Southport Flower Show 2013

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Gardens & Villas of Lake Como & Lake Maggiore

Sun, Sea & Sweehearts Romance on the rise for the 50+

Get your FREE Sweet Pea Seeds today at stand G47 THE LOCAL MAGAZINE FOR THE OVER 50s

WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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A Great Day Out Bury Market Hall open everyday except Sunday “Winner BBC Radio 4’s Food and Farming Awards” Best Food Market “Winner NABMA’s” Best Market Attraction Full Markets Open Wednesdays Fridays and Saturdays Bury Market has a well deserved reputation for friendly service, fantastic produce and great value.

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

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

- @BuryMarket

inside...

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11

2014 Dates ...

From Robinsons Holidays 11

Sun, Sea and Sweethearts ...

Top 5 destinations for romance to flourish

16-17 The Sweet Scent of Success ...

Getting the best from your sweet peas!

8-10 8-10 Gardens & Villas of Lake Como & Lake

Maggiore ...

The playgrounds of the rich and famous

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

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

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

Makes a wonderful gift for loved ones.

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

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

You may choose a book and/or a web site and an e-book within the package which starts from ÂŁ300 ranging to ÂŁ2,750 for the full process, which can include up to 20 books. A deposit with instalment payments plan is available.

Details from www.brontebook.weebly.com or Bronte Media, brontemedia@outlook.com Tel: 01535 959002, Mobile: 07866 626090 www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

18-19 18-19 Companion Planting...

Deter those pesky aphids 20-21 Join Costco TODAY ...

And receive a FREE gift 22-23 Celebrity Chefs and Special Guest Host Announced

for the UK Tour of Ready Steady Cook Live!...

Travelling the length and breadth of the UK from September 24-25 What on ...

Guildhall & Chartertheatre Preston 26-27 Dairy Diary ...

Four recipes for you to try 28

Competition Time ...

A chance to win a holiday for two

28-31 Out and About ...

Places to Visit 32-33 The future is here ...

Intelligent Energy Solutions McGrath Media.

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

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Graham Smith...

TWITTERING ON Gathering Winter fuel At last the axe has fallen on winter fuel payments to expats sunning themselves in exile. It has long puzzled me why those basking in winter temperatures warmer than our summers can get the handout of up to ÂŁ300 without question.

Now it beggars the question, will the thousands saved by this measure be handed out to deserving cases here at home? Silly of me to think that. Throw another log on the fire.

Cool cat and dog A cool cat and his shades-wearing canine friend have been turning heads on the streets of a Chinese city.

When shoppers see the odd couple, they might think the fussy feline is literally taking the dog for a ride.

Senior moment!

An elderly armed robber failed to flee the scene - because he was too slow putting his walking frame into his getaway car.

The 64-year-old man robbed a woman at knifepoint in the car park of a shopping centre at Geelong, near Melbourne, Australia.

He aimed to steal her car - but was still trying to pack several bags and his walking frame into the vehicle when police arrived to arrest him.

Police say the man, from Queensland, had bought a knife from the shopping centre and approached the 22-year-old woman as she was about to leave the car park.

He held the knife to her throat and demanded she gave him the car. He drove a short distance before stopping to load up the car.

But by this time the woman had called police who arrived in time to make the arrest. The man has been charged with armed robbery.

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www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Est.1923

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

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

Facilities at the Abbey Lawn Hotel include:

The Abbey Lawn Hotel, Torquay AA3H

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

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

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

Facilities at the Imperial Hotel include:

l

Payment in instalments

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

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

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

The Ocean View Hotel, Shanklin, Robinsons 3H

l

* Robinsons own hotels

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

FREEPHONE 0800 0839900

l

Eastbourne

l

5 Day Tour ~ 4 Nights Half Board Date

Imperial Ocean View Abbey Lawn

Isle of Wight

l

Torquay

8 Day Tour ~ 7 Nights Half Board Date

Imperial Ocean View Abbey Lawn

09 Feb

£125 - £125

03 May

£359

£359

£359

16 Feb

£129 - £129

04 May

£359

£359

-

23 Feb

£135 - £135

10 May

£369

£369

£369

03 Mar

£139

£139 £139

11 May

£369

£369 -

10 Mar

£145

£145 £145

17 May

£379

£379 £379

17 Mar

£149

£149 £149

18 May

£379

£379 -

23 Mar

£155

£155 £155

24 May

£389

£389 £389

31 Mar

£159

£159 £159

25 May

£389

£389 £389

06 Apr

£165

£165 £165

31 May

£399

£399 £399

13 Apr

£169

£169 £169

01 Jun

£399

£399 £399

18 Apr

£179

£179 £179

07 Jun

£399

£399 £399

23 Apr

£175

£175 £175

08 Jun

£399

£399 £399

27 Apr

£179

£179 £179

14 Jun

£399

£399 £399

03 May

£185 £185 £185

15 Jun

£399 £399 £399

07 May

£189 £189 £189

21 Jun

£399 £399 £399

11 May

£195

£195

22 Jun

£399

17 May

£199 £199 £199

28 Jun

£399 £399 £399

21 May

£205 £205 £205

29 Jun

£399 £399 £399

25 May

£209 £209

-

05 July

£399 £399 £399

31 May

£219 £219

-

06 July

£399 £399 £399

12 July

£399 £399 £399

13 July

£399 £399 £399

19 July

£399 £399 £399

20 July

£399 £399 £399

26 July

£399 £399 £399

27 July

£399 £399 £399

£195

SUPPLEMENTS - PER PERSON ABBEY LAWN HOTEL Front View Premier Room

8 DAYS £15 £50

5 DAYS £10 £30

IMPERIAL HOTEL Premier Room

£35

£20

OCEAN VIEW HOTEL Sea View Premier Room

£15 £50

£10 £30

£399

£399

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

50 Plus Travel

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Our Holiday to the GARDENS & VILLAS of LAKE COMO AND LAKE MAGGIORE Where is your dream holiday destination?

Ours was a tour packed with art, history, amazing landscapes, gardens and villas, superb food and wine and an excellent tour manager.

We were off to one of the playgrounds of the rich and famous – If you are searching for the likes of James Bond, Richard Branson or George Clooney look no further than the shores of Lake Como.

We were met at Heathrow Airport by the tour leader and then were soon on our way to Milan Malpensa airport. On arrival, we were taken by coach to our hotel, situated in a prime position on the south west shores of lake Como and just a stone’s throw from the Cathedral Square.

After a quick freshen up we headed for the hotel restaurant where we met up with the rest of our group for evening dinner.

After a continental breakfast, our first full day started with a walking tour of Como.

The city centre is mainly pedestrianised, with many beautiful pre-17th century buildings, including the cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore, and the adjacent 13th century Broletto. The church of San Giacomo, the Bishop’s Palace, and Palazzo Cernezzi (Town Hall), were all beautiful buildings, as were many others too numerous to mention !

We then travelled by hydrofoil to Bellagio, which is on the north east shores of Lake Como, passing many fantastic

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

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villas (including George Clooney’s and Richard Branson’s!) on the two hour journey. On arrival in Bellagio we had some free time to explore independently, and have a light lunch.

Our group met up again in the early afternoon for the short walk to Villa Melzi, where we had about three hours to explore the lakeside gardens. These were a riot of colour, with many species of trees, including Acers, Sequoia, Plane trees, as well as Rhododendrons and Azaleas. The gardens were further enhanced by many strategically placed statues, my favourite being a Comolli creation of Dante and Beatrice, which was situated beside a very picturesque Moorish style classical temple.

We gathered for the boat trip back to Como, which was very welcome after so much walking! The day had been pleasantly hot with a breeze from the lake as a welcome extra.

The grounds are very extensive, with a combination of formal Italian gardens, with sculptures, stairs and fountains, and English park, with Rhododendrons, Azaleas, and every bedding plant imaginable! There is also a new feature – a section of verdant rainforest, which is kept humid with mist being continually sprayed through it.

In the afternoon we were taken by private launch to Villa del Balbianello, which is set on a peninsula just south of Tremezzo at Lenno. The Villa was built in the late 1700s, and after a long and turbulent history was bought in the 1900s by Guido Monzini, a Milanese businessman, but more importantly an avid collector and explorer. One of the rooms is entirely given over to his collection of artefacts amassed during his participation in an expedition to the North Pole in 1971, and the conquest of Everest in 1973. The Villa and Loggia are crammed full of maps, travel books (over 4,000!), and prints of Lake Como throughout the ages.

In the evening we had dinner in a local restaurant, which was superb.

We were now into day two of our six day holiday to the “Gardens & Villas of Lake Como and Lake Maggiore”

The gardens are set in an almost vertical position, with huge plane trees, wisteria and ivy, and laurel and boxwood bushes. The most amazing horticultural feature is the amazing ‘umbrella’ trees which are pruned into shape every year.

Villa Carlotta Today we caught the ferry to Tremezzo, which is on the western shores of Lake Como, almost opposite Bellagio.

Here we visited Villa Carlotta’s museum and extensive gardens. The Villa was given to Princess Carlotta of Nassau as a wedding present in 1856, hence the name. Inside the Villa there are many beautiful sculptures by Canova, Acquisti, and Radaelli, as well as neo-classical paintings, period furnishings, and tapestries.

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

On our return to Como, again by private launch, we were free to dine as we pleased in the evening. As there was a lot of thunder rolling ominously around, after a short stroll along the lakefront we headed back to the hotel for an enjoyable evening meal.

I was up early the next morning, intending to have a stroll before breakfast but with some forty or so emails waiting a reply, I did an “hour in the office” beforehand.

Departing the hotel at 0930, we were taken by coach to the principal town on Lake Maggiore, Stresa. We then boarded our private launch to the Borromean Islands, stopping

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first at Isola Bella. This island’s palace and gardens are designed to look like a galleon in full sail, with a beautiful tiered Italianate garden, complete with fountains and statues. The palace is full of amazing and priceless works of art, and the grounds are spectacular.

paintings, tapestries, and an amazingly equipped kitchen!

The Gardens were equally impressive, with sweeping stairs, statues, and a beautiful rose garden.

On our return to Como we dined on the lakefront, although fortunately we ate inside, as there was torrential rain for most of the evening!

Today was our penultimate day, the morning was bright and sunny, and we had free time for a walk around Como before heading to Villa d’Este in Cernobbio (by boat) for a sumptuous lunch. This Villa (which is a luxury hotel) really is the playground of film stars and millionaires!

Set in its own beautiful gardens, the villa is absolutely stunning, and the meal and service we received could not have been better.

On our return to Como, we had a trip on the funicular to see the panoramic views of both the lake and the town – stunning!

We then visited Isola Pescatori (Fishermen’s Island) where we enjoyed a superb seafood lunch, then travelled on to Isola Madre.

There were many species of exotic birds (including white peacocks) strolling through the gardens. In front of the villa was a large Cashmir Cypress, which had been the largest in Europe until it was devastated by a storm in June 2006. After many years of tender loving care, the tree is slowly recovering, although it has had to be supported by steel cables; it is still an amazing specimen.

We then travelled back to Como, and had a free evening. A few of us ate at the ‘Teatro’ restaurant, which, as the name implies, is part of the Theatre building.

It’s day four already and we travelled by coach in the morning to visit the Villa Cicogna Mozzoni by Lake Lugano, which, unlike the other Villas we visited, is still owned by the family who built it in the 15th century. We were lucky enough to be shown around by Jacopo, the current incumbent, who was extremely proud of his ancestral home and gardens. After a very interesting tour, we were treated to lunch within the Villa.

We then visited Villa Della Porta Bozzolo in Casalzuigno, which had many well preserved artefacts, including 10

Our last evening was spent with some of our group in ‘Ristorante Sociale’ just round the corner from the hotel. It was set in an old building which had been the family home of Pope Innocent XI, and the proprietor showed us round a room upstairs which had an enormous fireplace built in honour of Innocent becoming Pope.

We had a very pleasant final evening, with good company, wine and food – although none of us were particularly hungry after our wonderful lunch!

After breakfast, on our final day, we reluctantly waved goodbye to Como. We were returning to England from Linate Airport, so stopped en route in Monza to visit the cathedral and its famous relic, the Iron Crown.

Legend has it that the interior ring of the crown was made from a nail from the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It has been embellished with six gold plates, all decorated with gemstones and enamel.

There was also an extensive underground museum.

Our return flight was punctual and uneventful, and I think everyone was sad to be saying goodbye – we had had a fantastic six days and the group had got on very well.

Without doubt, this tour was exceptionally well organised, and although we visited so many places, at no time did we feel rushed. Our tour leader, Christopher Monckton was superb – he seemed to have the knack of appearing if he was needed, but he was never obtrusive. He was extremely knowledgeable, and a joy to listen to, with his many droll observations!

This was a trip that was truly memorable.

By John A. Chatterley.

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

SUN, SEA AND SWEETHEARTS: Romance on the rise for the 50+

• 1 in 10 mature holidaymakers have had a holiday romance since turning 50 • Sizeable minority planning holidays with love in mind • But 61% wouldn’t mention a holiday liaison to others Romance is in the air as the summer holiday season gets underway, with research from specialist over 50s insurer Staysure revealing a new trend emerging among the more mature holidaymakers who are using their travel plans to look for love.

While holiday romances may have traditionally been seen as the preserve of the young and reckless, data released today found a fifth of people aged over 50 say they’re actually more likely to have a holiday romance now than when they were younger, with one in ten admitting to having had a holiday romance since turning 50. A sizeable minority even admit they’ve planned a holiday with a single friend with the specific intention of trying to find love while away.

Alongside this new trend for romantic getaways, there’s a distinct air of discretion emerging, with few over 50s keen to shout about their escapades. Half of those questioned felt a holiday romance was just harmless fun, but 61% said they wouldn’t mention it to anybody else, with a quarter saying they’d be too embarrassed to discuss it. One reason for this reticence may be their less than favourable prospects for the relationship to become long-term. While half of mature holidaymakers said the relationships continued after they had returned home, the vast majority put the maximum length as only a few weeks.

It seems getting out of the UK is the best recipe to romantic success: over 60% of over 50s travellers had their holiday relationships overseas, although ironically their most popular choice of partner (41%) was another UK holidaymaker, with only a quarter of those questioned having had a fling with a local resident. Of those who felt it was easier to meet somebody on holiday than at home, 85% said a lack of inhibitions on holiday was the most likely reason.

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Ryan Howsam, Chief Executive at Staysure, commented: “The conversations we have with our customers on a daily basis tell us that the ‘coach trips to the south coast’ stereotype of over 50s holidays is long gone. As well as engaging in more daring activities like bungee jumping, scuba diving and trekking, our new research finds romance is increasingly on the cards for these adventurous holidaymakers.

As ever we want people to enjoy and have fun on their holiday, but recommend that all holidaymakers err on the side of caution and take extra care when meeting new people and spending time with them. Their own personal safety should be the number one priority. Before going they need to be properly insured, declaring all medical conditions to their insurer at the time of taking out the policy.”

Not all holiday romances are doomed however. While many relationships may end a few weeks after returning home, nearly a quarter of the over 50s questioned said they knew somebody who had met their husband or wife on holiday.

Top 5 destinations for romance to flourish, according to 50+ holidaymakers:

Italy Spain Greece France US/Caribbean

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YOU will always receive a warm welcome at any one of our beautiful hotels. If you’re looking for a hotel that offers comfortable accommodation, character, style and great food, then look no further.

Christian Guild hotels Christian Guild boasts five high quality hotels with first class service, from an 18th century castle to a country house hotel provide very best and a classicthe Georgian mansion. inOurChristian hospitality hotels have been chosen to offer you easy access to some of England’s most popular tourist areas. Whether you want to explore coast or country, we’ve a hotel for you. And once you’ve finished exploring and wandering around the wonderful insurroundings some of of ourthe hotels,most sit back and relax and enjoy fine food and the very best in Christian hospitality at each venue.

Take a look at what each beautiful parts of hotel has to offer. And if you’re feeling a little more adventurous, call 01629 826531 for a copy of our Holidays & Short Breaks brochure for details of the activities organised at each hotel.

England.

Our five superb hotels Your holiday, your choice .... o er a warm welcome and are perfect places five GREAT hotels to get away from it all.

Package Prices As well as excellent accommodation, we also work hard to offer the best deals on our wide range of themed breaks.

That’s why we introduced Package Prices.

Package Prices include the cost of: high quality standard ensuite accommodation; excursions during the break; tuition and materials; lunches (where applicable).

Your Package Price is always cheaper than if you only book your accommodation and then add the extras later, so if you want to enjoy an active break and save money, take advantage of our Package Price deals when booking.

Family Discounts We want everyone to enjoy their holiday, and we know that your family holiday can be costly. That’s why we offer special discounts for families.

£50

Any b

OFF

reak o

*mini

mum

r holito day*

3 nig

hts

Book a short break or holiday taken between September 2013 and December 2013 and receive £50 OFF your booking

CALL 01629 580550 OR YOUR CHOICE OF HOTEL DIRECT

When calling please quote: 50 PLUS

No Single Supplements!

Christian Guild believes everyone deserves the best value from their holiday. That’s why we don’t charge supplements for single rooms. So for those who travel alone, our hotels and breaks offer the best opportunity to meet new people whilst being kind on your pocket.

Facilities for the Disabled We put your comfort and safety first, and that’s why all our hotels provide disabled facilities - you can be sure that we will do our utmost to meet your needs. Please contact your chosen hotel for more information or to discuss your requirements.

Whether you’re looking for a high quality hotel for a night, a weekend or longer, Christian Guild is ready to offer you a break to remember.

Head Office: Christian Guild, 2nd Floor, Building 10, Cromford Mills, Cromford, Derbyshire, DE4 3RQ. tel: 01629 826531 email: mail@christianguild.co.uk

Abbot Hall Hotel, Kents Bank, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria LA11 7BG T: 015395 32896 e: abbot@christianguild.co.uk Situated on the edge of the Lake District, Abbot Hall Hotel is a charming country hotel with a relaxing environment.

Nestling in the hamlet of Kents Bank, near Grange-over-Sands, the 19th century mansion boasts a wide range of facilities, including a 15m heated indoor swimming pool and a children’s adventure area.

The hotel is an ideal base for exploring the stunning Cumbrian scenery. For those relaxing in the hotel, there are well-appointed lounges. Diners are offered a delicious choice of home-cooked dishes, with locally-sourced produce where possible. There are also five self-catering pine lodges - so there really is something for everyone.

Willersley Castle Hotel, Cromford, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 5JH T: 01629 582270 e: willersley@christianguild.co.uk This magnificent 18th century Grade II listed castle is set in 60 acres of grounds ranging from meadows to limestone crags.

The grand building overlooks the picturesque River Derwent and stands on the edge of the stunning Peak District National Park. It is also at the heart of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.

There is lots to enjoy in the stately surroundings of the hotel, such as a 15 metre indoor swimming pool, boules court and impressive grounds. For those who want to venture out, the area offers everything for the industrial heritage of mills, canals and railways, to fine stately houses and some of England’s most beautiful walking areas.

Lindors Country House Hotel, The Fence, St Briavels, Lydney, Gloucestershire GL15 6RB T: 01594 530283 e: lindors@christianguild.co.uk Set in nine acres of wooded gardens, Lindors Country House Hotel is a majestic place to find peace and tranquillity.

Sitting above the River Wye valley, the hotel offers exquisite gardens with waterfalls and pools.

Inside, there are comfortable lounges and crackling log fires in winter.

You will enjoy fine dining during your stay at Lindors Country House Hotel, and well appointed bedrooms that offer the modern amenities you’d expect at such a top-class hotel, such as TVs and telephones.

There are also five wonderful pine lodges in the grounds offering the choice of self-catering, or you can enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant. It’s up to you to choose!

Sidholme Hotel, Elysian Fields, Sidmouth, Devon EX10 8UJ T: 01395 515104 e: sidholme@christianguild.co.uk The majestic Georgian mansion of Sidholme Hotel sits in idyllic grounds in the Regency seaside town of Sidmouth.

Inside the resplendent building is the jewel in the crown - a stunning Victorian music room, with fine chandeliers and Gothic-style organ.

As well as welcoming bedrooms and lounges, there is lots to do for the more active guests. There is a heated indoor swimming pool, a snooker room, table tennis and spacious landscaped grounds.

Sidholme Hotel, with its proximity to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage site and East Devon’s charming countryside, is perfect for short breaks and holidays.

Treloyhan Manor Hotel, St Ives, Cornwall TR26 2AL T: 01736 796240 e: treloyhan@christianguild.co.uk This superb 19th century manor house offers guest fantastic views across Carbis Bay in the Cornish town of St Ives.

Set in the serenity of beautiful gardens, Treloyhan Manor Hotel offers superb bedrooms, delicious home-cooked cuisine in its splendid restaurant and traditional Cornish cream teas in a range of comfortable lounges.

The hotel is close to clean, sandy beaches, picturesque villages and the wealth of tourist attractions that this part of Cornwall has to offer. Back in the tranquillity of the hotel you can enjoy the facilities, such as the games room, pool table, free Wi-Fi, music room, putting green, croquet and table tennis.

01629 826531

www.christianguild.co.uk

H O L I D AY S

& T R AV E L

2013 British & Continental Holidays & Short Breaks

Memory Lane is a well established coach company offering a high level of service. Our tour programme offers a wide range of UK and Continental Tours to many destinations and represent good value for money.

All our Tour coaches are air conditioned for your comfort and most tours include admission with hot and cold drinks available.

Our Diner Coaches offer extra leg room as they are full size vehicles. The on board hostess will offer Morning Coffee and Lunch on touring days. All service and coaches are of the highest quality.

There is still time to book on these remaining 2013 dates.

Date

Destination

Days

24 AUG 31 AUG 09 SEP 22 SEP 28 SEP 04 OCT 07 0CT 11 OCT 12 OCT 13 OCT 19 OCT 25 OCT 31 OCT 01 NOV 04 NOV 07 NOV 08 NOV 10 NOV 11 NOV 18 NOV 18 NOV 22 NOV 03 DEC 06 DEC 06 DEC 23 DEC 24 DEC 24 DEC 30 DEC 30 DEC

LLANDUDNO EASTBOURNE BLACKPOOL - ILLUMINATIONS BAMBURGH LAKE GARDA, CASIMIRO & VENICE BLACKPOOL - ILLUMINATIONS JERSEY CUMBRIA - LINE DANCE SPECIAL DURHAM & BEAMISH BOWNESS ON WINDERMERE THE RHINE ABLAZE TORQUAY - PARTY WEEKEND TENBY - TURKEY & TINSEL SOMERSET - BRIDGEWATER CARNIVAL CORNWALL - TURKEY & TINSEL PAIGNTON - TURKEY & TINSEL CUMBRIA - TURKEY & TINSEL ICELAND TORQUAY - TURKEY & TINSEL BOURNEMOUTH - TURKEY & TINSEL LLANDUDNO - TURKEY & TINSEL PARIS NORWICH - THURSFORD LLANDUDNO - TURKEY & TINSEL HARROGATE - PRE XMAS PARTY DUMFRIES - CHRISTMAS CUMBRIA - CHRISTMAS LLANDUDNO - CHRISTMAS DUMFRIES - NEW YEAR CUMBRIA - NEW YEAR

7HB 8HB 5HB 6HB 10HB 4HB 5HB 3FB 2HB 3HB 6HB 4HB 5HB 3HB 5HB 5HB 4HB 7HB 5HB 5HB 5HB 5HB 3HB 4HB 4HB 5HB 5HB 5FB 4HB 4HB

Hotel

DINER EXECUTIVE Price

QUEENS HOTEL HADDON HALL HOTEL PARK HOUSE HOTEL VICTORIA HOTEL PARK HOTEL CASIMIRO PARK HOUSE HOTEL MAYFAIR HOTEL GILSLAND SPA HONEST LAWYER HOTEL LINDETH HOWE HOTEL BEST WESTERN BELLE RHEINHOTEL KISTOR HOTEL THE BELGRAVE HOTEL WESSEX HOTEL THE ROSEMUNDY HOUSE HOTEL THE MARINE HOTEL GILSLAND SPA SEE ITERNARY THE KISTOR HOTEL THE HINTON FIRS HOTEL QUEENS HOTEL HOLIDAY INN & MS SEINE PRINCESS HOLIDAY INN NORWICH QUEENS HOTEL WARNERS - NIDD HALL CAIRNDALE DUMFRIES HOTEL GILSLAND SPA QUEENS HOTEL CAIRNDALE DUMFRIES HOTEL GILSLAND SPA

NO NO NO YES NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

YES YES YES NO YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

SRS

£379 18 £439 NIL £259 NIL £419 TBC £695 135 £199 NIL £439 NIL £145 TBC £99 15 £225 50 £479 100 £139 NIL £249 NIL £129 NIL £269 NIL £279 NIL £235 NIL £1070 105 £239 NIL £279 NIL £279 12 £399 125 £229 60 £199 12 £340 NIL £374 60 £525 25 £565 25 £409 80 £399 20

2013 AUTUMN AND WINTER DAY EXCURSIONS - BOOKING HOTLINE 01942 728960 BOOK IN OUR OFFICE, OR RING AND PAY WITH YOUR DEBIT CARD AT NO EXTRA COST Thurs 9th Oct, 9am Wed 16th Oct, 9am Thurs 24th Oct, 9am Sat 26th Oct, 8am Sun 27th Oct, 10.30am Wed 13th Nov 9am Sat 16th Nov 9am Thur 28th Nov 9am Sat 30th Nov 8.30am Sat 14th Dec 8.30am

ORMSKIRK MARKET & SOUTHPORT

SKIPTON & THE RIBBLE VALLEY

FRODSHAM & THE CITY of CHESTER NORTH WALES & THE WELSH HIGHLAND RAILWAY COUNTRY RUN TO BLACKPOOL FOR LIGHTS

THE BOURNE POACHER AND CLEVELEYS

LIVERPOOL ONE SHOPPER

YORK MID WEEK SHOPPER

HARROGATE CHRISTMAS MARKET

YORK FOR THE ICE ANGELS & SIGHTSEEING

£10A £7C £14A £10C £11A £8C £29.85 £12A £8C £28 all classes £10 all Classes £17A £12C £16A £11C £18A £12C

Booking Hotline 01942 728960

Return at 5pm Return at 4pm Return at 5pm Return at 5.30pm Return at 5.30pm Return 5pm Return 4.30pm Return 4.30pm Return 4.30pm Return 4.30pm

For full details visit www.memorylanetravel.co.uk

2014 Preview of Tours

ALL TOURS DOOR TO DOOR and ENSUITE ROOMS January 6th LLANDUDNO Queens Hotel £169

February 10th FOLKESTONE Grand Birstin Hotel £169

March 3rd PAIGNTON Marine Hotel £225

March 21st CRICCEITH Lion Hotel £199

Theme Cities by the Sea

l

Meals upgraded to Victorian Restaurant l Lift

On Sea Front

Party Weekend

Level walking outside Lift

l l

5 days away price includes: u 4

nights dinner, bed & breakfast u 2 day excursions u Nightly entertainment u Daily afternoon tea

January 27th TORQUAY Kistor Hotel £139 100 yards to sea front

Level walking outside Lift

l l

5 days away price includes: u 4

nights dinner, bed & breakfast u 2 day excursions u Nightly entertainment

5 days away price includes: u 4

nights dinner, bed & breakfast u 4 drink vouchers per night u 2 day excursions inc Le Shuttle to Belgium u Nightly entertainment

February 17th TORQUAY Kistor Hotel £169 100 yards to sea front

Level walking outside Lift

l

l

5 days away price includes: u 4

nights dinner, bed & breakfast 2 day excursions u Nightly entertainment u

Level walking outside Lift

l l

5 days away price includes: u 4

nights dinner, bed & breakfast 2 day excursions u Nightly entertainment u

March 7th BLACKPOOL Park House Hotel £169 GREAT LOCATION l Level walking on sea front l Lift 5 days away price includes: u 4

nights dinner, bed & breakfast 2 day excursions & returning via Southport u Nightly entertainment u

SUPERB LOCATION overlooking the castle and the bay, stunning scenery and chance to travel on the steam trains.

4 days away price includes: u 3

nights Excursions each day u Entertainment 2 nights u No single supplement u

April 11th DURHAM & THE GREAT NORTHERN STEAM GATHERING AT BEAMISH Honest Lawyer Hotel £195 A long weekend packed full of something for everyone 3 days away price includes: u 2 u

nights dinner, bed & breakfast Entry to Beamish

February 3rd CUMBRIA Gilsland Spa Hotel £185

February 21st BLACKPOOL Park House Hotel £119

March 11th PARIS £439

April 13th BOURNEMOUTH The Hinton Firs Hotel £275

Theme Winter Warmer l Lift

GREAT LOCATION

Superb floating Hotel MS Botticelli 5 days away price includes:

3* hotel set in wooded surroundings on the East Cliff

5 days away price includes: u 4

nights dinner, bed & breakfast 2 day excursions u Nightly entertainment u Daily afternoon tea u Daily newspaper u Nightly special offers at bar u

February 7th CUMBRIA Gilsland Spa Hotel £149 FANTASTIC WEEKEND Theme Line Dancing NON STOP DANCING 3 days away price includes: u 2

nights full board u Instruction & cabaret u Short excursion to Hexham

Level walking on sea front Lift

l l

3 days away price includes: u 2

nights dinner, bed & breakfast u Sunday Lunch before return u Nightly entertainment

u Full

Board on ship Say in Kent (outward day only) u 2 guided excursions of Paris u Ships moored within 15 minutes walk of Eiffel Tower in the heart of this wonderful city u

Level walk around the hotel and along the top promenade l Lift l

5 days away price includes: u 4

nights dinner, bed & breakfast Pool u 2 day excursions u 2 nights entertainment u Indoor

February 24th LLANDUDNO Queens Hotel £219

THIS WILL BE OUR THIRD VISIT HERE,

On Sea Front

March 17th TORQUAY Kistor Hotel £179

April 14th BABBACOMBE The Anchorage Hotel £169

Reunion Week 100 yards to sea front

NEW HOTEL Situated in the peaceful Cary Park, a few minutes walk from Babbacombe Downs which overlooks the sea. l Level walking outside l Lift

Level walking outside l Lift

l

5 days away price includes: u 4

nights dinner, bed & breakfast 2 day excursions u Nightly entertainment u

GREAT VALUE FOR MONEY!

Level walking outside Lift

l l

5 days away price includes: u 4

nights dinner, bed & breakfast 2 day excursions u Nightly entertainment u

GREAT VALUE FOR MONEY!

5 days away price includes: u 4

nights dinner, bed & breakfast 2 day excursions u Nightly entertainment u

Heath Street, Golborne, Warrington WA3 3AD.

The Sweet Scent of Success – Getting the Best out of your Sweet Peas!

Tom Atherton who is Managing Director of Homescapes (1990) Ltd based in Chorley takes time off from his Garden Design & Construction business to encourage and help you get the best from your Sweet Peas.

From just a few plants you can cut a bunch of beautiful fragant flowers every week throughout summer and early autumn. They will always look beautiful and brighten up your garden and the more you cut them, the more flowers they will produce.

Spencer ‘Promise’

Cupid

Sweet Peas have been grown as a garden flower in this country for the last 300 years. They have been developed so that there are a vast range of colours and many different types. The most common ones are Spencers but Old Fashioned types which are extremely highly scented are still available. There are dwarf varieties known as Cupids which only grow less than half a metre high and can be grown in containers. Jet Set is another type that grows to a height of just over a metre and makes ideal clumps in the border with only the minimum of support. The taller Old Fashioned and Spencer types are vigorous climbers that can grow two metres plus and will easily cover a fence by means of a support net. They can be grown as a living hedge on brushwood stakes or as a wigwam in the border. I grow them in 40 litre containers using the wigwam method.

So, you can see from the above, you can grow Sweet Peas even if you only have a balcony!

Old Fashioned ‘Cupani’

Small Container

Jet Set

Seeds can be sown in a cold frame during September/October but in the North West area it is more common to sow them in late winter or early spring in a propagator or warm window sill at a temperature of about 15oC. A small seed tray or 1 litre pot filled with general purpose compost (leaving a 2cm gap below the top of the tray or pot) is best used for this purpose. Thoroughly soak the compost and allow to drain. Scatter the seeds over the surface of the wet compost and then cover them by filling the tray or the pot to the top with more compost. Thoroughly soak again and, once more, allow them to drain. Place in the propagator or warm window sill – it is better to cover the pot or tray with a plastic bag if on an open window sill as this will help to retain moisture. As soon as the seeds germinate and are big enough to handle (1-2 weeks), pot them up singly into small pots or cells in a plant tray. It is best to use a spoon handle or pencil to ease them from the compost so that the newly formed root will not be damaged. If the main root is longer than 5cm, nip it off to this length – this will encourage side root growth. At this stage, the seedlings can be kept at a temperature below 10oC. After 2 leaves have formed, nip out the growing tip – this will encourage side shoot growth and make a stronger plant. When the side shoots are 5cm long, the plants should be placed outside in a sheltered spot to ‘harden off’. In the event of a frost during the first few days outside, protect the plants with either a fleece or polythene. After 2 weeks outside, the plants should be hard enough to withstand frosts and are ready for planting into their growing beds or containers. Seed can also be sown in late March or April directly into the ground where they are to flower. It is better to lighten up the soil with a little compost and plant the seeds about 10cms apart and 2cms deep. Water regularly if conditions are dry.

The taller varieties will require supports – pea or bean netting is usually used for this purpose but anything will do as long as the plants can cling to it – trellises, garden archways and pergolas are often seen covered with sweet peas.

Cordon grown plants

They are best planted in rich fertile ground and like moist conditions but will not thrive if the ground is waterlogged (it is often better to plant them in a slightly raised bed). The plants will require very little attention but can be fed with a foliar feed for improved results.

When they are flowering, it is Growing on a net in 40L trugs essential to cut the flowers off to prolong the flowering period.

If extra-long stems and super large flowers are required (usually for exhibition), the cordon method of staking is used and each plant is trimmed down to one shoot which is then tied to an individual cane and side shoots and tendrils are continually removed. This will produce a smaller number of flowers of an increased size. This method is not very decorative in the garden and does require a lot of work.

Get your FREE Sweet Pea Seeds now and enjoy flowers all next summer!

National Sweet Pea Society As a District Representative for the above society, I am organising a campaign to encourage interest in Sweet Peas and their culture. I am happy to answer any questions about sweet peas and give what help and advice I can. Visit Sweetpeasnw.com or my contact details are telephone (07887 928777) or e-mail tomatherton1940@hotmail.co.uk.

!

FREE SEEDS VOUCHER This completed voucher can be exchanged for FREE Sweet Pea Seeds on the HOMESCAPES (1990) LTD stand number G47 at Southport Flower Show 2013 OR send the voucher with S.A.E. to 13 Fern Bank, Chorley, Lancs PR6 7BH. NAME……………………………………………………………………………................................................................................................

ADDRESS………………………………………………………………………………...................................................................................... ………………………………………………………………………………………………….............................................................................

Offer closes 15th September 2013.

17

Companion PLANTING Whether you like your vegetable plot and flower beds to be neatly planted weed-free zones, or prefer them to be a glorious mishmash of whatever you happen to feel like growing, companion planting can help by attracting beneficial insects and deterring those pesky aphids. harmful effect on many plants, inhibiting growth and causing them to bolt. One of the few plants that can tolerate growing in close proximity to fennel is dill.

PEST CONTROL

French marigolds protect against pest nematodes. A chemical produced by the flowers’ roots kills the harmful varieties of these worms. Turn in the marigolds at the end of season so the roots decay in the soil to prevent further infestation.

Do it several years running and pest nematodes should vacate the territory forthwith. Tomatoes, potatoes, roses and strawberries are among vulnerable plants.

If you would rather not use pesticides in your garden, one simple way to avoid your flowers and vegetables being subject to pest attack is to plant some deterrents among them. A few garlic bulbs among the roses should keep your blooms aphidfree, and also discourage blackspot. Sage among your cabbages and carrots keeps cabbage and carrot fly at bay. However, don’t be tempted to include garlic or chives among the peas or beans - stunted growth may be the result.

T

he idea is to grow two or more plants close together for the benefit of at least one and usually all. As well as being a form of natural pest control, judicial companion planting can be used to provide support and shade, and is a great way to make the most of limited space.

Planting flowers among the vegetables will attract pollinators that may not otherwise venture among the greenery - cosmos, larkspur, zinnia, cornflowers and sweetpeas are good choices.

Besides the practical advantage, the mixand-match approach to a planting scheme is an opportunity to turn your garden into an unusual

and colourful place. Experiment to see what works in the soil and conditions in your area, and bear in mind that not all plants are happy in each other’s company.

Some plants may compete for habitat, or have chemical components that don’t mix. Fennel, for instance, is a favourite of ladybirds and deters aphids, but it has a

“Planting flowers among the vegetables will attract

GARDENER’S FRIENDS Some plants are said to improve yield and resistance to disease and even enhance the flavour or their neighbours. For instance, parsley increases the vigour of tomatoes and asparagus, horseradish does it for potatoes, and cabbage and broccoli love the company of rhubarb. Some also fulfil pestcontrol duties. These are among the best all rounders.

Basil Borage Chamomile 18

Chervil Coriander Garlic

Geraniums Lavender Lovage

Marigolds Nasturtiums Yarrow

SCENT Strong smells can confuse or repel insect pests. It seems that aphids don’t like the odour of onions, or of any other plants belonging to the allium family.

Plant your chives among tomatoes and chrysanthemums to deter greenfly and blackfly, and attract hoverflies, those greedy aphid eaters. Siting onions between rows of brassicas, such as cabbages and broccoli, is said to be effective because the onions’ aroma confuses insects intent on eating up their greens. Onions also mask the smell of carrots, as do leeks, and so reduce the threat of carrot fly; and returning the favour, carrots tend to repel onion fly and leek moth.

Tansy’s strong scent puts off ants, and the lovely smell of French marigolds is anathema to whitefly, pollinators.” greenfly and blackfly.

Lavender confuses insect pests while attracting pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, and it looks wonderful, but don’t plant any strong-smelling herbs near cucumbers because they will make the cucumbers taste bitter.

INSECT ALLIES Many insects are beneficial, of course, and another way to control those that aren’t is to include plants that attract hoverflies, ladybirds, lacewings and predatory and parasitic wasps, all of which positively feast on aphids, as well

“Onions’ aromas confuses insects intent on eating up their greens.”

DECOYS

as taking mites, mealybugs and other plant damagers. Daisies, for example, are favourites of hoverflies, ladybirds love coriander and yarrow and dill are beloved by them all.

Nettles are also favourites of cabbage white butterflies, attracting them away from your brassicas. In fact, planting one species right next to another one with the specific intention of decoying pests is a recognised ploy.

Nasturtiums keep aphids off runner beans, for instance, and planting nasturiums and French marigolds among cabbages and lettuces protects the vegetables from caterpillars and slugs - caterpillars find nasturtiums hard to resist whilst slugs prefer marigolds. Various mints have the same effect on slugs.

It may not be usual to preserve nettles among your vegetable and flowers, but if you can, keep a small patch of them because they will attract ladybirds to lay the eggs, and ladybird larvae eat huge numbers of aphids.

However, you do need to keep a careful watch - if too many caterpillars and slugs flock to your decoy plants, you may have to remove the creatures to stop them wandering over to the main crop that you are trying to protect.

Sunflowers can act as decoy in a rather different way - ants herd aphids on to

them, away from neighbouring plants.

The aphids seem to do little damage to the sunflowers, and as an added advantage the seedheads attract birds to the garden.

SHADY BENEFITS Another strategy is to grow plants of different heights together, so that one can provide support or shade for another.

Sunflowers and sweetcorn are ideal tall plants.

Cucumber, all sorts of peas and beans and parsley benefit from the shade. Some say parsley makes sweetcorn grow bigger and produce more. In another combination, runner beans provide shade for spinach.

This is far from being a new idea. Native Americans, apparently, used to employ a system known as ‘three sisters’, which involved sweetcorn or sunflowers, runner beans and a squash, such as pumpkin or courgette. The corn is sturdy enough for the beans to climb up; the beans fix nitrogen in the soil for the squash and corn; the squash’s big leaves provide shade for the roots, suppress weeds and keep the soil moist.

Feature taken from the 2014 Dairy Diary, Britain’s favourite home diary. This fabulous week-to-view diary is packed with useful information and delicious recipes, and is available to buy for £7.25 (plus P&P) at www.dairydiary.co.uk, by calling 0845 0948 128 or from your local milkman.

PSGC_A5_Landscape:Layout 1 15/07/2013 12:58 Page 1

Nestled in the heart of the picturesque village of Port Sunlight, we are a family run, ‘proper’ garden centre with a stunning collection of outdoor plants as well as all the pots, compost and other things that gardeners need, all year round.

We also stock a small collection of novelty giftware, have a good selection of local interest and other books, indoor plants, speciality food, not to mention top quality indoor and outdoor furniture for the home and garden.

Offering a quick and efficient service 7 days a week the Sun Lounge Café is a central hub for villagers, local workers and tourists alike.

Whether it’s a full English in the morning, a home-made daily special for lunch, or a cup of tea and a homemade scone in the afternoon, we are the perfect pit-stop and always offer service with a smile.

You can contact the café directly on 0151 645 1161

For a friendly and worthwhile garden centre experience, come along and pay us a visit.

Follow us on facebook at www.facebook.com

Opening Hours

Just five minutes walk from Port Sunlight Station

Monday to Saturday

9.00am to 5.30pm Sundays

10.30am to 4.30pm The Sun Lounge Café closes 30 minutes before the garden centre

Free car park, Full disabled access throughout, Clean modern toilet & baby changing facilities, Local home delivery service

Port Sunlight Garden Centre, The Causeway, Port Sunlight Village, Wirral CH62 5DY 0151 645 6244 info@portsunlightgardens.co.uk 19 www.portsunlightgardens.co.uk

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A taste of things to come Posh Fruit & Nut - Lesley Waters INGREDIENTS Dark chocolate 600g (1lb 5oz) Milk chocolate 85g (3oz) White chocolate 55g (2oz) Hazelnuts, toasted 50g (1他oz) Pistachio nuts 50g (1他oz) Selection dried cherries and berries 50g (1他oz) METHOD 1. Line a baking tray with baking parchment.

2. Place the dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate into separate heatproof bowls. Place each bowl over a pan of simmering water and stir with a spatula until chocolate has melted.

Remove from heat and leave to cool for 5 minutes.

3. Pour the dark chocolate onto the tray and smooth out with a spatula.

4. Using a teaspoon, drizzle over the milk chocolate and swirl into the dark chocolate. Then decorate the surface with the nuts and fruit.

5. Make a paper cone with parchment paper and half fill with the melted white chocolate. Pipe the chocolate over the top of the fruit and nuts and leave to set.

Pear & Orange Polenta Cake- Lesley Waters Serve this truly scrumptious pear pud with cardamom custard or Dorset cream INGREDIENTS Unsalted butter, softened 225g (8oz) Caster sugar 225g (8oz) Eggs 3 Ground almonds 200g (7oz) Semolina or instant polenta 115g (4oz) Baking powder 1 teaspoon Oranges, 2 grated zest & juice Ripe pears, 3 medium, peeled, cored & sliced METHOD Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 5/180C/375F. Lightly oil a non-stick 23cm (9inch) non-stick springform or sponge tin and line the edges with greaseproof paper.

Place the butter and sugar in a food processor and whiz together.

Next gradually whiz in the eggs. Finally mix the almonds, semolina, baking powder and orange zest, add to the processor and whiz briefly to combine.

Spoon the mixture into the prepared cake tin and push the pear slices over the surface. Sprinkle with a little extra caster sugar and bake in the oven for approx. 50-60 minutes until firm and golden.

When cooked, remove the cake from the oven and prick the surface with a thin skewer. Spoon the orange juice over the surface of the cake and allow to stand for 20 minutes before serving.

22

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

CELEBRITY CHEFS AND SPECIAL GUEST HOST ANNOUNCED FOR THE UK TOUR OF

Ready Steady Cook Live!

RUSSELL GRANT TO BRING HIS INIMITABLE STYLE AND ENERGY AS HOST. CHEF FAVOURITES NICK NAIRN, TONY TOBIN, BRIAN TURNER & KEVIN WOODFORD TO JOIN LESLEY WATERS ON STAGE FOR THE ICONIC GREEN PEPPERS V RED TOMATOES COOK-OFF AND QUICKIE BAG CHALLENGE!

READY STEADY COOK LIVE!, the long-awaited tour of the UK’s most successful TV cookery show, will hit the road, travelling the length and breadth of the UK from September 2013.

Russell Grant, who won the nation’s hearts in the 2011 series of Strictly Come Dancing, will bring his inimitable style and energy to the show as Host. Russell has also enjoyed huge success in the West End and on tour, starring in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s West End production of The Wizard of Oz, Teen Angel in Grease and in Midnight Tango with his Strictly dance partner Flavia Cacace.

Executive Chef Lesley Waters, who appeared in over 500 editions of television’s longest running cookery success, will head up the celebrity chefs and is thrilled to announce the TV chef favourites who will be joining her on stage at venues up and down the country: • • • •

Nick Nairn Tony Tobin Brian Turner CBE Kevin Woodford

Following the legendary TV format, guest chefs will work against the clock to prepare a meal, backed up by the classic competing Red Tomato/Green Pepper kitchens. As the chefs work furiously, the audience is offered the chance to vote for their favourite. Members of the public join in with the fun, competing at each tour date, with the winner bringing their very own ‘Quickie Bag’ on-stage. During the show the audience can get tips from the chefs, enjoy some insider gossip on making the TV series and will have the chance to ask the chefs ‘burning’ questions on preparing better meals.

Ready Steady Cook debuted on BBC1 in October 1994 and the most recent UK edition aired in February 2010. The show enjoys worldwide appeal, airing in Australia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Malaysia, the Middle East, Norway, Poland, Romania, South Africa and the United States of America. It has made household names of many of the guest chefs including James Martin, Nick Nairn,

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Brian Turner and Phil Vickery. The show was presented by Fern Britton from 1993 – 2000 and then Ainsley Harriott until 2010.

Executive Chef Lesley Waters currently appears on ITV’s This Morning and is a national celebrity cook, regularly contributing articles and recipes for magazines. Formerly Head Tutor of Leith’s School of Food & Wine, Lesley is the author of numerous cookery books, a qualified Fitness Instructor and a mother of two! She runs the intimate and quirky Lesley Waters Cookery School in the heart of West Dorset, where she shares her passion for gutsy, rustic, straight from the heart style cooking! Born and bred a Londoner, Lesley was quickly charmed by the beauty of Dorset and inspired by the superb quality of fresh local produce, available right on her doorstep.

She likes to cook seasonal food whenever possible. Her simple, warm, modern style develops dishes that are easy to recreate, with stunning results. Presently, Lesley is working on her new cookery book and has finished filming a brand new series for BBC Television, Put Your Menu Where Your Mouth Is that is currently on air.

Further guest chef names and a full schedule will be released later in the year.

FOR INFORMATION ON DATES AND VENUES, PLEASE SEE: www.readysteadycooklive.com Twitter @RSCookLive Facebook.com/RSCookLive

23

what’s

FRI 6 SEPT

THUR 10 OCT

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

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

THE MANFREDS

SAT 7 SEPT

SAT 12 OCT

DEACON BLUE

ook & Lyrics by ARTHUR ROSE & OUGLAS FURBER

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

Preston Musical Comedy Society

usic by NOEL GAY

ok revised by EPHEN FRY

ntributions to revisions by KE OCKRENT

inally produced at the Adelphi Theatre, don, by Richard Armitage. Subsequently duced at the Marquis Theatre, New York

by Richard Armitage, Terry Allen mer, James M. Nederlander and ge Promotions Ltd & Co.

The Charter Theatre, Preston.

uesday 17th to aturday 21st eptember 2013

ghtly at 7.30pm. atinee Saturday at 2.30pm

ector IL TOWNSEND

sical Director UCE MCLAREN

oreographer RNA COOKSON

amateur production by arrangement with Samuel French Ltd.

THE LADYBOYS OF BANGKOK

PAUL WELLER SOLD OUT

10 to 12 SEPT

THUR 17 OCT

A spellbinding adventure from the creators of The Gruffalo!

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

QUALMPEDDLAR

ROOM ON THE BROOM

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

SAT 19 OCT

17 to S1 SEPT

ILLEGAL EAGLES

Preston Musical Comedy present

Tickets available from The Guild Hall Box Office - 0844 844 7714 Book online at www.prestonguildhall.com Tickets from £10 to £15. Family Ticket £45

ME AND MY GIRL

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

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

www.prestonmusicalcomedy.co.uk

SAT 28 SEPT

SUN 20 OCT

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

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

THU 3 OCT

MON 21 OCT

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

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

MAGIC A KIND OF QUEEN

SLEEPING BEAUTY

Registered Charity Number 1099861

THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES SAT 5 OCT

VOULEZ VOUS

READY STEADY COOK LIVE! TUE 22 OCT

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

THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED)

MON 7 & TUE 8 OCT

THUR 24 OCT

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

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

JASON MANFORD

Box Office: 0844 844 7718

HA HA HOLMES

www.prestonguildhall.com

on

s

FRI 25 OCT

FRI 15 NOV

THE HITCHHIKERS GUIDE TO THE GALAXY RADIO SHOW LIVE!

BILL WYMAN’S RHYTHM KINGS

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

SAT 26 OCT

SAT 16 NOV

ESSENCE OF IRELAND

PAUL CARRACK

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

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

21 & 22 NOV

TUE 29 OCT

WHAT THE LADYBIRD HEARD

BRIT FLOYD UK TOUR

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

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

FRI 1 NOV

SUN 24 NOV

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

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

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

THE RAT PACK

THE SENSATIONAL 60’S EXPERIENCE SAT 7 DEC

SAT 2 NOV

SEAN LOCK

Preston Orpheus Choir

A FESTIVAL FOR CHRISTMAS

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

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

SUN 3 NOV

3 to 31 DEC

CINDERELLA

PUPPETRY OF THE PENIS

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

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

6 to 8 NOV

SHAKESPEARE SCHOOL FESTIVAL

A New Year’s Eve traditional celebration Raymond Gubbay presents

LAST NIGHT OF THE PRESTON PROMS

CLASSIC . . .

AFTER CLASSIC . . .

AFTER CLASSIC with a

MIDNIGHT PROMS FINALE and

FANTASTIC INDOOR FIREWORKS

SAT 9 NOV

THE BAY CITY ROLLER STORY

Tuesday 31 December 9.45pm

THE GUILD HALL - PRESTON Box Office 0845 344 2026

Book online prestonguildhall.com

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

Box Office: 0844 844 7718

TUE 31 DEC

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

FRI 24 JAN

MOTOWN’S GREATEST HITS

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

www.prestonguildhall.com

Dairy Diary RECIPES Spiced Chicken & Noodle Soup Sunflower oil 2 tbsp Shallots 2, peeled and sliced Celery sticks 2, chopped Root ginger 5cm (2in) piece, peeled and chopped Garlic 3 cloves, peeled and sliced Red chilli 1/2 - 1, deseeded and chopped Chinese Five Spice Stir Fry Paste 2 tsp Skinless chicken breasts 3 Lemongrass 2 sticks Chicken stock 2 litres (31/2 pints) Dried rice noodles 125g (41/2 oz) Spring onions 6, trimmed and sliced Pak choi 3, trimmed and sliced Chopped coriander 2 tbsp

1. Heat oil in a pan and add shallots, celery, half the ginger, garlic and half the chilli. Stir in paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring. Add chicken and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add lemongrass, pour in stock, bring to boil, then simmer for 30 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, soak noddles in boiling water for 3-5 minutes, then drain.

Serves 4-6 Time 1 hr

Calories 353

Fat 7g of which 1.1g is saturated

3. Remove chicken from stock and shred. Strain stock into a pan and heat with noodles, chicken, remaining ginger and chilli, onions, and pak choi. Cook for 5 minutes until pak choi is tender.

Scatter with coriander.

Bacon, Prawn & Mango Salad Reduced-fat natural fromage frais 2 tbsp Mayonnaise 2 tbsp Curry Powder 1/2 tsp Butter 15grm (1/2oz) Unsmoked streaky bacon 8 rashers Large Mango 1 peeled and chopped Cooked peeled prawns 350g (12oz) Watercress or peashoots 1 bunch

1. Mix together fromage frais, mayonnaise and curry powder.

2. Melt butter in frying pan and fry bacon for 3-4 minutes on each side until crisp. Chop finely.

3. Mix together bacon, mango, prawns and watercress or peashoots. Serve with the curried mayonnaise.

Serves 4 26

Time 15 mins

Calories 333

Fat 19g of which 6.9g is saturated

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Oriental Pork with Sweet Potato Pork fillets, 2 x 300g (11oz), trimmed Sunflower oil 1 tbsp Straight-to-wok Teriyaki and Toasted Sesame Seeds stir-fry sauce 120g packet Sweet potatoes 3 weighing about 1kg (2lb 3oz) peeled and chopped Butter for mashing Green beans 200g (7oz), trimmed

1. Preheat oven to 220oC/Gas 7. Place pork fillets in a roasting tin, drizzle with oil and roast for 10 minutes.

2. Pour stir-fry sauce over pork, turning to coat well, and cook for a further 15-20 minutes, basting meat and turning once. Remove from oven, cover with foil and leave to stand for 5 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, simmer sweet potatoes in a pan of boiling water for 15 minutes or until tender. Drain and mash with a little butter and seasoning.

4. Cook green beans for 5 minutes in a pan of boiling water until tender, then drain.

5. Slice pork and set on a pile of mash with green beans.

Spoon over pan juices and serve.

Serves 4 Time 45 mins

Calories 468

Fat 13g of which 4.7g is saturated

Flambéed Cherries with Ice Cream Caster sugar 25g (1oz) Unsalted butter 25g (1oz) Lemon 1, grated zest and juice Cherries 450g (1lb), stoned Brandy 3 tbsp Vanilla icecream to serve

1. Place sugar, butter, lemon zest and juice in a large nonstick frying pan and heat gently until butter has melted and sugar dissolved. Bring up to boil and simmer gently for 2 minutes, until mixture begins to thicken and look syrupy.

2. Add cherries to pan and cook gently for a further 2 minutes, until slightly softened. Allow mixture to bubble until liquid is reduced by half.

3. Transfer to a warmed serving dish, pour brandy over cherries and ignite with a match. When flames have subsided, serve hot with ice cream.

Serves 4 Time 20 mins

Calories 128

Fat 5g of which 3.3g is saturated

Recipes taken from the 2014 Dairy Diary, Britain’s favourite home diary. This fabulous week-to-view diary is packed with useful information and delicious recipes and is available to buy for £7.25 at www.dairydiary.co.uk, by calling 0845 0948 128 or from your local milkman.

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

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HOLIDAY COMPETITION TIME 50 Plus Competition

WIN A BREAK FOR TWO

Christian Guild hotelss Abbot Hall Hotel South Lakes, Cumbria provide the very best 015395 32896 in Christian hospitalityy abbot@christianguild.co.uk Win a 5 night break for 2 people! in some of the most beautiful parts of below and send it to us for your chance to win Just fill in the form aEngland.

5 night break for 2 to a Christian Guild Hotel of your choice.

Lindors Country Our five superb hotels House Hotel o er a warm welcome and are perfect places to get away from it all.

Wye Valley

01594 530283 lindors@christianguild.co.uk

Sidholme Hotel Sidmouth, Devon

01395 515104 sidholme@christianguild.co.uk

Name:.......................................................................................................

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

Treloyhan Manor FER

AL OF

Christian Guild, 2nd Floor, Building 10, Cromford Mills, Cromford, Derbyshire, DE4 3RQ. email: mail@christianguild.co.uk www. christianguild.co.uk

S PE CI P IRE READER S Postcode:..................................................................................................

Hotel S St Ives, Cornwall FOR IN d n a ls Tel:............................................................................................................. hote Call the INSPIRE to 01736 796240 G13 Email:........................................................................................................ treloyhan@christianguild.co.uk quote C 0% discount a1 receive r booking Closing date for entries 31.7.13. Winner notified by email or post. on you ons apply *terms

& cond

iti

Willersley Castle Hotel Derbyshire Dales

IDEAL FOR holidays, short breaks, s, ays church weekends and group holidays

50 Plus Competition

01629 582270 willersley@christianguild.co.uk

Est.1923

Affordable peace of mind ..... Holidays

WIN a 5 day Robinsons Holiday for 2 people in 2014 Win a Robinsons Holiday to either the Abbey Lawn Hotel in Torquay, the Imperial Hotel in Eastbourne or the Ocean View Hotel on the Isle of Wight. The prize is for a five day holiday for two people. Prize is valid between February 2014 and 7th December 2014 - excludes Easter 2014. Simply choose one of the dates from our 2014 main brochure, a copy of which will be sent to you upon publication. Prize includes half board accommodation and coach travel from any pick-up point in our main brochure. Holiday itinerary is as per relevant brochure tour for chosen date.

Prize is subject to availability and is non-transferable, non- refundable and has no cash redemption value. Prize can not be auctioned on any website or used or offered as a prize for any other competition or as a gift or incentive. Prize is not for re-sale. Multiple entries will be disqualified.

Name:.......................................................................................................

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

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

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

Email:........................................................................................................

Return to Sales Department Robinsons Holidays Park Garage, Great Harwood Blackburn BB6 7SP.

Closing date for all entries is September 15th 2013. Winner notified by email or post.

OUT & ABOUT

Formby Glorious beach with dramatic sand dunes, surrounded by sweeping coastal pinewoods.

Sefton Park This magnificent 235 acre park is a Grade II* historic park in the Sefton Park district of Liverpool.

Facilities and attractions Whether relaxing on the grass, playing sport or just taking a leisurely stroll around the lake, Sefton Park has something for everyone.

• Grade 2 * listed Palm House.

• Grade 2 listed Shaftesbury memorial and Eros fountain.

• Grotto or ‘old Nick’s caves’.

• Boating lake.

• Angling (registration permit required) • Bandstand, said to be the inspiration for The Beatles’ Sgt Peppers Lonely Heart Club Band.

• Peter Pan statue.

• Fairy Glen.

• Aviary viewing point.

• Aviary café.

• Lakeside café.

• Children’s playground (swings, slide, climbing frames, round about, spring mobile, multi play area).

• Parking points around the park and also on street parking.

Opening hours Main park 24 hours a day, all year around.

Palm House Visit the Palm House website How to get there Foot and road: You can access the park from Queen’s Drive, Greenbank Drive, Greenbank Road, Aigburth Drive, Lark Lane and Elmswood Road.

Train: The nearest train station is St Michael’s Station (0.2 miles).

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Red squirrels, natterjacks, prehistoric footprints and miles of coastal walks are just waiting to be discovered - part of Formby’s amazing and ever changing landscape.

Enjoy breathtaking sea views or a picnic; head out on a bracing coastal walk or find out about Formby’s fascinating coastal history with links to asparagus growing and the early days of aviation.

Whether you want to walk, run or ride there’s something for everyone at Formby, the perfect place to get outdoors and active.

Telephone: 01704 878591 Email: formby@nationaltrust.org.uk

THE GREAT BRITISH FOOD FESTIVAL Stonyhurst College, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 9PZ Saturday 24th, Sunday 25th and BH Monday 26th August 2013 Stonyhurst College is a coeducational Roman Catholic independent school, adhering to the Jesuit tradition. It is located on the Stonyhurst Estate near the village of Hurst Green in the Ribble Valley area of Lancashire, England, and occupies a Grade I listed building. The school has been fully coeducational since 1999.

We want you to get involved. This year there is more opportunity for you to be a part of GBFF. On the Onionring Stage you’ll find our Cake-Off tasters deliberating over which cake they prefer, at other times you’ll find courageous souls taking on the Men Vs Food challenges! Pop into the hall to watch a top chef cooking on stage - you’ll be surprised at what you can learn.

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Bring a picnic blanket and sit out for the day enjoying live music and beautiful surroundings. Local bands are playing throughout the festival - again we have a great mix.

This is the perfect recipe for a foodie fun day out for the whole family. We welcome well behaved kids and dogs too.

Open 10:30am till 5:00pm.

WHAT’S ON • Chef Demos • Live Music • Child-Friendly • Cake-Off Day 1: Victoria Sponge Day 2: Chocolate Delicious Day 3: Great British Novelty • Men VS Food Challenges • Wide choice of Hot Foods • Local Producers • Vintage and Craft stalls

resort aglow for 73 nights from Friday 30 August to Sunday 10 November 2013.

Once described as ‘Artificial Sunshine’, the Illuminations have been a major part of Blackpool’s attraction since 1879 and have been a guiding light for visitors to the resort ever since.

Visit www.greatbritishfoodfestival.com

Illuminations Autumn just wouldn’t be the same without a trip to Blackpool’s world-famous northern lights – the Blackpool Illuminations. More than three million visitors a year can’t be wrong!

The magical Blackpool Illuminations will keep the

However visitors choose to enjoy Blackpool’s awardwinning Illuminations, they’re guaranteed a sparkling night, whatever the weather. And with even more exciting projects yet to be announced, including plans for a ¼ mile gallery of illuminated street art by some of the UK’s top rated Urban artists, 2013 is set to be a year to remember.

Lawns and Beaulieu Shows 2013

For full details, including location maps and exhibitor lists, go to www.lawnsandbeaulieushows.com.

The Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire Caravan Manufacturers’ Association runs two events every September, to introduce the new season’s caravans, holiday homes, lodges and residential park homes.

Beaulieu

Lawns

The first show, at The Lawns on 7th & 8th September (The Lawns, Harland Way, Cottingham, East Yorkshire HU16 5SQ.) will feature more than 120 new touring caravans and about 160 caravan holiday-homes, lodges and park homes from most of the major British manufacturers.

The annual Caravan Extravaganza gives enthusiasts from all over the UK their first opportunity to see the new season’s models. A massive accessory shop is set up within The Lawns Centre; there is a small funfair for children, food stalls and all sorts of other entertainment to make this a fun day out for the family.

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And to ensure this year’s event is the most spectacular yet, there’s a whole host of new and revamped displays including Theatre D’Amour, Venus Reborn, Talbot Square and Brilliance, which are designed to dazzle and delight the crowds with new programmes, sounds and shows. Not forgetting the magnificent jewel in the crown, Blackpool Tower will also help showcase just why the Illuminations are regarded as a truly world class lighting attraction.

The second HERCMA event is on the Beaulieu estate in the New Forest, Hampshire, (Hides Field, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hants. SO42 7ZN.) It takes place two weeks after The Lawns, from 27th to 29th September.

This is the main caravan holidayhome show for the south of England and features many of the “static” models already seen at The Lawns – well over 130, including holiday lodges and park homes – but no touring caravans or motor caravans are displayed.

Holiday Caravan and Park Home 2013 will be open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, giving visitors three days to peruse the models and also a chance to see the various other attractions that Beaulieu has to offer – a separate admission charge applies – such as the National Motor Museum, the old Beaulieu Abbey, and Palace House,

home of Lord Montagu and his family.

For The Lawns Extravaganza, visitors will be able to hire wheelchairs and mobility scooters from Yorkshire Mobility. Prices start from £10.00 for wheelchairs and £15.00 for scooters.

Please call between 9am and 5pm Mon-Sat to book one on 01482 503655 to avoid disappointment.

Call 07885 911 113 for more information

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

YOUR HOME FROM HOME...

See the very latest and best in stunning holiday accommodation that the British caravan industry has to offer...

THE ANNUAL CARAVAN EXTRAVAGANZA WEEKEND

The Lawns, Cottingham, East Yorks. HU16 5SQ Saturday and Sunday 7th and 8th September from 9am to 5pm each day On show will be the latest touring caravans, caravan holiday-homes, lodges and park homes, plus awnings and everything else you and your family will need for brilliant holidays all-the-year round.

Entry costs £3 per person, £7 per family; parking and showguides free

HOLIDAY CARAVAN 2013

at Beaulieu in the New Forest, Hants. SO42 7ZN Friday to Sunday 27th to 29th September from 10am to 5pm each day On show will be a wide selection of the latest caravan holiday-homes, lodges and park homes, with sundecks, etc., and other equipment plus details of many great holiday parks.

Entry is just £4 per car, with a free showguide

HOTLINE FOR BOTH SHOWS: 07885 911 113

for details see the website:

www.lawnsandbeaulieushows.com

Case study

Renewable Heat Incentive, Explained...

Do you want to make a prudent financial investment?

Save money on spiralling fuel bills?

Or simply reduce your carbon footprint?

Customer Name: Richard Booth Location: Northumberland Fitting Date: December 2008 Installation Cost: £9,500 (inc VAT) Specification: 14kW Ecodan with 210 litre hot water cylinder Electrical Requirement: Standard single phase supply Property: 4 bed detached family home Insulation: Combination of solid and cavity filled walls, double glazed, 270mm loft insulation Reported Heating Cost Saving: £1000 per year Forecast RHI Payment: £1200 per year Total Savings: £2200 per year Mr Booth opted to have one of the first 14kW Ecodans installed in his home in Northumberland.

With rising heating oil costs, Mr Booth was looking for a cost effective, environmentally sound, heating solution. IES replaced the oil combination boiler with an air source heat pump and installed a high efficiency copper hot water cylinder.

My oil bill was around £1800 per year, after a year with the new system our heating bill has fallen by more than 55%, the investment will pay off earlier than we thought.

Not only will new installations benefit from massive energy savings but they will also benefit from the generous renewable heat incentive of more than £10,000 over the first 7 years.

32

The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is set to revolutionise how we heat our homes. With a payback of as little as 4 years there is a solution for almost every home. Systems being installed as I write are set to get payments of £1000’s per year from the government. These homeowners are being rewarded for generating heat from a renewable source.

The scheme pays as much as 18.2p/kWh for heating in your home. For a family home this equates to as much as £3000 per year. Intelligent Energy Solutions specialise in all major forms of renewable energy systems. This means we can offer balanced, sound advice on the most appropriate system for you without compromising your quality of life. Read on to find out about the technology.

With a dedicated project manager for each installation, Intelligent Energy Solutions’ customers can be assured of unrivalled expertise, rapid responses and balanced advice, all part of our continued commitment to a sustainable future for everyone.

Air Source Heat Pumps

Air source heat pumps are the sustainable equivalent to conventional boilers using costly fossil fuels.

Instead of using costly fossil fuels, they extract heat from the air around your property and concentrate this heat to temperatures in excess of 55°C. Unlike other suppliers, our heat pumps are capable of delivering high temperature hot water, which can be used with radiators, underfloor heating and domestic hot water heating.

A correctly designed system can provide central heating and water heating with efficiencies higher than 330%. With this type of performance our heat pumps can significantly reduce your heating bills and your impact on the environment. www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Ground Source Heat Pumps

Ground source heat pumps provide high efficiency heating by harnessing the energy in the ground around your home.

Just a metre beneath the ground the temperature typically varies between 7 and 12°C. This heat is primarily provided by the sun. When heating is in greatest demand the ground is often warmer than the external air. This means that the ground source heat pump is able to achieve higher annual efficiencies than air source systems, in the order of 450%. This compares to a high efficiency gas boiler which has an efficiency of around 90%.

Solar Water Heating

Solar water heating is one of the lowest cost renewable energy solutions, reducing your hot water heating bill by up to 70%.

Solar water heating systems use the sun’s energy to heat fluid in panels or tubes on your roof. This can then be used to supply heat to your general hot water system, or something more specific such as a swimming pool.

Intelligent Energy Solutions provides solar water heating that will heat water even on a cloudy day.

Biomass Boilers

Biomass heating systems provide cost effective heating for larger properties.

They utilise wood chip or special pellets to heat water for space heating and hot water requirements.

Systems require a biomass boiler, hopper arrangement and a means of transferring the fuel from the hopper to the heat source. Biomass systems are best suited to large domestic properties or commercial premises.

Financial Returns Did you know you can get paid for heating your home?

The NEW Renewable Heat Incentive – It’s Here!!

After years of waiting and numerous consultations, the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) policy has now been released and is due to start in Spring 2014. The incentive targets ground source and air source heat pumps, biomass and solar thermal systems, promising generous payments over 7 years.

This can provide a payback time of only 4 years.

Biomass 5 bed house with 16kW heat demand RHI payment over 7 years = £27,919.

Profi t after 7 years (with energy savings) = £17,219 Payback period is 4 years

Ground Source Heat Pump 4 bed house with 10kW heat demand RHI payment over 7 years = £20,248.

Profi t after 7 years (with energy savings) = £10,312 Payback period is 5 years

Air Source Heat Pump 5 bed house with 13kW heat demand RHI payment over 7 years = £10,205.

Profi t after 7 years (with energy savings) = £3,633 Payback period is 6 years Calculations are meant as a guide based on current prices and information currently available from the government, returns are not guaranteed. Detailed bespoke calculations for your property can be produced once the property has been surveyed.

The RHI will be available on a fi rst come fi rst served basis so do not delay, contact us now to fi nd how much money you could be eligible to receive and if you can achieve a payback of less than 10 years.

Call for a free, no obligation survey 01204 844860 or visit www.iesolutions.co.uk

OPEN

FREE ENTRY AND PARKING

The Farmers Market & Craft Centre

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

at Heskin Hall Estate

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

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

FOOD HALL ~ CRAFTS ~ ANTIQUES ~ TEA ROOM

Join us...

Relax, dine and shop at Heskin Hall Estate

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

For our 2013 events at The Farmers Market & Craft Centre

The Two Birds Tea Room

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

Two Birds Tea Room Summer Menu available including our Sangria.

Bank Holiday BBQ Heskin Weekend Hall Free Range Butchers

24th, 25th, 26th August We have a wide range of high quality meats and products including beef,

lamb, pork, chicken, turkey, venison, water buffalo and selection On our lovely patio (dependant on weather).

All meat supplied by our Butchers - come of game. and try our burgers & sausages & delicious Sangria.

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

Catwalk and Cocktails Fashion Show

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

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

26th September– 6pm – 9pm

Glass of bubbly on arrival. Showcasing clothing & accessories from our beautiful shops.

Come and have a girly night out!

Bracken Country Clothing

Christmas Preview A wide range of top quality country wear forEvening both men and women at discounted prices.

24th October – 6pm – 9pm All sizes available in a wide range of colours.

Get organised foruse Christmas ouror special offers ourthe Christmas Preview Evening.

From agricultural or just forwith the man woman who at loves Get in the festive mood by sampling some delicious festive tasters from our Deli includfeel and look of the country side. ing speciality cheeses, pies, patesdesired & more.

And Orders are welcomed and if wemince don’t pies, have your item in don’t forget to pick up Heskin Deli’s ‘How to’ ... stock arrangements can be made to have the item delivered within 5 working days!

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

THE GARDEN

BY THE SEA Hailed ‘the garden by the sea’, Southport’s jewel in the crown has to be its annual Flower Show. The show is a particular highlight in the calendar of ‘things to do’ for not only residents in the area, but everyone with an interest in the latest ideas and designs for home, gardens and lifestyle. The Show takes place from 15th – 18th August 2013 and will be opened

by Carol Vorderman. With a whole host of exciting events scheduled over the four days, including chef demonstrations, competitions, food markets and, of course, the beautiful show gardens, there will be plenty of fun for everyone.

Southport has a reputation as a great place to retire.

The town bills itself as England’s ‘classic resort’. While it’s not far from the benefits of a city like Liverpool, Southport residents can enjoy its quiet charm by the coast. With parks, gardens and a wonderful twenty-two miles of sandy coastline, Southport is perfect for nature lovers. Whether you’d like to visit the protected sand dunes or admire the fantastic birdlife, Southport is sure to have something to please everyone.

Girlings Retirement Rentals, the market leader in retirement renting, has a range of properties available in the Southport area and is offering people a greater choice on how they can secure their perfect retirement home by offering a range of new living options designed to meet the diverse needs of today’s older generation.

These include: • Renting on an Assured (Lifelong) Tenancy – Girlings’ most popular option: renting with all the security of ownership without the capital outlay.

• Renting on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy – available at a lower rent for a shorter period, with no commitment beyond the initial term.

Peter Girling, Chairman of Girlings Retirement Rentals comments: “We know that deciding where and how to live in your retirement years is a big decision, which is why we are always looking at new ways to help as many people as possible find peace of mind in a property ‘suitable for their needs’ in later life. The alternative to owning your own home is of course www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

renting and for many people, this option provides flexibility as well as convenience. We offer attractive and flexible solutions that suit different peoples’ needs and budgets in retirement. We welcome the chance to discuss the choices with our existing and future customers.”

For more information please visit www.girlings.co.uk or contact the lettings team on 0800 525 184.

“Without doubt the best property decision we have made!”

Discover the freedom renting in retirement can bring 55+? Did you know you can rent private retirement property on a Life Long Tenancy which gives you the right to remain living in the property for as long as you wish, with service charges and maintenance included in the rent?

Peace of Mind Independence Flexibility Choice

0800 525 184 www.girlings.co.uk

35

Complete Denture Service

Summary 1. Clean your dentures daily with a denture brush and denture cream.

2. Have your dentures inspected every two years, and re-lined or ultrasonically cleaned.

3. Have a new set made every 5 years if possible.

The eyes, nose and teeth are the focal points of every face; they give the first impressions of your personality. Natural teeth grow in proportion and in harmony with your facial features and your dentures should be made accordingly.

Your teeth, or your dentures, have many important functions: to support your facial muscles, to help formulate your speech, and most importantly to chew your food and start the digestive process.

It is very important to chew food properly, as poorly chewed food will take longer to digest, especially for the elderly who could risk problems in the digestive system.

4. Keep a spare set for emergencies.

5. Remember, dentures do not have to hurt and do not need to be uncomfortable.

This article was written by 50 Plus journalist Sheila Alcock.

Express Denture Repair Service

DK1

Dental Lab

Difficulties in Constructing a Good Set of Dentures

Constructing a functional and aesthetically pleasing set of dentures is the most difficult task in dentistry. We are not only replacing lost teeth, but also lost tissue matter and bone. In other words, we have to re-create your facial features as they were before the loss of your natural teeth.

In most cases we do not know what your teeth looked like, what size they were or what position they were in originally. We have a few indications but mostly we have to rely on our visual and artistic judgement. At the same time we have to use our technical expertise in order to make the denture stable and functional.

Denture construction is more art than science.

Choice of Dentures

There are three main quality standards in denture materials: Denture Base Acrylics: standard quality, ultra impact much stronger non brittle and the latest thermoplastic.

Denture Teeth: 2-layer acrylic very basic and inexpensive, 3-layer acrylic re-enforced much harder, 4-layer composite extra hard and natural looking.

However, good materials on their own will not make good dentures. A skilful and experienced clinician and technician are required. The best results are achieved when the whole job is done by the same person.

Your Dentures need Attention 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

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When they become loose.

When teeth or denture base discolours.

When tooth surfaces become flat.

When denture base does not fit around natural teeth (in partial dentures).

When you develop deep lines around your mouth.

When your chin sticks out, and the corners of your lips are constantly wet, developing sores.

Emergency Denture Repairs Over 15 years Experience

Have your Dentures Professionally Cleaned Denture Repairs within the Hour HOME COLLECTION & DELIVERY

01744 730 130 Mob: 07825 371468 9am - 6pm Monday - Friday, 9am - 1pm Saturday

34 George Street, St Helens WA10 1BU.

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

EXPERT ADVICE ON HOW TO PAY FOR CARE

Our pioneering approach to care focuses on assisting the vulnerable of our society and their relatives who need help.

Working out how much you or a relative might have to pay if someone needs to go into care can be daunting. The care system is complex and varies according to where you live in the UK. Whether you qualify for Social Care, Medical Care or are a Self-Funder we can help you to achieve the best outcome for you or your loved ones. Without the appropriate advice we often see lifetime savings diminished by care fees and it just does not have to be that way.

Doing nothing can cost you everything.

www.carepal.org

Our Care Funding Review provides vital insight and peace of mind about a funding solution for the person requiring care. We use our expertise and experience to analyse and interpret all the information that is made available and explore multiple scenarios to recommend a solution.

At Carepal we treat everyone as though they are a member of our family. We want people to enjoy the later stages of their life, in the way that they want.

For more information about paying for care please call 0800 689 100 or visit www.carepal.org

0800 689 1000

Carepal Assist Limited is an Appointed Representative of Palm Financial Care Limited which is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

37

Asmall Hall Care Home

“Excellence Comes as Standard”

Providing Short Term or Long Term Care for adults including Day Care.

Our 17th Century, prestigious building set in 5 acres of gardens and, opened as a care home more than 20 years ago. Whilst retaining its many original homely features and comforts, we have adapted to provide a luxury, caring facility. Situated within 2 miles of Ormskirk centre, only half a mile from the bus stop makes us within reach of many other community activities by mini-bus or taxi.

Inspection invited without obligation where some of our devoted staff have worked at the home since its opening in 1991. We at Asmall Hall pride ourselves in the delivery of high quality, Person Centered Care by providing regular training and supervision for our staff as we aim to maintain and continually improve our services for your benefit.

A Quality Service is the only acceptable one!

Proprietors and Managers are Mrs. Jennifer and Mr. Allen Chapman with Unit Manager Mrs. Tracey Farrington.

To achieve and enhance our high standards of care on a continual basis, we are working towards the National ‘Gold Standard Framework’ for end of life care.

• Open Visiting • On Site Chapel/Prayer Room • Own Minibus for use of regular outings • Full social calendar (by our activities co-ordinators) • Own Hairdresser Asmall Hall prides itself in offering home cooked food wherever possible and choice of menu is available including special medical diets as medically prescribed and the majority of bedrooms are single although we also offer 3 double rooms, if this is desired.

Short term care is available if someone is recovering folloing surgery or hospital stay and requires that extra support in the time whilst they recover enough to live independently again at home.

Registered and caring for both male and female clients we offer a relaxed but staff competent environment including Qualified Nurses on duty for each 24 hour period with the majority of Care Staff having N.V.Q. qualifications or equivalent.

Registered and inspected regularly for the Quality Standard BS EN ISO 9001:2002, Asmall Hall Management are continually looking to improve the delivery of care standards to ‘Best Practice’ levels.

Tel: 01695 579548

QUALITY GUILD

Asmall Hall Care Home, Asmall Lane, Scarisbrick, Ormskirk, Lancashire L40 8JL. www.asmallhallcarehome.co.uk Fax: 01695 579978 email: asmallmatron@aol.com

OPEN

FREE ENTRY AND PARKING

The Farmers Market & Craft Centre

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

at Heskin Hall Estate

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

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

FOOD HALL ~ CRAFTS ~ ANTIQUES ~ TEA ROOM

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

The Two Birds Tea Room

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

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

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

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

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

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

All sizes available in a wide range of colours.

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

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

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