Retirement today autumn 2016 by Amra Media Solutions

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R E T I R E M E N T

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The magazine for pre and post retirement

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Issue 88 Autumn ‘16 £2.90

Beautiful Memories, Wonderful Gifts Leaving a gift in your will to Bield means people can enjoy your legacy in so many ways. Some people have a specific purpose in mind. One generous family member wanted her legacy to help residents, like her mum, enjoy greater independence. Her gift now funds a vast array of additional activities such as day trips to the seaside, events and art classes in the centre allowing people to access services on their own doorstep. You too can help older people lead fulfilling lives and help us make sure they are free to be. Please consider leaving a legacy in your will - however big or small - it’s simple and inheritance tax free. To find out how your legacy could change lives visit www.bield.co.uk or call Kevin Rowe, Fundraiser on 0131 273 4000. To make an instant donation text FREE23 and your donation amount e.g. FREE23 £10 to 70070 BIELD HOUSING & CARE Registered Office: 79 Hopetoun Street, Edinburgh, EH7 4QF Tel: 0131 273 4000 • Fax: 0131 557 6327 • info@bield.co.uk • www.bield.co.uk • Scottish Charity SC006878

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CONTENTS

4 Looking forward to retirement and doing the sums For some there are concerns about the negative aspects of retirement, however read how the positives far outweigh the negatives.

6 Volunteering in Retirement

WELCOME TO RETIREMENT TODAY MAGAZINE

When people retire from work and are still in good health, one way for them to keep active and remain involved in their community is to become a volunteer.

8 Eat in my Kitchen Some recipes from Meike Peters’s Mediterranean-inspired Berlin kitchen bursting with colour, beauty and great flavour.

10 Update Brighten up your winter; It’s never too late to get active says Age UK; 1 in 3 Brits more concerned about Retirement post Brexit.

13 Pets make good companions With the uncertain prospect of retirement, a pet may give you companionship just when you need it most.

14 Animals in need of a home

Some animals looking for their forever home.

Middle right: Image from Eat in my Kitchen © Meike Peters/Prestel

17 Music! Music! Music! Mike Francis writes about his experience on a course at Benslow Music.

18 Breakfast at Tiffany’s: The making of a icon

Bottom right: Image from The Little Book of Audrey Hepburn Caroline Jones/ Carlton Books

Read about the moment that defined Hepburn’s career – and the role for which she’ll be forever remembered.

21 Out and About Christmas at The Railway!; Experience the pomp and pageantry of the 2016 Birmingham International Tattoo; 18 Stafford Terrace: the Sambourne family home step back in time to 1899; Painting Paradise: The Art of the Garden.

Bottom left: Image from English Houses by Ben Pentreath/Ryland Peters & Small Photo: Jan Baldwin

23 Footloose in Austria Continuing our Footloose series, Debra Rixon writes about her travels to Austria.

26 Hungarian Dental Travel

Read about the reasons why thousands of people worldwide descend on Hungary each year for dental treatment making it the No.1 dental centre worldwide. Meike Peters

28 Subscription • Published by: Amra Media Solutions Ltd The Old Lavender Mill 46a Brook Street Aston Clinton Buckinghamshire HP22 5ES • Tel: 01296 632700 • Email: info@amramedia.co.uk • www.retirement-today.co.uk • Designed by: Tom Evans Design

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30 English Houses

Jan Baldwin

WIN

PAGE 37

Inspirational interiors from Ben Pentreath, a leading figure in the London design world.

33 An Alternative Gift for Christmas Need inspiration for a member of your family who ‘has everything’ or that unique gift idea for a friend?

37 Competition Your chance to win tickets to see The Nutcracker, with overnight stay in London.

37 Book Reviews A review of some of the best coffee table books newly published.

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.

40 Charity begins at Christmas Christmas is the season of good will and a time for giving. However, this year spare a thought for the many charities working tirelessly all year round and read how you can help make a difference.

42 Charity News A ‘dementia friendly’ website; Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland; Power of Attorney taboo - a barrier to later life planning.

Prostate Quarter Page RET2016:Prostate A4 ad 07/12/2015 09:33 Page 1

TreaTing ProsTaTe CanCer QuesTions & answers

Looking forward and doing the sums

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Looking forward to retirement and doing the sums

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 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 of people like them, The National Benevolent Charity can help. The National Benevolent Charity Peter Hervé House, Eccles Court, Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8EH For more info visit www.thenbc.org.uk or telephone 01666 505500 Patron: HRH The Prince of Wales Registered Charity Number 212450 RETIREMENT

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re you looking forward to retirement? Do you intend it to be a happy, satisfying and enjoyable time of life? You should, because you have worked for it for many years and now deserve to appreciate to the full this third phase of life. For some there are concerns about the negative aspects of retirement, such as reduced income and reaching the end of working life. However, the positives far outweigh these, for example, having the opportunity to do all the things you’ve wanted to do for years and never before had the time. Many of us admit to having some fears and reservations as the time for retirement beckons: two of these concern wealth and health. If we have both of these in abundance, happiness should surely follow. But does it? We can learn a lot about the pursuit of happiness (in retirement) from Tolstoy, according to a recent BBC News article (www.bbc. co.uk/news/magazine-30536963). Tolstoy was born in 1828 and dies in 1910. His early life was raucous, debauched and violent. However, he gradually adopted a radical, unconventional outlook that shocked his peers. His personal insights reveal several ways to achieve happiness and are a good reminder of what’s important for you to consider in this first chapter.

to retirement

• Keep an open mind. The ability to change one’s mind based on new experiences is important at any stage of life. • Practise empathy. Tolstoy believed you could never understand the reality of other people’s lives unless you had had a taste of it yourself. • Make a difference. Taking practical action to help alleviate others’ suffering is something many retirees do, as evidenced by the huge numbers who devote time and effort to volunteering and charitable work, • Master the art of simple living. Tolstoy gave up drinking and smoking and became a vegetarian. He also inspired the creation of communities of simple selfsufficient living, These spread around the world and Gandhi founded an ashram near Johannesburg in 1910, on the appropriately named ‘Tolstoy Farm’. • Beware your contradictions. Having preached universal love, it is curious that Tolstoy was constantly at odds with his wife. He lived until old age in a grand house with servants but relinguished copyright to a huge portion of his literary works, thereby sacrificing a fortune.

An extract by kind permission of Kogan Page from The Good Retirement Guide 2016, edited by Frances Kay and Allan Esler Smith. RSP £19.99.

Looking forward to retirement and doing the sums

Tolstoy’s key to happiness

Whether or not we agree with the foregoing, in order to obtain maximum fulfilment from our retirement and avoid regrets, we need to think hard and plan before making important decisions. According to a recent website survey (Saga magazine, February 2015), the top-five regrets of the over-50s are; not seeing enough of the world; not saving enough for retirement; marrying the wrong person; never telling their parents how much they meant to them and choosing the wrong career. It may not be possible to fix all of these, but some retirement planning should help. Things to consider include: what standard of living you want, how much money you will need to achieve it and what sort of social life you wish to enjoy. A pre-retirement course should be helpful, if you can find one to suit. Ask friends who have already retired for their advice; they may come up with useful recommendations. Whatever your circumstances, retirement should be anticipated with enthusiasm as it is full of opportunity and choice. Reading The Good Retirement Guide 2016 is an essential first step because while planning for retirement can be complex, this book is designed to make it easier.

READER OFFER: Retirement Today readers can purchase the 2017 edition with a 20% discount code. Visit www.koganpage.com/ GRG2017 and use the code RETIREMENTTODAY. Offer expires 31 December 2016.

• Become a craftsman. Allowing craft into our lives is an essential part of the creative process. Taking up an interesting hobby is far healthier than spending our leisure time tweeting and texting. • Expand your social circle. Tolstoy’s most essential life lesson is that we should spread our conversational wings and spend time with those whose values and experiences contrast with our own. In other words, if you dare, move out of your comfort zone and journey beyond the perimeters of your circle. RETIREMENT

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Volunteering in Retirement bringing it to selling it. Dressing the windows, till, gift aiding. It is my passion to do as much as I can. I’m now taking on a Stock Generator role, going around to business and persuading people to donate their unwanted items to the BHF – volunteering has brought a different person out, I don’t think I’d have had the confidence before. Now I can do whatever I want, I never say no.

What’s your favourite thing about volunteering?

Volunteering in Retirement

hese days we are all living much longer and healthier lives, and the days when people thought of retirement as a time to just sit back, put your feet up and do nothing has long gone. Perhaps in retirement you are looking forward to leaving behind the hustle and bustle of your daily routine but at the same time are anxious to have something different and challenging to fill your days. When people retire from work and are still in good health, one way for them to keep active and remain involved in their community is to become a volunteer. As people move from work to retirement, volunteering can play a significant part in people’s lives. People choose to volunteer for a variety of reasons. For example, for some it is a great way to meet new people, for others it gives the opportunity to gain new or use existing skills, or some people just want to feel they are giving something back to society. Whatever the reason, the result can be both challenging and very rewarding. Numerous charities couldn’t function without people who give up part of their day to gift their time and expertise to help others. There are lots of easy ways you can help to make a difference to the lives of others, from helping out in your local area to making a regular commitment to volunteer with a charity. Read how working for the British Heart Foundation has enriched the life of one of their volunteer’s.

Pat Hunt, BHF stock generator Pat has been volunteering at the BHF Maldon shop in Essex for 6 years. During that time she has worked in many different areas of the shop and has most recently taken on a stock generator role, encouraging local businesses and organisations to donate their unwanted items. RETIREMENT

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I’m a people person and this allows me to meet so many. I just love it when people come in with their donations – they want us to make as much money as possible for the course, they could take their stuff somewhere else but they choose BHF. That’s a great feeling.

What attracted you to the role? My husband had terminal cancer and died 10 years ago, then I had had cancer also. I recovered but had so much time on my hands and felt so lonely so I went to volunteer centre. They told me about opportunities about BHF and when I went into the shop I felt so welcome. It has built up my confidence so much. I went from 1 day to 3 days each week in the space of a few months. I did my NVQ through the foundation and have been on several courses. Now I cover a lot of the shops in our area when they need it. I also do the fundraising. It’s a joy, my absolute passion. I love the cause. I love the people, you feel like you’re doing something positive.

What did you do before this? I worked in an opticians before so I had some experience of a shop environment and dealing with customers.

What happens in a typical volunteering shift? There isn’t anything in the shop that I can’t do – everything from

What’s your most memorable moment as a volunteer? There are so many. I fundraise at local carnivals and went to West Ham FC and did a collection. You hear so many stories from people and that’s really rewarding. My god father had a heart condition and passed away. Through visiting him you see just how much is involved with the operations, the nurses, the care – it all costs money. It’s really great to see how far things have come.

What would you say you have gained from volunteering? So much. It has helped my confidence and I’ve learnt so many new skills. My NVQ has covered everything from how items come into shop, how we process it and sell it and deal with volunteers.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Yoga, I walk quite a lot, I love spending time with children and great grandchildren. I have to keep very busy, I can’t sit around, I like to know that I’m making a difference. To find out more about volunteering at the BHF visit www.bhf.org.uk

VOLUNTEERING CHANGES LIVES Volunteering with the British Heart Foundation can change more lives than you think. You will help raise the money that drives our life saving research whilst meeting great people and being part of a friendly team. Whether you can give just a few hours or a few days, every minute of your time is valuable to us. Find out more at bhf.org.uk/volunteer or call 0300 330 3322

Registered charity numbers 225971 & SC039426

Less Than 50 People Will Secure This Highly Valuable Coin Set – Will You Be One Of Them? You’ll need to be quick to get your hands on the latest release from Exclusive Coins – the Edward VII Coronation Set - as numbers are restricted to just 48 sets. “When particularly rare and valuable coins are released, we offer very limited numbers – and that’s why we have less than 50 of these sets available,” explains the Founder of Exclusive Coins. “That is because coins like this – that combine historical value with rarity – are prized assets, so we keep them as an investment. But we have a duty to share even our most valuable stock with our customers from time to time, hence this release. They are also beautiful coins and I’m sure we’ll sell out in a flash.” The set comprises two coins - a 22.ct gold full sovereign weighing 7.98 grams and a .925 silver full crown weighing 28.3 grams – presented in a deluxe presentation case.

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Each coin is dated 1902, the year of Edward’s coronation, and bears the world-renowned craftsmanship of the Royal Mint. As with anything associated with Edward VII, they have significant historical prestige and are highly collectable. The son of Queen Victoria, Edward – known as ‘Bertie’ to the Royal Family – reigned in a time remembered as a golden age of British history, before the country was

plunged into the horrors of the First World War. The set is available for £699.99, but Retirement Today readers only are offered an exclusive discounted price of just £649.99. Buyers also receive a FREE Coins of England Collector’s Guide, worth £29.99. Availability is limited to four sets per household and Exclusive Coins is predicting extremely high demand, so please act quickly.

To guarantee your Edward VII coronation set – buy now. Order online at www.exclusivecoins. co.uk/bertie, call Exclusive Coins on 0800 978 8542, or send a cheque to Exclusive, 320D High Road, Benfleet, Essex, SS7 5HB Delivery is free and fully insured

06/10/2016today 15:25 RETIREMENT

Eat in my Kitchen

eike Peters’s Mediterraneaninspired Berlin kitchen recipes are bursting with colour, beauty and great flavour. Here are a few of our chosen favourites.

Recipes taken from Eat in my Kitchen: to cook, to bake, to eat and to treat by Meike Peters. Photography © Meike Peters. Published by Prestel. ISBN 978-3-7913-8200-5

Ginger and Lemon Cauliflower Soup This is another recipe in which the supporting ingredients—in this case, ginger and lemon— bring life to cauliflower, a vegetable that can seem plain and cabbagey but is actually rather delicate and subtly sweet. Refined with assertive ginger and lemon, cauliflower can be surpris¬ingly light and fresh, a bit edgy but not at all intrusive. The cauliflower, citrus, and ginger combination works so well that I use it often in my kitchen. Oven roasting adds a wonderful hint of smokiness to this trio, but turning them into soup is one of the fastest recipes in my cauliflower repertoire—it takes just 15 minutes. Naturally smooth and velvety, this soup doesn’t require any butter or cream and is nearly pure vegetable. SERVES 2 TO 4 Olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, crushed 2 heaping teaspoons freshly grated ginger, plus more to taste 1 pound (450 g) cored cauliflower, cut into 2-inch (5 cm) florets 3⅓ cups (800 ml) vegetable broth, hot (see page 239) 1 bay leaf 4 long strips fresh lemon peel 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, plus more to taste Nutmeg, preferably freshly grated Fine sea salt Ground pepper FOR THE TOPPING Freshly grated lemon zest A few black peppercorns, crushed with a mortar and pestle Olive oil

Eat in my Kitchen

In a large pot, heat a splash of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for a few minutes or until soft and golden but not brown. Add the ginger and sauté, stir¬ring constantly, for 1 minute or until fragrant. Add the cauliflower, hot vegetable broth, bay leaf, lemon peel, and lemon juice and stir to combine. Season to taste with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for about 10 minutes or until the cauliflower is al dente. Remove the bay leaf and lemon peel and discard. Use a slotted ladle or spoon to remove about 7 ounces (200 g) of the cauliflower florets and set them aside. Purée the remaining soup in a food processor or blender, or with an immersion blender. If the soup is in a food processor or blender, return it to the pot. Season to taste with addi¬tional ginger, lemon juice, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Break the reserved cauliflower into bite-size pieces, if necessary, and gently stir it into the soup, or use it as a topping. Divide the soup among bowls, sprinkle with the grated lemon zest and crushed peppercorns, and drizzle with a little olive oil.

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Spiced Braised Lamb Shanks with Kumquat, Tomato, and Mint Meltingly tender braised lamb shanks cook slowly. They take their time – about two full hours – soaking up the dark juices of tomatoes and wine, and softening until the meat falls off the bone in succulent chunks. This is simple, rustic cooking, enhanced by a rich mixture of cardamom, cumin, coriander, and fennel seeds. Tiny sour-sweet kumquats are added for the last half hour of cooking, lending a bright citrus note to this aromatic feast. You can replace the kumquats with chunky orange wedges, and if you have the time, braise the meat a day ahead, as the flavors will deepen considerably.

FOR THE TOPPING 1 small handful fresh mint leaves Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). In a Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid, large enough to fit the meat, heat a splash of olive oil over high heat. Add the lamb shanks and sear, turning, for a few minutes or until browned on all sides. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove the meat from the pan and set it aside. Add a little more olive oil to the Dutch oven and place over medium-low heat. Add the fennel, coriander, cardamom, and cumin and sauté, stirring constantly, for 15 to 20 seconds or until fragrant. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes or until golden. Return the lamb to the Dutch oven and stir to mix it with the onion, garlic, and spices. Add the wine, tomatoes, orange peel, and bay leaves and season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix well and bring to a boil. Cover the Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid and place it in the oven. Cook the lamb for 1½ hours then add the kumquats, cover, and cook for another 30 minutes or until the meat is tender and falling off the bone. If you prefer a thicker sauce, transfer the meat and kumquats to a plate; cover and keep warm. Place the sauce on the stove and simmer until thickened. Remove and discard the orange peel and bay leaf and season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with fresh mint leaves, and serve with flatbread or boiled potatoes.

Pear and Blue Cheese Tart with Rosemary There are two recipes that I call my very best friends. Both have been with me for many years and created countless moments of utter bliss. The first is the Most Perfect Cinnamon Fruit Crumble Cake (see page 196) and the other is this tart with the most buttery, flaky crust. It’s as versatile as pizza, so you can use different vegetable and cheese combinations. Filling the pastry with pear wedges, crumbled blue cheese, and rosemary is a minimal take on the recipe. It’s an elegant savory tart, great for picnics, brunches, or as a starter for dinner. I always blind bake my crust, though I have to admit, I often skip the recommended step of lining the dough with dried legumes. Instead, I just prick the dough with a fork to keep it from bubbling up, but the choice is yours. SERVES 4 TO 8 FOR THE PASTRY 2 cups (260 g) all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon fine sea salt ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon (130 g) unsalted butter, cold 1 large egg FOR THE TOPPING 2 large, firm pears, cored and cut into thin wedges 3 ounces (85 g) aromatic blue cheese, such as Stilton, Roquefort, Fourme d’Ambert or Gorgonzola, crumbled 3 medium sprigs fresh rosemary, needles only 3 tablespoons olive oil Flaky sea salt A few black peppercorns, crushed with a mortar and pestle For the pastry, combine the flour and salt in a large bowl. Add the butter and use a knife to cut it into the flour until there are just small pieces left. Quickly rub the butter into the flour with your fingers until combined. Add the egg and mix with the dough hooks of an electric mixer until crumbly. Form the dough into a thick disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and freeze for 10 minutes. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). On a table or countertop, place the dough between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and use a rolling pin to roll out into a disc large enough to line the bottom and sides of a 12-inch (30 cm) quiche dish. Fit the dough into the quiche dish, pushing it into the dish, especially along the edges. Let the dough hang over the rim a little or trim with a knife. Use a fork to prick the dough all over. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until golden. If the dough bubbles up, push it down with a fork. (If you blind bake the pastry under parchment paper and dried legumes, remove the paper and legumes after 15 minutes and bake uncovered for a few more minutes until golden.) Arrange the pear wedges in overlapping circles on top of the warm, pre-baked pastry, sprinkle with the cheese and most of the rosemary, drizzle with the olive oil, and season to taste with flaky sea salt and crushed peppercorns. Bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the pastry is crisp. Sprinkle with the remaining rosemary and enjoy warm or cold. RETIREMENT

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Eat in my Kitchen

SERVES 4 Olive oil 4 lamb shanks, about 2¼ pounds (1 kg) total Fine sea salt Ground pepper 2 teaspoons fennel seeds, crushed with a mortar and pestle 1 teaspoon coriander seeds, crushed with a mortar and pestle 1 teaspoon ground cardamom 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 medium onion, finely chopped 4 cloves garlic, cut in half 1¾ cups (415 ml) dry white wine 14 ounces (400 g) fresh or canned whole peeled tomatoes, chopped 4 long strips fresh orange peel 2 bay leaves 8 kumquats (not cut)

UPDATE

Brighten up your Winter Winter makes us cold, cranky and craving for carbohydrates, and the lack of daylight can leave people feeling low and depressed. These are all symptoms of S.A.D. & the Winter Blues which can affect up to 35% of the British Population. Light, like water and air, is essential to our well-being and luckily there is an easy answer. The S.A.D. Lightbox Company have a range of specifically designed lightboxes that produce the necessary intensity and quality of light for optimum body performance and quite dramatic results can be achieved with as little as 30 minutes treatment a day. Extensive research conducted over the past 20 years has shown that bright light therapy has been proven to help. Just put a lightbox on the breakfast table, read or work next to it every morning or use it on your desk throughout the day and feel the difference. The lightbox works by reducing the melatonin in the blood (which makes you feel sleepy and lethargic) and increases your levels of serotonin. A lightbox can help reset your body clock, lift your mood and make you feel more energised and positive whenever it is dull and grey. For more information on how to avoid SAD and enjoy more energy this winter visit www.sad.uk.com or 01844 353 136

1 in 3 Brits more concerned about retirement post Brexit With Britain divided on the decision to leave the EU, research by online pension adviser Wealth Wizards has revealed that one in three (31%) working Brits are now more concerned about their pension and retirement. Forty per cent admitted that they did not consider the implications to their pension when voting and perhaps unsurprisingly half of those who voted to remain in the EU voiced concerns about their pension. Even 1 in 8 (15%) leave voters stated their concerns around pensions.

Update

What is more, many Brits stated that they were not as informed as they would have liked to be. The research revealed that thirty eight per cent have no idea how well diversified their pensions are and thirty one per cent of Brits feel that it is their employers responsibility to provide them with advice following the result. When asked whether they would have voted differently had they considered the implications for their pension, more than one in ten (11%) said that they would.

Andrew Firth, CEO of online pension adviser (robo-adviser) Wealth Wizards said: “As we look towards a future of change, there has never been a more acute time for people to understand their pensions and the options available to them. While there is still a great deal of uncertainty, it is encouraging that people are taking responsibility for their financial future and are realising that planning for their retirement is not an abstract idea to be dealt with in the future but something to be addressed in the here and now.” RETIREMENT

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It’s never too late’ to get active says Age UK There are over 11.4 million people aged 65 or over in the UK and nearly half (45.3%) are considered to be inactive, compared to 27.7% of the population. A number of leading experts will come together this week at Age UK’s ‘It’s never too late’ conference to discuss the positive effect that physical activity can have on ageing and how it is never too late to get active. A report earlier in the year by leading researchers BritainThinks found older people living with long term conditions such as asthma or arthritis knew their health would improve if they did more physical activity, but the majority found it difficult to see how they could actually achieve this. With an ageing population and stretched resources for health and social care, Age UK is keen to encourage others to develop exercise programmes. The conference will showcase the positive impact their own programmes - Inspire & include (funded by Sport England) and Get going together (funded by GlaxoSmithKline) have had on the health and wellbeing of older people

Calling all iPad or Android Tablet owners... If you ever find your tablet frustrating, aren’t quite sure how to do things or just think you might not be getting all you should from it, read on...

manual, it’s on the device, so you can only get at it if you already know how to use the thing! And when you do get at it, it’s usually written assuming you already know how to use it - which makes it a bit pointless. That’s why I’ve written these books: iPads One Step at a Time and Android Tablets One Step at a Time (ideal for all Android tablets). Plain English - that’s not all... They explain how to use the device, in plain simple language, with pictures of the screen showing exactly where to tap or slide your ﬁngers. No jargon! Only Half the Story... That’s only half the story, but I don’t have room to explain what I mean by that here. So I’ve put together full information on the books - who they’re for, what they cover and so on. What’s more, the books also come with a small free gift – no room to explain that here, either! “Better than WHSmith’s Best”? As soon as these books came out, I started getting comments like...

“Thank you for producing such a superb book – it is really helping me. I had bought one (a book) in W H Smiths a short while ago and couldn’t get on with it at all!” J.S. and “I am delighted with the new book on tablets, so many things I didn’t understand before, being of the ‘retired brigade’ it’s a great help.” – Doreen Wadsworth Don’t buy now, do this instead Anyway, don’t buy now. Instead, you can ﬁnd out the full details about what’s covered, who they’re ideal for and what you might be missing out on, then decide. Just ask for a free information pack. Quick and Easy to Get Yours Why not ring or write oﬀ for the full information now? There’s no obligation at all. Discover what the books will do for you and about

your free gift that comes with them. (And don’t worry, we won’t pass your address to anyone else.) Call, email or post the coupon Ring Simone, Emma, Michelle or Jess on 01229 777606 or send the coupon below to 13B Devonshire Road Estate, Millom, Cumbria, LA18 4JS. Or email your name and postal address to us at: Retirement10@helpfulbooks.co.uk You don’t even need to know which type of tablet you have: the infopack will explain how to tell. There’s no obligation, no cost. You have nothing to lose so why not do it now, while you think of it? Best not risk losing the details, reply to ask for your free infopack today. Only available direct from the publisher. Best send for info now

Yes, please send me a free info-pack about iPads One Step at a Time and Android Tablets One Step at a Time. It’s free & there’s no obligation.

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We won’t share your details with anyone else

ablets are becoming hugely popular. And no wonder they’re lighter and easier to carry around than a PC. You can sit in a comfy armchair and browse the web or even video call your family around the world. They’re easier to use than PCs in lots of ways, too. But there’s a catch. In fact, two. Catch number 1: They’re diﬀerent from PCs. So if you already know how to use a PC, you have to start again. Catch number 2 (the big one!): There are lots of important features that are “hidden”. There’s no button for them, saying “click here”. And you simply can’t work it out. You need to know to slide the screen from the left, or drag the thingy-me-bob to the right. Someone needs to tell you these things – it’s just not possible to work it out as you wouldn’t even know they’re there! If I ran the world... If I ran the world, these devices would come with a proper manual. But when they do come with a

Postcode RE1016A Post to The Helpful Book Co, 13B Devonshire Rd Est, Millom, Cumbria, LA18 4JS or call 01229 777606

Postgraduate courses available in Humanities, Languages & Social Science January 2017 entry: • MA / MFA Creative Writing • MA European Philosophy • MSc Communication, Behaviour and Credibility Analysis MA / MFA Creative Writing and MA European Philosophy available to study on-campus and through online learning. Other courses are available for September 2017 entry, see website for full details. Visit us at our Postgraduate Fair on 16 November 2-6pm or 22 February 2-6pm.

Find out more: mmu.ac.uk/hlss/postgrad

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Who will look after him when you’re gone? You promised your dog a lifetime of companionship and love. But, if you should die first, who would look after him then? Battersea will help you keep your promise, and will care for him until we find him the perfect new home. The Forever Loved card gives you peace of mind and the knowledge that your promise won’t die with you. Keep your promise to your beloved pets with a Forever Loved card from Battersea. Send or call for your Forever Loved information pack today Mr/Mrs/Ms/other

First name

Surname Address Postcode Telephone

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home would love to call you, to talk about the amazing difference you have made and how your financial support can help more dogs and cats. Please share your telephone number if you’re happy for us to contact you in this way. Battersea Dogs & Cats Home would like to contact you by post in future about how your financial support can help our dogs and cats. If you do not wish to be contacted please let us know by writing on this form or using the contact details below. Supporter Services contact details: Freepost RTLJ-ETCZ-SCCZ, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, 4 Battersea Park Road, London SW8 4AA Email: fundraising@battersea.org.uk battersea.org.uk/forever Registered charity No. 206394 AC85

Forgotten someone? Our Pet Care Card is our promise. We’ll give your treasured companion a safe and happy future after you’ve gone. Finding a home filled with as much love and care as your own. Apply today for peace of mind. Pet Care Card Registered Charity No: 1090499 National Animal Welfare Trust Tyler’s Way Watford Bypass Watford, Herts WD25 8WT

020 8950 0177

Call 020 8950 0177 or visit www.nawt.org.uk 12

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Pets make good companions in retirement

hat could be more relaxing than the gentle purr of a cat at your side or a trusty dog bounding down the hall to welcome you.With the uncertain prospect of retirement just around the corner and without the background buzz of office politics and the frantic commute to work a pet may give you companionship just when you need it most.

Perfect time to rescue a pet Trading in your helter-skelter work life for the calmer reaches of retirement can be a worrying time of readjustment to a different pace. Adopting a rescue cat could be just the tonic you need to smooth your path at the beginning of your new life. Many pets crave human company and now you have more time on your hands you can devote more energy to looking after them and they in turn can pay you back by being a good companion especially if you are on your own or spend most of your time at home. Pets may seem to be uncomplicated as they chase a ball of wool or their own tail. In reality they are anything but.A cat can miaow in 100 different ways and a dog has hearing 1,000 times more acute than humans. They can bring life, love and warmth to a home. Research has shown they can reduce stress and encourage their owners to become livelier and younger. With the unconditional love that pets can lavish on their owners they can reduce feelings of loneliness and help in times of crisis. Dogs can take you for walks and give you much needed exercise and then you might meet someone you haven’t seen for some time or someone new to you that you can swap dog tales with so there’s a social side too. Cats spend two-thirds of their life asleep and watching a warm round ball of fur doze and dream beside you on the settee is one of

the most relaxing things you can do without moving. Of course, there are times when you have to get up for the morning feed but maybe getting out of bed a bit earlier is just the discipline you need.

will ask you questions about your lifestyle, household, experience of pet ownership and other aspects that will help them pick out the pets in their care that could match your situation.

Matching personality of pet to owner is critical

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home

Sadly more pets are being abused and abandoned in this day and age and pet charities are always on the lookout for new considerate owners to give them the love and attention they deserve. Matching the personality of the pet to a new owner is critical to success. Some pets may be exuberant, full of life, and eager for exercise. Others may be happy to snuggle down in a quiet corner and go to sleep. Some may be young and playful, others more measured in their ways. Applying to adopt a pet is as easy as picking up the phone or better still going to a centre to register. They

According to the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, one of the biggest rescue centers, 70 per cent of the pets left in their care are by owners who for various reasons are unable to look after them. They say finding an ideal matchup with pet and potential adopter can happen very quickly or it can take some time.. A potential adopter would also need to accept that the commitment is a serious one and think of the financial cost of looking after a pet with innoculations, food, and holiday implications. Last year the Centre rehomed over 5,600 dogs and cats and they pride themselves on accepting any breed,any age,

CASE STUDIES Leila’s story by Brother Barnabas-Francis My psychiatrist recommended me to adopt a pet to help with depression. On a sunday in mid-September I received a call from Battersea to say they had found a match,a six and half year old Jack Russell bitch called Leila. When I took her home she trotted in as if she had lived there her whole life, explored a bit and decided her seat was on a sofa next to me. During the past 4 months we have walked every day for 3 hours. Leila has made lots of doggy friends and I have made some new friends too. As an added bonus I have lost two and a half stone and gone from 42.5 inch waist down to 35.6. RETIREMENT

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Pets make good companions in retirement

By Mike Francis

even in serious medical condition. Helpfully, if looking after a pet gets too much for an elderly person the Centre will willingly take back the animal into their care.

Pets make good companions in retirement

National Animal Welfare Trust This is also a particular concern of the National Animal Welfare Trust who conducted research recently that showed half of potential owners in the 65 plus age group were put off from adopting a pet that might outlive them. Sadly these were the very same people who said a pet would relieve them of loneliness. To provide peace of mind for older people the NAWT has set up a Pet Card service which guarantees to offer pets a safe and happy future after their owners have gone.They also run an Open Paws volunteer service to encourage people to get involved with feeding and training animals at their centres. The Trust provides care and shelter for stray,rejected or unwanted animals of all kinds and to find suitable homes for them. Based in the South of England they have branches in Hertfordshire, Essex, Berkshire, Somerset and Cornwall.

Hidden talents One Summer evening we were dining alfresco on the lawn with some friends. The light was beginning to fade when all of a sudden a cat leapt onto a narrow ledge halfway up a wall stealthily walked along it then turned at right angles and followed it until it petered out leaving the cat stranded.

CASE STUDIES Retirees Gill and Keith We have three cats of our own at home and now volunteer on a weekly basis at the NAWT Berkshire Centre as the training has enabled us to have more interaction with the dogs as well as continuing our socialising with the cats. We would highly recommend this training to any volunteer not only for the knowledge and hence confidence to provide valuable assistance with the work of the NAWT but also for the training and care of one’s own pets.

For further information: Battersea Dogs and Cats Home www.battersea.org.uk tel: 0208 371 4375

National Animal Welfare trust www. nawt.org.uk tel: 0208 950 0177 (option1)

Animals in need of homes Shelly (cat) Domestic Semi Long Hair, 13 years old A sweet, confident and independent older cat who would suit an adult only home. Enjoys attention and fuss on her terms. Not a lapcat and is equally happy outside. Could be homed with a calm and laidback cat but no dogs. Shelly is at NAWT Berkshire in Great Shefford.

Animals in need of homes

Flower (dog)

After a few minutes the cat began to retrace its steps inching slowly backwards, then backing round the corner until it reached safety. The longer you own pets the more you can appreciate their talents and companionship but no matter how long you have one they will always surprise you.

Border Terrier, 6 years old A very sweet dog who would suit a quiet home, can be timid in new situations. Can be a little unsure at first but a very friendly and affectionate little dog once you gain her trust. Happy going for short, gentle strolls. Not used to being left so will need someone at home for large parts of the day so that this length of time can be built up. Could live with another dog of a similar temperament but no cats or visiting children. She is at NAWT’s Clacton rehoming centre. RETIREMENT

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Handsome (dog) Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross, 14 years old A friendly older gentleman who would suit a quieter home. Despite his age he still enjoys his walks and being out and about. He’s happy to be left for up to four hours and will make a fantastic, loving companion. Would be best suited to a home as the only pet and is at NAWT’s Hertfordshire centre in Watford.

AJ (dog) Terrier Staff Bull, 8-9 years A friendly, older gentlemen looking for a friendly, older companion just like him to keep company. He likes to wag his tail a lot and has a picture-perfect Staffie Smile that will melt anyone’s heart. He’s a bit of an explorer but at the same time he enjoys relaxing with people. AJ is based at Battersea Old Windsor. He is looking for owners who have experience with rescue dogs.

Indie (cat) Domestic Short-Hair, 11-12 years A confident, happy cat. Loves nothing more than a good brush and scratch behind the ears. She is a calm, relaxed and friendly girl who likes her home comforts, but will still pop up to find out what’s going on and say hello. Indie is at Battersea Brands Hatch and ideally would like a garden to roam around in. Indie would prefer a home without any young children.

Silkey (cat) Domestic Short-Hair, 10-11 years A very gentle cat who can be quite shy. He can sometimes be a bit wary of his surroundings but loves attention and cuddles!. Silkey is looking for a pleasant, quiet home to relax in, preferably with a garden. Silkey is at Battersea London. Looking for a calm environment with adults or older teens. No other cats or dogs. Prospective owners will need to speak to the Battersea vet before rehoming.

Do you love caring for animals, if yes this could be for you We are looking for additional house and pet sitters nationwide. Sitters must be mature, have experience and a great love of animals. If you are a couple or single, male or female you would be expected to reside in our clients homes caring for their home and pets whilst they are away.

GC CG CAER GWENT part of Guild Care est. 1933

It is a responsible position, which you can do at anytime as long as you are available a minimum of sixteen weeks per year.

Luxury living at

Caer Gwent Caer Gwent offers ﬁve star luxury living in Worthing, West Sussex for people who appreciate the ﬁner things in life.

Call Animal Angels Ltd on:

01256 764141 www.animalangels.co.uk

The ﬁne dining menus are devised by a restaurant quality chef and activities are tailored to your interests, including a social atmosphere with regular live entertainment.

Registered charity 1044658 established 1933

Sussex Life 28-06-16.indd 1

Your legacy is our future

At Caer Gwent a standard room will be spacious, have an en-suite and sumptuous soft furnishings. A concierge is also at hand to assist you.

7/12/2016 11:09:46 AM

DO YOU KNOW THAT SENDING GOODS TO AUCTION CAN INCUR SIGNIFICANT CHARGES.

EVEN IF YOUR GOODS DON’T SELL OR MEET THE RESERVE YOU WILL OWE THE AUCTION HOUSE MONEY. If you have ever loved an animal you will know how important their health is. Everything the Animal Health Trust does has the health and welfare of companion animals at its heart. Thanks to previous legacy gifts, the AHT is constantly finding new ways to prevent and reduce the suffering of present and future generations.

For your FREE Legacy Guide please call: 01638 555648 or email us: legacies@aht.org.uk or visit us online: www.aht.org.uk (please quote reference RT15) Registered charity number: 209642

Discreet lady antique dealer – available to visit client in own home, fair and honest prices given. Interested in a wide range of antique, vintage, and 20th century items. Tel 01296 632706 and speak to Wendy Cummings in the first instance or email chilternvintage@gmail.com RETIREMENT

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Christmas Card Appeal Residential Courses Summer Schools Workshops Concerts

Every year the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society pays over £1m in grants to the dependants of those lost at sea, as well as sick, disabled and retired seafarers struggling to make ends meet. Please help us to continue this important work.

Wind String Keyboard Composing Conducting

• Quality Christmas Cards • Gift items • CorrespondenCe Cards • Birthday Cards • nautiCal heritaGe Calendar To receive a copy of our new 2016 brochure and order form please contact: Dept RT, 1 North Pallant, Chichester PO19 1TL Tel: 01243 789329 • Fax: 01243 530853

e-mail: general@shipwreckedmariners.org.uk

www.shipwreckedmariners.org.uk

www.benslowmusic.org

Reg Charity No 212034 Inst. 1839

Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society

01462 459446 • info@benslowmusic.org

Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG4 9RB A company limited by guarantee. Registered in England no 408404. Reg Charity no 313663

Supporting the seafaring community for over 175 years

Retirement Today_Spring.indd 1

03/03/2016 15:12:21

Why collect Jersey stamps? Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity

Jersey Post’s philatelic team works closely with specially commissioned illustrators, artists, designers and photographers to create fascinating stamp issues inspired by the Island’s heritage, special anniversaries, traditions and Jersey’s links to celebrated figures and world events.

The Great War – 100 Years, Part Three: Battles

Available in specially designed Presentation Packs or affixed to First Day Cover Envelopes, Jersey stamps make beautiful collectables.

Popular Culture - The 1950s 50 Years of the Jersey Old Motor Club Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 90th Birthday Celebration Lunar New Year Year of the Monkey

RAF Search and Rescue 75th Anniversary

Europa 2016 - Think Green

The 5th Wedding Anniversary of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

The Royal Legacy of Queen Victoria King George V

Contact us to receive our free quarterly stamp bulletin. Set up a subscription with us and we’ll post each new release direct to your door making sure that you never miss an issue.

View the full range and order online www.jerseystamps.com Email: stamps@jerseypost.com or call us on +44 (0) 1534 516320 16

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www.facebook.com/jerseystamps

@JerseyStamps

MUSIC! MUSIC! MUSIC! By Mike Francis

CONSORTING VIOLS The courses have intriguing titles like Consorting Viols, Elementary Winds, and Speed Dating for Strings and Piano. Clarinets in the Community has the inspired idea of preparing a programme for performance in local care homes for older audiences no longer able to get to the concert hall. For those who are able to get out there are regular evening concerts featuring classical, folk, jazz and other music and monthly performances on Monday afternoons. In the latest brochure 117 classes are listed, graded from standard up to advanced level, as well as a new feature, a series of lunchtime talks on music and lifestyle from specific decades.

A CHANCE TO SING I was fortunate to attend one of these courses which gave the assembled singers a chance to jog through a century of songs escorted on the piano by our jovial tutor. A slide projector ensured we were all singing from the same hymn sheet and we managed from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon to sing our way through 34 songs from the Victorian music hall era and both world wars to the witty ditty songs of Coward, Flanders and Swann.

Along the way we picked up some interesting background detail of the songs we were singing and advice on breathing, phrasing and diction. You soon discover that singing with others gives you an immediate connection and you make friends very quickly. Coffee, tea and meal breaks are timetabled to fit in with other courses so you can mingle with others studying different disciplines and the tasty food freshly made on the premises is served in generous helpings with a special sit down lunch on Sundays.

ROOMS WITH VIEWS You can elect to stay overnight during your course by paying a residential fee. I stayed in a clean and comfortable high-ceilinged room with a pine floor and elegant antique furnishing in the main Victorian building but there are several annexes within the campus including a coach house and a lodge which cater for different tastes. For those who need to rehearse while staying here a play and stay visit will allow you to use one of ten private rooms complete with piano to practice on until you are perfect! Even if you not musically minded you can still bed and breakfast here without going on any course and just admire the country scenery instead.

OUTDOOR MUSIC IN THE GARDEN Meanwhile outside there is music of a different kind. In the four acres of attractive garden you may hear the chirp of the birds, the sound of a motor mower, or the gentle tinkle of a piano through a half open window. Near the hives in a remote corner of the garden bees buzz because Benson Music makes its own honey available for sale.You can relax and listen to all this alfresco music from one of the cosy nooks in the garden where you can meet up with people from other courses or just have a quiet break on your own.

PERFECT HARMONY Making music with others whether instrumentally or vocally is a particularly relaxing, rewarding way of spending your retirement time and a good way to meet new friends. For further information: www.benslowmusic.org Tel 01462 459446 RETIREMENT

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Music! Music! Music!

ost of us have sung at some time in the bath or the shower but few of us venture beyond the four walls of the bathroom to a wider audience outside. Yet singing is good for us helping us breathe properly, release tension, make the blood flow and express our emotions while harmonising with others. Helping people to flex their vocal chords is only a small part of the repertoire of Benslow Music in Hitchin, Hertfordshire which has been going since 1929 and is probably the only organisation in the world providing a year-round variety of short music courses for nonprofessionals. Music is king here whether plucked on a ukulele, played on a harpsichord, swung by a big band, or simply featuring the instrument that everyone carries, your voice.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s: The Making of an Icon

t’s the moment that defined Hepburn’s career – and the role for which she’ll forever be remembered. Holly Golightly climbs out of a yellow taxi onto Fifth Avenue. It’s dawn in New York and she’s still wearing her little black cocktail dress from the previous evening, as she stops to gaze wistfully into the window of Tiffany’s jewellers while finishing her breakfast of coffee and a Danish pastry. The pearl choker, black gloves and oversized shades may have provided the telling details for Holly’s aspiring good-time girl character, but it was the timeless Givenchy little black dress that every fashion-loving female wanted as soon as she saw in it in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961). And, despite the passage of time, this stunning frock, complete with eye-catching cut-out shape at the back, has stayed firmly in fashion.The simple, sleeveless dress would in fact become the emblem for Audrey’s legacy as a fashion tastemaker – and a Hollywood icon in its own right. In 2010, Givenchy’s design placed top of a LoveFilm survey of The Greatest Female Movie Outfits of All Time. Taking inspiration from Coco Chanel’s innovation of the little black dress in the 1920s, Givenchy had made a deliberate style choice to keep Golightly’s look simple and chic for this scene – and for the rest of the movie. Holly’s style was modern elegance personified. In fact, with her regal hair, chignon, pearls and long gloves she could almost be mistaken for a princess, a deliberate distraction from the character’s true profession – a call girl. As Audrey herself would later admit, “I always looked like such a good little girl, and I always used that image to my advantage.” In contrast with some of her earlier, more simplistic roles, this divide between inner character and outward appearance added unknowable depths to the morally ambiguous Holly – a girl who lived off men

paying her what was somewhat euphemistically described as “fifty dollars for the powder room”. Even her pearls speak emphatically of Holly’s longing for a better life, and it’s this “nice girl caught in the wrong place” that George Peppard’s character – Paul – falls desperately in love with. Another clever style motif is the recycling of Holly’s clothing throughout the film. It makes perfect sense that a struggling city girl would have limited options, but Golightly, much like the young Audrey, cunningly makes each piece worn again look different, thanks to accessory changes – such as adding a feather hat, a coloured scarf or big earrings. For example, the little black dresses are seen several times, but they never look like the same outfit – showing much of the thrifty style creativity Audrey displayed back in her chorus girl days. By resisting the temptation to turn Holly’s gritty story into an unrealistic fashion parade, the clothing choices were again made more real and accessible to everyday women. And, once again, in their droves they dutifully copied Audrey’s lead, down to every last detail. Indeed, the movie was so influential upon release that the ACPCA (an American animal charity) reported being inundated with requests for ginger toms like Holly’s beloved “Cat” in the film! After Audrey’s death in 1993, Givenchy donated the iconic black dress from the opening scene to a charity in Calcutta run by French author and philanthropist Dominique Lapierre. The dress was subsequently put up for auction at Christie’s in London, with the description from the brochure reading: The sleeveless, floor-length gown with fitted bodice embellished at the back with distinctive cut out décolleté, the skirt slightly gathered at the waist and slit to the thigh on one side, labelled on the waistband Givenchy; accompanied by a pair of black elbow length gloves…

By the early sixties Audrey’s style had evolved into the famous mini beehive with fringe seen in Green Meadows (1959) and then with highlights in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961). She was to return to this classic hairstyle many times in her fifties and sixties.

The blue jeans. grey sweater and hadscraf ensemble Holly wears as she sings her unforgettable rendition of “Moon River” on the fire escape were designed by Hollywood costumier Edith Head. “The real girl comes alive in the blue jeans. Every woman is an actress in a Paris gown”, observed Audrey.

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Everlasting icon: Audrey’s unforgettable Breakfast at Tiffany’s pose in 1961, resplendent with beehive up-do and long silver cigarette holder.

Extract from The Little Book of Audrey Hepburn by Caroline Jones, published by Carlton Books www.carltonbooks.co.uk All photo by Everett/REX/Shutterstock

Breakfast at Tiffany’s: The Making of an Icon

It sold in December 2006 for £467,200 (approx. US$665,000) – then the largest amount to have been paid for a film costume – and a thrilled Lapierre said: “I am absolutely dumbfounded to believe that a piece of cloth which belonged to such a magical actress will now enable me to buy bricks and cement to put the most destitute children in the world into schools.” Hepburn, a devoted supporter of humanitarian causes, would most certainly have approved. Audrey’s star had been steadily ascending after the success of Roman Holiday (1953), Sabrina (1954) and Funny Face (1957) in the preceding decade, but it was this performance in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) that showcased her range as an actress – and has since proved the most lasting monument to her talent. For the introverted Audrey to pull off the extroverted Holly Golightly was certainly one of her most demanding roles – or “one of the jazziest of my career” as she herself described it. But it’s the underlying tinge of melancholy and sense of “little girl lost” that makes her portrayal so vivid and touching – and one that women today still strongly identify with. Indeed, so inextricably linked are Holly and Audrey in our imagination, it’s hard to imagine that Marilyn Monroe was American writer Truman Capote’s first choice to play the character in the movie version of his novella. Instead Hepburn’s indelible take on the character, with her sparkle tinged with sadness, and above all, her effortlessly chic wardrobe, has left its mark on the fashion world ever since, with modern designers continuing to include Holly-inspired elements in their collections, while countless fans still make a fashion pilgrimage to Tiffany’s on Fifth Avenue, standing on the same spot their heroine graced some 65 years ago.

This scene from the movie put how dresses looked from behind firmly at the forefront of the fashion follower’s mind and spawned a million imitations. RETIREMENT

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CMY

From 1875, 18 Stafford Terrace was the family home of ‘Punch’ cartoonist, Edward Linley Sambourne. The house gives an insight into the personal lives of the Sambourne family and provides a rare example of what was known as an 'Aesthetic interior' or 'House Beautiful' style. Open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays 11am Conventional and Costumed Guided tours 2- 5:30pm Public Open Access Evening and Private tours also available 18 Stafford Terrace, Kensington, London W8 7BH Visit www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums #18staffordterrace

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2x1

Open A

18 STAFFORD TERRACE

cess Quote ‘2F at Fron OR1’ t Ends 3 Desk 0/10/16

the sambourne family home STEP BACK IN TIME TO 1899

Out&About... 18 STAFFORD TERRACE:

THE SAMBOURNE FAMILY HOME STEP BACK IN TIME TO 1899 2for1 ticket offer until end of October

From 1875, 18 Stafford Terrace was the home of Punch cartoonist Edward Linley Sambourne, his wife Marion, their two children and their live-in servants. The house gives an insight into the personal lives of the Sambourne family, who lived in the house for 36 years, and also provides a rare example of what was known as an ‘Aesthetic interior’ or ‘House Beautiful’ style. The Aesthetic Movement of the late nineteenth century advocated the use of foreign or ‘exotic’ influences in the decoration of the home. This can be seen by the various Japanese, Middle-Eastern and Chinese objects throughout the Sambournes’ home. The interiors at 18 Stafford Terrace have remained practically intact throughout the years and are very much a product of Linley’s taste. For Linley, the acquisition of objects, and furniture in particular, was an almost obsessive enthusiasm. He told a journalist in 1893: “What you see is the very best. That has been my principle throughout; not to buy anything but what was really good. But it has taken time to accumulate. There has not been an unlimited exchequer to draw upon “ To mark the reopening of the house, which remained closed to the public during the summer for cleaning and maintenance, visitors will have the chance to benefit from an attractive 2for1 ticket offer valid from 21 September to 30 October 2016. Pre-booking is required. www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums

Christmas at The Railway! Experience the pomp and pageantry of the

2016 Birmingham International Tattoo

Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th December

Britain’s biggest indoor international tattoo, with over 1,000 performers, will return to Birmingham bringing together international military and other marching bands from Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland and the United Kingdom to the Barclaycard Arena in November. They will be joined by exciting displays including field gun, dog display teams and many other performers culminating in a spectacular grand finale. Whether you prefer the spectacle of the international marching bands or thrills of the exciting displays, this annual spectacular is sure to prove popular with both young and old as there is something for all the family at the three hour event. Experience over three hours of pageantry and spectacle in the comfort of the Barclaycard Arena. The 2016 Birmingham International Tattoo will take place at the Barclaycard Arena on Saturday 26th November at 6pm and Sunday 27th November at 2pm. Visit www.birminghamtattoo.co.uk for more information.

Painting Paradise: The Art of the Garden

The Queen’s Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh Until 26 February 2017 Whether a sacred sanctuary, a place for scientific study, a haven for the solitary thinker or a space for pure enjoyment and delight, gardens are where mankind and nature meet. Over 75 paintings, drawings, books, manuscripts and decorative arts from the Royal Collection explore the changing character of the garden from the 16th to the early 20th century. See the many ways in which the garden has been celebrated in art, with some of the earliest and rarest surviving depictions of gardens and plants. www.royalcollection.org.uk RETIREMENT

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Out & About

Want to treat the Grandchildren this Christmas? Why not bring them to Buckinghamshire Railway Centre and see Father Christmas on a steam train – Santa’s Grotto with a difference! When you book your tickets, you will be asked to choose your preferred train time, so make sure you arrive in plenty of time! On the day, you will be shown to your reserved seats. The train sets off and takes you up and down their 1/3 mile length of track as you await the arrival of Father Christmas and his elves. Father Christmas makes his way through all the carriages, stopping to talk to the children and give them all a present. All children will receive an age-related present from Father Christmas – including babes in arms. For those of you with Thomas the Tank Engine fans, you’ll be excited to hear that Thomas will be pulling Father Christmas’ train for the first three weekends, and they’ll also have the chance to meet the Fat Controller. For the final weekend before Christmas (17/18th December), one of The Railway’s own restored steam engines will be pulling Father Christmas’ train instead. Dates: See Father Christmas on Thomas the Tank Engine: Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th November Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th December Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th December See Father Christmas on a BRC steam locomotive: Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th December How to book: Pre-booking is required. www.bucksrailcentre.org Tel. 01296 655720 Facebook page, ‘Buckinghamshire Railway Centre’

This Christmas put a tree under the tree

Visit woodlandtrust.org.uk/ dedicateforchristmas or call 0330 333 5302 to find out more

Picking the perfect present can be tricky but tree and woodland dedications make an ideal gift. Simple, local and surprisingly affordable, you’ll be giving something to wildlife and nature too. And they don’t need wrapping either.

The Woodland Trust is a charity registered in England and Wales no. 294344 and in Scotland no. SC038885. Image: Istock. 8690 09/16

JJC JJ C C J JC

J JC J JC

JJ COOPER & SONS Exclusive Park Home Estates

HERE QUALITY IS A FAMILY TRADITION

New development of 30 bungalow style park homes, nearly all sold at Garstons Park, last few remaining. Prices from £145.000. All prices on all our parks include Landscaped Garden & Driveway. Private Residential Estates for the over 45s. New Stateley Albion Topaz 45x20 available at California Country Park Homes for July 2015. Price £295,000 New Stately Albion Badminton 32x22 available at Upton Cross Park for May 2015. Price £190,000 One of our parks receive a new park home each month of the year! We have a pre-booked build slot in place with various manufacturers to guarantee you minimal wait time for your new park home.

New Stately Albion 45 x 20

New Stately Albion Badminton 32 x 22

Exclusive Park Home Estates at: Garstons Park Home Village, Tilehurst, Berkshire, RG31 4TS (Head Office). California Country Park, Finchampstead, Berkshire, RG40 4HT | Kingsleigh Park, Thundersley, Essex, SS7 3QJ Cambridge Lodge Park, Horley, Surrey, RH6 8PR | Upton Cross Park, Poole, Dorset, BH16 5PN | Oxford Park Homes, Sandford-on-Thames, Oxford, OX4 4YT | Bungalow Park, Amesbury, Wiltshire, SP4 7PJ | Robann Park, Fareham, Hampshire.

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Footloose in Austria by Debra Rixon

e arrived at Hallstatt the traditional Claudia from the Tourist Office way, by bus & train from Salzburg introduced us to Ulrike, a town guide, and rolled our cases down the path to and we had such a good time with her. the jetty to find the ferry just gliding Her sense of humour was mischievous, towards us. It gave us time to catch our which suits mine, so we got on like a breath - the view of Hallstatt across house on fire, which I suppose is bit the water had well and truly taken it away. It really is picture of a ‘non-pc’ thing to say as 35 houses perfect; nary a ripple on the pristine lake, the spire of the were destroyed in the village in their Protestant church narrow and dark above its white body. Great Fire. They all know each other, The ferry drops you at the jetty which is close to the main it’s such a small place, and Mia was market square of Hallstatt, which is pretty and traditional another guide at the Salt Mine who with wooden houses and a fountain in the centre. There was very good. are few cars in Hallstatt - the town is so lovely they want We walked up the Salz Berg to the to keep it that way. If you come by road - and there are mine, but you can take a funicular from excellent links - you have to leave your vehicle at the car the bottom. There are 7000 year old park outside the town. Only a few tourist coaches or local historic graves at the top of the berg, traffic is allowed to come down the tunnel into the town the discovery of which created a new itself. And I prefer it that way.There are also few hotels; ours time-line in man’s history. The Salt (the Hirlatz) was owned and managed by the Höll family Mine really is a ‘great day out’ - Mia and was a 15 minute drag of the case or a very short taxi didn’t rush us along, we all had time ride from the main square. to lick the walls and touch and poke Kätte Höll was in charge, a charming and lively woman things, and the slides were of course who instantly made us feel welcome. Once we were the main event.You have to dress up in introduced to her father, Herr Höll, and saw the family uniform to protect your clothes, and photographs of him with his dog and walking stick high possibly go faster down the wooden up on alms or snowline, we realised we had found a fellow slides. It is unnerving just launching walker. And what a walker he was! If he felt inclined, he yourself on these things; it’s been such would take parties of guests out on guided walks into a long time since I went down a slide the Dachstein Mountains, and I had no doubt on the ‘recreation ground’ whatsoever that he would easily outstrip most of You really do with my little son clamped them and barely miss a breath either. He used to need several firmly between my knees. take Kätte hunting, and his pride in her was very But you can’t get out of it days in evident. It required no discussion; we must have warned - and it isn’t Hallstatt to -thatbe bad, him in our film and we feel his interview was a you can go down do it justice in tandem if you want. The great contribution to it.

Hallstatt trail

little train that brought us out was sweet, and as I’m partial to any kind of train, it was a fun way to end the visit.

Debra in Hallstatt

You really do need several days in Hallstatt to do it justice. If you just wander around the pretty squares, admire the houses and do a little meander along the upper old route you will only skim the surface. The Hallstatt museum is very good, but all the information boards in and out of the display cases were in Germanonly when we went, which rather lessens the effect because you only get an impression from the artefacts RETIREMENT

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Footloose in Austria

Hallstatt

are tourist attractions of course. We started our walk in the Schloss Mirabell gardens, the steps of which were used in ‘the’ film to sing Do, Re, Mi. Do look out for the weird collection of life-size gnomes! We crossed the bridge over the fast flowing river Salzach into the old town. To make it easy, we suggest taking the lift to the Mönchsberg museums and gardens above the city for really special views.Then you can walk on through woodland to the Fortress and all its attractions. Further on past the Fortress is the once powerful convent on the Nonnberg. I felt a chilly reminder that Hitler’s ‘Eagle’s Nest’ at Berchtesgaden was just on the other side of the mountain. After you have had your fill of history, descend umpteen steps into the compact old town and make your own haphazard trail around the famous musical city. There are a number of grand squares to explore all with their own story, Salzburg street

Salzburg fountain

instead of an in-depth version. I speak the big hotel in Marktplatz, which German, but it’s rusty and you don’t was open and serving. The dining have the time to stand and translate room wasn’t huge, and a large party it in your head and then repeat it for of Austrians from another city were your partner’s benefit. celebrating a family birthday - it made There are so many walks for all the whole atmosphere very jolly and kinds of abilities that it really is hard we were soon laughing and raising to choose which ones to take. Our our glasses with them. As soon as walks were of necessity circular and they discovered we were English they as we really do walk every step, the immediately switched to our language, weather is what it and we spent There are so many is, and mountain a very pleasant walks for all kinds of evening meeting weather is so unpredictable. The abilities that it really is lovely people in a Dachstein caves hard to choose which rustic restaurant, really are worth surrounded by ones to take visiting, the Eishöll country artefacts, in particular, is quite spectacular and with some awfully good schnapps and very cold, and the other villages are a roaring fire. pleasant to visit, although very quiet. Next we took the train to Salzburg. Hallstatt is the main attraction at the Mozart was born here, the ‘Sound lake and everyone knows it. Strolling of Music’ was filmed here and the about in the evening is very relaxing prestigious Salzburg Festival held with so few tourists around, and there here, so all testaments to the city’s is no nightlife to be had. On certain unique musical history. Historically nights, there is no food to be had and culturally rich, the medieval city either. Be warned that the guesthouses - also a UNESCO World Heritage and hotels and restaurants within site - is the focus of our second visit Hallstatt all have a night off, so finding in Austria. If you stay in the relatively a meal last minute is a fraught exercise. compact centre of town you won’t During our visit it was a Tuesday night, need public transport at all. Despite and we’d been so busy filming that we “The Sound of Music” musical being actually forgot, and strode from one released in 1965, most Austrians don’t shut restaurant to another in slightly know it; however, the city is still proud panicked mode of all of its film until we found locations, which

Salzburg

plus performances by street musicians from the University, and wonderful cafés. Mozart came from here so you can’t miss a visit to his birthplace. We stayed right in the heart of the old town, so walked out each day to explore without the fuss of transport. I was well acquainted with ‘Mozart’s Balls’ from my office days, so it was no hardship to visit the famous chocolatier Furst to find out how they were made, and of course, to try some. And life would not be complete without a slice of delicious Sachertorte, now would it? We did cross back over the river to the new town to visit the world famous Marionette theatre and take a look behind the scenes and chat with the founder’s granddaughter. From the old town, we decided on a river trip on the power cruiser “Amadeus” to the magnificent Hellbrunn Palace with some watery surprises in its gardens. ƒThe current on the Salzach is so fierce, the Amadeus was specially built, and even ‘waltzes’ on its way back, if you’re lucky. David and Debra flew to Salzburg and took the train to Hallstatt. After David took early retirement from the BBC, the couple have focussed on their own productions, and for ten years have been renowned for their walking films in Europe. For information on all the Footloose films, take a look at www.footloose.tv or watch previews of the walks on Youtube.

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Hungarian Dental

wo years ago we ran a feature on dentistry in Hungary - Exploring the reasons why thousands of people worldwide descend on the country each year for dental treatment making it the No.1 dental centre worldwide. The town of Mosonmagyaróvár where we focused our article has 400 clinics, making it the world’s most heavily populated town for dentists.When my husband was experiencing tooth pain he was told by a local dentist in our home town in England that a crown was needed. We decided to have the work done in Hungary, saving money on the treatment but also enjoying a well earned holiday. Mosonmagyaróvár is only 40 minutes from Bratislava, which is only a 2 hour flight from London. Our trip was arranged by Chris Hall, MD of the excellent Hungarian Dental Travel. Chris works with the very best of Hungarian dentists and feels passionately that the dental treatment on offer in Hungary is some of the best worldwide. Chris is there to make sure that everything runs smoothly from the airport pick up through to aftercare and everything else inRETIREMENT

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The full spectrum of dental treatment is available with a focus on implants, dentures, amalgam restoration and holistic treatments. between!! He is also happy to act as tour guide as he has lived in Hungary for many years and his knowledge of the area is extensive. The importance of Chris can’t be understated and he is there to sort out any problems that might arise. We decided to return to one of the dentists used by Hungarian Dental Travel, Dr Frank Kannmann, a German dentist who is also a qualified medical doctor. Frank and his team work from a surgery that is both inviting and stylish with the emphasis on putting patients at ease from the moment they arrive. The full spectrum of dental treatment is available with a focus on implants, dentures, amalgam restoration and holistic treatments. Frank speaks

four languages one of which is fluent English! He is passionate about providing the very best of dental care to his patients and at a considerably lower price (on average 70%) than the UK. Treatments such as amalgam fillings which are still commonplace in the UK have been banned in Hungary for some time. Frank has taken the time to visit and work in the UK making sure that the service he offers excels what’s on offer there. On examining my husband’s teeth, the surprise was that he disagreed with the prognosis made by the UK dentist that he needed a crown. He felt extremely reluctant to remove what he saw as a perfectly healthy tooth. Instead he felt the patient was suffering from extreme sensitivity. He applied a fluoride paste, said it should be applied daily and asked to see him in a few days. Also he said it was extremely important to use a sensitive toothpaste. With the dental side out of the way we were free to enjoy the rest of our holiday. Mosonmagyaróvár itself makes an ideal base to explore the region. Only an hour away from Vienna giving visitors the chance to explore one of the worlds great cities (there is an excellent train

service for those not wishing to hire a car). The thermal spa ( FlexumThermal Spa ) is open all year round. The water is acknowledged for its medicinal quality and brings a sense of wellbeing and rejuvenation. The chemical composition of the healing water makes it perfect for bathing and drinking cures, and in an atomized form for inhalation cure for a number of respiratory, gastric, locomotor and intestine diseases. We stayed in the excellent Thermal Hotel next door to the Spa. Large, comfortable, immaculate rooms, healthy cuisine and courteous staff located in a perfect spot, we couldn’t ask for more. A great location offering the very best of health tourism along with

a fantastic holiday, there is much to recommend Mosonmagyaróvár.As yet, the town remains largely undiscovered by the British but this can’t last.Things have changed, now as we age we will no longer accept ugly and unsightly teeth. At prices 70% cheaper than the UK it is unsurprising that Hungary has raised the bar in dental travel and more and more Brits are deciding to make the journey.

FACT BOX

Hungarian Dental Travel: www.hungariandentaltravel.co.uk email: hello@hungariandentaltravel.co.uk Tel. 020 7193 1384

Thermal Hotel:

www.thermal-movar.hu email: info@thermal-movar.hu Tel. +36 96 206 871 • Consultation and aftercare available in the UK

Only an hour away from Vienna giving visitors the chance to explore one of the worlds great cities

Photo by Balázs Horváth – Deák Square Mosonmagyaróvár

Save 60% - 80% compared to average UK prices

A place of beauty, peace and pilgrimage

Put an end to your dental misery • 12 years dental tourism experience • Dedicated customer service • Complex solutions including dental implants, implant dentures, full smile makeover with Zirconium, Empress or Procera • Treatments, consultations, aftercare in LONDON & in HUNGARY RING NOW for a non-obligatory chat 020 7193 1384 e-mail to: hello@hungariandentaltravel.co.uk www. hungariandentaltravel.co.uk

ST DAVIDS CATHEDRAL Turning visitors into pilgrims St Davids, Pembrokeshire SA62 6RD Opening times: 8.30am—5pm. There is no admission charge Service times Sundays 11.15 Choral Mattins (4th Sunday Choral Eucharist) 6.00 Choral Evensong Weekdays 8.00 Morning Prayer & Holy Communion (Wednesdays 10.00 Holy Communion) 6.00 Choral Evensong or Evening Prayer The Cathedral Bookshop, Domus giftshop and the Refectory are open daily. We welcome all visitors and pilgrims to this place.

info@stdavidscathedral.org.uk

01437 720202

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Hungarian Dental

Vienna

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Thermal water is a gift of nature and is one of the most valuable medicines Hungary has the most unique abundance of thermal waters in Europe, which can be enjoyed all year round Visit us and enjoy one of our Cure Packages, and experience the great value of the Mosonmagyaróvár healing water, which due to its medicinal benefits belongs to the top 5 in Europe • 7 nights with half board /Friday culinary buffet dinner with live music, further days 3 course menu according to your choice • Welcome drink • 1 medical consultation • 10 treatments after medical consultancy • 7 entrance cards to the thermal bath and swimming pool (one way ticket) • Use of AQUA wellness room (Finnish sauna, jacuzzi) • Free Parking and WiFi • Use of our Jade Stone massage bed - 30 minute Double room 490 EUR / person / 7 nights Single room 590 EUR / person / 7 nights Valid 2 January 29 February 2017 Plus! An additional 10% discount to readers of Retirement Today when mentioning this advert Thermal Hotel*** Mosonmagyaróvár can easily be reached from all three nearby capital cities: Vienna (90 km), Bratislava (30 km), Budapest (160 km).

www.thermal-movar.hu • Tel. + 36 96 206 871 • info@ thermal-movar.hu

www.residences-ladifference.com contact@lesgranges.com Visit by appointment: +33 (0)5 46 26 80 65

Saint Jean d’Angély Hotel service from the comfort of your home …. Le Clos des Granges Charente-Maritime, France Is a concept developed for over 60s in an environment ideal for a serene retirement Services

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English Houses Inspirational interiors

Cleveland Square THE CALL OF THE EAST IN WEST LONDON

English Houses

ulu Lytle is one of the brightest lights in the London design world, and her shop Soane Britain is uncontestably the leading champion of British-made furniture, fabric, wallpaper and lighting. Since 1997, when Lulu (then in partnership with that doyen of English decoration Christopher Hodsoll) first opened her doors on London’s Pimlico Road, flanked by venerable antiques dealers, she has developed a collection of furniture and furnishings of extraordinary distinction and complexity and all of it made in Britain. How rare is this today? Here we find the work of English metalworkers and woodcarvers, of leatherworkers and cabinetmakers, of old textile mills and wallpaper - printing studios, and, most recently, of rattan weaversSoane rescued from extinction the very last English rattan workshop, threatened with closure, five years ago. There is a touch of romantic persuasion to Lulu Lytle’s mission that is not attuned to that harsh-minded world of business, driven purely by the bottom line, which seeks to outsource wherever it goes. Yet it works. As I am writing, Lulu-whose energy knows few bounds-has just opened her first New York showroom. Over her shop doors could be inscribed John Ruskin’s famous statement: ‘There is hardly anything in the world that someone cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and those who consider price alone are that man’s lawful prey.’ A sentiment, I suspect, with which many RETIREMENT

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readers of this book will agree. Lulu’s style drinks deeply from tradition but is never imitative or dull. Her great influence is Peter Twining, the créme of London antiques dealers, the ultimate aesthete, and the first to make startling design statements such as the juxtaposition of an Irish eighteenth-century side table with a Japanese bronze and 1930s lighting. So it is no surprise that the generous West London apartment that Lulu and her husband Charlie have made their home for seventeen years is one of the most beautiful and interesting you are likely to see. We are on the top floor of a massive, late nineteenth-century house on Cleveland Square, in a terrace of cream-painted stucco, one of those giant wedding-cake, many-columned mansions built for the Victorian upper classes. Cleveland Square is green and leafy and asymmetrical, with a confusing one-way system that is the bane of taxi drivers and occasional visitors like myself. (The confusion was intentionally planned, Lulu tells

An extract from English Houses, by Ben Pentreath, photography by Jan Baldwin. Published by Ryland Peters & Small. Images ©Ryland Peters & Small

Reader Offer: English Houses is available to readers for the special price of £25 including postage & packaging (rrp £30), by telephoning MacMillan Direct on 01256 302 699 and quoting reference HU8. me, to frustrate the trade of prostitutes from nearby Paddington Station.) Lulu and Charlie’s apartment is on the upper floor of this building, once the servants’ bedrooms, and spreads laterally over three of the houses. So the views, over private gardens, are beautiful-but the ceilings are low. They gutted and reconstructed the flat to create a huge yet homely space; it has a restraint, a modesty, about it that combines with Lulu’s assured skills as an interior decorator and furniture

The Den (left) A deeply comfortable Benny sofa, made by Soane Britain and named after Lulu’s eldest daughter, is upholstered in a Rubelli Suzani. With its shades of rose red and carmine and flashes of blue, it was the old striped kelim, bought from Peter Hinwood, which provided the inspiration for the room. The wall paint was specially mixed by Rose Dailey. Soane’s Raspberry Paw Print fabric has been used to cover the foreground chair and make the curtains. It’s hard to imagine a nicer place to curl up on a Sunday afternoon.

The Kitchen (above) When Lulu and Charlie first moved into the flat, they knocked out the walls of three rooms to make a wide, welcoming kitchen. They installed oak cabinets and a copper-wrapped island that have stood the test of time (like fixtures in all the best kitchens). The walls are lined in turquoise glazed tiles from World’s End Tiles (now, sadly, discontinued); a copper Owl lantern from Soane Britain hangs above the dining table, with its set of beautiful, battered leather Soane Casino dining chair – an iconic and timeless design.

designer to make a place that feels like few I know in London. It is quietly glamorous, yet settled, relaxed and comfortable all at the same time. The pièce de résistance is the fine drawing room, facing south over the private gardens; a room seemingly purpose-made for entertaining, for drinking cocktails by the light of a blazing fire, for conversation on deep and embracing sofas or at the card table, reflected in the light of mirrored walls that extend the envelope of this room to infinity. Who else but Lulu would place an enormous royal-blue zigzag carpet across the floor or paint the ceiling duck-egg grey? This is unconventional decoration with a kick,

English Houses

The Bathroom (above) Lulu decided to have an imitation lapis-lazuli basin top and mirror, made of cast scagliola, which requires oiling three times a week to retain its lustre. It is an eye-catching detail in her splendid bathroom.

and the room delivers a shot of energy to the soul. We encounter Lulu’s love of extraordinary prints and paintings of animals - a blue - nosed baboon in a lipstick - red frame, a prowling tiger and an engraving of a giant rhinoceros. Elsewhere, there are lions, camels, giraffes and hares. Her other great passion is books. The room is shelved at both ends, groaning with an enviable collection of art, decoration and furniture books. (If you visit Lulu’s office at Soane, tucked into the attics, you can hardly see her desk underneath the overflowing piles of books and old auction catalogues. Every time I see her there, she pretends that she is clearing catalogues out of her life, but I suspect this task is rather like cleaning the Augean stables—it will never be completed.) Here and there, of course, are moments of gentleness. Lulu and Charlie’s bedroom is calm and soothing; and which young girl wouldn’t want Bunny Lytle’s beautiful bed, tented in Soane’s Raspberry Ripple Stripe? But the entire apartment is infused with colourful tones of the East - appropriately, perhaps, for a former student of Egyptology and Ancient History. The richly toned snug is the epicentre of this orientalist dream: the pink walls hung with a narwhal tusk, textiles and prints, and paintings of Ottoman Turks and Arabian warriors, while models of minarets and Persian ceramics rest between ikat lampshades and beaten - brass vessels.The whole is carried off perfectly and the recipe given added zest by a pair of Soane fireside chairs upholstered in the jewel - like hues of Lulu’s Damascus Stripe silk. Curiously, I am most jealous of the collection of framed nineteenth century photographs of Egypt that line the walls of the guest lavatory, gently glazed in golden brown. There is further use of rich colour in the kitchen, with its wall of turquoise glazed tiles. This is a wonderful room, the heart of the flat, around which dinner parties last long into the night. It was at this table that I met my husband Charlie, so it will hold a special place in my heart for ever. Eating delicious dinners by candlelight here, with vivacious conversation flowing around the table, reminds one of the generosity, friendliness and brilliant humour that is at the centre of this home—qualities that are ultimately far more important than even the most beautiful decoration.

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SMALL, INDEPENDENT AND RUSTIC!

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary is the home for over 120 animals , all of them abandoned and rescued . The sanctuary has 94 donkeys and 28 horses and ponies , all of which are cared for by a small group of core staff and a large group of over 30 volunteers. The sanctuary was set up in 1987 when a local postman was given a donkey called Dillon , as a gift by a local villager . The charity has since had a charmed life and was in real financial trouble as late as 2012, but thanks to a dedicated group of people the sanctuary is now alive and well.

The sanctuary takes part in 4 core activities; • Looking after the health and welfare of the donkeys and ponies, providing them with a safe and secure home. • Acting as a centre for visitors to enjoy the company of the animals in the beautiful Wroxall valley. • Providing a series of learning experiences for children, particularly in primary schools and special schools. • Undertaking ‘donkey therapy ‘providing peace, comfort and tranquillity to Alzheimer’s patients, stroke patients and people in residential care homes.

FREE ENTRY Open all year round 10.00 – 4.30 every day

Come and meet our donkeys Join our ‘Adopt a Donkey’ scheme Shop/Café • Donkey grooming and walking available

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary Tel. 01983 852693 www.iowdonkeysanctuary.org

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An Alternative Gift for Christmas

Betty - courtesy of St Tiggywinkles

Tiggywinkles

whatever reason are unable to keep a pet at home, and it can also build a lifetimes relationship with a charity. How it works is an animal is adopted or sponsored for a period of time and in return the adoptee gets the opportunity to follow the development of the chosen animal or perhaps where possible visit. Details of animal adoption vary slightly but the essentials remain the same. Here are some of examples as a great choice for potential adoptees – take a look and consider making this year a truly giving Christmas. Cherri & Thelma ©Monkey World

Ape Rescue Centre

Every year in Britain over five million wild animals and birds are injured as a direct result of their encounters with man’s world. Tiggywinkles is a specialist hospital caring for sick and injured hedgehogs, badgers, wild birds, foxes, even reptiles and amphibians. Their main aim is to return all their recovered patients back to the wild. However, sadly some are left disabled by their injuries and would not be able to cope. One of the animals available for adoption is Betty the hedgehog, pictured here. Betty is a real character with plenty of gusto and determination. She was found out during the day, which is a worry with hedgehogs, who are strictly nocturnal. On admission to Tiggywinkles their vet discovered Betty was in quite a sorry state. The poor girl had an injury to her shoulder, her teeth were worn with infected gums and, to top it all off, she was also found to be blind. Betty had obviously had a tough time in the wild so it was very lucky the kind member of the public who found her knew to bring her in to Tiggywinkles. Thankfully Betty is a fighter and has responded well to their veterinary care. Being blind, Betty could not fend for herself in the wild, so she will live out her retirement in their Visitor Centre gardens where she gets all the love and care she needs to live a nearnatural life. Donations such as adoption allows them to continue caring for wildlife in need and to provide veterinary treatment and care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Monkey World, the internationally-acclaimed ape rescue centre, is home to over 250 rescued and endangered monkeys and apes of 20 different species. Set in 65 acres of Dorset countryside, the sanctuary works in conjunction with foreign governments worldwide to stop the illegal smuggling of apes and monkeys, as well as rescuing primates from abuse and neglect from the UK and abroad. At the park, they are rehabilitated to live in natural family groups of their own kind, with specialist care. You can support Monkey World by taking part in the Adopt a Primate Scheme. This scheme enables them to create additional reserves and a safe haven for the many primates whose lives are still in danger around the world.Your adoption/donation money goes into a 100% fund, which is used solely for the rescue and rehabilitation of primates. One of the primates available for adoption is Thelma, pictured here, who was born on 25 September 2013, after her mother, Cherri’s birth control failed. As the child of Hananya’s group of chimpanzees, she is cherished and allowed special privileges by all the other chimps. She is a happy, popular youngster, who especially enjoys play sessions with the other chimps, Arfur and Simon as she grows more independent from her mother. Prices start from £25 for the year and include a photograph, certificate, three editions of the Ape Rescue Chronicle and free entry to the park for a year!

At a Glance

Adopt today and get: Photo of your chosen animal Adoption Certificate Detailed history of your chosen animal Factsheet Fridge Magnet The Chronicle (History of Tiggywinkles) One free entry to Visitor Centre For further information: www.tiggywinkles.org.uk

Adopt today and get: Adoption Certificate Photograph of your chosen primate Newsletter Opportunity to take part in ‘adoptive parents’ only events Free annual pass For further information: www.monkeyworld.org

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An Alternative Gift for Christmas

eed inspiration for a member of your family who ‘has everything’ or that unique gift idea for a friend? For anyone with a love of animals, then animal adoption is the perfect alternative. This is a fantastic way of giving someone a truly memorable gift and at the same time making a wonderful contribution to animal welfare. Although it makes an ideal Christmas present, it’s also a great gift for birthdays and special occasions too. Animal adoption can be perfect for adults and children alike who for

An Alternative Gift for Christmas continued Catastrophes Cat Rescue

Catastrophes Cat Rescue, is based in East Sussex and was originally set up through involvement in animal welfare in the 1970s. Their aim is to help any cat that is in need and they believe that every cat deserves the chance of a good home. Many of the cats at their sanctuary have been abandoned or need a new home because of a change in their owner’s circumstances and are sometimes difficult to rehome for various reasons. In this instance, they are given the chance to live out their days in a peaceful home environment with the freedom of the country garden that surrounds the sanctuary in beautiful East Sussex. Many of the cats need regular medication for ailments or illness, some are on special diets because of age or health, all of which needs funding. By sponsoring one of the cats in their care, you can help them continue their work, both in the UK and overseas. Help unwanted cats by sponsoring one in the care of Catastrophes like ‘Ron Turner’ pictured here and receive an update on your chosen cat. An ideal gift for any cat lover. Dazzle - courtesy of IOW Donkey Sanctuary

An Alternative Gift for Christmas

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

For further information: www.catastrophescats.org

The Isle of Wight sanctuary was set up in 1987 when a local postman was given a donkey called Dillon , as a gift by a local villager . The charity has since had a charmed life and was in real financial trouble as late as 2012 , but thanks to a dedicated group of people the sanctuary is now alive and well. Made up of a small group of core staff and a large group of over 30 volunteers, the sanctuary is home to 94 donkeys and 28 horses and ponies, all who have been abandoned and rescued. The sanctuary prides itself on being independent ,makes no charge for entry and exists through the generosity of supporters and visitors who make donations, grant the occasional legacy ,buy items from the sanctuary shop and cafe or ,most importantly, adopt a donkey. Families interact with the animals by taking donkeys for a walk, grooming them and more recently ,taking our Shetland ponies for a trek. Adopt Dazzle, pictured here, from the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary for just £20 and you will be helping their animals who do so much to help others. Dazzle has a brilliant white coat, and is a small cheeky chap, who sees himself as a leader of the pack and is always the first donkey to the fence to greet vistors. Help support their work in the community.

At a Glance Adopt today and get: An adoption certificate. A photo of Dazzle. 2 sanctuary magazines a year. Information about sanctuary events. A chance to visit your donkey !! For further information: www.iowdonkeysanctuary.org

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CATASTROPHES CAT RESCUE Over the years we have helped an increasing number of cats and kittens in distress, by taking them into our care and finding good homes for them. The cats we take in have often been abandoned or badly treated, some are simply strays who have never had the chance of a proper caring home. Our aim is to help any cat that is in need and we believe that every cat deserves the chance of a good home. We do not believe in putting animals to sleep unnecessarily and we actively encourage sterilisation as a vital part of pet ownership. Please remember us in your will. Your donation or legacy will help our work for the animals and save lives. Contact Liz Varney

Catastrophes Cat Rescue

Half Moon Cottage, Bakers Lane, Dallington, Heathfield, East Sussex TN21 9JS Tel: 01435 830212 Fax: 01825 768012 Email: lizzie@internationalanimalrescue.org Registered Charity Number: 1017304

Prices Start From Just

Buy for yourself or as a gift Get a

20/04/2012

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FREE Annual Pass to the Park Certificate & Photo of your Chosen Primate 3 Editions of the ARC Newsletter Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre Longthorns, Wareham, Dorset BH20 6HH T: 01929 462537

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

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& help us rescue and rehabilitate more primates in need

Legacy quarter page ad.pdf

Please help me get better 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

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. RETIREMENT

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COMPETITIONS

For a chance to win, send in your name, address and tel no (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

We’re offering Retirement Today readers the chance to win a weekend break for 4 in London this festive season courtesy of English National Ballet. Not only will the winner get a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) to see English National Ballet’s magical production of Nutcracker at the London Coliseum, but they’ll also get an overnight hotel stay for 4 plus breakfast at Mercure London Hyde Park Hotel, so they have a full weekend taking in the festive spirit of the capital. Over 100 dancers and musicians bring Nutcracker to life with exquisite dancing, beautiful sets and Tchaikovsky’s glorious score played live. On a sparkling Christmas Eve in a frost-dusted Edwardian London, Clara and her enchanted Nutcracker doll discover a magical world, where she battles with the Mouse King and meets a handsome stranger. As the air grows colder, Clara and her valiant Nutcracker take a hot air balloon ride across London to the glistening Land of Snow where her adventure really begins. From the sound of the orchestra tuning up, to the final bows and cheers, a trip to English National Ballet’s Nutcracker is an unforgettable Christmas treat. Following the performance, the winner will be able to unwind at Mercure London Hyde Park Hotel. Moments away from Hyde Park, set in a tranquil & beautiful garden square, this 4 star boutique hotel comprises of four totally renovated grade II listed Town Houses, originally built in the 1850s. Step into the elegance of a London townhouse hotel, nestled seconds away from Lancaster Gate and the bustle of Paddington station, for the perfect London retreat. Historic and traditional English class with contemporary twists await you. Terms and Conditions: Prize is 1 x family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) to see Nutcracker at the London Coliseum, valid for weekend performances from Wed 14 Dec 2016 – Sat 7 Jan 2017, and an overnight stay for 4 plus breakfast at Mercure London Hyde Park Hotel, valid for weekends only. Tickets are subject to availability, non-transferable and not for re-sale. Exclusion dates may apply. If the winner does not claim their prize within 10 days of being notified, then the prize will be forfeited and another winner will be selected.

For a chance to win send in your details, quoting ref. ENB. Closing date 21 November 2016.

Competitions

WIN A WINTER WEST END WEEKEND TO EXPERIENCE ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET’S NUTCRACKER

BOOK REVIEWS

Melanie Ward chooses a selection of newly published books to enhance any coffee table

LONDON UNCOVERED

THE FRENCH

Photographs by Peter INSPIRED HOME Dazeley Carolyn Westbrook Easy techniques for fabulous Text by Mark Daly flower arranging Cico Books, £19.99, hardback Frances Lincoln, Ryland Peters & Small £30.00, hardback £16.99, hardback No interior conjures up romance and style as does No room is complete without This wonderful book explores the French. The writer Carolyn some of London’s most a fabulous display of fresh unusual and intriguing locations Westbrook has written many flowers. Celebrated florist Jane Packer has condensed with powerful photograph from articles for interior magazines and previous books on French the knowledge impaired in her Peter Dazeley. Comment and Style. Page after page of the history is by Mark Daly. All four week career course into book is packed with fabulous locations explored in the book book form. Needless to say and inspirational homes giving are accessible to the public. with stunning photographs the reader a unique insight into Each location has a unique throughout and easy homes oozing with creative instructions this is a must have history and charm which the style. A must have for lovers book captures beautifully. book for those with a love of of French interiors. A unique coffee table floral display. page turner.

WILLIAM MORRIS

Decor & Design Elizabeth Wilhide Pavilion, £14.00, hardback William Morris, one of, if not the most iconic designers of the 19th century who’s style is still hugely influential today. One of the foremost figures in the Arts and Crafts movement this book takes a complete overview of his life and work. Illustrated throughout with designs past and present and fascinating insights into the designers work this reissue is a timely reminder of how much William Morris has influenced everyday interiors.

GREAT PUBS OF LONDON George Dailey Foreword by Sir Ian McKellen Prestel £24.99, hardback 22 unique and historical pubs are highlighted in this book. Making up the social fabric of the city, the pub has always been an essential part of London life. Most are unchanged so the reader really gets a sense of the city through the ages and many of the famous characters in history who frequented the pubs. A wonderful Christmas gift for the man in your life. RETIREMENT

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Book reviews

JANE PACKER’S FLOWER COURSE

Helping older people live life to the full Bield has been providing quality housing and care services for older people since 1971. It goes without saying that a lot has changed since then. But one thing hasn’t changed - our commitment to Scotland’s older people. Our mission is to improve the quality of life of older people by offering a diverse range of housing, care and other services. At the heart of everything we do is our belief that older people should have the freedom to make their own choices and be able to live as independently as possible. As a not for profit organisation and registered charity we are one of the largest providers of housing and care services for older people in Scotland. We manage over 5,400 properties across 23 local authority areas. Thanks to our Business Strategy we continue to grow as a financially stable, highly effective and innovative, customer focused organisation.

We want to make sure that our service users and tenants live life to the full. Thanks to our enthusiastic fundraiser, staff, volunteers and generous supporters we have been able to introduce life enhancing projects in several locations. These include sensory gardens, pamper rooms, evening care and dementia drop in services. The lion’s share of funding comes from grant applications but more and more people are generously supporting us by either taking on sponsored challenges to raise money, making direct donations or leaving gifts in their wills. We receive no permanent statutory funding for these life enhancing projects. Some of these projects wouldn’t exist without the generous gifts of donors. If you’d like to find out how you can make a difference please get in touch. Kevin Rowe, our Fundraiser (pictured) will be delighted to chat about how you can help.

Call Kevin on 0131 273 4000 or email k.rowe@bield.co.uk.

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Darius is given lifeline care by CID UK.; he needs your help today Born with a genetic muscle to help them live their short lives wasting disease, Darius life is fi- to the full, giving them a life-

nite, abandoned by his parents, he lives with twenty similar children at St Margaret’s Children’s Hospice,where everything is done

time of love and opportunity in a few short months or years. CID UK needs your help to give Darius and his friends the intensive care they desperately need.

Please visit www.childrenindisteress.org to donate at Just Giving online, or call 0141 559 5690 to discuss your donation, or forward a donation to: Children in Distress, Ladywell Business Centre, 94 Duke Street, Glasgow G4 0UW. Registered Charity Number: 1001327. Scottish Registered Charity Number: SCO 39383

Reflect & remember

A gift in memory of a loved one will directly benefit the lives of thousands of people in your area struggling with lung disease, heart disease or recovering from a stroke. Help us make sure no-one faces their condition alone.

0300 1212 555 | gifts@chss.org.uk | www.chss.org.uk/sapphirefunds CHSS Advice Line Nurses | 0808 801 0899 | adviceline@chss.org.uk (Free from landlines and mobiles)

We are Scotland’s Health Charity Scottish Charity Number SC018761 RETIREMENT

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Charity begins

Charity News

Image courtesy of the Woodland Trust

hristmas is the season of good will and a time for giving. However, this year, spare a thought for the many charities working tirelessly all year round. There are many ways in which you can help, it’s easier than you think. Most charities have websites which have a fantastic range of gifts available, suitable for all age groups. As well as gifts, why not order your Christmas cards, and next year’s diary from your favourite charity. Give a gift that gives something back by choosing a Woodland Trust tree or woodland dedication this year. By dedicating a tree or area of woodland in a Woodland Trust wood you will be helping create much-needed habitat for UK wildlife. More memorable than socks or bubble bath each dedication is unique and dedicated only once. From a suggested donation of just £15 every dedication comes with a personalised certificate and information about the chosen wood, so the lucky person will have something to open on Christmas day. Choose from woods all over the UK and as all Woodland Trust woods are free to enter it can be visited whenever you want. The Woodland Trust also offers more traditional Christmas items, including Woodland Trust tree and wildlife Calendars for £8.99 each, or two or more for £6.99 each, Christmas cards at £3.95 per pack or £3.50 each when you buy three or more packs. Imagine Christmas where we couldn’t collect our memories and the joy of the festive season was lost completely. It’s a frightening idea, but BRACE works for a future we needn’t fear. BRACE, is a registered charity that funds research into Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Their aim is to provide the means by which medical science comes to understand what causes dementia in its various forms. There is a new case of dementia every four seconds and the number of people with the condition is rapidly increasing. Activity throughout the year brings in much needed funds for their vital research but Christmas is an ideal time to remind the public of their work and to encourage people to offer their support.

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at Christmas

As well as some delightful Christmas cards, you can purchase your 2017 calendar, consisting of superb photographs of ‘Natural Britain’ for £5. If you know of anyone suffering from restless hands then the ‘twidlemuff ’ is the ideal gift, or why not beat the 5p bag charge with their stylish jute bag for just £3 – a great, useful stocking filler. For further details of these items and more visit their on-line charity shop, where 100% of profits go to research into dementia. Being alone and anxious on the 25th is a reality for many across the UK and one charity that hopes to combat this reality is Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland. Their aim is to improve the quality of life for people in Scotland affected by chest, heart and stroke illness, through medical research, influencing public policy, advice and information, as well as support in the community to both those affected by these conditions and their families and carers. Thanks to donations CHSS are able to continue their vital work and you can help just by shopping online and this year your cards could mean more than just a festive wish to many. They have a fantastic wide selection of Christmas cards at £3.99 for 10 cards. They include traditional Christmas scenes as well as a wonderful Scottish collection which consist of animals from ‘Tartan Rudolphs’ to ‘Tartan Nessie’ as well as some humorous cards too, all with a touch of Scottish festive spirit!

We’re not the only ones who may feel cold and lonely at Christmas. Our furry friends of all shapes and sizes also need some extra care, and one animal charity that doesn’t stop caring is National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT). Volunteers even take time out from their own family celebrations, to ensure that the animals in their care receive plenty of cuddles and their own Christmas dinner. You can help make this an extra special Christmas for a homeless pet by treating them to a gift through the NAWT Amazon Wishlist scheme. Each centre has their own list of gift ideas which are sent directly to the charity and given to the animals that benefit the most. Also, this year NAWT are excited to be selling their very own charity Christmas cards featuring the winners of their ‘Furry Festivies’ photo competition – featuring nine beloved pets for just £3.25 (pack of 10). Another animal charity, who have been established since 1860, placing animal welfare at the centre of all they do is Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. Their aim is never to turn away any dog or cat in need of help, and to find new loving, forever homes, however long it takes. In fact, they are one of just a few animal rescue centres that run a non-selective intake policy, which means they except any dog regardless of breed or condition. Unfortunately, not all pets are lucky enough to find a nice, cosy home in time for Christmas, however Battersea do their best to make sure they are well looked after. Why not add them to your shopping list and purchase a gift for one of the animals in their care this Christmas. For example Pedigree Jumbones go down a treat with adult dogs from as little as £2, or maybe a colourful fluffy mouse to brighten up Christmas for one of the cats in their care over the festive season.Take a look at their on-line shop for further ideas, as well as cards, wrapping paper, calendars, and an array of gifts, with all profits going to the care of their animals. For many, Christmas is a time for spending with loved ones, especially with children and grandchildren, seeing their faces light up with the visit from ‘Santa’. However, for the children in respite, palliative care and end of life beds providing by Children in Distress, the festive season still goes on as usual with medical staff providing treatment, therapy and TLC to often abandoned or orphaned children. CID aim to give a child with a disability the chance to be the best they can and Christmas is no exception. Their ‘Gifts from the Heart’catalogue over the last two years have given in excess of 2000 gifts ranging from life saving equipment to text books, pens, pencils for children just starting school. They have helped the most deprived and desperate children. Just choose a gift and they will send you a gift card for every gift chosen and you can then add a personal message to someone you love, safe in the knowledge that your gift brings help and hope to many unfortunate children. At this time of year many charities have fetes and Christmas fairs and you can often pick up that unusual gift, whilst at the same time contributing to much needed additional funds. Although Christmas is a great time to remember to help others, the best giving is regular giving. Setting up a monthly direct debit for just a few pounds a month allows charities to plan their longlong development. Ask yourself, would you really miss a few pounds a month? Around £10 a month would help charities in dire need. Finally, do remember charities when making a will. It’s an excellent way of leaving a donation to charity you have supported in your lifetime and an easy method of providing long-term support. A legacy, no matter how small can make a huge difference.

Woodland Trust woodlandtrust.org.uk/ dedicateforchristmas woodlandtrustshop.com. Tel. 0330 333 3300 BRACE www.alzheimers-brace.org Tel. 0117 414 4831 Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland www.shopchss.org.uk Tel. 0300 1212555

National Animal Welfare Fund www.nawt.org.uk Tel. 0208 950 0177 Children in Distress www.childrenindistress.org Tel. 0141 559 5690 Battersea Dogs & Cats Home www.battersea.org.uk Tel. 0843 509 4444

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Charity News

Image courtesy of NAWT

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Charity N E W S

A “dementia friendly” website Dementia research charity BRACE recently relaunched its website. This is part of a drive to increase fundraising in order to keep pace with the urgent and growing need for research grants. BRACE presented the web design company, Raising IT, with another requirement. As Chief Executive Mark Poarch, explained, the website itself had to be “dementia friendly”. Mark told us, “Designing websites for people living with dementia is a discipline very much in its infancy. However, guidelines are emerging to establish best practice. By ensuring that the text is clear and that we use photos and menus carefully, we have done our best to make the website as dementia friendly as possible. “Most people who use our website won’t have dementia, but we want those who do to feel completely included.” The website has been given the thumbs up by some leading dementia campaigners and researchers, but BRACE is not complacent. “This is a work in progress,” said Mark, “and we are asking people with dementia to give us feedback about their experience on the website. Let’s help establish high standards for all websites.” BRACE’s website is www.alzheimers-brace.org

Power of Attorney Taboo a barrier to later life planning Three in four (77%) of those aged over 45 would consider giving a loved one power of attorney. But just two fifths (41%) have done so by the time they reach 75, according to a new report from pension firm Aegon*.

Charity News

Power of attorney is a means of giving someone you trust the legal authority to make decisions on your behalf in the future. It is used when people lack the mental capacity or no longer wish to make decisions for themselves. Dementia tends to be one of the main factors behind its use and recent figures from the Alzheimer’s Society reveal the disease affects 815,827 people in the UK today, and 95% of those affected are aged 65 years or over.

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland We are Scotland’s Health Charity Research – Advice – Support – Action Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is Scotland’s Health charity, working to improve the quality of life for people in Scotland affected by chest, heart and stroke illness. They strive for a healthier Scotland, where no one dies prematurely of preventable chest, heart and stroke conditions; and they work hard to ensure all those affected receive the highest standards of care, treatment and support. The colder months can be particularly hard for those coping with a chest, heart or stroke condition as those affected may be socially isolated, in financial distress or discomfort. Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland can combat this through: • Their free Advice Line 0808 801 0899, staffed by specialist Nurses offering emotional support and expert guidance. • Local community groups, clubs and befriending services, where people can make friends and share experience on their journey to recovery. • Personal support grants, which may be available to those facing financial distress.

One in three people aged over 65 will develop dementia but just 18% of over 65s have put in place power of attorney, which rises to only 41% by the time people reach 75. This means the majority of people entering retirement do not have any contingency plans in place should they be unable to make important decisions in later life.

• Their funding of innovative research studies, offering hope for the future.

Steven Cameron, Pension Director at Aegon said: “Discussing power of attorney can be difficult and highly emotive but it is far too important a subject to be sidestepped. No one likes thinking about a time when they won’t be able to make decisions for themselves and less than half of over 75s have made any provision. This suggests there’s still something of a taboo around the subject and it leaves a worrying gap in protection. Financial advisers are well placed to have the frank discussions about later life that could be difficult for family members. While they’ll typically refer Power of Attorney requests to solicitors, these discussions can form part of the broader discussion about how people wish to manage their finances in later life.”

Donations from the public help them care for more people in Scotland affected by chest, heart or stroke illness so they are there when you need them the most!

The report is available online at - https://www.aegon.co.uk/news.html RETIREMENT

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• Raising awareness and taking action on your behalf.

0131 225 6963 gifts@chss.org.uk, www.chss.org.uk Advice Line Nurses: 0808 801 0899

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Best of British Entertainment Musical entertainment performed by the Royal Air Forceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest musicians. The programme includes Dambusters March, Chariots of Fire, Devilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gallop, Bring Me Sunshine, 633 Squadron, Impossible Dream, O Fortuna, Crown Imperial, and the RAF March Past Friday 21 October

Harrogate

Royal Hall

Sunday 23 Oct

Gateshead

Sage Gateshead

Wednesday 26 October

Basingstoke

The Anvil

Thursday 27 October

Bristol

Colston Hall

Sunday 30 October

High Wycombe

Wycombe Swan

Tuesday 1 November

London

Cadogan Hall

Sunday 6 November

Canterbury

Marlowe Theatre

Friday 18 November

Manchester

Bridgewater Hall

Saturday 19 November

Nottingham

Royal Concert Hall

Sunday 20 November

Birmingham

Symphony Hall

Wednesday 30 November

Eastbourne

Congress Theatre

Thursday 1 December

Southend

Cliffs Pavilion

Saturday 3 December

Ipswich

Ipswich Regent

Sunday 4 December

Norwich

Theatre Royal

Sunday 11 December

Poole

Lighthouse

Performed by the Bands of the Royal Air Force as seen at the Festival of Remembrance and Edinburgh Tattoo

For more information visit rafinconcert.com