Retirement today april may 2014 by Amra Media Solutions

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R E T I R E M E N T

www.retirement-today.co.uk

The magazine for pre and post retirement

FINANCE•LIFESTYLE•TRAVEL•CULTURE•COMPETITIONS•HEALTH•RECIPES

Issue 75 April/May £2.90

Every year thousands of people put their faith and trust in Cats Protection when looking for a new addition to the family. Behind each volunteer and member of staff is a wealth of experience and expertise which means when you adopt one of our cats, you can feel safe in the knowledge that he has been given the best possible care. When he leaves Cats Protection, your cat will have been treated to a top-to-tail medical. This means he will have been: • Fully examined by a veterinary surgeon • Vaccinated at least once against flu and enteritis • Treated against fleas, roundworm and tapeworm • Neutered if old enough • Microchipped We also provide four weeks’ free insurance (terms and conditions apply) giving invaluable peace of mind and reassurance as you and your cat embark upon this lifelong friendship.

All he needs now is a loving home to make his dreams come true – over to you!

Find a Cats Protection cat looking for a home in your area. Simply scan the QR code with your smart-phone to use our new find-a-cat search tool, or get in touch on the details below.

T: 03000 12 12 12 E: helpline@cats.org.uk W: www.cats.org.uk Reg Charity 203644 (England and Wales) and SC037711 (Scotland)

CONTENTS

4 We love our possessions but they are starting to own us It’s an issue we all need to face, is now the right time to downsize and live smaller, shed stuff and move on.

WELCOME TO RETIREMENT TODAY MAGAZINE

6 Growing, growing… gone British asparagus is widely believed by chefs and food lovers to be the best in the world. Here are a few of our favourite recipes for you to try.

8 Update

Darcey Bussell encourages older people to get fit through dance; Brits need to plan now to avoid becoming the “Elders” of Europe’s Expats;eBaby Boomers-a fifith of Britian’s post-war generation sell possessions online to meet cost of living; The psychology of retiring –do we have a sell by date?

Top left image: Mauricio Abreu,Turismo de Portugal

Middle right image: Bright Bazaar by Will Taylor (Jacqui Small)

10 Perfect Stay If you are looking for an idyllic break, then look no further than the Ilsington Country House Hotel, situated amid the beautiful Dartmoor National Park.

Following our ‘Footloose’ series, Debra Rixon writes about her experiences in beautiful Maderia, plus a chance to win a DVD

28 Kitchens and Dining Read about how you can embrace colour in these creative spaces, allowing you to reap the rewards with a cheerful and uplifting place to cook and eat.

Retirement opens up a world of opportunities. Read how housesitting gives you the chance to travel further and stay longer, without breaking the bank.

Amra Media Solutions Ltd The Old Lavender Mill 46a Brook Street Aston Clinton Buckinghamshire HP22 5ES • Tel: 01296 632700 • Fax: 01296 632720 • Email: info@amramedia.co.uk • www.retirement-today.co.uk • Designed by: Tom Evans Design All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. Although every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information and the advertisements contained within the magazine, the publishers cannot accept any liability. Retirement Today would be pleased to receive your articles and photographs for possible publication. Although all reasonable care will be taken the magazine can assume no responsibility and contributors are advised to retain a copy.

Delicious recipes for modern vegan food.

The increased visibility of the Women’s Institute over the past few years seems to partly have eclipsed the venerable women’s organisation – but TG is back!

18 Staying for free around the globe

• Published by:-

26 Vegan Pantry

15 So, just who are the Townswomen’s Guild?

Read about events taking place nationally.

WIN

25 Fancy trying something a little different? Read about Roger Burt’s experiences as a volunteer at Mid Hants Railway.

11 Footloose in Maderia

17 Out and About

PAGE 20

20 Competitions Your chance to win some great prizes including theatre tickets, BBC Gardeners’ World Live tickets, and more.

22 Heritage Railway Nigel Burbidge, Chairman of Ffestiniog Travel, considers the broader benefits of Britain’s heritage railways and why they should continue to thrive and be enjoyed.

TODAY

Have Retirement Today posted direct to your door so you never miss an issue Send you name and address together with a cheque for £14.99 to: Subscriptions Department, Amra Media Solutions, The Old Lavender Mill, 46a Brook Street, Aston Clinton, Buckinghamshire, HP22 5ES

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31 Deaf Awareness Week Frank Anslow highlights this important national event in May and writes about the importance of understanding deafness and hearing loss in our society.

32 Understanding Grief

Grief is a natural reaction to the loss of a loved one and the grieving process can be a long and painful one. Read about how best to work your way through this difficult time.

33 Charity News Read what’s happening within the world of charity.

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We love our possessions How Do I Downsize my Life?

We love our possessions but they are starting to own us

I like to walk about amidst the beautiful things that adorn the world; but private wealth I should decline, or any sort of personal possessions, because they would take away my liberty. - George Santayana

Let’s get one thing clear, it’s not about the things It’s about change. It’s about letting go. It’s about who we are without our lifetime of possessions. It’s about whether getting rid of the mementos diminishes all that we have experienced. In our conversations with many women, this was one of the most recurrent concerns. They know it’s time to live smaller, shed stuff, move on. But; - Inertia takes over - Men dig in their feet - Women faint on their fainting couches - Grown children wonder what’s to become of their childhood. Everyone knows it is an issue that has to be faced, and sooner is better than later.

Smaller House, Larger Life Elena S took the bull by the horns and decided that the time to downsize is now. I am no longer owned by my stuff. A long time ago, I realised that one of the reasons I loved travelling was that I had very few things with me – fewer clothes, shoes, make-up and so on. I liked the freedom that I felt having to look after fewer things. RETIREMENT

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And Barbara F told us this: When I got back from vacation one year our house didn’t look as good to me as it used to.The walls needed painting, the furniture looked tired, there was too much stuff, and I didn’t feel like (and really couldn’t afford) the hassle of a makeover. Much as I loved my home, I felt shackled by it in a way. It always demanded something: fresh paint, roof repair, a plumbing fix. I envied my friends in condos who could pick themselves up at a moment’s notice and leave – for a weekend, a month, a year. All they had to do was stop the newspapers and hold the mail. I longed for that freedom. It was like a ticket to another life. Our kids had left home, many of our neighbours had moved to condos, and the new neighbours looked on us as some kind of relic.They were not really our friends, although most of them – the ones who even knew we were here – were very nice to us. Besides, I didn’t know where to start sorting through this accumulation of a lifetime.The very thought of it gave me a headache! Every time I suggested to my husband that maybe it’s time to move, he scowled into his newspaper and told me how happy he is in our house. I knew we were not getting any younger and the time would come when this house might be too much for us to manage. And suppose something “happened” to one of us.Then the other of us would be facing two bad choices – alone: - The loneliness and vulnerability of living in this huge old house alone - Breaking up our home and selling this huge old house – also alone Equally bad choices! Uh-oh! Here comes another sleepless night because I know the time is now!

As we travelled around the country interviewing women individually, during our Lunch and Listens, and at the workshops we presented, this issue never failed to come up. Whether it was a move to smaller quarters or another city or just feeling smothered by having too much stuff around, downsizing is very much on the minds of sixtyplus women. Some don’t want to think about it, but it nags at them anyway; others meet it head on. We found that these questions must be answered before any decision can be made: - Why is this move a good idea? - Where should we go? - When should this move take place? - What should we keep? - Who gets the stuff we give away? - How do we dispose of our things?

How do I tackle the contents of a large house? Barbara F dealt with the problem in this way: Unloading the accumulation of things from a long and busy marriage seemed like something to avoid at all cost. However, I finally bit the bullet and made a plan. In our big house I had a big basement. I had long ago learned that once the children leave the nest, the house they grew up in remains terribly important because it becomes the place where they store their stuff. Dismantling the home also may have symbolised something like the final giving up of their childhood. My children live in England, California and Massachusetts. So I sat on the floor in the basement and got on the phone. I went through all their things one by one – with them at the other end of the line – and told them I was shipping all their things to them this week.Was there anything they could bear to part with? You’d be amazed at how little they wanted when they heard that as of next week their stuff had to fit into their closets.This process thinned out the clutter considerably. The second task was to decide what to do with the rest. I divided the basement of our home into four quarters. In one part I put the things I planned to give to a foundation which could use the furniture. I called them before I could change my mind, and they were happy to receive it.They brought a van and took it away, and we took a tax deduction. In the second quarter, I put a few items I hoped to, and actually did, sell.The third quarter contained a pile of things for donation to Goodwill. They sent a truck to pick up that stuff, too.The fourth quarter contained things I wanted to take to the new condo that had been stored in the basement. I’m ashamed to say that a few of those boxes had been stored intact from a previous move, and to this day they haven’t been unpacked! I’m not even sure what they contain under the mysterious label ‘Mementos’.

but they are starting to own us Hannah H and her husband were in their eighties when they checked out the blueprints of a retirement community in Sarasota, Florida, under construction among lots of trees, wetlands, pools and gardens – and they allowed dogs. Even at their age, they had the spirit and courage to recognise that a change in lifestyle would be worth the effort. The increased services were the Why, observing new construction in their neighbourhood was the Where, and they knew that now was the When. Here is what Hannah told us: My husband and I had been comfortably living in a villa in a golf course community in southwestern Florida – he is his early nineties and I in my early eighties and our two-year-old poodle. We had no thoughts of living elsewhere until I saw, while driving around in our neighbourhood, a senior facility under construction. Well, it did not take long to convince my husband that now was the time to make the move to another style of living – and we did. My husband truly enjoyed the two and a half years we’ve lived here. Since his death, I realised it was one of the best decisions we had made. With the conveniences of services, food and companionship available for me, I was/am able to continue my community activities while enjoying the comforts of home. If I were to advise others it would be to think ahead, plan ahead and accept change positively.

It sounds as though you are a pretty organised person. Everyone tells us how hard it is to go from big to small.

We love our possessions but they are starting to own us

Why is this move a good idea? Where should we go?

It is! You just have to set the alarm and get down to work. Once you actually start, it becomes much easier. As you may have guessed, our house has several more rooms than our new condo has.The young couple who bought our house did not own nearly enough furniture to fill the rooms, and they were as delighted to buy what we didn’t want as we were to sell or give to them.This made the move much easier for all of us. Our trash; their treasures. Make no mistake; downsizing is no walk in the park. Cleaning out a lifetime of memories is difficult. But I have to say, when it’s done, it’s a good feeling. My husband and I actually felt lighter and less burdened once the task was done.What’s more, we don’t miss any of it. My husband has since died. Our last two years together were dominated by the realisation of our worst fears as this terrible illness took over our lives.We were eternally grateful that the happy memories of our family home were safely in our hearts and not a burden on our backs.We were so pleased that we had been clever enough to have done our downsizing while we were still able to share both its work and its pleasure. An extract from The New Senior Woman by Barbara M. Fleisher and Thelma Reese, published by Rowman and Littlefield. RETIREMENT

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Growing, growing….

Asparagus with peppered soft boiled quails’ eggs, watercress and British wasabi dressing “I love this as it’s one of the first asparagus dishes I put on the menu at the pub. We use wild watercress from a local stream across the field from the pub, soft poached Shropshire quails’ eggs and some punchy wasabi. It’s a firm favourite on our menu during the season because it’s a great combination of flavours.”

Asparagus Season

t George’s Day is the official start of the UK’s eight-week asparagus season. British asparagus is widely believed by chefs and food lovers to be the best in the world, as our unique climate and growing conditions make for full-flavoured and tender spears. So why not make the most of this fabulous veg to celebrate the patron saint of England by cooking up a delicious ‘Aspara-Feast’. Here are a couple of starters and main meal recipes for you to try.

Serves 2 Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 5 minutes

Toasted sourdough with grilled asparagus, Serrano ham and poached eggs

You’ll need: 8 stems of asparagus (4 per person) 50ml of olive oil

Serves 4 Preparation 10 minutes Cook 10 minutes

1 tsp white wine vinegar 1 tsp honey 1 ½ tsp of Dijon mustard 1 tsp of freshly grated British wasabi 2 quail’s eggs 2 tbsp of freshly cracked black pepper 100g fresh watercress

Growing, growing …. Gone! Asparagus Season

What to do:

To cook the asparagus place in a steamer until just cooked then place in ice water to stop cooking and allow the asparagus to keep that lovely green colour. For the dressing mix the olive oil, white wine vinegar, honey, mustard and fresh wasabi until combined, then set aside. Put a small pan of water on the hob, bring to the boil then add your quails’ eggs and cook for 2 minutes 15 seconds then put into ice water for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes peel the eggs in the water for ease. Once the quail eggs are peeled, grab your freshly cracked black pepper and roll the eggs in it until the white is covered. Put your watercress in a bowl, slice your asparagus into 3 pieces per stem, now drizzle the watercress and asparagus with the wasabi dressing and then lightly season. Very carefully slice your quail eggs in half, then add them to the plate with the asparagus and watercress. RETIREMENT

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You’ll need: 2 bunches of asparagus trimmed 4 large free-range eggs 4 thick slices sourdough bread 4 to 8 slices Serrano or Black Forest ham Salt and cracked black pepper Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling What to do: Preheat the oven to a low heat Put a medium sized pan of salted water on to boil, add a splash of vinegar. Put a griddle pan on to heat, when the pan starts to smoke, start grilling the asparagus. You may need to cook this in two or three batches depending on the size of your griddle. It will only take a couple of minutes for the asparagus to be cooked. Once all of the asparagus is cooked, season and set aside in the warm oven. By now the water should be boiling. Crack the eggs one at a time carefully into the water. They will take a couple of minutes to cook. Start toasting the slices of sourdough. Remove the eggs from the water. Divide the toasted sourdough between 4 warm plates, then top with the ham, asparagus and a poached egg. Finish with cracked pepper and extra virgin olive oil.

.Gone!

BBQ Rib Eye with Grilled British Asparagus and Teriyaki Sauce Serves 2 Preparation time: 10 minutes

British Asparagus, Chilli, Lemongrass and Lime Leaf Stir Fry with King Prawns

Cooking time: 15 minutes You’ll need: For the Teriyaki sauce

Serves 2 Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 12 minutes

75ml soy sauce 75ml mirin, Japanese sweet rice wine 75ml sake 1 tbsp sugar

You’ll need:

1 stalk of lemon grass, bashed and finely chopped 4 lime leaves, thinly sliced 4 tbsp fish sauce 1-2 tbsp palm sugar or light muscavado sugar 1 tbsp vegetable or groundnut oil 10 raw king prawns, shells off but with tails on if you can 1 small onion, cut into thick slices 1-2 small red Thai birds eye chilli, finely chopped 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped 4 spring onions, cut into thumb length pieces 1 bundle (approx 250g) British asparagus, chopped in half lengthways then cut into thumb length pieces Steamed Thai rice to serve Fresh coriander and/or Thai basil to serve What to do: Mix together the ginger, lemon grass, lime leaves, fish sauce and sugar and put to one side. Meanwhile heat a wok on high and when it’s really hot add in the oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add in the king prawns and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until the prawns have gone pink with slightly golden edges. Remove with a slotted spoon. Throw in the onion and stir fry for 2 minutes. Add the chilli, garlic and spring onion and stir-fry for a further 4 minutes until the onions have softened. Add the prawns back in and the British asparagus and stir fry for a further minute. Finally pour over the sauce which was prepared earlier, and cook until the sauce becomes sticky (3 minutes). Serve immediately, topped with the fresh herbs and with the Thai rice.

For the rest 2 x 150g rib eye steaks 1 tbsp vegetable oil plus a dash more for cooking the British asparagus sea salt and black pepper 1 packet of British asparagus, trimmed of woody ends a pinch of Togerashi seasoning (optional, you could use cayenne pepper) White and black sesame seeds to serve What to do: To make the Teriyaki sauce, combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Stir the mixture well. Put it on medium heat and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to low and simmer for a couple minutes. Stop the heat and cool the mixture. It’s now ready to use but if you have any left you can store the sauce in a clean bottle in the fridge. Heat a griddle pan until really hot and almost smoking. Rub the steaks with the oil, salt and pepper. Griddle the steaks for 2 minutes on each side so that they’re medium rare. Leave to rest. While the beef is resting rub the British asparagus with a little oil then lay on the griddle and grill for 2-3 minutes, turning every now and then until they start to soften but still have ‘bite’ and have little chars on them. Split the asparagus between two plates. Carve the steaks into 1cm strips and lay on top of the Asparagus pouring over the meat juices left from resting. Cover each steak with a few tablespoons of Teriyaki sauce and sprinkle with the Togerashi if using and sesame seeds. *A hearty steak is a good way to get essential protein and iron, cut back on the fat and saturated fat by choosing a lean steak and trimming off all visible fat*

Recipes courtesy of www.british-asparagus.co.uk RETIREMENT

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Growing, growing …. Gone! Asparagus Season

a small knob of ginger, peeled and grated

UPDATE

eBaby Boomers:

A fifth of Britain’s post-war generation sell possessions online to meet cost of living

Brits Need To Plan DARCEY BUSSELL ENCOURAGES Now To Avoid Becoming The “Elders” OLDER PEOPLE TO GET FIT of Europe’s Expats THROUGH DANCE Today’s working population will need to wait longer than their European neighbours before having the opportunity to retire to the sun, on account of a lack of savings and poor pensions.

Richard Way, Editor of The Overseas Guides Company said: “The key message from a recent report by global research firm Nielsen is that British people serious about retiring abroad should consider the financial implications as early as possible, or risk being the ‘elders’ of expat communities in Europe and beyond. “The report showed that one in five Brits now don’t expect to retire before they are 70, compared to just 12 per cent in Europe. Meanwhile, 44 per cent of people said they expect to work beyond the current UK pension age of 65 – whether into their late 60s or into their 70s, which again compares significantly with 25 per cent for the rest of the world.” Mr Way continued: “Retirees constitute a significant portion of British expats in popular European destinations, including Spain and France. The evidence suggests that upping sticks and moving somewhere sunny for your retirement might not be as easy for younger generations as it has been for current pensioners, or those in other countries.”

Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell is encouraging older people to get fit through dance. She is backing a new programme of nationwide dance classes for older novice dancers, recently launched by the Royal Academy of Dance. The classes cover a multitude of styles for all capabilities, from ballet and tap to chair based dance, classic ballroom and musical theatre. Darcey Bussell said: “It is so important that we get more mature people dancing both in London and across the UK as a way to keep healthy in body and soul, as displayed by the RAD’s Dance for Lifelong Wellbeing pilot studies. Whether you are tackling simple ballet steps or seated routines, dance can offer something for everyone at whatever level of agility. Moreover, dance classes are a fantastic way to socialise with other people in a fun and friendly environment, which is important at any age!”

MGM Advantage, the retirement income specialist, has identified the emergence of Britain’s eBaby Boomers as one-in-five of the post-war generation are selling their possessions online in a bid to meet the rising cost of living. Such is the level of concern over making ends meet, it is now the single biggest fear for adults when considering retirement, above even concerns over health. Andrew Tully, Pensions Technical Director, MGM Advantage said: ‘Far from being immune, members of the baby boomer generation are, like many others, grappling with the UK’s rising cost of living. At a time when we would hope such people were saving in preparation for retirement a large number are instead selling off their possessions on eBay just in order to make ends meet. It’s a situation that is unsustainable and a potential horror story for the eBaby Boomers when they retire.’ Other ways being considered to bridge the living standards gap include selling homes. Of those people already in retirement, 30% now plan to move house in order to help fund their on-going living costs.

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF RETIRING -DO WE HAVE A SELL BY DATE?Businesses are making the gross mistake of assuming their employees near to retiring have a sell by date, according to cognitive psychologist Dr Lynda Shaw.

Update

Shaw explains: “Instead of being recognised as the most knowledgeable, experienced members of our society, our Baby Boomers are being treated like they are easily disposable and lack any real value because businesses are constantly on the lookout for the new, the youngest and the cheapest. Our more senior (in age and knowledge) colleagues in reality are likely to be more valuable and as up to date in what matters as their younger counterparts.”

“Not many businesses newly employ someone in the early 60s. There is a huge amount of ageism and prejudice in the UK business world with the constant talk of a need for “new young blood in the firm”. What’s wrong with 60 year old, experienced and knowledgeable blood to keep the heart of the business going? We are not past our sell by date at 60; with the huge growth in centurions reaching this milestone, many of us are just getting going! If you love your work and are good at it – why retire?” RETIREMENT

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RETIREMENT

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PERFECT STAY

or an idyllic break in Dartmoor in a perfect setting with quality accommodation and a warm welcome. look no further than the Ilsington Hotel. Owned and run by the Hassell family, the hotel offers traditional decor with a modern touch. A special mention must go to Assistant Manager Gareth George and the staff who are warm and friendly, ready to go the extra mile to make sure guests enjoy their stay to the maximum. Although the Ilsington Hotel has a 3* rating, it is definitely a hotel that deserves higher accolades. A large country house that was once a rest home for doctors, the hotel is situated in Dartmoor National Park overlooking stunning countryside. Ilsington is situated in 10 acres of garden, making the hotel a great venue for walkers or those who just prefer a gentle stroll. The hotel also has a health club with sauna, steam room and spa pool, perfect for days when the weather turns typically British! The interior of the hotel exemplifies warmth and comfort, it really is the sort of place where you can find a quite corner and just enjoy the view. Bedrooms range from a standard room to suites, all with a unique style, using antique furniture combined with contemporary pieces, and best of all every room comes complete with a view of the stunning countryside.

Ilsington excels as a dining exper ience, (the hotel even has its own smokehouse), and offers the visitor a choice of two restaurants, formal dining in the 2 AA rosette star restaurant or a more casual experience in The Blue Tiger Inn. The food is sourced locally with a menu that is imaginative, well priced and delicious. Breakfast is a dining experience that so often lets many hotels down unfortunately, however once again Ilsington excelled, providing delicious freshly cooked varied breakfast choices. Unfortunately time didn’t allow us to explore everything this stunning area had to offer and all too soon our

visit had to end. Many guests we met were staying for a special occasion, others had returned after previous visits and it is not hard to see why. This is a hotel run by a family who are committed to guest welfare, making each stay a unique and special treat. • Standard rooms at the Ilsington Country House Hotel start from £100 per night for two including breakfast. • Stays in superior and deluxe rooms start from £130 and £155 respectively. • For bookings consult www.ilsington.co.uk or call 01364 661452

YOUR TIME SAVES LIVES Use it to help us raise money. Money our researchers will use to find answers. That will stop heart disease in its tracks. Our local team is waiting to talk to you about ways that volunteering for the BHF will suit your lifestyle. Visit bhf.org.uk/volunteer or call 0300 456 8353 for an informal chat. Angela and Charlie Green BHF Volunteers ©British Heart Foundation 2013, a registered charity in England & Wales (225971) and Scotland (SC039426)

RETIREMENT

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FOOTLOOSE IN MADEIRA

M It is a horticulturist’s dream come true

adeira is such a lovely island; it is a perfect holiday destination. The climate is temperate, the landscape is volcanic and dramatic, and the people are friendly. It is a horticulturist’s dream come true for they have both the spring flowers and the tropical, and the fabulous annual Flower Festival. It is also a walker’s paradise –the island is famous for its levadas, watercourses that criss-cross the landscape that you can walk beside, on the lower slopes or high up. Wonderful if you don’t suffer from acrophobia or vertigo.

Unfortunately, both Dave and I possess a big aversion to heights, if not a full blown phobia, so this was always going to be a challenge. We felt we could not show the many facets of the island without the walking, and during our research we discovered the Shirley Whitehead guide books.

As Shirley and her husband Mike reside on the island, it made sense to visit them to find out which were the best walks for two people who could cope with a ‘bit of height’. At the end of our visit, we came away thinking that we might just be alright, but the test was yet to come. Even the flight approach to the island is exciting; the runway is on stilts out over the sea! We based ourselves in Funchal, the capital, which is just the right size for a holiday destination capital. The pavements are all paved with white and black mosaic patterns, many quite intricate. It’s very Portuguese of course, and very attractive. There are only two main avenues, the esplanade and the jacaranda-lined Avenida Arriaga, which hosts some stunning floral displays in two public parks along its route. A stroll along the waterfront will feature a painted harbour wall from old and new ‘yachties’ stopping off on their voyages, with a backdrop of the enormous cruise ships. Further along, there is a beached vessel that bears closer scrutiny. It is the “Vagrant”, the yacht once owned by the Beatles, now a restaurant. Although it has clearly seen better days, it really is a worth a visit for the cocktails and the nostalgia. At the end of the main esplanade, Avenida do Mar, is the custard yellow fort, now an Arts’ Centre and beyond that a small lido, tucked around the coastline. In fact, there are four fortifications along this route, all

testaments to a history of being a sitting duck for piracy. The Story Centre, near the old quarter, is a great museum and chronicles Madeira’s turbulent past and fortunes from the sugar and wine trade – well worth a visit before you stroll into the old town. There are some really good restaurants in these narrow back streets, where local gastronomy can be served, accompanied by the local wailing, which is called Fado. I know it is a highly prized talent, but like bagpipes, is an acquired taste I feel. A local dish like cataplana, a kind of fishy, meaty casserole served in a huge copper topped frying pan is divine, but one sitting with the desperate serenading is enough, I’m afraid. Taking the cable-car to Monte is a must-do. The elegant hillside town with lavish hotels was developed over a century ago when tourism really took hold on the island. After visiting the black and white church, the gardens and parkland here, you can travel part way down the hill on a famous wicker toboggan. This traditional, yet crazy ride is escorted by two riders, wearing smart white and tight trousers and straw boaters. I had to ‘let go’ and trust that they did this every day, which was the right thing to do because I could keep my eyes open and enjoy the exciting ride. The main open air bus station is sited at this end of the town. The local buses are worth taking just for the style of the driving. It’s all RETIREMENT

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Footloose in Madeira

by Debra Rixon

very macho on this island, and the drivers all try to outdo each other with swagger in their vehicles. With the ease and skill of long familiarity, they throw these buses around the bends with some abandon, and as a you Winston Churchill loved passenger, really do need to paint the scene from a to hold on to high up vantage point the handrails of the seat in front because they also travel at an alarming but exciting speed. We followed Shirley and Mike’s advice and took a dramatic yet safe trail in a downward direction, to the Nun’s Valley (Curral das Freiras). The spectacular 3km zigzag mountain trail is reached by a hair-raising bus ride up to the viewpoint and lodge at Eira do Serrado. The view from here is unsurpassed, with high peaks as a backdrop to this charming settlement, at what might have been the crater of a huge volcano. The ancient, but

Footloose in Madeira

well kept footpath descends 400m, but is never steep and the views of Curral das Freiras continue to amaze. At the bottom of the trail, the tourist part of the village has several restaurants, bars, shops and a bus stop for your return. With newly found confidence, we attempted one of the high mountain walks from Pico Arieiro. Surprisingly there is a good road, a car park and visitor centre at the summit of Madeira’s 3rd highest mountain... so a taxi, minibus or

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coach tour can deliver you above the clouds at 1818m above sea level. Altitude is what visitors really want to experience, but cloud cover may spoil the dramatic views of the mars-like volcanic landscape, so it is best to start out early in the day. A radar station perched at the very stop is a bit of an eyesore, and interfered with our camera in a way unexperienced before! A very popular, well maintained trail to the highest mountain Pico Ruivo begins here, but is quite demanding both in stamina, and managing vertigo! There are tunnels to ease this journey, but a shorter walk to the “Buzzard’s Nest” is very rewarding and was as far as we felt we could go. Shirley had warned this was rated 3 on their vertigo scale (which is 1-3!), so we contented ourselves with the stunning views from the viewpoint and made our way back. The last walk we took was to the very tip of the island, the São Lourenço Peninsula. Arguably the most popular trail on the island, a convenient bus service from Funchal drops you at the car park and trail head. A rugged and exposed 8km coastal trail passes through spectacular and colourful rock formations, to a ranger station at the eastern tip of Madeira. The biggest feature of this nature reserve is the natural land bridge: the footpath, with stout wire railings, passes right over this narrow causeway with 100m drop on either side to the sea below! I found my fear of heights had really diminished on this island, and others have agreed that continued exposure to the drops does really help, although Dave had some anxious moments on the land bridge. Not all the walks are hair-raising. The Balcões Levada Walk is an easy 3km walk that is wheelchair and buggy accessible, but the best thing about the trail is the view at the end. Claimed to be the finest on

Madeira, it has superb vistas of the dark high peaks from an overhanging “Miradouro”, forest-draped valleys and the deep blue coast. At the other end of Funchal, past the exclusive and pink Reid’s Hotel, you can take a trip to Camara dos Lobos, a really traditional fishing village, complete with all male bars and swagger. Winston Churchill loved to paint the scene from a high up vantage point, and it is fascinating to watch the fishermen stretch and tie the fish to dry in the sun on wooden frames. Several viewpoints, including the stop above the drop of the highest cliff in Europe are features at this part of the island. The better weather is to be had on the sunny Funchal side of the island, but modern road tunnels make it possible to travel to the north western side and experience a wilder landscape, with wonderful traditional A-frame houses in Santana and volcanic rock pools for bathing in the northernmost resort at Porto Moniz. There are plenty of mini bus tours available, and one will take you up the very centre of the island to the saddle between mountain ranges where you can view both coasts. There is so much to do and see on this island, one visit is simply not enough! Debra and David flew TAP, Portugal’s national airline to Madeira and warn that the cabin baggage restrictions are really tight. ‘Walk Madeira!’ by Shirley Whitehead is the most comprehensive guide to all the walks on the island. After David took early retirement from the BBC, they have focussed on their own productions, and for over ten years have been renowned for their walking films in Europe. For information on this and all the Footloose films, take a look at www.footloose.tv or watch previews of the walks on YouTube.

WIN

We have 5 copies of ‘Footloose in Maderia’ on DVD to give away. For a chance to win a copy send in your details, quoting FIM to Amra Media Solutions, 46a Brook Street, Aston Clinton, Bucks, HP22 5ES. Closing date: 20 May 2014

LUNDY

THE UNIQUE ISLAND EXPERIENCE

Enjoy a beautiful & remote day out to Lundy Island Lundy, beautiful and remote, a magical island of contrast which has dramatic terrain, with unique flora and fauna, sika deer, Lundy ponies and an array of bird life, while enjoying the magnificent views. Lundy lies in the Bristol Channel, three miles long and half a mile wide, this granite outcrop rises 400 feet above sea level and is a place of outstanding natural beauty. Take a day trip to this beautiful unspoiled Island travelling on our passenger ferry, MS Oldenburg, between April and October , but If one day is not enough for you, why not take a short break and stay in one of Lundy's lovely self catering properties.

For further information & bookings Tel: 01271 863636 or visit www.lundyisland.co.uk

“I won’t Iet a medical condition stop me from traveIIing.” Our travel insurance gives you the freedom and peace of mind to enjoy your trip, even if you have an exisiting medical condition.

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perfectprofiles Healing, Health & Happiness.

Go ahead Help prevent bathroom falls with Simply No Slip Bathrooms can be hazardous if you’re not so steady on your feet. So, using over 30 years bathroom manufacturing experience, we’ve developed an anti-slip bath and shower tray coating to keep bath times enjoyable and relaxing. Our simple kit contains everything you need to make your bath or shower tray non-slip.

To watch the demonstration video & for more information scan the QR code or visit www.simply-solutions.co.uk or call us on 01484 485407 Search for us on Facebook and Twitter

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Take a bite! UK’s leading dental implant centres Dental Implants £680

Please call on 01582 518100 www.perfectdental.eu.com

The increased visibility of the Women’s Institute over the past few years seems to have partly eclipsed the venerable women’s organisation, Townswomen’s Guilds. But TG is back: “We’re like the WI, with attitude,” they say ... Townswomen’s Guilds are enjoying something of a ‘grass-roots’ resurgence. TG already has a presence in many parts of the country, with around 700 individual guilds, but groups are springing up in new areas, inspired by TG’s history of companionship, support and campaigning. One of these new guilds was set up in Milton Keynes by Laura Clarkson. “I just wanted to get together with a group to try new things, for friendship and to have fun,” says Laura. “ I was also keen to get involved in community issues, and not just baking.” “Last year I had a life-changing moment,” explains Laura, “I had a car accident and it prompted me to think about what I really wanted to do with my life.” Laura decided that what she really wanted was to get involved in new activities and challenges, and also to develop her interest in working for the community. During a night out with friends, the discussion turned to the idea of setting up a women’s group. “One friend

suggested the Townswomen’s Guilds because her mum is a member.” After the initial contact, Townswomens Guilds HQ contacted Laura to offer support and advice about setting up a new guild. “Ten people came along to that first meeting. There were volunteers to become treasurer and I became the chairperson. Although I’m not that confident speaking to groups, I do enjoy the challenge of organisation. At our first meeting, we had a speaker from SERV Blood Bikes – volunteer motorcyclists who deliver emergency medical items, including blood. More recently we’ve had a presentation from Ella Pure about natural skin care and a talk about internet online safety, particularly for children. Apart from meetings, we all keep in contact through Facebook, email and texting. For the future, we have lots of exciting things planned, including talks from a hypnotherapist and the fire service, and activities including a pole-dancing-forfitness taster evening, a life drawing class and an evening with

chocolatier Hotel Chocolat. We also have outings planned which include a theatre trip, and a rock-climbing taster.” Laura also suggests what she considers to be a key point about the advantages of joining a guild. “As a group, you’re so much more likely to try new things – on their own, many people, including me, would feel too shy.” Aside from the social and community aspects, what else is it about TG that appeals to women now? The organisation has an important campaigning past. By 1928 the Suffragettes, through campaigning and direct action, had secured the right for women to vote. Alongside them, there were many other women fighting for the vote in quieter, constitutional ways – these were the Suffragists. Led by Eva Hubback and Margery Corbett Ashby, they saw the need to create an organisation aimed at ordinary women living in the nation’s towns and cities, which led to the formation of the Townswomen’s Guilds movement. Laura explains the appeal: “We love all that history, of active women doing things for themselves and standing up for their rights.” Today, celebrating its 85th Anniversary, with HRH Princess Royal as its patron, Townswomen’s Guilds remains one of Britain’s leading women’s groups, and takes pride in an involvement with radical local, national and global concerns. Members meet regularly to develop new skills, exchange ideas, discuss topical issues and organise charitable events nationwide. More importantly, Townswomen’s Guilds provides the opportunity for women everywhere to ‘belong to an organisation within which members offer support, companionship and encouragement for women to honour their past and realise their future’. Issues on which TG has recently campaigned include: Supporting British Food Production, Violence Against Women, Cheque Abolition and Control of Internet Pornography, issues chosen for their relevance to women of all ages throughout the country.TG also actively supports older women, combating isolation by encouraging uptake of the internet and supporting Esther Rantzen’s ‘Silver Line’ initiative, which provides telephone support to older people.

So, how do you get involved?

You can find a local guild through the TG website, (www.townswomen.org.uk). If there isn’t a local guild, TG say that you could always start one – the organisation is actively encouraging women to set up new groups, especially in areas lacking one, and will provide full support and back-up. RETIREMENT

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So, just who are the Townswomen’s Guild?

London Waterbus Trips

] LITTLE VENICE ] LONDON ZOO ] CAMDEN LOCK

Cruises along the peaceful Regents Canal, through Regents Park, the Maida Hill tunnel and London Zoo. Trips on traditional canal boats, one way or return, with a stopover to shop in the lively bustle of Camden Lock or a picnic in the tranquil elegance of Little Venice, or trips with entry to London Zoo. Daily service April to September, weekends in winter. Discount fares for booked groups.

Alston Hall

Pre-Retirement Courses

Tel: 020 7482 2550 www.londonwaterbus.com

DILLINGTON HOUSE

Head Start one day course: A course for those from mid-career onwards, who want to get to grips with the financial factors and other issues affecting retirement decisions and plan accordingly. “I should have attended this course years ago. The things I learned would have made a huge difference to my retirement planning.”

Retirement Planning two day course: An in-depth course for those within about 18 months of retirement, who want to consider in detail some of the key issues affecting successful retirement and to make sure that planning is on track. Partners are encouraged to attend at a reduced rate.

Beautiful Bespoke Camper Conversions Official Smart beds and “Brilliant course – covers every aspect of retirement from a detailed look at your financial situation to how to keep yourself fit and healthy. Autostops fitters I would recommend this course to anyone as money well spent.” Alston Hall, Alston Lane, Longridge, PR3 3BP • www.alstonhall.com

Weekend courses for the sheer joy of learning first-class accommodation • delicious food • excellent tutors Discover Dillington www.dillington.com 01460 258613

For more information or to request a brochure, please call 01772 784661. www.lancashire.gov.uk/adultlearning

Unit 11, Airfield Business Park, Cheddington HP23 4 QR E.Jon@ansetautomotive.co.uk Tel: 01296 660181 www.AnsettAutomotive.co.uk

Travel for any duration into Europe, flying or cruising aged 89 and under

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Travel to any destination worldwide, flying or cruising ages up to 85

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Martin Boyce - Our Love is Like the Flowers, the Rain, the Sea and The Hours - 2002

Major First World War Centenary exhibition – IWM North exhibition The Quays, Trafford Wharf Road, Manchester 5 April – 21 May Revealing extraordinary stories never told publicly before, IWM North, part of Imperial War Museums, launches IWM’s first major exhibition to mark the start of the First World War Centenary. Founded in 1917 to mark the sacrifices made by civilians and soldiers alike, IWM is a world leading authority on the First World War. From Street To Trench: A World War That Shaped A Region is the largest exhibition ever created exploring the lives and experiences of people from the North West of England during the First World War. The free exhibition at IWM North in Manchester reveals more than 200 personal objects, films, sound recordings, photographs, artworks and letters - many on public display for the first time. Tel. 0161 836 4000 www.iwm.org.uk

25 years of contemporary Art in Scotland Until November 2014

A landmark series of exhibitions are taking place across the country tracing the remarkable development of contemporary art in Scotland over the last 25 years. An extensive programme of works of art by over 100 artists to over 60 associate galleries, exhibition spaces and venues. The Generation programme also features an array of works produced in Scotland - many of which have won prestigious international prizes, or have been shown at renowned museums and galleries or festivals across the world - but which have never been shown before in Scotland, offering audiences the opportunity to see them for the very first time. For further information visit: www.nationalgalleries.org/aboutus/special-projects/generation

American Museum in Britain, Bath On until 2 November ‘14 World-renowned knitwear and textile designer Kaffe Fassett celebrates his fifty years of working as an artist and colourist, and also his fifty-long long association with the American Museum. Featuring works spanning Kaffe’s creative life, including drawings he made as a boy in California, and showcasing a variety of materials by colour, from knitted shawls to gorgeous coats inspired by Shakespearean heroines and cushions decorated with this detailed needlepoint designs. Tel. 01225 460503 www.americanmuseum.org

Olympia Art & Antiques Fair 5-15 June 2014 The 42nd edition of this fair takes place in London’s iconic Olympia Exhibition Centre, and is the capital’s largest and most established art and antiques fair, featuring 180 specialist exhibitors from across the world. With exhibits drawn from antiquity to the present day, and with prices ranging from £100 to £1 million, the fair is renowned as an unmissable event for seasoned collectors and connoisseurs as well as first-time buyers, dealers and decorators. www.olympia-art-antiques.com

Loetz Cobalt Mimosa Vase, c.1900, Courtesy of M&D Moir

The Wonder of Birds Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery 24 May 14 September

An exhibition which explores the cultural impact of birds upon mankind. Eliciting a wide range of emotions from awe to fear, and from pleasure to cruelty, birds have intrigued humanity since the earliest of times. With loans from local and national collections, this innovative exhibition spans the centuries and includes some 200 works by major artists and illustrators, historical and contemporary, natural history, archaeology, fashion and social history. Tel. 01603 493649 www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk Melchior de Hondecoeter (c1636-1695) Fowl, 1668-70 Oil on Canvas 83x64cm, ©Nottingham City Museums & Art Gallery RETIREMENT

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Out & About

From Street to Trench: A World War that Shaped a Region

GENERATION:

The Colourful World of Kaffe Fassett

Charleston Summer. Needlepoint, 60-65cm Courtesy of Hugh Ehrman ©Kaffe Fassett Studio

Out&About...

For 200 years , The National Benevolent Charity has been a lifeline to people who have fallen into poverty and distress and who have nowhere else to turn. People like nurse Leah, 58, and her artist husband David, 63.

They

wanted a happy retirement together but Leah became crippled with arthritis and cannot walk. David is dedicated to his wife and cares for her full time. But, the loss of earned income has been devastating, and

Staying for FREE around the globe

they are poverty-stricken. Despite state benefits, sickness, disability and old age can still mean a life of awful hardship. For Leah and David and hundreds like them, The National Benevolent Charity can help.

Please support the 1812-2012 Bi-Centenary Appeal Donations should be sent to:

The National Benevolent Charity Peter Hervé House, Eccles Court, Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8EH For more info visit www. t h e n b c . o r g . u k or telephone 01666 505500 Patron: HRH The Prince of Wales

GENESIS AD_Layout 1 17/03/2014 16:29 Page 1 Registered Charity Number 212450

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• No Age Limit (Single Trip Policies) • Most pre-existing health conditions considered • Medical screening completed at the same time as your quotation - so no nasty surprises! • Direct Lines - no call waiting • Medical Screening - handled by mature staff with many years experience You can obtain a quotation online or call the number above. If you prefer to obtain your quotation online, please use the unique code below - we look forward to speaking to you. www.genesischoice.co.uk Use unique agent reference: 065

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Retirement opens up a world of opportunities, the chance to travel further and stay for longer is just one of the perks of stepping away from your regular routine. For many of us, the trick is to find a way of exploring without breaking the bank. Since retiring early to take a belated gap year we’ve been sampling a different slice of life in various locations around the world - and it’s been costing less than you might imagine. How? We’ve been housesitting. The worldwide demand for housesitters is on the rise and for those who relish change, a wealth of housesitting opportunities can offer a way to flex your passport while keeping your travel expenses in-check. You don’t have to be retired to swap your presence on site for upmarket accommodation, housesitting is open to all, but there’s no doubt that mature, 50+ sitters are in high demand. Across all age groups our society on the move, second home ownership is growing and insurance company’s are becoming more stringent, You don’t have to unwilling to insure properties be retired to swap vacant for extended periods of your presence on time - then there’s the soaring requests from pet-owners, all site for upmarket searching for the right person to accommodation, look after an assortment of muchloved furry friends. housesitting is No, housesitting does not entail open to all sleeping on a sofa or living in a guest room, but if you have an adventurous spirit and a can-do attitude, with a few skills from DIY to pool maintenance, even a love of gardening or dog walking - then housesitting could be right for you. From our personal experience we would say that housesitting can work like a charm. We have spent many months in America, in artsy Santa Fe, New Mexico, a season in La Grande French Manor, six

months at a brand new villa in rural India and several months on a large English estate - extending our initial gap year with every new assignment. No two house sits have been alike, with requirements as varied as the properties. From quirky country cottages to grand estates, some homes came complete with a regular house cleaner and gardener - there was one that had a mole catcher too - while others came with a request just to leave the place as we found it. Most homeowners are looking for sitters to make the house look lived in, activities such as picking up mail, watering houseplants, answering the phone and keeping a watchful eye on the place is sufficient to put the owners mind at ease, meet insurance requirements and, in a few cases, reduce the insurance premium. Some owners do have specific needs, one assignment required us to sleep in the home every night, but otherwise our time was our own - the owners even provided the keys to their car so that we could explore the local area, another home provided a house cleaner but asked us to care for the swimming pool. There are many reasons why you might want to give housesitting a try. Not onlycan it help stretch your travel funds, it’s ideal if you want to try out a new area before relocating, or try a location overseas before you buy. You might find a property close to a foreign language school or dive centre attractive, perhaps you want to explore your family roots, try a different house style or care for a variety of pets - or maybe, you just fancy a change of scenery. Whatever your reasons, the chances are, there’s a homeowner looking for somebody with your life skills. We’ve been fortunate, securing long-term assignments in amazing homes at the lucky end of the property market. Enjoying prime locations and benefiting from glorious gardens, yoga studios, swimming pools, professional kitchens, orchards and paddi fields.Yes, there have been a few curve balls along the way, but nothing that our 50+ years haven’t already prepared us to cope with. For us, the best perk of housesitting is the chance to view life from a different angle. We’ve met some really iteresting and entertaining homeowners, and their neighbours too - we’ve become well acquainted with John Deere, he of the famous tractor equipment and, against all odds, we now know the secrets of keeping an

For more information on Les and Lee, the couple featured in the article visit, their website: www.stayingforfree.com

Staying for free around the globe

For us, the best perk of housesitting is the chance to view life from a different angle

outdoor pool in Southern India crystal clear. We’ve brushed up on our language skills, added new moves to a yoga routine, learned how to cook an authentic Indian curry and we’ve had chance to try out a beautiful area of France as a possible new base for our retirement. But, hands down, the opportunity to live like a local is what really appeals to us. Getting to know the area, interacting with the community and witnessing a different culture at close quarters; while being in a position to join in events, has been the best reward. Housesitting has opened doors that we never expected, allowing us to experience life in a different way - one that would be difficult to replicate on a short hotel based trip. If you’re a responsible person who can go with the flow, we encourage you to investigate housesitting for yourself, and with so many different sources providing a variety of reliable assignment contacts, introducing yourself to a homeowner in need might be a whole lot easier than you think. Whether you are looking for a long term assignment or a long weekend away, staying local or wishing to venture overseas, with a bit of planning and a well thought out profile, supported with good character references, of course - it should be possible to put your skills and maturity to work in a fresh new way - one that could see you traveling to your next destination and staying for free... just remember to pack your common sense and take along your sense of humor.

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COMPETITIONS

For a chance to win any of the prizes, send your name and address (quoting reference code) to: Amra Media Solutions, The Old Lavender Mill, 46a Brook Street, Aston Clinton, Bucks, HP22 5ES or email: info@amramedia.co.uk

WIN1 of 3 pairs of top price tickets to see Other Desert Cities at The Old Vic Pulitzer Prize finalist and creator of hit TV series, Brothers & Sisters and contributor on The West Wing, Jon Robin Baitz has taken America by storm with his Broadway debut. Other Desert Cities, an acidly witty and deeply affecting tour de force, melds the political and personal with electrifying results. Nominated for five Tony Awards, the award-winning play now makes its UK premiere at The Old Vic with Lindsay Posner (Noises Off and The Winslow Boy) returning to direct the stellar cast, Sinéad Cusack, Peter Egan, Clare Higgins, Daniel Lapaine and Martha Plimpton. It’s Christmas Eve in Palm Springs. Novelist Brooke Wyeth is back home to celebrate the holidays with her well-heeled parents, brother and aunt. But the long-awaited reunion is soon set alight by a bombshell – Brooke is to publish a tell-all memoir. Exposing the most painful chapter of the Wyeth’s buried past and threatening to destroy everything her famous parents hold dear, Brooke’s revelation pushes fractured family relations to the point of no return. To book tickets or more information tel. 0844 871 7628 or visit www.oldvictheatre.com

‘The most richly enjoyable new play for grown-ups’ New York Times

WIN1 of 3 family tickets to see HAPPY DAYS – A NEW MUSICAL AT A TOUR VENUE NEAR YOU!

Goodbye grey skies, hello blue! Happy Days are here again with the premiere of a brand new UK tour based on the hit TV series, featuring the unforgettable ‘King of Cool’ Arthur ‘The Fonz’ Fonzarelli. Join your favourite ‘50’s family, the Cunninghams and the rest of the gang – Potsie, Ralph Malph, Joanie and Chachi as they battle to save their beloved diner Arnold’s from demolition. In a race against time, can everyone’s favourite hero ‘The Fonz’ save the day? Happy Days – A New Musical is written by Garry Marshall, the legendary creator of the television series. It includes 21 original songs by Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe award-winning Hall of Fame Songwriter, Paul Williams (Bugsy Malone, Evergreen, Rainy Days and Mondays). The show also contains the much-loved Happy Days theme song from the TV show. Starring popstar HEIDI RANGE as Pinky Tuscadero, CHERYL BAKER formerly of Bucks Fizz as Mrs Cunningham and Emmerdale’s BEN FREEMAN as the legendary Fonz, Happy Days – A New Musical is a hilarious feel-good musical that is guaranteed to have you rockin’ and rollin’ all week long! For further information www.happydaysthemusical.com T&C’s Valid for all Mon-Fri performances at all venues until 4 July 2014. Prize is as stated and cannot be transferred or exchanged. Subject to availability. For a chance to win send in your details quoting ref HD. Closing date 10 May 2014.

Competitions

WIN ONE HUNDRED POSTCARDS from the National Portrait Gallery

100 Writers and Artists from the National Portrait Gallery brings together a huge range of cultural icons from the collection – from William Shakespeare to J.K. Rowling and J.M.W. Turner to David Hockney. One hundred postcards of authors, poets, painters, sculptors and photographers, in colour and black and white and a wide variety of styles and media, to keep, frame or send, packed in a sturdy keepsake box. For your chance to win one of three boxed postcard packs, send in your details quoting ref W&A. Closing date 20 May 2014. RETIREMENT

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T&Cs Tickets valid for Monday-Thursday performances, subject to availability. There is no cash alternative to the prizes, they are non-refundable and nontransferable and not for resale. For a chance to win send in your details quoting ref ODC. Closing date 20 May 2014

BBC Gardeners’ World Live BBC Gardeners’ World Live (12-15 June, NEC Birmingham) is back bigger and better than ever! To celebrate we have teamed up with the organisers to offer you 5 pairs of show tickets as a fantastic prize. Enjoy experts on the Gardeners’ World Theatre, indoor Gardeners’ Inspiration feature, and new areas dedicated to Wildlife, Grow&Eat and Know-how. Plus a new Kitchen Garden Talks Tent alongside Bitesize, an area dedicated to plot to plate in a small space. Monty Don, Joe Swift and Carol Klein will be sharing expert tips and advice at the show. Plus, the RHS Floral Marque, features over 100 nursery owners offering a vast array of flowers and plants to browse and buy. To book tickets and for more information visit bbcgardenersworldlive.com or call 0844 581 1337 For your chance to win a pair of tickets send in your name and address, quoting ref GWL. (T&C apply) Closing date 20 May 2014.

WIN A Cake Lover’s Recipe Notebook If you love baking and have a passion for cakes, this gorgeouslooking notebook is the ideal place to keep all your favourite recipes, whether passed on from family or friends or copied from a magazine or website. It’s also the perfect place to make a note of delectable treats you’ve eaten in cafés or baked for friends. A must have for anyone who loves cake – and who doesn’t? Published by Jacqui Small www.jacquismallpub.com We have 3 books to giveaway. For a chance to win send in your details, quoting ref CLRN. Closing date 20 May 2014

www.visithavant.co.uk

A GREAT part of the world...

ADVERTISEMENT PROOF FOR THE OCTOBER 2012 ISSUE FROM: TRACEY McHANWELL To: ................................................................................................ Date: ............................ AMENDMENTS TO AD

AD APPROVED FOR PRESS

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A great place to visit or stay, aSigned: great place to relax or play .................................................................................Please fax back to no. below ESSENTIAL ONLY • CORRECTIONS TO THIS PROOF MUST BE RECIEVED IMMEDIATELY Come and visit REVISIONS Hayling Island, Emsworth, APPROVAL MUST BE CONFIRMED BY RETURN EMAIL, FAX OR POST Havant and the surrounding area REVISIONS TO ORIGINAL INSTRUCTIONS MAY BE OMITTED IF OBSTRUCTING THE PRODUCTION SCHEDULE Tel: 023 9246 7111 Email: tourism@havant.gov.uk

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Heritage Railways Nigel Burbidge, Chairman of Ffestiniog Travel, considers the broader benefits of Britain’s heritage railways and why they should continue to thrive and be enjoyed.

Heritage Railways

or many people the term “heritage railways” probably conjures up some vision of grown men acting out their childhood fantasies or perhaps of something faintly anachronistic ‘mouldering at the end of a country lane’. The truth, these days, is very different from such impressions as the leading railways in the sector are large businesses, turning over several millions of pounds and each employing over one hundred people at the peak of the tourist season. The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways in North Wales, and the Mid Hants Railway, amongst others, are major tourist attractions, drawing in over one hundred thousand visitors annually to immerse themselves in lovingly recreated time capsules; to be reminded of (and to pass on to their children and grandchildren) an age that somehow seemed more certain and secure than today. Yet even these seemingly prosperous and secure businesses are not like normal commercial dividend paying enterprises. They are only successful because they are hugely subsidised by volunteers at all levels, from cleaners and ticket collectors through to professional lawyers, accountants and engineers giving their time and expertise freely and willingly to conserve something they are passionate about. Every penny that is generated from fares, selling souvenirs and through cafes and buffet cars is ploughed back into the enterprise, in the way of co-operatives.

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One may ask why so many people volunteer in this way. For some, it is to keep alive the memory of a time when almost every town and village in the kingdom was served by its own country railway and the people who worked on them had their place in country society, up to the local station master who was often considered a village worthy in the same way as a pub landlord or a vicar. For others, it is the harnessing of primeval forces of water and fire to make steam and turn mere machines into the hissing, roaring monsters that pull these old trains. For others again, it is just the chance to spend time working with like-minded people in a common cause. Heritage railways are broad churches and welcome all sorts, provided they have respect for some basic ground rules, such as safety in operation. These railways are hugely deserving of your support. Not only do they keep alive memories of a different time for

future generations, they also nurture skills in the young and give them experience, such as mechanical and civil engineering, cooking, hospitality and old fashioned courtesy. Railways such as the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland offer apprenticeships and training in locations where jobs are not easy to find. They give support to their local communities in so many ways, from jobs and training though to commercial stimulus for hotels and bed and breakfast providers in their areas. So, seek out these British gems of a bygone age, visit them and enjoy life at a gentler pace, relax as you pass through sometimes pastoral and sometimes stunning scenery. Why not travel to them by train and make a day of it? In doing so you can further support the heritage railways by buying your tickets on line from agencies such as Ffestiniog Travel, set up to help people enjoy the wider pleasures of rail travel around the world, whilst ploughing its profits back into helping keep

Rail Holidays of the World

Explore the UK by rail and steam and discover Britain’s railway heritage.

Orcadian 2 - Sample Scotland’s Highland delights on a 14-day rail odyssey riding the spectacular Kyle of Lochalsh Line and the wonderful Jacobite steam train on the The Road to the Isles, marvelling at the northern moors en-route to Wick and Orkney, steamer sailing on Loch Katrine and visiting Balmoral Castle. Departs 1 July 2014, price from £2,295 pp

Wales: from North to South - A 13-day trip through the stunning Snowdonia National Park travelling the Welsh Highland, Snowdon Mountain, Ffestiniog and Bala Lake Railways before heading to Cardiff via the Welshpool and Llanfair, Vale of Rheidol, Gwili, Brecon Mountain and Pontypool & Blaenavon Railways. Visits to Welsh castles and museums en route. Departs 12 September 2014, price from £1,415 pp

Beamish Museum

Railways of the North - Including the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, Keighley & Worth Valley Railway and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, this 8-day itinerary also journeys on the Settle & Carlisle route through remote regions of the Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines. Departs 12 September 2014, price from £850pp

Tell us the steam journeys you want to take and we will create an itinerary and organise tickets, accommodation and other sightseeing options en route.

Celebrating 40 Years of Unforgettable Rail Journeys

To request a brochure ~ Call: 01766 772030 or Email: info@ffestiniogtravel.co.uk Visit: www.ffestiniogtravel.com First Floor Unit 6, Snowdonia Business Park, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, LL48 6LD. www.ffestiniogtravel.com

Tel: 01766 772030 Fax: 01766 772049

IATA

Accredited Agent

5050 No:

5220

Ffestiniog Travel is owned by a charitable trust and proﬁts go to support the world famous Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways.

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Beautiful Bespoke Camper Conversions Official Smart beds and Autostops fitters

Unit 11, Airfield Business Park, Cheddington HP23 4 QR E.Jon@ansetautomotive.co.uk Tel: 01296 660181 www.AnsettAutomotive.co.uk

MY PULLED NO PUNCH

Tony Jacobs presents:

Detailed critical assessments and services by professional editors for writing at all stages of development, in all genres § REPORT Links with and agents, and advice on TLC’S ANDpublishers RECOMMENDATION self-publishing §

Direct from New York to Fishguard!

New York’s ‘Crown Prince Of Cabaret’

Steve Ross MY

performing songs from the Transatlantic Songbook including Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, the Gershwins, Noel Coward & Ivor Novello – and a special nod to Fred Astaire! Concert at Fishguard’s Theatr Gwaun on Tuesday May 27th at 7.30pm £12.50. Box Office: 01348-873421

PULLED NO PUNCH

Lunchtime Cabaret on Monday May 26th at the Café Celf 01348- 873867

General information: 07760 223610 “ No one performing today is his equal. They just don’t make ‘em like this anymore” Philip Elwood, Chronicle Jazz Supported by Stena Line

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LITERARY § § §

Six online sessions covering up to 60,000 words TLC assessment of the completed book A meet-the-industry day with publishing professionals

§ § §

Masterclasses and skills workshops Literary events and overseas writing retreat Annual two-day ‘Writing in a Digital Age’ summer conference

T 020 7324 2563 E info@literaryconsultancy.co.uk W www.literaryconsultancy.co.uk RETIREMENT

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these lines alive. At Ffestiniog Travel profits help continue the preservation of the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways. Whilst heritage railways in Britain are known to many what may be less well understood is the international development with some stunning railways being preserved in such diverse locations as the Himalayas, the Rocky Mountains and the Harz Mountains in Germany. Now in its 40th year Ffestiniog Travel has arranged escorted and unescorted rail tours around the world allowing thousands of people to discover scenic and heritage rail journeys further afield.This year alone tours explore the pioneering railroads of the Old West in Colorado experiencing the majestic Rockies on the Silverton & Durango Railroad and the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad to name just two. FT takes travellers to India every year to appreciate the exceptional railways of the former British Hill Stations. Eastern Germany still boasts many active narrow gauge railways and these steam lines combined with stunning scenery make for a fantastic holiday. Ffestiniog Travel’s inaugural overseas escorted tour was to Switzerland in 1974 and it continues the tradition each year arranging escorted and tailor made tours to the breathtaking Swiss Alps to experience the engineering excellence of its railways including the UNESCO World Heritage Rhaetian Railway Network.

The UK’s railway heritage competes strongly on the world stage and Ffestiniog Travel this year will pay homage to it by visiting many of them including Scotland’s spectacular ‘Kyle Line’ and ‘The Road to the Isles’ on the famous Jacobite’ steam train. The ‘Railways of the North’ tour takes in the Keighley and Worth Valley railway, North Yorkshire Moors Railway and the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway. Wales boasts many great little trains and so

a tour of Wales from North to South captures these many railway gems. These heritage railways built and preserved by passionate volunteers rely on visitors for their continued preservation and rarely fail to impress. Many are often the highlight of an escorted or unescorted tour confirming the principle that the journey itself should be as much a part of a holiday as the culture, leisure, food and wine enjoyed en route. www.ffestiniogtravel.com

Courtesy of Mid Hants Railway.Photograph by Matt Allen

Fancy trying something a little different?

Why not consider volunteering at a Heritage Railway. Roger Burt did just that at Mid Hants Railway. Read his story…..

75079 Restoration Group What does a typical day volunteering include for you? I try and get to Ropley shed on Thursday evenings and on Sundays. I am helping on the restoration of our Standard 4 4-6-0 tender loco 75079. I am happy to undertake any task or project that “The Boss”, Martin Buckle, is willing to give me. We often work in small teams doing jobs where we have a skilled machinist or welder, for example, supported and assisted by other volunteers who can carry out various sub-tasks assigned to them. I enjoy metal fabrication work so spend my time cutting, bending, drilling, and folding bits of metal which one or our skilled welders makes up into the final piece for the loco. I am also not bad with a broom and have spent happy times cleaning out the pit under 75079.

My main skill is being able to read and work from the superb technical drawings we have. I have basic metal fabrication skills and have colleagues working in the team who can provide help and advice when I run into problems. The skilled engineers we have in the team are very patient and willing to teach us new skills.

What do you get out of volunteering? I enjoy the work and being part of the restoration team. We all have the same goal and that is to see 75079 restored to a high standard and running again on the Mid-Hants. I really enjoy seeing the pleasure on my fellow volunteers’ faces when they have succeeded in a piece of work. More than anything, I love to see the work product of our skilled colleagues – engineering is an art and many of the fabrications produced are beautiful examples of the engineer’s skills.

How did you get started? I came to one of the volunteer days and then turned up on a Thursday evening at Ropley with my boiler suit and safety boots. Martin and the other volunteers then explained what we were trying to do and Martin put me with one of the engineers to see what skills I had and what I could be trusted to do. I settled in very quickly and was made to feel that my efforts were appreciated.

How does it compare to your day job? I am a patent attorney by profession, now retired from being Head of Intellectual Property law for IBM Europe, and I am currently President of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys so the comparison is between desk bound and practical, new technology and old technology, the virtual world and the real world, nit-picking legal argument and real work. But both worlds contain amazing people who it is a pleasure and a privilege to work alongside.

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Heritage Railways

Roger Burt

What kind of skills do you need to do your role?

THE VEGAN PANTRY

deal for anyone starting out on their vegan journey who is concerned about maintaining good health.

Recipes taken from Vegan Pantry by Dunja Gulin, photography by William Reavell published by Ryland Peters & Small.

AVOCADO PASTA SAUCE

GLUTEN-FREE BREAD One of many variations of my favourite bread, this lovely loaf is both gluten-free and yeast-free, so you don’t need to knead it or wait for it to rise and it stays fresh for a couple of days! Try using beer instead of sparkling water for a ‘yeasty’ smell and taste. 110 g millet flakes 350 g millet flour 3 teaspoons aluminium-free baking powder 11⁄2 teaspoons sea salt 450 ml sparkling mineral water (or use beer instead) 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons seeds of your choosing (pumpkin, sesame, sunflower, etc.) 500-g loaf pan (23 cm x 12 cm) oven thermometer (optional) Makes about 14 slices

Put the pan into the preheated oven, lower the temperature to 200°C (400°F) Gas 6 and bake for 1 hour. Use an oven thermometer if you’re not sure about the exact temperature in the oven. Remove from the oven and tip the bread out of the pan, peel off the paper and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack. This will prevent the bread from absorbing moisture and will keep the crust crisp. Wrap the bread in tea towels and store in a cool, dry place for up to 5 days.

Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F) Gas 7. Stir together the millet flakes, flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl until well mixed. In a separate bowl,

Note: adding more oil to the crouton mixture makes for a richer taste and more crunchiness.

3 slices Gluten-free Bread (see recipe above) 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons water 1⁄4 teaspoon sea salt or tamari 1 teaspoon dried herbs of your choosing

The Vegan Pantry

In order to get a nicely shaped loaf, cut a sheet of parchment paper to fit inside the loaf pan without any creases. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of the seeds. Pour the dough into the pan and top with the remaining seeds.

To make croutons, preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) Gas 4. Cut the bread into small cubes. Mix the other ingredients in a large bowl and pour them over the bread cubes, making sure that each one is coated. Spread the cubes onto a baking pan and put it in the oven until the croutons turn golden brown and crispy, around 30 minutes. Check them every 5 minutes and stir them around to ensure that they bake evenly. Don’t worry if they are a little soft when removing them from the oven – the croutons will dry as they cool down.

For the croutons

whisk together the sparkling water (or beer) with the olive oil. Pour this into the dry ingredients, mixing vigorously with a spatula until you get a medium-thick batter.

23-cm x 30-cm baking pan, well-oiled Serves 3

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In my case, any dish with avocado is delicious! Apart from using it for guacamole, slicing it in salads or adding it to salsas, avocado can be blended up in a nice creamy sauce that goes amazingly well with a good-quality spelt or rice spaghetti. It will only take a couple of minutes to prepare and make you happy for much longer! 1 ripe avocado 4 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons umeboshi vinegar (or use soy sauce instead, or sea salt to taste) 2 tablespoons tahini 200 g dried spaghetti, cooked al dente and drained handful of garlic sprouts, or other seed sprouts 2 tablespoons toasted black sesame seeds, to garnish

Serves 2 Peel and stone the avocado, then blend along with the olive oil and umeboshi vinegar (or soy sauce or salt) in a food processor or a blender until smooth. Add a little water if it’s very thick. Taste and adjust the seasoning, bearing in mind that it should be on the saltier side, since the pasta needs a strong sauce. Pour the sauce over the hot pasta and mix thoroughly. Serve immediately, sprinkling each portion with half of the garlic (or other sprouts) and a tablespoon of black sesame seeds, to garnish. You can use any nut or seed butter instead of tahini; peanut butter, for example, makes a nice sauce, too! You can basically make endless variations on this sauce, adding garlic, onion, lemon juice or crushed black pepper, all depending on what you have in your fridge or pantry. Bon appétit!

CREAMY GREEN SOUP There’s never enough green colour on our plates! I love to make a bright green nettle soup in nettle season (spring and autumn), but other greens work well, too, like chard, spinach, young kale, wild garlic and broccoli. Avocado gives the soup its creaminess, but boiled potatoes, a few spoons of soy, oat cream, or a teaspoon of diluted thickener can also be used. 1 litre water 5 handfuls of green leafy vegetables (chard, spinach, kale, nettles, etc.) 1⁄4 teaspoon sea salt 150 g ripe avocado flesh 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon umeboshi vinegar 3 garlic cloves, crushed 1 serving of Gluten-free Croutons

Serves 3 Bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan. Carefully wash the greens and drain off the excess water. If using kale, remove the hard stem running up the centre of each leaf. Add the greens to boiling water, cover and cook for 1–4 minutes, depending how soft the greens are – they should remain bright green in colour! Add all the other ingredients and then transfer them into a food processor or a blender and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if necessary. Serve immediately with freshlymade Gluten-free Croutons.

Reader offer:

Vegan Pantry is available to readers for the special price of £11.99 including postage & packaging (rrp£16.99) by telephoning Macmillan Direct on 01256 302 699 and quoting the reference GLR 9MP.

Have you left anyone out of your Will? We’ve been dedicated to the health and happiness of pets since 1897. Abandoned or unwanted, ill or injured, we do what’s needed to give every pet a healthy life in a happy home. We’re a charity, so the more help you give us, the more help we can give pets.

A gift in your Will can help secure the future for thousands of pets. If you need us, we can also be there for your special friend.

Return the coupon or write to the address below to receive our free advice and information pack on Will writing. Please send me your FREE advice & information pack on making or amending a Will and leaving a gift to Blue Cross. Name

(Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Other)

Address

Postcode Telephone No. Room L603

If pets have a place in your heart, please find a place for them in your Will.

Or please call 0300 777 1757 and quote L603 Email: legacy@bluecross.org.uk

www.bluecross.org.uk

Blue Cross is a charity registered in England and Wales (224392) and in Scotland (SC040154).

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The Vegan Pantry

Send to: Stacey Calladine, Blue Cross, Freepost OF224, Room L603, Shilton Road, Burford, Oxon OX18 4BR

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KITCHENS & DINING SPACES FULL OF HEART, HISTORY AND COLOUR

Kitchens & Dining

hen I visit a house for the first time the lasting impression I usually take away is how the kitchen and dining areas feel. To me, these are the most important rooms in a home, because in many ways they provide an insight into the personality of the homeowner. These rooms are rich with history: think about all the important decisions made and conversations you’ve enjoyed within these two spaces. As a child you might have discussed subject or degree options with your parents while sat at the dining table; as an adult you may have broken the news of an engagement or pregnancy to family and friends while sharing a home cooked meal. There’s something very special about gathering with friends, whether it be a large group or a more intimate dinner with close pals, and sharing food you’ve made together. I think this is why barbecues are so popular in the summer months, as they are group efforts – a few look after the meat, a couple set the table, others prepare salads and butter buns before all coming together to mingle over homemade food. My fiancé and I have always chosen apartments that offer open-plan kitchen and dining because we like to be able to chat with one another, or our guests, while we are cooking. Our work lives can mean that we are too busy to enjoy the process of cooking during the week, so we spend time together at weekends baking and trying new recipes – it’s our therapeutic way to unwind. We make this method of relaxation part of our holidays, too. Instead of an all-inclusive hotel, we try to book an apartment, so that we can enjoy cooking at a leisurely pace without time constraints. I don’t find cooking a chore; instead I think of it as a way to connect with the space in which I’m living or staying. And there’s nothing more rewarding than cooking or eating in a space that’s drenched in colour. RETIREMENT

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Bright Note: Sleek, glossy black cabinets contrast with a distressed blue barn light pendant and a helf full of cheerful pastel tableware to hit the right colour notes in this Norwegian kitchen.

PERFECTING MULTICOLOURED KITCHEN BRIGHTS Don’t shy away from brights in the kitchen – embracing colour in this creative space will allow you to reap the rewards with a cheerful and uplifting place to cook. • SUITABLE SHADE At first thought, multicoloured might make you think of garish rainbow brights, but a kitchen display that details a variety of colours needn’t be loud or juvenile. The best approach is to stick to sophisticated and muted pastel shades, which may seem understated when used individually, but as a group they will shine bright.

• WHITE IS ALL RIGHT The old saying ‘opposites attract’ couldn’t be truer when it comes to white and brights. Pair these two opposites together and sit back and smile as you see how a white base makes your collection of multicoloured accessories sing.

Wills Colour Secret: You can invite colour into a room without having to undertake any major decorating changes or projects. Simply putting together a group of colourful dishes, mugs, tea towels and plates and displaying then on open shelves is enough to create a bright vibe. The key to making this approach work is to keep the rest of the space pared back and simple, so that the colourful display becomes the focal point of the room.

Simply does it: The kitchen of this Spanish farmhouse lets its natural character set the scene - exposed beams and brick walls invite texture, while a pair of painted blue wooden doors and a red pendant gently lift the palette.

Industrial Charm: Worn wooden floorboards, racing green factory pendants and vintage wooden furniture create a rustic industrial vibe in this Copenhagen kitchen.

Touch of Glass: The glass panes in the hunter green cabinet in this Danish kitchen draw the eye to the red painted interior and mix of vintage tableware displayed inside.

An extract from Bright Bazaar by Will Taylor, published by Jacqui Small RETIREMENT

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Kitchens & Dining

• COLOURFULLY CONSISTENT With a multicoloured display you are inviting variance into the look with different shades and tones. So to prevent the collection looking busy or visually crowded, it’s best to keep the other elements, such as the texture and style of the designs, consistent.

Remember me If you love horses and donkeys, make sure you remember them by leaving a gift in your Will to Redwings Horse Sanctuary. It is the greatest thing you will ever do for horses and donkeys in need. Call 01508 481030 or email legacies@redwings.co.uk to find out how you can remember the horses and donkeys at Redwings Horse Sanctuary today. Thank you

Legacy quarter page ad.pdf

20/04/2012

15:22

Last year we helped over 80,000 wild birds and animals like Rudolph

Retirement Today (135x90) Legacy.indd 1

3/11/2014 11:08:02 AM

90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents who have little or no understanding of deafness and the implications on language learning. As result many deaf children, young people and adults go through life alone and isolated even from their families.

Please help me get better

CMY

Not only do we treat more hedgehogs than any other wildlife hospital, but our caring teams save lives every day. Our aim is simple, to treat injured British wildlife, then return them to the wild. Like Rudolph, who arrived badly injured at just five days old. Our specialist care saved this little deer and he is now facing a brighter future. But it is only with your support we can help casualties like Rudolph; please remember Tiggywinkles in your Will.

Our late friend Dame Thora Hird actively encouraged others to help us secure funding for our lifesaving work. In her words "All the little wild creatures and I thank you so very much". For more information please contact: Jenny Babb, Tiggywinkles, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP17 8AF

01844 292 292 mail@sttiggywinkles.org.uk www.tiggywinkles.com Registered Charity No. 286447

Imagine what it is like: • Attend your first day at school and not be able to chat with your classmates • Attend college but not being able to join in the discussions • Missing your first job interview because you didn’t know your train had been diverted • Be at a wedding and not be able to hear the speeches • Attend your child’s school nativity but not hear the carols • Attend a funeral and not hear the eulogy

That is often everyday life for Deaf people in Britain. That is why the British Deaf Association is so important. The BDA is a Deaf people’s organisation run by Deaf people who share these experiences on a daily basis. Our mission is to ensure a world in which the language, culture, community, diversity and heritage of Deaf people in the UK is respected and fully protected. Please consider us in your will or with a donation and help us to ensure a brighter, more integrated future for this country’s Deaf people.

Come and have a look around our Visitor Centre. Opening times can be found on our website www.tiggywinkles.com.

is the busiest wildlife hospital in the world. 30

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Registered Charity Number 1031687 (England and Wales) and SC042409 (Scotland) Company limited by guarantee number 2881497

By Frank Anslow

‘Equality and Communication for all’ is the theme for Deaf Awareness Week which is a national event involving large numbers of organisations working with deaf people throughout the UK. Deaf Awareness Week runs from the 19th – 25th May 2014 and the many organisations involved will participate in a wide range of activities across the nation.There will be exhibitions, talks and captioned theatre performances to name but a few. The UK Council on Deafness states that the theme for the week ‘Equality and Communication for all’ aims to highlight the positive outcomes of being deaf aware. It says that involvement, not only throughout Deaf Awareness Week, but on a daily basis, can continue to improve the understanding of all types of deafness, and the communication methods that can be used. For so long there have been communication barriers with the deaf and hard of hearing, and this has caused some deaf or partially deaf people to feel isolated and depressed, and suffer a lack of confidence along with a feeling of expulsion from society. All of this is changing through a much greater awareness, better communication, and the tireless work of charity and other organisations. Deaf and partially deaf people are now experiencing their rightful place as equal dignified participants in our society. For example, in the workplace many communication aids have developed: • Speech-to-text reporters (STTR) help people who are deaf to access audio information via a laptop or a projector screen. Reporters type word for word what is being said with information appearing in real time for the person who is deaf. A special keyboard is used that allows

the reporter to type the phonetic sound of words (phonetic sounds) and not spelling. The phonetic version is translated into English by a computer and presented on the computer or projector screen for the person who is deaf. • Video interpreting. Video interpreters offer a remote sign language interpreting service via a videophone. • Note takers. Note takers accompany people to talks or meetings, and provide a set of notes for people who are unable to take their own because they may be lip-reading or watching a sign language interpreter. These services are provided manually or electronic with a laptop. There are now many organisations involved with promoting equality for deaf people but none more so than the British Deaf Association (BDA). The BDA relates to matters for totally deaf people who do not see themselves as being disabled. This major national organisation has been in existence since 1890 and their primary purpose centres on the status and recognition of the Deaf Community and British Sign Language. Their work is focused on achieving equality for deaf people through community empowerment, membership and campaigning. The member - led organisation has worked tirelessly to create opportunities for deaf people to develop, participate and contribute in a wider society. On the 18th of March 2003 the Government officially recognised British Sign Language as a language in its own right. Deaf people now use British Sign Language as their first or preferred language. BDA organise many events to promote the rights of the British Sign Language community, and regularly lobby ministers on such matters as the

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Deaf Awareness Week

DEAF Awareness Week

right to receive education and access to information in sign language, with freedom from political restrictions on the opportunities to become full participating citizens. The need for all of us to be deaf aware is of major significance. Not only for the reason of relating to deaf people properly and with respect, but also because many of us are likely to be affected by some of the issues that deaf people face. There are now more than 10 million people in the UK with some form of hearing loss, or one in six of the population. Around 6.4 million are of retirement age (65+) and about 3.7 million are of working age(16-64).Of particular concern is the ageing population of the UK, as it is estimated that some 14.5 million people will suffer hearing loss by 2031(taken from the statistics produced by the action group ‘Action on Hearing Loss’). The World Health Organisation predicts that by 2030 adult onset hearing loss will be in the top ten disease burdens in the UK, above diabetes and cataracts. Many people will ignore any hearing loss for many years and some people will never acknowledge that they have a problem, whilst experiencing significant hearing difficulties. It seems that some people feel embarrassed at the thought of wearing a hearing aid and are prepared to live with the hearing difficulties rather than dealing with what in the majority of cases is a straightforward matter. Expert opinion has acknowledged that failure to act early can lead to significant problems at a later stage, which makes an early diagnosis an absolute must. Many of the high street Opticians now carry out routine hearing tests and can offer the complete service with regard to the provision of hearing aids etc. The service is comprehensive and many of the hearing aids that are available offer a discrete and almost invisible option for all. Deaf Awareness Week is an opportunity for us all to get involved through the many events that are taking place nationwide. By getting involved a better understanding will be achieved on matters that are likely to affect many of us at some time in our lives. Moreover, it will help all of us to relate to deaf people from a position of informed knowledge and understanding, so that some of the difficulties deaf people face on a daily basis, can be better and more readily understood.

Understanding

Grief

hen I trained as a clinical psychologist in the early 1990s, like many others I was introduced to the idea that there were recognisable phrases through which all people pass after a bereavement. Psychiatrist Elisabeth KüblerRoss pioneered the idea that there were stages of grieving, though these have maybe been misunderstood as being more definite than intended and were in fact first used to describe stages of acceptance in the dying, not the bereaved. Kübler-Ross’s five stages – of denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance – served as the foundation for much understanding about grief over many years. There is still a general expectation that reactions to bereavement proceed in a certain way over a period of time with, for example, initial shock, yearning or protest followed by despair and then restitution. Some people do still view complicated grief as characterised by a failure to pass through these stages in the prescribed order or to the predetermined timescale. Likewise, following Freud’s concept of ‘grief work’, Dr William Worden’s four tasks of grieving form one of the best-known models of grief, whereby the process of adjustment is compared to having a series of tasks to complete: Task 1: to accept the reality of the loss

Understanding Grief

Task 2: to experience and process the pain of grief

Task 3: to adjust to life without the person emotionally, or to find an enduring connection with him or her, and to ‘move on’ embarking on a new life. For such ‘grief work’ to be completed, this involved going over events and memories and then working to detach from them. Such models of grief have been criticized as being too prescriptive (the ‘best’ way to grieve), too passive and rigid (implying that RETIREMENT

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everyone should and does pass through the same tasks and stages) and too culturally specific. Research also indicates that bereaved people themselves do not feel such explanations of grief accurately reflect their experiences. In all such models, there is the notion of predetermined phases that everyone experiences, and people’s grief is explained by the ways in which they fit into the sequence of tasks in the model, thus appearing to deny or bypass any individual nature of grief. Such theories also did not seem to acknowledge that grief is a powerful emotion that often can only be handled in manageable chunks, and that grief is linked with more than the loss of the person who has died. Later clinicians such as Katherine Shear have suggested that, while there is a progression from initial disbelief and shock to painful integration of our loss, we should be much more wary of assuming that there are discrete stages and should build in more space for time away from grieving. It is now generally accepted by psychologists that bereavement is a life event that involved stress on a number of levels, some of which can be thought of as changeable and others of which cannot. Indeed, within psychology generally it is also recognised much more nowadays that the differences between so-called ‘normal’ psychological reactions and reactions classified as ‘unhealthy’ or ‘unhelpful’ are more likely to be related to how often thoughts, feelings or behaviours occur and how intensely this happens. More is now known about effective and ineffective coping strategies, and in many ways in makes much more sense to ask whether coping strategies are effective for individuals, rather than to classify patterns of coping as being more or less a sign of good or bad adjustment. Many models of coping examine the way in which people classify stressful problems, either as ‘problems to be solved and fixed’ or ‘emotions that need to be handled

because they cannot be fixed’. Some have proposed that ‘problem-focused coping’ is associated with better health and wellbeing and ‘emotion-focused coping’ is not. If only understanding coping and adjustment were that simple! Emotion-focused coping may be helpful or unhelpful. A ‘common wisdom’ seems to have become established in society and within the helping professions generally that it is healthy to focus on the pain and distress and to express it openly. Doing so was considered ‘normal’ in the days and weeks after a death, while suppressing or ‘keeping a lid on’ the grief and distressing emotions was to be ‘unhealthy’ and not to be encouraged. This advice is still commonly given and is very much based on the notion that confronting the pain of loss is an essential element of ‘coming to terms’ with it, and necessary if subsequent physical and mental health problems are to be avoided. However, researchers have examined many elements of this received wisdom and have shown that it is not supported by evidence. In particular, this wisdom doesn’t acknowledge how exhausting continuing confrontation can be for the grieving person. Margaret Strobe, professor of bereavement and loss at Utrecht University, recognised that it is not as simple as confronting a loss. Nor does non-confrontation automatically mean mal-adaptation. In addition to the need to face grief, pain and distress, there is also a natural urge to avoid the reality of the death and its consequences – and this should be factored in, as it is beneficial. Avoidance can have a valuable protective effect for the person struggling to make sense of an overwhelming loss. An extract from Living with Complicated Grief by Professor Craig A. White, published by Sheldon Press.

New Prostate Quarter Page:Prostate Quarter Page 22/05/2012 19:55 Page 1

TREATING PROSTATE Ref lect and CANCER QUESTIONS remember a & ANSWERS loved one For a FREE copy of this booklet please contact us at the address below.

All gifts in memory have a real and positive impact on Thiswe booklet has what are able to achieve each year. As Scotlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two aims: Health Charity, our vital work directly benefits the lives of atting ea Trre T people affected â&#x20AC;˘ to help in youScotland become e heart or stroke te sbyttachest ro p better informed about illness. prostate cancer and its ncer

and answers Questions and

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We â&#x20AC;˘ tocare guide about you in thethose left behind following the death of a decisions will make loved oneyoufrom these conditions, and we are here to about your care with offer support at a sensitive time. your doctor. It cannot replace information talking For more please contact us on to your GP or hospital doctor. 0131 225 4800 or email gifts@chss.org.uk

If you can help us by raising funds for our research or to make a donation

We Health Charity please are contact Scotlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s us at the address below. Your support is vital!

Research â&#x20AC;˘ Advice â&#x20AC;˘ Support â&#x20AC;˘ Action Registered with and regulated by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (no SC018761), Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is a wholly Scottish charity. It also operates as CHSS and is registered in Scotland as a company limited by guarantee, no SC129114. Prostate Cancer Research Centre â&#x20AC;˘ 67 Riding House Street â&#x20AC;˘ London â&#x20AC;˘ W1W 7EJ

Tel: 020 7679 93660808 â&#x20AC;˘ email info@prostate-cancer-research.org.uk www.prostate-cancer-research.org.uk Advice Line: 801 0899 FREE fromâ&#x20AC;˘landlines and mobiles

The Psychiatry Research Trust Mental illness and brain disease affects everyone â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one in four of us directly. The sole objective of The Psychiatry Research Trust is to raise funds for research into these devastating conditions, at the Institute of Psychiatry (part of Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College London) and its associated Maudsley and Bethlem Royal Hospitals. The research is aimed at prevention and informed detection as well as new and better treatments throughout the whole range of mental health topics, including Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Motor Neurone Disease, Eating Disorders, Psychotic Illness, Addictions and Childhood Problems. We especially help young researchers with new ideas, to obtain their first support grants. For further information, or to make a donation, contact The Psychiatry Research Trust. All donations are of necessity subject to a small annual charge to cover the cost of administration, including fundraising.

In Later Life

The Psychiatry Research Trust

PO 87, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF Tel: 0207 703 6217 www.psychiatryresearchtrust.co.uk Email: psychiatry_research_trust@kcl.ac.uk Donate on line at www.justgiving.com/psychiatryresearchtrust Registered Charity Number 284286

Charity N E W S Youth is wasted on the young

As the years pass by your body will unfortunately start to wear out, much like most things in life. Alarmingly, if you are a man living in the developed world you are liable to reach your peak CHSS Advice Line physical condition a full fifty years before you finally shuffle off this 0808 801 0899 mortal coil. NowWhich FREEmeans, because you are likely to live for seventy years or from landlines more, for at least two-thirds of your life it will never get any better and mobiles than it is right now. This is a great shame because with age comes experience and increased mental power.

CHEST HEART & Structural alterations STROKE SCOTLAND

From the moment you are born your body is a constant state of regeneration, with cells dying all the time and getting replaced by new ones. As you get older, the rate at which you can manufacture new cells slows and eventually they begin to die out faster than they can be restored. This rate of steady cell degeneration increases with each passing summer, and will affect different aspects of your body ingift different Every given inways. memory of a loved one will help to improve and save the Osteoporosis, From the moment you lives of thousands more:as the result of a reduction in bone density, is are born your body â&#x20AC;˘ Byprobably funding innovative studies in Scotlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s University medical the mostresearch common effect is a constant state of schools, offering for as themany future.as one of ageing, andhope affects regeneration â&#x20AC;˘ Byinensuring their Advice service may be a ten men over theLine ageNurse of sixty. It is available at what difficult this accredited helpline is available 9.30amare to 4.00pm occurstime, gradually, and comes about when from the bones not getting Mon-Fri 0808 801 0899. FREE from and mobiles, they are This enough calcium and Now phosphate to landlines keep rebuilding themselves. there for everyone theyand needincreasingly them most. prone to fracture. Dietary means they arewhen brittle of valuable these minerals may need to be clubs stepped up, because, as providing support through their groups, and befriending â&#x20AC;˘ Byintake you age, your body will actually start reabsorbing them fromthe your services, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland gives people a lifeline, reducing bones back yourconditions. system. It may be necessary to take calcium isolation causedinto by these supplements, especially if you are lactose intolerant and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t drink â&#x20AC;˘ By raising awareness and influencing services, they are giving a voice to milk. Regular exercise â&#x20AC;&#x201C; running and walking, in particular â&#x20AC;&#x201C; will those affected by these conditions. also help preserve bone density, as the system adapts to cope with the Tel. rigours 0131 225of4800 * E:and gifts@chss.org.uk * www.chss.org.uk impact retains more minerals in the bones. The tissues connecting the bones will suffer too, as the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cell production starts to slow down. Joints become less flexible, and this can result in a painful stiffening. Time-induced wear and tear is also a big factor, and the cartilage that sits in between the jointsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; moving parts will wear thin over time, meaning it provides less protection from friction and impact.This can lead to inflammation and stiffness and can be further aggravated by a reduction in synovial fluid â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the jointâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s internal lubrication. Stretching exercises will help keep joints mobile, while you can also help maintain fluid levels by taking fish oil supplements. Due to changes in posture, compression of vertebrae connective tissue, a man can lose up to Heart Matters isand theshrinkage BHFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s FREE of membership two inches in height between the ages of forty and seventy. programme offering information that encourages Loss of lifestyle, muscle whether tissue can occurring naturally as early as a heart-healthy you orstart someone your thirties, and condition exercise orwill close to you has a heart a riskbecome factor increasingly important to bodily mass and strength. Muscles may also lose density suchmaintain as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. as their regeneration slows and On joining Heart Matters, members get athe freebody deposits fat within them. They pack might also as theofregenerated tissue is tough and stringy welcome with thestiffen latest issue the due toa recipe largerfolder cells.toMaintaining magazine, start collectingmuscles heart- to provide support and protection as bones degenerate is essential, as strength healthy recipes and a tape measure to check if they arejust a healthy shape. will be needed for balance, mobility and coordination. As part of the ongoing free support, members get the magazine sent to them As you age your body gets worse at regulating its internal every two months â&#x20AC;&#x201C; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s filled with real-life stories, the latest research and temperature, thus you need to be much more careful about exposure tips for keeping healthy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; access to online healthy eating tools such as a to extreme temperatures. recipe finder and a friendly online community where they can share stories, tips and ideas. Plus, they get access to their friendly helpline, staffed by cardiac nurses and heart health experts. Join Heart Matters today at bhf.org.uk/heartmatters or by calling 0300 330 3300*

Scotlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health Charity: Research Advice Support Action

HEART MATTERS - the British Heart Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flagship membership programme

Charity News

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland

*(Calls cost similar to 01 o 02 numbers. Lines are open 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.) RETIREMENT

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Charity N E W S ORPHANS of the Storms

Every now and then an animal, that sets everybody billing and cooing, arrives at Tiggys. Excitingly brought into the Hospital were two motherless orphans that seemed to have been flooded out by the storms. Just like teddy bears a hundred times over Gail and Cloud, as they were instantly named, were baby otters arriving together in a tight furry ball wondering what was occurring. Checking them over they seemed in good condition so while our nurses settled them in Sue and I tore off to supermarkets, to buy rainbow trout that we could cut into strips to feed our little charges. Gail quickly learnt to take her fish strips from a pair of tongs, even young otters have good teeth and at about five weeks old these were well armed. Cloud was reluctant to take her strips of trout often using her array of tiny teeth to demonstrate her obstinacy. However she did succumb to a ‘fish smoothie’ Cloud carried on refusing her solid food but soon settled to regular bottle feeding on substitute milk from America. They really are the cutest but are also very wild. www.tiggywinkles.com

Can you help a pet in need? Leading pet charity Blue Cross is appealing to animal lovers to join a volunteering scheme to foster needy homeless pets and horses until permanent loving homes can be found.

Charity News

Blue Cross is looking for volunteers within driving distance of its rehoming centres and animal hospitals to care for pets recovering from an injury or illness, orphaned kittens and pets who are struggling to cope with kennel life who would enjoy spending a bit of time in a temporary real home.

Sally Dawes, Regional Volunteering Support Manager said: “Blue Cross takes in thousands of homeless and unwanted pets every year and in this financial climate the numbers continue to rise. We think every single pet deserves a healthy life in a happy home, but some of them need that extra special care until they find their forever home, and we hope volunteers can help. Caring for a homeless pet in need is an incredibly rewarding experience and we’re here to support our volunteers every step of the way.” Blue Cross provides its volunteers with all the equipment and skills needed to look after the pets in their own homes. Special training, costs towards veterinary treatment, pet food and animal behavioural advice are all taken care of by the charity. To find your nearest Blue Cross centre or animal hospital, or to make a donation towards the care of homeless and sick animals or find out more about the charity’s work please visit www.bluecross.org.uk or call 0300 790 9903. RETIREMENT

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POPPY THE SHIRE HORSE

MAKES HER ADOPTION DEBUT Twelve-year-old Shire horse Poppy, who stands at a mighty 17.2 hands high, arrived at Redwings early in 2013. She had lived in a private home with her mum, Lindsey, but was devastated when the mare suddenly died on Christmas Eve. Shires, like all horses, are devoted to their companions and the loss hit Poppy hard. Her owners knew that she would only recover from her grief if she could be around other horses, so they approached Redwings who offered a home for this special girl at the Sanctuary. Poppy started her new life at Redwings Caldecott Visitor Centre in Fritton, Norfolk, where her carers were amazed by how quickly her spirit recovered – especially with the help of her new companion, another Shire mare called Gemma. Now Poppy’s beginning an exciting new chapter in her life, as Redwings’ latest addition to their popular Adoption Club. Poppy can be adopted through the Redwings Adoption Club for just £12.50 a year, which includes a certificate and two updates a year – or adopters can choose an online version to read her monthly blogs, watch her videos and even help ‘care’ for her, virtually of course! Find out more at www.redwings.org.uk/adopting.

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Britain’s BIGGEST exhibition for the active over-50s! FREE EN TRY!

MANCHESTER CENTRAL Friday-Saturday 28-29 MAR 2014

LONDON OLYMPIA Thursday-Saturday 10-12 JULY 2014

GLASGOW SECC Thursday-Saturday 9-11 OCT 2014

EXETER WESTPOINT Friday-Saturday 19-20 SEPT 2014

BIRMINGHAM NEC Friday-Saturday 13-14 FEB 2015

Music and entertainment • Crafts • Seminars & information • Financial tips & advice • Health checks • Gardening • Park & holidays homes • Keep fit sessions • Dance floor • Prize quiz • Fashion show • Cookery demonstrations • Holidays & travel • Have-a-go dancing and a wide range of exhibition stands!

www.50plusShow.com REGISTER ONLINE NOW or CALL THE FREE TICKET HOTLINE ON 01372 8409 63 For exhibiting enquiries, please call 01372 743 837