Southport & West Lancs 34

SOUTHPORT & WEST LANCS MAY - AUGUST 2012

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EDITION 34

Ruth Madoc TALKS ABOUT LIFE AFTER GLADYS PUGH

Inside LEISURE

ROBINSONS HOLIDAYS AFFORDABLE PEACE OF MIND

Rick Stein

DISCOVER DUBROVNIK A TIMELESS BEAUTY

SHARES HIS FAVOURITE DISHES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

FINANCE

BARRON FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS EVEN IN RETIREMENT YOU CAN STILL ACHIEVE YOUR NEEDS

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ake on

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk THE LOCAL MAGAZINE

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Retirement Living in Ormskirk Everything you need to enjoy a happy and secure retirement Retirement living at Brookside really does offer you the best of both worlds. You've got all the freedom to live life to the full. At the same time there is a core team available 24/7 to respond to the emergency call system. ere will also be extra care or support available to suit your individual needs (subject to assessment). And of course you're living in a close knit community with excellent on-site facilities.

Perhaps you’re thinking of down-sizing or maybe you've reached a stage in your life where you feel the need for a little extra support. Whatever the reason, retirement living at Brookside has a whole host of advantages.

Each self-contained apartment (both one bed and two bedroom options are available) is finished to the very highest standards and can be purchased on either a shared ownership or on an outright sale basis.

Ormskirk town centre is a short walk away. ere you'll find shops, restaurants and bars. ere's a retail park and 'Two Saints' shopping development. For those that enjoy a more traditional shopping experience, the town has an indoor market with a wide variety of traders.

Away from the shops, the town is home to an 18-hole golf course. And the surrounding countryside offers opportunities for walking. Brookside is just half a mile away from Ormskirk Station and 1 mile from Aughton Park Station, both have frequent services to Liverpool.

Southport is only 9 miles to the north west of Ormskirk, most famous perhaps for Royal Birkdale Golf Course, home to the Open Championship. is elegant seaside resort is always worth a visit at any time of the year.

!Brookside is aimed at people aged 55 & over.

If you haven't already expressed your interest then don't miss out on the opportunity to do so!

Inclusive design features Each apartment benefits from the following: • Fitted kitchen with integrated Bosch hob and oven • euro sink and mixer tap • Flooring provided throughout with slip resistant vinyl flooring to kitchen and bathroom

BuYing At BRookSide

Prices from £145,000 for a 1 bed apartment and £165,000 for a 2 bed apartment 25% share options are available

• Bathroom incorporates wetfloor shower system • thermostatically controlled shower • twyfords sink and levertaps

by Sola

Prices correct at time of print - subject to change

• Shaver point over mirror

Sout

Location

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Ormskirk and District General Hospital

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Ormskirk

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County R

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Liverpool

• telephone points in living-room & main bedroom

Preston

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St Helens

B51

97

70 A5

Find uS At L39 3BP

• Fire and smoke alarm • Warden call and entry phone communication • 24 hour emergency call system • Secure by design

general Amenities • Fitness salon

For information please contact

01744 622 078

Email: homeownershipteam@arena-housing.com

Or visit our Website: www.brooksideliving.co.uk

Sh ow Re for Ap gi vie ar ste w tm r y in en ou g f ts r i rom av a nt er Ap ilab es ri le tn l ow !

• Hairdressing salon • Launderette • greenhouse • Bistro

ADJUSTABLE BEDS FROM ONLY £389.99

TRAVEL & LEISURE 8-9 Dubrovnik - A Timeless Beauty 10-11 Robinsons Holidays Affordable peace of mind.

INTERVIEW

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16-17 Ruth Madoc talks to 50 Plus Magazine

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Gregory Abrams Davidson Solicitors Increase in Divorce for the over 50s

FOOD & DRINK 22 -24

Rick Stein Rick Stein shares his favourite dishes with us.

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Graham Smith Twittering on...

There was the Swansea lady who decked out her living room ceiling with 1,700 Christmas baubles. She starts decorating at the end of September and doesn’t usually finish until Christmas Day! You couldn’t make it up could you?

Our beleaguered country can always throw up a laugh. Did you see the one about the internet dating sight which was auctioning a date with a busty Virgin Mary or a hunky Joseph!

Dogs are always good for a laugh too. A Chinese man, whose name I cannot possibly spell and you couldn’t say it if I did, has a four-year-old Pekingese dog which walks backwards on its hind legs for two kilometres a day. What is the point of that I ask and what does it do when it wants to spend a penny? The mind boggles.

When is it Christmas?

If it’s June when you read this don’t worry Christmas isn’t coming any time soon.

Astronomers have calculated that Christmas should be in June by charting the “Christmas Star” which the Bible says led the Three Wise Men to Jesus.

The have decided that the bright star pinpoints Jesus’ birthday as June 17th rather than December 25th.

Well that’s just going to upset a few turkey farmers and artificial snow manufacturers isn’t it?

Lost pussy causes a headache!

Those of us of a certain age will remember Mrs Slocombe of the BBC sitcom “Are You Being Served” having various problems with her pussy.

They were nothing compared to those of a small village where residents spent the best part of three days digging to rescue a cat whose meowing could be heard clearly. Everyone turned out to help and eventually the animal was found. A large orange plastic moggy with a tape recorded cry which was permanently switched on!

Stories like this warm my heart in troubled times. Half the population can’t afford a can of cat food but they will dig for three days to rescue what they thought was a genuine animal in distress.

He should have ducked!

An American duck hunter had to be taken to hospital after being shot in the buttocks by his dog!

And what a mess they’ve made of the carol service.

How can “snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even”, and what about the poor old beggar bringing in his winter fuel? There’s no holly and ivy, the shepherds can’t be watching their flocks because it’s still day light and I just cannot listen to Bing Crosby in June!

Which silly old goat with a white beard and a red suit is going to traipse reindeer and a sleigh about in 20 degrees of heat? I don’t eat sprouts in December so I’m surely not about to in June. “All is calm, all is bright”, well it will be in June, new legislation could mean it’s daylight until four in the morning so the poor little beggar will be throwing his swaddling clothes off and tipping the sheepdog out of the manger.

Why can’t they leave things as they are?

I’m dreaming of a White Easter.

The hunter was climbing out of his boat to place decoys in nearby marsh when his “excited” dog trod on a shotgun firing 27 pellets into his backside from ten feet.

The man managed to walk to a nearby road and call an ambulance and was not seriously injured.

He should have ducked.

Do you know your port from starboard or your forward from aft?

If not, help Is at hanD at one of our Cruise road shows - so book your complimentary tickets now!

Whether you are a seasoned cruiser or a complete novice, the Cruise Connections Road Show is just for you. We have invited the cream of the cruise industry to share with you the many different types of cruising available today.

From river cruising with APT to an iconic transatlantic sailing with Cunard we have it covered.

Each of the cruise companies will have their own stand with their latest brochures and deals, and during the day will make a short presentation extolling the virtues of cruising with them. Then it’s down to you to decide which cruise suits you best.

Members of the Cruise Connections Crew will be on hand throughout the day for any questions that you may have.

Marriott Hotel Preston Sunday 27th May 2012 10.00am – 4.00pm Cruise Connections Road Show

FREE copy of the latest Cruise International Magazine for all those attending worth £3.95 plus spot prizes throughout the day

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7

Dubrovnik

Timeless

Beauty

Sitting proudly on the calm blue waters of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik is one of the world’s most magnificent fortified cities. Today a UNESCO world heritage site and Croatia’s most upmarket destination, it was once the capital of the wealthy seafaring Republic of Ragusa (1358-1808). During its Golden Age in the 16th century, it had one of the largest merchant naval fleets in the world.

Dubrovnik is clearly special. Lord Byron was not overstating the matter when he proclaimed Dubrovnik ‘the pearl of the Adriatic’. Magnificent curtains of walls surround marble streets and baroque buildings that exude a pearly light in the Adriatic sun. The main pedestrian thoroughfare, Placa, is a melange of cafés and shops with outstanding monuments at either end.

Churches, monasteries and museums ornamented with finely carved stone recall an eventful history and a vibrant artistic tradition.

As the sun rises over the terracotta roofs the square awakens to the sound of barrow loads of fruit and vegetables bouncing over the stone cobbles. The ‘green market‘, as the locals call it, offers freshly picked produce as well as jars of homemade jams, pickles and spices. However, Dubrovnik shows her true magnificent colours during the winter months as well as the city looks wonderful “out of season.” True beauty is ageless and timeless.

Beyond the city is a heavenly landscape of beaches, wooded peninsulas and a sea strewn with lush islands.

Rector’s Palace: Right off Luza Square is the Rector’s Palace.

It was the seat of the Ragusan government, where the Rector lived and worked. After Napoleon’s army dissolved the Dubrovnik Republic the Rector’s position was reduced. The original palace was modelled after the Roman imperial palace, with some influences from Venetian palaces. In 1435 there was a gunpowder explosion that demolished the structure. It was rebuilt in a late-gothic style. There was another explosion in 1463, and a an earthquake in 1667 that severally damaged the city. What you see now is the final redo that took place at the 8

end of the 17 century. The central portico features beautiful archways and a second story mezzanine.

Pile Gate: This is the north gate into the city. It features a stone bridge with two gothic arches. If you exit towards the outside you can get to Tower Loverjenac. On entering, the outer draw bridge is met by an internal bridge that leads into the city. Some great shots are to be had with your camera from Pile Gate.

War Photo Limited: Dubrovnik’s sturdy fortifications have been put to the test several times during the centuries, most recently during the bloody break-up of Yugoslavia. This modern gallery is dedicated to stunning photojournalism from war zones around the world, and attempts to offer unbiased reporting with a human element.

Antuninska 6. www.warphotoltd.com. Daily 9am-9pm (JunSep); Tue-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 10am-2pm (May and Oct); closed (Nov-Apr). Entry is 30Kn. Dubrovnik Cable Car: The best views of Dubrovnik and the surrounding area are seen from the top of the Srd Hill where the Dubrovnik Cable Car was built back in 1969 and boasts the most beautiful panoramic view. On a clear day, you can see up to 60 km (37 miles)!

For this reason the neighbouring Fort Imperial was strategically built on this privileged spot way back in the early 19th century. http://dubrovnikcablecar.com.

The Dubrovnik Summer Festival (www.dubrovnik-festival.hr) runs from mid-Jul to mid-Aug, staging concerts, theatre and opera at various open-air venues in the old town. Pat line-ups have included the Warsaw Symphony Orchestra, Mexican tenor Ramon Vargas, and Australian-born British classical guitarist John Williams.

Nearby places worth visiting include the Renaissance gardens of Trsteno arboretum, the vineyards of Peljeac peninsular, the seaside resort of Cavtat, the tiny car-free Elafiti islands ,

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the island of Mljet (one-third of which is a national park), and neighbouring Montenegro.

EATING/DRINKING There is a wide range of restaurants in the Old Town, mostly offering a very similar menu of local seafood and some meat dishes. The cuisine may not be very imaginative, but it is usually of good quality and very fresh.

Restaurants can be crudely separated into (slightly) cheaper tourist-trap haunts, and more expensive but first class gastronomic restaurants. There are a few pizzerias, mostly wood-fired and acceptable. The Kraš chocolate sold at stores is delicious too!

Note that in the off peak season of November to March nearly all the top-end restaurants close, leaving only a handful of desperate tourist trap enterprises operating and still charging high prices. You can however still eat well and best of all, discounts can be negotiated.

Dubrovnik cuisine is characteristically not very spicy and is famous for traditionalism. Many popular meals are characteristic of Dubrovnik such as zelena menestra (it is the name for many sorts of cabbages and other vegetables with meat), pasticada and the famous delicacy dubrovacka rozata.

The most popular alcohol in Croatia is homemade rakija. This is a very strong distilled tipple made from a variety of fruits.

Examples include sljivovica, made from plums, loza, made from grapes, and orahovica, made with walnuts. There are many excellent local wines from both the Peljesac Peninsula and Konavle and it is often less expensive than soft drinks. However, be careful when purchasing wine from unlicensed dealers as it can sometimes be of low quality!

SLEEPING Hotels in Dubrovnik include two, three, four and five-star hotels.

Private rooms are a good option for those on a budget; the downside is that they may be far from the Old Town, so make sure to check the location. Owners letting out these rooms accost buses at the bus station, so you can ask around and even bargain a little.

DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT VISITING… Cafe Buza: This place is little known but definitely the find in Dubrovnik.

Indeed, you will have to wander down an alleyway along the main western wall where you’ll find a nondescript door. Enter it to find the most amazing bar you might ever enjoy a beer in.

The cafe is built on the side of the rocky cliffs, hiding inside the Dubrovnik wall. Relax and enjoy the view as the dramatic wall rises above your head; or, as you are so near the small beach why not dip your toes in the water!

Fact file: Dubrovnik has an international airport, located approximately 20 km (12 miles) from Dubrovnik city centre.

There is no train to Dubrovnik. A narrow gauge line used to link Dubrovnik to Sarajevo but was closed in 1976; however, buses connect the airport with the Dubrovnik old main bus station in Gruž and Croatia Airlines even operates buses between the airport and the main bus station in Kantafig (takes approx. 45 minutes), which is 2.5 km northwest of the Old Town. Taxis from the airport to the centre will cost 220 kn. The bus passes close to the Old Town en-route to the airport; you can board the bus at the stop on Petra Kresimira 4 just above the Old Town, by the lower cable car station. Make sure you wave furiously otherwise the driver may not stop!

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The main bus station is in Kantafig, near Port Gruz and the Tudjman Bridge, 2.5 km northwest of the Old Town. Local bus 7 operates between this station and Babin kuk, and bus 1 serves the Old Town. On buses you pay a separate fee of 10 Kn to the driver for luggage, so keep some change handy.

Taxis in Dubrovnik are available around the clock and you can easily pick one up at one of the many taxi stops. The good news is that a taxi service will never cost you more than 100 Kn (approx. £11) in any direction within Dubrovnik city limits!

If you are planning to drive a car in Dubrovnik, be aware that lots of streets are one way. If in doubt, passersby will gladly direct you.

Dubrovnik is easy to cover on foot; in fact it will take the averagely fit person less than 1.5 hours to walk from the historical centre to the very end of Lapad peninsula.

Climate: The climate along the Dubrovnik Region is a typical Mediterranean one, with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. However, it is perhaps distinct from other Mediterranean climates because of the unusual winds and frequency of thunderstorms. The Bura wind blows cold gusts down the Adriatic coast between October and April. The air temperatures can slightly vary, depending on the area or region.

Typically, in July and August daytime maximum temperatures reach 29°C (84°F), and at night drop to around 21°C (70°F). More comfortable perhaps, is the climate in Spring and Autumn when maximum temperatures are typically between 20°C (68°F) and 28°C (82°F).

Language: Croatian is the official language spoken in Dubrovnik. English is taught as a second language in schools however, and other international languages are also fluently spoken.

Currency: Kuna (Kn.) £1 British pound is worth approx. 8 Kuna.

The word “Kuna” means “marten” in Croatian since it is based on the use of marten pelts as units of value in medieval trading.

9

Est.1923

Affordable peace of mind ..... Holidays

FULL 2012 BROCHURE OUT NOW

COACH TOURS 2012 LOCAL PICK UP POINTS

ABBEY LAWN HOTEL, TORQUAY

IMPERIAL HOTEL, EASTBOURNE

OCEAN VIEW HOTEL, ISLE OF WIGHT

Abbey Lawn Hotel, Torquay AAHHH Torquay is most certainly one of the UK’s Finest resorts and the heart of the English Riviera.

If you are looking to unwind in style, this elegant Georgian hotel is the place to stay. Located in the grounds of the former Torre Abbey, overlooking Torbay, there are superb facilities. These include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, gym, steam room, sauna and a spacious conservatory. As with all our own hotels a night porter ensures 24 hour reception service.

Imperial Hotel, Eastbourne Robinsons HHH Eastbourne is an ideal holiday destination, it has one of the top sunshine records in the UK and has been awarded the Seaside Award for its clean safe beaches for the past eight years.

An impressive Victorian hotel, situated at the seaward end of Devonshire place, less than a hundred yards from the seafront, on a delightful tree-lined boulevard less than five minutes walk from the main facilities and town centre amenities. A night porter ensures 24 hour reception service.

Ocean View Hotel, Shanklin Robinsons HHH Take a short boat ride across the Solent and discover the Isle of Wight, an island of great natural beauty and superb weather, with a wealth of attractions for visitors of all ages. Shanklin, on the south coast of the island, is home to a variety of safe, golden beaches and a quaint collection of shops housed in traditional thatched cottages.

An elegant hotel commanding magnificent views across Sandown Bay, the balconies provide the perfect place to enjoy the sunset on summer evenings. Guests can unwind in the piano lounge before enjoying an evning meal in the spacious restaurant. A night porter ensures 24 hour reception service.

Freephone : 0800 0839086 10

www.robinsons-holidays.co.uk

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Park Garage, Great Harwood, Blackburn BB6 7SP.

1501

8 Days/ 7 Nights Dinner Bed & Breakfast, includes at least 2 Excursions and FREE Insurance

5 Days/ 4 Nights Dinner Bed & Breakfast, includes 2 Excursions and FREE Insurance

Abbey Lawn Imperial Ocean View Mystery Tour

Sat/Sun 28/29 Apr 05/06 May 12/13 May 19/20 May 26/27 May 02/03 Jun 09/10 Jun 16/17 Jun 23/24 Jun 30 Jun/01 Jul 07/08 Jul 14/15 Jul 21/22 Jul 28/29 Jul 04/05 Aug 11/12 Aug 18/19 Aug 25/26 Aug 01/02 Sept 08/09 Sept 15/16 Sept 22/23 Sept 29/30 Sept

Abbey Lawn Imperial Ocean View Mystery Tour

Monday

£345 £345 £345 £355 £355 £355 £365 £365 £365 £375 £375 £375 £385 £385 £385 £389 £389 £389 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £389 £389 £389 £379 £379 £379 £359 £359 £359 £339 £339 £339

£299 £315 £325 £335 £345 £349 £359 £359 £359 £359 £359 £359 £359 £359 £359 £359 £359 £359 £359 £349 £339 £319 £299

23-Apr

£195

£195

£195

£175

30-Apr

-

£199

£199

£179

07-May

-

£209

£209

£189

14-May

-

£215

£215

£195

21-May

-

£219

£219

£199

28-May

-

£225

£225

£205

04-Jun

-

£229

£229

£209

11-Jun

-

£239

£239

£215

18-Jun

-

£249

£249

£225

25-Jun

-

£249

£249

£225

02-Jul

-

£249

£249

£225

09-Jul

-

£249

£249

£225

16-Jul

-

£249

£249

£225

23-Jul

-

£249

£249

£225

30-Jul

-

£249

£249

£225

06-Aug

-

£249

£249

£225

13-Aug

-

£249

£249

£225

20-Aug

-

£249

£249

£225

27-Aug

-

£249

£249

£225

03-Sept

-

£249

£249

£225

7 Days/ 6 Nights Dinner Bed & Breakfast, includes at least 2 Excursions and FREE Insurance

10-Sept

-

£245

£245

£219

17-Sept

-

£239

£239

£215

Abbey Lawn Imperial Ocean View Mystery Tour

24-Sept

-

£235

£235

£209

01-Oct

£225

£225

£225

£199

Monday

08-Oct

£215

£215

£215

£189

23-Apr

£285

£285

£285

£255

15-Oct

£209

£209

£209

£185

08-Oct

£279

£279

£279

£249

22-Oct

£205

£205

£205

£179

15-Oct

£269

£269

£269

£245

29-Oct

£199

£199

£199

£175

22-Oct

£259

£259

£259

£235

Turkey and Tinsel

29-Oct

£249

£249

£249

£225

£199 £195 £189 £185 £179 £175* £169* £395 £375

£199 £195 £189 £185 £179 £175* £169* £395 £375

£179 £175 £169 £165 £165 £165* £165* £355 £335

05-Nov 12-Nov 19-Nov 26-Nov 03-Dec 10-Dec 17-Dec 23-Dec 29-Dec

Turkey and Tinsel 05-Nov

£249

£249

£249

£225

12-Nov

£245

£245

£245

£219

19-Nov

£239

£239

£239

£215

26-Nov

£235

£235

£235

£209

03-Dec

£229

£229

£229

£205

10-Dec

£225

£225

£225

£199

£199 £195 £189 £185 £179 £175* £169* £395 £375

* Unlimited Singles

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Abbey Lawn and Ocean View Hotels Front facing/seaview supplements 7 Days £13 per person. 8 Days £15 per person.

5 Days £10 per person

11

Freephone: 0800 0839086 Park Garage, Great Harwood, Blackburn BB6 7SP www.robinsons-holidays.co.uk

PLAYING THE SENIOR’S

FAVOURITE GAME The advancing years, it used to be said, bring wisdom. Now they bring golf. If not already members extra disposable time is increasingly spent at their local golf club.

Why? Well, what else can they do to fill the livelong day that used to be occupied by work? Furthermore, as pronounced in a once-popular lyric, the best things in life are illegal, immoral or they make you fat, and golf is the exception that proves this rule.

Golf is good exercise, stimulating competitive sport and warm companionship, and it is inevitably staged in a wonderful scenic setting, be it undulating parkland, broken woodland, or water-fringed links with gorse and dunes and ups and downs. At the same time, big prize money has made the professional game a great spectator sport, too, commanding audiences of millions on TV and adding universal appeal to the game.

During an average game of golf you are likely to walk five miles. Can you remember the last time you did that? It has all the right things to promote good health. Cardio vascular workout, exercising the limbs and promoting social mixing both on and off the course.

If you haven’t undertaken regular exercise for some time you’d be well advised to have a medical check before starting to play golf. You don’t have to plunge in and play 18 holes immediately. Try a gentle stroll around a couple of holes and ease yourself into it is the experts’ advice.

Being 50 plus you do need to be aware of the dangers of playing golf if they have an existing back problem. If you have not exercised your lower and middle back muscles for some time the exertion of swinging a club could cause discomfort. It is important to seek medical advice and follow it. It may be that 12

a gentle introduction, building up to full participation over an extended period is the answer for you. Build up your muscles by regular strength training, e.g. in a fitness centre.

Golf is probably one of the most social sports where you will meet people from most walks of life on the same level. If you get the bug you can engage the services of a club professional to teach you the finer points but it is equally suited to the amateur who just enjoys the exercise and the company.

We hear much of the degeneration of our mental health as we age. Golf is not only physically beneficial but has been proved to stimulate mental health by improving hand to eye co-ordination and mental agility through the scoring system.

Coupled with club selection and observational exercise it is an all round game to keep seniors on the ball for many years to come.

Like many thousands, I started on semi retirement, proceeding from rabbit to veteran without middle-aged mastery in-between, inspired by the late eminent Seve Ballesteros who gave me a demonstration on a Press trip to La Manga Club in Spain.

My wife also started then. The number of women refusing to be golf widows and insisting on playing, too, is exploding, limited only by the discrimination against them at some clubs.

Variety is the spice of golf as it is of life, and the 2,000-odd clubs in Britain offer every kind of challenge, helped by the ingenious handicap system by which every player has a points rating which subtracts from the lesser player’s score according to his or her established status, so that even a beginner can tackle a champion.

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Incidentally, the days when only golf club members could acquire an official handicap are over. There are now a number of “pay and play’ golf courses throughout the country making it more accessible for more people to acquire a handicap.

Golfing holidays play a large part in the over 50s lifestyle, as they open the door to sporting pleasure in the UK and throughout the world. You are not restricted to British courses even for a single day’s play.

Altogether, the deal gives you a choice of seven star courses including Scottish-style links, sheltered forest and pleasant parkland. You travel out and back on the same day, playing 18 holes or more if you’re fast.

Looking further afield, Spain and Portugal have caught the golfing bug in a big way and attract British golfers year round but particularly appeal to retirees aiming to avoid the bite of winter.

The Costa del Sol is virtually one long stretch of golf courses from Malaga Airport to Gibraltar. My favourite is Sotogrand a 4,400 - acre sporting estate near Marbella, which has been a second-home for the affluent international golf set for 30 years. Following the boost it enjoyed as venue for the 1997 Ryder Cup, with subsequent exposure to the world’s third biggest TV audience, it is expanding and broadening it’s appeal beyond the millionaires who once occupied it villas.

Now, there are a wide choice of duplexes and apartments with terraces overlooking its marina, Puerto Sotogrande.

Golf Course & Driving Range

Melling Road, Aintree Tel: 0151 523 5157 Email: aintree.golf@thejockeyclub.co.uk Web: aintree.co.uk/golf

Situated in the centre of Aintree Racecourse, home of the world famous John Smiths’ Grand National, Aintree Golf Course and Driving Range boasts one of the most unique locations for a golf course in the UK. Where better to tee off than in a setting such as this?

With a 30 Bay Floodlit Driving Range and one of the longest 9-hole golf courses in the countr y, Aintree has it covered.

Driving Range

100 balls for £4.50 | 50 balls for £2.50

Golf Course

Weekday 9 Holes for £8.00 | Weekend for £9.00 Weekday 18 Holes for £10.00 | Weekend for £12.00

Memberships

Midweek 5 Day £320 p.a. | Platinum 7 Day £475 p.a.

Lessons

Adults - £17 per half hour Buy 5 lessons for £85 and get an extra one free.

For an opportunity to tr y the golf course out or information on membership or lessons, contact us on 0151 523 5157

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

13

KEEP ACTIVE – KEEP HEALTHY! As we get older and certainly when we retire, some of us will lead a more sedentary lifestyle than we have done up until now. For a start, if you do not take up another full-time job in retirement, you will not have to get out of bed in the morning and rush around getting ready for work and then travelling.

If you have little to do, many of us eat and drink out of boredom, so there is a danger that we shall eat and drink more than we should, especially if it is combined with a more sedentary life. You might have a drink at lunchtime as you do, perhaps, on holiday.

So it is worth keeping an eye on our exercise levels and our diet. Putting on extra weight as we get older can be harmful because we naturally get less supple anyway, so if we can take a bit of care it will do us good and help us to maintain an active lifestyle.

Recent guidance from the Chief Medical Officer confirms that older adults who participate in any amount of physical activity gain some health benefits, including the maintenance of good physical and mental health. Some physical activity is better than none and more physical activity provides greater health benefits.

The benefits of being active include: • helping to maintain an active and alert mind • reducing the risk of heart disease • helping to maintain the ability to carry out daily living activities • improving mood and self‑confidence • reducing the risk of falls • increasing sociability when undertaken with other people

WHY KEEP PHYSICALLY ACTIVE? We naturally want to enjoy our later life and, in order to do this, we need to be moderately fit; fit so that we can do all those things that we want to do such as play with the grandchildren, walk around those tourist attractions on holiday, go for country walks and so on.

2 1 0 2 N I G N I V O GET M and inspire your community to join you...

3 FREE Inspirational Workshop 3 FREE Adidas kit 3 FREE 3 months membership of Lifestyles Fitness Centres* Register today at:

www.sportmakers.co.uk or call Merseyside Sports Partnership on 0151 427 3889

*3 month membership voucher supplied when 10 hours or more of activity has been logged online as a Sport Maker.

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www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Equity Release Advert 1.pdf

1

10/04/2012

14:29

Even in retirement you can still achieve your needs Call us now for advice on your financial circumstances As a homeowner over the age of 55 you may qualify for Equity Release. It allows you to free up some of the equity tied up in the value of your home and gives you a tax free lump sum, income or both without the need for monthly payments. Soon you could improve your standard of living in retirement without having to sell up and move

How can Equity Release help you?

Everyday life is a costly affair especially in retirement when incomes are likely to be lower at a time when there is still much you would like to do. In addition many people in retirement have little spare capital but do own their property. Equity Release has helped many people in retirement to be able to afford what they want to do for example: Would you like to repay your mortgage, Equity Release could possibly help you to do this Look to boost your income in retirement to enable you to do things that otherwise maybe outside your budget Complete some home improvements that will make life at home that bit easier or more pleasurable Raise funds to help children or grandchildren meet their commitments Raise some cash to pay off some debts to help improve your income and remove such worries that may exist Just to raise some cash to enjoy in retirement C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

What can it do for you?

Equity Release can provide you with a tax free lump sum to spend as you please or to take an income. It also possible to agree an amount and then draw this down as and when you need it. You can stay in your home for the rest of your life if you wish.

Is it right for you?

Equity Release may not be right for everybody as there are other less expensive options to consider such as downsizing to a smaller property to raise funds. Also the plan is repaid on death which does impact on your estate. The extent of the impact depends on your need for funds now. Equity Release can affect state benefits for some people and it can limit your options if you wish to move in the future. It is for this reason that we recommend that you also talk to your family. Most of all, this is why it is important to get the right specialist advice.

One type of equity release is a lifetime mortgage, where every year interest is added to the amount you owe. This will reduce the remaining equity in your home. If you live a long time or house prices fall, there may be no equity left for your heirs to inherit.

Peace of Mind is important All providers of Equity Release advice are regulated by the Financial Services Authority and in addition most products in the market meet the standards set by the industry trade body Safe Home Income Plans (SHIP) which means that: You are guaranteed never to owe more than the value of your home A guarantee that you can live in your home for as long as you choose You can move house if you so wish without penalty providing there is sufficient equity in your new home

Equity Release refers to home reversion plans and lifetime mortgages.

To understand the features and risks, ask for a personalised illustration.

Barrons typically charge a fee of 1.5% of the amount of loan on completion.

How can we help?

Call Barron Financial Solutions on

01704 512 120

to obtain further details or arrange to see one of our specialist advisers

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

15

Calendar Girl RUTH Madoc had just been having lunch with her five year-old granddaughter in St Albans when she broke off from encouraging her to eat pizza for a chat with Angela Kelly about the theatre and life after Gladys Pugh.

“I’m in the South for two weeks with ‘Calendar Girls’,” she explains in those familiar warm, now-muted Welsh tones.

“So I’m staying with the family here and love being out for lunch with Seren (Welsh for “star”) because this little girl and I have a real connection.”

After she graduated, Ruth – a talented singer and performer as well as an actress – spent three years with the “Black and White Minstrel Show” and various summer seasons with Lesley Crowther, Max Wall and Bruch Forsyth in the final days of provincial variety.

Ruth, now 68, has five grandchildren under the age of five (“hard work sometimes, although lovely”). Three of them live in Gibraltar and it’s plain that Ruth thoroughly enjoys being a grandma.

She became a theatrical favourite appearing in leading roles in musicals like “West Side Story and “Man of La Mancha” and appeared in both the stage and screen versions of “Under Milk Wood.”

It may be hard to see her in this role as, for many TV viewers, she remains fondly in the memory as the man-hungry Maplins’ Yellowcoat and the mere mention of her name has usually restrained people shouting out “Hi-De-Hi!”.

After her high-profile success in “Hi-DeHi!”, Ruth was in the stage version of the show which enjoyed huge success in

This wonderful portrayal in the enduringly popular BBC 1 comedy series revealed her comic talents to thousands at home. But her career, even by then, had already covered a startling variety of theatre.

Although Ruth is well known for her Welsh roots she was, in fact, born in Norwich because her parents consistently travelled around Britain. However, she spent much of her childhood with her maternal grandmother in Llansamlet in Swansea.

From the little mining village she made the unlikely but determined leap to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, guided in this by the man who became an early mentor, Sir Harry Secombe. “I was in East Yorkshire with my parents and the head of drama at school sent a tape of me to Harry Secombe’s agent with the intention of interesting Huw Weldon who used to have a BBC children’s talent programme called ‘All Your Own,’ she states.

Instead, the agent showed it to the famous singer and comedian, and he began helping the young Ruth, offering practical advice on her career.

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I N T E RV I E W Bournemouth, Blackpool and at the Victoria Palace in London.

“I never felt, though, that I was going to be typecast

by Gladys,” she says. “I’d already done so much in the theatre I knew that I would go on to do many other, different roles.”

And indeed she did. She has been in a large number of stage productions including “A Taste of Honey” and “A Murder is Announced”, and in West End musicals like “Niteclub Confidential” and “Bless the Bride.”

Ruth had great personal success with her portrayal of the indomitable Mama Rose in the musical “Gypsy”, toured Japan and the Far East as Madame Giry in “Phantom of the Opera” and was a wonderful Mrs Bardell to Harry Secombe’s “Pickwick” at the Chichester Festival Theatre, Sadlers Wells Theatre and on an extended national tour.

She was also Dorothy Brock in the hit musical “42nd Street”, Miss Hannigan in “Annie”, and Maria in “Twelfth Night” at Regent’s Park Theatre in London.

Her film appearances vary from “Fiddler on the Roof” to “The Prince and the Pauper” and “Very Annie Mary”, and she has also enjoyed an extensive radio career on programmes like “Some of these Days,” “Woman’s Hour” and “This Family Business.”

Other TV roles over the years have included guest appearances with Morecambe and Wise, Bob Monkhouse and Les Dawson. And, more recently, she was the mother of the infamous Daffyd (the only gay in the village) in the Bafta award-winning comedy series “Little Britain.”.

Ruth has appeared in more than 30 pantomimes in every major city in the UK – as everything from principal boy in “Robin Hood” and “Dick Whittington” to Cinderella’s fairy godmother and the Wicked Queen in “Snow White.”

For the past 18 months, she has been touring in “Calendar Girls” as Marie – the WI protagonist who tries to stop the nude calendar – “and I love it!” she declares with a throaty laugh.

“I think I enjoy playing not so nice people because it’s more interesting. But I really love this play and Tim Firth (the writer) is so clever. While the humour is Northern it works on so many levels and is a great piece of writing.”

Ruth will remain in the production until May, 2012, when, she says, she and her manager husband John will go to Spain to visit their grandchildren.

She states that she “won’t do theatre after I’m 75” because she doesn’t want to spend time learning lines.

“I think when you get older there is a great pressure in learning lines. I’ve seen this happen to many other people, and I don’t want that,” she insists.

“I keep my mind sharp now by doing crosswords each day and, although I’ve got lines in ‘Calendar Girls’, I still learn pieces of poetry.”

Her only career regret is that she didn’t take the “Under Milk Wood” role she was offered at the National Theatre “because I was with Harry in ‘Pickwick’ and didn’t want to let him down.”

Ruth would, though, still love to play the part of Madam Horrible in the hit musical “Wicked!” which re-imagines the Land of Oz. And that inquiring, lively mind, she suspects, will continue until her deathbed. “I think my final words will probably be ‘Eureka!,” she laughs again.

Then it’s back to life as grandma, and that perennial dilemma of how to get small children to eat their lunch.

17

OUT & ABOUT If you fancy something more dramatic, our main arena entertainment brings you jousting medieval knights and free flying birds of prey. The drama is balanced by the charm of dog displays featuring dogs of all shapes and sizes, including rescue dogs, and the fun of what happens when sheep dogs meet Indian Runner ducks.

Add to this celebrity gardeners, chefs, actors and authors and Gala dinners and you may find that one day is just not enough. www.southportflowershow.co.uk

International Beatle Week Festival 22-28 August 2012 Organised by Liverpool’s leading tour operator Cavern City Tours, International Beatle Week Festival is one of the biggest music events in the world. And it takes place in the city where it all began – Liverpool.

There is so much to do and see that you do not need to be a Beatle fan to enjoy the festival, though it probably helps!

This is truly an international event with bands from over 20 countries and fans from over 40. As well as live gigs, there are exhibitions, memorabilia sales, guest speakers, video shows, sightseeing tours and a convention.

Festival venues include the Cavern Club and Cavern Pub in Mathew Street, the Adelphi Hotel and the Philharmonic Hall.

For more details of the 2012 festival visit www.cavernclub.org

Walking Festival 2012

Southport Flower Show 2012

Step out for summer with this year’s walking festival which runs from Wednesday 1 to Wednesday 15 August.

16th-19th August Victoria Park, PR8 2BZ Flowers, gardening, horticulture and floral arts are, and will remain, the cherished heart of the show. However, over the past few years, the show has also become a more urban experience that now includes food, leisure and entertainment.

Every day there is something new happening, from talks and lectures to cookery presentations in the kitchen. Experts in The Garden Roadshow will be on hand to answer your questions and the Bandstand has a rich and varied programme of music.

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Our rangers have co-coordinated a wide range of walks in West Lancashire to suit all ages, abilities and interests.

For all of the walks please wear sturdy footwear and clothing to suit the weather conditions. Dogs on a lead are welcome unless otherwise stated. Contact the rangers on 01695 622794 for more information.

For a full listing of all walks, please visit www.westlancsdc.gov.uk www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

WHOOPI GOLDBERG &

ALI BASTIAN TUPELE DORGU

PRESENTED BY ARLENE PHILLIPS AND ADAM SPIEGEL

STAGE ENTERTAINMENT PRESENT

STEFAN BOOTH BERNIE NOLAN

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED LANCASHIRE & BLACKPOOL CHILDREN’S RIGHTS SUPPORT CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WHO, OR HAVE BEEN, LOOKED AFTER BY THE LOCAL AUTHORITY. WE ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO HELP US DO VITAL WORK. ROLES AVAILABLE:Independent Visitors Friendship role giving support to a child or young person. Involves evening and weekend visits.

Placement Supporters

Advice and guidance role for young people attending planned work placements.

Requires daytime visits.

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Volunteers must be 18+ Expenses Paid Lancashire Wide project Enhanced CRB check is essential

• Full training given • Volunteers are fully supported • Similar projects avaialble across North West

CAN YOU HELP? FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT ANNA RICHARDS The Children’s Society, 30 Ribblesdale Place, Preston PR1 3NA Tel: 01772 256900 / 07960106178 Email: anna.richards@childrenssociety.org.uk Charity Registration Number: 221124 Data Protection Registration Number: Z7088095

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

19

INCREASE IN DIVORCE FOR THE OVER 50s Divorce can be a stressful enough process without the worry for newly single people of how they are going to cope financially after the split is finalised. A rising number of couples divorcing almost at the point of retirement – where the vast majority of the wives have had no major financial responsibility for the whole of their married lives.

According to the ONS, more than 50,000 over-50s were divorced last year – a rise of 10 per cent on 1999.

A new study by Tesco Bank has revealed that only a quarter (26 per cent) of the women surveyed who divorced in their fifties were involved in big financial decisions whilst they were married. The study also showed that one in four never considered saving, a third had never applied for a mortgage and 10 per cent have never had any financial products or accounts in their name.

20

And yet, post-divorce, most of these ladies are having to set up a home, open bank and savings accounts and seriously consider their financial future for the very first time. That said, nearly two thirds (64 per cent) stated that divorce gave them a sense of financial freedom, and a similar number (63 per cent) said that sorting out their finances was quite empowering, helping them to focus through the trauma. Interestingly, this contrasts sharply with the men surveyed, of whom only a third agreed with this sentiment.

Man or woman, divorce can be emotionally draining for all.

As well as the usual issues couples going through divorce have to face, such as how to decide who keeps the house and how to divide possessions and savings, over 50s are also faced with the dilemma of who has the right to whose pension. In fact, for people over 50 who have had time to accrue a substantial retirement fund, this can be the biggest financial issue to resolve in a divorce case. Women in particular often opt to keep the family home as part of the divorce settlement rather than claiming their entitlement to their partners pension fund. However, the benefits of funding retirement may outweigh those of retaining the property, particularly in the current climate which has seen house prices fall in the past four years. www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

If you are contemplating Divorce you should consider the following:RETIREMENT – PENSION RIGHTS A pension can often be one of the largest matrimonial assets of a long marriage. If a husband has been the main breadwinner in the family and is a member of an occupational pension scheme, or even been contributing to a private scheme, or both, he is likely to have built up a considerable fund. A spouse who has little or no NI contributions of their own can have their state pension entitlement based upon their former spouse’s contributions if that would give them a larger pension. The State Second Pension is an additional resource that can be shared on divorce

THE FAMILY HOME

Cost-Effective Legal Solutions

Divorce Law Specialists

At this stage in their lives, the matrimonial home is likely to be mortgage-free and in the present housing market another large matrimonial asset. This means that there is more to divide but it is often the case that there are insufficient funds to purchase properties for both husband and wife. It can be difficult at this stage in their lives for either party to obtain a mortgage and if either the husband or wife is not working then it is important that he/ she is able to purchase a property mortgage-free.

Where the parties are younger and there are dependent children, the needs of those children have to be given first priority in any divorce settlement whereas once the children have flown the nest, the usual division of property is on an equal basis which may cause some inequality. It is important that legal advice is sought at this stage in case there are specific issues which need to be taken into account when considering a divorce settlement. These issues can be such things as earning capacity and any special needs either party may have.

Offices at: Mathew Street, City Centre, Penny Lane, Allerton and Speke Road, Garston.

MAINTENANCE For older couples there may be a large difference in the earning capacity of husband and wife. On separation or divorce, therefore, the lowest earner may have difficulties in making ends meet and the question of maintenance may have to be addressed. Even in the higher income group the standard of living enjoyed whilst a couple are together has a bearing on how much maintenance they should receive. This can be a very complex area and it is important that legal advice is obtained by both parties.

email: info@gadllp.co.uk

0151 236 5000 www.gadllp.co.uk

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

F O OD

&

D RI NK

Rick Stein's Mediterranean Escapes Recipes Rick Stein’s passion for fresh well-sourced food has taken him from continent to continent, across magnificent shorelines and to the very best produce the coast has to offer. Rick remarks “My greatest enthusiasm in life has been finding dishes that change my perception of cooking, that reveal a whole new vista of flavour combination. I think we all enjoy that.

I’m just someone with an enthusiasm for food and a curiosity that’s sent me sniffing around all over the place looking for lovely dishes in all corners of the globe” Taken from his book ‘Mediterranean Escapes’ (BBC Books, £20) here are three of Rick’s favourite recipes inspired by flavours of the Med.

SERVES 8-10 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for serving 1 large onion, chopped 5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 1 large leek, cleaned and cut into similar-sized pieces 250g dried borlotti beans, soaked overnight 450g waxy potatoes, such as Charlotte, peeled and cut into 1- cm dice 250g peeled carrots, cut into 1-cm dice 2 celery sticks, cut into 1- cm dice 1 ripe beef tomato, skinned and chopped Leaves from 1 small rosemary sprig, finely chopped 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1.2kg smoked ham hock 250g green beans, trimmed and cut into 1- cm pieces 2 medium-sized courgettes, topped and tailed and cut into 1- cm dice 1/2 small cabbage (about 500g), core removed, thinly sliced 75g dried tagliatelle, broken into 5-cm pieces 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano A small handful of flat-leaf parsley leaves, 22 chopped Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Minestra: Corsican Vegetable Soup with Smoked Ham, Cabbage and Borlotti Beans Heat the oil in a really large pan, add the onion, garlic and leek, and cook gently for 3-4 minutes. Drain the soaked beans and add to the pan with the potatoes, carrots, celery, tomato, rosemary, dried oregano and 2 litres of water. Cut the ham hock in half lengthways to one side of the bone, add to the pan and press the pieces down well into the soup so they are totally submerged.

Bring everything to a simmer and leave to cook, uncovered, for 1 hour.

Then add the green beans, courgettes, cabbage, tagliatelle pieces and fresh oregano and simmer for a further 15-20 minutes until the soup is thick. Remove the pieces of ham hock, pull the meat off the bone, and pull it into small chunks. Discard the skin and bone. Stir the ham back into the soup with the parsley and approximately 500 ml more hot water to loosen it slightly and season with salt and pepper. Service in large warmed soup bowls, drizzled with a little more olive oil.

SERVES 4 400g dried spaghetti 175-g piece smoked pancetta, rind removed 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped A handful of flat-leaf parsley leaves, finely chopped 3 large eggs, beaten 50g finely grated pecorino sardo maturo Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Spaghetti Alla Carbonara: Pasta with Pecorino Sardo, Pancetta, Parsley and Eggs Bring 4.5 litres water to the boil in a large saucepan with 8 teaspoons salt. Add the spaghetti and cook for 9 minutes or until al dente.

Meanwhile, cut the pancetta into lardons (short little strips), about 6mm wide. Heat a large, deep frying pan over a medium-high heat, add the oil and the pancetta and allow it to fry until lightly golden. Add the garlic and parsley and cook for a few seconds, then remove from the heat and set to one side.

Drain the spaghetti well, tip into the frying pan with the pancetta, garlic and parsley, add the beaten eggs and half the grated pecorino cheese and toss together well. Season to taste with a little salt and black pepper. The heat from the spaghetti will be sufficient to partly cook the egg but still leave it moist and creamy. Take to the table and serve in warmed pasta bowls, sprinkled with the rest of the cheese.

SERVES 6-8 2 x 1-kg shoulders of lamb, each one cut into 3 large chunks through the bone (get your butcher to do this) 2kg waxy maincrop potatoes, such as Desiree, peeled and cut into 5-6cm chunks 1 head of garlic, outside papery skins removed, cut in half through the middle 1 tablespoon dried oregano, Greek if possible 3-6 fresh bay leaves 2 tablespoons fresh oregano or marjoram leaves 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling Juice of 2 large lemons Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Kleftiko: Slow-cooked Lamb with Garlic, Oregano, Lemon and Potatoes Preheat the oven to 1900C/Gas Mark 5. Combine the meat, potatoes and garlic in a large ovenproof casserole dish.

Sprinkle with the dried and fresh herbs, olive oil, lemon juice, 100ml water, 2 teaspoons of salt and plenty of black pepper and mix together well, then nestle the pieces of meat down in among the potatoes. Drizzle with a little more oil.

Cover the casserole tightly with foil and a well-fitting lid and bake for 3 hours until the meat is falling off the bone.

However, check after a couple of hours to make sure it doesn’t need a little more water.

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SERVES 4 4 x 175-225-g pieces of thick, unskinned cod fillet 15g melted butter, for brushing Salt and freshly ground black pepper FOR THE POMMES SARLADAISE: 1kg floury potatoes such as King Edward’s or Maris Pipers 4 heaped tablespoons goose or duck fat 3 garlic cloves 25g flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped 1 teaspoon truffle oil FOR THE TOMATO AND CAPER SALAD: 6 medium-sized vine ripened tomatoes, thinly sliced 1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced 2 teaspoons nonpareilles capers, drained and rinsed 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar Pinch caster sugar 4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley 24

Grilled cod on pommes sarladaise with truffle oil For the pommes sarladaise, peel and thickly slice the potatoes - about 5 mm thick. Heat 3 tablespoons of the goose or duck fat in a large, reliably non-stick frying pan. Add the potatoes and some seasoning and fry over a medium heat for about 5 minutes until the bottom layer of potatoes is golden. Then turn the potatoes over and leave until another bottom layer is golden. Some of the potatoes will remain unbrowned, and as they cook the slices start to break up a little, but don’t worry, this is how they should be. Repeat this for 15 minutes, making sure not to turn the potatoes before the bottom layer has browned. Then turn the heat down, cover and leave to cook very gently for another 10 minutes.

Chop the garlic and half the parsley leaves together to make a persillade.

Uncover the potatoes and mix in the persillade and the truffle oil. Cover and leave to cook for another 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife.

Meanwhile, brush the cod on both sides with the melted butter and season with some salt and pepper. Put skin-side up onto a baking tray and grill for 8-10 minutes until cooked through.

For the salad, arrange the sliced tomatoes over the base of a shallow serving dish and scatter over the sliced red onion and capers. Whisk together the red wine vinegar, sugar and a pinch of salt and pepper and then gradually whisk in the olive oil. Drizzle this over the salad, scatter over the parsley and set to one side.

Now uncover the pan of potatoes, turn up the heat and add the last tablespoon of duck fat. Fry for 2-3 minutes until the bottom layer is crisp and brown, then add the remaining chopped parsley and turn over briefly.

To serve, spoon the potatoes onto 4 warm plates and rest the cod on top.

Serve with the tomato and caper salad.

Coach House THE

BISTRO & WINE BAR

Fine Mediterranean Cuisine in Skelmersdale The Coach House Bistro & Wine Bar is a family run restaurant serving fine Mediterranean cuisine prepared with locally sourced produce, and at competitive prices.

We also have a very extensive wine menu and a large selection of reasonably priced cocktails and spirits.

Kimberley and her friendly and inviting team look forward to welcoming you to The Coach House soon!

2 COURSE SET MENU Here is a sample of our delicious 2 course set menu served Tues-Thurs (5pm to 10pm) priced at £11.95 and Fri & Sat (5pm to 10pm) priced at £12.95.

Starters Thai Fishcakes with pickled vegetables and sweet chilli dip Garlic Mushroom and Blue Cheese Bake served with crostinis.

Bury Black Pudding sat on a crispy spring onion potato rosti with a soft pouched egg and crispy pancetta

Main Courses Chicken Breast served with chunky chips in a creamy peppercorn sauce with broccoli.

Beer Battered Cod Fillet with chunky chips, mushy peas and tartare sauce.

Baked Fillet of Salmon cooked in garlic butter with new potatoes and green beans.

Fabulous Sunday Dining We offer a mouth-watering Sunday Lunch from only £8.95 AND a Two Course Sunday Menu (12-8pm) for £11.95...

Chicken and Chorizo Penne Arrabiatta in a spicy tomato sauce

£5 off a meal for two From our A La Carte Menu

Coach House THE

BISTRO & WINE BAR

Valid Thursday - Saturday Only www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

£10 off a meal for four From our A La Carte Menu

Coach House THE

BISTRO & WINE BAR Valid Thursday - Saturday Only

25

Changes To NHS Funded Care Primary Care Trusts (PCT) currently have responsibility

With recent surveys indicating the average length of

for assessment and decision making for NHS

stay for residents in care at 4 years, at an average cost

Continuing Health Care (CHC) provision. Subject to

of care at ÂŁ540 a week, it means those requiring care

the passage of the Health and Social Care Bill, the

will pay in the region of ÂŁ112,000 in fees. Very often

statutory responsibility for CHC will transfer to clinical

the cost of care means savings quickly reduce and the

commissioning groups (CCGs). This is being used as

family home has to be sold in order to meet costs.

an opportunity to close down retrospective claims for care which was wrongly charged.

CHC funding is a complex area of law and requires specialist advice. Dawn Joughin and her team at

As of 30th September this year, it will no longer be

Merseyside law firm, Canter Levin & Berg work with

possible to claim for care provided prior to 31st March

families to review their situation, and if there is a case

2011.

for funding by the NHS take forward their claim on a

Is your loved one paying for care that should be funded by the NHS?

no win no fee basis. They can also assist with funding going forward, and reclaim fees that by right should not have been paid out. In many cases recovering monies for families, after the resident in care has

Individuals with a primary health care need are entitled

passed away. Claims may be brought on behalf of

to receive Continuing Health Care Funding by the NHS.

a resident by an attorney, close family member, or

Whilst there is no legal definition of a healthcare need

executor of an estate.

in the context of NHS continuing healthcare, in general terms it can be said that such a need is one related to the treatment, control or prevention of a disease, illness, injury or disability, and the care or aftercare of a person with these needs (whether or not the tasks involved have to be carried out by a healthcare professional).

26

If you believe a member of your family is entitled to NHS funding they are not receiving, contact Dawn Joughin or her colleague Krystal Lewis at Canter Levin & Berg on 0844 335 2905. There is no time to waste as claims for the period ending 31st March 2011 must be made before 30th September 2012.

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

CARE HOME NHS REFUNDS! It is estimated that about two thirds of the 150,000 in nursing homes who pay for their own care should be funded by the NHS that's around 100,000 paying unnecessarily

• Claims Claims backdated to 2004 (the deadline to backdated to 2004

Recent cases include backdated payments of up to

Review current assessment • Review current assessment Save £1000’s on care home fees • Save £1000’s on care home fees fightyour your for you • We We fight casecase for you free consultation • Stress Stress free consultation in care • Specialists Specialists in care homehome refundsrefunds

£165,000 where the family home was sold to help

claim is 30th September 2012 so please hurry)

We can also help you save on inheritance tax by guiding you through the most tax efficient methods of estate planning and the writing of a will which ensures that your estate passes to those you intend to receive it.

pay for care. Others included a refund of £130,000 because the NHS deemed the problems ‘social’ rather than ‘health’ related.

If you feel that you have been incorrectly charged, speak to one of our specialists on:

0844 875 6200

You could claim a refund for fees paid for care that should have been provided free!

Our experience makes yours better www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

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 

 



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         





Are you 55+ Looking for housing in Liverpool?  

    

Immediate Vacancies Montrose Court, Baycliff Road, West Derby L12 6RR Montrose Court is a warm and welcoming scheme that offers excellent retirement living for people over 55. All properties are self contained and include a cooker and fridge, a 24 hour emergency call system and a professional manager on site during the week.

The scheme benefits from having local amenities close by and superb transport links into Liverpool centre. With a friendly atmosphere and two pleasant communal lounges you are free to enjoy the companionship of others or the privacy of your own home, the choice is always yours to make.

For more information please call:

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With rents from £87 that include: • • • • • • •

Cooker and Fridge Lift access to all floors No maintenance worries Free laundry facilities A communal lounge Peace of mind Housing benefit welcome

0845 604 1095 Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5.30pm

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Complete Denture Service

called clinical dental technicians or denturists. Many of them have successfully completed training based on a Canadian system, where denturists have been practising for many years. Unfortunately in this country we are still waiting for their recognition. Denturists will take the greatest care to make your dentures look natural and fit properly.

The eyes, nose and teeth are the focal points of every face; they give the first impressions of your personality.

Summary

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.

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.

4. Keep a spare set for emergencies.

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

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.

Express Denture Repair Service

DK1

Dental Lab

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.

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

Where do I go to have a good set of Dentures made?

01744 730 130 Mob: 07825 371468

In recent years, new denture specialists have been trained,

9am - 6pm Monday - Friday, 9am - 1pm Saturday

Every dentist can make dentures, but not all of them will specialise in denture making.

34 George Street, St Helens WA10 1BU.

90 years of Insulin

“Insulin is a wonderful thing and those who use it must respect it” 23 January 2012 marked the 90th anniversary of the first successful use of insulin, arguably one of the greatest medical advances of the twentieth century. Since then, millions of people worldwide have used insulin, usually in the form of injections, to regulate their blood glucose levels and stay alive.

Not long after the first insulin treatment began on a 14-year-old boy, in 1934 novelist HG Wells and his practitioner Dr RD Lawrence, both of whom had diabetes, set up the Diabetic Association aiming to make sure that everyone in the UK could gain access to insulin. This charity later became Diabetes UK. Today Diabetes UK is the leading charity for over 3.7 million people in the UK with diabetes – 2.9 million diagnosed and an estimated 850,000 who have diabetes but do not know it - their families, friends and healthcare professionals. The charity cares for, connects with and campaigns on behalf of all people affected by and at risk of diabetes.

Richard Lane 68, President of Diabetes UK, has been taking insulin for more than 35 years and has seen the technology in administering insulin advance in leaps and bounds: “I used to use glass syringes which would have to be boiled and their needles sharpened. A lot has changed since then and I now use a state-of-theart insulin pump and sensor. It provides me with a remarkable amount of information about my blood glucose levels, which is transmitted wirelessly from a sensor to the actual pump which feeds me insulin. Data can be downloaded onto a computer and a detailed profile of my condition is put together. This life-changing technology means I can now keep a closer eye on my diabetes and manage it well.”

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Richard says he feels “humble” to have access to this modern technology and is concerned that hundreds of people are denied insulin sensors and pumps and strongly believes that they should be available for all people if they are suitable.

Richard is very conscious that insulin keeps him alive and without it he wouldn’t be able to live the active life that he does: “Insulin is a wonderful thing and those of us who use it must respect it. We have to be aware of how to use it and how things could go wrong if we don’t treat our condition properly.”

In addition to self-managing diabetes, it is important that people with the condition are provided with the right care from their healthcare professionals. Diabetes UK has launched the 15 healthcare essentials initiative to identify the 15 care checks which all people with diabetes should have access to.

For more information, visit their website: www.diabetes.org.uk Read Richard Lane’s blog to see who he’s been sharing his experiences with across the world recently: http://blogs.diabetes.org.uk/?cat=241

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

25% OFF GLASSES FOR OVER 60s £69 RANGE OR ABOVE

Formby 3 The Cloisters, Halsall Lane. Tel 01704 832 311 Ormskirk Church Street. Tel 01695 587 920 Southport 19 Eastbank Street. Tel 01704 501 944

Cannot be used with other offers. Applies to one pair of glasses. Includes frames, lenses and Extra Options. Monday to Friday.

Excludes reglazes, safety eyewear, contact lens products, non-prescription sunglasses. Discount not transferable in whole or part for cash. SKU 25381627. ©2012 Specsavers. All rights reserved.

Natural looking dentures designed and created just for you.

• New dentures direct to the public • Emergency repairs and relines • Implant dentures and flexible dentures • Free consultation with discreet care • Home visits by appointment Fully qualified, registered and insured clinical dental technician with 20 years experience.

Find us on, 104 Station Road, Ainsdale, Southport PR8 3HL Get in touch, T: 01704 578 209 E: manager@denturesolutionsuk.com W: www.denturesolutionsuk.com

Here at Denture Solutions we fully understand the daily problems that wearing a denture can create. Our clinical technician (Andrew Corlett CDT RCS (eng)) and his team of highly skilled technicians and nurses aim to provide a complete professional denture service, with discreet care and understanding of what your needs and expectations are.

Our new clinic is modern, clean and comfortable. Using our onsite laboratory enables the team to combine clinical and technical skills together to design and create beautifully handcrafted dentures focusing on comfort, fit and appearance. Andrews’s passion and enthusiasm for natural lifelike dentures has helped him created a denture clinic where the finest detail and care are delivered in a friendly family relaxed atmosphere.

Andrew has been a dental technician for over twenty years.

In 2002 he qualified in Dental Technology at Manchester Metropolitan University. He then studied for three years at the George Brown College a course based in both England and Canada, graduating with his diploma in Denturism. In 2011 he received a diploma in Clinical Dental Technology from the Royal College of Surgeons.

At your free initial consultation we will take time to discuss your individual needs and the choices that are available to you, be it complete or partial dentures, flexible dentures, implant dentures as well as denture repairs, adjustments and relines.

Our friendly professional staff will guide you through the whole process making your experience a relaxing and enjoyable one.

We are based in Ainsdale in Southport and parking is available outside the clinic. Ainsdale Train Station is only a very short walk and the Arriva bus service number 49 and 49a will take you to station road and the bus stop is opposite Denture Solutions.

Call now to book your free no obligation consultation

01704 578209

GIBB'S

Clarence Mews, 6a Clarence Road, Birkdale, Southport PR8 4BH

Independent Family Funeral Directors • Established over 85 years • 24 hour personal service

• Member of SAIF (Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors)

• Luxury Chapels of Rest

• Golden Charter Pre-paid Funeral Plans available

• Repatriation Service

• All major Credit/Debit Cards accepted

Managing Director Mr. Joe Gibb Clarence Mews, 6a Clarence Road, Birkdale, Southport PR8 4BH Tel: 01704 551666 (24 Hours)

✁

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

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Personal attention and service guaranteed Is old age getting the better of you or a loved one? Do you want assistance from experienced professionals?

Then look no further than Castletown Homecare.Your mobility matters to them and they can help!

• Quality Customer Service • Experienced Friendly Advice • Free Home Demo/Trial • Full Warranty

Founded over 18 years ago, the business based in Southport twon centre has gone from strength to strength. Castletown are specialists in the mobility industry and offer a second to none advice/ supply service for a whole range of mobility and nursing equipment. Their services include sales and delivery of mobility and continence products, from a £1.50 walking stick tip to a £2000 scooter, rentals of wheelchairs / high seat chairs / walking equipment are available, free home demonstrations, free at home trial periods.

Free professional advice and home visits. Castletown will endeavour to deliver your item on the same day with no delivery charge. Their staff offer a confidential continence advisory service and have over 35 years experience in the healthcare industry.

Owned and managed by Caroline Rodwell, Castletown Homecare offers the customer a personal caring service that bigger stores and catalogues can't offer.

Caroline said "Our customers are going to get personal attention, they are going to get experienced advice and all our products are competitively priced. We are also starting to offer some homecare services to our regular customers who need a little help with the shopping and daily chores"

Castletown Homecare really is Southport's leader when it comes to personal service and experienced advice to help you with your independence!

We stock a wide range of: • Scooters • Wheelchairs • Rise/Recline Chairs • Stairlifts • Bathlifters • Adjustable Beds • Daily Living Aids • Healthcare Products

15 Union Street, Southport PR9 0QF Tel: 01704 532567 www.castletownhomecare.co.uk

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

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www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

LMH Sheltered Housing Liverpool Mutual Homes provides sheltered retirement accommodation for residents aged 55 years or over in each of our 17 purpose built schemes located across Liverpool. Our schemes benefit from extensive mature gardens, quality fixtures and fittings and have an ongoing programme of fitting new level access bathroom facilities and modern designer kitchens in progress.

Scheme Name

Address

Telephone Number

Alderwood Lodge

2 East Mains, Speke L24

0151 425 4562

Appledore Court

Dymchurch Road, Speke L24

0151 486 8460

Carnarvon Court

Carnarvon Road, Walton L9

0151 521 3236

Devon Court

Tynmouth Close, Anfield L5

0151 260 4348

Dingle Grange

Dingle Brow, Beloe Street L8

0151 727 3885

Flaxman Court

Botanic Grove, Edge Lane L7

0151 264 9783

Handel Court

Lodge Lane, Liverpool L8

0151 727 8302

Kilrea Lodge

Kilrea Close, West Derby L11

0151 256 6277

Mazenod Court

Addison Way, Holy Cross L3

0151 236 1887

Meadow Court

Out Lane, Woolton L25

0151 428 5393

Parkhill Court

Parkhill Road, Liverpool L8

0151 727 5204

Pine Lodge

Crain Close, Walton L4

0151 260 4144

Portland Gardens

Walsh Close, Vauxhall L5

0151 207 3590

Shallcross Court

Breckfield Rd South, Liverpool L6

0151 263 5965

Telford Court

Harbord Street, Liverpool L7

0151 708 9601

Thomas Winder Court

Great Mersey Street, Liverpool L5

0151 207 6838

White Oak Lodge

Beechwood Road, Liverpool L19

0151 427 9158

If you think that LMH Sheltered Housing could be for you, why not pay us a visit and see the services and facilities we offer?

To make arrangements please call any of the schemes listed. www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Further information is available online at www.liverpoolmutualhomes.org

39

A button that could save your life!

VNC Lifeline are your friendly, local,, emergency alarm people. Our telecare service allows you to press for help on a pendant, 24 hours a day, from anywhere in your home. We then get you the help that you need. e, being able to live Whether for yourself or a loved one, rything. independently at home means everything. al osts just £2.99 per week, The alarm costs with a one-off -off installation fee of £25*.

FREE ffer Thi xcelllent value for money This is excellent nO o i t a l l a t Ins lus’ fo ce of mind that you can enjoy! for the peac peace all ’50 P

for

readersr.Lifeline

have you ually £25), n a c u o Y s r free* (u r weekly o f d e ll a t ins ay is you ! p u o y ll so a g fee monitorin 0PLFI’ ‘5 e t o u q Please lling. when ca

“Lifeline is like a silent carer in your home”.

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Once you are protected and have the basic Lifeline system, there is a range of sensors that can be programmed to the base, which can reduce a range of risks in your home, and make your life even safer.

Extreme Temperature Monitor

Environmental Sensors Smoke/Flood/Carbon Monoxide/ Gas Detectors

This is useful for people in extremely cold winters, who live alone but who might resist putting the heating on due to fear of energy bills.

It monitors the room temperature and can be set to activate either if the temperature drops to a level where hypothermia becomes a risk, or if there is a sudden rise in temperature indicating that there may be a fire.

Monthly monitoring cost: £5

These are designed to send an alert to us when levels of smoke/water/carbon monoxide/gas are detected and are useful for people who may forget to turn appliances off, particularly if they have dementia, poor mobility or are hearing impaired.

Monthly monitoring cost: Smoke - £4, Flood - £6, Carbon Monoxide - £12, Natural Gas - £14

Falls Detector Falls are one of the greatest risks for frail or elderly people. The falls detector will trigger if you have had a fall and will contact us automatically, even if you are unable to summon help yourself.

Monthly monitoring cost: £7

Bogus Caller Alert

Bed Sensor This sensor works over a preset time period.

The device detects when a bed has been left and will contact us after an agreed delay. This allows the person to visit the bathroom or make a cup of tea but will notify us if they have not returned within the agreed time.

Monthly monitoring cost: £8

This is a button, similar to the pendant, normally fitted at the front door. If the client is unsure about a caller they press the Bogus Caller Button which activates the Lifeline unit. We can listen to what is happening and intervene by speaking to the caller or contacting help.

Monthly monitoring cost: £4

For a full list of all the sensors and adaptations we provide, visit www.vnclifeline.co.uk. All the prices stated exclude VAT, however most customers are exempt from VAT based on medical conditions.

Key Safes: We highly recommend that you have a key safe, as they are an integral part of our telecare alarm service.

A key safe is a small, metal box which holds a spare set of keys outside your home which can easily be accessed in an emergency situation. If you press your pendant for help and you’re unable to move, or we cannot reach any of your contacts with a key; we can provide the confidential PIN combination of your key safe to the emergency services / a carer / home help to get in to your home.

Having a key safe avoids forced entry which can be costly and inconvenient.

What’s more, it does not compromise the security of your home as it can be installed discreetly, and hidden from view, in a location of your choice.

Key safes are reliable, rust-resistant, weather-proof, wall-mounted and simple to use. From just £50, (including supply and fitting), why not order yours today?

Call the team now to join Lifeline, it really could save your life!

Call on 0151 298 2440 or visit www.vnclifeline.co.uk for more information.

VNC Lifeline is a not-for-profit company based just outside Liverpool City Centre.

Asmall Hall Care Home

“Excellence Comes as Standard�

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

Standing majestically in acres of landscaped gardens and woodland, dating back to the 17th Century, our prestigious building was originally built as a family home hence previous name, Asmall House. Since opening as a care home more than 20 years ago, its purpose built extension has been designed to compliment its original homely comforts. 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 you are assured of a warm welcome. Some of our devoted staff have worked at the home since its opening in 1991 and still pride themselves in the delivery of high quality, Person Centered Care.

Asmall Hall provides that special desired individualised care in a secure, homely and comfortable environment whilst promoting independence to enjoy the quality of life you are able.

A Quality Service is the only acceptable one!

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

Asmall Hall offers Long and Short Term, Residential, Nursing and Day Care to individuals from all walks of life, who come to continue to enjoy a varied and independent life whilst receiving care and support appropriate to their needs and disabilities. We pride ourselves in also delivering 'End of life Care' to those who require more 42

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Intensive care that family and friends are unable to provide in their own homes. To achieve and enhance this 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 Full social calendar (by our activities co-ordinators) Own Hairdresser Complimentary Therapies

Residents are invited to enjoy all that Asmall Hall has to offer including cosy lounges, welcoming dining rooms and beautiful gardens. Individuals are welcome to bring personal effects from home with which to furnish or decorate their room, so ensuring they are able to relax in a familiar and private space.

The majority of bedrooms are single although there are a small number of double rooms, if this is desired. Each room has a washbasin and most rooms are en-suite or facilities are very close by. All bedrooms are fitted with lockable doors and have a lockable space within the room.

Televisions are available in most bedrooms upon request or residents may use their own TV set. To encourage that "Home from Home" feeling, residents are encouraged to personalise their rooms with treasured possessions.

Asmall Hall prides itself in offering home cooked food wherever possible and choice of menu is available including special medical diets as medically prescribed.

Short term care may be required when someone is recovering after surgery or hospital stay and requires extra support in the time afterwards whilst they recover enough to live independently.

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

Asmall Hall Care Home, Asmall Lane, Scarisbrick, Ormskirk, Lancashire L40 8JL. www.asmallhallcarehome.co.uk www.50plusmagazine.co.uk Fax: 01695 579978 email: asmallmatron@aol.com QUALITY GUILD

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