Preston & Fylde Issue 66

EDITION 66

Idris Elba

RETURNS AS LUTHER

Mary Berry’s RECIPES FIT FOR A CORONATION

Door to Door Holidays

FROM REEVES COACH HOLIDAYS

Homes for Ukraine

WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO OPEN UP YOUR HEART AND HOME?

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”

Monday 15th to Friday 19th May 2023 £489.00 pp... SRS £72.00

Based at: The Fishers Hotel, Pitlochry   Located in the centre of town with seating area in the lovely gardens. Lift access Free WiFi.

What’s included:

l Four nights half-board hotel accommodation

l After dinner tea/coffee

l Hotel entertainment two nights

l All coach transportation

l Porterage

l Door-to-door service

Entrance and excursions to:

l Blair Athol Distillery

l Pitlochry

l Red Deer Centre

l Queen’sView Visitor Centre

l Strathspey Railway

l Blair Castle & Gardens

Friday 26th to Monday 29th May 2023 £349.00 pp... SRS £70.00

Based at: The Doubletree by Hilton, Swindon Located on the outskirts of Swindon and ideally placed to visit the beautiful region of the Cotswolds. Hotel does not have walk in showers. Lift to all Floors.

What’s included:

l Three nights half-board, inc glass of wine with dinner each evening

l Welcome tea/coffee & cookie

l All coach transportation

l Porterage

l Door-to-door service

Entrance and excursions to:

l Burford

l Stow-on-the-Wold

l Rodmarton Manor (tea & cake)

l Garden of Miserden

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

Pitlochry, Fishers Hotel

The Captivating Cotswolds

Invitation to Ireland

Sunday 4th to Saturday 10th June 2023

£825.00 pp... SRS £117.00

Rest & Relaxation in Eastbourne

Based at: The Bloomfield House Hotel, The Clifden Station House Spa & Leisure Hotel, The Aspect Hotel.

What’s included:

l Six nights half-board accommodation l Return ferry crossing l Regular entertainment l All coach transportation l Porterage (only at Hotel Astoria, Stresa)

l Door-to-door service

Entrance and excursions to:

l Galway l Westport House l Glen Keen Farm l Killary Cruise l Celtic CrystalVisitor Centre l Clifden

Based at: The York House Hotel, Eastbourne Situated along the seafront, short distance to the Pier and 15 mins to walk to town.

What’s included:

l Four night’s half-board hotel accommodation

l All coach transportation

l Porterage

l Door-to-door service

Monday 12th to Friday 16th June 2023

£399.00 pp... SRS £68.00

The Peak District, Derbyshire

Based at: The Holiday Inn, Derby Riverlights

A modern building with a glass façade has a fitness centre Disabled Lift Access.

What’s included:

l Four nights half-board Accommodation l Welcome tea/ coffee l All coach transportation l Porterage l Door-todoor service

Entrance and excursions to:

Thursday 22nd to Monday 26th June 2023

£489.00 pp... SRS £90.00

Carmarthen & Tenby

l Cromford narrow boat cruise l Cromford Mills & village tour l National Brewery Centre l Burton-on-Trent

l EcclesbourneValley Railway & cream tea l Bakewell

l Crich TramwayVillage, Matlock

Based at: The Ivy Bush Royal Hotel, Carmarthen Located on the outskirts of Carmarthen with a gym & sauna. Hotel does not have bedrooms with walk in showers. Lift access to all floors.

What’s included:

l Four nights half-board hotel accommodation l Welcome tea/Coffee l In-house entertainment (1 night) l Live music entertainment (1 night) l All coach transportation

l Porterage l Door-to-door service

Sunday 2nd July to Thursday 6th July 2023

£439.00 pp... SRS £60.00

Entrance and excursions to:

l Aberglasney Gardens l Gwili Steam Railway l Carmarthen

l Tenby l National Botanic Garden of Wales

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

Twittering On

BY ANGELA

IN THIS ISSUE

9-10 TWITTERING ON

By Angela Kelly

12-13 TRAVEL

There’s nowhere like Australia

16-17 TOTAL TRANSFORMATION

By Renovo Dental

18-19 CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

Idris Elba returns as Luther

20-22 FOOD

Mary Berry’s recipes to celebrate the coronation

23 HELP AN ANIMAL IN NEED by leaving a gift in your will today

24-25 ALTERNATIVE HOMES Change the way you live.

Bridgeman House 77 Bridgeman Street | Bolton | BL3 6BY. Sales Enquiries : T: (01204) 238180

E: artwork@mcgrathmedia.co.uk

Would you be willing to open up your hear t and home and welcome individuals displaced by the war in Ukraine?

splishsplosh

If you are willing to share your space with those in need of a safe place, you can find out more information here and register your interest:

www.sjog-homesforukraine.uk

KELLY

THERE’S NOWHERE LIKE AUSTRALIA

IDRIS ELBA RETURNS TO LUTHER

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

Award winning Victorian market with 250 stalls

· VISIT ·

A day out for everyone to enjoy!

From gourmet street food to dog friendly 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.

£3.2 million investment

Currently undergoing improvement works Market remains open throughout!

· 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

Follow us at FleetwoodMarket fleetwood_market

www.fleetwoodmarket.co.uk

We’re dog friendly!

Free coach parking

£209

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 35 luxury 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.

Every break includes:

from Return coach travel (self-drive option available) Comfy en suite accommodation Breakfast & 3-course evening meal

Trip Advisor’s Travellers’ Choice

Coach & Self-Drive Holidays January 2023 – December 2023

Request your brochure now!

Self-drive & coach inclusive breaks Live nightly entertainment

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.

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

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

Bispham, Blackpool, St Annes, Lytham, Freckleton, Preston, Bamber Bridge, Charnock Richard Services

Fylde, Fleetwood, Cleveleys,

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

Quote - 50PlusBP

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 2022/23. If you would prefer to self-drive, deduct £20 per person from prices shown.

Offer ends 30th April 2023

10 fabulous locations, 12 great hotels.

TWITTERING ON

By Angela Kelly

Staying patient is apparently viewed as a more positive trait by others. Research suggests that people who can stay calm in the face of these constant, petty frustrations are more likely to be empathetic, have a more even temperament and suffer less from depression.

So if you think you’re going to blow a gasket, just breathe, keep your temper and wait patiently.

Patience is definitely a virtue

HAVE you noticed how short-tempered we’ve become as a nation?

That famous British cool – the stiff upper lip and stoic approach –seem largely to have faded away in favour of impatience, temper and an unwillingness to understand the other person’s point of view.

Take to the road and you’ll see how quickly other drivers push to get past you, even if you’re keeping to the speed limit and sensible about driving conditions.

Road rage is now pretty common on a daily basis. According to police figures, there has been a steep rise since 2012 and in one recent year alone there were 18,605 road rage incidents recorded around Britain.

Queue anywhere and you’ll quickly winkle out the impatient people. Grumbling turns to raised voices in no time – and this from a nation so used to queuing post-war that our stoicism was the envy of the world.

In fact, it was hearing about a shocking incident in a Lidl store which reminded me how short tempers have actually become.

A woman waiting in the checkout queue felt another customer was taking too long and ended up screaming and shouting at him.

Worse, when another woman spoke up for him, asking her to calm down, the woman turned her ire on her …. chucking broccoli at her, bizarrely after scanning it first!

Patience is the ability to stay calm while you’re waiting for an outcome that you need or want. According to psychology experts, it comes in three main varieties: interpersonal patience, life hardship patience and daily hassles patience.

I suspect the latter causes the most problems for people and the advice is to focus to achieve what you want and to keep your emotions under control.

Self-discipline is the key here so we probably need to practise this skill more than others.

Yes, life can be irritating and make us impatient but we do need to keep a sense of proportion.

Pets with millions of online followers

LIKE many people of my generation, it has taken a while to get my head around online influencers and their many followers. But just when that all seemed logical, along come ANIMALS with millions of followers on Instagram and TikTok.

Yes, there are cats and dogs out there in cyberspace who are followed regularly by excited people all over the planet. Nor is it just followers they gain but often lucrative contracts for everything from petfood lines to their own feline fashions and doggy accessories.

They sometimes come in twos and threes. Darren and Phillip, alias the blueboys, are two bubbly Staffordshire bull terriers with more than 300,000 followers on TikTok and close to 10 million likes.

They wear cute dog outfits and followers are fascinated by their daily lives.

For bird enthusiasts, Wolfie and Sharky, two blue parrots regularly showcase their skills doing all sorts of tricks like skateboarding and playing basketball.

Now, a black and white cat called Gacek has captured the hearts of tourists visiting Polish city Szczecin. They’ve swapped visiting historical landmarks for a tour with Gacek.

He has his own Instagram page and a section on Google maps. Unfortunately, tourists constantly feeding him have made him a little, ahem, portly but he’s still adorable.

I don’t think our Jack Russell Ollie will be clocking up thousands of followers anytime soon, though.

He won’t keep still for a quick photo, is only interested in dog biscuits and lives a life dominated by naps. Not much to view there.

One such amazing lady is Stacey Victoria who lives in Huddersfield. She has revealed how she saves £200 a month with clever, waste-free ideas which even include re-purposing empty juice cartons into plant pots. She has cut back each month on items the family could do without and overhauled her shopping and now, she states: “I get such a good feeling from making use of discarded items again.”

There aren’t many upsides to the current money woes of people but taking that sort of practical, pro-active approach is a lesson to us all.

Hidden genius of ordinary people

PIANOS have been popping up in train stations and shopping malls for a while with the world and his wife having a go to prove their musicality – or lack of it.

But the brainwave to build a TV series around this with expert judges secretly watching is sheer genius.

This is the idea behind The Piano, a new Channel 4 reality show filmed in train stations in London, Birmingham, Glasgow and Leeds, with the best amateur pianists invited along to demonstrate their skills.

Helping the cost of living

THE severe hike in the cost of living has made all of us re-think daily household costs and general spending.

It’s a tough time, especially for those already struggling to get by, and heart-breaking to hear of many families and individuals whose lives have changed for the worse.

The only slight chink in the gloom is the way it has made many people more inventive with household cash and getting the most from every penny.

The result is surprisingly uplifting to the point of tears as talented youngsters and oldsters alike play, delighting passing station audiences and thousands more at home. Judges pop star Mika and star pianist Lang Lang both prove knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

Many of the performances reveal amazing stories, like 13 year-old Lucy who became blind from eye cancer and young Daniel who fell in love with music during lockdown and taught himself to play through YouTube videos.

The various styles are fascinating but the passion is shared and reveals a hidden national musical treasure trove.

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THERE’S NOWHERE LIKE AUSTRALIA

Sally Cope, Regional General Manager, UK/Northern Europe,Tourism Australia spoke to Jennie Carr about the incredible natural beauty in Australia and what Silver Travellers might enjoy best.

First time visitors

Given that this is such a vast country, almost the size of Europe, visitors would be challenged to visit the whole country in one visit. Interestingly, about 50% of all British travellers who do visit return to Australia at least once more.

Sally suggests a three weeks’ trip, starting in Sydney to explore the city, the harbour area the bridge and of course, the Opera House. Next fly to Uluru in the red centre of the country, to experience the remarkable outback landscape and learn about the Australia’s indigenous culture. It’s a very flat region and the skies seem enormous, perfect at night for stargazing with so little light pollution. Finally fly up to Cairns in tropical North Queensland, which is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Visiting these three places will give a real appreciation of the diversity of Australia’s landscapes and a good flavour of the country.

Sydney’s attractions

An absolute must do in Sydney is a harbour cruise, either on a small boat or with dinner on a larger vessel. Even for non-surfers, Bondi Beach can’t be missed, just enjoy a drink, people watch and get a sense of the Australian lifestyle. For great dining, head to Circular Quay and The Rocks area, with the old sandstone buildings whose building blocks were hand-carved by convicts. You can also take a tour with an Aborigine

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

guide and hear the traditional creation stories of the harbour area along with tales of the first European arrivals.

The Opera House is an extraordinary building just to visit, although Sally thoroughly recommends watching a show there if you can. Sydney is also the starting point for trips to the Hunter Valley Wine region and the Blue Mountains’ spectacular landscapes where very accessible bush walks are on offer.

Tasmania, nicknamed Tassie

This large island, off the coast of Victoria in the south east, has no international airport so you have to fly into Hobart, the capital, via another Australian city. Tasmania has over 40% of its land protected in some form of reserve, so eco-tourism and the environment are hugely important here. It’s incredibly easy to get out of the city into wilderness

Margaret River,Western Australia

areas. Coach tours can take you on full island tours or else self-driving gives the freedom to explore as you wish.

Hugely popular for Silver Travellers are multi-day walking tours such as the coastal Bay of Fires trip or Cradle Mountain Hikes, where you could see the famous Tasmanian Devil in the alpine scenery. You carry what you need for the day, then stay at lodges or cabins offering hot showers and a decent meal. So that’s wild walking but not wild camping! Perfect for slowing right down and immersing yourself in the pristine natural environment. Sally reckons it can be really transformational to get out into Tasmania’s wilderness.

Luxury Experiences across Australia

For a collection of superb, small, independent boutique hotels (lodges in Australia), take a look at luxurylodgesofaustralia.com.au. Sally really recommends them for their ‘sense of place’ and for really belonging to where they are located, along with the outstanding guided experiences they provide. Take Lake House, on Lake Daylesford in Victoria’s spa country which offers a school cooking school focussing on local produce: it’s true foodie’s delight. Or Bamurru Plains in the wetlands near Darwin which is akin to a safari lodge, with boat tours of the Sampan river for wildlife and bird spotting. All with high environmental and sustainability standards. As Sally put it, ‘muddy or dusty boots by day with a hot shower and a very good glass of wine in the evening.’

Extraordinary Australia

Lizard Island at the northern end of the Great Barrier Reef, opposite Cooktown, has exceptional accommodation where you can swim out over the reef, possibly sharing the waves with a large green sea turtle. Off the coast of Adelaide in the south, Kangaroo Island is a haven for wildlife, kangaroos and koalas included, which is recovering fast from the fires in late 2019/early 2020: the bush vegetation regenerates swiftly. Just two and half hours from Perth, Margaret River and its surrounds are home to Australia’s premium wines, with self-guided wine tours, outstanding eateries and good places to stay. A must for gourmands.

When to visit Australia

Such a vast land mass, Australia generally does not suffer from over tourism or crowds so you can be confident of having space to enjoy your visits. Being in the Southern hemisphere the seasons are the opposite of those in the UK. In the middle of the year, head north to Darwin, Northern Queensland, Western Australia and the Kimberley for cooler drier weather. Go south in the summer (November to March) for the most comfortable time to travel.

Next steps

For all things Australian, visit australia.com. Call our Silver Travel Advisors to discuss and book your trip 0800 412 5678, they’ll help you create the perfect, personal itinerary.

Opera house and Harbour bridge

2023 UK & EUROPEAN COACH HOLIDAYS & SHORT BREAKS

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.

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

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

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

@renovodental

Photography: Robin Lyndon

Photography: Robin Lyndon

IDRIS ELBA STAR QUALITY

HE’S been a bouncer, a DJ, a rapper and a kickboxer. Oh, and he’s a very successful actor in the UK and the US and is regularly suggested as the next James Bond – although he denies he’d ever do it.

Idrissa Akuna Elba – aka Idris Elba – has the kind of star quality that wannabes would kill for. And, as he reaches his 50s, a timeless magnetism that means his star never looks like waning.

This year sees the return of one of his most iconic characters – dark detective Luther – when a new Luther film comes to Netflix. The tall, deep-voiced actor, however, has managed to resist being totally typecast.

His starry story started in the London borough of Hackney where he was the only child of Winston, originally from Sierra Leone and Eve, from Ghana.

Idris shortened his forename while still at school in Canning Town where he also first became involved in acting. He saw an advert in The Stage for a play, auditioned and later met his first agent while performing the role.

In 1986 he started helping an uncle with his wedding DJ business and within a year had his own DJ company with some friends.

He won a place at the National Youth Music Theatre after receiving a £1,500 Prince’s Trust grant. Later, between roles in his early career, he worked in various jobs including tyre-fitting, cold-calling and night-shifts at Ford Dagenham.

He worked in nightclubs under the DJ nickname Big Driis but in his early 20s began auditioning for TV roles. His first acting role was in a murder reconstructions for Crimewatch and in 1994 he appeared in a BBC children’s drama called The Boot Street Band.

The following year, he landed his first significant role on medical drama series Bramwell, set in 1890s England. Then he was cast as a gigolo in an episode of Absolutely Fabulous, heralding many supporting roles in British TV including The Bill, The Ruth Rendell Mysteries and Dangerfield.

Idris decided, however, to move to New York City, returning to England occasionally for TV roles. In 2001 he played Achilles in a stage production of Troilus and Cressida in NYC.

After being in a supporting role in an episode of Law & Order, Idris won a starring role on the 2002 HBO drama series The Wire. This proved an important step as he appeared in this popular series until 2004 as Russell “Stringer” Bell, giving him his best-known role in America.

In 2005, he appeared in HBO film Sometimes in April about the Rwandan genocide and in a 2007 special Black Men: The Truth. He was in the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency, filmed in Botswana – a series which premiered in 2008 on BBC One and attracted 6.3 million viewers.

In 2009, though, he signed a deal to star in the lead role in the six-part BBC TV series Luther. This aired in May, 2010, and the compelling detective series immediately captured viewers’ imagination. At the 2012 Golden Globes awards, it earned him Best Actor in a Series.

Alongside his TV career, however, he was carving out a very solid career in films. In 2007, he played the lead role in Daddy’s Little Girls as a blue-collar mechanic who falls in love with an attorney helping him gain custody of his children.

The same year, he appeared in 28 Weeks Later and This Christmas and the following year in horror film Prom Night and the Guy Ritchie London gangster movie RocknRolla.

In 2009, he starred in horror film The Unborn and in thriller Obsessed, opposite Beyonce, in a box-office success earning $29 million on its opening weekend.

Idris then played a black ops soldier in Legacy and another in thriller Takers before appearing in Kenneth Branagh’s film Thor based on the Marvel Comics’ superhero.

In 2012, Idris gave an impressive performance as Nelson Mandela in the film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom based on the African leader’s autobiography.

As part of his preparation for the role he spent a night locked in a cell alone on Robben Island where Mandela had been imprisoned. His subsequent performance earned him a Golden Globes’ nomination.

The same year, he played Captain Janek in Ridley Scott’s Prometheus and in 2013 joined the cast of futuristic Pacific Rim.

It was back to mingling with superheroes when he reprised his role in Thor: The Dark World in 2013 then played a vengeful psychopathic serial killer in No Good Deed in 2014.

In 2015 he was in the superhero blockbuster Avengers: Age of Ultron. Several voice roles followed: in Disney’s Zootopia, as

villainous tiger Shere Khan in The Jungle Book and as sea lion Fluke in Pixar’s Finding Dory.

There’s no doubt Idris plays an excellent villain, showcased next in the Fast & Furious franchise spin-off Hobbs & Shaw but he feels equally at home in other genres – he played Macavity in the film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats.

Music has plainly been important in his own life. He has appeared in music videos, featured on various singles and performed raps. He even launched his own record label, 7Wallace Music.

Away from the small and large screens, he collaborated with the UK Parliament in their efforts to eradicate ebola from West Africa and in 2016 addressed Parliament about the lack of diversity onscreen in race, gender and sexuality. He said:

“Change is coming but it’s taking its sweet time.”

His love of martial arts resulted in a documentary Idris Elba: Fighter, chronicling his 12-month kickboxing and mixed martial arts training.

In his personal life, he has been married three times and has two children. He has stated that he is spiritual but not religious. He also loves sport and is an avid Arsenal supporter.

In 2016, he was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to drama.

He says he would “never be fearful of any character” and his long and successful career so far ably demonstrates just that.

MARY BERRY’S RECIPES TO CELEBRATE THE CORONATION

Blue Cheese Roasted Lamb ‘Coronadas’ with Leek and Mary Berry’s Blue Cheese Dressing

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cooking time: 1h 20 mins

Makes: 12 medium sized empanadas

Ingredients:

600g Lamb shank

½ a bottle of Mary Berry’s Blue Cheese Dressing

1 leek finely chopped

2 tbsp cooking oil

2 onions finely chopped

1 beaten egg

2 sheets ready to roll shortcrust pastry

100g Blue cheese, crumbled

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 200°C. On a baking tray place lamb shank and generously cover with Mary Berry’s Blue Cheese Dressing (about a third of a bottle or 80ml). Marinate overnight for the best results. Season lamb with black pepper and place in the oven for at least one hour or until cooked through. Set aside to cool.

Once cooled shred the meat off the bone and set aside. Bring a pan of oil to medium heat and fry onions and leeks until softened. Add your lamb, the rest of the blue cheese dressing and black pepper to taste. Take the filling off the heat and set aside.

Finely roll the pastry sheets and, using a large cookie cutter or a bowl, cut pastry into circles of roughly 12cm across.

Place two tablespoons of the filling in the centre of each round and fold the pastry over. To seal the empanada, use a fork to crimp the edges together.

Repeat with remaining rounds. You should end up with approximately 12 coronadas.

You can use any remaining dough to cut crowns to decorate the coronadas and give them a coronation themed twist.

Brush with beaten egg and bake for 15-20 min on 180°C until the pastry is golden brown in colour.

Serve with some extra Mary Berry’s Blue Cheese Dressing for drizzling or dipping and enjoy!

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 200°C, gas mark 6.

For the pastry, place the flour and butter in a food processor and blitz until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add the egg yolk and 2-3 tbsp water and pulse to form a soft dough. Knead lightly, wrap in clingfilm and chill for 20-30 minutes.

Divide the pastry into 6 and use to line 6 x 10cm deep fluted tins. Line with foil and baking beans and bake for 10 minutes, remove the foil and beans and cook for a further 5 minutes.

Picnic Quiches

Prep: 25 minutes plus chilling

Cook: 25 minutes

Makes 6

Pastry:

175g plain flour

100g butter, diced

1 medium egg yolk

Filling:

100g asparagus tips, cut into 3’s

150ml double cream

2 medium eggs plus 1 medium egg yolk

100ml Mary Berry’s Blue Cheese Dressing

4 spring onions, sliced 50g Gruyere cheese, grated

1 tsp red bell pepper flakes

Meanwhile, blanch the asparagus in boiling water for 2 minutes, drain and cool.

Whisk together the cream, eggs, egg yolk and blue cheese dressing in a large jug, season. Place the asparagus and spring onions in the pastry cases followed by the cheese. Pour over the sauce, sprinkle with pepper flakes and bake for 25 minutes until golden. Allow to cool slightly before removing from the tins.

Cooks tip

Try using Cheddar instead of Gruyere and a leek instead of the asparagus.

Balsamic Glaze Mushroom Galette Decorated with a Pastry Crown and Drizzled with Mary Berry’s Light Salad Dressing

Prep time: 10 mins Cooking time: 25 mins Makes: 6-8 servings

Instructions:

Ingredients:

250g mushrooms cleaned and roughly sliced

1 clove garlic minced

1 tablespoon butter

150g grated Gruyere cheese

1 tbsp Mary Berry’s Light Salad Dressing, plus extra for serving.

1 teaspoon thyme leaves

1 teaspoon balsamic glaze (optional)

2 sheets ready to roll puff pastry.

3 tablespoons milk

Salt and pepper to taste.

Preheat oven to 180°C. Heat the butter in a frying pan and add the mushrooms, garlic, and thyme. Cook for a few minutes until the mushrooms are soft and darkened. Stir in the Mary Berry’s Light Salad Dressing and season with salt and pepper, gently mix. Sizzle with some balsamic glaze over and set aside.

Unroll the pastry and score a ½ inch border around the sheet. Pile the grated cheese followed by the mushrooms into the centre. Cut out a crown shape from the second puff pastry roll. Carefully place the puff pastry crown on the top of the tart.

Brush the edges and the crown with the milk and sprinkle with some fresh thyme. Bake for 20 minutes until the pastry is golden.

Serve warm, drizzled with some extra Mary Berry’s Light Salad Dressing and a side salad. Enjoy!

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  Jack...

Jack has been handed over to us as his owners were unable to cope with his behaviour or give him the exercise he needs. Jack seems to prefer men and is quite jealous and has snapped at the lady owner in the home. He has been fine with all the female staff so far and although he is still settling in and finding his feet, he is a sweet boy who really enjoys a good long walk. We feel Jack would be much better in a one-person home where he can get all the attention he needs and doesn’t feel jealous. He is a fit active boy so will love someone who is able to give him lots of long walks. Due to his history jack can not be homed with children of any age.

Jack Russell Terrier Male 7 years 2 months old

ALTERNATIVE HOMES

One body of research concluded that 64 is the best age to downsize as people are still mentally agile enough to deal with the house sale process and benefit most from getting rid of unused space. But it’s never too late to take good decisions to improve your lifestyle.

You may have family and friends nearby currently in a support network that can be really important as we get older so there are important questions to ask.

Does your new area have good transport system to ensure you can still get to see them and get about?

Are there good facilities like local GPs and clinics. Can you continue your hobbies and is it pet-friendly if you have a pet to take with you?

This is not just about paying bills, getting more for your money or having a financial plan. It is also about taking a good look at where you live and deciding if this is the best place for you.

Lockdown may have even forced you to assess if the amount of space and lifestyle you have is enough for you. So you may be looking to upgrade your property to something bigger, either by building and altering your current home or moving to a larger property.

Whatever you’re doing next, it’s important to have a realistic plan about, not just money, but also the details of your new life – like the furniture you will want, décor and daily lifestyle needs.

As we get older and children become independent, many people look to downsize and cut their bills, streamlining their way of living to something simpler and cheaper.

Or, you may prefer to upgrade your lifestyle, perhaps moving from a house to a swish apartment. The move may mean you need to seriously assess everything you own because there simply won’t be room for all of it.

Arm yourself with plenty of information whatever you plan to do. If you’re BUILDING onto an existing property, you may need a surveyor as well as a builder.

Ask for recommendations from friends and family or other reliable tradespeople that you’ve already used. Look for builders with experience locally and check building firm reviews and ratings online.

Shortlist your favourites and talk to them in person, asking plenty of questions about your project. Don’t rush into anything, especially handing over money, unless you’re completely confident in an individual company and have checked them out thoroughly.

Remember that a new extension, conservatory or orangerie will also need furnishing so ensure you’ve budgeted for everything.

If you are looking to downsize – and around 55,000 households a year do - it’s definitely worth doing your homework beforehand.

What sort of property are you considering? Is it a house, an apartment, sheltered housing, a retirement development or a park home?

Age UK have very helpful information on downsizing and also about the kinds of retirement properties to suit individuals. Go to ageco.co.uk for information.

They also suggest that if you have decided to downsize after careful consideration, put your property on the market then organise and de-clutter - but do give yourself lots of time for all this.

If you measure up in your new place beforehand and make a floor plan you may be able to fit in your FURNITURE.

It’s quite likely, though, that you may have to get rid of some –especially larger furniture that simply won’t fit into your new existence.

You could sell them on ebay or give them to a local charity or organisation like Freecycle which finds homes for furniture and other items.

It’s a good idea to DE-CLUTTER as soon as you start thinking about moving generally. Improving and refining your present

HIKES in the cost of living this year and a greater awareness of all our domestic bills has made many people think about changing the way they live.

property this way can help with a quick sale by making it more attractive to potential buyers.

If the task seems overwhelming, just try 10 minutes a day for a while to make inroads into it. This is sensible and stops you being exhausted and disheartened.

We also accumulate masses of paperwork over the years but it’s unlikely you’ll need it all so be brutal!

Ensure you give family and friends anything you want them to keep but otherwise be practical about whether or not you use an item and whether it will fit into your new home.

If, for example, you don’t have a garden at your new place or it’s a communal garden, you may not need a lawnmower.

Sell or give what you have identified as not needed and, again, local charity shops are very grateful for donations of all kinds of items including clothes, books and bric a brac.

Will your CURTAINS be useful or suitable for your new property or are you opting for new ones that better suit it? This may be the opportunity to go for new blinds – it’s certainly worth looking at the latest types which can really open up a room and make the most of available light.

Most people leave behind items like LIGHT FITTINGS because they go well with that property but you may have favourites that you feel would look good in your new home. Check details like ceiling height there before you start removing light fittings, though, as this may be pivotal in your choice.

Enjoy planning new colours and styles for your new décor. This is a chance for you to look at the latest shades and home-styles to create a new and happy home all over again.

WRITE YOUR WILL WITH ST CATHERINE’S HOSPICE AND SUPPORT THIS MUCH-LOVED CHARITY

The St Catherine’s Hospice Wills Service enables you to write or update your will or Lasting Powers of Attorney at a discounted rate, through your choice of trusted participating solicitors.

There is no obligation to leave a gift for our charity in your will if you make use of our Wills Service; if you do choose to support us in this way, your donation will help us to provide specialist palliative and end-of-life care to local people, and bereavement support for their families.

Leaving a gift in your will

Here at St Catherine’s Hospice, we understand how important your family and friends are and that these people will always be considered first when you are writing your will.

Write a will with St Catherine’s Hospice

Writing a will doesn’t need to be complicated or time-consuming, and getting your affairs in order now can make life much easier for your loved ones later.

Wills don’t just cover property and finances; you can entrust the care of your pets to someone, and leave instructions for paying for and arranging your funeral.

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.

Once your loved ones are taken care of, you may decide to pledge a gift to our charity. We are extremely grateful for any donation received, as legacy gifts fund the care of one in five of our patients at the hospice and in the community.

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.

Please visit www.stcatherines.co.uk/wills or contact our friendly team if you would like more information about the Wills Service, and if you would like to discuss leaving a gift to this worthwhile local charity in the future.

01772 629171 / giftsinwills@stcatherines.co.uk

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.

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

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.

South Lancashire Breast Screening is your local service, covering Wigan, West Lancs and Chorley and South Ribble

01942 774713

bsuappointments@wwl.nhs.uk

www.wwl.nhs.uk/specialities/breast_screening

South Lancashire Breast Screening Unit

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

AGE CONCERN - CHARITY RETAIL

Over the last decade, retailing has shifted with increasing amounts of consumers now taking a more ethical and sustainable approach to their shopping habits. They are becoming more aware of the environmental and social impact of their purchases, leading to them increasingly seeking out options that are both ethical and sustainable.

From those on modest incomes who are simply seeking out a bargain to those who are struggling financially, charity shops offer a wide variety of affordable goods to meet all budgets. Ranging from basic brands to top end designer, from clothing to essential household items, the variety of choice available allows quality item purchasing to all types of customer.

Charity shops create both paid employment and volunteering opportunities in the local area, ensuring the smooth running of the shops and sorting of donations. This can help to reduce unemployment and increase economic activity, both being especially important during times of economic hardship and social isolation.

The fast fashion industry is one of the largest industries in the world and is the second largest pollutant on the planet. Donating and buying pre-loved clothing and other items is an incredibly effective way to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, extending the life of clothing and other useable items, whilst helping raise vital funds for charitable causes.

Age Concern Central Lancashire has been flying the flag for ethical charity retailing for the past four decades, diverting over 100 tonnes of unwanted items such as clothing, shoes, toys, books, bric-a-brac and electrical goods away from landfill sites, year after year. Having recently launched its ‘Second Look’ concept which is designer focused, Age Concern’s retailing is adapting its offer and reacting to changes in customer needs.

Bel Fry, Director of Retail at Age Concern Central Lancashire said;

‘We are extremely proud of our charity retail heritage and have been trading on the high streets of Lancashire since 1981. Our 9 shops are based in Preston (Market Street and Cannon street), Leyland, Bamber Bridge, Chorley (Central, Buckshaw Village & Calder Park), Fulwood and Cleveleys.

As charity shopping is becoming more appealing to all age groups, we wanted to highlight the range and quality of our top –high street and designer donated items by having a dedicated section within the shops and to give the range its own identity. From this idea the concept of ‘Second Look’ was born.

Since launching the concept in February of this year we have seen a huge uptake in the sales of both ladies and gents wear, shoes and accessories.We are extremely fortunate to have the support of local people who shop with us and donate their pre-loved items to our shops, some of which are brand new with tags and some of which are high quality designer brands, allowing us to continue the excellent work that we do within the elderly community in Lancashire.We very much value your support.”

As well as selling from our 9 brick and mortar shops, we also operate a stand lone e-commerce function, selling to all over the world, from a variety of online platforms such as Depop(AgeConcernCL), EBay- (Central Lancashire Age Concern Ltd) and Discogs -(AgeConcernCL). All 3 options allow 24/7 shopping until your heart’s content from the comfort of your home!

Volunteering feels good!

Volunteering in a charity retail shop is a great way to give back to your community and make a difference to the lives of those in need. You can gain valuable experience in customer service and retail operations, as well as develop relationships with other volunteers and staff. Additionally volunteering can help to build your sense of self-worth and value, as you are contributing your time and energy to help support a cause that you believe in.

Learn how to create eye-catching displays, sort through pre-loved items and prepare stock for sale or serve customers; there are roles for everyone, supporting a team of creative staff. Learn new skills, make new friends whilst helping improve the quality of life for older people in our communities.

Age Concern has a vibrant and passionate volunteer community. Volunteers help us in our shops, our services as well as being part of our Board of Trustees, helping to shape the future of the charity. If you’d like to volunteer with us please get in touch – we’d love to hear from you! Join us and make a difference! Email your interest to volunteering@ageconcerncentrallancashire.org.uk

Age Concern Central Lancashire opened its ‘Occasions’ shop located at 30 Cannon Street in Preston city centre in September 2022. This is the ninth shop to be added to our portfolio of successful and popular charity shopping destinations in Lancashire. The shop specialises in the sale of preloved occasional wear including bridal, evening, prom, party and vintage wear, offering customers a sustainable and more cost effective place to purchase those special outfits. From items that are brand new with tags to items with minimal signs of wear, the majority of our stock are one off pieces, enabling you wear them as they are, customise or upcycle to really make you stand out from the crowd.

With the cost of living increasing, brides-to-be can consider a more cost-effective and sustainable option for their wedding dress and buy preloved. We have available a wide range of beautiful styles in store including some absolute classic designs from years gone by. Buying pre-loved will have a huge impact on the purse strings whilst generating much-needed income for the charity

Age Concern Occasions is open Tuesday to Friday 10am -4pm Saturday 9.30am to 5pm.

Tel 01772 552875

In November 2020 Age Concern scooped the ‘Most Creative use of Lockdown’ Award at the prestigious Charity Retail Awards 2020 with the judges stating;

“A shining example of how a charity can be creative quickly adapt and respond to new needs whilst growing it’s operation, reputation and partnerships. A fantastic achievement you should all be very proud of what has been achieved.”