Wigan, Warrington & st helens 41

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WIGAN, WARRINGTON & ST. HELENS SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER 2014 EDITION 41

Cheryl Baker

From Buck's Fizz to Happy Days

Rick Stein's Indian Odyssey

Diamond Seal UK To take part in our Osteoporosis survey, see inside...

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H O L I D AY S

& T R AV E L

BRITISH & CONTINENTAL DOOR TO DOOR HOLIDAYS, SHORT BREAKS & DAY EXCURSIONS MEMORY LANE is a well established coach company offering a high level of service. Our tour programme offers a wide range of UK and Continental Tours to many destinations and represent good value for money. All our Tour Coaches are air conditioned for your comfort and most tours include admission with hot and cold drinks available.

Our Diner Coachers offer extra leg room as they are full size vehicles. The on board hostess will offer morning coffee and lunch on touring days. All service and coaches are of the highest quality. Here are just a small selection for 2015.

Paris

Holland

Our third year on these superb ships moored within 10 minutes walk to the Eiffel Tower.

Our package on board The Renior is full board and we have guided tours of Paris on two mornings and two afternoons to explore this world famous City.

Our first night we spend in Kent on a Dinner B & B basis, which allows us to arrive in Paris for 4pm.

YOUR HOTEL: HHHH MS RENIOR PRICE INCLUDES: Full board on board. luxury coach travel and guided tours of Paris.

Luxury Coach Travel & services of experienced tour driver. Door to door pick ups.

5 DAYS/4 NIGHTS FULL BOARD ON SHIP Date

Price

SS

16 March

£459

tba

Ireland This year we return to The Towers, a superb property located in the heart of this fine Holiday location, we tour the Ring of Kerry, The Dingle and Blarney & Cork. This tours uses the 10.30am HSS so we do not need any overnight hotels. GREAT VALUE FOR MONEY AT THIS QUALITY HOTEL. YOUR HOTEL: HHH KILLARNEY TOWERS HOTEL PRICE INCLUDES: 4 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast. Luxury Coach Travel & services of experienced tour driver. Door to door pick ups.

6 DAYS/5 NIGHTS HALF BOARD Date

Price

SS

10 May

£459 135

This traditional Dutch property is set in the centre of the pretty old world lakeside village of Volendam, the hotel has all modern facilities including full leisure facilities.

YOUR HOTEL: HHH Art Hotel Spaander PRICE INCLUDES: Some wonderful visits, including: Harleem Flower Parade (Saturday), Kings Day Celebrations (Monday), Kuekenoff Gardens and bulbfields (Friday). Overnight return ferry from Hull to Rotterdam with low berth cabins, (dinner and breakfast on board ship is not included but can be pre-booked at £48 pp - a saving of approx £10). Luxury Coach Travel & services of experienced tour driver. Door to door pick ups.

6 DAYS/5 NIGHTS HALF BOARD (NOT ON SHIP) Date

Price

23 April

£475 125

SS

Cantabria Spain We have daily excursions to many attractive places such as Santillana del Mar World Heritage Site, a full day to the hilltop towns of the Rioja Region. A full day to The Pico De Europa mountain range taking in the town of San Vincente, returning via River Deva Valley, a shorter day to the old fishing port Castro Urdiales.

Our outward and return days are by The Brittany Ferries ship Pont Aven, this very modern ship which covers the route in less than 24 hours overnight, departs Portsmouth at 15.00 on day 1, arriving in Spain 23 hours later. Low berth cabins are included but we do not include meals. Our return times are similar to the outward day.

YOUR HOTEL: HHHH Hotel Olimpo A 4 star hotel standing in a fantastic location in the village of Isla, from the hotels gardens there is direct access to the beaches. All bedrooms have a balcony with views of the sea or gardens.

There are many extras included: a welcome drink on arrival, water and wine with dinner, tea & coffee after dinner, happy hours in cafeteria between 5-7pm, a farewell dinner with wines, wine tasting in the bar one evening, all meal times at your leisure, breakfast 8.30 -11.00am & dinner 8.00 - 11pm. Luxury Coach Travel & services of experienced tour driver. Door to door pick ups.

8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS HALF BOARD Date

Price

SS

09 June

£599 155

22 Sept 9 Days Kirchburg Hotel Zentral 4H £TBA We return to this fantastic family run hotel for The Almabtrieb Festival, the homecoming of the cows from the high pastures. This is just a part of this superb holiday. We also visit Krimml Falls, Kitzbuhel, Innsbruck, Mayrhofen and the Ziller Valley. Our hotel package in Kirchburg offers us Dinner, Bed & Breakfast with packed lunches everyday and a free bar to approx 8.30pm daily.

WE ARE STILL AWAITING FINAL OVERNIGHT STOP CONFIRMATION. THIS PACKAGE IS ALWAYS POPULAR SO BOOK EARLY. CONFIRMATION OF DETAILS SOON.

DAY EXCURSIONS 2014 ~ BOOKING HOTLINE 01942 728960 book in our office, or ring and pay with your debit card at no extra charge.

All excursions are pick up & set down on main roads close to your home as practical within our normal area. All pick ups & drop offs are normally completed within 1 hour subject to traffic conditions. Some pick ups are by a feeder vehicle, and where route allows passengers will be first on first off basis. The base time is at Golborne, so some times will be before this time and some will be after depending on the destination.

WE ALWAYS ADVISE PICK UP TIMES BY PHONE THE DAY BEFORE THE EXCURSION. 03/09 SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY, with 4 course lunch

Depart 08.45

Return 5pm

£67.00

After our local pick ups we head south to Kidderminster. On arrival we have time to explore the station and maybe have a drink.

We board the Steam hauled train and settle into our 1930s Luxury Restaurant car. The Loco starts our historic journey and the freshly prepared lunch is served as the beautiful scenery of the Severn Valley slips by the windows. Our journey is a leisurely none stop service to Bridgnorth, where we have a 40 minute break to turn the Loco and maybe stretch your legs and take some photos. The return journey starts at 2.30pm stopping at Highley where you can alight and visit the Engine House Visitor Shed. We then catch the next train around 40 minutes later which will return you to Kidderminster about 5pm. We board our coach and head home via the motorways.

05/09 SKIPTON via THE RIBBLE VALLEY

Depart 9am

Return starts 4.30pm

£14.95 (A) £9.95 (C)

A pretty drive along the Ribble Valley to this attractive town with its restored Castle and its large street market and traditional shops. The town sits on the Leeds Liverpool Canal where excellent cruises are available, there is so much to do you may come again.

06/09 YORK EXPRESS

Depart 08.30am

Return starts 5pm

£18.50 (A) £12.90 (C)

This ever popular excursion is timed to give you maximum time in this famous City and there is so much to do with something for everyone.

09/09 YORKSHIRE DALES EXPLORER

Depart 8.30am

Return starts 4.30pm £15.75 (A) £10.50 (C)

We head through Lancashire to our coffee stop at Settle, then onto Hawes, an attractive village with its pretty shops, rope maker and creamery. It is also market day today where we stay for lunch. Afterwards we move on to Aysgarth with its beautiful falls and TV locations for many productions. Turning south, here we journey on via Kilnsey and Kettlewell to our last stop at the pretty village of Grassington with its village square and cobbled street. Departing here around 4.30pm for our drive through the Ribble Valley & home.

07/10 STRATFORD UPON AVON

Depart 8.15am

Return 4.15pm

£18.90 (A) £13.90 (C)

William Shakespeare’s birthplace is a historic and attractive town with many places of interest, either along the Shakespeare trail, sailing on the pretty River Avon or just a stroll around the shops. On the outward journey only we include a tea/coffee or chocolate and a packet of biscuits in the excursion price.

08/10 OSWESTRY & LLANGOLLEN

Depart 9am

Return 4.30pm

£15.95 (A) £11.90 (C)

Today we motor to the border town of Oswestry with its attractive streets and timber framed houses. The town dates back to before Christ and has a long history of border battles, today its claimed to have more than 30 hostelries, also today it carries on with its market charter first granted in 1190. In the afternoon we journey to Llangollen for sightseeing before we climb the Horse Shoe pass on our homeward journey.

19/10 COTWOLD CAMEO

Depart 8.30am

Return starts 5pm

£21.90 (A) £14.90 (C)

Our last long day excursion before Summer time ends. We motor South via the motorway. We will provide tea/coffee and biscuits during the journey arriving at our first stop of Broadway, a beautiful village with many Cotswold stone properties. From here we travel on to the Stow on the Wold for a short visit before arriving at Bourton on the Water, where we spend the afternoon, this is a real pretty gem set on the River Windrush.

23/10 FRODSHAM & THE CITY OF CHESTER

Depart 9am

Return starts 4.30pm £11 ALL CLASSES

Our first stop today is the small town of Frodsham, sat beneath the Red Sandstone ridge. It has a fine street market today with many local merchants selling their produce. Just before lunch we depart for the City of Chester setting down close to the centre. We spend the rest of the afternoon here for shopping or sightseeing.

CALL NOW TO REGISTER FOR OUR 2015 BROCHURE

For full details and daily itineraries see our brochure or visit our website:

www.memorylanetravel.co.uk Booking hotline: 01942 728 960 Memory Lane Holidays & Travel, Heath Street, Golborne, Warrington WA3 3AD

Scam Watch What’s your favourite prank to play? Whether it’s with unsuspecting friends or the grand-kids, we’ve probably all pulled – and been on the receiving end of – a trick or two in our time. But what about those tricks that aren’t quite as innocent – the ones that are designed to part you with your cash. Well, you’ll be glad we “made you look” as we go through some of the more common pranks you should be on the look-out for.

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Shoulder surfers: one of the most common ways for fraudsters to acquire your PIN is not through sophisticated techniques of card cloning, but simply by watching over your shoulder as you enter it. Always be wary of people standing behind you at cash points and when entering your PIN in a shop.

Phishing: have you won a lottery you didn’t enter? Had a

request from “your bank” to confirm your details? These are all phishing scams and you will end up losing money. Look out for the email originating from an unusual address, or failing to address you by name. Some can be more convincing and even look like they have been sent to you by friends. If in doubt, don’t give your details out.

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Hang-up, no you hang-up: imagine it – you receive a call from

your bank telling you your account had been compromised and you need to act fast to save your cash! You’d do exactly as you were told right? But stop, this is a scam. Your bank would take its own steps to prevent fraud on your account, it would never require you to give out your full account number, password, PIN or hand over your card to a courier – ever. Even if you’re convinced you’re on the phone to your bank – never give out this information.

Payment protection insurance (PPI) refunds: you receive a

text or call from someone claiming to be your bank, the Ministry of Justice, or a PPI company telling you that you’re owed money from mis-sold PPI. But, you must pay an administration fee before the refund can be processed. Don’t give away any money! If you have a PPI complaint, you can come to the ombudsman for free and save yourself giving your cash to claims managers unnecessarily.

Online shopping scams: many of us are beating the queues

by shopping online these days – and the good news is that the majority of transactions are completed with no problem. But always be wary of a seller (or buyer) who asks you to complete transactions outside of the official payment channels like PayPal – as you may find you’re not protected if the item you’re buying, or the money for the goods you’ve sold, doesn’t show up.

We hope these tips help you get ahead of the game. But if you’ve lost out to a fraudster, don’t panic. Tell your bank what’s gone wrong but if you’re still not able to get things sorted out, the ombudsman may be able to help on 0300 123 9 123 or www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk.

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Venice from the Water...

Spectacular from any angle.

8-9

Robinsons Holidays ...

Affordable peace of mind.

10-11 Cheryl's Happy Days ...

The bubbly Cockney who helped bring

Eurovision alight.

13-14 Interior Design...

Room colour and how it affects your mood.

22-23 Out & About ...

...What’s going on in your area.

26-28 Rick Stein ...

In search of the perfect curry.

McGrath Media.

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

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TWITTERING ON

Graham Smith Twitter Column

Boffins carried out extensive dunk-ometer tests on Britain’s five best loved biscuits and found Rich Tea were still going strong after 20 seconds.

It’s no yak An enterprising farming couple believe they are first to introduce the Himalayan yak to Britain.

Helen and Matthew Worth have imported the fearsome looking bovid, usually found on the Tibetan plateau, to the rolling fields of rural Cheshire.

Unlike domestic cattle yaks can be left out in all weathers happily dealing with temperatures as low as minus 40C. They also sport four foot wide horns, are very nimble on their feet and are quite capable of jumping a five barred gate if spooked. Don’t call me if they need rounding up.

Mr and Mrs Worth imported a bull and three female yaks from Germany and Holland. They have already produced two pure-bred calves and hope to produce another bull.

They plan to visit local gastro pubs and farmers’ markets to promote the meat- said to be incredibly lean and low in cholesterol and saturated fat.

The chemical, commonly found in radiator and brake fluids, tastes sweet but causes kidney failure when ingested.

Hobnobs, by comparison, began to crumble after just four seconds immersed in a cup of tea, followed a split second later by Ginger Nuts.

Staff wrote on the facility’s blog: “In Australia, the only antidote we have is alcohol. Alcohol alters the chemical reaction and stops the kidney failure from occurring.

Digestives held on for five seconds and Chocolate Digestives took 11 seconds to collapse, but Rich Tea was the clear winner.

“Charlie had a tube placed through his nose to his stomach. Over about 48 hours, he was given successive doses of alcohol.”

The research, led by Dr Stuart Farrimond for biscuit giant McVitie’s, also established the best dunking time for each variety and the best biscuit dunking angle.

“The easiest form of alcohol is vodka.

In fact for the whole weekend, Charlie had a huge party with us in the Pet ICU.”

Dr Farrimond also called for a traffic light system on biscuit packets warning dunkers which varieties were high risk and likely to collapse.

Charlie’s owner Jacinta Rosewarne told the Herald Sun:

“Given the danger of a hot biscuit falling onto a clean shirt, there should be a ‘dunk-o-meter’ traffic light advisory system for all packets of cookies and biscuits,” he said.

“He was definitely drunk.

“He was stumbling around, I’d go to pat him and he’d push me away like a normal drunk person, he was vomiting a little, whining like a drunk.”

Happily, Charlie is now back to good health, and completely sober. Hic!

Binge drinking saves Charlie!

This really takes the biscuit

Vets in Australia saved a dog from certain death - by getting him drunk in a 48 hour vodka binge.

After the most comprehensive study of its kind, scientists say they have proved that Rich Tea biscuits are the best for dunking.

Charlie, a Maltese terrier, was taken to Animal Accident and Emergency in Melbourne suffering from ethylene glycol poisoning.

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“A red circle would indicate short dunk of under five seconds, amber would advise a five to ten second dip and green for longer.”

Isn’t it heartening to know that science is being applied to such important matters?

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50 Plus Travel

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Venice from the Water Gillian Thornton has been a freelance journalist for more than 30 years, writing everything from parenting features to celebrity interviews, corporate copy to heritage articles. A member of the British Guild of Travel Writers, she has been concentrating on travel writing since 1998 ‘I never mind where I go,’ she says. ‘There’s always something new to discover.’ On this trip, Gillian stayed in Venice on a river cruiser with Voyages Jules Verne Eager for my first daylight view of the Venetian lagoon, I jumped out of bed, pulled back the curtains and quickly 6

shut them again as a water bus packed with commuters chugged past the window. Fortunately I was half decent, but when you book a lagoon-view cabin on board the MS Michelangelo, it pays to pack your pyjamas.

Venice is spectacular from any angle, but it’s hard to imagine a more atmospheric or romantic place to stay than on board the river cruise boat MS Michelangelo on the waters of the lagoon. We booked the Venice from the Water package with Voyages Jules Verne, flying to Venice Marco Polo, where a coach collected the group for the half-hour drive to join our vessel at the Maritime Station.

Once everyone was settled, the Michelangelo cruised down the broad

Giudecca Canal, past St Mark’s Square and the Doges’ Palace to the Riva Sette Martiri where it moored for three nights. Given the unique location, we felt it worth paying the small supplements for a lagoon view cabin on the upper deck – you simply can’t put a price on drawing those curtains (carefully!) and watching the flotilla of water vessels from the comfort of your holiday bed.

VJV run ‘Venice from the Water’ on selected dates from spring to Autumn.

We travelled in early November when you obviously take a gamble with the weather, but the chance to see the city without the crowds more than made up for the grey skies.

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TRAVEL- LEISURE Expect to walk if you want to see Venice properly. Hills are obviously not a problem, but there are many small footbridges up and over the canals so flat shoes are a must. From the Michelangelo’s mooring, it’s a delightful 15-minute stroll to St Mark’s Square, and I’d recommend going back at least once after dinner to enjoy the illuminated square and quiet canals at their most tranquil. By day, the cruise-boat tourists who flock to St Mark’s rarely walked up as far as our floating hotel.

The MS Michelangelo is operated by French company Croisi’Europe and we shared it with French and German travellers. Cabins are compact but very comfortable with big picture windows to take advantage of that view, and if you don’t want to pay the lagoon view supplement, the quay option showcases some elegant buildings.

The vessel is immaculately maintained and crew were forever cleaning and polishing, inside and out. We found the multinational staff friendly and efficient, and a lot of effort had clearly gone into the crew entertainment on the final evening in the lounge bar – music, comedy and a modest degree of good-natured audience participation. There was also dancing on two nights to international hits performed by a local singer. Or you can just sit back and watch the others strut their stuff over a drink.

Venice from the Water offers full board with wine, beer and soft drinks included with lunch and dinner. Our party of six had a table to ourselves, but couples and foursomes have to share, so intimate dinners are a nogo. We found the food consistently good rather than great, mostly safe international favourites, but always

well cooked and attractively presented with three courses at lunch and four at dinner. Special dietary requirements need advance notice though as there is no menu choice, which may not suit fussy eaters.

evening in a historic palazzo on their big day, simply through lack of other interest from other passengers. But they were offered – and much enjoyed – an alternative opera concert in a church.

The package includes a morning cruise of the northern lagoon, past the island of Burano to Torcello. On Day 4, the Michelangelo left its mooring before dawn, gliding silently down the lagoon side of the Lido to the working fishing port of Chioggia where we disembarked to experience a couple of hours in a very different kind of town.

But the real star of the show is the city itself. You can’t beat just walking the canals, turning off down tempting backstreets, and soaking up all those glorious buildings and iconic views from the deck of a water bus up the Grand Canal. And at the end of each atmospheric day, we carried on watching the water traffic of the Venice lagoon through the windows of the Michelangelo, right up until the very last moment when we closed the curtains on one of Europe’s most compelling views. Fabulous.

On top of that, there are optional excursions that include the Doges’ Palace, the craft workshops on Murano and Burano, Padua, and a gondola ride. Be aware though that minimum numbers are generally required. One wedding anniversary couple was disappointed to miss the musical

For further information visit www.vjv.com or call 0845 166 7034

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

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Coach Holidays OUR OWN HOTELS

The Robinsons Difference

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Robinsons Own Hotels

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Eastbourne

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Isle of Wight

THE OCEAN VIEW, SHANKLIN, ISLE OF WIGHT ROBINSONS 3M

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

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All rooms have private facilities,telephone, television and complimentary tea/coffee and hairdryers Traditional English breakfast Lunch snacks available daily Table d’hote evening meal with choice of menu, plus tea or coffee Live entertainment most evenings Indoor heated pool Indoor bowling green, table tennis and snooker room Lift serving all floors Porterage.

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Torquay

THE IMPERIAL HOTEL, EASTBOURNE ROBINSONS 3M

The Imperial is an impressive Victorian hotel situated at the seaward end of Devonshire Place, an imposing tree-lined boulevard, less than fifteen minutes walk from the facilities and amenities in the town centre and across the road from the promenade and the bandstand. The hotel offers the guest a good standard of accommodation, spacious lounge areas and a majestic restaurant all in a dignified and tranquil ambience for the discerning holidaymaker.

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All rooms have private facilities, telephone, television and complimentary tea/coffee and hairdryers Traditional English breakfast Lunch snacks available daily Table d’hote evening meal with choice of menu, plus tea or coffee Live entertainment most evenings Lift serving all floors Porterage.

THE ABBEY LAWN HOTEL, TORQUAY AA3M This elegant Georgian hotel, in the grounds of the former Torre Abbey, with it’s newly refurbished conservatory / lounge offers the discerning holidaymaker an exceptional standard of comfort throughout.

Many of the bedrooms offer panoramic views of the bay.

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All rooms have private facilities,telephone, television and complimentary tea/coffee and hairdryers Traditional English breakfast Lunch snacks available daily Table d’hote evening meal with choice of menu, plus tea or coffee Live entertainment most evenings Indoor and seasonal outdoor pool Lift serving all floors Porterage

5 Day Tour ~ 4 Nights Half Board

7 Day Tour ~ 6 Nights Half Board

Date

Date

Imperial

Ocean View

Abbey Lawn

Imperial

Ocean View

Abbey Lawn

06 Sept

£239 £239

-

07 Sept

£369 £369 £369

10 Sept

£239 £239

-

14 Sept

£359 £359 £359

14 Sept

£235 £235

-

20 Sept

£229 £229

-

21 Sept

£349 £349 £349

24 Sept

£225 £225

-

28 Sept

£339 £339 £339

28 Sept

£219 £219

-

04 Oct

£215 £215 £215

06 Sept

£399 £399 £399

08 Oct

£209 £209 £209

07 Sept

£399 £399 £399

12 Oct

£205 £205 £205

13 Sept

£389 £389 £389

18 Oct

£199 £199 £199

14 Sept

£389 £389 £389

22 Oct

£195 £195 £195 £189 £189 £189

20 Sept

£379 £379 £379

26 Oct 01 Nov

£199 £199 £199

21 Sept

£379 £379 £379

05 Nov

£199 £199 £199

27 Sept

£369 £369 £369

09 Nov

£199 £199 £199

28 Sept

£369 £369 £369

15 Nov

£195 £195 £195

9 Day Tour ~ 8 Nights Half Board

19 Nov

£195 £195 £195

06 Sept

£429 £429 £429

23 Nov

£195 £195 £195

13 Sept

- - £419

29 Nov

£189 £189 £189

03 Dec

£189 £189 £189

20 Sept

£399 £399 £399

07 Dec

£189 £189 £189

27 Sept

- - £379

13 Dec*

£169 £169 £169

17 Dec*

8 Day Tour ~ 7 Nights Half Board

04 Oct

£299 £299 £299

£159 £159 £159

18 Oct

£289 £289 £289

23 Dec

£399† £399† £399†

01 Nov

£279 £279 £279

29 Dec

£389† £389† £389†

15 Nov

£269 £269 £269

29 Nov

£259 £259 £259

Turkey & Tinsel *unlimited singles †3 resort lunches.

SUPPLEMENTS - PER PERSON ABBEY LAWN HOTEL 9 DAYS 8 DAYS 7 DAYS 5 DAYS Front View £17 £15 £13 £10 Premier Room £50 £50 £45 £30

IMPERIAL HOTEL 9 DAYS 8 DAYS 7 DAYS 5 DAYS Premier Room £35 £35 £30 £20

OCEAN VIEW HOTEL 9 DAYS 8 DAYS 7 DAYS 5 DAYS Sea View £17 £15 £13 £10 Premier Room £50 £50 £45 £30

FREEPHONE 0800 0839900

GROUPS 0800 785 1025 www.50plusmagazine.co.uk www.50plusmagazine.co.uk BOOK ONLINE www.robinsons-holidays.co.uk * To visit the Cash in the Attic website, go to CashInTheAttic.com Park Garage, Great Harwood, Blackburn BB6 7SP.

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CHERYL’S HAPPY DAYS When it comes to making your mind up about careers to take talented young Cheryl Baker must have had plenty of choices.

The bubbly Cockney who helped bring Eurovision alight in Buck’s Fizz when she and fellow group member Jay Aston had their skirts whipped off did, however, just have one goal in mind. “I always wanted to sing,” she explains.

We are chatting half-way through a six-month tour of “Happy Days – The Musical” – the show based on the famous American TV sitcom first broadcast in the 1970s which gave a snapshot of family life in the mid-50s and ‘60s.

It spawned the character of The Fonz, a hip youngster who caught the imagination of fans across the world and definitely proved a big hit in England. “In fact, the series was actually bigger in this country than in America itself,” informs Cheryl.

In the show, she takes the part of Mrs Marion Cunningham, Fonz’s ditzy Mrs C who unintentionally is extremely funny. Cheryl loves the role, and the whole show. “It really is wonderful,” she enthuses. “The music by Paul Williams is just fantastic and the show is written by the same person who wrote the original TV series so the characters really come to life.”

Cheryl herself is a larger-than-life character who has endeared herself to the public, at home and abroad, since the Eurovision Song Contest and the group’s first hit record Making Your Mind Up. She had actually been in Eurovision before that, with Co-Co in 1978, but their song, The Bad Old Days, could only manage 11th place. When Cheryl was contacted by Nichola Martin, who was setting up a new group under the name Buck’s Fizz with a view to entering another song, she joined up. The rest, as they say, is musical history: Making Your Mind Up was a global hit, and Buck’s Fizz went on to five years of success and more hit singles.

Perhaps, though, it was always meant to be that Cheryl with all her personality and likeability was

destined for a variety of other things.

And that has certainly been the case.

A quick look at her c.v. reads like an agent’s dream: she’s appeared in and hosted TV programmes from Record Breakers to Walking the Dog, from baking series to slimming challenges and regularly presented programmes live.

She’s done panto, radio and appeared in drama like Dial M For Murder and musicals like Footloose, so her latest incarnation should really be no surprise.

“I’m not the kind of person who could ever sit at home and do nothing anyway,” states Cheryl, now 60. “I’ve got a mortgage and bills to pay like everyone else so I’ve got to work. But I think I like doing something creative, and always will.

“Mind you, I still get the heeby-jeebies about going on stage in something new. I’m used to the music and lines in this show now, but I think I’m the kind of person to always get those nerves and that adrenaline and you do use that. I come off stage and I feel like I’ve done something really worthwhile.”

As well as stage and TV work – she’s due to appear in an edition of TV favourite Pointless in Eurovision week this year – she, Jay Aston and Mike Nolan are still making appearances as Buck’s Fizz.

“Yes, I’m still getting that skirt whipped off!” she laughs. “We love it all and people still seem to love the group and that period. We often appear in retro shows and they stand at the front and sing the songs and they know all the words. They even scream when the skirts go off!”

When she’s not being Cheryl Baker, entertainer, she lives at home in Kent with her husband of 21 years, Steve Stroud, and their 19 year-old twin daughters Kyla and Natalie.

So have the girls seen the show and are they familiar with Happy Days?

“They’ve been a couple of times and love it, although they didn’t know the show at all,” says Cheryl.

She believes that Happy Days was a big success originally because it showed us all an idyllic view of what American life seemed to be. In spite of being a real-life Eastender born in Bethnal Green with an accent she’s never lost, she doesn’t find it hard to adopt an American accent for the show.

“It’s easy,” she instructs. “You just have to roll your r’s and soften your t’s. Just try it.”

Cheryl has never been shy about the weight problem that sometimes shows itself. “I can put on a stone either way anytime,” she asserts. “I’m not the kind of person to be huge, because my parents weren’t, but I’m always on a diet and it’s something I have to watch.”

The travelling and unpredictable lifestyle of touring is not ideal for keeping to a healthy regime and this is something that Cheryl addresses.

“I started running marathons a few years ago and I still go out for four or five miles when I’m on tour,” she adds. “Running burns the calories and does help to keep you fit. I’ve got little legs like a footballer – just like Bobby Moore’s – but they’ve definitely gone leaner with running.”

People warm to Cheryl, they probably always have but her high profile on TV mean that they often feel they know her. “Yes, I’ve always liked that really,” she states. “Our audiences now are great - even though the songs are new, because they’re good and catchy people are enjoying the whole experience.”

As for what happens after the tour – which goes all around the country from Sunderland to The Lowry in Salford – one thing is absolutely certain. Cheryl Baker won’t be retiring any day soon.

“When you’re doing something you love, and you’re still able to do that, why on earth would you retire?”

And then for Cheryl Baker, performer for all seasons, it was back to preparing for that day’s performance in Cambridge - and the warm glow that comes from an audience enjoying their own happy days.

For more information go to happydaysthemusical.com 10

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* To visit the Cash in the Attic website, go to CashInTheAttic.com

11

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HOME 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 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 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

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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.

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

Room Colors and Their Effects 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.

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

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Crimson can make some people feel irritable. Invoking feelings of rage and hostility, this is a colour that should be avoided as the main colour of a room.

Sitting for long periods of time in a room painted in this colour will likely affect the peace and harmony you are striving to create in your home.

Purple is rich, dramatic, and sophisticated.

Colour Effects on Walls and Ceiling The ceiling represents one-sixth of the space in a room, but too often it gets nothing more than a coat of white paint. In fact, for decades, white has been considered not only the safest but also the best choice for ceilings. As a general rule, ceilings that are lighter than the walls feel higher, while those that are darker feel lower. Lower need not mean claustrophobic: visually lowered ceilings can evoke cosy intimacy. As a general rule, dark walls make a room seem smaller, and light walls make a room seem larger.

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 14

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 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, grey, 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 things up; subtract it to calm things down. 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: the colour wheel.

Conclusion 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.

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The Diamond Seal Sentinel Tiled Roof You can now change your conservatory from a summer room into a space that you can use all year round. Our Diamond Seal Sentinel Roof is the first solid roof solution to be launched in a timber kit format, it’s been designed to replace your existing glass or polycarb roof of your conservatory. At the same time you can keep your conservatory windows and doors, frames and walls. The cost of replacing your conservatory roof is eventually recouped from your substantial energy cost saving.

Changing your conservatory roof to a Diamond Seal Sentinel Roof takes only a few days, with very little disruption to your household.

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Budget In brief Keeping your finances SIMPLE We’re taking a look at the key measures announced in the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne’s fifth Budget speech, in which he unveiled plans to support economic recovery - including tax breaks to boost productivity, exports and manufacturing.

The deficit Mr Osborne announced would be lower than expected this year at 6.6% - and he said the Government was on track to post a surplus of 0.2% in 2018/19, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasts.

This was a Budget billed for makers, doers and savers. The changes announced in Budget 2014 are set to redefine financial planning with the reforms aimed at boosting savings in the long term. These reforms included the amount people earn before tax going up by £500 to £10,500. There was an increase to the annual Individual Savings Account (ISA) allowance from £11,520 to £15,000, from 1 July this year, which will combine Cash and Stocks & Shares allowances into a New ISA (NISA).

The Chancellor announced a series of radical reforms to the pension system, giving people unprecedented freedom over how they draw their pension. From April 2015, anyone who is aged 55 or over will be able to take their entire pension fund as cash - although only the first 25% will be tax-free. The remaining 75% of the fund would be taxed at the saver’s marginal rate.

Pensioners will be able to drawdown as much or as little of their pension pot as they want, anytime they want. No caps. No drawdown limits. No one will have to buy an annuity.

REVIEW YOUR FINANCIAL PLANS AFTER THE BUDGET We hope you enjoy our summary articles on some of the key Budget 2014 changes. In particular the areas around pensions and the new tax-efficient NISAs are very significant. If appropriate to your particular situation, you should review your financial plans immediately. Don’t delay. To discuss how the changes announced in Budget 2014 could impact on your financial plans going forward, please contact us for further information. We look forward to hearing from you.

The key announcements at a glance The Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne gave his Budget to Parliament on 19th March 2014. These are his key announcements.

ECONOMY •

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecast to grow by 2.7% this year and 2.3% next year, then by 2.6% in 2016 and 2017, and by 2.5% in 2018

BANK OF ENGLAND •

Bank of England’s remit to keep inflation at 2% renewed

TAXATION •

Point at which people start paying income tax will be raised from £10,000 to £10,500 from 6 April this year

•

Threshold for 40p income tax to rise from £41,450 to £41,865 from 6 April this year and by a further 1% to £42,285 from 6 April 2015

•

Those accused of using a tax avoidance scheme and appealing will have to pay tax up front while they appeal, rather than after

•

Inheritance Tax waived for members of emergency services who give their lives in job

•

Tax on homes owned through a company to be extended from residential properties worth more than £2m to those worth more than £500,000

SAVINGS •

Cash and Stocks & Shares Individual Savings Account (ISA) to be merged into a single New ISA (NISA) with an annual tax-efficient savings limit of £15,000 from 1 July this year

•

The 10p tax rate for savers abolished

•

Cap on Premium Bonds to be lifted from £30,000 to £40,000 in June this year and £50,000 next year

PENSIONS The Chancellor George Osborne plans to fundamentally redesign the UK private pensions system.

He announced in his Budget speech that by removing the effective requirement to buy an annuity which will be introduced from April 2015, people will have greater flexibility in accessing their pensions.

These are: •

Reducing the amount of guaranteed income people need in retirement to access their savings flexibly, from £20,000 to 12,000

•

Increasing the amount of total pension savings that can be taken as a lump sum, from £18,000 to £30,000

•

Increasing the capped drawdown withdrawal limit from 120% to 150% of an equivalent annuity

Increasing the maximum size of a small pension pot which can be taken as a lump sum (regardless of total pension wealth) from £2,000 to £10,000 and increasing the number of personal pots that can be taken under these rules from two to three.

Under the new system, regardless of the size of their defined contributions pension pot, everyone will be able to choose any of the options in the above diagram. This will mean that everyone has access to full withdrawal, an annuity of drawdown, and potentially other products created by providers.

•

All tax restrictions on pensioners’ access to their pension pots to be removed, ending the requirement to buy an annuity

•

•

•

COINAGE

Taxable part of pension pot taken as cash on retirement to be charged at normal income tax rate, down from 55%

•

Increase in total pension savings people can take as a lump sum to £30,000

WELFARE

New Pensioner Bond, paying ‘marketleading’ rates, available from January 2015 to over-65s, with possible rates of 2.8% for one-year bond and 4% for three-year bond - up to £10,000 to be saved in each bond

ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO

Twelve-sided £1 coin to be introduced in 2017

•

Budget to be capped at £119bn for 2015/16, rising in line with inflation to £127bn in 2018/19. The cap includes child benefit, incapacity benefit, winter fuel payment and income support - but does not include State Pension and Jobseeker’s Allowance

ENERGY

•

Beer duty cut by 1p a pint

•

Duty on spirits and ordinary cider frozen

•

Tobacco duty to rise by 2% above inflation, and this escalator to be extended beyond the next general election

•

TRANSPORT •

ENERGY AND FUEL •

Fuel duty rise planned for September will not happen

•

£7bn package to cut energy bills, including £18 per ton cap on carbon price support, predicted to save medium-sized manufacturers £50,000 and families £15 a year

The carbon price floor will be capped as part of a £7bn package to save manufacturers from increasing energy costs

•

Air passenger duty reformed: all longhaul flights will carry the same tax rate as current visits to the US A £200m pot for councils to repair pot holes

HOUSING/INFRASTRUCTURE •

Help to Buy equity scheme for newbuild homes extended to 2020

•

Support for building of more than 200,000 new homes

•

£270m guarantee for Mersey Gateway bridge

•

Legislation to give Welsh Government tax and borrowing powers to fund infrastructure needs, including improvements to M4

•

£140m extra for flood defence repairs and maintenance

•

£200m made available to fix potholes

Read our existing client reviews at http://www.vouchedfor.co.uk/financial-advisor-ifa/st-helens/1031-allie-baglow

KEEP YOUR FINANCES SIMPLE!

VOTED AMONG THE TOP 200 ADVISERS IN THE UK, ALLIE BAGLOW BELIEVES THE NEED FOR INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVICE HAS NEVER BEEN GREATER.

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OUT and ABOUT

Places to visit and things to do...

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

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

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

FAMILY FUN DAY IN THE GARDEN OF THE OLD SPRINGS

6th September 2014 A fantastic fun filled family event takes place at the Old Springs pub in Orrell on Saturday 6th September, kicking off at 1pm and going through till 11pm.

There will be live music from various local artists and bands, as well as a great DJ to keep things rolling on.

Food and craft stalls, bouncy castle, face painting, raffles galore and of course . . great beer!

Venue: The Old Springs 126 Spring Road, Orrell Wigan WN5 0JJ For more details call 01942 375 418

LET’S WALK! Bury Market Hall: Open every day except Sunday Full Markets Open: Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays “Winner BBC Radio 4’s Food & Farming Awards Best Food Market “Winner NABMA’s” Best Market Attraction

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

14th September 2014 At Rixton Claypits 10:00 - 16:00 The plan is to leave the visitor centre, head north for Pestfurlong Hill, and to Willow Brook. Here we pick up Holcroft Lane for a short way then join the Timberland Trail alongside the River Glaze. We return to the visitor centre via Glazebrook and the old war camp. The walk is approx 11km at a moderate pace.

There are no hostelries along the route but we can stop for a short break half way round. Sensible clothing and footwear please.

Meet at the Ranger Centre off Manchester Road, Rixton, WA3 6EB For more information contact the Rangers on 0161 777 9726

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HOSPICE WARRIORS COLOUR RUN 14th September 2014

The first event of its kind in Wigan & a fun afternoon out for all the family!

Run, jog or walk around the 5K track, while getting covered head to toe in powder paint for the most colourful run of your life!

One of the paint stands will be manned by Wigan Warriors players, who will throw the powder paint or use a specially adapted fire extinguisher to cover participants in powder paint as they go past.

Tickets can be bought now priced at: Early Bird (before Aug 15th): Adults - £10 / Children - £7 / Family £30 / Group of six - £60 Standard: Adults - £15 / Children - £10 / Family - £40 / Group of six - £80 Under 5’s go free Proceeds from the event will be shared between Wigan and Leigh Hospice and Wigan Warriors Community Foundation.

Venue: Robin Park Sports Centre and Arena, Loire Drive, Newtown, Wigan WN5 0UH Tickets are available from the Hospice Fundraising team on 01942 524204.

For more information please visit http://www.wlh.org.uk/events/ hospice-warriors-colour-run and tickets are also available from: fundraising@wlh.org.uk www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

l at...

Buy your ingredients loca

t Heskin Farmers Marke & Craft Centre

Tel: 07599 831907 www.heskinfarmersmarket.co.uk Heskin Hall Estate, Heskin, Chorley PR7 5PA

Piano Power CONCERT £12 Ron Abramski (piano) Saturday 20th September , 7.30 pm at St.Helens Town Hall St.Helens Sinfonietta Conductor Alan Free

Thompson House Equestrian Centre, Pepper Lane, Standish, Wigan, WN6 0PP Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th September 2014 from 11am to 4pm (both days)

Everyone welcome!

Come experience a taste of the country with the Chariots of Fire, dog agility displays, carriage driving, scarecrow making, vintage vehicles, welly throwing, apple bobbing, food tasting, face painting, a traditional funfair, as well as a wide variety of country cra stalls.

There’s something for the whole family, as well as the chance to come and join in our unique orienteering challenge around the farm, find out about our inclusive holiday clubs for children and young people, and see the state of the art equestrian centre, Rainbow Eco Farm and all the facilities which will improve the lives of the most vulnerable across the community.

Fully accessible hygiene suite available on site.

No need to book, pay on the gate, just £2 per person or £5 per family.

Enquiries: 01257 252288 or info@my-life.org.uk

Weber: Overture to Oberon Forshaw: Piano Concerto (first performance) Smetana: Symphonic Poem Vltava Mendelssohn: Piano Concerto No.1 Bizet: Carmen Suite No.1 Mendelssohn’s spectacular piano showpiece and premiere of an impressive concerto by David Forshaw are framed by three popular and brilliant masterworks of the Romantic nineteenth century. The major concert of the year, not to be missed.

Elephant in the room AFTERNOON RECITAL £6 Thursday 23rd October, 2pm at the United Reformed Church Andrew Mink (double-bass) Kate Mercer (piano) Including music by Koussevitzky, Dittersdorf and Bottesini

Salmagundi RECITAL £10 Saturday 1st November, 7.30 pm at the United Reformed Church St. Helens Sinfonietta Wind Ensemble A very varied programme includes Fiddler on the roof (selection) and the sextet Mladi (“Youth”) by Janacek

The U.R.C. Carol Concert Saturday 20th December, 7.30pm All proceeds will go to assisting the charities on site to do their work.

THE NEXT ISSUE OF

IS PUBLISHED IN NOVEMBER

Ron Abramski

The international reputed pianist who in 2012 performed Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto with the Sinfonietta to get great acclaim. His return appearance in September, generously programming two concertos including a premiere, will be a or attraction in the Sinfonietta’s 2014 season.

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

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For more information please visit www.sinfonietta.org.uk or ring Alan on 01925 291 273 or Colin on 01744 883794 e-mail colin.horlick@virginmedia.com FOR TICKETS: Lyn Wallace on 01744 600846 or 07914 114635 23

YESTERDAY’S FISH CURRY

Rick Stein: In search of the perfect curry Extracted from Rick Stein’s India by Rick Stein, BBC Books hardback £25 Photography: James Murphy

SERVES 4 – 6 60ml vegetable oil 1 medium onion, thinly sliced 15g/3cm piece ginger, finely grated 50g/10 cloves garlic, half crushed to a paste, half thinly sliced 8 fresh curry leaves 1 tbsp Kashmiri chilli powder 1/2 tsp ground tumeric

1 tbsp ground coriander 1/2 tsp toasted ground

fenugreek 1 tbsp rice flour or plain flour 2 tomatoes sliced 2 tbsp sliced smoked kokum, washed and soaked in 100ml boiling water for 15 minutes 500ml water 11/2 tsp salt 1 tsp sugar 500g salmon fillet, cut into 3cm chunks 1 tsp coconut oil, warmed to its liquid state, to finish.

This recipe comes from a book called The Suriani Kitchen. The author, Lathika George, who took me on a fascinating trip round a frenetic market just outside Cochin, is an authority on Keralan cooking. She explained that it’s called ‘yesterday’s curry’ because everybody thinks it’s much better the next day. I came across the same curry all over the place - in a kitchen so smoky I couldn’t stay in there for more than a minute at a time, where it featured a giant kingfish head; at the house where I was filmed cooking lots of the recipes in the book, where the cook Mallika had one on every day; and in the hotel where we all stayed for about two weeks. The hotel was the sort of place of air-conditioned comfort where you go quietly mad for want of the warp and weft of everyday Indian life; we had to leave at six o’clock every morning to work a twelve-hour day in enervating humidity. As a matter of interest, I first tasted this dish years ago in a restaurant in central London called Rasa Samudra, and then as now, was taken by its spicy redness and the smoky flavour and souring effect of kokum. As if it wasn’t hard enough to get hold of kokum anyway, now you need to make sure it’s the smoky sort - but don’t worry, tamarind is nearly as good.

26

Method Heat the oil in a heavy-based pan or karahi over a medium heat, add the onion and fry for 5 minutes until softened. Add the ginger, crushed and sliced garlic and curry leaves and fry for 2 minutes. Stir in the chilli powder, ground spices and flour and a splash of water, and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, kokum (plus soaking water) or tamarind, water, salt and sugar and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the salmon and cook for a further 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, drizzle with coconut oil and serve.

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FOOD & DRINK

CHICKPEA CURRY Chana masala

SERVES 4 – 6 250g dried chickpeas, soaked in cold water overnight, or 625g (drained weight) of tinned or jarred chickpeas 1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 large onion, finely chopped 25g/5 cloves garlic, finely crushed 25g/5cm ginger, finely grated 2 fresh green chillis, finely chopped, with seeds 2 tsp ground coriander 2 tsp ground cumin 2 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder 300g vine -ripened tomatoes, chopped 2 tsp salt 1 tsp Garam masala 1 tbsp lemon juice Handful of coriander leaves, chopped.

I would hazard a guess that chana masala or chickpea curry is the most popular vegetarian curry in India. I sternly instructed my son Jack, who tested this recipe for me, only to use proper dried chickpeas soaked and boiled. He stole down to the deli, grabbed a jar of Spanish garbanzos and used the liquid with the chickpeas in place of some of the cooking water. It was a triumph. Maybe I’m too strict on tins and jars.

Method If using dried, soaked chickpeas then first drain them. Bring a large pan of water (without salt) to the boil, add the chickpeas and simmer over a medium heat for 45 minutes to an hour, or until soft but still holding their shape. Drain, reserving some of the cooking liquid to add to the sauce if needed. If using chickpeas from a can or jar, omit this stage.

Heat the oil in a sturdy pan or karahi over a medium heat. Add the onions, and fry for 10-15 minutes until softened and golden brown. Stir in the garlic, ginger and green chillis and fry for 1 minute, then add the ground coriander, cumin, chilli powder and turmeric and fry for 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, chickpeas, salt and 300ml water or chickpea cooking water and bring to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes, stir in the garam masala and lemon juice, scatter with the coriander and serve.

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27

SPICY SCRAMBLED EGGS

Ande bhujia In India this makes a great snack with a stack of parathas (see next page) and a dab of chilli garlic relish. But, more importantly, it’s fabulous for breakfast, and since not many people will have gone for breakfast to an Indian restaurant in the UK, it might come as a very pleasant surprise.

SERVES 2-3 2 tbsp vegetable oil 2 large red onions, diced 2-3 fresh green chillies, chopped, with seeds 1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper 3 tomatoes, diced

6 free-range eggs, lightly beaten with 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp toasted ground cumin seeds 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander Parathas to serve.

Method Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and fry the onions for 10 minutes until golden brown. Add the chillies and black pepper and fry for 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and cook, uncovered, for 5-10 minutes until the tomatoes have softened and reduced to a jammy consistency.

Lower the heat slightly and add the beaten eggs to the pan.

Cook for 2-3 minutes without stirring, then gently lift and turn them in the pan. Continue cooking, folding once or twice more, until almost set, then sprinkle over the cumin and fold through. Finish with the chopped coriander and serve with warm parathas.

Extracted from Rick Stein’s India by Rick Stein, BBC Books hardback £25 Photography: James Murphy

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Your perfect recipe needs top quality ingredients...

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Email: burymarkets@bury.gov.uk Web: www.burymarket.com www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

EATING OUT

THE CROWN The Crown at Worthington is a unique and individual Country Pub and bed and breakfast in the Lancashire countryside located between Chorley and Wigan, close to the village of Standish, with close access to the M6 and M61 motorway networks.

It’s a great place to eat, drink and relax. All our food is freshly prepared by our team of chefs using quality locally sourced ingredients. We are famous for our Butchers Block Steak counter where you can create your own unique steak meal. A multiple Camra award winning pub we have 8 varied casks ales on from the nations micro-brewers.There are 10 ensuite bedrooms, making the Crown ideal for business or leisure guests Whether it be for lunch, dinner, or a superb bed and breakfast weekend break – this country pub has so much more to offer.

T: 01257 421354 | www.thecrownatworthington.co.uk PLATT LANE, WORTHINGTON, STANDISH, WIGAN, LANCASHIRE WN1 2XF

THE STAR INN The Star Inn is a picturesque country pub serving delicious restaurant food.

The 2 course £10.99 early diner menu is outstanding value with real size portions and real produce all freshly prepared by their fantastic brigade of chefs.

The Star Inn offers a wide range of events and entertainment for everyone to enjoy. Upcoming events include Neil Diamond on September 20th, Nearly Bublé on October 25th and a spooky Halloween party with surprise guests in November 1st Christmas bookings are now being taken so get in touch to book your festive party.

T: 01257 253355

www.thestarinnrobymill.co.uk 60 BANK TOP, ROBY MILL, SKELMERSDALE WN8 0QQ

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Sharon Boardman - Paralegal (Wills & Probate)

Do you know if your Will protects your property?

Death is a very sensitive subject, but it is one we all have to discuss eventually; Goddard Smith are here to help and consider all factors when assisting you, there are lots of reasons why you NEED to make a Will, it can ensure your final wishes and requests are met, after all you have spent a life time accumulating assets; your home, money, cars, jewellery, antiques and lots more, so you should have the right to say who gets what and when.

Goddard Smith Solicitors can simplify the process, including saving you and your family a lot of money, time and upset.

The variables are endless including first marriage, remarriage, separated partners, children from different relationships, estate taxes and much more.

If you don’t leave a valid Will your estate will pass in accordance with the intestacy rules, this means your estate will be divided according to the law and the people you want to inherit may not receive anything, for example:

We all have different views and opinions about what you can and can’t put in a Will. We naturally ask our friends and loved ones what they think but they may have certain expectations, which again is something we can discuss with you.

The reality of the situation is that this subject is too important to leave it to chance; using a solicitor is the only way to ensure you get what you really want.

� In 2013 the Treasury gained £53m from people who died intestate � In 2012 it was £76m � Making a Will ensures your children/ pets are properly cared for � You can make known your wishes for your funeral, for example whether you want to be buried or cremated, where your funeral Will take place and any specific hymns or readings are to be included

Choosing the right solicitor is important too and when you meet the team; I can guarantee you will leave the practice feeling comfortable and with piece of mind.

They explain the information to you in the most basic, informative and useful way possible so that it is easy to digest. What’s more time is taken for you to understand what you need and why; they really care about their clients and there is never any pushing out of the door when the time is up.

Goddard Smith also offer ½ hours FREE consultation and all fees and charges are discussed fully before agreeing to anything so please call us today and find out how we can advise you.

Making a Will has never been so important, so make the right choice, choose Goddard Smith, they are on your side.

Please feel free to contact us at Goddard Smith Solicitors, 685 Ormskirk Road, Wigan, WN5 8AQ Telephone 0845 304 1144 or email enquiries@goddardsmith.co.uk or check our website;-

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A Guide to Dentures ....

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

In most cases we do not know what your teeth looked like, what size they were or what position they were in originally.

We have a few indications but mostly we have to rely on our visual and artistic judgement.

Natural teeth grow in proportion and in harmony with your facial features and your dentures should be made accordingly.

At the same time we have to use our technical expertise in order to make the denture stable and functional. Denture construction is more art than science.

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

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

Difficulties in Constructing a Good Set of Dentures Constructing a functional and aesthetically pleasing set of dentures is the most difficult task in dentistry. We are not only replacing lost teeth, but also lost tissue matter and bone.

In other words, we have to re-create your facial features as they were before the loss of your natural teeth.

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

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

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

Removal Partial Dentures It was long thought that removable partial dentures had to be rigid to be effective. The innovation of the Valpast flexible partial denture allows the appliance to adapt to the constant movement and flexibility in your mouth.

The preparation is relatively simple as your natural teeth don’t need to be altered. The Valpast flexible partial denture is virtually invisible, no telltale metal clasps and the material itself blends with the tissue in your mouth so that the only thing that shows is your beautiful smile.

How Long Should Dentures Last?

The question we should ask is, how long will my dentures be functional for? Dentures can last twenty or more years, but will lose their function (chewing ability, proper fit etc.) probably after two years. This will depend on many factors:

1.

2.

3.

4.

Quality of dentures.

Age of Patient.

General health of patient.

Any drastic change in weight.

Dentures Need Regular Servicing

Summary

Dentures are in constant use almost 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They are also in a pretty hostile environment in the mouth, being attacked by strong acid, bacteria, hot, cold and spicy food. Denture material absorbs liquids and food odour.

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2.

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6.

7.

Daily cleaning is essential as well as professional ultrasonic cleaning in a dental laboratory at least once a year. Due to constant bone resorbtion dentures will become loose sooner or later.

Loose dentures will increase damage to the gums and bone structure, and increase the risk of breakage. Have them re-lined as soon as possible to get a good fit. It only takes a day or two.

Have your dentures inspected by a dentist or denturist at least every two years, or more frequently if necessary.

Your Dentures need Attention 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

When they become loose.

When teeth or denture base discolours.

When tooth surfaces become flat.

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

When you develop deep lines around your mouth.

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

When you stop smiling and feel embarrassed.

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

Have your dentures inspected every two years, and re- lined or ultra-sonically cleaned.

Have a new set made every 5 years if possible.

Keep a spare set for emergencies.

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

With a new set of dentures, you should receive a written guarantee, a detailed prescription of the materials used in your dentures, cleaning and servicing instructions, and a cleaning kit.

Dentures so life-like you’d think they were real.

This article was written by 50 Plus journalist Sheila Alcock.

Express Denture Repair Service

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Loose Dentures Can be re-lined by adding a thin layer of the new acrylic to fit the surface of the dentures, making them fit better (takes one or two days).

Dentures with worn down teeth Teeth can be replaced with a new set.

Major improvements in Facial Features Padding dentures to reduce lines and fill up sunken cheeks will require a new set of dentures. It is advisable to have a new set of dentures made every 5 to 10 years.

Should I have a spare set of Dentures made?

Yes, it is very important to have a spare set of dentures for emergencies in case of breakage.

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

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

Denturists will take the greatest care to make your dentures look natural and fit properly. They can give you and your dentures the time and attention you deserve.

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Canter Levin & Berg Offer Discounted Services For Age UK Mid Mersey Clients Plan for the future A survey undertaken by YouGov, commissioned by Alzheimer’s Research UK, reveals that 31% of respondents, across all ages, fear suffering from dementia more than any other illness. Statistics provided by the Alzheimer’s Society reveal there are almost 700,000 people in the UK with dementia, while the Stroke Association estimates that 130,000 people have a stroke every year. It is likely you know someone who has been affected, and who is unable to manage their financial affairs, or make decisions about their wellbeing.

Although many of us are concerned for the future, it is surprising how many of us fail to take advice about protecting our assets and planning for the future by making a will or lasting power of attorney.

Hopefully, you will not be affected by dementia or a stroke, but making a Lasting Power of Attorney is a little bit like an insurance policy. You hope you will never need to use it, but it’s good to have the security of knowing it’s in place if you do!

In order to make it easier for you to obtain professional advice from qualified lawyers we run advice clinics in the Mid Mersey Information and Advice offices in Golden Square Warrington and Claughton Street in St Helens. We offer discounts to Age UK Mid Mersey clients, and for the remainder of 2014, upon production of/or reference to this advert, we are offering a special discount of 15% on our standard costs for making and registering your Lasting Power of Attorney.

Providing legal services to the community in the North West since 1947.

Hopefully, you will not be affected by dementia or a stroke, but making a Lasting Power of Attorney is a little bit like an insurance policy.

While making your Lasting Power of Attorney, don’t forget to make a Will.

Did you know, research indicates as many as 70% of UK adults don’t bother making a Will! Many believe everything they have will go directly to their partner or children. This is not always the case. If you die without making a Will your estate will be distributed in accordance with the statutory Rules of Intestacy. This can leave your children with nothing, or sometimes too much of your estate, forcing a sale of the family home to make payment of their inheritance.

Without a Will the Law dictates who can administer your estate, and they may not be the people you would choose.

If you are not married your partner will not automatically inherit anything from your estate and this could result in them being forced out of the home you have shared together.

They would have to make a claim against your estate to receive any benefit and this is stressful as well as a lengthy and costly process.

By making a Will you ensure your estate passes to those family members, friends or the charities you wish to benefit. Your will can also be used to reduce or remove any inheritance tax burden that may arise upon your death, leaving more for your family.

Canter Levin & Berg offer a 5% discount on the standard costs of our Will service to Age UK Mid Mersey clients.

01925 550 595

Some of the issues we cover include:

Our information services running in Warrington, St Helens, and Halton are free, confidential and cover a wide range of issues.

The information service is committed to supporting older people and their carers. When you use our service, you can be assured of a professional and caring service accredited to the CLS quality standards by the Legal Services Commission.

We can help with benefits queries and other money matters, health and help at home, housing, transport enquiries, understanding documents and much more.

The service is free, private and confidential and if we can’t help you we’ll put you in touch with someone who can.

The information service has supported more than 8,000 enquiries over the last year, including assisting people to claim welfare benefits to the total of £350,000.

Debt Consumer Housing Disability Leisure Health Welfare and benefits Care issues Call in and see us (by appointment) at the Age UK information and advice centre Golden Square Shopping Centre, 14 Sankey Street, Warrington.

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The Personal Touch at Victoria House Here at Victoria House we provide residential care for older people and are registered for older persons with dementia. The home is under new management and bringing new ideas with a fresh approach to care.

With over 20 years delivering highly professional and friendly care services for the elderly, the management and staff here at Victoria House pride ourselves on creating a warm, welcoming environment.

When people have worked hard throughout their life and have been committed to helping others, we think they deserve extra cherishing. They need a home where individuality is emphasised, with staff who have time to give attention to small detail, and where they have the choice of enjoying the company of like-minded fellow Residents.

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38

individuality and we welcome people’s personal belongings to be brought into the home.

Earlier in the year we had a very successful ‘Dignity Day’ which was a special day for everyone involved. There was a 1940s theme ‘Digni-tea’ that was held between 2-4pm on Friday 7th February, where classic songs from the era were playing to raise awareness of Dignity. A ‘Digni-Tree’ was also made and the service users were encouraged to write on a heart shaped leaf about what dignity means to them.

There is a key worker system in operation providing our Service Users with a high standard of holistic care, meeting each individual’s needs, which will be identified through assessment and formulation of the Care Plan; the emphasis being to provide our Service Users with the ability to make choices, in order to make their own decisions regarding their care.

We are pleased to accept Service Users (Residents) for long term, and short term for convalescence and holiday stays.

We understand that moving to a home is a big decision for you and your family so we welcome you to come along and have a coffee, chat and a walk round the home; you can even try out our wonderful food, if notice is given.

We welcome you to spend the day here free of charge to join in the activities, have your lunch and see for yourself if Victoria House is the place for you. Just give us a ring to organise a date.

We look forward to welcoming you at Victoria House.

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Choosing the right care means understanding all your options

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