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NEWS

Want a taste of freedom? ANDEMS are helping people with all sorts of disabilities enjoy the freedom that cycling provides.

But they don’t come cheap, and getting to the few venues where can hire them for a few hours can be a problem. Charlotte’s Tandems could have the answer. The charity has 100 tandems to loan to disabled people – absolutely free – for about two months. They also have 24 experienced cyclists who provide initial training. Alex and Kate Reeves set up the project four years ago - after seeing the benefits that cycling brought to their teenage daughter. Charlotte, now 17, has severe learning difficulties, severe autism, and is unable to talk. “But she loves her tandem and gets so much pleasure from cycling,” said Alex. “We wanted to share that with others.” Brian MacDonald, from Neston, Wirral, was

DO YOU want to borrow a tandem? Contact Alex via the charity’s website, www.charlottestandems.co.uk, and he’ll put you in touch with your nearest helper. TWO’S COMPANY: Charlotte with her dad Alex the charity’s first helper and looks after requests from people across Merseyside, Manchester, Cheshire and Staffordshire. The former marathon runner said: “I’ve been cycling for 18 years - ever since getting over breaking my pelvis while training for a marathon. “I love it and being able to help others to enjoy the sense of freedom that cycling gives is fantastic.

Eureka! It’s all change for the better EUREKA! – the National Children’s Museum in Halifax – has received a £60,000 funding boost from the SITA Trust to improve facilities for disabled visitors. The museum recently received silver at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence for the services they offer to disabled children and their families. They will be undertaking a complete refurbishment of all of their washroom facilities, baby changing and feeding rooms. A Changing Places room for people who need extra help will also be available.

Editor: Tom Dowling email: news@alltogethernow.org.uk

n Bespoke Bike Business – Page 16

Why we love this newspaper All Together NOW! is a brilliant newspaper. Older and disabled people can't always use a computer to get advice. They need all the help they can get. Jeanette Davison, Wedgewood Crescent, Ketley, Telford All Together NOW! is brilliant! Articles are always interesting and well written. It gets passed through THREE generations – me, my mother and my nan. Samantha (email)

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So far Brian has helped 85 people with all sorts of disabilities and ages. The youngest rider is four, the oldest a visually impaired man from Bebington. “Until I got involved with the charity I had no real connection with disability. Now, I am getting so much more out of cycling. I feel I am giving something back to the community.”

SAFE HANDS: Asda Huyton’s community team at one of their training sessions

DEFIBRILLATORS save lives – and Asda say they will have them in all of their 568 stores and 25 depots by the end of the year. Merseyside’s Huyton store is the latest to benefit. Local MP George Howarth was impressed by what he saw: “This is great for the local community and Asda are to be commended for embarking on such a very ambitious project on such a grand scale. “It is important that people not only know where they are, but how to use them as well.” Store manager Graham Watts said: “We’re really proud of our relationship with the BHF and want the people in the local community to have the best chance of survival if cardiac arrest strikes.”

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October/November 2014

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This is more than just a newspaper – it is the key that opens a thousand doors — SIR BERT MASSIE, BRITAIN’S LEADING DISABILITY CAMPAIGNER

ON YOUR MARKS, SANTAS

THE race is on to enter the BTR Liverpool Santa Dash – and especially if you want to stake a claim on one of the 500 blue Santa suits. “The Santa Dash is not just a fun run, it’s a huge festive spectacle that’s open to everyone – the young, the not so young, walkers, runners and wheelchair-users,” said race director Alan Rothwell. The 10th anniversary 5k run takes place on Sunday 7 December. Early bird entry is £22 up to 8 November, and then £27. The 1K Mini Dash for under 12s, starts in Castle Street at 11am, shortly after the main Santa Dash finishes. Mini Dash places are £11.

Disability experts to tackle access SOME of Britain’s top disability experts will be speaking at a conference in New Brighton about the barriers that prevent disabled people from getting involved in community life. The conference, taking place on Friday October 10 at the Floral Pavilion, will also be looking at ways to make Britain more accessible for people with disabilities. Cllr Phil Davies, Leader of Wirral Council, said: “I am keen to demonstrate our ability to work together to make our community more inclusive for disabled people. “The evacuation scheme we trialled at Wirral is just one example of how public buildings can be made more accessible to be used safely, by everyone..” Contact Ged Smyth, tel 0151 691 8217 email:gerardsmyth@wirral.gov.uk

n Tel 0151 236 8432

WHAT A BOOST REAT to be back – and great to be able to share with you some really exciting news!

Three new partners!

Publishing newspapers is a tough business these days, and even more so for a FREE health and disability charity paper like ours. But almost ten years on since we launched, we’re still alive and kicking. And now THREE more well respected organizations have teamed up with us. Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children, the Together Trust, and Medicash will all be highlighting their excellent community work and services to our half a million readers. Newlife’s CEO Sheila Brown said: “We’re delighted to become a partner of All Together NOW! The paper is having a really good impact and helping so many families.” Together Trust’s chief Mark Lee said: “We believe everybody deserves to be given an equal

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1 2 3 chance in life – there are no exceptions. It is this ethos which makes our partnership with All Together NOW! a perfect match. We value the great work that the paper is doing across the North West – and beyond.” Medicash have been providing low-cost healthcare plans for more than 150 years. Through their charitable trust they have also given more than £1m to health-related charities over the past decade. Medicash chief executive Sue

Weir is also a big fan of the paper. She said: “All Together NOW! is a great paper, filling a vital niche in the community. We are very happy to be one of the charity’s new partners.” Having these new partners on board is a tremendous boost to our charity and will help us get even more papers out and about. A MASSIVE thanks to everyone who is helping to keep this newspaper flourishing.

TOM DOWLING editor

CHESHIRE-based NWF Fuels Ltd have just become the latest ‘Friend’ of All Together NOW! Right out of the blue came a letter – and a most welcome cheque! – from the company’s MD, Kevin Kennerley. He wrote: “Each year we hold a Summer Party to celebrate our achievements, and also nominate charities that are dear to employees’ hearts who would benefit from our support. I know how much the newspaper is helping people and was pleased to nominate your charity for support.” THANKS! n IF YOUR company would also like to be a ‘Friend’ of All Together NOW! please contact us:

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WEBSITES for five of the UK’s top airlines are still difficult and frustrating to use for their disabled customers, 11 years after they were found to be failing to meet minimum standards. A survey from the technology and disability charity AbilityNet shows that of the top 12 carriers and holiday companies, only one (Club Med) meets the base level of access requirements needed to research travel and accommodation options and make flight or holiday reservations.

Wheel grants CHARITIES that have ‘wheels-related’ projects are being urged to apply for a share of £50,000 from accident management specialist EasiDrive. EasiDrive director Simon Bellamy said: “Donation requests can be for as little as a hundred pounds, right through to a few thousand, as long as the money goes towards a wheelrelated charity that will make a difference.” www.wheelsforgood.com/apply/

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NEWS

High costs of disability to be investigated Found: A gene that could cure deafness A CURE for deafness has moved a big step closer. The biggest ever study of its kind has identified a gene which has a vital role in how well we can hear, particularly at high frequencies. Reseachers based at King’s College London, made the breakthrough in understanding the causes of hearing loss, which affects 10 million people in the UK and could lead to future treatments. Dr Ralph Holme, head of Biomedical Research at Action on Hearing Loss, said: “Hearing Loss can isolate people from friends and family. “By funding research to understand why people lose their hearing, we believe that treatments and a cure could be possible within our lifetime.”

Deafblind centre DEAFBLIND charity Sense has received £2.1m of Government funding to help build a pioneering centre for disabled people and the wider community in and around Birmingham. The funding will go towards the building of a new £14m ‘Touchbase’ centre that will offer a range of fully accessible facilities for people with disabilities, businesses, other charities and the wider community.

Civil action probe THE Cabinet Office has commissioned new research to examine the barriers faced by civil servants with a disability. Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude said: “To deliver excellent public services for hardworking families we need the best civil servants. “But for too long, too many talented people have not had the opportunity to reach their full potential in the Civil Service. “We are now examining the actual barriers faced by civil servants with a disability and will address them. We want the very best to succeed in the Civil Service, whoever they are.”

Dream funding THE Muscle Help Foundation, which helps families of children affected by muscular dystrophy and neuromuscular conditions, is to develop a stonger online presence. The move has been made possible by a £10,000 Awards for All Big Lottery Fund grant. The charity provides once-in-a-lifetime experiences for children called “Muscle Dreams”. Michael McGrath, the charity’s CEO and founder, was diagnosed with the condition at 18. Ten years ago he became the first disabled person to successfully lead expeditions to both the North and South Poles. Muscular Dystrophy is the single biggest genetic killer of children. It affects 70,000 UK children. www.musclehelp.com Tel. 01763 274658.

HE “financial penalty” disabled people are forced to pay on top of their everyday living costs is to be looked at by a major inquiry.

Disability charity Scope will spend a year looking at why disabled people in England and Wales pay extra for products and services such as heating, insurance and mobility – and how to drive down those costs. Four disabled people – the chair, Robin Hindle Fisher; TV presenter and artist Sophie Morgan; journalist James Moore, from The Independent; and businessman Amo Raju, head of the user-led Disability Direct – will carry out the study along with five figures

by JOHN PRING from consumer affairs, social policy and business. The inquiry was launched after a Scope report that showed disabled people pay on average £550 per month more for their everyday living costs than non-disabled people, with one in 10 disabled people paying more than £1,000 a month more. The report, Priced Out: Ending the Financial Penalty of Disability by 2020, showed disabled people were three times more likely to use doorstep loans, and had on average £108,000 less in savings and assets, than non-disabled people.

One in five disabled people said they paid more for insurance because they were disabled, while six in 10 who had been turned down for insurance said it was because of their impairment. Hindle Fisher, who has worked in the financial services sector for more than 30 years and is also a business coach and vicechair of the Family Fund, which distributes grants to families with disabled children, said: “The markets are failing disabled people, and they are having to pay more than they should just to live the same lives as others. “I believe reducing the effects of financial barriers is an important part of allowing disabled people to have the same opportunities as everyone else.”

Hypocrites! Charity blasts Government over new call to be inclusive

Sit up and listen, says U2 rock star

HE UK’s oldest Christian charity has blasted the Government after a minister called on business to be more disabled friendly.

2 ROCK star The Edge is backing Mencap’s new campaign to get MPs to wake up to learning disability as an election issue.

Thousands of high street businesses could be turning away the custom of one in five people by not attracting disabled people, said disability minister Mike Harper. Announcing the Accessible Britain Challenge, Mr Harper said: “We want businesses up and down our high streets to realise they’re excluding more than 12 million customers and their families if they fail to cater for disabled people. “That’s the equivalent to the populations of London, Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield, Cardiff and Manchester combined. “It’s not just about fairness, it makes good business sense to be accessible.” But the Livability charity says Government should lead by example and look again at its own policies towards disabled people. The charity’s chief executive Dave Webber said: “Disabled people have a great deal to contribute to society – not just in economic terms. “But the reality is that too often they face real barriers when they try to fully participating in public life and they are still some of the most vulnerable and marginalised members of our society. “Recent Government policies, especially reforms to disability benefits, have made it more difficult for disabled people and have had a negative effect on their independence. “Disabled people have also often been unfairly portrayed as a ‘burden’ in parts of the media, which can have a detrimental effect on the general public’s perception of them.” The Minister has written to more than 200 of

SUPPORTER: The Edge from U2 Britain’s biggest businesses and more than 80 trade organisations with a combined 420,000 members, as part of the Challenge. However, Mr Webber added: “The Government challenges and encourages various parts of the community such as local businesses, to be more inclusive towards disabled people but they also have a responsibility to lead by example. “We want to see this worthwhile Challenge backed by a real commitment by Government to introduce policies and reforms which would help disabled people to live fully active lives.” Research from the Department for Work and Pensions has shown disabled people find shopping the most difficult experience for accessibility, followed by going to the cinema, theatre and concerts. The research coincides with the release of a new “purple pound’” figure from DWP showing that households with a disabled person have a combined income of £212 billion after housing costs.

The bass guitarist, whose cousin, Ciara Lawrence, has a learning disability, said: “I’ve seen first-hand all of the challenges that Ciara has faced. “As a young teen, I was concerned that because she was trusting and outgoing, she was open to the cruelty of others. “When Ciara was at school, she suffered terrible bullying, and it makes me so angry knowing how much pain she went through. “She has barreled through a lot of nasty stuff by sheer strength of personality – I wouldn’t have been able to do it. “I’m involved in Mencap’s Hear my voice campaign, because I think it’s important for people like Ciara to have their say on what matters to them and that politicians sit up and listen.” The Edge – real name Dave Evans – is among a growing army of Mencap supporters calling on the Government to do more for people with learning disabilities. The charity’s new poll highlights the public’s overwhelming desore for an end to discrimination. More than eight in 10 people labelled “unacceptable” a number of experiences where people with a learning disability were discriminated against – including being victims of hate crime or being TAKE ME HOME! excluded from school.

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Education shake up slammed by charities HE BIGGEST education reforms in a generation for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities have taken effect. But children’s charities say they are not enough. Better and consistent help is what the new Children and Families Act will offer, according to the Government minister responsible. As well as protecting the schools budget, the new law will extend provision from birth to 25, giving families greater choice in decisions and ensuring needs are properly met, said Children and Families Minister Edward Timpson It will extend rights and protection to young people by introducing a new Education, Health and Care plan. Professionals will also provide more tailored support to families, giving them the help and assistance they need. But Simon Shaw, from the National Autistic Society, said: “The reforms do not go far enough. NAS research shows that nearly 50% of parents have waited over a year to get the right support for their child. “A joined up system of redress is needed to counter this, with education, health and care plans underpinned by a single point of appeal. “Without this, we’re concerned that too many families will continue to face an exhausting process of being passed from pillar-to-post while they fight for the right support. “The ultimate test for these reforms is whether they can end these battles for support and create a system in which parents are equal partners in decisions about their child’s education and the planning of local services.” Amanda Batten, chief executive of Contact a Family, said: “Whilst these changes are welcome we are worried that not all children with SEN will be eligible for an Education Health and Care Plan and, as a result, may still struggle to get the support they need in school – particularly where resources are tight.”

TAKE ME HOME!

See Together Trust – Page 8

Pants to cancer – say all of us! hospital. I’ve been over a hundred times, so I know it’s true! And, of course, I now know how it feels to go through cancer, to lose all your hair, to have that experience. I can really relate to the cause.” Inspired by her then one-yearThe book has been produced old daughter’s love of wearing using Amazon’s new Create her brother’s pants on her head, Space print-on-demand Emi Lou, from Cheshire, wrote a publishing arm and costs £5.99. fun story on the subject to raise “I feel very happy with the money for the Manchester-based result,” said Emi. “I wouldn’t like Kidscan charity. to guess how many hours it has Her first illustrated book, Pants taken in trial and error! But the Hats, set in a hospital, follows result is just what I was looking the story of very different for: quirky, colourful and most characters who like wearing importantly fun!” pants rather unconventionally on Lowri Turner, fundraising their heads. manager at Kidscan, said: “It’s After losing her father to the hard to put into words how disease when she was 24, Emi amazed we are by Emi’s Lou, who lives in Helsby, The risk of developing cancer in unwavering enthusiasm and Wirral, has been a long-time childhood is about 1 in 500, which is commitment to supporting fundraiser for cancer research. 1,600 new cases per year in the UK. Kidscan. Having children of her own Kidscan, Faraday House, “Both she and the Pants drew her to children’s cancer University of Salford, M5 4WT. Hats book are absolutely charities, with Kidscan standing www.kidscan.org.uk incredible, and we hope that out as the only children-specific Tel 0161 295 everyone enjoys reading it as cancer research charity in the much as we do.” UK.

ATS OFF to mum Emi Lou Howe whose novel way of raising funds to fight childhood cancer is putting smiles on lots of faces.

Everything was going well. But just two months into the project, Emi Lou was diagnosed with cancer. “It was just so strange being diagnosed with cancer,” said Emi Lou. “It set the project back for a while, without a doubt, but part of me thought maybe there’s a reason for this. “Originally the book had been set in the home but following my experience I decided to change it to a hospital, with the message that you can have fun in a

ONE OF the largest FREE UK exhibitions dedicated to children and young adults with disabilities and special needs – and the professionals who work with them – takes place in November. More than 170 exhibitors will be at EventCity, Manchester, on Thursday November 20, offering advice and information on funding, mobility, seating, beds, communication, access, education, toys, transport, style, sensory, sports and leisure and more. Running alongside the event are FREE seminars for parents and professionals. Topics include moving and handling, sleep and continence issues, direct payments, transition, and legal advice. Tel. 0161 607 8200. www.disabledliving.co.uk/ Kidz/North See Page 16

Diabetes info packs TWO new information packs to improve support for children with Type 1 diabetes are now available. The packs – one for schools and one for parents – have been produced by Diabetes UK following a change in the law that means schools in England are now legally obliged to provide the support that children need with medical conditions. Jo Cunnah, from Diabetes UK, said: “While the new law has the potential to make a huge difference to the lives of children with diabetes we recognise that some schools in the area may have some concerns about how best to implement these new rules.” The free packs are available from www.diabetes.org.uk

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October/November 2014

Working together

Giving children a chance EWLIFE Foundation for Disabled Children has been changing the lives of disabled and terminally ill children and their families across the UK for more than 20 years. Through its Newlife Nurse Helpline and range of free equipment services, the charity supports children with any significant disability. In 2013/14 Newlife Equipment Grants were up 33% on the previous year, with the charity funding £2,088,105 (1,303 grants) of items like wheelchairs and buggies, specialist beds and

MILY Banks and Lewis Evans are getting the vital equipment they need – thanks to Newlife’s partnership with The Morgan Foundation. The families of Emily, 4, and Lewis, 7, applied to Newlife after statutory services were unable to provide the equipment – a portable bed (£2,754) for Emily and a specialist walker (£1,091) for Lewis. Emily’s mum, Lesley, said: “Getting this piece of equipment means we can start planning a family holiday, knowing she will be safe and we will all get some sleep. This will make a huge difference to us all.” Lewis’s specialist walker means he can continue to get around his home and garden independently as well as take part in vital PE lessons at school. The Morgan Foundation has raised £450,000 for Newlife to fund vital equipment for disabled and terminally ill children in its catchment area of West Cheshire, North Wales, Merseyside, North Shropshire and parts of the West Midlands.

car seats, walking and standing frames, stair climbers and communication aids. Newlife CEO Sheila Brown OBE, says: “Demand on organisations like ours will continue to grow as a direct result of changes to eligibility criteria as local statutory providers tighten up their policies in response to budget cuts. “We are determined that no disabled child should go without the equipment they need and are working hard – in partnership with organisations like The Morgan Foundation – to ensure continued support.”

How the charity’s other services are making a difference Just Can’t Wait is Newlife’s emergency equipment loan service for life-limited children, which aims to get wheelchairs, buggies, beds, seating and portable hoists to families within three days.

The Emergency Bed Loans service supports children sleeping in unsafe environments, have life-threatening conditions, are at risk or in need of additional help to leave hospital.

And there’s the Play Therapy Pods programme. Each pod contains around £400 of sensory and developmental toys that help families play together. They are available on three-month loans and delivered direct to families’ homes.

The Newlife Birth Defects Research Centre in London was opened in 2012 in partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Institute of Child Health. Newlife funds pioneering research at this centre and at other leading institutions around the UK.

All Together NOW!

Do YOU need help? IF YOUR child has not yet reached their 19th birthday, has a significant disability and lives in the UK, Newlife might be able to help you. Contact the Newlife Nurse Helpline and the team of disabilityexperienced nurses can offer information and guidance on a range of issues including benefits and what to expect from your local healthcare team. They can also guide families through Newlife’s simple application process. Lead Nurse Karen Dobson said: “No query is too big or too small for the team.”

Freephone 0800 902 0095 nurses@newlifecharity.co.uk ALL SMILES NOW: Emily Banks

Fundraise for Newlife and get the prizes FREE! Family’s Family’s fun fun run run for for others others HE parents of seven-yearold Macy McKiernan were so grateful for a specialist buggy that the charity supplied, they took part in the Wigan 10km fun run – and raised £460 for Newlife.

Dad Kevin said: “Newlife helped us fund our child’s chair and we wanted to say thank you and help someone else. It was quite an emotional day for us – a day we won’t forget. It was great to be able to support Newlife.” Macy’s buggy not only provides her with a safe way of getting around, it reclines to allow her to sleep after a seizure and is also Kevin and Deborah McKiernan with children able to cope with different Macy, Sinead and Ryan after the fun run terrains.

www.newlifecharity.co.uk Tel: 01543 462 777

newlifefoundation newlifefoundation

IF YOU are holding an event in the run-up to or around Christmas, why not spread a little extra cheer and adopt Newlife Foundation as your official charity to raise vital funds with a festive raffle? The charity can supply you with some fabulous prizes – including designer and high street goods – all provided through the recycling and retail operation which funds the charity. Newlife can help you with everything you need to fundraise on our behalf – and you can even ask that all proceeds be used for disabled children in your county. Nora Smith, Newlife fundraising manager, said: “We would be delighted to be nominated by companies, community groups, schools or colleges who want to support us as their charity to help raise vital funds for disabled and terminally children.” Newlife Community Fundraising Team, tel 0800 988 4640.

@newlifecharity @newlifecharity

NewlifeFoundation NewlifeFoundation

All Together NOW!

October/November 2014

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

New Act does have potential ELVIS IS BACK!

AMANDA HAMPSON, head of personalisation and community services at the Together Trust, wades through some of the complexities of the new Children and Families Act, and offers her views on how these changes will affect the way we support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilies (SEND).

BACK by popular demand – Elvis is in the building! Join us at our Cheadle site on Friday 28 November (7.30-11pm) for a night of rock ‘n’ roll hits, timeless movie songs and number-one classics featuring Elvis impersonator, Bob Morris. Elvis is as popular as ever, and this event is a guaranteed sell-out, so buy your tickets in advance. Tickets cost just £12.50 and include a twocourse hot supper. A licensed bar is available. All proceeds go to the Together Trust. I Contact the Fundraising Team on 0161 283

We’re here to help!

‘

We believe that everyone deserves an equal chance

Mark Lee CEO, Together Trust

ELCOME to the first in a series of updates from the Together Trust, as part of our new partnership with All Together NOW!

You may already know that Together Trust is one of the North West’s longest established, most forward-thinking charities, providing a wide range of support services across the region. Each year since 1870 we have helped thousands of individuals, both young people and adults, with behavioural challenges, learning difficulties, physical disabilities, complex health needs and autism. Our work is vast and varied and reaches our local communities through care, special education, fostering, and community-wide initiatives. We believe everybody deserves to be given an equal chance in life – there are no exceptions. It is this ethos which makes our partnership with All Together NOW! a perfect match. We value the great work that the newspaper is doing across the North West – and beyond. It not only gives a platform for tackling vital issues around all forms of disabilities, it also celebrates and showcases the achievements and everyday accomplishments of disabled people. Here at the Together Trust, we’re keen to share with you all the great work we’re doing to support this community, too. Whether it’s with the children and adults who use our specialist education, care or community services, our fundraising activities, or CORONATION Street’s Audrey Roberts lobbying for and implementing legislative changes, took time out from her hair salon to we want to shout about everyone who benefits from present awards to more than 100 our services and our staff and volunteers from the young people and adults who use rooftops! Together Trust services. It’s an incredibly important time for people with Sue Nicholls, who plays Audrey, was disabilities, in light of new education and health especially impressed with the progress reforms. made by Bethany Smart (pictured), a Together Trust is well placed to ensure the future student at Inscape House School, our changes to England’s education and health sectors specialist school for children and give the region’s most vulnerable pupils and young people with autistic spectrum residents the best support. conditions. By partnering with All Together NOW! we will be Bethany scooped the Life Skills and able to keep you in the loop and ready for whatever Independence award for her challenges are thrown at us. Watch this space.

ANY families are rightly concerned with the level of change being implemented by the new Children and Families Act. But if the reforms are brought in properly by local authorities, they could go a long way to improving the support that’s already available. A core aim of the law is to better unite all relevant bodies and local authorities to ensure any individual with complex needs is identified as soon as possible, and a new Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan is agreed within 20 weeks. This aims to consolidate existing care plans and assessments, and give young people with SEND up to the age of 25 and their families a tailored plan with a forward-thinking focus. The hope is that this will not only provide specialist education and care for them in the here and now, but will give them the right support to assist them in later life. What’s more, local authorities are now obliged to facilitate this process, and families and young people over 16 will be encouraged to be more involved in making decisions about their support, and the outcomes they want to achieve. Enabling families to devise their own care plans is the key to making sure that SEND care allows people to reach their fullest potential. We are aware that caring for children and young people with SEND has its own challenges, which can sometimes be exacerbated by the long timeframes and fragmented processes that local authorities need to follow. Hopefully, the new 20-week time frame for getting an EHC plan in place and the extra resource of Independent Supporters to empower families will relieve some of the pressure that families face on a daily basis, however it’s important that all local authorities not only streamline EHC plans, but make the new collaborative process as worry-free as it can be. It’s clear the new Act has shone a light on many changes that might be difficult for local authorities and families to implement immediately. The new reforms have strong foundations to improve SEND care for future generations and we must all work together to support each other to bring about these changes to improve the lives of those the Act is designed to help.

Corrie’s Audrey praises our winners determination and positive attitude in increasing her communication skills. Head teacher Anne Price said: “Taking part in a number of therapy groups, including peer interaction support and team building, has helped Beth to develop cooperative communication skills and interact more easily with her peers. “Beth’s progress has been tremendous, and we’re delighted that this been recognised at the Achievement Awards.”

www.togethertrust.org.uk tel 0161 283 4848 email: enquiries@togethertrust.org.uk

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2014

All Together NOW!

How we can help . . . ERE at the Morgan Foundation we want to help organisations who share our philosophy – Making a

Difference. Over the past decade we have helped hundreds of organisations across the region, committing over £14 million. This year we will be giving away a whopping £2 MILLION to good causes. Created in 2001 by

businessman Steve Morgan OBE, founder and chairman of Redrow plc, chairman of the Bridgemere Group of Companies and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, the Morgan Foundation supports charities across North Wales, Merseyside, West Cheshire and North Shropshire. Our aim is to provide funding for small to medium-sized organisations who are addressing specific needs in these regions.

We are particularly keen to support those who have already begun to make an impact, but need a helping hand to expand their work and increase their effectiveness. We focus our help mainly on those who work directly with children and families but we recognise that many wider issues may also affect their welfare, so we are interested in any project which contributes to the quality of life in our region.

That’s the spirit! E at The Morgan Foundation love hearing about the wide-ranging activities and adventures of our funded groups.

IN ADDITION to our grant-giving programme, The Morgan Foundation also runs a scheme to provide minibuses to eligible organisations. The vehicles are supplied either as standard, or fully adapted for use by physically disabled passengers if required. Recipients are carefully consulted on their needs to ensure the correct adaptations are achieved and all buses are finished with the Morgan Foundation Smiley bus logo and the receiving organisation’s name, logo and contact details. If you would like to know more about our Smiley Buses go to our website or give Jane Harris a call on 01829 782800 www.morganfoundation.co.uk

Fun and adventure is what Active Hope is all about – they provide quality outdoor activities from well-qualified and enthusiastic instructors to children and young people from across the area. And these great pictures of their outing to the Mersey with pupils from Grapenhall Hall School, who attended a project funded by The Morgan Foundation, certainly shows they know how to organise an adventure to remember. Based in Warrington, the charity gives children new experiences in life, encourages them to learn new skills and to become responsible citizens. Active Hope, The Smile Centre, Sandy Lane, Orford, Warrington. Tel. 01925 625705. www.activehope.org Facebook Active Hope

A Passion that’s very close to a Prince’s heart In the money NOTHER one of our supported organisations, Passion for Learning, has had a busy time recently, what with a very special Royal visit when The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall visited them at Lache Primary School – followed by a cheque handover from The Morgan Foundation! Passion for Learning provides a volunteer service to schools, placing trained and professionally supported volunteer tutors to work one-to-one with the pupils. They specialise in removing barriers to learning and literacy by promoting self-esteem and building confidence, empowering children to see themselves as successful learners. Keep up the great work! Contact Diane Clark on 07966 404355 www.passion-for-learning.com

ALL SMILES: Morgan Foundation administrator Jane Harris hands over a £57,000 cheque to Passion for Learning’s director Professor David Brigden and founder Diane Clark. Inset: lessons for Prince of Wales

www.morganfoundation.co.uk Tel. 01829 782800

AND NOW for some more good news . . . we are delighted to announce that a total of £270,825 in grants were awarded at the Morgan Foundation’s latest Trustee meeting. New awards have been offered to: Sefton O.P.E.R.A.; Open Door and Holy Trinity Tots Kids Community Project, Runcorn; Canolfan Felin Fach, Pwllheli; Tranmere Community Project; Tom Harrison House; Passion for Learning CIC; Seaforth Community Shop; and North Street Community Hub, Crewe.

The Morgan Foundation

@Morganfound

All Together NOW!

October/November 2014

YOUNG AT HEART Keeping fit best way to avoid a fall ANYONE who tells you that taking it easy as you get older is the best way to avoid a fall could not be more wrong. Regular physical activity is actually vital if you are to give yourself the best chance of avoiding a potentially devastating fall. A third of people who suffer a hip fracture die within a year and falls are the leading cause of accident-related deaths in older people. In addition to the human cost, falls account for £1.7bn of the NHS budget each year. But new advice from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy aims to combat the perception that falls are an inevitable part of the ageing process. “We need to get past the idea that as people get older they should slow down and take it easy, because being physically active is central to reducing the chances of a fall,” said Prof Karen Middleton, chief executive of the CSP. A CSP leaflet, Your Generation, outlines the everyday steps people can take to reduce the chances of a fall, along with information about the preventative services physiotherapy staff provide. Advice includes: How to get the right mix of exercise (aerobic, weight-bearing, strength and stretching) along with examples of activities that can help achieve this, such as swimming, cycling and Pilates. Steps to take around the home to stay safe, including making sure that you wear appropriate footwear to avoid trips and slips. Specialist physiotherapist guidance on how to get up again in the event of a fall. Prof Middleton added: “Physiotherapy services combined with active lifestyles help people retain their independence and lead full and active lives.” www.csp.org.uk/livelong

Irton House Farm H APPY HO LID AWARD 2 AY 012! A warm welcome is waiting for you at our superbly scenic, fully accessible self catering cottages in the Lake District.

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www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Life is fragile, handle with care . . .

Where there’s a will...there’s a weight off your mind HAVE you written your will? More than half the people in the UK have not! It is a situation that quite often causes big problems for those left behind who do not have specific instructions regarding the assets of the deceased. More importantly, if there are young

MONEY MATTERS children left behind, who should act as their guardians? Well, help is at hand as November is Will Aid month. Solicitors who are on the Will Aid register will write wills for free, although a voluntary donation to the Will Aid charity is welcomed.

As a guide, a maximum donation of £150 would be appropriate for mirror wills for a married couple. The donation can even be done by leaving an amount to the charity in your will. So, don’t put it off any longer, check who your local Will Aid solicitor is, and book an appointment now.

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Retiring? It’s going to cost WO out of three over-40s already have some idea of how they want to spend their retirement – but they will need around £15,000 a year to sustain it.

Researchers found that after finishing work, the average Brit intends to go on three holidays a year, one abroad, run a car and also fill their time with a host of new hobbies and activities. But with bills and day-to-day living expenses to cover as well, that means the average pensioner needs to have almost £1,200 each month to have the kind of retirement they are looking forward to. That amounts to £14,185 for every year of their retirement. Clive Bolton, from Aviva, said: “Most people, even those who still have a few years to go until they retire, have got some idea of how they would like to spend their retirement. “But whether those plans are travelling the world, starting a new hobby or simply visiting friends and family more often, it all costs money. “The change to pensions and annuities announced in this year’s budget now mean you can spend your pension pot how you want, but given we’re all living longer too, it’s still important to make sure

£15,000 per year needed for bills hols and hobbies you have enough put by to cover your annual costs for the long term.’’ Holidays form a big part of those plans with over 40s planning at least one trip abroad each year, costing around £950 a time. They also intend to go on two breaks in the UK, with each trip setting them back an average of £317. A further three weekend trips or minibreaks each account for another £177 or £532 a year. Filling their new-found spare time with hobbies and activities, such as starting a new class or club, playing golf or joining a gym will need an average of £176 a month. That’s a total of £2,114 over a year. Visiting family and treating children and grandchildren with presents or days out will also require just under £100 per month, or £1,156 each year.

Of top of that, pensioners will need just over £537 a month - £6,447 a year – to cover essentials like bills, utilities and food. Running a car will see £170 spent each month or £2,044 over 12 months, while private health care or insurance will account for more than £25 a month or £308 a year. But researchers found that around three in 10 over 40s have no plans in place to fund their retirement. And even of those that have a financial plan, 64% admit it’s probably not going to be enough to do everything they want to do. More than three quarters of over 40s even said they are worried about being able to afford all they have already planned during their retirement. And another 64% are concerned about simply paying for day-to-day living costs. It also emerged that more than six in 10 wish they had started to put money aside for their retirement earlier. But more than half don’t really have any idea what sort of sum they need to save in order to be able to achieve the kind of retirement fund they are hoping for. Mr Bolton added: “It’s quite conceivable that people could live for 30 years in retirement, so it’s important that they have funds available to support them, especially if they want to have an active and full lifestyle. “Aviva’s new retirement planning tool can help people assess the estimated future value of their personal pension plans and how much income they might provide them with in retirement. “It can also give them an indication of how much more they can accumulate if they change the amount they save each month.”

SENIOR MOMENTS . . . with FRANK HARRIS

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2014

All Together NOW!

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October/November 2014

Independence at last!

How’s YOUR sight? HOUSANDS of injuries every year on Britain’s roads are caused by bad eyesight.

Road safety charity Brake is demanding regular compulsory eyesight testing for drivers after a survey showed one in four motorists have not had a test for more than two years. That’s despite research which shows you can lose up to 40% of your vision before you even notice the difference. The charity’s survey shows strong public support for the move with almost nine out of 10 people in favour of drivers having to prove they have had a recent sight test.

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

T’S amazing the difference having more space in his motor has made to Stephen Jones’s life.

Stephen, who recently bought a Peugeot Independence from Allied Mobility, explains: “My previous WAV was really cramped, so even things like wearing layers on a cold day became awkward and uncomfortable.” Indeed, the Independence, based on the Peugeot Expert, was the perfect answer to all It is believed a change in the law would significantly reduce the estimated annual 2,900 casualties caused by poor vision. Many drivers are also failing to respond to warning signs about to their vision: one in five (19%) have put off visiting the optician when they noticed a problem. And a shocking one in eight drivers (12%) who know they need glasses or lenses to drive have done so without them in the past year. The survey also revealed: More than 1.5 million UK drivers (4%) have never had their eyes tested. One in eight (12%) have not had their eyes tested for more than five years.

Of the 54% of UK drivers who believe they don’t need glasses or lenses to drive, one third (33%) have no way of knowing this for sure, having not had an eyesight test in over two years. The only measure currently in place to ensure driver vision satisfies minimum legal standards is the number-plate test carried out from 20 metres away before driving tests, and occasionally at the roadside if police suspect an eyesight problem. This does not test visual field or contrast sensitivity, both of which are important to safe driving, nor is it a totally accurate measure of visual acuity (vision over distance).

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of Stephen’s very specific needs – from the terrain around his house, to his budget. He said: “It’s as if Independence chose me! The conversion of the car is brilliant because I have so much room. “When you search for a WAV you don’t necessarily consider how you might feel about it – you look at how easy it is to get in and out of, or what it’s like to drive. It really has given me a new lease of life.”

Brake is urging the government to introduce a requirement for drivers to prove a recent, professional eye test when applying for a provisional licence, and at least every 10 years thereafter. It’s estimated this would save the public purse at least £6.7 million a year by preventing crashes. Julie Townsend, from Brake, said: “Compulsory regular eyesight testing for drivers is a common sense, lifesaving move. “Clearly the public agrees that the Government needs to act to tackle the alarming number of drivers taking a lax approach to their eyes.”

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End of road for tax disc THE end of the tax disc has left many confused about what happens now so road safety charity the Institute of Advanced Motorists has stepped in to clarify the rules. Basically you will still need to buy vehicle tax to keep any vehicle on the road. You will still receive a reminder from the DVLA, and you can continue paying using the previous methods. However now you will be able to pay by continuous direct debit – meaning there will never be a risk of forgetting to pay, and driving with an out-of-date disc. The direct debit will continue as long as there is a valid MOT for the vehicle. You can apply online to tax your vehicle using the 16-digit reference code from your vehicle tax renewal reminder (V11) or 11 digit reference number from your log book (V5C). One major change the new road tax rules has created is that vehicle tax can no longer be transferred with the vehicle if you sell it – often an added incentive when purchasing a vehicle. If you now sell a vehicle and have notified the DLVA, you will automatically receive a refund for any full months remaining on that vehicle tax. You will now always have to buy new vehicle tax when you purchase a new or used vehicle. But remember – you are no longer obliged to display a paper tax disc on your car, so you are free to remove and destroy it. However, you might want to keep it as a souvenir, if you are feeling sentimental over the disappearance of an iconic part of UK motoring life!

October/November 2014

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READERS’ LETTERS . . . OPINION . . . COMMENT . . .

How we can all Loophole could put paid to accessible home plans fight dyspraxia MOST of us take for granted simple every day tasks such as walking up and down stairs, getting dressed, applying make-up, throwing a ball – or even mastering the art of handwriting! However, for the thousands of adults and children in the UK living with dyspraxia, such activities present a daily hurdle. Developmental Dyspraxia is a very misunderstood condition. Once cruelly labelled ‘clumsy child syndrome’, it affects up to 6% of the UK population – around two children in every class – and may even run in families. But dyspraxia shouldn’t get in the way of you achieving your goals. I was diagnosed with the condition aged 27 - and it certainly hasn’t stopped me from becoming an MP! I am proud to be associated with the charity Dyspraxia Foundation and will be lending my support to their annual awareness week this October (12th 18th). This year, the focus will be on teenagers and helping young people discover new ways to manage their condition as they grow up – while not letting anything get in the way of their dreams! This year, also sees the charity’s first ever “Funky Friday” on October 17. Why not get involved with this great initiative and show support to the Dyspraxia Foundation by simply wearing your most bright, colourful or funky item of clothing (perhaps odd socks!) to work or school. Helpline 01462 454986 www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk Emma Lewell-Buck, MP for South Shields

North Run thanks CONGRATULATIONS to all those who ran the Bupa Great North Run. It was fantastic to see so many dedicated people out fundraising for causes close to their heart, including the 2,300 runners who ran for Diabetes UK. Running, like other forms of physical activity, is just one thing people with diabetes can do to help manage their condition and minimise some of the complications that can arise. So it was truly great to see so many people inspiring others to get a little bit fitter while helping raise money for Diabetes UK that will enable us to support the 3.8million people in the UK with the condition. Lara Rigby, Fundraising Manager for the North England, Diabetes UK

LETTERS/ARTICLES PLEASE TO: All Together NOW! The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP. email: news@alltogethernow.org.uk

FOR DECADES disabled people have fought for new homes to be designed so people with mobility impairments can get in and out of them. They should also be designed so that if more significant adaptations are required they can be fitted easily. The Government has published its latest proposals: the positive news is that the Lifetime Homes standards, developed over many years, will be incorporated into

Building Regulations. This means that local authorities can insist on the Regulations being followed. The bad news is that the Building Regulations relating to accessible homes will not be mandatory. Local authorities can decide whether to apply the Regulations. It is inevitable that some house builders will claim that building to the new standards will be too expensive and make new developments unviable. This will pressurise

SOUNDING OFF! with Sir BERT MASSIE

Will Boots’ new owners provide a major jobs boost?

local authorities not to apply the standards so that homes being built in the future and which might well last for more than 70 years will be no-go zones for disabled people. It is worth reminding ourselves that architects and developers once argued that making public buildings and shops accessible to disabled people would be ruinously expensive but now such provision is included automatically and the economy thrives as a consequence.

Blue badges THE European Parking Association is planning to review the operation of the Blue Badge Scheme throughout Europe. This Association represents companies involved in providing parking facilities and enforcing parking regulations. Free parking by disabled people represents a loss of income for its members so it has a vested interest in restricting the use of Blue Badges. Such a review should involve disabled people and disability organisations rather than solely commercial interests. The organisation that represents disabled motorists in the UK, Disabled Motoring UK, is seeking representation. Let us hope they achieve it.

American dream BOUT half of the UK’s number of disabled people of working age are unemployed.

This figure has been constant despite numerous policy initiatives to get disabled people into work. Following World War I, the Kings Roll was introduced – a scheme to encourage employers to hire disabled war veterans. It was not very successful. The Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944 introduced a quota scheme under which employers with more than 20 people were required to ensure that 3% of their work-force were registered as disabled. It was not unlawful for an employer to be below the 3% figure but, if they were, it was illegal to recruit a person who was not registered as disabled unless they had a permit to do so from the Department of Employment. Unfortunately, permits were issued like raindrops in a thunderstorm so it was easy for companies to get around the law. In 1995 a different approach was introduced: the Disability Discrimination Act (now incorporated into the Equality Act 2010) required employers not to discriminate against disabled people and to make reasonable adjustments to enable disabled people to obtain or retain their job. If employers did discriminate, disabled people had the right to seek compensation.

The Disability Rights Commission successfully brought cases against a number of employers and, perhaps coincidentally, the employment rate of disabled people rose to over 50%. It has now fallen back again. A common theme since World War Two has been numerous campaigns to persuade employers that employing disabled people makes business sense. What would happen if a large company decided that it would recruit disabled people and would support them to become productive employees? Happily, we no longer need conjecture but can point to a practical example.

Autistic son Walgreens, a large US pharmaceutical company, has bought Alliance Boots, which owns Boots chemists. Walgreens supplies goods to chemist shops throughout the United States and has large distribution centres. The man in charge of the centres is Randy Lewis, whose son Austin is autistic. As Austin grew up, Lewis became increasingly concerned about whether his son would ever be able to work. With the support of his boss, Lewis embarked on a remarkable and ambitious project. He decided that the Walgreen distribution centres would employ disabled people and would design machinery and processes to

enable them to do their jobs successfully and productively. It was a hard journey as he and his staff had much to learn. Disabled people must be employed on the same terms and conditions as anybody else and earn the same wages. He started to recruit disabled people for a new distribution centre but found that none of the public or charitable agencies concerned with disabled people were ready for such an initiative. Inevitably, there is always someone to rise to the challenge and so it proved. He was Dale Thompson, the executive director of the Anderson County Disabilities and Special Needs Board. Working with Walgreens he helped to train people for the jobs. Managers were trained to support and encourage disabled employees and, learning of the opportunities available, disabled people flocked from far and wide. The objective was to have 30% of the workforce made up of disabled people. At Anderson it was 40%. At Hertford, another distribution centre, it was 50%. Walgreens has now extended this policy to the entire company. It is encouraging that Boots has been bought by such a forward-looking company and it is to be hoped that they will introduce the same TAKE ME HOME! policies into the UK.

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2014

All Together NOW!

time to catch up with friends

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INDEPENDENT LIVING

Our bespoke bike business BELINDA Noda and Paul Stanton love cycling. So much so they even made their own special Daisy Bell tandem – and then pedalled their way to their wedding! Now, Belinda, a Sheffield Hallam University graduate in environmental management, is hoping they will ride away with the university’s annual Enterprise Challenge. Belinda, 55, from York, says she came up for the idea after being left disappointed by the tandem bicycles available to people who are unable to cycle independently. “Paul and I tried out one design where I was transported, wheelbarrow-style, on the front of his normal bicycle. I felt vulnerable.”

Then the pair found a second-hand bike called The Discoverer, a side-by-side tandem invented in Birmingham by Roger Taft 20 years ago. Belinda – paralysed from the chest at the age of 27 when the driver of the van she was travelling across the USA in fell asleep at the wheel – said: “The Discoverer’s linking system enabled a wheelchair to be attached and detached when necessary. The design meant that the bike was easier to transport on an ordinary bike rack or even a train. On outings we can detach my chair and head for the pub.” Through their new business, Cycle in Company, Belinda and Paul are now hoping to develop the tandem – with power assistance.

Inventions wanted now! YOUNG designers are being asked to come up with brilliant ideas to help disabled people live independently. Talented students who think that they have a concept capable of changing a disabled person’s life for the better will have the chance to scoop a prestigious award along with a £500 prize. The next generation of innovative inventors are being encouraged to enter the Blackwood’s Designer of the Year competition. “Innovation is ageless, and we feel there

are many young people out there who have wonderful and creative ideas that can help to improve the lives of others,” said Colin Foskett, head of Blackwood Foundation. The competition is being promoted on www.bespoken.me, which allows its users to discuss and share new ideas aimed at improving their quality of life. Entrants can sign up to bespoken, for free, and post their idea in the Student Design Challenge forum by the end of October.

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INDEPENDENT LIVING

STAND BY ME Dispelling the myths about care costs CALLING all musicians who need a bit of help with supporting your instruments. Our friends at MERU, the medical engineering unit, and the Joy of Sound charity, have come up with a great support stand suitable for guitars, wind instruments and even electronic music devices. It’s going to make music more accessible to people with a condition or injury that affects their strength, grip or stability. With a stable and sturdy tripod base and a heavyduty 360 degree pivoting clamp that can be locked in place, the stand can be set between 70cm and 110cm from the ground enabling fully adjustable positioning to suit both sitting and standing. The MERU Instrument Holder costs £216 and can be bought from www.meru.org.uk/shop Tel. 01372 725 203.

EW LAWS are set to put a cap on how much money anyone has to pay towards the cost of their care.

And in what is set to be the biggest reform to the system in 60 years, the Care Act 2014 aims to put people and their carers in control of their own care and support. Secialist lawyer Annabel Kay offers some expert advice: “NHS Continuing Healthcare funding for full-time care is available to people with health needs who meet certain criteria for nursing care and covers 100% of care costs, including 100% of the cost of being in a care home,” she says. “Information about this funding, even when provided by the health and social care authorities, can be confusing. Getting it wrong may lead to you or your relatives paying tens of thousands of pounds when the NHS actually has a duty to cover the cost instead.” In a bid to dispel some of the myths surrounding who will pay for care, Annabel explores five common misconceptions when it comes to funding: 1) “I have savings of over £23,250 or my own house, so I will have to pay for care.” Wrong - NHS Continuing Healthcare funding is an assessment of your health and care needs, not your assets and property. People frequently assume that if they have a certain level of savings and assets, then they have to pay for their own care regardless. This is not true; it’s only if you are not eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare funding that your assets and property should even be discussed. 2) “I have dementia so I’m not eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare.” Again, wrong, although sadly many families believe it! However, it is clear from the guidelines about Continuing Healthcare that funding has nothing to do with any specific diagnoses. Instead it’s to do with a person’s day-to-day health and care needs regardless of diagnosis and regardless of whether or not a person has dementia. 3) “I will have to sell my home to pay for my care.” The first question should be ‘what are your health and nursing needs?’ and not ‘do you own your own property?’. You should only have to sell your home if you are not eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare, if your care needs are definitely social rather than nursing needs, if you have no other savings or if you actually choose to sell. You may be able to negotiate a Deferred Payment Arrangement

CARE EXPERT: Annabel Kay with the local authority. Continuing Healthcare eligibility depends on your dayto-day health and care needs, and a person may remain in their own home and still receive NHS Continuing Healthcare funding. 4) “There’s no point in me having an assessment because it is means tested and I won’t qualify.” The key thing to remember here is that care is not just care. It is split between social care and health/nursing care. Generally speaking, health/nursing care is provided by the NHS and is free as access to the NHS is NEVER means tested. Social care, on the other hand, is provided by the local authority and IS means tested. Before any person is means tested, they should first be considered for NHS Continuing Healthcare funding. No one can say whether or not a person will be eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare until the proper assessment process has been followed. Many people are simply told they “don’t qualify” and yet their needs will either not have been assessed at all or will have been assessed without due regard to the Continuing Healthcare guidelines. 5) “I won’t be eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare because my spouse can pay for my care.” Not true. No one should be asked to pay for anyone else’s care nor should anyone be asked to move out of or sell their home to pay for someone else’s care. Annabel Kay is based at West Midlands firm Higgs & Sons. Tel. 0845 111 5050.

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SHOPMOBILITY ■ ALTRINCHAM. Tel 0161 929 1714 ■ ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE. Tel 0161 339 9500 ■ BARROW. Tel 01229 434039 ■ BIRKENHEAD. Tel 0151 647 6162 ■ BLACKBURN AND DARWEN. Tel 01254 690566 or 07757 502217 ■ BLACKPOOL. Tel 01253 349 427 ■ BOLTON. Tel 01204 392946 ■ BURY. Tel 0161 764 9966 ■ CARLISLE. Tel 01228 631564 ■ CHESTER. Tel 01244 312626 ■ CHORLEY. Tel 01257 260 888 ■ COLWYN BAY. Tel 01492 533822 ■ CREWE. Tel 01270 580 031 ■ ELLESMERE PORT. Tel 0151 355 1420 ■ KENDAL. Tel 01539 740 933 ■ LEIGH, Wigan. Tel 01942 777 985 ■ LIVERPOOL. Tel 0151 707 0877 ■ MANCHESTER Trafford Centre. Tel 0161 747 2684 ■ MANCHESTER Arndale Centre. Tel 0161 839 4060 ■ NELSON. Tel 01282 692 502 ■ NORTHWICH, Vale Royal Tel 01606 288820 ■ OSWESTRY. Tel 01691 656882 ■ PENRITH. Tel 01768 895 438 ■ PRESTON. Tel 01772 204 667 ■ RHYL. Tel 01745 350665 ■ ROCHDALE. Tel 01706 865 986 ■ RUNCORN, Halton Lea Tel 01928 716971 ■ SHREWSBURY. Tel 01743 236900 SKELMERSDALE. Tel 01695 550066 ■ ST HELENS. Tel 01744 613 388 ■ STOCKPORT. Tel 0161 666 1100 ■ WARRINGTON. Tel 01925 240064 ■ WARRINGTON. Birchwood Tel 01925 822 411 ■ WIGAN. Tel 01942 776 070 ■ WINSFORD. Tel 01606 557550 ■ WREXHAM. Tel 01978 312390 MIDLANDS ■ BIRMINGHAM. Snow Hill Railway Station. Tel 0121 236 8980. Level 2, Centre Car Park, Bullring. Tel 0121 616 2942 ■ STAFFORD. Tel 01785 619456 ■ STOKE ON TRENT. Tel 01782 233333 ■ SUTTON COLDFIELD. Tel 0121 355 1112 ■ TAMWORTH. Tel, 01827 709392 ■ WALSALL. Tel 01922 650781 ■ WEST BROMWICH: Sandwell. Tel 0121 553 1943 ■ WOLVERHAMPTON. Tel

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CARERS’ CENTRES

Bikers’ Euro charity ride T

WO ex-soldiers – who now run a Birkenhead security firm – have returned from a 15,000-mile motorcycle ride across Europe. Having only passed his motorcycling test last December, Pete Bray, 58, and friend Harry Glover, 49, took on the gruelling trek to promote the Armed Forces charities BLESMA and Soldiers off the Street, along with the Alder Hey MISSION SUCCESSUL: Pete Children’s Charity. Bray, left, and Harry Glover Pete, a former SAS soldier who holds several world kayaking records, said: “My previous adventures were on the water, and with the amount of rain we had perhaps it would have been easier to do it in a kayak at times. “We also had to deal with long hauls, with the longest one being 26 hours when we travelled from Berlin to Stockholm.” In 2001 Pete kayaked 2,980 miles across the Atlantic from Newfoundland to Ireland, and in 2006 he took part in the fastest circumnavigation of South Georgia.

HELP AT THE END OF A PHONE ■ ANGLESEY:

TARAN Tel 01407 721933 ■ BLACKPOOL Disability Information and Support. Tel 01253 472 202. Textphone 01253 476 450 ■ CHESHIRE CIL Tel 01606 331853 ■ CHESTER Dial House Tel 01244 345655 ■ DENBIGHSHIRE Tel 01745 354445 ■ ELLESMERE PORT DICE Tel 0151 355 1420 ■ HALTON Disability Service Tel 01928 717222 ■ KNOWSLEY DISABILITY CONCERN. 0151 480 4090 ■ LANCASTER DISC Tel 01524 34411 ■ LIVERPOOL Association of Disabled People. Tel 0151 263 8366. Text 0151 260 4076 ■ MERSEYSIDE Coalition of Inclusive Living. Tel 0151 260 4001 ■ NEUROSUPPORT Centre Tel 0151 298 2999 ■ MANCHESTER (GTR) Coalition of Disabled People Tel 0161-273 5154 ■ MOLD Flintshire Disability Tel 01352 755546 ■ NELSON: Pendle Pakistan Welfare Association. Tel 01282 603 616 ■ PRESTON DISC: Tel 01772 558 863. Textphone 01772 204 787 ■ RHYL Tel 01745 350665 ■ STOCKPORT: Disability Stockport. 0161 480 7248 ■ WARRINGTON Disability

Partnership. 01925 240064 WIRED Tel 0151 670 1500 ■ WEST LANCS HELPLINE Freefone 0800 220676 ■ ST HELENS DASH Tel 01744 453053 ■ WREXHAM Tel 01978 262955 MIDLANDS BIRMINGHAM Disability Resource Centre Tel 0121 789 7365 Disabled People’s Network Solihull Tel 0121 788 1544 STOKE: Disability Solutions Tel 01782 683800 WOLVERHAMPTON Elder and Disabled Group Tel 01902 448552 ■ WIRRAL

ORGANISATIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND ■ ACCRINGTON Tel 01254 233332 ■ BARROW Tel 01229 820698 ■ BIRMINGHAM Action for Blind Tel 0121 665 4200 ■ BLACKBURN Tel 0125 554143 ■ BLACKPOOL: N-Vision Tel 01253 362696 ■ BURY Tel 0161 763 7014 ■ BURNLEY Tel 01282 438507 ■ CARLISLE: Action for Blind People Tel 01228 595121 CHESHIRE & N WALES: Vision Support. Tel 01244 381515 ■ CUMBRIA (West) Tel 01946 592474 ■ CUMBRIA (Sth Lakeland) Tel 01539 726613 ■ GUIDE DOGS Tel 0118 983

5555 ■ HENSHAW’S 0161 872 1234 Tel 0151 708 7055 ■ LIVERPOOL: Bradbury Fields.Tel 0151 221 0888: Action for Bind Tel 0151 298 3222 ■ MANCHESTER: Action for Blind Tel 0161 787 9252 ■ PRESTON: Action for Blind People Tel 01772 320550 ■ OLDHAM Tel 0161 682 8019 ■ ROSSENDALE Tel 01706 873256 ■ SIGHTLINE (North West) Tel 0800 587 2252 ■ WIGAN Tel 01942 242891 ■ WIRRAL Tel 0151 652 8877 ORGANISATIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE DEAF ■ BIRMINGHAM Institute for Deaf Tel 0121 246 6101 ■ CHESHIRE Deaf Society Tel 01606 47831 ■ CUMBRIA Deaf Society Tel 01228 606434 ■ LANCASHIRE (EAST) Deaf Society Tel 01282 839180 ■ MANCHESTER Deaf Centre Tel 0161 273 3415 Genie Networks. Tel 0161 941 4549. Text 18001 0161 941 4549 ■ MERSEYSIDE Society for Deaf Tel 0151 228 0888 ■ ST HELENS: Deafness Resource Centre Tel 01744 23887 ■ WOLVERHAMPTON Centre for Deaf Tel 01902 420904 ■ N WALES Deaf Association, Tel 01492 542235

■ACCRINGTON Tel 01254 387 444 ■ BLACKBURN with DARWEN Tel 01254 688 www.bwdcarers.org ■ BLACKPOOL Blackpool Borough Council, Tel 01253 477 716 ■CUMBRIA Carlisle. Tel 01228 542 156 Penrith. Tel 01768 890 280 Barrow-in-Furness. Tel 01229 822 822 Kendal. Tel 01539 732 927 Whitehaven, Tel 01946 592 223 ■ CHESHIRE Helpline: 0800 085 0307 ■KNOWSLEY Tel 0151 549 1412 ■ LANCASTER Tel 01524 66475 ■LIVERPOOL Tel 0151 705 2307 ■ MANCHESTER Tel 0161 835 2995 ■ MORECAMBE Tel 01524 833456 ■ PRESTON Tel 01772 200173 ■ RUNCORN Tel 01928 580182 ■ WIDNES Tel 0151 257 9673 ■ SALFORD Tel 0161 833 0217 ■ SEFTON Tel 0151 288 6060 ■ ST HELENS Tel 01744 675 615 ■ STOCKPORT Tel 0161 456 2808 ■ WARRINGTON Tel 01925 644 212 ■ WEST LANCS Tel 01695 711243 ■ WIGAN & LEIGH Tel 01942 683711 MIDLANDS ■ BIRMINGHAM Tel 0121 675 8000 ■ SOLIHULL Tel 0121 788 1143 ■ WALSALL Tel 01922 610 810 NORTH WALES ■ ANGLESEY Tel 01248 722828 ■ BANGOR Tel 01248 370 797 ■ CONWY Tel 01492 533714 ■ DENBIGHSHIRE: NEWCIS, Tel: 0845 603 3187 ■DOLGELLAU Tel 01341 421167 ■ FLINTSHIRE: NEWCIS, Tel: 01352 751436 ■ WREXHAM CARERS SERVICE Tel: 0800 276 1070

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Our food is best in NHS OSPITAL food is improving – and one place you can rely on finding good food is the Walton Centre in Liverpool.

Meals at the top brain hospital have been rated the best in the NHS by patients and the public. The specialist neuroscience Trust was also ranked third best hospital in the NHS following the results of the annual PatientLed Assessment of the Care Environment (PLACE) which looks at cleanliness, food and hydration, as well as the condition and appearance of the hospital. The Walton Centre’s PLACE results were better than ever with regard to cleanliness which was rated at 99.84%; food at 98.9%;

So say the patients and public privacy and dignity at 93.89% and an improved 97.88% for the general condition and appearance of the site. Trust business development manager Paula Bamber said: “The PLACE assessment is very important as it gives us an indication that we are on track. “Although we are delighted with our

Plans to take the pain out of healthcare bills OR MORE and more people, budgeting for everyday healthcare is increasingly becoming a challenge.

The costs of routine dental or optical check-ups for example can soon mount up and paying for a new pair of glasses or a specific dental procedure can be a real financial headache - especially if it’s unexpected. Liverpool-based Medicash is an ethical notfor-profit organisation with an Investor in Customer Exceptional award. Originally known as the ‘Penny in the Pound Fund’, Medicash has been helping people manage their healthcare costs for over 140 years. Now, thousands of individuals, families and businesses have Medicash plans

designed to meet their routine healthcare needs and also cope with the unexpected. A cash plan is a simple, low cost form of insurance that can be set up immediately. You don’t have to have a medical or disclose information about your health and anyone over 16 can apply. Premiums don’t go up with age and you can remain a member your entire life. A different plan is available for those over 65. As well as dental and optician’s bills you can claim money back on a wide range of other healthcare services such as chiropody, complementary or alternative therapies. Cover is available for specialist private consultations and

diagnostic tests. Payments are also made if you need to spend more than one night in hospital. Other benefits include a 24/7 stress helpline, access to a second professional medical opinion and a wide range of consumer discounts. Members of a cash plan pay a small monthly amount and, depending on the type of plan they have chosen, this can be as little as £1.50 a week. After receiving the claim form, Medicash then makes a payment directly into the member’s bank account usually within just a few days. Taking out a Medicash plan is the ideal way to manage your money and take a proactive approach to looking after your health, giving you and your family real peace of mind.

scores we will continue trying to improve them in the future. We have worked really hard with our infection control team and estates department to improve on last year’s results when we were named as one of the top performing hospitals in the country.

“This time we invited an external assessor from PLACE in addition to the regular panel to make it an even more stringent process which shows how seriously we take it.” The assessment takes place yearly and can take more than six hours to complete.

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MEDICAL NOTES

Ali says thanks

We all need a little sunshine in our life

ALISON Colbeck has handed over thousands of pounds to the North-West hospital treating her. The care provided by the Burney Unit of St Helens Hospital on Merseyside has delighted Alison so much that she has become one of their most prolific fundraisers. She has just handed over her latest donation - £4,000 raised at a Liverpool afternoon tea event. Alison, from Huyton, who was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year, said: “The staff at the hospital have been so supportive and with the help of my family and friends I wanted to give a little back and help others who may need treatment in the future.” Leena Chagla, a consultant surgeon and lead clinician at the unit, said: “Money donated to the unit allows us to buy new equipment over and above that provided by the NHS and helps to further improve the unit’s environment for the benefit of patients.”

A NEW study shows regular moderate exposure to the sun can actually prevent skin cancer. And the research found that moderate – but only moderate – sunbed use may also reduce the risk of developing melanoma. Scientific studies have repeatedly shown that limited UV exposure helps protect against various types of cancer, plus many other diseases such as multiple sclerosis. The continuous increase in the number of melanoma and basal cell carcinoma cases in Europe prompted a team of German scientists to begin a study into the effects of UV exposure. They found that UV-related risk factors for skin cancer are intermittent sun exposure and a history of sunburns. In contrast to that, frequent sun exposure may be protective. The results show that moderate sunbed use may also reduce the risk of developing melanoma. Researchers found, once again, that frequent, moderate sunbed use can have a positive effect on human health. Ad Brand, spokesman for the Sunlight Research Forum, said: “The risks of sunburn and overexposure are well known to the public. “However, the benefits of moderate UV exposure often receive too little attention in the media.”

Cannabis medicine WALES has become the first part of the UK to approve NHS funding for a new cannabis-based medicine – Sativex – that helps people living with multiple sclerosis. Sativex is the first cannabis-based medicine to be licensed in the UK and is taken as an oral spray to alleviate the spasticity related to MS.

Cholesterol-buster NEW tests have shown the strongest indication yet that vitamin D and cholesterol levels are linked. Spanish scientists have shown that the higher the vitamin D levels people have, the lower their levels of cholesterol are. In a new study they examined data on sun exposure, sun protection habits, current medication and the estimated vitamin D intake of 177 people aged 18 to 84. Vitamin D and cholesterol are closely linked in bodily processes: the biggest source of vitamin D for individuals is the sun. The vitamin is synthesized in the liver and kidneys and cholesterol plays an important role in this process. High cholesterol can be life-threatening since it increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Ad Brand, spokesperson for the Sunlight Research Forum (SRF), said: “Even in sunny countries like Spain people are hit by ‘modern lifestyle’, resulting in too little sun exposure even in summer, and consequently low vitamin D levels.”

TEA TOTAL: Alison, fourth left, with consultant surgeon Leena Chagla, second left, and family, friends and staff from the Burney Breast Unit, St Helens Hospital

GPs in dock P practices that fail to provide proper care could be closed down under new plans.

Bad surgeries could be shut

Doctors’ surgeries will be given deadlines for improvement in a system of special measures proposed by the Chief Inspector of General Practice, Professor Steve Field. Practices judged to be providing an inadequate service to their patients could have a maximum of 12 months to put things right or face having their contract terminated by the NHS. This brings them into line with other sectors regulated by the Care Quality Commission. Professor Field said: “Most GP practices provide good care. But we can’t allow those that provide poor care to continue to let their patients have an inadequate service.

“I want to do all I can to drive up standards in those that are not providing the services people deserve. “We need to have a clear framework and a process to respond to those GP practices that are providing inadequate care to ensure that they can’t continue to provide inadequate care indefinitely. “I would like to remind people that our inspection programme is not just looking at inadequate care, we are also looking for examples of good and outstanding care to share and celebrate across the system. “When health and care organisations fail the people to

whom they provide care, it’s important that failure is identified quickly and the action is to ensure services for people improve. That sits at the heart of special measures.” The proposals suggest that where aspects of a service are rated “inadequate”, practices will have six months to improve. If they fail to improve they will be put into special measures and if after a maximum of a further six months they are still found to be inadequate, they will have their registration with CQC cancelled and/or their contract terminated by NHS England. NHS England and the Royal College of General Practitioners are developing arrangements to provide support to GP practices that are placed in special measures.

500 complaints every day to NHS NEARLY 500 people a day are making written complaints to the NHS about the care they receive, grim new figures reveal. A report shows complaints against hospitals and community health services in England increased from 109,300 in 201213 to 114,300 in 2013-14 – an extra 96 complaints every week. The biggest increase in complaints came from the service provided by ambulance crews and

paramedics, with 1,260 more complaints than the previous year – a rise of 28.5%. The report, from the Health and Social Care Information Centre, shows that among NHS hospitals and community health services: The service which attracted the highest number of complaints was hospital inpatient care, with 34,400 - although this was down from the 34,900 complaints in 2012-13. Hospital outpatient services

provoked the next highest number at 31,100, followed by mental health services at 12,200 and A&E at 9,920. The medical profession – which includes hospital doctors and surgeons – was the profession with the highest number of complaints at 52,100, followed by nursing, midwifery and health visiting at 24,800. You can view the full report at: http://www.hscic.gov.uk/pubs/nhsc

Sleep tight EXPERTS including the British Medical Association and Mental Health Foundation believe more and more of us are not getting the sleep we need. So luxury bed company DUX of Sweden has come up with 10 top tips for achieving better sleep. 1) Remind yourself that sleep is vital to good health. 2) Keep your room dark to help your body produce more melatonin. 3) Minimise the number of electronic devices close to your bed. 4) Replace tired out-of-shape pillows with ones that fully support your head. 5) Avoid caffeine and keep alcohol to a minimum as bedtime approaches. 6) Maintain a balanced diet – fluctuating blood sugar levels can trigger early waking. 7) Lie on your back and practice some simple meditation exercises: breathe deeply in and out and concentrate on your hands slowly rising and falling on your abdomen, then visualise your body relaxing, bit by bit from the tips of your toes to the top of your head. 8) Don’t dwell on anxieties – deal with them tomorrow. 9) Invest in the best bed you can afford. 10) ... and don’t believe all the myths about cheese. According to renowned cognitive hypnotherapist Pat Duckworth cheese can actually help you sleep!

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Walk on – with joy in your heart A GOOD walk works wonders – even in the rain! And joining in one of our Walk for Health events was Luciana Berger, MP for Wavertree and Shadow Health Minister. “I was delighted to join one of their sessions,” she said. “These walks are a great way of getting a moderate level of simple exercise into everyday life.” Walk for Health is a city-wide initiative run by Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust, which provide a wide range of short guided walks around the city’s parks and open spaces. The walks are available throughout the year to help people of all ages and abilities to get active, including those recovering

Are YOU ready to stub it out? OUR Public Health teams are supporting people across Liverpool and Sefton to take part in the Stoptober challenge during October. Research shows that people who manage to stop smoking for 28 days are five times more likely to stop for good. LCH has just launched a series of Stoptober Roadshows offering free, professional support and advice on the best ways to stop smoking for anyone considering joining Stoptober. Colette Kearney, Stop Smoking Coordinator for SUPPORT, Sefton’s NHS stop smoking service, says: “We know that stopping smoking is one of the single most important things you can do to improve your health, but it can be very hard to do without the right help and advice.” You can sign up to start the Stoptober challenge at any point during October, with as much or as little support as you need to help you stay on track. If you live in Sefton, you can contact the SUPPORT team for help stopping smoking on 0300 100 1000 or visit: www.healthysefton.nhs.uk If you live in Liverpool, you can drop into the NHS Health Information Centre in Hanover Street where you can speak to a health advisor between 10am 4pm any week day (and some weekends). No appointment is necessary, just drop in.

Immunise Your Selfie! TAFF across LCH have come up with a fun way to encourage fellow workers to get a flu jab this winter.

reinforce the message. A team of immunisers will be delivering convenient “drop in” sessions offering onthe-spot vaccinations to NHS staff in their different health settings and workplaces. Any patients who come into contact with the Trust’s health services will also be offered a free flu immunisation, whether that’s at a surgery or while receiving care from health professionals in their own homes. Those at greatest risk from flu this winter include people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, and those with any ongoing health conditions such as severe asthma, chest or heart complaints and diabetes. Anyone wantng a flujab should speak to their GP.

It’s flu jab time

The “Immunise Your Selfie” campaign is based on the recent rise in popularity of the “selfie” photograph and aims to highlight how everyone can take some responsibility for staying healthy this winter by having the flu jab. The campaign features real staff members from across the Trust posing for a selfie photo and highlighting their own, personal reason for getting the flu jab. Over the coming weeks, all of the Trust’s 3,000 workforce will be encouraged to join them in receiving the flu vaccination, and to share their own “flu selfies” with colleagues online to help

from a period of illness. There are a total of 14 different walks per week to choose from – weekdays and weekends – from simple, short walks to longer, more complex routes. All of the sessions are run by qualified Walk Leaders, and are completely free to attend. Both nationally and here in Liverpool, over 70% of people are still failing to meet the Government’s health recommendation for 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week (20 minutes each day). For more information about Walk for Health including locations and times call: 0151 295 3256 or visit: www.walkingforhealth.org.uk/walkfinder/ north-west/liverpool-walk-for-health

Breast cancer LCH are working with other groups to stage a series of Breast Cancer Awareness Roadshows across Liverpool during October. Tues Oct 14: Kensington Neighbourhood Health Centre Thurs Oct 16: Childwall Neighbourhood Health Centre Tues Oct 21: Mere Lane Neighbourhood Health Centre Thurs Oct 23: Picton Neighbourhood Health Centre Fri Oct 31: South Liverpool Treatment Centre All of the roadshows will take place between 9am-11.30am. Other events: Wed Oct 15: Breast Cancer Info Event at the Rosie Child’s Centre (1.30pm-4pm). Mon-Tues Oct 27-28: Breast Cancer Advice Sessions with NHS health advisors at Boots, Clayton Square (11am-1pm) Wed-Thurs Oct 29-30: Breast Cancer Awareness Drop-in Sessions at the NHS Health Information Centre, Hanover Street (noon-4pm) Thurs Oct 30: Ladies Pamper Event at the NHS Health Information Centre (4pm-8pm).

Suicide alert MORE than 200 people from all over Liverpool were trained in suicide awareness as part of World Suicide Prevention Day. The LCH and city council team delivered a series of training sessions for the general public at Goodison Park, alongside CHATs and Everton in the Community. A series of short sessions were also delivered to healthcare professionals and staff from local businesses across the city, facilitated by Mersey Training, FACT, and Liverpool City College. In Merseyside and Cheshire alone, there were 583 deaths through suicide between 2010-2012, 80% of which were among males. A further 51,630 people in Merseyside are estimated to struggle with suicidal thoughts each year. For more help or information contact your GP or visit: www.wellbeingliverpool.co.uk

To find out more, visit . . .

www.liverpoolcommunityhealth.nhs.uk

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Superfoods on the way The beneficial substances comprise broccoliderived sulforaphane and quercetin, which is found in high-levels in onions. The team used these insights to develop new food supplements, which are currently being trialled to decrease risk of developing diabetes and heart disease. Lead researcher Professor Paul Thornalley said: “The health benefit of Nrf2 oscillating at a fast speed is that surveillance of cell health is increased when most needed, that is, when cells are under threat. “By understanding how this process works and increasing Nrf2’s speed without putting cells under threat, new strategies for design of healthier foods and improved drugs can be devised.”

A NEW generation of superfoods that tackle heart disease and diabetes could be developed following research into a protein that helps keep cells in our bodies healthy.

Beatrice Fraenkel chair, Mersey Care NHS UTUMN always seems to be a particularly busy time of year for everyone. Summer holidays are fading as memories, schoolchildren and college students are immersed back in study, the roads are more crowded and the days are getting shorter. This change in the season also brings with it milestones for health providers. At Mersey Care we have just held our annual meeting, a statutory event that allows anyone to attend and scrutinise the trust’s activity, performance and accounts for 2013 to 2014. But for me it is also an important opportunity for our senior leadership team to publicly review and reflect on what changes may come in the future. While it’s true we are still operating in a time of austerity for the whole NHS, we have managed to rise to the challenges of improving quality while reducing costs. Mersey Care plans to invest in future capital spending to improve the environments of patients, visitors and staff to the tune of £153m. One obvious benefit will be that every patient on our wards will have single room accommodation by 2018, supporting their privacy, dignity and contributing to recovery. Mersey Care will also say farewell to our terrific members’ council in December as we start to prepare for setting up our Board of Governors next year as we proceed to becoming an NHS Foundation Trust.

I WOULD also like to remind you about World Mental Health Day taking place on October 10. This is significant for lots of reasons and its presence in Merseyside will be one of the most eventful in the country. Mersey Care is working with Liverpool Mental Health Consortium and key partners to raise public awareness around mental health, tackle the stigma associated with it and help signpost people to help and support. Our common goal is to ensure mental health is no longer the taboo it has been in the past. Things must change. And on that note I’d like to remind you of what Mahatma Gandhi once said: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

Researchers at the University of Warwick found that the protein, called Nrf2, continually moves in and out of the nuclei of human cells to sense the cell’s health and vitality. When Nrf2 is exposed to threats to the cell’s health it oscillates faster and activates an increase in the cell’s defence mechanism, including raising the levels of antioxidant. The researchers, from the University’s Warwick Medical School, successfully increased the speed of Nrf2’s movement by artificially introducing health-beneficial substances – potential components of new superfoods.

“HEALTH BENEFIT”: Prof Thornalley

Power of balance PORTING superstar Jon Wilkin looks in perfect balance when he is playing the game at which he excels. And the England and St Helens rugby league ace believes that achieving balance in life is crucial to a player’s mental health. The Saints second row advises finding activities away from the game, where a player can balance up their mind again. “I think in any walk of life, a balance is right,” said Wilkin, 30. “Rugby League is quite an intense lifestyle, it’s a performance-based lifestyle, so that brings its own pressures which are part of the job. “Being realistic throughout your career is important, and having balance and having things to stimulate you away from rugby is crucial.

“Everyone having a rugby career is expected to be happy doing it. But there’s a lot of guys who would maybe be happier doing something else. There’s a lot of pressure on those guys just to keep playing. “When you have other interests, it gives you other options, and it gives you an opportunity to go away and do something else, which is why it’s important.” Communicating with those who are close to you is also something that players should make every effort to do, according to Wilkin. “Your openness, and your ability to communicate with your friends and family is your first port of call, with any issue you have,” he said. “In my experience, when people, especially rugby players, have an issue, when they struggle, it’s because communication breaks down.”

Call for action to stem diabetes tide THE huge toll that diabetes is taking on society has been brought home by the release of disturbing new figures. Almost 10% of the entire NHS drugs bill for England goes on treating diabetes - a daily cost of £2.2m. Last year’s bill for treatment was £803.1m - 5% more than in 2012-13 and a 56.3% increase on 2005-06. *There were 45.1 million prescription items for managing diabetes, an average of 123,610 items per day. This is a rise of 6.1% on last year and 66.5% on 2005-06 (a rise of 18.0 million or 49,370 items per day on average). Seven out of 10 diabetes prescription items were for antidiabetic drugs which are prescribed only for type 2 diabetes – almost

double the figure in 2005-06 (16.1 million items). “The sheer numbers of people with diabetes shows the very real need to help more of the population improve their diets and lead healthy lifestyles,” said Cllr Jonathan McShane of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board. “Diabetes has a significant personal cost to those afflicted and a huge financial cost to the NHS, the adult social care system and the economy. “This is why the LGA is calling for whichever political party makes up the next Government to reinvest a small percentage of the VAT received by the Treasury from the sale of sugary foods and drinks into

The perfect tonic . . .

locally-run activity and weight management programmes. “This extra money would be a massive boost in the battle to combat obesity and diabetes and has the potential to improve lives and save the public purse many billions of pounds.” Kingsley Manning, chair of the Health and Social Care Information Centre, which produced the figures, said: “This report brings to light the rising costs for managing diabetes in primary care. “Diabetes continues to be one of the most prevalent life-threatening conditions in England. Our latest data highlights the growing implications to the NHS and patients of managing this condition.” I http://www.hscic.gov.uk/pubs/presdiab05-14

HALF A MILLION

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Comic drama tackles taboo subject MANY films have been made about having cancer or losing someone to the illness - while survivors’ tales tend to fly under the radar. But life is not always straightforward for those whose treatment is successful as an empowering new film shows. Premiered at the Cambridge and Isle of Man film festivals, Cancer Hair offers a snapshot of a young woman on her first date after finishing chemotherapy treatment. Having lost her hair, Claire anxiously resorts to a wig for a first date – as if it wasn’t nerve-wracking enough already. The results are comic and dramatic in the nine-minute short by film-maker Gail Hackston, which is to be made available for use in fundraising appeals. Claire is played by Laura Aikman, who has

MEDICAL NOTES How to give your willpower a boost ECIDED you’re going to start eating healthily and exercising? Again!

D over 100 TV and film credits to her name, including Casualty, Not Going Out and Citizen Khan. “After its run of festival screenings, we would like to offer the film to a cancer charity, who could perhaps make use of it in a

fundraising or awareness campaign, to draw attention to the support service for women who lose their hair to chemotherapy.”

To find out more about Cancer Hair, visit : http://www.cancerhairfilm.com

That’s rubbish! Junk food has NOT caused obesity crisis report claims

Giving Mary her life back NURSE Mary Dennett had just returned to work in Parr Nursing Home after a hip operation when her whole life changed forever. One moment she was standing, the next flat on her back. Mary’s spine had collapsed, leaving her in agony. Working as nurse for over 47 years, Mary had been taking painkillers for back pain not realising she had spinal stenosis (when the space around the spinal cord narrows causing pain and discomfort). She had no warning that her spine had become so weak it would crumble leaving her unable to walk. Mary is now learning to walk again and doing everyday tasks like dressing and bathing at the Seddon Rehabilitation Unit, St Helens Hospital. Mary said: “The staff have been tremendous and I cannot thank them enough for the time and care they have given me.”

OO little exercise and NOT too much junk food is the chief cause of the UK’s obesity crisis, a controversial report claims.

The report – entitled The Fat Lie – says the consumption of sugar, fat and calories has actually been falling for decades. Despite health campaigners portraying Britain’s obesity epidemic as a result of the increased availability of junk food, this has no basis in fact, says the report from the Institute of Economic Affairs. And they claim policies such as taxing food and drink with a high sugar content will do NOTHING to improve the nation’s health. “The root cause of Britain’s rising obesity levels has not been a rise in calorie intake but a rise in inactivity,” said the report’s author Christopher Snowdon. “With obesity now featuring so heavily in the media, it is worrying that so few people know that our largely sedentary lifestyles, not our appetites, have been the driving force behind the UK’s expanding waistlines. “Campaigners promoting a healthy lifestyle should refocus their efforts towards encouraging exercise and away from a war on food. “Anti-market policies aimed at the whole population such as fat taxes will do nothing for the nation’s health.” Since 2002, the average body weight of English adults has increased by two

kilograms. This has coincided with a fall in calorie consumption of over 4% and of nearly 7.5% in sugar. Of food eaten outside the home, daily calories consumed have fallen from 310 in 2001/02 to 219 in 2012, a drop of nearly 100 calories per day in 10 years. Despite that falling calorie intake, average body mass has increased by five kilograms since 1993. Th report says the crucial missing variable, too often overlooked by campaigners, is energy expended. The rise of office jobs and labour saving devices means people have

fewer opportunities for physical activity, both at work and at home. Britons walk an average of 179 miles a year, down from 255 miles in 1976 and also cycle less - averaging 42 miles a year compared to 51 miles in 1976. And 40% of people report spending no time even walking at work. The report looked at evidence from DEFRA, the National Diet and Nutrition Survey, the Office for National Statistics, and the British Heart Foundation. The IEA is a registered educational charity and independent of all political parties.

people are reading these pages . . .

Want to lose a few pounds, tone up, have more energy and feel better about yourself – but don’t think you’ve enough willpower to get you through? It’s a scenario many of us have been through. But willpower isn’t a muscle that needs to be exercised. It’s a state of mind affected by our environment. If we focus on changing our environment, we’ll change our willpower. Health and wellness coach Joanne Henson reveals her seven steps to defeating a lack of willpower and achieving your health and fitness goals:

1) You only need willpower at times of temptation. Remove temptation from environments you can control, starting with your home and office space. So, if you don’t want to eat a whole packet of biscuits at your desk, buy individually wrapped ones, one at a time. Then it doesn’t matter if you feel you have no willpower –there’ll be nothing to tempt you. 2) Be aware that many salty and sugary foods are purposely formulated to be moreish. The problem isn’t you, it’s the food. So ditch the guilt, but ditch these foods too. Know that you are never going to be able to eat them in moderation, so keep them for a very occasional treat. 3) If you do eat a sugary or high carbohydrate snack or meal, don’t be surprised if shortly after your energy levels slump and your mind turns to food. Those cravings aren’t a lack of mental muscle but a physical condition. So choose foods which have a good proportion of protein and good fats; these will give you a steady supply of energy and no extreme blood sugar peaks and troughs. 4) If you’re trying to stick to an exercise regime, make it enjoyable. Invest in some well-fitting kit in appealing colours – you’ll enjoy wearing it and feel better about yourself. If you like listening to music while you exercise, put uplifting music on your iPod. Exercise does not have to be painful or boring. If you don’t like aerobics – don’t go to aerobic classes. Find something you enjoy and it won’t feel like a chore. 5) Fully commit to your plans. Tell others what you intend to do – it’s easier to let yourself down than let others down. 6) Surround yourself with supportive and positive people. If your friends are constantly trying to tempt you to eat what they know you don’t want to eat, you’re going to struggle. 7) Understand that healthy living does not have to be 100% perfect. Aim for 8090% healthy, and don’t beat yourself up for the occasional treat. If you indulge in a bar of your favourite chocolate, savour it and know it’s not the end of your healthy intentions – pleasure is a nutrient too.

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October/November 2014

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BOX OFFICE SENSATION!

Oct 1-18: Juno and the Paycock. Liverpool Playhouse. Classic Irish drama. Oct 10: David Holt. Runcorn Brindley. An evening of clairvoyance. Oct 10: Ian McNabb. Runcorn Brindley. Singer-songwriter. Oct 10: Dirty Dusting. St Helens Theatre Royal. Adult comedy. Oct 11: Ray Peacock. Salford Lowry. Stand-up comedy. Oct 11: Macbeth. Clwyd Theatr Cymru. Live screening of Verdi’s opera. Oct 12: Peter Andre. Llandudno Venue Cymru. Singer-songwriter. Oct 12: Tony Hadley. Salford Lowry. The hits of Spandau Ballet. Oct 12: Centre Stage Goes to Hollywood. Runcorn Brindley. Dance inspired by Hollywood. Oct 12: Bridget Christie. Salford Lowry. Stand-up comedy. Oct 13: Ha Ha Hood. Southport Floral Hall. Comedic retelling of Robin Hood. Oct 14-18: Oliver. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Oct 14: Ha Ha Hood. Manchester Opera House. Comedic retelling of Robin Hood. Oct 14: Solfatara. Salford Lowry. Comic drama in Spanish with English subtitles. Oct 14: An Evening with Tony Jacklin. Rhyl Pavilion. Ex-professional golfer. Oct 14: Andy Fairweather Low and the Low Riders. Runcorn Brindley. Sixties legend. Oct 14-18: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Liverpool Empire. Family musical. Oct 14-18: On the Piste. Blackpool Grand Theatre. Comedy. Oct 15: Princess and the Pea. Runcorn Brindley. Family show. Oct 15: Tom Baxter. Runcorn Brindley. Singer-songwriter. Oct 15-17: The Addams Family Musical. St Helens Theatre Royal. Oct 15-18: What’s All the Fuss About? Stoke Regent Theatre. Musical retelling of Much Ado About Nothing. Oct 16: An Evening with the Merseybeats and Friends. New Brighton Floral Pavilion. Oct 16: Stones in his Pockets. Manchester Opera House. Comedy musical. Oct 16: The Johnny Cash Roadshow. Manchester Palace Theatre. Tribute to The Man In Black. Oct 16-18: Somewhere in England. Clwyd Theatr Cymru. Comedy. Oct 17: An Evening of Burlesque. Manchester Opera House. Adult entertainment. Oct 17: Highfield Male Voice Choir. Runcorn Brindley. Choral music. Oct 17: The Johnny Cash Roadshow. New Brighton Floral Pavilion. Tribute to the Man in Black. Oct 17: Jimmy Carr. Southport Floral Hall. Stand-up comedy. Oct 17: Steve Harley. Salford Lowry. The original Cockney Rebel. Oct 17-18: Grupo Corpo. Salford Lowry. Acclaimed dance troupe. Oct 18: The Magic of Motown. Manchester Opera House. Oct 18: Over the Rainbow. Manchester Palace Theatre. The Eva Cassidy story. Oct 18: Welcome to Night Vale. Salford Lowry. Darkly funny show. Oct 18: Tenors Unlimited. Runcorn

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BOX BOX OFFICE OFFICE NUMBERS NUMBERS BLACKPOOL Grand Theatre: 01253 290190. BOLTON Octagon: 01204 520661. LIVERPOOL Empire: 08444 999 999. Everyman & Playhouse: 0151 709 4776. Royal Court: 0870 787 1866. LLANDUDNO Venue Cymru: 01492 872000. MOLD: Theatr Clwyd: 0845 3303565.

MANCHESTER Opera House: 0870 401 9000. Palace Theatre: 0870 401 3000. SALFORD The Lowry: 0843 208 6000. NEW BRIGHTON Floral Pavillion: 0151 666 0000. PORT SUNLIGHT: Gladstone Theatre: 0151 643 8757. PRESTON: Charter Theatre: 0845 344 2012. RHYL: Pavilion Theatre:

01745 330 000. RUNCORN The Brindley: 0151 907 8360. SALE: Waterside Arts Centre: 0161 912 5616. STOKE: Regent Theatre: 0844 871 7627. SOUTHPORT: Floral Hall: 0844 847 2380. ST HELENS: Theatre Royal: 01744 756000. Citadel: 01744 735436. WOLVERHAMPTON Grand Theatre: 01902 429212.

Make it a night to remember Brindley. The Rat Pack of opera. Oct 18: Rhos Male Voice Choir. New Brighton Floral Pavilion. Oct 18: Le Nozze di Figaro. Clwyd Theatr Cymru. Live screening of Mozart’s opera. Oct 19: Over the Rainbow. New Brighton Floral Pavilion. The Eva Cassidy story. Oct 19: Seth Lakeman. Salford Lowry. Singer-songwriter. Oct 19: Karine Polwart. New Brighton Floral Pavilion. Folk musician. Oct 19: Back to Broadway. Runcorn Brindley. Journey through the world of musicals. Oct 20-25: The Full Monty. Liverpool Empire. Play based on the hit film. Oct 21-Nov 1: Top Hat. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Musical. Oct 21: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. Runcorn Brindley. Modern dramatic masterpiece Hamlet told from the perspective of two minor characters. Oct 21: Steve Harley. New Brighton Floral Pavilion. Acoustic set from the original Cockney Rebel. Oct 21-22: Grounded. Clwyd Theatr Cymru. Gripping new play.

Oct 21-25: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Manchester Palace Theatre. Oct 21-25: Henry IV (Parts I and II). Salford Lowry. Shakespeare’s biographical play. Oct 21-25: Twelfth Night. Blackpool Grand Theatre. Shakespearean comedy from the English Touring Theatre. Oct 22: Sixties Gold. Stoke Regent Theatre. Oct 22: Pigeon. Runcorn Brindley. Family wartime musical. Oct 23-25: Dinosaur Zoo. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Oct 23: Roy Orbison and Friends. Manchester Opera House. Tribute to Roy Orbison. Oct 23: Unforgettable. Runcorn Brindley. 50s and 60s nostalgia show. Oct 23: Tarras Minor. Runcorn Brindley. Acoustic folk trio. Oct 23: The Magic of Motown. New Brighton Floral Pavilion. Oct 23-24: John. Liverpool Playhouse. Dance-theatre. Oct 23-24: Transmissions. Salford Lowry. Heartwarming tale. Oct 24: Abba Mania. Manchester

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Dadafest to get serious IVERPOOL’S world-renowned disability and deaf arts festival, DaDaFest, will include a ground-breaking conference.

WAR HORSE, the National Theatre’s internationally acclaimed award-winning stage production, has announced special performances for disabled people. Saturday 22 November: audio-described performances:at 2.30pm (Touch Tour at 12.45pm) Saturday 13 December: captioned performances: at 2.30pm The theatre staged a ‘relaxed performance’ in September for people with autism. Box Office: 020 7452 3000 www.warhorselondon.com or www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

Oct 24: Ken Dodd. St Helens Theatre Royal. Comedy. Oct 24: Aloha from Hawaii. Stoke Regent Theatre. Tribute to Elvis Presley. Oct 24: Viva la Drag. New Brighton Floral Pavilion. Drag show. Oct 24-25: Adventures in the Skin Trade. Clwyd Theatr Cymru. Oct 24-25: Henning Wehn. Salford Lowry. Stand-up comedy. Oct 25: The Rat Pack Vegas Spectacular. Manchester Opera House. Oct 25: Jon Richardson. Stoke Regent Theatre. Standup comedy. Oct 25: Susan Calman. Salford Lowry. Stand-up comedy. Oct 26: Joan Armatrading. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Oct 26: Jimeoin. Salford Lowry. Stand-up comedy. Oct 26: Midge Ure. Salford Lowry. U2 singer-songwriter. Oct 26: Pete Johansson. Salford Lowry. Stand-up comedy.

The two-day DaDaFest International Congress on Disability Culture and Human Rights will be one of the centrepieces of its 12th festival – which begins in November. Leading disabled figures already confirmed as speakers include Leroy Moore, founder of Krip Hop Nation, the US organisation which promotes the musical talents of disabled hip-hop artists; artist Rachel Gadsden; Colin Hambrook, artist and editor of Disability Arts Online; and Rachel Kachaje, deputy chair of Disabled People’s International. In addition to the conference, DaDaFest will feature an international lineup of talent across comedy, music, visual arts and dance. Highlights include a performance by worldrenowned Staff Benda Bilili, a band of former street musicians from Congo; a new show by comedian Laurence Clark, Moments of Instant Regret; and a major new DAME for a laugh . . . actor and puppeteer Craig Cowdroy takes exhibition, Art of the Lived centre stage at this year’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Experiment. panto at The Brindley, Runcorn. The show also features Hollyoaks pin-up Melissa Wells; ‘How Clean is Your House’ and The exhibition takes place from November 8 to January ‘I’m A Celebrity’ star Kim Woodburn; and Merseyside’s very own 11. The main programme runs Charlie Griffiths. It runs from Friday 12 December to Sunday 11 November 21 to December 6. January. The Brindley 0151 907 8360 www.thebrindley.org.uk www.dadafest.co.uk

Oh, yes it is!

Oct 26: Rhydian. Llandudno Venue Cymru. Singer-songwriter. Oct 26: Henning Wehn. Runcorn Brindley. Stand-up comedy. Oct 26: Solem Quartet. Clwyd Theatr Cymru. String quartet. Oct 27: Family Ceilidh and Calico Performance. New Brighton Floral Pavilion. Celebration of Irish folk music. Oct 27: Ruby Wax. Salford Lowry. Stand-up comedy. Oct 27-30: Black Coffee. New Brighton Floral Pavilion. Whodunnit from the Mistress of Mystery. Oct 28: Dawn French. Manchester Palace Theatre. Stand-up comedy. Oct 28: Knightmare Live. Salford Lowry. Stage adaptation of the cult TV classic. Oct 28-Nov 1: Stomp! Salford Lowry. Global percussion phenomenon. Oct 28-Nov 2: Riverdance. Liverpool Empire. Traditional Irish dancing. Oct 28-Nov 2: Emily Brown and the Thing. Salford Lowry. Family show. Oct 28-Nov 8: Jersey Boys. Stoke Regent Theatre. Musical based on the

music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Oct 29: The Sooty Show. Southport Floral Hall. Oct 29: Tiff Stevenson. Salford Lowry. Stand-up comedy. Oct 29: Ha Ha Hood. Rhyl Pavilion. Comedic retelling of the classic tale. Oct 29: Lulo Reinhardt and his Band. Clwyd Theatr Cymru. Gypsyjazz music. Oct 29: Autumn Song. Runcorn Brindley. Celebrating Halton’s vocal talent. Oct 29: Think Floyd. Manchester Opera House. Tribute to Pink Floyd. Oct 29-30: Rob Newman’s New Theory of Evolution. Salford Lowry. Stand-up comedy. Oct 30: Midge Ure. New Brighton Floral Pavilion. U2 Singer-songwriter. Oct 30: The House that Stank of Death. Salford Lowry. Halloween treat. Oct 30: Halfway to Paradise. Manchester Palace Theatre. The Billy Fury story.

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Oct 30: Abertoir. Clwyd Theatr Cymru. Short silent horror films. Oct 30: Chris Ramsey. Runcorn Brindley. Stand-up comedy. Oct 30-31: Casting the Runes. Salford Lowry. Two ghost stories by M R James. Oct 31: Moulettes. Runcorn Brindley. Folk favourites. Oct 31: The Lindisfarne Story. New Brighton Floral Pavilion. The story behind the Tyneside band. Oct 31: La Traviata. Manchester Opera House. Ellen Kent’s production of Verdi’s opera. Oct 31: The Songs of Sister Act. Manchester Palace Theatre. Oct 31: The Dreamboys. Southport Floral Hall. The UK’s top male glamour show. Nov 1: Madama Butterfly. Manchester Opera House. Nov 1: Dancing in the Street. Blackpool Grand Theatre. Motown. Nov 1: Stones in his Pockets. Rhyl Pavilion. Comedy musical. Nov 1: Katherine Ryan. Salford Lowry. Comic.

Nov 1: Carmen. Clwyd Theatr Cymru. Bizet’s opera. Nov 1: Roy Orbison Tribute. Runcorn Brindley. Tribute to Roy Orbison and the Travelling Wilburys. Nov 1: Nearly Dan. New Brighton Floral Pavilion. Tribute to Steely Dan. Nov 1: The Manfreds in Concert. Southport Floral Hall. R&B legends. Nov 2: The Bay City Rollers. Rhyl Pavilion. 70s teen idols. Nov 2: Foster and Allen. New Brighton Floral Pavilion. Folk music. Nov 2: Steve Hackett. Salford Lowry. Genesis’s lead guitarist. Nov 2: Jason Cook. Salford Lowry. Stand-up comedy. Nov 2: Hansel and Gretel. Salford Lowry. Nov 2: The Drifters. Manchester Palace Theatre. R&B stalwarts. Nov 2: EofE. Runcorn Brindley. Fantastic new band. Nov 3: Jon Richardson. Liverpool Empire. Stand-up comedy. Nov 3: Shane Filan. New Brighton Floral Pavilion. Solo show from the Westlife man. Nov 3: Gary Delaney. Runcorn Brindley. Stand-up comedy. Nov 4-6: Regeneration. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. First World War dramatisation of Pat Barker’s novel. Nov 4: Paloma Faith. Liverpool Empire. Singer-songwriter. Nov 4: Silent Night. Runcorn Brindley. Moving and entertaining wartime story. Nov 4: Darius Brubeck Quartet. Clwyd Theatr Cymru. An evening of jazz. Nov 4-8: This is my Family. Liverpool Playhouse. New musical. Nov 4-8: Jeeves and Wooster Perfect Nonsense. Salford Lowry. PG Wodehouse’s iconic double act. Nov 4-15: Barnum. Manchester Palace Theatre. Musical. Nov 5: Noel Fielding. Llandudno Venue Cymru. Stand-up comedy. Nov 5: Chris Ramsey. Salford Lowry. Stand-up comedy. Nov 6: Joe Brown. Runcorn Brindley. Rock and roll legend. Nov 6: Marcus Brigstocke. Salford Lowry. Stand-up comedy. Nov 6: The Customs House. Liverpool Everyman. An evening of poetry. Nov 6-8: The Mousetrap. Blackpool Grand Theatre. Classic whodunnit from Agatha Christie. Nov 6-29: Not About Heroes. Clwyd Theatr Cymru. Powerful wartime drama. Nov 7: Downstairs, Upstairs, Then and Now. Runcorn Brindley. True-life saga. Nov 7: Chewing the Fat. Salford Lowry. Powerful portrayal of how we view our bodies. Nov 7: The ELO Experience. Southport Floral Hall. Tribute. Nov 7: Shane Filan. Rhyl Pavilion. Solo show from the Westlife man. Nov 7-8: WNO Carmen. TAKE ME HOME! Liverpool Empire. Bizet’s opera.

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October/November 2014

ARIES March 21st - April 20th

VIRGO August 24th - September 23rd

The Lunar Eclipse on the 8th prompts you to do something drastic to your appearance; you’re tired of being stereotyped. A highly romantic gesture makes you feel loved and adored. Be sure to return the favour. The Full Moon on November 6th brings some good news. Your love life gets a big boost at mid-month. The New Moon on the 22nd will put you in an ethical dilemma. You may have to remain silent about a troubling issue, at least until November winds to a close.

A Lunar Eclipse on the 8th brings a disturbing secret to light. It just goes to show you should never put people on pedestals. The Solar Eclipse on the 23rd brings good news. It looks like you’ll be going on an exciting trip. Financial negotiations will go very well in the beginning of November. The New Moon on the 22nd puts pressure on your domestic life. A colleague will prove especially helpful during this period.

LIBRA September 24th - October 23rd

TAURUS April 21st - May 21st The Lunar Eclipse on the 8th brings an end to an oppressive situation. Stress has taken a toll on your health; take this opportunity to rest, relax and recuperate. The Solar Eclipse on the 23rd launches an exciting new relationship. Your best friend or lover will help you make beautiful home improvements at the start of November. Let a loved one relieve you of heavy responsibilities during the second half of the month.

GEMINI May 22nd - June 21st Romance and finance will not mix in early October; don’t lend or borrow money during this tense time. The Solar Eclipse on the 23rd could present you with a great opportunity. The beginning of November is wonderful for launching creative projects and brainstorming with other creative people. Partnerships will be a source of strain on the 22nd, when the New Moon causes all sorts of misunderstandings to occur.

CANCER June 22nd - July 23rd Opportunities connected with travel, education and publishing are especially good for you in October. The Solar Eclipse on the 23rd is perfect for launching a creative project that has deep personal meaning. Focus on what you want and then go for it. Let someone close to your heart pamper you in the opening days of November. Love is in the air throughout midNovember. If you’re single, you will meet

RUSSELL GRANT CALLING . . . someone special. If you’re in a relationship, take this opportunity to plan a vacation.

LEO July 24th - August 23rd It will be difficult to contain your anger toward a colleague at the beginning of October. The Solar Eclipse on the 23rd brings happy news regarding your family, and the month will end on a happy note. November’s Full Moon on the 6th marks a superb career achievement; you could be given a prize or bonus for excellence. If you’re in a committed relationship, talk with your partner about your goals. Taking a short trip for fun will help you feel more aligned to your partner.

Don’t get drawn into a power struggle with a manipulative relative. Good news from your business or romantic partner will benefit you financially. The Lunar Eclipse on the 8th will bring an end to a problematic relationship. Let your family relieve you of a burden during the first week of November, or you could suffer from burnout. The middle of November will be filled with moneymaking opportunities. The New Moon on the 22nd brings troubling news about a sibling, neighbour, or cousin.

SCORPIO October 24th - November 22nd Don’t let cruel comments prevent you from embarking on a programme of self-improvement in early October. The Solar Eclipse on the 23rd will prompt you to change your look in some radical way and the results will be thrilling. You’ll get wonderful words of praise as October turns to November. Bask in the glory of this praise, as it will give you the courage to launch a bold creative endeavour. The Full Moon on the 6th prompts you to pay more attention to your best friend or lover, who is feeling a little neglected.

SAGITTARIUS November 23rd - December 21st Don’t let money get in the way of having fun. Spending time with friends will prove therapeutic. If you’re looking for a job, you could find one through a personal contact. The Solar

YOUR GUIDE TO THEATRELAND . . . Nov 8: Nights on Broadway. St Helens Theatre Royal. Tribute to the Bee Gees. Nov 8: Jana and Heidi. Salford Lowry. Honest exploration of the relationship between mothers and daughters. Nov 8: Hal Cruttenden. Salford Lowry. Stand-up comedy. Nov 8: Halway to Paradise. Southport Floral Hall. The Billy Fury Story. Nov 9: An Evening with Pam Ayres. Blackpool Grand Theatre. Nov 9: A November Day. Salford Lowry. Timeless fable on war and the miracle of friendship. Nov 9: The Trial. Clwyd Theatr Cymru. An opera based on the work by Franz Kafka. Nov 10: Stones in his Pockets. Liverpool Empire. Comedy musical. Nov 10-15: Copacabana. Blackpool Grand Theatre. Barry Manilow’s musical. Nov 10-11: Swan Lake. Stoke Regent Theatre. Ballet. Nov 11-15: ! ME TAKE ME HO Thriller Live. Wolverhampton

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Grand Theatre. Micahel Jackson tribute. Nov 11: Dawn French. Liverpool Empire. Stand-up comedy. Nov 11-15: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Clwyd Theatr Cymru. Nov 11-15: Annie Get Your Gun. Runcorn Brindley. Irving Berlin’s classic musical. Nov 12: Jools Holland. Stoke Regent Theatre. Nov 12: Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman. Salford Lowry. Folk duo. Nov 12: John Mayall. Southport Floral Hall. Blues legend. Nov 13: Ha Ha Hood. Stoke Regent Theatre. Comic retelling of Robin Hood. Nov 13-15: Dancing in the Streets. Liverpool Empire. Tribute to Motown. Nov 13-15: A Farewell to Arms. Salford Lowry. UK stage premiere of Hemingway’s meditation on love. Nov 14: Rumours of Fleetwood Mac. Stoke Regent Theatre. Nov 14-15: Still Ill. Salford Lowry. Tragic love story. Nov 15: Rumours of Fleetwood Mac. Llandudno Venue Cymru. Nov 15: Stones in his Pockets. Stoke Regent Theatre. Comedy musical.

Eclipse on the 23rd will trigger a spiritual breakthrough. Life will feel purposeful and rewarding as October turns to November. The Full Moon on the 6th brings the end to a worthy challenge and you’ll feel justifiably proud of the results. Don’t make any serious commitments at the end of the month.

CAPRICORN December 22nd - January 20th No matter how much pressure you put on an authority figure, you will not get your way in early October. This is the best time of the entire year to move up the ladder of success. Put a little extra effort into your appearance. MidNovember will make your social life sparkle. The New Moon on the 22nd will force you to protect some secret information. This situation will make you highly uncomfortable. Relatives will prove surprisingly sympathetic.

AQUARIUS January 21st - February 19th October’s Lunar Eclipse on the 8th brings disappointing news. Fortunately, your best friend or lover will be poised to help you through this difficult time. Be receptive to a little tender loving care. Trust their opinion in the beginning of November. Their expertise will help you make the best decision. The New Moon on the 22nd will prompt you to get involved with a group project. Although the motives of this organisation are good, their methods will be less than impressive.

PISCES February 20th - March 20th Stand firm against peer pressure in the opening days of October. Going against the grain has always been your style. The end of October ends on a definite high note. Your star is on the rise; enjoy the ride. The middle of November will prompt you to deepen your knowledge of your favourite subject. The New Moon on the 22nd brings an enticing opportunity, but don’t be so quick to accept. It’s possible there are a lot of hidden strings attached.

. . . continued from Pages 25-26 Nov 15: Ken Dodd. Southport Floral Hall. Nov 16: Halfway to Paradise. Liverpool Empire. The Billy Fury story. Nov 16: The Bay City Rollers. Runcorn Brindley. 70S teen idols. Nov 16: Gregory Porter. Southport Floral Hall. Jazz vocalist. Nov 16: Leonard Elschenbroich and Alaxei Grynyuk. Clwyd Theatr Cymru. Cello music with piano accompaniment. Nov 16: One Night of Queen. Stoke Regent Theatre. Tribute. Nov 17-18: Bird. Bolton Octagon. Drama. Nov 17-22: Black Coffee. Manchester Opera House. Another whodunnit from the Mistress of Mystery. Nov 17-22: Blood Brothers. St Helens Theatre Royal. Nov 17-22: Dangerous Corner. Stoke Regent Theatre. Timeless J.B. Priestley mystery. Nov 18: Stringfever. Runcorn Brindley. String quartet. Nov 18-22: Peter Pan. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Nov 18-22: Swan Lake. Liverpool Empire. Ballet. Nov 18-22: Cinderella. Manchester Palace Theatre. Ballet.

Nov 18-22: She Stoops to Conquer. Liverpool Playhouse. Comedy. Nov 18-29: Othello. Salford Lowry. Electrifying retelling of Shakespeare’s classic. Nov 19: Human Capital. Clwyd Theatr Cymru. Thriller. Nov 19: Jasper Carrott’s Stand Up and Rock. Runcorn Brindley. Nov 20: Buddy Holly’s Winter Dance Party. Runcorn Brindley. Nov 21: Swan Lake. Runcorn Brindley. Ballet. Nov 21: The Lion in Winter. Runcorn Brindley. Intense and funny look at early English history. Nov 22: ELO Experience. Runcorn Brindley. Tribute. Nov 22: Il Barbiere de Siviglia. Clwyd Theatr Cymru. Live screening of Rossini’s opera. Nov 23: Jane McDonald. Manchester Palace Theatre. Singer and TV personality. Nov 23: Marty Wilde’s Rock and Roll Party. Blackpool Grand Theatre. ‘60s rock and roll legend. Nov 24-29: The Full Monty. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Musical. Nov 24: The Rat Pack Vegas Spectacular. Liverpool Empire.

Nov 24: Brit Floyd. Llandudno Venue Cymru. Tribute. Nov 25-29: Regeneration. Blackpool Grand Theatre. Wartime drama. Nov 25-29: Edward Scissorhands. Salford Lowry. Modern fairytale. Nov 26: Let’s Hang On. Runcorn Brindley. Tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Nov 27: Merry Hell. Runcorn Brindley. Blistering folk-rock outfit. Nov 27: The Billy Fury Years. St Helens Theatre Royal. Nov 27-30: Annie. Liverpool Empire. Award-winning musical. Nov 28: The Hollies. Southport Floral Hall. Pop legends. Nov 28: Sweet Dreams. Runcorn Brindley. Adaptation of Sleeping Beauty. Nov 28: Yuletide Paradise. Runcorn Brindley. Alternative Christmas cabaret. Nov 28-Jan 4: Dick Whittington. Stoke Regent Theatre. Pantomime. Nov 28-Jan 24: Jack and the Beanstalk. Clwyd Theatr Cymru. Rock and roll panto. Nov 29: The Fawlty Towers Dining Experience. Runcorn Brindley. Comedy dining. Nov 29-Jan 17: Little Red Riding Hood. Liverpool Everyman. Rock and roll panto.

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October/November 2014

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SEE HOW THEY GROW: Plant-OMat in autumn and spring

TEN MAGIC FLOWER CARPETS TO BE WON IN one of these prizes and, with practically no effort, you can watch a beautiful bulb display pop up in your garden next year.

We are offering TEN pairs of Suttons Seeds’ new Plant-O-Mat Classic, fibre-based mats, 38cm (15in) in diameter, in which a combination of 45 colourful bulbs have been carefully

spaced. Suttons’ slogan for this brilliant innovation is “Dig, drop, done!” - and that is all there is to it. The mats are buried in the soil, watered, covered and the flowers emerge in spring. Each prize, worth £22, consists of one Plant-O-Mat containing bulbs of tulip Triumph and muscari Blue (grape hyacinth) and one

containing narcissus Tete a Tete (daffodil) and crocus Blue. For the full range of Plant-OMats, go to www.suttons.co.uk Full instructions come with each prize. To enter the competition, answer this question: How many bulbs are in each Plant-OMat Classic mat? Send your entry with your name and address on a

postcard or sealed envelope, stating where you picked up your copy of All Together NOW!, to Suttons Plant-O-Mat Competition, All Together NOW!, The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP, to arrive by Friday November 21. Please also tell us what you think of All Together NOW! You can also enter online at www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Top tips for 2015 HE Met Office reports that the first six months of this year were the warmest – but also the third wettest – since records began in 1910. The result has been a sweet year for gardeners – in taste and scent. Everything from sweet peas to strawberries has flourished in the warmth and moist conditions. Here are some outstanding successes from this year that I will certainly grow again. Sweet Pea Summer Sizzler, a mixture of Spencer types in many shades of red from Mr Fothergill’s Seeds: Sown under glass on February 14 and planted out in late April, they smothered a sixfoot obelisk, started blooming in late June and were still providing cut flowers for the house until well into September. The key to longterm flowering, of course, is to remove fading flowers and seed pods. Strawberries Sallybright and Albion: Rarely seen in the shops, these varieties have special qualities. Sallybright, fruiting in early- to midsummer, has an outstanding, sweet flavour. The taste of Albion is good, too, but this variety has an extra quality - it crops twice, first in mid-

UPLIFTING: Sweet Pea Summer Sizzler

summer and again, quite heavily, in early autumn, long after

conventional strawberries. Californian poppies in their lurid colour mixes have never appealed to me but the new variety Red Chief from Thompson & Morgan is, as they say, something completely different. The flowers, produced over many

weeks in summer, are vivid scarlet with a boss of orangegold stamens and the fern-like foliage is blue-green. They are ideal for filling gaps at the front of borders or surrounding a small tree or shrub. I’ve grown 80 kinds of tomato over the years and am familiar with the many claims made that this or that variety is the sweetest. Sweetness alone is not what gives tomatoes excellent taste - an element of acidity is needed to create the best flavour. However, a very sweet one I’m impressed by is the new Suncherry Premium, an F1 hybrid, which fruits continuously and prolifically, producing cascades of tiny tomatoes throughout July and August in a greenhouse. Lettuces may not be the most glamorous crop to grow, but they are one of the easiest for amateur gardeners. The shops promote Little Gem lettuces, a wise choice of a very old type, but they never seem to introduce the many modern, improved strains of that variety, including Little Gem Delight, Winter Gem and Little Gem Maureen - an odd name, perhaps, but the best of them all, providing crisp salads for much of the year when sown successionally.

CHECKLIST FLOWERS: Start to plant spring bulbs such as crocus, daffodils and hyacinths but leave tulips until November to reduce the risk of frost damage to premature young shoots and of the disease tulip fire. Split the roots of older herbaceous perennials such as phlox, delphinium, Shasta daisy (marguerite) and peony. Dig up overgrown clumps, cut off sections from the edge, each with a few shoots and some roots attached, and plant these. SHRUBS AND TREES: Plant new roses, hedging, shrubs and trees. Evergreens in particular are best planted in early autumn. Water camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas thoroughly if the ground is dry. Shortage of water during early and mid-autumn can cause the flower buds to drop next spring. LAWNS: Spiking in autumn is highly beneficial. This opens up compacted lawns, improving drainage, reducing moss and weeds, and encouraging grass growth. Use a hollow-tine aerator or a garden fork as second best. Spike 10cm (4in) deep in rows the same distance apart. Apply autumn lawn fertiliser, which is high in phosphate (not high-nitrogen spring lawn fertiliser). PONDS: Prepare ponds for winter by removing the dying leaves of water lilies, taking out any blanket weed or algae and clearing fallen leaves from the surface before they have a chance to sink to the bottom. Pools under trees are best covered with fine mesh netting to catch the leaves. Clear the netting regularly. VEGETABLES: Save seeds of runner and French beans to sow next year. Leave old pods to dry on the plants then pick them before they split. Store the seeds in a dry, frost-free, mouse-proof place. FRUIT: Tie the new canes of summer-fruiting raspberries to supporting wires. When autumn raspberries have finished cropping, cut down the canes to ground level. Tie the long, new shoots of blackberries and loganberries to supports. Cut down stems, which fruited this year. HERBS: Propagate rosemary and curry plant from semi-ripe cuttings and split wellestablished clumps of chives and mint. HOUSEPLANTS: Remove dead leaves and flowers and move plants closer to windows so they receive enough light as the days grow shorter. Sponge shinyleaved plants with water or a proprietary leaf-polish. Don’t sponge ferns and hairy-leaved plants but brush off dust with a soft-bristled paintbrush. Mist ferns with tepid water regularly to maintain humidity.

All Together NOW!

October/November 2014

STARSPOT CROSSWORD

The Accumulator Quiz

Can you find the celebrity name hidden in this Starspot Crossword? Complete the crossword in the normal way then make a note of the letters contained in all the squares which are marked with shaded stars. These letters will make an anagram of the name you are looking for. 1

★

26 28 32 31

★

ACROSS 1. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 15. 16. 20. 24. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31.

Close examination (8) Uplifted (6) Let it stand (4) Exist (3) Sleazy (6) Type of brown sugar (8) Prayer (6) Accustomed (6) Regard (6) Aspen (6) Innate (8) Stroke (6) Female fowl (3) Study hard (4) Groups of closely related species (6) 32. Sweater (8)

DOWN 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 12. 13. 14. 17. 18. 19. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26.

Lower (6) Machine tools (6) Sailor (6) Item of playground equipment (6) Senior nurse (6) Next to (6) Bird of peace (4) Thin fog (4) Actor’s part (4) Wind instrument (4) Roofing material (4) Loose earth (4) Drool (6) Hole for cord (6) Accident (6) Carbolic acid (6) Very fast (music) (6) No matter who (6)

Each question has four possible answers and is worth from one to 15 points. Circle your chosen answers and keep a record of your points total. Maximum total points 120. QUESTION 1 – for 1 point: From whom did Alastair Cook take over as captain of the England cricket team? A Nasser Hussain B Michael Vaughan C Andrew Strauss D Kevin Pietersen

QUESTION 10 – for 10 points: In which country was Budweiser lager first brewed? A USA B Germany C Austria D Czechoslovakia

QUESTION 2 – for 2 points: Which city is overlooked by Sugar Loaf Mountain? A Havana B Cape Town C Sydney D Rio de Janeiro

QUESTION 11 – for 11 points: Which of these Gilbert and Sullivan operettas is set in Cornwall? A HMS Pinafore B Patience C Ruddigore D Iolanthe

QUESTION 3 – for 3 points: Which liquid expands as it nears zero degrees Centigrade? A Mercury B Alcohol C Diesel oil D Water

Jazz musician Jools Holland. See Question 9

QUESTION 13 – for 13 points: What was the codename for the Battle of Normandy? A Sealion B Albatross C Overlord D Europa

QUESTION 7 – for 7 points: Which golfer is nicknamed The Great White Shark? A Tiger Woods B Jack Nicklaus C Colin Montgomerie D Greg Norman

QUESTION 5 – for 5 points: Which of these archaeological ‘ages’ began around the year 3,000BC? A Bronze Age B Stone Age C Iron Age D Ice Age

QUESTION 8 – for 8 points: Which TV comedian’s alter ego lived at 23 Railway Cuttings, East Cheam? A Charlie Drake B Harry Worth C Tony Hancock D Eric Sykes

QUESTION 6 – for 6 points: Which meat is traditionally used to make haggis? A Beef B Venison C Lamb D Pork

QUESTION 9 – for 9 points: Jazz musician Jools Holland hosts a regular BBC2 series bearing his name called – what? A After Midnight – With ... B Later – With ... C In Concert – With ... D Rhythm and Blues – With ...

QUESTION 14 – for 14 points: Which international road traffic sign is represented by a white circle with a red border? A No vehicles permitted B No stopping C No overtaking D No entry QUESTION 15 – for 15 points: At the time of his inauguration who was the oldest man to have become president of the USA? A Abraham Lincoln B Ronald Reagan C Harry S. Truman D Dwight D. Eisenhower

KAKURO

THERE is just one simple rule in Sudoku. Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box. This is a logic puzzle, and you should not have to guess.

4 6 7 9 1 4 7 4 5 8 7 3 1 2 5 2 9 2 3 7 1 6 9 3 5 9 5 9 4 3 4 7 1

QUESTION 12 – for 12 points: What is the responsibility of the ‘gaffer’ on a film set? A Chief lighting technician B Head carpenter C Senior sound engineer D Sound mixer

QUESTION 4 – for 4 points: Which ship took Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver to Treasure Island? A The Blue Peter B The Black Pig C The Hispaniola D The Bird’s Eye

SUDOKU

EASY

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DIFFICULT

4 6 4 9

7 8 1 4 5 2

REACH 450,000 READERS . . .

9 8 4

3 9 2 6 3 8 2 5 1 4

FILL in the blank squares in the grid with numbers so that each horizontal or vertical line adds up to the total given in the box either to the left or above it. Horizontal totals are given in the top right corners of the shaded boxes; vertical totals in the bottom left corners. You can use the numbers 1 to 9, but may not use the same number more than once in any run. The number may be used again, however, in the same row or column but as part of another run.

TAKE ME HOME!

MEDIUM 23

7 27

8 21

23 6 23 23

16 20 16

ADVERTISE HERE 0151 230 0307

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October/November 2014

DIALLING CODES

CROSS CODE 2

21 6

24 11

19 23

13 10

6 18

26 20

Telephone dialling pads combine several letters on one key. Here we have encoded several sets of words or items by using numbers rather than letters. Then we have divided them into groups of three characters and run all the names one after another to make your task a little more difficult. Can you crack the codes?

2 19

18 13

All Together NOW!

2 12

2 1

6 13

23 19

23 6

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ EACH number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.

E T

MISSING LINK Each pair of words has a missing word between them that acts as a link to both (e.g. FRONT – DOOR – MAT). The initial letters of the six answers (reading downwards) will spell out a fabric.

1 []’–

2 ABC

3 DEF

4 GHI

5 JKL

6 MNO

7 PQRS

8 TUV

9 WXYZ

Spaces and any punctuation marks are represented by 1.

4. Legal terms 583 424 279 122 451 738 853 636 819 748 146 837 828 319 455 175 263 371 765 424 867 173 776 633 681 227 747 837 148 272 686 714 658 628 466

5. Occupations 347 334 448 371 742 762 247 812 226 868 268 135 328 742 426 127 244 832 818 383 746 274 261 529 937 175 862 371 832 243 713 276 371 362 867

6. Jane Austen characters 324 732 918 376 661 845 639 132 729 132 749 663 156 444 853 918 467 731 355 468 124 872 445 512 366 381 337 727 719 455 684 429 168 747 683

SPOT CHECK Can you place the six dominoes (right) into the grid below in such a way that the number of spots in all four rows across and all four rows down totals 14?

B W E

A M W O O

W R

Q M A

R W E

WORD WIZARD

Here is an unusual word with three definitions, only one of which is correct. Can you identify the right definition?

A C B

E D

DELAINE 1) An untwilled light dress material, originally made of wool;

W Y

A M N

S W N

In which year did all three of these significant historical events take place?

1. William Gladstone resigns as prime minister and is succeeded by Lord Rosebery.

–––––

MAIL

DUTCH

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TREE

PAD

––––

JAW

PASS

––––

DUE

A N M A E TRANSFORMER

RUN

––

STUDENT

–––

DOLL

MAKE A DATE

LOUD

STAGE

with

3. chemistry 665 328 531 353 636 813 532 876 617 654 312 282 597 815 478 431 224 312 552 546 312 663 126 454 641 764 681 427 168 253 871 765 884 661 466

Starting from the central shaded letter, move one letter at a time (up, down, right or left, but not diagonally) to find 12 radio personalities.

associated

2. Fabrics 728 461 894 551 422 373 463 196 778 331 336 461 529 617 337 782 537 183 583 812 762 233 124 433 661 665 375 461 674 269 218 645 313 526 635

PATHWORDS

Words

1. Things found in a garden 786 342 512 473 228 416 762 636 825 176 631 466 631 762 537 912 729 917 284 641 737 465 214 733 646 873 183 438 225 317 282 412 653 137 263

2) An infusion of juniper berries inhaled to aid relaxation;

2. London’s Tower Bridge is opened to traffic, becoming the last bridge over the Thames before the sea.

3) A ditch dug in medieval times to mark the boundary between two properties.

3. The first Death Duties Bill is enacted by the British parliament.

Add the given letter to the first word to make a new word. Clue: How to make a small loaf amusing.

WAS IT? a) 1870; b) 1876; c) 1882; d) 1888; e) 1894.

____ +D=D____

ALL THE ANSWERS Pathwords: Ken Bruce; Steve Wright; Jo Whiley; Chris Evans; Nick Grimshaw; Simon Mayo; Zane Lowe; Scott Mills; Edith Bowman; Steve Lamacq; Terry Wogan; Mark Radcliffe.

5 9 8 4 2 3 7 1 6

4 1 7 5 8 6 3 2 9

6 2 3 7 9 1 8 5 4

3 4 1 8 5 7 6 9 2

SUDOKU EASY

8 6 2 1 3 9 5 4 7

7 5 9 2 6 4 1 3 8

1 3 6 9 7 2 4 8 5

9 8 4 6 1 5 2 7 3

2 7 5 3 4 8 9 6 1

9 5 3 8 1 7 6 4 2

8 6 7 2 4 9 5 3 1

2 4 1 6 3 5 7 9 8

1 9 6 5 2 3 4 8 7

M Z 15

G S

16 3

17 4

18 5

19 6

E W F 7

R U

22 9

C Q O

CROSS CODE

3 7 2 9 8 4 1 6 5

4 8 5 7 6 1 3 2 9

SUDOKU DIFFICULT

6 1 9 4 7 2 8 5 3

7 2 8 3 5 6 9 1 4

5 3 4 1 9 8 2 7 6

11 23

27 7

6 23

9 3

6 2 4 1 25

4 6 23

9 2 11

KAKURO MEDIUM

4 8

21 8 11

9 29

2 9

Accumulator Quiz 1 – C; 2 – D; 3 – D; 4 – C; 5 – A; 6 – C; 7 – D; 8 – C; 9 –B; 10 – D; 11 – C; 12 – A; 13 – C; 14 – A; 15 – B. Starspot Crossword Across – 1 Analysis; 8 Elated; 9 Stet; 10 Are; 11 Sordid; 12 Demerara; 15 Orison; 16 Wonted; 20 Esteem; 24 Poplar; 27 Inherent; 28 Caress; 29 Hen; 30 Swot; 31 Genera; 32 Pullover. Down – 2 Nether; 3 Lathes; 4 Seaman; 5 Seesaw; 6 Matron; 7 Beside; 12 Dove; 13 Mist; 14 Role; 17 Oboe; 18 Tile; 19 Dirt; 21 Slaver; 22 Eyelet; 23 Mishap; 24 Phenol; 25 Presto; 26 Anyone. Star Name: EVA MENDES

Word Wizard No 1 is correct. Delaine is a fabric. Dialling Codes 1. sundial; birdbath; ornamental pond; gnome; rockery; crazy paving; pergola; greenhouse; vegetable patch; cold frame. 2. satin; twill; gaberdine; worsted; denim; lawn; seersucker; velvet; brocade; chiffon; moleskin; organza; voile; flannel. 3. molecule; element; electron; solid; catalyst; liquid; acid; alkaline; bond; boiling point; gas; nucleus; solution; ion. 4. judiciary; bail; settlement; writ; intestate; will; slander; solicitor; respondent; barrister; guarantor; injunction.

5. firefighter; pharmacist; accountant; electrician; architect; veterinarian; lawyer; plumber; teacher; farmer; doctor. 6. Fairfax; Vernon; Tilney; Darcy; Dashwood; Knightley; Thorpe; Elliot; Churchill; Bennet; Ferrars; Willoughby; Musgrove. Spot Check A = 1; B = 3; C = 6; D = 2; E = 5; F = 4. Missing Link voice; elm; lock; over; up; rag. Fabric: velour. Make a Date The year was 1894. Transformer Roll + D = Droll.

All Together NOW!

Man United admit they lag behind on space for wheelchairs MANCHESTER United has admitted it has less than half the recommended number of spaces for wheelchair-users in its huge 76,000-capacity stadium, writes JOHN PRING. The club hit the headlines in the summer when the disabled peer Baroness Grey-Thompson highlighted the club as one of the worst offenders in the Premier League when it came to access for disabled fans. She told a House of Lords debate that the club refused to sell season tickets to wheelchair-users and provided only 42% of the number of spaces for wheelchair-users that it should. The club cast doubt on her figures but refused to say how many wheelchair spaces there were in the ground, Old Trafford, or to clarify whether the club allowed wheelchair-users to buy season tickets. A club spokesman finally admitted that there are just 120 wheelchair spaces the official Accessible Stadia guidance suggests SPOKE OUT: there should be Grey-Thompson about 280. The Manchester United spokesman said there was potentially an extra wheelchair space outside each of its 89 executive boxes, which could be used by those hiring the boxes. He admitted that wheelchair-users were not able to buy season tickets because the spaces available were handed out free, with fans on a rota supposedly guaranteed tickets for one out of every three games. Baroness Grey-Thompson, a retired Paralympian herself, said: “I don’t think they are treating disabled fans fairly.” She said she was unconvinced by the club’s claim that wheelchair-users on the rota were given a ticket to one in every three games - having been contacted herself by Manchester United fans – and was uncomfortable with the idea of a football club giving away free tickets to disabled people. She said: “There is something slightly disabling, or handicapping, and slightly beholden about it. It’s all a bit too charitable. I think we are beyond assuming every disabled person doesn’t have money.” “I just think that a club of that size and scale with such a huge support base should be doing what’s right for everybody, and at the moment they are not.”

October/November 2014

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Invictus Games legacy ‘will be jobs’ Athletes SPONSORS of the Invictus Games are now looking at ways of improving job prospects for injured service personnel. “With the Games now over, our work to leave a lasting legacy will now take centre stage,” said Dr Ralf Speth, chief executive officer of Jaguar Land Rover. “Jaguar Land Rover will continue to work closely with the Royal Foundation and the Ministry of Defence to explore innovative ways of enhancing the employment prospects of ex-Service personnel moving into civilian life, including those who are wounded, injured or sick.” The Invictus Games, championed by Prince Harry, saw servicemen and women from 13 nations join

together and compete across four days of sport. Two special awards were presented to Joe Townsend and Maurice Manuel. Townsend, from Plymouth, lifted The Jaguar Award for Exceptional Performance, having followed up his four gold medals in athletics with silver and bronze in hand cycling. Manuel was named the Land Rover Unconquerable Soul for going above and beyond, in his commitment to the Games. Captaining and coaching Denmark’s wheelchair basketball team to bronze, he also won silver in the javelin, bronze in the Ambulant IT1 200m and bronze in wheelchair rugby.

Andy putts it perfectly! OLF fanatic Andy Jones took part in his first British Disabled Open Championship in Suffolk – and came away with third prize. Andy, 48, has no rotation in both hands, is unable to turn his palms upward, and has lots of problems with daily tasks. But life is very different for him on on the golf course. “I’m really chuffed with my performance,” said Andy, who plays off a handicap of six! “This was my first disability competition – I can’t wait for next year.” Andy has been a member of Ellesmere Port Golf Club since he was 11 – and has always been among the topplayers. Two years ago he won the club championship trophy. He was born with the rare condition radio ulner sinostosis, which had led to the fusing of bones in his forearms. “I’ve had umpteen operations over the years, and the hospital visits are becoming more common,” he said. “It’s all because of the extra wear and tear on my other joints which are compensating for my arms.” Andy’s due for more surgery in November - and has appointment for treatment at the Walton Pain Clinic. “Yes, it’s all a nuisance,” he added, “but if it keeps me on the golf course then I’m more than happy!”

GARDEN PRACTICE: Andy who plays off a handicap of six

Stay ahead of the game . . .

give top marks to Glasgow DISABLED sports stars and campaigners have praised Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games, pointing to impressive levels of access and the successful integration of mainstream and para-sports events. There were golds for England’s Dan Greaves in the discus and David Weir in the T54 1,500 metres, while Libby Clegg won Scotland’s first Commonwealth track gold for 20 years in the T12 100 metres. She and her guide runner Mikhail Huggins had earlier been given the honour of taking the oath on behalf all the athletes at the opening ceremony. In the pool, England’s Ollie Hynd won gold in the SM8 200 metres individual medley, but it was Scotland’s 13-yearold Erraid Davies who secured the headlines with a bronze medal in the SB9 100 metres breaststroke. Davies became Scotland’s youngest-ever Commonwealth medalwinner, with her name briefly trending worldwide on Twitter. On the cycling track, the organisers had chosen four tandem para-sports events, and the home nations won all four golds, with England’s Sophie Thornhill and her pilot Helen Scott winning both women’s events, and Scotland’s Neil Fachie and his pilot Craig Maclean winning both men’s gold medals. The para-sports events were integrated into the mainstream timetable and the results of disabled athletes were counted in the overall medal table, while the level of inclusion was also obvious from the social media interaction between mainstream and disabled athletes. England’s Bethy Woodward won silver in the T37/38 women’s long jump, while also supporting her partner Lee Doran in the mainstream men’s javelin. England’s Ali Jawad achieved two new world records in what he said was “the performance of my life”, in winning bronze in the lightweight men’s powerliftiing.

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October/November 2014

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SUBSCRIBE!

ENGLAND’S FINEST – the wheelchair rugby union 7s squad. From left, Connor Barlow (Swindon St George); Jack Brown (Halifax WRL); Kevin Barlow (Swindon St George); Robery McLeod (Swindon St George); Jason

Owen (Gravesend Dynamite); Martin Norris (Leyland Warriors); Ben Ide (Gravesend Dynamite); Mike Knight (Bradford Bulls); Martin Beddis (Liverpool Lions WRC); Martin Lane (Swindon St George)

NNeew w YYoorrkk,, NNeew w YYoorrkk –– w whhaatt aa w woonnddeerrffuull ppllaaccee JORDANNE Whiley and Andy Lapthorne lifted two US Open wheelchair tennis titles in New York. Whiley made tennis history by becoming the first British player to win a calendar year Grand Slam after partnering Japan’s Yui Kamiji to win the women’s doubles title. After beating reigning US Open champions Jiske Griffioen and Aniek van Koot, of the Netherlands, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, Whiley said: “I felt sick on court with the heat and all the nerves, but I’m so happy. It is successes like this that help repay all the support of family and friends.” Meanwhile Lapthorne won the US Open quad singles – his first Grand Slam singles title – by beating American world No. 1 and two-time champion David Wagner 7-5, 6-2. Lapthorne said: “I’m now looking forward to David and the others coming to my back yard in London for the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters in November.”

AT THE DOUBLE: Jordanne Whiley and Yui Kamiji

Transplant Games for Tyneside Rugby for all THE 2015 Westfield Health British Transplant Games are to take place in NewcastleGateshead, organisers have announced. Hundreds of athletes who have had lifesaving organ transplant surgery and donor families will descend on the North East for the four-day event (July 30-Aug 2). Competitors will take part in a range of sports including swimming, golf, archery, table tennis, five a side football and track and field at Gateshead International Stadium and various venues across the region. A Donor Run, open to the public, will take also take place along the NewcastleGateshead Quayside. Founded in 1978, the Transplant Games encourage patients to regain fitness, demonstrate the benefits of transplantation and promote awareness of the need for more organ donation. Gateshead City Council's cabinet

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member for culture, sport and leisure Cllr Peter Mole said: "The athletes have had life changing experiences and are a true inspiration to us all. We would encourage everyone to come along to the games and show their support for all these amazing competitors." North East businessman Graham Wylie, who is chairing the organising committee for the 2015 Games, said: “The games were last in the region in 2000 and the logistics and planning for 2015 are now well underway. We will be working together with the region and local and national businesses to make this bigger and better than ever, an event the North East can be proud of.” Three people die every day waiting for a transplant and over 7,000 people are currently on the organ donor waiting list. To sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register call 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk

PREMIERSHIP Rugby has been handed £600,000 to get more women, girls and people from ethnic minorities involved in the sport - and provide better access for disabled fans. According to Sporting Equals, an independent body that promotes ethnic diversity in sport, 11% of those who currently take part are from nonwhite backgrounds. Chris Holmes, disability commissioner at the Equality and Human Rights Commission, who are providing the funding, said: “Rubgy is a fantastic way of bringing people together whatever their backgrounds, developing skills and providing great health benefits. Everyone should have the same opportunity to get involved in the game regardless of their ability, gender or social background. “We look forward to working with Premiership Rugby to build on the inspirational power of the Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games and harness the major investment promised in the bids to get more people involved as participants and coaches.”

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