of national insurance payments you will be able to claim.  However, most people want to be able to access additional streams of income, as the state pension isn’t too generous. In particular, investing in a private pension scheme or independently investing your money in something like Forex Trading can be the best way to maximize your returns. Although, whichever type of investment you choose, it’s vital that you consider the potential for risk as well as profit before making your choice.  Consult a professional Last of all, do remember that there are people whose whole professional career is based around providing advice on this issue.

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What’s On Guide...

12th November 2021 Barry Steele The Roy Orbison Story

27th November 31st December 2021 Beauty and the Beast

11th & 18th December 2021 Boogie Bingo Party Nights

21st January 2022 An Evening of Burlesque

For more info visit; www.alberthalls-bolton.co.uk For tickets visit; www.quaytickets.com/boltonalberthalls or call 0343 208 0500 56