Cheltenham issue 22 by 50 Plus Magazine

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CHELTENHAM & GLOUCESTER JULY - SEPTEMBER 2013 EDITION 22

The world according

to Joan

Hairy Bikers

Delicious Summer dishes

THE LOCAL MAGAZINE FOR THE OVER 50s

WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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“What we say is what we mean” 1R KLGGHQ H[WUDV The benefits of SolarPV panels for generating your own electricity are still dramatic and a clear winner for anyone wishing to safeguard against future energy price increases, while generating for themselves a predictable income stream over the next 20 years. The Feed-in-Tariff for generating your own electricity is now 14.9p per unit and with the overall cost of installing Solar Panels down by 60%, SolarPV is more affordable than ever for homeowners. The average age of a typical domestic solar panel customer is 60 plus, which may not be so surprising when one considers this is one of the highest disposable income groups. With mortgages paid off any retirement savings are earning a pittance in ISAs and other traditional forms of investments. The advent of SolarPV and the Government Feed-in-Tariff scheme has offered a safe investment vehicle that now yields far more than can be currently earned elsewhere, as well as a way of making fuel savings and doing your bit for the environment. Of course the basic premise is that those looking for the benefits from generating their own electricity have capital to invest. The investment to install SolarPV panels will vary according to the size of system but a domestic one of 4kW (16 panels) will now be around £6195, or £5195 for 2.5kW (10 panels). Investing in SolarPV should be considered a medium term investment that is tied to the value of your property rather like buying a new kitchen or a conservatory. But unlike other home improvements SolarPV will earn you money from the outset; generating free electricity and a tax free income day after day, year after year. In the right conditions an installation can net savings and income in excess of £900 per year, effectively paying off the initial cost in around six to seven years, which stacks up to a very attractive 16% return on investment. Even if your roof is East or West facing, you only have a flat roof, space on a garage or barn then the sums can still stack up.

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Orchard Park, Twigworth A New Lifestyle for the over 50s Are you retiring, or looking to downsize yet do not wish to compromise on your high standard of living? A park home lifestyle could be your solution, 50 Plus finds out.

14-15

12-13

A peaceful location with easy access to all local amenities.

ith beautiful views over the nearby surrounding hills, Orchard Park nestles just two miles from the hustle and bustle of the centre of Gloucester. An exclusive development with its own on site shop and not too far away from Tewkesbury Abbey and Gloucester Quays and the cathedral. Now released, only two plots from this development remaining within this well established park, which boast apple trees and pear trees over laden with fresh fruit for easy picking.

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26-27

THE NEXT ISSUE OF

A typical new park home comes with two double bedrooms, fully fitted kitchen with integrated appliances. To the exterior with each home will be a driveway and garden, somewhere to relax and unwind during your post work leisure years. We would be very proud to show anyone around our current development and answer any questions about the park or the home options that can be chosen.

CHELTENHAM & GLOUCESTER IS PUBLISHED IN NOVEMBER

2 OTHER PARKS IN THE SURROUNDING AREA WITH HOMES FOR SALE ARE WILDWOOD PARK, CIRENCESTER BLUNSDON ABBEY PARK, SWINDON

For further information telephone:

01793 722100

www.pineview.co.uk

For details of advertising CALL 01204 796 494 or email mcgrathartwork@btconnect.com today.

inside... 6

Graham Smith... Twittering on

Yeomans Travel... Just book up, pack up and go!

10-11 Say ‘Aloha’ to Hawaii... The ultimate dream destination 12-13 Christian Guild Holidays... For the perfect break. 14-15 The World According to Joan... Joan Collins strolls through the highlights of her life 16-17 The Hairy Dieters... Delicious Summer Dishes! 26-27 Dementia... Making the most out of life. McGrath Media. Unit 6 | Moses Gate Workshops Gladys Street | Bolton | BL3 2QG. T: (01204) 796 494 | F: (01204) 791594

MARCHANTS COACHES Holidays 12 Aug 18 Aug 02 Sep 06 Sep 07 Sep 13 Sep 16 Sep 20 Sep 23 Sep 30 Sep 06 Oct 07 Oct 11 Oct 14 Oct 21 Oct 01 Nov 03 Nov 04 Nov 11 Nov 18 Nov 29 Nov 01 Dec 03 Dec 05 Dec 06 Dec 23 Dec 23 Dec

Your autobiography captured in a beautiful, illustrated volume for your family to treasure. Complete with a web site of your pictures and recordings of your stories. Written in Haworth, home of the Brontes. Haworth gave birth to the historic novels of the Bronte sisters and it can become the birthplace of your personal story. Makes a wonderful gift for loved ones. Bronte Book will publish your personal autobiography, written and published in Haworth, to pass on as a living legacy after making detailed recordings. Within the four month long process comes your own web site (also available separately) containing recordings, pictures and special stories. Your own living legacy which we know you will enjoy compiling. You may choose a book and/or a web site and an e-book within the package which starts from £300 ranging to £2,750 for the full process, which can include up to 20 books. A deposit with instalment payments plan is available.

Details from www.brontebook.weebly.com or Bronte Media, brontemedia@outlook.com Tel: 01535 959002, Mobile: 07866 626090

4 nights 6 nights 4 nights 4 nights 7 nights 3 nights 4 nights 3 nights 4 nights 4 nights 4 nights 4 nights 3 nights 4 nights 3 nights 3 nights 3 nights 4 nights 4 nights 4 nights 4 nights 3 nights 3 nights 2 nights 3 nights 4 nights 4 nights

From £255 per person From £384 per person From £280 per person From £385 per person From £435 per person From £215 per person From £396 per person From £269 per person From £299 per person From £359 per person From £350 per person From £319 per person From £232 per person From £289 per person From £289 per person From £145 per person From £184 per person From £295 per person From £267 per person From £249 per person From £229 per person From £332 per person From £250 per person From £205 per person From £333 per person From £499 per person From £510 per person

Holidays 2014 09 Mar

Austrian Winter Wonderland 6 nights From £499 per person

20 Jul 05 Sep 08 Oct 23 Oct 02 Nov 02 Nov 14 Nov 24 Nov 27 Nov 01 Dec 20 Dec 23 Dec 28 Dec

Lion King (last few tickets) Phantom of the Opera Jersey Boys CATS Disney On Ice Slavas Snow Show Billy Elliot Tatton Park Xmas Spectacular Putting On The Ritz (overnight) Thursford Holiday Show Ghost On Tour Andre Rieu @ Wembley Cinderella (Panto) Bristol

Theatres & Shows

e: mcgrathadmin@btconnect.com

My Bronte Book

Butlins Minehead Weymouth Pennines (extra singles) Kent Gardens Jersey Paignton Scarborough Kings Lyn Torquay Sidmouth Isle of Man Isle of Wight Criccieth Prestatyn Torquay (extra singles) Blackpool Disneyland Paris Jersey T & T Dunoon T & T Torquay Festive Sidmouth T & T Thursford Brugge Xmas Markets Lincoln Markets Edinburgh Markets Torquay Xmas Penzance Xmas

Ads £75 Snr £73 Chd £70 Ads £65 Snr £63 Chd £60 Ads £70 Snr £68 Chd £65 Ads £38 Snr £37 Chd £30 Ads £40 Snr £39 Chd £35 Ads £35 Snr £33 Chd £25 Ads £60 Snr £58 Chd £55 Ads £80 Snr £78 Chd £60 Rooms £109 Per Person Rooms £332 Per Person Ads £52 Snr £50 Chd £45 From £95.00 per person Ads £49 Snr £47 Chd £40

Theatre 2014 29 Jan 05 Feb 20 Feb 22 Mar 06 Aug 22 Nov 07 Dec

West Side Story @ Bristol Ads £50 Snr £48 Chd £45 Matilda The Musical Ads £70 Snr £68 Chd £60 Barry Humphries Ads £51 Snr £50 Chd £49 Dirty Dancing Ads £60 Snr £58 Chd £55 Wicked @ Birmingham Ads £65 Snr £63 Chd £58 Tatton Park Xmas Spectacular (overnight stay Bed & 3 course Dinner and day at Manchester Xmas Markets) Rooms £135 per person London Medieval Banquet (overnight 4* B & B overlooking Tower Bridge & free day in London Rooms £149 per person

MARCHANTS ARE HAPPY TO OFFER A 10% DISCOUNT ON ALL THEATRE BOOKINGS WHEN CUSTOMER BRINGS THIS ADVERT WHEN THEY MAKE THEIR BOOKING.

To book call 01242 257714 or visit our office @ 61 Clarence Street, Cheltenham, Glos GL50 3LB

www.marchants-coaches.com

TWITTERING ON with Graham Smith Little lit up donkey!

Is your man a pig?

Hundreds of donkeys are to be fitted with glow-in-the-dark ear tags in Botswana to stop accidents on rural roads at night.

A US company has created a gift for the man who has everything - bacon flavoured shaving scream. J&D’s new product is described as “high end, luxurious bacon-scented shaving cream” and is on sale for about £9.

About 500 of the animals will be fitted with the reflective tags in the north of the country where one in ten crashes is donkeyrelated. I think it’s a wonderful idea and also recommend the tags for those barmy joggers who tear around in pitch blackness. The UK-based Society For The Protection Of Animals Abroad is paying for the Maun Animal Welfare Society, in Botswana, to carry out the project.

Inventor Justin Esch said: “There is nothing more powerful than the smell of bacon, nothing. Bacon is the smell of champions.

Laura Higham, outreach veterinary advisor for SPANA, said: “The people that own working donkeys are some of the very poorest in Botswana’s society and often have no choice other than to let their animals roam freely in search of food in the sparse desert environment. “This practice is essential, but obviously makes the donkeys vulnerable to accidents and we hope that this simple solution will help reduce the number of collisions caused by the animals every year.” The charities hope the project will be adopted in other parts of the country, and will be the first step towards making reflective tags a legal requirement for freely roaming livestock. Isn’t science wonderful?

Twittering Pope I could of course make some very irreverent remark about the fact that the Pope has opened a Twitter account. But he’s got something going for him for he picked up over 300,000 followers in the first 24 hours of tweeting putting Stephen Fry and others in the shade. I have a sneaking admiration for any 85-year-old who takes up social media but note that he has a new media department who will doubtless be handling his tweets before publication. It remains to be seen if congregations dwindle in the light of this innovation or whether many turn over in bed on Sunday morning and reach for their lap top!

“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and bacon is the best part of breakfast. Why not smell like it and be the best?” The self-titled “bacontrepreneur” has also come up with other pork inspired products such as bacon roses, bacon lip balm and bacon baby formula. And, for those “who love bacon to death”, he has created a £2,000 bacon-wrapped coffin. Mr Esch added: “Bacon is delicious, people get excited when they smell it. When you walk into a room don’t you want people to be excited to see you?” I told you they weren’t all locked up.

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8 Days

£599

per person

4 Days

£374

per person

13 Days

£1165

per person

5 Days

£299

per person

Austria—All Inclusive

Departing: Sunday 28th July 2013 Your holiday includes: 2 overnight hotel stops in Belgium on a Half Board basis and 5 Nights at the 4 star Panther Hotel in Saalbach on an All Inclusive basis. Visit to the picturesque Kitzbuhel, with its famous Hahnenkamm mountain soaring over the town before a visit to the town of Zell am Zee on the shores of Lake Zell. A free day to explore Saalbach. Full day excursion to Salzburg, famous for the Austrian composer Mozart and architecture. Full day excursion to the spectacular “Glossglockner”- the highest peak in Austria.

Warners Nidd Hall

Departing: Friday 9th August 2013 Your holiday includes: 3 nights ensuite at the grade 2 listed Warners Nidd Hall Hotel set on the edge of the Yorkshire Moors near Harrogate. Dinner, Bed & Breakfast. Use of the Warner Leisure and hotel facilities including the indoor pool, sauna and steam room. Outdoor bowls, archery & tennis. Evening entertainment during our stay “Comedy Showtime and Laughter show”. Visit to the historic spa town of Harrogate. Scenic drive through part of the Yorkshire Dales .

Fred Olsen Cruise - Spain, Portugal & Gibraltar Explorer

Departing: Sunday 11th August 2013 Your Cruise includes: 12 nights cabin accommodation on board the Balmoral- different grades available Coach travel to/from the Ferry port! All meals throughout your cruise, from five course dining to relaxed buffets Varied day time activities Choice of live evening entertainment 3 formal nights

Harrogate & Scenic Yorkshire Departing: Monday 16th September 2013 Your Holiday includes:  4 nights ensuite accommodation at the 3 star AA rated Cairn Hotel situated only a 5 minute walk from the centre of Harrogate. Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Excursion to the market town of Skipton before a visit to Ripon, famous for its Cathedral and museum. Half day visit to the picturesque Harewood House. Excursion to the historic city of York.

2 Days

£84

per person

2 Days

£179

per person

5 Days From

£369

per person

2 Days

£169

per person

Bath & Longleat Mini Break

Departing: Sunday 4th August 2013 Your mini break includes: 1 night at the 4 star Hilton Bristol Hotel with dinner, bed & breakfast. Use of the hotel’s indoor heated pool. Coach travel to Bath with free time to explore. Coach travel to Longleat. Day ticket for Longleat enabling you access to attractions including Longleat House and Gardens and the Safari and Adventure Park .

London Mini Break Crown & Commons Departing: Saturday 10th August 2013 Your holiday includes: 1 nights ensuite at the 4 star Hilton London Metropole, situated approximately a 15 minute walk from Oxford Street! Bed & Breakfast. Entrance to the Houses of Parliament for a guided tour. Entrance to Buckingham Palace state rooms.

Luxembourg

Departing: Monday 12th August 2013 Your Holiday includes: 4 nights ensuite accommodation at the 4 star Grand Hotel Vianden with Dinner, Bed & Breakfast. A full day in Luxembourg with a sightseeing tour. Excursion to the Roman town of Trier situated in the Moselle Valley. Morning excursion to Vianden giving you time to explore the town. In the afternoon we travel to the ‘Wine City of Luxembourg’Moselle and visit the Caves Bernard-Massard in Grevenmacher.

London Theatre Break Departing: Saturday 28th September 2013 Your theatre break includes:  1 nights ensuite accommodation at the 4 star Hilton London Metropole,15 minutes walk from Oxford street! Bed & Breakfast included. Ticket to your choice of show Coach travel to and from the theatre & hotel! Free time in London on the Sunday until we depart for home about 3pm. Choose out of one of these fantastic shows! TOP HAT, CHARLIE & CHOCOLATE FACTORY OR MAMMA MIA

Prices are based on two people sharing a room. Please note this tours list is not exhaustive so please contact us for our complete coach holiday brochure! www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

HOLIDAYS

GREAT VALUE SOUTH COAST SUMMER HOLIDAYS SINCE 1979

Daish’s have five hotels in top south coast resorts, Eastbourne, Newquay, Torquay, Bournemouth and Shanklin. Founded in 1979, Daish’s have been offering great value, year round holidays for over 30 years, by coach or own travel. Daish’s holidays include half board accommodation, live entertainment every night and a range of optional excursions - all at great prices, with the option of return coach travel, or making your own way. We’d like to invite you to enjoy the great value Daish’s welcome too. Our 2013 holidays are selling well, with lots of coach holidays to all five hotels, and many more self drive dates.

£25 book

ing!

For a 2013 Brochure Pack and your discount voucher CALL THE J-TEAM at Daish’s travel office on 01803 201 432, & DAYS A WEEK. Email info@daishs.com or visit www.daishs.com please quote “50 Plus” when calling/emailing

s? Why Daish’s Holiday Great value holidays from £99 to around £200 in summer! Daish’s holidays include return coach travel, half board hotel accommodation, with live entertainment every night - all at great prices. There are free places for children too.

Regular local coach departures Daish’s have regular pickup points across the country. Daish’s Holidays include return travel with no changing of coaches, getting you to your hotel as soon as possible.

Lots of Choice Daish’s run a range of 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 day holidays - by coach or self drive. Optional excursions are available on arrival. There are themed breaks - “Great British and Irish Holidays” from JanuaryMarch and “Tinsel and Turkey” in November and December, and great Christmas and NewYear holidays too.

Specialists in the “Over 50” market for over 30 years Daish’s was founded in 1979, and has offered great seaside holidays for the senior market ever since though families are welcome too of course. There are single rooms at all hotels, with a supplement from just £10.

Live Entertainment 7 nights a week!

Groups Welcome

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Every single night we present a live act - offering the best in Comedy, Music and Dance! Each evening’s entertainment begins with Bingo, with great cash prizes to be won.There’s usually a quiz too - but there’s never a dull moment.

Call the “J-TEAM” at Daish’s Holidays for your FREE BROCHURE PACK on 01803 201 432 or email info@daishs.com or visit daishs.com www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

five GREAT resorts five GREAT hotels 1. Torquay - The Devonshire Hotel In Torquay you’ll find a palm-lined promenade, seafront gardens, a lively harbour and a marina full of exotic yachts. The 73 room Devonshire Hotel, in its own grounds with an outdoor pool is just a few minutes away from Torquay harbour and town centre, shopping, entertainments and local beaches.

2. Shanklin and the Isle of Wight - Daish’s Hotel Shanklin is one of the most picturesque towns on the Isle of Wight, above an attractive promenade and sandy beach. The Old Town (where our hotel is situated) is full of pretty thatched cottages, pubs and tearooms. The 60 room Daish’s Hotel was built in the late 18th Century as the coaching inn for Shanklin. It is now an elegant hotel in its own extensive grounds, with children’s play area and an indoor pool.

3. Bournemouth - Sands Hotel Bournemouth is the perfect seaside resort, on the sunny south coast amid dramatic cliffs looking down on miles of golden, sandy beaches, with over 2,000 acres of superb parks and gardens. The 74 room Sands Hotel is situated in a side road, only two minutes from the West Cliff with its panoramic views over the bay. It is an ideal setting, within leisurely walking distance of the beach, all the major shops and gardens.

4. Newquay - Barrowfield Hotel Newquay is the largest resort in Cornwall, with spectacular Atlantic beaches, as well as delightful gardens for tranquil strolls. The 80 room Barrowfield Hotel is ideally situated just 200 yards from the seafront and the magnificent Tolcarne Beach, close to the Town Centre and Zoo. Indoor heated pool, enclosed outdoor terrace and large dance floor.

5. Eastbourne - Claremont Hotel Eastbourne is bursting with so many things to see and do. There are plenty of attractions and fun things to do for all ages. From watching pro-skaters stunts and tricks at Eastbourne Extreme to exploring the area’s history, discover museums and art galleries, relax and enjoy the views in our parks and gardens, sample the local produce from our vineyards and farmers markets, enjoy fun filled trips to the seaside or South Downs National Park, spend the day shopping, then soak up the local atmosphere in one of our many restaurants, wine bars or traditional pubs.

When calling or emailing please quote: 50 PLUS www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

facebook.com/daishs @daishs

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50 Plus Travel

sponsored by

SAY ‘ALOHA’ TO HAWAII By Sally Dowling from Silver Travel Advisor

Kauai © (HTA/Tor Johnson)

Palm trees swaying in the gentle trade winds of the Pacific Ocean, endless stretches of sandy coastline, volcanoes, rainforests and more – the Hawaiian Islands are the ultimate dream destination. The journey to Hawaii is not to be underestimated – it is a long way. So when you finally get there you need to make the most of this incredible group of diverse and beautiful islands strung out like pearls in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. There are countless itineraries and combinations with each island offering a different holiday experience and its own individual charm. Arriving into Honolulu on the island of Oahu immediately gives you a sense of anticipation. The warm air greets you as it wafts through the mainly open buildings and the atmosphere is laid back and relaxed. Honolulu is the centre of business and culture and the capital of Hawaii. It is a bustling city with a strong Polynesian influence and is home to museums, galleries and elegant public gardens all steeped in the history of the islands.

The world famous resort of Waikiki Beach is just a few miles along the coast. At first glance not quite the tranquil tropical resort you would expect but this is a town that welcomes a huge number of tourists each day. Modern skyscraper hotels front the pristine beach set against the magnificent backdrop of Diamond Head volcanic crater. At night Waikiki comes alive with Sunset Hula shows, street performers, lively bars and restaurants. A velvet breeze wafts in from the ocean, mixes with the soft sound of the Hawaiian guitar and beckons the crowds to linger amongst designer boutiques and street markets. As soon as dawn breaks the surfers take to the water to catch the waves that roll in throughout the year. Sit on the beach and be amazed by their prowess or take a lesson and have a go yourself, there are plenty of beach boys happy to give surfing classes and surfboards can be easily rented. When it is time to move on to another island, a great contrast to Oahu is Maui, known as the Magic Isle. Although it appears at first glance to be flat and uninteresting, travel away from the airport and you will find the dormant volcano of Haleakala Crater with its lunar landscape, or take the scenic road to the town of Hana through rainforest and waterfalls. The picturesque town of Lahaina was once the heart of the Hawaiian Islands where the whaling ships docked. Today the town attracts the tourists with quaint shops, galleries and restaurants housed in the old wooden shop fronts that were once the

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saloons and brothels of times gone by. Set along a pretty coastline with a dramatic mountainous backdrop and with spectacular sunsets over the small offshore island of Lana’i - the town is picture postcard perfect. If it is adventure you are after then the island of Kuau’i beckons visitors with a host of exciting activities, watersports, 4x4 land tours, mountain tubing and zip line tours to name just a few. Take a helicopter tour to appreciate the awesome interior of Kaua’i. The imposing Waimea Canyon is more than 3,000 feet deep and known as the ‘Grand Canyon of the Pacific’. The Waimea River flows through the canyon and is fed by cascading waterfalls swollen by the almost daily rainfall. When the sun shines through shimmering rainbows appear giving the area a truly magical feel. Hold onto your seat because the experienced pilots know how to get really up close and personal to some of the highest waterfalls and deepest valleys.

Hawaii Island © (HTA/Tor Johnson)

Maui © (HTA/Tor Johnson)

In common with the other islands, Kauai has its fair share of stunning beaches. Holiday makers flock to the eastern and western shores but only intrepid hikers or sailors can access the secluded hidden coves, nestling beneath the dramatic cliffs along the Na Pali Coast on the western side. With its lush, rainforest interior and above average rainfall Kaua’i is aptly named the Garden Isle and has been the setting for many famous movie locations over the years. The largest island is confusingly named Hawaii – or Big Island. You could easily spend your entire holiday here as it has an amazing diversity in geography and climate. Take a drive around the island and you will pass through tropical rain forests, lava fields, volcanic mountains and rolling hills. At Kona on the west coast and you will be amazed by huge expanses of black lava stretching into the sea.

The area is famed for diving and snorkelling and a visit to Kealakekua State Park is a must. Further along the coast the land is dotted with coffee plantations, each producing the world famous Kona Coffee and most are happy to give tours to visitors and sell the freshly roasted beans. The active volcanoes for which the island is so well known can be explored at fairly close quarters from the Volcanoes National Park. Check current conditions with the park rangers at the Kilauea Visitor Centre where you can also pick up maps and guides to the area. The island capital is Hilo, situated along the crescent shaped Hilo Bay on the East Coast where frequent and heavy rainfall has created a tropical environment of lush valleys and gushing waterfalls. Hilo is a commercial centre but does have an attractive ‘old town’ area full of shops, galleries and restaurants as well as museums, parks a cultural centre and a great programme of seasonal festivals and events. It makes a great base for exploring the Volcanoes National Park and the beaches along the coast.

So pick one or pick ‘em all, whichever islands you choose to visit, I guarantee you will want to return to see the rest. For more information on the Hawaiian Islands contact Hawaii Tourism Europe website www.gohawaii.com or call 44 (0)207 6446 127.

Silver Travel Advisor is a travel review, information and advice website exclusively for over 50’s, packed with articles, suggestions, tips and ideas. For free and independent travel advice as well as reviews about holidays, hotels, restaurants and days out, please visit www.silvertraveladvisor.com or email service@silvertraveladvisor.com. It’s free to register as a member of Silver Travel Advisor, and you could win a fabulous holiday prize.

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

ForGuild the perfect Christian hotels break ... and why not take provide the very best the grandchildren too! in Christian hospitality Christian Guild have been welcoming guests for nearly 100 years and our commitment to helping you find the best suit you and your family has never changed. That’s why so many guests return year in some of break thetomost after year. beautiful parts ofof five hotels - all set in gorgeous We have a unique collection grounds and of the highest standards. We strive to make sure that Guildhotels. hotels your stay is thoroughly relaxing in our Christian superbly appointed England. Abbot Hall Hotel provide the very For those who prefer a more active holiday, we have used our best extensive experience to produce a fantastic range of themed breaks. in Christian hospitality

OurOurfive superb hotelsactivities for all ages and themed breaks combine a range of in some of the most or families. So if you have been considering a new o erforhobby aindividuals warm welcome beautiful parts of our or want to meet like-minded people during your stay, then themed breaks are the ideal way of broadening your horizons. England. and are perfect places Our five superb hotels to get away from it all. o er a warm welcome

and are perfect places to get away from it all.

South Lakes, Cumbria

015395 32896

abbot@christianguild.co.uk

Lindors Country House Hotel Wye Valley

01594 530283

lindors@christianguild.co.uk

Sidholme Hotel Sidmouth, Devon

01395 515104

sidholme@christianguild.co.uk Christian Guild is at its best during the school summer holidays. Watch your children or grandchildren swim in our delightful pools or play on the beaches, discover new destinations together, then relax over a family meal and discuss all the things you can do tomorrow. During the Summer breaks, you’ll have access to everything that Christian Guild has to offer - like our four heated indoor swimming pools, arts and crafts, recreational facilities and plenty of themed breaks - as well as the perfect location for the family to explore.

FAMILY DISCOUNTS We want everyone to enjoy their holiday, and we know that your family holiday can be costly. That’s why we offer special discounts for families:

0-4 years: FREE 5-10 years: 75% off 11-15 years: 50% off 16 & 17 years 25% off 18-21 in full-time education: 25% off if holiday taken with parents or grandparents. One child per adult. For rates for additional children please contact the hotels. The general rule is that children share with accompanying adults. However, it may be possible to allocate separate rooms for older children, subject to availability.

Treloyhan Manor Hotel St Ives, Cornwall

01736 796240

treloyhan@christianguild.co.uk

Willersley Castle Hotel Derbyshire Dales

01629 582270

willersley@christianguild.co.uk

Head Office: Christian Guild, 2nd Floor, Building 10, Cromford Mills, Cromford, Derbyshire, DE4 3RQ. www.50plusmagazine.co.uk tel: 01629 826531 email: mail@christianguild.co.uk

Lindors Country House Hotel

Enjoy luxury and fine dining plus 10% OFF your stay ..... Lindors is a charming 19th century property situated in the Welsh borders between Monmouth and Chepstow. It lies approximately one mile on the Coleford side of Bigsweir Bridge. The south front of the house looks down its own valley into the main body of the beautiful Wye Valley, with Offa’s Dyke beyond the wooded slopes of Cleddon and Trellech Hill. Set in nine acres of beautiful wooded gardens, Lindors Country House Hotel is a majestic place to find peace and tranquillity. The hotel offers exquisite gardens with waterfalls and pools. Inside, there are comfortable lounges and crackling log fires in winter. You will enjoy fine dining during your stay at Lindors Country House Hotel, and well-appointed bedrooms that offer the modern amenities you’d expect at such a top-class hotel. There are also five wonderful pine lodges in the grounds offering the choice of self-catering, or you can enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant. It’s up to you to choose!

LINDORS OFFERS: l l

l l l l

l l l

Crown Green Bowling - renowned the best in the area 15m heated indoor swimming pool and separate children’s pool Licensed restaurant Fairtrade coffee shop Wireless broadband access TVs & telephone in all bedrooms Disabled access rooms Tennis, croquet, putting & petanque 5 self-catering lodges.

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS: l l l l l l l l

The Royal Forest of Dean Tintern Abbey Taurus Crafts & Model Village Symonds Yat & the River Wye Goodrich Castle Clearwell Caves Raglan Castle The Dean Forest Railway.

Whether you’re looking for a high quality hotel for a night, a weekend or longer, Christian Guild is ready to offer you a break to remember and you will receive 10% OFF your stay at any of our hotels when quoting 50 Plus Magazine.

To view our holidays and a range of themed breaks visit www.christianguild.co.uk or contact the hotel on 01594 530283

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The World according to Joan

Joan Collins returned to the UK in April with her her sell-out show “One Night With Joan” and this stroll through the highlights of her life brings a touch of genuine glamour into our humdrum lives writes Angela Kelly. The British actress, writer and columnist who famously turned down Richard Burton and bested Joan Crawford may unbelievably now be 79 but - being Joan - she never misses an opportunity to show real Hollywood glitz at its best and most enduring. As she insists in her down-toearth way: “I’ve often been accused of over-egging the pudding in the costume and make-up department, but that’s one of the illusions that form a part of what this person called Joan Collins is all about.” To discover the real Joan Collins, though, it’s necessary to go back to her roots and trace her rise to fame and fortune. She was born in May, 1933 in London, to a former 14

nightclub hostess and a successful talent agent. She was one of three children – her sister Jackie is a successful novelist whose books have sold more than 400 million copies. Joan was a very pretty child and grew up into an attractive dark-haired beauty. She had her first theatre appearance at the age of nine and obviously developed a taste for acting through her teenage years. She became a Rank starlet and appeared in a host of relatively forgettable films, occasional TV appearances and pin-up shoots but, to improve her budding career, she moved to Hollywood in the 1950s. Her first film role was in 1951 in B-movie “Lady Godiva Rides Again.” For the next three decades, she became a Hollywood fixture, driving her signature pink Thunderbird and keeping the gossip columnists happy with a reported succession of high-profile liaisons with famous men including Dennis Hopper and Warren Beatty. She impressed, however, in the films “The Stud” and “The Bitch” which were both adapted from sister Jackie’s

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INTERVIEW best-selling novels. In 1978 she published her first memoir, “Past Imperfect” about her life – unsurprisingly, also a best-seller. In 1981, she went for an audition for struggling primetime drama “Dynasty”, for a part that Sophia Loren had already turned down. Alexis Carrington Colby was the vicious, vengeful ex-wife of family patriarch Blake Carrington, played by John Forsythe. Joan got the part, and was absolutely brilliant in the role. Ratings immediately started to rise. As the show’s creator Aaron Spelling insisted: “We didn’t write Joan Collins. She played Joan Collins. We wrote a character, but the character could have been played by 50 people and 49 of them would have failed. She made it work.” In fact, she made it work so well that Alexis - with her seductive glamour, gorgeous clothes and make-up and great storylines - became the character with whom Joan has become enduringly associated. She was nominated six times for a Golden Globe before finally winning one in 1983. “Dynasty” ended its run in 1989 but Joan appeared as Alexis in the 1991 mini-series “Dynasty: The Reunion.” The original series, though, remains warm and familiar in the minds of the public and there are regularly calls for its revival. Speaking on TV’s “Loose Women” programme just recently, British actress Stephanie Beacham - who also went into the series - said she and Joan had been talking about just such a revival, and regular TV watchers know it’s “never say never” when it comes to bringing back successful soaps.

research, and remains a true celebrity in a sea of passing wannabes. She has always looked after her figure and continues to be as glamorous as ever, taking her own advice on everything from eating meals from a smaller plate to keep her weight down to avoiding sunshine on her face to protect her looks. Her outspoken and witty pronouncements on various subjects have helped keep her in the public eye and she has had a variety of regular opinion columns in newspapers and magazines. In her 2011 book “The World According to Joan”, she admits that she has “always been extremely frank, perhaps too much so. Often friends say to me sarcastically ‘Oh why don’t you say what you mean, Joanie!’ Well, I’m afraid I usually do which is why I have been called opinionated, stubborn, obdurate, headstrong, prejudiced and politically incorrect. “Perhaps I am, but I have now reached an age and a stage when I basically do what I like as much as I can, without trying to hurt anyone.” While being Joan Collins is much about a life lived in the spotlight, it’s plain that not only is she a clever actress and a genuine icon but that she’s discovered the secret of longevity when it comes to engaging with the public.

And audiences from Manchester’s Lowry to London’s Leicester Square Theatre discovered that “One Night With Joan” is also a unique and memorable experience.

Of course, much of Joan Collins’ fame has come from her life away from the film and TV cameras. She married her first husband, Irish actor Maxwell Reed, in 1952 and divorced him three years later. She married British actor Anthony Newley in 1963 and they had two children before she divorced him in 1970. Joan was married for 11 years to Apple Records’ president Ron Kass, with whom she had daughter Katy. Her fourth marriage was to Swedish pop singer Peter Holm, which ended after just 13 months with a messy divorce. Then in 2003 she married her fifth husband, theatre company manager Percy Gibson, who is 32 years her junior. Here, finally, Joan seems to have found her soul-mate and the couple renewed their marriage vows in 2009. She says that today’s “metrosexual-looking” actors don’t compare with the stars of yesteryear although she believes that Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jude Law are “wonderful actors.” Joan makes the exception “on the macho front” for George Clooney and she also likes Bradley Cooper and Robert Downey Jr. Her all-time sexiest star, though, is Marlon Brando – “unforgettable” is her verdict. After “Dynasty” helped give Joan the highest profile of her career, she continued to act and write both romance novels and self-help beauty and lifestyle books. She’s become involved in a variety of charity work, mostly linked to children with disabilities and aiding breast cancer

For more information on Joan Collins’ go to www.joancollins.net www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

HOW TO LOVE FOOD AND LOSE WEIGHT

delicious summer dishes

MUSHROOM, FETA AND TOMATO BAKED PEPPERS It’s always important for food to look good, whether you’re dieting or not, and these peppers are a delight to the eye as well as the tastebuds. A great vegetarian recipe, this has lots of strong flavours that come together in a beautifully colouful and well-balanced dish.

SERVES 2 4 sun-dried tomato pieces in oil, drained well 2 tsp sunflower oil 175g chestnut mushrooms, wiped and diced 20g blanched hazelnuts, roughly chopped 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed 50g dry white breadcrumbs 1/2 small bunch of parsley, leaves finely chopped 1 tsp dried chilli flakes 100g feta or soft goat’s cheese, drained 2 smallish peppers, red or yellow freshly ground black pepper 401 calories per portion Preheat the oven to 220°C/Fan 200°C/Gas 7. Roughly chop the sun-dried tomatoes. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and stir-fry the mushrooms over a high heat for 4 minutes. Add the roughly chopped hazelnuts and fry for a further minute until the nuts are lightly toasted. Season with a good grind of black pepper and remove from the heat. Stir in the tomatoes, garlic, breadcrumbs, parsley and chilli flakes until thoroughly combined. Break the cheese into small chunks and toss them through the stuffing lightly. Cut the peppers in half from top to bottom and carefully remove the seeds and membrane. Place the peppers in a small foil-lined roasting tin, cut side up, and fill each half with the mushroom and feta stuffing. Cover the surface of the stuffing with a small piece of foil. Bake for 35 minutes until tender, removing the foil for the last 10 minutes of the cooking time. Serve warm with a lightly dressed mixed salad. 16

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MAKES 8 KEBABS 700g lean lamb leg (or leg steaks) 2 small yellow peppers 2 small red peppers 2 small red onions 150m1 low-fat natural yoghurt 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint or 1 tsp mint sauce 6 pitta breads 1 romaine lettuce heart, shredded 1 medium carrot, finely grated 3 ripe vine tomatoes, sliced 15cm piece of cucumber, thinly sliced flaked sea salt freshly ground black pepper lemon wedges and hot chilli sauce, to serve Marinade 2 tsp cumin seeds 2 tsp coriander seeds 203 calories per portion 381 calories per portion (with pitta)

LEMONY LAMB KEBABS There’s nothing better than the scent of lemony, herby lamb cooking on the barbecue. It’s a healthy way of cooking too, as much of the fat drips away. We like to eat these kebabs tucked into warm pitta bread, but you can also enjoy them with just a side salad or some vegetables.

1 tsp fennel seeds 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves finely grated zest and juice of 1 unwaxed lemon 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp fine sea salt freshly ground black pepper

To make the marinade, put the cumin, coriander and fennel seeds in a pestle and mortar and pound to a coarse powder. You can use 11/2 teaspoon each of ground cumin and coriander if you prefer, but the flavour won’t be quite as good as freshly ground spices. Add the thyme leaves and crush them into the spices for a few seconds. Tip the spices and thyme into a large non-metallic bowl and stir in the lemon zest and juice, garlic, oil, salt and lots of black pepper. Trim as much fat as possible off the lamb, then cut the meat into rough 3cm chunks — you should have about 40 chunks. Add the lamb to the marinade and toss until well coated. Cover with cling film and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes before cooking. While the lamb is marinating, prepare the vegetables for the kebabs. Deseed the peppers and cut them into 3cm chunks. Cut each onion into 8 wedges with the root intact. Remove the lamb from the fridge and thread the meat on to 8 metal skewers — these should be about 25cm long — alternating with the pieces of pepper and onion. Season with a little more salt and pepper. Cook over a hot barbecue or under a preheated hot grill (close to the element) for 6-8 minutes. Turn once or twice until the lamb and vegetables are lightly charred — the meat should be pink in the middle. Mix the yoghurt, garlic and chopped mint or mint sauce together in a small bowl to make the yoghurt sauce. Warm the pitta bread on the barbecue, in the toaster or under a grill and carefully cut down one side with a sharp knife. Pull the bread open and stuff with shredded lettuce leaves, grated carrot, tomatoes and cucumber. Slide the meat and vegetables off the skewers and into the pittas using a fork. Drizzle a little of the minty yoghurt sauce and serve with some chilli sauce and lemon wedges too if you fancy.

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EATING OUT

FALCON INN Dating back to 1554 The Falcon is a small, select hotel and restaurant situated in the centre of the beautiful Cotswold village of Painswick. Overlooking the historic village church and its famous 99 clipped yew trees, the Falcon hotel offers great hospitality with a warm welcome. In a hilltop setting, surrounded by stunning Cotswold countryside, the charming village of Painswick is an historic wool town which boasts a fine array of listed buildings sitting in narrow, winding streets. Our 12 individually styled bedrooms provide comfortable accommodation and our welcoming restaurant and bar offer delicious home cooked food and a wide selection of drinks, wines and real ales. Whether you are looking for a hotel in the Cotswolds for a well deserved break, a function venue for a special occasion, a base for visiting Cheltenham Races or just somewhere to pop in for a delicious, freshly prepared meal – you are assured of a warm welcome at The Falcon Hotel. We are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday to Sunday inclusive. TEL: 01452 814222 WWW.FALCONPAINSWICK.CO.UK NEW STREET, PAINSWICK, GL6 6UN

EGYPT MILL Set in charming surroundings on the riverside, 16th Century Egypt Mill with its 32 delightful bedrooms and popular restaurant, is a truly unique place. Renowned for the quality of its food, there are delights on the menu to tempt everyone. From a quick bite at lunchtime to a laidback evening with friends, Egypt Mill’s a great place to be, whatever time you decide to visit. ALL-DAY £6.50 LUNCH Choose any dish from the normal Daytime Menu for just £6.50 (normally up to around £12.50). After your £6.50 lunch, there’s an option of a delicious dessert for just £3.50. Mon to Fri, 12 noon 6.00pm (incl. Bank Holidays). A LA CARTE & PRIX FIXE DINNER MENUS The first-class evening A La Carte Menu is available Monday to Saturday from 6.00pm - 9.30pm. They also offer a Prix Fixe selection of dishes from this menu to serve you great food at a very palatable price. 2-courses £12.50 3-courses £14.75 (Mon to Thur, 6.00pm-9.00pm) SUNDAY LUNCH HAS NEVER BEEN SO GOOD Succulent joints of British, locally-sourced Roast Beef, Roast Leg of Pork, Roast Leg of Lamb and Free-Range Chicken.Every Sunday 12 noon until 9.00pm

T: 01453 833449 WWW.EGYPTMILL.COM NAILSWORTH, GLOUCESTERSHIRE GL6 OAE

THE EDGEMOOR INN Approximately half way between Stroud and Gloucester, The Edgemoor Inn overlooks the beautiful, picturesque Painswick Valley and the village of Painswick, a quintessential English village known as ‘The Queen of the Cotswolds’. There are over 100 listed buildings in the village, which is a total conservation area. It has a rich history with a particularly colourful period during the Civil War when the Roundheads took refuge in the parish church of St.Mary, which dates from the eleventh century. The late 19th century Inn, constructed from Cotswold stone, has picture style windows and is well known for its pretty panoramic views. Our property boasts an extensive terraced patio overlooking Painswick & surrounding countryside. Edgemoor Inn sources as much fresh meat, fish & vegetables from local suppliers. An extensive range of home cooked meals and daily specials are served each day lunchtime and evening. Vegetarian menus are always available. We serve the finest selection of local real ales from Uley, Wickwar and Stroud. The Edgemoor Inn offers the very best in traditional Cotswold pub and restaurant dining - a warm welcome in delightful surroundings with well-presented home-cooked food. This is a combination that’s hard to beat. TEL: 01452 813576 WWW.EDGEMOOR-INN.COM EDGE, NEAR STROUD, GLOUCESTERSHIRE GL6 6ND

Healthy Food Tips For Over 50s 1. Chili peppers may be small but are mighty in terms of health benefits. They contain capsaicin, an analgesic compound which helps with a variety of health issues including pain, cancers and high cholesterol. Add a bit of spice to your suppers and reap the rewards. 2. Adding vegetables like broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, cabbage and brussels sprouts to your diet can have great brain health benefits. They all contain antioxidants which help protect the brain. 3. Make sure your diet contains plenty of calcium which can help prevent osteoporosis. If you’re over 50 you need 1,200 mg of calcium each day. Good sources of calcium include milk, cheese, yoghurt, almonds and pulses. Try and have three servings of calcium rich foods or drinks each day. 4. Yoghurt is not only a great source of calcium, but is also beneficial in maintaining a healthy gut. Your body needs to have a healthy amount of ‘good’ bacteria, so look out for probiotic yoghurt which contains those precious living organisms. 5. Turmeric contains curcumin which has anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric has been used as a cleanser for thousands of years and is believed to help relieve pain and prevent the build of up amyloid beta plaque which is a major cause of Alzheimer’s. Turmeric is found in many curries and other Asian dishes.

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6. Fish is a great source of omega-3 fats which are important for brain function. Having a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids has been linked to improved memory and preventing the build up of cholesterol. It can also lover the risks of dementia, stroke and age related macular degeneration. Try and eat two fish dishes per week. 7. Other types of spices also provide great health benefits. Cinnamon is anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory, and may help boost brain function and control blood sugar levels. Cumin is rich in iron and can aid digestion. Coriander has anti-inflammatory properties and can help lower cholesterol. So reach for your spice rack when you cook and pack these health benefits into your meals. 8. Strawberries are not only delicious, but each serving contains lots of vitamin C which could help ward off wrinkles and age related dry skin. Treat yourself to some strawberries and cream for your vitamin C and calcium needs all at once! 9. Ginger has lots of anti-inflammatory properties which can be useful in fighting heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer’s. It is also high in antioxidants which help fight other diseases, and the gingerol in it is commonly used as a digestive aid. Ginger can add delicious flavour and heat to all kinds of dishes. 10. Tofu and other soy foods can help preserve the skin firming protein collagen as they are rich in the compounds ‘isoflavones’. Try adding some tofu to your diet and your skin may stay smoother for longer. 19

Would you help make a difference? Our life expectancy has increased. It’s official. Research has shown that the average man of sixty-five today can expect to live to at least eighty-one, and a woman can expect to live beyond 84. Further research has shown that more than any other factor, the level of activity people maintain during their retirement is a key factor in their happiness and continuing good health during their retirement years. Of course it’s good to take a special holiday on retirement, and because we have better health for longer, today’s retirees can enjoy their newfound leisure to the full. And of course it’s wonderful to be able to pursue your own special hobbies and interests, but looking beyond that, what about all those skills you developed during your working years. The teachers, the doctors, the cooks, the nurses, the plumbers and electricians. Will all that expertise now be put on the back burner, or can you continue to use them in a voluntary capacity, and help the broader community in the process. Everyone has something to offer as a volunteer, with a valuable contribution to make. Many of my retired friends have continued to use their skills. One helps in a charity shop, an ex teacher sits on the school’s governing body; a former doctor helps at a hospice; a former cook takes an active role in the local hospital’s snack bar, where relatives of patients take a break and much needed refreshment, and yet another friend, who maintains she has no skills whatever, walks the dog for an elderly neighbour. This friend is a wonderful listener, and not only does she give the beloved pet the exercise it needs, she provides companionship to a lonely old lady. One single factor binds these people together. The feeling that life has been good to them, and they need to put something back. If volunteering for a good cause is something you would consider then World Child Cancer is one of many charities looking for experienced people to help them with their work. The charity is devoted to helping children with cancer around the world and they are launching a Volunteer’s Speakers Network, seeking confident public speakers to join them, delivering talks about the work of the charity in their local area and giving a voice to children suffering with cancer around the world. And these children do need a voice – whilst in the UK survival rates for child cancers are around 80%, in some developing countries they can be as low as 10%. It is estimated that at least 100,000 children die unnecessarily each year from curable cancers because of a lack of diagnosis and basic treatment. Worse still is the fact that many of these children are dying without effective pain relief. If you were a confident speaker in your professional life (or even if you just have the gift of the gab!) and feel passionately about helping children with cancer around the world, World Child Cancer would love to hear from you. By volunteering as little as a few hours a month, you could spread the message of the charity in your local area and help to change the chances for children with cancer across the world. Are you interested in becoming a Volunteer Speaker? This role is great opportunity for anybody looking to re-invest their skills, undergo a new challenge and make a difference. 20

You do not need to be an expert in public speaking: training and resources will be provided. For more information please contact Lydia on 020 3176 7892 or Lydia.spencer@ worldchildcancer.org or visit www.worldchildcancer.org. So whether you’re a confident speaker and could help World Child Cancer, or are a doctor, a chef or a great listener, there are people out there who could benefit from your skills. Make their day, enrich your life and get that feelgood factor you only get when you’re helping others. It only takes a phone call, and you could make all the difference.

Speak Up! Are you looking for a new challenge? Are you a confident public speaker? Could you become a Volunteer Speaker for World Child Cancer and be a voice for children with cancer around the world?

Interested?

For more information contact Lydia at lydia.spencer@worldchildcancer.org or on 020 3176 7892 or visit www.worldchildcancer.org Registered UK charity no. 1120321

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DISCOVER THE FREEDOM RENTING IN RETIREMENT CAN BRING… Choosing the ideal retirement location can be challenging, particularly when trying to find that perfect property in an interesting location, which also offers long-term security, comfortable living and friendly neighbours. Gloucestershire is an attractive location for property buyers and is a hotspot for a growing number of retired people deciding to move against the grain of home ownership and soak up the benefits of renting in retirement. If you love Gloucestershire, then Cheltenham and Gloucester make great choices for the discerning retiree. Cheltenham is known as the shopping centre of the Cotswolds, with many of its shops London based and offering a wide variety of goods. Gloucester has a unique history, from its Roman foundations to its Victorian docklands and is a multicultural city that combines historic architecture with a unique blend of visitor attractions, festivals and entertainment. Both offer an eclectic mix which is sure to please the majority of people. Our properties are situated within Homespa House, Homespring House and Mercian Court in Cheltenham and Castlemeads Court and Sovereign Court in Gloucester. A variety of social activities give residents plenty of options to keep busy, with coffee mornings and afternoon tea events taking place within most developments.

which enables the landlord to regain possession of the property after the initial agreed fixed term. Renting on a life-long tenancy basis offers the same security of tenure as most social housing providers, only without the associated waiting lists. What’s more, service charges and maintenance are included in the monthly payments.”

For more information, please visit www.girlings.co.uk or contact the lettings team on 0800 525 184.

“Without doubt the best property decision we have made!”

Mr & Mrs Honour, Girlings’ residents commented: “Renting in retirement has given us greater financial freedom and the flexibility to relocate. We have saved so much in terms of moving costs. We sold our house and we have retained that capital which has given us an investment for the future. We are now committed to renting and we love the fact that we have an assured tenancy so we essentially have the same security as homeowners.” The majority of retirement developments feature a communal residents’ lounge in which residents are welcome to socialise and relax; communal laundry and a guest suite for visitors’ use. The residents’ lounge and the guest suite can be used as an extension to a residents’ home to entertain guests, offering both companionship and independence. An added benefit for older renters is that Girlings lets the majority of its properties out on a life-long (assured) tenancy, which allows the tenant to stay in the property for as long as they wish. Girlings co-owner and CEO, Peter Girling said: “A lifelong (assured) tenancy offers great security and long-term peace of mind. In the private rental sector, it is common for properties to be let on an assured shorthold tenancy basis

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Discover the freedom renting in retirement can bring 55+? Did you know you can rent private retirement property on a Life Long Tenancy which gives you the right to remain living in the property for as long as you wish, with service charges and maintenance included in the rent?

Peace of Mind Independence Flexibility Choice

0800 525 184 www.girlings.co.uk

Over 50? Your local charity – here help –you Over 50? Your localto charity here to help you Age is aDarwen local, independent providing a range of services to older people in AgeUK UKGloucestershire Blackburn with remainscharity a local, independent the county. We also campaign and raise awareness of, issues affecting older people. charity providing a rangeon, of services to local older people.

The serviceswe wecan canoffer offer include: Befriending Service The services you Can Scheme you help us?How you can help us in Blackburn with Darwen are: • The Caring Neighbourhood Advice & Information provides a voluntary visitor or We depend on the kindness of volunteers to We need to raise all Our staff & and volunteers are trained to provide free, confidential Advice Information delivery many of our services and are always looking our own funds in order ‘phonelink’ and independent advice and information variety of on a weekly basis • Through offices in Blackburn and on a wide for more help. Volunteering is rewarding and can also issues. If we we can’toffer provide help you need we can point you in are housebound to continue our work to people who Darwen free,theconfidential be a great way to meet different people and the right direction and we can help with form filling for benefits providing services tolearn local and socially isolated. and independent advice on a range new skills. and allowances claims. people and their carers. of issues including benefits and Day Care Centres You could help us in money, care,Hospital housing and much Home from Donations, and volunteers • Our two day care centres provide shoppers a variety of ways. are more. A variety of free factsheets always at the recently opened Age UK We provide short term social, practical and moralservices support for for older people whowelcome are – we are always Gloucestershire shop Donations in Gloucester’s Barton Street, andwho leaflets alsocome available. adults haveare recently out of hospital who live within physically and/or mentally frail. grateful for cash donations, just a couple of minutes walk from GL1 Leisure. Gloucestershire have aservice Gloucestershire GP. • Our Outreachand Advice no matter how small. Every • We provide transport to and from provides homePlus visits and advice counts. the centres, a hot lunch, Clean Sweep Forbathing, more information penny on services and volunteering sessions in community venues. personal care, plus theopportunities opportunityplease contact This paid-for service provides help with housework and Legacies – everyone who •other Theeveryday Money Advice Service offers jobs to enable older people to continue living to participate in a range of remembers us in their Will is UK Gloucestershire on free information sessions oninclude a independently at home. Help may escorted shopping and socialAge ensuring that at some time therapeutic activities. 01452 422660 trips, mealofpreparation and laundry. range financial issues such in the future older people email Charity Shop as budgeting; retirement and will get the help they need. enquiries@ageukgloucestershire.org.uk Choirs • Our shop on Market Street in Darwen pensions; credit and borrowing; or visit our website Donations in lieu of We have three choirsand for older people, based in Gloucester, sells a large range of quality donated tax; and savings investments. flowers – in memory of www.ageukgloucestershire.org.uk. Cheltenham and Stroud, open to all over 50s andclothes, with an accessories, small electrical a loved one, these have Ageing Well emphasis on theProject pleasures and benefits of singing.and other household items, CDs, a long lasting effect. • This project provides a range of DVDs, books and other goods. Charity shop – profit activities at community venues • Donations are always welcome from our shop provides throughout the Borough. Currently and collection can be arranged. a vital source of income. these include beauty treatments, Every customer and Tai Chi, gentle exercise, gym sessions, For further information about donation helps. walks, swimming groups, any of our services or activities Trading products – any Wii sessions, 10 pin bowling you can contact us at: profits go directly to support and dancing. 4 King Street, Blackburn BB2 2DH our charitable activities. Mouse service at Age UK Gloucestershire offers 1:1 computer support for the over 50s. • The We Magic provide basic computer tuition, 01254 266620 We work with complete beginners Time – we are always in Facebook and mobile phoneor those wanting to improve skills. Sessions are held in Gloucester and Cheltenham or we can come outDarwen to you at Office, home. IfTown you doHall, not have a computer need of volunteers who sessions, and a loan of Nintendo DS we offer a laptop lending scheme. Croft Street, Darwen BB3 1BQ give their time to help us. Brain Training equipment is available. 01254 773440

Computer Confidence for the over 50s

Have you recently bought an iPad and wondering what to do with it? Magic Mouse will be running iPad courses for beginners in July and October. www.ageukbwd.org.uk

enquiries@ageukbwd.org.uk Not sure about computers and using the internet? Why not book in for a free taster session and to see what it’s all about. For more information call Age UK Gloucestershire on 01452 422660.

Registered charity number 1143809. IDBB2316 01/13

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A varied daily programme of activities includes a chance to stimulate the mind, such as quizzes and games, discussions about current affairs, reminiscence, music appreciation and outings.

93% of the time, Age UK Home Insurance (contents only) is cheaper than the average (median) competing quotes obtained from leading home insurers and brokers for contents cover up to £60,000. Source: Independent research conducted by Premium Research –February 2013. Full details are available online at www.ageuk.org.uk/insuranceterms *If you call the 0800 number and your local office is not available, your call will be answered by Age UK Enterprises or Ageas. Age UK Enterprises Limited is a commercial services arm of Age UK (registered charity number 1128267) and donates its net profits to Age UK. Age UK is a registered trademark. The use of the name and logo ‘Age UK’ is done so under licence agreement between Age UK and Age UK Enterprises Limited. Promoter: Age UK Enterprises Limited. Tavis House, 1–6 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9NA. H3816V1MAR13 KE053537_13

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We also offer wellbeing activities such as chiropody, hairdressing and bathing.

We provide plenty of opportunity for those who just want to talk with others, make friends or enjoy some companionship. Lunch is an important feature of the day and we provide a varied, freshly cooked, twoGloucestershire course lunch menu prepared in our own kitchens and served in our manor cafe by the care team. Diabetic, vegetarian and other diets are also catered for. Gloucestershire

You can also call your local Age UK office:

* 0800 032 0438 0800 032 0438 www.ageukinsurance.com

For those who enjoy being creative there are opportunities for painting, cookery and crafts. There are also more active pursuits such as gardening and exercise.

Transport to and from the centre in our catchment area Two course lunch prepared by our chef and his team all diets catered for www.ageukinsurance.com l Wide range of activities to suit all abilities, which take You can also call your local Age UK office: place in separate activity rooms in small groups * l Care team specially trained to look after the needs of older people and those living with dementia insurers and brokers for contents cover up yo £60,000. Source: Independent AgeofUK Home is provided by Ageas Insurance Limited. 93% the time, Age UK Home Research Insurance (contents2013. only) is cheaper than the average (median) competingsalon, quoteschiropody and bathing available l Hairdressing research conducted byInsurance Premium - February Gloucestershire www.ageukinsurance.com obtained from leading home insurers and brokers (contents for contentsonly) coveris upcheaper to £60,000. Source: Independent research Full details are available online www.ageuk.org.uk/insuranceterms 93% of the time, Age UKat Home Insurance than averagegardens (median) competing quotes lthe Spacious with raised beds and patio area conducted by Premium Research 2013. *If you call the 0800 number and your local–February office is not available, your call befor answered obtained from leading home insurers and brokers contents cover up to £60,000. Source: Independent research l Full and half days available Full details are available online at www.ageuk.org.uk/insuranceterms by Age UK Enterprises or Ageas. Age UK Enterprises Ltd is a commercial services arm of

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under licence agreement between Age UK and Age UK Enterprises Limited. Promoter: Age UK Enterprises Limited. from leading home insurers and brokers for contents cover up to £60,000. Source: Independent Tavisobtained House, 1–6 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9NA. H3816V1MAR13 KE053537_13 research

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Full details are available online at www.ageuk.org.uk/insuranceterms *If you call the 0800 number and your local office is not available, your call will be answered by Age UK Enterprises or

OUT & ABOUT

Summer Hoilday Fun at Chedworth Roman Villa From Saturday 27 July until Sunday 1 September Chedworth Roman Villa, Yanworth, Nr. Cheltenham, GL54 3LJ Tremendous family fun.

Afternoon Tea Dance Sun 11th August @ Cheltenham Town Hall Join us for an afternoon of strict temp dancing, conversation and of course tea and biscuits Tickets a £6.50 in advance, £7 on the door (space permitting).

Hands on activities. Lots to do and see. Time: 10am - 5pm Tickets: Adult £9.70 Gift Aid (£8.80 standard); Child £4.85 Gift Aid (£4.40 standard); Family £24.25 Gift Aid (£22 standard). National Trust members free.

Call : 01242 890256

Tudor Fun Day at Sudeley Castle 25 August Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe, GL54 5JD The terrible royal Tudors comes to life with a real Henry VIII and his merry wives. Enjoy archery, falconry display, minstrels and circus skills in this special day for children. There is also an interactive nature trail and an adventure playground with a fort complete with zip wire, slide and towers. Time: 10.30am-4.30pm Tickets: Included in the general ticket price. Family ticket is £35 (2 adults and 3 children).

Call : 01242 60424

Moreton in Marsh Show 7th September The 2013 Moreton Show - Saturday 7th September - is going to be a wonderful event for all the family and one we’re sure you won’t want to miss, so round up all your friends and family and come along on Saturday 7th September to enjoy a true Cotswold countryside event like no other. You’ll quickly discover there’s far more to the Moreton Show than you imagined. The Moreton Show is a traditional one day Agricultural and Horse Show which is held on the first Saturday in September each year. It is one of the largest one-day agricultural shows in the UK and attracts over 20,000 visitors each year. The Show is held in a parkland setting with no permanent buildings, so is built up in the traditional way with marquees and hurdle pens giving a true country show atmosphere.

Call : 0870 877 7409

Tickets Hotline: 0844 576 2210

The Masked Ball Sun 11th August 2:00pm @ Cheltenham Town Hall

Dance from behind a mask in opulent surroundings to music from Ross Mitchell Sound & Singers with cabaret from the fantastic Richard Still & Morgan Hemphill. James & Joanna Whitehead host an evening of beautiful ballroom and sequence in the main hall. (Mask not included). Tickets:£20.

Tickets Hotline: 0844 576 2210

The Pirates of the River Chelt @ Skillicorne Gardens Sun 25th August Preston the pirate is young, fearless and desperate to get out of town, it just so happens that Captain Cannon and his crew need a new recruit. Together they brave the River Chelt and battle the dastardly Captain Piranha in a race to find the Gloucestershire treasure. Three actors play multiple roles in this family fun, swashbuckling adventure of disguise and discovery.

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Tickets: £5 Adults, £2.50 Children (Free admission under 5s) Please reserve in advance via www.greycatproductions.co.uk Family Theatre This is an open air performance (weather permitting) and seating is unreserved in Skillicorne Gardens. Please arrive early to make the most of the wide selection of delicious food and drink on offer at the Garden Bar. Tickets will be available on the door.

Tickets Hotline: 0844 576 2210

Steam and Real Ale Weekend at GWR 14 - 15 September Gloucester Warwickshire Railway,The Railway, Toddington, Glos. GL54 5DT A GWR favourite! The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, and the North Cotswold branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) presents the magical combination of traditional beers and traditional trains. Tickets: All day rover ticket: adult £14, senior £14, child £6 (515), family £38 (2 adults and up to 3 children).Booking fees of £1 per ticket (£3 for family) applies to online ticket purchase.

Call : 01242 62140

Cheltenham Triathlon 8 September Sandford Parks Lido, Keynsham Road, Cheltenham. The purpose of the morning is to raise funds for LINC (Leukaemia Intensive Chemotherapy) and Sandford Lido Limited. This is a fun event open to all abilities of competitors, over the age of 17 who enjoy a personal or team challenge. The swim is undertaken in the Lido’s 50 metre outdoor swimming pool (10 lengths). The run and cycle are around Cheltenham and the picturesque Cotswold hills. The distances are: l Swim 500m l Cycle 15km l Run 2.7km Time: start 10am. Tickets: £30 entry

Call: 01242 524430 www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 2013 4 - 13 October

The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival returns in a celebration of award-winning writers, world-renowned thinkers and international star names. Tickets can be booked in person at Cheltenham Town Hall Box Office, by phone.

Tickets Hotline: 0844 576 7979 25

Paying for Care When suddenly faced with trying to ascertain the best way of funding one’s own or a relative’s care fees, initially it might seem quite daunting. Here, care fees planning expert, Neil Gayler, outlines two situations where specialist advice was invaluable. run out. In addition, she was understandably keen to leave a small inheritance to her daughter and grandchildren. At first sight, her personal and financial dilemma looked impossible to solve.

How Sally’s needs were met Sally’s Financial Adviser recommended the following course of action:

Sally’s story Let’s start with Sally, who had a stroke just after her 85th birthday. She moved from her own house to hospital and then to a residential care home with fees of £35,200 a year. Like many widows, she had modest savings in a building society account, State Attendance Allowance and a small pension. But she wondered just how long her savings could last and was worried that her life savings were unlikely to be left to her family. She wondered how long it would take for her money to run out. After that, she would be forced to rely on State Benefits.

Sally’s assets For the first 12 weeks, Sally’s home was disregarded from the means test. Because her savings were smaller than the lower means test threshold, her local authority contributed towards her care home fees. After 12 weeks, this contribution stopped so Sally started to draw on her savings to meet the full cost. Next, her house was sold. The sale proceeds, together with her remaining savings totalled £190,000. By taking her combined income from her private pension, State Pension and Attendance Allowance, it left care home fees of £380 a week to be found from her savings. At that rate, her savings would be completely exhausted in about seven years.

What Sally wanted Like many older people, Sally’s financial independence was very important to her. She didn’t want to live off State benefits and have the quality of her care dictated to her. But she was also worried that her limited financial resources would 26

Harry’s story Harry, 79, had substantial financial assets and a comfortable lifestyle. He enjoyed a round of golf and was fiercely independent until a stroke put him in hospital for several months. Fortunately, he made a partial recovery but still required 24 hour care. Harry wanted to return home, even though the domiciliary care fees would be far greater than a good quality care home.

Step 1: - Buy an Immediate Lifetime Care Plan. £85,102 of her capital – from the sale of her house and her savings – was used to buy an Immediate Lifetime Care Plan to meet the £380 a week shortfall in care fees. Step 2: - Take care of inflation. Payments from the plan were arranged to increase each year in line with the Retail Prices Index. Step 3: - Allow access to some capital. £4,898 was kept on deposit for immediate access. Step 4: - Leave a legacy. The remaining £100,000 was invested for capital growth to fund the legacies she wished to leave her family. The care costs were met by Sally’s State Attendance Allowance, Registered Nursing Care Contribution, pension income and the payments from her care plan. Sally paid no income tax because her pensions were set against her personal allowance. The State Attendance Allowance is currently tax free and payments from the Immediate Lifetime Care Plan were tax free because they were paid to a registered care provider. The Registered Nursing Care Contribution was paid directly to the care home. The financial plan addressed the principal concerns that Sally had. It ensured that a proportion of the care fees would be met for the rest of her life, and would allow for a legacy for her family. Please note that depending on your circumstances it may not be possible to meet all of your needs, therefore the desire to leave a legacy and pay for your cost of care may not be fulfilled.

Harry’s assets Harry received a good level of income from his occupational and State pensions – about £17,800 a year net of tax. This he supplemented with an income of at least £4,500 a year from his savings and investments. These consisted of a share portfolio, Individual Savings Account and an Investment Bond – worth around £150,000 combined with deposits of £80,000 in a combination of tax-free National Savings issues and a building society account. His home’s market value was £550,000, making total assets of £780,000. Harry currently has an Inheritance Tax liability for all of his assets above the nil rate band. Despite some help from Harry’s family, the long term care services together with his domestic expenses cost £1,100 a week. At first sight, you’d think that Harry was in a good position to afford his care fees. But based on his assets – excluding his home – his money would run out in about six years.

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What Harry wanted Harry simply wanted to live at home for the rest of his life. But what would happen if his money ran out? Harry was concerned about this, but also wanted to address any tax liabilities. He urgently needed a plan to make his assets work for him, rather than the taxman. He also wanted to be in a position to leave a legacy to his family, rather than HM Treasury. Reorganising Harry’s affairs would entail a certain amount of Inheritance Tax planning, this is a very complex area and it is very important that you seek specialised advice.

How Harry’s needs were met Harry’s Financial Adviser recommended the following course of action: Step 1:- Plan how to cover his care costs. Step one was to formulate a plan to generate the income required for the care fees. The aim was to reinvest a large part of Harry’s income-producing assets. It was necessary to minimise the impact on Harry’s share portfolio and the potential Capital Gains Tax liability that could arise if too large a part of it was sold.

Step 2:- Sell Investments. The next step was to release money from Harry’s investments. In total, £143,955 was freed-up from his deposits and his share portfolio. Fortunately Harry had sheltered his shares within Individual Savings Accounts, so no Capital Gains Tax liability was created.

additional capital or income tax liability arising. This was principally because the Immediate Lifetime Care Plan underpinned the substantial domiciliary care fees to be paid. And he held on to his home in order to provide a legacy for his family, without any liability to Inheritance Tax.

Step 3:- Buy an Immediate Lifetime Care Plan. £143,955 purchased an Immediate Lifetime Care Plan. The plan paid for £35,400 of his formal care costs each year without producing any income tax liability, as it was made direct to the registered care provider. If this payment had been taxable investment income, a large part of it would have been subject to higher rate income tax.

Premium Protection

Step 4:- Take care of inflation and care costs. An annual escalation of 5% in the benefits from the Immediate Lifetime Care Plan was chosen to take care of the potential increases in care costs. The care costs and domestic expenses were met from the care plan, Harry’s pensions, and the State Attendance Allowance. In addition Harry still had the investment income arising from his remaining capital put on deposit to provide for any additional personal expenditure. Harry’s care fees plan was secured with no

Harry’s son, Tom, who acted on behalf of his father as his attorney, was concerned that the premium paid would be lost to the estate if his father died much earlier than anticipated. Consequently the adviser recommended taking one of the Premium Protection options. The Long Term Premium Protection option he selected would pay out up to 50% of the total premium paid on early death. The additional premium for this option was £13,253 and the initial sum assured was £78,604 (50% of £143,955 plus £13,253). The amount payable on early death would be the initial sum assured minus the total payments made up to that date. This amount would be included in Harry’s estate for Inheritance Tax purposes. Full details of the Premium Protection options are available from your Financial Adviser.

Care Fees Planning advice; when and where you need it from your local specialist Neil Gayler If you are contemplating placing a relative or friend in a care home (or organising their care in their own home), you are probably feeling emotionally drained right now. The process of finding a suitable care provider and sorting through the legislation, not to mention helping them to fundamentally change and come to terms with the major changes to their lifestyle, can be extremely difficult. Add to this confusion, stress and guilt and it is not surprising that many people feel somewhat overwhelmed and worried at a time like this. There are many financial advisers in the country but only a handful in any one region with the specialist skills and knowledge to be able to guide you through the care fees planning maze SYMPONIA [Greek. adjective: compassion] Symponia has the answer — our adviser members are all suitably experienced and appropriately qualified. We are therefore able to provide a unique concept within the field of care fees planning which, in turn, gives you and your family truly independent financial advice at a time when you most need it .

Neil Gayler is your local Symponia member for Gloucestershire. For a confidential initial consultation (without any cost or obligation to you), call him on 01242 538 383

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DEMENTIA – Making the Most out of Life Sufferers of Dementia can still enjoy their later years and can take active steps to lessen the effects of their illnesses with help urges cognitive neuroscientist and ageing specialist Dr Lynda Shaw.

Dementia is an age-related syndrome that affects nearly 600,000 people in the UK, and is now the most common disease in the elderly. Living with Dementia is very difficult for both sufferers and their friends and families, but Dr Lynda Shaw believes it doesn’t have to spell the end of a happy and meaningful life. She strongly upholds that there are steps you can take to help Dementia sufferers enjoy everyday activities and make the most of their later years, despite their illness: “It is a common misconception that once Dementia has been diagnosed and begins to affect a person’s life, there is little that can be done to help the person. Whilst Dementia can of course at times be frightening, confusing and upsetting for both the sufferer and their carers, many of those with even advanced Dementia can still take great enjoyment from life, and it is a huge mistake to think otherwise. “As Dementia worsens this will obviously mean a lot of changes in life, and what the sufferer can cope with will undoubtedly change over time. Try varying activities to find what works and what doesn’t, and tailor things to an appropriate level of ability so the person doesn’t get frustrated. Even simple pleasures such as a walk in the park or listening to music can help increase the quality of life of a person with Dementia, so stay flexible in your planning and be creative in thinking of activities the person will enjoy. Most importantly, always focus on the positives.” Dementia affects people differently and can have several causes, the most common of which being Alzheimer’s Disease; its symptoms can affect memory, perception, understanding, judgement, emotions and even personality. Dr Lynda Shaw admits that there is no standard formula for how to deal with Dementia, as it depends hugely on the individual and the stage of their illness, but advises carers to invest time in activities that the person once enjoyed, and incorporate socialisation into daily routine wherever possible. “When dealing with severe Dementia, it’s often easy to focus on the illness and lose sight of the individual. Whenever you see the person with Dementia treat them with respect and dignity to help them feel confident and valued, however advanced their Dementia may be. Equally, it is important to communicate in a clear and reassuring way to help the Dementia sufferer feel at ease. Even if the person doesn’t understand what you’re saying they may pick up on nonverbal communication, so ensure your tone is warm and that your body language is open and friendly to avoid unintentionally coming across as stressed or irritated.”

Furthermore, Dr Lynda Shaw urges there are active steps that people can take to slow the rate of mental decline from Dementia, and even to avoid succumbing to the illness altogether. Most types of Dementia are degenerative, but some causes can be stopped or reversed if they are found soon enough, and Dr Shaw believes there are many things you can do to protect yourself; “Spotting the early signs of Dementia is crucial to being able to reduce the rate of deterioration. With the right lifestyle and guidance, we can help those suffering with Dementia in its early stages – and even those who aren’t – retain their independence and prolong their lives, and live as normally and happily as possible.” Tips to improve your chances at keeping Dementia at bay: 1. Keeping your brain active brain active is the most important way to avoid succumbing to Dementia. Challenge your brain daily with crosswords, sudokus, maths puzzles, or even a game of hangman, noughts and crosses or Pictionary with a friend. 2. Use your hands. Gardening, knitting, writing a diary will help improve your coordination and boost brain activity – even practice writing with your other hand to exercise the opposite side of your brain to challenge yourself! 3. Exercise regularly. Even just 10-20 minutes of walking daily can reduce the risk of Dementia through improving cardiovascular health to maintain blood flow to the brain. Not to mention the benefits of some fresh air and a change of scene! 4. Keep socialising. Arrange a weekly coffee date or phone call with friend or family member, join a book club, take up a new hobby, or volunteer for a charity in your local area. 5. Control high blood pressure by maintaining a healthy, balanced diet, cutting back on alcohol intake and quitting smoking.

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Tips to help those with Dementia 1. Find out as much as you can about Dementia and how it is affecting the particular person involved. That way when you talk to other family and friends about it, you are in the best position to be understanding and offer the right kind of support. 2. Let them and their family know you are there for them by making sure you stay in touch. Arrange regular meet-ups or just pop round for a cup of tea and a chat – even a quick text or phone call to let the family know you’re thinking of them can make a huge difference. 3. Be a good listener – those supporting the person suffering with Dementia often need someone to talk through things with, so ask thoughtful questions and listen carefully, and give them time to explore their feelings freely without judgment. 4. Organise a treat or outing to include the person with Dementia. Think of an appropriate activity for everyone to do together, such as a walk in the park or a trip to the seaside, and give everybody a fun day out. 5. Offer practical tips for how to make life easier for the Dementia sufferer. Small suggestions like placing useful telephone numbers by the phone or labeling cupboards and drawers can make a huge difference to daily life. www.drlyndashaw.com Dementia! A word that conjures up many feelings and emotions most commonly fear and anxiety a condition

that it is often assumed will inevitably lead to the loss of independence, life skills and an inability to enjoy life to the full. The effects of dementia vary from person to person, but for most people living with dementia, their aim is to remain living in their own homes for as long as is practically possible. In order to achieve this, a degree of support can be very beneficial. A day centre is one of the support services that can make a huge difference. At the Manor Centre we offer opportunities to share companionship, build skills, confidence and self esteem. A stimulating varied activity programme and wellbeing activities such as hairdressing bathing and chiropody. We seek to encourage and accentuate the skills that people still have, not those which may have been impaired. We offer a wide range at activities suitable for all levels of ability. Quizzes may suit some people whose power of recall remains strong, others with short term memory loss will find this difficult and frustrating. In contrast a reminiscence activity which targets long term memory can be fun and stimulating. I once heard Doris say at the end of a seaside reminiscence activity “I thought my memory was really bad, but I remembered so much today!” In the day centre we get to know the people who attend well, their likes and dislikes, their strengths and weaknesses, but above all to get to know them as individual people with such varied backgrounds, experiences, and life stories. There is much laughter, conversation and friendship in the Centre, a sure sign that although living with dementia, a person can still live their life to the full and be a much valued part of our community.

Call our professional team on 01452 414952 Our staff

Our staff are caring, trained to give medication and police checked.

Visit us online at www.bluebirdcare.co.uk Call our professional team on 01452 414952

Alternative

What we offer

Bluebird Care offers a realistic cost effective alternative to residential care. With familiar friends, relatives and possessions around, Bluebird Care ‘just happens’

We offer everything from personal care to shopping, cleaning or social visits. In fact everything you need to stay in the comfort of your own home.

www.bluebirdcare.co.uk Bluebird Care, Suite 4 Westgate House, The Island, Gloucester GL1 2RU. 3b Nelson Street, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 2HL 01453 757 937.

50 Plus Competition

WIN A BREAK FOR TWO

Christian Guild hotelss Abbot Hall Hotel South Lakes, Cumbria provide the very best 015395 32896 in Christian hospitalityy abbot@christianguild.co.uk Win a 5 night break for 2 people! in some of the most beautiful parts of below and send it to us for your chance to win Just fill in the form England. a 5 night break for 2 to a Christian Guild Hotel of your choice. Lindors Country Our five superb hotels House Hotel o er a warm welcome and are perfect places to get away from it all..

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www.daishs.com The holiday has to be taken between October and November 2013 or January to March 2014 and cannot be exchanged into monetary value. All dates are subject to availability and our terms & conditions.

Greyhounds: Great Bet to Perfect Pet The Trust operates a network of over 70 branches across England, Scotland and Wales, run by over 1,000 of the most dedicated and hardworking volunteers you could ever hope to meet. These volunteers help care for greyhounds, raise funds and find the right home for each dog. You can find your nearest branch by visiting www.retiredgreyhounds. co.uk/branches or by calling the Trust on 020 8335 3016.

The Retired Greyhound Trust is a national charity dedicated to finding loving homes for greyhounds at the end of their racing careers. Since the Trust was established in 1975 it has found more than 60,000 homes for this wonderful breed, so it’s no surprise that greyhounds are fast becoming one of the most popular pets in Britain today!

Each year approximately 8,000 greyhounds retire from racing in Britain, typically between three and five years of age. They are gentle, intelligent animals who, on retirement, deserve some tender loving care in family home and in return will provide you with wonderful companionship. Most greyhounds need relatively little exercise – just a couple of short walks on a lead each day. They tend to pick up new routines quickly and are not fussy eaters. They have short coats so don’t get too dirty and some can live happily with other pets, including cats. The Trust takes great care to match each greyhound with a suitable home. Prior to taking on a greyhound one of our volunteers will carry out a home check and then arrange follow-up checks to ensure things are working out for both you and your greyhound. All greyhounds that we rehome are neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, wormed and flea-treated and come with a lead, collar, muzzle, advice booklet and DVD and four weeks’ free pet insurance. Our experienced volunteers and staff are available to provide additional advice as required.

Anything you can do will make a big difference to the hundreds of greyhounds in our care and will ensure that we can continue to find loving homes for thousands of greyhounds after they have retired from racing. With your help we want to tell the world that ‘Greyhounds Make Great Pets’.

To find out more, visit www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk or call 020 8335 3016. www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Leave a legacy to support retired greyhounds. Every year the Retired Greyhound Trust finds thousands of homes for retired racing greyhounds. We have found over 60,000 homes since we were established in 1976. Our priority as a charity is to look after these wonderful dogs, but we simply couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t continue our vital work without your support. The generosity of those who leave a gift in their Will is particularly important to us. A gift in your Will can make a difference to the lives of retired racing greyhounds nationwide. If you could help the Trustâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vital work and make a difference to these noble, intelligent and gentle dogs, please contact us on: tel: 020 8335 3016

greyhounds@retiredgreyhounds.co.uk www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk Charity no: 269668

2nd Floor Park House, Park Terrace Worcester Park, Surrey, KT4 7JZ