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LEEDS, BRADFORD & WAKEFIELD NOVEMBER - JANUARY 2013 EDITION 34

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Hairy Bikers HOW TO LOVE FOOD AND LOSE WEIGHT

Jean Christophe -

Novelli

THE NATION’S FAVOURITE FRENCH CHEF

Leeds City Council

JOINED UP CARE IS BECOMING A REALITY IN LEEDS!

PLUS Your chance to win...

A FAMILY DAY ADVENTURE AT STOCKELD PARK

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Getting your finances into shape Did you know that according to recent studies the average 50 year old is now often fitter and healthier than the average 25 year old? Whether you keep in shape by cycling, walking the dog or running around after the grandkids – it pays to take the time to get your finances fit too.

inside...

TRAVEL & LEISURE 6-7

50 Plus Magazine asked the Financial Ombudsman Service – the free service with the power to sort out financial problems – for some handy tips to help you get your finances healthy.

Malta A touch of England in the Med

8-9 Robinsons Holidays Affordable peace of mind

Five steps to getting financially fit

INTERVIEW

1. Check your account regularly so you know exactly how much money you have coming in and going out. Keep a date of when payments are due to make sure you have funds available. Some payments, for example to catalogue companies debit your account every 28 days so your payment date will change each month. If you spot a payment that you don’t recognise talk to your bank - if you don’t need it, cancel it!

10-11 Russell Grant...

The Comeback Kid!

FOOD & DRINK 14-15 The Hairy Dieters...

How to love food and lose weight 16-17 Jean-Christophe Novelli The Nation’s Favourite French Chef

HEALTH 28-29 Albert Road Denture Centre

Smile with confidence

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6-7 16-17

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2. Shopping around can ensure you get the best rate for your car, home or travel insurance. But be careful to read the small print and check any exclusions that apply. Remember the cheaper policy may not be the best one for your needs. Check that you have given the business all the relevant details – like a list of vehicle modifications for your motor insurance or information on any pre-existing medical conditions for travel insurance.

3. Interest free deals on credit cards or loan agreements can be a great way to spread the cost if you’re thinking of treating yourself to a new three piece suit or car. But make sure you know when the interest free period ends as repayments after this date can be expensive. Remember – the interest free period may be conditional on you maintaining the minimum repayments so keep a date of how much you need to pay and when.

4. If you’re considering putting your money into some investments, take some time to think about how much risk you’re willing to take. While riskier investments could bring bigger rewards, these aren’t guaranteed. Don’t take a chance if you can’t afford to risk your capital.

5. Most importantly, don’t bury your head in the sand!

If you have a money related problem let your bank or insurer know as soon as possible – they should be able to help. If you’re still unhappy, contact the ombudsman on 0300 123 9 123 or www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk

e: mcgrathadmin@btconnect.com

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HAVING A TWITTER with Graham Smith Things ain’t what they used to be

You must be joking

The size of Waggon Wheels says a lot about the state of this country in my opinion. I was chatting, tweeting even, to a friend the other day and he set me thinking because he was dreadfully upset about his Penguin bar, almost in tears he was.

What passes for humour today often leaves me cold.

Winner of the top joke at the Edinburgh Fringe was Stewart Francis with the offering, “Know who gives kids a bad name? Posh and Becks.”

They’re just not the same any more, and when I mentioned Waggon Wheels he almost had apoplexy.

“They’re like tiddlywinks compared to when I was a lad,” he sobbed. I had to agree.

I don’t have a sweet tooth often but I have noticed that since we joined the Common Market, or whatever we’re supposed to call it now, things have not been the same.

Jelly babies have become positively embryonic, wine gums have become a third of the size they were when I was at school and when did you last see a whopping great tomato in a supermarket? You won’t, because the supermarkets now employ people to make sure all fruit and veg is of virtual uniformity and colour. The tomatoes have to stand to attention every morning while some sergeant major of an attendant inspects them and anything over a centimetre bigger than its neighbour is probably splatted with a swagger stick.

Oh come on you can do better than that! What happened to the golden age which produced real comics such as Morecambe and Wise, Les Dawson and Dave Allen? They could not only deliver the stuff with immaculate timing but write it as well. Their actions and expressions were funny and they didn’t have to resort to the vernacular vulgarity so often seen at televised fringe events where the laughter is canned and the comic probably should be.

Stewart Francis by the way is Canadian, which, if you’ve had a drink or two, sounds like comedian.

If a banana curves at more than the prescribed EU definition it is fed to the local zoo, gooseberries have been ordered to the barbers if they are too hairy, the list is endless.

I recall that Rileys toffee rolls were twice their size in my youth. We bought them in loose “quarters” then, that was sensible measurement, but now they’re shrunk wrapped in at least three layers of cellophane which is more designed to keep the flavour out than in. Mars bars are in serious danger of extinction if they get any smaller and gobstoppers simply can’t compete.

So why are we a nation of increasingly obese people if everything is getting smaller? That’s easy. Every café now seems to be serving “mega all day breakfasts” with enormous helpings of greasy spoon material, pizzas are getting bigger and it seems to be the norm now to walk down the street eating large pastries, spitting crumbs everywhere and heeding no one because there is a piece of electrical equipment plugged into every bodily orifice. Give it five years and some of these kids won’t know what birdsong and traffic sound like.

There is one saving grace to it all though, if they are run over by a Waggon Wheel it won’t do much damage.

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The Swansea tribe I have a fondness for quirky people and had to smile at the Swansea man who lives as an Apache Indian and was almost prosecuted for wanting to turn badger paws and eagle wings into a headress.

Mangas Colaradas, 60, was due to stand trial for keeping protected wild animal parts but the Crown Prosecution dropped the case. He brought the bits back from Spain, where he lived in a tepee, to his three-bed semi in Swansea.

He refused to reveal his real name and appeared in court wearing a ceremonial headdress, tassled suede jacket, moccasins and a snake’s head necklace.

He said, “I wear this all the time, I’m not just some weekend Indian. I don’t put it on to show off, I put it on because I want to wear it.”

Geronimo! You tell ‘em Mangas.

5

50 Plus Travel

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MALTA Travel to a touch of England in the Med

By Peter Lynch Journalist, rail and wildlife specialist, contributor to Great Train Journeys of the World and Silver Travel Advisor

Malta is a fabulous Mediterranean destination especially if you dislike the hassle of foreign languages.

Everyone speaks good to perfect English yet Malta retains all the charm of the Mediterranean.

bureaucrats have forced the withdrawal of the famous orange vintage Leyland and Bedford buses.

The universality of English is down to Malta being part of the British Empire from 1814 until 1964 but strangely it was not one of the Empires conquests. In the Napoleonic era Malta was between a rock and a hard place - at risk of being invaded by the French and the Russians. It opted for the protection of the British Empire and subsequently played a crucial role in defeating Rommel’s Afrika Korps in North Africa during WWII.

The Upper Barrakka Gardens provide a must-see harbour and city view and the Grand Master’s palace and armoury is a must. Don’t be put off by the plain exterior of St John cathedral; it belies a fabulous Baroque interior and a famous painting by Caravaggio.

It’s a tiny place, significantly smaller than the Isle of Wight, with a familiar yet foreign ambience. They have the highest density of catholic priests outside the Vatican City, produce and explode more fireworks per head than anywhere else on earth and eat an unbelievable number of rabbits.

Of course, they drive on the left and something I love is how it’s kept some of the classic images from my childhood – old red telephone boxes, red post boxes and blue lights outside police stations. Sadly EU

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The World Heritage listed capital of Valletta is Europe’s first planned city, laid out in a grid system of streets and alleyways. The Knights of St John built it on a peninsula as a defence against the Turks during the sixteenth century.

Valletta’s real charm is its ambience, so it’s important to sit in an outdoor cafe and soak up the palpable sense of history rather than just rushing around the sites –the perfect excuse for loafing.

But all this is just recent history; Malta’s prehistoric megalithic temples are older than Stonehenge or the Pyramids. It’s a dream destination for historians and reads like a textbook of western civilisation, probably with more human history packed into its122 sq miles than anywhere else on earth.

There are 23 prehistoric sites dating back 6,000 years including the impressive megalithic temples of Taraxien and Hagar Qim but the subterranean

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Valletta’s real charm is its ambience, so it’s important to sit in an outdoor cafe and soak up the palpable sense of history... on Malta en-route to Rome and his indelible legacy of Christianity is still evident in the islands 360 churches.

The marks of Norman and Arab conflicts are everywhere on the island, culminating with the spectacular city of Valletta built by the Knights of St John in 1566. Malta’s history rolls on involving the Spanish Empire; Napoleon predictably turned up and of course the British.

But its not history that makes Malta one of the UK’s favourite holiday destinations - it’s the glorious weather, the friendly people, the Mediterranean lifestyle and the convenience of English speakers.

When Malta’s history, shopping and nightlife pall the 20-minute ferry across to Gozo is like moving to another country. It is Malta’s exclusive hideaway island with a pastoral ambience compared to Malta’s brasher tourist developments. Everything runs at a slower pace on Gozo.

hypogeum of Hal Saflieni is perhaps the most breathtaking. It is the only known underground prehistoric temple.

Not much is known about these ancient temple builders or their mysterious parallel ‘cart tracts’ gouged into the limestone. They’ve been likened to a complex railway junction (Clapham Junction) because they criss-cross the landscape and some even disappear off the edge of the cliff - creating an endless source of myths and legends.

Homer’s Odyssey tells of Ulysses being shipwrecked on the nearby island of Gozo where Calypso captivated him on his journey back from Troy to Ithaca in Greece.

Then there are the Phoenicians from the Biblical cities of Tyre and Sidon who traded and settled Malta until ousted by the Roman’s. St Paul was also shipwrecked

The islands capital of Rabat was renamed Victoria in 1897 to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond jubilee but its still the beautiful quant town of alleyways, cafes and little shops it always was. The imposing walled citadel sheltered people from the marauding corsairs who plagued island communities throughout the Mediterranean.

Gozo has its share of prehistoric monuments such as the Ggantija temple - supposedly built by giantesses and more mysterious ‘cart ruts’.

The impressive Romanesque Basilica of Ta Pinu dominates the Gozitan skyline and has become a local shrine with a Lourdes-like status for miracle cures.

Inside the walls are adorned with artificial limbs and other relics left by grateful pilgrims.

So don’t bother with a history book in Malta, just stroll around and let it all seep in, and between momentous historical events you’ll be able to find a perfect pasta and a decent pint of beer.

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

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RUSSELL GRANT: THE COMEBACK KID When Russell Grant first danced into the hearts of the viewing millions on “Strictly Come Dancing” last year his stars might well have predicted great success and a comeback of cosmic proportions.

For arguably Britain’s favourite astrologer may not have won the series – well, let’s face it, his dancing was more entertainment than excellence – but the live audiences and those at home loved him. And for Russell this TV appearance provided a passport back to fame.

Blackpool, Russell met his partner Doug Beaumont and the two have been together for almost 40 years.

Although Russell first came to prominence in 1978 after he held an astrological reading for the Queen Mother which led to him being dubbed “Astrologer Royal”, his theatre, TV and film career was surprisingly comprehensive and successful.

It spanned more than 30 musicals and comedies, including work as varied as touring with “The King and I” to TV’s “On The Buses”, “Please Sir!” and “The Fenn Street Gang”. He’s been in “Tom Brown’s Schooldays” in the West End and was an effective panto dame in shows all over the country.

Born in Middlesex, Russell was brought up in a council house by his set designer father Frank and secretary mother Joan who both worked at Pinewood Studios.

His parents separated when he was 11 and he moved in with his maternal grandmother but, in spite of the upheaval, Russell has always said he had a happy childhood.

However, TV beckoned and it was Russell’s fascination with astrology and his exuberant personality that brought him before the nation, first on Yorkshire TV and then on Granada TV where he was a regular onscreen explaining the daily horoscopes. From there he moved to breakfast TV with BBC’s “Breakfast Time” and later to TV-am as resident astrologer on “Good Morning.”

He worked as a Butlins’ Redcoat and trained as an actor, appearing in a variety of shows. While working in

A broadcasting natural and popular presenter, this role soon broadened to presenting other shows including

10

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celebrity quiz “Star Choice”. He later had his own six-episode series “Russell Grant’s All Star Show.” He worked for Channel 5 just after it was launched and directed and starred in “Russell Grant’s Postcards”, a collection of more than 100 five-minute travelogues produced by his own company Russell Grant World Productions.

Russell worked solidly on a number of TV projects, with his astrology skills ever present, and he wrote a number of popular newspaper columns and horoscopes in regional newspapers throughout the country as well as in various magazines.

Like many TV personalities, however, his star waned for a while. In 2006, he took part in the fourth series of “Celebrity Fit Club” and lost over three stone, but he later suffered from depression and his weight rocketed, this time to 26 stone.

He became something of a recluse at the 30-acre Snowdonia estate that he shares with Doug but, being Russell Grant and a trouper, determined that the show must go on, he began losing weight – around 10 stone in two and a half years by disco dancing each day for half an hour!

In 2011, an online group called “Get Russell on Strictly” finally persuaded TV executives to have him as a contestant on the show. In September last year, he burst onto our screens with his lovely professional dancing partner Flavia Cacace. Surprisingly light on his feet and with genuine rhythm, Russell sported a number of colourful and outrageous costumes and certainly won the day with viewers.

In fact, they kept him in the knock-out programme until late November – in spite of much criticism from the judges, in particular the often acerbic Craig Revel Horwood. The abiding memory of Russell from the series, however, is of him being shot from a cannon as part of one particularly fun number!

This great revival by the “comeback kid” caught the attention of the famous musical writer and producer Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. He invited Russell to return to the West End stage – and the Palladium Theatre where he’d last performed 34 years before – and take part in a three-month stint replacing Michael Crawford as the “Wizard of Oz” in a new production.

“I was worried as I was due to have an operation on my knee,” commented Russell. “I’m 61 now. At this age you know your limitations. But you also sense your mortality. So there was a two-way thing going on. I was trying to talk myself out of it, thinking ‘Can’t I just go back to Wales?’”

Fortunately, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Russell’s close friend Lulu convinced him the part was right for him, and a highly successful run followed which enhanced www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

and revived Russell’s theatrical reputation once more.

The production also brought him under the dancing wing of choreographer and dance teacher Arlene Phillips – “She even had me dancing the Charleston”, said Russell.

Following his memorable appearance in the hit musical, Russell has been brought in as a guest star for a new tour of the show “Grease”, taking the role of Teen Angel at various venues including Newcastle, Llandudno, Southseas, Wimbledon, Dartford and for a one-week run in Manchester in October.

He’s back working with Arlene Phillips, whom Russell insists is his “dance sister.” “Arlene brought out the very best in me working on ‘The Wizard of Oz’,” he stated. “So when she said I was right for Teen Angel and, if I took the part, she’d create the choreography, how could I resist!”

The sparkly suit and no doubt mesmerising performances are bound to leave the audience hopelessly devoted to Mr Grant’s special charms again.

And it’s one more dancing role which he now loves, as he explained: “Teen Angel has a Strictly twist and shimmy which captures the joy of dance I’ve been lucky enough to have discovered.”

As for the future, who knows? Russell hasn’t set himself any special showbiz boundaries and his fans are never surprised – just happy to see their favourite star once more ascending.

SAFE AS HOUSES

You’ve worked hard all your life, not only to put a roof over your head, but to own that roof too. Naturally the thought of your home being used to fund residential care in later life is not a pleasant one. Given that you can’t rely on the State, what can you do to ensure that your children inherit your home? Dominic Mackenzie, head of Probate and Estate Admin at Ison Harrison, cuts through the confusion with some clear advice.

If you have over £23,250 in property and savings, the likelihood is that you will have to pay your own fees if you go into a nursing home.

The sad truth is that the country simply cannot afford to fund everyone’s long term care from the public purse.

You should be wary of expensive schemes that are often offered by the non-regulated and banking sectors.

Many people, and particularly those who have worked hard to buy their own homes, are very worried that if they go into a nursing home then all that hard work may count for little and the inheritance that they hoped would go to their children may instead go to fund nursing home fees. This can be particularly upsetting when you see people who have never worked getting their fees paid by the state.

People often say they want to give their house to their children. This is not a good idea. Your home is your security. While you can generally be confident that your children won’t force you out of your home, it may not be them that you are dealing with. What if your children divorce or go bankrupt? Divorce is as common as ever and bankruptcies are on the increase. If your child divorces, then their spouse may claim against your house. If they go bankrupt your home could go to pay the creditors. Your children may also be left with an unnecessary Capital Gains Tax bill.

Most nursing home planning should cost between £250 +VAT to £750 +VAT. For those amounts you can generally safeguard the value of half or even all of your home.

People are living longer but with that comes a greater number of people suffering from age related illnesses such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Few people would like to be a burden to their children but at the same time, few would want to take the expensive route of going into long term care.

In the light of the government spending cuts, it is highly unlikely that the position is going to change for the better in the next few years.

A common myth is that if you give your house away seven years before going into a home that it cannot be taken into account. This is not true.

The rule is that if you dispose of an asset (whether your house or money) at any time in order to avoid nursing home fees then that transaction can be set aside.

“There are options that can help you to lessen the possibility of paying fees and at the same time provide you with the security that you need to enjoy the rest of your lives. Seek proper legal advice. The whole value of your home could be saved for less than the cost of a week in a nursing home.”

Ison Harrison advise thousands of people throughout Yorkshire and beyond on all legal issues relating to getting older.

We have seven offices in and around Leeds at Leeds City Centre, Crossgates, Garforth, Chapeltown, Ilkley, Guiseley and Morley. Each of the offices offer specialist legal services for the elderly.

From making your will or your power of attorney to dealing with a loved one’s estate or dealing with a dispute over an estate we can assist.

These areas of law have become increasingly complex as society has changed. You have worked hard for what you have got - don’t therefore leave your affairs to chance.

We offer all of our clients a free half hour interview, whether at one of our offices, over the telephone and subject to location at your own home.

Please feel free to call us for a no obligation fixed fee quote.

Call us on 0800 316 0525 Email mail@isonharrison.co.uk or Visit www.isonharrison.co.uk Ison Harrison Solicitors, Duke House, 54 Wellington Street, Leedswww.50plusmagazine.co.uk LS1 2EE

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ith an experienced team trained to dispel any nerves, this small family practice provides the highest quality treatment in a caring environment. The relaxing surroundings have been enhanced during a recent refurbishment. Prior to their appointment, patients have the benefit of a calming modern lounge style waiting area. Owned by Dr Alex Renshaw and Dr Mike Brown, ONE Dental has a professional and qualified team including Implantologist Dr Richard Anderson, dentist Dr Anne

Farrall, hygienist Christine Locke and experienced dental nurses, Ivy Warnes and Janine Procter, overseen

by Practice Manager Melanie Wallace.

Their aim is to give you and your family an exceptional standard of dental health whilst ensuring your visits are a pleasant experience. Preventative dentistry plays an important part in all consultations, with guidance on the best way to care for your teeth reducing the need for dental treatment. On hand to welcome you are receptionists Julie Booth and Debby Davison.

The surgery offers:

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Why not call 01943 464964 today to make an appointment? Our free patient examination also includes 2 x-rays where required, saving you £55.

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1 Newmarket, Otley LS21 3AE 01943 464964 info@onedentalotley.co.uk www.onedentalotley.co.uk

13

THE HAIRY DIETERS HOW TO LOVE FOOD AND LOSE WEIGHT THE HAIRY DIETERS

HOW TO LOVE FOOD AND LOSE WEIGHT

by Dave Myers and Si King Published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson on 2 August 2012 in trade paperback at £14.99, eBook £7.99 The Hairy Bikers are back this summer with a new book to accompany an exciting new 4 x 60 minute food odyssey on BBC Two starting on Thursday 2 August. Si King and Dave Myers have made their names cooking real food for real people, creating mouth-watering dishes big on flavour and calories - and it’s taken its toll on their bodies. Now all of that has to stop, as they return to our screens with The Hairy Dieters: How To Love Food And Lose Weight. The problem is they’re not prepared to live on salads and compromise on taste.

Loving the food they eat is a cornerstone of Si and Dave’s lives and they know they won’t succeed in shedding the pounds if the food they eat is dull and repetitive. The Hairy plan: to create some delicious healthy recipes to help them on their way and so persuade Britain to lose weight with them.

On their journey the boys join forces with the men and women of Britain to find ways of creating food that satisfies their lust for tasty cooking and answers the demands of the doctors and nutritionists who want them to make less of themselves. The boys hope that what starts with a mighty weigh-in will end in triumph, lessons learned and trousers taken in.

The Bikers set out to discover how to enjoy the best great British food at home, creating new dishes and adapting some culinary treasures to make them and us fitter for life.

THE HAIRY DIETERS: How to Love Food and Lose Weight includes a healthy eating plan with mouth-watering recipes for eating at home, eating out, and of course, entertaining.

It is filled with all of the dishes that have made Si King and Dave Myers two of the nation’s favourite cooks. From perfect pies, curries, roast dinners and delicious desserts, the Hairy Dieters prove that cooking without the calories doesn’t have to compromise on taste.

Now for an excerpt from their best selling book.

FOOD ISN’T JUST FUEL FOR US — IT’S OUR LIFE. WE SPEND MOST OF EVERY DAY COOKING, THINKING ABOUT FOOD AND COMING UP WITH RECIPE IDEAS, NOT TO MENTION EATING! GREAT-TASTING FOOD IS OUR PASSION AND WE’RE NOT ABOUT TO GIVE THAT UP. But we have to admit that we’ve overdone it a bit. Years of enjoying endless gorgeous meals has taken its toll and we’ve piled on the pounds. Like many middle-aged blokes — and ladies — we found that we’d got too hefty and our health was suffering. It was time to face facts and take a good hard look at ourselves so we took a deep breath and got on the scales.

Ouch! It was a long time since we’d weighed anything except

THE HAIRY BIKERS’ BIG BOOK OF BAKING, published in March 2012 is currently this year’s biggest selling hardback non-fiction book. Other cookery books by the Hairy Bikers include: THE HAIRY BIKERS’ FOOD TOUR OF BRITAIN, MUMS KNOW BEST, THE HAIRY BIKERS’ 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS, MUMS STILL KNOW BEST, THE HAIRY BIKERS’ PERFECT PIES

ingredients and it was a shock. We were both a couple of stone or more overweight and over 40% of our body mass was fat. It was time to diet.

Now we have to be honest, we’re never going to be skinny minnies and we don’t want to be. It’s just not us. But we’ve made the effort to lose weight to stay healthy and enjoy life to the full. We want to be walking up hills and down dales without getting out of breath, and to be riding our big bikes when we’re 70 so we need to keep mobile and trim. And that means every now and again watching what we eat and reining it in a bit.

Okay, we’re not going to diet for ever — we’re still greedy and we’ll always love our pies and curries — but our weighin was a wake-up call to act before we got dangerously big.

Losing weight has been quite a journey for us but we’ve done it and we’re proud of ourselves. Now we know we can drop the pounds when we need to and this will help us keep a check on things in the future. If we can do it so can you.

Look at losing weight as an investment in yourself and the people you love. The benefits far outweigh the sacrifices.

SO THIS IS WHAT WE DID...

We didn’t want to sacrifice the pleasure of cooking and feel deprived or hungry so we knew we had to come up with meals that we would enjoy making and eating if we were to stick with the diet.

With the advice of healthy eating experts, we discovered that by making small changes in our cooking habits we could still enjoy big flavours and the food we loved while dropping the pounds. And it’s true. We’ve shed weight and we feel the better for it. Our blood pressure and cholesterol levels are down, our waistlines have shrunk, we have more energy and we look HOT — but not as sweaty as we used to!

And even more importantly, we’ve done all this while still eating some of our favourite, great-tasting dishes that we now cook with less fat and sugar, but bags of flavour. We think our recipes are fantastic. Yes, they’re lower in fat and sugar but they still taste amazing and we’re still just as enthusiastic and creative about our cooking as ever.

COUNTING THE CALORIES

IT’S WORKED FOR US AND IT CAN WORK FOR YOU We’ve found a way of eating ourselves slimmer and we want to share our discoveries with you. The secret is to make better choices and use little tricks to reduce your daily calorie count. Calorie counting might have fallen out of favour somewhat over recent years, replaced by all sorts of wacky dieting ideas, but it does work. We’re the living proof. We’ve lost pounds and inches!

We’ve made all the recipes in this book as low in calories as possible while not compromising on the taste. And we’ve had a nutritionist check them out and do calorie counts for each one so you know exactly where you are. If you eat these, without cheating, you will lose weight — and you’ll love us for it.

We have to confess we’ve never really thought too much about calories and the amount of food we were taking in but we know a lot more now. As many as a quarter of us Brits are obese and it’s not good for us, so it seems that many of us are taking in much more than we’re putting out.

Our experts explained to us that in order to lose weight, you have to take in fewer calories so the body has to use its stores — makes sense so far doesn’t it?

Spanish-style chicken bake This is a brilliant recipe and you’ll notice that there’s no additional fat needed – all the fat comes from the chorizo, and the tomatoes make it lovely and juicy. A low-fat fiesta of a dish.

Serves 4 1 medium onion, cut into 8 wedges 1 medium red onion, cut into 8 wedges 500g new potatoes, quartered lengthways 8 whole garlic cloves, unpeeled 8 medium tomatoes, quartered 75g chorizo (preferably picante) 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs ½ tsp sweet smoked paprika ½ tsp dried oregano 1 green pepper, deseeded and cut into strips flaked sea salt freshly ground black pepper

ONLY 370 calories per portion

Preheat the oven to 200°C/Fan 180°C/Gas 6. Put the onions, potatoes, garlic and tomatoes in a large roasting tin and season with sea salt and lots of freshly ground black pepper.

Toss everything together lightly and roast for 20 minutes.

While the vegetables are roasting, skin the chorizo and cut the meat into thin slices – 5mm is about right. Put the chicken thighs on a board and carefully slash each one 2 or 3 times with a knife. Season all over with black pepper. Mix the paprika and oregano together and set aside.

Take the roasting tin out of the oven, scatter the chorizo over the veg and turn everything a couple of times. Place the chicken on top of the vegetables and chorizo and sprinkle with the paprika and oregano. Season with a little salt and return to the oven for 20 minutes.

Take the tin out of the oven. Holding one corner carefully with an oven cloth, lift the tin a little so all the juices run to the opposite end, then spoon and drizzle the juices back over the chicken. Tuck the pepper strips loosely around the chicken and vegetables.

Turn the oven up to 220°C/Fan 200°C/Gas 7. Put the tin back in the oven for another 20 minutes or until the peppers are just softened and the chicken is golden and crisp. As you eat, squeeze the garlic out of the skins and enjoy the deliciously soft and fragrant flesh. Just don’t kiss anyone afterwards!

THE NATION’S FAVOURITE FRENCH CHEF Jean-Christophe Novelli is a 5 out of 5 AA Rosette and Michelin award winning chef and he has been dubbed the “the nation’s favourite French chef ”.

Exclusively for Port Salut, Jean-Christophe has created two French themed recipes and a series of tips for creating the perfect cheeseboard.

“Port Salut is a classic French cheese which I have always enjoyed, so I was delighted to be asked to work with the brand. For the recipes I have used Port Salut to give traditional French dishes a new twist and I hope my cheeseboard tips will give your cheese course a whole new lease of life.”

CHAR GRILLED CHICKEN, LEEK, PORT SALUT AND BUTTON MUSHROOM FRICASSEE, WHOLE MEAL CROUTON INGREDIENTS 4 x skinned and boneless chicken supreme’s (cut into thin strips) 2 leeks, trimmed, washed and cut into thin slices 2 x spring onions (trimmed and chopped into thin roundels) 1 clove of garlic (peeled and crushed) 100g chestnut or button mushrooms (sliced) 100g grated Port Salut 50g breadcrumbs 50g grated Port Salut 75ml double cream 25g butter 1 bunch of chives (chopped) 4 slices of wholemeal bread (cut into fingers) 25ml olive oil 1/2 tsp dried herbs 1/2 glass white wine

METHOD 1. Heat a char grill skillet until very hot, brush the chicken strips with some of the oil and season with salt and pepper and your favourite spice, paprika is good as is cumin or garam marsala.

2. Quickly char grill the chicken pieces until well coloured and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and keep warm.

3. In a large saucepan melt the butter over a low heat.

4. Add the leek and spring onion and sweat until tender.

5. Add the garlic and the mushrooms and continue to cook until the mushrooms are tender and softened.

6. Add the white wine and the cream and allow to boil 7. Add the 100g of Port Salut and continue to simmer until the cheese is melted and the sauce is thick. Add the chives.

8. Add the strips of chicken and stir in to coat with the sauce.

9. Place in an oven proof serving dish.

10. In a small mixing bowl combine the 50g of Port Salut with the breadcrumbs and scatter this over the top.

11. Bake in a pre heated oven until the crumbs are crisp and golden and the cheese has melted.

FOR THE WHOLEMEAL CROUTONS METHOD 1. Place the bread fingers on a baking tray.

2. Brush with olive oil & dried herbs and season with cracked pepper 3. Bake in a hot oven until crisp and golden brown.

Serve on a side plate with the chicken and leek fricassee.

Jean-Christophe Novelli has produced these tips exclusively for Port Salut. Visit www.portsalut.co.uk for more info.

CRISPY GRANARY BRUSCHETTA, POACHED EGG, SPINACH AND A PORT SALUT GLAZE. INGREDIENTS 4 eggs (free range, large) 2-3 tablespoons of white wine vinegar 4 thick slices of ciabattas bread 25ml olive oil 1/2 tsp dried herbs 400g washed baby spinach leaves 100ml double cream 4 egg yolks 100g Port Salut (grated) 50g butter (optional) Sprinkle of ground nutmeg

METHOD 1. Place the slices of ciabattas on a baking sheet and brush with olive oil and season with dried herbs, salt and pepper.

2. Place in a hot oven and bake until crisp and golden brown.

3. Place on four plates or a serving dish.

4. In a large sauce pan heat plenty of water to boiling point.

5. Add a couple of tablespoons of white wine vinegar and season to taste with salt.

6. Once boiling stir with a whisk to start a circular motion in the water and crack in the eggs one at a time, bring to the boil and immediately turn down to a simmer. Cook for 3-4 minutes if a soft egg is required, a little longer for a firmer egg and 5-7 minutes for a hard poached egg.

7. Keep the eggs warm in the water until needed.

8. In a sauce pan bring the cheese to the boil, reduce for a few minutes to thicken. Remove from the heat.

9. Stir in the Port Salut and the eggs, allow the cheese to melt 10. In a frying pan add half the butter if used and add the spinach cover with a tight fitting lid and bring to the boil allow the water from the spinach to cook the leaves and when soft and wilted strain to remove any excess water remaining.

11. Season with salt and pepper and spoon an equal amount onto each ciabatta bruschetta.

12. Top with an egg and mask with the cheese and cream mix.

13. Place under a hot grill until bubbling and golden brown.

14. Garnish with some snipped chives and serve.

CHEESEBOARD THEATRE TIPS 1. Add some flavoured texture to your cheeseboard by dropping plain bread in favour of a fruit & nut bread such as apricot & walnut or prune & hazelnut and serve it slightly stale, cut into thin wafer slices 2. Fruit and cheese are a classic combination but give your grapes some extra character by serving them frozen – simply wash a bunch of grapes and shake off any excess water, place on a plate and pop in the freezer, serve directly once frozen onto the cheeseboard giving a more interesting texture with extra bite 3. Add a simple twist on the traditional by pairing your cheese with fruit that has a sharp acidity such as: cherries, raspberries, gooseberries, redcurrants, nectarines and tangy plums – these work well frozen too 4. Turn your cheeseboard into a visual feast by serving long celery stems in a vase of ice water. Team with a small bowl of rock salt too for dipping 5. Radishes are a tasty substitute to celery providing a peppery bite, leave a little stem on each on to hold on to and these can also be dipped in the rock salt 6. A fashionable alternative to the classic chutney is quince jelly – its sweet flavour will add a different dimension to your cheeseboard 7. Spice up your cheeseboard with a handful of sliced chillies or jalapenos, to give a flavoursome punch.

This works particularly well with hard cheeses – these will complement the quince jelly too 8. Tantalise tastebuds with a rollercoaster ride of textures and flavours by adding olives and nuts to your cheeseboard 9. For an unexpected flavour, add some ground coffee beans to your board. A little sprinkle will give your cheeseboard a delicious edge 10. Use dried vine leaves, herb sprigs and edible flowers to add more drama, aroma and taste to your cheeseboard

Nestled within stunning Yorkshire countryside, Stockeld Park’s woodland comes alive with magic and excitement this Christmas. This unique attraction blends active outdoor fun, theatre, magical illuminations and unique sculpture.

Enter our Enchanted Forest on foot or on skis and discover a world of interactive sculpture and original art pieces. Practice your pirouettes on our real ice skating rink and navigate your way out of the only illuminated Yew tree maze in the world.

After all that excitement, relax in our cafes with a Stockeld Park signature hot chocolate or explore our gift emporium, filled with hand-selected home wares, toys and interior trends.

Our events calendar is packed with exciting things to do this Winter. We’re good friends with Santa and will be welcoming him back from November onwards as he takes up residence in his brand new log cabin Grotto. Don’t forget to pick up a hand pruned Christmas tree, grown in the woodland of Stockeld Park and sprinkled with magical fairy dust.

Parking and entry to Stockeld Park is totally free, guests aged 3+ simply pay per experience! Visit in Low Season to take advantage of our great rates. Tickets are available online now.

www.stockeldpark.co.uk Tel: 01937 586333 l

Near Wetherby LS22 4AN on the A661

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Enchanted Forest Maze Ice Skate Nordic Ski Grotto Gift Emporium/ Cafe l

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Join the Millions

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The Winter Garden

Splashed with colour I

n the dark days of winter gardens can appear bare and uninteresting. But if you take the time now to visualise how your plot will look without the colours of the herbaceous border, you could be well on the way to creating a winter garden with its own special charm. Take a walk around your garden with notepad and pencil, note the gaps that will appear when the summer planting has been cut back, and check out any evergreen shrubs you already have in situ. Sketch out the garden with just those plants, and it's easy to see exactly where a colourful winter flowering shrub can be placed.

There’s nothing quite as uplifting as the sight of flowers blooming in spite of the frost.

Plant winter flowering shrubs where they can be seen from the house and try to include at least one shrub which flowers for each month of the winter. You could also include one or two shrubs which have coloured foliage.

Flowering shrubs for Winter November Mahonia Charity is an evergreen shrub, with spiky dark green leaves, and richly scented, deep yellow flowers which trail from the tips of the stems from November to February. A new variety, available from J. Parker’s, is Mahonia Cabaret, which has orange/ red flower buds, flowering from September to December.

Camellia Novembe

r Pink

Camellia November Pink. If you love camellias, this is one of the groups of Camellia Williamsii group of hybrids, and produces bright pink single flowers from November to March.

December Lonicera Fragrantissima, winter flowering honeysuckle, produces sweetly scented white flowers from December to March. Unlike other honeysuckles, this is a shrub, almost evergreen, with mid green leaves.

Viburnam Grandiflorum. White flowers, flushed with pink, and heavily scented, appear on the bare branches of this shrub from December to February.

Camellia Winters Sn

owman

20

The Winter Garden splashed with colour

Photinia Red Robin.

The new growth on this attractive shrub is bright red.

January Daphne Odora. This bushy shrub is evergreen, with pale purple, richly scented flowers which bloom from January to April.

February Chaenomeles Speciosa (Japonica, or Japanese quince). This shrub produces waxy red flowers and dark green glossy leaves. Other forms include Apple Blossom, which is one of the most popular, with pink tinged, white flowers. The fruits of this shrub are equally attractive, apple shaped, turning deep yellow in late autumn.

Hamamelis Mollis (witch hazel). If you come upon this plant in winter, the scent of the flowers will reach you before you see them. Growing to the size of a small tree, Hamamelis has green felted leaves which turn a rich yellow in autumn.

The yellow flowers, flushed red at the base, appear on the bare twigs from January onwards.

March Choisya Ternata (Mexican orange blossom). This hardy shrub has glossy, scented leaves and clusters of scented white flowers which appear in April. I’ve included this as a winter shrub because of its attractive foliage, which is extremely useful for cutting. There is also a gold leafed variety, which lights up the garden, adding a feeling of sunlight in the garden on the darkest day.

Forsythia. No spring garden could be complete without this wonderful shrub, smothered with yellow flowers, which appear before the leaves.

Magnolia Stellata. A slow growing deciduous tree with star shaped scented flowers which appear in March and April.

Evergreen shrubs with colourful foliage Photinia Red Robin. The new growth on this attractive shrub is bright red.

Eleagnus Ebbingei. This variety has attractive silver and green foliage. Will grow up to 15 feet high, but takes pruning well.

For ground cover Cyclamen make wonderful ground cover, and if you have the chance, take a trip to Wakehurst Place in Surrey. As you enter the gardens you see a glorious carpet of pink and white beneath the trees. These little plants spread themselves and the foliage is as attractive as the flowers.

Bergenia Evening Glow (elephant’s ears) creates a colourful splash in your garden. Although the purple, bell shaped flowers don’t appear until April, the large glossy leaves of this plant turn a deep red during the winter.

Helleborus Niger (the Christmas rose), flowers from January to March. There are many varieties of this plant, which has attractive, glossy green foliage, and flowers, borne on twelve inch stems, varying from white, through pink, to dark purple.

It’s also worth considering the many varieties of heather which produce white or pink flowers during winter.

It’s worth remembering the value of pot plants. Early flowering daffodils, such as February Gold, grape hyacinths such as Muscari Armeniacum, potted up and grouped with separate pots of Harts tongue fern and small conifers will create interest and colour, before the first tulips appear in May. The choice, even for the dark days of winter is surprisingly varied, and if you plan now, your garden will reward you with colour and fragrance whatever the time of year.

Jasminium Nudiflorum. The winter flowering jasmine is hardy and will flower in the most difficult conditions, so long as it’s sheltered from cold winds.

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OUT & ABOUT TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION WEEKEND AT MAIN STREET, HAWORTH Sat 8, Sun 9 Dec 2012 An incredible experience that has become an annual favourite with many visitors to the village.

Saturday - Candlemas Eve - Santa & Mrs Claus lead the torchlight procession down Main Street accompanied by the Holly Queen, Morris dancers, choirs, bands.

Starts top of Main Street 3pm. Carol singing around Christmas tree at bottom.

Meet Santa every Sunday to December 18 from 1pm to 3pm in his grotto, at the top of the Parish Church steps in Main Street. Free bag of sweets for every child (must be accompanied by an adult). Children are encouraged to bring Santa their wish list in an envelope addressed to: Father Christmas, Reindeer Street, Lapland SAN TA1. Be sure to include the child’s name and address and then Santa can reply. Admission free.

The famous Sunday Torchlight Procession starts at 5.15pm and sees hundreds of torch and lantern bearers along with choirs and bands singing carols, wind their way up from the bottom of the cobbled Main Street to the Parish Church.

Close of service approximately 7.15pm.

WAKEFIELD’S VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL AT WAKEFIELD CATHEDRAL PRECINCT Thu 22 - Sat 24 Nov 10am to 7pm Sun 25 Nov 2012 10am to 4pm Wakefield’s four day Victorian Christmas Festival is a perfect way to start your celebrations with something festive for all the family.

The City centre will step back in time with a Victorian market, specialising in gifts and crafts ideal for Christmas, along with delicious food and drink.

There will be a Victorian Craft Emporium and the Queen’s head Ale Bar, Santa’s Grotto, reindeer and a host of lively characters including a chimney sweep and Victorian gentry, plus live music and entertainment.

As darkness falls watch mysterious street entertainers as they re-create the darker side of Victorian life.

Enjoy the Christmas lights switch on with devilish characters, entertainment, late night shopping and refreshments.

Fore more information please visit www.experiencewakefield.co.uk

Fore more information please visit www.visitbradford.com

PERSONAL COMPUTER TRAINING Whether you are new to computers, would like to expand on what you do know, or need computer related tasks carried out for you, a no obligation chat with David Bransby at Personal Computer Training is a very good place to start.

WOODLAND LAKES LODGES

David offers patient one to one computer tuition in the comfort and convenience of your home or office and covers your subjects that can include; emailing, the Internet, filing, downloading of photographs, spreadsheets, Skype, letter writing, through to knowing more about and understanding your iPad. David says, ‘It is all about my clients and their chosen topics, they very much set the agenda. I demonstrate, explain (in very plain English) and guide them through the process. I encourage my clients to do as much as possible. I’m more than happy to do anything and everything for them, but they will pick things up better, if they perform the tasks.’

David’s growing list of clients come from all walks of life and a wide spectrum of ages too. Without exception, his clients speak well of him, with references available upon request. David has had a personal CRB check carried out by West Yorkshire Police, so you can be sure that the person you are inviting in to your home has been professionally vetted.

DAVID BRANSBY t: 0113 225 1712 m: 07853 257 662

e: david.personalcomputertraining@gmail.com www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

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CHRISTKINDELMARKT - GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKET 9 November 2012 - 16 December 2012 A little piece of Germany returns to Leeds as the popular Christkindelmarkt sets up stall once again in Millennium Square.

Open daily from 10.30am to 9.30pm* Mon to Sat 10.30am - 7.30pm Sundays

* Selected stalls open until 10.30pm (last orders for licensed stalls at 10.15pm)

As one of the largest and most established traditional German Christmas Markets in the UK, a visit to Christkindelmarkt provides a little something for everyone featuring:

A scenic winter village of over 40 traditional wooden chalet stalls, alpine style log cabins, traditional carousel and covered seating areas. Unique seasonal gift ideas such as hand-crafted jewellery, decorations and toys Speciality food, drink and traditional German delicacies including Stollen, Gingerbread, Goulash, Soups, Schnitzels, Bratwurst and Gluwhein. The new Alp Chalet Bavarian eatery providing families and friends with a warm and cosy retreat in which to sample the very best in authentic German food & drink.The popular Frankfurter Scheune - a beautifully themed festive meeting hall offering regular live entertainment (www.frankfurter-scheune.com) Christkindelmarkt is organised by Leeds City Council in partnership with Frankfurt am Main and supported by local media event partners Real Radio Yorkshire and the Yorkshire Evening Post.

For details of exclusive competitions and offers make sure you tune in to Real Radio or pick up a copy of the Yorkshire Evening Post.

For more information please call 0113 3950891 or visit events@leeds.gov.uk

Find all thirteen words and one hidden secret word for your chance to win a family day pass for 2 adults & 2 children to Stockeld Park.

Complete and post to Unit 6 Moses Gate Workshops, Gladys Street, Bolton BL3 2QG. Remember to provide your name, address and tel number.

Entries must be received before 30.11.12

24

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Did you know that Yorkshire Water offers a range of free services for consumers with additional needs?

Consumers with sight or hearing difficulties, illness or disability can find out more and register for free.

Just call freephone 0800 1 38 78 78 or go to www.yorkshirewater.com and search for ‘Helping Hands’ to email us.

How can we help you?

If you are blind, partially sighted or have difficulty reading your bill:

• We can provide bills and other information in large print, Braille, on audio cassette/CD or we can call you and read your bill to you • We can visit you in advance if we plan to interrupt your water supply • We can send bills to a nominated person on your behalf • If you have a meter, we can arrange for more frequent readings if it’s difficult for you to get a reading yourself

If you are deaf or hard of hearing:

• We can put a card through your door to warn you in advance if we plan to interrupt your water supply • We can visit you in advance if we plan to interrupt your water supply • If we need to get in touch, we can contact you using text telephone/minicom

If you have mobility problems:

• We can visit you in advance if we plan interrupt your water supply • If you have a meter, we can arrange for more frequent readings if it’s difficult for you to get a reading yourself

If you’re a dialysis patient:

• We can visit you in advance if we plan to interrupt your water supply • We can provide bottled water if we do have to interrupt your water supply

If you have a serious illness:

• We can visit you in advance if we plan to interrupt your water supply • We can provide bottled water if we do have to interrupt your water supply A simple free call is all that is needed for you to register for any of these free services. Call freephone 0800 1 38 78 78 and ask about Yorkshire Water’s Helping Hands.

Unexpected visitor?

Thieves and conmen sometimes trick their way into customers’ homes to steal money or valuables by claiming to be from Yorkshire Water or one of its contractors.

Every customer is entitled to register a password of their choice, free of charge with Yorkshire Water.

This password will be used by our staff so you can identify a genuine caller.

Call freephone 0800 1 38 78 78 and register your chosen password today.

When our staff visit customers, they all show identity cards displaying their photograph. If you’re in any doubt about the identity of a caller, please call us on 0800 1 38 78 78.

Remember:

• It’s very unusual for Yorkshire Water or its contractors to visit your home without a previously agreed appointment.

• Genuine Yorkshire Water representatives won’t mind if you check their identity before allowing them into your home.

• Yorkshire Water and its contractors representatives will NOT request access to an upper floor of your home to check the water supply.

• Yorkshire Water doesn’t sell any products or services on the doorstep.

Don’t let anyone into your home until you’re satisfied with who they are and why they’re visiting.

‘em out!

If in doubt, keep 25

Dentures

by Dominic Smile With Confidence!

N G I S E D Y B S E R U DENT • Friendly relaxed atmosphere • No time restrictions • Appointments to suit you • Wheelchair Access

Free Initial Consultation Personal consultations with Dental Technician accompanied by Dental Practitioner

Come and see what we can do for you!

• Emergency Repairs/Relines • From Low Cost Dentures To Full Cosmetic Service • Dentures Designed How You Want Them • Copy Dentures/ Soft Linings For Comfort • Natural Looking With Lip & Facial Support • Light Strong Chrome Dentures

11 Andrew Street, Featherstone, Pontefract, West Yorkshire WF7 5NS

07789 488994 | 01977 793193

50 Plus Health

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CATARACT Know the warning signs

Cataract is one of the most common causes of sight loss in the UK, but it needn’t be. Leading sight loss charity RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) warns that 50 per cent of sight loss could be avoided and that people should be more aware of what to look out for. A cataract is a clouding of the part of the eye called the lens.

It causes vision to become blurred because the cataract is like frosted glass, interfering with a person’s sight.

The lens is a clear tissue found behind the iris, the coloured part of the eye.

The lens helps to focus light on the back of the eye – the retina – forming an image.

What to look out for: If you experience any of the following symptoms make an appointment for an eye examination:Blurry Sight: This is very common.

You may notice that your sight has become blurred or misty, or that your glasses seem dirty or appear scratched.

Dazzled By Light: You may be dazzled by lights, such as a car headlamps, and sunlight.

Change of Colour Vision: Your colours may become washed out or faded.

If your doctor or optician has told you that you have a cataract, don’t be alarmed. Cataracts are very common with one in three people over 65 being diagnosed in the UK. Many people over 60 have some cataract and the vast majority can be treated successfully. Cataract surgery, where the cloudy lens is removed during

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an operation, is one of the most successful eye operations.

If you or someone you know has a sight problem, RNIB can help. Call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk.

Optimax is one of the UK’s leading Laser Eye Surgery specialists. Founded in 1991, it has carried out more than 350, 000 treatments. We offer a range of treatments suitable for those over 40, which can restore natural vision and give you freedom from glasses.

These include Intra - Ocular Lens procedures. These Intra-Ocular Lenses replace the natural lens, which may eliminate the need for glasses and restore natural vision at the same time.

What all Optimax treatments have in common is helping people to see the world more clearly.

Choose Optimax for unbeatable results, affordable prices and outstanding patient care.

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If your vision has declined or become blurry in recent years, don’t assume that a stronger prescription is all you need for a quick fix.

We don’t need glasses at all now and our only regret is that we should have had this treatment years ago.

Enjoy life without glasses, contacts or cataracts

Stephanie & Bill Yemc, IOL Treatment

Book your FREE consultation now, call 08705 14 33 14 or visit optimax.co.uk/iol 50+_quarterad_0712.indd 1

trea

ted

2012 31/07/2012 10:41:35

Quality dentures mean a quality lifestyle The Importance of Dentures The eyes, nose and teeth are the focal points of every face; they give the first impressions of your personality.

Natural teeth grow in proportion and in harmony with your facial features and your dentures should be made accordingly.

Your teeth, or your dentures, have many important functions: to support your facial muscles, to help formulate your speech, and most importantly to chew your food and start the digestive process.

It is very important to chew food properly, as poorly chewed food will take longer to digest, especially for the elderly who could risk problems in the digestive system.

Choice of Dentures There are four main quality standards in denture materials.

The denture base (gum coloured on which the denture teeth sit).

• Standard Quality • High Impact Acrylics (much stronger) • Injection Pressure Formed (Premium Denture Base) • Flexible (Partial Dentures) • Metal Denture The Denture Teeth • • • •

2 Layer Acrylic (economy) 3 Layer Acrylic (harder wearing) 4 Layer Reinforced (hard wearing, natural look) N.F.C. (Nano filled composite) premium teeth.

Of course, the materials alone will not make a good denture. In the hands of a skillful and experienced Clinical Dental Technician the best results are achieved.

Dentures Need Regular Servicing Dentures are in constant use almost 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They are also in a pretty hostile environment in the mouth, being attacked by strong acid, bacteria, hot, cold and spicy food.

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Denture material absorbs liquids and food odour.

Daily cleaning is essential as well as professional ultrasonic cleaning in a dental laboratory at least once a year. Due to constant bone resorbtion dentures will become loose sooner or later.

Loose dentures will increase damage to the gums and bone structure, and increase the risk of breakage. Have them re-lined as soon as possible to get a good fit. It only takes a day or two.

Have your dentures inspected by a Clinical Dental Technician at least every two years, or more frequently if necessary.

Your Dentures need Attention 1. When they become loose.

2. When teeth or denture base discolours.

3. When tooth surfaces become flat.

4. When denture base does not fit around natural teeth (in partial dentures).

5. When you develop deep lines around your mouth.

6. When your chin sticks out, and the corners of your lips are constantly wet, developing sores.

7. When you stop smiling and feel embarrassed.

My Dentures have become loose!

This is easily remedied by a procedure know as Relining. A new layer of Denture base is added to your existing Denture, improving the fit and restoring confidence.

Dentures with worn down teeth Teeth excessively worn, require a new set of dentures.

Dentures on Implants

This type of Denture is constructed in conjunction with the Dental Implant Surgeon. This is a very good procedure when the patient has limited control and retention of their Dentures. The finished Dentures 'click' into position offering the ultimate in Denture Retention.

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Major improvements in Facial Features Padding dentures to reduce lines and fill up sunken cheeks will require a new set of dentures. It is advisable to have a new set of dentures made every 5 to 10 years.

Should I have a spare set of Dentures made?

Yes, it is very important to have a spare set of dentures for emergencies in case of breakage.

Difficulties in Constructing a Good Set of Dentures Constructing a functional and aesthetically pleasing set of dentures is the most difficult task in dentistry.

We are not only replacing lost teeth, but also lost tissue matter and bone. In other words, we have to re-create your facial features as they were before the loss of your natural teeth.

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

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

What is a Clinical Dental Technician?

Professional Clinical Dental Technicians are members of the Dental Health Care Team. They have undergone specific training and education in the skills and knowledge necessary to provide a removable appliance service directly to the community.

Equipped with solid technical training as a Dental Technician - plus post-technician training in sciences, clinical skills, and interpersonal skills - the Clinical Dental Technician can design, create, construct and modify (repair and rebase) removable appliances to ensure optimal fit, maximum comfort and general well-being of patients.

These skills enable the Clinical Dental Technician, whilst remaining a member of the Dental Health Care Team, to work independently of other Dental Health Care providers.

www.albertroaddenturecentre.co.uk

ALBERT ROAD DENTURE CENTRE

smile w i th co nf i d e nce

Douglas Heaysman is a Clinical Dental Technician with over 40 years of experience and study. Doug creates bespoke hand crafted dentures using state of the art materials and techniques for an optimum fit and maximum comfort.

Visit us for a free of charge 20 minute consultation for new dentures, implants or any denture related problems to discuss your concerns and to find out how we can help you.

We now offer Dental Implants in conjunction with an Implant Specialist.

These stabilise troublesome dentures and can truly change lives.

Home visits are available, where we come to you for all consultations and fittings.

Quality, Convenience and Professionalism are our watchwords and our dedicated team will be with you every step of the way, with a personal, understanding and caring service.

•

FREE CONSULTATION

•

HANDCRAFTED DENTURES

•

DENTAL IMPLANTS

•

EMERGENCY REPAIRS

•

HOME VISITS AVAILABLE

•

ELECTRONIC DENTURE CLEANING

•

ORAL SCREENING SERVICE

Douglas Heaysman Dip CDT RCS (Eng) RDT Clinical Dental Technician, Denture Provider Registered with the General Dental Council (no 112441)

71 Albert Road, Colne BB8 0BP | T: 01282 862823 Fisher Medical Centre, Coach Street, Skipton BD23 1EU | T: 01756 799622 www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

29

Joined up care is becoming a reality in Leeds!

Closer links, fewer gaps and a more preventative approach should mean a better experience all round for people who use health and social care services.

In Leeds, the goal of joint working looks set to become a reality with the NHS and council already taking big steps to bring the two sides closer together. At a growing number of sites in the city, GPs, district nurses, community matrons, social workers and other staff have begun to work jointly, planning care and support together.

When what happened to me happened, I didn’t think I had choices.

Whatever the occupational therapist decided, that was what you were going to get. If you talk to people you will understand what people really need and want.

Pathways in and out of hospital or specialist mental health services are being streamlined too, so things work more smoothly and people need only tell their stories once.

Older people and those who live with long-term conditions will be the first to benefit from this new approach. Supporters – of which there are many – are confident that integrated working will ultimately lead to a local care system that’s better, more effective and brings better outcomes for people.

‘To me, integration means choice’ – Karen’s story “I’ve been using a wheelchair for many years now, and my Mum has Parkinson’s, so we both use health and social care services. The problem is always – who do you go to first? You end up with one person doing this job and another person doing that job, and sometimes there’s an overlap or the information is duplicated.

When Mum’s hoist broke I ended up speaking to about five different people before I managed to track down the right one! It’s so frustrating when you constantly get another phone number to dial.

You get so many different people telling you different things. I hope that things will be different in the future.

‘To me integration means ‘choice’. It’s like you’re empowering people by giving them back that control.

Nobody knows my disability better than I do. I’d hope that people would respect my views on what’s best for me.”

Find out more...

For other information about the changes, speak to your local health professional, call Leeds Involving People on 0113 237 4508 or email healthandsocialcare@leeds.gov.uk You can also find out more at www.leeds.gov.uk/transform

ARE YOU ONE OF THE SANDWICH GENERATION? In 1957, Harold McMillan told the British public ‘we’d never had it so good’ and it was true we were enjoying better health and prosperity. Inevitably, this led to longer life spans, and the phenomena of the sandwich generation.

At the beginning of the 20th century, around 6% of people in their sixties still had one parent living. Today the figure is around 50%. At the same time, in 2000, 52% of young adults were living with their parents, and this figure is still rising. This has led to a situation where couples coming up to retirement are caring for ageing parents, while still supporting their adult children. This is the sandwich generation, worrying about financing their own retirement, their parents and their children. While many 80 year olds are still hale and hearty, there are many who need constant care and attention, resulting in huge stress levels for those responsible for them. If you’re one of these, it’s time to take stock and explore all avenues. which could help.

Plan Ahead Difficult as it may be, you need to discuss issues with your parents. Discuss their assets, check with them where they want to live, and who should make legal and medical decisions if they are no longer capable of handling their affairs.

The decision of where they wish to live may be taken out of your hands, if they reach a stage when they need full time care. At this stage, it’s important to find a nursing home with staff who treat their elderly residents with respect, and which provides a pleasant environment for your parents to live out their remaining years. This is easier said than done. First you need to research available government help to fund care, and ensure that your parents are correctly assessed to ensure they’re getting all the funding they are entitled to. Age Concern provides a number of detailed booklets on this issue.

Take full advantage of your computer. Search websites for ratings, send for brochures, and most importantly of all, pay several visits to possible nursing homes. In an effort to help families looking for nursing homes, a new online system is planned, to be published on a website which will also disclose official inspection reports. Nursing homes will be graded according to star ratings, Trip Advisor style.

Organisations To Explore NHS Choices provides a comprehensive health information service on finding and using NHS services in England.

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The Directgov website contains information about public services all in one place.

Age Concern and Help the Aged have combined to become Age UK, which provides a huge body of information and advice to older people and their relatives.

Care In The Home It may be that care in the home is the preferred option, and this is where you need to spend time making sure that all available help from your local council is fully explored, and a correct assessment of necessary care is arrived at.

Check out the Care Quality Commission. This is the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England. It registers care services that meet standards and make constant inspections to check that these standards are kept and take action if standards fall.

Direct Payments are a Government initiative designed to give people the freedom to purchase their own care and support, so since 2002 all Social Services departments offer the option of a Direct Payment to people who receive a social care and support service.

Following an assessment by their local Social Services the person receiving the direct payments can use the money for different types of services.

These include: • Personal care and support • Day care (including domestic help) • ‘Mixed’ packages of support • Short-term residential care • Items of equipment

Preserve Your Assets The only person who can save for your retirement is you. To avoid many sandwich generation problems - and help your parents and your children - you first have to keep your own financial house in order. Try not to raid your own retirement savings to pay for your children’s college education or your parents’ long-term care. Students should take out student loans if necessary, and you should use your parents own assets to finance their care for as long as possible.

And finally, remember you’re all in this together. Don’t be a martyr. Take control and get the whole family on board to help. Getting stressed is counter productive, so make sure you get some time for yourself. Young 32

adults still at home can occasionally take over household duties and visit their grandparents. They could accompany them on hospital visits or doctors’ appointments, and gain enormously from increased contact with an older generation.

This is a time in your life when your parents and your children are dependent on you, so look after your health, take time out to keep up with your friends, and keep your sense of humour.

Nothing lasts forever, and sooner or later, your children will find their independence and fly the nest. You’ll miss them when they go. Make the most of your time with them. Cherish your parents. They won’t be with you forever, so while you’re coping with their problems, remember how they once helped you with yours, and give them a hug from time to time.

ABBEYDALE RESIDENTIAL HOME Abbeydale Residential Home in Ilkley is the perfect place for the ‘next step’ when elderly parents or relatives need extra care and support.

We are a family run home which feels more like a hotel. The owners, Bob and Catherine Dey, have run Abbeydale for more than 12 years and have made it a real ‘home from home’.

The rooms are stylish and elegant, the home-cooked food is delicious and our beautiful award-winning gardens are a delight to sit and relax in or to just wander around.

We provide 24 hour care for those who need it but we also encourage independence and individuality.

We provide support to help our residents do as much as they can for themselves, respecting their right to privacy, dignity and choice.

Our residents are encouraged to continue with their hobbies and our varied activities programme ensures there is always something to do, or entertainment for them to enjoy. We have our own minibus and our drivers take residents out on trips four afternoons every week, visiting the Dales and our beautiful local countryside.

Abbeydale is a Care Home with a difference. Why not come along and see for yourself? You are welcome to call in for a cup of tea, or if you would like to be shown around the home, just ring us on 01943 603074 and we will arrange a suitable appointment for you.

Our loved ones deserve the best and Abbeydale could prove to be the perfect solution.

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Abbeydale

RETIREMENT HOME

Enjoy high-class comfort and care in Ilkley, with panoramic views across the scenic valley and surrounding countryside.

When you walk into Abbeydale you enter a stylish and luxurious home that feels more like a hotel. The recently refurbished rooms provide bright and positive accommodation, and encourage a happy and satisfying life for residents.

The spacious en-suite bedrooms with adjoining sitting room, are furnished to the highest standards and come with colour television, smoke detectors and 24 hour nurse call system. There are various elegant reception rooms and lounges, where residents may convene for a chat or smaller more intimate rooms for a quiet place to read.

A full programmes of entertainment and activities are organised daily, and outings take place regularly.

Abbeydale's own vehicle can take up to six residents out into the beautiful countryside, shopping trips into Ilkley and afternoons at tea rooms. We also promote the continuation of personal hobbies and interests.

The personal needs of each individual is carefully identified and care programmes are created to ensure that the best care is provided.

In order to do this all staff receive in house training and follow Abbeydale's philosophy of care which is designed to give residents privacy and control over their daily lives.

Our care staff provide for special bathing, dressing and changing needs, serving meals and tending to laundry, as well as medication, supervision and co-ordination of any appointments for the GP, Dentist and Optician.

So, if you are a retired person or couple seeking a comfortable life in Ilkley, Abbeydale could prove to be the perfect solution.

Please call us now for a brochure or call in to visit us.

About Abbeydale...

• • • • • • • • •

24 hour care by caring staff All bedrooms with en-suite Excellent meals with special diets catered for Happy pleasant atmosphere Regular outings and entertainment Tastefully furnished throughout Warm, safe and comfortable environment Set in large beautiful gardens Hairdresser and beautician

01943 603074 www.abbeydalecarehome.co.uk

Please call us now for a brochure or visit us today.

A retirement home with a difference...

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

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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.

Personal Family Touches We strongly believe that a funeral service for a loved one should be as personal and unique as they were and we will do everything possible to ensure that all wishes are carried out to make things easier on the day.

Be it that family members would like to carry the coffin or perhaps certain members would like to speak within the funeral service. We encourage family involvement and are more than happy to discuss all options possible.

T H E S I M P L E L OW F U S S F U N E R A L - £ 16 5 0 . 0 0

Includes:• The payment of the Cremation Fee, • The payment of the Doctor's Fees, • The payment of the Minister's Fees, • The provision of an Oak effect coffin and interior of your colour choice, • The bringing in of your loved one into our Chapel of Rest, their care, dressing and repose, • Our professional fees for the arranging and conducting of the funeral, • The hearse and necessary staff on the day of the funeral to meet family and friends at the Crematorium.

We offer a caring, personal and professional Funeral Service tailored to your needs, without compromising on care.

IF WE CAN BE OF HELP TO YOU AND FOR AN INFORMAL CHAT,

P LEASE CAL L L EE ON 0777 9 7 0 4 10 0

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