Kirklees Issue 69 by 50 Plus Magazine

KIRKLEES & CALDERDALE EDITION 69

APRIL - JUNE 2022

Bill Bailey

THE MULTI-TALENTED ENTERTAINER

Retire to the Countryside WITH EARTHSWOOD COUNTRY PARK

Maritime Canada A TALE OF TWO CITIES

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CONTENTS | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

Bill Bailey THE MULTI-TALENTED ENTERTAINER

Food VIBRANT SPRING RECIPES

IN THIS ISSUE 4-5

TWITTERING ON By Angela Kelly

8-9

TRAVEL Maritime Canada

10-11

DAISH’S HOLIDAYS Self drive & coach inclusive breaks

16-18

HOME Living simpler and cheaper

21-23

GARDEN Value for money gardening

MOTORING Steve Howarth’s test drive

32-33

HEALTH The Confident Denture Centre

Bridgeman House 77 Bridgeman Street | Bolton | BL3 6BY. Sales Enquiries : T: (01204) 238180 E: artwork@mcgrathmedia.co.uk

TWITTERING ON

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TWITTERING ON BY ANGELA KELLY

It is, though, wonderful to see the honed talents competing, whether in exciting Luge and ice-hockey, soaring ski-jumping or elegant ice-dance. It all seems like another world, really, and it is. Only the Scots, who have the weather and the resilience, seem to be able to make their mark on any of the Winter Olympics. Thank goodness they’re an important part of Team GB! Just love Roy Orbison’s hit Only Baloney! IT’S something we’ve all done at one time or another – singing the wrong words to a popular song with all the quiet confidence of someone who believes they’ve got it absolutely right. Winter Olympic fun warms up British audiences UNTIL just a month or two ago I don’t think many of us knew a wick from a wobbler or a bone from a butter. But after the Winter Olympics from Beijing, we’ve learned a lot about curling and snowboarding, which respectively boast these moves. Of course, one of the things we’ve definitely learned is that there are a large number of other countries which are much better at everything from bobsleigh to biathlon than we are.

Watching the Kathryn Heigel film 27 Dresses on TV the other day brought home to me the delights of singing completely the wrong lyrics with real gusto. She totally mangled the Elton John song Benny and the Jets during a drunken evening in a bar but the results proved so entertaining.

Well, they’ve probably got both the snow and the resources to plough into such natural sports for them.

Checking on this general phenomenon, I discovered a book by Martin Toseland called The Ants Are My Friends: Misheard Lyrics, Malapropisms, Eggcorns and other Linguistic Gaffes.

They can’t take the curling from the UK, though. Our girls, lead by Eve Muirhead, took gold in the final against Japan – going one better than our men’s team which took a valiant silver.

This is just a delight. For example, he discovered that some Adam and the Ants’ fans were happily singing “Stab in the liver, your mummy or your wife” in Stand and Deliver instead of “Stand and deliver, your money or your life.”

The odd thing is that, for just a matter of a very few short weeks early in the year, we all become quite knowledgeable about Winter sports most of us will probably never think about for at least another 12 months.

Elvis’s Suspicious Minds apparently had the line “We’re courting a trout, I can’t walk out” instead of “We’re caught in a trap, I can’t walk out.”

After all, we don’t go out each Saturday afternoon with our mates to watch our favourite team in the biathlon or speed skating, do we?

Roberta Flack’s magnificent song Tonight, I Celebrate My Love To You translated to “Tonight, I sellotape my glove to you” by some poor souls with hearing problems.

Apart from those keen skiers and snowboarders who go to resorts to enjoy their sport, many of us never ski or skate.

And Dusty Springfield’s ever-popular Son of a Preacher Man never boasted “The only boy who could ever reach me was the son of a pizza man.”

The last time I went skating, my youngest daughter (now 38) fell and ended up in A & E with a suspected fractured elbow. It was a birthday treat and she and her pals (giddy eight year-olds) thought the best bit was sitting having their McDonalds’ happy meals as increasingly grisly injuries trooped past. I digress.

This may be in the shower or, if we’re particularly brave, in the pub or another public place, probably joining in with others who may possibly be equally deluded.

Even soulful hits like Crystal Gale’s Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue are not exempt from lyric problems. I really don’t think she meant “Doughnuts make my brown eyes blue”, although you never know.

And Queen’s mega-hit Bohemian Rhapsody definitely didn’t include “Beelzebub has a devil for a sideboard”. Actually, it was Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me” but who cares?

Judges have selected five inspiring UK dogs as finalists to go forward for a public vote to find the winner but, really, any one of them could take the title.

Never mind, one of my favourite all-time songs is Michael Jackson’s Ben - and I only found out last week that it’s all about a boy and his pet rat!

There’s three year-old Golden Retriever Milo who has given his owner a new lease of life after he started losing his sight. Milo has prevented him from being injured including stopping him from crossing a road during a dangerous police car chase, thus saving his life. Then there’s Chewie, a five year-old rescue dog, who saved his owner’s life when he alerted his wife to the fact that he was having a cardiac arrest. Newfoundland dogs Storm, Sonar, Bob and Walker provide water therapy as a form of suicide prevention. These natural water rescue dogs offer a wonderful calming influence for people considering suicide, swimming happily with them.

Hero dogs come in all shapes and sizes DOGS are truly remarkable, aren’t they? Anyone who owns one will attest to that. Today, though, they seem even cleverer. So it’s great to see that the famous Kennel club has a Hero Dog Award which is announced at Curfts 2022.

Four year-old Golden Retriever Ruby works as a therapy job for her owner who has cerebral palsy. Springer Spaniel Simba can quickly detect a variety of ignitable substances. He helps his handler to work out the cause of fires set deliberately and bring murderers to justice. I know such training takes long and dedicated hours by humans but, we have to admit, there is something special about dogs that allow their talents to be honed like this. However, don’t tell our mad Jack Russell, Ollie, that he’s any more special than he already thinks he is. He knows he’s top dog in our house.

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Maritime Canada by Sally Dowling

A Tale of Two Cities – Halifax & Montreal linked by VIA Rail ‘Ocean’ Service Having enjoyed many USA road trips, Canada seemed to be calling my husband and I. Our plan was a few nights in Halifax, Nova Scotia, followed by the overnight VIA Rail service to Montreal where we would stay for a further 2 nights. We were keen to discover two very different cities and enjoy the changing scenery through the region known as Maritime Canada Halifax Just 6 hours flying time from London is the compact city of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Not much bigger than a large UK town, Halifax is capital of Nova Scotia and Canada’s important Eastern gateway with an impressive harbour. As your plane prepares to land you may find yourself asking – ‘where is this city?’ Mile upon mile of tree covered wilderness, with no buildings in sight is a bit concerning. Never fear, at the last minute Stanfield International Airport appears - welcome to Nova Scotia where you will never be far from a pine forest. On arrival you will be relieved to find that it doesn’t take long to clear immigration, the bonus of a small airport. Pick up a rental car or take the airport shuttle bus and in about 30 minutes you will be downtown.

Halifax has a laid back and relaxed atmosphere which appealed to us. It has a strong maritime history and all the main city hotels are within easy reach of the historic waterfront. This was by far my favourite part of town whatever time of day. The 4km boardwalk has fabulous views over the ocean with thoughtfully placed traditional Adirondack chairs and inviting hammocks available along the way. At the southern end is the Cruise Terminal where the visiting liners dock for a day or two of sightseeing. Here you will find the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. A fascinating place where you can follow the timeline of immigrants, arriving from all over the world, who helped make Canada the successful multi-cultural country that it is today. Halifax Seaport Farmers Market is just next door and a great place to pick up a coffee and locally baked cinnamon roll whilst browsing local crafts and produce.

Follow the boardwalk towards the centre of town and you will come to pop up food vendors offering the local delicacy ‘poutine’ (chips with curds and gravy) and the famous lobster rolls. I know which I prefer! In the summer you may come across an outdoor concert; our visit co-incided with the annual Mac n’Cheese Festival – quite an experience! Also on the waterfront is the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, a fascinating insight into the seafaring history of Halifax. Discover the emotional stories of both the Titanic Disaster, and the devastating Halifax Explosion of 1917 when nearly 2000 people lost their lives. Follow the part that Halifax played in WW2 as a major port for the North Atlantic Convoys and understand shipbuilding over the ages. A 2-day stopover doesn’t give you time for everything and Halifax boasts some great museums and galleries, immaculate Victorian Gardens and the Citadel – a national historic site. This star shaped fort is situated on the top of the hill overlooking the harbour and was built by the British to defend the city. The grounds inside the fort are open all year with guided tours available from May to October. Be prepared for the daily firing of the ‘noon day gun’, a tradition dating back to 1857. VIA Rail Canada

Montreal This is one sassy city where French is spoken almost exclusively, and that includes signage and public announcements. Montreal is a complete contrast to Halifax with its streets shaded by towering skyscrapers in the downtown area, and an atmosphere of hustle and bustle. Suddenly we were back in the land of the big brand stores, designer boutiques and familiar restaurants. With just 2 days at our disposal we soon worked out how the Metro worked, it is very straightforward and great value at just CAD10 for a 24-hour ticket. We hit the ground running and after dropping our bags at our very central hotel our first stop was Montreal’s historic old town and a ride on La Grande Roué, Montreal’s big observation wheel. It was a perfect late summer day with a clear blue sky, and we enjoyed views in every direction. Having just arrived it was a good way to orientate ourselves with the different parts of the city. From the wheel we walked into Vieux Montreal, the old city, an area of cobbled streets, bars and cafes bedecked with flowers. The elegant and historical building that houses the Bonsecours Market showcases the best artisan shops and galleries with original artwork and crafts on sale.

From Halifax we took the VIA Rail overnight ‘Ocean Service’ train to Montreal. 24 hours on a train is quite an experience and made a change from driving. VIA Rail offers two main fare options – a reclining seat with access to a buffet car to buy snacks and light meals, or a sleeper cabin which includes meals and also gives access to a lounge with free WiFi and, of course, the iconic viewing car. Our cabin was bijou – I think that is the word to use! Swinging cats was not really an option but it did have full ensuite facilities and was very comfortable. We had been advised to check our suitcases into the luggage car and just take a small The following day, with the skies still blue, we took the Metro to overnight bag on board, great advice. Our steward welcomed the Olympic Park, much of it is currently closed for renovation us on board at 1.00pm and explained how everything worked but we did enjoy a ride the funicular to the top of the observation and we were soon feeling at home. Lunch was served within 15 tower. Famous for its 45-degree tilt, it is minutes of us leaving Halifax, a full 3 courses the tallest inclined tower in the world. A including a rather delicious dessert! During Fact Box: short walk away are the Botanic Gardens and the afternoon we joined fellow passengers Silver Travel Advisor this for me was the highlight of Montreal. in the viewing car, we swapped stories over recommends Frontier Canada There is so much to see that you need to complimentary snacks, coffee and tea, and silvertraveladvisor.com/travel_ put aside plenty of time and pace yourself. enjoyed watching the countryside change partners/frontier-canada/ You will find seats hidden away that entice from pine forests, across rivers, over vast Or call 0800 412 5678 for further you to rest for a while, overlooking lakes or plains and through small rural communities. information, quotes and to book gardens or just in quiet corners. Explore the Our route took us north through Nova your Canadian holiday. expertly maintained specimen gardens, the Scotia, into New Brunswick and finally gloriously colourful Chinese Garden or sit by Quebec. A 10 minute stop in Moncton gave the lake and watch the many species of birds us the chance to stretch our legs, then back that make the gardens their home. Planting on board for a delicious 3 course dinner. Meanwhile our cabin changes with the seasons so there is always something new to was being expertly transformed into bunk beds, complete with enjoy. complimentary chocolate on the pillow. We drew straws for the top bunk (he won) and were soon rocked to sleep as the train Our last morning we explored Mount Royal, originally a small sped through the night. Breakfast was early as many passengers extinct volcano and now a sprawling area of parkland overlooking disembarked at Quebec. Freshly cooked eggs, bacon and all the the city. In summer the park is host to open air concerts, usual fare plus fruit, pastries and lots of coffee. All too soon picnicking families, hikers and cyclists and in the winter it Montreal came into sight as we left the countryside behind and becomes a winter sports playground. We were just content to sit headed for the high rise buildings on the horizon. and admire yet more views from the massive terrace in front of the Mount Royal Chalet. The long walk back downhill was just Train travel is a really great experience especially in Canada, and what we needed before setting off for the airport and the flight VIA Rail didn’t disappoint.You have total relaxation for 24 hours, home. WiFi is available if needed but it was a treat to just ‘switch off’. 9

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CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

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BILL BAILEY THE MULTI-TALENTED ENTERTAINER WHEN comedian Bill Bailey waltzed, quick-stepped and hiphopped his way to the glitterball trophy in December, 2020, he became the oldest celebrity contestant to win Strictly Come Dancing. He was probably also the unlikeliest winner because the smart money would not have been on a balding 55 year-old with no track record of dancing. However, the gambling sceptics would have been badly wrong. Our Bill proved to be a light-footed, athletic dancer, a quick learner with dance partner Oti Mabuse and a delight to watch. Not to mention a poster-boy for all males over 50 who believed they could never be a dance hero. Yet, a quick look at Bill Bailey’s background – and a seat at any of his many sell-out shows – would reveal a multi-talented entertainer with daredevil inclinations when it comes to tackling new challenges. Born Mark Robert Bailey in Bath, Somerset his father was a GP. Bill recalls: “He taught me patience. It sounds like a terrible pun but it’s true. He has an immense ability to listen.”

Bill was educated at the independent King Edwards School and was highly academic until around the age of 15 when the thrill of performance as a member of the school band distracted him. He did, though, take his music A level (which he passed with an A grade) and later became a classically trained musician at the London College of Music. He was also a keen – and talented – cricketer, often leading the singing on the long coach journey back from away fixtures. He was given the nickname Bill by his music teacher for being able to play the song Won’t You Come Home Bill Bailey so well on the guitar. Recalled Bill: “None of the kids knew what he was on about, but it stuck.” Bill started his studies for an English degree at the University of London but left after a year. He performed with a boy band called The Famous Five and also got early acting roles – including a part in the Workers’ Revolutionary Party’s stage production of The Printers which also featured Vanessa Redgrave. Born with a lively sense of humour and a vivid imagination, Bill began touring with comedians like Mark Lamarr and in 1984

formed a double act, the Rubber Bishops, with Toby Longworth. Here he began developing his own style, mixing musical parodies with a personal take on traditional jokes and humour. He combined his theatrical talents and comedy in 1993 when he performed in Rock at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with Sean Lock. The show was about an ageing rockstar and his roadie and was later serialised for the Mark Radcliffe show on BBC Radio 1. Bill’s career at this stage was not yet soaring so he went solo the next year with a one-man show Bill Bailey’s Cosmic Jam. This led to a recording at the Bloomsbury Theatre in London which was broadcast in 1997 on Channel 4 as a one-hour special called Bill Bailey Live. This was the first time that Bill’s trademark combination of music, post-modern gags and funny ramblings came together to create the style that would make him famous. In 1998, the BBC gave him his own TV show Is It Bill Bailey? and he won the Best Live Stand-Up award at the British Comedy Awards the following year. Bill Bailey had arrived. Guest appearances on radio and TV shows like Have I Got News For You and Room 101 introduced Bill to a wider audience. His quick wits made him a regular on intellectual panel game QI and he had several acting roles on TV programmes including E4 teenage series Skins, the BBC show Hustle, Jonathan Creek, Midsomer Murders and Worzel Gummidge. He also starred in cult comedies Spaced and Black Books. It is, however, his stage shows which have consolidated his fan base and earned him new followers all over the world. Last year, he took his new touring show En Route To Normal to venues across the UK and Ireland and this year he is off further afield to Europe and later in the year to Australia. Bill is an accomplished musician and plays a variety of instruments including piano, guitar and keyboards. He is a big fan of progressive rock and heavy metal and presented Peter Gabriel with the Prog God award at the 2014 Progressive Music Awards. He is plainly an admirer of Gabriel whom he has described as “perhaps the most ambitious, influential and innovative musical wizard on the planet.” He is an avid Star Trek fan and in 2003 named his son after the Star Trek: Deep Space 9 character Dax. In fact, he often refers to himself as a Klingon and claimed, during his Part Troll tour, that his ear-mounted microphone made him look like “a wizard in a call centre and “a Klingon motivational speaker.” Bill keeps an open mind about all new areas of music. He once said: “I don’t reject popular culture – I’m not the sort of grumpy old man who says ‘Well, I actually switched off after 1982.’

Bill Bailey is not your ordinary Joe to behold, either. He auditioned for the role of Gimli the dwarf in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in 2001 and his nickname is Bilbo. The long, untidy hair, the beard and the piercing eyes are now immediately recognisable. “I first grew a beard out of terror,” he reported.

“About 20 years ago, my friend and I were staying in a very heavy area off Times Square in NewYork. People would stick drugs in your pocket and then say you owed them money.We grew emergency beards and affected the hobo look to protect ourselves.” And it looks very much like this eccentric image has helped Bill Bailey win hearts and minds ever since. Oh, and that glitterball trophy.

“Good music is being made all the time; you just have to filter out the chaff. And there is a lot of chaff, unfortunately.”

• For details of Bill Bailey’s 2022 appearances go to https://billbailey.co.uk/live/ 13

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LIVING SIMPLER AND CHEAPER AFTER a Winter of Discontent when energy prices have rocketed and food prices have soared alongside them if there’s one thing we want to do this year it’s to live cheaper and simpler.

While your planned new property may well be easier to manage and much cheaper, it’s worth researching your new area for facilities and transport.

We learned much about what style of living we wanted during lockdown. And for many people what they had was not what they wanted long-term.

Charity Age UK has plenty of advice to help here. Go to https:// www.ageuk.org.uk

As a result, some house prices – especially those with space and a garden – have gone much higher as people vote to change their lifestyle by packing their bags and bringing in the estate agents.

Downsizing also means less space for possessions so you will probably have to do some radical de-cluttering. The best way to do this is to go room by room and be realistic about what you can take with you.

Certainly, what has happened is that we have all assessed whether we’re happy with our current accommodation and the lifestyle we have with many looking for ways to change them in 2022.

List what you want to keep, throw out or give away to charity and try and keep to your plan because there will be plenty of temptations to keep items for sentimental reasons.

While you may have a wish-list of things you want in your new home, what you might simply want is to downsize – thus giving you not only the place but the cheaper lifestyle you want.

Charities like Emmaus contact@emmaus.org.uk and the British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/ informationsupport/heart-helpline will take unwanted furniture.

The children might have left home.Your health might mean you need easier or supported accommodation.You might just want to slash domestic bills by living in a smaller home like an apartment.

Local hospices and the Salvation Army may also take furniture. They will certainly take household items at local charity shops along with unwanted, good-condition clothes, shoes etc.

It may be that the maintenance on your current home is too difficult or that you need to raise funds for your retirement or care.

If you really don’t want to move house but need to cut your bills, consumer experts Which? provide a good place to start. Go to https://www.which.co.uk

There are many alternative options including a smaller house or flat, a bungalow or other single storey accommodation, a retirement home or village or a park home.

Which? Switch may be useful if you need to switch ENERGY SUPPLIERS. They also advise choosing paperless bills and managing your account online as some companies charge extra for paper bills.

When replacing an appliance, Which? points out that you can cut your electricity bills by choosing the most energy-efficient model. The most visual indication of a product’s energy efficiency is its EU energy-efficiency rating. Which? also tests items like washing machines so it could be worth a look. LOFT and CAVITY WALL INSULATION can save you a large amount each year. If you have it already, it might be worth topping it up as this can also help reduce heat loss. You can also reduce heat loss by replacing WINDOWS with single and double glazing. Heating is responsible for more than half of your energy bill each year so replacing an old, inefficient gas BOILER with a modern energy-efficient one could make a big difference. Energy-saving LIGHTBULBS can also help cut your energy bills and if you don’t already have a room thermostat, programmer and thermostatic radiator valves, installing them and using them well could provide another useful saving. Paying by direct debit is also usually cheaper and sending regular meter readings can keep your bill accurate.

If you only need to heat one room in your home, it can be cheaper to use a portable electric heater and keep the thermostat turned down.

Question any direct debit increases that seem too high as your energy company should be able to explain the changes.Your usage and payments should balance out over a year.

For anyone living alone or working from home, investing in an electric heater could save on heating bills over time as you’re not

• Antique Furniture • Collectables • Ceramics • Glass • Vintage Jewellery • Silver • Fine Jewellery • Postcards • Pictures • Mirrors Something for everyone

Open 9am - 4pm Sundays 10 till 4 Also we offer a professional house clearance service full or part in all areas, individual items purchased also antiques, antique furniture, porcelain, ceramics and glassware, old toys, collectables. We also buy jewellery, gold and silver items. Individual items bought. Home visits by appointment.

New stock arriving daily

Tel: 07748 382333

www.antiqueswarehouseslaithwaite.co.uk Britannia Mills, Britannia Road, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, HD7 5HE

HOME | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

If you don’t use a CHIMNEY or fireplace, put an inflatable pillow inside to block the chimney or fit a cap over the chimney pot. For loft hatches, use draught-proofing foam strips to keep the heat in, Keep rooms you don’t use closed and well-insulated and keep heating down to a minimum. Many of us spend a lot more time in the kitchen or central living areas over the colder months so these are areas to concentrate on. Lined CURTAINS help with insulation and making your home heating work better – they’re also cosy, even on chilly Summer evenings. BLINDS on bare windows not only feel cosier but also brighten up rooms and so make us feel better all year round.

heating the whole home unnecessarily. However, be careful with your electric heater as electricity is much pricier than gas per hour. Stop heat from escaping through unwanted gaps around DOORS and windows with effective draught-proofing. Use draughtproofing strips around the windows; brush strips work better for sash windows. On doors, use draught-proofing strips around the edges and brush or hinged-flap draught excluders at the bottom.

Wetroom & Walk-in Shower Specialists

If you need more living space rather than less, CONSERVATORIES and ORANGERIES not only add more areas in which to live daily but also add to your insulation – along with the value of your home. Take a real look at the way your life is at home and work out whether you could use space better and more efficiently.You might need an office space, a workout area, somewhere for the children to study or just better utilisation of the rooms and areas there already. Sometimes, by re-configuring the rooms you have – whether by internal building work or just by usage – you can streamline the way you live.

Great choices for the smallest room Thinking of updating your bathroom? Then take a look at the extensive showroom at Huddersfield’s Atlas Bathrooms of Lockwood. With now even more choice in store, Atlas has invested heavily in the extensive showroom and now has even more displays of bath suites, showers and wet rooms to choose from. It now has one of the biggest displays of bathrooms and accessories in the Huddersfield area. Spread over two floors it has ranges from top manufacturers including Jacuzzi, Heritage, Roca and Ideal Standard. There is also plenty to suit all budgets with bathrooms and showers ranging in price from affordable to the luxurious end of the market.

Victoria Mill, Albert Street, Open: Lockwood, Huddersfield Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Saturday, 9am to 4pm

Tel: 01484 547110 Email: hudd@atlasbathrooms.co.uk

www.atlasbathrooms.co.uk 18

For more information, look at the website www.atlasbathrooms.co.uk or ring 01484 547110.

One stop shop, Appliances, Worktops and flooring available, everything under one roof • Massive choice of traditional or modern • Fabulous showroom with 60 displays open 7 days • Owned by JJO Furniture Manufacturers offering very keen prices with a quality product • Supply Only or Project Managed installation. All aspects covered • Established over 150 years with five experienced designers plus CAD designer for outstanding visual aids • ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ and other Finance Options available, subject to status See how our quality furniture is mad e at vimeo.com / 552360243

Bacup - 352-358 Newchurch Road, Stacksteads, Bacup. OL13 0LD Tel: 01706 252122 Oswaldtwistle - Oswaldtwistle Mills, Colliers Street, Oswaldtwistle. BB5 3DE Tel: 01254 304068 Ulverston - Kitchen House, Brogden/Market Street, Ulverston. LA12 7AH Tel: 01229 581828

www.rossendaleinteriors.com

GARDEN | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

Viburnum opulus ‘Compactum’

VALUE FOR MONEY GARDENING You can create a great garden without spending a fortune on it. Gardening writer Julia Heaton tells how. The soaring cost of living needn’t be a barrier to creating a gorgeous outdoor space. With a little forward planning, tips, tricks and gardening know-how you can get far more out of your garden than you would think. All without having to dig deep in your pockets for the pleasure and satisfaction it brings.

Plant choice Amelanchier lamarckii Go for plants that work hard for you in the garden like those that provide more than one season of interest. If you have a small space this makes even more sense. Why have a plant that blooms for a couple of weeks in summer, then that’s it for the rest of the year? For instance Viburnum opulus ‘Compactum’ has clusters of white

flowers in spring and red berries in autumn. And while heucheras offer up tiny summer flowers they also have interesting year-round foliage (except in the worst winters). For a delightful small tree you can’t better Amelanchier lamarckii with coppery coloured leaves in spring followed by an abundance of white flowers. In autumn its leaves turn orange and red and it even has black fruits – what a winner. Wherever possible choose perennial plants that will come back year after year. They may look small and cost a bit more to begin with but they’ll grow bigger and better, unlike bedding plants that give their all in one season and then are gone. Perennials also have another major point in their favour and that’s the fact that most can (and should) be divided after three or four years. Lifting 21

GARDEN | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE be surprised when they pop up elsewhere too when carried and dropped by the wind or birds.

Verbascum

Money well spent If you’ve spent lots of money in the past on planting, only to have some die when you haven’t been able to provide the care and attention needed, then have no fear. There are tough types that actually thrive on neglect so you can be assured your money is being well spent. For foliage interest go for variegated zebra grass. Or for architectural form and spikes of scented yellow flowers there’s Mahonia Charity. How about daylilies? These produce

and separating the root mass not only keeps the plant healthy but provides you with new ones – only this time it’s for free.

Peonies

Create more plants Division is just one way of propagating your plants. Depending on the plant type you could propagate by taking cuttings, sowing saved seeds or using a layering technique (encouraging a branch or shoot to root by bending it down to soil level). Whichever way it’s not difficult to stock a whole garden with plants for free. If that sounds like too much bother you could always invest in a few self-seeders to do the work for you. Left to their own devices plants like eryngium, verbascum and alliums will simply shoot up again from where their seed has fallen to the ground. Just don’t

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robust clumps of leaves and a succession of trumpet-shaped flowers that are often scented. Peonies are long-lived cottage garden favourites, one of which is Paeonia Officinalis ‘Rubra Plena’. Growing to a height of 30in (75cm) it’s one of the earliest to flower and survives on neglect. And, of course, a wildflower seed mix scattered over prepared soil can be left to do its own thing while also being great for wildlife. Low maintenance types will pretty much take care of themselves but you’ll still have to ensure they are properly established to begin with. Supermarket savings Growing fruit and veg makes sound financial sense too given rising supermarket prices. Choose edibles that you not only like to eat but will also give you a high yield in a small space. And there’s no smaller space than a hanging basket. Tomato ‘Tumbler’ will produce a steady cascade of cherry tomatoes. Just make sure they get enough water. And cut-and-comeagain salad mixes in containers are so much better than the expensive bagged baby leaves in store. Simply sow your own every few weeks from late spring onwards, then snip, eat and wait for a new crop to grow. Don’t forget to establish a patch for your favourite herbs and go for fruits like damsons that can be frozen for use all year round. Prunus Insititia ‘Farleigh Damson’ is a regular cropper and makes a good jam too as well as having attractive spring blossom.

It all goes to prove that having a garden you can be proud of doesn’t need to involve spending lots of money. Choose

the right plants, make the most of gardening techniques and you’ll not only save pounds but also gain a satisfaction that money just can’t buy.

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CALL MR BUSH: 01484 544103 www.bushgardeningservices.co.uk

SERVICES INCLUDE: LOW MAI NT l Gardens Tidied EN S PECIA ANCE l Rubbish Removed LIS Est. 25 TS l Fencing yrs l Flagging l Walling l Rotavating l Turfing l Gravel & Bark Mulch Supplied & Laid l New Driveways Laid or Old Repaired l Pressure Washed and Silicone Sealed l Garden Drainage Specialist TREES AND SHRUBS l Shaped l Pruned l Felled and Removed

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Gold Standard Delivery Service Free Home Consultation High Quality Furniture Handmade in the UK Call One of Our Specialist Consultants for Free Help and Advice Shackletons Tel: 01924 440 600 Web: shackletonsretail.co.uk 24

359 Bradford Road Batley West Yorkshire WF17 5PH

The Mill Outlet & Garden Centre 418 Bradford Road Batley, West Yorkshire WF17 5LZ

MOTORING

50 PLUS MAGAZINE

STEVE HOWARTH’S TEST DRIVE So the XC40 Recharge is rapid but also well-mannered around corners or roundabouts and great fun to drive – simply push the stick forward for reverse and back for forward. There’s keyless entry and no start button, which is a little confusing at first. A sensor in the driver’s seat turns things on and the car just glides away on command in near total silence. This midsize crossover/SUV also boasts new innovations including a rear auto brake that can sense if the car is about to be hit from behind and applies the brakes automatically to stop it hitting the car ahead. There’s also an enhanced Pilot Assist using Google Maps on a new 12.3in high-resolution digital dash display.

VOLVO XC40 RECHARGE IT’S a Volvo but not as we know it! The Swedish car makers first from the ground up electric car design delivers 0 to 60 in under 5 seconds! Sharing most of its underpinnings with the Polestar 2 means the same 75kWh battery and twin electric motors (one at each axle for all-wheel drive) which give 402bhp and an eye-watering 487lb-ft of torque. Even so, Volvo claim a 257-mile real world single charge range and the possibility of an 80 per cent charge in just 40 minutes on a high power outlet (8 to 10 hours on a domestic socket).

Other standard features include heated seats all round, adaptive cruise control, park assist with a 360 degree camera system, power panorama glass sunroof, hands free power tailgate, wireless phone charging, a 9” central touchscreen and, as you would expect from Volvo, all the very latest driver aids and safety features. I particularly like the comforting range calculator which gives a maximum, minimum and average distance left in the battery plus a percentage charge so calming any range anxiety plus there is a range optimiser button, if you have left things a little tight, and the sat-nav can even show you to the nearest charging points. That central display is now much easier to operate and boasts an Android-based infotainment system developed with Google which includes Google Maps, the Google Play Store and voice activated Google assistant. The seats are comfy and supportive with lots of leg room front and back and luggage capacity is only slightly reduced by the electric power set up from the standard car. So with petrol and diesel prices heading rapidly only one way there has never been a better time to switch to electric and if you want to do in rapid comfort, safety and style then the XC40 Recharge could be just the car for you.

Volvo think electric vehicles will account for 50 per cent of their sales by 2025 when they are also aiming to reduce life-cycle carbon footprint per vehicle by 40 per cent and be climate neutral by 2040. I have tried the combustion engine XC40 and was impressed but this electric version is a huge step up in the performance department – very un-Volvo like with supercar acceleration when you really boot it. However, you have to pay for all that go power as the Recharge version starts a shade over £48k compared to the range-topping petrol version which is around £8,000 cheaper. The battery pack also adds almost half a tonne too, but Volvo have retuned steering and suspension to compensate and you will notice little difference over the ICE car.

For all the latest car tests see the motoring section of our website at www.50plusmagazine.co.uk/motors/ 25

FOOD | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

VIBRANT SPRING RECIPES FROM MALDON SALT

ROASTED PARSNIPS WITH GIANT COUSCOUS SALAD, ROASTED RED ONIONS, FETA AND PARSLEY Parsnips are healthy and good for the body, providing plenty of vitamins, minerals and healthy fibre. They are also low in fat and are packed full of flavour. As a root vegetable they serve themselves well when roasted and this delicious salad is a great way of adding them into your diet.

Ingredients • 200g Giant couscous • 4 Tbsp olive oil • 6 Parsnips • 3 Red onions, thinly sliced • 25g Golden sultanas • 25g Parsley, finely chopped • 50g Feta, crumbled • 20g Pomegranate seeds, to garnish • Pomegranate molasses, to garnish • Maldon Salt • Cracked black pepper

Method Begin my preheating the oven to 180C. Prepare the parsnips by simply cutting the larger ones in half lengthways but keeping any small one’s whole. Place them into a roasting tray and drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil, some Maldon salt and cracked black pepper. Toss them so they are well coated and then place in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, turning halfway through. They should be golden brown and crispy on the edges. While the parsnips are cooking, prepare the couscous. In a saucepan, cook the couscous according to the packet instructions. Once cooked, drain and remove from the heat. Add the remaining 2 tbsp olive oil, plenty of Maldon salt and cracked black pepper. Allow the couscous to cool. Once the couscous has cooled and the parsnips are out of the oven (and also cooled). Stir the finely sliced red onion, chopped parsley, sultanas and crumbled feta into the couscous. Check the season and adjust if needed. Pile the couscous onto a serving platter and top with the roasted parsnips. Garnish with the pomegranate seeds, a little textra parsley and a drizzle of pomegranate molasses.

RADICCHIO SALAD WITH SLICED APPLE, ROCKET, PECORINO AND PINE NUTS This recipe shows you how to prepare radicchio for salad and combines apple, rocket, pecorino and pine nuts along with a beautiful dressing.

Method Start by preparing the dressing for the salad. In small bowl or jug, combine the lemon juice, olive oil, walnut oil and cider vinegar. Whisk together and then season with Maldon salt and cracked black pepper. Set aside. To prepare the radicchio, carefully pluck the leaves off working your way into the centre core. Once you reach the inside white core, discard this as it can be bitter and tough. Arrange the radicchio leaves on a large serving platter and toss with the apple matchsticks, wild rocket and dill. Drizzle the dressing over the leaves and apple before topping with the pecorino shavings and toasted pine nuts, plus a final garnish of dill fronds.

Ingredients • 1 Red radicchio • 1 Eating apple, sliced into matchsticks • 50g Wild rocket • 25g Pecorino, shaved • 20g Pine nuts, toasted • 10g Dill

Dressing:

• Half lemon juiced • 1 Tbsp olive oil • 1 Tbsp Walnut oil • 1 Tbsp cider vinegar • Maldon Salt • Cracked black pepper

FOOD

50 PLUS MAGAZINE

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SPAGHETTI

This recipe shows you how easy it is to make butternut squash spaghetti by spiralizing the squash, which makes a great and healthy alternative to pasta. You can make different sauces for your squash spaghetti; however, this is a lighter alternative which uses burrata, courgette, mint and lemon. Method Begin my peeling and deseeding the butternut squash. Then cut into sections and using a spiralizer, create long ribbons which look like spaghetti. Place a large frying pan on the heat and drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil. When the pan is hot, add the butternut squash spaghetti and sauté for 5 – 7 minutes until softened and golden. Remove from the heat. While the butternut squash is cooking, place a second small frying pan onto the heat and drizzle in 1 tbsp olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the slices of courgette and fry for a few minutes on each side so they are golden and toasty – you made need to do this in batches. Remove them from the heat. Now you can plate up – pile a golden heap of butternut squash spaghetti onto two plates. Top with some burrata, fried courgette slices, diced chilli, fresh mint leaves and some lemon zest. Finish each plate with a final pinch of Maldon salt, some cracked black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.

Ingredients • Half butternut squash, spiralized • 1 Green courgette, thinly sliced • 1 Yellow courgette, thinly sliced • 15g Fresh mint, leaves picked • Half red chilli, deseeded and finely diced • 2 Tbsp olive oil • 100g Burrata • Maldon Salt • Cracked black pepper • pinch of nutmeg, grated • pinch of sea salt

BLOOD ORANGE OLIVE OIL CAKE The Blood Orange Olive Oil cake combines beautiful seasonal Blood Oranges and the use of Olive oil makes it wonderfully moist and flavoursome without being too sweet. It is topped with Blood Orange slices for a real showstopper dessert. Ingredients • 5 Blood oranges • 250g Golden caster sugar • 150g Plain flour • 80g Semolina • 2 Tsp baking powder • Pinch of Maldon Salt • 1 Orange, zested and juiced • 1 Tsp vanilla extract • 3 Large eggs • 250ml Extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for greasing • Creme fraiche, to serve

Method Grease a 20cm round cake tin with olive oil and line the base with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 190C. Take the blood oranges and carefully cut into thin rounds (as thin as you can go!). Start by sprinkling 30g of the golden caster sugar on the bottom of the cake tin, over the paper. Then arrange the slices on top of the in a nice circular pattern. Use the end pieces of the blood oranges to squeeze over any remaining juice and then set aside while you make the cake batter. In a large mixing bowl mix together the plain flour, semolina, baking powder and Maldon salt. Adding salt to your baking helps balance and enhance flavours, it balances sweetness and acidity. Next in a smaller bowl mix together the orange juice and zest, vanilla extract and olive oil. Place the eggs and sugar into a stand mixer – or you can use an electric whisk – and beat them together until they are pale and fluffy. Next add the dry ingredients, followed by the wet ingredients and beat until smooth. Pour the cake batter into the tin on top of the orange slices and smooth over the top. Place the cake tin into the preheated oven and bake for 30 – 40 minutes until golden brown on top and cooked through. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Then carefully remove from the cake tin before turning it upside down onto a plate and peeling off the baking paper. Allow the cake to then cool completely before slicing and serving with crème fraiche.

LACE UP FOR A NIGHT TO REMEMBER SATURDAY 2 JULY UNIVERSITY OF HUDDERSFIELD

The Kirkwood's biggest fundraising event of the year is back for 2022! After almost three years away, we're pulling out all the stops to make sure this year's event is bigger and better than ever.

The Kirkwood are delighted to announce the return of their Midnight Memory Walk on Saturday, 2nd July 2022! Following the heart-breaking cancellation of their walk in 2020 and 2021, your support will help to make this year's event so much more special. For over a decade, The Kirkwood Midnight Memory Walk has brought our local community together to take on a unique challenge in memory of those we love most. More than a fundraiser, The Kirkwood's flagship fundraising event is something truly special. This year's Midnight Memory Walk is a circular six or 10 mile walk, setting off from and

finishing at the University of Huddersfield. You can decide how far you'd like to walk on the night – it's totally up to you. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of accomplishment when you cross the finish line; knowing that you have helped The Kirkwood's dedicated nurses and doctors to provide the very best, compassionate care – all in memory of someone special. Join The Kirkwood this Summer and help to turn the sleepy midnight streets into a sea of colour as we lace up for those we love. With your help, this year could just be the biggest Midnight Memory Walk ever!

Registration Fees Adults: £20 Children (Under 16): £15 Your registration fee includes entry to the event, a Midnight Memory Walk T-shirt and walker number to wear on the night, plus a medal, breakfast sandwich and hot drink at the finish line. The Midnight Memory Walk is kindly supported by:

Lace up for a walk to remember at:

thekirkwood.org.uk/mmw or call: 01484 557 911

As a charity, The Kirkwood Support Life. And that’s why we believe it’s really important to plan for the future. Planning helps to take the worry and fear out of what might happen so we can focus on what is really important to us. Making a will isn’t an easy thing to think about. It can be a daunting prospect… and not many people discuss their future plans. Some people don’t know where to start. Some people think it is expensive. Some think they don’t need a will. Some people don’t know what will happen if they don’t hold a valid will. We want to change that. We want to make will writing easy and accessible for our community, our supporters, our patients and their families. That’s why we’ve partnered with local solicitors and will writing services, who are offering our supporters a free basic will throughout the year. You can take advantage of our Make a Will scheme right now. It’s really easy to do - simply get in touch with any of our participating solicitors or will writers.

Find out more To find out more and to see a list of participating solicitors and will writers, visit: www.thekirkwood.org.uk/makeawill or call The Kirkwood Fundraising team on: 01484 557 911

Registered Charity No. 512987

DID YOU KNOW?

Having a will is the only way to make sure your loved ones are provided for in the way you wish? Make your will today and help The Kirkwood Support Life. 31

HEALTH

50 PLUS MAGAZINE

The ‘Confident Denture Centre’ offers services to new and existing patients Based in Halifax town centre with easy access from bus routes and a large outside car park making it accessible and convenient. Owned and run by Carrie Whitton RDT, Dip CDT RCS (Eng.) we offer high quality denture services including new dentures, relines and a whilst you wait repair service.

Check-ups for patients with full dentures to monitor oral health include a complimentary denture clean. Carrie has worked within the dental sector since 2003, She is a Clinical Dental Technician, graduating through the Royal College of Surgeons and is registered with General Dental Council. (GDC Register No:143712).

Carrie is passionate about giving patients a positive experience and a natural looking, well-fitting product. “My aim is to make patients feel welcome from the moment that they walk through the door. Loose dentures and dentures that do not have the appearance of their original teeth are the concerns that I hear most frequently.

I aim to help patients wherever possible achieve a comfortable, natural smile.” Clinical Dental Technician’s manage patients in person throughout each clinical stage of the denture process in addition to making the dentures. The Confident Denture Centre offers a free consultation appointment to plan how best to deliver every patients individual needs. No two people are the same and time is taken to discuss existing denture concerns so that in the new dentures can meet agreed expectation.

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· Loss of bite. · Sore gums. · Loss of facial structure or inadequate lip support. · Dentures that break repeatedly.

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· Poor fit. An upper denture that drops down when being worn or a lower denture that moves.

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· Poor appearance. Not enough tooth showing and teeth that lack character and individuality.

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SATISFACTION

Teeth are a significant part of our facial make up. The loss of our natural teeth however, does not mean we have to grin and bear a lifetime of feeling unattractive and uncomfortable. Seek a denture professional who can recreate teeth to match your standard of satisfaction.

Before

INDIVIDUALITY

Just as no two people are alike, no two dentures are alike. A series of procedures and applications using professional skills and judgement must be varied according to the patients needs.

HELP & ADVICE

We will be happy to advise you, without any obligation, about how our services can help you now, or in the future.

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You care how you feel, so do I! Visit Carrie Whitton GDC 143712 At Confident Denture Centre 3 St James Street, Halifax HX1 5SU Or call 01422 380251

REGIONAL AWARD NOMINATION FOR LOCAL CARE HOME Our Facilities We have invested a significant amount of time into developing first rate facilities at our home and have taken advice both from the community and our home care residents as to what they would like to see in premises like ours. We are delighted to be able to offer the following facilities, all maintained and staffed to the highest standard: Full Kitchen Our full kitchen allows us to create beautiful meals for our residents and their guests, giving you true home style cooking in comfort without any hassle

Photo Caption (L-R) Barbara and Tom Enefer, Managers of Angelcare Residential Living

Restaurant Our restaurant runs a full a la carte menu for our residents, with the same offering to all their guests and families

Local home care provider, Angelcare, and their independent care home, Angelcare Residential Living, have been nomination as Independent Business of theYear at theYorkshire Choice Awards. Angelcare offer a range of homecare services for elderly and disabled individuals and work closely with the local authority, as well as providing care from their second office in Wakefield. Angelcare Residential Living is a private care home situated on a historic Georgian property in West Vale. A family run business with three generations of experience in care, they opened Calderdale’s only fully private care home in August 2020 following a £500,000 refurb of the premises, previously used as the Ingwood Restaurant in in the 1970s and 80s. The home delayed opening to the public so that it could be used by the council at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, offering a space for those suffering from the virus. TheYorkshire Choice Awards was founded by Joanne Maltby and Melanie Malcolm who saw an opportunity to recognise and raise the awareness of local people and independent businesses that are inspirational in their own way or in the markets they serve.The categories range from Charitable Business to Volunteer awards, and the new Rob Burrows Award, highlighting individuals, young people and groups who have contributed to the charity, MND Association, helping to raise awareness and vital funds. Angelcare have previously received numerous regional and national awards, including ‘Best Architectural Design or Community Space’ at the National Care Home Awards, as well as being finalists for ‘New Care Home of the Year’.Their home care service has been recognised numerous times over the years, including their use of innovative technology and caring for members of the LGBT community. Tom Enefer, Manager of Angelcare Residential Living commented “We’re proud of our industry awards, but to be recognised in the region is even more important to us. All of our residents are local and we’re proud to be a Yorkshire business providing a home away from home, as well as creating job opportunities in Calderdale both in the care home and for our home care services”. The winners are decided by the general public, and Tom encourages local people to get out and vote. “We’d love to bring this award back to Calderdale, and any little bit helps. Please consider voting for us on theYorkshire Choice Awards website to give us the best chance”. 34

Bar A fully stocked bar in our living space provides all the amenities you expect, including fresh bottled water, bottled beers and spirits. Family Suite Our one of a kind family suite allows visitors to stay in the room next door to their relative or friend. With a full kitchen, living area, en suite and bedroom, only a door away from your loved one, you can stay close whenever you need to and experience all the amenities our residents do. Living Room Our generously proportioned and fully equipped living room provides ample space for residents and guests, with a smart television and comfortable seating for watching sport, socialising, or catching up on a good book. Rooms & Suites All our rooms have recently been refitted to the highest standards, with en suite bathrooms and top of the line furnishings. Whether you are looking for the cosy space of a room, or if you would like to upgrade to a suite including a walled off sleeping area, living space, and built in kitchen. Entertainment & Community Engagement You will never get bored with a full entertainments programme of live music, games night, visits form local schools and animal farms. We hope you will consider staying with us, and we would love to welcome you down to visit, our doors are always open for new guests. For more information please contact 01422 419710 or email living@angel-care.co.uk www .angelcareresidentialliving.co.uk

AngelCare 50 Plus Magazine Advert 2a.pdf 1 25/03/2022 10:44

NOW ACCEPTING ADMISSIONS

ting admissions and for respite and permanent stays. Completely d and 100% modernised, Angelcare Residential Living is Calderdale’s NOW ACCEPTING ADMISSIONS only all-inclusive fully private care home.

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accepting admissions and for respite and permanent stays. Completely renovated and 100% modernised, Angelcare Residential Living is Calderdale’s accepting admissions and for respite and permanent stays. Completely only all-inclusive fully private care home. renovated and 100% modernised, Angelcare Residential Living is Calderdale’s RESPI only all-inclusive fully private care home.

T CARE E

der it gets harder to run your own home. Our All-Inclusive approach provides our residents eone you love, starting struggle no hidden or additional fees. Theseourinclude As you get is older it gets to harder to run your ownwith home. Our All-Inclusive approach provides residents If you, or someone you love, is starting to struggle with no hidden or additional fees. These include ound Angelcare Residential Living. everything from meals, haircuts, newspapers and any take a look around Angelcare Residential Living. everything from meals, haircuts, newspapers and any As you harder to run your owncare home. Our All-Inclusive mansion hasget justolder hadit agets complete you may require. approach provides our residents Our Victorian mansion just a complete care youhidden may require. If you, or someone youhas love, is had starting to struggle withCOVID no or additional fees.testing These include to create beautifully appointed rooms We are fully safe with regular of staff refurbishment to create beautifully appointed rooms We are fullyfrom COVID safehaircuts, with regular testing of staff take a look around Angelcare Residential Living. everything meals, newspapers and any es forand both individuals and couples. and clients! luxury suites for both individuals and couples. and clients! Our Victorian mansion has just had a complete care you may require. refurbishment to create beautifully appointed rooms and luxury suites for both individuals and couples.

We are fully COVID safe with regular testing of staff and clients!

If you’d like more information or to arrange a viewing for yourself or a loved one,

01422 419710 please contact us on 01422 419710 emailLane, living@angel-care.co.uk www.angelcareresidentialliving.co.uk | 116 or Green West Vale, HX4 8BL If you’d like more information or to arrange a viewing yourself or a loved one, please contact us on or emailfor living@angel-care.co.uk

like more information or to arrange a viewing for yourself or a loved one,

01422 419710 or email living@angel-care.co.uk www.angelcareresidentialliving.co.uk | 116 Green Lane, West Vale, HX4 8BL

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HEALTH | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

SIX HEALTH CONDITIONS AN EYE EXAM CAN REVEAL Dr Andy Hepworth from optical lens specialists Essilor.co.uk explains what eye examinations can reveal beyond short or long sightedness and common eye conditions. “TV Celebrity Sue Perkins recently revealed that her father was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour as a result of an eye examination at an optician. This is one example of why it’s vital for people to get their eyes checked regularly by a professional, at least within the recommended timeframe of every two years minimum, even if your vision seems fine. “Eyes are like a magnifying glass into the inner workings of our blood vessels, nerves and connective tissues throughout the body. So eye examinations are an important health check for overall wellbeing – and a potential way to identify an underlying potentially life-threatening issues. Here’s six signs of other health issues that eye tests can reveal: 1. Brain tumours: Tumours on the brain can cause increased pressure that results in swelling near the back of the eyes – meaning that an optometrist can see these abnormalities. Changes in pupil size or double vision are also potential signs of a brain tumour. Other cancers that might affect the eyelids and outer surfaces of the eye can also be found during a detailed eye exam. 2. Diabetes: Diabetes affects eye tissue and thus can be identified with an eye exam. Tiny blood vessels in the retina that leak yellow fluid or blood can be a sign of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy happens when the blood vessels in the eye are damaged by high blood glucose levels, which is a serious condition if left undiagnosed. Early signs are usually picked up during diabetic eye screening – this is when photographs of your eyes are taken to check for damage. 3. Cardiovascular conditions: Eye exams can detect a number of cardiovascular conditions, including clogged arteries or decreased blood flow due to heart disease. These conditions can leave plaque deposits or show as damage within the eye area to indicate a more significant health issue. 4. High Blood Pressure: A very slight bleed in the eye, that presents itself as a tiny broken blood vessel in the white of the eye, can be associated with high blood pressure. 5. High Cholesterol: Eye tests can detect some warning signs that point to the presence of high cholesterol. For example, sometimes people with high cholesterol have small deposits of fat (called xanthelasmas) that can occur on the eyelids. Similarly, by examining the cornea – the dome shaped clear structure in front of your iris – it can show what’s called an arcus that can relate to cholesterol levels. 36

6. Thyroid eye disease: Thyroid eye disease is a condition in which the eye muscles, eyelids, tear glands and fatty tissues behind the eye become inflamed. This can cause the eyes and eyelids to become red, swollen and uncomfortable and the eyes can be pushed forward (‘staring’ or ‘bulging’ eyes). What will an optician test for and check (beyond long and short sightedness)? “A close inspection of the lens, retina and optic nerve can reveal a host of disorders, high blood pressure and diabetes among them, even if the patient feels fine and shows no other symptoms. “There are lots of age-related eye conditions, including cataracts and glaucoma, that an eye examination can also identify at an early stage – so it is crucial to get your eyes test regularly, especially as you get older. “Many opticians will carry out an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scan as part of the eye examination. This hospital-quality scan uses cutting-edge technology to look more closely at your retina. OCT technology uses light waves to take images of your retina; similar to how an ultrasound scan uses sound waves. During an OCT scan, you will be asked to sit in front of a small machine with your chin placed on a support. The instrument then takes a picture of your eyes, revealing to the optician what is going on beneath the surface of the eye. They will review this information as part of your eye examination. “An optician will also ask you questions about your general health in order to build up an overall picture if your lifestyle and any issues they should be aware of. “Other common stages of an eye exam include tonometry test – this uses puffs of air to measure pressure inside your eye, again this can help to identify any early signs of glaucoma. A slit lamp is used to check the health of your cornea, your iris and your lens.Your optician will use a powerful microscope to assess each eye. “The sight part of the test is known as refraction – this is where the optician will ask you to read letters on a chart in front of you whilst different lenses are out in front of your eyes to fine tune your prescription For more advice visit www.essilor.co.uk

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