Bolton & Bury issue 77

SALE NOW ON

SIMPSON INTERIORS LTD

Excellent quality, value and service guaranteed

Here at Simpson Interiors we specialise in offering top quality mostly locally made sofas, chairs, recliners and an assortment of lift and tilt chairs. We have been in business in the Indoor Market at Bury for 5 years now and we have recently expanded to include locally made beds and mattresses too.

ANGELA KELLY

TWITTERING ON

By Angela Kelly

According to a new survey, 54 per cent of us are thinking of living in another country with many citing the cheaper cost of living and others just wanting a better lifestyle and weather.

Spain has been named the best retirement destination by UK over50s for the 10th consecutive year while Portugal has overtaken France in distant second place.

Italy is fourth with South Eastern Europe (Greece, Romania, Serbia and Cyprus) fifth and the Far East - including China, Tahiland, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Philippines – sixth.

Moving abroad? Do the maths first

WE are now going into the main time of the year when many people in the UK think about living in a sunnier climate.

It’s completely understandable, of course, when our wet and chilly Autumn months give way to even colder and icier weather before Spring hits.

TV programmes showing the glories of life in the sun around the world are definitely feelgood viewing now.

America and Australia have all improved their rankings over last year at sevenths and eighth and ninth and 10th places go to New Zealand and Turkey.

Anyone over-50 thinking of leaving the UK for warmer climes permanently, though, needs to heed the advice of life insurance company Canada Life.

They warn of the importance of checking whether your destination has a reciprocal agreement on the state pension. Otherwise, you may end up missing out financially as it could be frozen at whatever amount it was set at when you first left the UK.

While the Government has struck individual deals with some countries – Spain and other EU countries were involved in a state pension rights’ deal during Brexit negotiations – others like Canada, Australia, India and many parts of the Caribbean don’t have deals. Rising inflation might make this area of vital importance.

As a spokesman for Canada Life commented: “Retiring abroad is not a step to be taken lightly. The financial considerations are vast, such as thinking about the impact of currency exchange rates, local tax rules and whether state pensions will keep pace with the cost of living.”

I’m afraid we may get blinded with the potential sunshine on the matter of finances when those hotspots beckon for a better life as we sit at home in the UK.

Plainly, we need to keep our eyes wide open – and do the maths.

I do …. but only at half-time

SPORT can bring couples and families together but it can also drive them apart.

I don’t think the early signs were too good when one young Australian woman caught her new husband watching a rugby match on his phone on their wedding day!

He had propped up the phone against their three-tiered wedding cake. Then, adding insult to injury, he did the same thing at her brother’s wedding later.

It’s hard to imagine how their married life will go after he’s shown where his real interest in life lies.

I’ve always worried about bridegrooms in particular who insist on planning a wedding around sporting dates. Although everyone

is entitled to enjoy their pastimes, you’re getting married to the supposed love of your life, mate, so how about showing a bit of early commitment?

Working from home or hybrid it’s now all change

IF there is one aspect of our lives that has undergone a dramatic makeover in the last couple of years it’s working from home.

Prior to 2020, working from home was the exception rather than the rule but, thanks largely to Covid 19, it has undergone a dramatic surge.

Before the pandemic, staff went into the office an average of 3.8 days a week but by April, 2020, 46.6 per cent of people in employment did some work at home.

Post-lockdown, many companies wanted to get staff back into the office, sometimes with hybrid working where employees split their work between home and office. And it may now be that this form of flexible working is the way forward; 47 per cent of American workers prefer this model.

Productivity is the obvious measure of any method of working and working from home certainly seems to have a positive result for many companies. In fact, many people reported being more productive at home than in the office.

However, there are naturally some down-sides.

In the same survey, 81 per cent of younger workers said they would feel isolated without more time in the office and 60 per cent reported they felt less connected to colleagues. Loneliness

could certainly be a factor and, for some, there were just too many distractions at home.

However, the lack of a commute and its possible stress, the relaxed “dress code”, flexible scheduling and the ability to look after family, pets and ageing relatives better were all identified as huge advantages.

One interesting side-effect is that many people decided to move house when proximity to work was no longer a requirement.

To be realistic, working from home is not for everyone, either because their job could not be run from home efficiently or simply because they prefer to be with other people.

It is a fact, though, that we have crossed a line in the working world and it will be fascinating to see where this journey now takes us.

The Queen’s sad farewell

THE very moving time around the Queen’s death and during the mourning period revealed much about both this nation and people in other countries.

The genuine sadness at her passing was hard to miss. People loved her and admired the way she tackled the role of monarch from being a young woman into older age.

The affection for her from people of other nations was also heartwarming. Whatever thoughts there are about monarchy, there appeared to be real affection for Her Majesty.

What the funeral itself and all the tradition involved also proved is that the way we handle this sort of occasion is unparalleled.

The stoic precision of individuals and horses, the grandeur, the sheer spectacle proved once more that Brits really do this best.

Dementia care at its best

Small households for

ensure

Belong

training

Please get in touch for further information.

Relative’s Gateway and use of various technology to support families

Active and independent lifestyles are promoted within a vibrant community

Robust infection prevention and control measures in place

life,

pace,

& coach inclusive breaks

GREAT VALUE 5 DAY HALF BOARD BREAKS

from

person

Early

Get in the festive spirit with Daish’s Robinsons. Our Tinsel and Turkey breaks start at the end of October and carry on right up to the big day. Each of our Tinsel and Turkey breaks squeeze in all the best bits of the Christmas and New Year period over a 5 day break. Plenty of fun and laughter for all, and maybe a visit from Santa himself!

COMES

Or start the new year with one of our 3-2-1 Bar Promotion breaks. In January enjoy 3 nights half price drinks on every break or 2 nights in February. Enjoy this offer from 5-9pm on selected drinks from our hotel bars. Our fleet of luxury coaches provide return travel in comfort and style from your local pickup point and will take you directly to your hotel. Or if you prefer, all our breaks can be booked on a self-drive basis giving you the freedom to get out and explore the local area.

Newquay Blackpool Lake District EastbourneScarborough

TorquayIsle of Wight Weymouth

Tinsel & Turkey

Daish’s

Lake District

County Hotel

Torquay

Abbey Lawn Hotel

50

sponsored

ICELAND TO LONDON CRUISE WITH SILVERSEA

Airways from London just as the record-breaking heatwave hit Britain. A welcome relief on our part as we packed layers of outdoor clothing for temperatures likely just to edge into double figures

Silversea voyages include all drinks, meals and tips as well as a good choice of free daily excursions, so there are only optional extras to pay for such as spa and bespoke experiences. Our 12-day cruise included two formal nights, but gentlemen can choose dinner suit, dark suit, or blazer and tie, or to dine casually at the pool deck grill.

There’s something strangely mesmerising about a pool of bubbling mud, the rhythmical gloop-gloop sound and the way the liquid earth shudders with each bursting bubble. I hold my breath as I pass through the cloud of sulphurous steam issuing from the valley floor and marvel at the barren landscape, stained in a palette of primeval colours from a myriad of minerals. No wonder the crew of Apollo 11 came here to Iceland to train for the Moon landings.

This chance to experience Iceland’s geothermal landscape is one of many good reasons why I booked a 12-day cruise with Silversea this summer from Reykjavik to London. I’ve always loved wild, unspoilt places and Iceland delivers by the bucket load. But after four full days on this extraordinary island, the itinerary also promised more dramatic scenery through a clutch of other Atlantic islands, as well as wildlife encounters, historic sites, and some appealing TV tie-ins. A varied itinerary that only a cruise can deliver.

Iceland is featured by several cruise operators but from previous experience, we knew we liked the luxury boutique feel of the Silversea fleet. A real treat after so many cancelled trips during the pandemic. In July 2022 when we travelled, passengers with up-todate Covid vaccines – in other words, each one you are eligible for - were required to produce a negative Rapid Antigen test within 72 hours of departure. We passed, but sadly our travelling companions didn’t and were given an immediate full refund by Silversea.

We travelled this time on Silver Whisper which carries 392 passengers in understated luxury, flying to Reykjavik with British

Every passenger enjoys butler service with each butler assigned to a small group of suites, but it’s not nearly as intimidating as it sounds. Vimal, our butler, supervised the daily cleaning of our accommodation, kept our minibar stocked with our choice of drinks, and generally took care of any requests. He wasn’t there to unpack our smalls, although ‘help with packing’ was advertised for those in need of a hand before return.

In Iceland, we chose four excursions to give us a real feel for the island’s varied landscape and wildlife. The rugged western fjords and the geothermal landscape of the north, as well as a guided hike to a plateau high above the east coast. In summer, birdlife was everywhere from puffins and gannets to godwits, plovers and whimbrels. Not sure you’d know one? You will if you chose the nature excursions!

You’re never very far from tumbling water either in this extraordinary landscape, from cascading streams to the ‘mini Niagara’ of the powerful Godafoss waterfall where a 10th century king is said to have flung images of pagan gods into the water as the country adopted Christianity. Others Icelandic legends include

Dynjandi waterfall

Lerwick

Silver Travel Advisor’s Gillian Thornton explores the unspoilt landscapes of the North Atlantic

sea monsters and strange beasts, still supposedly seen in recent decades!

After four days around Iceland and a relaxing sea day, contrasting islands followed in quick succession. The spectacularly rugged Faroes, setting for the Scandi crime series Trom and 007’s final scene in No Time to Die. The Shetland Islands too where we enjoyed scenery, seals and seabirds on a guided walk around a nature reserve, and browsed round Lerwick, setting for the TV detective series Shetland. And lastly, the Orkney Islands where my imagination went into overdrive amongst the Neolothic remains of Skara Brae village and the standing stones at the Ring of Brodgar.

Without exception, the local guides were excellent, teaching us about the Norse history that links not just these Atlantic islands but also our own island and France after Viking explorers set off from Norway in the ninth century. Who knew for instance, that the word ‘Viking’ actually means ‘adventurer’?

We loved the summer wildlife too. The humpback whales who obligingly put on a show beneath cloudless blue skies during our whale watching tour from Husavik, and the sight of thousands of puffins flying and fishing around their annual island nesting grounds. Seals basked on Scottish beaches, popping up at dinner beyond the restaurant window, and Arctic terns put on spectacular fishing displays as they plummeted seawards to seize another snack.

From the Orkney Islands we sailed to another volcanic landscape, Edinburgh, the ancient volcano of Arthur’s Seat clearly visible above the city as we moored close to The Royal Yacht Britannia,

another advantage of choosing a small ship that can access the inner harbour. Take a choice of city tours, visit the spectacular Rosslyn Chapel, or simply take the shuttle bus to explore independently.

Two relaxing sea days gave us time to enjoy the hospitality and facilities of Silver Whisper before an evening cruise up the Thames to our final mooring. The coloured lights of the Thames Barrier, the ‘Manhattan’ skyline of Canary Wharf, and the unmistakeable dome of the 02 Arena gave way to stately Greenwich Palace and the illuminated masts of the Cutty Sark. A very different ship but a fittingly maritime finale for our North Atlantic adventure.

Greenwich

Next steps

Call the Silver Travel Advisors on 0800 412 5678 to book and to find out more about Silversea voyages. www.silvertraveladvisor.com

WE DO THINGS A BIT DIFFERENTLY THAN OUR RIVALS

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

WITHIN 30 MINUTES

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

WE ARE FULLY FINANCIALLY BONDED

And use some excellent privately-owned hotels. All visits and excursions are included in the price. We use moder n coaches ans mature friendly drivers.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

On the morning of travel we pick you up at a prearranged time and take you to out waiting coach a Birch Services.

WE’RE OFF ON HOLIDAY THEN?

The same happens on the way back too, taxi back to your front door!

WE NEVER DISCOUNT.

therefore everybody on board pays the same price.

FINALLY in the UK, we will refund the difference to the whole coach!

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

TIPS FOR BUYING YOUR FIRST CARAVAN, CAMPERVAN OR MOTORHOME

C O A C H T O U R

WHEN it comes to purchasing your first caravan, campervan or motorhome – especially if you are a first-time buyer of such a vehicle – the prospect may seem daunting, perhaps even a little overwhelming. How do you know where to look, what features to consider and how to choose the right unit for your needs?

WINDSOR CASTLE & CRUISE THE THAMES

The Bull Hotel, Gerrard’s Cross ~ 4 Star

A lovely tour as we discover the splendour of Royal Windsor and explore mighty Windsor Castle. Offering a welcome contrast, we also enjoy a relaxing cruise along the River Thames.

SOUTHSEA & CHICHESTER HARBOUR CRUISE

Best Wester n Royal Beach Hotel ~ 3 Star

If you’re looking for specific tips on buying your first van, Rob Debenham, Show Manager of The Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Show, is here to give his advice on some of the most important things to look for as a first-time buyer to make sure that you and your vehicle have the best adventures possible.

21st April | 5 Days | £489

A great tour for the summer – stroll along Southsea seafront, visit the historic cathedral city of Chichester and enjoy a relaxing harbour cruise and indulge with a gin tasting at Bombay Sapphire.

25th April | 5 Days | £459

Before you part with any money, think about why you want this vehicle and what you will be using it for. Do you plan to embark on a new adventure, travelling across the country (or world) in your new home?

Or will it be for long weekend excursions and summer staycations? What you want the van for and how you plan to use it, will play a big role in your final decision of vehicle choice.

PICTURESQUE PEMBROKESHIRE & BEAUTIFUL GOWER

A good starting point is speaking to fellow caravan and motorhome owners. Use this as an opportunity to ask questions about the caravan, campervan or motorhome they own. Why do they like it? What would they recommend and why? What is something they wish they knew before they purchased it? These conversations will help you ensure you’ve made the right decision when it comes to choosing your van.

The Ivy Bush Royal Hotel, Car marthen ~ 3 Star

The natural beauty of the Pembrokeshire coast and the Gower Peninsula are famed all over the world. Glorious sandy beaches and rugged coastline give way to the Preseli Hills, historic towns, and little villages.

1st May | 5 Days | £419

SPRING, SOUTH SHIELDS & THE DURHAM COAST

The Little Haven Hotel ~ 3 Star

Unless you plan to undergo your van adventures with no electric appliances, you will probably be picking up a leisure battery during the purchase process. When you do, you may feel as though there is so many choices that you feel overwhelmed. But as with everything in this process, try making sure you thoroughly research and choose a trusted and high-quality brand. Depending on your use, you may also want to think about having multiple leisure batteries.

A great Spring tour based in South Shields overlooking the River Tyne and Little Haven Beach. We explore the scenic coastline before enjoying time in the historic city of Durham as well as a visit to Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

And finally, the last suggestion of what can be installed in your van to make life just that little bit easier is a refillable gas bottle – this will be sure to save you a lot of money in the long run. Many vans do come with the capability already installed, so it’s worth looking into when browsing models.

KENT, THE BEAUTIFUL GARDEN OF ENGLAND

April | 5 Days | £439

Remember, getting any kind of van – a caravan, campervan or motorhome – should be an exciting prospect. This is the starting point of the many thrilling adventures still to come, and though it may initially feel daunting, these feelings of fear can always be quelled by extensive research on your behalf so you can be sure you are doing everything possible to make the best purchase for you.

Best Wester n Plus Burlington Hotel ~ 4 Star

Known as the Garden of England, Kent boasts beautiful beaches, stunning castles, exciting culture, and delicious food & drink. Our tour is ideally based in Folkestone, and we include visits to some lovely coastal and inland towns

Attending a show such as The Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Show, or similar is another great way of helping your decision-making. They are fantastic one-stop shops that allow you to see a wide variety of vehicles under one roof, get up loose, explore inside and familiarise yourself with them.You’ll also get to speak to expert dealers and manufacturers so you can ask all the questions you need about specific vehicles.

2nd May | 5 Days

DEVONSHIRE & ILFRACOMBE

The Royal & Fortescue Hotel ~ 3 Star

A short break with excursions to interest everyone. We take in North Devon throughout with visits to interesting attractions which, when combined with our excellent hotel, makes this an enjoyable break.

May | 5 Days | £479

Once you know what van you want and how you want to use it, regardless of whether you plan to live in your van or just want to use it for the occasional adventure, there are some necessities when it comes to what you will need to buy or install for your vehicle.

THE HISTORIC CITY OF WORCESTER & STRATFORD-UPON AVON Fownes Hotel ~ 3 Star

BLACKPOOL

The Doric Hotel ~ 3 Star

You may want to make getting a fixed bed, for example, a priority. The alternative would be converting your table into a bed and vice versa or sleeping above the seats in the cab.

This is an area of literary greats, of culinary brilliance and iconic heritage. We enjoy the birthplace of William Shakespeare and a relaxing river cruise, the historic city of Worcester, and the beautiful scenic Cotswolds.

A holiday in Blackpool will leave you fee refreshed, relaxed and recha you are on the go 25 hours a day! Perhaps it the resort’s infectious zest for life, or maybe it’s just that, uniquely, whatever your Blackpool can offer a perfect b

BEAUTIFUL CORNWALL Rosemundy House Hotel AA ~ 4 Star

Cornwall is in the far west of Great Britain on a peninsula tumbling into the vast Atlantic Ocean, almost completely surrounded by he sea. Cornwall is loved for its dramatic course, its pasties and cream teas!

find out more go to:

8th May | 5 Days | £439

9th May | 5 Days | £299

May

at:

Another handy feature your van may benefit from is a solar panel on the roof. By installing a solar panel, you can easily top up your leisure battery and lessen the worry that you will run it down, especially when you are going off-grid. A leisure battery is a power source that can fuel the 12V appliances and equipment in a caravan or motorhome. These batteries are designed to provide a steady level of power over a prolonged period of time and are used for the lights, television, kettle, oven and similar appliances in your van.

INTERESTED?

group at

House

Bury every

648126 and request a copy of our 2023 brochure. You’ll be surprised at the variations of tours we operate. Visit our website www.ellensmith.co.uk

STEVE HOWARTH’S TEST DRIVE

We got to test a ‘GT-Line S’ all-wheel drive, mild hybrid version and the car’s rotary seven speed automatic gearbox selector sits behind a wireless phone charger with cup-holders and there are plenty of other clever features inside including USB sockets on the back of the front seats in an interior which has a quality feel. There is improved visibility and better handling too as the car grips well in bends with little body roll. The ride is firm but still comfy, especially on a long trip.

With 148bhp the car will get from 0-60mph in a decent 9.4 seconds while fuel economy figures are up to 47mpg.

Then there’s a choice of hybrid drivetrains and four trim levels ranging from ‘2’ (£27,750), ‘GT-Line’, ‘3’ and the top-spec ‘GTLine S’ model, which we test drove, which gets all the kit while every model has Kia’s seven years’ warranty cover.

KIA SPORTAGE

WE all love a winner… which is one reason why there are so many Kia on our roads these days.

The South Korean company’s latest Sportage model has continued their success both on the road and on the awards podium as it has just been voted SUV of the year by the Northern Group of Motoring Writers.

This august and long established band, which is made up of motoring journalists from across the north of England (including yours truly), decided the Sportage – which was considerably re designed and upgraded for 2022 – had come out on top.

There is no doubt it has made the company into a front runner in the design stakes. The 2022 model is cutting edge inside and out and one of the best looking mid-range SUVs around.

This fifth-generation Sportage is designed for Europe, built in Europe and shares much with Hyundai’s multi-award-winning Tucson.

It has bold boomerang-shaped LED running lights either side of a slimmer version of Kia’s signature front grille while the headlights blend neatly into a larger, lower grille.

At the back, the car takes a clear lead from Kia’s all-electric EV6 with high full width tail-lights on the tailgate which gives access to a 587-litre boot.

Inside there’s even more from the EV6 with twin 12.3- inch screens, one in front of the driver with clear, easy-to-use graphics and a central touchscreen for infotainment which appear to be joined to create a great-looking digital display covering two thirds of the dash area.

Beneath the central touchscreen are touch climate controls which also function as fast keys for infotainment settings.

The long equipment list on our car included a panoramic sunroof, auto lights and wipers, power heated door mirrors, suede leather seats (electric heated and cooled at the front and heated at the back), ‘GT-Line S’ trim inside and out, heated steering wheel, wireless phone charging, adaptive cruise, sat-nav, smart power tailgate plus much more including many active driving safety systems.

So in addition to now being ahead on the design stakes this Kia is also right up there with the best for standard equipment, safety and quality of materials.

It is simply amazing just how far Kia have come on their motoring journey and makes you wonder just what is yet to come?

Bolton Kia is proud to be Europe’s No.1 Kia Dealer and stocks a wide range of new and used Kia vehicles. To speak to a member of our Sales Team please contact them directly by calling 01204 664800 (option 1), emailing sales@boltonkia.co.uk or using the online chat system via our website: www.kia.co.uk/bolton.

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

The all-new Sportage.

roof paint at £800. Specification varies across the range and is subject to change without notice. Business users only. Quote valid from 14th October 2022 - 11th November 2022. Price quoted is pre price increase - pending October 2022 and will require a re-quote. *Offer available on Business Contract hire with advance rental of 6 months rental + VAT (£2,608.56 + VAT), followed by 35 monthly rentals of £434.76 + VAT. Excess miles over contracted mileage of 8,000 miles per year (24,000 total contract mileage) over 36 months charged at 9.82 pence per mile (+VAT). Excess charges also apply if you breach manufacturer servicing or maintenance guidelines or if the car exceeds BVRLA Fair Wear & Tear guidelines for its age/mileage when it is returned to Kia Contract Hire. The total P11D value of the vehicle includes options, extras, manufacturer’s delivery and VAT. Total Effective Rental (applicable to cars only) is £478.24 (this assumes a 50% VAT disallowance on the Finance Rental and VAT). Business Contract Hire Customer Maintenance (inc. RFL). Package includes Vehicle Excise Duty for the agreement duration, we reserve the right to pass on future increases in the cost of Vehicle Excise Duty. Guarantee/indemnity may be required. Prices and details are subject to change without notice. For full specification and T&Cs contact your local retailer. Kia reserves the right to amend or withdraw offers at any time without prior notice. You will not own the car. ALD Automotive Ltd., trading as Kia Contract Hire, BS16 7LB. All quotations are for guidance only and are subject to credit approval. ALD Automotive Limited trading as Kia Contract Hire reserves the right to amend quotations in the event of changes to manufacturer prices, interest rates and volume related bonus. ALD Automotive Limited reserve the right to amend quotations in the event of any change to VAT/RFL or any other statutory charges or taxes which may become appropriate from time to time. All figures provided are for guidelines purposes only. 7 Year / 100,000 mile manufacturer’s Warranty. For full terms and conditions visit kia.com/uk. Kia UK Limited trading as Bolton Kia are a broker (not a lender) for the purposes of this

promotion and can introduce you to a limited number of carefully selected finance providers and may receive a commission from them for

/boltonkia@bolton_kia Bolton_Kia

SUE BARKER CALLING THE SHOTS

WHEN Sue Barker retired as a TV presenter at Wimbledon this Summer the tears came from more than just her – the nation felt that we had lost something special.

Her great success on TV generally, although especially her associations with the annual tennis-fest at SW19, make us easily forget, however, just what a talented and successful tennis player Sue was. At one time in her career, she was ranked No.3 in the world.

Her tennis career started where she was born and brought up in Paignton, Devon. She was educated at a convent school and at the age of 10 in 1966 she was picked as one of two girls to receive free coaching from week-known tennis coach Arthur Roberts.

He had coached Angela Mortimer – the former world No.1 female tennis player – and was impressed with the slight blonde girl. In particular, he was impressed by her forehand, and when the period of the free coaching finished, he continued to coach her.

Roberts entered Sue, then in her teens, into tournaments abroad, giving her a one-way ticket and instructing her to win enough to pay for her ticket home! Roberts did, though, prove to be a supportive mentor and highly influential throughout her tennis career.

At just 16, young Sue was No.21 in the LTA rankings and Roberts advised her to move to America for to improve her development. Here, she was signed by Mark McCormack’s International Management Group (IMG).

She won her first top-level singles title in 1975, along with three additional titles, and reached her first Grand Slam semi-final at the Australian Open.

She won the German Open the following year and had the biggest victory of her career in 1976 when she won the French Open at the age of 20.

In 1977, Sue won two singles’ titles in San Francisco and Dallas and beat Martina Navratilova to reach the final of the Virginia Slims Tour Championships, where she lost in three sets to Chris Evert.

That year, she reached the semi-finals of the Wimbledon Centenary Championships, looking set to meet fellow Brit Virginia Wade in the landmark final. Unfortunately, she unexpectedly lost her semi to Betty Stove of the Netherlands who in turn lost to Wade.

After this disappointment, Sue continued her tennis career but was plagued by injuries and in 1978 her ranking dropped to world No.24. However, she still won three singles’ titles and reached three other finals in 1979 and won the final title of her singles’ career in 1980 at the Brighton International.

She won her last doubles’ title in 1982 at Cincinnati and played her last professional match in 1984 when injuries forced her to retire from tennis. In all, she had won 15 singles’ titles and 12 doubles’ titles with notable wins over famous players including Chris Evert, Billie Jean King Rosie Casals and Pam Shriver.

After a short break – and to the surprise of some tennis luminaries like Martina Navratilova who, on Sue’s retirement this year, said how shy she had been then – she began a broadcasting career in Australia.

Fortunately for the UK, in 1993 the BBC recognised both her broadcasting skills and her current tennis knowledge.

The following year, she started presenting coverage from the Wimbledon tennis championships, Unsurprisingly, her depth of knowledge about the game and about the life of touring tennis players and her natural warmth brought a fresh perspective to the coverage.

She knew so many of the players personally – many obviously liked her and chatted happily with such an old friend and viewers benefitted from such an informed, informal approach. She asked pertinent questions that added to viewers’ understanding of individuals and the game and made Wimbledon coverage more accessible and enjoyable.

John McEnroe put it beautifully succinctly on her final day when he told a tearful Sue that Wimbledon “just wouldn’t be the same anymore” without her.

Sue’s sunny smile and ready sense of humour, alongside her professionalism, also took her into other areas of broadcasting. She became the presenter of BBC’s very popular programme A Question of Sport and there was an outcry when she was replaced last year. Many viewers are still lobbying for her return.

She was awarded the MBE in 2000 for services to tennis and broadcasting and the OBE in 2016 for her services to sport, broadcasting and charity.

Sue has been happily married to landscape gardener and former policeman Lance Tankard since 1988 and the couple live in Stanton, Gloucestershire.

However, before she met Lance, Sue was in a relationship with famous Australian golfer Greg Norman. But it was when she got together with singer Cliff Richard that the British media went wild.

In her just published autobiography, Calling the Shots, she recalled how the relationship started when she met Hank Marvin and Brian Bennett from his backing group who were on tour and staying at her hotel when she was playing in Brighton.

She got them tickets to her match. Cliff, a huge tennis fan, got her number from them and called her asking her to go to the Shadows’ concert with him.

This was the start of a relationship that must have been hard to maintain for both of them. Sue was playing on the tennis circuit around the world and Cliff was fulfilling his own tour engagements in different countries.

The British press loved this romantic story of two famous names linked but the relationship only lasted a matter of months. As Sue states in her book:

“It felt to me like a friendship that had the potential to develop, rather than a significant romantic relationship, because we hadn’t taken it far – and I’m not just talking about sex.”

The long ago romance, though, has always struck a chord in the public psyche and there is no doubt there will be questions about her and Cliff when she tours the UK during October talking about her career and life in and out of tennis.

• For more information about her tour go to

ENSURE YOUR HEALTH AND WELFARE WITH A POWER OF ATTORNEY

The issue of care and welfare is gaining more and more coverage in the media. It’s not surprising really as there are more of us living well in to old age. Not only that, mental health and wellbeing is high on the social agenda.

The subject presents a thorny question; how will you be looked after if anything happens to you? If you’re diagnosed with a degenerative mental condition, such as dementia what will you do? If you need care because you’ve been involved in an accident that’s left you mentally unable to cope on your own, or if you simply need more help as you age, whether that be at home or in a residential care facility, how

will you ensure you’re wellbeing is taken care of?

From a legal perspective, there’s a simple answer: a Lasting Power of Attorney. This is a legal document which allows a person (the donor) to select another person, or persons, to act on their behalf if they can no longer do it for themselves.

There are two types of power of attorney; property and financial affairs which gives someone of your choosing the authority to make decisions about your money and assets – paying bills, collecting benefits, selling your home – and a health and welfare Power of Attorney. This gives an attorney (the person you selected to act

Judith Bromley Russell & Russell

for you) the authority to make decisions about your lifestyle. This includes any medication you may need, where you live, what you eat and even whether you’re given life sustaining treatment or not.

Health and Welfare Power of Attorneys are increasingly being taken up because many care homes are asking for them now. Even if people are receiving care at home, more local authorities are seeking confirmation that there is one in place and who has the authority to deal with the council on the donor’s behalf.

Before a Power of Attorney to be implemented it has to be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. Your solicitor will do this for you. Once set up and registered, a Health and Welfare Power of Attorney can only be activated at a time when you’ve lost mental capacity.

The advantage of setting up a Power of Attorney is that it gives you options. Perhaps the most important one is that it allows you to choose who you want to look after you rather who the state thinks should act for you.

You can appoint as many attorneys as you like who can make decisions for you collectively or you can give individuals authority on specific matters. Although your attorney has as much decision making power as you, you can limit their complete control if you have concerns. Your solicitor will be able to discuss this with you.

When it comes to choosing an attorney, you should think about how well the person looks after their own affairs. Are they good with money, do they make foolish or rash decisions? Do you know the person well and, more importantly, do you trust them to make decisions in your best interests? After all, they’re likely to be making what could be some very important decisions on your behalf.

For a Health and Welfare Power of Attorney, you can choose anyone over the age of 18. The usual choices are a spouse or relative. You can also appoint a friend to the task or even your solicitor. If, for any reason, your attorney is unable or unwilling to act for you, you can stipulate a replacement.

Finally, a Power of Attorney gives you peace of mind.

Putting one in place ensures that there’ll be someone on hand who can manage you affairs if you can’t. If you choose not to set up a Power of Attorney and you need someone to act for you, your family will have to apply for a Deputyship with the Court of Protection. The problem with this is that it’s a costly and time consuming process (around six months) during which time the Court will decide what happens to you, not your loved ones.

There’s also the risk that the Court will appoint a Deputy which may not be a family member or a person you would have chosen. While all this is being sorted out, your assets will be frozen which could mean your loved ones end up paying for your care, medication and any other expense you need until the Deputy has been appointed.

If you’re interested in setting up a health and Welfare Power of Attorney, Russell & Russell offers a free no obligation consultation to discuss your circumstances and needs.

russellrussell.co.uk

Re-Appreciating your Home

vertical blinds to roller blinds and from Roman to Venetian, vision blinds and pleated.

Take an honest re-appraisal of the OUTSIDE of your house and see if that smart exterior you originally bought into is long gone and might need a fresh coat of paint or new fascia boards.

Is it still the welcoming place you remember or does your FRONT DOOR need painting or replacing with something more modern and brighter?

A front door that allows in plenty of light can transform a HALL so it’s well worth the investment and taking a look around local suppliers. And while we’re in the hall, does it give a positive first impression of who you are?

JUST when you’re looking around your home and considering moving or drastic renovation a visitor praises your property and forces you to re-consider your views.

Every now and then, it’s a good idea to re-appreciate your home and remember just what attracted you to it in the first place. This may have been its location, its sunny outlook, airy rooms, its living flowthrough or simply its potential.

It’s good to recall what drew you to it and remember those feelings.

It also helps that re-appreciation to take a quick sensory tour of your home and recall the pleasures – your cosy couch, the warmth of the sun coming through your lounge windows or the feel of a fluffy rug under your feet.

Have you got lovely neighbours? Is the area pleasant and convenient for your lifestyle, your work and your social life? Can you live in that property comfortably within your means?

If you listen to your visitors’ opinions, you may well see your home through a fresh pair of eyes and be pleasantly surprised.

However, if you find that you’re still not 100 per cent happy with where you are, consider using all those pluses you’ve re-recognised and improving them.

Those lovely WINDOWS that let in the light so well may need enhancing or even changing, perhaps to double-glazed windows that help keep insulation costs down.

Or, you may need to re-think the current curtains. Are they too dark and don’t enhance the sunny rays that light up your room? New curtains don’t have to cost a fortune and opting for full-length ones can make your room look much larger.

Blinds today come in all kinds of styles and patterns so pop along to your local store or go online to see how they can enhance any window. You’ll be amazed at the latest styles – everything from

If not, it may be that you need to declutter it – move all those coats and shoes into a cupboard or shoe-racks, decorate in bright colours and add a large mirror to reflect light and give an illusion of space if it needs it.

A change of FLOORING can make a huge difference to any area of the house but especially in the popular areas like the lounge and kitchen where family members tend to gather.

Whether it’s carpet, wood, eco-friendly bamboo or tiles, new or different flooring can make you take that fresh look at your home and learn to re-love it.

Wooden flooring with attractive rugs can be particularly effective in a lounge, especially with a log-burning fire or open fireplace. The glow just seems to start there and emanate around the room so if you always liked the cosiness of your lounge, here’s a chance to enjoy it once more.

As we go into the chillier months, it’s worth ensuring your CENTRAL HEATING is working properly. You can’t re-appreciate your home if you’re shivering!

Do you need a new boiler? Bring in a qualified Gas Safe engineer near you - to find them go to https://www.gassaferegister. co.uk/ or try British Gas at https://www.britishgas.co.uk/homeservices/boilers-and-heating/guides/trusted-gas-engineer.html

Check on DRAUGHTS in your home for the same reason and take a special look around doors and windows. This is going to be a particularly energy-conscious Winter and draught-proofing is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to save energy and save money.

Uncontrolled draughts just blow money out of the door or window. The Energy Saving Trust states you could probably save around £45 a year by draught-proofing doors and windows and, if you have an open chimney, when you’re not using it draughtproofing could save around £65 a year.

Just remember that your property still needs ventilation with air flowing in and out of your home to stay fresh, dry and healthy. So make sure you don’t block or seal any intentional ventilation like extractor fans, underfloor grilles or airbricks, wall vents or trickle vents on modern windows.

KITCHENS can look outdated and unloved but you don’t have to make a big investment to change your mind on yours. New doors or worktops can make a real difference and just changing the colour scheme and adding updated modern taps, for example, can make you love it again.

The same is true of BEDROOMS where units may just need updating. Call in a local bedroom furniture supplier that has either done work for someone you know who can recommend them or has positive reviews posted online.

A change of relaxing colour scheme here can also soon make you re-appreciate this important room. Even something much cheaper like changing the colour of the bedding and curtains can make a dramatic difference.

When thinking of a new BATHROOM. The same idea of changing accessories can help you re-like your bathroom. Change the shower curtain and add matching bathroom accessories or bring in plants in matching pots.

If you are improving your home, it’s worth keeping in mind as a homeowner that you might be able to get help towards interest payments on your mortgage and/or loans you’ve taken out for certain repairs and improvements.

Many conser vator y owners have installed additional heating but become concerned about rising energy bills. They may have considered a solid tiled roof this is where Sagars 365 can help.

SAGARS 365, KEEPING CONSERVATORIES WARM IN WINTER AND COOL IN SUMMER

Many conservatory owners have installed additional heating but become concerned about rising energy bills. They may have considered a solid tiled roof but been put off by the cost – this is where Sagars 365 can help.

you might expect.

Many conservatory owners have installed additional heating but become concerned about rising energy bills. They may have considered a solid tiled roof but been put off by the cost – this is where Sagars 365 can help.

The family-run Yorkshire based company use their revolutionar y insulation system to turn conser vatories into rooms that can be used ever y day of the year by minimising condensation, reducing noise in bad weather, reducing heat loss in winter by over 90% as well as keeping the heat out in summer. The cost is less than

The family-run Yorkshire based company use their revolutionary insulation system to turn conservatories into rooms that can be used every day of the year by minimising condensation, reducing noise in bad weather, reducing heat loss in winter by over 90% as well as keeping the heat out in summer. The cost is less than

The family-run Yorkshire based company use their revolutionary insulation system to turn conservatories into rooms that can be used every day of the year by minimising condensation, reducing noise in bad weather, reducing heat loss in winter by over 90% as well as keeping the heat out in summer. The cost is less than you might expect. Typically costing 75% less than a solid tiled roof.A polycarbonate roofed, lean to c o n s e r v a t o r y starts at just £1,999 including VAT.

Typically costing 75% less than a solid tiled roof.A polycarbonate roofed, lean to conservatory starts at just £1,899 including VAT.

you might expect. Typically costing 75% less than a solid tiled roof.A pol y ca r bon a t e roofed, lean to c o ns e r va t o r y star ts at just £1,899 including VAT. With interest free credit you could spread the cost over 6 or 10 months (subject to approval). The work is typically completed in one day and you can choose either a tongue and groove PVC or premium plastered

With interest-free credit you could spread the cost over 6 or 10 months (subject to approval). The work is typically completed in one day and you can choose either a tongue and groove PVC or premium plastered finish.

With interestfree credit you could spread the cost over 6 or 10 months (subject to approval). The work is typically completed in one day and you can choose either a tongue and groove PVC or premium plastered finish.

Sagars 365 is a company that you can trust they have an overall ‘Excellent’ rating on

Trustpilot, they ’re a Which?

10 year guarantee. All the work is carried out by Sagars in-house team. No deposit required. If you’re looking to keep your conser vator y warm in winter and cool in summer, call Sagars 365 on (01132) 224060 to arrange a free, no obligation sur vey and quote.

Trustpilot, they’re a Which? Trusted trader and offer a 10-year guarantee. All the work is carried out by Sagars in-house team. No deposit required. If you’re looking to keep your conservatory warm in winter and cool in summer,

Sagars 365 is a company that you can trust - they have an overall ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot, they’re a Which? Trusted trader and offer a 10-year guarantee. All the work is carried out by Sagars in-house team. No deposit required. If you’re looking to keep your conservatory warm in winter and cool in summer, call Sagars 365 Bolton on 01204 827131 or Bury on 0161 822 0034 to arrange a free, no obligation survey and quote.

Sagars 365 is a company that you can trust - they have an overall ‘Excellent’ rating on

us to improve their conservatories because we offer:

• Cost-effective alternative to a solid tiled roof Choice of PVC or plastered finishes

survey

FESTIVE PLANTS THAT ARE EASY TO CARE FOR

big blooms upright. Plant the bulbs no later than the beginning of November and keep the soil moist, but not drenched. When flowering, the bright red blooms will enjoy a semi-cool, humid spot in the home with bright, indirect light and plenty of moisture. In spring, return the plant to a sunny area and water well.

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)

Poinsettias are a pretty, bright plant that is widely grown indoors over Christmas for their beautiful, red bracts. They should only be watered once the compost has begun to dry out. Overwatering poinsettias can really damage the plant, instead, regularly misting the plant with a spray bottle is beneficial, especially when flowering.

Red Lion (Amaryllis)

Brits are being offered advice on the easiest festive house plants to care for this Christmas.

Experts at GardeningExpress.co.uk have investigated the low maintenance plants to make the perfect Christmas centrepiece.

They’ve looked at varieties including traditional festive foliage choices like poinsettia, holly, and rosemary, all the way to unusual blooms like the Christmas cactus, desert roses and African violets.

Festive families looking to take an organic approach to their Christmas decorations can also take inspiration and deck their halls with pretty plants.

With growing concerns about plastic use, they’re much more eco-friendly options and are reusable year after year with the right care.

Chris Bonnett from GardeningExpress.co.uk said: “There are some fantastically festive plants and flowers which are easy to care for during the chillier months and will add the spirit of Christmas to any room.

“Many of these blooms also make for beautiful presents, so are worth bearing in mind when buying for green-fingered friends or family members.”

“Whilst these varieties are easy to care for, they can be pretty picky with heat and light. A windowsill might seem like a good idea, but the temperature really fluctuates in front of the glass in the winter, especially if there’s a radiator underneath,

“Avoid draughts and hot spots near radiators or fires too. Instead, display them somewhere that’s bright yet maintains a steady temperature.”

GardeningExpress.co.uk’s seven festive plants that are easy to care for:

Red Lion (Amaryllis)

The massive, six-pointed amaryllis bloom makes an impressive festive decoration and a support stake will be handy for keeping

Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera)

The Christmas cactus is nothing to do with either the Christmas tradition or the story of Christ’s birth, but they are easy to maintain during cooler months. They look amazing too, flowering from late November all the way to late January. They will live happily in humid environments like kitchens and bathrooms, as they grow in tropical rainforests in the wild. During the summer months, when the risk of frost has gone, they can be placed outside. This will help to ripen new growth and encourages flowering. Keep them in a shady spot and protect them from slugs

Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera)

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)

Rosemary (Salvia Rosmarinus)

Rosemary is the most authentic Christmas plant about, as it’s thought to be one of the plants in the manger where baby Jesus was cradled.

The plant is an attractive evergreen shrub with needle-like leaves, and it is super easy to care for. Provide the herb with well-drained, sandy soil and a solid amount of sunlight. These plants thrive in warm, humid environments and should be moved into a cosy spot in the home over the winter months.

Desert Rose (Adenium)

These strong plants are native to regions with warm climates, so should be kept out of the cold at all costs. When kept as a house plant, they are the perfect specimens for nervous or novice gardeners. A fat trunk is an indicator of health on this plant, whereas a skinny stem is the plant screaming that it needs watering.

African violets (Saintpaulia)

Whilst these aren’t the easiest plant to look after, they are blooming gorgeous. They take up a small amount of space in the home and can make a delightful display when a few are bunched together. African violet plants should be watered when the soil doesn’t feel moist with lukewarm or tepid water which has been left to stand for 48 hours. These fussy flowers will be well worth the beautiful blooms that come during colder climates.

Holly (Ilex)

This Christmas classic is a symbol of eternal life and fertility. Back in the day, people believed that hanging the plant in homes would bring good luck and protection. When grown in the home, holly will thrive in moist soil positioned in slight suntraps. However, they aren’t just limited to December along with the decorations, they make a lovely year-round houseplant.

GROWING HERBS FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS DINNER

Families wanting to cook Christmas dinner with their own freshly grown herbs are being offered advice on how to grow them over winter.

The experts at GardeningExpress. co.uk shared how to keep herbs alive and tasty over the colder months.

Mint is perfect for making lamb sauce, fresh parsley is tasty with turkey and sage is a great all-rounder with legends linking it to Mary and baby Jesus.

Some herbs are stable enough to withstand frost and snow, whereas others will be setting up camp in the house or conservatory.

Chris Bonnett from Gardening Express said: “Tender herbs, like basil, are likely to only come dried or frozen by the time Christmas rolls around.

“However, Christmas dinner always tastes best fresh. Festive classics like thyme and rosemary are very hardy and can withstand snowy weather.

“Others, like oregano, can be grown inside during chillier months. All they usually need is a well-draining soil, container, and a sunny windowsill.”

Gardening Express’ seven herbs to grow this winter:

Myrtle

This tasty herb has been grown in England since the 16th century and the berries go beautifully with game and pork. The leaves and flowers can also be dried and added to potpourri for a fresh scent.

Sadly, the myrtle plant isn’t hardy. Over the winter months, it needs plenty of protection and will be happy in a conservatory or greenhouse.

Mint

Mint is a festive favourite, its addition in sauce to accompany meat, mojitos and warm water as a refreshing drink is very welcome.

The plants will thrive indoors and will provide fresh leaves throughout the whole of winter.

Rosemary

Rosemary is perfect on roast potatoes but also makes a great plate decoration during the winter too. Plants and small trees are easy to pick up throughout the year and will happily live outside. However, it is best to keep the plant above freezing. A garage or hallway is a good choice.

Sage

The strong aroma and lovely taste of the sage plant make it a handy herb to have around. They love sitting on bright windowsills and will produce leaves all year round. Its strong, intense flavour is perfect in Christmas day stuffing.

After the sage leaves have been picked, they can be kept in the fridge, frozen, dried, or preserved in oil.

Thyme

The more neglect the thyme plant experiences, the tastier it apparently is, so bad gardeners should opt for this herb. The plant will happily grow in poor soil whilst rarely getting watered. However, they will need mulching during frosty periods.

Parsley

Hardy herbs like parsley are likely to keep growing outside, even during snowfall. When cold their growth will significantly slow down and parsley tastes best when freshly picked. For this reason, consider bringing them indoors to ensure a big crop to pick from.

Leaves can be harvested the leaves begin curling and for optimal flavour, pick from the plant early in the morning.

Oregano

Oregano is another plant that hates the frost and should be kept inside during chilly spells as they will die out if not. Come spring they are happy outdoors in full sun and in well-drained soil as the drought-tolerant herbs need watering only during extremely dry periods.

Protecting plants from bad weather

With the height of winter approaching, gardeners are being offered the best ways to protect plants over the chilly months.

The experts at GardeningExpress.co.uk have pulled together the best ways to make sure your plants survive the drop in temperature and shorter days.

Tips include insulating plant pots with bubble wrap, making mulch and recycling old bottles to save the plants and some pennies.

Preventative measures, like sheltering plants, clearing up spaces and insulating soils work great, but sometimes extra steps need to be taken to keep plants healthy.

Chris Bonnett from GardeningExpress. co.uk said: “Over summer, gardens provide a sanctuary away from the business of life, but over winter they start to look dilapidated.

“The youngest plants in the garden are most likely to be affected by harsh weather. However, even the hardiest varieties sometimes become damaged over a long cold spell.

“If you spot damage to any plant, it is best to remove it straight away to stop it spreading elsewhere. Look at any winter upset as an opportunity to improve your garden skills and make your plants stronger as a result.”

GardeningExpress.co.uk’s tips to protecting plants this winter

Bubble wrap

Gently covering delicate plants with bubble wrap can insulate the plant and keep it protected against some harsher weather. Covering the top of the soil with a wrap is a good idea too, as it will protect it from going through frequent periods of freezing and thawing. Get ahead of the game and start potting next year’s plants in bubble wrap lined pots in anticipation of the next chill.

Secure structures

Plants often rely on leaning against structures, like sheds, fences, and walls to grow to their full potential.

Make sure that these structures are strong enough to make it through the windy, rainy, and cold winter. Plants trained against walls can be protected from the cold with fleece-covered frames.

Remove damaged shoots and limbs

Before any turbulent weather, it is a good idea to streamline plants by removing any dead shoots. This will also reduce the risk of any long limbs or branches snapping and tangling.

Come inside

When ice or frost is forecast, take the more sensitive plants and offer them some shelter. Somewhere unheated is best. Plants will hate being brought inside the home, as it will be too hot, but consider clearing out space in the shed or garage for them to live.

Recycled plastic bottles

Individual plants can also be protected using homemade “mini cloches” made from plastic drinks bottles. To create this type of cloche, simply cut the top and bottom of the bottom before placing it around the plant. This method should protect delicate leaves on young plants from chilly temperatures. You should try to remove these cloches each morning to ensure the air inside does not overheat and damage the plant.

Mulch

Mulch can be made using organic matter like decaying leaves, bark, straw, or compost. Placing it around the roots of plants will help insulate and protect them from the cold, however, it only tends to work with hardier plants.

Cutting

Winter throws lots of challenges at gardeners and no matter how well looked after your plants are, there is still a small risk of them dying. It’s a great idea to keep the plant tags that comes with non-perennial plants or take a cutting from perennials that are a worry.

Your table awaits...

Your table awaits...

Christmas Festive Menu

Served all day, every day! 28th November to 23rd December

Starters

Th e G a r d e n Ro o m

The Garden Room

The true heart and soul of the The Cherry Tree. The dining room everyone is talking about. Our Garden room will leave you breathless with its stunning blossom tree decor, spacious booths, beautifully designed cocktail bar and clear views of the Garden. The Garden Room is perfect for all occasions.

The true hear t and soul of the The Cherr y Tree. The dining room ever yone is talking about Our Garden room will leave you breathless with its stunning blossom tree decor, spacious booths, beautifully designed cocktail bar and clear views of the Garden. The Garden Room is per fect for all occasions.

Roasted Celeriac & Chestnut Soup (Ve) toasted walnuts, apple

Baked Beetroot & Quinoa Salad (V) smoked almonds, feta cheese, sticky balsamic dressing Ham Hock & Lancashire Cheese Terrine winter spiced piccalilli, red cabbage slaw

Warm Smoked Salmon & Prawn Crumpet poached egg, Marie Rose, Hollandaise sauce

The Con servatory

Mains

Th e G a r d e n Ter r a c e

The Garden Terrace

Braised Blade of Beef Casserole suet dumplings, charred Savoy cabbage

Six beautiful oral decorated booths, boasting views of the garden room and our garden area. This dining terrace can be fully opened on those summer days making it the perfect spot to enjoy al fresco dining and cocktails in the sun.

room and our garden area This dining terrace can be fully opened on those summer days making it the per fect spot to enjoy al fresco dining and cocktails in the sun.

Curried Smoked Haddock Risotto parsnip bhajis, minted yoghurt, mango chutney Turkey Dinner

sage and onion stuffing, duck fat roast potatoes, creamed mash, sprouts, roasted root vegetables, turkey gravy

Winter Vegetable & Lentil Hot Pot (V) braised red cabbage, winter greens, gravy

Desserts

Giant Warm Fig Roll boozy orange cream, Christmas pudding ice cream

Sticky Toffee Pudding warm caramel sauce, vanilla ice cream

Th e Bl o ss o m Lo u n g e

The Blossom Lounge

Warm Red Currant & Walnut Doughnuts honey yoghurt dip

With luscious foliage and jungle tex tures, this room will cer tainly not disappoint.

With luscious foliage and jungle textures, this room will certainly not disappoint. Moon shaped booths alongside natural light from our garden area make this the perfect room to impress your guests and ‘enjoy it all.’

Moon shaped booths alongside natural light from our garden area make this the per fect room to impress your guests and ‘enjoy it all.’

The Public Bar and Cocktail Lounge

Th e Pu b l i c Ba r a n d C o c k t a i l Lo u n g e

Chocolate & Roasted Hazelnut Tart mascarpone and grappa cream, candied winter fruits

Nestled between our public bar and conservatory dining room is the blossom lounge. Impressive blossom trees hug the walls and ceiling, making this area perfect for intimate dining and amazing for group reservations.

Nestled between our public bar and conser vator y dining room is the blossom lounge Impressive blossom trees hug the walls and ceiling, making this area per fect for intimate dining and amazing for group reser vations.

Two courses £27.95 | Three courses £31.95

The Bar at the Cherry Tree is a destination in its own right. A perfect place to meet family, friends, go on a date, enjoy pre-dinner drinks or celebrate a special occasion. Our Bar Manager and his team have curated an exciting, contemporary cocktail menu, heavily in uenced by their trips all over the world.

The Bar at the Cherr y Tree is a destination in its own right A perfect place to meet family, friends, go on a date, enjoy pre dinner drinks or celebrate a special occasion. Our Bar Manager and his team have curated an exciting, by their trips all over the world.

01257 481234 | ww w cherr y treeblackrod co uk

Chorley Road | Blackrod | Bolton | BL6 5L A

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TODAY

Coming soon... our New Menu

Our newly created menu will be launched on Monday 28th November.

Our newly created menu will be launched on Monday 22nd August. Our menus combine unpretentious modern British avours whilst focusing on strong classical techniques to create our take on modern British dining. We only use locally sourced produce from all of our chosen suppliers, working with the seasons, making us the Best Restaurant in Bolton.

Our menus combine unpretentious modern British flavours whilst focusing on strong classical techniques to create our take on modern British dining. We only use locally sourced produce from all of our chosen suppliers, working with the seasons, making us the Best Restaurant in Bolton.

Our main menu has been carefully created by our chefs whose intention is for you to experience new, interesting dishes with exciting avours.

Our main menu has been carefully created by our chefs whose intention is for you to experience new, interesting dishes with exciting flavours.

On Sundays, we also have delicious, succulent roast dinner options available too!

On Sundays, we also have delicious, succulent roast dinner options available too!

Food items only

(Beverages excluded) until October 31st. Please cut out and bring this advert with you to claim this discount. Offer valid Monday to Thursday only.

ww w.cherr y treeblackrod.co.uk

www.cherrytreeblackrod.co.uk

20% Off Chorley Road | Blackrod | Bolton | BL6 5LA

ww w.cherr y treeblackrod.co.uk

(Beverages excluded) until November 30th Please cut out and bring this adver t with you to cl aim this discount Of fer valid Monday to Thursday only Chorley Road | Blackrod | Bolton | BL6 5L A

(Beverages excluded) until Oc tober 31st Please cut out and bring this adver t with you to cl aim this discount Of fer valid Monday to Thursday only Chorley Road | Blackrod | Bolton | BL6 5L A

THEO RANDALL’S ITALIAN PANTRY

Theo Randall’s passion for food was born from regular family holidays across Europe and from a young age he was destined for a culinary future. His career began as a waiter at London’s acclaimed Chez Max and after only a few weeks, Max Magarian noted Theo’s talents and invited him to work in the kitchen where he spent the next four years following an apprenticeship in classic French cuisine. In 1989, Theo joined the up-and-coming River Café and quickly found his culinary home with the legendary Ruth Rogers and Rose Gray MBE. After a year’s secondment cooking alongside Alice Waters at Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California, Theo returned to The River Café and brought inspiration from the bountiful Californian produce he had been working with. Theo then remained at River Café for a further 15 years as head chef and it was under his patronage that the restaurant received its first Michelin star in 1997. He left to launch Theo Randall at the InterContinental, which opened in November 2006. His commitment to delivering rustic produce-driven Italian food from the prestigious address of No. 1 Park Lane has earned him loyal followers and rave reviews from critics and food-lovers. While he is a regular on national television, including BBC One’s, Saturday Kitchen, Theo remains true to his culinary roots and can be found at the restaurant most services. He has published three successful recipe books: PASTA (2006), My Simple Italian (2015) and The Italian Deli Cookbook (2021), and his latest book, The Italian Pantry, released on 1 September 2022.

TAGLIATELLE WITH MUSHROOMS, PINE NUTS AND PANCETTA

This recipe is a perfect midweek dinner; easy to prep and comforting to eat. There are lots of really good, dried egg tagliatelle pastas on the market – I always go for the brands Rumo or Giovanni Cocco. Or, of course, you could always make fresh pasta.

Serves 2–3

Ingredients

• 100g (3½oz) pancetta, cut into matchsticks

• 75g (2½oz) pine nuts

• 250g (9oz) chestnut mushrooms, thinly sliced

• 1 garlic clove, finely sliced

• 1 teaspoon thyme leaves

• juice of ½ lemon

• 100g (3½oz) mascarpone

• 250g (9oz) dried tagliatelle

• 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves

• 75g (2½oz) parmesan, grated, to serve

• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

Heat a large, heavy-based saucepan over a medium heat. When hot, add the pancetta to the dry pan and leave it to cook for a few minutes, until the fat has rendered and the pancetta is crispy. Add the pine nuts and cook for about 1 minute, until they are a light golden colour. Remove the pancetta and pine nuts from the pan with a slotted spoon and set them aside to drain on kitchen paper. Leave the fat in the pan. Add the mushrooms to the pan over a medium heat. Fry until the mushrooms have released their liquid and become syrupy, then add the garlic and thyme and fry for 2 minutes more. Add the lemon juice and

season with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat down to low and stir in the mascarpone. Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the tagliatelle and cook for 2 minutes less than the packet suggests, then, using tongs, transfer the pasta to the pan with the mascarpone mixture. Add a ladleful of the pasta cooking water and stir through the parsley. Mix everything together with a wooden spoon and cook for 1 minute, adding another ladleful of pasta cooking water if the tagliatelle feels a little dry. Toss the pasta so it is juicy and coated in the sauce. Serve the tagliatelle in warm bowls with the crispy pancetta, pine nuts and a little extra parmesan sprinkled on top.

MEATBALLS IN TOMATO SAUCE WITH BURRATA AND CROSTINI

This dish was on the menu at Theo’s Simple Italian in Kensington – sadly, the restaurant is no longer, but the dish is still very much a classic. The richness of the meatballs with the vibrant tomato sauce is very comforting and it’s a perfect dish to serve to a large gathering. I love the addition of the chopped burrata, as it makes the tomato sauce taste even sweeter and adds a soft, creamy texture. Scale the quantities up or down as required.

Serves 4 Ingredients

• 1 ciabatta or sourdough loaf, cut into thin slices

• 1 garlic clove, to rub

• 1 x 150g (5½oz) burrata sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the meatballs

• 400g (14oz) pork mince (ground pork)

• 400g (14oz) beef mince (ground beef)

• 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves

• 1 garlic clove, crushed to a paste with a little sea salt

• 3 tablespoons whole milk

• 100g (3½oz) dried breadcrumbs

• 75g (2½oz) parmesan, finely grated

• 3 eggs

• 1 teaspoon sea salt

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

For the tomato sauce

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 garlic clove, finely sliced

• 1 teaspoon chopped thyme (not lemon thyme)

• 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped

• 600g (1lb 5 oz) tomato passata

Method

Place all ingredients for the meatballs into a large bowl and combine to form a firm, evenly distributed mixture. Cover your hands in olive oil, take a generous tablespoon of the mixture and roll it between your palms to form a meatball the size of a golf ball. Repeat until you have used all the mixture – you should have 16 meatballs. Place them on a tray in the fridge to firm up for 30 minutes.

Place a large, non-stick, ovenproof frying pan over a high heat and add a tablespoon or so of olive oil. When the oil is hot, begin browning the meatballs (in batches if necessary), ensuring you don’t cook them completely – a little colour on the outside is perfect. Once they are all browned off, remove them from the pan and leave them to one side while you make your tomato sauce. Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/400°F/Gas 6. Make the tomato sauce. Add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil to the pan and set it back over a medium heat. When hot, add the garlic, thyme and chilli. Simmer for 1 minute, then add the passata. Cook gently for 15 minutes, or until the sauce has reduced by half. Season the sauce and take the pan off the heat.

Place the meatballs in the pan on top of the sauce, evenly spaced, then transfer the pan to the oven and bake for 20 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through. Leave to one side for 5 minutes to cool slightly (leave the oven on). Drizzle a little oil over your ciabatta slices and sprinkle them with some sea salt. Place them on a baking sheet and bake them for 4 minutes, or until crispy, then rub them all over with the garlic clove. Meanwhile, finely chop the burrata, then use a spoon to drop dollops all over the baked meatballs. Give everything a sprinkle of sea salt and a good grinding of black pepper, then serve in the middle of the table alongside the crostini and let everyone help themselves.

AUBERGINE AND COURGETTE LASAGNE

Method

Serves 6 Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 2 red onions, finely sliced

• 500g (1lb 2oz) courgettes (zucchini), cut into 1cm (½in) rounds

• 1 garlic clove, finely sliced

• 500g (1lb 2oz) tomato passata

• 8 basil leaves, roughly torn

• 3 aubergines (eggplants), sliced into 2cm (¾in) rounds

• 300g (10½oz) egg-based dried lasagne

• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the béchamel

• 75g (2½oz) unsalted butter

• 75g (2½oz) plain (all-purpose) flour

• 500ml (17fl oz) whole milk, warmed to just below boiling point

• 150g (5½oz) parmesan, grated, plus extra for sprinkling

My mother used to make the most delicious lasagne – I used to get so excited when I knew it was coming. She was brilliant at making the béchamel sauce – it was always perfectly creamy but never thick and floury. The trick to this was to cook it very slowly and use equal quantities of flour and butter. This is a vegetable lasagne, but it has as much flavour as the traditional meaty offering because you roast the aubergines (eggplant) first. Try to use egg-based lasagne sheets as they tend to have more flavour and are not as brittle when you cook them (or, better still, make your own sheets of pasta).

Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/400°F/Gas 6. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Once hot, add the onions, courgettes (zucchini) and a good seasoning of salt. Cook for 20 minutes, until the onion and courgettes are soft. Heat another tablespoon of the olive oil in a separate saucepan, then add the garlic. Fry the garlic for 30 seconds, then add the passata and cook the mixture gently for 20 minutes, until reduced by half. Season with salt and pepper, then stir through the basil.

Brush both sides of the aubergine (eggplant) slices with olive oil and season them with salt. Place the aubergines in an even layer on a baking sheet lined with baking paper. Bake them for 15 minutes, then turn them over and bake them for a further 15 minutes. Remove the slices from the oven and, when they are cool enough to handle, cut them into halfmoons. Set them aside and leave the oven on.

To make the béchamel, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over a low heat. When the butter has melted, add the flour and cook it out for a couple of minutes, stirring to combine. Next, add the hot milk and stir continuously to avoid any lumps forming. Cook the sauce gently for 20 minutes, stirring all the while, until smooth and thickened, then mix in the parmesan and check the seasoning. Leave to one side.

Mix the aubergines, courgettes, onions and tomato sauce together in a large bowl and check that everything is seasoned well. Use the remaining olive oil to oil a baking dish, then place a layer of lasagne sheets in the base of the dish. Add one-third of the vegetable mixture in an even layer, then top this with one-quarter of the béchamel sauce. Repeat this twice more, then finish with a layer of lasagne sheets and a final layer of béchamel sauce. Sprinkle the top with some more parmesan, then bake the lasagne for 35 minutes, until the pasta is cooked and the top is golden. Serve with a little extra grated parmesan on top, if you like.

AMALFI LEMON CHEESECAKE

This has to be one of the easiest and tastiest cheesecakes around. Ricotta is used in place of cream cheese, making for a much lighter mouthful, however this means that it’s important to allow enough time for the cheesecake to set fully – ideally you’d make it a day in advance. The best ricotta to use for this is sheep’s milk ricotta, but you will only find this in Italian delis or in a farm shop that sells local cheese.

Serves 8 Ingredients

• 200g (7oz) cantuccini biscuits

• 75g (2¾oz) unsalted butter

• 50g (2oz) light brown soft sugar

• 500g (1lb 2oz) ricotta, drained

• 100g (3½oz) mascarpone

• zest and juice of 2 Amalfi lemons

• 125g (4½oz) icing sugar, sifted

Method

Tip the cantuccini into a food processor and blitz them to a fine crumb. Alternatively, place them in a Ziplock bag and bash them with a rolling pin or saucepan. Set aside. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over a low heat, then add the blitzed cantuccini biscuits and the sugar. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute, then take the pan off the heat. Tip the mixture into a 22cm (8½in) non-stick springform cake tin, pressing the buttery crumbled biscuits over the base to create a biscuit base. Transfer the tin to the fridge while you make the ricotta filling. Using a hand-held electric whisk or a wooden spoon, beat together the ricotta, mascarpone, lemon zest and juice and icing (confectioner’s) sugar in a large mixing bowl for 4 minutes, until the mixture is creamy and light. Spoon the ricotta mixture into the springform tin and spread it out into an even layer over the base. Refrigerate to set for a minimum of 3 hours, but preferably overnight, before releasing the cheesecake from the tin. Transfer it to a serving plate and top with extra lemon zest before slicing.

The Italian Pantry by Theo Randall (Quadrille, £26).

Photography: Lizzie Mayson.

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

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

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

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. 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

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

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.

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

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

Bury Head Office 2 Manchester Road, Bury Lancashire, BL9 0DT. Tel: 0161 764 5266

Little Lever Office 58 Market Street, Little Lever Bolton, BL3 1HN. Tel: 01204 709959 www.clough-willis.co.uk @BurySolicitor

Are your dentures holding you back

A smile is one of the most basic, biologically uniform expressions of all humans. Smiling is not just a universal means of communicating, it’s also aw frequent one. More than 30% of us smile more than 20 times a day and less than 14% of us smile less than 5 times a day.

Smiling has a host of benefits which include:

Mood Boosting - Psychologists have found that even if you’re in a bad mood smiling can lift your spirits. Boost your immunity - smiling makes your body more relaxed and contributes to a good health and stronger immunity.

Relieves Stress - Smiling releases endorphins which reduce stress and change your mood. Even forcing a smile has the same effect.

Lowering blood pressure - Reducing stress and smiling can also help lower blood pressure. Smiles are infectious - Not only do others smile when we smile but studies also suggest we appear more attractive to others when we smile.

What if you don’t like your smile, do you suffer from loose poorly fitted or broken dentures? Here at The Bolton Denture Centre we have been helping denture wearers to get beautiful smiles for over 15 years.

CONSTRUCTING A GOOD SET OF DENTURES

Constructing a functional and aesthetically pleasing set of dentures is the most difficult task in dentistry. We are not only replacing lost teeth, but also lost tissue matter and bone. In other words, we have to re-create your facial features as they were before the loss of your natural teeth.

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

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

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 soonas 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.

What our Customers Say

What a difference you have made for me. I can smile again. No problems. Thank you so much.

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. 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.

Thank you for putting a smile on my face again.