Kirklees Issue 77 by 50 Plus Magazine

KIRKLEES & CALDERDALE EDITION 77

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023

Christopher Biggins UNDISPUTED KING OF PANTOMIME

Shackletons

CREATING COMFORT FOR YOU ... NOVEMBER OFFERS

Spanish Recipes

FROM AWARD WINNING CHEF JOSÉ PIZARRO

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CONTENTS | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

Celebrity Feature

Travel

CHRISTOPHER BIGGINS, KING OF PANTOMIME

TREASURES OF THE DANUBE

Twittering On

Home

BY ANGELA KELLY

BUYING A HOLIDAY HOME

IN THIS ISSUE 6-7

TWITTERING ON By Angela Kelly

8-9

TRAVEL Travelling on Riverside Mozart

10-11

GREAT VALUE HOLIDAYS Self-drive & coach inclusive breaks

14-15

CELEBRITY FEATURE Christopher Biggins, king of pantomime

16-17

HOME Buying a holiday home

21-24

FOOD Spanish cooking from José Pizarro

28-29

MOTORING Steve Howarth test drive showcases two cars including car of the year

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TWITTERING ON | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

TWITTERING ON By Angela Kelly

Unlike today, ordinary people just didn’t know about the private lives of famous film stars in particular so Parky’s show was often a real revelation. Sporting greats like Muhammad Ali (who appeared on the show a couple of times) loved the verbal sparring that being interviewed by Parky meant. Any sulky, temperamental celebrities came off badly against his sharp intellect and probing questions while the gloriously inventive (usually comedians like Billy Connolly and Peter Kay) shone and often returned for further appearances.

The King of the interview is gone THE passing of Sir Michael Parkinson at the age of 88 did not only mark the end of an era for TV fans but also the golden age of interviewing. His wonderful TV show, which started in the ‘70s, became the template for the chat show which was attempted by many others but only successfully copied by the very few. Parky not only actually listened to his guests but had impeccable research beforehand. Perhaps even more importantly, he respected all his guests and as a result his show often offered unique perspectives of famous people never previously witnessed. The broadcaster and former newspaperman had honed his interviewing skills over decades. He created a style which included genuine interest, acknowledging answers and asking intelligent questions that actually added to viewers’ knowledge of famous individuals. As Sir Elton John commented, Parky was “a real icon who brought out the very best in his guests.” Tellingly, he insisted that there were no pre-conditions on his interviews so stars who only wanted to talk about a current project or had several no-go areas in their conversation failed to make it onto the show. Actually being a guest marked out celebrities of only the very highest calibre. It’s worth bearing in mind that when his show first started, there was no social media and very little investigative print media that revealed the secret lives of celebrities.

No interview by Parky was ever really dull or uninformative.You always found out something new or a surprisingly different side of a star’s personality. Not everyone came off well from the encounter but we viewers were fascinated by the lives of these household names who often inadvertently revealed secrets under Parky’s deceptively pleasant probing. It’s sad that there is probably not the same appetite today for this kind of show or the format of simply asking trenchant questions without pandering to the whims of interviewees. With a few exceptions like Piers Morgan, the art of TV interviewing is not what it was. Sorry, Oprah, but your laughable “interview” with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle looked staged and partial. No self-respecting interviewer would have ever let some of those allegations just hang in the air without further questioning. The whole thing raised more questions than it answered and felt throughout like a put-up job. Parky would never have let them get away with it. We’ll miss him. Compel murderers to face their victims’ families IT is basically wrong and a travesty of justice that guilty defendants can opt to stay in their cell and not face their victims’ families during sentencing in murder trials. The terrible case of killer nurse Lucy Letby once again brought into focus the craziness of a legal system that cannot compel defendants to be physically in court for sentencing. There have been several other high-profile cases recently (the killer of nine year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel and those of Elle Edwards and Zara Aleena) where relatives felt cheated by defendants’ absence in court because they CHOSE to stay in their cell.

That families’ need to see the face of their loved ones’ killer when the sentence is read out is so understandable. They deserve, if not closure, then at least some satisfaction in this way. They want to know that person is aware of the pain they have inflicted and that it will never pass. They urgently have to see the system working, taking back control from killers and handing it over to the families via the legal system. However this is achieved – whether it’s by force, penalties of losing privileges like phone calls or visits, or even additional time on sentencing – something needs to change. Otherwise, the law is failing the very people it was set up to protect: the victims and their families. Not the criminals. Tasty apostrophes on the menu LIKE many people, the English language is important to me. I care about grammar, about creating understandable sentences and using the right punctuation. My youngest daughter thinks I care too much. “No-one texts in complete sentences including commas, Mum.” Hands up, I do – but I also understand that times change and that our speech used in text and on social media is much less formal today. What matters is the sense of it. That thought struck me the other day when I read about a TripAdvisor reviewer who criticised a tearoom in Rochester in Kent for its mis-use of apostrophes.

Now I do know how this can really annoy people. I often whinge about shop and van signs which treat the apostrophe like some random adornment to be stuck on whatever word you fancy. But I still think we need to pick our battles on this one. The reviewer was generally having a moan about having to wait 20 minutes (she was aware they were under-staffed) and then turned to a framed piece of Gothic text on the wall about Charles Dickens which contained some wrong use of apostrophes. The response from the tearoom was to place an A board outside its premises exhorting “Pop in for disappointing slow service, bad spelling and the mis-use of an apostrophe. As said by a ‘Lovely Lady’ on TripAdvisor”. Just for once, I’m with the tearoom management on this. I’m afraid that if you get down to the apostrophes offered when you’re reviewing an eaterie then you really shouldn’t bother. Criticise the food, the service, the ambience or whatever but, really, apostrophes? Life is far too short.

or email: help@aamail.org 7

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50 Plus Travel

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The island of Sicily

a travel tour road trip to remember with Riviera Travel BeverleyWatts enjoys a treasure of temples, mosaics and miniature elephants Roman bikinis and dazzling art Heading on to Sicily’s capital Palermo on the northwest coast, we stop on the road at Motel San Pietro for its very impressive pastry shop with delicious cialdoni. Similar to cannoli and a speciality of Agrigento, these tube-shaped sweet treats are baked, the shells covered in ground almond and filled with ricotta. The perfect snack gulped down with a frothy cappuccino. (I suggested Mum try a half and she ate the whole thing…)

We travel to fill up our senses with new sights, sounds, scents and flavours and Sicily has long been on my must-see list as an island I needed to explore. Of course, it’s the people who also create wonderful memories and, travelling on a week-long escorted coach tour with my 93-year-old mother, the Sicilian people couldn’t have been more welcoming. Our local tour guide, Rosario Sulfaro, made our journey extra special with his thoughtfulness and ready smile throughout our trip. Our first taste of Sicily was a freshly-squeezed orange juice, a spremuta, full of the flavour of sunshine. With its volcanic mineralfortified soil, Sicily is covered with orchards. Sweet red-fleshed blood oranges and tangy lemons flourish alongside fragrant peaches and golden apricots. Almonds, which symbolise good fortune, have been cultivated since before 1000 BCE. Once the bread basket of the Roman Empire with fields of golden grain, Sicily is immensely rich in history. Our first stop on the southwest coast, the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, is actually high on a ridge – not deep in a valley – and the ancient Greek architecture is glorious. The best-preserved structure of this UNESCO World Heritage site is the Temple of Concordia, built in the 5th century BC, not from marble but from carved red sandstone. It's a marvel it still stands because the site’s Temple of Olympian Zeus, the largest Doric-style temple ever constructed, was toppled by earthquakes before it was completed. Held up by an unusual row of giant telamons (human statues), a preserved example inside the Regional Archaeological Museum gives you a real sense of the extraordinary scale. The colossus’s tiny feet are intentional for perspective as the carved figures were built to be viewed upwards from far below. 12

Norman Palace

Cosmopolitan Palermo was founded by Phoenician traders and a Norman Palace stands at the historical centre, on the site of an original Arab fortification. Enjoy the lively hubbub of Palermo’s street markets with everything from boldly-painted Caltagirone ceramics to vivid green Nocellara olives. The Mercato del Ballarò winds away from the Palazzo dei Normanni and is a great place to try Sicilian street food. We lunched on arancine (deep fried rice balls) and panelle (chickpea flour fritters) but offal connoisseurs should taste Palermo’s legendary spleen sandwich, a centuries-old delicacy still popular today.

Monreale Cathedral

but the best way to get a sense of the shoreline of this outstanding location is to take a boat trip. Sailing gently into the sea caves hidden under the promontory, you can easily spot coral in the clear waters of the Ionian Sea.

A little inland, on the slopes of Monte Mount Etna Caputo, stands Monreale Cathedral – a sumptuous mix of architectural styles completed in 1182. With influences from North African and Middle Eastern art, Monreale is richly-decorated with Byzantine mosaics. The craftsmen gathered to work on the shimmering interior knew just how to create a magical space meant to dazzle. Biblical stories depicted in luminous detail include the creation of the stars and Noah building his ark. The marvellously-preserved mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale, a Roman villa near Piazza Armerina, date from the 4th century AD and also tell stories in tesserae. The themes here, though, are everyday life. This magnificent home, believed to belong to a high-ranking senator, was preserved only because it was covered by a landslide after being abandoned. (The Romans cut down many of Sicily’s deep-rooted forests to plant wheat, changing the topography forever.) The villa’s elaborate floors show teams of oxen at work, women playing sport in what look like bikinis, and there’s an erotic scene of a bare-bottomed woman in a passionate embrace. Taormina sits on the east coast of Sicily, on a rocky headland with amazing views of Mount Etna. An enchanting, compact location with a dramatic sea-facing 3rd century BC Greek theatre, it became part of the Grand Tour in the late 1800s. Taormina has long attracted writers, artists and Hollywood stars and Casa Cuseni, dubbed ‘the most beautiful house in Sicily’, opened as Europe’s first hotel for artists in 1947. The villa has hosted the likes of Greta Garbo, Pablo Picasso and Ernest Hemingway, who found it the perfect place to relax. A chilled Aperol Spritz in Taormina on a sun-baked terrace after a busy day of sight-seeing is certainly a superb way to unwind. We were lucky enough to chance upon a group of musicians and dancers in traditional costume performing in Piazza IX Aprile, Taormina’s main square. Etna’s mythical rumbles The historic city of Syracuse was the home of Archimedes, a brilliant scientist and mathematician in classical antiquity. Ortygia, its small island centre, has a fascinating maze of narrow streets

Accused of murder in Rome, painter Caravaggio hid out in Sicily after escaping imprisonment in Malta and arrived in Syracuse in 1608. There he gave up brawling for a while, took up his brushes again and completed a new masterpiece, the Burial of Saint Lucy, on view in the Basilica of Santa Lucia al Sepolcro. As we motor on along roads edged by wild yellow fennel flowers, olive trees and prickly pear cacti, it's incredible to imagine that tiny elephants once inhabited this province. Dwarf elephants, only about a metre in height and the size of a Shetland pony, roamed the land 200,000 years ago. Skeletons were discovered in a cave near the village of Cassibile and a pair of casts are on display at the Archaeological Museum of Syracuse. No visit to Sicily would be complete without a look at Mount Etna. Etna is Europe’s highest and most active volcano and, while regularly spewing out plumes of ash and smoke, Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology carefully monitor its activity. (The frequent mini eruptions actually make it safer as there is no major build-ups of lava and gas.) In Greek mythology, Etna’s rumblings were caused by the monster Typhon, who had 100 dragons’ heads, and was trapped under the mountain. It is possible to take a cable car and then jeep towards the top, as well as hike with an experienced guide, but there are lower shallow craters to circle on foot which are easily accessible from the coach park. Mum and I let the thrill-seekers head up Etna’s black, gravelly lunar landscape and sat in the sunshine instead. Visiting Sicily with Riviera Travel Riviera Travel 8-day Escorted Signature Tour of Sicily (group of 25) costs from £1,789pp, inclusive of return flights in 2023. Our Silver Travel Advisors have more information and can help you book your trip to Sicily with Riviera Travel, silvertraveladvisor. com/travel_partners/riviera-travel. Call 0800 412 5678.

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To enter visit www.50plusmagazine.co.uk and register your details. Only one entry per person, closing date 10th of December

CELEBRITY FEATURE | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

CHRISTOPHER BIGGINS KING OF PANTOMIME CHRISTOPHER Biggins is the undisputed King of Pantomime. Oh no he isn’t! OH YES HE DEFINITELY IS! The likeable actor, who hits 75 this year, has a face and manner made for the homely fantasy that is panto and a rapport with audiences that has stood him in good stead through dozens of pantos over the years. And when he steps on the stage of the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton this December to take part in yet another panto, he will not only be continuing a very English Christmas tradition but also confirming yet again that, for panto roles, Biggins is simply the best.

Biggins’ comedy c.v. was equally enhanced during the ‘70s with appearances in two other popular comedy shows, Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? and Some Mothers Do ‘Ave Em. To underline his versatility as an actor, he played Nero in the BBC’s hit series I, Claudius, based on the novels by Robert Graves. He actually got the role after appearing in a TV commercial for Heineken as the famous Roman emperor presiding over the Games! His profile remained high with appearances in the BBC’s Poldark drama series and TV miniseries Masada in 1981.

Not that the talented Mr B hasn’t had his fair share of other, weightier roles over the years.

At the same time, Biggins became a children’s TV favourite in a regular role as department store owner Adam Painting in the wonderful series Rentaghost.

He was born in Oldham, Greater Manchester, but brought up in Salisbury, Wiltshire, where he got involved in local drama groups His first main stage role was aged 17 in a Moliere play and it led to him working with a local repertory theatre company.

He played the Rev Whiting in South Television’s Brendon Chase in 1980 and had a leading role in The Phoenix and the Carpet in 1997, plus a supporting role as dodgy antiques dealer Mr Benger in Look and Read series Dark Towers.

He first came to national prominence, however, in the second series of the very popular TV programme Upstairs, Downstairs. Then his recognizability was cemented when he took the role of regular character Lukewarm in Ronnie Barker’s much-loved prison comedy Porridge between1974 and 1977.

Biggins was already emerging as something of an apprentice national treasure even then and was a good choice to co-host TV’s Surprise Surprise as well as hosting children’s game show On Safari. His bubbly personality won him many fans, and he was happy with this classification, revelling in how this opened up other roles for him.

As a mark of his burgeoning popularity, he was the subject of a This is Your Life episode in 1999 and in 2003 played himself in Bad Girls about a group of prisoners. He took part in the seventh series of I’m A Celebrity …. Get Me Out of Here! in 2007, and was crowned winner and was in an episode of Celebrity Come Dine With Me in 2009, winning £1,000 for his chosen charity. Since then, he’s been in TV panel games like The Celebrity Chase in 2013 where he was the first person in the history of the show to answer all six questions correctly while going for a higher offer. In 2014, he took part in Celebrity MasterChef and returned again in 2020 for a Christmas Special. Meanwhile, his theatre resume has built up with roles in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and as Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar. He had a long run at the London Palladium in the stage adaptation of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and has also been a guest narrator in The Rocky Horror Show. He’s had a whole raft of film roles – everything from The Sex Thief to Eskimo Nell, It Could Happen to You, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Adventures of a Plumber’s Mate, the Baker and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Biggins and his immediately recognizable voice have also had a useful career in voiceovers and on radio. But perhaps his best-known appearances have been on stage in pantomime – an area where he is completely at home. As he explained to Fifty Plus magazine: “To me, pantomime is a joyous time when parents, carers, grandparents, aunties, uncles, children, nieces, nephews and siblings all come together to enjoy themselves.

Christmas is a favourite time for Biggins and not just because it’s panto time. He loves giving presents and admits: “I’m rather particular about presents and I collect them all year and I think ‘Oooh that will be good’ because of time. “There is very little time to go out and buy things. I have to prethink. It’s impossible to go shopping when you’re rehearsing and performing pantomime. I like to be really organized, which I am.” He also loves the festive period because it gives him time to be with his partner Neil – “We just have a lovely time,” he stated.

“Pantomime is not only a form of entertainment but also a breeding ground for theatre, both for audiences and casts!” These glorious roles have seen Biggins appear before audiences as Widow Twankey in Aladdin, Buttons in Cinderella, Winnie the Pooh, Mrs Crusoe in Robinson Crusoe and Dame Trot in Jack and the Beanstalk. Unsurprisingly, he received a Lifetime Achievement award at the Great British Pantomime Awards. This year – a rarity for him – he is not playing a woman but is The Man in the Mirror. However, don’t for one minute think this role won’t involve plenty of sparkle.

“I have the most wonderful costume which is all mirror “ he explained. “So I urge the audience to wear sunglasses when they come to see the show because I am flying in and out on every entrance and will sparkle beyond measure. I mean it is fantastic!” The Man in the Mirror is “a wonderful arch sort of companion to Queen Dragonella who is played by Rachel Stanley this year who’s brilliant,” he added. “He’s fun and larger than life and quips galore.”

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Buying a holiday home

How many times have you visited a favourite holiday destination and thought how blissful it would be to own a holiday home there? As we move into darker nights and the vagaries of the British Winter, making plans around our favourite sunshine destinations is a pleasant way to while away the evenings. But if you thought that owning this kind of dream property was totally outside your budget, it might be worth looking at genuine calculations and reconsidering. It may just be that this dream could become a reality. Owning a holiday home is not just an indulgence but also, if you want to and if handled properly, a second income stream. So, it’s not just somewhere to get away for the weekend, a restful week in a “home from home” or somewhere for family and friends to stay, it’s also a way to insure your future. First decide on the location. This may be abroad or in the UK and if you’re just looking for a delightful getaway, it will probably be in an area you already love and know well. Buying a holiday home abroad requires specialist knowledge. So choose a well-established company that has experience of the country and area you have chosen, which understands local laws and can guide you through the whole process. 16

The top 10 countries where Brits have chosen to have homes are: Australia, USA, Canada, Spain, Ireland, New Zealand, France, South Africa, Germany and Italy. If you’re thinking of the UK and looking for a return on your investment by letting, your home choice needs to be in an area of high demand where other people will also love to stay. So it’s important to research staycations most people choose. It’s definitely worth being realistic about how much you can afford to spend. If you have a cash windfall or pension money to invest, for example, a holiday home is a great place for your money to grow. If you need a mortgage to buy your second home, mortgage rules change to a holiday home mortgage and consulting a trusted mortgages’ expert in this field is vital. Some holiday lets are also seasonal. Rural cottages and log cabins may be more popular in the Winter while seaside properties and those with outdoor lifestyle additions, like a pool, do better in the Summer months. Families do, though, often choose to spend special holidays like Christmas and New Year in holiday lets. To ensure bookings, place your property with an established agency that is already dealing in similar lets.

Consider your policy on pets. Many people, particularly those with dogs who don’t want to leave them in boarding kennels, are looking for animal-friendly holiday lets.

As a holiday let landlord, you are responsible for your guests’ health and welfare.Your property needs to be safe, with any hazards pointed out in signs, and basic elements like risk of fire addressed properly. A good agency will help you with these practicalities.

Like any other property, you’ll need property insurance. If you’re letting it out commercially, there are tax implications so sort these out with a tax expert initially.

Information on the local area – places to go, special events, public transport and other useful information for visitors – is also something you should supply.

Bringing a knowledgable solicitor on board early is also a sensible move, whether you’re letting or not.

If your holiday home is just for the use of you and your family and friends, you will probably treat it like a second home and furnish it accordingly.

Victoria Marshall, Solicitor and Head of Residential Conveyancing at Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers Ltd in Oldham, urges caution.

However, if it is a holiday let, leaving much-loved items around as you would at home is a mistake because accidents do happen.

“If you’re planning on buying a holiday home,” she stated, “it’s important to sometimes have a re-think and not get swept away by the moment. Take time to consider the practicalities and long-term consequences to see if it’s right for you.”

Furnish this new property adequately, attractively and suitably for the building, the area and the likely occupants and their activities. Just don’t put in anything you’d be heartbroken to lose.

Your conveyancer will sort pre-contract checks and searches, review your contract, verify the title deeds, and check legal ownership as well as advising on a property survey for any possible structural issues or maintenance concerns.

Think about how you will maintain the building generally and about the practicalities of changeovers between to-let clients.You’ll need to arrange cleaning and renewing welcome packs and necessary basics like soap and toilet rolls.

Added Victoria: “Depending on the property’s value and location, you may also be required to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).Your solicitor will assist with the calculation and payment of this tax.”

But there is no doubt that having somewhere to escape to on a regular basis, in a place where you feel totally relaxed, IS one of life’s joys.

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WEYMOUTH

The perfect spot for your sunny getaway

The second is the George, more of a modern style with restaurant over 2 floors serving top quality drinks and meals prepared with the freshest local ingredients. It also has a good outdoor space to sit and watch the world go by. During the Summer months I took a five day coach holiday with Daish’s Holidays staying at The Russell Hotel, situated on the glorious seafront esplanade of Weymouth.

The sandy beach is sprinkled with deck chairs and has many food & drink stalls and a vast range of attractions including donkey rides, a large funfair and even a traditional punch and Judy.

During the Summer months there is a large firework display every Monday at 9pm which adds to the holiday experience.

The esplanade is wide and flat and very well kept, making it perfect for a long stroll in the sunshine, you can walk for miles along the coastal path lined with brightly coloured beach huts.

During our visit we took an optional excursion organised by the hotel out to Bournemouth and Poole. It was well organised, leaving the hotel after breakfast and returning in plenty of time to get ready for our evening meal. Bournemouth has the perfect beach front with sandy beach, Ferris wheel, many little cafés, restaurants and a large pier. For those with mobility problems there is a cliff lift to help you down. Highlight of our visit was the botanical gardens, a vast outdoor space with water, music and plenty of plants to admire.

The hotel occupies a beautiful building and has 87 bedrooms with many offering sea views. Facilities include a coffee shop, bar, restaurant and dance floor. The hotel hosts a programme of live entertainment every evening which includes dancing, bingo and quizzes. There is also the option to book excursions and day trips via the hotel. What’s included in a Daish’s Holiday package: • Luxury coach travel with comfort stops on route • Convenient pickup and drop-off along popular routes • Breakfast and three-course evening meal every day • On-site entertainment Seated on a beautiful bay Weymouth boasts one of the finest beaches in Dorset. The seafront is lined with Georgian buildings, restaurants and a vast range of eateries from fish and chips to ice cream parlours. 18

Weymouth is a family friendly beautiful resort which I would visit time and time again.

Poole was in a different class, gorgeous pubs, restaurants and a harbour full of luxury yachts, well worth the visit. By Helen Gergus. My favourite part of Weymouth is the traditional fishing harbour with lift bridge. Watch the boats come and go from luxury yachts to working fishing boats. Either side of the harbour is lined with pastelpainted houses and many restaurants and bars, too many to mention them all. Two of my favourites were the Kings Arms, a 16th Century Inn where King George III is said to have stayed with its low ceilings and doorways and decorated in a traditional fashion.

Daish’s Holidays is a family-owned and operated business that has 12 hotels, located in 10 popular tourist destinations across England and Wales including Newquay and Weymouth. The company also has its own fleet of luxury coaches to transport guests in comfort from a number of pick-up points across the UK, stretching from west Yorkshire to Cornwall. Customers have the choice between coach or self-drive options across England and Wales.

ckletons 01924 440 600 b: shackletonsretail.co.uk

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CHRISTMAS FAYRE MENU Available 27th November - 31st December (excluding Sundays) Pre bookable only Served Monday – Saturday 12pm - 2.30pm & 5pm - 8.15pm

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Main Courses 10oz Rump Steak (£10 supplement) served with Hand Cut Chips, Mushroom, Balsamic Roasted Cherry Tomatoes & Beer Battered Onion Rings Roasted Root Vegetable En-Croute (V) in a Puff Pastry Casing Pan Fried Seabream Fillet on Herb Crushed New Potatoes with a Honey Mustard Topping served with Seasonable Vegetables

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FOOD | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

José Pizarro is an award-winning chef and bestselling author. He runs tapas and sherry bar José and restaurant Pizarro as well as restaurant José Pizarro, in London,The Swan in Surrey and two restaurants at The Royal Academy of Arts. Here he shares recipes from his new book.

Sauteed Clams with Garlic, Lemon and Parsley

Method Serves 4 l

olive oil

3 fat garlic cloves, peeled and finely sliced

1 lemon, half finely sliced, half juiced

1 kg (2 lb 3 oz) fresh palourde clams, cleaned few sprigs of thyme, leaves stripped handful of finely chopped flat-leaf parsley

Clams are popular all over the world as they are so versatile. When you are planning to cook for more than a couple of people, this is something that you must consider; ingredients and dishes your friends will love but are also quick prepare, so that you don’t spend the whole time at the stove. You can boil some pasta with this for a really easy lunch, and add some chilli for an extra kick. Heat a little oil in a deep heavy-based stockpot. Fry the garlic and lemon slices for 30 seconds, then increase the heat to high, tip in all the clams and cover with a lid. Cook for 2–3 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally, until the clams have all opened (discard any that refuse to open). Add the lemon juice and herbs and serve with lots of crusty bread to mop up the juices. 21

Sukalki

A Typical Beef Ragu

Method Sukalki is another traditional dish from the Basque Country, and means ‘make at home’ or ‘stew’. It’s very similar to a ragu and is traditionally found in the sociedades or txoko (traditional Basque gastronomic societies). The king of the concursos gastronómicos (the most popular culinary competition) takes place in Mungin and is called Sukalki Eguna. It’s been running for decades and quite often hosts more than 300 contestants.

Serve 6-8

olive oil 1.5 kg (3 lb 5 oz) beef shin, cut into large pieces l sea salt and freshly ground black pepper l 1 onion, finely chopped l 1 carrot, finely chopped l 150 ml (5 fl oz) Cognac l 2 dried choricero peppers, seeds removed, or 2 teaspoons sweet pimentón l 750 ml (25 fl oz) fresh beef stock l 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) medium waxy potatoes, thickly sliced l 200 g (7 oz) fresh peas l l

Heat a layer of oil in a heavy-based pan. Season the beef and fry in batches to brown all over. Transfer to a casserole dish. Heat a little more oil and fry the onion and carrot for 10 minutes, then pour in the Cognac and carefully light it so that it flambés. Once the flames have died down, tip into the casserole with the meat. Add the dried peppers. Add the stock and bring to the boil. Cover, reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-31/2 hours. Add the potatoes for the last 20-30 minutes. Once the potatoes are tender and the beef falls apart when you prod it, add the peas and cook through.

Porrusalda

Serves 4-6 l

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 onion, finely sliced

750 ml (25 fl oz) strong fresh vegetable stock

3 carrots, thickly sliced

3 leeks, cut into pieces

4 medium potatoes, cut into 1.5 cm (3⁄4 in) cubes sea salt

Method This is a popular dish from the Navarra and Rioja regions, which I always have to eat when I visit San Sebastián. The name comes from the word ‘puerro’ (‘leek’ in Spanish). It is a very simple recipe in which it is important to use a good stock. In this case, I have used a very nice and strong vegetable stock, but you could also use chicken stock. If you feel like something slightly different, you can also add chorizo to make a porrusalda riojana. In a saucepan, heat the oil and add the onion, cooking it through but without letting it change colour. Add the stock and bring to the boil, then add the carrots, leeks and potatoes and cook for 15–20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Season with sea salt and serve hot with some crusty bread. 23

Roast Lavender Peaches with Baked Custard Patxaran is one of my favourite digestifs, so finishing a meal with a glass of this, heaped with ice, is just heaven.The trouble is, one glass is never enough! This recipe is easy to make and will impress your guests. The aroma of the lavender really complements all of the other flavours in the dish.We are seeing lavender used more and more in cooking, although this is the first time that I have included a recipe using it in my book. If you can’t get Patxaran, some sloe gin will work just as well. Method

Serves 6 l

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 onion, finely sliced

750 ml (25 fl oz) strong fresh vegetable stock

3 carrots, thickly sliced

3 leeks, cut into pieces

4 medium potatoes, cut into 1.5 cm (3⁄4 in)

cubes sea salt

Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F/Gas 3). Heat the milk and cream with the vanilla pod and seeds over a low heat until almost boiling. Whisk the eggs, egg yolks and sugar together, then pour over the hot milk. Mix well, then strain into a 1 litre (34 fl oz) dish. Put the dish in a roasting tin and pour boiling water in around the sides so that it comes about halfway up. Slide into the oven and bake for 35–45 minutes until just set, but with a wobble in the middle. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool. Increase the oven to 190°C (375°F/Gas 5). Halve the peaches and put in a roasting tin with the honey, Patxaran and lavender. Roast for 30–40 minutes until the peaches are tender. Pour off the juices and reduce to a glossy syrup in a small pan. Serve the roasted peaches with the syrup and baked custard. 24

Credit: Basque by José Pizarro (Hardie Grant, £18), Photography © Laura Edwards

FOOD | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE Visit heart us for y and refood a ales! l

THE STRINES INN Despite being within Sheffield's border, the Strines Inn could be a world away. Nestled amongst breathtaking moorland scenery, it is one of the local landmarks in the Peak District National Park.

Traditional Country Pub in Sheffield

a perfect destination for walkers and dog walkers Food and drink

Our menu is based around old favourites and traditional crowd pleasers, from pies and Yorkshire puddings to lasagne. We also have an extensive range of vegetarian options so there is something for everyone. We serve a host of fine real ales, alongside quality wines and spirits of all kinds. Beer garden The beer garden at The Strines Inn is the perfect place to enjoy stunning views of the surrounding countryside when relaxing with a pint of real ale. Geese, chickens and peacocks roam nearby, while our enclosed play area means there’s plenty of fun to be had for kids. Atmosphere There’s nothing like a roaring fire and a good beverage to warm the cockles on a winter’s night, and The Strines Inn’s historic building offers atmosphere in spades to those who come through our doors. There’s plenty of nooks and crannies and quiet corners where you can settle in for an afternoon or evening. Visit us today and find out why people come from miles around to sample our food, drink and unique atmosphere.

Originally a manor house, it was built in 1275 for the Worrall family, although most of the present day structure is 16th Century. After becoming an Inn in 1771 when John Morton leased the property from the Worrall's, it got its name from an Olde English word meaning the meeting of water, quite appropriate as nowadays it overlooks the Strines Reservoir. In the height of Summer the Inn attracts hundreds of visitors on a daily basis. The glorious sunshine and stunning views perfectly compliment the excellent food and drink available, with many dishes being homemade. The Strines Inn is also famous for its numerous peacocks, the previous Landlord having introduced several pairs twenty years ago, there are now over thirty of them. There is also accommodation available for those people looking to escape for a few days to relax. Our rooms all feature four-poster beds, en-suite bathrooms, hot drinks facilities and colour televisions. Each has a dining table where breakfast will be served to you, offering you comfort and privacy. Two of our rooms have fantastic views across the reservoir, so please ask if you would like a room with a view. • Four-poster bed • En-suite facilities • Breakfast included

Festive specials served every day from the 1st of December Our normal à la carte menu is also available

THE STRINES INN BRADFIELD DALE, SHEFFIELD S6 6JE TEL: 01142 851247 www.thestrinesinn.co.uk 25

Affordable Funeral Service

Losing a loved one can be one of life's most upsetting and distressing times. We go out of our way to help ease the worries where funeral arrangements are concerned. Not only involved with losing a loved one is the emotional upset, but it can also be a time of financial worry and strain and we not only lend a sympathetic ear but also an affordable funeral service too. Or maybe you see not the need for an elaborate funeral and want only a simple, low key occasion without all the fuss.

26 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK 26

Serving all areas

Affordable without compromising on care. If we can help please call for an informal chat and advice

SPRINGHEAD Funeral Ser vice

Your Local Caring Independent Funeral Director Direct cremation at a fixed price inclusive of all necessary disbursements,

Direct Cremation - £1200 cremation fee, doctor’s fees and an eco friendly coffin (no funeral service)

Low Fuss Funeral - £2250

Inclusive Funeral - £2700

• The payment of a cremation fee

• The payment of the Doctor's fees

• The payment of the Minister's / Celebrant fees

• The payment of the Minister’s / Celebrant fees

• The conveyance of your loved one into our Chapel of Rest

• The provision of an oak effect coffin with handles

• The arranging and conducting of the funeral

• The provision of the hearse and necessary staff on the day of the funeral

Bespoke Funeral - £2400

• The viewing of your loved one at our traditional chapel of rest

• All of the above plus.. • The viewing of your loved one at our traditional chapel of rest • The leaving from a home address on the day of the funeral before proceeding to the crematorium

• The leaving from a home address on the day of the funeral before proceeding to the crematorium • Obituary in the local newspaper • Floral tribute to the value of £50 • One family limousine

ALL OTHER FUNERAL REQUIREMENTS UNDERTAKEN AFFORDABLY

Springhead Funeral Service Chapels of Rest 616 Wakefield Rd, Huddersfield, HD5 8PZ

Tel: 01484 534 488 7/9 Stainland Rd, Halifax (opposite Andy Thorntons)

Tel: 01422 327 382

Pre-paid Funerals

at today's prices guaranteed with Golden Leaves Funeral Plans Please call for an information pack or informal chat

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MOTORING | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

STEVE HOWARTH’S TEST DRIVE Kia Niro ELECTRIC and hybrid cars have been with us for a few years so early examples are now being updated and redesigned as manufacturers adapt to advances in technology. A good example is the 2023 Kia Niro which keeps hybrid, PHEV and pure EV in its power train line-up but is now slightly bigger, more distinctive inside and out, better equipped and more efficient. This second-generation Niro is a big step forward with a range of 285 miles in pure electric form and prices from £37,295 (hybrid prices are from a shade over £30k). I got behind the wheel of the new all-electric Niro at a recent Kia driving day and was impressed at the way things have moved on. All versions have a 201bhp electric motor driving the front wheels fed by a 64.8kWh battery. As you would expect from an electric car acceleration is sprightly getting from 0-60mph in 7.2 seconds. The new Niro is also smooth and easy to drive. You can adjust the regenerative braking to suit your driving style and at maximum it reduces speed so quickly when you lift off the accelerator pedal that very often you don’t need the brake pedal. Comfort is put before sporty handling with relatively soft suspension meaning lumps and bumps are ironed out nicely on our pot hole riven roads and grip is good as is the nicely weighted and accurate steering. The impressive interior is similar to the larger EV6 with materials used feeling relatively upmarket despite some being recycled. There are three trim levels – entry level ‘2’ while ‘3’ and ‘4’ versions get heated front seats with a powered driver’s seat and adjustable lumbar support. All versions get a reversing camera and rear parking sensors with front sensors standard on all but ‘2’ trim, which has an easy to use eight inch touchscreen to control the infotainment system. This is boosted to 10.25in on higher trim levels and ‘4’ cars also have

a sunroof, electric tailgate, heated and ventilated seats in the front, heated seats in the rear and a heated steering wheel plus smartphone mirroring and a premium Harman Kardon sound system. The Kia Niro EV is a great family car as there’s plenty of space front and back and the boot is surprisingly big – in fact there’s more luggage space than in a hybrid or plug-in hybrid version. There’s lots of safety kit on all versions including automatic emergency braking and all but the ‘2’ cars have blind-spot monitoring. On top of that Kia offers a generous seven-year, 100,000mile warranty – more than you’ll get from almost every other manufacturer. Top up charging on a long journey is the only slight negative as the Niro EV can only accept a maximum of 72kW meaning a 10-80% top-up takes at least 43 minutes while competitors can achieve this in almost half that time. However, with a home charge point and that 285 full charge range that will rarely be a problem. A full charge from zero on a 7kW home wall box takes around 10hr 30min. For more info see www.kia.co.uk

CAR OF THE YEAR While undercutting all its rivals on price by some way (from £36,495) the MG4 XPower has two electric motors and fourwheel drive with an impressive 429bhp meaning 0-60mph comes up in less than four seconds yet it is easy to live with, is well appointed and has decent range and charging times. It also has an impressive seven year warranty and the MG4 electric range starts from £26,995 or £29,495 for the extended range version. IT is awards time again as soap and film stars parade around on various red carpets… but here’s an award where the car is the star. As a member of the Northern Group of Motoring Writers yours truly was this year on the judging panel to pick our 2023 car of the year… and the overall winner was revealed at the recent Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders northern drive day event. Delighted representatives of MG stepped forward at SMMT north to accept the award for their brilliant new MG4 electric car. The coveted miner’s lamp trophy was presented to MG’s event marketing manager Jasmine Jiang by our chairman Andrew Evans with press officer Heather Webb receiving the traditional celebratory bottle of bubbly.

Other category winners and Car of the Year finalists this year were the BMW Seven Series, Hyundai Kona, Kia EV6 GT, Lexus RX and Volkswagen ID Buzz. The SMMT day gave motoring journalists from across the north a chance to try out the latest models from major manufacturers and I got behind the wheel of several shiny new motors from fun small car the Toyota Aygo up to big SUVs like the Nissan X-Trail – full reviews coming soon. But in a clear sign of the times the majority of vehicles there were electric powered showcasing just how far the sector has come on in recent years and outlining the future for motoring here in the UK.

For all the latest car tests see the motoring section of our website at www.50plusmagazine.co.uk/motors/ 29

Honest and Transparent Pricing At Angelcare Funeral Services, we believe in honesty and transparency, both about the funeral process and the costs involved. Some people know exactly what they want, and others need a helping hand in choosing what is right to remember their loved one. We offer Direct to cremation funerals for the no fuss option, and elaborate displays for those who want a bespoke celebration of life. There is no right or wrong way to plan a funeral. Our expert funeral directors are on hand to offer their combined 30 years’ experience, to help you design what you feel is right. There is no limit on what can be done to commemorate your family member or loved one. If you have any specialist requirements, or simply any questions about the pricing below, we’d love to hear from you.

Funeral Packages

The information below gives the prices charged by crematoria within a 30-minute cortege journey of this funeral home.

Direct to Cremation £1400 l

l l

Taking care of all necessary legal and administrative arrangements Collection of your loved one, 24hr collection no additional charges for out of hours or Bank Holidays Provision of a coffin with rope handles and coffin plate which is a legal requirement. The coffin will not be lined or frilled Washing, dressing and preparing of your loved one in our mortuary (L-R) William Rofe, Zoe Enefer and Craig Greenwood of Angelcare Funeral Services

Cremation will take place in Bradford Transportation to the crematory will be undertaken in our private ambulance.

There will be no viewing option of the deceased and there will be no option to be present for the cremation. You will be informed of the day and time of the cremation, so you are able to pay your respects on your loved ones final journey. Ashes will need to be collected from our funeral home within 7 days of the cremation taking place.

The Salterhebble Attended Package £3050 l

Direct to Cremation - Plus+ £1850 l

l l

Collection of your loved one, 24hr collection no additional charges for out of hours or Bank Holidays

Provision of a Veneered Oak Coffin, with plastic handles and name plate. The coffin will be lined and frilled

Washing, dressing and preparing of your loved one in our mortuary

Provision of a Veneered Oak Coffin, with plastic handles and name plate. The coffin will be lined and frilled Washing, dressing and preparing of your loved one in our mortuary Cremation will take place in Calderdale, Huddersfield or Bradford, whichever you choose Viewing of your loved one in our chapel in office opening times. Multiple viewings within office hours are included within the fee. Overnight vigils and out of hours viewings will incur an additional cost

Cremation will take place in Calderdale, Huddersfield or Bradford, whichever you choose

1 viewing of your loved one at a time to suit us, there will be no option for a second viewing

Transportation will be undertaken in our Hearse, with complementary faux floral display

Embalming if requested

25 order of services

Complementary keepsake pack Delivery of ashes, with a 15 mile radius of our Funeral Home.

You will be informed of the day and time of the cremation, so you are able to pay your respects on your loved ones final journey.

Collection of your loved one, 24hr collection no additional charges for out of hours or Bank Holidays

Provision of Hearse and family limousine on the day of the funeral Cortege will leave an address of your choice within 15 miles of the funeral home

Delivery of ashes, with a 15 mile radius of our Funeral Home Complementary keepsake pack

Complementary Ashes Urn

Visual tribute at the crematorium.

From gifts, cheese & delicatessen to your favourite cuts of meat...

GARDEN CENTRE • TEA ROOM MILL SHOP • CAFÉ • FARM SHOP TODMORDEN • OL14 7TJ • 01706 813374

www.gordonrigg.com

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