Swindon issue 29

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JANUARY - MARCH 2016

SWINDON EDITION 29

Paul Nicholas

FROM JUST A GOOD FRIEND TO AN EASTEND GANGSTER PLUS

John Torode’s NEW RECIPES

NEW 2016 COACH HOLIDAY BROCHURE OUT NOW

Luxury Park Home Living for the over 50’s

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barnes

Ring for your copy!

01793 821303

www.barnescoaches.co.uk

Coach Holidays 2016

COSY BREAKS IN THE ENGLISH RIVIERA Friday 29th January (4 Days) £209 Monday 8th February (5 Days) £279 Friday 19th February (4 Days) £209 Monday 28th March (5 Days) £289

NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

FROM

CORNWALL PLUS A TASTE OF POLDARK Friday 12th February (4 Days) £239 Saturday 26th March (4 Days) £259 Includes...

£239 NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

3 star period hotel with fantastic unspoilt views across Torbay.

� Return coach travel � Tours � Hotel accommodation of bed, breakfast and evening meal � February tour includes sherry reception, cream tea and glass of wine.

Monday 29th February (5 Days) £269

Rosemundy House Hotel 3 star property set in 4 acres of woodland

Palace Hotel, Paignton

and gardens. In the evening relax in the bar or cosy snug lounge.

Headland Hotel, Torquay

3 star hotel sitting majestically on the headland looking out to sea.

Includes...

� Return coach travel � Tours � Hotel accommodation of bed, breakfast and evening meal.

4 STAR SINGLE ROOMS ONLY IN TORQUAY

£319

Sunday 14th February (5 Days) Includes...

NO SINGLE

� Return coach travel SUPPLEMENT � Tours � Hotel accommodation of bed, breakfast and evening meal

Palace Hotel, Torquay

4 star property with comfortable lounges, beautiful surroundings and old world charm.

4 STAR LONDON WEEKEND Saturday 30th January (2 Days) Includes...

� Return coach travel � Hotel accommodation of bed and breakfast.

Hilton Hotel, Paddington

£119

4 star hotel with bright and airy Art Deco rooms located by Paddington Underground Station so the whole of London is yours to explore!

JORVIK VIKING FESTIVAL & WAKEFIELD FESTIVAL OF FOOD, DRINK & RHUBARB! Friday 19th February (3 Days) Includes...

� Return coach travel � Tours � Hotel accommodation of bed, breakfast and evening meal.

Holiday Inn, Brighouse

Fantastic 3 star hotel with leisure facilities.

£169

FREE HOME PICK-UP on Tours 4 Days and Over

£239

BARGAIN BOURNEMOUTH WINTER WARMER

NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

Monday 22nd February (5 Days) Includes...

� Return coach travel � Tours � Hotel accommodation of bed, breakfast and evening meal.

Trouville Hotel West established 3 star hotel in the heart of

Bournemouth just a few minutes stroll from the town centre gardens.

£249

Monday 22nd February (5 Days) Includes...

Membly Hall Hotel, Falmouth

COMPLETE ISLE OF WIGHT

Monday 21st March (5 Days) Includes...

NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

The hotel is situated on the sea front with panoramic views.

NO SINGLE

SUPPLEMENT � Return coach travel � Tours � Ferry crossing � Hotel accommodation of bed, breakfast and evening meal Ocean View Hotel, Shanklin A charming well-appointed hotel in a

premier location.

JERSEY BY AIR

CORNISH RIVIERA � Return coach travel � Tours � Hotel accommodation of bed, breakfast

and evening meal

£249

Thursday 24th March (5 Days)

£419

Includes...

� Return coach travel to/from Poole or Southampton � Flight � Hotel accommodation of bed, breakfast

and evening meal

NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

Mayfair Hotel, St Helier

3 star conveniently situated close to the beach and bustling shops.

CORNISH ALL INCLUSIVE Monday 7th March (5 Days) £359 Includes...

NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

� Return coach travel � Tours � Hotel accommodation of bed, breakfast, lunch and evening meal.

Esplanade Hotel, Newquay

Enjoy the All Inclusive Experience whilst staying at this great 3 star hotel with amazing views and heated indoor pool! There is entertainment on 3 nights and a FREE Bar every evening between 6-9pm on certain brands.

A great success in 2015!

Book online or call:

01793 821303 For full details visit www.barnescoaches.co.uk

Beautiful park homes

10-12

exclusively for the over 50s

14-15

32

BLUNSDON ABBEY PARK is a community of modern bungalow-style homes to the north of Swindon, situated within the stunning historic grounds of Blunsdon Abbey House.

NOW AVAILABLE: A new phase of luxury park homes. Contact our sales team to register advance interest and receive full information.

NO STAMP DUTY TO PAY!

call us on 01793 722100 www.parkhomelife.com New homes, new beginnings at

Blunsdon Abbey Park Blunsdon St Andrew, Swindon SN25 2DU ALSO SELLING NOW:

Orchard Park, Twigworth

INSIDE...

6-7 let’s amble rather than ramble

John Carter takes a look at various

tantalising destinations 10-12

LAKE GARDA, ITALY a special interest trip

14-15 PAUL NICHOLAS

From just a good friend to an Eastend gangster 23-24

downsizing & decluttering Moving to something smaller

28-30

ROOM COLOURS How it affects your mood

42-43

COOK WITH JOHN TORODE! delicious recipes from his new book.

Luxury park homes in the heart of Gloucestershire

6th Floor | 120 Bark Street | Bolton | BL1 2AX T: (01204) 860 194 | F: (01204) 860 213 e: admin@mcgrathmedia.co.uk

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Twittering On with Graham Smith

“They are anointed and I declare passes when your Graham Smith children sit for exams. They are said to work for anyone who is sitting for any test,” he said.

According to Nigerian Watch, one parishioner testified: “My son is not very bright and I think this will help him.

With the knowledge he has acquired and this pen from the man of God, I think it is going to work.”

Love a duck A bow-tie wearing duck has been injured in a drunken pub brawl with a local dog in Chulmleigh, Devon.

The booze-loving bird, affectionately named Star, was enjoying a pint in The Old Courthouse Inn with his handler, Barrie Hayman, when Hayman’s canine Meggie sparked a bar brawl.

Star was left with injuries to his beak after the fight.

“Star pushed his luck too far and Meggie snapped - splitting Star’s bottom beak right down the middle,” Hayman, 69, told the Cheddar Valley Gazette.

“He gave her a stare, then promptly stood on her back. It was not pretty and not nice. We were so scared we would lose Star.

“He had to be rushed to the vets and go under anaesthetic, which is always risky and could go either way with ducks and other small animals.

“Thankfully our Star is a tough cookie and it looks like he came out okay.”

Hayman has cared for Star ever since he was a chick, carrying him around in his pocket. Once the duckling grew up, he developed a taste for real ale and started following his owner to the pub.

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“He just won’t leave me and so we go everywhere together,” Hayman said.

“I’ve not trained him to follow me.

He just seems to like it and he is one fantastic duck.

“He loves to come to the pub, where everyone loves him. He is such a personality and attracts so much attention.”

Chicken feed An Australian Thai restaurant has trained a live chicken to run its Twitter account.

Apparently the chicken pecks out the messages on the keyboard with its beak. Woe betide it if anything untoward appears there or I see a whole new meaning to chicken fried twice!

Mighty pens!

A Zimbabwean pastor has reportedly convinced his congregates his holy pens can make students pass their exams - and the more you pay for one, the better grades you’ll get.

One student said he scored highly in his A-levels last year after using the pen he was given by the prophet.

Note the pastor’s Christian name…. they’re not all locked up are they?

Good baahaviour!

A sheep has been promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in the British Army for good baa-haviour.

Private Derby XXX was promoted to the rank at an event in Chester, marking eight years of being in the Mercian Regiment.

The ram was awarded his honor by the Colonel of the regiment, Brigadier Andrew Williams.

The Swaledale sheep is officially classed as a soldier and he is the 30th in a line of mascot rams running back to the Indian Mutiny War in the mid-19th Century.

Formerly known as Private Derby 30th, his promotion now entitles him to wear a single stripe on his uniform.

The Mercian Regiment celebrated his success on its Facebook page, writing:

Prophet Sham Hungwe of House of Grace International Church in Harare is selling the pens, which cost from $1 up to $20.

“He was resplendent in his scarlet coat with Lincoln green and gold facings, emblazoned with the Regiment’s main Battle Honours.”

According to News24Zim, the prophet told his congregation those sitting exams only needed faith and one of the special pens to pass.

During his career, Lance Corporal Derby XXX helped switch on the Christmas lights in Ashbourne and met Prince William at the unveiling of a memorial commemorating the 1914 Christmas Truce.

5

50 Plus Travel

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memories are likely to be mutual. And also knowing that the holidays will enable us to take a little gentle exercise - if only to prove that we can still do it.

Adagio is a collection of holidays from Ramblers Worldwide aimed at those who nowadays prefer to amble rather than ramble. And “Montalbano’s Sicily” fits the bill as perfectly as the inspector’s sharp suits fit the frame of actor Luca Zingaretti.

There is much of interest in that somewhat neglected south eastern region of Sicily - the world heritage site of Ragusa, Syracuse, the Baroque town of Noto and the cave systems of the Cava Ispica gorge. Including locations featured in the television programmes adds a little fun to the mix. As does a three-course lunch and wine-tasting at Noto.

Let’s Amble rather than Ramble

By John Carter

John Carter, patron of Silver Travel Advisor and long-time presenter of TV’s ‘Wish You Were Here’ and “The Holiday Programme” and seasoned globetrotter now enjoys a little ambling rather than rambling to various tantalising destinations.

We encountered no British holidaymakers when, in 1972, we went to Aghios Nikolaos on the north coast of Crete. Two years later, the resort was packed with them.

A BBC television drama “The Lotus Eaters”, had been filmed there, and fans were eager to follow the footsteps of their heroes and heroines. The harbour cafes sported handwritten notices - in that style of bad English the Greeks do so well - informing us that this or that place was the very establishment where the stars had eaten (“Shrims in Clay Pot” being a favoured dish).

6

Why recall that ancient memory?

Because of Inspector Montalbano.

The stories by Andrea Camilleri were adapted for television in Italy, found their way to BBC Four and recently enjoyed considerable popularity in that channel’s Saturday evening “Subtitle Slot”. So much so that a holiday dedicated to the Sicilian hero appears in the latest Adagio brochure.

As I mentioned earlier, I have a soft spot for Adagio and think it provides an ideal holiday for anyone who has enjoyed more active breaks in the past but who - for all sorts of reasons prefers to take life at a slightly slower pace. You’ll find yourself with likeminded folk who will, more often than not, share memories of past holidays and destinations with which you are already familiar.

In this context, I was a little concerned to see they’ve introduced something called Adagio Plus to the 2016 programme - offering “more challenging walking opportunities”.

From what I gather, it is a way of combining the occasional morning on the hoof with some afternoon

I have a soft spot for Adagio as I was in at the birth of the idea. It comes to all of us as the years take their toll - the stiffening of the joints, the thickening of the waist and the realisation that, though the spirit is more than willing to tackle the roughest of rambling trails, the flesh is weaker.

The ideal solution is to take holidays with folk with whom we can share our memories, knowing that those

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Autumn 2015 TRAVEL

sightseeing - which doesn’t seem to be too taxing. Just as long as they don’t get carried away.

Some of these holidays are, literally, mouthwatering. One is based in Bologna, Italy’s gastronomic capital. Instead of dwelling on the sights to be seen, I found myself thinking of the food - mortadella, parma ham, parmesan cheese and the like. I ate and drank very well indeed when I was last in Bologna. I even did some sightseeing, but not much. The city’s nickname “la grassa” (the fat one) is well earned, and this holiday enables you to visit, in addition, historic locations such as Ravenna and Modena.

Swindon Health Walks

merits of the various olive oils on offer before going on to discuss the wine list.

I’m pleased to see that the ancient town of Rovinj features in this holiday. I think it is a gem. It still shows evidence (specifically carvings of the winged lion of St. Mark) of its link with the Venetian empire, but before the Venetians, there was Illyria, the Roman and the Byzantine eras.

Free guided walking groups France,all Portugal and the Azores abilities are also in this latest for ages and

programme, along with holidays to Estonia and Latvia as well as the island of Jersey. A winning mixture of comfortable hotels, leisurely (and, of course, optional) walking, the pleasant company of like-minded folk, and some first class food and wine. Switzerland is featured, too. One holiday to Zermatt and the Matterhorn features the cable cars and alpine railways of the region, which are used to carry you to fine walking country.

Train to be a Volunteer Walk Leader, phone (01793) 465413

Another destination which recently surprised me by the range and high quality of its cuisine is the Istrian peninsula of Croatia. My far more knowledgeable companion took Health Walks me Monday to several restaurants and small hotels during the course of a week, where we ate extremely well. I was introduced to the “slow food” movement - which began as a protest against American-style fast food, but which took on a wonderful life of its own.

10.00 am Penhill 2.00 pm Shaw 2.00 pm Covingham It is quite remarkable how well one can now 2.00 pm Haydon * eat in Croatia, and for that matter in other parts of former Yugoslavia.

Those of us old enough to remember when it was not Tuesday Health Walks “former” will know all too well how limited in scope and style its cuisine used to be. Nowadays, in restaurants throughout Istria, you can discuss with the waiter the

10.00 am 10.00 am 1.00 pm 10.00 am

Toothill Central Sanford Walcot *

St. Peter’s Church SN2 5DU as I said, the walking LowerBut, Shaw Farm SN5 has 5PJto be regarded as the cherry on the cake with these holidays, aimed as they are at people who St. Paul’s Hall SN3 and 5BY have Church chosen to take holidays, life, at a slower pace.

Gentle Walking Group Haydon Leisure Centre SN25 1QQ Factbox: Silver Travel Advisor recommends Adagio For more information, adagio.co.uk Toothill Holidays.

Community Centre SN5visit 8DH or contact info@adagio.co.uk or call 01707 386700

Broadgreen Community Centre SN1 2AU Swindon Advice & Support Centre SN1 1QH Gentle Walking Group For more on Buckhurst Swindon Health Walks,Community go to www.walkingforhealth.org.uk Park Centre SN3 3BS Gorse Hill * Gentle Walking Group * = Gentle Walking Group Monday Health Walks Gorse Hill Community Centre Walks 10am Penhill St. Peter’s Church SN2 5DUSN2 8DA

Swindon 1.00 pm Health

2pm 2pm 2pm

Wednesday Health Swindon Health Walks are Walks 10.00 am Walcot friendly groups, led by a

Tuesday

10am trained volunteer, and meet 10am Thursday Health Walks at various times of the week 1pm 9.45 am Haydon Wick 10am in different neighbourhoods.

1pm

10.00 Walks aream completely freeWroughton and no special

Shaw Covingham Haydon*

Lower Shaw Farm SN5 5PJ St. Paul’s Church Hall SN3 5BY Haydon Leisure Centre SN25 1QQ

St. Andrew’s Church, Raleigh Ave. SN3 3DZ Health Walks Toothill Central Sanford Walcot* Gorse Hill*

Toothill Community Centre SN5 8DH Broadgreen Community Centre SN1 2AU Swindon Advice & Support Centre SN1 1QH Buckhurst Park Community Centre SN3 3BS Gorse Hill Community Centre SN2 8DA

Haydon Leisure Centre SN25 1QQ Ellendune Centre SN4 9LP

equipment is needed. After the walk, Wednesday Health Walks 10am Walcot St. Andrew’s Church, Raleigh Ave. SN3 3DZ join in for a coffee/tea and a chat! Drop Friday Health Walks in and try out one of our groups and Thursday Health Walks you will discover routes in 10.00 am new walking Pinehurst Pinetrees Community Centre SN2 1RF 9.45am Haydon Wick Haydon Leisure Centre SN25 1QQ Swindon’s hidden green spaces and make 10am Wroughton Ellendune Centre SN4 9LP 10.30 am Liden Derryck Evans House SN3 6JY new friends.

To find out more, phone 01793 465413 or go to www.walkingforhealth.org.uk

Friday 10am 10.30am

Health Walks Pinehurst Liden

Pinetrees Community Centre SN2 1RF Derryck Evans House SN3 6JY

For more on Swindon Health Walks, go to www.walkingforhealth.org.uk

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7

Great south south Great coast holidays coast holidays Coach SELF-DRIVE & & COACH COACH INCLUSIVE INCLUSIVE BREAKS BREAKS SELF-DRIVE

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When itit comes comes to to inviting, inviting, relaxing relaxing When breaks in in the the south, south, we we have have the the breaks ideal holiday holiday for for you. you. ideal Whether you’re after family-friendly holidays, a romantic getaway Whether you’re after family-friendly holidays, a romantic getaway or a group break with like-minded people, our seven hotels cover or a group break with like-minded people, our seven hotels cover the south’s finest locations. From the popular beaches of Cornwall the south’s finest locations. From the popular beaches of Cornwall to the cosy Isle of Wight, there’s something for everyone. to the cosy Isle of Wight, there’s something for everyone.

Our coach inclusive option allows guests across the UK to travel in Our coach inclusive option allows guests across the UK to travel in comfort, while our self-drive holidays offer the freedom of having comfort, while our self-drive holidays offer the freedom of having your own car. your own car.

have our own fleet of executive ches that enables us to offer el from a selection of pick up Every break Every break includes: nts across theincludes: UK.

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• Breakfast 3-course evening meal • Live nightly entertainment also boast friendly drivers who will warmly greet • Live nightly entertainment elp you settle into your pre-allotted seat and let now of any planned comfort breaks. We aim to Trio awarded Certificate of Excellence ou to your hotel between on We are proud to3-5pm, announce thatdepending three of our group – the Barrowfield, Devonshire and Daish’s hotels – have been ngth of the journey. awarded the coveted TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence.

Six fabulous locations, seven great hotels

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break includes: torquayEveryweymouth weymouth Weymouth Isle of Wight

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• Return coach travel (self-drive option • Comfy en suite accommodation

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Barrowfield BarrowfieldHotel Hotel

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Best of British All holiday prices are per person, based on two people sharing a twin or double room on half board basis and includes nightly live entertainment. Price includes return coach travel from: GB: Mansfield, Nottingham, Beeston, Loughbrough, Leicester, Coventry.

GS1: Mansfield, Nottingham, Beeston, Loughbrough, Leicester.

GS2: Nottingham, Derby, Burton-upon-Trent, Tamworth, Sutton Coldfield, NEC. All offers are subject to availability and standard terms and conditions (see brochure or website for T&C’s).

Don’t miss these coach inclusive breaks!

Local pick up points from, Bristol, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud, Tewkesbury and make it easy to get away.

DATE DAYS Worcester PICK UP NOW DATE DAYS PICK UP NOW WEYMOUTH - REGENT HOTEL

NEWQUAY - BARROWFIELD HOTEL DATE

COACH DAYS BOARD INCLUSIVE PRICE

DESTINATION HOTEL

5

17-Jan

January

GB

0826-Feb Devonshire Hotel5– Torquay 12

£109

GS1 5

DATE

DESTINATION HOTEL

15-Jan

March

Half£139 £89

01

4

Devonshire Hotel –5Torquay 18-Jan

GB

Half

5

Half

5

Half

5

Half

£104

09

Claremont Hotel – Eastbourne

5

Half

£109

11

1726-Jan Barrowfield Hotel5– Newquay GB 5

Half£134 £89

12

Sands Hotel – Bournemouth 5 BOURNEMOUTH - SANDS

23

Half

14

Barrowfield Hotel – Newquay

16

Russell Hotel – Weymouth

4

5 GS2 5 2315-Feb Sands Hotel – Bournemouth February 01

5

Half

4

Daish’s Hotel – Isle of Wight

24 05-Feb Daish’s Hotel – Isle 5 of Wight

Half£154 £104

SHANKLIN - DAISHS HOTEL

Claremont Hotel – Eastbourne

£89

12-Feb

30 £124

Claremont Hotel – Eastbourne

21-Feb

5

£109

GB5

Claremont Hotel – Eastbourne

EASTBOURNE - CLAREMONT HOTEL

Claremont Hotel – Eastbourne

COACH DAYS BOARD INCLUSIVE PRICE

GS1

5

GB6

£164

£139

£129

Half HOTEL

£139

Half

£129

Half £134 £174

5

Half

GS2

£124 £119

£169

£144

April

0211-Feb Barrowfield Hotel5– Newquay GB 5

Half£134 £99

02

GS2 7

Half

£154 £214

04

Sands Hotel – Bournemouth

5

Half

£119

06

Sands Hotel – Bournemouth

5

Half

£154

05

Devonshire Hotel – Torquay

5

Half

£109

09

Barrowfield Hotel – Newquay

5

Half

£144

1131-Jan Daish’s Hotel – Isle 5 of Wight

GB 5

Half£124 £109

22

Claremont Hotel – 5Eastbourne GS1 5 04-Mar

Half

£179 £189

Half

17

TORQUAY - DEVONSHIRE HOTEL

Claremont Hotel – Eastbourne

LLANDUDNO - SOMERSET HOTEL

£139

23

Daish’s Hotel – Isle of Wight

6

Half

£184

6 GS1 5 2215-Feb Barrowfield Hotel – Newquay

£169 Half £109

24

Russell Hotel – Weymouth

4

Half

£114

25

Half

May

Claremont Hotel – Eastbourne

5

12-Mar Devonshire Hotel –5Torquay

5

£139

Prices shown are per person based on two people sharing a Standard Room. Supplements apply on twin/ 27 Daish’s Hotel – Isle of Wight 5 Half £124 05 Barrowfield Hotel – Newquay 5 Half £154 double rooms with sole occupancy. Optional local excursions can be booked at the hotel. Many more Daish’s Hotel – Isle of Wight £184 coach or self-drive holiday dates available in 2015. If you20would prefer to self-drive, deduct5£20Half per person 21 Claremont Hotel – Eastbourne 6 Half £244 from prices shown.

NewquayNewquay

Weymouth Weymouth Weymouth Prices shown are per Weymouth person based on two people sharing a

June

Standard Room. Supplements apply on twin/double rooms with sole occupancy. Optional local excursions can be booked at the hotel. Many more coach or self-drive holiday dates available in 2015. If you would prefer to self-drive, deduct £20 per person from prices shown.

BarrowfieldBarrowfi Hotel eld Hotel Hotel Prince Regent

bournemouth Torquay

Torquay

04

Devonshire Hotel – Torquay

5

Half

£174

January, February and 09 March sees the return6 ofHalfour£244 Daish’s Hotel – Isle of Wight popular Best of British breaks.

You’llHotel be– Eastbourne able to 7enjoy a 27 Claremont Half £334 meal inspired by each great nation, plus national quizzes before the live entertainment.

Hotel Prince Regent Russell Hotel Russell Hotel

isle of wight Bournemouth

Bournemouth

eastbourne Eastbourne

Eastbourne

n available)

Call 01803 201 432 Llandudno Call 01202 638840 or visit daishs.com or visit daishs.com quote 50PLUSCHE quote 50PlusSWIN

facebook.com/daishs facebook.com/daishs Bournemouth SandsBournemouth Hotel Bournemouth Daish’s The Claremont Hotel Hotel Devonshire Hotel SandsTheHotel Claremont HotelClaremont Devonshire Hotel Sands

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Lake Garda, Italy a special interest trip

By Jacqueline Jeynes from Silver Travel Advisor.

Jacqueline is an experienced writer and traveller, who travelled to Lake Garda to sample the gastronomic delights of the region. A tough assignment but someone had to do it!

Lake Garda is the perfect place to experience what this stunning region of Italy has to offer mature travellers.

We particularly enjoyed the trips to Verona, Venice, a vineyard for wine tasting and, probably our favourite, learning to cook Italian style.

Half-board accommodation at Hotel Continental in Nago (near Torbole at the northern end of Lake Garda), included a carafe of wine with dinner each day and as a family-owned hotel, had a friendly relaxed atmosphere – especially the live music in the hotel courtyard and ‘happy hour’ from 5-6pm each evening. The barman was brilliant, suggesting different drinks to try and with a wicked sense of humour!

Locally a glass of Prosecco is around 2.50, and a spritz cocktail with Prosecco base, Apperol for the pink colouring plus a dash of soda water, is a similar price. Definitely a drink that became an easy habit as it is light, refreshing and easy to drink, bars that offer the spritz generally including a bowl of olives, crisps and nuts at no extra charge. Naturally we felt obliged

10

to try out every version of the cocktail at different bars we visited.

At the northern end of the lake, no motor boats are allowed (except for the ferry) so it is a centre for sailing, wind surfing and other water sports plus walking and cycle routes around the lake. The ferry is €6 return, only takes ten minutes to Riva and leaves every half an hour. Riva del Garda is an old town with narrow streets, lots of little shops (open on Sunday) plus

friendly bars and restaurants so worth popping over for the day.

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TRAVEL

Learning to cook Italian style At Tinazzi winery for the cookery course, our group of 12 worked as couples to produce what we ultimately ate for lunch. We soon discovered six different approaches to breaking 2 eggs into a bowl for the tiramisu!

We made pasta, an easy process that requires muscles, a steady table when kneading it into submission, and two of you to stop it falling on the floor as you roll it thinner.

The chef was very helpful and, finishing with a huge mixed vegetable stir-fry to go with the pasta, we enjoyed our

freshly-prepared tasty lunch with an exceptional Bardolino red wine.

Venice After a very early start and long journey, our excellent guide explained the history of Venice, how and why it is expensive, and how to get the most out of a one-day visit.

He offered to arrange things for us – gondola trip at €22 for half an hour, boat trip around the islands €16 for an hour, lunch at a little restaurant off the main square at €15 each for two courses plus wine. It was a perfect option. continued overleaf ...

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11

TRAVEL The Venice basics first: • If you sit for food or drink, you will pay • If you stand for coffee or a drink it is much cheaper • If you want to sit down, visit a church which is free.

Verona Excellent tour guide Ambrish explained the history of Verona, the architecture, why the Arena (amphitheatre) was built, and the development of street lighting, aqueducts and take-away food in Roman times. He was interesting, very knowledgeable then repeated it all again in German – brilliant.

It is a lively, bustling city and on Friday 26th June there was a motorbike convention with hundreds of them arriving in town square, horns blazing and flags flying – spectacular.

It is worth joining a guided tour for an hour, as the guide explains the finer details you might not notice and takes you to see the balcony of Romeo & Juliet (supposedly) where you can have a photograph with Juliet on the balcony or sign your name on the graffiti wall.

Aida in Verona We were excited to find Aida was on in Verona on our free Saturday. It was €308 for two of us, including coach pick-up from the hotel, and was all booked for us over the phone by

ARCHAEOLOGY & TRAVEL Perfect Combinations of Leisure and Interest • Minoan Crete & Santorini • Cyprus: North & South • Pompeii & Campania • Malta's Millennia • Ancient Greece

• Informed Travel • Beautiful Locations • Bespoke Itineraries • Expert Guides • Local Airports

our excellent hotel manager. Though hot and sunny during the week, dark clouds gathered as we arrived in Bra Piazza around 6.45pm on Saturday, as did the official sellers of plastic raincoats at €5 each. As we entered the Arena, the rain started. We sat, huddled, while thunder, lightning and torrential rain targeted the audience until it was so bad they crammed us into the lower corridor, water pouring down steps and dripping off our less-than-adequate raincoats.

There is no cover over the Arena so if the performance cannot start due to bad weather, or is delayed for 2 hours, they have to refund your money. If they start then stop due to rain, there is no refund. With an audience of up to 10,000 you can see this might be a worry.

The performance finally started at 10.20pm, with one interval instead of three and lightning still flashing in the far distance. It was spectacular, a superb performance with incredible number of performers on stage and an impressive set that takes up a quarter of the Arena.

If you want to fit in as much as possible, and enjoy some different experiences in this beautiful part of Italy, then this holiday is highly recommended.

FACTBOX Archers Holidays features the ‘Lake Garda’s Gastronomic Experience’ based at the four star rated Hotel Continental, Lake Garda and includes excursions to Venice, Verona, and a cookery class at the Tinazzi winery with an experienced Italian chef using local ingredients to make pasta and sauces with participation from the class. A half day excursion is also included to discover the wine tradition of the region of Veneto at the vineyard “Tenuta Ugolini” with wine tasting included.

The holiday is priced from £762 per person for a departure on

RESERVE YOUR PLACE FOR 2016 www.hiddenhistory.co.uk enquiries@hiddenhistory.co.uk tel: (UK) 0121 444 1854

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12 October 2016 to include return flights, airport transfers, seven nights half board accommodation and all excursions. For more information, please visit www.archersdirect.co.uk/holiday/ lake-gardas-gastronomic-experience-new

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Do you have a Very Important Pensioner in your family?

In human medicine, geriatricians are specially trained in the care of the elderly.

Animal medicine is catching up with the use of screening programs but most importantly by increasing pet owner awareness of the changes our older pets face and early signs of disease.

When are pets classed as Geriatric?

Pets are classed as geriatric when entering the final 25% of the individual’s life expectancy This varies between species and breed so is difficult to pinpoint.

With regular checkups and screening of your beloved older animals we aim to:

Between 40-50% of dogs and cats in the population are over 7 years of age and classed as Senior yet only 3% of these pets are having regular Senior Blood screening.

• Identify and avoid risk factors for old age disease • Early detection of disease and early intervention • Careful selection of medication • Safer Anaesthetics • Improve QUALITY OF LIFE FOR YOU AND YOUR PET • PREVENT PAIN AND SUFFERING

Aging Process Owners may notice the following changes at home- these should be brought to the attention of their Veterinary Professional. Many owners do not realise how indicative these signs can be: • Physical Changes

• External

• Invisible

• Altered behaviours

• Altered exercise ability It can be daunting to investigate these signs further, however, many older age changes to not cause disease and can be managed by you and your nurse to improve your pet’s quality of life.

Concurrent disease, however, is often present and requiring early intervention for successful treatment.

80-90% of senior animals were found to be suffering from serious illness requiring treatment following routine testing.

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⎫ ⎫ ⎫ ⎫ ⎫

Indicators for disease • Altered body weight • Increased urinating / thirst • Reduced exercise tolerance • Smelly breath • Hind limb stiffness • Obesity Only 1 in 5 did not have any serious abnormality when investigated further

VIP – VERY IMPORTANT PENSIONERS At Thameswood Veterinary Clinics we have 7+ VIP Clinics which can offer you monthly support with a dedicated nurse who will help you with the day to day care of your pensioner and enable you as their career to make their life better and help you to provide early detection of older age changes and disease as well as help with the practicalities of living with them.

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Our nurses charge £12.36 and these are provided Free of charge if you are a VIP health club member. Contact us at www.thameswoodvets.co.uk Written by Gemma Lockwood, Senior RVN at Thameswood Veterinary Clinics References: Mike Davies MRCVS- University of Nottingham

Thameswood Veterinary Clinics

“Making Life Better” Is your pet a Very Important Pensioner?

Welcome to our new health club for your four legged pensioner Providing the preventative health care your pet deserves at great prices Visit our website or contact your nearest clinic for more information 62-64 Purton Road, Swindon SN2 2LZ. Tel: 01793 526780 1A Oppenheimer, Greenbridge Road, Swindon SN3 3LH. Tel: 01793 511267 39B Station Road, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 7ED. Tel: 01793 230 266

www.thameswoodvets.co.uk 13

Paul Nicholas

Eastenders Bad Boy

Laid-back high-achiever Paul catches up with us to discuss his long career, from Just Good Friends right up to his current role as Gavin Sullivan in Eastenders.

It's quite likely that one of the keys to actor Paul Nicholas’s success is a no-stress policy that extends to most parts of his life.

When we talked, he was in the middle of a lengthy run of the Agatha Christie play “And Then There Were None”, and had been playing in Westcliff on Sea that day. “We’re somewhere else next week but I’m not sure where,” he replies in the familiar and friendly tones that

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have endeared him to TV and theatre audiences for the past 40 or so years.

The exact tour location wasn’t somewhere he was particularly worried about but the play – in which he is a judge “typically serious and quite posh, actually” – was one project sandwiched among several. For example, he had also just come back from a stint directing the musical “Tommy” in Blackpool with Joe McEldery – “who is brilliant and really can sing”.

These commitments had made another facet of his recent career, as Kathy Beale’s husband, Gavin Sullivan, in TV

favourite “EastEnders”, a challenge to achieve as filming had to be arranged around the hectic Nicholas schedule.

So, was he enjoying this new TV role.

“Oh yes,” he asserts, happily. “I love doing different things and this is great.” Gavin is a bit nasty, but you will get to know his nice side as well. It will be interesting to see how his character develops.

This laidback but high-achieving approach has stood Paul Nicholas in good stead ever since he first came to public attention as a pop singer called Paul Dean in the late 1970s. He had

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CELEBRITY INTERVIEW a small screen regular and favourite for millions, especially women.

Since then, he has returned to the theatre to play numerous roles, notably as the Pirate King in “The Pirates of Penzance” and in the lead role in “Barnum”.

He has both toured and had West End runs. His mercurial nature means he doesn’t mind touring too much, although he was hoping that his EastEnders’ character would have some longevity as “it’s only half an hour away from home for filming and so it’s easy.”

...we all need to continue doing the things we like, and also doing a variety of things.

I think that’s what keeps you healthy. two Top Ten hits but then decided to combine singing with acting and headed for the stage, taking the role of Rum Tum Tugger in the original London cast of the musical “Cats” in the early 1980s to great success.

He also had a film career around this time with appearances in the Beatles’ film “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and followed that up with “The World is Full of Married Men.” He then went against his perceived nice-guy type as the loutish punk singer in “The Jazz Singer” before starring with Joan Collins in “The Nutcracker” in 1983.

What many TV fans remember Paul most for, however, was the role of Vince in the gentle romantic comedy “Just Good Friends” with Jan Francis, written by John Sullivan. Millions tuned in each week to see how the engaging romance, and its two charismatic central characters, fared.

It ended in 1986 with the couple marrying and afterwards Paul starred in major drama series “Bust” and another “Close to Home” - a sitcom about a vet.

In fact, during this period he became

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He’s canny enough to know that appearing on TV also sells theatre tickets – “well, people like to come to see you when your profile is high, don’t they?”

But he has plainly been offered plenty of high-profile theatre roles and is naturally viewed as a box-office safe bet.

Ask him to name his own favourite roles and he immediately plumps for Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof” and King Arthur in “Camelot.” “I like playing King Arthur,” he confides. “You know, Lancelot runs off with his wife Guinevere. We always get a few sniffles from the audience at the end, which tells you that it’s working.”

He’s 69 now, with six children and 11 grandchildren, but he’s retained a youthful look and still has that glint in his eye. He appears to refuse to take most things in life seriously. He doesn’t exercise – “that’s not true, really. My house has a basement and three floors so I try to run up the stairs. Well, I run up the first few!”

He doesn’t drink alcohol much, likes a “meat and two veg” kind of diet with no spicy food and is unlikely to die from stress. His mother lived until she was 92, which he takes as a positive sign – “it’s in the genes” - but his workload continues to be quite full-on.

Does he feel like slowing down a bit as he gets older? “Not really,” he says, mildly. “I’m sure that, like most of your readers, we all need to continue doing the things we like, and also doing a variety of things. I think that’s what keeps you healthy.”

Paul in Scrooge mode

He doesn’t feel the need for labourintensive pets these days, “but I have a tortoise called Toby that I’ve had for 20 years who is wonderful,” he states.

“He goes around our walled garden all day and I bring him in at night, if I can find him. He’s perfectly happy – I bought him a little lamp the other day and he loves keeping warm!”

With most information that Paul Nicholas gleefully imparts, you feel you should be taking it with a large pinch of salt. But there is no denying that he has a relaxed philosophy on life that has stood him in very good stead over the years.

He has no real desire to play particular roles, although he particularly enjoyed the recent four-week stint as Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” at Blackpool Winter Gardens. “Yes, it was an exciting production,” he enthuses. “It’s quite an adult show but it’s got ghosts for the children and families do love this show.

“I like Blackpool,” he adds. “It’s a great place for all ages. It doesn’t pretend to be anything it isn’t and people have a good time.”

And, actually, that general description could be extended to Paul Nicholas himself. He’s a talented actor and singer, not to mention a director and producer, whose life just seems to go from one success to another – all quite by some mysterious quirk of fate.

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If care becomes an issue, what legal considerations should I be mindful of?

If you or a loved one became in need of care there are a number of matters that you and your family will need to consider, such as what care is needed?

Who will provide it? Should it be provided at home or in a residential setting?

Property

However, what tends to come as an afterthought or as a problem needs resolving is the legal considerations we might have or what help and support is available from the legal profession?

Assets

This guide is aimed to give you an indication of the types of advice you may need in later life and as part of retirement generally. It is not an exhaustive list but it covers the main areas of advice that may crop up.

It is important to note that every family is different and therefore advice is based on the individual circumstances. This guide is designed so you can cut it out and keep it until such time as you or a loved one may need it.

My best advice is to get as much information as possible by a solicitor who specialises in advising later life clients.

This will enable you to be equipped to make informed decisions that can give you peace of mind and may result in saving you money.

Wills Do you have a will?

If you do have a will have it reviewed in light of concerns on care fees?

Is there scope for any estate planning?

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Do you have property?

If you do what do you have? How do you hold it?

What would happen if one or both of you went into care?

What do you have financially and how do you hold it?

Do you have an inheritance tax issue?

Are you in contemplation of care?

Do you want to make gifts?

Income What is your income and will it pay for your care?

Does it more than meet your needs?

If you have an inheritance issue are you managing it effectively?

Are you claiming everything that you are entitled to?

Do you need to see a financial advisor to look at maximising your income?

Powers of attorney Do you understand what they are? Do you have them?

Do you need a Property and Finance power of attorney?

Do you need a Health and Welfare power of attorney?

Are they capable of being made and if not do you know what the Court of Protection’s Role is and how to apply?

Trusts Do you know what they are and how they work?

Life time trust or a will trust?

Implications in respect of care fees versus implications in respect of Inheritance Tax

Care issues You may need a fuller understanding on the funding of care – self funding, NHS continuing care of s.17 funding – what does that mean and how does it apply?

The implications of signing a third party top up fee?

Is someone being moved from a care home?

Do you want somebody to be moved?

Do you need help because you are unhappy with an aspect of care? Do you need to know where you stand on such matters?

Do you need some assistance with a safeguarding matter because you are concerned for someone?

Don’t get left out in the cold this winter, make your Lasting Power of Attorney With the cold weather starting to bite, many older people will be thinking about staying warm this winter. But it’s not just the winter chills that can leave people vulnerable; age related illnesses are on the increase.

In 2013 there were more than half a million people aged 90 and over living in the UK and while the general quality of life has improved over the last 50 years or so, our chances of developing conditions that can affect the mind have also increased.

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LEGAL Being diagnosed with a degenerative mental illness such as Dementia ultimately means there will be problems maintaining your independence. Support will be critical and once your mental ability starts to fail, if you haven’t made arrangements, your way of life could end up being decided by strangers.

But, by drafting a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) you can stay in control of your future by arranging for someone – an attorney – to make decisions on your behalf when the time comes that you can’t do it yourself. Your attorney can be anyone and you can have as many as you like, although they must be over 18 years old. Also, if you want to set up a property and affairs LPA, your attorney can’t have been declared bankrupt.

When you set up an LPA, you’re literally putting your life in someone else’s hands so it’s really important to consider who should be your attorney. You should think carefully about who you can trust and whether they have the skills to carry out the role. Although it’s likely your attorney will be a relative or friend, you can choose an independent person, such as a solicitor or accountant.

There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney; one allows your attorney to handle your financial affairs, such as any property and savings you may have, while the second takes charge of your personal welfare. This allows your attorney to make decisions about any medical treatment you receive or where you live, for example. You don’t have to take out both LPAs but if you do, you can have the same attorney for both or they can be different.

A property and affairs LPA focuses on decisions about the material things in your life. This includes conducting your financial affairs, such as paying bills, collecting your income and benefit and, if necessary, it also deals with selling your house. Appointing someone else to be responsible for your assets is a lot to ask so, if you want, you can place restrictions or conditions about what your attorney can do within your LPA. A health and welfare LPA allows your attorney to make decisions on a wide variety of issues concerning your dayto-day care, including your medication, diet and how you live. You can even give your attorney the power to accept or refuse life-sustaining treatment on your behalf.

Pooleys Solicitors LLP will be pleased to help you with l

Conveyancing & Energy Performance Certificates

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Wills

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Probate & Trusts

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Tax Planning

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Matrimonial & Family Law

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Lasting Power of Attorney

While an LPA is a legal document, what it really offers is peace of mind. None of us like to think we could develop conditions that affect our mental health, but the reality is that we’re all at risk of losing our faculties at any time - whether that’s the result of illness or an accident. An LPA is a way on ensuring that if something happens to you, there will be someone who has your best interests at heart and who is able to help make your life a little bit more comfortable and secure.

10-15 Regent Circus Swindon SN1 1PP.

When you set up your Lasting Power of Attorney, you can choose when it becomes effective so you don’t have worry about giving up control of your finances or treatment suddenly. That said, the main thing to remember is that you can only set it up while you’re well. This is because it demonstrates that you’ve decided for yourself that you want to make a Lasting Power of Attorney and that you understand what it means and the consequences of it. Once you’ve lost capacity, it’s too late as an LPA won’t be legally binding because it could be argued that you’ve been coerced into making it and that you’re not fully aware of what you’re doing and the implications of it.

Fax: 01793 511209 email: mail@pooleyssolicitors.co.uk www. pooleyssolicitors.co.uk

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Tel: 01793 488848

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HEALTH & FITNESS

Half an hour of physical activity 6 days a week linked to 40% lower risk of ill health in elderly men Recently (May 2015), the British Journal of Sports Medicine stated that half an hour of physical activity irrespective of its intensity, six days a week is linked to a 40 per cent lower risk of death in elderly men. This report went on to say that the impact of physical activity on health is as good as giving up smoking.

Professor John Morrill is 69 and, in theory, retired from his work lecturing on British history at Cambridge University. Although he hasn’t found giving up work easy (he still attends business meetings in London and avidly writes non fiction) he easily gave up any exercise, until a heart condition forced him to get active earlier this year.

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Health issues beginning in John’s 60s included Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), high blood pressure and problems with his heart. His doctor told him exercise would help, so he tried swimming, going to the gym and finally, fell head over heels for walking.

John says: “I found that to walk was an absolute delight. I mainly go for walks near to where I live, and it has really heightened my senses, I thoroughly enjoy the sounds and sights I see and hear. Starting to walk was first and foremost about my health but has become about discovery and feeding my curiosity.”

John began walking to help his health. And help his health it has. His blood pressure has gone down, the swelling in his Professor John Morrill legs has alleviated and fluid that had been in his lungs has reduced. In fact, his hospital has recently reduced the amount of times they see John each year, because he is no longer a serious case.

“Walking everyday has massively improved my legs,” says John. “I had aches and pains in them for years and whenever I slept without pressure stockings the swelling of my legs would return. That is until I started walking.

Now the swelling and my blood pressure have gone down significantly.

Tests earlier this year showed that my heart condition was improving too.

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“My doctor was amazed with the changes, which must be down to walking.”

John, a widower, makes sure that he includes a walk somewhere in his daily routine. He says that the ease of it is convenient in his life, which is still very busy.

He says: “I get up and think about how to best fit my walk in today. That could be going out after breakfast to a local meadow, or along ancient bridle paths, or it could be walking to my meetings in London, rather than taking the tube or a cab, like I used to.

“I like pleasurable walks; even walking from my college to the station I can deviate through parks or along the river and even if I have to increase my journey time, I enjoy discovering new things. It has proved to be a great way to kill an hour between meetings.

“I once even found a village deserted since the Black Death on one of my walks, which was along an ancient footpath with endlessly self-renewing hedgerows. It was an amazing discovery! I enjoy hearing no traffic and feel much, much better for the walking I’ve been doing. I feel more vital.”

Since January, John has walked every day for at least 45 minutes and does a minimum of 5,000 steps. In the past he has struggled with his weight and also found that walking helps him to lose the pounds.

may argue that a conventional cycle will keep you fitter.

Mark Butler from ‘e-motion’, the electric vehicle company says “The argument depends on how often you use it.

We believe and our customers confirm it that you will use an electric bike more often and go further, as the usual limiting factors such as hills and headwinds are no longer an obstacle. The bikes are fun to ride so you will be more motivated to hop on and ride out in the fresh air.”

A recent Australian study shows that on an electric bike a rider maintains a heart rate intensity that is mainly in the target range where cardio vascular benefit is gained, fats are burned in producing energy and no lactic acid build up occurs. Riding a conventional cycle provides the strongest cardio vascular and fitness workout. The intensity, however, is often so high that carbohydrates would be used for energy along with lactic acid build up.

A study of 20 healthy but sedentary subjects (10 male and 10 female) showed improvement to general health condition, stating: “The conclusion remains that the electric assisted bike can help overcome the barrier to physical activity.”

Why not try the next big thing and test drive one today!

“I am now 16½ stone and am losing weight. I’ve tried lots of diets but gradually the weight goes back on. I like walking steadily and the fact that it doesn’t feel like an obligation or stop me from being sociable. From day one I knew walking would help; it clicked.

“I burn about 400 calories on my walks and it really is taking me back to my senses. I’ve even moved the sofa around in the living room so that I can see the contrast of a copper birch and sycamore tree out of the window! It now works better with the colours it sits with. I put that down to spending more time looking and listening to nature.”

John Morrill is a friend of Living Streets, the national charity that stands up for pedestrians. Living Streets aims to make streets safer and more attractive places so that they are more enjoyable places to walk.

He says: “I think the work that Living Streets is doing in encouraging people to walk more and improving urban areas so that they can do so, is very important. I found the joys of walking through a health scare but by walking more, it can prevent health issues like mine. I hope that the government continues to provide funding and working with charities such as Living Streets, to improve the walking experience in the UK.” Cycling has always been a popular way to enjoy the countryside whilst staying fit. However, the electric bike has opened it up to a new section of cyclists. Some people

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HOME

With over 80% of household energy being used for heating and hot water. How do you heat yours?

It does seem unbelievable, but several studies prove that Over 80% of household energy is used in the creation of heating and hot water!

Exothermic Installations Ltd is a highly experienced local company, set up in 2006 with the sole aim to be a “one stop shop� solution for all domestic and light commercial renewable heat and power technologies, as well as still providing energy efficient, conventional heating and plumbing systems.

In the recent government spending review, which looks likely to cut some funding of renewable energies and back funding of Fracking and Nuclear energy. It is unclear how the future of energy generation will unfold as we move, albeit slowly to a low carbon economy.

The fact is that we as a country are committed to carbon emission targets and we as collective individuals have a role to play in that reduction.

If you have conventional carbon based heating like gas or oil you will most likely by now have a condensing boiler (mandatory for around 10 years now), these are around 90% efficient.

Further improvements in system efficiency can be made by upgrading heating controls and fitting of thermostatic radiator valves, as well as weather compensation controls.

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If you are ready to replace your ageing boiler system then we can help you do this, but there are alternatives.

Ideally you should consider looking at either Heat pumps or Biomass boilers. Both of these are installed by us and both technologies come with government grant funding in the form of the RHI or Renewable Heat Incentive.

Heat pumps are incredibly efficient, in excess of 3-400%, meaning that for every 1kW of electricity used to power them, they will generate 3-4kW of heat, compared to around 90% efficiency for a modern gas or oil boiler.

Heat pumps came in for a lot of bad press in the early days, as they were so misunderstood in the UK (and still are). There were a lot of issues regarding bad system design and installation which caused poor performance and high running costs, which naturally led to customer dissatisfaction.

There were also issues with siting of the outdoor equipment which then led to noise complaints and neighbour disputes. This led the UK industry to revise its design and installation practices along with strict minimal noise assessments to comply with planning conditions.

Since these marked improvements, the industry has seen steady growth as savvy consumers become more accepting of a worldwide proven technology and its carbon and energy saving benefits.

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Generally speaking, heat pumps work at a lower flow temperature than traditional boilers and may require larger radiators and also require a different type of cylinder. This is to ensure correct output to heat the room in the case of radiators, or to ensure sufficient storage with good recovery rate for hot water with cylinders.

Another overlooked feature of heat pumps is that they are reversible, i.e they can be used to cool as well as heat. Imagine - Air-conditioning in summer from your heat pump being run for free by the sun from your Solar PV! The perfect partnership of renewable technologies, saving money and reducing carbon whilst improving your comfort and your property value.

Both of these require careful calculation along with the selection and location of the equipment to meet planning conditions and customer requirements.

We carry out full heat loss calculations and provide an estimate of running costs and noise impact assessments before undertaking installations.

Heat pumps are fully programmable and can even be controlled from a smart phone or tablet. They can also have built in energy monitors, so you can see exactly how much electricity your heat pump is consuming. They are a perfect match for anyone that has, or is thinking of a Solar PV system.

We can also carry out full mechanical design along with our installation services for your further peace of mind.

If your producing your own “free� electricity, what better way to use it than to power an incredibly efficient heat pump to heat your house and hot water for little or no cost?

Always remember, as with all things in life, you get what you pay for.

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We also offer consultancy and guidance on technologies and product selection too, along with installation, so you always get the best value for money system available.

For more information please call us, on 01793 724018 or visit www.exothermicinstallations.co.uk

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Friendship, Peace of Mind, Independent Living for people over 60* Sheltered Housing provides a sense of independence in a happy environment with the knowledge that help is on hand if required.

You’ll get your own self-contained flat with a lounge, kitchen, bedroom and private bathroom.

If repairs are needed, we take care of it, giving you the freedom to simply enjoy your living space.

All Swindon Borough Council Sheltered schemes have a dedicated officer who you can call on for help. This, coupled with a 24-hour back up service provided by our Homeline team, means that support is available at any time, day or night.

All our sheltered schemes are situated in the heart of communities. We’ll even help you get the best of the local services available such as healthcare, leisure and social activities. * Or for people over 50 and receiving Disability Living Allowance/ Personal 22 Independence Payment

For more information, please contact us: Housing, Swindon Borough Council, Euclid Street, Swindon, SN1 2JH Tel: 01793 445503 Email: housing@swindon.gov.uk Web: www.swindonhomebid.org.uk

Housing

HOME You’ll get your own self-contained flat with a lounge, kitchen, bedroom and private bathroom. If repairs are needed, we take care of it, giving you the freedom to simply enjoy your living space.

All Swindon Borough Council Sheltered schemes have a dedicated officer who you can call on for help. This, coupled with a 24-hour back up service provided by our Homeline team, means that support is available at any time, day or night.

All our sheltered schemes are situated in the heart of communities. We’ll even help you get the best of the local services available such as healthcare, leisure and social activities.

Amanda Manson

Orderly Office and Home

Downsizing & Decluttering THERE comes a time for many of us when we look around at our previously much-loved home and decide the time has come to downsize to something smaller.

This may be because your family has left to become independent and the property that once seemed to be bursting at the seams is just too big. It may be that you need to move to more convenient housing because health or financial necessities demand it, or because you would just prefer to look after and maintain a smaller place.

There are more options than ever for retirement living these days and, while property can help fund your care home should you need it, another route is to rent a retirement property.

Sheltered housing in Swindon is available for many people with a variety of housing needs and downsizing is quite often the reason to choose this type of housing.

Sheltered Housing provides a sense of independence in a happy environment with the knowledge that help is on hand if required.

‘Due to my husband’s health we moved into Charles Macpherson Gardens in 2006. As I was working full time it was the perfect place knowing that my husband had easy reach of support should it be required. Also, we were lucky enough to be allocated our bungalow.’

Charles Macpherson Gardens is a great place to live with a lot to embrace should you wish. Bingo, darts, coffee morning, film afternoon, exercise class, meals, evenings with entertainment, coach trips and more.

Sharon is an excellent warden who cares about us all and goes that extra mile.

By Maggie Stevens JIM DAY (80) Also from Charles MacPherson Gardens ‘I often tell people I love living in my Sheltered Housing scheme, Charles MacPherson Gardens and I do. The complex is very security conscious and has been very friendly since the day I moved in 10 years ago. The flats here make it very easy to live independently and I’ve been able to make it my home’.

We have an excellent warden on site and a committee in operation for those who wish to take part and enjoy with us our many trips, parties in the lounge and other events’.

For further information visit: Swindon Borough Council, Sheltered Housing at www.swindon.gov.uk/shelteredhousing Another popular retirement living choice today is to buy a park home. Lillybrook Parks, for example, offer two stunning park home estates – Lillybrook and Church Park – in the beautiful North Wiltshire countryside, just a five mile drive from Royal Wooton Basset.

The family firm which has run it for more than 50 years, with a history there going back to the early 20th century, has created a sought-after and picturesque development for those aged 50-plus.

Director Philip Burchell explained how they keep the environment at heart, creating above standard eco friendly homes which also mean much reduced running costs all year round.

And, because the parks are residential, they are regulated by the Mobile Homes Act, offering reassurance for residents.

There are also plenty of activities and company for individuals – “In fact, it’s a real community here,” adds Philip.

Whatever you do next, you may well be faced with having to sell a property that reflects years of a happy home life. And that can mean a mass of possessions that may not fit into your downsized new home.

In order to sell a property, it needs to be as clear as possible of the life of the previous owner so that a potential-buyer can see where he or she might fit their lifestyle into it.

Decluttering your home takes a particular mind-set and genuine determination. In fact, as professional declutterer Amanda Manson of Orderly Office and Home points out: “The thought of what you’re going to do with everything might fill you with utter dread!”

She recommends a simple plan of action:

START NOW

Beginning decluttering well in advance of putting your property on the market assists in a quick sale and spreads the load over time. “Try 10 minutes a day,” she advises, “little and often. Don’t try a whole room in one go – you’ll end up exhausted and disheartened. Keep in the forefront of your mind your goal of moving into a new home and you’ll be spurred on to continue each day.”

MAKE A LIST

Keep track of where everything is. “If your new home has been agreed, assign a number to each room, and pack your belongings in a box numbered accordingly,” says Amanda. “If your new home hasn’t been decided yet, start grouping like items with like. Pack Winter/ Summer clothing together, pictures and ornaments, books and bedding (always spread books across several boxes – your removal men will thank you!). Remember to label everything.”

continued overleaf ...

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to treat” cavity walls which could attract 100% funding also.

HOME

Swindon Safe & Warm

REALITY CHECK

Look at what’s in your home and ask yourself “Do I use it, love it or need it?” If the answer is “no”, is it time to say goodbye? Amanda suggests that clothing you haven’t worn in over a year you might never wear again so out it goes, along with gifts that you’ll never use. Give them to relatives or friends, a local charity, sell them in the local paper or on an auction site or list them online for free collection. Adds Amanda: “Recycle unwanted items where possible, but if unsuitable then it’s a trip to your local rubbish tip or a call to your local council for removal.”

SIZE MATTERS

If you have no garden, garage or guest room in your new home be realistic about whether you’ll use certain items like, for example, a lawnmower if you’re going somewhere with a serviced garden or no garden. Is your furniture too big for your new property? Try to imagine the bare minimum you could manage living with, and take it from there. “Often the additional ‘stuff’ we keep with us becomes an emotional weight around our necks,” states Amanda.

Keeping warm this winter?

Mid-way through another winter season, have you been able to keep warm at home? Are you worried about your fuel bills arriving? Wondering what you can do to reduce those bills?

Advice guides Swindon Safe & Warm offers a range of free advice guides including energy saving in the home, reducing condensation and mould problems, controlling your heating, and our fuel tariff information guide. These can help you to better understand what is using energy in your home, how to get the best tariffs for your energy, as well as help you to get the best out of your heating system.

Insulation schemes Did you know that insulating your home is still one of the most cost effective ways to reduce your fuel bills? Cavity wall insulation can save £145 per year on heating bills for a typical 3 bed semi-detached house, and if there is no loft insulation present improving this can save £150 a year.

Safe & Warm can help you access free or discounted schemes for getting your home insulated, why not ask about the latest offers?

What else can Safe & Warm help me with?

If you are experiencing difficulties in paying your energy bills or have built up a debt to your energy company, there is support available that could help you. For more information on this, or anything else mentioned in this article, please contact: David Miles - Affordable Warmth Coordinator Swindon Borough Council, 5th Floor Wat Tyler House, Beckhampton Street, Swindon SN1 2JH Tel: 01793 463679 Email: dmiles3@swindon.gov.uk

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A GIFT TO YOUR CHILDREN

If your loft has been home to items belonging to children like their earliest artwork, toys and other memories, now is the time to give them back. Explain your reasons, keep what you really can’t bear to part with and ask them to collect what’s left, with a deadline.

VISIBLE SPACES

All open surfaces and room space should be as clear as possible ready for estate agents’ photographs. “Buyers can be easily put off by what appears to be a cramped or cluttered space,” observes Amanda.

HIDDEN SPACES

Don’t just wonder if prospective buyers will look inside your cupboards. They will. If you have fitted wardrobes and sleek kitchen cupboards, buyers will want to know what they can fit into them.

STORE UNTIL YOU MOVE

If you have a move date, this makes deciding what to keep out and what to pack away and what can go much easier. Without one, you’ll have to get organised. Box up seasonal items and store them away in a loft, garage or in a storage facility until you move and keep your cupboards, wardrobes and kitchen space for things you use often.

STOP BUYING MORE!

If you’re really set on making the move, start paring down any consumables right now, insists Amanda. “Sort through kitchen cupboards and freezer to see what meals you can make with what you already have. Discard out of date items, meal plan and make amends to your shopping list so you’re only buying the item you really need each week. Repeat the process with your bathroom cupboards and toiletries – and avoid the BOGOF temptations as it’s just more stuff to move.”

PAPERWORK AND READING MATERIAL

As the years go by, it’s easy to let papers build up. “Sort through your paperwork piles and discard or shred anything that you really don’t need like outdated bills, manuals for items you don’t now have and old magazines,” says Amanda. * For more information go to: www.swindon.gov.uk/shelteredhousing www.lillybrook.co.uk www.orderlyofficeandhome.co.uk

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Lillybrook is a long established family business which runs two Park Home Estates for the over fifties in the countryside on the outskirts of Lyneham. We’ve been here for over fifty years and have aimed to make home quality and customer satisfaction our prime target.

We have a variety of new homes arriving on both parks over the coming year. For further information please contact us.

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U-value figure, the lower the heat loss.

Remember! for an energy efficient conservatory, compare U-values and GO FOR LOW. With our latest range of intelligent Smart Glass for roofs in active blue, aqua, neutral or bronze tints and our Wall Glass: Total 1.1-1.2 U-Value crystal clear ‘planitherm’, argon gas filled cavity double glazed units. Europe’s top selling solar controlled ‘Low E’ glass made in Britain.

The Conservatory Centre’s Large Showroom at Cheney Manor

An additional room to enjoy all year round One of the fundamental requirements and first requests made by people contemplating a conservatory or glazed garden room is that they wish to us it THROUGH THE YEAR, not solely a glazed room for grey Summer days.

Those familiar with well designed glazed sun rooms, may suggest they are not really suitable for that purpose.

However, the many thousands of people who have such buildings and find them to be by far their most popular and well used room, thoroughly wish to disagree!

Many enjoyable evenings are spent well into the early hours, comfortably enjoying the unique opportunity of dining and being entertained in a conservatory. The temperature outside was well below freezing and often snow on the ground. Heating was of course required - but not much more than will be required within your home if the conservatory is designed and constructed to a suitably high specification.

If you’re pushed for space, and have considered moving to a larger home, think again. For a fraction of the cost of moving, you could install a conservatory. You’ve acquired a new room, full of light. A fabulous place to have your morning coffee and enjoy views into the garden. You can also 26

reflect on the cheering thought that you’ve added around 15% to the value of your house.

The Conservatory Centre based at Cheney Manor have a large showroom displaying a wide range of styles and finishes. They provide a full conservatory package including tiling and furniture all under one roof, using specialist professional teams of surveyors and fitters. The whole project from initial design to completion usually takes only six to eight weeks.

Can a Conservatory be energy efficient?

Stephen Wright site manager of The Conservatory Centre explains: “A conservatory which is cold and expensive to heat in winter and unbearably hot in summer would represent poor value whatever the price paid. We all would like a room that we can enjoy in the cold winter months and hot summer days. So how do we achieve this? How do we compare what’s on offer? Quite simply the term ‘U-value’ is used as a measure of heat transfer through a given material. The huge area of glass, and maybe polycarbonate in the roof of a conservatory, if not in line with the very latest technology can reduce your investment to little more than a glorified greenhouse! The higher the U-value figure, the greater the heat loss will be; conversely, the lower the

This glass really does make a difference to the all year round comfort of the conservatory. Our customers who have experienced the difference tell us this!

Ordinary Pilkington double glazed units have a U value of 1.9 and will lose 2 times more heat through the glass. Another type of heat retaining glass, sometimes called low e glass or Pilkington K has a U-value of 1.6 which, although better will still let in 50% more heat than ‘Planitherm’.

Furthermore, crystal clear Planitherm Total 1.1-1.2 does not suffer the hazy sheen often associated with Pilkington K glass. As an added bonus, Planitherm Total 1.1-1.2 glass reduces 70% of harmful radiation passing through the glass, protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful effects, and reducing fabric fading. In summer this amazing glass technology with a .74% solar factor and a .85 shading coefficient keeps your conservatory comfortably cool. (g ISO905 M1) Frames: Bowater ‘Rustique’ 1.1 U-value, 5 chamber PVCu frames.

A few years ago, virtually all the PVCu frames systems incorporated 3 lateral internal insulating chambers, which gave the frames a U-value of around 1.8 Advances in glass technology resulted in a glass centre pain U- value as low as 1.1-1.2 a clear gap between the energy efficiency of glass and PVCu frames. In many European countries, 1.1-1.2 centre pane u value glass is the norm (Austria, for example is 100% 1.1-1.2 U-value glass). Taking into account the close proximity of the glass to the frame, this clear disparity in u values presented a problem for the more responsible PVCu frame designers. Moisture in the air is attracted to the coolest surface (the frame) forming condensation, just one reason why frames and glass should have similar U-values.

The ideal conservatory will have 1.4 U-value frames 1.2 U-value glass. As a major European manufacturer, selling

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frames across Europe, Bowater Group Laboratories accepted the challenge to match the frame and glass U-values, a few years ago Bowater announced the development of it’s top of the range ‘Rustique’ - Europe’s first fully sculptured 5 chamber frame, driving down the U-value to just 1.4 with zero air leakage, an incredible achievement.

The majority of PVCu frames (even those of many leading brands still being sold in 2015) still incorporate the old 3 chamber design, with a U-value of 1.8, losing 60% more heat through the frame, creating dreaded condensation! Many rival companies who copied the 5 chamber design have still only achieved U-values of around 1.4-1.5 illustrating the technological superiority of the Bowater Group testing laboratories.

Our ultraframe roofs with vented eaves and ridge beam : 1.2 U-value polycarbonate, 35mm thick 7 wall

construction comprising of 6 insulating compartments with optional ‘sunshield’ Cheaper typical 25mm thick polycarbonate, made up of 5 layered frame walls, with just 4 insulating compartments, has a U-value of just 1.6, losing 33% more heat, straight through the roof. Should you be concerned about overheating in direct summer sun, The Conservatory Centre will install SUNSHIELD protection free of charge.

SUNSHIELD prevents most of the sun’s heat passing through the roof. Now as standard for 2015 secure ventilation can be achieved through your roof ridge and around the perimeter.Both create thermal air flows in the conservatory, cooling and relieving stuffiness in hot weather, these may be closed as required.

Remember - Compare U-values and ‘GO FOR LOW’.

The Conservatory Centre attain Which? Trusted Trader status The Conservatory Centre based at Manor Garden Centre at Cheney Manor was recently endorsed as a prestigious WHICH? Trusted Trader.

Much like the successful WHICH? Best Buy Scheme, WHICH? Trusted Traders can use the icon.

Each Trader is put through a rigorous assessment meaning that consumers get the best service and WHICH? Trusted Traders get the business and recognition they deserve.

The Conservatory Centre is one of a very exclusive section of their industry to achieve this award.

One of the many testimonials from The Conservatory Centre, Swindon.

“Both Joanne and I had to write and let you know how happy we are with our new conservatory and are very pleased we decided to go with The Conservatory Centre. Martin and Joanne Buck.

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HOME or tones used. So when it comes to decorating, it is important to choose wisely.

In order to have a beautiful home, you do not have to worry about trends. Colour trends will come and go. The people who live in a home make it beautiful by choosing colours that reflect their likes and their personalities. The trick is to blend those colours you like into a pleasing combination. Choosing colour combinations is one of the most intimidating steps for beginners. Colour has the power to change the shape and size of furnishings as well as the shape and size of the room itself. Selecting colours is not difficult if you equip yourself with some basic information about colour and its effects, so let’s find out more about room colours, and how these influence your mood.

Room Colour and How it Affects Your Mood The colours of the rooms within your home need to bring out your personality. While most of us may not spend a lot of time thinking about room colour, it affects every day of our lives. Room colour can influence our mood and our thoughts.

Colour affects people in many ways, depending upon one’s age, gender, ethnic background or local climate. Certain colours or groups of colours tend to get a similar reaction from most people – the overall difference being in the shade

Choose Wisely!

Keep in mind that each colour has a psychological value.

Think about how those colours make you feel- they can influence any feeling from tranquility to rage. So when trying to create peace and harmony in your home, choose your colours wisely. Some colours in large amounts will have just the opposite affect on you and your loved ones’ moods.

What mood do you want to create? Which colours will help you achieve that mood?

Find clear answers to these questions. If you find this task difficult try to look at magazines, decorating books, blogs and websites for ideas, or let your fabric be your guide.

In fact, this is a good approach to take even if you’re starting from scratch. Fabric, carpeting, furniture and tile are available in a more limited range of colours than paint, so choose them first and then decide on your paint colour.

Once you find something you like, limit the number of colours in a room to no more than three or four. Too many colours can make a room look busy or cluttered. Paint is fairly inexpensive and transforms a room more quickly than anything else, so you can afford to experiment a little.

Room Colors and Their Effects

Give your kitchen a fresh new look Let our ‘made to measure’ replacement doors completely transform your kitchen or bedroom.

Huge choice - Our range of replacement doors and drawer fronts are available in solid wood and vinyl finishes, and can be made to any size.

Worktops and surfaces - We offer a vast range of replacement worktops in a variety of materials.

Extra units and appliances - Additional cabinets can be custom made to Measure and we can also supply all major brands of sinks and accessories.

For a free computerised design and quotation without obligation call us on 01793 644600.

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Understand that colours behave in three basic ways : active, passive, and neutral. You can easily match every room’s colours to your personal desires, to your taste taste and to the room’s purpose. Light colours are expansive and airy, making rooms seem larger and brighter. Dark colours are sophisticated and warm; they give large rooms a more intimate appearance. Now let’s find out more about colours and what they can do to a room: Red raises a room’s energy level. It is a good choice when you want to stir up excitement, particularly at night.

In the living room or dining room, red draws people together and stimulates conversation. In an entryway, it creates a strong first impression. Red has been shown to raise blood pressure, speed respiration and heart rate. It is usually considered too stimulating for bedrooms, but if you’re only in the room after dark, you’ll be seeing it mostly by lamplight, when the colour will appear muted, rich, and elegant. Red, the most intense, pumps the adrenaline like no other hue.

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Yellow captures the joy of sunshine and communicates happiness. It is perfect for kitchens, dining rooms, and bathrooms, where happy colours are energising and uplifting. In halls, entries, and small spaces, yellow can feel expansive and welcoming. Even though yellow although is a cheery colour, it is not a good choice to use in main colour schemes when it comes to designing a room. Studies show that people are more likely to lose their temper in a yellow interior. Babies also seem to cry more in a yellow room. In large amounts, this colour tends to create feelings of frustration and anger in people. In

Blue is considered calming, relaxing and serene.

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chromotherapy, yellow is believed to stimulate the nerves and purify the body.

Blue is said to bring down blood pressure and slow respiration and heart rate. That is why it is considered calming, relaxing and serene, and it is often recommended for bedrooms and bathrooms. Be careful, however: a pastel blue that looks pretty on the paint chip can come across as unpleasantly chilly when it is on the walls and furnishings, especially in a room that receives little natural light. If you opt for a light blue as the primary colour in a room, balance it with warm hues for the furnishings and fabrics. To encourage relaxation in the social areas (family rooms, living rooms, large kitchens) consider warmer blues, such as periwinkle, or bright blues, such as cerulean or turquoise. Blue is known to have a calming effect when used as the main colour of a room. Go for softer shades of blue. Dark blue has the opposite effect, evoking feelings of sadness. So refrain from using darker blues in your main colour scheme. Stay with the lighter shades of blue to give you and your loved ones a calm effect.

Green is considered the most restful colour for the eye. Combining the refreshing quality of blue and the cheerfulness of yellow, green is suited for almost any room in the house. In the kitchen, green cools things down; in a family room or living room, it encourages unwinding but has enough warmth to promote comfort and togetherness. Green also has a calming effect when used as a main colour for decorating. It is believed to relieve stress by helping people relax. Also believed to help with fertility, making it a great choice for the bedroom.

Purple in its darkest values (eggplant, for example) is rich, dramatic, and sophisticated. It is associated with luxury as well as creativity, and as an accent or secondary colour, it gives a scheme depth. Lighter versions of purple, such as lavender and lilac, bring the same restful quality to

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HOME bedrooms as blue does, but without the risk of feeling chilly.

Orange evokes excitement, enthusiasm and is an energetic colour. While not a good idea for a living room or for bedrooms, this colour is great for an exercise room. It will bring out all the emotions that you need released during your fitness routine. In ancient cultures orange was believed to heal the lungs and increase energy levels.

Neutrals (black, gray, white, and brown) are basic to the decorator’s tool kit. All-neutral schemes fall in and out of fashion, but their virtue lies in their flexibility: Add colour to liven It has been known for centuries that light and colour things up; subtract it to calm things down. have a positive effect on body and soul.

Black is best used in small doses as an accent.

Indeed, some experts maintain that every room needs a touch of black to ground the colour scheme and give it depth. To make the job easier, you can rely on the interior designer’s most important colour tool: Colour Effects on Walls and Ceiling the colour wheel.

The ceiling represents one-sixth of the space in a room, but too often it gets nothing more than a coat of white Crimson can make some people feel irritable. Invoking paint. In fact, for decades, white has been considered not feelings of rage and hostility, this is a colour that should only the safest but also the best choice for ceilings. As a be avoided as the main colour of a room. Sitting for long general rule, ceilings that are lighter than the walls feel periods of time in a room painted in this colour will likely higher, while those that are darker feel lower. Lower need affect the peace and harmony you are striving to create in not mean claustrophobic: visually lowered ceilings can your home. evoke cosy intimacy. As a general rule, dark walls make a room seem smaller, and light walls make a room seem larger.

Conclusion

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These general guidelines are a good starting point in your search for a paint colour. But remember that colour choice is a very personal matter. You are the one who has to live with your new paint colour, so choose a hue that suits you, your family and your lifestyle.

Mood lighting for an emotional bathing experience It has been known for centuries that light and colour have a positive effect on body and soul, and when used in conjunction with water they have an even more intense deep relaxation effect. That is exactly what a calming bathroom that easily adjusts to your mood can do for you. Light is key to this design, with the Kaldewei LED spotlights that can change colour by a touch of a button, allowing you to choose the colour that best represents your mood.

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The lighting systems and the individual spectral light combinations are operated with a gentle push of a button on a control panel on the rim of the bath so the desired effect can develop to its full potential in the course of a relaxed bath. And those who do not want to limit themselves to a particular colour can simply opt for the automatic colour spectrum which starts a fascinating show of the various colours and lighting effects.

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All our services are fully insured and guaranteed. We’re looking forward to working with you to create a brighter home.

Book your free no obligation site visit today or call us on 01793 644600.

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preparing your garden for winter No matter how vast or small your garden might be, the onset of winter requires off-season prep and clearing out. Many people make the mistake of assuming that once summer is over, they can hang up their gloves and let the garden do its thing until next year. This assumption might not sound unreasonable, but gardeners who fail to put their garden to bed properly for winter usually find that it has grown into disarray by next season. Follow these top tips to prepare your garden for the colder months.

Maintain your lawn It’s not unusual for your lawn to look a little tired or worse for wear at the end of autumn/start of winter. Maintaining your lawn is therefore important to prevent any lasting damage.

Firstly, you should keep mowing (weather permitting) if your grass is still growing due to mild conditions. Remember to mow on a high setting to ensure roots are protected from harsh weather conditions.

Secondly, you should prepare the ground for new grass. This time of year is great for preparing any areas that you want to seed in the spring, so dig them over and pack them down by walking on them or using a garden roller, then rake them and repeat the rolling. You can also improve your lawn’s aeration by pronging the entire garden with a fork, which creates deep holes for drainage.

Tidy your borders Winter presents a great opportunity to smarten up your garden’s borders, as you can move, replace, and compost any old or misplaced plants. It’s is a good idea to dig up annuals such as marigolds and petunias, as this prevents them from wilting and turning into mulch under snow and ice. It is also advisable to cut back any dull perennials to just above ground level, as this refreshes them and also provides shelter for insects while they regrow.

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Manor Garden Centre Cheney Manor, Swindon SN2 2QJ. Telephone 01793 526691 - OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK www.conservatorycentres.co.uk

Lift delicate plants Delicate plants such as cannas and dahlias should be lifted from your garden, once their leaves have started to blacken and before temperatures plummet. You should then clean the soil away from the plants and store them in a cool place, in trays filled with dry compost (ensure only the crown is visible). Your plants can then be replanted for next year’s spring.

Clean your tools Winter is an ideal time for servicing your machinery and ensuring your tools are cleaned and oiled ready for next year. It is also a good time to invest in new garden tools, as there are some great offers available and you can hone your technique ahead of spring. Gardening expert Mantis regularly have special offers on machinery and garden products.

Net your pond Dead foliage around your pond, such as decomposing leaves, can fall into the water over winter months. As they rot, they release gases that are harmful to wildlife. Save yourself the trouble of having to remove dead foliage by catching leaves in pond netting before they have the chance to fall in.

Knowle Nets, based in Dorset, produce bespoke nets that are cut to order so you have no excess.

It might seem like hard work at first, but once you’ve cleared out your garden you can enjoy the winter months knowing that you’ve given yourself a head start come spring. Follow these tips to ensure botanical brilliance.

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Places to Visit & How to get there and maybe take the Grandkids too!

Coate Water Country Park Marlborough Road, Swindon.

Bus Routes 12, 13, 14, 16

Promoting Leisure Travel by Bus

Coate Water is a fantastic community resource providing a perfect setting for a simple and enjoyable family day out.

Facilities include a café, children’s play area, barbeque and picnic areas, cycle hire, children’s paddling pool, pitch & putt golf, mini golf, model railway and bird hides.

The park also provides a peaceful oasis for walking and cycling and can be enjoyed by everyone.

SWINDON DESIGNER OUTLET. Bus Routes 1, 1A, 19, 19A, 22 The Designer Outlet is housed in the beautifully renovated Grade II listed buildings of the former Great Western Railway Works.

Shoppers will find their favourite High Street and designer labels with big price reductions, as well as a large food court, information desk and children’s play area.

Hungerford is a small historic town located in the midst of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Bus Routes 46, 46A

The Link Centre, Whitehill Way, Westlea Swindon.

Bus Routes 1, 1A, 19, 19A The Link Centre houses an ice rink, swimming pool, climbing facility, 5-a-side outdoor football pitches, gym, multipurpose sports hall, health suite and much more to keep you active.

Lydiard House and Park Lydiard Park, Lydiard Tregoze, Swindon. Bus Routes 1, 1A

The town’s historic market status is retained by the significant number of small independent retail and commercial businesses providing visitors and residents alike with personal service across a wide range of products.

Hungerford has an excellent variety of eating places.

Lydiard House and Park is a Swindon treasure. Lots to see, lots to do

The town today is surrounded by open common land, where visitors may enjoy a relaxed walk and an abundance of flora and fauna.

Take a stroll around the walled garden and parkland, calling into the nearby St. Mary’s Church or the children’s play area - there’s something for everyone.

The Town hosts a number of unique annual events, including Tutti Day, a 3 week Arts Festival (including Carnival Day) and a late night Victorian Extravaganza in December.

For details of bus times contact

Lydiard House has a wealth of history beautifully restored state rooms, original furnishings and family portraits.

Other places of interest are Aldbourne: Bus Routes 46, 46A, 48, 48A Marlborough: Bus Routes 48, 48A Oasis Leisure Centre: Bus Routes 12, 15

Traveline on

0871 200 22 33.

The STEAM Story - Museum of the Great Western Railway Kemble Drive, Swindon.

Bus Routes 1, 1A, 19, 19A, 22 Experience the sights and sounds of the GWR works at Swindon and hear the stories of the men and women who worked there.

Steam brings to life the exploits of Isambard Kingdom Brunel - the flamboyant engineer, and acknowledged genius, behind the creation of the GWR.

Town Gardens Quarry Road Old Town, Swindon.

Bus Route 22 Picturesque town park, with formal gardens, aviary, play area, tennis courts and café.

Concerts take place in the bowl and bandstand during the Summer, as well as the annual Asian Mela Festival.

The Town Gardens are open dawn to dusk daily.

OUT AND ABOUT

Fresh ‘n’ Local Farmers Market Weekly Event - Every Sunday at Train Street From 10.00am to 4.00pm Price: FREE

Swindon Arts Centre 6 Devizes Road, Swindon, SN1 4BJ T: 01793 524481 swindontheatres.co.uk

An Evening with Lionel

Expect a range of stalls including meats, vegetables, cheeses, pies, breads and cakes, wines and ciders and tasty street foods.

Held every Sunday in front of Swindon Designer Outlet, Train Street enjoy browsing the wide array of stalls.

The market is visible from the North Car park so is easy to find.

Saturday 27 February 2016 From 7.30pm Price: £32.00

An Evening of Rogers & Hammersmith - Ray Dance and Judith Sharp

His uncanny resemblance to one of the most resilient Legends of Motown Lionel Richie is second to none. He has previously been invited by the BBC to guest alongside Lionel on the Graham Norton Show and has worked with Lionel Richie’s UK PR Company, promoting a Walkers Crisp Advert.

Join us All Night Long for an unforgettable Evening with Lionel and enjoy a sumptuous three-course meal while enjoying all your favourite Lionel classics, including Easy, Hello, Dancing On The Ceiling, Destiny and many more.

Friday 5 February 2016 to Saturday 6 February 2016 Price: £12.00 The evening will feature Ray and Judith, together with some of their talented friends, presenting many of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s best loved songs and they will capture some of the memorable, emotional, romantic and humourous scenes from shows including Carousel, The Sound of Music, Oklahoma, South Pacific and The King and I. If you have enjoyed the music from these wonderful shows in the past, Ray and Judith invite you to nominate the song you would most like to hear again and they will endeavour to include it in their selection. You can do this when you book your ticket by calling 01672 861654.

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Hamilton is without doubt, one of the most popular tribute artists around today.

Dress Code: Smart Tickets: £32.00 (Includes three-course meal) Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon, SN1 1QN T: 01793 524481 swindontheatres.co.uk

THE WITCHES

BY ROALD DAHL Tue 1 - Sat 5 March 2016

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“A real witch could smell you across the street… to a witch, you would smell like fresh dog droppings!”

This Spring, Roald Dahl’s scariest book is brought to life in a tremendously terrifying treat for the whole family.

Witches absolutely detest children. They find them revolting and are planning to wipe them out like weasels! They want to squish them and squiggle them and make them disappear.

But one brave young boy and his grandmother have a plan to get rid of the witches for good… if only they can avoid being turned into mice.

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Directed by Curve Artistic Director, Nikolai Foster, The Witches features a hugely talented cast of actor-musicians and mindboggling illusions that will leave you flabbergasted!

The Witches contains stupendously scary bits

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You are responsible for your own, and other people’s safety.

A mobility scooter could cause considerable A mobility scooter could cause considerable damage to the user or other people if it collided damage to the user or other people if it with someone or something.

A PIE & A PINT - STEWART FRANCIS

We have written a highway code to protect the A electric highway code has been written to protect safety of people who use mobility scooters the users safety people who use electric mobility and the safety of other road andof pedestrians.

If you ride a scooter, youscooters must followand the highway the safety of other road users codepedestrians. whether you ride and Ifonyou ride a scooter, you the pavement, footpath must follow the highway code whether you or on the road.

Before watching STEWART FRANCIS at the Wyvern Theatre, enjoy a meat or vegetarian pie acompanied by an ice cold Arkell’s beer.

collided with someone or something.

ride on the pavement, footpath or on the road.

For a free copy of the publication please

For a free copy ofcontact the publication please the Road Safety Unit contact the Road Safety Unit 01793 466399 email mtester@swindon.gov.uk 01793 466399

email: mtester@swindon.gov.uk 34

Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon, SN1 1QN T: 01793 524481 swindontheatres.co.uk

Wed 9 March 2016 | 6.30pm £10.00

Available from an hour and a half before the show, this preshow food offering is the perfect way to relax and enjoy the build-up to your favourite comedian with friends, family or colleagues!

A meat or vegetarian pie served with rustic home-made mash, gravy and a pint of Arkell’s Beer.

Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon, SN1 1QN T: 01793 524481 swindontheatres.co.uk

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Eating Out or Visiting the Theatre or Cinema ...

why not choose to travel by ?

bus www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

35

OUT AND ABOUT

Macmillan Cancer Support Dinner & Dance Saturday 19 March 2016 From 7.00pm Price: £35.00 pp Help raise money for The Macmillan Cancer Support Charity by attending their dinner and dance at Blunsdon House.

Prepare yourself for a fancy and formal black tie evening with complimentary drink on arrival, in addition to a delicious 3 course meal followed by coffee and entertainment.

CHEESE & ALE TASTING PRESENTED BY WYVERN THEATRE FOUNDATION Sat 12 March 2016 at 7:30pm Tickets: £12.50 Join us for a delicious evening of cheese and ale tasting!

Relax with friends, soak up the atmosphere of the Wyvern restaurant and sample some of the very best local ales and cheeses.

There are no booking fees on this performance. Delivery charges may still apply.

Wyvern Theatre Theatre Square, Swindon, SN1 1QN T: 01793 524481 swindontheatres.co.uk

There are tickets for 200 guests to attend at the four-star, Best Western Blunsdon House Hotel, with all money raised going to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Blunsdon House Hotel The Ridge, Blunsdon, Swindon, SN26 7AS T: 01793 721701 blunsdonhouse.co.uk

Swindon and Cricklade Railway Easter Egg-Spress 25 Mar 2016 to 28 Mar 2016 Our first major weekend of the year brings quality chocolate eggs for the children, handed out by the Easter Bunny.

Swindon and Cricklade Railway

Hunt the Golden Hare: Cadbury Easter Trail 25 Mar 2016 - 4 Apr 2016. 11am Easter fun. Join the hunt for the wild and mysterious hare, guess its name and claim your Cadbury chocolate. £2.50 per trail.

Avebury, Wiltshire, SN8 1RF

THE RAILWAY CHILDREN Mon 4 - Tue 5 April 2016 E. Nesbit’s well-loved tale is brought to life in this new adaptation by Woolford and John. Roberta, Peter and Phyllis live in a comfortable house in London until their father, who works for the government, is falsely accused of selling state secrets and is imprisoned for five years.

WIN A £25 M&S GIFT CARD! FOR A CHANCE TO WIN SIMPLY VISIT OUR COMPETITIONS SECTION ON OUR NEW LOOK WEBSITE

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The children and their mother have no choice but to leave their home and move to a quiet little cottage next to a railway in Oakworth, Yorkshire. They quickly make friends with the Station Master, Mr Perks, and an Old Gentleman who waves everyday from his carriage on the 9.15 to London.

This unlikely friendship proves to be a very fortunate one and could be key to the release of their Father...

A beautiful blend of storytelling, drama, comedy and musical theatre, this really is the perfect way to make literature come alive for all the family!

The Arts Centre, Devizes Road, Old Town, Swindon SN1 4BJ Ticket Office: 01793 524 481 swindontheatres.co.uk

BRIAN CONLEY ALIVE AND DANGEROUS Wed 6 April 2016 Tickets: £23.50 at 8:00pm

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The multi-talented and irrepressible Brian Conley returns to the stage in this all-new show.

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Showcasing his many talents, there’ll be singing, laughs, and much, much more in this latest variety show from one of Britain’s most loved performers.

Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon, SN1 1QN T: 01793 524481 swindontheatres.co.uk

THE UK’S WORST SERIAL KILLERS Thu 7 April 2016 at 7:30pm Tickets: £13.50 Concessions: £2.00 off Following the success of The World’s Worst Serial Killer Show which toured the UK in 2014, retired murder squad detective and the shows presenter, Trevor Marriott is returning with his new show The UK’s Worst Serial Killers.

The two-hour audiovisual show tells the stories behind some of The UK’s worst serial killers from the late Victorian period up to the present day. None of which were featured in the previous show. As with the previous show the content is taken from Trevor’s best-selling book The Evil Within -The World’s Worst Serial Killers.

The new show describes the murders committed by many of the UK`s worst serial killers, featuring over 200 photographs of not only the victims, but photographs from the original crime scenes, many of which will never have been seen before.

No one under 16 will be admitted without a parent or appropriate adult.

Aug 30 Gwbert, Cardigan Bay & West Wales Aug 30 Criccieth, Lleyn Peninsula & Snowdonia Aug 30 Great Yarmouth, Coast & Broads Sep 3 York Sep 3 Newquay, Atlantic Cornish Coast Sep 3 Middlesborough, Where it all Began Sep 4 Paignton, English Riviera Sep 5 Shanklin, Isle of Wight Sep 5 Cliftonville Eight years ago in 2007, new pensioner, I had&30Dartmoor odd Sep as 10aBabbacombe, S. Devon Sep 10 Far North of Scotland hours of free time to occupy.

With a penchant for playing Sep 10 than Colchester, Constable Country Bridge, what more sensible to set up a duplicate bridge Peak District club with an emphasisSep on 10 attracting like- minded pensioners Sep 11 Bantry Bay & Gulf Stream Coast and beginners of the game.

Sep 12 Grange Over Sands, Lakes & Dales Sep 12Club St Ives & Land’s EndLawn Thus was The Lawn Bridge born and The Sepadopted 13 Scarborough Yorkshire Moors As Community Association us as a&regular activity.

Sep 13individuals Weymouth,to Delightful Dorsetand can in-house host, I encourage come along Sep 16 Douglas, Isle of Man guarantee a pairing so that everybody gets a game. In the early Sep 18 Jersey & Guernsey, Channel Islands days we sometimes played only two but as word Sep 18with Sandown, Isle tables of Wight spread we were soon Sep attracting 16 plus players.

A local player, 19 Llandudno & Snowdonia David Morris regularlySep came along in those to &encourage 20 Ilfracombe, Northdays Devon Exmoor Sep 21 Sorrento Pompeii I am indebted to and coach beginners and pair up with& singles.

Sep 23 Newquay, Atlantic Cornish Coast his enthusiasm and commitment.

Sep 24 Tenby & Pembrokeshire So, if as a player, you Sep wish25toFar joinNorth an active progressive club of Scotland, inc Orkney or as a novice you want moreExplorer about the game, come Septo25learn Pennine along and join us at either venue a Wednesday Sep 27 Boats on & Trains of Norfolk afternoon Sep 27atEastbourne & the Sussex competitive Coast at 1.30 pm, in the evening 6.15 pm with friendly Sep 27 Irvine,on Singles in Scotland action or as a beginner /improver a Friday morning at 9.45 Oct 1 Blackpool Illuminations am.

Oct 1 Eastbourne & the Sussex Coast You can be sure of one thing only and that that you will be Oct 1 Patterdale, Lake isDistrict & Pennines Octfriends.

2 Killarney, The Kingdom of Kerry warmly received among Oct 2 Tuscan Riviera, Forte dei Marmi I look forward to meeting Oct 3you.

Gwbert, Cardigan Bay & West Wales Derek Fenn Oct 6 Tenby Email:derekf99@hotmail.com…….Tel: 01793 524837 Oct 8 Blackpool Illuminations

SWINDON’S YOUNGEST BRIDGE CLUBS

The Arts Centre, Devizes Road, Old Town, Swindon SN1 4BJ Ticket Office: 01793 524 481 swindontheatres.co.uk

Theatre Trips 2016 THE BODYGUARD

Sat 23rd Jan £74 at BRISTOL HIPPODROME

STRICTLY COME DANCING Sat 23rd Jan £84 Sun 24th Jan £84 at BARCLAYCARD ARENA BIRMINGHAM

MATILDA THE MUSICAL Sun 24th Jan £104 Thurs 21st Apr £63 at CAMBRIDGE THEATRE

THRILLER

Sun 24th Jan £64 Thur 21st Apr £63 at LYRIC THEATRE

THE PHAMTOM OF THE OPERA Fri 29th Jan £74 Sat 7th May £74 at HER MAJESTY’S THEATRE

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Ri

barnes

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THE LION KING Fri 29th Jan £76 Sat 19th Mar £103 Fri 27th May £99 at LYCEUM THEATRE

CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Thur 4th Feb £76 Fri 27th May £99 at THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE

LES MISERABLES Thur 4th Feb £74 Sat 7th May £109 at QUEENS THEATRE

WAR HORSE

Sat 5th Mar £99 at new london theatre

KINKY BOOTS

Sat 19th Mar £109 at ADELPHI theatre

MAMMA MIA - UK TOUR

Sat 2nd Apr £77 at BRISTOL HIPPODROME

THE WAR OF THE WORLDS Sat 9th Apr £79 at Dominion Theatre

WICKED

Fri 15th Apr £69 at APOLLO VICTORIA Theatre

TO BOOK CALL: 01793 821303 OR VISIT

www.barnescoaches.co.uk

37

Catch a little luxury with

Route 66 • Swindon • Shrivenham • Faringdon • Oxford Monday to Friday up to every 30 minutes (up to every 20 minutes at peak times) Saturday up to every 20 minutes, Sunday up to every 30 minutes

www.stagecoachgold.com

ORION

THE DAZZLING HUNTER WITH THE GLOWING SWORD Brian Jones Visible high above the southern horizon during winter evenings, Orion is arguably the most beautiful constellation in the sky. Its conspicuous and unmistakable pattern of bright stars becomes ever more prominent as winter progresses and, once seen, is unlikely to be forgotten.

Greek mythology tells of the mighty hunter Orion who boasted far and wide of his prowess and who declared himself a match even for the gods. This angered Diana, the Goddess of the Hunt, who challenged Orion to a hunting match, a challenge which Orion gladly accepted. He and Diana spent many days in the chase, but in the end there was nothing to choose between them, and the contest was declared a draw. Once more Orion bragged and, in a fit of anger, Diana commanded a scorpion to crawl out of the ground and kill him. She then placed the mighty hunter among the stars where he can be seen to this day.

One of the most conspicuous stars in Orion is the red giant Betelgeuse. This is one of the largest stars known to astronomers and, if Betelgeuse occupied the position of our Sun, its outer surface would extend beyond the orbit of Mars. The ruddy glow of Betelgeuse contrasts sharply with the brilliant white of Rigel, another giant star which is so far away that the light we are seeing from it set off towards us only a few years after the Domesday Book was compiled.

Along with Betelgeuse and Rigel, the two stars Bellatrix and Saiph complete the main outline of the constellation, central to which are the three stars Alnitak, Alnilam and Mintaka that form the Belt of Orion. The easternmost

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of these is Alnitak, the area immediately surrounding which is rich in stars and well worth a closer look through binoculars.

The trio of stars forming the Belt of Orion have been given other names in the past, Australian natives referring to them as ‘Young Men’, Greenlanders calling them ‘The Seal Hunters’ and mariners identifying them as ‘The Golden Yardarm’. Perhaps the silliest episode relating to the naming of these three stars took place in 1807 when the University of Leipzig christened them ‘Napoleon’, whereupon an irate Englishman promptly retaliated with the title ‘Nelson’. Needless to say, neither name found its way on to star maps!

Just below the Belt of Orion is a line of faint stars, within which can be found the magnificent Orion Nebula. Visible as a glowing patch of diffuse light, this is one of the most famous and eye-catching objects in the entire sky. Shining because of the energy from hot stars embedded within it, the Orion Nebula is clearly visible to the naked eye on dark, clear moonless nights. The wide field of view of a pair of binoculars brings it out well, and the sight leaves the observer with a sense of wonder when it is realised that inside this glowing cloud stars are actually being formed.

It may be winter, and the nights are predictably cold. However, don’t let that stop you checking out what the impressive Orion has to offer. Happy stargazing!

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Safer Driving this Winter With snow and ice on the way the Road Safety Team has issued advice to ensure that you keep safe when driving this Winter.

Follow these tips and safety advice in order to make your Winter driving incident free...

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More advice for Winter driving •

Double or even triple your normal stopping distance from the vehicle in front.

•

Engine/cooling system - Check antifreeze levels. A 50/50 mix of antifreeze to water will protect the engine down to –34ºC.

•

Plan your journey around busier roads as they are more likely to have been gritted.

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Handbrake - Check for damage to handbrake cable covering.

Cables should be changed if water has penetrated.

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On motorways stay in the clearest lane where possible, away from slush and ice. Keep within the clear tyre tracks if you can.

•

Washers and wipers - A 50/50 mix of additive to water is needed in very cold weather. Switch off wipers when parked in frost doing so prevents damaging blades or overheating the wiper motor when the car is started.

•

Stay in a higher gear for better control.

•

As conditions improve make sure your foglights are only on if necessary – they can dazzle other drivers.

•

In falling snow use dipped headlights to make yourself visible to others (especially pedestrians)

The main tip is to keep your speed right - not too fast so that you risk losing control, but not so slow that you risk losing momentum when you need it – and brake, steer and accelerate as smoothly as possible.

Always start gently from a stationary position and avoid high engine revs.

If you get yourself into a skid the main thing to remember is to take your foot off the accelerator and steer, never use the brake as this may lock up your wheels resulting in total loss of control.

General - Check oil level, battery, lights, and tyre tread and pressures

Protecting Your Car for the Winter

Avoiding a Skid Skidding on ice is the main concern for those driving in freezing conditions.

Quite often drivers do not anticipate the impact that snow and ice can have on the handling to your vehicle.

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•

•

Locks - Oil door and boot locks and spray with water repellent to prevent freezing. Similarly for bonnet and fuel cap.

Diesel - Can become waxy and unusable below –15ºC. Some additives can lower this temperature. If possible, garage your vehicle in extreme cold.

Preparation •

Check the weather in advance – don’t ignore police warnings about closed roads.

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ROAD SAFETY •

Make sure you have an emergency kit so you are prepared in the event of a breakdown. This should include a torch, food for energy, water and a blanket. On longer journeys always let someone know you have set off and tell them your planned route.

•

Ensure your mobile is charged up so you can make a call in an emergency – but don’t use it when driving!

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Do a proper Winter check of your vehicle, looking at washer fluid, de-icer/scraper and tyres.

9. Adjust your driving style to the conditions – be sensible in the rain, snow and ice.

10. Above all, in bad conditions consider whether your journey is really necessary.

For further information, advice and guidance on Winter driving and all other Road Safety related matters, please contact us on 01793 466399 stars@swindon.gov.uk

Quick Check - Top 10 Winter Driving Tips 1. Always carry a survival pack in the car, including food, water and a blanket. This should include extra warm clothes.

2. Ensure your phone battery is fully charged and you have an in-car charger.

3. Put a shovel in your boot – in case you need to dig yourself out of trouble.

4. Consider fitting Winter tyres, but even if you don’t, have your summer tyres checked. Winter driving means that tyres should have no less than 3mm remaining tread.

5. Have your battery checked.

Batteries have to work extra hard in the cold and are more likely to fail.

6. Make sure your windscreen washer fluid is topped up with the correct concentration of screenwash. Windscreens get particularly dirty in the Winter months and screenwash will help prevent the liquid from freezing.

7. Have your coolant checked – the antifreeze needs to protect your engine against the lowest of temperatures.

8. Have your air-con system serviced.

It’s not just for summer – an effective air-con system will demist windscreens much more quickly, helping visibility.

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

41

FOOD & DRINK

Cook with John Torode!

Delicious recipes from his new book - My Kind Of Food GLAMORGAN SAUSAGES My search for a great vegetarian sausage recipe took me far and wide, from Australia to Asia to Ireland, with Europe in between. I finally stumbled across these little beauties closer to home – in Wales. They’re simply made with some cheese, breadcrumbs and a couple of eggs and they are grand. To my mind, they taste a bit like the stuffing you get from a good chicken. They are moreish, so beware.

Feeds 4 175g Caerphilly cheese or Cheshire cheese, grated 225g fresh breadcrumbs 1 banana shallot, grated 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley 1 tablespoon chopped chives 1 egg, beaten 20ml milk 1 teaspoon hot English mustard plain flour, for dusting 300ml vegetable oil, for frying salt and freshly ground black pepper jar of apple sauce or apple chutney, to serve

rode John To

For the coating 1 egg, beaten 50ml milk 50g plain flour 1 teaspoon paprika Prep the sausage mixture In a large bowl, mix the cheese, breadcrumbs, shallot and herbs and season with salt and pepper.

In a jug, beat together the egg, milk and mustard. Pour the egg mixture over the cheesy breadcrumbs and mash together until you get a dough.

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On a lightly floured worktop, roll out the mix into long sausages roughly 2cm thick and then cut the sausages into 8cm lengths – you should get about eight.

Coat them

Beat the egg and milk together in a shallow dish. Spread out the flour in another dish and season with the paprika.

Roll the sausages in the egg mixture and then in the seasoned flour. Leave on a tray in the fridge for 10 minutes to set.

Cook the sausages

Heat the oil in a heavy-based frying pan and gently fry the sausages over a medium heat for about 4–5 minutes, turning, until brown all over. Drain well on kitchen paper. Serve with apple sauce or apple chutney.

For a non-vego version

Add bits of crisp bacon, flaked smoked haddock or shredded ham and chopped-up peas to the sausage mixture and then coat and cook as above.

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TOMATO AND PESTO TARTS I have always been a sucker for anything cooked in, or with, puff pastry. These deep tarts are topped with the concentrated flavour of sweet tomatoes and the kick of a punchy pesto. Serve with peppery watercress. If you like, just make smaller individual ones as snacks for your hungry hordes.

Makes 4 tarts* * 1 each as a starter

500g block puff pastry (all-butter, if possible) plain flour, for dusting 1 egg, beaten 2 tablespoons pesto (see page 160 for home-made, or just use a jar) 8 plum tomatoes, sliced salt and freshly ground black pepper To serve 100g watercress 10ml peppery olive oil

Prep the pastry Heat the oven to 220°C/gas 7. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.

On a lightly floured worktop, roll the puff pastry out until it is about 2cm thick.

You will need to cut four circular discs from the pastry so you need to find a small plate or saucer that’s about 16cm in diameter to use as a template. Place the plate over the pastry and run a sharp knife around the edge to cut out the first disc. Repeat until you have four.

Lift the disks onto the baking sheet and brush with the beaten egg. With a fork, prick the inner circle but not the outer edge – this will stop the pastry from rising in the middle but will allow the outer edge of the tart to rise up.

Now you need to lightly score a margin about 1.5–2cm in from the edge of the pastry discs, so find a smaller plate or bowl that you can use as a template.

Place the smaller plate in the centre of each pastry disc and lightly run a sharp knife around the edge, being careful not to cut all the way through.

Take a good amount of the pesto and spread it over the inner circle of each tart. Place the tops and bottoms of the tomatoes in the centre of the tarts, then start to lay the slices on top of the pesto so they overlap and create a swirl effect – it should look a bit like a Catherine wheel. Season with salt and pepper.

Build the tarts

Place the tarts in the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, until well risen and coloured. Mix the watercress with the olive oil and serve with the tarts.

Tip

Cut out pastry discs, stack them between layers of cling film and keep them in the freezer – ready in case of an emergency!

Just take them out of the freezer 10 minutes before you want to cook them, then make the tarts and bake as above.

Find these recipes and more in John’s latest book is My Kind of Food: Recipes I Love To Cook at Home by John Torode, published by Headline priced £25.

FOR MORE FOODIE ARTICLES VISIT WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

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CARE All staff should be fully trained on using equipment such as a hoist, to help bear your weight safely, if needed.

Keeping you safe and secure in your own home

How to choose the right Home Care Whether you’re choosing a home care company for a family member or starting to plan for your own future, there are several important things that you should consider. Here are a few useful pointers to help you along the way.

Your chosen home care provider is there to look after you. They should help you to make your own decisions and support you in maintaining your own independence. That also means treating you with respect, valuing you as a person and respecting your privacy. If you need assistance with tasks such as dressing, bathing and toileting, you have the right to choose your carer, whenever possible.

Remember, it’s your care and you have the right to be involved in every aspect of your care. Don’t ever be afraid to ask for a family member or friend to be kept informed about your home care too.

Home care company standards All companies have a ‘Statement of Purpose’ that sets out their aims and objectives and the type of the services they offer. If you’re employing a company, they should give you a contract explaining all terms and conditions. This will include things such as their confidentiality policy – for example, how they will hold and use personal data. All home care company employees should also have clear written guidelines and follow robust procedures on how to administer and assist with any medication needs.

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Before your home care starts It’s important to always make sure that the home care company you choose visits you at home, before care starts.

This will give you the chance to discuss your requirements in detail to ensure that you’re happy with your choice of provider. A good home care company will answer any questions you may have during this visit. The visit will also give the company the opportunity to see the environment in which they will be working. If possible, arrange for a family member or friend to be there when the home care company visits.

So you’re thinking about using a company to provide home care? But how can you make sure that the home care provider you choose treats and cares for you in the right way?

Initial home visit by a home care company During the initial home visit by the home care company, they will carry out a detailed risk assessment of your home, as well as a manual handling assessment. This is important, as it will identify how the company staff will move you safely around your home, if assistance is required.

It’s the job of the home care company staff to make sure that you are safe and secure in your own home when they are working with you. Every home care company must have procedures in place to protect those using home care services, to reduce the risk of accidents, and protect people from any form of abuse including physical, emotional and financial abuse. This will also include an agreement about gaining access to your home. Care workers should have ID cards to show their photograph, their name, the company’s name and contact details.

Home care companies must also have a policy in place that sets out how staff should handle money, if you ask them to buy things, or to pay a bill for you.

Paying for home care It’s important to know the cost of home care and you should always be provided with a clear idea of costs for home care services. In most cases, companies will charge different rates for home care on weekday, evenings and weekends.

There is also often a higher rate on Bank Holidays. Remember to ask if there will be any additional costs that you need to know about.

If you have been assessed by Social Services as being eligible for care and support at home, and Social Services have agreed to, fully or part fund your care (dependant on your financial assessment), you can choose to have the Care Company Social Services appoint, or you can choose to have Social Services provide the money to buy, some or all of, the support you need using something called a “Direct Payment”. The Direct Payment option allows you greater flexibility and freedom in how your care is provided.

You can choose to employ your own ‘personal assistant’ or decide to work with the care provider of your choice.

Your local Social Services team will be able to advise you further.

Check what you are being charged All costs should be written into the contract between you and the company and you should be invoiced at regular intervals for the previous months’ service. In most cases, the home care company will keep timesheets that you

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will need to sign. Always check that they have logged the correct length of visits. It may seem easier to sign only once a week but if you do this you may be charged the incorrect amount and it will prove difficult to prove otherwise.

Automated care worker monitoring Some home care companies have electronic monitoring so care workers can ‘check in’ using their mobile phone or put a pin number into your landline phone.

There is no cost to you when they use this system and it records the exact length of time that your care provider has been with you. This system also helps the home care company to highlight any missed calls by the care worker, reducing the risk of you not getting a call.

Top 10 key questions to ask when choosing a Home Care company •

Can the company provide the care needed, and have they provided care before for someone with similar needs?

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How will the company and staff respect your privacy and dignity?

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Have they taken the time to understand your personal likes and dislikes?

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How do they match the most suitable care worker to your needs? Will they arrive at the time you have requested. Will you always have the same person caring for you. What happens if they are sick or go on holiday?

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What charges will you be expected to pay (Is there a minimum charge)? And how you will be invoiced?

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Is the company insured to protect your safety and interests?

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Do all care workers undergo a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check before being employed? And what ongoing training do they receive?

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Does the company have a copy of its latest inspection report available for you to look at?

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Can the company be contacted outside office hours or in an emergency?

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Will the company give you a copy of their standard contract to read before signing?

How can Bluebird Care Help?

Bluebird Care is a national provider of care in the home. We specialise in working with customers and their families that require care in their own homes. We offer a unique service of tailored care visits from 15 minutes to full live-in support.

The ethos of Bluebird Care is Good Old-Fashioned Service with a “can do” attitude, which has been built around a passion to deliver high quality care and an excellent level of service. Our aim is to allow our customers to maintain their independence and dignity by putting together a bespoke care package which allows them to remain in their own homes safely and holistically.

For those customers not wishing to approach Social Services regarding their own care of that of a loved one, our Care Manger will visit the person in their own home (or hospital) to better understand the person’s requirements, answer any questions (including the 10 mentioned), discuss funding options and put in place a care plan to ensure the person remains safe and as independent as possible in their own home.

CARE VISITS AT HOME We care passionately Bluebird Care (Swindon)

Suite E6, Gemini House, Groundwell Industrial Estate, Swindon SN25 5AJ

Telephone: 01793 239499 What we offer We offer everything from personal care to shopping, cleaning or social visits. In fact everything you need to stay in the comfort of your own home.

Alternative Bluebird Care offers a realistic cost effective alternative to residential care.

With familiar friends, relatives and possessions around, Bluebird Care ‘just happens’.

Our staff Our staff are caring, trained to give medication and police checked.

www.bluebirdcare.co.uk www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

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Importance of Sleep to the Brain and our Psychological Health 1. Uninterrupted Sleep Our brain works at its best - including our concentration, creativity and ability to retain information - when our mind is well rested. Uninterrupted sleep activates changes in the brain and establishes firmer connections between brain cells thereby transmitting information from one area of the brain to another more efficiently.

2. Limit Your Working Hours Forcing your brain to work well into the night and depriving it of sleep is not conducive to career success, nor wellbeing. Sleep deprivation has been known to lower the immune system and can also affect our mental health, leading to problems such as depression and anxiety.

3. Early Night Busy lifestyles and consistent sleep shortage is known to affect blood flow to the brain even causing brain cells to lack necessary oxygen which can contribute to sending our memory into serious decline.

4 .Insomnia The brain of a patient with chronic insomnia is like someone who is always switched on and ‘wired’. Compared to good sleepers, neurons have been found to be more ‘excitable’. This evidently explains why sufferers struggle with sleep 46

By Dr Lynda Shaw

because the brain is constantly active.

Some of us are able to train our brains to let us sleep so talk to your GP to see about the various things you can do to help yourself including hypnotherapy.

Sleep offers time for the brain to rest with fewer distractions and new things to respond to, with renewed energy helping to process and consolidate information more efficiently.

5. Electronic Devices

8. Safety First

These days, we’re hardly ever without an electronic device within arm’s reach.

Detailed studies have shown that light emitted from electrical devices can miscue our brain to assume that we should remain awake. Keep them in another room when you sleep.

Lack of sleep prevents the mind and body from functioning well throughout the day and can be particularly dangerous for those who are driving. Sleep deficiency has been known to impair driving ability with similar responses to those who have had too much to drink.

6. Weight Gain

9. Burning The Midnight Oil

Some studies suggest as much as 33% of us don’t get as much sleep as we need.

Our hormones can be affected by lack of sleep and it is thought that there is a decrease in a hormone which causes satiety and an increase in a hormone which causes hunger as a result of sleep deprivation. Be aware that almost certainly when we are tired we can trick ourselves into thinking we need to fuel ourselves with more food to get through the day.

New researchers claim that prolonged awake time can destroy a certain type of brain cell (locus ceruleus) neurons, which is key to controlling our awake and alert state and can even lead to irreversible injury to the brain.

7. Improved Learning Studies have shown that those who are well rested are more effective when it comes to learning or problem-solving.

10. Preserve Emotional Memory Studies have found that sleep helps us to preserve our greatest memories and downgrade those that are of lesser importance. Without sufficient sleep, our brains can almost certainly find it more difficult to distinguish between the two.

www.drlyndashaw.com www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

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