High, Wycombe, Windsor, Maidenhead & Slough

HIGH WYCOMBE, WINDSOR, MAIDENHEAD & SLOUGH APRIL - JUNE 2013 EDITION 33

David Hasselhoff THE HOFF’S GOT TALENT

The Hairy Bikers

DELICIOUS & HEALTHY RECIPES

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CONTENTS

8-9

6-7

14-15

20-21

inside this issue...

TRAVEL & LEISURE To receive your 15% discount please call us quoting the discount code 50PLUS 15

6-7

Travels around Tuscany...

Fabulous scenery and breathtaking drives

8-9

Living Well...

Get Fit and Lose Weight

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From Britain’s Got Talent to Peter Pan 20-21 Brendan Cole...

Talks to Angela Kelly

HEALTH 13

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24-25 How to Love Food and Lose Weight ...

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4

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HAVING A TWITTER with Graham Smith Born to be King or Queen Well didn’t that cause a media kerfuffle? No sooner had the ink dried on Lord Justice Leveson’s pen to give the British press a kick in the rear when all hell breaks loose as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge announced that Kate is expecting. No doubt as the new year wears on there will be many more scramblings and in summer expect carnage as the race is on for the first picture of the newborn.

Cameramen and reporters were almost killed in the media scrum to take up pole position outside King Edward VII hospital where the Duchess had been admitted with morning sickness in the early stages of her pregnancy. Why do they do it? All they are going to see is a hospital door for goodness sake. Kate’s hardly likely to come tripping down in her nightie to pose for pictures in between retching, is she?

Some of the words which come out of media mouths on such occasions can make you equally sick. Charged with filling three minutes on the main news they come out with all manner of tripe. Under new laws, even if this baby is a girl, it will be third in line of succession to the throne. Bearing in mind the longevity of the Royal Family I reckon she could be around 87 before she comes to the throne and I certainly don’t think I’ll be at the street party to celebrate.

One conversation between media types discussed what would happen if she had twins. Eventually the concensus was that the first child to emerge would be third in line to the throne. Fascinating, they go to college for this you know.

It’s been over 2,000 years since we had such fervour over an impending birth, and look at the trouble that caused. Every guest house was closed and the poor beggar ended up in a stable jostling for position with cows, sheep, singing shepherds, camels, a donkey and a confused surrogate father who claimed he hadn’t done anything to Mary anyway! (Oh dear, there will be letters).

Joking apart, good luck to the Royal couple, they were one of the few bright spots in the year 2012 and let’s hope the chastised media minds its manners with them and their future family in 2013.

Dogs in the driving seat Given that they have usually four perfectly good legs why would you want to teach a dog to drive?

A New Zealand animal charity is doing just that because it reckons that owners will be more encouraged to adopt them if they show signs of increased intelligence.

Right then. I’ll admit it’s handy if you’re out to a party and don’t want to drive.

Instead of your wife you could take the dog to drive you home but if the police stop you don’t count on being home before morning, they will have questions.

The charity put Porter, Mont and Ginny behind the wheel of an adapted Mini Cooper and after just eight weeks are reported to have put it in gear, accelerate and steer, something which is beyond many humans after they have passed their test!

So far the dogs have been driving with the help of an assistant inside the car but the next move is to let them try solo, on live television. Simon Cowell wait for this. According to an instructor, they will hop in, start the car, put it in gear and use the accelerator. Thankfully this is being done on an off-road track but the charity has visions of carrying it further.

When I see a Jack Russell driving a Mini Cooper down the motorway I will know it’s time to hand in my licence.

When Irish eyes are smiling!

We recently rented out a property after receiving quite a bit of Internet interest but it was the last enquiry which made me chuckle. It said simply by text, “Would you consider renting to an Irish escort?”

I didn’t reply and the following day received another text with a link to the escort’s web site. Checking, as you do, I was staggered at the rates she was charging, £170 an hour….she could certainly have paid the rent!

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5

y n a c s u T

Travels around

veladvisor.com)

ver Travel Advisor (silvertra

By Maria Meredith from Sil

Italy is one of my favourite places not only because I have family there (Parma) but also I love the many different areas- the Puglian trullis, the fabulous scenery and breath taking drives around the Amalfi coast, the Sicilian culture- not forgetting the fabulous food and wine! We had never been to Tuscany and decided it was time to go and see what all the fuss was about!

My Week in Tuscany Our Easyjet plane landed on time at Pisa, it’s much cheaper to fly here than to Florence and we picked up our hire car from Budget, which was a bargain £99 for the week. The car hire collection point is accessed via a 2 minute free bus ride and was one of the easiest car hire pick up/returns 6

we have had along with the bonus of being given a free upgrade. This was a very positive start.

Il Castelle, Certaldo Alta We set out for our first stop, La Fonte in Certaldo, where we were staying for four nights. Our first visit was to San Gimignano, which we did like but we found it very touristy and much preferred the old town of Certaldo. Here we were lucky enough to witness an Italian wedding which provided a great opportunity to experience a true Italian event and watch all the characters enjoy themselves. Sadly, we did not discover the relevance of the various metal life-sized men placed around the town, one of which was perched on top of a high tower, an art installation perhaps?

Certaldo Alto was accessed via a funicular railway which stays open until late (costs 1 euro each way).

It was far less touristy than San Gimignano and therefore was not as crowded. We enjoyed two excellent meals in Certaldo Alto– at Il Castello

and L’Antica Fonte - both with lovely views.

The owner of La Fonte strongly recommended taking the train to Florence (about 10 euros for a return ticket, the journey takes just under an hour to Santa Maria station, where you get off). It’s vital to check and double check train times as these can change at the last minute somewhat unpredictably.

Siena Siena was next on the agenda and this was the only place where we hadn’t pre-booked accommodation.

We found a brilliant hotel within 10 minutes’ walking distance of the Duomo, main square, restaurants & bars etc. It is the Hotel Villa Liberty and cost only 133 euros for B&B in a very good location. The only downside of our stay in Siena was that minutes after getting seated “al fresco” in our chosen restaurant that evening, the heavens opened!

En route to Lucca the following day we decided to take a detour to

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Volterra which I had read about in the tour guide. Volterra is another walled city and most definitely worth the journey. The countryside views en route were stunning and sadly I conceded that many were better than in the UK! And it wasn’t raining……

Our arrival at Albergo Villa Casanova was far later than we planned so we did not really have that much time to relax – this 5 star boutique hotel certainly had the “Wow” factor but at a price! Leaving the luxury of Casanova behind we set out for a morning sightseeing in Lucca before making our way to our last destination of Pisa.

We wished we had allowed more time for Lucca - we noticed many people cycling around the city walls and would have liked to have done the same. We did manage to get lost in the maze of streets but fortunately the lady I asked understood my Italian…. and more importantly. I understood her directions!

We had decided to return the car a day early as the cost of parking the car in the hotel garage was around the same price as taxis to/from the airport. We also felt it would be less stressful than the usual car hire return palaver, but I must say it was one of the easiest car hire returns ever!

The Royal Victoria Hotel in Pisa cost only £99 for B&B. Described as a very old antique hotel we appreciated it was going to be vastly different to the luxury we had experienced at Casanova but it was perfect for a short stay.

The Fields of Miracles was within 1015 minutes walking distance from our hotel with many bars & restaurants en route - obviously the closer to The Tower the more you pay. We chose a bar on the corner directly opposite the Tower and were pleasantly surprised to receive four delicious mini paninis along with our Peronis!

Leaning Tower of Pisa I had wanted to see the Leaning Tower for as long as I could remember and l was not disappointed. It has benefited from a “wash & brush up” and looked

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marvellous. We could not believe the extent that tourists were going to get wacky photos - what a laugh! And … yes…we got a few of our own too-it must be infectious. We will definitely return …in Spring or Autumn maybe.

That evening we chose La Buca restaurant near the Tower – the meal was nice but sadly the service did not match the quality of the food.

After a few more hours in The Fields of Miracles the following morning we returned to our hotel for the taxi to the airport to catch our late afternoon flight.

Our only regret is that we hadn’t booked a further two or three days in this beautiful part of the world with the ever present scent of Jasmine.

We returned feeling like we could do with another more relaxing holiday to totally “chill out”! We hardly had time to read more than a few pages of our books as the sightseeing, travelling and staying at four different accommodations was quite wearing - not to mention that I was suffering from “photography fatigue” after taking over 800 photos! In future I will bear this in mind or make a point of sightseeing only until mid pm returning to our accommodation for a spot of sunbathing, swimming and to read a few chapters.

Maria Meredith

writes for the over 50’s travel review and information website silvertraveladvisor. com. Maria is an active Silver Traveller; when her husband retired two years ago, she decided to join him at the age of 54 (one benefit of marrying an older man!). She has worked in banking, catering and for the last 28 years for M&S at a variety of stores.

She has many hobbies, entering competitions and photography being two of them. Travel has always been a big part of her life - visiting many places in Europe and also destinations further afield such as New Zealand, India & Mauritius. Her first ever cruise was last year to see the Northern Lights. She particularly enjoys reading about different customs and traditions and has many funny stories to share, hence Maria is delighted to be able to contribute to Silver Travel Advisor.

For more details see silvertraveladvisor.com

7

Living Well ...

Exercise is one of the best ways to maintain our health and independence and help keep muscles strong. Walking, gardening, Tai Chi and dancing are great examples of exercise for any age and state of health but check with your GP first.

Exercising in daylight also increases production of Vitamin D, you get a boost to your immune system - the good news is that you also burn more calories by exercising in the cold, around 12 per cent.

Older peoples fitness expert, personal trainer and sports science lecturer at Middlesex University, Anne Elliott, (pictured opposite) reminds us that it’s never too late to take up exercise.

Anne said: “from my experience of working with older people, many tend to think they are too old to exercise or that a medical condition they have stops them. A common pitfall is they just stop moving and as a result their muscles and joints weaken meaning they are more prone to injury or further musculoskeletal problems.”

FITNESS and being over 50 may not always go together as we monitor the changes in our bodies as we get older and wonder where on earth all that natural movement went.

But, we can improve our fitness and move into a healthier phase of our lives by taking up some form of exercise – without pulling muscles or getting a strained back!

Sara Stanner, science programme manager for the British Nutrition Foundation, explains that increasing activity levels after the age of 50 can improve life expectancy and increase the number of years spent disease and disability free.

“Being active can help protect against heart disease, stroke, diabetes, some cancers, arthritis and osteoporosis,” she states. “It can help you to maintain a good appetite, keep you mobile, help with joint stiffness and pain associated with arthritis, reduce the risk of falling 8

Anne dropped from a size 26 to a size 12

and has maintained it for 10 years!!

Anne Elliott is an expert in exercise and fitness for middle age/older people and groups who don’t traditionally exercise. She’s passionate about getting people fit and can talk from personal experience after dropping from a size 26 down to a size 12 and maintaining this size for more than 10 years.

She is also a qualified boxing referee and Olympic standard weightlifting instructor. Anne has written a diet and exercise book called ‘It’s not Rocket Science’ which focused on getting the general public fitter and has been endorsed by the Minister of State for Health and numerous health professionals.

Here are her top three tips to get and stay healthy:

1. It’s never too late to start. It doesn’t matter what age you are, where you are or what conditions you may have, following an exercise regime will improve your health.

2. If you haven’t done any exercise for a while a little bit every day is the winning way. If you do too much too quickly you will invariably hurt yourself and put yourself off exercise for another few years. Little and often!

3. Stick with it. Whether you are starting a diet or exercise regime keep with it for at least three weeks.

Most people give up in this period when it starts to get hard, but by week four you will start to notice a difference – enough to keep you going a bit longer and longer and longer. Write a list of your reasons for starting and reread it when you feel like giving up.

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and fracturing bones by strengthening muscles and can improve your mood and sense of well-being.”

Exercise doesn’t have to be hard to achieve or expensive.

Sara suggests any cardio-vascular activity – that’s one that gets you at least slightly out of breath – will help to keep your heart, lungs and blood vessels healthy.

This could be brisk walking, perhaps taking the dog out for a walk, swimming, gardening, golf (no cart!), tennis, aerobics including water aerobics, cycling, dancing, yoga or pilates. It can even be washing the car, or mopping and vacuuming rooms at home.

Try to do these types of activity at least twice a week, advises Sara, and incorporate them into your regular routine.

But what if you’ve had surgery or have an ongoing health problem?

Norman Brown is a personal trainer with the Nuffield Health organisation which runs fitness and well-being centres around the country. Norman delivers a special recovery programme for people who have had surgery and, at 61, understands how ageing can affect our desire to exercise.

“If, like me, you are considering reducing your career time to restore the work-life balance or approaching retirement then are there are some important points to consider,” he says.

“When did you last exercise or do anything strenuous?

What is your health like? What does exercise mean to you?

“If you have not exercised for a long time then you should approach it sensibly and cautiously, first asking a GP or health professional to give you the once-over and check you are fit and healthy with no underlying problems.

“Undertaking exercise is probably the best decision you have made because it holds the answer to many of the all-too-common health risks today. Improving your aerobic fitness will give you more energy, improving your circulatory system, relieving stress and improving sleep.

“Exercise will also help to reduce high cholesterol, lower blood pressure and control blood sugar balance.”

As well as, say, walking every day, light gardening or a visit to a gym, Norman suggests a regime of strength training: 10 wall squats, 10 wall press-ups, from the floor practise getting up 5 times and do 1 minute of stair-climbing.

If you have had hip, back or knee surgery, adds Norman, always follow your post-operative rehabilitation plan provided by your physiotherapist.

Going along to a sports centre for regular sessions or to a gym can also easily become an enjoyable social outing where you meet other like-minded people. Having a chat with someone else as you try out the gym’s rowing machine or bike is another positive side-effect of exercise, and there are always experts on hand to ensure you exercise correctly and for your fitness level.

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Add Up If the number in each circle is the sum of the two below it, how quickly can you figure out the top number? Try this one in your head, before writing anything down.

11 8 5 10 www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

All puzzles copyright Puzzler Media Ltd. www.puzzler.com

Can you find the 34 Wild West terms listed in the grid below?

Words can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal, backwards or forwards.

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The Hoff ’s GOT TALENT For a man who hit 60 not long ago David Hasselhoff – better known as simply The Hoff – has continued the swashbuckling ways he began as a young actor.

Known to millions across the world as good guy Michael Knight, the man with the talking car in iconic science fiction series “Knight Rider” which was the most watched TV show in history, the actor became a hero.

He compounded the image with another blockbuster of the small screen, “Baywatch”, where he played lifeguard Mitch Buchannon and saved even more lives.

The pirate with the interesting hand ornament and overdose of self-confidence, however, is a million miles from the young David Hasselhoff.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, David first got the theatrical bug at the age of seven and took acting, singing and dancing lessons. He was, however, very shy off stage in front of girls because he was tall and thin. On stage, though, he was in his element.

Unsurprisingly, acting became his career and, while in California, he became successful on the hugely popular US TV series “The Young and the Restless” in 1973 as Dr William “Snapper” Foster Jr. By then, he’d developed heartthrob looks and a physique to match.

In 1982 he moved from daytime soap to prime time programming with “Knight Rider” which captured the public’s imagination not only in the States but across the world.

His swashbuckling action is on the side of the baddies rather than the goodies as he became the notorious Captain Hook in perennial panto favourite “Peter Pan” for an extended run at Manchester’s Opera House.

When that show ended, Hasselhoff launched a successful recording career in Europe. In 1989 “Looking for Freedom” remained in the No.1 spot in the German charts for eight consecutive weeks. He has continued to perform regularly in concert ever since and has released nine albums to date, scoring a UK single hit in 2006 with “Jump In My Car”.

He returned to episodic TV in 1989 in “Baywatch” – the series about California lifeguards which launched Pamela Anderson to superstardom and made red one-piece swimming costumes the coolest beachwear on the planet.

Although the programme enjoyed good ratings, the network cancelled it after only one series. Undeterred, Hasselhoff and his partners acquired the rights to the 14

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INTERVIEW

show and, based on his popularity overseas, secured funding and revived “Baywatch” in 1991.

The programme is still running and is now a piece of American culture, seen in 140 countries by more than one billon viewers each week.

David Hasselhoff has always been prepared to try new challenges and his lengthy acting career has included film and stage roles. He made his Broadway debut in 2000 in the title role of “Jekyll and Hyde” and played the lead role in London performances of “Chicago.”

He’s sufficiently down-to-earth to parody himself – even taking a major role in the children’s blockbuster film “The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie” in 2004 where he meets SpongeBob and Patrick very much in his “Baywatch” persona.

He had a short appearance in the movie “DodgeBall”, was in “EuroTrip” and played Adam Sandler’s despicable boss in the 2006 film “Click”.

The same year, he portrayed Roger DeBris in the Las Vegas production of Mel Brooks’ famous show “The Producers”.

His star was certainly in the ascendancy during this time as he also became a judge on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”, taking a judging role in the second, third and fourth seasons alongside Sharon Osburne and Piers Morgan.

Hasselhoff also has an uncanny knack of spotting trends and opportunities. In 2008, “The Hoff” became the first celebrity downloadable character for the PlayStation Network’s video game “Pain”.

And the following year, he began a TV love affair with the British public through two-part special “The Hoff: When Scott Came To Stay” which chronicled how radio presenter Scott Mills lived for four days with Hasselhoff at his Californian mansion.

The star and his two daughters, Taylor and Hayley, took part in another British TV reality show when they went ghost-hunting at Tutbury Castle in Staffordshire.

And in 2011, The Hoff – always a big favourite in the UK - returned to British TV as a judge on “Britain’s Got Talent”.

He’s been a contestant on America’s “Dancing with the Stars” and, to demonstrate his theatrical diversity, in 2011 took on the dastardly pirate role in “Peter Pan” for the first time.

Hasselhoff is a true Anglophile, has often brought his daughters here and his 32 year-old girlfriend, Hayley Roberts, is Welsh. At 6ft 4ins and with one of the most recognisable faces in the world that appears to be defeating the ravages of time, he’s still hugely popular wherever he goes.

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He’s a big fan of Manchester, and has been reported as saying he wants to enjoy shopping in the city and see a play during his stay. “I love the Manchester accent and I can’t believe how beautiful and hip the city is,” he said.

“When I was in town for ‘Britain’s ~Got Talent’, Louis Walsh said to me ‘you’ll love Manchester’ and I did. The city is very, very cool and European.”

He describes his panto role as “The Hook gone Hoff” and there’s no doubt audiences will enjoy what is bound to be an entertaining stint by this enthusiastic performer.

As for where his career takes him next, David Hasselhoff appears to be accepting of where the theatrical fates send him. Likeable and larger than life, he is pragmatic about his work and was once reported as saying: “I may not be a big movie star who gets to be James Bond, but who cares? I am happy. I’ll leave it in God’s hands.”

Photos: Shutterstock.com

15

New Council Tax Support from 2013 From 1st April 2013 Council Tax Benefit will no longer exist.

It will be replaced by Council Tax Support (CTS). Anyone in receipt of Council Tax Benefit on 1st April 2013 will automatically have their Council Tax Benefit changed over to CTS. You will not have to re-apply if you currently receive Council Tax Benefit but you may be affected by the changes.

Council Tax Support is a replacement for Council Tax Benefit and while the scheme is still regulated by central government and must comply with legislation, the kind of support that the scheme offers is decided and funded by the Council.

This means that you might find there are slight differences between the Royal Borough’s CTS scheme and that offered by neighbouring authorities, and you may find that if you move from one authority’s area to another the CTS offered is different.

Council Tax Benefit is currently calculated by deducting 20% of the excess income (between a family’s Net Income and Applicable Amount). This 20% deduction is known as the taper. Currently, the benefit is calculated by applying this taper to the full Council Tax charge for your property (100%).

From April 2013 For working Age people, the new Council Tax Support will be calculated by deducting 25% of the excess income (between a family’s Applicable Amount and Net Income) - a taper of 25% rather than the previous 20%. There will also be a cap applied to the maximum Council Tax Support of 8.5%.

16

Therefore the maximum Council Tax Support that anyone could receive will be 91.5% instead of 100%. This means that under the new scheme all working age people will have to pay at least 8.5% of their total Council Tax charge.

These changes will not affect people of pensionable age.

You must make sure that you check to see if you are affected by the changes to Council Tax Support as it could be that where you previously did not have any Council Tax to pay, the changes to the scheme mean that you now do. Similarly, the changes could mean that you will have more to pay than you did before. In February we will be writing to everyone who is expected to be affected to provide them with more information, including advice on how to pay, when to pay and what to do if you are having problems meeting the cost.

No Discretionary Housing Payment can be considered to assist with the shortfall between the Council Tax Support and the Council Tax charge.

For further information Call : The Benefit Customer Service Helpline is 01628 796036 Alternatively you can e-mail us: benefits@rbwm.gov.uk or visit our website: www.rbwm.gov.uk

The following changes will not e

The Government is introducing limits on how much benefit some groups of people can receive from April 2013 Overall Benefit Cap This will be based on the total weekly benefit income received by the household.

For a working age single adult with no children, the maximum will be ÂŁ350 per week.

For working age couples or single parents, the maximum will be ÂŁ500 per week.

This includes benefits like Housing Benefit, JSA and Income Support.

The following groups will not be affected - people of Pension Credit age, people claiming working tax credit, war widows/ widowers, or people receiving Disability Living Allowance, Carers Allowance, or the support component of ESA. If you are likely to be affected, Jobcentre Plus will contact you to give you more information.

Social Housing size restriction Working age households may see a reduction in Housing Benefit if they live in rented accommodation where the landlord is a Council or Housing Association and they have more bedrooms than they need.

Housing Benefit will be reduced by 14% if you have one extra bedroom or 25% if you have more than one extra bedroom.

Example: Single parent, with 17 year old son, and two 12 year old daughters. = 1 bedroom for parent, 1 bedroom for son, one bedroom for daughters = 3 bedrooms.

Couple with son aged 15 and son aged 11 = 1 bedroom for parents, and one for children as both same gender and under 16 = 2 bedrooms. When son is aged 16, the bedroom allowance would increase to 3.

Single parent with son aged 7 and daughter aged 9. = 1 bedroom for parent, and 1 for children under 10 regardless of gender. When daughter is aged 10, the bedroom allowance would increase to 3.

If you think this may affect you, you should contact your landlord to ask about moving to a smaller property.

For further information Call : The Benefit Customer Service Helpline is 01628 796036 Alternatively you can e-mail us: benefits@rbwm.gov.uk or visit our website: www.rbwm.gov.uk

The bedrooms you need are calculated as follows: Each person/couple is entitled to one bedroom, Except: l

Children under 16 of same gender expected to share l Children under 10 expected to share regardless of gender l Disabled tenant or partner who needs non resident overnight carer will be allowed an extra room

effect anyone of pensionable age

17

Who are the victims of Benefit Fraud?

YOU ARE !

• The actions of these people affect every man, woman & child in the U.K • It is costing the country over £900million per year • It costs every household in the UK about £36 per year, this money could buy: • 13,000 Doctors • 20,000 Police officers • 23,000 Teachers.

Housing Benefit helps many people on low incomes. Sadly there are many people who claim when they are not entitled. These people make fraudulent claims by: • • • • •

Withholding information Exaggerating details Forgetting to report changes Overlooking savings or investments Setting out to commit fraud.

This could be • Working and not declaring this income • Claiming as a single person but living with a partner • Claiming for an address, but not living there • Not fully declaring financial position at start of claim.

WE ALL HAVE A MORAL DUTY TO REPORT BENEFIT FRAUD, TO PROTECT YOUR HOSPITALS, SCHOOLS AND LOCAL SERVICES

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

0800 015 8995 Â fraud.investigations@wycombe.gcsx.gov.uk 24

Licence to thrill Brendan Cole talks to Angela Kelly

When I met BRENDAN Cole he had just gone out of the most recent series of TV’s “Strictly Come Dancing” after partnering Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton for eight weeks so – obviously – it seemed he might have time on his hands to relax.

“Relax? What’s that?!” he asked in those pleasantly abrasive Kiwi tones that viewers have come to love and judges to fear. “We’re straight into rehearsals for the Christmas special and there’s no rest, but I’m partnering Kelly Brook so that’s great.”

Brendan and Kelly danced together in the popular programme’s fifth series and were favourites to win. Sadly, Kelly’s father died suddenly and, although she had wanted to carry on dancing in his memory, she found she just couldn’t and left the series.

“It’s lovely being back with Kells again,” he added, warmly. “But with that and a few other things at the moment as well as planning for my theatre tour, it’s pretty hectic.”

One of the “few other things” currently occupying the 36 year-old’s time and mind is the birth of his first child. Wife, former model Zoe, was pictured just days before at a starry event looking beautiful and very pregnant. “Yes, we’re really looking forward to the baby coming,” said Brendan. “It’s due in about a month and, no, we don’t know whether it’s a boy or a girl – we’re happy to wait.”

Brendan describes himself as “very family orientated” and it’s plain when he talks about growing up in Christchurch, New Zealand, that he enjoys family life and can’t wait to be a Dad. All of which, if we are to believe the media hype that has sprung up around the dancer as Strictly ‘bad boy’ is out of character, surely?

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www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

INTERVIEW He had a definite departure from the “Strictly” format in January, 2010, however, when the debut of his own theatre tour – “Live and Unjudged” - written and directed by him went on tour. “It suited me,” he stated. “I loved the format and being so close to the audience.”

Audiences obviously loved him as well as this was a great success. Now, he’s followed it up with another tour, that started in January, 2013, and called “Licence To Thrill” which promised to be as fascinating as its title.

“That came from it being 50 years of James Bond and from one of the big songs we’re doing, Gladys Knight’s ‘Licence To Kill’ from the Bond film, so we thought that would set the tone for the show,” added Brendan.

The 32-date tour took in everywhere from Cornwall to Carlisle and Blackpool to Basingstoke, involving 14 musicians and six world-class dancers. “We haven’t started rehearsals yet,” he stated, “because we’ve got people coming from all over the world.”

This includes leading lady Fauve Hauto from France – “Audiences will love her because she’s fabulous,” insisted Brendan. “The first time I saw her I was mesmerised and so will they be.”

There’s also Australian dancer Melanie Hooper and Germany’s Patrick Helm not to mention Brendan’s brother, Scott, in the two-hour dance and big band extravaganza.

“It’s unlike ‘Strictly’ in that it’s a very intimate experience for the audience,” said Brendan. “If people go out from it not having enjoyed it all, I’ll be very disappointed.”

“No, I’m quite a relaxed sort of guy, really,” he assured me. “I’m just passionate about what I do.”

Certainly, Brendan’s love of dancing and genuine talent for it shine through. In fact, you suspect that’s always been the case since he started dancing at the age of six.

He worked as a builder and danced as an amateur with Camilla Dallerup from 1996, then from 2002-2004 the couple danced as professionals and achieved success.

The pair joined “Strictly” when it began in 2004 and since then Brendan has been partnered with a variety of celebrities with varying degrees of success. In the first season, he famously partnered newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky and won. After that he danced with “Casualty” star Sarah Manners, then with GMTV’s Fiona Phillips and then actress Claire King.

Supermodel Lisa Snowdon was his partner for the sixth series and Ronnie Wood’s estranged wife, Jo, danced with him in series seven. “I say ‘danced’ but most of the time all we did was have lunch!’ recalled Brendan, laughing happily at the memory.

Brendan is kinder about some of his partners than others, but plainly enjoyed dancing with Victoria Pendleton who blossomed under his tutelage. He had predicted that they would last around eight weeks and did just that, but the athlete was generous in her praise of her professional partner and the friendly partnership appears mutual.

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The Bond theme resonates with Mr Cole because he’s a lover of fast cars. So would he like to take the lead if they made “James Bond – The Musical”? “I’m a Kiwi – I don’t think they’d let me,” he laughed again. “Mind you, I’ve got some Scottish ancestry, so you never know.”

Ask the lanky Kiwi who his dream partner would be and he immediately says “Natalie Portman – but don’t tell my wife!” When I point out that she’s rather a petite dancer to partner, he stated “that would be ideal – then I could throw her about!”

Brendan’s genuine love of dancing is evident in everything he does, and he believes that “Strictly” has made the general public much more knowledgeable about dancing, too.

However, he insists that he’s really “an entertainer – that’s what I do” and maybe when all the dancing stops he’d still like to continue entertaining audiences. As to Cole junior, if it’s a boy, would he be happy if he were a dancer?

“I’d rather he was a golfer – then he could keep his old man!” he says. And with another chuckle at the thought, and a very polite “thank you” for our pleasant interview, Brendan Cole – former bad boy of ballroom and now entertainer extraordinaire – returned to his busy day and yet more dazzling dance routines to plan.

21

The Trading Standards Service is part of RBWM’s Public Protection Unit, we are committed to achieving a fair and safe trading environment to benefit local residents, businesses and visitors to the area.

Staying Safe Online good anti-virus software that includes Firewall Protection, and a Spam Filter.

The BBC Webwise site provides a useful no-nonsense helpful guide. www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/guides/virusprotection.

Phishing

Do you use a computer on a regular basis?

This information could help keep you and your information safer.

Many of us use the internet every day and although it is generally safe, it can be all too easy to become a victim of scams or e-crime - just by an unwilling click on a link.

Phishing refers to any email or online scam that ‘hooks’ users and cons them into supplying personal data. Phishing scams usually take the form of an unexpected email or website that looks like it comes from an official body - for example, your bank - which requests that you input logins, passwords, credit card numbers, dates of birth and the like into an online form.

Viruses

The term ‘virus’ is often used as a catch-all to describe all kinds of security hazards but, in fact, it refers to a specific type of problem.

A true computer virus is a program that works in the same way as a biological virus, infecting and replicating itself without the user’s knowledge.

These programs, which can be attached to emails or come from files you load onto your computer e.g. via USB sticks or simply from accessing some websites. They can take many different forms e.g. attacking your computer and making it inoperable, causing irritation by copying themselves to the email contacts on your computer, or running in the background collecting vital data about yourself.

What you can do The best advice is to take time to gain a wider appreciation to the threats that are out there - the more you understand the threats the better prepared you will be. This advice stands for all the threats covered in this article. To protect yourself from viruses you need some 22

This is a major problem and is not just about computers. The National Fraud Authority has estimated that every year in the UK identity fraud costs more that £2.7 billion and affects over 1.8 million people.

Your dustbin is as much a source of information as your PC. Here villains will seek to collect all manner of personal information about you and then use it for a wide range of fraudulent purposes from acquiring a passport to taking out credit cards in your name.

What you can do Be very cautious about supplying personal details including photographs to anyone, even your friends, and do not throw things such as bank statements in your dustbin without shredding them.

Fortunately, the Home Office has set up an excellent site which advises on all aspects of Identity Fraud from which you can download advice leaflets. www.identitytheft.org.uk

Some IT Jargon Explained

Online crime includes identity theft, virus attacks and unsolicited emails enticing you to reveal personal and financial details.

The Royal Borough has developed this information to highlight the simple steps you can take to avoid becoming a victim of e-crime.

Identity theft

The information is then passed on to crooks who can use it to steal your identity or access your finances. Many phishing emails and websites look just like the real thing and it can be hard to tell a fake. If you use a spam filter, however, it should catch the majority of these messages before they reach your inbox. The latest internet browsers have built-in phishing filters. However, some phishing emails will always get through, so take care. Always delete unexpected emails asking for any personal, IT, or financial details.

What you can do Check on the internet sites below which provide advice. But if in doubt, simply delete the email. Reputable organisations will never ask for banking details unless it is part of a financial transaction you have agreed to conduct.

The commercial sites below will provide very useful advice and tips, but we must emphasis we do not endorse products advertised on the sites: www.cymru1.net/extra/security3.php www.technicalinfo.net/papers/ Phishing.html www.technicalinfo.net/papers/ Phishing2.html

Anti-virus (AV) software - these are programs which protect your computer from viruses. Typically, as well as being able to remove or isolate viruses that attack your computer from viruses.

Typically, as well as being able to remove or isolate viruses that attack your computer, they also set up firewalls to prevent virus attack in the first place.

AV software also normally has programs which spot Phishing emails.

Firewall - A firewall is a piece of software (or hardware) that sits between a user’s PC and a network, such as the internet, protecting the computer from unauthorised traffic and potentially malicious attacks. Put simply, a firewall acts as a block between your PC and the outside world.

Phishing - an attempt at identity theft in which criminals lead users to a counterfeit website in the hope that they will disclose private information such as user names and passwords.

Spam filter - normally a program that is sold as part of an AV package. It detects emails that come from potentially risky sources and either deletes or gives you the option of doing so.

Millions being lost to sophisticated new card fraud phone scam · New ‘card fraud phone scam’ records a three-fold increase in financial losses so far in 2012 · “Would you spot it?” – a worrying 80% of consumers feel anyone could fall victim · Simple advice to help combat this crime is available from payyourway.org.uk A sophisticated type of fraud – where people are telephoned by fraudsters and duped into revealing their PIN and handing over their bank card to a courier – is on the rise.

same amount - £750,000 - stolen in the first four months of 2012 that was stolen during the whole of 2011. This equates to a three-fold increase.

The scam involves a person being called by someone claiming to be from their bank and told that their debit or credit card needs collecting as it needs replacing following fraud on their account. The caller often suggests the person hangs up and calls the bank back if they want to ensure the call is genuine, but stays on the line, tricking the person into thinking they’re calling their bank.

The criminal will then ask the person to key in their PIN number, before sending a courier to collect the card. The victim is told the card is going to the bank to be changed but is actually delivered to the fraudster to use along with the PIN obtained during the scam.

With 91 per cent feeling that older adults would be particularly at risk, the campaign is encouraging people to make sure that older relatives and friends are also aware of the scam in order to stamp out this kind of crime and help older generations to keep their finances secure.

Pay Your Way, the Payments Council’s education campaign, is working with The UK Cards Association and Financial Fraud Action UK, to raise awareness of how to avoid becoming a victim of this type of crime. More than £1.5 million has now been lost to this crime, with the

In response to the newly-released figures, tips to help people arm themselves against fraud can now be found at www. payyourway.org.uk, where a whole range of guidance on safer payments and banking is available.

DCI Paul Barnard, head of the bank sponsored Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit (DCPCU), the specialist police unit that tackles UK card and cheque fraud, said: “Many of us feel confident that we can spot fraudsters but this type of crime can be sophisticated and could happen to anyone. If you have friends or relatives who you feel may be vulnerable, please help them to be more aware of the potential risks and what to look out for.

If you think you have become a victim of fraud on your account you should contact your bank in the first instance, although if there is a crime in progress you should call 999 straightaway.”

Follow these simple tips to avoid becoming a victim: 1. Never hand over your card: Your bank or the police will NEVER ring you and tell you that they are coming to your home to pick up your card, so never hand it over to anyone who comes to collect it.

2. Never share your PIN: Your bank will NEVER ask you to authorise anything by entering your PIN into the telephone.

NEVER share your PIN with anyone – the only times you should use your PIN are at a cash machine or when you use a shop’s chip and PIN machine.

3. Always speak to the bank securely: Before calling your bank, make sure you can hear the dial tone and only ever call your bank on an advertised number.

Any Doubt? Keep them out!

How to Beat the Rogue Step Caller • • • • • • •

Keep front and back doors locked Use a door viewer or window to see who your caller is Put your chain or bar on before you open the door Never agree to have work done by a stranger who turns up on your doorstep Don’t trust ID offered by the caller, it can easily be faked.

Never let uninvited callers into your home Never agree to be taken to the bank to withdraw cash

Rogue doorstep callers appear trustworthy and genuine; if you let them in they’ll expect a sale and won’t give up easily.

If you require any further information or advice about doorstep callers contact trading standards.

( 01628 683802 www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/trading_standards.htm trading.standards@rbwm.gov.uk

If you see any suspicious characters going door to door phone the police non-emergency number 08458 505 505. For advice on any other consumer issues you can contact the Citizens Advice Bureau on 08444 111 444 or by e-mail via their website www.adviceguide.org.uk

HOW TO LOVE FOOD AND LOSE WEIGHT The Bikers set out to discover how to enjoy the best great British food at home, creating new dishes and adapting some culinary treasures to make them and us fitter for life. THE HAIRY DIETERS: How to Love Food and Lose Weight includes a healthy eating plan with mouth-watering recipes for eating at home, eating out, and of course, entertaining. It is filled with all the dishes that have made Si King and Dave Myers two of the nation’s favourite cooks. From perfect pies, curries, roast dinners and delicious desserts, the Hairy Dieters prove that cooking without the calories doesn’t have to compromise on taste.

LEAN LAMB HOTPOT We’ve always loved this simple old-fashioned dish and this is our new-wave version - who’d have thought it? By trimming the meat well and reducing the amount of potatoes, we’ve made this lower in calories than the trad recipe. Makes a cracking supper on a cold day, served with lots of green veg.

SERVES 4 700g well-trimmed lamb leg meat (or leg steaks) 2 tsp sunflower oil 2 medium onions, peeled and thinly sliced 5 medium carrots, peeled and thickly sliced (about 300g prepared weight) 3 tbsp plain flour 600ml lamb stock, made with 1 lamb stock cube 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 tsp dried thyme 1 rosemary stalk or 1/2 tsp dried rosemary 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce flaked sea salt freshly ground black pepper Potato topping 3 medium potatoes (about 500g)

438 calories per portion

Trim any visible fat off the lamb and cut the meat into rough 3cm chunks. Season generously all over with salt and pepper.

Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan and fry the lamb in 2 batches over a medium-high heat until nicely browned on all sides. Transfer the browned meat to a medium casserole dish - it will need to hold about 2.5 litres.

Tip the onions and carrots into the pan with the lamb and sprinkle with the flour. Toss everything together well, then pour over the stock and add the thyme leaves, rosemary and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well.

Preheat the oven to 170oC/Fan 150oC/Gas 31/2. Peel the potatoes and cut them into slices about 5mm thick. Arrange the slices on top of the lamb, overlapping and layering them as you go. Season with ground black pepper and cover with a tight-fitting lid.

Bake the hotpot for 1 hour, then remove the lid and bake for a further 45 minutes or until the potatoes are nicely browned and the lamb is tender. Check by poking with the point of a knife into the centre of the lamb filling - if the meat is done the knife should slide in easily. Serve with freshly cooked greens.

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SALMON WITH CHILLI GINGER SAUCE Oily fish such as salmon, is a great choice when you’re watching your weight, but bear in mind that it contains more calories than white fish. It’s a highquality protein, so fills you up, and it is delicious especially when teamed with this sticky, tangy sauce. You need to allow time for the fish to marinate for 30 minutes but once that is done, this is quick and easy to prepare.

SERVES 4 2 balls of stem ginger in syrup (and 2 tablespoons of the syrup) 3 garlic cloves 3 tbsp dark soy sauce finely grated zest of 1/2 well-scrubbed orange freshly squeezed juice of 1 orange (about 125ml) 1/2 long red chilli, thinly sliced 4 x 125 -150g salmon fillets, skin on freshly ground black pepper Put the ginger balls on a board and slice them thinly. Pile up the slices from each ball and cut through them to make thin matchstick strips. Put these in a bowl that’s large enough to hold the salmon and add 2 tablespoons of the stem ginger syrup from the jar. Peel the garlic cloves and slice them thinly, then add them to the bowl with the ginger. Stir in the soy sauce, orange zest, orange juice and red chilli.

254 calories per portion

Put the salmon in the bowl with the marinade. Season with lots of ground black pepper and turn a couple of times, ending with the fish skin side up. Cover and chill for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 220oC/Fan 200oC/Gas 7. Line a small baking tray with baking parchment. Take the salmon fillets out of the marinade scraping off any bits and pieces, and place them on the tray, skin side down. Season with more ground black pepper.

Bake for 12-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon.

While the salmon is cooking, prepare the sauce. Pour the marinade into a small non-stick saucepan and bring to the boil. Cook for 6 minutes or until the liquid has reduced and the garlic is softened. You need enough of the marinade to pour over the salmon but not swamp it completely.

Put the salmon fillets on warmed plates, carefully lifting off the skin as you go. Spoon the hot sauce over the salmon and serve with a small portion of rice or new potatoes and some steamed or stir-fried vegetables.

PLUM RICE PUDDING Those little pots of rice pudding you can buy in supermarkets make a nice sweet treat, but they are expensive and they contain lots of sugar. It’s so much cheaper to make your own and really easy. Eat the rice pudding on its own or topped with a fruity compote. We like plums, but use any lightly stewed fruit you like - apples, pears and summer berries all work well.

SERVES 4 100g pudding rice 400ml semi-skimmed milk 200ml cold water 1/4 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp caster sugar (preferably golden) Compote 3 ripe plums, stoned and quartered 6 tbsp cold water 1 tsp caster sugar (preferably golden)

134 calories per portion Put the rice, milk, water and vanilla extract in a medium non-stick saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer over a medium heat. Cook for 16-18 minutes or until the rice is tender (with compote) and the sauce is creamy, stirring regularly. Don’t forget that it will continue to thicken as it cools, so add a little extra water if serving cold. Stir frequently towards the end of the cooking time as the mixture will be thickening up. Sweeten with a little caster sugar and serve warm or chilled with or without the topping.

To make the compote topping, put the plums, water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring gently, until the plums are softened but still holding their shape. Add a little extra water if you need.

Spoon the rice pudding into tumblers or dessert dishes and top with the plum compote. Delicious warm or cold.

25

Need a new hip or knee?

Returning to mobility In the 21st Century we have noticed that people are living longer and life expectancy for both men and women over the years with improved medical technology and better care, has improved dramatically.

Hip Replacements

need a HIp replaceMent?

People who need hip replacements usually get pain – predominantly in the groin, thigh and knee needing regular analgesia, they may wake up with pain during the night and need painkillers to get back to sleep, they may be unable to walk more than a quarter of a mile, find it difficult to put their shoes or socks on or have difficulty Don’t move until you’ve talked to an expert.

This means we need our joints to work longer getting out of the car. however, our joints wear out as we are more active and atmore BMIsporting you will always see an experienced consultant surgeon do activities.

Hip replacements can be performed for a variety of because we only work with experienced consultant surgeons. reasons but the most common reason is osteoarthritis As a consequence, hip and knee replacements have (when the joint is worn out over a period of years). developed since 928 the 1960s over 150,000 hip and call 08000 682 and to book an appointment.

Other conditions needing a hip replacement could be knee operations are performed in the UK every year. rheumatoid arthritis (when the immune system attacks visit www.bmihealthcare.co.uk/pmh to find out These give a new lease of life to many people in terms the lining of the joint resulting in pain and stiffness), ofmore, returning back to mobility pains finance. from including detailsand of alleviating our flexible septic arthritis (when the joint becomes infected), arthritic joints.

Paget’s disease (affecting bone growth) and bone tumours. Hip replacements have been carried out in a BMI The Princess Margaret Hospital osborne road, Windsor, Berkshire sl4 3sJ

BMI HealtHcare Is tHe largest prIvate HospItal group In tHe uK. cds03477

H E A LT H variety of age groups ranging from ages 30 to 95 but most are performed on patients in their 60s and 70s.

If you have a hip problem, do speak to your GP first.

They will know your history, will examine you and will want you to have an X-ray to confirm the diagnosis - and to make sure you are fit to undergo any major surgery. A physiotherapist may be consulted to improve your mobility and give you walking aids, such as crutches or sticks, which will help you function better without needing to have surgery. However, if all conservative measures and analgesics fail then the only solution is a hip replacement.

Prior to the operation you will see a consultant to assess your case, discuss the types of hip replacement available and talk through the risks involved. This is then followed by a visit to the pre-assessment clinic where again the nature of the operation is explained.

There is also an assessment from the physiotherapist to discuss your needs after surgery. Patients are normally admitted on the day of surgery and most are expected to go home 3 to 5 days after the operation. Normally you need to be fully mobile and be able to climb up and down stairs.

The surgery replaces both the socket and also the rounded ball at the top of the thigh bone with artificial parts. There are various types of hip replacements which depending on each patient can be tailored to your needs.

the assessment initially is from your GP and then is followed up by a specialist and pre-operative clinic. The surgery involves removing the worn out surfaces of the bone of the knee and replacing them with a combination of plastic and metal. The procedure normally lasts an hour and most patients are mobilised the same day with the help of physiotherapy and again are expected to go home within 3-5 days.

Post-operatively knee replacements are a bit more painful than hip replacements. Usually by 4-6 weeks after surgery the pain settles down when returning back to normal function. Most knee replacements last between 15 and 20 years.

Waiting for orthopaedic treatment?

If you are suffering from joint pain, or are facing a long wait on the NHS for what you need, BMI The Princess Margaret Hospital provides a comprehensive orthopaedic service, comprising a team of consultant orthopaedic surgeons, nursing staff, physiotherapists and consultant radiologists.

Treatment at BMI The Princess Margaret Hospital is available to all, whether you have Private Medical Insurance or are looking to self-pay for your treatment.

offer you: SCREENING NOW AVAILABLEWe • Treatment at a time to suit you with no long waiting After the surgery most patients lose their pain within lists few SCREENING hours in the hip but then have surgical pain for AVAILABLE NOW TO awhich CHECK FOR ABDOMINAL • Consultant-led care throughout they are given regular analgesics. Depending on • Rapid access to diagnostic imaging, including MRI, the time of the CHECK surgery, the patient will be mobilised TO FOR ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS X-ray or ultrasound either the same day or first thing the next morning.

• Professional and friendly nursing staff Usually there are certain restrictions of what you can AORTIC ANEURYSMS • High level of cleanliness and low infection rates. and can’t do following surgery which again would have

Did you know thatataround 1 in 25 men aged between been discussed your pre-admission appointment – this is also reinforced at the time of admission.

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BMI The Princess Margaret Hospital ThisReplacements can be fatal it ruptures. o get Knee yourself checked out, ifplease call 0808 101 0381 Osborne Road o bookMost an To abdominal aortic aneurysm screen give 101Windsor get yourself checked out, please call 0381 knee replacements in the UK are carried outand for 0808 Berkshire Knee replacements aortic can be either total screen and give SL4 3SJ ourselfosteoarthritis. some reassurance. to book an abdominal aneurysm knee replacement which means replacing all the three yourselfofsome reassurance. compartments the joint, or partial knee replacement,

which means one compartment can be replaced.

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The process is similar to hip surgery where UK National Screen Committee *UK National Screen Committee

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27615_1617 27615_1617 15/02/2013 10:42

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening now available at BMI The Princess Margaret Hospital Dr Yaser Naji, Consultant Interventional Radiologist at BMI The Princess Margaret Hospital in Windsor, explains about abdominal aortic aneurysms, the ‘symptoms’, what the screening involves and what treatments are available.

What is Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening?

Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening is a simple ultrasound scan to look for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which takes about ten minutes to perform.

What is an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm?

The aorta is the main blood vessel that supplies blood to your body and it runs from your heart down through your chest and abdomen. In some people, as they get older, the wall of the aorta in the abdomen can become weak and it can then start to expand and form what is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Is an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm serious?

As the wall of the aorta stretches it becomes weaker and could give way. If this happens, the person usually dies.

An aorta which is only slightly larger than normal is not dangerous. However, it is still important to know about it so that we can monitor the aneurysm to see if it gets bigger.

need a HIp replaceMent?

Why is screening important?

If you have an aneurysm you will not generally notice any symptoms. This means that you cannot tell if you have one, as you will not feel any pain or notice anything different. We offer How common is the condition? screening so we can find aneurysms early and monitor or treat Don’t move until to an expert. them.

This greatly reduces the you’ve chances oftalked the aneurysm causing It is estimated that around 1 in 25 men aged between 65 serious problems. The easiest way to find out if you have an and 74 in England have an abdominal aortic aneurysm. aneurysm is to havewill an ultrasound scan an of your abdomen. consultant surgeon at BMI you always see experienced

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Who is most risk?work with experienced consultant If your aorta is 5.5cm wide or bigger, we will refer you If you are a man aged over 65, you are more likely to have an call 08000 928 682 to book an appointment. abdominal aortic aneurysm. Men are six times more likely to visit tooffind out have this www.bmihealthcare.co.uk/pmh type of aneurysm than women.Your chance having an more, abdominal aortic aneurysm if: finance. including detailscan of also ourincrease flexible l You smoke l You have high blood pressure l BMI YourThe brother, or parent Princesssister Margaret Hospitalhas, or has had, an osborne road, Windsor, Berkshire abdominal aortic aneurysm sl4 3sJ

to a specialist team who will discuss possible treatments with you. This can be either an operation or keyhole procedure.

For more information about treatments or to arrange an appointment call 0808 101 0381 or email imaging_pmh@bmihealthcare.co.uk

BMI HealtHcare Is tHe largest prIvate HospItal group In tHe uK. cds03477

SCREENING NOW AVAILABLE TO CHECK FOR ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS Did you know that around 1 in 25 men aged between 65 and 74* have an abdominal aortic aneurysm without knowing about it?

This can be fatal if it ruptures.

To get yourself checked out, please call 0808 101 0381 to book an abdominal aortic aneurysm screen and give yourself some reassurance.

*UK National Screen Committee

www.bmihealthcare.co.uk/pmh 27615_1617

‘I’d urge any woman who has had bloating for three weeks to go and see their GP’

Watch out for the signs of ovarian cancer...

As a nurse and NHS manager, Sheila Lada was better placed than most when she started to develop symptoms of cancer three years ago.

in east Berkshire, said: “I haven’t got rid of the cancer but I am living a normal life – like two million other people who have cancer.”

said. “I put it off, thinking that what I felt was not serious and just part of getting older. I was treated and now I am fit and well.

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer in women in England, with 80% of cases in women aged 50-plus.

She made an appointment with her GP, which led to a diagnosis of Fallopian tube cancer and a course of treatment which is still ongoing.

Her daughter has since been through a similar experience – having an operation a week after seeing her GP with symptoms. She has now been given the all-clear.

“Don’t put it off. Get checked out – it might save your life.”

That’s why a campaign in east Berkshire and further afield is urging women in their fifties and older to see their GP if they have potential symptoms.

Sheila, who lives in Flackwell Heath and works for the NHS

Sheila also knows of the dangers that delay can cause – a former colleague died after failing to act on her symptoms.

She said: “I’d urge any woman who has had bloating for three weeks to go and see their GP.” Fiona Mactaggart, the Slough MP, had ovarian cancer a decade ago. “I know that it is hard to spot the symptoms, but I am living proof that it’s worth going to a doctor if you experience any of these changes,” she

Shazia Hussain lost her mother Mrs Zamir Akhter to ovarian cancer when she was just 54. Shazia, from Slough, said: “I would not wish any family to have to go through our experience and would urge any woman having new and persistent stomach pain and bloating to get it checked out at the earliest opportunity.”

An ovarian cancer support group has just been launched in Maidenhead.

For further information, please: Go to: www.eastberkshireovariancancersupportgroup.co.uk Or call: 07526 821364

Sheila Lada

If found early, ovarian cancer is much more treatable.

The key sign to look out for is an unexplained bloated feeling that occurs most days for three weeks or more. If this happens, you should go to your doctor and get it checked out.

The chances are that there’s nothing to worry about, in which case the visit will put your mind at rest. But it could be a sign of something that needs treatment.

There’s no need to feel embarrassed or that you are wasting the doctor’s time. It could be the best decision you make.

The campaign is being run for the Department of Health by the Thames Valley Cancer Network.

Volunteers called health activists are helping to spread the word in Maidenhead, Slough and surrounding areas.

A Guide to Dentures ....

The Importance of Dentures

Choice of Dentures

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

There are three main quality standards in denture materials:

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

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

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

Difficulties in Constructing a Good Set of Dentures Constructing a functional and aesthetically pleasing set of dentures is the most difficult task in dentistry.

We are not only replacing lost teeth, but also lost tissue matter and bone.

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

In most cases we do not know what your teeth looked like, what size they were or what position they were in originally. We have a few indications but mostly we have to rely on our visual and artistic judgement.

At the same time we have to use our technical expertise in order to make the denture stable and functional.

Denture construction is more art than science.

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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 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.

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. When they become loose.

2. When teeth or denture base discolours.

3. When tooth surfaces become flat.

4. When denture base does not fit around natural teeth (in partial dentures). www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

5. When you develop deep lines around your mouth.

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

7. When you stop smiling and feel embarrassed.

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.

Ask your Dental Technician for recommendations of suitable Dentist.

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

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

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

4. Keep a spare set for emergencies.

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

6. 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.

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

What is a Clinical Dental Technician?

Professional Clinical Dental Technicians are members of the Dental Health Care Team. They have undergone specific training and education in the skills and knowledge necessary to provide a removable appliance service directly to the community.

Equipped with solid technical training as a Dental Technician - plus post-technician training in sciences, clinical skills, and interpersonal skills - the Clinical Dental Technician can design, create, construct and modify (repair and rebase) removable appliances to ensure optimal fit, maximum comfort and general wellbeing of patients.

These skills enable the Clinical Dental Technician, whilst remaining a member of the Dental Health Care Team, to work independently of other Dental Health Care providers.

A fully qualified local Clinical Dental Technician is Paul Moorcroft of Abacus Dental Studio.

Abacus Dental Studio NEW DENTURES DENTURE REPAIRS l

Do your dentures make you look older?

Do they hurt?

Clinical Dental Technician l

While you wait - Express Service One hour Denture Repairs l Alterations, Relines and Cleaning l Home Visits l Appointments arranged as necessary l Friendly l Informal atmosphere with prices guaranteed not to frighten the most nervous patients l l

The Old Library Dental Practice, Lower Broadmoor Road, Crowthorne, Berks RG45 7LA - Ground Floor, Disabled Access (01344) 777 751 15 High St, Theale, Reading, Berks RG7 5AH - Just off Junction 12, M4. (0118) 930 3965

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT

April 2013 AYLESBURY TOWN CENTRE EVENTS

the biggest ever with a record number of participants, venues and new entrants.

Saturday 27 April, 9pm Live Music – Slug & Lettuce Live band Devestation provide the music at the Slug and Lettuce St George’s Day Party.

RACE FOR LIFE WINDSOR 2013

Tuesday 30 April, 9am - 2pm Farmers’ Market - Market Square Come to the Farmers’ Market for fabulous local produce.

Contact Details Tel: 01296 614283

Sat 01 Jun 2013 11:00 Sun 02 Jun 2013 11:00 Twilight Fri 25 Oct 2013 19:00 This venue is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Cancer, we’re coming to get you!

Join in this year’s Race for Life and show cancer who’s boss by raising money to fund groundbreaking research into new drugs and treatments. Race for Life is cancer’s worst nightmare. So come along and run, walk, dance and sponsor - together we will bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.

MARLOW TOWN REGATTA AND FESTIVAL 8th and 9th June 2013 Marlow’s premier sporting and social occasion.

The annual Marlow Town Regatta and Festival took place in Higginson Park, Marlow over the weekend of the 8th and 9th of June.

What is Twilight?

Twilight events are 5k runs which are taking place in the early evening over two weekends in mid-October.

We need you to don your fairy lights, sparklers, glow sticks and shiny accessories ready to take on the night.

For more information, visit our Twilight page.

Venue details Royal Windsor Racecourse, Off Maidenhead Road, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 5JJ

Saturday 8th June - Marlow Town Regatta Visitors to the Marlow Town Regatta enjoy the rowing and riverside music, picnic on the lawn and visit the Riverside Bar and the numerous craft, trade, food and charity stalls.

Sunday 9th June - Dragon Boating Festival The annual Marlow Dragon Boat Festival is one of the largest dragon boat festivals in the country. It regularly attracts over 500 participants, which combined with large numbers of supporters both young and old creates a wonderful atmosphere and a truly fantastic day out for both participants and spectators.

BUCKS OPEN STUDIOS 2013 Various Venues Bucks Open Studios is the largest art event in Buckinghamshire with a huge range of amazing talent.

It’s a great opportunity to see artists at work, ask them questions and buy unique bespoke art for yourself or as a gift. From ceramics, glass blowing, painters, jewellery makers, sculptors, basket weavers etc. There is something for everyone at Bucks Open Studios. It takes place for two weeks in June every year and is also one of the largest visual arts events in the country.

Every year over 500 artists run exhibitions and events for the public to visit at over 150 venues. Last year was

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BUCKS COUNTY SHOW Thursday 29th August 2013 This year’s Bucks County Show will be taking place on Thursday 29th August 2013 at the usual site of Weedon Park, Nr Aylesbury.

The Show starts at 8.00am all the way through until 6.00pm and is still considered one of the best One Day Agricultural Shows in the Country.

Attractions for this year will include: l Bolddog Lings Motocross Stunt Team l RAF Halton Pipes and Drums l The Sheep Show l Vintage Tractors l Home & Garden Marquee www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

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Shopping Marquee Food Hall Rural Crafts Countryside Area Over 200 Trade Stands Rural Demonstrations Horse & Livestock Showing Classes Show Jumping

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Along with much, much more for all the family and all ages and interests, so do not miss out and visit us this year for another fantastic day out.

Bus Service There is a free bus service running continuously throughout the day from Station Way, Aylesbury to the Showground. First bus leaves Aylesbury at 9.30 am and the last bus leaves the Showground at 6.30 pm.

HISTORIC STEAMBOAT CRUISE Sunday 22nd September

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P J free M O time L I before T X N W R S afternoon tea included. There is then L A Y S L S T M G B H U departing again at 15.00 to arrive in Runnymede at C A K T U B A S E A M I 17.00.

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35

DEMENTIA EXPLAINED

By Cognitive Neuroscientist and Business Improvement Strategist, Dr Lynda Shaw.

Dementia is an age-related syndrome that affects nearly 600,000 people in the UK and that number is rising.

Dementia is becoming more and more important because we are living longer and Dementia is now the most common disease in the elderly.

for storing memories. Alzheimer’s can affect memory, understanding, judgment, emotions and even personality and can be both frightening and exhausting for those with Alzheimer’s Disease as well as their loved ones.

Vascular Dementia

The most common cause of Dementia is Alzheimer’s Disease and there is currently no cure but many believe we can help ourselves prevent or at least slow down a decline into Dementia, so that we can enjoy those precious later years.

During the course of the disease the chemistry and structure of the brain changes, leading to the death of brain cells. Currently it’s difficult for doctors to make a clear diagnosis for Dementia.

In the early stages the clinical symptoms can be quite ambiguous because cognitive impairment needs to be distinguished from brain changes during normal ageing.

Dementia usually first appears as forgetfulness.

WHAT IS DEMENTIA? Most types of Dementia are non-reversible (degenerative) but some causes of Dementia may be stopped or reversed if they are found soon enough, including after brain injury or chronic alcohol abuse Dementia is rare in people under age 60. The risk for Dementia increases as a person gets older.

Four main types of Dementia

Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common cause of Dementia and accounts for 50% - 60% of all cases. It destroys brain cells and nerves disrupting the neuro transmitters which carry messages in the brain, particularly those responsible

Vascular Dementia is the second most common form of Dementia and accounts for about 20% of all cases. It affects men more than women and is due to cerebrovascular disease, which occurs where oxygen supply fails or is no longer efficient in the brain and brain cells are likely to die. This can lead to strokes or infarcts (mini strokes) and there is an increased possibility of vascular dementia.

Dementia with Lewy bodies Dementia with Lewy bodies is the third most common cause of Dementia and may occur in up to 20% of cases. Dementia with Lewy bodies is similar to Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s Disease in that it is caused by the degeneration and death of nerve cells in the brain. Lewy bodies are abnormal collections of protein deposits, found in the nerve cells of the brain.

Fronto-temporal dementia Fronto-temporal dementia is relatively rare and affects people at a younger age. It takes its name from the fact that damage to brain cells usually begins in the frontal lobe of the brain.

Symptoms Dementia affects people differently but symptoms may include difficulty with many areas of mental function, including in language, memory, perception, emotional behaviour such as anxiety or agitation and cognitive skills such as abstract thinking, or judgment and disorientation.

Mild cognitive impairment is somewhere between normal forgetfulness due to ageing and the development of Dementia.

People with MCI have mild problems with thinking and memory that do not interfere with everyday activities and are often aware of the forgetfulness. Not everyone with MCI develops Dementia.

Prevention Most causes of Dementia are not preventable but there are many things you can do to best protect yourself or slow down the rate of Dementia.

1.

2.

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Mental Exercise Quitting smoking and controlling high blood pressure and diabetes can help us reduce our risk of vascular Dementia.

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3. Eating a low-fat balanced diet may reduce the risk of Vascular Dementia.

4. Regular physical exercise may reduce the risk of Vascular Dementia.

5. Sleep Well 6. Managing Stress 7. There is also treatment with vitamin B this has had notable effects. Folic Acid, B6 and B12 seem to do something to the reduction in the rate of brain atrophy.

8. Identify MCI as quickly as possible. In studies carried out in memory clinics, 10-15 per cent of people with MCI went on to develop Dementia in each year that the research results were followed up. It is therefore very important to identify people with MCI, as they may be in the very early stages of the disease and more likely to benefit from early treatment in the future. However, many people with MCI improve or remain stable, and do not develop Dementia.

In recent years, however, treatments that can improve the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are becoming available.

Other treatments that may slow down the progression of the disease in the brain are also being developed. It is important that people with Alzheimer’s disease are identified as early as possible, so that they can benefit from these treatments in the future. Identifying people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is one way to try to achieve this but so far, none of the techniques available are sufficiently developed to provide a definitive diagnosis in patients with MCI.

Helping those with Dementia

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• • •

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with the name they prefer e.g. Mr or Mrs … be courteous, kind and non-judgemental Respecting cultural values and privacy Regardless of how bad the Dementia is people still have feelings, so help the person feel good about themselves Help them express their feelings.

Choice is confusing – so keep it simple and easy Remember each person with dementia is still that person with unique and valuable experiences Isolation because of Dementia is rife. Help those with Dementia still be sociable and connect with their loved ones and people of all ages.

Helping Families of those with Dementia 1. Caring for a person with AD can have physical, emotional and financial costs. The demands of day to day care, changing family roles, and difficult decisions about placement in a care facility can be hard to handle.

2. Becoming well informed is really important.

3. Developing good coping skills 4. Having a strong network of family and friends also are important 5. Staying physically active helps us cope emotionally to being a carer 6. Getting support groups for respite and expression of concerns DR LYNDA SHAW RUNS AN ADVISORY SERVICE FOR LOVED ONES OF THOSE SUFFERING WITH DEMENTIA. www.drlyndashaw.com

• Understanding and respecting the person with Dementia • Helping the person feel valued – be tolerant; listen properly and slow down; be affectionate; address them

CARE VISITS AT HOME Good Old Fashioned Service

Bluebird Care (South Bucks & Slough) 31 Summers Road, Burnham SL1 7EP. Telephone: 01628 605 797 www.bluebirdcare.co.uk

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.

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PERFECT COMPANIONS - PETS AND PEOPLE

you have only to watch the relationship between the two to see how it benefits both ....

Harvey Locke has seen this satisfying chemistry at first hand over 40-plus years as a vet, and is a great believer in pet power. “Animals can provide real companionship and improve people’s health as well,” he insists.

However, as president of the British Veterinary Association, he is also a great exponent of responsible petowning and believes that this starts as soon as the decision is made to actually own a pet.

“What tends to happen with older people, unfortunately, is that children and grandchildren buy them an animal without actually asking first or checking if it’s suitable for them,” he says.

“For example, with a dog you probably need to be fit enough – and willing enough – to take it for walk. The breed is also important. You wouldn’t want someone with severe arthritis owning a border collie which needs plenty of exercise and attention.”

Far better to discuss the matter with your local vet right at the outset, so he or she can give invaluable advice on suitability and practicality.

“It’s important to talk through your lifestyle and your disposable income,” states Mr Locke. “It’s obviously more expensive to look after a Great Dane than a poodle.

“And if you’re a fairly frail person, then you need a dog you can easily control.”

Where you live is also instrumental in pet choice. Life in a third-floor flat might not be conducive to keeping and exercising a Pyrennean Mountain Dog, for example.

“Where you obtain your dog is also extremely important,” adds Mr Locke.

“Avoid puppy farms or anyone who wants to deliver the dog to you. Go and see the breeder, where the dogs are kept, and always see at least one of its parents so you can assess how

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Vets also generally recommend pet owners take out insurance for treatment and neutering costs. “If your pet is run over and injured, or falls ill, these bills can run into thousands of pounds so insurance is really important,” says Mr Locke. Vets can’t suggest individual policies but they can advise on general type.

big the dog will grow and its likely temperament.”

For some people, a pet can be a real boost to health. “People who have had heart attacks, for instance, may

Rescue animals are often a good choice, from a responsible sanctuary.

Often such pets are already vaccinated and even micro-chipped.

“Dogs are at risk from distemper, parvo virus, viral hepatitis, leptospirosis, para influenza and kennel cough so they need a course of vaccinations that cost around £50, with a booster a year later that’s around £25 although prices do vary around the country,” says Mr Locke.

It’s also worth knowing that boarding kennels will only house your animal if it has had its vaccinations.

Your dog also needs to be microchipped. “This costs around £10 to £25 but is a one-off fee and very valuable,” states the vet. “Your details go on a national database and if your dog gets lost or is found wandering, its owner is just a phone call away. So there’s peace of mind, too.”

Your vet will also help with advice on nutrition for your pet, and the likely costs involved.

“There’s bound to be a big difference between, for example, feeding a cat and feeding a very large dog. There’s also been a big change in dried food for pets, which can mean cheaper bills.”

Regular dog-walking can also introduce you to fellow dog-owners. People easily get talking with this shared interest and kinship which leads to new friends.

improve their health by taking a pet dog for regular walks – exercise they might not otherwise take,” Mr Locke says. “And just stroking a cat or dog can actually lower blood pressure.”

Organisations like Pets as Therapy (PAT) actively take animals into hospitals and care homes where they become popular visitors. Some care homes around the country have even bought dogs and other animals as popular “residents”.

An increasing number of residential homes are also allowing elderly residents to keep their pets with them as parting them can be traumatic for both. The Pets for Life campaign is trying to highlight the problem.

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Greyhounds: Great Bet to Perfect Pet The Trust operates a network of over 70 branches across England, Scotland and Wales, run by over 1,000 of the most dedicated and hardworking volunteers you could ever hope to meet.

These volunteers help care for greyhounds, raise funds and find the right home for each dog. You can find your nearest branch by visiting www.retiredgreyhounds. co.uk/branches or by calling the Trust on 020 8335 3016.

The Retired Greyhound Trust is a national charity dedicated to finding loving homes for greyhounds at the end of their racing careers.

Since the Trust was established in 1975 it has found more than 60,000 homes for this wonderful breed, so it’s no surprise that greyhounds are fast becoming one of the most popular pets in Britain today!

Each year approximately 8,000 greyhounds retire from racing in Britain, typically between three and five years of age. They are gentle, intelligent animals who, on retirement, deserve some tender loving care in family home and in return will provide you with wonderful companionship.

Most greyhounds need relatively little exercise – just a couple of short walks on a lead each day. They tend to pick up new routines quickly and are not fussy eaters.

They have short coats so don’t get too dirty and some can live happily with other pets, including cats.

The Trust takes great care to match each greyhound with a suitable home. Prior to taking on a greyhound one of our volunteers will carry out a home check and then arrange follow-up checks to ensure things are working out for both you and your greyhound.

All greyhounds that we rehome are neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, wormed and flea-treated and come with a lead, collar, muzzle, advice booklet and DVD and four weeks’ free pet insurance. Our experienced volunteers and staff are available to provide additional advice as required.

Anything you can do will make a big difference to the hundreds of greyhounds in our care and will ensure that we can continue to find loving homes for thousands of greyhounds after they have retired from racing. With your help we want to tell the world that ‘Greyhounds Make Great Pets’.

To find out more, visit www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk or call 020 8335 3016.

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Leave a legacy to support retired greyhounds.

Every year the Retired Greyhound Trust finds thousands of homes for retired racing greyhounds. We have found over 60,000 homes since we were established in 1976.

Our priority as a charity is to look after these wonderful dogs, but we simply couldn’t continue our vital work without your support.

The generosity of those who leave a gift in their Will is particularly important to us.

A gift in your Will can make a difference to the lives of retired racing greyhounds nationwide.

If you could help the Trust’s vital work and make a difference to these noble, intelligent and gentle dogs, please contact us on: tel: 020 8335 3016

greyhounds@retiredgreyhounds.co.uk www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk Charity no: 269668

2nd Floor Park House, Park Terrace Worcester Park, Surrey, KT4 7JZ