Preston & Fylde Issue 64

What’s included:

Two night’s half-board hotel accommodation

All coach transportation

Porterage

Entrance and excursions to:

City of Lincoln

Sheringham

Afternoon performance at Thursford with its fantastic Christmas light displays, remarkable musicians, singers & dancers make it a real feel good visit.

Friday 30th December 2022 to Monday 2nd January 2023 £480.00 pp

Based at The Hydro Hotel, Peebles

Beautiful historic building set in the Borders of Scotland.

On site pool & spa facilities. Lift to all Floors.

What’s included:

Three night’s full-board hotel accommodation

Free Beverages whilst on coach

Hotel’s Hogmanay entertainment package

Use of hotel’s leisure facilities (pool/gym)

All coach transportation

Porterage

Door-to-door service

Entrance and excursions to:

Carlisle

Melrose

Peebles

Julie Walters

A NATIONAL TREASURE

IN THIS ISSUE

8-9 TWITTERING ON

By Angela Kelly

10-11 TRAVEL

Adventures aplenty for solo travellers

18-19 HOME

Making your home eco friendly

22-23 FOOD

A taste of the Mediterranean

Food & Drink

A TASTE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN

Bridgeman House

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

OCTOBER BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

October is breast cancer awareness month and is devoted to educating everyone about breast cancer and the importance of early detection through screening.

Be Breast Aware

See a GP if you notice any of the following changes:

Breast Cancer Facts

1 in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime

Approximately 55,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year

Breast cancer is the 4th most common cause of cancer death in the UK

For more information visit www.nhs.uk/breast

The earlier breast cancer is found, the better the chances of survival.

When it comes to inviting, relaxing breaks,

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.

Trip Advisor’s Travellers’ Choice

TWITTERING ON

BY ANGELA KELLY

Sporting emotion reminds us what it’s all about

WE’VE got very used to our top, often fame-weary sportspeople doing post-event TV interviews being very composed and predictable about their successes.

However, it’s taken the Commonwealth Games and the Euro 2022 women’s football tournament this Summer to remind us all just what top achievement really means after those many years of training.

The individuals in cycling, swimming, athletics and every other fascinating discipline in the Games dedicate their lives to their sport. They give up so much to follow a dream, curtailing family life and social fun for the necessary daily discipline.

Many of our top – let’s face it, pampered - athletes in all sports have very different lives. They are buoyed up by huge prize and appearance money and have supported lifestyles alongside their, no doubt much-deserved, success.

It’s no surprise then that, while they may celebrate with teammates on the football field or in the Formula 1 pits, there are certain given expectations about how well they will always do.

Flick to the other side of the coin and how many muddy playing fields, deserted tracks or half-empty local stadia are experienced by those still striving for top honours?

Amateur, minority or just less well-covered sports can be a lonely place even for the most dedicated and optimistic of individuals.

You don’t often see Premier League footballers in tears after a really important match. So to witness a young weightlifter’s emotions after winning gold at the Commonwealth Games or a track athlete almost unable to speak after gaining top honours is a reminder of what sport is really all about.

Who can forget England footballer Chloe Kelly’s wonderful sprint around the pitch,ecstatically waving her national shirt around her head, after scoring the winning goal in the Euros?

This was only partly eclipsed by the immediate post-match telly interview when a super excited Chloe so wanted to celebrate the win with her team-mates and the crowd that she cut short the interview, flinging the microphone to the ground.

No-one could fail to be infected by that fabulously natural and overwhelming emotion. The girl was so excited!

Those sort of moments, especially part-way through an athlete’s journey, make us emotional, too. And they help us to understand just what sacrifices have been made by them as well as their family and partners.

So, as a lover of sport, I’d just like to say “thank you” to all those in this year’s Commonwealth Games and especially to the Lionesses. You’ve renewed an interest in watching and taking part in sport which even age cannot dim.

Always be fit to fly

THE realisation that some airlines rely on medically-trained passengers to help in emergencies is rather worrying.

Most of us tend to assume that a crew member with some form of relevant training would always take over but a poll of medics carried out by the Medical Defence Union revealed that nine out of 10 doctors questioned had been called to help an emergency on a plane.

Small wonder, in these litigious times, that they are increasingly reticent to come forward when help is needed - in spite of internationally recognized “Good Samaritan laws” which should shield anyone from negligence claims if they try to help.

One problem, though, is that the tools they need are often missing and onboard medical equipment appears to vary. While cabin crews are trained in first aid, whose responsibility is it should a poorly person die on board after a medic has intervened?

The worrying news is that medical emergencies in the air are not uncommon with around one in every 600 flights. As, for example, 1,300 flights take off and land daily at Heathrow Airport alone that’s a lot of medical emergencies.

All British airlines’ crew have are required to stock a medical kit with supplies set out by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.

This involves 60 different items including a blood-pressure monitor and IV fluids to treat dehydration along with certain medicines including antibiotics for infections and adrenaline for allergic reactions. Apparently, though, some vital equipment can be missing.

Realistically, passengers need to be pro-active when planning to fly and not ignore health warning signs that could become a medical emergency mid-air.

This includes anyone who has had a stroke or heart attack in the previous two months and women more than 36 weeks pregnant or 32 weeks with multiple pregnancies.

Plainly, commonsense is needed here because we have to accept that getting on a plane and being in the middle of the sky for however many hours is just not the same as being within relatively easy reach of suitable medical help should we need it.

Princess Diana’s real legacy – her sons

TWENTY five years after her death Princess Diana is still influential in the modern monarchy. There are many who say that future king Prince William’s warmth and humanity come directly from her.

It certainly seems the normality of the parenting of his three children and family life with wife Kate owes much to Diana’s attempts to give her own royal family as down-to-earth an upbringing as possible.

According to a new book by former royal bodyguard Ken Wharfe, Diana incurred the wrath of her husband and other royal relatives by her determination to provide a grounded family life.

Not only did she do ordinary things like taking them to school but she wanted her children to speak to the many palace servants and to mix with everyone – much to the dismay of Prince Charles and others.

She also wanted to take her sons to the cinema, for a ride on the Underground and on a bus and wasn’t averse to slipping away from palace duties to freedom. Just going to Marks & Spencer to buy sausages for tea provided a fun experience for the young princes.

Much has been written and revealed about Princess Diana’s life as a royal but, as Diana the mother, her story and influence comfortably continues with the next generation.

50 Plus Travel sponsored by

ADVENTURES APLENTY FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS

Our first stop in Banff was filled with one incredible moment after another. We visited the major lakes including Two Jack Lake and Lake Minnewanka, we stopped at Bow Falls and viewed the stunning castle-style Fairmont Banff Springs, and took a short hike up Hoodoos Viewpoint to see the unique rock formations backed by gorgeous scenery. It didn’t take long for the group to gel as we marvelled at the landscapes and sheet beauty of Banff. There are certain activities that bring a group together like no other. Like taking a gondola trip up to the top of Sulphur Mountain, the eight-minute journey suspended in the air is a conversation starter and not for the faint hearted, but the views are well worth it. Or getting kitted up in helmet and high vis jackets for an e-bike tour around the town, que some light-hearted comedy as we got to grips with electric cycling and controlling speeds!

Travelling solo doesn’t limit the opportunity for activities and adventure, as Kerry Gallagher found out on a recent tour of the Rocky Mountains with solo travel specialist Just You.

The Rocky Mountains. An outdoor playground ripe for exploring. This isn’t a destination where you want to stay in just one place. There are mountains, lakes, rivers, icefields, canyons, and there are activities to be enjoyed at every turn – hiking, biking, river rafting, glacier walking and even some airborne adventures. It’s my kind of place. But as a solo traveller it’s nice to share these experiences with fellow travellers, a group you can rely on to encourage you along, overcome any nerves you may have, and of course, to take your picture in some iconic settings! That’s just what I found when I travelled the Rocky Mountains with Just You.

After arriving into Calgary we transferred to Banff National Park, and by the end of the 90 minute journey I already felt at ease thanks to our amazing tour leader, Lezli, who set the scene for the trip and made us all – each solo travellers in the same boat – feel completely relaxed about everything from rooming, to meal arrangements, but more importantly the amazing sights and scenes we were going to experience. With Just You every guest is allocated a room based on single occupancy so after a long journey and arrival at the hotel, it was so nice to retreat to my own space and unwind ready for the week ahead.

Before we left Banff we were in for, what I would consider, a pretty once-in-a-lifetime experience, and something as a solo traveller I probably wouldn’t have signed up for on my own – a helicopter flight over the Rocky Mountains. It was an unforgettable experience and all the better shared with others, the scenery was breathtaking and getting up close to some of the mountains was truly awe-inspiring – we could talk about nothing else over dinner that night!

Banff - Hoodoos Viewpoint

Athabasca Glacier

Our journey continued from Banff along the Icefields Parkway, a 227km stretch of road winding passed lakes, waterfalls and glaciers. Another benefit of travelling with a group is that you have more eyes to watch out for wildlife along the way –across our full journey we had seven bear sightings (black and grizzly), a moose, plenty of elk and bighorn sheep. Along this route we entered Jasper National Park, where our next adventure was glacier walking on Athabasca Glacier. It was another ‘pinch me moment’ as we stood on the glacier - 360 metres of compact snow built over thousands of years, deep enough to fit the Eiffel Tower. As we huddled in the cold for a group photo, our tour leader Lezli unexpectedly pulled out a bottle of maple flavoured whiskey to enjoy a toast and warm us up. It’s these extra little touches that make travelling with Just You really special.

After a brief stop in Jasper, we moved onto perhaps one of the most beautiful settings we visited – Lake Louise. Walking out from the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and gazing over the iconic lake scene ahead is magical. This is one photo you want to capture with you front and centre, glorious lake-scape behind, and by now, fellow travellers have become friends and are only too happy to oblige in taking the perfect picture as you pose away. Although pictures will never do this part of the world justice, it’s simply magnificent.

Our journey was drawing to a close with a final stop in Calgary, and it’s fair to say we genuinely didn’t want to say goodbye to the Rocky Mountains, or each other –what would we do without Lezli telling us where to be and what to do when we got back home! It’s strange that you enter the journey just a short time ago as complete strangers, but it’s impossible after sharing so much that you leave as anything other than travel buddies.

Follow in our footsteps

Kerry flew to Calgary with Air Canada and travelled the Rocky Mountains with solo travel specialist Just You. Tours with Just You include private chauffeur service to the airport, use of the airport lounge in the UK. return flights from London, accommodation based on single occupancy, selected meals and a tour manager For more information on solo travel and holidays to Canada speak to our Silver Travel Advisors on 0800 412 5678.

Lake Minnewanka

JULIE WALTERS A NATIONAL TREASURE

WHEN Julie Walters first really burst onto the British consciousness as the feisty hairdresser wanting to better herself in Educating Rita the nation was captivated.

This love affair with the slightly-built actress with the high cheekbones and the chameleon acting abilities has continued ever since – through must-see TV series, compelling theatre and memorable films.

Julie still has traces of the Birmingham accent of her childhood, born the youngest of three children in Edgbaston. She wanted to act from an early age but her Irish-born, iron-willed mother wanted her only daughter to become a nurse.

She dutifully applied to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham but, eventually, the pull of acting proved too strong and she went to study English and Drama at Manchester Polytechnic.

From here she joined a Liverpool theatre company and apprenticed as a stand-up comic, leading to stage appearances and a bawdy act on the cabaret circuit. Her time in Manchester

also led to meeting and collaborating with aspiring writer and comedienne Victoria Wood.

Two of their joint works Talent and Nearly A Happy Ending were snapped up by TV, to rave reviews, and in 1981 they were given their own TV series Wood and Walters.

The previous year, Julie had been a huge success starring in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s West End stage production of Educating Rita. For this in 1980, she won both the Variety Critic’s and London Critic’s Circle awards.

When the film adaptation was planned, Julie seemed an automatic choice for the main role but was not considered bankable enough by producers who favoured Dolly Parton for the role. When Michael Cain was cast, however, Julie was chosen and went on to receive her first Oscar nomination for this performance.

In 1984, she reunited with Victoria Wood for their winning TV partnership, notably in Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV. One of this series’ best regular slots was Acorn Antiques, with plotlines as

shaky as the scenery, and one of the main characters was general dogsbody Mrs Overall.

In this role, all Julie Walters’ comedic skills seemed to come together, mutually complimenting Victoria Wood’s writing skills, to create an iconic character which really engaged with the nation – and still does thanks to telly repeats.

Dinnerladies proved another remarkably success series with a talented cast including Julie as the mother of Victoria Wood’s character. This was in spite of Julie being only three years older than Victoria!

By then, audiences were used to the reliability of Julie Walters’ comic skills but at the same time she was also gaining plaudits for her stage work in more serious roles like Macbeth, The Rose Tattoo and All My Sons. She won a Laurence Olivier Award for the latter.

Unafraid to stretch her acting skills, though, she embarked on a series of film roles which definitely took her away from lightweight comedy roles. Her turn as brothel madame Cynthia Payne in the very successful 1987 film Personal Services demonstrated the breadth of Julie’s acting skills.

She was the unsophisticated, small-town wife of Phil Collins in Buster the following year and the man-chasing mum in Killing Dad or How to Love Your Mother in 1989.

She starred with Liza Minella as a tap student in Stepping Out in 1991 and was remarkable as Joe Orton’s mother in the critically acclaimed Prick Up Your Ears in 1987.

Perhaps one of her best films was the stern but encouraging dance teacher in Billy Elliott in 2000 which earned her a second Oscar nomination. Julie was now a popular choice for a range of highprofile roles and in 2003 she joined Helen Mirren in the hugely popular Calendar Girls, all about the WI ladies who posed nude for a charity calendar.

Julie played the maternal wife Molly Weasley in the Harry Potter films, bringing her usual quirky personality and warmth to this ongoing role.

Her more recent films include Wah-Wah in 2005, Becoming Jane in 2007 and in 2008 she went into unchartered waters with the mega musical hit film Mamma Mia! In 2018, she reprised the same role in the equally popular Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again!

In between, she fitted in surprise hit Paddington in 2014 and then Paddington 2 in 2017, Mary Poppins Returns in 2018 and The Secret Garden in 2020.

She is about to impress us once more on the small screen with a new Channel 4 drama series Truelove where the hype promises it “breaks he rules for older characters on screen”.

It’s a love story with a thriller element set against what happens when we age. Julie joins a starry cast including Clarke Peters, Phil Davis and Peter Egan and, unsurprisingly, the series is much anticipated.

Away from TV, film and theatre, Julie, now 72, is married to Grant Roffey and they have a daughter, Maisie.

Julie has had numerous awards and accolades including an OBE in 1999 and a CBE in 2008. Industry recognition for her work in film and TV includes five awards from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

Her seemingly star-studded life, though, has not all been plain sailing. Her daughter suffered from lymphoblastic leukaemia when she was two years old and received treatment until she was four, getting the all-clear at aged six.

Julie herself was diagnosed with Stage 3 bowel cancer in 2018 but, after surgery and chemotherapy, she entered remission.

She is very straightforward about her life and career. “I think there was a breakthrough period where I did Educating Rita and Victoria Wood’s work very close together,” she has stated.

“I’d just started to be known through Victoria’s stuff with Wood and Walters, which came out very close to Educating Rita. It was a quite a grand slam in a way for me, really useful for me doing those two things.”

As for life generally, she believes “Self worth is everything. Without it life is a misery.” And on the future:

“I don’t like the future sewn up. I like an open book – the feeling that anything can happen.”

And when it comes to Julie Walters’ career, anything usually does.

I FeeL ThAT I ShOuLd

LeT yOu kNOw ThAT I hAve eNJOyed dININg OuT whILe IN TeNeRIFe ANd beINg AbLe TO eNJOy eATINg The FOOd I hAve chOSeN. MANy ThANkS TO yOu, MARk ANd khuRRuM FOR ‘Re-buILdINg’ Me!

age and I had a lot dental work done on my lower teeth which was failing.

“I had swapped dentists a number of times and then the dentist I moved to retired,” recalls Jack, whose wife Shirley knew

TOTAL TRANSFORMATION

As an extremely active 83-yearold, Jack Morris has undergone life-changing, dental implant treatment that has given him the smile he has always wanted.

Jack has also seen the benefits to his health and confidence too – and it’s all thanks to the professionals at Renovo Dental.

Seeking specialist dental treatment, patients throughout the UK travel to the new, Ribble Valley-based Renovo Dental, where there is a top team of dental specialists, in-house dental technicians and general practitioners working with some of the very latest state-of-the-art technology.

In what was a complex challenge, the professionals at Renovo Dental formulated a dental implant plan that has been a huge success for patient Jack Morris

After wearing loose dentures for several years and being advised on numerous occasions there was insufficient bone for dental implants, Jack felt he had come to the end of the road in his attempts to resolve the problem.

But when he asked for a consultation with the team at Renovo Dental, he began to see light at the end of the tunnel, as he explains: “I had lost my upper teeth at quite an early

Dr Usman Riaz of Renovo Dental, having undergone implants with him almost a decade ago.

“She was highly pleased with her implants,” says Jack. “I had always been told that I had insufficient bone to have implants and that it would be too complex – I wasn’t making any progress in improving the situation so I asked Shirley if Usman would see me for an assessment.”

Usman, a highly experienced clinician with

Photography: Robin Lyndon

a special interest in aesthetic and implant dentistry, readily agreed to see Jack, who went along to the beautifully restored Renovo surgery in the village of Chatburn: “Usman carried out the assessment – and while he said implants would be quite complex, he said it was possible.”

Usman explains: “Jack had been told that implants just weren’t possible, but he persevered. He was struggling with loose fitting, partial dentures and was finding it difficult to eat.

“During the initial assessment a CT scan was done and yes, it revealed Jack didn’t have sufficient bone. So, we agreed that bone grafting was the solution.”

Bone grafting was performed to replace destroyed bone surrounding the teeth roots. The bone graft then helped to serve as a platform for the regrowth of natural bone.

Testament to their skills, the team at Renovo, carried out the bone graft procedure in the same visit as the implant placements.

“The team at Renovo have been superb! I can’t recommend them highly enough. They treat you as a client with total respect –you’re not just a number.

“All the staff are so reassuring. It’s made a terrific difference to my life,” says Jack, who spends time with Shirley in Tenerife each year. “I can now eat okay – and I like my food!” says the former award-winning Bolton butcher.

Speaking about Jack’s treatment, Usman adds: “Jack is a really sociable guy, prominent in the community and resolving his dental problems was a big thing for him. It wasn’t just about aesthetics it was a functional issue that was affecting his quality of life.”

As a brand-new clinic, Renovo has invested in the latest digital dental technology, including a state-of-the-art CT scanner which allows the team to plan and perform very precise implant surgery. This CT-guided surgery for implants is faster, easier and more efficient for surgeons and safer, more comfortable and results in faster healing for patients.

Preparation is the key to the success and the team of dental nurses, dental technicians and implant surgeons, all play their part on the day.

we FIRST MeT JAck

eARLIeR ThIS yeAR ANd INFORMed hIM hOw NOT ONLy hOw we cOuLd heLp, buT we cOuLd gIve JAck The SMILe he ALwAyS wANTed…

“No two smiles are the same, so there is no ‘one-size-fits all’ when it comes to this level of Implant dentistry,” says Usman. “Like all our other patients, the implants have completely changed Jack’s smile,” adds Usman. “Implants can transform people –they gain confidence and restore self-esteem. It may sound clichéd, but this treatment really does change their lives.” n

Renovo Dental treats patients throughout the region, who have been referred by their general dentist as well as self-referrals

Working alongside Usman on Jack’s dentistry was highly experienced specialist periodontist and implant surgeon Dr Khurrum Hussain, who completed specialist training in periodontology at the prestigious Eastman Dental Institute, London.

As a periodontal specialist, he deals with gum disease and the soft tissue surrounding the palate, degenerating bone issues and failing implants.

Following treatment to improve bone density and the health of Jack’s gums, a period of healing followed before the final implant-supported teeth were fitted – and the results have been transformative for Jack:

Renovo Dental Pendle House, Clitheroe Road Chatburn BB7 4JY 01200 441000 hello@renovodental.co.uk renovodental.co.uk

Photography: Robin Lyndon

Photography: Robin Lyndon

MAKING YOUR HOME ECO FRIENDLY IN 2022

NOT so long ago trying to make your home more eco-friendly was more of a political statement than anything else but now it’s a financial necessity.

Creating a greener, more environmentally-conscious place to live in makes economical sense when energy bills are soaring and the cost of everything we buy to eat or use has suddenly increased.

These can be small changes or bigger ones but the reality today in our homes is that looking after the environment makes sense all round.

One of the smaller changes that could make a big difference is switching to LED LIGHT BULBS. They are undoubtedly more energy-efficient, using less electricity than traditional light bulbs and they last much longer.

Consider RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY in solar panels. They convert the sun’s energy into electricity using photovoltaic cells to allow you to generate your own reliable, sustainable and lowmaintenance source of energy.

They also save on tonnes of carbon emitted nationally and add to the joined-up thinking of investing in an electric car and charging it at home.

ELECTRIC CARS are eco-friendly because diesel and petrolfuelled cars are major contributors to global warming via the CO2 emissions involved. Electric vehicles don’t use traditional fuels and they don’t produce any air pollutants or air toxics

In the home, invest in a SMART THERMOSTAT which is wi-fi enabled and can be remote-controlled from any smart device. A smart thermostat can be connected to your central heating system, all types of boilers and air conditioning systems.

This clever piece of technology that saves money on energy bills each year remembers your home’s heating patterns and reacts to outside temperatures. It will also automatically switch off your system when you leave the property and start it up again in time for your return.

If you need to change your washing, fridge freezer, oven or dishwasher consider buying an ENERGY-EFFICIENT APPLIANCE. It will have its own energy efficiency label which runs from A to G with A being the most energy-efficient.

Take a hard look at your CLEANING PRODUCTS and look at not only the price but what ingredients they use. Many contain detergents, preservatives or foaming agents made from toxic chemicals that can go into streams and rivers causing pollution and damage to ecosystems.

Try buying natural cleaning products or consider making your own. Vinegar, lemon juice and bicarbonate of soda, for example, creates a sustainable and cheaper cleaning alternative that really works.

Extend that thinking to PRODUCTS you use at home. Aim for biodegradable products which dissolve thanks to bacteria and fungi which means they fit in to Nature far more easily and disappear through natural processes.

Look out for recycled toilet paper and natural ingredient shampoo and deodorant. Use a bamboo toothbrush and washcloths made from hemp or agave fibres.

When you’re doing the LAUNDRY wash clothes on a colder setting. A hotter setting uses a surprising amount of energy and isn’t usually necessary unless you’re tackling really stubborn stains. Washing at 30 deg C gets your clothes just as clean and keeps the energy costs down as well as cutting down on CO2 emissions.

Wash clothes less as synthetic materials shed microplastics in the washing machine which can find their way to the ocean. Over washing clothes at high temperatures also affects their quality over time and it’s a great waste of water and energy. Also, buy only non-toxic detergents and avoid the use or overuse of tumble dryers.

INSULATING your windows is another important step in making your home more eco-friendly. If your windows are not properly insulated, heat can easily escape out and cold draughts come in, increasing the amount of energy you need to warm your property.

Double glazing and thicker curtains in Winter also help to reduce energy bills and keep your home cosy.

CAVITY WALL INSULATION can deal with the air gap between inner and outer walls in older properties. This comes in a range of types and materials including wood fibre and polystyrene.

Insulation boards are better suited to larger areas and cavity walls and this may be something you can cut and fit yourself.

As up to a quarter of your home’s heating energy is lost in the roof, improve this situation dramatically by installing LOFT INSULATION. Laying down blanket loft insulation rolls, which you can alter to fit between the joists in the loft, stops rising heat escaping through it.

DRAUGHT EXCLUDERS are also very useful for stopping draughts around window and door frames. Foam, metal or plastic strips are ideal and you can also buy excluders for letterboxes or keyholes from local DIY stores or online which are easy to fit.

Having your BOILER SERVICED is also vital to ensure it’s running safely and efficiently. It could be burning more fuel to heat your home, especially as it gets older, which causes bills to rise and energy consumption to increase. Choose a licensed engineer to identify

any problem components and keep your boiler running more economically.

LOG BURNERS undoubtedly make a home look warmer and more friendly but they still need help improving energy bills. Ensure your stove is properly cleaned out and that your chimney is swept at least once a year.

Always light your fire from the top down and control the airflow to even out the fire strength. Stove fans can help circulate warmth throughout your home.

Use CLEAN WOOD FUEL to ensure your woodburner produces less smoke and air pollution but retains a high heat output. Choosing RECYCLED FURNITURE helps the planet and, if you use charity shops to find items, help causes that urgently need funds in these cash-strapped times.

COMPOST your food waste to cut down on the amount of food waste that ends up in landfill and produces methane gas that pollutes the environment. Putting peelings and other food waste in a compost bin allows you to dispose of waste sustainably and create free fertiliser to use on your plants.

At home as everywhere else, encourage the mantra “reduce, reuse and recycle.”

What is a Crystal Direct Cremation?

A direct cremation is ideal for those who don’t want a fuss and simply require a service that meets their needs, with no hidden costs and no hidden extras, other than things such as when a larger coffin is required. Please feel free to contact our support team if you have any questions or concerns.

When your loved one passes away they will be collected and taken to one of our reputable mortuary services where they will be respectfully cared for.

Your loved one will then be taken in an appropriate funeral vehicle to the crematorium. the cremation then takes place, usually without mourners.

The ashes can then be returned to their loved ones so they can choose how and when they say goodbye, please note this can take up to six weeks for the ashes to be delivered, but we will do our upmost to have the ashes delivered as soon as practically possible.

What is a Crystal Celebration of Life Service?

The cost of funerals can be a minefield with various additional costs, often added at the time of need when those suffering from bereavement are at their most vulnerable. Our Celebration of life plan offers you peace of mind. No additional costs, what you pay for is what you get. That is our Crystal promise.

options available

The Celebration of Life plan is exactly what it says... it is the service that is key in this plan. It allows the added benefit of adding more to the service if you so wish. It also gives the opportunity for family and friends to pay their respects and say goodbye.

You will be able to do such things as live stream the service so those who are unable to attend can still pay their respects. You can add music to make the service that little bit more special.

What is a Crystal Traditional Funeral?

The cost of funerals can be a minefield with various additional costs, often added at the time of need when those suffering from bereavement are at their most vulnerable. Our Crystal Traditional Funeral Plan includes an attended service, along with a hearse and bearers with a funeral director present.

Our Crystal Traditional Funeral allows you to add extra services if you may wish to do so, such as live streaming the service, or the addition of limousines.

We are respectful, trustworthy and dignified in our approach

Our clients are the focus of our team, we provide a trustworthy and dignified service to cater for your loved ones.

Courteous and Caring

Our experienced support team will offer our clients the utmost kindness and courtesy when helping our clients at their time of need.

Considerate

We will be considerate to your needs both emotionally and financially, always taking your personal situation into consideration.

Empathy

Our support team totally understand the emotional distress a bereavement can cause to a family which is why we can refer our clients for additional support.

The wholesale cost of this funeral is the cost we have agreed with your funeral service provider to carry out the purchased funeral. The difference between our funeral plan prices and wholesale costs are detailed below:

Price of Funeral Plan Direct Cremation £1,575 Funeral Service Provider contracted price of carrying out the funeral (Wholesale Cost) £880 Difference Between Price of Funeral Plan and Wholesale Cost £695. Price of Funeral Plan Celebration of life £2,925 Funeral Service Provider contracted price of carrying out the funeral (Wholesale Cost) £2,150 Difference Between Price of Funeral Plan and Wholesale cost £775.00. Price of Funeral Plan Traditional £3245.00 Funeral Service Provider contracted price of carrying out the funeral (Wholesale Cost) £2530 Difference Between Price of Funeral Plan and Wholesale Cost £715.00

The difference in price between what we pay your funeral service provider (the wholesale cost) and the price of our funeral plans is the result of marketing, operational/ business overheads and compliance costs, including the cost of managing the trust arrangement which ensures money paid towards pre-paid funeral plans is kept safe.

Has someone died? Arrange a Direct Cremation today from £975

A TASTE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN FROM MALDON SALT

Ingredients

For the Sauté:

• 3 tbsp Olive oil

• 1⁄2 Medium onion

• 1/3 Green pepper

• 1⁄2 Head of garlic

• 250g fresh or preserved tomato

• 1 Pinch of sugar

For the Paella:

• 400g Rice

• 300g chopped chicken

• 350g Squid

• 250g Green beans

• 75g Fresh or frozen peas

• 6 Prawns

• 6 Norwegian Lobsters

• 400g Clean mussels

• 12 chunks of Monkfish

• 200 ml of Extra virgin olive oil

• 1⁄2 tsp Saffron

• 800 ml Fish stock

• Maldon® Salt

BARCELONA PAELLA

The classic Paella, a cult favourite within the Spanish cuisine. Paired with saffron flavoured rice, this dish carries an abundance of flavours, including chicken; Norwegian Lobster, squid, mussels and monkfish.

Method

For the mussels, heat two inches of water in a saucepan over a high heat. When it reaches the boil, add the mussels for a minute, remove from the heat and set aside without opening the lid.

Whilst the mussels are boiling, begin prepping the remainder of the vegetables, chopping them finely. Heat the paella pan, keeping the pan on a medium-high heat in the centre, whilst keeping the sides at a low hear.

Pour 2 tbsp of oil in the centre of the paella pan. Add the head of garlic to the pan.

Brown the Norwegian Lobsters and prawns for 1 minute on either side and remove them.

For the sauté base, move the garlic to the side of the paella pan, add another 1 tbsp of oil and sauté the onion until it starts to turn transparent. Add the green pepper and stir the mixture as it cooks for 5 minutes at a low heat. Add the tomato and stir the mixture together. Add a pinch of sugar and Maldon Salt.

Move the sauté mix to the sides of the paella pan where the heat is lower. Add another tablespoon of oil and fry the chicken for 5-10 minutes and the squid 5 for minutes more (until they are golden). Bring the sauté mix back to the centre of the paella pan, mix everything together and push it back to the sides.

Sauté the green beans and peas for 2 minutes. Bring the sauté mixture back from the sides to the centre and stir everything together.

Add the remaining oil and the rice, stirring with the ingredients for 2 minutes over a high heat. Spread the whole mixture evenly over the paella pan, with the garlic head in the middle.

Add the fish stock. When the water boils, lower the heat to the minimum and leave to simmer for 20 minutes. After 10 minutes, add the diced monkfish to the rice. Open the mussels, keeping only the shell with the mussel meat. Finally, place the prawns, Norwegian Lobsters and mussels on top of the rice.

After 20 minutes, turn off the heat, cover with a clean tea towel and leave to rest for 5 minutes. Serve with eighths of lemon. Finish with a pinch of Maldon Salt.

LAMB CHOPS WITH PARSLEY AIOLI

Ingredients

• 24 Small ribs of Lamb

• 3 tbsp Maldon® Salt

• 3 tbsp Parsley, chopped

• 2 Garlic cloves

• 3-4 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil

Method

Remove the lamb chops from the fridge, cover them lightly with oil and leave them to rest at room temperature.

Wash, dry and peel the parsley, chop it a finely before placing it on the mortar. Crush it together with Maldon Salt and garlic until it forms a paste. Cover and set aside.

Heat the grill, greasing the griddle with olive oil. Lightly grease the chops with extra virgin olive oil once the barbecue is hot. Cook them for 4 minutes on each side at 180ºC. Season them with Maldon Salt when they have just cooked and serve them hot with the parsley aioli you made.

PADRON PEPPERS

Ingredients

• 24 Small ribs of Lamb

• 3 tbsp Maldon® Salt

• 3 tbsp Parsley, chopped

• 2 Garlic cloves

• 3-4 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil

Method

In a large bowl add the padron peppers and then drizzle over the olive oil. Toss the peppers so they are well coated in the oil.

Heat up a frying or griddle pan to a medium high heat. Once hot, fry the peppers for a few minutes on each side until they get black char marks and soften.

Once cooked place the padron peppers onto a serving plate and sprinkle generously with Maldon salt before serving.

The tender lamb chops is a great addition to a dinner party, paired with the flavours of parsley and garlic to give an underlying depth of spice to the dish. Sprinkle with Maldon Salt to really enhance the succulent taste of the lamb.

What will your legacy be?

What will your legacy 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 Reggie & Max ...

Older gentlemen Reggie and Max are looking for a new home together. Both dogs have come into our care as sadly their owner has become too unwell to keep them. They are both sweet boys who love to sit on your lap. They have been used to being with an owner most of the day so have not been used to being left for long periods. We have been told they have lived with children and have been fine around other dogs. Reggie and Max can not wait to find a new family.

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

Max - Pomaranian, Male,10 years 10 months old

Reggie - Chihuahua, Male,11 years 7 months old

HOME | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

Many conservatory owners have installed additional heating but become concerned about rising energy bills. They may have considered a solid tiled roof but been put off by the cost – this is where Sagars 365 can help.

SAGARS 365, KEEPING CONSERVATORIES

you might expect.

WARM IN WINTER AND COOL IN SUMMER

Many conservatory owners have installed additional heating but become concerned about rising energy bills. They may have considered a solid tiled roof but been put off by the cost – this is where Sagars 365 can help.

you might expect.

Many conservatory owners have installed additional heating but become concerned about rising energy bills. They may have considered a solid tiled roof but been put off by the cost – this is where Sagars 365 can help.

Typically costing 75% less than a solid tiled roof.A polycarbonate roofed, lean to conservatory starts at just £1,899 including VAT.

The family-run Yorkshire based company use their revolutionary insulation system to turn conservatories into rooms that can be used every day of the year by minimising condensation, reducing noise in bad weather, reducing heat loss in winter by over 90% as well as keeping the heat out in summer. The cost is less than

The family-run Yorkshire based company use their revolutionary insulation system to turn conservatories into rooms that can be used every day of the year by minimising condensation, reducing noise in bad weather, reducing heat loss in winter by over 90% as well as keeping the heat out in summer. The cost is less than

The family-run Yorkshire based company use their revolutionary insulation system to turn conservatories into rooms that can be used every day of the year by minimising condensation, reducing noise in bad weather, reducing heat loss in winter by over 90% as well as keeping the heat out in summer. The cost is less than you might expect. Typically costing 75% less than a solid tiled roof.A polycarbonate roofed, lean to c o n s e r v a t o r y starts at just £1,899 including VAT.

Typically costing 75% less than a solid tiled roof.A polycarbonate roofed, lean to conservatory starts at just £1,899 including VAT.

With interestfree credit you could spread the cost over 6 or 10 months (subject to approval). The work is typically completed in one day and you can choose either a tongue and groove PVC or premium plastered finish.

With interest-free credit you could spread the cost over 6 or 10 months (subject to approval). The work is typically completed in one day and you can choose either a tongue and groove PVC or premium plastered finish.

With interestfree credit you could spread the cost over 6 or 10 months (subject to approval). The work is typically completed in one day and you can choose either a tongue and groove PVC or premium plastered finish.

Sagars 365 is a company that you can trust - they have an overall ‘Excellent’ rating on

Trustpilot, they’re a Which?

Sagars 365 is a company that you can trust - they have an overall ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot, they’re a Which? Trusted trader and offer a 10-year guarantee. All the work is carried out by Sagars in-house team. No deposit required. If you’re looking to keep your conservatory warm in winter and cool in summer, call Sagars 365 on 01772 508419 to arrange a free, no obligation survey and quote.

Trustpilot, they’re a Which? Trusted trader and offer a 10-year guarantee. All the work is carried out by Sagars in-house team. No deposit required. If you’re looking to keep your conservatory warm in winter and cool in summer,

Trusted trader and offer a 10-year guarantee. All the work is carried out by Sagars in-house team. No deposit required. If you’re looking to keep your conservatory warm in winter and cool in summer, call Sagars 365 on (01132) 224060 to arrange a free, no obligation survey and quote.

Sagars 365 is a company that you can trust - they have an overall ‘Excellent’ rating on

Install the Sagars 365 conservatory roof insulation system and enjoy it 365 days a year!

Typically COSTS 75% LESS than a solid tiled roof. From £1,899 including VAT.

Our customers choose us to improve their conservatories because we offer:

• Cost-effective alternative to a solid tiled roof

• Choice of PVC or plastered finishes

• FREE survey

• FREE written quotation

• 10 Year guarantee

‘IT’S THE PERSONAL TOUCHES WHICH REALLY SET ST CATHERINE’S APART’

A family is thanking the compassionate nurses at St Catherine’s Hospice for going the extra mile and giving them a memento from their wife and mum which they can cherish forever.

a will in place for a number of years, and she even decided to organise her own order of service for her funeral. She chose her readings and music, and she wanted it to be colourful and a relaxed celebration of her life. It was a difficult conversation but it really took the pressure off because we knew her wishes and we knew that everything was in place.”

The dedicated St Catherine’s nurses work with patients and their loved ones to help them achieve the things that really matter to them. They go above and beyond to help families make precious memories and spend quality time together. Gifts in wills make a meaningful difference to the charity’s important work, funding the care of 1 in 5 of the hospice’s patients.

Write a will with St Catherine’s

Nicola Peach was overwhelmed by the attention to detail expressed by hospice nurses when her mum Margaret Holding was cared for at the Lostock Hall hospice.

Thanks to the thoughtfulness of the nursing team, the family was able to create special wooden butterfly plaques featuring her mum’s fingerprints.

“One of the nurses asked us if we’d like to have an imprint of Mum’s fingerprints to keep as a memory,” Nicola says. “I would never have thought of doing something like that, but it sounded like a lovely idea.

“They demonstrated so much care and love when they were taking my mum’s fingerprints. They talked her through every step and treated her with such dignity. The prints were on a card and they put them inside a gift bag for us to take home. It’s those incredibly special, personal touches which really set St Catherine’s apart from anywhere else.”

Nicola’s husband Mark created three wooden butterfly plaques using digital images of Margaret’s fingerprints using a laser etcher; for Nicola, her dad Ed, and brother Andrew, which are now on display in their homes.

She adds: “Mum wasn’t afraid to talk about the end of life and she made important plans for the future. She’d had

It’s never too early to write your will, and getting your affairs in order now can make life much easier for your loved ones later. St Catherine’s Wills Week is a perfect opportunity to write or update your will with one of the hospice’s partner solicitors, who generously give their time in return for a donation to the charity. Wills Week runs in March and places get booked up quickly, so please contact St Catherine’s if you would like to receive an information pack in the new year.

The hospice also runs a year-round Wills Service; participating solicitors kindly offer a 15% discount on their individual standard charges for straightforward wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney.

Leaving a gift in your will to the hospice

Lynn Kelly, chief executive at St Catherine’s Hospice, says: “We understand how important your family and friends are and that these people will always be considered first when you are writing your will.

“If you choose to leave a gift in your will to St Catherine’s, we will spend the

money you have donated where it will have the most impact. If you would like your gift to go to something specific, we will ensure your wishes are met.

“Gifts of all sizes make such a difference to our work; we are extremely grateful for any donation received. Gifts can be anything from a specified sum of money or a percentage of your estate, to a property, or even an item such as jewellery or a painting.

“It can take as little as half an hour to write a straightforward will with a solicitor, yet gives you peace of mind for years to come, and provides reassurance to your loved ones that your wishes are recorded and will be carried out when the time comes.

“We understand that whatever you decide is an entirely personal choice, however many people do like to let us know that they are planning to remember St Catherine’s in their will, and we are always here if you would like to discuss anything further.”

3 important reasons to make a will

1) It’s the only way you can ensure that your loved ones and any causes you care about are provided for in the way you wish

2) If you don’t have a will, your estate (money, property and possessions) is distributed under intestacy rules. People who have no automatic right to inherit include unmarried partners, friends and carers

3) Wills don’t just cover property and finances; you can name a guardian for your children, entrust the care of your pets to someone, and leave instructions for paying for and arranging your funeral

Please contact St Catherine’s Hospice if you would like more information about Wills Week or the Wills Service, or if you would like to discuss leaving a gift to this worthwhile local charity in the future 01772 629171

giftsinwills@stcatherines.co.uk

AGE CONCERN LANCASHIRE

For over 40 years Age Concern central Lancashire has been identifying and responding constructively to the needs of our older population. Following the huge success of our Crisis Support Service, that assisted thousands of older residents during the pandemic, as concern over the energy and cost of living crisis soars, Age Concern Central Lancashire continues to work to support the elderly and vulnerable across the county of Lancashire to live safe and well.

Suzanne Carr Chief Executive Officer of Age Concern Central Lancashire says she “is delighted with this meaningful partnership with the North West’s Big 3 utility companies. We are promoting and enabling practical and affordable ways that residents can make adjustments to help them stay living warm and safely at home, especially during these most difficult cost of living challenges. Working closely together we provide life enhancing advice and support directly to our most vulnerable older citizens.”

(DNO). They take electricity from the national grid at a high voltage and step it down to lower voltages, so they can safely distribute it across the region. They do this through cables, either above ground or underground. Their role is to maintain and develop the network so that they can meet the demands of the people and businesses in their regions.

Working in partnership the regional utility organisations – Electricity North West, United Utilities and Cadent - are focussed on ensuring that elderly or vulnerable customers are given access to the Extra Care Register (formerly known as the Priority Services register) which opens up a range of exclusive helpful services.

Electricity North West provide electricity for the North West region as a ‘Distribution Network Operator’

Like Electricity North West, Cadent are responsible for maintaining and operating the network of pipes that transport gas to homes and business across the country. Cadent are different to an energy supplier, in that a bill is not paid to them directly and they do not own the energy that is transported through their network. Cadent fulfils its responsibility to support households across their network to stay safe and warm at home through partnerships with partners like Age Concern Central Lancashire.

Suzanne Carr

In 2021, together with Cadent, Electricity North West partnered with Age Concern Central Lancashire to employ a Community Outreach Officer. During a difficult time with the restrictions still in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, they understood there was a real need to ensure that they were able to still support people within their homes as they were feeling more isolated than ever before.

The role of the Community Outreach Officer isn’t just to promote the benefits of being part of the Extra Care Register. It also covers everything from energy efficiency advice guidance, carbon monoxide awareness, finance advice, safety in the home as well as signposting residents to other organisations which offer further help and support.

As well as visiting residents at home, the Community Outreach Officer also attends community centres and events throughout the Fylde coast to ensure that the support Electricity North West can offer is promoted as far and wide as possible.

Paul Morris, Electricity North West Partnership and Community Manager said “With the current cost of living crisis affecting everyone and what seems like almost daily news reports of such a challenging time ahead through the winter months into next year, to be able to work in partnership with such a trusted and well-established organisation such as Age Concern Central Lancashire is something both Electricity North West and Cadent are extremely proud of.

”Edward Allard, Cadent Social Programmes Manager said of the partnership, “Our partnership with Age Concern Central Lancashire and the other North West utility companies has been invaluable in allowing support to reach some of the most in need Lancashire households this Winter. The project has already achieved a lot at this early stage and we are proud to continue our important partnership with Age Concern Central Lancashire at this important time.”

Why you should join the Extra Care Register?

Power cuts can be planned or un-planned, but when they do happen Electricity North West’s welfare team will get in touch to ensure you have everything you need such as hot food, medication and lighting. They will also keep you up to date with repair work and weather warnings to help you manage. The welfare team will keep you safe and comfortable until the power is back on.

Once on the register, customers will also receive support from all of the big 3 utilities.

How do you join the Extra Care Register?

It’s quick, easy and free to join. Simply call 0800 195 4141, visit https://www.enwl.co.uk/extracare/ or email customerwelfareteam@enwl.co.uk

Could you cope in a power cut?

Your electricity operator, Electricity North West provide a free Extra Care Register to ensure you’re fully supported and can cope during a power cut.

‘In my role of Senior Community Outreach Officer at Age Concern Central Lancashire I am responsible for engaging with members of the public, community groups, health professionals and other third sector organisations in Blackpool & the Fylde.

Being able to offer information, advice, guidance and signpost people to the Extra Care Register is a large part of my role. Once on the register all are reassured of being well looked after by the welfare team; ensuring their safety and comfort until the power is turned back on. I am thrilled to be able to offer this great service as part of our partnership working.‘

Laura Burrill – Senior Communities Outreach Officer – Age Concern Central Lancashire.

BREAST SCREENING

Saves lives through detecting cancer early

The National Breast Screening Programme invites all women aged between 50 – 70 every 3 years for a mammogram. Each GP Practice is screened in turn and all women registered with a GP will receive an invitation.

What happens when I reach 71? Women over the age of 71 will not be sent an appointment automatically but they can self-refer for a mammogram every 3 years by contacting us.

What is breast screening?

Breast screening (or mammography) is an x ray of the breast that is used to find any changes in the breast tissue that could be cancer, so they can be investigated early.

Why do I need to be screened?

1 in 8 women in the UK will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point during their lives. Breast cancer is now the most common cause of cancer in women in this country.

Early detection saves lives Most breast changes will not be cancer, but if cancer is found, the treatment needed will often be less intense and the chance of making a full recovery is much higher

The earlier breast cancer is found, the better the chances of survival