Preston & Fylde Issue 62

PRESTON & FYLDE COAST EDITION 62

MAY - JUNE 2022

Bill Bailey

THE MULTI-TALENTED ENTERTAINER

Value for Money Gardening

CREATE A GREAT GARDEN WITHOUT SPENDING A FORTUNE

Maritime Canada A TALE OF TWO CITIES

Home

LIVING SIMPLER AND CHEAPER

WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Coach Holidays Ltd. Refreshments available whilst travelling on our coaches, our door to door service makes it a relaxing holiday from start to end, two staff are with you on the journey, to ensure that we are….”Taking you There, with Pride & Care”

Tuesday 31st May to Monday 6th June £825pp .... SRS £90 Based At: The Royal Hotel, Ullapool (1 Night) No Lift, but some ground floor rooms.

The Cabarfeidh Hotel, Stornoway (2 Nights) No ground floor rooms, but a lift.

SIGHTSEEING IN SCOTLAND’S HEBRIDES What’s included: l 6 nights half board accommodation at the hotels listed opposite. l All CalMac ferry crossings l Porterage l All coach travel l Door-to-Door Service l Excursions and Entrances : Sightseeing extravaganza of the Scottish Hebrides.

Dark Island Hotel, Liniciate (2 Nights) No lift, but some ground floor rooms.

The Ben Nevis Hotel, Fort William (1 Night) No lift but some ground floor rooms.

Request a brochure for full details.

Reeves Coach Holidays Limited, Unit 9, Stancliffe Street Industrial Estate, Blackburn, Lancashire BB2 2QR

EDINBURGH TATTOO Sunday 14th August to Tuesday 16th August £325pp .... SRS £75 Set against the backdrop of Edinburgh’s imposing castle, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is one of the most iconic events in Edinburgh’s calendar. Bringing together audiences from across the globe, the Edinburgh Tattoo celebrates the skills and talents of military bands and display teams from throughout the world. There are few such moving festival moments, a fact to which any of the over 220,000 people who experience it live in any noral year can attest – not to mention the further 100 million who watch television broadcasts of the event!

Based At: The Stirling Highland Hotel The Stirling Highland Hotel has a fully equipped gym, spa, and indoor pool. The hotel has no lift.

What’s included: • 2 night’s half-board hotel accommodation (kindly note that evening meal is not included at hotel on day of Edinburgh Tattoo) • All coach transportation • Door-to-Door Service • Entrance and Excursions to: • Carlisle • Peebles • Edinburgh and it’s Edinburgh Military Tattoo • Moffat. (Porterage is not available on this tour).

Other holidays available, kindly contact our office for a copy of our brochure.

Door-to-door collections service please note that restrictions may apply, please check your postcode with our office to ensure you are within our free collection area.

For bookings call 01254 830545 or complete the reservation page at www.reevescoachholidays.co.uk

CONTENTS | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

Bill Bailey

Food

THE MULTI-TALENTED ENTERTAINER

VIBRANT SPRING RECIPES

Travel

Towneley Art Gallery & Museum

MARITIME CANADA BY SALLY DOWLING

DAVID TOMLINSONS - LIGHT IS COLOUR

IN THIS ISSUE

19

AFFORDABLE MOBILITY The North West’s No.1 Stannah Stairlift Installer

2-3

REEVES COACH HOLIDAYS Taking you there, with pride and care

20-22

6-7

DAISH’S HOLIDAYS Self drive & coach inclusive breaks

HOME Living simpler and cheaper

24-25

8-9

TRAVEL Maritime Canada

GARDEN Value for money gardening

30-31

10-11

TWITTERING ON

By Angela Kelly

STEVE HOWARTH’S TEST DRIVE Taking a look at the Suzuki S-Cross

14-15

BILL BAILEY The oldest celebrity to win Strictly Come Dancing

16

SWING INTO SPRING at Heskin Hall Shopping Village

17-18

VIBRANT SPRING RECIPES with a healthy twist

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

To read more interesting articles visit our website www.50plusmagazine.co.uk 4

26years years experience 26 Thinking of Home Improvements?

UPVCWindows Windows Doors ••UPVC && Doors Contact ALL WEATHER PLASTICS for Quality Composite Doors Doors • Composite you can count on and Peace of •Mind all at a French Doors • • French Doors price you can afford • Bi Fold Doors

• Bi Fold Doors Fascias,Soffits Soffits && Gutters Gutters •• Fascias, Established in 1992 DryVerge Verge • Dry l• Fascias, Soffits & Gutters l •Upvc Mock Tudor & Doors Windows Mock Tudor • l Rockdoors • Velux Windows l• Composite Velux Windows Doors Full Re-Roofs l •French Doors Full Re-Roofs • l Bi Fold Doors l We members of Dryare Verge

We areTudor members of Mock l Velux Windows We are alsoo lWe Fullare Re-Roofs alsoo approvedd approvedd We are members of l

Why choose us?

Best Quality Products Great26 products & excellent after sales service years experience 1000's of Satisfied Customers The Master Great Guild products & excellent afterafford sales service all at aof price you can Local Installations available to View • UPVC Windows & Doors Craftsman all at a price you can afford • Composite Doors Unrivalled Friendly Service & Certassofapproved For more photos and addresses completed Doors jobs go to • French Very Competitive PricesFor more photos and addresses ofFold completed jobs go to All our has insurance Doors • Biwork No Deposits - Pay on Completion backed guarantees.

Soffits & Gutters • Fascias,

l l l l

www.allweatherplastics.com www.allweatherplastics.com • Dry Verge

l l

• Mock Tudor We have satisfied customers Velux Windows ALL Work carried out comes•with anear you.

ALL Work carried out comes with a

Since 1992 we have completed thousands of contracts so no matter where you live we WILL provide Re-Roofs • Full you with a list of local addresses that show the quality of our latest work ... and the beauty of our old.

Come and see why so much of our business comes from our Below Weown arecustomers membersrecommendations. of is a selection of completed projects. For a more comprehensive list, please check our website.

FREE Insurance Backed Guarantee FREE Insurance Backed Guarantee

TEL: 01204 413924 TEL: 01204 413924 7 & 9 The Croft EUXTON

9 School Fold HESKETH BANK

o 1 Fareham CloseWe are also 26 Steeple View approved dON RIBBLE FULWOOD ASHTON

& excellent after sales service 17 Juniper CroftGreat products 6 can & 11 Windgate Fold all at a price you afford CLAYTON LE WOODS TARLETON

For more photos and addresses of completed jobs go to

www.allweatherplastics.com www.allweatherplastics.com

Work out comes with now for acarried FREE no obligation quotea % OFFCall usALL

FREE Insurance Backed Guarantee

01772 323620

PLACED

st AUGUST

QUOTE:or

0818

TEL: 01204 413924

go to our website to make an appointment.

Self-drive & coach inclusive breaks

GREAT VALUE 5 DAY HALF BOARD BREAKS

£194 from

per person

When it comes to inviting, relaxing breaks, we have the ideal holiday for you..

Whether you’re looking for a romantic break for two, a family holiday or getting away with friends, Robinsons’s Holidays offers 12 hotels in 10 of the most popular UK destinations. Our fleet of 26 luxury Mercedes coaches provide return travel in comfort and style from your pick up point and will take you directly to your hotel, aiming to arrive between 3 – 5pm.

If you’d like to get out and about to explore the local area on your holiday, then all of our breaks can also be booked on a self-drive basis so you’ve got the freedom of having your own car.

Request your brochure now!

Every break includes: Return coach travel (self-drive option available)

Comfy en suite accommodation

Breakfast & 3-course evening meal

Live nightly entertainment*

Trip Advisor’s Travellers’ Choice We are proud to announce that five of our group – Bournemouth Sands, Daish’s, Devonshire, Abbey Lawn, County – have been awarded the coveted TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice award for 2021.

Isle of Wight

Torquay

Bournemouth

Llandudno

Newquay

Blackpool

Lake District

Scarborough

Eastbourne

Weymouth

Don’t miss these coach inclusive breaks!

Local pick up points from make it easy to get away.

Price includes return coach travel from: Poulton Le Fylde, Fleetwood, Cleveleys, Bispham, Blackpool, St Annes, Lytham, Freckleton, Preston, Bamber Bridge, Charnock Richard Services.

All offers are subject to availability and standard terms and conditions (see brochure or website for T&C’s).

DATE

HOTEL

DAYS

PRICE

DATE

HOTEL

MAY

DAYS

PRICE

JULY

20

Hotel Prince Regent – Weymouth

5

£244

02

Devonshire Hotel – Torquay

5

£234

24

Daish’s Hotel – Isle of Wight

5

£194

07

Hotel Prince Regent – Weymouth

5

£289

30

Somerset Hotel – Llandudno

5

£249

08

Esplanade Hotel – Scarborough

5

£284

09

Somerset Hotel – Llandudno

5

£284

JUNE 02

Russell Hotel – Weymouth

5

£209

26

Imperial Hotel – Eastbourne

5

£289

04

Sands Hotel – Bournemouth

5

£209

29

Barrowfield Hotel – Newquay

5

£254

08

Imperial Hotel – Eastbourne

5

£254

11

Abbey Lawn Hotel – Torquay

5

£219

02

Abbey Lawn Hotel – Torquay

5

£279

25

Daish’s Hotel – Isle of Wight

5

£229

15

Sands Hotel – Bournemouth

5

£274

27

Barrowfield Hotel – Newquay

5

£209

16

Hotel Prince Regent – Weymouth

5

£299

17

Esplanade Hotel – Scarborough

5

£294

20

Daish’s Hotel – Isle of Wight

5

£274

27

Devonshire Hotel – Torquay

5

£274

29

Russell Hotel – Weymouth

5

£279

Quote - 50PlusBP Call - 01254 889900 or visit daishs.com

AUGUST

facebook.com/robinsonsholidays1 Prices shown are per person based on two people sharing a Standard Room. Supplements apply on twin/double rooms with sole occupancy.

Optional local excursions can be booked at the hotel. Many more coach or self-drive holiday dates available in 2021. If you would prefer to self-drive, deduct £20 per person from prices shown. Offer ends 30th May 2022

10 fabulous locations, 12 great hotels.

Bournemouth

Llandudno

Newquay

Weymouth

Weymouth

Eastbourne

Bournemouth Sands

Somerset Hotel

Barrowfield Hotel

Hotel Prince Regent

Russell Hotel

Imperial Hotel

Isle of Wight

Scarborough

Torquay

Torquay

Blackpool

Lake District

Daish’s Hotel

Esplanade Hotel

Devonshire Hotel

Abbey Lawn Hotel

Daish’s Blackpool Hotel

County Hotel

Call 01254 889900 or visit daishs.com

facebook.com/robinsonsholidays1

@RobinsonsHolida

TRAVEL | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

50 Plus Travel

sponsored by

Halifax Seaport Farmers Market is just next door and a great place to pick up a coffee and locally baked cinnamon roll whilst browsing local crafts and produce.

Follow the boardwalk towards the centre of town and you will come to pop up food vendors offering the local delicacy ‘poutine’ (chips with curds and gravy) and the famous lobster rolls. I know which I prefer! In the summer you may come across an outdoor concert; our visit co-incided with the annual Mac n’Cheese Festival – quite an experience!

Maritime Canada

by Sally Dowling

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

On arrival you will be relieved to find that it doesn’t take long to clear immigration, the bonus of a small airport. Pick up a rental car or take the airport shuttle bus and in about 30 minutes you will be downtown.

Halifax has a laid back and relaxed atmosphere which appealed to us. It has a strong maritime history and all the main city hotels are within easy reach of the historic waterfront. This was by far my favourite part of town whatever time of day. The 4km boardwalk has fabulous views over the ocean with thoughtfully placed traditional Adirondack chairs and inviting hammocks available along the way.

At the southern end is the Cruise Terminal where the visiting liners dock for a day or two of sightseeing. Here you will find the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. A fascinating place where you can follow the timeline of immigrants, arriving from all over the world, who helped make Canada the successful multi-cultural country that it is today.

8

Also on the waterfront is the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, a fascinating insight into the seafaring history of Halifax. Discover the emotional stories of both the Titanic Disaster, and the devastating Halifax Explosion of 1917 when nearly 2000 people lost their lives.

Follow the part that Halifax played in WW2 as a major port for the North Atlantic Convoys and understand shipbuilding over the ages.

A 2-day stopover doesn’t give you time for everything and Halifax boasts some great museums and galleries, immaculate Victorian Gardens and the Citadel – a national historic site. This star shaped fort is situated on the top of the hill overlooking the harbour and was built by the British to defend the city. The grounds inside the fort are open all year with guided tours available from May to October. Be prepared for the daily firing of the ‘noon day gun’, a tradition dating back to 1857.

VIA Rail Canada From Halifax we took the VIA Rail overnight ‘Ocean Service’ train to Montreal. 24 hours on a train is quite an experience and made a change from driving. VIA Rail offers two main fare options – a reclining seat with access to a buffet car to buy snacks and light meals, or a sleeper cabin which includes meals and also gives access to a lounge with free WiFi and, of course, the iconic viewing car.

Our cabin was bijou – I think that is the word to use! Swinging cats was not really an option but it did have full ensuite facilities and was very comfortable. We had been advised to check our suitcases into the luggage car and just take a small overnight bag on board, great advice. Our steward welcomed us on board at 1.00pm and explained how everything worked and we were soon feeling at home. Lunch was served within 15 minutes of us leaving Halifax, a full 3 courses including a rather delicious dessert! During the afternoon we joined fellow passengers in the viewing car, we swapped stories over complimentary snacks, coffee and tea, and enjoyed watching the countryside change from pine forests, across rivers, over vast plains and through small rural communities. Our route took us north through Nova Scotia, into New Brunswick and finally Quebec. A 10 minute stop in Moncton gave us the chance to stretch our legs, then back on board for a delicious 3 course dinner. Meanwhile our cabin was being expertly transformed into bunk beds, complete with complimentary chocolate on the pillow. We drew straws for the top bunk (he won) and were soon rocked to sleep as the train sped through the night. Breakfast was early as many passengers disembarked at Quebec. Freshly cooked eggs, bacon and all the usual fare plus fruit, pastries and lots of coffee. All too soon Montreal came into sight as we left the countryside behind and headed for the high rise buildings on the horizon.

Train travel is a really great experience especially in Canada, and VIA Rail didn’t disappoint.You have total relaxation for 24 hours, WiFi is available if needed but it was a treat to just ‘switch off’.

Montreal This is one sassy city where French is spoken almost exclusively, and that includes signage and public announcements. Montreal is a complete contrast to Halifax with its streets shaded by towering skyscrapers in the downtown area, and an atmosphere of hustle and bustle. Suddenly we were back in the land of the big brand stores, designer boutiques and familiar restaurants.

With just 2 days at our disposal we soon worked out how the Metro worked, it is very straightforward and great value at just CAD10 for a 24-hour ticket. We hit the ground running and after dropping our bags at our very central hotel our first stop was Montreal’s historic old town and a ride on La Grande Roué, Montreal’s big observation wheel. It was a perfect late summer day with a clear blue sky, and we enjoyed views in every direction. Having just arrived it was a good way to orientate ourselves with the different parts of the city. From the wheel we walked into Vieux Montreal, the old city, an area of cobbled streets, bars and cafes bedecked with flowers. The elegant and historical building that houses the Bonsecours Market showcases the best artisan shops and galleries with original artwork and crafts on sale.

The following day, with the skies still blue, we took the Metro to the Olympic Park, much of it is currently closed for renovation but we did enjoy a ride the funicular to the top of the observation tower.

Famous for its 45-degree tilt, it is the tallest inclined tower in the world. A short walk away are the Botanic Gardens and this for me was the highlight of Montreal. There is so much to see that you need to put aside plenty of time and pace yourself.You will find seats hidden away that entice you to rest for a while, overlooking lakes or

gardens or just in quiet corners. Explore the expertly maintained specimen gardens, the gloriously colourful Chinese Garden or sit by the lake and watch the many species of birds that make the gardens their home. Planting changes with the seasons so there is always something new to enjoy.

Our last morning we explored Mount Royal, originally a small extinct volcano and now a sprawling area of parkland overlooking the city. In summer the park is host to open air concerts, picnicking families, hikers and cyclists and in the winter it becomes a winter sports playground. We were just content to sit and admire yet more views from the massive terrace in front of the Mount Royal Chalet.

The long walk back downhill was just what we needed before setting off for the airport and the flight home.

ilver Travel Advisor recommends Frontier Canada silvertraveladvisor.com/travel_partners/frontiercanada/ Or call 0800 412 5678 for further information, quotes and to book your Canadian holiday.

Find your very own escape to the country Mount Pleasant Park is an exclusive community for the over 45s in the picturesque village of Goostrey. Nestled in the heart of the countryside its combination of beautiful views and rural charm, with high quality housing and private gardens, offer residents the very best in modern retirement living. Come and experience life on the park for yourself.

New Homes Available From £269,950 t: 01933 427800 e: info@tingdene.net www.tingdene-parks.net 9

TWITTERING ON

|

50 PLUS MAGAZINE

TWITTERING ON

BY ANGELA KELLY It is, though, wonderful to see the honed talents competing, whether in exciting Luge and ice-hockey, soaring ski-jumping or elegant ice-dance.

It all seems like another world, really, and it is. Only the Scots, who have the weather and the resilience, seem to be able to make their mark on any of the Winter Olympics.

Thank goodness they’re an important part of Team GB! Just love Roy Orbison’s hit Only Baloney!

IT’S something we’ve all done at one time or another – singing the wrong words to a popular song with all the quiet confidence of someone who believes they’ve got it absolutely right.

Winter Olympic fun warms up British audiences UNTIL just a month or two ago I don’t think many of us knew a wick from a wobbler or a bone from a butter.

But after the Winter Olympics from Beijing, we’ve learned a lot about curling and snowboarding, which respectively boast these moves.

Of course, one of the things we’ve definitely learned is that there are a large number of other countries which are much better at everything from bobsleigh to biathlon than we are.

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

They can’t take the curling from the UK, though. Our girls, lead

by Eve Muirhead, took gold in the final against Japan – going one better than our men’s team which took a valiant silver.

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

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

Watching the Kathryn Heigel film 27 Dresses on TV the other day brought home to me the delights of singing completely the wrong lyrics with real gusto.

She totally mangled the Elton John song Benny and the Jets during a drunken evening in a bar but the results proved so entertaining.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The last time I went skating, my youngest daughter (now 38) fell and ended up in A & E with a suspected fractured elbow.

It was a birthday treat and she and her pals (giddy eight year-olds) thought the best bit was sitting having their McDonalds’ happy meals as increasingly grisly injuries trooped past. I digress.

10

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

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

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

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

There’s three year-old Golden Retriever Milo who has given his owner a new lease of life after he started losing his sight.

Milo has prevented him from being injured including stopping him from crossing a road during a dangerous police car chase, thus saving his life.

Then there’s Chewie, a five year-old rescue dog, who saved his owner’s life when he alerted his wife to the fact that he was having a cardiac arrest.

Newfoundland dogs Storm, Sonar, Bob and Walker provide water therapy as a form of suicide prevention. These natural water rescue dogs offer a wonderful calming influence for people considering suicide, swimming happily with them.

Hero dogs come in all shapes and sizes DOGS are truly remarkable, aren’t they? Anyone who owns one will attest to that.

Today, though, they seem even cleverer. So it’s great to see that the famous Kennel club has a Hero Dog Award which is announced at Curfts 2022.

Four year-old Golden Retriever Ruby works as a therapy job for her owner who has cerebral palsy. Springer Spaniel Simba can quickly detect a variety of ignitable substances. He helps his handler to work out the cause of fires set deliberately and bring murderers to justice.

I know such training takes long and dedicated hours by humans but, we have to admit, there is something special about dogs that allow their talents to be honed like this.

However, don’t tell our mad Jack Russell, Ollie, that he’s any more special than he already thinks he is. He knows he’s top dog in our house.

or email: help@aamail.org 11

LEISURE | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

DAVID TOMLINSON: LIGHT IS COLOUR picture house too. Busy pubs and clubs to boot. Under the tables I sat, chattering adults and singalongs were early memories, then late walks home. Fish and chips was a regular tea as mum and dad would arrive home late. A Lowry painting was firmly pinned on the chippy’s wall, “it looks like this around ere!” I thought. It fascinated me, a painting of industrial Salford was here and I was there!”

After finishing school, he talks about starting the world of work.

“Up to start work at 8am. “You’re going to be a plumber”, “Thanks dad” I said. £2-11-6 was my wage for a 48 hour week, a six year apprenticeship, and indentured as well”.

11 Dall Street (Home), watercolour and acrylic on paper, 1999

Towneley Hall Art Gallery & Museum are thrilled to be hosting a retrospective exhibition of over 80 stunning artworks spanning both our temporary gallery spaces. The show documents the compelling paintings of locally rooted artist David Tomlinson.

A recent piece of work by Tomlinson depicting Burnley Wood was chosen by Vic Reeves and Grayson Perry to be exhibited at Manchester Art Gallery’s exhibition from the 2020 lock down series screened on Channel 4, Grayson’s Art Club. This caught the eye of staff from Towneley Hall who were interested to know more about his work!

Since 1986, painting and drawing has been a daily devotion for David Tomlinson, inspired by all that surrounds him. His art is almost a religion, he paints and draws every day. This dedication is reflected in the proficiency of a unique visual style created alongside a distinct voice. This retrospective explores the relationship between the artist, dedication to their medium and the subject matters which inspire on a daily basis. Covering many decades of David’s artwork it is orientated around the people, buildings, places and spaces of Burnley, documenting his artistic journey, one of immense life change and a search for a different way of being.

His journey until this point had been typical of many people growing up in his community, working and bringing up a family, until an incident at the age of 38 changed his life forever. Suffering from a severe heart attack, David became unable to work. To aid with his rehabilitation he joined a painting for pleasure course where a new journey began to take shape.

Experiencing much praise from his tutors he enrolled at Burnley College on a BTEC course which opened up all kinds of doors and possibilities to future artistic development, embedding a deep sense of self-worth as his creative life began to blossom. In the 1980’s he spent three years studying at Liverpool University and completed a BA Hon’s Degree where he travelled from Burnley to Liverpool weekly, stopping in a YMCA to break up the long commute.

From the wilderness of the moorland that surround industrial border towns like Burnley, to capturing the change in light and space in urban environments he shows a strong passion for painting outdoors.

“Learning to capture the changing light, the weather and moods of the landscape enable me to paint instinctively without the art theory and dictums, it gave me a freedom to embrace my own way of working, way of seeing, and my own style.”

Reflecting on his time growing up in Burnley Wood David speaks of a fondness and sense of belonging for the area.

The bold colours and use of space typify his unique style. A connection with people as well as their surroundings is evident, capturing the feel for the souls inhabiting these environments and the spaces in between. The exhibition includes many portraits and self-portraits which embody hues of colour and strong distinctive shapes.

“Burnley Wood, terraced houses two-up-two-down, the bakers, barbers, greengrocers and cobblers. Our chapel and church, local

After graduating from university David continued to paint and draw. One large body of his work documents the many changes

12

which happened in the Burnley Wood area of the town around the turn of the Millenium.

“A wealth of life experience, aspirations and memories had driven me to create a body of artwork in response to what I felt was the loss of identity of Burnley Wood. A place I still love and visit regularly. Around the time of the Milennium I witnessed the destruction of buildings and the doorstep infrastructure in the local community and attempted to come to terms with this through my artwork; expressing the passion and disillusionment I felt. Responding to the abandonment of place but also the human spirit.”

“During the fragmentation of parts of Burnley Wood I helped to establish and run a community arts group at the One Stop Shop community centre, in an attempt to explore new ways of creating art with a community looking for ways of bonding as a group and exploring new way of being expressive.”

This emotive and unique body of work depicts Tomlinson’s development as an artist, as a human, as his therapy and as a community collaborator. His documentation of the Burnley Wood area is prolific and works as an almost artist residency in his own local community.

Towneley Hall are thrilled to be showing this extensive and varied body of work from a talented and dedicated artist linked to the local community. The exhibition opens on the 18th June 2022 and runs until the autumn.

Breakfast in McDonald’s Burnley, mixed media on board, 2014

Art Gallery & Museum

David Tomlinson Light is Colour A retrospective exploring Tomlinson’s unique view of Burnley and it’s people. The exhibition also includes his detailed documentation showing the vast changes to the Burnley Wood neighbourhood.

18th June to 30th October 2022 12:00 - 17:00 (last entry 16:00) Adult 12 month pass £5.50 Children 17 and under & Students FREE

For more information visit:

www.towneley.org.uk

13

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

|

50 PLUS MAGAZINE

BILL BAILEY THE MULTI-TALENTED ENTERTAINER WHEN comedian Bill Bailey waltzed, quick-stepped and hiphopped his way to the glitterball trophy in December, 2020, he became the oldest celebrity contestant to win Strictly Come Dancing.

He was probably also the unlikeliest winner because the smart money would not have been on a balding 55 year-old with no track record of dancing. However, the gambling sceptics would have been badly wrong.

Our Bill proved to be a light-footed, athletic dancer, a quick learner with dance partner Oti Mabuse and a delight to watch.

Not to mention a poster-boy for all males over 50 who believed they could never be a dance hero.

Yet, a quick look at Bill Bailey’s background – and a seat at any of his many sell-out shows – would reveal a multi-talented entertainer with daredevil inclinations when it comes to tackling new challenges.

Born Mark Robert Bailey in Bath, Somerset his father was a GP. Bill recalls: “He taught me patience. It sounds like a terrible pun but it’s true. He has an immense ability to listen.”

14

Bill was educated at the independent King Edwards School and was highly academic until around the age of 15 when the thrill of performance as a member of the school band distracted him.

He did, though, take his music A level (which he passed with an A grade) and later became a classically trained musician at the London College of Music.

He was also a keen – and talented – cricketer, often leading the singing on the long coach journey back from away fixtures. He was given the nickname Bill by his music teacher for being able to play the song Won’t You Come Home Bill Bailey so well on the guitar.

Recalled Bill: “None of the kids knew what he was on about, but it stuck.”

Bill started his studies for an English degree at the University of London but left after a year. He performed with a boy band called The Famous Five and also got early acting roles – including a part in the Workers’ Revolutionary Party’s stage production of The Printers which also featured Vanessa Redgrave.

Born with a lively sense of humour and a vivid imagination, Bill began touring with comedians like Mark Lamarr and in 1984 formed a double act, the Rubber Bishops, with Toby Longworth.

Here he began developing his own style, mixing musical parodies with a personal take on traditional jokes and humour.

He combined his theatrical talents and comedy in 1993 when he performed in Rock at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with Sean Lock. The show was about an ageing rockstar and his roadie and was later serialised for the Mark Radcliffe show on BBC Radio 1.

Bill’s career at this stage was not yet soaring so he went solo the next year with a one-man show Bill Bailey’s Cosmic Jam. This led to a recording at the Bloomsbury Theatre in London which was broadcast in 1997 on Channel 4 as a one-hour special called Bill Bailey Live.

This was the first time that Bill’s trademark combination of music, post-modern gags and funny ramblings came together to create the style that would make him famous.

In 1998, the BBC gave him his own TV show Is It Bill Bailey? and he won the Best Live Stand-Up award at the British Comedy Awards the following year. Bill Bailey had arrived.

Guest appearances on radio and TV shows like Have I Got News For You and Room 101 introduced Bill to a wider audience. His quick wits made him a regular on intellectual panel game QI and he had several acting roles on TV programmes including E4 teenage series Skins, the BBC show Hustle, Jonathan Creek, Midsomer Murders and Worzel Gummidge.

He also starred in cult comedies Spaced and Black Books.

It is, however, his stage shows which have consolidated his fan base and earned him new followers all over the world. Last year, he took his new touring show En Route To Normal to venues across the UK and Ireland and this year he is off further afield to Europe and later in the year to Australia.

Bill is an accomplished musician and plays a variety of instruments including piano, guitar and keyboards. He is a big fan of progressive rock and heavy metal and presented Peter Gabriel with the Prog God award at the 2014 Progressive Music Awards.

He is plainly an admirer of Gabriel whom he has described as “perhaps the most ambitious, influential and innovative musical wizard on the planet.”

He is an avid Star Trek fan and in 2003 named his son after the Star Trek: Deep Space 9 character Dax. In fact, he often refers to himself as a Klingon and claimed, during his Part Troll tour, that his ear-mounted microphone made him look like “a wizard in a call centre and “a Klingon motivational speaker.”

Bill keeps an open mind about all new areas of music. He once said: “I don’t reject popular culture – I’m not the sort of grumpy old man who says ‘Well, I actually switched off after 1982.’

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

Bill Bailey is not your ordinary Joe to behold, either. He auditioned for the role of Gimli the dwarf in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in 2001 and his nickname is Bilbo.

The long, untidy hair, the beard and the piercing eyes are now immediately recognisable. “I first grew a beard out of terror,” he reported.

“About 20 years ago, my friend and I were staying in a very heavy area off Times Square in NewYork. People would stick drugs in your pocket and then say you owed them money.We grew emergency beards and affected the hobo look to protect ourselves.”

And it looks very much like this eccentric image has helped Bill Bailey win hearts and minds ever since. Oh, and that glitterball trophy.

• For details of Bill Bailey’s 2022 appearances go to https://billbailey.co.uk/live/ 15

Swing into Spring ...

COACHES WELCOME

Shop, Eat & Relax

Over 40 Boutique Shops All Under One Roof Gifts, Clothing, Homeware, Art, Toys, Jewellery, Butchers, Deli, Fruit & Veg, Furniture, Pottery Studio, Music Shop, Occasion Cakes & Cake Decorating Supplies, Home Decor, Stoves & so much more!

The Two Birds Tea Room makes the perfect stop for lunch or a snack!

Homemade Sandwiches, Toasties, Soup, Salads, Cake, Coffee, Wine & Beer, Daily Specials, Afternoon Teas & More.

FREE PARKING & FREE ENTRY

We look forward to seeing you!

OPENING TIMES Mon - Closed Tue - Sat 10am - 5pm Sun 10.30am - 4.30pm Bank Holidays 11am - 4pm Wood Lane

|

Heskin

|

Chorley

|

PR7 5PA

|

T: 01257 451464

www.heskinhallshoppingvillage.co.uk

FOOD | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

VIBRANT SPRING RECIPES FROM MALDON SALT

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

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

Method Begin my preheating the oven to 180C. Prepare the parsnips by simply cutting the larger ones in half lengthways but keeping any small one’s whole. Place them into a roasting tray and drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil, some Maldon salt and cracked black pepper. Toss them so they are well coated and then place in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, turning halfway through.

They should be golden brown and crispy on the edges.

While the parsnips are cooking, prepare the couscous. In a saucepan, cook the couscous according to the packet instructions. Once cooked, drain and remove from the heat. Add the remaining 2 tbsp olive oil, plenty of Maldon salt and cracked black pepper. Allow the couscous to cool.

Once the couscous has cooled and the parsnips are out of the oven (and also cooled). Stir the finely sliced red onion, chopped parsley, sultanas and crumbled feta into the couscous. Check the season and adjust if needed.

Pile the couscous onto a serving platter and top with the roasted parsnips. Garnish with the pomegranate seeds, a little textra parsley and a drizzle of pomegranate molasses.

17

FOOD

|

50 PLUS MAGAZINE

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SPAGHETTI

This recipe shows you how easy it is to make butternut squash spaghetti by spiralizing the squash, which makes a great and healthy alternative to pasta. You can make different sauces for your squash spaghetti; however, this is a lighter alternative which uses burrata, courgette, mint and lemon.

Method Begin my peeling and deseeding the butternut squash. Then cut into sections and using a spiralizer, create long ribbons which look like spaghetti. Place a large frying pan on the heat and drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil. When the pan is hot, add the butternut squash spaghetti and sauté for 5 – 7 minutes until softened and golden. Remove from the heat.

While the butternut squash is cooking, place a second small frying pan onto the heat and drizzle in 1 tbsp olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the slices of courgette and fry for a few minutes on each side so they are golden and toasty – you made need to do this in batches. Remove them from the heat.

Now you can plate up – pile a golden heap of butternut squash spaghetti onto two plates. Top with some burrata, fried courgette slices, diced chilli, fresh mint leaves and some lemon zest. Finish each plate with a final pinch of Maldon salt, some cracked black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.

18

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

Stannah Stairlift Installer

AVAILABLE Call for a FREE Home Survey and Quote

% 01200 444 254

The North West’s No.1 Stannah Stairlift Installer

HOUR INSTALLATION

Straight Stairlifts from

£1150

£

ONLINE VAT EXEMPTION

WE WONT BE BEATEN ON PRICE, QUALITY OR SERVICE

AUTHORISED DEALER

Curved Stairlifts from

£3500

Rental Stairlifts from £55 per month Why buy a Stannah Stairlift from Affordable Mobility?

• • • • • • • • • •

Peace of mind buying a Stairlift from a Stannah Authorised Dealer High Quality and Stylish Stairlifts that will stand the test of time Renowned Stannah high Quality and Reliability Affordable solutions for EVERY budget, New, Pre-owned and Rentals Fantastic customer feedback. Hundreds of satisfied customers.

TRUSTIST Customer Rating of 5 out of 5.

Full technical backup and spares support from Stannah In-house Stannah trained Technicians 24/7 peace of mind cover Friendly helpful staff, no high pressure Sales

Affordable Mobility, 40 York Street, Clitheroe, BB7 2DL www.affordablemobility.co.uk www.stairlifts2u.co.uk

HOME | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Local hospices and the Salvation Army may also take furniture.

They will certainly take household items at local charity shops along with unwanted, good-condition clothes, shoes etc.

20

old, inefficient gas BOILER with a modern energy-efficient one could make a big difference.

Energy-saving LIGHTBULBS can also help cut your energy bills and if you don’t already have a room thermostat, programmer and thermostatic radiator valves, installing them and using them well could provide another useful saving.

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

For anyone living alone or working from home, investing in an electric heater could save on heating bills over time as you’re not heating the whole home unnecessarily. However, be careful with your electric heater as electricity is much pricier than gas per hour.

If you really don’t want to move house but need to cut your bills, consumer experts Which? provide a good place to start. Go to https://www.which.co.uk Which? Switch may be useful if you need to switch ENERGY SUPPLIERS. They also advise choosing paperless bills and managing your account online as some companies charge extra for paper bills.

Paying by direct debit is also usually cheaper and sending regular meter readings can keep your bill accurate.

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

When replacing an appliance, Which? points out that you can cut your electricity bills by choosing the most energy-efficient model.

The most visual indication of a product’s energy efficiency is its EU energy-efficiency rating. Which? also tests items like washing machines so it could be worth a look.

LOFT and CAVITY WALL INSULATION can save you a large amount each year. If you have it already, it might be worth topping it up as this can also help reduce heat loss.

You can also reduce heat loss by replacing WINDOWS with single and double glazing.

Heating is responsible for more than half of your energy bill each year so replacing an

25% OFF AND NO VAT TO PAY

£1899 Call for a quote today: 01282 01204882021 827131l www.sagars365.com *15% off for a limited tine. Interest-free credit available over 10 months (subject to approval). £1899 after the 15% discount has been applied.

21

HOME | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE If you don’t use a CHIMNEY or fireplace, put an inflatable pillow inside to block the chimney or fit a cap over the chimney pot. For loft hatches, use draught-proofing foam strips to keep the heat in, Keep rooms you don’t use closed and well-insulated and keep heating down to a minimum. Many of us spend a lot more time in the kitchen or central living areas over the colder months so these are areas to concentrate on.

Lined CURTAINS help with insulation and making your home heating work better – they’re also cosy, even on chilly Summer evenings. BLINDS on bare windows not only feel cosier but also brighten up rooms and so make us feel better all year round.

If you need more living space rather than less, CONSERVATORIES and ORANGERIES not only add more areas in which to live daily but also add to your insulation – along with the value of your home.

Stop heat from escaping through unwanted gaps around DOORS and windows with effective draught-proofing. Use draughtproofing strips around the windows; brush strips work better for sash windows.

On doors, use draught-proofing strips around the edges and brush or hinged-flap draught excluders at the bottom.

Take a real look at the way your life is at home and work out whether you could use space better and more efficiently.You might need an office space, a workout area, somewhere for the children to study or just better utilisation of the rooms and areas there already.

Sometimes, by re-configuring the rooms you have – whether by internal building work or just by usage – you can streamline the way you live.

MILLENNIUM BLINDS Simply beautiful blinds We are now proud to exclusively offer motorised blinds that are fully compatible with:

Remote Control.

Amazon Alexa.

Mobile Apps. (iPhone & Android)

30% OFF

ALL MOTORISED BLINDS

50% OFF ALL WOOD VENETIAN BLINDS

Also BIG DISCOUNTS on: Romans, Rollers, Velux and Vision

From £89 FREE Measuring!

FREE Fitting!

Unit 5D, Springvale Mill, Waterside Road, Haslingden, Rossendale, BB4 5EZ. 01706 228424.

22

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

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

www.rossendaleinteriors.com

23

GARDEN | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

Viburnum opulus ‘Compactum’

Create more plants Division is just one way of propagating your plants. Depending on the plant type you could propagate by taking cuttings, sowing saved seeds or using a layering technique (encouraging a branch or shoot to root by bending it down to soil level). Whichever way it’s not difficult to stock a whole garden with plants for free.

If that sounds like too much bother you could always invest in a few self-seeders to do the work for you. Left to their own devices plants like eryngium, verbascum and alliums will simply shoot up again from where their seed has fallen to the ground. Just don’t be surprised when they pop up elsewhere too when carried and dropped by the wind or birds.

VALUE FOR MONEY GARDENING

You can create a great garden without spending a fortune on it.

Gardening writer Julia Heaton tells how.

The soaring cost of living needn’t be a barrier to creating a gorgeous outdoor space. With a little forward planning, tips, tricks and gardening know-how you can get far more out of your garden than you would think. All without having to dig deep in your pockets for the pleasure and satisfaction it brings.

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

For instance Viburnum opulus ‘Compactum’ has clusters of white flowers in spring and red berries in autumn. And while heucheras offer up tiny summer flowers they also have interesting year-round foliage (except in the worst winters). For a delightful small tree you can’t better Amelanchier lamarckii with coppery coloured leaves in spring followed by an abundance of white flowers. In autumn its leaves turn orange and red and it even has black fruits – what a winner.

Wherever possible choose perennial plants that will come back year after year. They may look small and cost a bit more to begin with but they’ll grow bigger and better, unlike bedding plants that give their all in one season and then are gone. Perennials also have another major point in their favour and that’s the fact that most can (and should) be divided after three or four years. Lifting and separating the root mass not only keeps the plant healthy but provides you with new ones – only this time it’s for free.

24

Money well spent If you’ve spent lots of money in the past on planting, only to have some die when you haven’t been able to provide the care and attention needed, then have no fear. There are tough types that actually thrive on neglect so you can be assured your money is being well spent. For foliage interest go for variegated zebra grass.

Or for architectural form and spikes of scented yellow flowers there’s Mahonia Charity. How about daylilies? These produce robust clumps of leaves and a succession of trumpet-shaped flowers that are often scented.

Peonies are long-lived cottage garden favourites, one of which is Paeonia Officinalis ‘Rubra Plena’. Growing to a height of 30in (75cm) it’s one of the earliest to flower and survives on neglect.

And, of course, a wildflower seed mix scattered over prepared soil can be left to do its own thing while also being great for wildlife.

Low maintenance types will pretty much take care of themselves but you’ll still have to ensure they are properly established to begin with.

Supermarket savings Growing fruit and veg makes sound financial sense too given rising supermarket prices. Choose edibles that you not only like to eat but will also give you a high yield in a small space. And there’s no smaller space than a hanging basket. Tomato ‘Tumbler’ will produce a steady cascade of cherry tomatoes. Just make sure they get enough water. And cut-and-come-again salad mixes in containers are so much better than the expensive bagged baby leaves in store. Simply sow your own every few weeks from late spring onwards, then snip, eat and wait for a new crop to grow.

Verbascum

Don’t forget to establish a patch for your favourite herbs and go for fruits like damsons that can be frozen for use all year round. Prunus Insititia ‘Farleigh Damson’ is a regular cropper and makes a good jam too as well as having attractive spring blossom.

Water wisely Installing a water butt will allow you to store rainfall via guttering and save money on your water bills in the long term. Buy one now to capture any of those pre summer showers and to have it ready for winter rainfall. Think too about reusing bath water. Because of what it is likely to contain this ‘grey water’ is best applied direct to the soil, not foliage, using special syphon kits to empty straight into the garden or water butt. Try to use eco-friendly soaps and bubble bath as part of this process.

Use water retaining granules when potting up plants so you don’t have to water as often. Similarly a 3in (7.5cm) layer of bark or

compost, applied as a mulch around the base of plants, will help to conserve moisture in the soil.

Water your garden in the hours before and after sunset or in the morning before 10am. Any other time and it is likely that water will be lost through evaporation.

It all goes to prove that having a garden you can be proud of doesn’t need to involve spending lots of money. Choose the right plants, make the most of gardening techniques and you’ll not only save pounds but also gain a satisfaction that money just can’t buy.

SAFETY & QUALITY NEVER COMPROMISED

Prices start from

£800

The Premier Garage Door range blends the convenience of power operation with smooth, vertical opening and the benefits of insulation to provide the perfect solution for any garage.

Manufactured from foam filled aluminium lath, available in a full range of colours and four wood effect finishes. We are confident we can accommodate your requirements and enhance your property.

Operated by a tubular motor complete with a manual override facility and controlled by a comprehensive remote control system to include courtesy light and full safety system we guarantee all year round access.

Features include a unique auto-lock system to prevent the door from being lifted when in fully closed position and a safety brake mechanism to prevent the door from falling when in the fully open position, making your garage safe and secure at all times.

Additional benefits compared to conventional garage doors are the reduction in noise and heat loss whilst freeing up valuable garage space. A vehicle can be parked within 50mm of the door inside or out without disrupting operation.

Acorn Door Systems Your local garage door company Sample colours The above swatches are for guide purposes only and do not represent an exact match.

www.acorndoorsystems.co.uk

Phone: 01254 704132

ACORN DOOR SYSTEMS

25

Forget fence worries for good

For a FREE, no-obligation quote, find out more via:

01772 954181 | colourfencepreston.co.uk *t&c’s apply - see website for details

l

CLEARANCE LINES

l

IMMEDIATE DELIVERY

Open 7 days • FREE local delivery

Beds yland BedsLeyland & Furniture Furniture • Bedroom furniture

• Beds, mattresses, frames, special sizes also available • Occasional & dining furniture • Fireside chairs • Sofa beds

• Pictures, mirrors & accessories • FREE parking

• Ex-display items to clear at GREATLY reduced prices

Family run business for over 15 years

Call: 01772 622509 | Email: info@leylandbedsandfurniture.co.uk

Address: Knowles Mill, Leyland Lane, Leyland PR268PH – At the bottom of Golden Hill Lane 27

HEALTH | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

HOW TO ACCESS YOUR SURVIVOR MINDSET IN CHALLENGING TIMES

The last two years have taught most of us how resilient we can be, but many of us are wondering how we will cope with further challenging times that we may face in 2022, especially if we are already feeling exhausted. Difficult or stressful times can affect our responses, behaviours and beliefs. Our basic survival responses are instinctive, but we each have a preferred response to threat, whether it’s fight, flight, freeze or appease, as a result of learned past experiences and other factors, which means we are likely to behave in a particular way. So how can we access our survivor mindset to cope with the bumps and twists and turns in the road ahead?

Believe that you can cope. A survival mindset means we have a solid faith that whatever the situation is, it is survivable, and our brains begin to take charge in dealing with problems. The opposite to this is a victim mentality which can halt us in our tracks and will have an impact on our ability to make logical decisions, solve problems, manage stress, feel motivated and collaborate with others.

Deal with conflict so you can focus on the job ahead as a team.

International mediator and conflict specialist, Jane Gunn says: “Any conflict, or anything that threatens our needs and interests, values, attitudes and beliefs, is reacted to as if it were an immediate threat to our survival. But if there is a culture of transparency, honesty and respect then conflict flare ups can be diffused early (but not swept under the carpet) leaving the team to work well when we most need them to.

Rest is vital after stress. Neuroscientist and business psychologist Dr Lynda Shaw says: “When we experience danger or stress, the Sympathetic-Adrena-medullar (SAM) axis quickly responds 28

releasing adrenaline and noradrenalin. Our heart rate increases and our ‘fight, flee or freeze’ response is activated. Whilst the HypothalamusPituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis is slightly slower to respond, it will then be triggered to release cortisol from the adrenal glands. Cortisol is useful in the short term because it helps the brain’s use of glucose for energy, but it is toxic if it continues for too long. What is important is that we need the Parasympathetic Nervous System (rest and digest) to take over from the Sympathetic Nervous System (fight or flight) to find calm again when any immediate threat is over. Look after yourself well, take time to step away from stressful situations, prioritise good quality sleep and try and enjoy stress-busting exercise.

Communicate effectively and listen deeply. Jane Gunn says: “Learn about, understand and acknowledge every aspect of problems arising at work. Poor communication is at the heart of many relationship breakdowns, conflicts and disputes and leads to talent loss, poor productivity, low morale and loss of sales.”

Take a wider view: “We interpret everything we see, hear or experience in business according to our pre-existing view of the world but everyone understands the world in their own way We all have our strengths and knowing what yours are and playing to your strengths, and then knowing when you could benefit from the help of others is key to good survival in difficult times.”

Show empathy to others. “Put yourself in the other person’s position and understand why they see the world and their specific problems in that way to build trust and relationships. Trust in those around you and encourage others to trust in you”.

Be positive to build your resilience. Dr Lynda Shaw says: “Keep stress in check so it doesn’t become an added danger to you physically and mentally. Know you can be resilient. Build a plan, be adaptable, flexible and nimble. Whilst not everything can be controlled, a lot can be. Be positive – all challenges come to an end.”

Stay social. “Our social needs are treated by the brain in the same way as physical needs such as food or water. Business leaders need to build this into hybrid working in the future.” www.janegunn.co.uk and www.drlyndashaw.com

What will be?

What will youryour legacylegacy be?

Leaving a gift in your Will ensures we can continue our work giving shelter to over 1,000 animals each year.

We depend totally on the generosity of our supporters.

ANIMAL CARE has a long history in the Lancaster & Morecambe area so by remembering us in your Will you are supporting a local charity in a lasting way.

About Harvey...

Harvey is the friendliest of all our greyhounds, he is a very handsome sweet boy who loves one-on-one attention. All our greyhounds were quite nervous when Greyhound, Male, they first arrived but Harvey has really come out of his 3 years 6 m onths old shell now. He trusts the staff and he loves a cuddle.

He enjoys playing in the paddock with the other greyhounds and walks well on the lead. Harvey has a high prey drive so would need a new owner who can control him. We are unsure what he would be like with young children but feel they would be ok with dog savvy kids over 7 years. As he has come to us via a racetrack he has not lived in a house so will need a little help with house training but he is very clean in the kennel. He can not be rehomed with other small dogs or pets (cats, rabbits etc. ) Please call us for more information. All our Greyhounds were rescued just in time. They have had a difficult past so are understandably worried about meeting new people sometimes. But since they have been with us we have really seen them begin to shine and all their personalities are coming out.

They are wonderful dogs and should definitely be given a chance. If you would like to know more about Harvey please call us between 10am - 4pm any day of the week 01524 65495 or alternatively you can email us: rehoming@animalcare-lancaster.co.uk

ANIMAL CARE is a small rehoming centre helping stray, unwanted and ill treated animals until caring new homes can be found for them.

Registered Charity No. 508819

Animal Care

(Lancaster, Morecambe and District)

Blea Tarn Road, Scotforth, Lancaster, LA2 ORD | Telephone: 01524 65495 | Fax: 01524 841819 Email: rehoming@animalcare-lancaster.co.uk | www.animalcare-lancaster.co.uk

MOTORING | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

STEVE HOWARTH’S TEST DRIVE passengers were more used to travelling in Porsches and Ferraris than a Suzuki!

However, initial lack of enthusiasm from my classic car comrades turned to respect for the very capable S-Cross with its mild hybrid powertrain set up giving up to a shade over 54mpg while 0 to 60 takes 10.2 seconds and it boasts a top speed of 121mph. It was also comfortable even with four on board and made short work of the 200-mile plus round trip.

Suzuki S-Cross REGULAR readers will know we went on the recent launch of the new Suzuki S-Cross and were suitably impressed - but what is the company’s flagship SUV like to live with?

Well those lovely people at Suzuki let us try out a range-topping Ultra Allgrip version for a week where it was put to some very different uses.

These ranged from trips to the tip to four very adult sized middleaged classic car fans travelling to Birmingham’s NEC for the Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show.

Tip trips were no problem as the S-Cross has 665 litres of load lugging capacity but the car show was a bigger challenge as my

30

The 2022 S-Cross is more economical than major competitors, well equipped and competitively priced, starting from £24,999 for two wheel drive versions up to £29,799 for our range topping 4×4, which went on sale in January.

All versions have 48V mild hybrid technology and there are now just two trim levels – Motion and Ultra. All versions also have the 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine with Suzuki’s Boosterjet technology.

ALLGRIP ‘Select’ four wheel drive is available as standard on Ultra grade while automated emergency braking, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, traffic sign recognition and Adaptive Cruise Control are standard across the range.

Standard specification also includes Apple CarPlay & Android Auto smartphone link, keyless entry and start, dual-zone auto air conditioning, heated front seats plus front and rear parking sensors.

Move up to Ultra specification and it adds a 360 view camera, leather upholstery, on-board navigation and a large sliding panoramic

sunroof. Six-speed automatic transmission is available on both grades for £1,350.

Suzuki say the new S-Cross has a more ‘bold and muscular’ design and this theme continues with a more spacious and versatile interior and an even higher standard and safety specification than the previous model.

Similar to the 12V Hybrid system that Suzuki has fitted to all Ignis and Swift 1.2-litre models, the 48V Hybrid Powertrain for new S-Cross is lightweight as it adds less than 15kg to the overall weight of the vehicle.

The system has a lithium-ion battery with integrated starter generator which acts as both a generator and starter motor, is belt driven and assists the petrol engine during acceleration. The battery stores energy recovered from deceleration and braking and incorporates an idle/stop function.

And while they are not the biggest car manufacturer by sales in the UK in many ways Suzuki are officially the best. The Japanese manufacturer has between one and two per cent of new car sales here but is repeatedly voted ‘most trusted’ brand as their dealers continue to get a big thumbs up from customers.

And I can also thoroughly recommend the Classic Car and Restoration show where almost every vehicle from the past 50 years was represented in various stages of rebuilding or as completed show stunners. So many cars so little time…

More info at www.suzuki.co.uk and www.necrestorationshow.com

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

OUTSIDE If you’re planning a celebration of life for your loved one, you can support the important work of St Catherine’s Hospice by choosing The Mill to cater for this poignant day.

The Mill Café is set in the beautiful grounds of St Catherine’s Park, Lostock Hall It’s available to hire for 40 people before 5pm or 120 people after 5pm

The Mill Outside catering service can bring delicious food to your chosen venue

With a wide range of catering options to choose from to suit your personal requirements

Contact themill@stcatherinespark.co.uk / 01772 695277 All proceeds from The Mill café and outside catering go towards funding the specialist care provided by St Catherine’s Hospice

31

“

A beautiful traditional market... there is something for everyone and lots to see and do

Peonies

”

AWARD WINNING VICTORIAN MARKET WITH 250 STALLS

VISIT

A day out for everyone to enjoy! From gourmet street food to doggy ice-cream, finely-crafted jewellery to designer clothing, bargain household goods to hand-made gifts and haberdashery you’ll find it all and more at Fleetwood Market.

NEW STREET FOOD COURTYARD!

· Open ·

9am to 4.30pm

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday

· Fully accessible and dementia friendly · Easy to find by tram, bus, coach or car!

Victoria Street / Adelaide Street, Fleetwood, Lancashire FY7 6AB

Cash machine on site Fully accessible

Follow us at FleetwoodMarket 32

FleetwoodMkt

www.fleetwoodmarket.co.uk

Free coach parking