Preston & The Fylde Coast 39

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PRESTON & THE FYLDE COAST SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2013 EDITION 39

Cliff ’s Still Reelin’ and a-Rockin’ Hairy Bikers

Grills & Roasts www.50plusmagazine.co.uk THE LOCAL MAGAZINE

FOR THE OVER 50s

WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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Adjustable beds are simply a must have in the bedroom as they offer superior comfort for just about everyone, whether sleeping, talking on the phone, watching TV, playing Sudoku or just having a well-deserved afternoon nap.

There are two parts to an adjustable bed; the first part is the base and the mechanics, the second is the mattress and if you are considering buying an adjustable then this will undoubtedly help you to choose and buy the perfect bed.

Adjustable bed features First off before you get into buying a bed remember that you spend around a third of your life in it so try them out before buying from a retailer rather than trusting a web image. The adjustable beds at Lefton’s are made in the UK to the highest quality standards, come with manufacturer’s warranties for peace of mind, and are fitted with good quality, smooth and quiet motors. The team is more than happy for you to test out the beds in store to make sure the bed is just right for you. We’ve got mattress protectors on all the beds, so take your time, relax and try them out.

Electronic controls Most controls are now electronic and with a simple to use remote control pad. With upto five fold actions on some beds you can create the exact positioning you want and can even look at going up the luxury stakes with the addition of a massage function to your bed and electronic control.

Bed guards Most adjustable beds are designed to allow for grab or cot rails to be fitted.

These are wonderful additions for those who have restless nights sleep and have found themselves outside the bed on occasions or indeed are just as useful for assiting you into and out of bed safely.

Frames The most popular frames are divan bases which are available with or without base drawers or you have the shallow divan based on legs, which gives a more Scandinavian feel to the room plus lots of space underneath to hide away those storage boxes. The key to a good frame is a base with slats made from good quality, well treated solid wood.

Mattresses There are countless mattresses to choose from and by far and away the best way to work out which is for you is by trying them out find the best fit for you. This is especially so if you’re going to use them on an adjustable bed but not all mattresses can be used on an adjustable bed so these are the ones to look out for.

Pocket spring – a pocket spring mattress has individual springs housed in their own little pockets of material so that the springs work independently of each other to respond better to your body shape giving support in the right places. Great for a superior night’s sleep and perfect for

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couples with weight variations or differing sleep patterns. More expensive mattresses make use of natural fillings, hand stitching and a bigger spring count.

Latex – a popular choice offering great levels of support and comfort and are available as a pure latex ‘block’ or as a ‘combination’ mattress, building a layer of latex onto an open coil or pocket sprung mattress for a smoother flatter feel, moulding to you as you sleep and smoothing out once you’re out of bed.

Latex is a natural product, hypoallergenic and usually has anti-microbial properties.

Memory foam – there’s been lots of talk about this NASA developed product for years and it’s the Marmite of the bed world – you either love it or hate it! Memory foam has a fairly unique cell structure that reacts to pressure and heat to contour your body as it warms from your body heat; offering a superior posture aligned sleep - perfect for relieving pressure points and preventing pressure sores and offer multiple orthopaedic and other health benefits.

Reflex – are filler free mattresses and are in fact foam filled with lots of bubbles which respond to pressure, squashing sideway as you lie down and returning back to the same position once you get up. They are also usually ribbed to work in harmony with your body. Reflex mattresses offer outstanding levels of quality and performance, shape retention and long term durability.

With adjustable beds be sure to road test them properly. At Lefton’s you’ll get a full demonstration in store and you’ll be encouraged by one of or fully trained team to try out the beds and controls for yourself. We have a great selection on the showroom floor with free parking, free delivery and free installation of your new bed. No other store offers as much as Lefton’s!

www.leftonsgroup.com

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Stay Safe Online From shopping online to skyping with the grandkids, there’s no denying that the internet plays a big role in modern living. Whether you’re an IT expert or a networking novice, there’s a big worldwide web out there. So it pays to take some simple steps when surfing online.

Shop safe

Shopping online gives you far more options than popping to the shops. But how do you know which websites are safe to use? A quick internet search or checking user reviews can give you a good indication about whether you can trust the site. If you’re buying something online, some ways to pay are safer than others. For example, using a credit card gives you legal rights if your goods don’t turn up or aren’t as they were described. Not everything is going to be covered though, so check before you buy. Alternatively, an electronic payment method (like PayPal) is much safer than a direct transfer.

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Magic word

When setting up online accounts, it pays to vary the passwords, security and PIN numbers you use. Remembering passwords can be tricky, so why not get creative? Try using a favourite song title, or an old telephone number that you won’t forget. Never give your password details to anyone asking for them unless you’re sure the request is genuine. If you’d like to keep your privacy online, you don’t need to give your real name on forums or social network sites like Twitter.

And always invest in good anti-virus software.

Online banking

Internet banking can cut down the time you spend standing around in your local branch. You can move money in an instant online – but make sure you’re paying in to the right account. Bank transfers only match numbers not names, so if you type the wrong digits in, you might lose your cash. If you do have a problem - or want to get started with online banking - contacts your bank.

Free trials

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24-25

inside...

6-7

Wine and Walking ...

In France!

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Robinsons Holidays...

Affordable peace of mind.

10-11 Holidaying For Less ...

Get the best value from your holiday.

14-15 Cliff Richard ...

Still Reelin’ and a Rockin’

There’s a wide range of great software and apps that you can download online many of them offer free trials – but will ask for your account details to set them up. If you sign up to a trial make sure you note down when it ends, as the business will automatically debit your account after this date. If you need to cancel any direct debits to websites remember to cancel them with your bank as well as with the site itself.

18-19 Perfect Home & Space ...

The psychology of home spaces.

We hope that our tips make your online adventures free from worry. If you do find your finances stuck in the web, the ombudsman can help point you in the right direction.

Get in touch on 0300 123 9 123 or find us online at www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk

McGrath Media.

Unit 6 | Moses Gate Workshops Gladys Street | Bolton | BL3 2QG. T: (01204) 796 494 | F: (01204) 791594

24-25 The Hairy Bikers ...

Grills & Roasts.

e: mcgrathadmin@btconnect.com

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Graham Smith...

TWITTERING ON Talk your way out of a jam!

It is a source of great concern to me that the Germans are already working on the next generation of cars which are going to “talk” to each other, see round corners and see through lorries.

For someone who can remember starting a Morris 1000 with a crank handle this is a worry. I remember headlight dip switches on the floor, adhesive heated rear windows, trafficators which popped out to say which way you were going and tyre chains. If you could read a number plate at the prescribed distance, avoid ploughing into too many pedestrians, do a three point turn in a space the size of a football pitch and recite the Highway Code you passed your test. Now the blasted car is going to talk to me? I don’t want one!

I have enough problems with a sat nav trying to chuck me in the river somewhere off the M6 without the car talking to me as well, I normally have sufficient coping with my wife. Vehicles equipped with “car-to-x” technology, should warn of hazards far beyond the vision of the driver including traffic jams further along a motorway or a vehicle making an emergency stop up ahead.

The organisation behind the technology is Frankfurt-based Safe Intelligent Mobility Testfield (Sim TD), a consortium of vehicle manufacturers with factories in Germany.

Mercedes Benz-maker Daimler is leading the project and BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, Ford and Opel are also involved.

They have already held the world’s largest field test of car-to-car communication around Sim TD’s home city: 500 drivers signed up to test the tech and clocked up a total of 1.7 million km (1.1 million miles).

Sim TD says you can expect to see the first talking cars on the road in 2015. That’s it for me. The first time any vehicle speaks to me I’m hanging up the keys and buying a bike.

It’s ridiculous. Imagine you’re tootling down the High Street and suddenly the car announces that someone has done an emergency stop three miles away so be careful. Too much information.

And how are the ladies going to cope? It’s not so many years since the fairer sex were hanging their handbags on the choke handle, so what’s going to happen when the flipping dashboard starts talking? I see trouble and consternation, and there’s worse to come. Audi is testing other mechanisms, including a vibrating steering wheel and force feedback pedals - a pedal which pushes back or vibrates when the driver tries to accelerate.

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“That will get the driver’s attention,” says Robert Manz, an Audi developer. Oh it will Robert, I guarantee it. Why do we need a vibrating steering wheel? I have a picture of obeying my sat nav by taking the next left and suddenly the steering wheel vibrates and as I press the brake it presses back at me. I’m not going to be pleased and neither is the bus driver coming towards me as I career onto the other side of the road.

Interactive traffic signs and traffic lights equipped with sensors will also talk to each other and swap information with cars in the area. Oh will they? That’ll be fun, you’ve just pulled away on green and the traffic light leans forward and announces 3p a litre off at the local supermarket and, in fear, you lurch into the path of another oncoming vehicle which will now be able to shout pre-programmed obscenities at you, flash its own headlights and take a picture at the same time!

There will be tears before bedtime. I have arranged for machine guns to be fitted under my front bumper, an ejector seat and a wide screen TV where the windscreen used to be because it is obvious I will no longer have to look where I am going, the blasted car will do it for me.

Bollards And while we’re on the subject I had a chuckle at this story.

A man had to be rescued by a policeman after his head became wedged inside a traffic bollard for two hours.

The unfortunate chap was unable to free himself after putting the cone on his head while joking with friends in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.

John Waterman, who captured the incident on his mobile phone, said: “I came out of Burger King and this man had the bollard stuck on his head.

“I had seen him walking with it on top of his head five minutes earlier, but now it was pulled right down.”

“No one was helping him because they thought he was just messing around.”

Eventually, a police officer and passer-by managed to free the man, who was applauded by a crowd of onlookers. Did anyone think to ask him how his head got there in the first place?

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50 Plus Travel

sponsored by

WINE AND WALKING IN FRANCE

By Tina James, Managing Director, Headwater Holidays.

If you go walking in France it is only a matter of time before you happen across a vineyard. And while the New World upstarts may well have flooded your local supermarket with gallons of very drinkable – and well-priced – wines, nothing quite matches up to sipping your beverage of choice in the very vineyards where the grapes were grown.

And that is exactly what you can do in numerous locations in France, from Champagne to Provence, Bordeaux to Alsace, you will be very well catered for irrespective of your preferred tipple.

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Two of the most fascinating and rewarding wine regions to visit when exploring France on foot are the Loire and Burgundy.

The regions sit side by side in the middle of the country, and while both are best renowned for their world-famous white wines (Chablis in Burgundy, Sancerre in the Loire) there are some excellent reds and rosés produced in both areas. When going on a walking holiday to Burgundy you will be able to visit some of the many smallholder vineyards that are easy to miss if driving. Passed down through the generations, some of the vineyards in the region date back almost two thousand years.

The vineyards of Burgundy cover an area exceeding 25,000 hectares and there are 99 appellations d’origine controlee split between the five main areas of production

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in the region: Chablis/ Auxerrois in Yonne, Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune in Côte-d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais in Saône et Loire. But aside from the wine itself there are numerous walking routes that allow visitors to enjoy some of the most enchanting countryside France has to offer. Poppies carpet the landscape and gently rolling fields of wheat and wooded hills separate the quaint riverside villages and the numerous gastronomic and grape-related delights that reside within.

compared to some of the more prestigious – but prohibitively expensive – options from the top end of the Bordeaux wine spectrum. Like in Burgundy, there are very many vineyards of the Loire Valley which you can visit, often to stroll around the grounds and get in amongst the vines themselves, but always to sample – and perhaps purchase – the wines produced there.

Of course, there is plenty more to the Loire Valley than just the wine. While you can’t go far in France without finding a vineyard, For real aficionados of you can’t hang around two-footed travel, taking the Loire region for long Villandry Castle, Loire Valley in a section of the famous without finding one of the – and very well-trodden – many châteaux for which pilgrims’ path to Santiago the region is famous. From di Compostella, the purported resting place of the mortal the refined architecture of the Château de Cheverny to the remains of the apostle St James, is worth the effort. The magnificence of the Château de Serrant, there are literally UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vézelay, meanwhile, hundreds of the castles, stately homes and palaces which marks the starting points of journeys in the other direction: reside under the umbrella of châteaux. Many also have the 12th Century basilica was used as the launching point their architectural splendour mirrored in the gardens in for two Crusades. With the beauty and charm of the which they are set, with plenty of scope to amble away the mediaeval city of Auxerre offering an excellent starting afternoons in some of the grandest and most intriguing point for a trip to the region, it makes a great contrast from botanical collections in the whole of France, if not Europe. the rusticity of the surrounding area, with some top-class restaurants, all of which serve many of the region’s most So with walks that will stretch the legs rather than break drinkable and satisfying wines. the bones, undulating countryside pockmarked with pretty villages and dissected by meandering rivers, the Loire So switching attention to the neighbouring Loire Valley Valley is another great place to enjoy a walking holiday region, and some things are very similar: beautiful rolling where relaxation is the order of the day. As for the night? hills awash with flora and supporting a good variety of Well, that’s when the wine really comes into its own. birds and mammals; many small but intriguing towns and villages built aside picturesque rivers; and, almost going Silver Travel Advisor recommends without saying, a vast array of wines, many full of subtle Headwater Holidays for independent complexity.

The high mineral content in the soil of the Loire region gives a sharp freshness to the famous whites of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume, both of which use the Sauvignon Blanc grape variety. The crisp and surprisingly complex wines also offer excellent value for money when

and guided walking and cycling holidays around Europe and worldwide.

Visit www.headwater.com or call 01606 720099

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

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Est.1923

Coach Holidays Enjoy a relaxing holiday by coach to great hotels and destinations throughout the UK and Europe with Robinsons Holidays.

2014 ROBINSONS OWN HOTELS Stylish hotel located in the grounds of the former Torre Abbey.

Facilities at the Abbey Lawn Hotel include:

The Abbey Lawn Hotel, Torquay AA3H

An impressive Victorian building set amidst a beautiful tree lined boulevard.

The Robinsons Difference Complimentary Insurance l Local joining points l No single supplements* l High standard of accommodation l Great choice of menus l Executive coaches with extra legroom l Includes excursions l Friendly staff l Own hotels in great locations l Peace of mind security

Indoor Heated Pool/Outdoor Pool, Lounge, Large Conservatory, Sea View Rooms available*, Lift, Porterage.

Facilities at the Imperial Hotel include:

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Payment in instalments

Two Residents’ Bars, Ballroom, TV & Complimentary Tea & Coffee in all Bedrooms, 2 x Lifts, Porterage.

The Imperial Hotel, Eastbourne, Robinsons 3H An elegant hotel commanding magnificent views across Sandown Bay, Golden Beaches and a quaint collection of shops.

Facilities at the Ocean View Hotel include: Indoor Heated Pool, Indoor Bowling Green, Table Tennis, Snooker Room, Sea View Rooms available* Lift, Porterage.

The Ocean View Hotel, Shanklin, Robinsons 3H

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* Robinsons own hotels

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See brochure for full holiday details, Terms & conditions apply.

FREEPHONE 0800 0839900

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Eastbourne

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5 Day Tour ~ 4 Nights Half Board Date

Imperial Ocean View Abbey Lawn

Isle of Wight

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Torquay

8 Day Tour ~ 7 Nights Half Board Date

Imperial Ocean View Abbey Lawn

09 Feb

£125 - £125

03 May

£359

£359

£359

16 Feb

£129 - £129

04 May

£359

£359

-

23 Feb

£135 - £135

10 May

£369

£369

£369

03 Mar

£139

£139 £139

11 May

£369

£369 -

10 Mar

£145

£145 £145

17 May

£379

£379 £379

17 Mar

£149

£149 £149

18 May

£379

£379 -

23 Mar

£155

£155 £155

24 May

£389

£389 £389

31 Mar

£159

£159 £159

25 May

£389

£389 £389

06 Apr

£165

£165 £165

31 May

£399

£399 £399

13 Apr

£169

£169 £169

01 Jun

£399

£399 £399

18 Apr

£179

£179 £179

07 Jun

£399

£399 £399

23 Apr

£175

£175 £175

08 Jun

£399

£399 £399

27 Apr

£179

£179 £179

14 Jun

£399

£399 £399

03 May

£185 £185 £185

15 Jun

£399 £399 £399

07 May

£189 £189 £189

21 Jun

£399 £399 £399

11 May

£195

£195

22 Jun

£399

17 May

£199 £199 £199

28 Jun

£399 £399 £399

21 May

£205 £205 £205

29 Jun

£399 £399 £399

25 May

£209 £209

-

05 July

£399 £399 £399

31 May

£219 £219

-

06 July

£399 £399 £399

12 July

£399 £399 £399

13 July

£399 £399 £399

19 July

£399 £399 £399

20 July

£399 £399 £399

26 July

£399 £399 £399

27 July

£399 £399 £399

£195

SUPPLEMENTS - PER PERSON ABBEY LAWN HOTEL Front View Premier Room

8 DAYS £15 £50

5 DAYS £10 £30

IMPERIAL HOTEL Premier Room

£35

£20

OCEAN VIEW HOTEL Sea View Premier Room

£15 £50

£10 £30

£399

£399

All tours include 2 Excursions and Complimentary Insurance 99 www.50plusmagazine.co.uk www.50plusmagazine.co.uk BOOK ONLINE www.robinsons-holidays.co.uk Park Garage, Great Harwood, Blackburn BB6 7SP.

HOLIDAYING FOR LESS

GOING on holiday may seem like a fond dream for many when money seems to be stretched so tightly these days – but don’t give up on this particular dream because there are ways to holiday for less.

For many of us, holidays are an excellent way to de-stress, relax and rejuvenate ourselves and our lives so they’re actually an excellent investment in our wellbeing.

The first rule of getting the best value from your planned holiday, home or abroad, always used to be to either book early or book late.

However, travel expert Carol Allenby Carr from Travel Counsellors who has 18 years in the industry, says that although travellers often used to get better prices by booking a late deal the situation has changed. “Nowadays, with lots of tour operators and airlines penalising customers who leave it until the last minute by putting on late booking charges, the advice is definitely to book early,” she stated.

Carol also advises avoiding travelling at peak periods, like school holidays, if you can as prices are much higher. If you really have to go then as you’ve got school-age children or you work in education “then it’s more important than ever to book earlier, probably up to 11 months in advance when the airlines first release their prices,” she added.

“Watch out for hidden charges on your flights on areas like luggage, meals on the plane and even choosing where you want to sit. These all cost extra so think things through. Do you need 20kg of luggage or could you make do with less?

The same applies to pre-booked seats. Is it worth paying around £20 each to get seats together booked beforehand when, if you turn up at the airport in good time, you should be able to be seated together anyway?”

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And don’t under-estimate the weight of your luggage, stated Carol, as paying for 15kg and then turning up at the airport with 20kg will incur a charge, sometimes quite a heavy one.

Put together a packing list and try to travel light – you’ll be amazed how little you really need if the weather’s hot!

The poor performance of the euro in Europe over the last few years has made eating out more expensive in many countries, too. “As a result I’ve seen a big increase in the numbers of people booking all-inclusive holidays where basically everything like food and drinks is included,” said Carol.

“This is especially popular with families as we all know what it’s like taking children on holiday – they want drinks, ice creams etc and before you know you’ve spent a small fortune.”

Some countries are generally better value than others. “You get more for your money in places like Turkey and Bulgaria and for those who want to travel further afield, Thailand and Goa are good choices,” said Carol.

And don’t discount cruising, either. Sarah Ebden, who has wide experience helping clients enjoy cruises of all types and price ranges, says that early booking discounts are valuable. “Cruise fees are at their lowest when first on sale,” she explained. “Some luxury cruise lines even increase their fees as the sail date gets closer.”

Sarah advises looking out for promotional offers, and then grabbing them straight away. “You may not see them again as they’re rarely repeated,” she said.

Knowing the right time of year to look for discounts is always useful, too. Sarah points out that for cruises around Europe look for “specials” from late March through to April.

For the Caribbean, the bargains are in the Autumn, and for river cruises low season is March, April and October to December.

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“Sail from a UK port to save on air-fare”, stated Sarah.

“Go for ships that are not in the spotlight as they will be cheaper. For example, Norwegian has just launched the Breakaway, therefore its predecessor – the Epic – will now have lower fares.”

Look for promotions such as on board credit and reduced drinks’ packages “as drinks on board can be expensive,” she added.

Ships going back to their home port – or repositioning – may also offer great bargains on this single trip, so ask your cruise expert about this. Travel in a group and take advantage of group discounts, although not all cruiselines offer this. And the good news is that tell your travel agent if you’re over 55 as cruiselines often offer discounts to the over-55s.

Wherever you go on your holidays, plan your budget in advance. If your hotel is simply a place to sleep and store your luggage, opt for a cheaper hotel with less facilities.

Do some research on local restaurants in the area you’re visiting and track down ways to eat, sleep, drink and sightsee for less rather than just getting there and then looking for bargains.

If you’re really skint, consider house-sitting. This is when you register with an agency and can be asked to look after someone else’s home around the country – or elsewhere in the world – while they’re away. You may have to care for pets or look after the garden but there are plenty of opportunities for this free holiday. Register with organisations like Trusted House Sitters if this appeals.

Or, you could swap your home for someone else’s in a different part of the UK or abroad. Again, this dramatically cuts costs. Find out more from companies like Home For Exchange.

And, of course, to safeguard your money – and your health – it’s vital to take out the right kind of holiday insurance.

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) reports that every year they come across examples of members of the public who have travelled uninsured and then run up substantial medical bills overseas.

“Travel insurance also provides essential cancellation cover should you fall ill or be made redundant before you travel, and covers for lost or stolen belongings and travel delays,” explained a spokesman.

“Insurance is not an optional extra but a travel essential.

Consumers who travel more than once a year, especially on the spur of the moment, should consider taking out an annual policy. For the over 50s there are specialist insurances available which will cover pre-existing medical conditions and which take a more holistic approach to the risk associated with this age group.”

CONTACTS: • Travellor Counsellor Carol Allenby Carr email carol.allenby-carr@travelcounsellors.com • Cruise Holidays Sarah Ebden email sebden@cruiseholidaysuk.co.uk • Trusted House Sitters go to www.trustedhousesitters.com • Home For Exchange go to www.homeforexchange.com • ABTA email abta@abta.co.uk

miss having them around? skype the grandkids

question about your savings? talk to the ombudsman (or find us online)

0300 123 9 123

financial-ombudsman.org.uk honest answers – to help you move on www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

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what’s FRI 6 SEPT

THUR 10 OCT

The Manfreds and original ‘front man’ Paul Jones, perform a mix of their biggest hits and the jazz and blues songs for which they are famous.

Dripping with diamante and sizzling on stage with new songs and side splitting comedy.

THE MANFREDS

SAT 7 SEPT

SAT 12 OCT

DEACON BLUE

Deacon Blue return in 2013 to embark on their biggest tour in over a decade with Real Gone Kid, Dignity, Chocolate Girl, and also songs from their new repertoire

SOLD OUT

THUR 17 OCT

A spellbinding adventure from the creators of The Gruffalo!

How the cat purred and how the witch grinned. As they sat on their broomstick and flew through the wind!

QUALMPEDDLAR

BILL BAILEY Bill had Doubts about the modern world, but these have now grown into QualmsCome savour this Broth of Anxiety

17 to 21 SEPT

SAT 19 OCT

ME AND MY GIRL

Songs including The Sun Has Got His Hat On, Leaning on a Lamppost and of course The Lambeth Walk and Me and My Girl

All the classic songs - Hotel California, The Last Resort, Life in the Fast Lane,Tequila Sunrise and many more

SAT 28 SEPT

SUN 20 OCT

Preston Musical Comedy present

ILLEGAL EAGLES

MAGIC A KIND OF QUEEN

SLEEPING BEAUTY

All of Queen’s greatest hits plus some you may not have heard for a while, in their latest show for 2013

Moscow Ballet La Classique return to the Charter Theatre with their spectacular production of Sleeping Beauty

THU 3 OCT

MON 21 OCT

THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES

Eve Ensler’s hilarious Broadway and West End smash hit is back, featuring three amazing actresses from the world of TV and stage.

READY STEADY COOK LIVE!

Fronted by Chef Lesley Waters, and featuring some top TV chefs – plus a Celebrity Host

SAT 5 OCT

TUE 22 OCT

This concert is sure to have audiences young and old up on their feet dancing and singing…. capture the sheer brilliance of ‘ABBA’

THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED)

MON 7 & TUE 8 OCT

THUR 24 OCT

A wealth of comedy anecdotes, comic misunderstandings and audience banter delivered with Jason’s likeable charm and teasingly intelligent wit.

It’s elementary! It’s also downright hilarious as comedy national treasure Joe Pasquale takes on the role of Sherlock Holmes.

VOULEZ VOUS

JASON MANFORD

Box Office:

PAUL WELLER

10 to 12 SEPT

ROOM ON THE BROOM

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THE LADYBOYS OF BANGKOK

0844 844 7718

HA HA HOLMES

www.prestonguildhall.com www.50plusmagazine.co.uk www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

on

FRI 25 OCT

THE HITCHHIKERS GUIDE TO THE GALAXY RADIO SHOW LIVE! SAT 26 OCT

ESSENCE OF IRELAND

Set against the backdrop of Ireland, England and America in the 20th century and inspired by true events, Essence of Ireland tells a story of love, joy, happiness and heartache

TUE 29 OCT

BRIT FLOYD UK TOUR

Musically perfect and visually awesome, the new show will recreate the legendary, enigmatic Pink Floyd in its many forms

FRI 15 NOV

BILL WYMAN’S RHYTHM KINGS

This set of virtuoso musicians superbly bring back to life the kind of classic rhythm and blues that first inspired Wyman to pick up the guitar as a teenager.

SAT 16 NOV

PAUL CARRACK

Legendary Sheffield-born singer, songwriter and former frontman of Ace, Squeeze and Mike & The Mechanics returns to the road.

21 & 22 NOV

WHAT THE LADYBIRD HEARD

Based on the award-winning picture book by Julia Donaldson & Lydia Monks.

FRI 1 NOV

SUN 24 NOV

Purveyors of Cool swing into town with The Greatest Music of the 20th Century.

Every song a classic - Come Fly with Me, Volare, That’s Amore, Under My Skin, Mr Bojangles, Mack The Knife, and many more of your favourites.

The Marmalade, Hermans Hermits, Chris Farlowe, Steve Ellis’ Love Affair Hosted by Alan Mosca from Freddie & The Dreamers

THE RAT PACK

SAT 2 NOV

SEAN LOCK

Filled with gags, opinions, deft observations and some silly voices, Sean does what he does best spouting inspired jibber jabber as he crosses the country in his purple van.

SUN 3 NOV

THE SENSATIONAL 60’S EXPERIENCE SAT 7 DEC

Preston Orpheus Choir

A FESTIVAL FOR CHRISTMAS There’s no better way to herald the festive period than with a celebration of music and dance from the region’s finest local talent

3 to 31 DEC

PUPPETRY OF THE PENIS

CINDERELLA

6 to 8 NOV

TUE 31 DEC

The boys have stretched themselves to the limit for over a ‘dickade’ performing the hilarious Ancient Art of Genital Origami and now they are back for more!

SHAKESPEARE SCHOOL FESTIVAL

TED ROBBINS returns with a host of familar faces from TV with a hilarious family panto to get you in the festive spirit!

LAST NIGHT OF THE PRESTON PROMS

Classic after classic with a midnight Proms finale and fantastic indoor fireworks

SAT 9 NOV

THE BAY CITY ROLLER STORY

Massive hits such as ‘Bye Bye Baby’, ‘Shang A Lang’, ‘Summer Love Sensation’ and ‘Give A Little Love’ (to name just a few)

0844 844 7718

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Box Office:

FRI 24 JAN

MOTOWN’S GREATEST HITS

HOW SWEET IT IS Celebrating Over 50 Years Of The Sweet Sound Of Motown

www.prestonguildhall.com 13

Cliff’s still Reelin’ and a-Rockin’ Cliff usually spends Winter at his six bedroom villa in Barbados, surrounded by manicured gardens around an azure swimming pool.

When the Caribbean gets too hot it’s over to his vineyard retreat in Portugal. An enviable lifestyle that he can enjoy every day of the year, but he chose June 2013 to embark on a Summer tour unlike any other, performing his best loved songs against a backdrop of England’s most beautiful castles and stately homes before flying off to continue his tour in Israel.

INTERVIEW

Just prior to the tour we decided to ask Cliff some questions about his lifestyle as the Peter Pan of Pop...

Looking forward to your new tour – Midsummer Nights – Still Reelin’ and A-Rockin’ -great title, how many nights are you performing?

Me too. Having performed the “Reelin’ and A-Rockin’” show “down under” I can’t wait to get started again.

Fingers crossed, that we have a great Summer, we certainly deserve one!!l. I will be performing eight nights from Saturday June 1st and I will be singing at some of the most stunning sites in England on this tour including, Harewood House, Blickling Estate, Warwick Castle and Powderham Castle and finishing up at Hampton Court Palace. I know it is going to be great fun and hope you can join me and my ‘gang’.

Although you are enviably fit and slim are you worried about the toll this show will take on your body? (Probably not you are the most enthusiastic of performers and always seem to be enjoying yourself and giving your best).

When you get older, performing does take more of a toll on your body. However, I make sure I train before I tour so my body is ready for any physical excursion.

I tend to keep fit all year round so it’s not so much of a shock to my body when I do go on tour. I try to play tennis around three times a week. However, I do leave bigger gaps between my tours these days.

How would you spend your time if you were free from commitments for a full day?

Have you ever wanted to do something else to earn your living?

If I was free from commitments for a full day, I would definitely play some tennis, watch a movie and then get with some friends and have a curry dinner.

No, never. Ever since that day I first heard Elvis, I wanted to sing, and I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. I’m sure that if I hadn’t become a performer, I would have got myself into the industry somehow, be it producing or song writing.

What are your top 5 desert island discs?

I would have to take “Heart break hotel “by Elvis, “You got my letter” by Boz Scaggs . Any track from Hank Marvin’s “Django’s Castle”CD. “I honestly love you” by Olivia Newton-John and “Johnny B Goode” by Chuck Berry.

Who do you think are the best acts today who will stand the test of time?

There are some very successful singers out there.

Adele, Rhianna & One Direction. I’ve heard some impressive stuff on the radio but too often nobody tells you who they are, so I don’t know their names. Our business has changed so much that in terms of “who will stand the test of time” well, I guess only time will tell !!!

What words of wisdom would you give to a young singer?

I would give them the same advice that my father gave me. When I was getting serious about singing, my father told me that if I didn’t make it, there was still a life to be lived. Then, when I recorded Move It, he asked me: “Do you really want this? If you do then give it your all and give it all the time.” This is true for any career that you want to pursue, if you want to do it then give it your all.

How often do you get together with your family?

I try to get together with family as often as I can.

When I’m on the road performing, I don’t really have much time to myself to get to see family or friends. So whenever I have a break I try to see family and close friends. As I have homes in Barbados and Portugal they love to come out and visit and of course it’s a holiday for them.

For all things Cliff please visit www.cliffrichard.org

AWARDS SMILE ON BLACKPOOL DENTIST

A BLACKPOOL dentist is celebrating further recognition in his profession just weeks after scooping a top local award.

Dr Zuber Bagasi, clinical director of the Synergy Dental Clinic in Central Drive, won Blackpool Dentist of the Year after more than 100 local patients nominated him for the title in the Best of Health Awards.

They praised his professionalism, excellent manner and high quality of work. Now, 30 year-old Dr Bagasi has also won Highly Commended in the Business Person of the Year category in the Bolton and Bury Business Awards.

Dr Bagasi - who has also opened clinics in Birmingham, Bolton, Bury and in Paisley, Scotland over the last few years - was delighted with this second success so soon after

the Blackpool title. “I was really honoured to receive the Blackpool award and it is a great reflection on myself and my team, especially as it involved nominations from patients,” he said.

“Then to take Highly Commended in these Business Awards was doubly satisfying.”

The Blackpool surgery, in common with the other Synergy Dental surgeries, specialises in the latest dental technology including implants in which Dr Bagasi has a special interest. He lectures on dental implants and mentors other dental implant surgeons throughout the country.

Dr Bagasi is not only a spokesman for his profession with an interest in helping young dentists develop but no stranger to awards As well as the Blackpool and Bolton awards, last year he won Highly Commended in the British Dental Association regional awards’ Best Young Dentist category. And both he and his Blackpool clinic have appeared regularly in the Best Practice shortlist.

Staff at the Blackpool clinic were delighted about this latest double honour for Dr Bagasi. Commented practice manager Latifa Umar: “This is wonderful news for us and for this local clinic. We try to ensure our patients are always 100 per cent happy with their treatment here.

So when an award is nominated by patients, it shows that we are doing it right at the surgery.”

Dr Bagasi is passionate about making good dental care available to everyone and feels that the latest awards highlight his commitment. “I am determined to ensure that all my patients can benefit from the latest dental developments,” he stated.

“I want to encourage them to be pro-active about caring for their teeth and gums themselves but also to be able to give them the best possible care, employing the highest standards of the profession.”

For more information about the Synergy Dental Clinic go to www.synergydental.org. uk or call 01253 348616.

AFFORDABLE DENTAL IMPLANTS Implant + Abutment + Permanent Crown = ÂŁ1,150

5 Years Guarantee on Dental Implants 0% interest free finance available

Contact us on:

01253 348 616

E: info@synergydental.org.uk | W: www.synergydental.org.uk Synergy Dental Clinic 370 Central Drive, Blackpool FY1 6LA

IN PURSUIT OF THE PERFECT HOME AND SPACE

In pursuit of the

PERFECT HOME AND SPACE Whether your house feels empty now the children have flown the nest, you have retired and want to make some changes to your home, or you feel your home no longer reflects your personality, Niki Schäfer, founder of interior design company Dwell-Being says we psychologically need different spaces to create our perfect home.

Schäfer explains: “Understanding and appreciating space in a home is essential. We need space to think clearly, we need space to cook a meal, we need space to breathe and get away from it all, we need head space, me space and we certainly need space for our shoes/ power tools! If the children have left home, the house which has been dominated by the family way of life for probably more than two decades can all of a sudden feel like a quiet shell particularly if the mother has been a ‘stay at home mum’. It can feel liberating but can also often feel lonely and empty and can involve quite a process of reflection and style rediscovery, before you can look at the house that will be with you for the next exciting chapter in your lives.

“Some of us plan on living beyond our 100th year and therefore 50 is really only half way through life so it can be a wonderful time for change! The house does perhaps in time need to reflect changes in current and forthcoming lifestyle though, especially if it is a large investment such as a new home build or complete refurbishment. I have a client who is designing a lift 18

into their home despite being very agile and healthy, but they know there will come a time for the lift rather than the stairs. Getting this balance right is key.

Understanding what your future holds is exciting but it needs to be practical too.

“Generally the plus 50’s know how much money they have. University fees are coming to an end and hopefully the children are earning their own income so the household finances start to look in much better shape if future investments have been catered for.

Their experience in life also means they know where to invest in longer term pieces like furniture to be inherited and where to have some short term fun such as with accessories.”

Schäfer stresses our homes have an impact on our health: “Your home environment is more than just four walls and a lick of paint. It can dictate how you feel.

It can boost your self-esteem; it can calm you down, or make you more productive. Our environment is so much more than the latest wallpaper or a stunning pair of curtains. How is your home space working for you - does it give you the breathing space you so desperately crave? Does it feel organised and efficient and equally comforting and secure? Does it reflect your personality and who you really are? If the answer is no to any of these questions, your home could be affecting your well-being.”

This subtle blend of psychology and interior design is what underpins Schäfer’s company, Dwell-Being, and has helped countless families and individuals to make their dream space a reality. Schäfer’s eclectic experience of living in over 100 homes, including the most unlikely of places such as a cheese cake factory in New York and a railway station in Scotland, makes her well qualified in creating space.

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Niki Schäfer’s seven steps create the three foundations to a home – the act of personal style, the science of family thinking and the discipline of house rules: 1) Outer Space - Understanding what home really

means to you is important. Where do you want to live?

What neighbourhood is right for you? What do you want your home to look like? What facilities and local resources do you need close by? All of this has to be thought through very carefully as you make those vital decisions about buying (or whether to stay in) your home.

2) Me Space - A home is a blank canvas for you to express your personality, your aspirations and also a safe place for your memories. Figuring out your own personal style isn’t as difficult as you might think and once you’ve worked it out it’s such a pleasure to shop for your home.

3) Head Space - Finding the time to design and decorate a home can be one of the most difficult hurdles to pass. We have so much to do and we juggle so much.

Working out why we are doing all the things we are doing (so much on autopilot!) and getting rid of what’s not really helping us can save a huge amount of time.

4) Thinking Space - We all think differently in the

home, even our children who we mould and love turn out to have very different ways of thinking. Thinking space is a space in the house that really needs to be understood if the home is to be harmonious.

5) Dream Space - Bedrooms have become such busy spaces, places where we work, sleep and keep entertained. This isn’t helping us in our stressful lives. A bedroom is a place to relax in and to recuperate at the end of the day; not to feel more stressed by. Design a space to dream in.

6) Breathing Space - We are spending so much time consumed by technology and screen time that we forget about the simple pleasures. Finding somewhere to sit quietly in our home and simply breathe is an invaluable space. Creating the habit of stopping for a moment or two with a drink, or maybe just to drink up the view, does our wellbeing the world of good. Have a space to stop rushing.

7) Heart Space - Designing a space in the heart of

the home – the kitchen, dining and family room is a way to ensure that our family communicates well. Creating a place where the family comes together every day, where they can share stories and feel supported is an undeniably important space in the house. This is more than physical space; this is the space we need to give to others, to hear what’s truly going on in their lives, not to simply pay lip-service to it.

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Schäfer concludes: “Harnessing the importance of each of our seven spaces and learning how to make them beautiful and appealing to everyone who uses them is an art and a science. After all, our environment is so much more than the colour of the walls and what furniture we choose. It’s only when we’re in an environment that’s perfectly suited to us, that we can truly be ourselves.”

Written by

Niki Schäfer founder of

Dwell Being www.dwell-being.co.uk

19

OPEN

FREE ENTRY AND PARKING

The Farmers Market & Craft Centre

TUES - SAT 10AM-5PM SUN 10.30AM - 4.30PM & BANK HOLIDAYS

at Heskin Hall Estate

5 MINS FROM J27 M6, 2 MINS FROM CHARNOCK RICHARD SERVICES

Wood Lane, Heskin, Chorley, Lancashire PR7 5PA • 07599 831907 • www.heskinfarmersmarket.co.uk

FOOD HALL ~ CRAFTS ~ ANTIQUES ~ TEA ROOM

Relax, dine and shop at Heskin Hall Estate Over 40 shops and businesses including: leading art gallery, high quality butchers, florist and plant centre, craft studios, food shops, ladies & gents clothing, gifts with a difference, handbags and jewellery, childrens clothing & toys, hair & beauty, furniture, fredericks ice cream, Hoggs of Fife Country Clothing, Ladybird Lounge Craft Cafe and much more…

The Two Birds Tea Room

Why not relax and enjoy our freshly made paninis, toasties, sandwiches, soups and salads made using our fresh local produce. Summer specials and Sangria now available.

Heskin Hall Free Range Butchers We have a wide range of high quality meats and products including beef, lamb, pork, chicken, turkey, venison, water buffalo and selection of game.

Try our freshly made quality sausages, tasty meat balls, beef burgers, buffalo burgers and stir-fries.

Our beef and lamb comes from our own free range herds, 100% grass fed, producing the highest quality meats and the very best natural flavour.

All of our other meats and products are also carefully sourced from free range farms and producers.

Bracken Country Clothing A wide range of top quality country wear for both men and women at discounted prices.

All sizes available in a wide range of colours.

From agricultural use or just for the man or woman who loves the feel and look of the country side.

Orders are welcomed and if we don’t have your desired item in stock arrangements can be made to have the item delivered within 5 working days!

Units available, email: info@heskinfarmersmarket.co.uk

Now in Lancashire, a local company is helping customers with mobility problems have less pain, be more comfortable and enjoy life.

DO YOU SUFFER FROM POOR MOBILITY AND CAN’T SIT COMFORTABLY? YOU’RE NOT GOING CRAZY! Clinical studies have shown that certain poorly fitted recliners can make your mobility issues worse.

If you suffer from hours of back pain or aching legs, you know how painful and draining these conditions can be. One sufferer wrote: “I just can’t can seem to get comfortable no matter what I do. I can’t sit for more than 10 minutes. It’s physically draining not being able to sit or sleep.”

Have you been everywhere, tried everything and - Fast Track delivery of 48 hours on over 1000 products. are still suffering?

- Advice from expert staff in a relaxed and non-pressure sales environment.

Many of the symptoms you likely suffer from are invisible. You may look fine, but beneath the surface - Coffee and biscuits while you take your time deciding. you are exhausted and in excruciating pain.

My Name is Darren Douglas and I am the owner of the ‘Recliner Lounge’ Comfort Studio in Lancashire.

Do you suffer from any of the Over the past nearly ten years we have used our following symptoms? knowledge and expertise to help thousands of sufferers who have symptoms such as aching joints, * Aching limbs and joints disturbed sleep, fatigue, stiffness, Arthritis, * Disturbed sleep Rheumatism, MS and numerous other ailments. Our * Fatigue or stiffness aim is to make you feel better and live a healthier and * Arthritis, Rheumatism, MS more joyful life. We can help show you why the * Poor circulation * Other mobility restrictions/disabilities chair you use at the moment may be doing you more harm than good.

Contrary to what some people may believe, these symptoms are more Because of this, I’m running a special offer for o common than you may think. You’re not people with any of the ailments listed above. For this alone.There are numerous studies month only we are offering a free 5 year showing that the furniture you sit on can warranty, free installation and a free care kit on improve your health or can actually any Comfort studio Riser Recliner. This offer is intensify your pain if you are using the worth an incredible £135. incorrect type of recliner.

What does this offer include?

Winston J. Warme, M.D. Associate - In-depth help from our trained staff. sta Professor at UW Orthapaedics & Sports - Over 40 different Riser Recliners to choose from.

Medicine in Washington USA reported - VAT exemption available for qualifying customers sleeping in a recliner may considerably (saving you a further 20%) reduce the pain caused by Arthritis.

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Recliners Direct Ltd (Head Ofice & Showroom) 42 Hough Lane, Leyland, Preston, Lancashire PR25 2SA T: 01772 623001 / 01772 623012 E: reclinersdirect@blueyonder.co.uk W: www.reclinersdirect.co.uk

NO PRESSURE SALES, NO INTIMIDATION AND FAST DELIVERY So feel free to visit one of our comfort studios Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm and Sunday 10am - 4pm, or call us on (01772) 623001 or (01704) 530968.

IF YOU SUFFER FROM A LONG TERM DISABILITY, THERE IS HOPE. My team and I look forward to helping you sit comfortably again, so you can start living a healthier and more enjoyable life.

Yours Sincerely, Darren Douglas.

P.S. Imagine how great you could feel without constant fatigue and nagging pains. Imagine jumping out of your recliner or bed and enjoying a more active day, no more getting up feeling like you’ve been hit by a truck.

Imagine not having to take handfuls of pills that haven’t helped much and have dangerous side effects.

What would it feel like to have hope again?

Recliners Direct Ltd (Southport Showroom) 21-23 Shakespeare Stret, Southport, Mersyside PR8 5AB T: 01704 530968 www.50plusmagazine.co.uk E: southport@reclinersdirect.co.uk W: www.reclinersdirect.co.uk

The Recliner Lounge The Home of Comfort

The Recliner Lounge’s Comfort Studio in Leyland has opened a 2nd flagship showroom in Southport and is Merseyside’s first recliner specialist. Based just 5 minutes from the famous Lord Street, it is ideally located for customers to visit from surrounding areas. We pride ourselves on being product specialists and endeavour to offer world class recliners at affordable prices.

One of the most remarkable things about The Recliner Lounge is that we carry a huge amount of stock in our own dedicated warehouse, meaning we can offer our customers FREE NEXT DAY DELIVERY to anywhere in the UK!

tile gallery

The Recliner Lounge is a family run company that has grown rapidly since its founding in 2005. After initially establishing ourselves as an on-line business with numerous websites, the need became apparent to open a showroom for customers to come and try the chairs so that they could make a more informed decision when purchasing reclining furniture. In 2008 we opened a small showroom in Leyland which we very quickly outgrew. We moved to a larger showroom on the high street in Leyland in 2011 and also moved to a 100,000 sq foot purpose built warehouse to accommodate the amount of stock we now carry.

TILES WITH A DIFFERENCE

Our new showroom is on Shakespeare Street in Southport and has many unique features such as a cinema seating gallery, Dedicated Massage recliner studio, Large Swivel recliner and Riser Recliner Gallery and many other recliner products. The showroom also has its own customer car-park with ramp entrance and wheel-chair access, making it ideal for all customers including those with mobility issues.

We also have a separate ground floor disabled toilet located in our showroom, again with wheel-chair access.

Because we are a small company we are able to spend time listening to your requirements and suggesting suitable design and colour combinations to ensure you are delighted with your final project. We pride ourselves on the quality of our service and always ensure our clients are entirely satisfied.

To complement our showrooms, we have a large website with over a 2000 products featured online...

www.reclinersdirect.co.uk There are no long delivery lead times, no delivery charges, and we even offer a 14 day returns policy. (Terms and Conditions Apply) Please see our website or contact us for more details.

Our showroom is fully stocked with a massive range of reclining chairs starting at £199.00. When visiting our showroom, you can experience the comfort and variety of a huge range of recliners including; swivel, manual, massage, electric and riser recliners.

Our specialist team can offer you friendly advice in a relaxed atmosphere, so why not call in and visit us; we are open 7 days a week.

We source and impor t directly from Europe We have been creating tile designs for bathrooms, kitchens and living areas for thousands of homes over the past 15 years.

Having had the opportunity to work on hundreds of exciting projects over the years, we have developed strong relationships with all our clients during the process.

TEL: 01772 672 696 WWW.TILEGALLERY.INFO

UNITS 1 & 2, PROGRESS BUSINESS PARK, ORDERS LANE, KIRKHAM, PRESTON PR4 2TZ

50 PLUS READER DISCOUNT 20% OFF ALL STOCKED ITEMS

ONLY ON PRODUCTION OF THIS VOUCHER The Tile Gallery. 01772 672 696. Valid until 31/12/13

HOW TO LOVE FOOD AND LOSE WEIGHT

Grills & Roasts Concluding our Hairy Bikers series

MEDITERRANEAN BEEF BURGERS Everyone loves a burger and you can still eat these when on a diet. Bulking the meat out with some grated onion and courgette makes the burger feel more generous with few extra calories, and you’ll find no one will notice the difference.

They’ll be too busy enjoying the succulent combination of beef, basil and mozzarella, all packed into crusty ciabatta.

SERVES 4 1 small courgette 1 medium onion 400g lean beef steak mince 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed 1 tsp dried oregano 1 tsp dried basil 1 tbsp sun-dried tomato paste or tomato purée 1 tsp sunflower oil 4 ciabatta rolls 100g reduced-fat (light) mozzarella, well drained and cut into 4 slices 2 large ripe vine tomatoes, sliced fresh basil leaves balsamic vinegar, for drizzling fine sea salt freshly ground black pepper

413 calories per portion

Trim the courgette and grate it coarsely on to a board, then tip it into a large mixing bolw. Peel the onion and grate it coarsely, then add this to the bowl with the courgette. Put the minced beef, garlic, oregano, basil and tomato paste or purée into the same bowl and season well with salt and pepper. Mix with clean hands until everything is thoroughly combined.

Divide the mince mixture into 4 evenly sized balls and flatten each into a patty shape about 2cm thick. Brush the oil over a large non- stick frying pan and place over a low heat. Fry the burgers gently for about 10 minutes or until nicely browned and cooked through, turning them halfway through the cooking time. Preheat the grill to its hottest setting.

While the burgers are cooking, cut the ciabatta rolls in half horizontally and place them on a grill pan, cut side up. Cook under the preheated grill until lightly toasted. Remove from the heat and take the bread off the tray and put it on to one side.

Place the hot burgers on the tray and top each one with a slice of mozzarella. Put the tray back under the grill from another 1-2 minutes or until the mozzarella has melted.

Put the bottom half of each roll on a plate and top with sliced tomatoes and basil leaves. Add a dribble of balsamic vinegar and some black pepper. Add a sizzling hot burger, top with the remaining bread and serve right away. Fantastic!

SERVES 4 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1/2 tsp sunflower oil, for greasing lime wedges, to serve CAJUN SPICE MIX 5 tsp ground cumin 4 tsp smoke paprika 2 tsp dried thyme 2 tsp dried oregano 2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper 1 tsp flaked sea salt potato wedges 3 medium potatoes (about 475g) 1 tsp sunflower oil 1/2 tsp paprika 1/2 tsp flaked sea salt freshly ground black pepper chive dip 203 calories per portion 381 calories per portion (with pitta)

100g low-fat natural yoghurt 2 tbsp finely chopped chive

284 calories per portion

CAJUN SPICED CHICKEN WITH POTATO WEDGES AND CHIVE DIP This recipe, with its raging Cajun spicy flavours, was inspired by the fab food we ate when we made our trip down the Mississippi. It’s a real treat but surprisingly low in fat, so you can enjoy a few - and we mean a few - potato wedges alongside.

Preheat the oven to 220oC/Fan 200oC/Gas 7. To make the Cajun spice mix, put the spices and salt in a jar and seal tightly with a screw-top lid. Give the jar a really good shake so that all the spices are mixed together - you can do a bit of a samba at the same time! This spice can now be stored in a cool, dark place for several weeks.

Peel the potatoes and cut them into 8-10 long wedges, depending on how big they are, and put them in a bowl. Add the oil and toss lightly to coat all the wedges. Sprinkle with the paprika, salt and lots of freshly ground black pepper, then scatter them on to a baking tray. Cook in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until tender and lightly browned.

Whilst the potatoes are cooking, place each chicken breast between 2 sheets of cling film and beat with a rolling pin until the meat is about 1.5cm thick. You need to make the chicken breasts all the same thickness so they cook evenly.

Brush the griddle pan or non-stick frying pan with a little oil and place over a medium-high heat until hot. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of the spice mix over each chicken to dust it lightly.

Griddle or pan-fry the chicken breasts for 2 minutes, then turn them over with tongs and cook on the other side for a further 1 minute. Finish by cooking the chicken for 1 more minute on each side or until cooked through. They should be no pink remaining. Put the chicken breasts on a plate and leave them to rest for 3-4 minutes.

To make the chive dip, mix the yoghurt and chives together. Spoon into small pots and put 1 on each plate. Divide the potato wedges between the plates and add the cooked chicken breasts. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over the chicken and a large mixed salad. www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

25

A 17th Century Inn on the banks of the River Wyre on Lancashire’ Fylde Coast. An idyllic setting with riverside walks, stylish ambience, imaginative food cooked with fresh local produce, an extensive wine list and traditional cask ales. 14 superb ensuite bedrooms, all individually designed and a stunning penthouse. All this only 10 minutes from Blackpool, M55 junction 3 just off the A586 Blackpool/Garstang Road and 5 minutes from Poulton le Fylde train station.

TEL 01995 670166 EMAIL info@thecartfordinn.co.uk www.thecartfordinn.co.uk The Cartford Inn, Cartford Lane, Little Eccleston, Near Great Eccleston, Near Blackpool, Lancashire PR3 OYP

One of Lancashire’s Fine dining Restaurants, serving locally produced seasonal food.

Book now for your Christmas Party!

Enjoy a fun and festive evening at one of Shaw Hill’s renowned Christmas Party Nights. With excellent cuisine followed by a variety of music from our experienced and fun House DJ, you are guaranteed a great party night.

Get in touch for available dates.

We are offering all 50 Plus readers 15% off the new A la Carte Menu to sample our fine cuisine courtesy of our Executive Chef Patrick Rodgers.

T & C’s apply (When purchasing 3 courses per person Monday to Friday offer ends 31st October)

Preston Road, Whittle Le Woods, Chorley PR6 7PP Tel: 01257 269221 | info@shaw-hill.co.uk www.shaw-hill.co.uk

26

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Bury Market A Great Day Out

Bury Market has a well deserved reputation for friendly service, fantastic produce and great value.

Located off J2 of the M66 and with over 350 stalls open every Full Market Day it’s easy to find and even easier to enjoy!

Bury Town Centre is also home to The Fusilier Museum, East Lancashire Railway, Bury Transport Museum and Bury Art Gallery.

Bury Market Management: Tel: 0161 253 6520 Web: www.burymarket.com Email: burymarkets@bury.gov.uk : @BuryMarket

Bury Market Hall open everyday except Sunday “Winner BBC Radio 4’s Food and Farming Awards” Best Food Market “Winner NABMA’s” Best Market Attraction Full Markets Open Wednesdays Fridays and Saturdays

OPEN

FREE ENTRY AND PARKING

The Farmers Market & Craft Centre

TUES - SAT 10AM-5PM SUN 10.30AM - 4.30PM & BANK HOLIDAYS

at Heskin Hall Estate

5 MINS FROM J27 M6, 2 MINS FROM CHARNOCK RICHARD SERVICES

Wood Lane, Heskin, Chorley, Lancashire PR7 5PA • 07599 831907 • www.heskinfarmersmarket.co.uk

FOOD HALL ~ CRAFTS ~ ANTIQUES ~ TEA ROOM

Join us...

Relax, dine and shop at Heskin Hall Estate

Over 40 shops and businesses including: leading art gallery, high quality butchers, florist and plant centre, craft studios, food shops, ladies & gents clothing, gifts with a difference, handbags and jewellery, childrens clothing & toys, hair & beauty, furniture, fredericks ice cream, Hoggs of Fife Country Clothing, Ladybird Lounge Craft Cafe and much more…

For our varied events at The Farmers Market & Craft Centre

The Two Birds Tea Room

Why not relax and enjoy our freshly made paninis, toasties, sandwiches, soups and salads made using our fresh local produce. Summer specials and Sangria now available.

Two Birds Tea Room

Winter Menu available from October including our signature dish Water Buffalo Casserole.

Heskin Hall Free Range Butchers

We have a wide range of high quality meats and products including beef, Catwalk and lamb, pork,Cocktails chicken, turkey, venison, water buffalo and selection of game.

Fashion Show Try our freshly made quality sausages, tasty meat balls, beef burgers, buffalo burgers and stir-fries.

26th September– –comes 9pmfrom our own free range Our beef6pm and lamb

herds, 100% grass clothing fed, producing the highest quality Glass of bubbly on arrival.

Showcasing & accessories from our beautiful shops. meats and the very best natural flavour.

Come and have a girly night out!

All of our other meats and products are also carefully sourced from free range farms and producers.

Christmas Preview Evening Bracken Country 24th October – 6pmClothing – 9pm

A wide range for of top qualitywith country wear for bothatmen womenPreview Evening.

Get organised Christmas our special offers our and Christmas at discounted prices.

Get in the festive mood by sampling some delicious festive tasters from our Deli including All sizes available a wide rangepies, of colours. speciality cheeses,inpies, mince pates & more. And don’t forget to pick up Heskin From agricultural use or just cooking for the man or woman who loves the Deli’s ‘How to’ Christmas guide. feel and look of the country side.

Orders are welcomed and if we don’t have your desired item in stock arrangements can be made to have the item delivered within 5 working days!

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www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Units available, email: info@heskinfarmersmarket.co.uk

Thousands of satisfied shoppers every year...

• Over 250 stalls indoor and outdoor • 80% under cover • 3 heated halls • Facilities for disabled people • Car and coach parking

NOW OPEN 4 DAYS A WEEK ALL YEAR ROUND

• Dogs allowed on lead

Plus all Bank Holiday Mondays.

TUESDAY / THURSDAY/ FRIDAY/ SATURDAY

Fleetwood Market, Victoria Street, Adelaide Street, Fleetwood FY7 6AB

Telephone: 01253 887651 www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

29

OUT & ABOUT

Charnock Farm restaurant & bar

NOW TAKING CHRISTMAS BOOKINGS

Wigan Road, Leyland, Preston PR25 5DA | e: info@charnockrestaurant.com | w: charnockrestaurant.com “quality

cuisine, distinguished wines, fine dining in cuisine, distinguished wines, fine dining in special surroundings”

“quality

special surroundings”

The dining room boasts a large open plan dining area with decadent red brick and Thesolid dining room boasts a large openare plan dining areaand withintimate decadentgallery red brick and exposed oak wood beams.

There two private areas, exposed oak wood beams.

There are twofamily privateand andfriends intimatetogallery ideal for dinerssolid to gaze over the restaurant or for shareareas, a ideal for diners to gaze over the restaurant or for family and friends to share a special occasion. special occasion.

All of our ingredients here at Charnock Farm are locally sourced and produced All of our ingredients here at Charnock Farm are locally sourced and produced All of All ourofsuppliers are from within thethe Lancashire-North West our suppliers are from within Lancashire-North Westregion, region,many many of of them just stones throw away from thethe restaurant itself. themajust a stones throw away from restaurant itself.Our Ourdynamic dynamicteam team are are always on hand to make your experience as memorable as possible. always on hand to make your experience as memorable as possible.

“Quality cuisine, distinguished wines, fine dining in special surroundings” The dining room boasts a large open plan dining area with decadent red brick and exposed solid oak wood beams. There are two private and intimate gallery areas, ideal for diners to gaze over the restaurant or for family and friends to share a special occasion.

All of our ingredients here at Charnock Farm are locally sourced and produced. All of our suppliers are from within the Lancashire - North West region, many of them just a stones throw away from the restaurant itself. Our dynamic team are always on hand to make your experience as memorable as possible.

Present this voucher and receive 20% off your food bill.

Present this voucher and receive 20% off your food bill.

(Offer valid for up to 4 people :and Tue-Fri Lunch 11.30-15.00, Dinner 18.00-21.00) Present this voucher receive 20% off Tue-Thu your food bill.

(Offer valid for up to 4 people : Tue-Fri Lunch 11:30-15:00, Tue-Thu Dinner 18:00-21:00)

(Offer valid for up to 4 people : Tue-Fri Lunch 11:30-15:00, Tue-Thu Dinner 18:00-21:00)

Terms and conditions : Valid until 30/11/13. Voucher may be used on 3 separate occasions. Excludes drinks.

Terms and conditions: Valid until becash used 3Photocopies separate occasions. drinks.

Exclusions may apply.

Ask staff for 30/11/13. details. Voucher ThisVoucher voucher has will not be Excludes accepted.

May Terms and conditions : Valid until 30/11/13. maymay be no used onvalue.

3on separate occasions.

Excludes drinks.

Exclusions may apply.

Ask staff for details.

This voucher has cashnot value. notmay be used in conjunction any other offer.

Management reserves the right to no remove this offer at any time.

Exclusions apply.

Ask staff forwith details.

This voucher has no cash value.

Photocopies will be accepted.

May not be used in conjunction with offer. Management reserves the right to remove this other offer at any time.

Photocopies willany notother be accepted.

May not be used in conjunction with any offer.

Management reserves the right to remove this offer at any time.

AT SHAW HILL GOLF CLUB, WHITTLE-LE-WOODS ON FRIDAY 25th OCTOBER £27.50 PER PERSON info@shaw-hill.co.uk 01257 269221

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My Bronte Book Your autobiography captured in a beautiful, illustrated volume for your family to treasure.

Complete with a web site of your pictures and recordings of your stories. Written in Haworth, home of the Brontes.

Haworth gave birth to the historic novels of the Bronte sisters and it can become the birthplace of your personal story.

Makes a wonderful gift for loved ones.

Bronte Book will publish your personal autobiography, written and published in Haworth, to pass on as a living legacy after making detailed recordings.

Within the four month long process comes your own web site (also available separately) containing recordings, pictures and special stories. Your own living legacy which we know you will enjoy compiling.

You may choose a book and/or a web site and an e-book within the package which starts from £300 ranging to £2,750 for the full process, which can include up to 20 books. A deposit with instalment payments plan is available.

Details from www.brontebook.weebly.com or Bronte Media, brontemedia@outlook.com Tel: 01535 959002, Mobile: 07866 626090

Run Preston 2013 Sunday 29th September 9-4pm

The 10th anniversary of The Run Preston event returns to the city on Sunday 29 September 2013.

The ever popular event draws approximately 1500 runners of all ages to participate in one of 3 courses set up across the city and surrounding areas.

Forbes Solicitors will once again be sponsoring Run Preston as they have for many years.

Race information The event will kick start with a 2k Fun Run at 9.30am.

This will be followed by the 10k run at 10.00am. The 5k run at 11.30am will see another field of runners take to the line, which will also provide the opportunity for corporate teams to battle it out for prizes.

Those not participating can enjoy the event cheering on runners and looking out for friends and family.

There will also be a host of entertainment and activities set up around the flag market.

For more information or to enter please visit www.preston.gov.uk/events/details/2408/

THE LOCAL MAGAZINE FOR THE OVER 50s

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Subscription Form To receive the next two issues of 50 Plus Magazine hot off the press, either for yourself or to treat a friend, please fill in the form below and post with a cheque for £3.40 made payable to McGrath Regional Media: Unit 6, Moses Gate Workshops, Gladys Street, Bolton BL3 2QG. Name:.......................................................................................

Address:................................................................................... ..................................................................................................

Postcode:..................................................................................

Title: 50 Plus Magazine in........................................................ ..................................................................................................

Issue Numbers:........................................................................

Tel:.............................................................................................

The deadline for entries will be Friday 20 September. www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

31

44 LIVERPOOL ROAD, PENWORTHAM, PRESTON PR1 0DQ

www.gymophobics.co.uk/preston

CALL US ON 01772 750000 www.facebook.com/gymophobics.penwortham

AIR RESISTANCE WORKOUTS • INCREDIBLE INCH LOSS WITHOUT USING WEIGHTS! • 30 MINUTES, 3 TIMES A WEEK! • EXERCISE MADE EASY! • FANTASTIC RESULTS! • VIP TREATMENT! • FREE PARKING! • LOSE A DRESS SIZE IN WEEKS! • NO TREADMILLS! • NO TEARS!

Why choose Gymophobics in Penwortham???

Once you are happy with the circuit we will gradually upgrade your programme, as you gain fitness and confidence.

Whether you are 18 or 80 plus, fit or unfit, large or small we will devise a fun and easy workout to help you feel great about yourself.

You will be surprised how little it takes to make a big difference to your health and well being. All we ask is 30 minutes, 3 times a week.

It’s a warm, friendly and inviting atmosphere, No Mirrors, No Men and No Lycra, just come along in something that is comfortable and makes movement easy. We have a great social atmosphere, and many members chat and have a laugh on the way round.

Our fully trained staff will welcome you, and be there for you throughout your sessions to make sure everything is right for you.

We are not just a gym, we are much more, ring us for your trial visit and see what we are really about!!

FREE GUEST VISIT PLUS 10% OFF MEMBERSHIP ONLY ON PRODUCTION OF THIS VOUCHER EXPIRES END OF OCTOBER 2013

Ultrasound Non Invasive Liposuction Treatment, Galvanic Lifting Spa Facial Treatments, Massage, and Physiotherapy.

COMING SOON...

Diamond Peel Dermabrasion, and Shrinking Violet body wraps.

Have a lovely relaxing experience.

10% DISCOUNT ON A COURSE OF TREATMENT WITH THIS VOUCHER...

Valid for bookings made before the end of October 2013

Maximise your retirement income Look back to 1948, and you will see a dramatic rise in the birth rate and this baby boom means that this year some 2,200 people each day will turn 65. It is vital that these people maximise their retirement income.

If these people have saved into a pension, either via a work pension scheme or on their own via a personal pension plan they will get an offer from their current provider just before the provider anticipates that they are due to retire and this quote will show an income which they guarantee to pay in exchange for the money that the individual has saved.

Matthew Berry, Chartered Financial Planner of Berry Financial Planning in Bispham Village urges Lancashire

Looking to retire in

2013?

Contact us on: advice@berryfinancialplanning.co.uk

01253 59 49 39

residents not to simply accept this offer but to exercise their legal right to shop around known as the ‘open market option’ as recent research has highlighted that by not doing so UK Pensioners are losing £1 billion in income each year.

Matthew advises “Over 1500 different medical conditions can be taken into account when assessing pension income and each one can qualify a client for an enhanced annuity, basically more income in retirement.

A recent client was offered £5,229 annual income from his existing provider but by taking into account his high blood pressure and high cholesterol we have boosted this annual income to £6,827, over 30%.”

Latest analysis shows 70% of people of retiring age would be entitled to enhanced annuities but only 2% actually apply for them.

Matthew highlights that many factors affect annuity rates, not just life expectancy and health “People need to be aware that from 21st December 2012 new EU gender discrimination rules have come into force that mean men and women are now offered unisex annuity rates and this has caused a drop in male annuity rates and thus it is vital that people get independent advice about their retirement options so that they can maximise their income”

As you approach retirement, your pension provider will contact you with details of your retirement income. But you don’t have to accept this offer.

Berry Financial Planning may get you more income by helping you shop around using the ‘open market option’ with the highest rates for smokers and people with health conditions and on medication.

We are Independent and compare annuity rates from the whole of the market.

We are local advisers who will talk you through all your options.

We will provide a personalised quote taking into account your health and even take care of all the paperwork.

Why not see if you could qualify for more income in retirement?

Bispham Village Chambers, 335 Red Bank Road, Bispham FY2 OHJ Berry Financial Planning is a trading style of PFPtime (IFA) Ltd which is an appointed representative of PFPtime Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

PLANNING FOR

THE FUTURE Everyone should consider some basic legal planning to make sure that their families and loved ones are protected in case of future events which can affect anyone. Here we consider the “essentials” of making a Will, Lasting Power of Attorney and Gift of Property into Trust.

REASONS TO MAKE A WILL Making a Will is important, particularly when you realise that without a Will the Government will decide who will receive your money and possessions after you die. Unfortunately this can cause many difficulties for your surviving family and relatives at an already distressing time. By making a Will you can help alleviate additional pressures on your family.

The myth that ‘my wife will receive everything anyway’ is not true. Your estate would be shared out in accordance with the ‘Statutory Legacy’ rules and your wife would receive the first £250,000 with the rest going into trust. This might not be enough to enable your wife to keep the matrimonial home. When it comes to ‘common law husband or wife’, there is no such thing. Only people who are legally married or have formed a civil partnership will be classed as husband, wife or civil partner and only they can enjoy the benefits of automatically inheriting part of their spouse’s estate. You would have to go to Court to claim part of the estate which will come with the usual costs and expenses.

Children are another reason why it is important to make a Will. If something was to happen to you and your children were still minors or disabled, you can appoint Guardians to look after them. It is also important if you are married for a second time and have children from a previous relationship. If you were to die first and your estate was below the ‘Statutory Legacy’ your whole estate would pass to your second spouse and your children would have no absolute right to anything. If you are legally separated the ‘Statutory Legacy’ will still apply until the divorce is finalised so if you want your estate to pass to someone else then you must make a Will.

34

You should have your Will prepared by an experienced Lawyer who will make sure all the relevant points are covered especially if your Will is complicated and Tax Planning Advice may be required.

LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY Most people know they should have a Will, but have you considered what would happen if you were to become unable to manage your own affairs during your lifetime? Who would make difficult financial and personal decisions on your behalf? You can protect yourself by making a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA).

The LPA is a legal document in which you can appoint another person or persons as Attorney(s) to act on your behalf in relation to your financial affairs and/or personal welfare if you become unable to do so for yourself. The LPA was introduced under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and must be registered with the Court of Protection before it can be used. It is useful if you are ill or in hospital or residential care when it is difficult for you to look after your personal finances or welfare. There is one type of LPA dealing with your financial affairs i.e. managing your Bank Accounts and Investments and also selling your property if required.

There is also an LPA dealing with your personal welfare i.e. issues relating to your personal care and where you should live and also giving or refusing consent to certain medical treatment.

It is important to note that you can only make an LPA if you have sufficient mental capacity and this has to be confirmed by a Certificate Provider. In some cases it may be necessary to obtain a Doctor’s opinion if there is any doubt. It is also important to note that it does not take away your independence as one of the main principles of the Act is that capacity is decision specific and Attorneys should assist people to make their own decisions wherever possible. If you should lose capacity without having an LPA in place then it will be necessary for someone to apply to the Court of Protection for authority to deal with your affairs which can be a very slow and expensive process.

An LPA is an important legal document which should be properly prepared and explained to you by an experienced Lawyer. www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

GIFT OF PROPERTY INTO TRUST Most people are concerned about the costs of long term residential care. Currently if your assets exceed £23,250 including the value of your property then you will be self funding and have to pay for the cost of your care yourself.

The biggest concern for most people is that you may have to sell your property to pay for the care. However it is possible to avoid this by giving your property away during your lifetime, usually to your children.

The gift however must be made in good time and not simply with the intention of avoiding future care fees otherwise it may be caught by the Local Authority’s anti-avoidance measures.

You could simply make an outright gift to your children but as you will probably wish to continue to live in your property this could cause problems if you were to fall out with them or if they were to experience matrimonial problems or bankruptcy it could lead to someone else making a claim against their share of your property. Additionally, it could also cause problems for your children in owning a share of a second property and could give rise to possible Capital Gains Tax implications on the eventual sale of the property.

We would therefore always recommend that a gift of property should be a gift into Trust which would protect you and your children from most of these potential difficulties. The Trust would provide for you to remain living in the property for as long as you wish on the basis that you continue to be responsible for all the outgoings as at present. The Trust can also provide for the property to be sold and a replacement property purchased for you to live in if you so wished.

When you no longer live in the property for whatever reason, the trust would come to an end and the property could be sold with the proceeds divided between your children.

In this way you would no longer be treated as the legal owner of the property if you were to be assessed for long-term care fees and also as you are occupying the property which is held in trust, this usually means that main residence exemption from Capital Gains Tax can be claimed although this is decided by the Revenue on a case by case basis.

Established 1937 We have been advising elderly clients and those approaching retirement for over 70 years.

For advice on: • • • • • •

Wills Lasting Powers of Attorney Deputies/Court of Protection Inheritance Tax Planning Probate/Letters of Administration Divorce, Children & Family Accidents

as well as Property Sales and Purchases; Contact one of our offices at: FLEETWOOD Mr Peter J Isaacs 32-38 North Albert Street, Fleetwood FY7 6AW Tel: 01253 873481 | Fax: 01253 772322 Email: p.j.isaacs@inghams-law.co.uk

CLEVELEYS

Mr Nick Williams

8 The Crescent, Cleveleys FY5 3LW Tel: 01253 824111 | Fax: 01253 827747 Email: nwilliams@inghams-law.co.uk

BISPHAM

Mr Richard J Statham

37 Red Bank Road, Bispham, BLACKPOOL FY2 9HX Tel: 01253 353308 | Fax: 01253 356380 Email: richard.statham@inghams-law.co.uk

BLACKPOOL

Mr Edward Statham

4-8 Leopold Grove, Blackpool FY1 4JR Tel: 01253 626642 | Fax: 01253 295590 Email: edward.statham@inghams-law.co.uk

POULTON

Mrs Helen Jackson

12 Queens Square, Poulton-le-Fylde FY6 7BN Tel: 01253 890545 | Fax: 01253 893171 Email: hjackson@inghams-law.co.uk

Obviously giving away your property is a major irrevocable decision which requires specialist legal advice.

Make sure you carry out your legal planning in good time with the benefit of specialist legal advice from a Lawyer who is experienced in such matters. www.inghams-law.co.uk

Animal Care

Please meet Bear, Dan, Faith, Rita, Toni, Reever, Stanley and Phoenix we can not begin to tell you what these dogs have been through!

(Lancaster, Morecambe and District) Blea Tarn Road, Scotforth, Lancaster, LA2 ORD Telephone: 01524 65495 Fax: 01524 841819 Email: rehoming@animalcare-lancaster.co.uk www.animalcare-lancaster.co.uk Registered Charity No. 508819

What will your legacy be?

Left to die in horrendous conditions, frightened, hungry and in pain, all these dogs were due to be killed in a matter of weeks in painful unspeakable ways.

When Animal Care and a number of other animal charities were asked to help these dogs we did not hesitate to offer our support. The staff have been horrified by the information we have been given about the way dogs are treated in Romania, we are all very keen to give these dogs the life and love they truly deserve.

If it was not for the dedication and love from all the volunteers and kind supporters who set up the rescue mission all of the 71 dogs would have been brutally killed.

We want to help these poor dogs who have done nothing wrong but try to survive. We know, as always we will have the wonderful support from all our supporters and volunteers.

We hope together we can find these dogs wonderful loving families to be part of! All the dogs have been beaten badly by dog catchers so need time to trust you, they have all been used to living with other dogs so are well socialized, they have been chosen by the lady working with them as they have passed all basic behaviour tests and we feel will do well in a home environment.

We continue to help local pounds with unwanted dogs all over the North West and hope that we can save as many life’s as possible Thank you for reading; for more information on the dogs or our work please call us on 01524 65495.

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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.

ANIMAL CARE is a small rehoming centre helping stray, unwanted and ill treated animals until caring new homes can be found for them. www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Are you making breast health your priority?

Health awareness and screening for certain cancers is hugely important. If cancer is discovered at an early stage, before it spreads, there’s a better chance of successful treatment and recovery.

In some cases, there are no symptoms and only clinical assessment reveals signs of a tumour, but in the cases of breast, skin and testicular cancer, your own awareness can also help you spot developing problems. Although medical screening reduces risk, it doesn’t eliminate it. It’s worth being vigilant, knowing how your body normally looks and feels and knowing what changes you can look out for.

It takes very little time each month to check for yourself that your breasts are healthy. By examining your breasts regularly, you will get to know what is normal for you. This means you will find it easier to detect any changes. The best time to examine your breasts is just after a period, when the breasts are usually at their softest and no longer tender. If you no longer have regular periods, then choose a specific day of each month and examine your breast regularly on this date.

Step One: Looking

Step Two: Feeling

1.

Sit in front of a mirror stripped to the waist. Be sure you sit up straight.

Look at your breasts carefully.

8.

Lie down in a relaxed and comfortable position. You may find it convenient to carry out this part of the examination lying in a bath.

2.

Is there any inequality in the size of your breasts? This is usually normal but you must always be on the lookout for any change. Has one breast recently become lower than the other?

9.

3.

Now look at the nipple area. Has one nipple become turned in? Is there any discharge? Always inspect the inside of your bra for signs of a discharge.

Do not squeeze the nipple.

4

Now look at the skin, has it changed in texture (puckering/dimpling)?

You may have to lift the breast to see the underside.

First, examine your left breast. This is always done with the right hand.

You should use the front part of the flat of your hand, keeping your fingers straight and close together. It is important to learn how hard to press when examining your breasts. If you press too hard, it will dull sensation and if you press too lightly you will not be able to feel deeply enough. With a little practice, you will be able to use just the right degree of pressure.

Never pinch the breast, if you do, you may feel lumps even in a perfectly normal breast.

5.

Now raise your hands above your head and concentrate on the upper part of the breasts that lead into the armpit. Is there any swelling or skin puckering?

6.

Lower and raise your arms again looking at your nipple. Have they each moved the same distance?

7.

Lean forward and examine each breast in turn. Is there any unusual change in outline, any puckering, dimpling of the skin or retraction of the nipple?

10. Slide your hand over the breast, above the nipple starting at the armpit and moving across the breast to the centre of the body, pressing in to feel for lumps.

11. Now repeat the act starting from the inwards and passing below the nipple.

12. Finally, slide your hand across the nipple making sure you have felt all parts of the breast. Repeat for the right breast with your left hand.

If you think you may have found something unusual then talk to your GP today about a referral to the Rapid Access Breast Clinic at BMI The Beardwood Hospital. If you would prefer, you can contact the hospital directly by calling 01254 507 654. We will find the next available appointment for you and if necessary, follow up your GP referral.

BMI The Beardwood Hospital, Preston New Road, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB2 7AE. bmihealthcare.co.uk/beardwood 01254 507607

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Leading the way in Dementia Care At Spindrift we all believe in making a difference to the lives of people with dementia, we provide a lifestyle full of choice and activity that is centred to each individual, we believe in challenging the perceptions and limitations of the condition.

Our specially adapted interiors and exteriors, friendly staff and family-based atmosphere invite the residents to relax and enjoy their stay. Above all, we are firmly committed to making everyone who stays with us feel completely at home.

Spindrift Care Home

36-39 Cleveland Road, Lytham FY8 5JH | Tel: 01253 737014 Email: spindriftoffice@aol.com | www.spindriftcarehome.co.uk

BETTER HEARING

THE NEXT ISSUE OF

We offer: • • • • • •

Experienced, qualified and registered audiologists Free no obligation home visits Free aftercare services via our centres and exhibitions The latest digital technology from the world’s leading manufacturers Prices to suit all budgets & flexible payment plans Postal battery service delivering fresh batteries to your door

PRESTON & FYLDE IS PUBLISHED IN DECEMBER

YOUR HEARING IS IMPORTANT TO A FULFILLED, ACTIVE LIFESTYLE. Hearing loss occurs for a number of reasons - Naturally with age as the result of certain illnesses and infections or noise induced hearing loss. Almost one in seven of us live with some degree of hearing loss which can be so gradual that we are not immediately aware of it. The latest digital hearing technology delivers prescription hearing correction for the best sound quality obtainable to date.

CALL FREEPHONE TO ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT ON

0800 085 1054

For details of advertising CALL 01204 796 494 or email mcgrathartwork@btconnect.com today.

ST JOHN’S HEARING AID CENTRES LTD

38

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St Vincent’s 60 Plus Apartments

Make the Most of Your Retirement Years St Vincent's has 60 Plus retirement appartments in the Longridge area, get in touch to find out more...

We offer: • Self contained apartments, but with an on-site warden • 24 hour emergency call out • Secure door entry system • Communal gardens, and laundry • Free repairs and maintenance service • Links with health professionals • A lift • A communal lounge to meet up with friends • Full and varied social life if you want it, although some of our residents choose to enjoy a quieter life - it's entirely up to you!

Our Handyman Service We offer a free handyperson service to all our customers who live in our sheltered housing schemes, get those little jobs, such as hanging a door, or fitting a grab rail, done for free.

St Vincent's has over 40 years experience in providing retirement schemes for senior members of the community

Give Jane a call on 0845 606 6565 if you would like more information or to discuss your circumstances. www.50plusmagazine.co.uk Visit our website at www.svha.co.uk

39

The Acclaimed

Is your conservatory

too HOT in summer or too COLD in winter?

Is it too NOISY in rainy weather?

Is there too much GLARE in direct sunlight?

Does it suffer from build up of airborne DIRT?

Is it a WASTE of valuable living space?

The Supalite Roof System has been designed to be installed as a retro fit onto existing conservatory window frames, converting your existing conservatory into a usable all year round Sunroom.

We can also provide you with a brand new Sunroom from the beginning, including the window frames and baseworks.

• FULLY STRUCTURAL FRAME CONNECTOR SYSTEM for when new windows and doors are to be fitted to a new or existing building work.

• A CHOICE of five tile colours and natural effect slate available in four colours.

• LARGE ROOF VENTS available to allow maximum light.

• TILES TRIED AND TESTED for many years in USA, Canada and Australia, giving total peace of mind in extreme weather conditions.

• CHOICE of internal ceiling finishes (eg: plaster or t&g timber effects).

• EASY TO INSTALL on to existing window frames.

• COLOUR MATCHING range of facias, soffits and gutters to suit your choice of windows frames.

w www.supaliteroofs.co.uk e celticvistaltd@gmail.com

t 01772 828060

BEFORE

AFTER

a

Celtic Vista UK Ltd Unit 4, Croft Street Preston Lancashire PR1 8SU

CONTACT US ON 01772 82 80 60 FOR A FREE SAMPLE AND INFORMATION PACK