50 Plus Magazine - Chester & Wirral by 50 Plus Magazine

CHESTER & WIRRAL MARCH - MAY 2013 EDITION 37

David Hasselhoff THE HOFF’S GOT TALENT

The Hairy Bikers

DELICIOUS & HEALTHY RECIPES

Brendan Cole TALKS TO ANGELA KELLY

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THE LOCAL MAGAZINE FOR THE OVER 50s

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Acorn Antiques & Collectables

We offer an unrivalled choice of gifts, antiques and collectables creating a unique shopping experience. We are open every day from 10am to 5pm. Late night - Thursday till 8pm.

... an array of bygone treasures Mold Road, Gwersyllt, Wrexham LL11 4AF

Tel: 01978 754090 www.acornantiqueswales.com Situated behind Heart FM on the A541 Mold Road

Coffee Shop

Furniture

Clocks

Wide range of Victorian and Edwardian pieces

Wide range of mantle, grandfather and other vintage clocks and watches

Jewellery

Vintage Clothing

Collectables

Retro, Modern and Vintage

Stand out from the crowd in designer vintage clothing from the ‘Bohemia’ and ‘Victoria’ units

Vast range of antique and modern on display

Freshly made sandwiches, baguettes and light lunches, a selection of home made cakes and scones. PLUS a very extensive main meal menu!

Sally’s Designer Clothing Agency

Art Gallery View our extended art studio encompassing some Master’s and a whole range of art right up to new works by local Artists.

Berwyn Books NEW larger book unit now open with a vast collection of books old and new!

is a friendly clothing agency based within Acorn Antiques. Working on behalf of our clients we sell quality designer clothes and accessories second time around. You will find a quality outfit or single item without paying a premium price, or you may simply want to make some cash from unwanted clothing.

Dealer evenings are held every Thursday evening up to 8 pm, where you can trade your antiques or collectables for instant CASH!

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Two Meals for £8.00

(incl. drinks) on presentation of this voucher

inside... TRAVEL & LEISURE 8-9

6-7 14-16

8-9

Travels around Tuscany... Fabulous scenery and breathtaking drives

10-11 Robinsons Holidays... Celebrating 90 years

INTERVIEW 12-13 The Hoff’s Got Talent... From Britain’s Got Talent to Peter Pan

12-13

HEALTH

26-27

26-27 Love Food and Lose Weight ... Recipes from the Hairy Bikers

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34-35 Insight to Cataract ... From Nuffield Health

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HAVING A TWITTER with Graham Smith Born to be King or Queen Well didn’t that cause a media kerfuffle? No sooner had the ink dried on Lord Justice Leveson’s pen to give the British press a kick in the rear when all hell breaks loose as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge announced that Kate is expecting. No doubt as the new year wears on there will be many more scramblings and in summer expect carnage as the race is on for the first picture of the newborn. Cameramen and reporters were almost killed in the media scrum to take up pole position outside King Edward VII hospital where the Duchess had been admitted with morning sickness in the early stages of her pregnancy. Why do they do it? All they are going to see is a hospital door for goodness sake. Kate’s hardly likely to come tripping down in her nightie to pose for pictures in between retching, is she? Some of the words which come out of media mouths on such occasions can make you equally sick. Charged with filling three minutes on the main news they come out with all manner of tripe. Under new laws, even if this baby is a girl, it will be third in line of succession to the throne. Bearing in mind the longevity of the Royal Family I reckon she could be around 87 before she comes to the throne and I certainly don’t think I’ll be at the street party to celebrate. One conversation between media types discussed what would happen if she had twins. Eventually the concensus was that the first child to emerge would be third in line to the throne. Fascinating, they go to college for this you know. It’s been over 2,000 years since we had such fervour over an impending birth, and look at the trouble that caused. Every guest house was closed and the poor beggar ended up in a stable jostling for position with cows, sheep, singing shepherds, camels, a donkey and a confused surrogate father who claimed he hadn’t done anything to Mary anyway! (Oh dear, there will be letters).

Joking apart, good luck to the Royal couple, they were one of the few bright spots in the year 2012 and let’s hope the chastised media minds its manners with them and their future family in 2013.

Dogs in the driving seat Given that they have usually four perfectly good legs why would you want to teach a dog to drive? A New Zealand animal charity is doing just that because it reckons that owners will be more encouraged to adopt them if they show signs of increased intelligence. Right then. I’ll admit it’s handy if you’re out to a party and don’t want to drive. Instead of your wife you could take the dog to drive you home but if the police stop you don’t count on being home before morning, they will have questions. The charity put Porter, Mont and Ginny behind the wheel of an adapted Mini Cooper and after just eight weeks are reported to have put it in gear, accelerate and steer, something which is beyond many humans after they have passed their test! So far the dogs have been driving with the help of an assistant inside the car but the next move is to let them try solo, on live television. Simon Cowell wait for this. According to an instructor, they will hop in, start the car, put it in gear and use the accelerator. Thankfully this is being done on an off-road track but the charity has visions of carrying it further. When I see a Jack Russell driving a Mini Cooper down the motorway I will know it’s time to hand in my licence.

When Irish eyes are smiling! We recently rented out a property after receiving quite a bit of Internet interest but it was the last enquiry which made me chuckle. It said simply by text, “Would you consider renting to an Irish escort?” I didn’t reply and the following day received another text with a link to the escort’s web site. Checking, as you do, I was staggered at the rates she was charging, £170 an hour….she could certainly have paid the rent!

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Of course the basic premise is that those looking for the beneﬁts from generating their own electricity have capital to invest. The cost of installing SolarPV panels will vary according to the size of system but an optimum domestic size of 4kW (16 panels) will now cost around £6000 or £5000 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 electricity and a tax free income day after day, year after year.

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y n a c s u T

Travels around

veladvisor.com)

ver Travel Advisor (silvertra

By Maria Meredith from Sil

Italy is one of my favourite places not only because I have family there (Parma) but also I love the many different areas- the Puglian trullis, the fabulous scenery and breath taking drives around the Amalﬁ coast, the Sicilian culture- not forgetting the fabulous food and wine! We had never been to Tuscany and decided it was time to go and see what all the fuss was about!

My Week in Tuscany Our Easyjet plane landed on time at Pisa, it’s much cheaper to fly here than to Florence and we picked up our hire car from Budget, which was a bargain £99 for the week. The car hire collection point is accessed via a 2 minute free bus ride and was one of the easiest car hire pick up/returns 8

we have had along with the bonus of being given a free upgrade. This was a very positive start.

Il Castelle, Certaldo Alta We set out for our first stop, La Fonte in Certaldo, where we were staying for four nights. Our first visit was to San Gimignano, which we did like but we found it very touristy and much preferred the old town of Certaldo. Here we were lucky enough to witness an Italian wedding which provided a great opportunity to experience a true Italian event and watch all the characters enjoy themselves. Sadly, we did not discover the relevance of the various metal life-sized men placed around the town, one of which was perched on top of a high tower, an art installation perhaps? Certaldo Alto was accessed via a funicular railway which stays open until late (costs 1 euro each way). It was far less touristy than San Gimignano and therefore was not as crowded. We enjoyed two excellent meals in Certaldo Alto– at Il Castello

and L’Antica Fonte - both with lovely views. The owner of La Fonte strongly recommended taking the train to Florence (about 10 euros for a return ticket, the journey takes just under an hour to Santa Maria station, where you get off). It’s vital to check and double check train times as these can change at the last minute somewhat unpredictably.

Siena Siena was next on the agenda and this was the only place where we hadn’t pre-booked accommodation. We found a brilliant hotel within 10 minutes’ walking distance of the Duomo, main square, restaurants & bars etc. It is the Hotel Villa Liberty and cost only 133 euros for B&B in a very good location. The only downside of our stay in Siena was that minutes after getting seated “al fresco” in our chosen restaurant that evening, the heavens opened! En route to Lucca the following day we decided to take a detour to

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Volterra which I had read about in the tour guide. Volterra is another walled city and most definitely worth the journey. The countryside views en route were stunning and sadly I conceded that many were better than in the UK! And it wasn’t raining…… Our arrival at Albergo Villa Casanova was far later than we planned so we did not really have that much time to relax – this 5 star boutique hotel certainly had the “Wow” factor but at a price! Leaving the luxury of Casanova behind we set out for a morning sightseeing in Lucca before making our way to our last destination of Pisa. We wished we had allowed more time for Lucca - we noticed many people cycling around the city walls and would have liked to have done the same. We did manage to get lost in the maze of streets but fortunately the lady I asked understood my Italian…. and more importantly. I understood her directions! We had decided to return the car a day early as the cost of parking the car in the hotel garage was around the same price as taxis to/from the airport. We also felt it would be less stressful than the usual car hire return palaver, but I must say it was one of the easiest car hire returns ever! The Royal Victoria Hotel in Pisa cost only £99 for B&B. Described as a very old antique hotel we appreciated it was going to be vastly different to the luxury we had experienced at Casanova but it was perfect for a short stay. The Fields of Miracles was within 1015 minutes walking distance from our hotel with many bars & restaurants en route - obviously the closer to The Tower the more you pay. We chose a bar on the corner directly opposite the Tower and were pleasantly surprised to receive four delicious mini paninis along with our Peronis!

Leaning Tower of Pisa I had wanted to see the Leaning Tower for as long as I could remember and l was not disappointed. It has benefited from a “wash & brush up” and looked

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marvellous. We could not believe the extent that tourists were going to get wacky photos - what a laugh! And … yes…we got a few of our own too-it must be infectious. We will definitely return …in Spring or Autumn maybe. That evening we chose La Buca restaurant near the Tower – the meal was nice but sadly the service did not match the quality of the food. After a few more hours in The Fields of Miracles the following morning we returned to our hotel for the taxi to the airport to catch our late afternoon flight. Our only regret is that we hadn’t booked a further two or three days in this beautiful part of the world with the ever present scent of Jasmine. We returned feeling like we could do with another more relaxing holiday to totally “chill out”! We hardly had time to read more than a few pages of our books as the sightseeing, travelling and staying at four different accommodations was quite wearing - not to mention that I was suffering from “photography fatigue” after taking over 800 photos! In future I will bear this in mind or make a point of sightseeing only until mid pm returning to our accommodation for a spot of sunbathing, swimming and to read a few chapters.

Maria Meredith

writes for the over 50’s travel review and information website silvertraveladvisor. com. Maria is an active Silver Traveller; when her husband retired two years ago, she decided to join him at the age of 54 (one benefit of marrying an older man!). She has worked in banking, catering and for the last 28 years for M&S at a variety of stores. She has many hobbies, entering competitions and photography being two of them. Travel has always been a big part of her life - visiting many places in Europe and also destinations further afield such as New Zealand, India & Mauritius. Her first ever cruise was last year to see the Northern Lights. She particularly enjoys reading about different customs and traditions and has many funny stories to share, hence Maria is delighted to be able to contribute to Silver Travel Advisor.

For more details see silvertraveladvisor.com

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The Hoff ’s GOT TALENT For a man who hit 60 not long ago David Hasselhoff – better known as simply The Hoff – has continued the swashbuckling ways he began as a young actor. Known to millions across the world as good guy Michael Knight, the man with the talking car in iconic science fiction series “Knight Rider” which was the most watched TV show in history, the actor became a hero. He compounded the image with another blockbuster of the small screen, “Baywatch”, where he played lifeguard Mitch Buchannon and saved even more lives.

The pirate with the interesting hand ornament and overdose of self-confidence, however, is a million miles from the young David Hasselhoff. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, David first got the theatrical bug at the age of seven and took acting, singing and dancing lessons. He was, however, very shy off stage in front of girls because he was tall and thin. On stage, though, he was in his element. Unsurprisingly, acting became his career and, while in California, he became successful on the hugely popular US TV series “The Young and the Restless” in 1973 as Dr William “Snapper” Foster Jr. By then, he’d developed heartthrob looks and a physique to match. In 1982 he moved from daytime soap to prime time programming with “Knight Rider” which captured the public’s imagination not only in the States but across the world.

His swashbuckling action is on the side of the baddies rather than the goodies as he became the notorious Captain Hook in perennial panto favourite “Peter Pan” for an extended run at Manchester’s Opera House.

When that show ended, Hasselhoff launched a successful recording career in Europe. In 1989 “Looking for Freedom” remained in the No.1 spot in the German charts for eight consecutive weeks. He has continued to perform regularly in concert ever since and has released nine albums to date, scoring a UK single hit in 2006 with “Jump In My Car”. He returned to episodic TV in 1989 in “Baywatch” – the series about California lifeguards which launched Pamela Anderson to superstardom and made red one-piece swimming costumes the coolest beachwear on the planet. Although the programme enjoyed good ratings, the network cancelled it after only one series. Undeterred, Hasselhoff and his partners acquired the rights to the 12

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INTERVIEW

show and, based on his popularity overseas, secured funding and revived “Baywatch” in 1991. The programme is still running and is now a piece of American culture, seen in 140 countries by more than one billon viewers each week. David Hasselhoff has always been prepared to try new challenges and his lengthy acting career has included film and stage roles. He made his Broadway debut in 2000 in the title role of “Jekyll and Hyde” and played the lead role in London performances of “Chicago.” He’s sufficiently down-to-earth to parody himself – even taking a major role in the children’s blockbuster film “The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie” in 2004 where he meets SpongeBob and Patrick very much in his “Baywatch” persona. He had a short appearance in the movie “DodgeBall”, was in “EuroTrip” and played Adam Sandler’s despicable boss in the 2006 film “Click”. The same year, he portrayed Roger DeBris in the Las Vegas production of Mel Brooks’ famous show “The Producers”. His star was certainly in the ascendancy during this time as he also became a judge on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”, taking a judging role in the second, third and fourth seasons alongside Sharon Osburne and Piers Morgan. Hasselhoff also has an uncanny knack of spotting trends and opportunities. In 2008, “The Hoff” became the first celebrity downloadable character for the PlayStation Network’s video game “Pain”. And the following year, he began a TV love affair with the British public through two-part special “The Hoff: When Scott Came To Stay” which chronicled how radio presenter Scott Mills lived for four days with Hasselhoff at his Californian mansion. The star and his two daughters, Taylor and Hayley, took part in another British TV reality show when they went ghost-hunting at Tutbury Castle in Staffordshire. And in 2011, The Hoff – always a big favourite in the UK - returned to British TV as a judge on “Britain’s Got Talent”. He’s been a contestant on America’s “Dancing with the Stars” and, to demonstrate his theatrical diversity, in 2011 took on the dastardly pirate role in “Peter Pan” for the first time. Hasselhoff is a true Anglophile, has often brought his daughters here and his 32 year-old girlfriend, Hayley Roberts, is Welsh. At 6ft 4ins and with one of the most recognisable faces in the world that appears to be defeating the ravages of time, he’s still hugely popular wherever he goes.

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He’s a big fan of Manchester, and has been reported as saying he wants to enjoy shopping in the city and see a play during his stay. “I love the Manchester accent and I can’t believe how beautiful and hip the city is,” he said. “When I was in town for ‘Britain’s ~Got Talent’, Louis Walsh said to me ‘you’ll love Manchester’ and I did. The city is very, very cool and European.” He describes his panto role as “The Hook gone Hoff” and there’s no doubt audiences will enjoy what is bound to be an entertaining stint by this enthusiastic performer. As for where his career takes him next, David Hasselhoff appears to be accepting of where the theatrical fates send him. Likeable and larger than life, he is pragmatic about his work and was once reported as saying: “I may not be a big movie star who gets to be James Bond, but who cares? I am happy. I’ll leave it in God’s hands.” Photos: Shutterstock.com

CHANGING ROOMS IN THE HOME IS SOMETHING MANY OF US LONG TO DO BUT ARE HAMPERED BY THOSE TWIN PROBLEMS: LACK OF MONEY AND LACK OF KNOWLEDGE.

Writes Angela Kelly

We may know what we DON’T want around us, but probably have only a vague idea of what we do. The way we proceed next tends to relate either to the structure of the house – knocking through to give bigger rooms, adding a conservatory or building an extension – or the interior décor which includes everything from light ﬁttings and wallpaper to furniture and paintings. For the first, often more sweeping, approach, architectural consultant Gary Willis from Novensus says always remember the importance of light. “Daylight directly affects our wellbeing and living in dark conditions can add to our lethargy,” he states. Deep rooms can appear dark as natural daylight can’t penetrate to the furthest reaches, so Gary suggests perhaps adding more windows. If privacy is an issue, consider use opaque window film, opaque glass or even glass blocks. “High level strip windows can also be used to provide natural light without sacrificing privacy,” he adds.

BEFORE

A pitched roof with a flat internal ceiling could be opened up to a more interesting space, enhanced by exposed roof structure and effective roof lights.

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“Remove a wall to create an open plan dining/ kitchen and a more adaptable space,” says Gary. “Even the removal of a load-bearing wall – one that has a structural purpose – is a relatively straightforward task to a competent builder.”

We are a family run Builders Merchant with knowledgeable and helpful staff. We have been in business for 30 years. We have a large stock of Flags, Block Paving, Bricks, Gravel, Timber and Fencing ready for speedy delivery. We accept all major credit and debit cards.

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For bigger projects, consider a garage or loft conversion. “Only around half of us really utilise our garage,” insists Gary. “Put this space to good use. Rather than just turning the garage into a room, how about thinking more laterally? Could you use part of the garage to extend an adjacent room to create a larger kitchen, whilst still reserving part of the garage for garden storage, a utility area or a study?” A conservatory can add both light and space to a home, “but a sun room or orangery is a much better option. It will be insulated to current standards that will provide a usable room in all seasons and ultimately add more value to your home.

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HOME “Another alternative is a pre-built garden room which can be brought onto site in one piece, or built quickly in a modular format with limited disturbance.”

Indoors, bring in the light with brighter, lighter colours on walls, floors and ceilings to maximise available light. Gloss and satin finishes will reflect more light than dull, dark colours and mirrors can be used imaginatively to bring much-needed light into a room or brighten a dark hallway also giving the illusion of space. When cash is short, home stylist and project manager Jill Brimley from Changing Spaces advises looking carefully at what you’ve already got and adapting where you can. “Dark walls can be painted a light, neutral shade like Dulux Natural Calico,” she says.

BEFORE

Take a close look at doors as these can give a dated feel to a room, and invest in new, white ones to add to light. For the Living Room makeover (pictured), Jill also had new panelled cupboard doors made for the meter cupboard. The electrical socket was removed and re-sited to get rid of ugly trailing wires and storage added within the cupboard. A “gorgeous little chair” was bought from TK Maxx, the dark legs painted in white satin wood. The original curtains were dry cleaned and a new complimentary fabric panel was added to lengthen them to the floor. “Additional fabric was bought to cover existing cushion pads to co-ordinate the look,” says Jill. She recycled accessories from around the home - “We also decluttered, removed the old carpet and put in new oak wood-style laminate flooring and painted the dark mahogany fireplace, mirror and cupboard in white satin wood to provide a brighter and nicer co-ordinated room.”

AFTER Maximise garden views “and minimise rubbish ones!” advises Gary. “Create a cosy oasis of space with a smaller patio. Dress it up with flower boxes and a beautiful chair or swing to provide visual interest throughout all seasons.”

For this Kitchen makeover on a budget, Jill kept the original units, unifying them to a cream satin wood and then adding freestanding furniture with doors almost identical to the existing units and bought at a clearance shop to add to the fitted look.

A41 Liverpool Road, Backford, Chester CH1 6PE Tel: 01244 851 211 www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Modern inexpensive cream brick tiles were used around the necessary areas, the walls were painted lighter with Dulux’s Javan Dawn, and the original back door was replaced with small French windows to bring in extra light and a view of the garden. Jill also replaced the original work top with a solid oak butcher’s block.

JILL’S TIPS FOR UPDATING ANY EXISTING KITCHEN ARE: •

declutter work surfaces, tops of cupboards and walls

•

Steam clean kitchen area

•

Update white electrical sockets with chrome

•

Replace worktops with new, more modern items and/or change cupboard doors

•

Inexpensive plain tiles can make the look fresher and more modern

•

Chrome tile trims give a more upmarket look

•

Emulsion the walls to compliment the décor

•

Invest in new floor covering

•

Change the colour of your kettle, toaster etc for instant impact

“For a contemporary look, change the door handle and light switch to chrome,” adds Jill. “Inset halogen lights in the front and inside of the wardrobe, and upgrade the radiator and radiator cabinet.” Use old pillows that have flattened as cushion pads or cut up old duvets, and plump up curtains with crumpled tissue paper. The Bathroom can improve if you knock through an old bathroom and separate toilet into one modern area. Add a heated towel radiator to save on space and for a more stylish look. It’s worth investing in a combi boiler which gets rid of the old water tank and is more efficient. Try bricking up the original toilet widow externally and reduced it in size internally to give a useful shelf/recess. Investment in a white modern suite is really worthwhile. Use floor and wall tiles in the same neutral colour but different sizes - bigger tiles with smaller grout lines also give the illusion of space. And if you struggle to see new potential in your home – call in the experts!

Meet the experts In the Bedroom, use relaxing light neutral colours. If space is limited, go for sliding wardrobe mirror doors to reflect light back into the room. Shop carefully for complementary bargain soft furnishings – go online, visit mill and clearance shops or use sale curtains to make Roman blinds or a bed throw.

GARY WILLIS Architectural Consultant from Novensus JILL BRIMLEY Home Stylist Changing Spaces

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Wirral Wetrooms

Bespoke Bathrooms and En-suites Wirrals leading Wetroom Specialist - we design, supply & install Our professional team will be on hand at every step from design, through installation to the completed, working bathroom. We pride ourselves in being one of the only showrooms in the UK that design, supply and install primarily using our own employed staff. We bring attention to detail to create the perfect blend of asthetics and functionality. Wirral Wetrooms is the perfect answer in response to the growing demand for a tailored bathroom.

Offering a range of sophisticated international products to produce a bathroom unique to you, the customer, which will look as good in 10 years time as it does on day one. At Wirral Wetrooms we never forget that we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t choose you - you choose us! Your complete satisfaction is our number one priority. Wirral Wetrooms have a reputation for providing top class service. Visit our website to read just a few testimonials from satisfied customers.

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AN AFFORDABLE, EASIER LIFE…..

if you’re tired of lifting heavy garage doors in the rain or stretching over kitchen sinks to draw your blinds, we may have the answer….

Automation of domestic blinds, exterior awnings and garage doors is a growing market in the UK and more affordable than you may think. Window Shades are a leading supplier & installer of such products with vast expertise within the industry. Window Shades are a family run business, established for over 12 years, so are well qualified to offer genuine solutions to challenging demands in all aspects of soft furnishings, including both interior and exterior blinds and shutters. We supply the highest quality window blind systems, Awnings, Canopies and Roller Garage doors. Situated in a picturesque setting at Claremont Courtyard, Wirral, Cheshire, we supply to both domestic and commercial customers, covering the whole of the North West. We manufacture and supply high quality blinds so If you are looking to give a fresh look from traditional to contemporary, simple to complex design, luxurious or plain, we have the ideal solution.

We understand that buying a new garage door is a significant investment for your home. Our range of garage doors aim to ensure you make the most of your investment by offering a product that will fit all of your requirements and offering attractive effortless protection for your home. Roller garage doors are designed to roll up into a coil in a compact space above the opening of your garage. This ensures that the space inside and outside your garage is used efficiently and meaning you can park right up to the door. As well as space-saving benefits, roller doors are incredibly secure and practically impossible to break into. Combined with efficient insulation properties and available with or without automation, a roller door can prove to be a convenient, secure and practical solution for your garage. The automatic doors have a safety sensor and in internal manual override. Investing in our range of garage doors means you are making the best possible investment in the future of your families property both in terms of appearance and security.

Our made to measure, bespoke Awnings are durable, easy to maintain and can also be fully automated – giving you complete control at the touch of a button. Our awnings can be fitted with wind sensors, which automatically retract the awning during bad weather. This ensures that neither the awning, or your premises are damaged. Lighting and heating incorporated within the awning is also an extra option. Call us now on 0151 343 1144 for a free no obligation quote.

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Exhibitions at the

WILLIAMSON ART GALLERY & MUSEUM, BIRKENHEAD 23 March – 5 May Wirral Spring Exhibition of Art & Photography Our annual celebration of local talent, open to all artists with Wirral connections to submit work. Each year prize-winners are chosen by the selectors for adding to the gallery collection, as well as the Kriterion Award that is voted for by visitors. (illustrated 2012 prize-winners)

18 May - 2 June Wirral Art School The Final Show for Fine Art & Animation Degree Students at Wirral Metropolitan College, always an exciting and unpredictable event.

8 June – 7 July Stephen Collett

Faces of Inspiration – a portrait project, in collaboration with dot-art. De-junk, re-junk

Recycled art. Matthew Thomas

Our 2012 Kriterion Award winner with a selection of his photographs.

Try our new café and shop, stocking work by local artists & craftspeople.

Building work at the gallery means that the whole building is not yet open, though it is hoped that it will be before the summer of 2013. The dates given are subject to alteration, possibly at short notice, and we apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused. If there is something specific you wish to see, please call in advance

Williamson Art Gallery & Museum Slatey Road, Birkenhead CH43 4UE 0151 652 4177 williamsonartgallery@wirral.gov.uk

Open Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 5pm Closed Monday NB also closed Good Friday, 29 March

Have you visited Birkenhead Priory?

WIRRAL

site now wholly enclosed by modern Birkenhead, the Priory has the oldest standing buildings in Merseyside and is usually a haven of tranquillity, until the shipyard next door starts banging! The Undercroft Museum tells the story of the Priory and the Chapter House dates back to 1150, in use as church since St Mary’s parish church closed forty years ago. Upstairs is the chapel dedicated to HMS Conway, the training ship stationed on the River Mersey off Rock Ferry for many years. The chapel is open by arrangement. Work on the refurbishment of some of buildings will carry on through the Spring of 2013 but should be complete by the Summer. St Mary’s church tower will soon be available to visitors and the rest of the site will be open most of the time. Please telephone before a visit if you are hoping to see something specific.

Open Wednesday – Friday pm, Saturday & Sunday all day NB also closed Good Friday, 29 March

Telephone (0151) 666 1249 or 652 4177 to check times, which vary with the season.

Licence to thrill Brendan Cole talks to Angela Kelly

When I met BRENDAN Cole he had just gone out of the most recent series of TV’s “Strictly Come Dancing” after partnering Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton for eight weeks so – obviously – it seemed he might have time on his hands to relax. “Relax? What’s that?!” he asked in those pleasantly abrasive Kiwi tones that viewers have come to love and judges to fear. “We’re straight into rehearsals for the Christmas special and there’s no rest, but I’m partnering Kelly Brook so that’s great.” Brendan and Kelly danced together in the popular programme’s fifth series and were favourites to win. Sadly, Kelly’s father died suddenly and, although she had wanted to carry on dancing in his memory, she found she just couldn’t and left the series. “It’s lovely being back with Kells again,” he added, warmly. “But with that and a few other things at the moment as well as planning for my theatre tour, it’s pretty hectic.” One of the “few other things” occupying the 36 year-old’s time and mind was the birth of his first child. Wife, former model Zoe, was pictured just days before at a starry event looking beautiful and very pregnant. To Brendan’s delight, Zoe had a baby girl on Christmas Day describing her as “the best Christmas present ever”

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INTERVIEW him in series seven. “I say ‘danced’ but most of the time all we did was have lunch!’ recalled Brendan, laughing happily at the memory. Brendan is kinder about some of his partners than others, but plainly enjoyed dancing with Victoria Pendleton who blossomed under his tutelage. He had predicted that they would last around eight weeks and did just that, but the athlete was generous in her praise of her professional partner and the friendly partnership appears mutual. He had a definite departure from the “Strictly” format in January, 2010, however, when the debut of his own theatre tour – “Live and Unjudged” - written and directed by him went on tour. “It suited me,” he stated. “I loved the format and being so close to the audience.” Audiences obviously loved him as well as this was a great success. Now, he’s just finished another tour, called “Licence To Thrill” which was as fascinating as its title. “That came from it being 50 years of James Bond and from one of the big songs we’re doing, Gladys Knight’s ‘Licence To Kill’ from the Bond film, so we thought that would set the tone for the show,” added Brendan, speaking before the show took place. The 32-date tour took in everywhere from Cornwall to Carlisle and Blackpool to Basingstoke, involving 14 musicians and six world-class dancers. This included leading the fabulous lady Fauve Hauto from France, who audiences loved. “The first time I saw her I was mesmerised.” added Brendan. Brendan describes himself as “very family orientated” and it’s plain when he talks about growing up in Christchurch, New Zealand, that he enjoys family life. Brendan and Zoe married in July 2010 after meeting at the birthday party of a mutual friend Rick Parfitt jnr two years previously. All of which, if we are to believe the media hype that has sprung up around the dancer as Strictly ‘bad boy’ is out of character, surely? “No, I’m quite a relaxed sort of guy, really,” he assured me. “I’m just passionate about what I do.” Certainly, Brendan’s love of dancing and genuine talent for it shine through. In fact, you suspect that’s always been the case since he started dancing at the age of six. He worked as a builder and danced as an amateur with Camilla Dallerup from 1996, then from 2002-2004 the couple danced as professionals and achieved success. The pair joined “Strictly” when it began in 2004 and since then Brendan has been partnered with a variety of celebrities with varying degrees of success. In the first season, he famously partnered newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky and won. After that he danced with “Casualty” star Sarah Manners, then with GMTV’s Fiona Phillips and then actress Claire King. Supermodel Lisa Snowdon was his partner for the sixth series and Ronnie Wood’s estranged wife, Jo, danced with

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There was also Australian dancer Melanie Hooper and Germany’s Patrick Helm not to mention Brendan’s brother, Scott, in the two-hour dance and big band extravaganza. The Bond theme resonates with Mr Cole because he’s a lover of fast cars. So would he like to take the lead if they made “James Bond – The Musical”? “I’m a Kiwi – I don’t think they’d let me,” he laughed again. “Mind you, I’ve got some Scottish ancestry, so you never know.” Ask the lanky Kiwi who his dream partner would be and he immediately says “Natalie Portman – but don’t tell my wife!” When I point out that she’s rather a petite dancer to partner, he stated “that would be ideal – then I could throw her about!” Brendan’s genuine love of dancing is evident in everything he does, and he believes that “Strictly” has made the general public much more knowledgeable about dancing, too. However, he insists that he’s really “an entertainer – that’s what I do” and maybe when all the dancing stops he’d still like to continue entertaining audiences. And with a very polite “thank you” for our pleasant interview, Brendan Cole – former bad boy of ballroom and now entertainer extraordinaire – returned to his busy day and yet more dazzling dance routines to plan. 23

A Cynic’s view Why don’t Banks give Investment advice any more? Traditionally Banks were seen to be the place to go to ask for advice on how to make your money grow. The knowledgeable bank manager and his staff would look after his customers. That was in the good old days of Captain Mainwaring. This changed in the 90’s. They were pensioned off and younger, cheaper staff replaced them. Systems took over and replaced common sense with computer programmes. Maximum profit replaced good service. We all understand that businesses of whatever form need to make a profit. To this end their products need to have charges built in. Financial products are no different. Unfortunately greed and commission hungry institutions took more and more of their client’s money in ways that were opaque and hidden. The Financial Services Authority has for some time been attempting to sort out this mess. In January 2013 new rules come into force following what is called the Retail Distribution Review. Financial product’s charges need to be clear and transparent. Advice needs to be seen for what it is, a service to be paid for. When purchasing an investment,

customers will see what is to be invested, the charges and the cost of the advice. Banks have never built service into their proposition. They took maximum profits and saw client reviews as a way of selling more products rather than reviewing and fine-tuning the existing investments. Ongoing charges were seen as additional profits without having to do anything for it. Costs have come down, now that they can be seen. Banks are now in the real world and can’t operate on the narrow margins of the Independent Financial Advisers. Ongoing charges will be stopped if no service is given. This has made it unprofitable and staff have been made redundant across the sector. Advice is important. Your money is too and reviews make a world of difference. Arrange yours today. Web: www.arrowfs.co.uk Tel: 01244 322330 Email: info@arrowfs.co.uk

No.1 Fear in Retirement - Running Out Of Money! *A recent survey of people aged 44 to 75 showed 61% are more afraid of running out of money than they are of dying! So you are approaching or have finally reached retirement. But wait, your retirement income is substantially less than your salary and your cash savings are yielding a pitiful income. How will you maintain your standard of living? Supplement income with further withdrawals from capital? But, if you do this how long will your funds last? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Thousands of people are faced with this situation. We are all living longer and uncertain whether to spend and enjoy, or save and wait. The decisions and choices you make may affect the income you receive for the rest of your life. All the questions, decisions and choices are things that can be confusing and end up being put off until it’s sometimes too late. Arrow Financial Services are here to help you through the minefield by giving you “Impartial, jargonfree financial advice”. We will sit down with you to find out what your current situation is and what you want to achieve. We will then agree with you the most suitable course of action and review this regularly.

Don’t let phrases like – Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Equity Release, ISA’s, Investments, Drawdown or a myriad of other confusing terms put you off. We’re here to help you by explaining this thoroughly and cutting through the jargon. Arrow Financial Services has built a reputation for giving jargon-free financial advice. Our aim is simple - to give you expert advice at a level and depth to suit your individual needs. Being completely independent means that we can provide you with sound, impartial financial advice. With Arrow Financial Services at your side you’ll be safe in the knowledge that any recommendations are made only after thorough research of the entire market place. Regular reviews are also offered to take account of changes in your life and also changes in the financial market place.

*AARP - source Allianz Life Insurance.

Advice is important. Your money is too and reviews make a world of difference. Arrange yours today. Tel: 01244 322330 Web: www.arrowfs.co.uk Email: info@arrowfs.co.uk

Arrow Financial Services Impartial, jargon-free financial advice

“How can we be sure we are fully prepared for Retirement?” Call Arrow Financial Services for advice on: • Pensions • Annuities • Investments • ISA • Equity Release • Wealth Management • Long Term Care Planning Our clients enjoy regular face to face meetings and these are enhanced by combining the very best advice with the very best technology. As your IFA we also believe that YOU should benefit from this combination. There is no substitute for face to face advice and a personal relationship but for those who use technology you can access your financial information when and where you want.

We are Bill Hughes and Dave Jacobsen of Arrow Financial Services UK Ltd. We are a ﬁrm of Chartered Financial Planners whose aim is to help you achieve the lifestyle you want during retirement, by maximising your Pension and Investment opportunities. If you think this could be of interest to you, please contact our ofﬁces in Chester on 01244 322 330 and we will arrange for an initial meeting without obligation or cost.

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Arrow Financial Services 46 Watergate Street, Chester CH1 2LA. | Tel: 01244 322 330 Email: info@arrowfs.co.uk

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Arrow Financial Services UK Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. FSA No. 528826. Registered No. 6967392.

HOW TO LOVE FOOD AND LOSE WEIGHT The Bikers set out to discover how to enjoy the best great British food at home, creating new dishes and adapting some culinary treasures to make them and us ﬁtter for life. THE HAIRY DIETERS: How to Love Food and Lose Weight includes a healthy eating plan with mouth-watering recipes for eating at home, eating out, and of course, entertaining. It is ﬁlled with all the dishes that have made Si King and Dave Myers two of the nation’s favourite cooks. From perfect pies, curries, roast dinners and delicious desserts, the Hairy Dieters prove that cooking without the calories doesn’t have to compromise on taste.

LEAN LAMB HOTPOT We’ve always loved this simple old-fashioned dish and this is our new-wave version - who’d have thought it? By trimming the meat well and reducing the amount of potatoes, we’ve made this lower in calories than the trad recipe. Makes a cracking supper on a cold day, served with lots of green veg.

SERVES 4 700g well-trimmed lamb leg meat (or leg steaks) 2 tsp sunflower oil 2 medium onions, peeled and thinly sliced 5 medium carrots, peeled and thickly sliced (about 300g prepared weight) 3 tbsp plain flour

600ml lamb stock, made with 1 lamb stock cube 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 tsp dried thyme 1 rosemary stalk or 1/2 tsp dried rosemary 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce flaked sea salt freshly ground black pepper Potato topping 3 medium potatoes (about 500g)

438 calories per portion

Trim any visible fat off the lamb and cut the meat into rough 3cm chunks. Season generously all over with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan and fry the lamb in 2 batches over a medium-high heat until nicely browned on all sides. Transfer the browned meat to a medium casserole dish - it will need to hold about 2.5 litres. Tip the onions and carrots into the pan with the lamb and sprinkle with the flour. Toss everything together well, then pour over the stock and add the thyme leaves, rosemary and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well. Preheat the oven to 170oC/Fan 150oC/Gas 31/2. Peel the potatoes and cut them into slices about 5mm thick. Arrange the slices on top of the lamb, overlapping and layering them as you go. Season with ground black pepper and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Bake the hotpot for 1 hour, then remove the lid and bake for a further 45 minutes or until the potatoes are nicely browned and the lamb is tender. Check by poking with the point of a knife into the centre of the lamb filling - if the meat is done the knife should slide in easily. Serve with freshly cooked greens.

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SALMON WITH CHILLI GINGER SAUCE Oily fish such as salmon, is a great choice when you’re watching your weight, but bear in mind that it contains more calories than white fish. It’s a high-quality protein, so fills you up, and it is delicious especially when teamed with this sticky, tangy sauce. You need to allow time for the fish to marinate for 30 minutes but once that is done, this is quick and easy to prepare. SERVES 4 2 balls of stem ginger in syrup (and 2 tablespoons of the syrup) 3 garlic cloves 3 tbsp dark soy sauce finely grated zest of 1/2 well-scrubbed orange freshly squeezed juice of 1 orange (about 125ml) 1/2 long red chilli, thinly sliced 4 x 125 -150g salmon fillets, skin on freshly ground black pepper

Put the ginger balls on a board and slice them thinly. Pile up the slices from each ball and cut through them to make thin matchstick strips. Put these in a bowl that’s large enough to hold the salmon and add 2 tablespoons of the stem ginger syrup from the jar. Peel the garlic cloves and slice them thinly, then add them to the bowl with the ginger. Stir in the soy sauce, orange zest, orange juice and red chilli.

254 calories per portion

Put the salmon in the bowl with the marinade. Season with lots of ground black pepper and turn a couple of times, ending with the fish skin side up. Cover and chill for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 220oC/Fan 200oC/Gas 7. Line a small baking tray with baking parchment. Take the salmon fillets out of the marinade scraping off any bits and pieces, and place them on the tray, skin side down. Season with more ground black pepper. Bake for 12-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon. While the salmon is cooking, prepare the sauce. Pour the marinade into a small non-stick saucepan and bring to the boil. Cook for 6 minutes or until the liquid has reduced and the garlic is softened. You need enough of the marinade to pour over the salmon but not swamp it completely. Put the salmon fillets on warmed plates, carefully lifting off the skin as you go. Spoon the hot sauce over the salmon and serve with a small portion of rice or new potatoes and some steamed or stir-fried vegetables.

PLUM RICE PUDDING Those little pots of rice pudding you can buy in supermarkets make a nice sweet treat, but they are expensive and they contain lots of sugar. It’s so much cheaper to make your own and really easy. Eat the rice pudding on its own or topped with a fruity compote. We like plums, but use any lightly stewed fruit you like - apples, pears and summer berries all work well. SERVES 4 100g pudding rice 400ml semi-skimmed milk 200ml cold water 1/4 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp caster sugar (preferably golden) Compote 3 ripe plums, stoned and quartered 6 tbsp cold water 1 tsp caster sugar (preferably golden)

134 calories per portion Put the rice, milk, water and vanilla extract in a medium non-stick saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer over a medium heat. Cook for 16-18 minutes or until the rice is tender (with compote) and the sauce is creamy, stirring regularly. Don’t forget that it will continue to thicken as it cools, so add a little extra water if serving cold. Stir frequently towards the end of the cooking time as the mixture will be thickening up. Sweeten with a little caster sugar and serve warm or chilled with or without the topping. To make the compote topping, put the plums, water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring gently, until the plums are softened but still holding their shape. Add a little extra water if you need. Spoon the rice pudding into tumblers or dessert dishes and top with the plum compote. Delicious warm or cold.

JOIN COSTCO TODAY! Did you know, as a

Retired Employee you may qualify for Costco Membership? Costco is a membership warehouse club that sells a wide selection of top quality brand name merchandise at low warehouse prices. Individual Membership* You qualify for Individual Membership if you belong to specific employment groups – please see below for details of qualifying categories. To join Costco and start saving please provide your employee ID card or current pay slip to prove your employer, PLUS a current utility bill (electricity, gas, telephone, water) or a bank statement addressed to your home.

CAFÉ PASS THIS VOUCHER ENTITLES THE BEARER TO A SNACK* FROM OUR CAFÉ Valid until 31/08/13

The annual membership fee for Standard Individual Membership is £25 (plus VAT), which includes a complimentary card for your spouse or domestic partner.

*Snack comprises of Hot Dog & Soda, or Bakery product & Tea/Coffee Only available at Costco Chester. Membership Required.

Individual Members Eligibility Criteria Retired employee of: Banking/Finance, Civil Servant, Education, Fire/Rescue, Insurance, Local Government, Medical/Health Service, Police Force, Post Office, Airline.

Join in the warehouse or online:

www.costco.co.uk

For further information, please contact our Membership Team at Costco Chester on

01244 852 071 *

Membership Criteria applies. Accepted methods of payment: cash, debit 28cheque or American Express. Membership be obtained before purchases can be made.

card, must

Costco Chester Dunkirk Trading Estate Chester Gates Chester CH1 6LT T: 01244 852 071 E: marketing119@costco.co.uk Central Membership: 01923 830 477 www.costco.co.uk

EATING OUT

THE PLOUGH INN

Richly furnished with comfortable bars and open ﬁres, a well maintained & enclosed apple orchard beer garden with children’s play area and full disabled facilities and access.

TRADITIONAL HAND PUMPS

dispense an impressive range of select cask ales.

QUALITY SEASONAL & LOCALLY SOURCED FOOD SERVED DAILY The food surpasses standard pub fare by a country mile using locally sourced quality ingredients, all food is home-cooked, featuring classic dishes and supported by an exciting Specials Board. Let our experienced catering and restaurant team look after your family and friends in warm comfortable surroundings.

Go online to view our full menu and weekly offers www.theploughinncheshire.co.uk The Plough Inn Plough Lane, Christleton, Chester, Cheshire CH3 7PT 01244 336 096 | e: info@theploughinncheshire.co.uk

OUT & ABOUT cooking workshops, allowing them to get stuck in and messy as they learn all about food.

Chester Food, Drink and Lifestyle Festival Saturday 30th March to Monday 1st April 2013 at Chester Racecourse. It will be our 12th festival in 2013 and we are ready and waiting to make it the biggest and best yet. 2012 saw our 11th Anniversary and we were ecstatic with the number of people who came along to support Chester and Cheshire, some 27,000 people attended across the three days! But, with the chef demonstrations, kids workshops, CamperFest and over 120 exhibitors we will have attending, it’s sure to be a brilliant weekend! The Restaurant Garden will be back again next year where around 15 Chester & Cheshire restaurants will be showcasing their food delights! CamperFest returns, and for those of you who would like to camp or enjoy caravanning, then all are welcome at this year’s festival. Kids of all ages will just love the

And there is more…. ‘Twice the size’ Lifestyle section, competitions, events throughout the city and the annual cheese rolling event, there is plenty to gorge yourselves on this April in Chester Our chosen charity for this year is The Academy of Culinary Arts which is a long-term charitable project that focuses on developing an essential understanding of ‘taste’ and teaches children about the pleasures of eating, the provenance of ingredients and the processes by which raw materials are turned into foods.

Middlewich FAB Festival ‘13 Friday 14th - Sunday 16th June 13 Location: various venues and the Market Fields, Middlewich, Cheshire and the canals of Middlewich, Cheshire. Cost: expect from around £10 to £18 for ticketed, many events FREE Now in it’s 23rd year, the Middlewich FAB Festival offers a narrowboat rally as well as music and street theatre with juggling, parades through the town, stalls, music at various venues, and Morris dancing from Friday 14th until Sunday 16th June 2013. Line-up:The first acts confirmed are Babajack, Backyard Devils, Liverpool Shanty Kings, Moulettes, Roving Crows, and My Sweet Patootie. Alongside the main entertainment expect loads of fringe artists performing throughout the weekend. Tickets: FREE for 15 venues which host all fringe as well as FREE main Live Stage entertainment. Tickets for concerts vary depending upon concert and prices have not yet been confirmed. Other entertainment:There are multiple fringe venues hosting live music & dance and offering FREE admission, a live stage will host more live music & dance with admission also free admission, plus the canalboat rally and 100s of morris dancers. Canalside: This festival is based in the town centre and all venues are within easy walking distance, with several enjoying a canalside backdrop, with 100s of canal boats here for the weekend. Camping:The spacious campsite has shower/toilet block facilities and overnight security, and offers excellent value- small tents £5per night. Large tents & caravans £10 per night.

Read more at www.efestivals.co.uk/ festivals/middlewich/2013

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The Sainsbury’s Agri-Centre will also keep the show’s agricultural heritage alive with the wider public as members of the county’s farming community demonstrate the methods used to get milk, cheese, meat and other foodstuffs on to supermarket shelves. In addition to the animals the public will get the chance see a variety of rural past times including falconry, ferreting and a pack of hounds in the Countryside Experience Area. A thrilling schedule is planned for the main ring where attractions will include a heart-stopping display by one of the World’s leading stunt motorcyclists Matt Coulter AKA ‘The Kangaroo Kid’ and stirring live music from the Scots Guard Association Pipe and Drum Band Back who return by popular demand.

Show prepares to celebrate its 175th anniversary

Visitors will also be able to sample to culinary delights of the Roberts Bakery Food Hall, where over a hundred food producers from Cheshire and across the UK are expected display tasty treats.

As Cheshire Agricultural society celebrates its 175th anniversary organisers of the Cheshire County Show are gearing up for what promises to be another actionpacked event on June 18 and 19.

In the Roberts Bakery Food Live Theatre some of the North West’s top food experts will give live cookery demonstrations showing how to produce a range of delicious dishes.

With its roots firmly embedded in Cheshire’s rich farming history the main focus of the show will once again be the thousands of animals including livestock, horses and dogs in competition.

More regular updates on the 2013 show – which is expected to attract 80,000 visitors – will be available on the website in the run up to the event so keep checking back for all the latest news.

Cheshire County Show

www.cheshirecountyshow.org.uk

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Care Costs THE PROBLEM:IN THE LAST 5 YEARS OVER 100,000 PENSIONERS HAVE HAD TO SELL THE FAMILY HOME TO PAY CARE HOME FEES. (DAILY MAIL 13/10/2011) THE SOLUTION:CONTACT BESPOKE LEGAL SERVICES SO THAT YOU LEAVE YOUR HOME TO YOUR FAMILY NOT THE LOCAL AUTHORITY.

WHY BESPOKE LEGAL SERVICES? RECENTLY WE HAVE PROTECTED £58,500,000 OF CLIENTS ASSETS MAINLY THE FAMILY HOME AND MONIES HELD IN BANK AND BUILDING SOCIETY ACCOUNTS.

Smile! Get your teeth fixed in Smile! your teeth  xed in Smile! Get your teeth xed in Budapest and save £1000s Budapest and save Budapest and save £1000s £1000s

In In 2013 thethe dental tourism industry is isset 2013 dental tourism industry 2013 the dental tourism industry is set toIncontinue to grow with more and more set to continue to grow with more and tomore continue to grow with more and more people traveling to Budapest in Hungary people travelling to Budapest in traveling Budapest in Hungary topeople have their xed. Hungary toteeth havetotheir teeth fixed. to have their teeth xed. 2012 Treatment Abroad Medical In In 2012 thethe Treatment Abroad Medical InTourism 2012 Survey theSurvey Treatment Abroad Medical revealed that 20,000 Tourism revealed that 20,000 Tourism Survey revealed thatoverseas 20,000 people from UK travelled overseas people from thethe UK travelled for dental treatment. people from the UK travelled overseas for dental treatment. for dental treatment. Budapest has long been established as Budapest long been established as the mosthas popular destination in Europe Budapest has long beendestination established as the most popular dental in because of the high standards of dental the most popular dental destination in Europe of the high standards care, because the rigorous training and education because ofrigorous the hightraining standards ofEurope dental care, the and of Hungarian dentists, and the huge of dental of care, the rigorous training education Hungarian dentists, andand the savings on offer to UK patients. education of on Hungarian dentists, and the huge savings offer to UK patients. huge savings offer to UKfrom patients. Direct flightsonare available Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Edinburgh Direct ights are available from Direct ights are and London for available asBristol, little asfrom £60 return. Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Edinburgh

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Faced with unaffordable quotes ininthe UK or Faced withtreatment unaffordable quotes the UK or Th e same in the UK can cost over the prospect of wearing unwanted dentures, this the prospect of wearing unwanted dentures, £16,000. The patient received multiple high this patient travelled to Kreativ Dental and received patient dental travelled to Kreativ and received quality implants, andDental full upper and lower multiple quality dental and full multiplehigh high quality dentalimplants, implants, and full porcelain crown and bridge work at the Kreativ upper and lower porcelain crown and bridge upper and lower porcelain crown and bridge Dental Clinic in Budapest. work. work.

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INSIGHT TO CATARACT What is a cataract? Cataracts are a very common eye condition and many people aged over 60 years have at least some amount present. A cataract is a clouding of part of the eye called the lens causing your sight to become misty. The natural lens in your eye is clear and helps you to see by focusing the light rays entering your eye. Cataracts slowly get worse and your sight gets cloudier over time but the vast majority can be treated successfully.

How does your eye work? Light enters your eye through your cornea (clear window at the front) and your lens makes sure this light is focused correctly to form an image when it reaches the retina. To produce a sharp image the lens must be clear. Throughout your life, your lens changes shape to help you see things clearly in the distance and close up. This is called “accommodation of vision”. As we get older, the lens isn’t able to change shape as well as it used to. When this happens, most people can see clearly in the distance but need reading glasses for near work.

How does a cataract affect your sight? Cataracts could affect your sight in a number of ways; Blurry sight: You may notice that your sight has become blurred or misty, or that your glasses seem dirty. This is very common. Dazzled by light: You may be dazzled by lights, such as car headlights and sunlight. Changed of colour vision: Your colour vision may become washed out or faded or things may appear more yellow than before.

Most people will eventually develop a cataract in both eyes, though one eye may be affected before the other. If a cataract isn’t removed, your sight will become increasingly cloudy. Eventually, it will be like trying to see through a frosted window. Even if your cataract gets to this stage, it can still be removed and your sight will be almost as it was before the cataract developed. 34

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What causes a cataract?

What does the operation involve?

The most common reason is growing older. Most people over the age of 60 have some amount of cataract and this gradually worsens with age. Apart from getting older, the other common causes of cataract include:

Cataract surgery is usually done with a local anaesthetic and normally takes about 20 minutes. Small cuts are made and the cataract is removed in small pieces using sound waves (phacoemulsification) so you don’t need stitches. The artificial lens implant is placed inside the eye. Surgery is generally very successful and effective.

Diabetes.

Medications, such as steroids.

Longstanding eye conditions.

How soon will I recover?

l Cataracts can also be present at birth (congenital cataracts).

What treatment is available? The only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery to remove your cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial clear lens implant. Cataract surgery is one of the most successful operations. New glasses will not help if the cataract is too advanced.

When should I have the operation? In the past, eye surgeons often waited until the cataract became “ripe” before removing it. Nowadays, with modern surgery the operation is usually done as soon as your eyesight interferes with your daily activities such as reading, problems with bright lights and driving, especially at night.

After surgery, you can usually go back to your everyday activities within a few days. You will be given eye drops to use for up to four weeks. Most people have no problems after the surgery and they are up and about the next day.

What should I expect to see after the operation? Usually, everything in the distance will be clear. However, your reading vision in the operated eye may be blurred. This is because the standard lens implant isn’t able to provide clear vision for both distance and near. Special lens implants are available which try to provide clear vision for distance and up close. These are called multi-focal lenses. At the moment, multi-focal lenses are only available privately. Your Ophthalmologist would be able to explore the different options and advise you accordingly. Mr Sunildath (Joey) Cazabon MB BS, FRCSEd (Ophthal). Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Why wait? Rapid access to Eye Treatment/Surgery. For more information on cataract surgery, watery eye syndrome, eyelift surgery, or general eye disorders contact your local Nuffield Health The Grosvenor Hospital, Chester on 01244 459 109 . In most cases we are able to arrange an appointment within 1 – 2 weeks, all you need is a referral letter from your GP. Our Consultant Ophthalmology Surgeons are: • Mr S Armstrong • Mr J Cazabon • Mr J Bhargava

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• Mr Tutton • Mr J Butcher

23/11/2012 16:42:47

EVERYONE wants a pleasant smile and – more importantly – teeth that don’t cause us regular problems or pain especially as we get older. The good news is that improvements in dental hygiene mean that more of us than ever will keep our natural teeth into old age. The figures speak for themselves: in 1968, 37% of adults had no natural teeth and by 1998, that figure had fallen to 12%. The truth is that with the right care and help from your dentist it’s possible to keep your teeth for life; gum disease and tooth decay can be prevented whatever your age. At the most basic level, human teeth are designed to tear food of all types and textures into pieces small enough to swallow, with chewing the first step in the process of digestion. Adults have 32 teeth made up of four types. Incisors have sharp edges for cutting food, canines (or eyeteeth) are pointed and used for tearing food, bicuspids grind food and molars do the most vigorous and difficult chewing. Teeth are incredibly important apart from their duties relating to food. They help us to talk and to pronounce different sounds clearly. They also help to give our face its shape. And, of course, a healthy smile can be a great asset to anyone, young or old.

Keeping teeth and gums healthy requires commonsense about nutrition and a daily health routine, advises the British Dental Health Foundation. Have sugary foods and drinks less often and regular dental check-ups. “When you eat foods containing sugars and starches, the bacteria in plaque produce acids which attack tooth enamel,” they state. “The stickiness of the plaque keeps these acids in contact with teeth. After constant acid attack, the tooth enamel breaks down forming a hole or cavity.” If plaque isn’t removed by brushing, it can harden into something called calculus, or tartar. As calculus forms near the gumline, the plaque underneath releases poisons which cause the gums to become irritated and inflamed. The gums start to pull away from the teeth and the gaps become infected. If gum disease isn’t treated swiftly, the bone supporting the teeth is destroyed and healthy teeth can become loose and fall out. Gum disease is the biggest cause of tooth loss in adults and you may need to have dentures, bridges or implants as a result. So, it’s important to remove plaque and food debris from around your teeth by brushing properly twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Choose a medium size brush with soft to medium multi-tufted roundended nylon bristles or filaments. As we get older, our gums recede or shrink back and teeth may become a little more sensitive as a result but ask your dentist or hygienist about this. He or she can show you the best brushing method to prevent gum problems and may suggest a mouthwash to deal with sensitivity. Watch out for bleeding gums when you brush your teeth, or swollen, red or uncomfortable gums. Bad breath or an unpleasant taste in the mouth are all indicators of gum disease.

DENTAL NERVES: Dentists find many ways to help nervous patients including using music

If you have difficulties with normal teeth cleaning because of a problem with your hands or arms like arthritis, ask your dentist for advice. Electric toothbrushes may be easier because they usually have a wider handle and don’t require as much movement. Special adapters to make gripping regular brushes easier are also available. The same applies if your eyesight is less than perfect; a magnifying mirror and a good light are often helpful.

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Some people take regular medication which makes their mouth dry. Saliva helps to protect teeth against tooth decay so get advice on this from your dentist. There are special products to help, including artificial saliva, which are available from most chemists. If you have dentures, it’s just as important to have a regular cleaning routine, brushing them twice a day with toothbrushes and solutions specially made for cleaning dentures. Rinse your mouth with warm, salted water after eating, before putting in your dentures in the morning and after taking them out at night. To kill bacteria that causes odour, place an effervescent cleaning tablet in the water used to soak your dentures. Dentists offer a variety of treatments, some available on the NHS. Dr James Goolnik of the British Dental Association explains that you don’t need to suffer from missing teeth, or even have plastic dentures, as implant technology has leapt forward so much it offers same day teeth. Gum recession, which may also leave teeth sensitive to cold, can be treated with new technology where dentists cover the root surface with tooth-coloured resin materials to stop the sensitivity. “If the gums are healthy, we can even lift up the gum to cover the root surface,“ he adds. Cost involved here is from £80. If you have crooked teeth, advances in orthodontics offer the opportunity to correct mild crowding within eight weeks with new treatments such as the clever device,

the Inman aligner. “If you have more extensive crowding, the invisible braces can be fitted on the insides (lingual) so no-one needs to know you’re wearing them,” says Dr Goolnik. The cost of this kind of work is from £1,500. If time, smoking or drinking tea and coffee have caused your teeth to yellow and discolour, it might be worth considering tooth EXPERT: Dr James Goolnik whitening. This uses of the British Dental Association oxygenating agents (mainly hydrogen peroxide) to unlock pores in the tooth enamel so that stains are gently removed leaving teeth cleaner and brighter. This varies in price and it’s worth finding a good cosmetic dentist to ensure efficient treatment that leaves you with a dazzling smile lasting for years. * For more information, go to the British Dental Association website at www.bda.org or the British Dental Health Foundation at www.dentalhealth.org.uk The Foundation Helpline is on 0845 063 1188 with calls charged at local rates.

A trip to the dentist should be a relaxing one and at Saltney that is what you experience, the whole setting is tailored to supplying the highest quality of dental care you could wish to receive. We provide a full range of NHS Dental Care. Dentistry should no longer give you nightmares, come along to Saltney Dental Practice or give us a call and we can arrange a consultation at your convenience.

Our Services include: l Gum Health Treatment l Crowns l Xrays l Dental Emergency l Nervous Patients l NHS Dentistry l Dentures

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TO ARRANGE A CONSULTATION CALL:

01244 683 993 www.saltneydentalpractice.co.uk

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TUE 2nd APRIL, 7:00pm. WED 3rd to SAT 6th APRIL, 2:30pm & 7:00pm 2013. Standard £16.50 Concession £14.50 Child £10.50 Groups 20+ £10.00