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AUGUST - NOVEMBER 2015
EDITION 47
Tom Jones A Singer Named "The Voice"!
Cook with the Stars! John Torode, Paul Hollywood, & James Martin share their favourite recipes
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Robinsons Holidays Affordable peace of mind.
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Northern Greece City Breaks in Thessaloniki
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Home & Garden Bringing the outside, in.
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Tom Jones... A singer named "The Voice".
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Out & About... What's going on in your local area and beyond?
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Cook with the Stars! Recipes from your favourite celebrity chefs: John Torode, Paul Hollywood & James Martin.
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TWITTERING ON “Since the lion arrived, which is three years now, I haven’t really left the camp,” says Gruener. “Sometimes for one night I go into the town here to organise something for the business, but other than that I’ve been here with the lion.” The lion he has devoted himself to is Sirga - a female cub he rescued from a holding pen established by a farmer who was fed up with shooting animals that preyed on his cattle. “The lions had killed the other two or three cubs inside the cage, and the mother abandoned the remaining cub. She was very tiny, maybe 10 days old,” Gruener says.
Bear hug from a lion! Just every so often along comes a story to warm your heart, this is such a story. In 2012 Valentin Gruener rescued a young lion cub and raised it himself at a wildlife park in Botswana. It was the start of an extraordinary relationship. Now an astonishing scene is repeated each time they meet - the young lion leaps on Gruener and holds him in an affectionate embrace.
The farmer, Willy de Graaf, asked Gruener to try to save her and so he took her to a wildlife park financed by de Graaf and became her adoptive mother, “feeding her and taking care of her”. “You have this tiny cute animal sitting there and it’s already quite feisty,” he says. “It will become about 10 times that size and you will have to deal with it.” She’s much bigger now, but when Gruener opens her cage she still rushes to greet him - ecstatically throwing her paws around his neck. “That happens every time I open the door. It is an amazing thing every time it happens, and it’s such a passionate thing to do for this animal to jump and give me a hug,” says Gruener. “But I guess it makes sense. At the moment she has no other lions with her in the cage and I guess for her I’m like her species. So I’m the only friend she’s got. Lions are social cats so she’s always happy to see me.”
Professional writer will undertake ghostwriting and publishing of all kinds from booklets to autobiographies or family histories. Traditional and e-book publishing with asociated web sites if required. Installment terms available. Contact Graham Smith at grahamsmithpublishing@yahoo.com or call 07866626090. www.grahamsmithmedia.co.uk
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The companions spend their time hanging out in the Botswana bush, doing the kind of things that cats enjoy, such as lying around under trees, play-fighting, and hunting.
Graham Smith
“I don’t believe we have to teach the lion to hunt. They have this instinct like a domestic cat or even a dog that will try to hunt. Any cat will catch a bird or a mouse. The lion will catch an antelope when it gets big enough,” Gruener says. “I’m definitely giving her that opportunity to hunt, about three times a week at the moment. Each walk takes five hours - sometimes up to nine. We sort of hunt together and I’m helping her sometimes, trying to show her how to kill something rather than catch it.” After Sirga’s first kill Gruener wasn’t sure if it would still be safe for him to get close to the lion. But “she let me come in”, he says. Now he despatches animals the lioness fails to kill quickly enough. “It’s a bit cruel because she will catch an antelope and hold it down, and when it gets tired she could simply go and bite it in the throat and kill it. But because it’s so exciting she’s like a cat that keeps on playing with the mouse. “It’s not so lovely to watch when a lion has an antelope in front of her and she’s having fun playing with this antelope.” Willy de Graaf has handed Gruener 500 hectares (two square miles) to create a “miniature park” in which Sirga can roam freely, but she will not be released into the wild. Not because she could not survive, Gruener says, but because she has lost her fear of humans. Under those circumstances she is likely to get too close to humans, and if there is an accident she will end up getting shot. “And that’s not really the whole point of raising a lion,” Gruener says. In the park Sirga can live like a wild lion, but remain safe, he says. “That’s the plan for her future.”
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as opposed to the hustle of the main streams. Absorb the beautifully crafted bridges, while getting serenaded by the local gondoliers. Make sure you allocate time to visit the Guggenheim collection to admire the vast collection of artwork on display by more than 575 artists. Situated on the Grand Canal in the in the Dorsoduro sestiere of Venice. Be aware, Venice can be pricey, so it’s well worth prioritising the key hot-spots you want to visit!
Croatia
It’s never too late If you could live your life again, what would you like to do, that you missed the first time round? Travel to new places, learn another language, master a musical instrument or further your education? We’ve been inspired by a recent story about Marie Hunt, who has just been awarded her high school diploma at the grand old age of 103. Mrs Hunt, from Wisconsin, felt unable to complete her eighth grade diploma in 1928, due to pressures of the commute to school and the need to help raise her siblings. Now living in an assisted home, a hospice nurse overheard her talking about how not completing high school was her biggest regret in life. The nurse spoke to officials from River Valley High School, and the Spring Green School District gave her the diploma at a ceremony at her living facility last week. Some people are ‘late bloomers’, unable to find their raison d’etre until much later in life. Hugely successful British actor Alan Rickman was a graphic designer before pursuing an acting career at the age of 28, only getting his first real break into theatre when he was in his 40s. Much loved BAFTA winning British actress Liz Smith became a professional actress at the age of 50 and has since starred in a variety of roles on British television and in Hollywood movies. Many popular writers didn’t publish their first major work until later in life. Mary Wesley wrote two children’s books in her late fifties, but didn’t write her first novel until she became a widow at the age of 70. During her lifetime, she sold three million books including 10 bestsellers
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in the last 20 years of her life. Her bestselling Camomile Lawn was made into a popular television series. In the fashion world, Ralph Lauren, at 75, is still in charge of his $5 billion empire. Dress maker and personification of muted elegance, Jean Muir worked right up until her death at the age of 67, as did Coco Chanel, who was sticking to her usual routine of preparing that year’s spring catalogue when she died aged 87. So perhaps you don’t have to think about what you’d do if you could live your life over again, after all. If these tales of people achieving great things later in life have inspired you, then don’t let age stop you from achieving your secret ambition. After all, it’s never too late.
Explore Europe this Summer If you’re looking to jet away to warmer climates, but wanting to eliminate those tiresome long journeys, you may want to think about taking a trip to these hidden gems that Europe has to offer. Sunglasses at the ready!
Venice Consider a romantic escape in this beautiful Italian city. The fascinating island has an array of hidden treasures to explore. Take an enchanting gondola ride through the canals of Venice. Our top tip is to sail through the quieter back canals
The intriguing island of Croatia has recently become a firm favourite Mediterranean destination for UK mature travellers. Boasting a short flight time you can be transported to the crystal clear, Adriatic Sea waters within two hours. Rich with history, the ancient town is oozing in culture and caters for all. If you’re looking for pure relaxation, the unspoilt island of Mljet may be the hidden paradise you’re looking for. Alternatively, if you’re looking to revel in a new adventure away from the coastline, why not explore the Plitvice Lakes or hike the Paklenica Mountains. Whichever route you take, you’ll be sure to indulge in rich history and fascinating flavours thanks to the exquisite cuisine options on offer in this architect’s paradise.
Nice It’s no secret the dazzling sights that Nice has to offer. Located on the French Riveria, the urban gem promises a weekend of sight-seeing in luxury. True to its name, Nice is the definition of beauty. The mild Mediterranean temperatures make for the ideal humidity for tourists. Divert to the idyllic side café to watch the world go by while experiencing the French delicacies. We advise taking a stroll down the Promenade des Anglais and absorb the city from the fascinating stretch of palms. Super cars, high fashion and fabulous food are just a few elements that make Nice the perfect hotspot, so what are you waiting for!? Get your suitcases ready for a trip of a life time!
By Abby East
Content writer at Chums
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to p u e v a S £60ppd
CHOOSE THE DATE YOU WANT TO TRAVEL AND MAKE INCREDIBLE SAVINGS BY LETTING US CHOOSE THE DESTINATION AND HOTEL...
ompare when hc named wit orts res
}
Mystery Tours
Imperial Hotel. Eastbourne and Sunny Sussex
}
Ocean View Hotel. The Isle of Wight the Garden Isle
}
Abbey Lawn Hotel. Torquay and Delightful Devon
Eastbourne is an “all year round” holiday destination with one of the best sunshine records in the UK.
The Isle of Wight offers stunning landscapes, award winning beaches, breath taking seascapes and extensive history.
With its mild climate and trademark Palm Trees, Torquay is one of the UK’s premier seaside resorts and has been fashionable since the 19th century
Includes 2 Excursions
Includes 2 Excursions
Includes 2 Excursions
WHY CHOOSE ROBINSONS HOLIDAYS?
The Robinsons Difference .... 4 Good quality hotels 4 Coach seating with extra legroom 4 Air-conditioning and washroom /W.C. on all tour coach 4 Reserved coach seats on main tour coach at time of booking 4 Regular comfort stops en route 4 Home pick up service available 4 Interesting excursions 4 No single supplements at our own hotels and many other hotels 4 Excellent selection of great value checked hotels 4 Friendly drivers and porterage services to help with your luggage 4 Pay in convenient instalments at no extra cost 4 All holidays Bonded for passengers financial protection 4 Friendly & informed reservations staff to take care of all your booking arrangements 4 Freephone telephone number to save you money 4 Full group booking service with great offers for group organisers 4 Optional insurance cover for 2015 now available
We offer you ...
4 Accommodation with dinner, bed & breakfast 4 2 included excursions 4 All rooms have private facilities
7 DAY TOUR
6 NIGHTS DINNER, BED & BREAKFAST
DATE
WAS NOW
8 DAY TOUR
7 NIGHTS DINNER, BED & BREAKFAST
DATE
WAS NOW
9 DAY TOUR
8 NIGHTS DINNER, BED & BREAKFAST
DATE
WAS NOW
16 Aug £379 £319
15/16 Aug £409 £349
15 Aug £439 £379
23 Aug £379 £319
22/23 Aug £409 £349
22 Aug £439 £379
06 Sept £369 £309
29/30 Aug £409 £349
29 Aug
13 Sept £369 £309
05/06 Sept £399 £339
05 Sept £429 £369
20 Sept £359 £299
12/13 Sept £399 £339
12 Sept £429 £369
27 Sept £329 £269
19/20 Sept £389 £329
19 Sept £419 £359
26/27 Sept £359 £299
26 Sept £389 £329
£439 £379
ALL 7/8/9 DAY TOURS INCLUDE 2 LOCAL EXCURSIONS Once your booking is made, you will be allocated one of the three resorts featured. Your destination and seat numbers will be advised on receipt of your confirmation. Terms and conditions of the Trading Charter in the main 2015 brochure apply.
To Book Call 0800 083 9900 or Visit your Local Travel Agent
Robinsons Own Hotels October Madness ...
NEW TOURS at reduced prices
7 DAY TOUR
5 DAY TOUR
9 DAY TOUR
6 NIGHTS DINNER, BED & BREAKFAST
4 NIGHTS DINNER, BED & BREAKFAST
Date Imperial Ocean View Abbey Lawn 03-Oct £189 £189 £189 07-Oct £189 £189 £189 11-Oct £179 £179 £179 17-Oct £179 £179 £179 21-Oct £179 £179 £179 25-Oct £179 £179 £179 31-Oct - - £179
Abbey Lawn Hotel
Ocean View Hotel
Imperial Hotel
Date Imperial Ocean View 11-Oct £239 £239 25-Oct £239 £239
8 NIGHTS DINNER, BED & BREAKFAST
Abbey Lawn £239 £239
Date Imperial Ocean View 03-Oct £289 £289 17-Oct £279 £279 31-Oct - -
Abbey Lawn £289 £279 £279
ALL 5/7/9 DAY TOURS INCLUDE 2 LOCAL EXCURSIONS
SINGLES ....
COME ALONG AND MEET NEW FRIENDS LOTS OF ACTIVITIES AND ENTERTAINMENT TO GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER
Celebrate Christmas and New Year in comfort and free from stress at one of Robinsons own hotels
Imperial Hotel Eastbourne
Imperial Hotel Eastbourne
Ocean View Hotel Isle of Wight
Abbey Lawn Hotel Torquay
Includes:
Ocean View Hotel Isle of Wight
d 4 nights dinner,
Abbey Lawn Hotel Torquay
14th De c 5 Days
INCLUDES: WELCOME RECEPTION AFTERNOON TEA DANCE WITH OUR RESIDENT ENTERTAINER FESTIVE GALA DINNER (ON 1 NIGHT) 2 LOCAL EXCURSIONS
bed & breakfast d 3 resort lunches d 1 mystery excursion
£149
5 DAY TOUR
Wed 23 Dec £399 | Wed 29 Dec £349
4 NIGHTS DINNER, BED & BREAKFAST
www.robinsons-holidays.co.uk Park Garage, Great Harwood, Blackburn BB6 7SP.
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City Breaks to Thessaloniki By Jacqueline Jeynes from Silver Travel Advisor Despite a cool evening breeze, though still very warm to us, the bars and cafĂŠs along the promenade are packed with locals enjoying the balmy evening, chatting and drinking with friends. There is a lively buzz, a friendly, vibrant atmosphere and definitely a feeling of being relaxed and safe in the city. It is the same every evening of the week as the newly-finished 7 kmlong promenade is the focal point for people to walk, jog, cycle or simply stroll along by the sea, a live band is playing as a stage is set up for a concert next to the White Tower. This is the emblem of the city, its name referring to a prisoner there painting it white in exchange for his freedom, covering up the walls blood-stained from executions. On a brighter note, there are some impressive public sculptures and gardens along this seafront, especially the metal umbrellas in the late sunshine. There are boat trips around the port and across the bay to Agia Triada (more of
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that later), and a little boat regularly goes along the edges clearing any debris. Thessaloniki in northern Greece is a city not always associated with art, food and wine, or as a cultural centre yet it is steeped in history as a geographically strategic point for this region. It is an ideal base to explore the area, particularly for those interested in the culture of Ancient Greece, as well as the superb fine dining. We visited in the first week of September, with temperatures around 25° and bright sunshine. Flight time is just over 3 hours from Manchester airport and it takes around half an hour to get to the city from Macedonia Airport. The first impressions as you drive into the city are of old buildings, not architecturally beautiful as many are 20th century structures and everywhere covered in graffiti, which relates to social comment on the severe financial
troubles Greece suffered a few years ago. Since then, a new Mayor has allocated large surfaces at the sides of specific buildings for graffiti artists to work on so eventually much of this will be removed. However, this first impression should be ignored! Walk around narrow, cobbled streets down to the sea, the old port having been revived with new museums, a photography gallery, cinema and various cultural centres for different exhibitions, events and celebrations throughout the year. This is also the favourite spot for dreamy-eyed young (and old?) lovers to stretch out and talk into the night. Sounds good to me. We had the privilege of being shown a room at the 5* Excelsior Hotel – what a beautiful, stylish place. It is a splendid old building where original, ornate architectural features have been retained during its recent renovation. If you have an opportunity to stay there, you must.
TRAVEL Take a half-day city tour and you will really get a feel for the history of Thessaloniki and Greece from ancient times. Located in a strategic position in the Aegian sea, there were three distinct ages of occupation from Romans, Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Given this history, there are fantastic churches, synagogues and mosques that contain preserved sections of frescoes and finelydetailed mosaics. A lot has changed over the centuries due to fires and earthquakes, exposing many new archaeological sites. A real must is the history related to the Jewish communities in this city, particularly the devastating impact of their treatment by the Nazi troops during WWII. It is well worth having a guided tour – our guide Konstantinos was so knowledgeable – although you can explore on your own using the hop on-hop off bus number 50 that costs 2 Euros for the day. Their leaflet also suggests short walks you can do from the bus stops, see www.expertguides.gr.
Remember to visit the daily market selling all kinds of fresh fruit and vegetables plus an array of olives, of course. There is also fresh meat and fish, though I declined the invitation to take a sheep’s head home with me. And the three famous pastry/sweet shops are truly divine! We tried a small sample shot of luscious, rich chocolate and a silver-wrapped chocolate cigar. For lunch, try the fish and chips at Bakaliarakia (a small restaurant in the Ladadika area), large flat slices of fried potato and crispy batter around tasty white cod, served with thick creamy garlic sauce. An afternoon nap is then recommended. This is a big, bustling city full of life and with plenty to see. The traffic is a bit hectic so you have to have your wits about you, but it is fine if you keep to the proper crossing places. It is not ideal for anyone with mobility issues or wheelchair-users, although across the Bay it is quieter and easier to get around. However, if you love to explore during city breaks, this is a great place to visit.
For city breaks to Thessaloniki Silver Travel Advisor recommends Kirker Holidays who offer a range of short breaks and tailor-made holidays throughout Greece and the rest of Europe. Prices start from £598 per person for a three night holiday to Thessaloniki, including return flights, private car transfers and accommodation with breakfast sharing a double room. Kirker clients also receive the exclusive Kirker Guide Notes to restaurants and sightseeing and the services of the Kirker Concierge to arrange private guides, book excursions or museum tickets and to reserve a table at a recommended restaurant.
For more information or reservations, contact Kirker Holidays on 020 7593 2283 or visit www.kirkerholidays.com
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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Why not join one of our Quality Door to Door Coach Tours?
We pick- up at your door in most of the Greater Manchester area. We visit every part of the UK from the Shetland Islands to Cornwall. Our drivers are very experienced mature individuals with a wealth of knowledge about our wonderful country. We do city breaks, historic adventures, scenic tours, train rides, boat rides, canal trips, not forgetting our numerous costal resorts.
On your first day of travel we pick you up at your front door at a pre-arranged time in a minibus or taxi. You are then transferred to a central meeting point, either Birch Services or Poplar Services dependant upon where you live, where the coach is waiting for you. Within 15 to 30 minutes you’re on your way aboard our luxury coach travelling directly to your holiday destination, making suitable stops en-route. The hotels that we use are of a 3 or 4 star standard or occasionally a good quality family run 2 star hotel. Upon your return to either Birch Services or Poplar your taxi or minibus is waiting to whisk you home.
Included in every tour... l
Luxury Hotel l Half Board l All Excursions l Door to Door Service
Ellen Smith Price Promise 1. Everything is included in the final price – no hidden charges 2. If we reduce a tour all customers previously booked receive same refund 3. No currency surcharges 4. Any supplement imposed by the hotel will be the exact amount we charge 5. If you find a similar holiday cheaper we’ll refund twice the difference!
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DATE
TOUR
HOTEL
INFO
DAYS
PRICE
New location - you'll never guess!
Always popular – hurry!
5
£289
17th August
Summer Mystery Tour
23rd August
Pembrokeshire and GowerIvy
Bush Royal
Limited Rooms left
5
£309
24th August
Llandudno
Merrion
One of our Favourites
5
£409
27th August
Longleat & Stonehenge
BW Plus Angel
Superb Tour
5
£399
27th August
Nostalgic Moments in Devon
De La Mer
New Tour
6
£359
31st August
Castles, Railways & Museums
Manor House Hotel
Beamish, plus lots more!
5
£359
31st August
Beautiful Argyll & Isle of Bute
BW Argyll, Dunoon
Inverary Castle, Mount Stuart
5
£319
7th Sept
Kent – Orchard, Castle and Cruise
BW Manor, Gravesend
Chatham Dock, Leeds Castle
5
£359
7th Sept
Blackpool incl Illuminations
Doric
Always popular
5
£249
10th Sept
Cornish Delights
Rosemundy House
St Ives, Boat Trip incl
5
£349
12th Sept
Eastbourne
Haddon Hall
Lewes, Worthing & Rye
8
£459
13th Sept
Isle of Wight
Ocean, Sandown
Always goes full – don’t delay
6
£399
Please ask about our regular Jersey & Guernsey Saturday flight holidays
CALL FOR OUR 2015 BROCHURE INTERESTED? Call our reservations office on 01706 648126 and request a copy of our 2015 brochure. You’ll be surprised at the variations of tours we operate. Visit our website at www.ellensmith.co.uk
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Door to Door Coach Tours with Ellen Smith Membership No: 10228
Coach Holidays with a difference. We all know that often coach holidays get a bad press – waiting in bus stations for the coach to arrive, long arduous pickup routes to an interchange, waiting around there for your holiday coach all before you’re destination bound! Once you’re there too often poor quality hotels with mass catering, an extra charge for outings and then to top it all off the same gruelling journey home – no chance of the six o’clock news!
If that all sounds too familiar why not give us a try? We are Manchester based and offer the only true ‘Door to Door’ coach holiday service in the area. Established as far back as 1900 in Rochdale we have a long and distinguished history as a good quality, value for money coach holiday operator.
What’s so different about us? Firstly our ‘Door to Door’ service. This is a true door to door service. We pick you up from your home address at a pre-arranged time in a taxi or small minibus and take you straight to one of our two meeting points, Birch Services near Heywood or Poplar Services near Lymm. There you meet up with your driver and coach who will take you on your holiday. There’s no hanging around, you’re usually on your way within 15 to 20 minutes. We don’t leave anyone behind!
taxi is waiting for you at one of the two service stations and you’re usually home with a cup of tea in time to watch the news!
What else can we tell you? All our holidays are fully bonded by the Confederation Of Passenger Transport Bonding Scheme, which is a government approved consumer protection scheme ensuring your money is protected. We offer very popular ‘Mature Singles’ holidays where all bedrooms at the hotel are used for sole occupancy – great for the single traveller. Oh and we offer continental coach holidays, this year Lake Como, Lake Garda, Swiss Chocolate Train & A Taste of the Alpine and Normandy for the D Day landing beaches. We have a regular news letter the ‘Tiger Talk’, (our logo is a tiger) that offers new tours during the year and several of our popular ‘Mystery Tours’ during each year. We have a website www.ellensmith.co.uk that has all the details of our holidays – and you can book on-line too. If you wish to call us our staff are very experienced individuals who know lots about our range of holidays. Finally we offer Fred Olsen cruises from Liverpool at prices you won’t believe and a variety of Air, Cruise & Worldwide holidays - all with our ‘Door to Door’ service included.
Your Driver is an experienced individual and the coach will be of an executive standard with toilet, air conditioning and reclining seats. On the journey to the hotel we tend to avoid motorway services and visit a village, town, city or other suitable location instead. Because of our timely departure we plan to arrive at our destinations at about 4:30pm giving you plenty of time for a quick snooze prior to dinner. All the hotels we use are normally 3 or 4 star with the odd family run 2 star hotel, that we have used for many years. We use a range of different hotels to suit a particular tour. Many of our tours are themed – ‘Royal Sandringham & the Sport of Kings’ and ‘An Irish Country House Experience’ to name just two. All our tours include day excursions (no extra charge – ever!), which can include canal journeys, train journeys, castles, country estates and so much more. The vast majority of our hotels offer a porterage service, so you rarely have to touch your case. On your return date the reverse of the first day happens. Your
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Want to know more? Call us on 01706 648126 for a copy of our 2015 brochure – you’ll wonder why you ever went away in your car!
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HOME
Bringing the outside in... NATURAL light and space are among the popular hallmarks of modern homes in 2015 whatever size your property. When we investigate new apartments or houses with a view to moving, a feeling of space with plenty of natural light in evidence is what we are searching for. It not only makes us feel better but it’s a great way to help reduce energy costs. Architects and developers know that these elements sell their homes to the public and plan accordingly. But, it may not be quite so easy to harness plenty of natural light and create more space in less modern properties. Most of the homes built in the UK after World War II favoured smaller, more intimate rooms which were relatively cheap to heat, and this legacy has
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continued to a lesser extent into the early Noughties. However, in the last 10 years or so in particular, more of us are demanding open plan living areas with as much natural light as we can get. In fact, through solar panels in the roof more and more of us even turn natural sunlight to domestic energy to cut household bills. Getting more fresh air into your home along with that vital light and creating more space for growing families - or simply giving yourself more room to breathe - can be costly if you have to think about remodelling homes or building on large extensions or wings.
So, more and more people are going for a range of other options that still help to bring the outside inside. CONSERVATORIES are particularly popular for this, not only because they come in such a variety of sizes and styles to suit all kinds of properties but because they are now cheaper and more efficient than ever. Conservatories enlarge homes and can genuinely enhance the look of a property. They offer a private, bright space for hobbies, for family time or just for reading alone. They also bring people closer to their gardens, both physically and emotionally, and allow a new
HOME
perspective on greenery without having to suffer from the vagaries of the British climate.
it immediately allows would-be buyers to envisage using that extra room for their lifestyle needs.
ORANGERIES are another popular addition to homes, generating extra living space and creating a special place to live – and work if you prefer – in a private but bright room. They tend to contain more brickwork than glass, can be a bigger project to create, but always add elegance to homes.
To open up kitchen and living areas, how about installing BIFOLDING DOORS? These clever additions not only look stylish but offer a large area bringing in light, and they can easily fold back to allow in fresh air and the beauty of your garden.
You can add a bold and unique visual element to your property with a GLASS ROOF EXTENSION. The glass naturally creates a light living space and the beauty of these extensions is that they can be tailor-made into even the most testing of spaces, letting in an unrivalled amount of daylight. TILED ROOF EXTENSIONS are also designed to look and function like a permanent part of the property. This additional space makes your house a more desirable place to live and, should you come to sell your property,
These doors come into their own for families and open up the whole house. Socialising in the kitchen – which often predominates at parties - is then less cramped and more easygoing. Cooking smells vanish and individuals can spill out onto the patio to enjoy the best of the outside in convivial company. Another clever way to enjoy the outside and still protect yourself from the less attractive parts of the British weather is to install an AWNING. These handsome, often brightly coloured additions to your home allow you to dine or just sit outside, away
from the sun or even drizzle, as an easy extension of your lifestyle. You can get awnings custom-made to look just right on your home. And the beauty of them is that when you don’t need them they simply fold away until the next time. Many of us enjoy our gardens and it’s lovely, not only to see close up the fruits of your labours when it comes to admiring the plants, flowers and other greenery, but also because of the health benefits. Fresh air is good for the digestion, improves your blood pressure and heart-rate, strengthens your immune system and cleans your lungs. It also gives you more energy and sharpens the mind – and, probably the most important thing, it makes you happier! So it’s worth crafting a lifestyle that takes advantage of Nature’s free gifts, and open up your home to all the best possibilities of living.
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20 Shaw Road Oldham OL1 3LS We are an established supplier of the highest quality bathroom products from across the UK and Europe, offering beautifully designed and exquisitely crafted furniture, sanitary ware, taps, tiles, showers, accessories and everything else you'll need to create your ideal bathroom.
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Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Valid until 30th November 2015. Bradbury Bathrooms, 30 Shaw Road, Oldham OL1 3LS 20 Shaw Road Oldham OL1 3LS We are an established supplier of the highest quality bathroom products from across the UK and Europe, offering beautifully designed and exquisitely crafted furniture, sanitary ware, taps, tiles, showers, accessories and everything else you'll need to create your ideal bathroom.
TRADE AND AND RETAIL RETAIL WELCOME WELCOME AT AT OUR OUR TRADE TRADE COUNTERS COUNTERS TRADE Showroom open open Mon. Mon. to to Fri.9am Fri.9am -- 5pm 5pm Sat. Sat. 9am 9am to to 2pm 2pm Showroom Tel: 0161 0161 627 627 1047 1047 Showroom: 0161 0161 6332533 6332533 Tel: Showroom:
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Brighter Financial Services
MARGARET IS BEWILDERED BY PENSIONS... Margaret Rowbotham is 52 years old. She has worked in a stationery shop for the past 5 years but before this, worked for Social Services and Calming Places, a private nursing home, as a support worker, before the job became too much for her. Margaret has a public sector final salary pension scheme. She also has two private pension schemes which she took out when she was with Calming Places. She took out two when she was with Calming Places as she didn’t think she was paying enough into the first one. She has carried on paying into these two pensions since moving into retail. Margaret enjoys her job but is thinking more about retirement. She is not sure whether she has the right pension arrangements and would like to take advice. She knows about financial advisers but is sceptical about the advice that she might receive—how does she know it will be right for her? She is also concerned that the adviser may find her arrangements too complicated and just try to sell her yet another pension. Hasn’t she got enough already?
Margaret, like most of us, is unsure how much she actually will need in retirement so has no way of knowing whether her pensions are:•
Able to provide her with the income she will need
•
Performing as they should against other products on the market.
Even if it is that Margaret’s pensions are performing well and will give her want she needs in retirement, having more than one personal pension could be wasting money on costly administrative fees- money that could be invested in one high performing product. An independent financial adviser will explore the whole of market to get the best yields for their customers with competitive administration charges.
Friendly advice is invaluable
Opportunity 2
Don’t rest on your laurels with final–salary pension schemes
So what should Margaret do?
Well she will still get an income from her pensions if she does nothing, but let’s just say that Margaret decides to explore her options.
Opportunity 1
Personal pensions need to return high yields and low administrative costs. She seeks out the help of a financial adviser who explores opportunity 1 with her: Our pensions are investments. There are two important things to consider with investments—our needs change over time and investments go up and down.
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Margaret will need the services of a specialist financial adviser with the necessary qualifications and who is authorised by the FCA to consider final salary pension transfer arrangements with their clients. She seeks out the services of a financial adviser who can explore opportunity 2 with her: There are very few reasons why, in the past, those with final salary pensions would consider moving their investment away from such a scheme and certainly no worthy financial adviser would ever suggest that this was appropriate. However, for those considering retirement now or who have a deferred benefit there are some very good reasons to take stock of opportunity 2. Most final salary schemes transfer values make the assumption that the investment tends to be in Government gilt (debt) The chart below provides an example of how a final salary pension transfer value can be affected by gilt yield rates. If a transfer value is calculated using a low gilt rate the resulting transfer value is higher than it would be were the gilt rate high. Put simply, the lower the gilt rate, the higher the transfer value and vice versa.
In this example gilt rates going from 1.75% to 4.5% would result in a transfer value of nearly £100,000 less (high interest rates resulting in a lower transfer value)
Technically speaking, if Margaret was expecting to get an income of £8.4k per year from her final salary pension scheme her current transfer value could be inflated by up to £100,000 due to low gilt yields, as they currently stand—but gilts may rise in the future meaning transfer values could lower in the future so this may be worth exploring now, to realise a more lucrative investment. On a more personal level there are other reasons that Margaret may wish to consider transferring her pension: The Government’s new pension arrangements have given people the opportunity to pass their residual pension to their children. Margaret has one son who is 32 years old and lives alone. Currently her final salary pension will die with her. If she transfers it—her son will receive all of the residual money.
With her financial questions answered, Margaret is now free to pursue hobbies and stay active in later life Margaret is currently in good health but were she to become chronically unwell her husband and son may be better off with a lump sum of cash to help her as opposed to a monthly income. With a final salary scheme this would not be possible. Through the right pension transfer arrangement it would. There is much to ponder on with pensions—Margaret has done the right thing by taking advice to see what her options are and to make sure that she is not missing out on some valuable opportunities!
Brighter Financial Services LTD I N D E P E N D E N T
F I N A N C I A L
A D V I C E
We are a small, friendly, approachable firm of 4 IFA’s committed to providing robust financial advice to our clients, some of whom have been with us for over 20 years. We are based in Sowerby Bridge but have clients from Bradford, Airedale, Skipton, North Yorkshire and Calderdale. Our advisers are highly trained and can help you with every aspect of financial planning, including the regulatory authority to carry out final-salary pension transfers (where in client’s favour to do so). Our services are as follows: Later Life Planning from pensions to health/income insurance Home ownership Specialist services –Pension wealth improvement assessments via switch or transfer
Contact us today for an informal chat, without obligation on 01422 832100 or e-mail us at hello@brighterfinancialservices.com. We will be pleased to help you with your query. Brighter Financial Services Ltd 66-68 West St, Sowerby Bridge, HX6 3AN
Brighter Financial Services Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA no. 531145.
The character in this article is purely fictitious and any similarities to actual people, purely coincidental and not intended.
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A Singer named "The Voice" Inevitably, the singer nicknamed ‘The Voice’ was approached to become a coach on a Saturday night television series called The Voice. You can imagine him being the first person the BBC thought of when they commissioned the show. For Tom, it was perfect timing. He had decided to give up his annual ten-week stint in Las Vegas, so he was looking for something not too strenuous. Undeniably, even at seventy-one, it was a good career move for Tom, because these television talent shows are much watched and discussed. He would be the subject of many water-cooler conversations as a result. It would remind younger generations that here was one of the great British artists. The pay was also attractive. Picking up an estimated £500,000 for choosing a few promising singers and guiding them through to a final over a three-month period was easy money. The BBC, which paid £22 million for the show, offered a sweetener that clinched the deal for Tom. The Corporation agreed a special clause that he could swap his suite in Vegas for one at the Savoy, one of the great hotels of the world. The television critic Kevin O’Sullivan observes, ‘He has got a very superstar deal that gives him three months living in the lap of luxury in London. It must cost a lot of money. After the show, he can go out to posh restaurants with his mates, like Jools Holland. He enjoys himself. The Voice is a nice little earner, which has let him enjoy London again.’ Tom was full of optimism when he was confirmed as a coach at the end of 2011. It wasn’t obvious at the time that the Universal Music Group, which was providing a recording contract for the winner, was also the umbrella company behind Tom’s record label. Jessie J was on the same label. Will.i.am was on Interscope, also a division of Universal.
Every time I see one of these shows I think half the decisions are wrong and it
really frustrates me.
Tom said the right things: ‘It’s exciting, competitive and compelling television. I look forward to being part of the team that discovers a great, new genuine talent.’ He had to backtrack over a newspaper report that said he had criticised other talent shows. He apparently claimed, ‘Some of the judges don’t have the experience to be on talent shows – if you’ve only been in the industry two minutes, how can you offer advice?’ He continued,‘Every time I see one of these shows I think half the decisions are wrong and it really frustrates me.’
The Voice began in triumphant fashion when a TV audience of 9.4 million watched the premiere in March 2012. The contest was at the chair-swivelling stage, also known as the blind auditions. Tom and his fellow judges, Jessie, Will and Danny O’Donoghue, the lead singer of The Script, listened to a contestant without being able to watch that person. They then dithered about whether to press their buzzer to turn their chair around so they could see the act. The beauty of this format was that it gave the opportunity for the coaches to be surprised to discover that the singer was old, young, short, tall, thin or fat. If Tom had sung on the show, everyone would have thought he was black until they saw him. In 2013, the surprise was that the angelic- voiced Andrea Begley, who won the competition, was partially sighted.
The following day his Twitter account, which he doesn’t write, stated: ‘A comment of mine has been misunderstood by the press.’ In truth, his remarks were only reflecting what most of the 10 million or so people who watch such shows are shouting at the television screen every week. It’s part of the fun and makes the shows compelling.
When more than one coach turned round, it was up to the contestant to choose whom they wanted to be their mentor. At first, Tom seemed to be the preferred choice, perhaps because he had the biggest reservoir of affection among the voting public, who ultimately picked the winner. That proved to be the case when one of his acts, Leanne Mitchell from
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Lowestoft, who initially hadn’t been one of the favourites, won the series. For her audition, she sang Beyoncé’s ‘If I Were a Boy’ and all four judges turned round. Tom was the last to pitch for her to choose him as her mentor. Leanne asked nervously,‘What would you like to do with me, Tom?’, which reduced everyone to fits of giggles. Tom laughed,‘I’m a married man, so I can’t answer that question.’ He said, more seriously, he liked the timbre of her voice and thought she could handle different sorts of material. She chose Tom. As they hugged, she blurted out, ‘You’re a legend’, and immediately wanted the ground to open up and swallow her. Tom’s team of chosen singers met him properly for the first time at the Hospital Club in Covent Garden. Just as he seemed to be enjoying himself, Mark, who is firmly in charge these days, told him,‘OK,Tom, we’ve got to go now’, and ushered his father out. Leanne observed that you could see his face drop; she thought he would have been happy to stay out partying all night. Before the Battle Round, where two contestants have to duet against each other, Tom enlisted the help of a guest coach, or battle adviser, as they were called. He was joined by Cerys Matthews and the contestants could see they were good mates and happy to have a laugh together. Cerys told Leanne she had ‘a fair set of lungs’ on her. During the live shows, Tom was surprisingly involved with helping his acts and advised Leanne about what songs might suit her. Behind the scenes, Mark, who had such an influence on Tom’s own choice of material, interrupted rehearsals at the semi- final stage, when she was singing ‘I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You’. He told her it wasn’t working and he thought they could do better. Someone had the music to ‘Run to You’, the Whitney Houston song from The Bodyguard, so they tried that. It was the sort of big power ballad that had defined Tom’s career, and it would win Leanne the competition. When she sang it for the first time, she noted in her book, Finding My Voice, ‘Tom started to get a bit choked up, which really took me by surprise.’ In the final, Leanne sang ‘Mama Told Me Not to Come’ with Tom. She gives an interesting insight into
singing with him. Basically, he does what he likes – there was no point in giving him instructions on what to sing or where to sing it, because he would just ignore them. Mark had decided that she should perform ‘Run to You’ again as her closing song, rightly gauging that she would win if she sang it. He wanted Tom to be the first winning coach. Both Tom and Jessie had tears in their eyes when she reached the soaring high notes. Tom had taught her to bare her soul in a ballad. He said,‘She knocks me out.’ Sadly for Leanne, her triumph didn’t lead to a glittering prize. Her debut album, entitled Leanne Mitchell, wasn’t released by Universal’s Republic label until nearly a year after the show had finished. It sold less than a thousand copies in its first week. The fickle British public had forgotten about her. She did see Tom once more, when he performed at Newmarket Races in August 2012. He asked her how the recording was going and was encouraging. Leanne made the perceptive comment that there is no handbook on how to be a celebrity. They don’t give you one when you win a talent contest. She observed, Leanne was quietly dropped by her record label at the beginning of 2014 and was back appearing at the Potters Leisure Resort, a sort of modern Butlins, a few miles from her home, where she had been working since she was fifteen. She and Tom are not in touch. Tom improved throughout the first series. Live television was not a comfort zone, but he eventually settled into his role as the elder statesman. When will.i.am mentions working with Michael Jackson, Tom counters with Elvis, or Aretha, or Janis, and his name-dropping became one of the best features each week. Kevin O’Sullivan observes, ‘It has become a kind of ongoing joke, but it’s not contemptuous. He is very entertaining. It’s amusing, but it is bloody interesting at the same time. You name a superstar and he was mates with them and you know he is not bullsh**ting. It makes him very compelling and that is an important part of the show. ‘He’s got the talent, he’s got the back-story and he’s got the anecdotes. I’ve always thought he is the most important judge they have got. He could do with being a bit more articulate, but then live telly doesn’t suit everyone. But there is a sense of gravitas whenever he is talking.’
An extract from Tom Jones: The Life by Sean Smith (HarperCollins) DID YOU ENJOY THE ARTICLE? TELL US WHAT YOU THINK...
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OUT & ABOUT
In 1976 Brothers Stan and Brian Laing set up business in a portacabin beside Glossop Brook selling a few secondhand caravans. Well their business has moved on more than a little in 38 years and is now one of the leading caravan and motorhome dealers in the country. The Glossop Caravans site now stretches around 400 yards and covers about seven acres, while further on are an extensive Service Centre, a large body/paintshop building and a storage compound for about 150 caravans and 85 motorhomes.
Rushcart Festival Southport Flower Show 20-23 August
The 2015 show will be themed China and events, entertainment, food and floral marquees will be inspired by Chinese culture and design.
The company now employs over 160 people and the landscaped, customer friendly site is home to over 600 new and used caravans plus 70 or more There will be a host of celebrities in motorhomes. attendance from celebrity chefs, to www.glossopcaravans.co.uk
1457 868011 ,
gardening experts and TV stars. Also on the site you will find EMAIL: our info@glossopcaravans.co.uk A 5 7 , B R O O K F I E L D , G L O S S O P, D E R B Y S H I R E , S K 1 3 6 J F extensive Awnings showroom with The show features the very best in family over 50 models on display including entertainment, food and garden design and will be running from the 20-23rd a range of quality floorcoverings and August. specialised furniture.
M A I N
The huge accessories store with 3,000 lines to choose from is packed full with parts, accessories and wonderful ideas for the caravanner. Situated within a few minutes drive our 20,000 sq.ft. service centre is available for the service and repair of customers caravans and motorhomes. Particularly successful have been the Glossop Caravan’s special edition caravans. From leading manufacturers Coachman, Elddis and Swift these top specification models exclusive to Glossop Caravans have really captured the imagination of caravanners with their unique styling and superb value for money. GLOSSOP CARAVANS END OF M67, MAIN A57, BROOKFIELD, GLOSSOP, DERBYSHIRE SK13 6JF. www.glossopcaravans.co.uk
Ray Roukin, general manager at Southport Flower Show said: "The 2015 show is going to be a real spectacle with Chinese themed food, stunning family entertainment and show gardens which show the very best in design and planting" In addition to show gardens, and over a million blooms on display, there will be more than 350 independent stalls and shops, live music and entertainment. The show also boasts a Food Festival which will feature more than 60 gourmet producers who offer the opportunity to sample and buy produce in the food marquee. There is also a full working kitchen where celebrity chefs will be demonstrating their skills and signature dishes. The show can be enjoyed whatever the weather, thanks to the variety of covered marquees, and Victoria Park's purpose built drainage system and level surfaces. Advance tickets are priced just £18 each. Tickets can be used on any one day. Children under the age of 16 go in for free. For more information visit www.southportflowershow.co.uk or call 01704 547147.
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22-23 August
The Rushcart Festival is now a firmly established tradition in the Saddleworth area. Expect to see Morris Men, dancing and music in this Traditional event which dates back over hundreds of years. The origins of the Rushcart are unknown, but it became the practice for many villages and hamlets in Saddleworth to build a cart of rushes and take them to the local church where the rushes would be spread on the floor. The rushes would often be mixed with fragrant herbs, as insulation against the cold of winter. It was a very competitive event, with each village trying to outdo the other, Morris Dance sides being a regular feature. The Rushcart has been revived in recent decades by the Saddleworth Morris Men. Nowadays the Rushcart is constructed throughout the year and is used by the Morris men for the weekend festival. The Cart is trimmed with heather and dressed with a banner made by the Morris Man who sits astride the Cart over the weekend, the “Jockey”. The cart is then pulled around the Saddleworth villages by over 150 Morris Men from all over the UK and sometimes from abroad. On Sunday the Rushcart is taken to St Chad’s Church above Uppermill where the top is dismantled and in line with tradition the rushes are mixed with fragrant herbs and flowers and then symbolically spread in the aisles. The Rushcart 2015 takes place on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd August. Starting at approximately 10.15am Saturday at Uppermill Square taking place at various Saddleworth locations until 6pm Sunday 10am uppermill Square until 12 noon. For more information go to www.visitoldham.com
OUT & ABOUT
Autumn Handmade Festival
The South Pennines Walk and Ride Festival 15 September
12-13 September
An 11 mile strenuous walk in fine upland scenery with far-reaching views - if fine!
The ‘Saddleworth Handmade Festival’ is back again, this time with their Autumn event.
Start/venue: Barnys Bar, Rochdale Road, near Denshaw Things to bring: Walking Gear, Lunch & Drinks, Cash for Pub Lunch etc Leader: Jenni and Gordon Feather Contact leader: featherj@sky.com Host organisation: Huddersfield Group of Ramblers
A chance to visit the wonderfully picturesque Uppermill, take a stroll along the canal, pop into to the many great local shops, delis and boutiques around the village and last but not least browse the wonderful locally produced products, skillfully and lovingly created by local artisans at the Autumn Handmade Festival.
1984
As always the event is free to enter and free balloons are provided for the children.
ALRA North in association with Oldham Coliseum Theatre and live@thelibrary at Oldham Library - Fairbottom Street, Oldham OL1 3SW
Some stalls offer an interactive element with demos or a chance to have a go yourself.
Post-graduate students from ALRA North present Oldham born Matthew Dunster's enthralling adaptation of a classic novel.
Handmade tea-shop area provided by 'Something Yummy Cakes & Catering' Charity tombola raising money‘Meltham Wildlife Rescue’
Winston Smith rewrites history for the Ministry of Truth, but when he is handed a note that says simply 'I love you,' by a woman he hardly knows, he decides to risk everything in a search for real truth. In a world of cheap entertainment, where a war without end is always fought and the government is always watching, can Winston possibly hold onto what he feels inside?
The Saddleworth Creative Network has great calendar of events to tempt you in 2015. As always the local event business is promoting shopping locally and supporting handmade and artisan producers and creative people. For more information go to www.visitoldham.com
Located off J2 of the M66 and with over 350 stalls open every Full Market Day it’s easy to find and even easier to enjoy! Bury Town Centre is also home to the Fusilier Museum, East Lancashire Railway, Bury Transport Museum and Bury Art Gallery.
Start: 10:00 Finish: 17:00 Duration: 7 hours Distance: 11 miles Grading: Strenuous
The aim of the group has always to be to promote the creative skill of its traders and therefore you will only find handmade and unique products filling the Uppermill Civic Hall giving you the chance to see over 55 of the best handmade products from local makers.
Face-painting, tombola and lucky dip is also available.
Bury Market has a well deserved reputation for friendly service, fantastic produce and great value.
17 September
Tickets Full: £5.00 Cons: £4.00
Bury Market Hall: Open every day except Sunday Full Markets Open: Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays “Winner National Coach Tourism Awards” Coach Friendly Shopping Destination of the Year “Winner NABMA’s” Best Market Attraction
Bury Market Management: Tel: 0161 253 6520 Email: burymarkets@bury.gov.uk Web: www.burymarket.com : @BuryMarket
For more information go to www.coliseum.org.uk
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OUT & ABOUT
Rochdale Half Marathon Sunday 23 August 2015
Exciting varied traffic-free courses taking you on a tour of the historic town and breath-taking countryside.
Scam Watch What’s your favourite prank to play? Whether it’s with unsuspecting friends or the grand-kids, we’ve probably all pulled – and been on the receiving end of – a trick or two in our time. But what about those tricks that aren’t quite as innocent – the ones that are designed to part you with your cash. Well, you’ll be glad we “made you look” as we go through some of the more common pranks you should be on the look-out for. Shoulder surfers: one of the most common ways for fraudsters
Birthplace of The Co-operative, host of the Rugby League World Cup in 2013 and Le Tour de France in 2014, located between Manchester and the beautiful Yorkshire countryside, there's more to Rochdale than you think. Whichever run you choose, you’ll be forever amongst the first to take part, starting and finishing at the stunning Rochdale Town Hall, one of the finest buildings in Europe. All courses will be fully marshalled, signed and have water stations at regular intervals. All runs will be chip timed and there'll be a medal, technical t-shirt and goody bag for all finishers.
to acquire your PIN is not through sophisticated techniques of card cloning, but simply by watching over your shoulder as you enter it. Always be wary of people standing behind you at cash points and when entering your PIN in a shop.
The event is staged in partnership with leading race organiser Cannonball Events.
Phishing: have you won a lottery you didn’t enter? Had a
The total prize fund is over £2,800, with cash prizes for the first 3 men and women in the Half Marathon and 10K, plus bonus time related prizes.
request from “your bank” to confirm your details? These are all phishing scams and you will end up losing money. Look out for the email originating from an unusual address, or failing to address you by name. Some can be more convincing and even look like they have been sent to you by friends. If in doubt, don’t give your details out.
Hang-up, no you hang-up: imagine it – you receive a call from
your bank telling you your account had been compromised and you need to act fast to save your cash! You’d do exactly as you were told right? But stop, this is a scam. Your bank would take its own steps to prevent fraud on your account, it would never require you to give out your full account number, password, PIN or hand over your card to a courier – ever. Even if you’re convinced you’re on the phone to your bank – never give out this information.
Payment protection insurance (PPI) refunds: you receive a text or call from someone claiming to be your bank, the Ministry of Justice, or a PPI company telling you that you’re owed money from mis-sold PPI. But, you must pay an administration fee before the refund can be processed. Don’t give away any money! If you have a PPI complaint, you can come to the ombudsman for free and save yourself giving your cash to claims managers unnecessarily.
Prize fund
For more information go to www.rochdale.gov.uk
THE NEXT ISSUE OF
OLDHAM, ROCHDALE & TAMESIDE IS PUBLISHED IN NOVEMBER
Online shopping scams: many of us are beating the queues
by shopping online these days – and the good news is that the majority of transactions are completed with no problem. But always be wary of a seller (or buyer) who asks you to complete transactions outside of the official payment channels like PayPal – as you may find you’re not protected if the item you’re buying, or the money for the goods you’ve sold, doesn’t show up.
We hope these tips help you get ahead of the game. But if you’ve lost out to a fraudster, don’t panic. Tell your bank what’s gone wrong but if you’re still not able to get things sorted out, the ombudsman may be able to help on 0300 123 9 123 or www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk.
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For details of advertising CALL 01204 860 197 or email artwork@mcgrathmedia.co.uk today.
Planning for Retirement Retirement in 2015 means different things to different people with each perception as individual as they are.
They look on the lack of someone else’s superimposed routine, the unstructured days and the more relaxed lifestyle as halcyon days ahead. And, indeed, this is often the case for many people who have had the foresight to plan ahead to ensure that retirement gives you exactly what you want.
Many may have looked forward to retirement for years as the natural end to a satisfying career – or the welcome finish to a job they’ve hated.
Early financial planning may certainly be the key to that golden retirement, provided you take a realistic look at your day-to-day living expenses and ensure
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that you have enough money to cover everything. It’s also worth, though, factoring in other, perhaps less obvious potential expenses, like needing transport if you’re not well enough to get around under your own steam, or having some extra available for unforeseen situations. If you can, look at your living costs up to 10 years before you actually retire and allow for extra increased utilities, bills and possibly more frequent holidays. On the other hand, you can exclude bills like travel to and from work and, possibly, mortgage payments. It’s worth adding your pensions together to see if there is a shortfall. Consult past providers or employers for up-to-date pension statements and get a forecast
place relating to how you can take your pension; again, go to the gov.uk site to find out more.
...plans and planning together as one or both of you enters this phase of your life is essential...
Anne Marie points out that, for couples “plans and planning together as one or both of you enters this phase of your life is essential, so that you can communicate your wishes, needs and desires effectively.”
Make an appointment with a specialist Independent Financial Adviser for advice on getting the most income out of your pensions. Either go on personal recommendation from someone you know well or go to the Association of Professional Advisers (APFA) to find one at www.apfa.net Consider your daily running expenses and see what you can shave off and still enjoy life. Look at where you live – do you want to downsize and is this more realistic financially? Get expert advice on these life-changing decisions at the Age UK website www.ageuk.org.uk
She advises planning for the potential challenges “but also plan for the pleasurable things in life so that you are making time for you to do what you want to do.”
Psychotherapist Anne Marie Alger warns that, although retirement is seen as a positive new life phase by some, for others there is a loss of role, loss of structure to the day, week or year, loss of financial security and a loss of work friendships, contact and companionship.
Talking about your concerns, your hopes, your feelings with loved ones, family and friends before actually retiring, during the transition and once you are embedded in retirement is vital.
“Although leaving work is supposed to remove us from the stress and anxiety, adverse effects can quickly increase, particularly if your social life is very much tied up with work,” she explains. “Retirement can have a detrimental effect on both mental and physical health. Indeed, there has been a drive towards Work Longer Live Healthier – a study illustrating the link between economic activity, health and Government policy, suggesting that in the long term, retirement can be ‘bad’ for your health.
of your State Pension through the Government’s pension site www.gov.uk/contact-pension-service See if you can save more, perhaps paying in more, and monitor whether your current savings are working hard enough. Check out the new auto-enrolment scheme as it’s also usually worth starting. Up to five years before retirement, look at moving any stock market investments, including pensions, to safer havens to avoid losing out in case of any last-minute falls. Check your National Insurance contributions are up to date, track down any old pensions or other accounts and start investigating Annuities. Six months before retirement, check your final pension and how it will be paid to you. Major changes are now in
“What happens if you’re not ‘ready’ to finish work, and it feels enforced, or you don’t feel prepared? Does it raise a question of ‘who am I now if so much of your life has been tied up with your employment, your job role, your position, hand in hand with your confidence, your value and your self-worth?” There are also the expectations of those around you to cope with now that you have “all this time on your hands.” Are you now perceived as a carer, a childcare provider, and will there be increased demands from family and friends about how you spend your time? All these factors can become the everdarkening cloud that moves across your lovely, bright retirement sky and dims it substantially. However ….. we are back to planning here and how you can banish that cloud forever.
Anne Marie Alger Psychotherapist
Pets can often prove real friends in retirement. Dogs make sure you get some healthy exercise, although it’s worth being realistic about the size and type of dog you keep. Cats, birds and rabbits can also provide company, and a reason to get up and on with your routine which includes caring for them. If you can’t have a pet at home or prefer not to, how about volunteering at a local animal shelter or dogs’ home? Volunteering generally is great in retirement because you not only get out of the house and meet new people but also genuinely give back to your local community. This may be in a charity shop or local hospital or as a volunteer regularly helping with children’s reading in school. Become a reading mentor through charity Beanstalk (formerly Volunteer Reading Help) at www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk or ring for more information on 0207 729 4087.
Taking up a new hobby, joining a walking group or learning a new sport like badminton or bowls are all positive possibilities now that you have the time. So why not just enjoy life?
by Angela Kelly WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK
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Would you like to help children in your community have a better start in life? Far too many boys and girls in the UK fall badly behind in literacy in their first few years at school. Most of these children never catch up, leaving school without basic reading skills or good qualifications. Providing children with one to one support in reading can have significant impact on a child’s literacy. This is why Save the Children has launched Born to Read, in partnership with children’s literacy charity Beanstalk. Save the Children UK are looking for volunteers to visit primary schools to support children who are struggling to read. If you are passionate about literacy, patient, a good listener and able to visit a local primary school to give a child the support they need to become a better reader then we’d love to hear from you. We ask that you can commit to 90 minutes twice a week for one academic year. You can sign up at any time during the school year. We will provide full training, on-going support and access to a wide range of exciting resources to support you in your role. All volunteers will be subject to a full enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check and reference checks. Born to Read has opportunities for Volunteer Reading Helpers throughout Greater Manchester available now. To find out more about the Born to Read programme visit www. savethechildren.org.uk/borntoread or contact 020 7012 6997 or email volunteersupport@savethechildren.org.uk
Claim your Free Guide to releasing the equity in your home. How much cash could you release? If you’re a homeowner aged 55 or over then you could use an Equity Release plan to unlock some of the value tied up in your property. This guide will explain all the facts. Equity release may involve a lifetime mortgage or home reversion plan. To understand the features and risks, ask for a personal illustration.
Lump sum of cash Repay existing mortgage Settle debts No monthly payments Maintain 100% ownership Move home in the future
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WILL YOU HELP GIVE A CHILD A BETTER START IN LIFE? Become a volunteer reading helper in your local area. You could give a child the skills and confidence they need for a brighter future. Find out more: www.savethechildren.org.uk/borntoread 020 7012 6997 volunteersupport@savethechildren.org.uk
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FOOD & DRINK
Cook with the stars!
John Torode, Paul Hollywood and James Martin JERK CHICKEN SERVES 6 To get a more authentic jerk experience, add some wood chips to your barbecue and cook your chicken thighs or legs over slow indirect heat for the best flavour. Alternatively enjoy a beautiful jerk chicken breast cooked over a high heat – it should be ready in 10 minutes or less. 12 chicken thighs, bone in, or 8 large chicken breasts
MARINADE
1 large bunch spring onions, or 2 smaller bunches 2 tbsp soy sauce 2 tbsp vegetable oil 1 tbsp salt juice of 1 lime 1 /2 tsp dried thyme, or 1 tbsp fresh thyme 1 tbsp allspice berries 1-10 scotch bonnets (start with a small amount and add more later if you think it needs it) 1 thumb-sized piece ginger 3 garlic cloves 1 /2 small onion 2-3 tbsp of brown sugar
rode John To
To make the marinade, put all the ingredients in a blender and process until you have a purée. Don’t add more water if you’re having trouble getting it all blended, just keep turning off the blender, stirring it up with a spatula, and trying again. Eventually it will start to blend up nicely. Now taste it. It should taste pretty salty, but not unpleasantly puckeringly salty. You can also now throw in more chillies if it’s not spicy enough for you. If you think it tastes too salty and sour, try adding a bit more brown sugar until things seem good and balanced. Put the chicken pieces in a bowl, cover with the marinade and leave overnight. Next day, cook the chicken over a smoky fire for 15 to 20 minutes, turning about six times during cooking.
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CHICKEN WITH COCONUT DRESSING SERVES 6
50g palm sugar 50ml fish sauce 400g can coconut milk 6 chicken thigh fillets
2 red Thai shallots 1 /2 red pepper, cut into julienne 2 small red chillies, cut into julienne 50g cucumber, cut into julienne 10g roasted peanuts 4 lime leaves, cut into very fine julienne 30 coriander leaves 6 squares banana leaf, to serve
Bring the palm sugar, fish sauce and coconut milk to the boil in a large saucepan, add the chicken and poach until the chicken is cooked through. Leave to cool. Mix the other ingredients (except the banana leaves) together in a bowl. When the chicken is cool, cut it into 1cm thick strips and toss into the salad. Lay a banana leaf at the centre of each plate and pile on the salad. Drizzle with some of the poaching liquid and serve.
FOOD & DRINK 2. For the filling, slice the onion finely; cut the swede and potato into small, thin strips; keep each separate. Cut the beef into small, thin pieces and divide into 5 portions.
CORNISH PASTIES
3. Heat the oven to 200°C/Gas 6. Divide the pastry into 5 equal pieces. Roll each out on a lightly floured surface to a 3mm thickness and cut out a 24cm circle, using a plate as a guide. 4. Scatter a scant layer of swede on the pastry semi-circle, leaving a 1cm border. Add a similar layer of potato, season lightly and top with some onion. Repeat the swede and potato layers, seasoning as you go. Check the pasty will close, then add the beef. Add a final layer of onion, season and dot with butter. 5. Brush the pastry border with a little beaten egg, then close the lid of the pasty, making sure that the edges meet. Press together firmly and then crimp the edges together by pinching all the way round between your thumb and forefinger. 6. Fill and seal the remaining circles of pastry in the same way. Place the pasties on 2 baking trays and cut 2 small slits in the middle of each one. Brush the pastry with beaten egg. Bake for 20 minutes, then lower the oven setting to 160°C/ Gas 3 and bake for 30 minutes longer. Best eaten hot from the oven.
SERVES 5 This is the original portable meal, eaten by Cornish tin miners and farm labourers. The pastry had to be robust to make it portable, and it was quite common to have a savoury filling at one end, sweet at the other. It now has protected status and must be made in Cornwall. The vegetables need to be cut thinly so they almost melt into the meat on cooking, and the crimping is all-important. I was told that you need 21 crimps to make a proper pasty.
Pastry
450g plain flour ½ tsp salt 115g cold lard, diced 75g cold unsalted butter, diced About 90ml ice-cold water 1 egg, lightly beaten, to glaze
Filling
1 large onion 120g swede 1 large floury potato, such as King Edward or Maris Piper 400g beef skirt 50g butter Salt and pepper
EQUIPMENT
A 24cm plate (to use as a guide) 1. To make the pastry, mix the flour and salt in a large bowl, add the lard and butter and rub in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in enough water to make a fairly firm dough, then knead briefly until smooth. Shape into a ball, wrap in cling film and chill for at least 30 minutes.
Paul Hollywo od
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FOOD & DRINK
Your perfect recipe needs top quality ingredients...
POLLO ALLA CACCIATORA HUNTER’S CHICKEN 750g/1lb 10oz chicken thighs and drumsticks salt and freshly ground black pepper 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 large onion, finely sliced 1 garlic clove, crushed and left whole 1 small red chilli, sliced 2 sprigs of rosemary 2 sprigs of thyme a handful of parsley, roughly chopped 2 bay leaves 4 sage leaves 125ml/4fl oz/½ cup dry white wine 1½ tbsp tomato purée (paste), dissolved in 3 tbsp lukewarm water 175g/6oz cherry tomatoes, halved
James Martin
SERVES 4 This classic Italian dish is renowned all over the world and often seen on the menus of Italian restaurants. The title alla cacciatora (‘in the style of the hunter’) suggests it was probably first made with game birds or rabbit.
Bury Market, winner of BBC Radio 4’s Food and Farming Awards (Best Food Market) really has it all. With over 350 stalls open every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday you will find our friendly traders sell everything you need for making delicious home-cooked meals.
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However, as with many Italian dishes, it also has roots in the cucina povera, when people used whatever meagre ingredients they had to hand; in this case, a chicken or, more likely, an old hen, was slaughtered for a special occasion and, to make it go further, enriched with whatever vegetables and herbs were available in the garden as well as a splash of homemade wine. It is made all over Italy and here I have recreated it in the way it is normally made in my region of Campania, using lots of herbs and fresh tomatoes. I like to serve this rustic dish with slices of toasted country bread drizzled with extra virgin olive oil. Rub the chicken pieces all over with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan, add the chicken and seal well all over. Add the onion, garlic, chilli and herbs and cook for a couple of minutes on a medium heat. Add the wine, increase the heat and allow the wine to evaporate slightly. Add the diluted tomato purée, then stir in the cherry tomatoes. Reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid and cook gently for 1¼ hours, until the chicken is cooked through; the flesh should come away from the bone and there should be no sign of pink when you pierce the thickest part. Serve hot.
For a slow cooker
Heat the oil in a large deep frying pan and cook the chicken as above. Continue as above, add the tomatoes, plus 300ml/10fl oz/1¼ cups chicken stock. Bring to the boil, then transfer to a large slow cooker pot. Cover and cook on Low for 7–8 hours or until there are no pink juices when the chicken is pierced with a small knife.
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BRITISH BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION LAUNCHES FAMILY CAMPAIGN INSPIRED BY WINNIE-THE-POOH AND FRIENDS TO HELP SAVE THE BEES
London, 25 June, 2015: England’s honey bees are still in trouble – that’s the verdict of a new study from the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA), which has launched a unique ‘Friends of the Honey Bee’ campaign inspired by Winnie-the-Pooh and friends. The campaign, which has been created in partnership with Egmont Publishing - the publisher of the classic Winniethe-Pooh stories - aims to publicise the threats to Britain’s honey bee population. The famous characters feature in a newly created ‘beefriendly’ guide that highlights simple and fun activities for families to do together over the summer in the great outdoors to help our honey bees. It is available in print as part of the BBKA’s ‘Friends of the Honey Bee’ member pack, or free to download from www. friendsofthehoneybee.com. The BBKA annual study surveyed 900 British beekeepers selected at random, to establish the impact that last winter has had on honey bee colonies. Nationally, colony losses were 14.5% last winter, continuing the declines observed over the last three years. There were regional variations*: the West (-18%), North East (-15.5%) and Eastern regions of England (-14.7%) being the areas that have seen the biggest drops. This year’s loss rose by over 50% in comparison to last year (9.6% in 2013/14), and despite not being as high as the decline rate in 2012/13 (33.8%), the results show that colony losses remain at an unacceptably high level. Poor and variable weather, bee diseases and pests such as Varroa, and starvation due to lack of honey stored in the hive are all suspected to have contributed to the decline – underlining the importance of plenty of good nectar and pollen forage being available for honey bees, throughout the year.
And although three out of five (63%) British adults are aware that honey bees are on the decline and 86% understand the vital part that honey bees play in the health of the environment, two-thirds (67%) have little or no idea of what they can do to help, according to supporting research amongst 2,000 British adults and children. To help families understand the part they can play, the new ‘bee –friendly’ guide includes a brand new short story and ten simple activities to support British honey bees - all featuring Winnie-thePooh and friends in various parts of England, lovingly drawn by illustrator Mark Burgess, who coloured the original E.H Shepherd black & white art and the latest book ‘Return to the Hundred Acre Wood’. The consumer research also provided an insight into the next generation’s views about care of the environment. Over four out of five (83%) British children aged 5-10 believe it is important to look after our environment. However less than a quarter (22%) of children are aware of any steps they could take in order to help save the honey bees –
although three quarters (76%) would like to help if they were told the honey bee was struggling to survive. David Aston, President of The British Beekeepers Association says: “While many people are aware of the plight of the honey bee, there are many that don’t know what they can do to help. We hope that by supporting our ‘Friends of the Honey Bee’ initiative with the brand new guide inspired by Winnie-thePooh, families across the country can get involved, making a practical contribution and supporting bee health research.” Commenting on the partnership, Nicole Pearson, Associate Publisher from Egmont Publishing said: “Winnie-thePooh is famed for his love of honey, so who better to encourage families to get out and about and take part in fun activities that can help support our honey bees. We’re very excited to be working with the BBKA to support such a worthwhile cause.” For more information on supporting the honey bee and to download the ‘bee-friendly’ guide inspired by Winnie-the-Pooh and friends visit www.friendsofthehoneybee.com
WINNIE-THE-POOH’S 10 SIMPLE STEPS TO HELP SAVE THE BEES, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE BBKA*** 1. Plant your own window box 2. Create your own vegetable patch or tub together 3. Plant a flowering tree in your garden 3. Make some ‘seed balls’ and throw them into the wild 5. Use arts and crafts to educate the younger generation on the importance of bees e.g. finger puppets, painting bee pictures, knitting bees etc. 6. Learn to become a beekeeper yourself by attending a course through the British Beekeepers Association 7. Bake together at home using local honey 8. Build habitats 9. Volunteer for your local beekeepers association or visit your local apiary 10. Don’t panic, if you see a honey bee swarm, contact your local beekeeping association. ***Further information on the activities to help save the bees is available in Winnie-the-Pooh’s ‘bee-friendly’ guide – available to download free from www. friendsofthehoneybee.com
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