Preston & Fylde Issue 61

PRESTON & FYLDE COAST EDITION 61

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2022

Elton John

THE ROCKET MAN ROCKS ON

Reeves Coach Holidays

TAKING YOU THERE WITH PRIDE AND CARE

10% Off Sleepers

AT HOWARTH TIMBER & BUILDING SUPPLIES

WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Matt Tebbutt

WEEKEND RECIPES

BLISSFUL BABBACOMBE

Taking You There with Pride and Care Based at the Babbacombe Hotel, Babbacombe Situated overlooking the Babbacombe Downs with far reaching beautiful views across Lyme Bay. Lift to all floors.

Includes: Four night’s half-board hotel accommodation. Hotel’s own entertainment. All coach transportation. Porterage. Doorto-door service. Entrance and excursions to: Buckfast Abbey, Dartmouth, Devon Cream Tea.

21st-25th Feb | £299 Single Supplement £48 INCLUSIVE IN INVERNESS

Reeves Coach Holidays Ltd. All our holidays include a door-to-door service which transfers you from your home* directly to our coach and the same system will operate on the return part of the journey to take you home again. No changing coaches along the route or waiting for feeder coaches. With light refreshments available on board our vehicles at reasonable prices, regular comfort/meal stops made en route, it is our aim to make you feel rested and relaxed throughout your holiday, even whilst travelling to your destination.

On arrival and departure Porterage is provided for our passengers which makes the whole journey as care free and easy as possible.

So why not travel with us? Our holiday prices are final - there are no additional costs, no entrance fees to pay or optional excursions fees to be added and as a local family-run company, if you prefer, you can come and visit us in person to make a booking or enquiry, we’d be happy to see you.

2022 BROCHURE OUT NOW!

Based at the Palace Hotel, inverness Includes: Four night’s halfboard hotel accommodation. All inclusive package with free bar 7-10pmeach evening, wine with dinner. Hotels own entertainment programme (2 nights), included lunch or packed if on excursion, afternoon tea & cream scones, superb buffet breakfast with choice of 54 items, free tea/ coffee available just like home and use of superb leisure club pool, sauna and steam room. All coach transportation. Porterage.

Door-to-door service. Entrance and excursions to: McKinnon Mill, Sterling, Fort William Mountain Gondola, Anoach Mor, A Scottish Distillery, Moffat.

6th-10th March | £445 Single Supplement £105 TWO CITIES, A YACHT & A CHAPEL

Quality Coach Holidays Door-to-Door Service Hotel Porterage Excursions included *Door-to-door collections

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

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

Based at the Tinto Hotel, Biggar Includes: Four night’s half-board hotelaccommodation. Hotel’s own entertainment (1 night). Evening drink* voucher (3 evenings). 1 afternoon coffee/tea and cream scone. All coach transportation.

Porterage. Door-to-door service.

Entrance and excursions to: Edinburgh guided tour, Royal Yacht Britannia, Glasgow, Rosslyn Chapel, The Blacksmith Shop, Gretna.

14th-18th March | £415 Single Supplement £70

TO BARD OR SPA... THAT IS THE QUESTION?

Based at the Mercure Walton Hall Hotel & Spa, Wellesbourne Includes: Three night’s halfboard hotel accommodation.

After dinner tea/coffee.

All coach transportation.

Porterage. Door-to-door service.

Entrance and excursions to: Shrewsbury, Stratford-uponAvon, Shakespeare’s birthplace Anne Hathaways Cottage, Royal Leamington Spa, Charlecote House & Park.

20th-23rd March | £339 Single Supplement £85

NORFOLK - BROADS, RAIL & SANDRINGHAM

Based at the Dunston Hall Hotel Includes: Four night’s halfboard hotel accommodation.

After dinner tea/coffee. Use of hotel’s leisure facilities. All coach transportation. Porterage. Doorto-door service. Entrance and excursions to: Lincoln, BureValley Rail journey to Wroxham, Cruise on Norfolk Broads, Sandringham Estate, GreatYarmouth, Norwich.

CREAM TEA, GMT & A BIT OF HISTORY

Based at Bridgewood Manor Hotel, Chatham Includes: Four night’s hotel accommodation with half-board.

Free use of leisure facilities. After dinner tea/coffee. All coach transportation. Porterage. Entrance and excursions to: Chatham Historic Dockyard, Guided Royal Dockyard tour, Ropery tour, Greenwich Quebec House and gardens, Guided talk/tour Biggin Hill Memorial Museum, Cream tea.

WARWICK CASTLE

Based at the Hilton Hotel, Warwick The Hilton Hotel includes its own fitness centre, indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room access for guests. Lift to all floors.

Includes: Two night’s half-board hotel accommodation. After dinner tea/coffee. Guests free use of hotels leisure facilities.

All coach transportation. Doorto-door service. Entrance and excursions to:Cadbury World, Warwick Castle, Stratford-uponAvon, Porterage is not available on this tour.

11th-15th April | £490 Single Supplement £80

23rd-27th May | £435 Single Supplement £120

16th-18th June | £289 Single Supplement £65

FLOWERS OF FLORIADE & KEUKENHOF

SIGHTSEEING IN SCOTLAND’S HEBRIDES

ENCHANTING EASTBOURNE

Based at the Hotel Kontakt Der Kontinenten, Soesterberg Includes: Return crossings on P&O North Sea Ferries with side-by-side berths and meals on board. Three night’s half-board hotel accommodation at the Hotel Kontakt Kontinenten. All coach transportation. Porterage (at hotel only). Door-to-door service. Entrance and excursions to: Zaanse Schans & boat ride with tea/coffee, Floriade & Keukenhof Gardens, Guided tour of Amsterdam.

The Royal Hotel, Ullapool (1 night) | The Cabarfeidh Hotel, Stornoway (2 nights) | Dark island Hotel, Liniciate (2 nights) | The Ben Nevis Hotel, fort William (1 night) Includes:Six nights half-board hotel accommodation at various locations throughout (see hotel information). Dinner, Bed & Breakfast basis. All CalMac ferry crossings. All coach transportation. Porterage.

Door-to-door service. Entrance and excursions to: Sightseeing extravaganza of the Scottish Hebrides.

28th March-1st April | £355 Single Supplement £80

21st-26th April | £695 Single Supplement £138

31st May-6th June | £825 Single Supplement £90

20th-24th June | £385 Single Supplement £35

ENTICING EMERALD ISLE

P-P-P PICK UP A PORK PIE

A ROYAL RESIDENCE, KINGS & BARONS

MARVELLOUS IN MOLD

Based at the Hilton Hotel, Leicester Includes: Two night’s half-board hotel accommodation. All coach transportation. Door-to-door service. Entrance and excursions to: Bakewell guided walking tour of Melton Mowbray, Dickinson & Morris Pork Pie demonstration and taste, 2 course lunch at Best Western Sysonby Knoll Hotel, Belvoir Brewery guided tour and taste, Bolsover Castle, Porterage is not available on this tour.

Based at the Holiday inn, Maidenhead Includes: Four night’s half-board hotel accommodation. After dinner tea/coffee. Guests free use of hotels leisure facilities.

All coach transportation. Doorto-door service. Entrance and excursions to: Stratford-uponAvon, Oxford guided tour, Waddesdon Manor entrance and guided gardens tour, Light lunch at Waddesdon Manor, Windsor Castle, Porterage is not available on this tour but our staff onboard will assist.

15th-17th May | £270 Single Supplement £45

6th-10th June | £449 Single Supplement £20

BOURNEMOUTH BREAKAWAY

Based at the The Ocean Beach Hotel & Spa, Bournemouth Includes: Four night’s half-board hotel accommodation. Free use of indoor heated pool/sauna.

After dinner tea/coffee. All coach transportation. Porterage. Doorto-door service. Entrance and excursions to: Worcester, Poole, Jurassic Coastal Cruise, Dorchester, Athelhampton House, Isle of Purbeck, Swanage steam hauled railway ride, Corfe, Wareham.

The Summer Hill House Hotel | The River island Hotel | The Wilton Hotel Includes: Six night’s half-board hotel accommodation. All coach transportation. Porterage (at hotel only). Door-to-door service.

Please note this is at three differentlocations in Ireland.

Entrance and excursions to: Limerick, King John’s Castle, Killarney, Jaunting Car Ride, Boat Cruise Logh Leane, Ring of Kerry Scenic Tour, Tralee.

3rd-9th April | £695 Single Supplement £117

Based at the Burlington Hotel, eastbourne Includes: Four night’s half-board hotelaccommodation. Hotel’s own entertainment (2 nights). All coach transportation. Porterage.

Door-to-door service. Entrance and excursions to: Bourton-onthe-Water, Railway Journey on Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Steam Railway. Hastings, Brighton, Volks Electric Railway journey, Royal Leamington Spa.

Based at the Beaufort Park Hotel, Mold Includes: Four night’s half-board hotel accommodation. Welcome tea/coffee & Bara Brith. Two nights hotel’s own entertainment.

All coach transportation.

Porterage. Door-to-door service Entrance and excursions to: Llandudno, Great Orme Tramway journey, Portmeirion, Portmadog, Chester.

4th-8th July | £395 Single Supplement £45

CONTENTS | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

IN THIS ISSUE

Elton John THE ROCKET MAN ROCKS ON

Food BBC TV’S SATURDAY KITCHEN MATT TEBBUTT SHARES HIS RECIPES

6-7

DAISH’S HOLIDAYS Self drive & coach inclusive breaks

8-9

TWITTERING ON

By Angela Kelly

12-13

TRAVEL Time travel in Malta with Cathy Bartrop

14-15

ELTON JOHN The Rocket Man Rocks on

18

HEALTH How to access your survivor mindset in challenging times.

23-25

HOME Streamlining your home in 2022

26-27

MOTORING Steve Howarth’s test drive

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

or email: help@aamail.org 4

Swing into Spring ...

COACHES WELCOME

Shop, Eat & Relax

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

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

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

FREE PARKING & FREE ENTRY

We look forward to seeing you!

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

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Heskin

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Chorley

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PR7 5PA

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T: 01257 451464

www.heskinhallshoppingvillage.co.uk

Self-drive & coach inclusive breaks

GREAT VALUE 5 DAY HALF BOARD BREAKS

£139 from

per person

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

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

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

Coach & Self-D Januar y 2022

rive Holidays

– December

2022

Request your brochure now!

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

Comfy en suite accommodation

Breakfast & 3-course evening meal

Live nightly entertainment*

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

Isle of Wight

Torquay

Bournemouth

Llandudno

Newquay

Blackpool

Lake District

Scarborough

Eastbourne

Weymouth

Don’t miss these coach inclusive breaks!

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

Price includes return coach travel from:

BP Pick-up: Poulton Le Fylde, Fleetwood, Cleveleys, Bispham, Blackpool, St Annes, Lytham, Freckleton, Preston, Bamber Bridge, Charnock Richard Services.

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

DATE

HOTEL

04

Sands Hotel – Bournemouth

DAYS

PRICE

5

£139

FEBRUARY 08

Imperial Hotel – Eastbourne

5

£159

10

Esplanade Hotel – Scarborough

5

£164

11

Somerset Hotel – Llandudno

5

£164

19

Barrowfield Hotel – Newquay

5

£149

21

Hotel Prince Regent – Weymouth

5

£189

26

Russell Hotel – Weymouth

5

£174

MARCH 11

Abbey Lawn Hotel – Torquay

5

£174

12

Sands Hotel – Bournemouth

5

£149

16

Devonshire Hotel – Torquay

5

£164

17

Hotel Prince Regent – Weymouth

5

£189

19

Barrowfield Hotel – Newquay

5

£169

20

Imperial Hotel – Eastbourne

5

£179

27

Somerset Hotel – Llandudno

5

£194

01

Sands Hotel – Bournemouth

5

£159

05

Devonshire Hotel – Torquay

5

£154

APRIL

06

Daish’s Hotel – Isle of Wight

5

£159

12

Barrowfield Hotel – Newquay

5

£189

23

Russell Hotel – Weymouth

5

£179

27

Esplanade Hotel – Scarborough

5

£229

facebook.com/robinsonsholidays1

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

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

Optional local excursions can be booked at the hotel. Many more coach or self-drive holiday dates available in 2021. If you would prefer to self-drive, deduct £20 per person from prices shown. Offer ends 15th February 2022

10 fabulous locations, 12 great hotels.

Bournemouth

Llandudno

Newquay

Weymouth

Weymouth

Eastbourne

Bournemouth Sands

Somerset Hotel

Barrowfield Hotel

Hotel Prince Regent

Russell Hotel

Imperial Hotel

Isle of Wight

Scarborough

Torquay

Torquay

Blackpool

Lake District

Daish’s Hotel

Esplanade Hotel

Devonshire Hotel

Abbey Lawn Hotel

Daish’s Blackpool Hotel

County Hotel

Call 01254 889900 or visit daishs.com

facebook.com/robinsonsholidays1

@RobinsonsHolida

TWITTERING ON

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50 PLUS MAGAZINE

TWITTERING ON

BY ANGELA KELLY

Now, Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner for England, is urging parents to “talk early and talk often” in an ageappropriate way.

She wants children better prepared for this dark side of the online world. She also hopes it will make youngsters feel easier about raising difficult issues going forward.

That message has not come as a result of an adult focus group second-guessing modern children’s dilemmas but from the Everyone’s Invited movement which allowed youngsters to air their views.

Sales’ bargains that sometimes aren’t SALES are great, aren’t they? The possibility of a bargain or your longed for outfit suddenly marked down to bargain levels is a thrill.

We can all get some amazing deals but there is a danger to grab at items in stores and believe you’ve got a real treasure – only for things to prove a little different.

My friend Carol thought she’d hit the jackpot when she saw a lovely little sports’ skirt, ideal for playing badminton. Its price was very attractive so she quickly bought it and went home a happy shopper.

While previously many of us would have suggested waiting until children become teenagers before broaching this one, Rachel de Souza wants parents to begin the conversation much earlier.

Using the advice from teens and young adults based on what they wish their parents had known, she has produced a guide to help adults with this possibly tricky conversation.

She doesn’t want this to happen all at once, though, but over time and in line with their developing maturity.

However, when she tried it on later, she found she could hardly get it over her hips. So, reluctantly, she returned to the store the next day with the item.

“My advice to parents and carers is to create the culture before the crisis,” she explained to a national newspaper. “Children have told us they want their mums and dads to create a safe, judgement-free space for them to talk about these issues.”

“I loved this skirt, but I can’t get it on,” she told the saleswoman.

“I’m not surprised, madam,” was the reply. “This is a boob tube so you’re at the wrong end.”

She’s right. It’s definitely better to tackle this thorny subject before there’s a problem and establish a channel of communication that allows children to talk to parents.

Exit Carol from the shop, red-faced and now re-thinking her sales’ strategy.

Singer Billie Eilish revealed only recently the negative impact that watching pornography from an early age had on her. She started at 11 and it gave her nightmares and made subsequent dating difficult.

Parents need to address porn children watch IT’S a sad reflection of the times that parents are being urged to talk to children as young as nine about online porn.

Yet, this is sensible advice given the avalanche of porn available today on all forms of technology, including our children’s mobile phones and iPads.

There has been concern for some time about the ease of access for children often browsing the internet unsupervised and the possible damage from the images they see.

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Frighteningly, this revealed wide-spread sexual harassment and abuse in schools, suggesting that online porn can influence reallife behaviour and attitudes when it comes to gender roles, sex and consent.

There is a huge gap between what parents think happens and their own children’s reality. While only a quarter of parents believe their child has viewed pornography online the truth is that more than half of all 11 to 13 year-olds have.

This is a new world to all of us who grew up without smartphones but it’s one that adults urgently need to appreciate.

Taking action now is the only way to protect our children properly and help them come to terms with this unsavoury area of life.

together information about him from Facebook and then took him to court. The result was £6,000 in compensation plus £1,545 costs.

While prompting a small cheer from many other businesses who have been victims of trolls, the case is also a great step forward for fairness.

Honest criticism should be generally welcome and offer any business the chance to improve. In fact, how else would they know someone had an unhappy experience rather than just voting with their feet?

Malicious criticism, however, is totally unacceptable. It can ruin reputations and discourage potential customers and, obviously, that can be the motivation of some posters.

Rushing into online reviews can be unfair – and dangerous!

BUSINESSES can live or die by online reviews these days so rushing to TripAdvisor to record your opinion always needs careful consideration.

Unfortunately, not everyone is so thoughtful - or honest - in this and the damage to venues in the hospitality industry in particular can be huge.

Going onto TripAdvisor and other sites is commonplace for many of us these days. We want to share our experiences with others, to praise those that deserve it and alert the public to potentially negative experiences.

Although everyone is entitled to their opinion, there is a pressing need for balance.

Steve Hoddy, the owner of Blackpool restaurant The Bispham Kitchen had enough after one TripAdvisor poster made a series of derogatory online statements about his venue.

If you go somewhere that makes Fawlty Towers look like a Michelin starred establishment, it’s reasonable to say what went wrong. Equally, if you get exceptional service, delicious food and a welcoming atmosphere, it’s right to share this, too.

The false and malicious reviews – including claims like “the owner stares at you weirdly” and that customers had been made ill – prompted him to turn detective and track down his troll.

Anyone who has been in business knows that dealing with the public means constantly treading a fine line. So it’s completely wrong to hurl unfounded anonymous criticism out into the ether.

Unhappily for this particular individual, Mr Hoddy has two law degrees and admirable determination. Over three years, he pieced

And, as this troll found, it can also come back to bite you in the rear.

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and most notably so in the past decade. Completed in 2015, the City Gate Project was a dramatic rethinking of the entrance to the city, conceived by Italian architect, Renzo Piano. It took many years of wrangling and the injection of some serious EU funding to finally make it happen but, it really has given the city a new lease of life.

City Gates

Time travel in Malta – Cathy Bartrop returns to her childhood holiday island

I was 9 yrs old in 1970 when my Dad, on his commute home from London, saw a small ad in the Evening Standard to buy an off plan, 2 bedroom holiday flat in Malta for an unmissable bargain price.

Within weeks he was off on an inspection flight to view the property (still a building site) in the south coast village of Birzebuggia that, for my teenage years, was to become our family holiday bolthole in the sun. At the opposite end of the island to the better known tourist resorts of Sliema and St Julians, there wasn't a whole lot going on in sleepy Birzebuggia but I have cherished memories of long, sun drenched days largely spent swimming off the rocks at St Peters Pool and snorkelling in the crystal clear waters. As distractions, we occasionally ventured in to Valletta or Sliema for some shopping, had firework filled evenings at the many village Festas and never missed a trip to the Ta Qali craft village but, back then, my holiday focus was clear... call me shallow but, for my sister and me, our sole holiday objective was to develop the deepest possible tan to show off when we got home. SPF was unheard of - we would rub liberal amounts of olive oil into our skin and literally fry ourselves to a crisp.

I still love the heat but now, age 60, I finally know better and my devotion to sunbathing is over! So I was thrilled to be invited back as a guest of Visit Malta in September this year on a filming trip with a very different focus ... to take a look at what else Malta has to offer, beyond the obvious appeal of sun and sea. Spoiler alert...it was something of a revelation.

I began my time travel in Valletta. My memories of the capital are of a noisy, chaotic place where it was nigh on impossible to park and, to my young mind, full of boring, dusty looking old buildings. Clearly I was blind to its charms back then so was blown away by what this vibrant capital, the smallest in the EU, now offers. No surprise that the city has seen many changes over the past 50 years but physically

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The old bus station is gone and the grand fountain, once swallowed up amid the chaos of traffic, has been restored to its original glory as the focal point of a wide piazza. This marks the pedestrianised route in to the city, following a bridge across the bastion walls leading to an inviting boulevard flanked by the limestone clad, angular shapes of the new Parliament building, the centrepiece of Piano's vision. Its smooth lines broken by intriguing, irregular blocks of 'eye-lid' openings in the stone.

The design caused much controversy both for its construction cost and the visual concept. Locals, not without a hint of sarcasm, call it the 'cheese grater'. Modern design can often be divisive but, personally, I love the way it contrasts, yet compliments, the surrounding buildings. Adjacent to it, rising from the ruins of what was once the Royal Opera House (destroyed by Stuka dive bombers during WWII and subsequently used as a car park), there is now a magnificent open air theatre, pinned in place by the original Corinthian columns of the Opera House. And opposite, a row of beautiful, traditional buildings with the Malta's characteristic painted balconies. Collectively, these buildings set the tone for exploration of a city famed for multi-layered history but with its sights very much set on the future.

Parliament House Once they had repelled the invasion of the Turks in 1565, for the next 268 years under the Knights of St John, the money rolled in and Valletta was built within the safety of its fortified walls to rival other grand European capitals. The legacy is a city literally stuffed with fine Baroque buildings and prestigious palaces.

Many of these buildings have now been converted for more modern purposes, in particular, as boutique hotels and restaurants. I stayed at the Domus Zamitello hotel, a charming, classic style renovation of a 17th century Palazzo. It has the most fabulous location, with a terrace bar overlooking the theatre and Parliament House.

Other renovations have created public spaces - MUZA is a great example, the new home of the national collection of Fine Arts. The 500 year old building was renovated as part of Valletta's 2018 City of Culture programme and houses a fascinating collection. But aside from the art, pleasingly, by using modern techniques like installing photo voltaic panels and intelligent LED lighting, the building is also now carbon neutral.

Not everything has been modernised though, there are plenty of originals for history enthusiasts to relish. Casa Rocca Piccola for instance, a 16th century noble house which remains to this day a family home. Open to the public, it's well worth taking a tour. Like many buildings in the city it's relatively plain outside but, inside, you discover a maze of rooms on several floors centred around a shady courtyard garden. Below ground, you can also visit the bomb shelters where the residents would seek shelter from the relentless bombing raids the island suffered in World War II.You may well bump into the house's current custodian and resident, Nicolas, the 9th Marquis de Piro, a delightful octogenarian who clearly loves to meet visitors. He explained that the house was named after its first owner Don Pietro La Rocca, Admiral of the Order of St John in the league of Italy. As the Navy grew, so did the Admiral's status and so he built a bigger house, Casa Rocca Grande - making this one 'Piccola'. It certainly isn't small though and is packed to the gunnels with all manner of antiques, paintings, china, silverware and books collected by the De Piro generations since they took over the house in the late 18th Century. An original and fascinating slice of Maltese island history and local artistic endeavours.

standing temple in the world and, for that fact alone, really is a site to behold. The intrigue of the Neolithic period is that so little is certain. Guesswork is involved to answer the many ‘How’, ‘Why’, ‘What’ questions that instantly spring to mind. The fun of it is that, to some extent, you can make up your own theories, who is say they are wrong?!

Aside from Ggantija, Gozo too has come on in leaps and bounds from the sleepy island that I recall. Its smaller, quieter than Malta for sure but has its own, very distinct appeal. Now accessible via a 45 minute fast ferry from Valletta, its very easy these days to see the best of both.

I was fortunate enough to spend a good part of my day on Gozo in the company of local chef and restauranteur, Philip Spiteri. Time well spent as we toured around the island on a ‘shopping’ trip, gathering the pick of local produce. After five months of summer heat, the island looked parched but, when you are with someone like Philip who knows every inch of it, there is flavourful local produce to be found all year round...gorgeous fresh veg picked in a lush green valley irrigated by a natural water source, caper berries fresh from the tree for pickling, delicate creamy rounds of soft cheese, prickly pears carefully collected from their spiky bushes and of course, the catch of the day from the fish market, in this case, glorious blue-hued Lampuki and live clams. Back in the kitchen at his restaurant Ta’Philip, we saw the ingredients simply, yet oh so skilfully bought together to create a memorable and delicious Maltese feast.

Old or new, every building tells a story and there are plenty of museums to help unpeel the city's many layers of history, whether your interest lies in the Knights of Malta, the World Wars or Maritime history. Or to time travel back even further, the Museum of Archaeology is a real gem. The volume of Neolithic sites across Malta and Gozo is unparalleled in Europe and they include seven UNESCO World Heritage listed megalithic temples.Yet another aspect of this fascinating country that passed me by in my teens but which I now find genuinely mesmerising. If you can, plan on visiting the museum ahead of the sites. Most of the original artefacts found in the temples when they were excavated in the 1920s are displayed here and you will get the context and detail that will make subsequent site visits way more meaningful.

At only 17 by 9 miles, nowhere is far to drive on Malta so beyond the capital accessing the Neolithic sites is easy.You can of course Philip and his Lampuki pie go by road but one of the nicest ways to explore is to incorporate Farm to table dining is always going to be a winner in my book. But them as part of a hike. The dual megalithic temples of Hagar Qim the idea of using the best locally sourced produce also permeates and Mnajdra for example sit within 500 metres of each other and all levels of gastronomy and Malta has another trump card - the can be explored on a trail that takes you across the cliff tops from emergence of a sophisticated fine dining scene. The island received Dingli (at 250m, the highest point on Malta) along the coast, around the Michelin seal of approval with the publication of the Michelin the temples and on to the Blue Grotto. Our attempt at the hike was Guide to Malta in 2020. The new 2021 edition unfortunately curtailed by a heavy downpour lists 5 one star restaurants and an additional 26 and, after 5 months of baking summer heat, the Fact Box: rated as ‘Bib’ and ‘Plate’ recommended. For landscape was looking very parched indeed.

For general information on such a small island that is mightily impressive.

However, the idea of walking the route in Malta go to As I tucked in to a divine and complex six Spring with a green, flower filled landscape and course tasting menu under star filled skies at the www.visitmalta.com/en. spectacular sea views is very tempting.

Michelin star ION in Valletta (with panoramic For further details on holidays Ggantija views of the Grand Harbour) I couldn’t help but to Malta, to receive a quote or To see the mother of all the temples we headed smile at the memory of my childhood self for to book your holiday call to Gozo to visit Ggantija. As the name implies, whom the gastronomic holiday highlight would 0800 412 5678 quite literally a construction of gigantic stone. have been a trip to the Wimpey in Sliema for a Dating back to 3700 BC it is the oldest free Knickerbocker glory!

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CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

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50 PLUS MAGAZINE

THE ROCKET MAN ROCKS ON NOT many British singers can claim a box-office smash hit film about their lives and No.1 hits in the 1980s, ‘90s and 2000s but Elton John can.

Sir Elton Hercules John, to give him his full name (although he was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight), is that rarity in the pop music world: a star who has endured and whose fan base traverses all ages and types.

He’s now 74, still successful, still productive and happy with the person he acknowledges he is. But it wasn’t always that way.

As anyone who has seen his autobiographical film Rocket Man knows, as a youngster he was not always happy with who he was and the life he led.

Music probably saved him so it’s no surprise to learn that he started playing the piano at the age of four. He was raised in Pinner in London and both his parents were interested in music.

As a result, they exposed young Reggie to the popular singers of the day. When he first heard rock ‘n roll, he was hooked.

He had regular piano lessons and music swiftly became the most important force in his life. He was educated locally and, at the age of 15 was hired as a pianist at a nearby pub. At 17, he left school and his A level studies for a career in music.

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He and some friends started a band called Bluesology which proved successful, backing touring American soul and R & B musicians like the Isley Brothers. In 1966, the band became singer Long John Baldry’s supporting band.

In 1967, Reggie answered an advert in the New Musical Express

by Liberty Records looking for new talent. He was given some lyrics by Bernie Taupin, who had also answered the advert, and so began a fruitful partnership that resulted in countless hit songs.

Six months later, Reggie changed his name to Elton John and the duo joined Dick James’s DJM Records as staff songwriters in 1968. Over the next two years, they wrote material for artists including Lulu and Roger Cook.

Unlike most collaborations, Bernie would write a batch of lyrics and give it to Elton to provide the music, resulting in many haunting, memorable songs.

For their second album, thanks in no small way to Elton’s rich falsetto voice, they created Your Song which reached No.7 in the UK singles’ chart and No.8 in the US. The album named Elton John reached No.4 in the US Billboard 200 and No.5 in the UK albums’ chart.

Elton’s first American concert - at the Troubador Club in Los Angeles in August, 1970 - was a great success and his next album Tumbleweed Connection that year reached No.2 in the UK and No.5 in the US. Elton and Bernie then wrote the soundrack to the 1971 film Friends followed by the album Madman Across the Water, which again did well. This included hit songs Levon and Tiny Dancer and this time heralded a string of hit albums on both sides of the water.

The album Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player came out at the start of 1973 and reached No.1 in both the UK and the US. This produced hits Crocodile Rock and Daniel, topping the charts in both countries.

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road followed in 1973 and contained the US No.1 single Bennie and the Jets, along with the title song, plus Candle in the Wind and Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting.

Elton formed his own company, The Rocket Record Company and signed acts including Neil Sedaka and Kiki Dee. Instead of releasing his own songs through the company, though, he signed an $8 million contract with MCA and in 1974 they released Elton John’s Greatest Hits.

In 1975, he was asked by The Who to take part in the film adaptation of the rock opera Tommy and to perform Pinball Wizard, which also became a UK chart favourite.

By now, Elton was becoming known for his flambouyant costumes and fantastic specs as much for his music. Live audiences loved him, turning up in their thousands to see him perform.

The ‘70s were undoubtedly Elton’s most commercially successful period but in 1977, he announced that he was retiring from performing and Bernie Taupin began collaborating with other people.

He continued recording, however, and his next album included hit singles Part-time Love and Song for Guy. His 1983 album Too Low for Zero featured I’m Still Standing and I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues. And in 1990, he had a UK No.1 hit single with Sacrifice.

He has collaborated on appearances and records with some of music’s most famous names including John Lennon, George Michael, opera star Luciano Pavoretti, Lady Gaga and Ed Sheeran.

In 1997, he asked Bernie Taupin to revise the lyrics of their 1973 song Candle in the Wind to honour Princess Diana and Elton gave a poignant performance at her Westminister Abbey funeral.

The song became the fastest and biggest-selling single of all time, eventually selling more than 33 million copies globally.

Elton has also created music for hit musicals including The Lion King in 1997 and Billy Elliott in 2005. In 2003, he capitalised on

his popularity in America by agreeing to perform 75 shows over three years at Caesar’s Palace on the Las Vegan Strip. He shared performances throughout the year with Celine Dion – while one performed the other rested.

In 2019, the film Rocket Man about his life answered many questions around his sexuality and won the singer many new fans.

He has received all kinds of accolades and awards throughout his career – from a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1975 to a CBE in 1996 and a knighthood in 1998 for his services to music and fundraising for AIDS charities.

He registered his civil partnership with long-term partner David Furnish in 2005 and upgraded their relationship to marriage in 2014. The couple have two sons.

Elton has had his share of health problems over the years but today remains a sprightly entertainer whose popularity has never really waned.

As he quite rightly says:

“An overview of my career is usually … glasses …homosexuality …Watford Football Club … tantrums … flowers. But the music was pretty phenomenal, you know.”

• Elton John’s latest UK tour starts in June, 2022.

For details go to https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/elton-john-tickets/artist/735394 15

TRAVEL | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

50 Plus Travel

sponsored by

Embracing the Spirit of the Rhine with Saga by Sally Dowling It took a while to decide where to go once travel opened up.

A river cruise along the Rhine and Main with Saga in late autumn fitted the bill nicely. Made even more tempting by the opportunity to experience Saga’s brand-new river boat, Spirit of the Rhine.

On board Spirit of the Rhine We flew to Frankfurt to join the ship and what a beauty she is, larger than the average river vessel with a capacity for 190 passengers. Due to Covid restrictions, we sailed with just over 100 guests on board, so plenty of room for everyone. The public areas are spacious, light and airy with panoramic windows along each side. Cabins are well proportioned and attractively decorated. They also have more storage than any other cabin I have travelled in which is always welcome. The cabins on the top two decks have floor to ceiling picture windows with sliding doors, a real bonus in the summer! As always, the food on any Saga holiday is excellent. A good choice at every meal and innovative, tempting menus. There was always a choice of red or white wine included at mealtimes, and a comprehensive wine list if you wished to purchase a favourite tipple. Drinks from the bar

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were charged, and I was pleased to see that unlike some hotels, prices were what you would expect. Tea and coffee are included throughout the day. If you feel peckish between meals, a choice of exquisite cakes appears at teatime, and savoury snacks are served at 10pm in the bar. Spirit of the Rhine also has a small speciality restaurant, ‘Rheinfels’, positioned at the back of the boat. Prebooking is essential due to size, but there is no supplement to pay. Be prepared for a memorable 6 -course meal to rival any top restaurant.

Our Itinerary River cruises are all about relaxation and this one didn’t disappoint. We travelled overnight from Frankfurt along the River Main to Aschaffenburg, an historic Bavarian town. A beautiful sunny morning gave us the chance to wander at leisure using the Quietvox headsets provided by the ship - a great way to discover the local history. They work alongside a map and give you concise guided commentary, allowing you to sightsee independently.

Saga also offered a guided tour with coach transfer for those who didn’t want to walk so far. The weather for November was cold

This beautiful city never disappoints, and we had all afternoon to explore. We joined the included excursion on a canal boat trip to get our bearings and then left the group to walk around by ourselves. The boat had moored just by the Central Railway Station, so very close to Dam Square and the major sights.

As dusk fell, we strolled along the canal banks, admiring the architecture of the grand houses and soaking up the atmosphere of this vibrant city. Back on board for the last evening of our trip and time to pack our bags for home.

The Saga Experience

but sunny with no wind, perfect for an afternoon on deck after a busy morning. We settled down and enjoyed watching the pretty towns and villages drift by with the added interest of negotiating locks along the way. Our next stop was the historic city of Mainz, and again the weather was kind. We awoke to a mist rising from the river, and it felt as though winter was just around the corner.

Saga offer several included excursions and a few optionals. Today there was an included city walk and an optional coach trip to Heidelberg. We set off again with our Quietvox and did our own thing. Mainz was full of autumn colour and the historic market square was being transformed into a winter wonderland and market. Christmas was making an appearance and the iconic German Christmas shops attracted everyone.

I often get asked about the ages of guests on Saga cruises, and obviously it can vary. Saga’s policy is over 50s, but younger people are accepted if carers or relatives. On this trip, given it was early days of being able to travel again, I was heartened to see so many older people. There were some in their 90s and some with walking issues, but the staff were amazing. Saga know their customer base and are well-prepared to assist where necessary.

On the excursions, they always made sure any guests needing a helping hand or who walked at a slower pace were catered for.

Talking to older guests, it was inspiring to realise how they value the freedom of travel and are determined to keep going for as long as they are able.

You must be prepared for itineraries and plans to change on cruises, and that happened to us on the 4th day. En route to Strasburg there was a problem on the Rhine with a vessel getting stuck. We had to turn back and due to time constraints missed out Strasburg. A great shame, but these things happen. Saga did their best to make the most of it by offering us complimentary drinks all day and a free excursion in Rudesheim, our next stop.

The next couple of days were marred slightly by fog and very cold temperatures. It is unusual for river boats to still be operating during the winter months, but if you come prepared with warm clothing, it is still enjoyable. In Rudesheim it was an excuse to warm up with a steaming mug of the local speciality, Asbach coffee. Asbach is a German brandy, and it is mixed with sugar, heated until it caramelises, topped off with coffee and cream. It certainly does the job!

The Covid travelling experience

The cruise we chose visited Germany, France and Holland so one form for each country, plus a form to return to the UK, plus a lateral flow test on our return and a fair bit of ‘uploading’ and downloading’ of documents. As expected, Saga do not leave anything to chance, and our final documents arrived in good time with copious notes on filling in everything required. Now I have safely returned to the UK, I can report that all went smoothly.

The Saga team on board the Spirit of the Rhine were completely The afternoon was spent cruising a very picturesque part of the up-to-date with everything, and helped anyone who needed Rhine to Boppard with just time to explore this pretty town assistance, to complete the formalities. We flew from London before night fell.

Heathrow and the experience was much easier than expected.

Saturday and our port of call was Andernach, a medieval town Once in Europe you will find mask wearing is mandatory with lots of history. While exploring with indoors, and you need to always carry our Quietvox we came across groups your Covid Vaccination Pass and photo Fact Box of locals resplendent in all manner of ID. 48 hours before arrival back into the Find out more at https://travel. UK the passenger locator form had to be costumes gathering for some sort of carnival parade. It was hard to find out saga.co.uk/cruises/river/our- completed. Saga hosts were on hand with exactly what was going on, as even the help and tips as we all knuckled down to ships/spirit-of-the-rhine.aspx local Tourist Information office seemed what I felt was the trickiest of all the forms Call 0800 412 5678 to receive confused. We just followed the crowds and so far. Once that was out of the way, we a quote or to book your river enjoyed the marching bands and parade. It all made the most of our last evening and certainly brightened our day. many of us were already planning the next cruise. trip.

Back on board for a long stretch to take us through to our last stop, Amsterdam.

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HEALTH | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

HOW TO ACCESS YOUR SURVIVOR MINDSET IN CHALLENGING TIMES

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

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

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

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

Rest is vital after stress. Neuroscientist and business psychologist Dr Lynda Shaw says: “When we experience danger or stress, the Sympathetic-Adrena-medullar (SAM) axis quickly responds 18

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

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

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

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

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

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

What will be?

What will youryour legacylegacy be?

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

We depend totally on the generosity of our supporters.

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

About Sid...

Sid (Skip) was rehomed via Animal Care back in 2019 but unfortunately his owner passed away suddenly and is therefore back to square one as he nears his Yorkshire Te rrier Cross 11th Birthday! There is no getting away from the fact breed, Male, 10 years 10 months old that Sid has had a past of being unpredictable and in certain situations has bitten and nipped. He likes his own space and things done his way. He is a dog that you can easily build up a relationship with and so far since returning has been well behaved with most of the staff and the few volunteers he has met, but he has become snappy if he is not getting his own way. He likes a fuss but this is very much on his terms. He by no means is a lap dog. Despite being an older boy he is still very active and loves to be out at every opportunity. He isn’t a huge lover of dog toys, and he walks very well on the lead. He has so far been ok with most of the other dogs he has met and regularly goes on group walks. But due to his snappy nature we feel he will be best suited to a home as an only pet as he does like his own space and can become jealous. It is vitally important that Sid now finds an experienced owner who can manage his issues, as well providing him with the walks he requires.

Sid is not suitable to live with children of any age. If you would like to know more about Sid please call us between 10am - 4pm any day of the week 01524 65495 or alternatively you can email us : rehoming@animalcare-lancaster.co.uk

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

Registered Charity No. 508819

Animal Care

(Lancaster, Morecambe and District)

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

HEALTH | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

BUILDING ON FIRM FOUNDATIONS Dr Khurrum Hussain is one of just five periodontal specialists in the NorthWest – and he has chosen RibbleValley based Renovo Dental as his referral clinic.

S

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

Graduating from the institute in 2016, Khurrum returned to his roots in the North West, teaching periodontology to post-graduates at Manchester University. and using his skillset working privately for BUPA. As a periodontal specialist, he deals with gum disease and the soft tissue surrounding the palate, degenerating bone issues and failing implants.

He is specially trained in the placement, maintenance and repair of dental implants.

As part of the team, Dr Khurrum Hussain, is one of just 350 periodontal specialists working throughout the UK – 220 of those being registered in and around central London.

“My ethos is not just to treat patients with periodontal challenges, but I aim to work together to educate and motivate them and I have had excellent results with this approach.

‘’Working as part of a multi-skilled team with the same passion really is a dream come true. It takes the planning and patient treatment quality to a whole new level,” says Dr Hussain, who completed his training in periodontology at the globallyrenowned Eastman Dental Institute at University College London.

“At Renovo we don’t rush in, we view everything in a calculated way. We offer the latest techniques for diagnosing and treating periodontal disease and are also trained in performing cosmetic periodontal procedures.

“The institute accepts just four people each year, one from the UK one from Europe and the other two internationally. It was an offer I couldn’t refuse,” he explains.

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“Our gums are very much part of our smile and they are the foundations on which we work. Our aim is to get gum tissue and bones strong and healthy before we carry out any further work.”

CT-guided precision implant surgery

Poorly managed diabetes, smoking or inherited genetics can lead to susceptibility to advanced gum disease – and at Renovo Dental, Khurrum can advise on the best techniques and treatment to overcome the problem.

Treatment of advanced gum disease may require dental surgery, such as:

Soft tissue grafts To replace lost gum tissue due to recession.

A small amount of tissue from the roof of your mouth or using tissue from another donor source and attaching it to the affected site. This can help reduce further gum recession, cover exposed roots and give your teeth an improved aesthetic.

Before & after soft tissue grafting - procedure 90 minutes - one visit

Tissue-stimulating proteins

This procedure is performed when periodontitis has destroyed the bone surrounding your tooth root. The graft may be composed of small fragments of your own bone, or the bone may be synthetic or donated. The bone graft helps prevent tooth loss by holding your tooth in place. It also serves as a platform for the regrowth of natural bone.

Guided tissue regeneration This allows the regrowth of bone that was destroyed by bacteria. In one approach, a special piece of biocompatible fabric is placed between existing bone and your tooth. The material prevents unwanted tissue from entering the healing area, allowing bone to grow back instead.

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OUR AIM IS TO GET GUM TISSUE AND BONES STRONG AND HEALTHY BEFORE WE CARRY OUT ANY FURTHER WORK

“

Bone grafting

Another technique involves applying a special gel to a diseased tooth root. This gel contains the same proteins found in developing tooth enamel and stimulates the growth of healthy bone and tissue.

“There is often a general lack of awareness of what can be done in terms of the latest techniques, treatments and technology. Too often patients are told that the treatment for gum disease and bone loss is not possible.Yes, it is more complex, impossible it is not. That depends on the skillset of the team carrying out the treatment, ” explains Dr Khurrum Hussain of Renovo.

Before and after dental implant placement to replace missing upper premolar tooth.

As a brand new clinic, Renovo have invested in all the latest digital technology dentistry has to offer, including a state-of-the-art CT scanner which allows the team to plan and perform very precise implant surgery. This CT-guided surgery for implants Is accurate, safer and comfortable and results in faster healing.

Since launching Renovo Dental, the team’s reputation has spread through word of mouth: “We are very fortunate in what we do and what we have here, and we are all passionate and very dedicated. Renovo is much bigger than a group of individuals – it is all about our patients, changing mindsets and attitudes and giving them support and confidence by providing outstanding dentistry.”

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

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HOME | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

Streamlining your home in 2022 THE events of the last two years have made many of us consider what’s important to us and streamline our lives – and the same applies to our homes.

Lockdown has meant more time spent at home which has underlined how we want to improve our lifstyle and just make life simpler and more comfortable.

So, in 2022, there’s the opportunity to carry out plans to make life better and easier - and it begins at home.

Take a long, hard look at your FURNITURE. Do you have items that are simply cluttering up space unnecessarily? Charities like Emmaus and the British Heart Foundation take furniture to sell on for funds so your de-cluttering can help someone in need.

As soon as you start making a space, you’ll feel better about individual rooms and want to streamline more. And keeping on top of it as a lifestyle. ensuring that items are put away, surfaces are clear and re-set and your home always looks fairly tidy, will continue to make you feel better.

For a start, take a look at the space around you. It’s a safe bet that most of us have gathered together far too much stuff, a large proportion of which we just don’t need.

So now is an excellent time to DE-CLUTTER. Do this a little bit at a time but an easy start is to make a list of 10 things to get rid of from anywhere in your home. Identify a box, basket or area to gather the items you’re getting rid of and gradually add to it.

Don’t let the task overwhelm you; de-cluttering can be spread out so you could do a small amount every day. Just identify the main areas that need de-cluttering.

Have you got duplicate items in your kitchen, for example?

This is a good place to start and you definitely don’t need two of everything, from mixing bowls to kitchen utensils. Keep your favourites and get rid of the rest.

Make three separate piles: items you could take to a local charity shop, those for recycling and rubbish for throwing out.

Clear off surfaces and make spaces on countertops, tables and other furniture where books and clutter mysteriously gather, cleaning as you go. Decide what is really essential and put away items in drawers and cupboards.

Check out paperwork, get it up to date and shred and throw out into the recycling what you don’t need anymore.

Go through your clothes and anything you’ve not worn for more than two years either goes on ebay, the charity shop, recycling or the bin.

Is the EXTERIOR of your home looking sad and in need of a coat of paint? Does guttering need cleaning?

Changing your FRONT DOOR makes a surprising difference to the look of your home. It’s the first thing visitors see so a contemporary, welcoming front door brightens up the whole of the outside.

Ensure your HALLWAY continues the warm welcome. If it’s looking gloomy, it could be a combination of lack of light and dark flooring and walls.

Invest in good lighting and paint the walls a lighter shade, complemented by flooring that is both practical and attractive.

De-cluttering should also happen here. It’s very easy to have 23

HOME | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE This new colour scheme can liven up the most traditional room and help make it a lovely place in which to spend time.

RE-DECORATE walls and either change or cheer up the paintwork. Even a fresh coat of white gloss can make rooms gleam and change the whole aspect of a living space. Consider the latest wallpaper, too, to add a modern twist to your room even if you can’t afford new furniture.

boots and coats getting in the way in the hallway. Either find somewhere else handy for them or invest in a cupboard or other storage area to get them out of sight.

Re-arrange your FURNITURE as this can make a huge difference to your living area and can simplify the overall look of your living room.You’ll also be surprised at the space you now have which can make relaxing time so much better.

Changing SOFT FURNISHINGS can also alter a room and doesn’t need to cost a fortune. If you’re handy with a sewing machine, or know someone who is, go to mill shops or outlets and buy enough material for matching curtains and cushion covers – even the odd throw.

New FLOORING can change the look of a room. If you’re lucky enough to have good floorboards, invest in a sander and then varnish them afterwards. Add some sumptuous rugs and you’ve got a cosy, glowing room.

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Or, take a look at the latest carpets and flooring and choose a type to suit the area you want.Your local carpet retailer is a wealth of knowledge so explain your needs and they will offer plenty of ideas.

Better LIGHTING can transform any area. There are all kinds of lights available now that can brighten up a dark area and offer you extra space.

LED light bulbs can both help with the bills and add that modern glow, not to mention being better for the planet.

And while we’re on the subject of “going green”, PLANTS around the home – whether they’re hanging plants or in wellplaced pots – add a natural look to any area. They’re also a goodvalue way of improving any room.

While energy bills are obviously in the news and could be a problem this Winter, it’s still worth planning on all the ways to insulate your home and help cut the bills.

Making your WINDOWS, DOORS and CONSERVATORY more energy-efficient not only makes them cosier and weatherresistant all year round but is also more cost-effective.

Consider double or even triple glazing to reduce draughts, cut down on external noise and lessen any build-up of condensation.

This is also a good time to think about always turning off lights and heaters we don’t need, using the tumble dryer less and buying energy-efficient items like kettles.

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

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MOTORING

|

50 PLUS MAGAZINE

STEVE HOWARTH’S TEST DRIVE parking sensors and adjustable lumbar support on the driver’s seat. There’s also a 10.0in touchscreen infotainment system while standard safety kit includes automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assist.

Stepping up to our Sense Plus trim brings sat-nav, a rear-view camera, LED interior lighting and a head-up display that projects speed and other key information into your line of sight.

While it’s not a quick car the 128bhp its turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engine produces is more than enough to satisfy most and pulls well from low revs. It is also smooth for a three-cylinder unit.

CITROEN C4 HYBRID and electric are the current buzzwords in motoring but great strides forward with economical petrol engines seem to have been somewhat overlooked.

Now that is a shame because many modern petrol cars can achieve amazing mpg figures which could only have been dreamt of a few decades ago.

If, like me, you are of a certain age then you will have memories of cars which struggled to hit 20mpg and others that were lauded for a figure of 30 – mind you, when I started driving petrol was 37p.... a gallon!

Well our latest test car is a family-sized hatchback/crossover yet during a week of very mixed driving the new Citroen C4 returned an average of around 50mpg - while with a little more care nearer to 60 would be possible. The diesel version has a claimed 76mpg!

That is with no extra hybrid power or fancy plug in capabilities – just the latest advances aimed at squeezing every last mile out of that ever more expensive go juice.

Citroën has introduced a number of important updates on their ë-C4 and C4 for 2022 which include a revised model line-up, improved efficiency for ë-C4 electric, new alloy wheel designs and body colours.

The new ë-C4 electric now has a 217 mile range from its 50KWh Lithium-ion battery and makes up over a fifth of all new C4 orders.

However – as I say don’t overlook the super economical petrol and diesel versions which are several thousand pounds cheaper - our Sense Plus - PureTech 130 is £22.270 on the road.

All models also now have new alloy wheels and are pretty well equipped, getting dual-zone climate control, cruise control, rear

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The C4 may be family hatchback size but pumped-up wheel arches and high seating are SUV-like while that curved roofline is more coupé… all of which helps it stand out in an increasingly crowded marketplace.

All C4’s also have Citroën’s Progressive Hydraulic Cushion suspension and Advance Comfort seats so the ride is great while not compromising handling and keen pricing plus decent standard kit mean it offers good value for money.

Petrol power options are a single 1.2-litre PureTech engine available in 99bhp, 128bhp or 153bhp form. The least-powerful version comes with a six-speed manual gearbox, while the most potent 153bhp car has an eight-speed auto. The 1.5-litre diesel unit is offered with either 109bhp or 128bhp.

Prices for the combustion-engine C4 range start from just over £21,000, rising to around £28,000 for the top-spec versions. The trim line-up starts with the well-equipped Sense followed by the Sense Plus, Shine and Shine Plus which get luxuries such as leather upholstery and heated front seats.

So with those great mpg numbers plus low emissions the combustion engine is not quite dead yet – especially as to buy an electric version will cost you between £33,000 and £35,000 before the government’s plug-in car grant of £2,500.

Even by electric car standards the motor and gearbox are ultraquiet, although if you have it in re-gen mode - where more power is recovered during deceleration and braking - it can feel a bit odd at first.

Over a week of very mixed driving the ID.3 proved very easy to live with providing you plugged it in every few days to top up the range and was quick, comfortable, well equipped and roomy.

The interior tells you it is an electric car with cutting edge design while from the outside it appears fairly ‘normal’.

VOLKSWAGEN - ID.3 AS a self-confessed petrol-head I was not sure how I would feel about our latest test vehicle – VW’s first designed from scratch electric car the ID.3.

But I need not have worried as it proved genuinely good fun to drive with well-weighted steering and great body control plus excellent performance and, most importantly, a healthy fullycharged range.

The ID.3 replaced the e-Golf as VW’s family-sized car for those wanting to go green and comes with a choice of battery sizes, providing differing performance and range.

Like its great-grandfather the Beetle the ID.3 has its electric ‘engine’ at the back driving the rear wheels with its battery pack below the floor for a low centre of gravity giving better handling.

The entry-level Volkswagen ID.3’s battery is the Pure Performance 45kWh able to do around 217 miles on a single charge with a 148bhp motor giving 0-62mph in just 8.9 seconds.

Next up is the 58kWh battery, which is available with two power outputs. In the Pro (our test car) it’s 143bhp but if you opt for the Pro Performance it has 201bhp, meaning 0-60 in just 6.6 seconds and a better full charge range of around 225 miles.

There’s a digital pod behind the steering wheel with a 5.3in display that shows speed, range and sat-nav instructions and a simple rotary-style drive selector on the side, forward to go forward and back to go back. In the centre is a large (10-inch) touchscreen that controls infotainment and heating – which also extends to the front seats and steering wheel.

Parking sensors (front and rear) come as standard on all models while our entry-level Life trim has no rear-view camera but did boast adaptive cruise control. All models also get LED headlights and sat-nav.

VW say the ID.3 on a fast charger can power up our mid-range 58kWh battery from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in around 30mins.

Charging at home on a normal three pin socket is a much slower affair but I still managed to add around 100 miles overnight. VW say on a domestic socket it should take 9.5 hours from flat to fully charged.

So not only will the ID.3 save you money on fuel costs but also in company car tax for business users and with very low predicted depreciation strong resale values mean competitive PCP finance rates.

Our Life Pro 58 kWh model is £29,700 after the government electric car grant going up to a shade under £40k for the top of the range Tour spec car with the biggest battery pack. One tip if you do buy one - pay the extra £185 for a three pin mains charging cable unless you plan to install a fast charge socket at home.

So to sum up my first real experience of a practical all-electric car (the first one I tried a few years ago did a very impractical 14 miles on a full charge) the biggest complement is, I think, that it is very easy to forget that you are not driving an internal combustion engine vehicle!

Finally, in the larger Pro S a 77kWh battery powers the same 201bhp motor (0-62mph takes 7.9sec because it’s heavier) but it can do up to 336 miles on a charge. Our Life Pro version can, say VW, do a very useful 264 miles on a single charge.

There are five trim levels - Life, Style, Family, Max and Tour – which means, together with the different engine power options, there is a big price gap between the entry level car and top of the range model.

With an excellent turning circle and light steering the ID.3 Life Pro is great around town but also good on motorways, with a top speed of 99mph and 0 to 60 time of 9.6 seconds.

For all the latest car tests see the motoring section of our website at www.50plusmagazine.co.uk/motors/ 27

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GARDEN | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE

Preparing your garden for Spring Planning is the key to success in the spring garden says garden writer Julia Heaton.

Sunshine days of summer may seem an age away but spring certainly isn’t. So now is the ideal time to get some basic jobs out of the way in preparation for the new season and the pruning, planting and seed sowing ahead. Here are some of my essential tips to give you that all important head-start.

Get to grips with tools If you didn’t clean your hand tools (rakes, spades, trowels) properly on their last outing go ahead and remove any remnants of soil from the heads using a bristle brush. Leave them to soak in a mix of water and 10 per cent bleach for around half an hour, then dry them off and wipe down with an oily rag before storing.

snails emerging from hibernation and eggs preparing to hatch.

Look for groups of tiny yellow and white eggs in sheltered places like underneath stones, shrubs or in the crown of perennial plants. Then leave them unprotected in the sunlight so that other wildlife can feed on them.

Beer traps are one of the many options for dealing with the adults.You could also create some dark, damp, places where they’ll love to hide out during the day – then all you need do is collect them. There are also deterrents like crushed egg shells, copper tape and coffee grounds. Consider also introducing plants that slugs avoid like agapanthus and Dicentra spectabilis.

As well as cleaning in water and detergent any bladed tools – like pruning knives, secateurs and garden shears – will benefit from sharpening and oiling so they provide nice clean cuts and stop the risk of spreading disease between plants. This will also make your tools easier to use and ensure they last, saving you money in the long term.

There’s also garden machinery, like the lawnmower, to check over. The latter needs to be in good working order and safe so make sure electric cables aren’t worn or chafed and that blades are clean and sharp. If you have a petrol mower it’s a good idea to drain any fuel off as it will have deteriorated during the cold winter weather.

Remove slugs and snails Don’t wait for pests to make a meal of your perennials. As temperatures in the ground start to rise hunt down slugs and

Test the soil Once you’ve done a soil test you’ll know which plants will and won’t flourish in your garden. Tests from garden centres will tell you the pH level of the soil (whether alkaline, neutral or acid) so you can adjust it accordingly and make a more informed decision about what to grow.

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Deal with weeds Annual weeds, like meadow grass and groundsel, are easy enough to pull-up but perennial weeds, such as couch grass, bindweed and dandelions, need careful handling. There are different types of weedkiller that you can call upon, depending on the area you want to treat. In densely planted borders though it’s probably better to do the job by hand. Just ensure that you remove as much of the root as possible, so there’s no chance of them resprouting.

Feed beds and borders Add some nutrients, by way of a general fertiliser, to mixed borders of trees, perennials, bulbs and shrubs. General fertilisers come in various forms including granular. This just requires sprinkling evenly throughout the border, according to the instructions on the box, and forking in. The latter is important as concentrations of fertiliser lying against plants can burn them.

Go ahead and mulch Once you’ve weeded and fed borders add a mulch. This is a layer of well-rotted garden compost, mushroom compost, bark or bagged soil improver and is one of the best things you can do for your plants. When spread an inch or more thick on the soil surface it acts like a barrier, depriving weeds of the light they need to germinate and trapping moisture so that plants have plenty to call upon when temperatures rise. All you need to do is leave nature to take its course as it rots down, improving structure and providing nutrients.

Give pots a dressing Container plants can’t always be repotted. If you’ve got a shrub, fruit tree or perennial growing in compost that’s a year old or more then a layer of fresh compost will be beneficial. Scrape away an inch or so of the old compost from the surface and replace with fresh. Plant roots will soon feel the benefit as creatures and microbes gradually integrate old with new.

Clean out shed and greenhouse Sweep down floors and surfaces. Tools in the shed should be hung so that you can get to them easily. The less clutter on the floor the better.

Wash down greenhouse windows inside and out with disinfectant. This will ensure that plants get enough light and also destroy any potential homes for pests and diseases to lurk in. Make sure all pots and seed trays from last year are clean too.

Then leave the door and windows open to help the space dry off.

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Remember also to check glass for any damage and replace panes if necessary.

Clean fencing and paths If your patio or paths are regularly in the shade then it can lead to a build-up of moss and green algae during winter, making it slippery and unsightly. If it’s not too bad then soapy water and a brush should do the job. Otherwise use a patio, path cleaner or pressure washer to despatch it. There are also specialist cleaners for wooden decking.

Check out fencing and other wooden structures like gates and pergolas and deal with any rot or winter damage. A power washer will help remove any dirt, moss or mildew and when completely dry freshen up with a couple of coats of wood preservative or paint.

Install a water butt If you haven’t already got a water butt it’s worth installing one in the long run. Use a diverter kit to siphon off rainwater from a downpipe on the side of your house. Harvesting rainfall is environmentally friendly and rain water is the better than tap water for plants. Ericaceous types, like camellias, particularly benefit as tap water is often more alkaline. Just as importantly, installing a few butts is good for your water bill too.

Go shopping Finally, take a quick inventory of what’s already in the shed and what you’ll be needing. Everything from compost and seeds down to pots and feed. This is also an ideal time to plan the summer-flowering bulbs you’ll want to plant in early spring.

Having a proper shopping list will help you focus on exactly what you want to accomplish this year.

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FOOD

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50 PLUS MAGAZINE

Matt Tebbutt is used to spending his Saturdays cooking - as the host of BBC TV’s Saturday Kitchen, he’s never short of a fast meal idea or a meal for guests that will impress. Here he shares some of those recipes with us.

KING SCALLOPS WITH PICKLED GIROLLES AND SEAWEED BUTTER SERVES 2 100ml (3½fl oz) water 100ml (3½fl oz) malt vinegar 150g (5½oz) girolle or chanterelle mushrooms, brushed clean 4 tbsp olive oil 2 fresh corn on the cob, kernels removed 2 spring onions (scallions), chopped 6 fat king (sea) scallops with roe Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper For the seaweed butter 100g (3½oz) unsalted butter, softened and kept at room temperature 1–2 tbsp dried seaweed, such as nori or dulse, crumbled 1 heaped tbsp white miso paste

This makes a special starter, ideally around late summer when both sweetcorn (corn) and girolles are in season. Don’t be put off by the thought of seaweed butter. It’s there to supercharge the taste of the scallops by adding another layer of that all-important savoury umami flavour.

METHOD You can make the seaweed butter in advance: put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

butter. (Leftover butter will keep in the fridge for 3–5 days or wrapped in the freezer for 3 months).

Bring the water and vinegar to the boil in a saucepan over a high heat and bubble until the liquid is reduced by half, 2-3 minutes.

Take off the heat, add the mushrooms and set aside to marinate for 1 hour.

Season the scallops with salt and pepper. Heat a dry frying pan (skillet) over a high heat until smoking hot, then add the remaining oil and the seasoned scallops. Cook on one side until golden brown (no more than 2 minutes), carefully turn the scallops over and remove the pan from the heat, allowing the scallops to rest in the pan.

Meanwhile, heat half the oil in a pan over a high heat and, when hot, add the corn kernels and cook, stirring, until soft (no more than 1-2 minutes). Remove the pan from the heat and add the spring onions (scallions) and 1-2 tablespoons of the seaweed

Spoon the cooked corn and spring onions into a serving dish, scatter over the marinated mushrooms, then top with the scallops. I like to drizzle the scallops with some melted seaweed butter before serving, if using, before adding the bun lid.

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ROAST BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH PANCETTA AND GRUYÈRE AND PARMESAN CREAM A rather decadent way to dress up a butternut squash. Bacon or pancetta and cheese seem to be regulars in my recipes, and I’m unapologetic on this point – they do make everything taste better!

SERVES 2 2 tbsp olive oil 4 slices of pancetta 1 butternut squash, peeled and sliced into 3-5cm (1-2in) thick pieces 1 rosemary sprig 1 garlic clove, finely chopped 300ml (10½fl oz) double (heavy) cream 100g (3½oz) Parmesan, grated 100g (3½oz) Gruyère cheese, grated Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper For the kale vinaigrette 50g (1¾oz) kale, trimmed and very finely chopped 2 tbsp red wine vinegar 3 tbsp olive oil 1 banana shallot, sliced into thin rounds

METHOD Heat the olive oil in a large pan over a medium heat and cook the pancetta for a few minutes to release the fat. Remove the pancetta from the pan and set aside. Add the squash, rosemary and garlic, to the pan with the pancetta fat, season with salt and pepper and cook for 20 minutes, stirring from time to time to make sure it’s not sticking. Set aside and keep warm.

Bring the cream to the boil in a pan, then immediately remove from the heat and whisk in both cheeses until melted and thickened. Keep warm.

For the kale vinaigrette, using your hands, scrunch the chopped kale with the red wine vinegar in a bowl. Leave for 5 minutes to soften, then add the olive oil and shallot and a pinch of salt and black pepper.

When you’re ready to serve, pour some of the Gruyère and Parmesan cream into each bowl, spoon in some squash and garnish with the kale vinaigrette, with the pancetta crumbled over in shards.

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FOOD

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50 PLUS MAGAZINE

Cooking this highly prized fish whole makes for a real celebration dish, and it looks great served in the centre of the table ready for sharing. With its firm white flesh, sea bass is also the perfect fish to roast with fragrant lemon thyme.

ROAST BASS WITH FENNEL AND LEMON THYME SERVES 2 1 x whole sea bass, minimum 1kg (2lb 4oz), cleaned, scaled and gutted 2 tbsp olive oil 500g (1lb 2oz) potatoes, peeled (use a waxy variety) 4 whole garlic cloves 1 bunch of lemon thyme 2 bay leaves 1 lemon, sliced 1 fennel bulb, trimmed and cut into 8-12 pieces 3 tbsp small capers, drained 3½ tbsp olive oil 150ml (5fl oz) dry white wine Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper For the salad 1 red chicory (endive), leaves separated 1 yellow chicory (endive), leaves separated Large handful of watercress Extra virgin olive oil Juice of 1 lemon

METHOD Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/425°F/gas mark 7.

Pat the fish dry with paper towels and use the tip of a sharp knife to crisscross the flesh at regular intervals on both sides. Season the bass with sea salt and rub with the olive oil.

and drizzle the whole dish with the olive oil. Pour in the wine and scatter over the rest of the lemon thyme and the remaining lemon slices. Roast for 25–30 minutes until cooked through.

The fish is cooked when the flesh easily pulls away from the bone when tested with the tip of a sharp knife.

Put the potatoes and the garlic into a large pan of cold salted water over a high heat and bring to the boil. Turn the heat down and simmer until the potatoes are just tender when tested with the tip of a sharp knife. Drain and, when cool enough to handle, cut into 1cm (½in) thick slices. Reserve the garlic cloves.

For the salad, in a large bowl, combine the two types of chicory leaves and the watercress. Dress with the extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice.

Stuff the cavity of the fish with half the lemon thyme, the bay leaves and a few lemon slices.

Arrange the sliced potatoes and fennel in the base of a baking tray with the reserved garlic cloves and the capers. Lay the fish on top

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Arrange the roasted potatoes, fennel and lemon slices on a warmed serving platter. Carefully lift the flesh from the bone and lay it over the potatoes. Grind over some black pepper and serve with any cooking juices from the baking tray, with the chicory salad alongside.

BABY PINEAPPLES WITH FROZEN GREEK YOGHURT Quite a dessert this one, an interesting combination of sweet sticky caramel, juicy warm pineapple, spicy ginger and hot chilli.

I absolutely love it, and looks great as a centrepiece.

SERVES 4 For the frozen Greek yoghurt 400g (14oz) full-fat thick Greek yoghurt 40g (1½oz) caster (superfine) sugar Juice of 1 lime 6 mint leaves, thinly sliced For the roasted baby pineapples 400g (14oz) caster (superfine) sugar 200ml (7fl oz) dark rum 1 star anise 2 x 5cm (2in) cinnamon sticks 2 vanilla pods (vanilla beans), split and seeds removed, reserve the pods 1 red chilli, deseeded and chopped 4cm (1½in) piece root ginger, peeled and grated 4 lime leaves, thinly sliced Juice of 2 limes 4 baby pineapples, peeled and cored, tops reserved

METHOD For the frozen Greek yoghurt, put the yoghurt in a large mixing bowl with the sugar and lime juice and whisk thoroughly. Fold through the mint leaves.

Transfer the mixture to an ice cream machine and churn, following the manufacturer’s instructions, until smooth. Transfer to a sealed container and put in the freezer for a good 3 hours, until solid.

Preheat the oven to 160°C/140°C fan/320°F/gas mark 3.

Heat a medium sauté pan over a medium heat. Sprinkle the sugar over the base of the pan and cook until a caramel is formed, gently tipping the pan carefully from side to side as the sugar cooks, but do not stir. The caramel is ready when the surface has a uniform golden colour.

Carefully add the dark rum, wearing oven gloves to protect your hands, as the mixture might spit. Add the star anise, cinnamon sticks, vanilla seeds and reserved pods, chilli, ginger, lime

leaves and lime juice. At this stage, you can stir the caramel and flavourings together using a wooden spoon.

Place the pineapples in a small roasting dish and pour over the warm caramel. Cover the pineapples with foil and cook for about 1 hour, basting the pineapples with the caramel several times as they cook. They are ready when you can push a metal skewer into the centre without much resistance.

Remove the pineapples from the oven. Place the reserved green tops back on top of each pineapple and serve with the frozen Greek yoghurt.

WEEKEND: Eating at Home: From Long Lazy Lunches to Fast Family Fixes by Matt Tebbutt (Quadrille, £22).

Photography: Matt Russell.

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HEALTH

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50 PLUS MAGAZINE

sometimes mean a better fit. Healing may take several months.

Who will make and fit my denture?

Your dentist will take measurements and impressions of your mouth, then order your dentures from a dental technician.

Will dentures make me look different?

Replacing lost or missing teeth is very good for your health and appearance. A complete or full denture replaces your natural teeth and gives support to your cheeks and lips. Without this support, sagging facial muscles can make a person look older and they will find it harder to eat and speak properly.

Dentures can be made to closely match your natural teeth so that your appearance hardly changes. Modern dentures may even improve the look of your smile and help to fill out the appearance of your face.

Living with Dentures What is a denture?

People wear dentures to replace lost or missing teeth so they can enjoy a healthy diet and smile with confidence. Dentures are made of either acrylic (plastic) or metal.

A ‘complete’ or ‘full’ denture is one which replaces all the natural teeth in either the upper or lower jaw.

A ‘partial’ denture fills in the spaces left by lost or missing teeth. It may be fastened to your natural teeth with metal clasps or ‘precision attachments’.

Why should I wear dentures?

Full dentures, to replace all your own teeth, fit snugly over your gums. They will help you to eat comfortably and speak clearly, and will improve your confidence and selfesteem.

Partial dentures replace teeth that are missing, and can sometimes be supported by the teeth you have left. If you have gaps between your teeth, then your other teeth may move to take up some of the space, so

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you could end up with crooked or tilted teeth. This could affect the way you bite and could damage your other teeth.

How soon can I have a denture after my teeth are taken out?

Usually dentures can be fitted straight after your teeth have been removed. These are called ‘immediate dentures’.You will need to visit the dental team beforehand for them to take measurements and impressions of your mouth.

With immediate dentures you don’t have to be without teeth while your gums are healing. However, bone and gums can shrink over time, especially during the first six months after your teeth have been taken out. If your gums shrink, your immediate dentures may need relining, adjusting or even replacing.Your dental team will be able to talk to you about this.

Sometimes your dental team may advise you to wait until your gums are healed before having your dentures, as this can

Will I be able to eat with dentures?

Eating will take a little practice. Start with soft foods cut into small pieces. Chew slowly, using both sides of your mouth at the same time to stop the denture moving.

As you become more used to your denture, add other foods until you get back to your normal healthy diet.

Will dentures change how I speak?

Pronouncing certain words may take practice. Reading out loud and repeating difficult words will help.

If you find that your dentures occasionally slip when you laugh, cough or smile, reposition them by gently biting down and swallowing. If this happens a lot, see your dentist.

How long should I wear my dentures?

During the first few days, your dental team may advise you to wear them for most of the time, including while you are asleep. After your mouth gets used to your dentures, your dental team may advise you to take them out before going to bed. This allows your gums to rest and helps keep your mouth healthy. When

HEALTH

My upper denture fits fine, so why am I having YOUR DENTURES problems with my NEED lower ATTENTION one?

1. When they become loose.

The upper denture usually has much more suction to hold it 2. When teeth or denture base discolours. in place. There is much less gum support in the lower jaw, so 3. When tooth surfaces become flat. the lower denture may feel more wobbly because it has to be 4. When denture base does not fit around natural balanced between your cheeks and your tongue. teeth (in partial dentures). a little youdeep willlines learnaround the shape your new 5.After When you while develop yourofmouth. keepout, it inand place, when your 6.denture Whenand yourhow chintosticks the even corners of you youropen lips are mouth wide. wet, developing sores. constantly 7. When you stop smiling and feel embarrassed.

How do I take care of my dentures?

MY DENTURES BECOME LOOSE! Dentures may breakHAVE if you drop them. Always clean your This is easily remedied by a procedure know as A dentures over a bowl of water or a folded towelRe-lining. in case you new layer of Denture base is added to your existing Denture, drop them. improving the fit and restoring confidence.

To clean your dentures, the general rule is: brush and soak every day. Brush your dentures first, to help remove any bits of DENTURES ON IMPLANTS food. Use a non-abrasive denture cleaner, not toothpaste. Be This typenot of to Denture is constructed conjunction with in thethe careful scrub too hard as thisinmay cause grooves Dental Implant Surgeon.

This is a very good procedure when surface. the patient has limited control and retention of their Dentures.

Make sure you brush all the surfaces of theoffering dentures, The finished Dentures ‘click’ into position theincluding ultimate surfaceRetention. that fits against your gums. This is especially inthe Denture important if you use any kind of denture fixative.

Clayton Denture Centre can offer all aspects Clayton Denture Centre can offer all aspects of of denture care including; denture care including;

Free FreeConsultations Consultations Denture Denturecleaning cleaningand andpolishing polishingservice service Repair of broken or cracked Repair of broken or crackeddentures dentures Relining Reliningexisting existingdentures denturestotoimprove improvefitfit New Newfull fulldentures dentures New Newpartial partialdentures dentures(following (followingtreatment treatmentplan planfrom from dentist) * dentist) * l Sports mouth guards l Sports mouth guards *Dentist treatment plan can be arranged. *Dentist treatment plan can be arranged. l l l l l l l l l l l l

50 PLUS MAGAZINE

Are your dentures old, worn out or loose?

Or do you just want a new smile?

you remove your dentures at night, it is best to store them in a Have dentures inspected a Clinical Dental Technician at smallyour amount of water to stopbythem warping. least every two years, or more frequently if necessary.

SHOULD I HAVEevery A SPARE OF DENTURES Soak your dentures day in a SET denture-cleaning solution.

MADE? This will help remove any plaque and stubborn stains that are left.itItiswill help to disinfect leavingfor them Yes, veryalso important to have a your sparedentures, set of dentures feeling fresher.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. emergencies in case of breakage.

Don’t keep your dentures in overnight unless there are specific CONSTRUCTING GOOD reasons for you to keepAthem in. SET OF DENTURES Constructing aesthetically pleasing of If you notice aa functional build-up ofand stains or scale, have yourset denture dentures is the most difficult task in dentistry.

We are not only cleaned by your dental team. replacing lost teeth, but also lost tissue matter and bone. In other have to dentures re-create your facial features as they Howwords, longwe will my last? were before the loss of your natural teeth.

If you treat your dentures well, they should last several years.

InHowever, most cases wedentures do not know what to your teeth looked like, your will need be relined or re-made what size of they were wear, or what in originally. because normal or position a changethey in thewere shape of your We have Bone a few and indications but mostly we have to rely onjaws our mouth. gum ridges can shrink, causing your visual anddifferently. artistic judgement. to meet Loose dentures can cause discomfort, and health problems including sores and infections. A loose At the same time we have to use our technical expertise in or badly fitting denture can also make eating and talking order to make the denture stable and functional. Denture more difficult. It is important to replace worn or badly fitting construction is more art than science. dentures before they cause problems.

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New Dentures & Denture Repairs For a FREE consultation contact: Clayton Denture Centre

01254 846387 New Dentures l Repairs l Relines l Copy Dentures l Mouth Guards l

Appointments by arrangement

Monday to Thursday, 9am - 5pm Friday, 9am - 1pm Dentures from £300

2B PETRE COURT PETRE ROAD CLAYTON-LE-MOORS ACCRINGTON BB5 5HY

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• 23 Lord ST, Southport, PR8 1RP • • 63-64 Yorkshire ST, Morecambe LA3 1QF • 43 37

HEALTH

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50 PLUS MAGAZINE

IT MAY NOT FEEL LIKE IT BUT CHANGE IS AN OPPORTUNITY stress and debilitate our decision making.

Follow your gut feel is not just a metaphor; our brain and gut are connected by an extensive network of neurons and are in constant communication. It’s harder though to make good decisions when stressed as we are less reflective and more impulsive. Try to take a little time to make hard decisions so allow yourself time to reflect before you respond and to summon your strength in case it is needed.

By Dr Lynda Shaw, neuroscientist, business psychologist and change specialist.

Changes like a relationship breakdown, redundancy or serious illness can generate stress, fear and seriously impact your well-being. Your first feelings may be of shock, anger, or anxiety, or it may trigger ‘flight or fight’ reactions, but change is an opportunity to embrace and grow beyond what feels comfortable, build resilience and experience new things that we might otherwise never have done. Change is going to happen whether you like it or not, so it is not enough to just survive change, we need to use it to thrive. Here are some tips on how to embrace big changes in your life: Challenge yourself. Are you approaching it with a ‘can’t do’ fixed mindset? We are inclined to choose options with a familiar and known outcome. Push yourself to consider other options and do your research. Avoid having a narrowing or shrinking fixed mindset, aim for a growth mindset.

The brain is fantastically adaptable, and the chances are you can do it. It’s an opportunity to move into your learning zone. Be nimble.

Control your emotions, so they don’t control you. It is completely fine 38

to feel emotions like anger, anxiety, fear or sadness and it is important to sometimes just sit with those emotions. But your mood can influence your decisions and interactions so there is also a point when you should acknowledge them and try to move past them.

A positive mindset can be the deal breaker between you doing something or not. The outcomes are predictably in favour of someone who is often positive rather than someone who is usually negative. Being positive and facing change is the best way to learn and move on.

Be your own friend and praise yourself. Whilst it is important to enjoy non-toxic, supportive relationships with your partner, friends, colleagues and family, having your own strong inner support system is important during times of change.

Talk to yourself in the same way you would speak to and coach a friend. Dismiss constant negative internal chatter and replace it with gratitude and an occasional self-pat on the back for trying your best.

Fail well. Some say reach for the stars and push yourself over and beyond. Others advise you to have reasonable, achievable expectations to avoid deep disappointment.

Either way learn that its ok to fail and learn how to fail well by picking yourself up and trying again using different tactics.

Take your time. Demands for change can trigger our fight or flight instincts, cause

Are you stuck in making familiar, habitual choices? Doing something unfamiliar and unhabitual can be harder and time consuming but helps you to make new important neural connections. Taking a leap of faith can feel scary so we often delay starting or we convince ourselves that we don’t have the knowledge, money, etc. to pull it off. Try to just take a first step and choose your most productive time of day to do it. A first step may just lead to a lifechanging path for the better.

Schedule in creative/ innovative time. This way you have the space to think, and reassess what is your calling, what are your passions, what you need and what is important to you. We need time and space to create lightbulb moments.

Good health is crucial to giving you strength. Make sure you are sleeping enough and eating well. Obstacles can seem insurmountable when you are overtired and you will feel less motivated, have trouble concentrating and be less productive.

Watch out for feeling overwhelmed by stress during times of change. Stress alters practically every part of our body including brain functions such as memory and cognitive ability. In times of change and stress, allocate time for stress combating exercise such as yoga, meditation, walking, or going to the gym. There is also nothing better than some down time in a nice bath, listening to your favourite soothing music or just having a cuddle with someone you love. www.drlyndashaw.com

SOUTH LANCASHIRE BREAST SCREENING Saves lives through detecting cancer early Don’t forget breast screening because we haven’t forgotten you!

Don’t forget breast screening because we haven’t forgotten you!

The National Breast Screening Programme invites all women Location between 50-70 years oldforget every three years for breast Don’t breast screening because we haven’t forgotten you! screening. Each GP Practice is screened in turn and all If you have previously attended a breast screening women registered with a GP receive an invitation. appointment, is importantliving to note that 3 in 10 itwomen in the location may The National Breast Screening Programme invites all women Location be different this time which we can understand may not be between 50-70 years old every three years for breast Lancashire don’t attend their convenient for you. attended However, the change in location is to Don’t forget breast screening because we haven’t forgotten you! screening. Each GP Practice is screened in turn and all If you have previously a breast screening Don’t forget breast screening because we we haven’t forgotten you! distancing FREE Breast Screening invitation ensure can follow the social and safety women registered with a GP receive an invitation. appointment, it is important to note that the location may guidelines as best as possible.

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South Lancashire is your Local Breast Screening Service

“

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

”

AWARD WINNING VICTORIAN MARKET WITH 250 STALLS

VISIT

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

NEW STREET FOOD COURTYARD!

· Open ·

9am to 4.30pm

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday

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

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

Cash machine on site Fully accessible

Follow us at FleetwoodMarket

FleetwoodMkt

www.fleetwoodmarket.co.uk

Free coach parking