Retirement today spring 2016 by Amra Media Solutions

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R E T I R E M E N T

www.retirement-today.co.uk

The magazine for pre and post retirement

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

Issue 86 Spring ‘16 £2.90

RETIREMENT

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CONTENTS

4 Reflections on Retirement Whether you are planning for retirement or going through the early stages, it’s a major life change and a time to reflect and bring your thoughts and feelings together.

WELCOME TO RETIREMENT TODAY MAGAZINE

Image middle right: Photo by Chris Tubbs © RPS from Simply Scandinavian by Sara Norman

9 Update

Over 55s are the most motivated; Short-changed pensioners should claim benefits to boost income; Tomorrow’s Retirees want more adventure and expect to try new things; 40% of over-60s still nd o: Lisa Li er Phot “unprepared” for retirement, report warns.

10 Steam Ahead to Heritage Railways Relive the age of steam with a great day out at a Heritage Railway.

11 A Classic Tour of Scotland Debra Rixon explores the delights of Scotland in an Airstream Caravel trailer, visiting some fantastic sites and fascinating attractions.

14 Salads for all Seasons Whether it’s a main meal, starter or side dish, salads have never been so versatile as they are now.

WIN

15 Competitions Enter our competitions for a chance to win some great theatre tickets.

Read about some great days out within easy reach of London.

20 Simply Scandinavian – Northern Lights

Pho to: Ch r is

18 Escape London

PAGE 15 b Tu

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Scandinavian interior design, admired the world over for its unpretentious simplicity and understated elegance.

22 Out and About

Read about events taking place up and down the country

24 Around the World in a Ford Model T Dirk and Trudy Regter from the Netherlands, drive around the world in a 100-year old Ford Model T!

• Published by: Amra Media Solutions Ltd The Old Lavender Mill 46a Brook Street Aston Clinton Buckinghamshire HP22 5ES

25 Father’s Day Recipes Make sure your dad has the best day – treat him to these delicious recipes.

• Tel: 01296 632700 • Email: info@amramedia.co.uk

26 Book Reviews

• www.retirement-today.co.uk • Designed by: Tom Evans Design All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. Although every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information and the advertisements contained within the magazine, the publishers cannot accept any liability. Retirement Today would be pleased to receive your articles and photographs for possible publication. Although all reasonable care will be taken the magazine can assume no responsibility and contributors are advised to retain a copy.

A review of some of the best books currently available.

28 Charity News ‘Planning for your future’ work shops powered by Age Scotland; Remember a loved one; Woman to celebrate 80th birthday by taking MyMarathon Challenge; Give a little to save a child’s life; Help an unwanted cat.

30 Subscription Subscribe and have Retirement Today delivered direct to your door.

Reflections

ARTHRITIS can be crippling and painful. Arthritis simply means ‘inflammation of the joints’ and it tends to be used to describe over 200 muscle and joint problems throughout the body. Arthritis can affect anyone at any age and there are approximately over nine million people in the UK, and an estimated 10% of modern Australians and 15% of Americans that are daily arthritis sufferers. People often have to take expensive prescription medication to relieve arthritis, this medication can often have negative side effects. In recent years there has been amazing results from studies, using Emu Oil for Arthritis. Emu Oil is 100% natural, and has been used in Australian medicine to relieve joint and muscle pain for centuries. Emu oil is a deeply penetrating anti-inflammatory. Using Emu Balm for arthritis means it will penetrate deep into effected area to reduce the pain and inflammation, with no negative side effects. Because Emu Oil has superior penetrating properties, it is now a registered antiinflammatory in its own right. There is a lot of documented material available on the anti-inflammatory abilities of Emu Oil, as many trials have been done around the world.

Dr Peter Ghosh, director of the research lab at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, Australia, started arthritis research in the 1960s. Often working in conjunction with Dr Michael Whitehouse, of the Department of Pathology, University of Adelaide in South Australia, these two scientists are known as the country’s leading experts on the development and evaluation of up-todate anti-arthritis treatments. Dr Ghosh and Whitehouse worked on the study titled “The Anti-Arthritic Activity of Emu Oil”, which demonstrated that Emu oil does eliminate inflammation and pain in many patients. They also discovered that Emu oil, does not have any known negative side effects.

Reflections on Retiring

These findings are supported by scientific

evidence, “announced Dr Ghosh. “Emu oil offers the best relief ever for victims of this crippling disease. “Continuing laboratory experiments have consistently confirmed the therapeutic usefulness of Emu oil for arthritis sufferers, while thousands of testimonials have come in from happy customers. Mrs Salcombe, a regular user of Emu Balm, said “After just one application I noticed a huge improvement in my joints. It was amazing! Emu Balm is a natural healing balm which harnesses the natural power of Emu oil and blends it with essential oils known for their ability to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, improve circulation and relax tight muscles. It is fast acting and non-greasy when massaged into the skin.

We are offering Retirement Today readers an exclusive offer to purchase emu balm for £24 and get a travel size balm FREE

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Sense of Self Each of us has a sense of ourselves or personal identity.Throughout our lives this develops and morphs in response to internal and external factors including our relationships (family and social), our values, age, abilities and disabilities, health, context, experiences, occupation, likes and dislikes, hobbies and interests. Some aspects of ourselves remain constant whilst others become more or less intense or indeed change completely. Inevitably, major life events can act as a catalyst for self-reflection or bring about fundamental change in how we see or wish to shape ourselves. Your sense of self and self-esteem may be very closely entwined with your work and the person you are when you are or were doing your job.This can manifest itself in many ways. For some the demands of the job may be extremely time-consuming and slowly squeeze out all sorts of activities and ways in which the individual previously achieved self-expression. In such cases, an individual’s creativity is channelled into their work and it becomes a very real part of who they are. For others, their sense of self may be most strong if they worked with a team as the team interactions and reactions, may reflect who they feel they are. For some the status they felt they had in their job may be extremely important, either because of their position at work or whether they feel people have listened to you because of their role. For many the strong sense of purpose that related to the job is a key element in both their identity and their sense of self-worth. Work is bound up with / their identity and self-esteem is a complex cocktail of many of the above elements. When contemplating retirement, or if you are newly retired, it can be interesting to reflect on the extent to which these aspects may account for how you plan or move forward into your retirement. Some retired people are stretched by generational demands: they may be caring for older parents or relatives but also involved in childcare as grandchildren come along. These important but different demands can be both motivating and debilitating, While many people talk positively about the freedom retirement brings, it may be a case of swapping one constraint for another and put additional pressure on people who, when working, would not have been able to offer this time.

Two years on, Carol wrote: It is three and a half years since I retired and I still don’t get bored with the sense of freedom. Life is now expansive and full of joy as I discover all the parts of me that, tiny piece by tiny piece, were buried or abandoned in favour of the demands of a very muchloved job. I know that, inevitably as I get older, life will throw pain and sadness at me but I am ‘seizing the day’ and trying my hardest to wrest from each minute every drop of pleasure to be had. I feel that I have changed beyond measure. The mere mention of my work provokes an almost physical reaction, a jerking back as from an electric current. For 36 years the job came first and duty ruled all the wild parts of me that craved expression and indulgence. Well, hello again to the little girl who used to paint and draw and wonder at the patterns in the sky and the songs of the birds. Hello again to the beach bum who wanted only to follow her impulses and walk at the water’s edge, revelling in the moment. Most importantly hello to the person who wanted the time to be with wonderful husband, family and friends, to have the time to fully love and be loved in return. I embrace the woman I used to be, driven, passionate and dedicated to a cause. She is still here and treasured but in her right place, a part of the women I am becoming.

An extract from What Next? Reflections on Retiring by Penny Blackie, Carol Bannerman and Peggy Kilty. Published by Bantry Press. www.bantrypress.org

Reflections on Retiring

on Retiring

From the start, retirement was inextricably linked for me with the pain of growing older. I was terrified of the void of retirement and terrified of the woman I might become. I was certain of invisibility in a world of more vibrant and younger people, knowing that my body would fail and obsessing on every little physical change – the latest wrinkle, the sudden aches and pains and the momentary lapses of memory to be picked over and examined in case they might be symptoms of something sinister. Scared and lost I reached for the wisest of women, Judy, who in the last few years has helped me wrestle the black dog of depression which has haunted me all my life. Identifying with her the need for me to move from “doing to being” I remember bleating, ‘But how?’ I remember, too raging against the physical changes happening to me as the arthritis, kept at bay by the adrenaline rushes of working life, ran riot with nothing to hold it back. I remember feeling a failure as I compared how swamped I felt by my problems with the way friends were magnificently fighting the terrible losses of illnesses and bereavement. However, to my amazement, others confessed to being overwhelmed and struggling to make sense of their post-work lives and selves. The kinship of friends, each waging our own particular battles and finding our own individual victories and solutions has been at the heart of my new life. Together we have created our own little dose of ‘blitz spirit’! We have worked hard to change, and to face and shape our new realities and possibilities. We have supported each other, commiserated and celebrated along the way. For now, I am in a place of contentment and comfortable inside my skin as I always longed to be. I know that this feeling can change in an instant and that time will steal precious things from me but I have also learned that time can give precious gifts. As I look at my ageing face with curiosity and affection I relish each moment as a new opportunity to be explored and enjoyed. I smile at my husband and pick up my camera or my paintbrush, not interested in the end result so much as in the wonderful process of creation and I know that I am privileged to be here, right now and happy!

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Where Your Well-being Matters

Peace of Mind A genuinely all-inclusive package means easier budgeting and no surprises. A simple monthly rent covers all dining and refreshments, council tax, heating and hot water, weekly housekeeping, free Wi-Fi and daily newspapers, fitness and Well-being activities, and door-todoor transport to local appointments. There is no property maintenance to worry about, and the gardening is also taken care of. With no binding contract or lease, only 30 days’ notice, and importantly no exit fees, what could be simpler?

The Hawthorns 6

he Hawthorns is one of retirements best kept secrets, where everyday worries are replaced with everyday pleasures and the happy retirement you’ve worked hard to enjoy becomes a reality. At The Hawthorns you never have to worry about your bills, the cooking or the cleaning. Retiring in Style offers you exactly that, in the perfect place for retirees who want to maintain an active, independent and fulfilled life.

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Choice The Hawthorns locations offers a choice of stylish studio, one and two bed apartments and detached bungalows, with first class dining rooms, hair salons and barbers, a range of amenity rooms and spaces, and landscaped gardens.

lift a finger; instead experience great food and good conversation with friends. Enjoy a continental or cooked breakfast, a three-course lunch with choices in each course, and throughout the day there are freshly baked homemade pastries, fresh juices and fruit always available.

Visitors Family and friends are always welcome to visit, and there is a private dining room for you to host a restaurant quality three-course lunch or dinner for that special occasion. We even have a guest suite should they wish to stay a night or two.

Lifestyle Whilst days can be active and busy, living at The Hawthorns is all about personal choice, and so you can choose to spend the days relaxing quietly as well. Take a stroll around the landscaped gardens, read a book or magazine in one of the comfortable quiet lounges, or simply enjoy time in your spacious and beautifully decorated en-suite apartment. Our private minibus with dedicated driver provides free transport on outings and days out, helping you try new experiences or keep up existing hobbies and interests.

Your Well-being Your Well-being is our first concern and our experienced staff are on hand around the clock to provide support in a safe and secure environment. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is also a focus at The Hawthorns, with weekly exercise, balance and yoga classes. Our dedicated Well-being co-ordinator creates a monthly calendar full of exciting and interesting activities, with day trips out as well as old favourites such as bridge and quiz nights. Restaurant Dining At The Hawthorns our professional kitchen team prepares a range of freshly cooked meals daily to suit all palates. Served right to your table, you needn’t

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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 Is a concept developed for over 60s in an environment ideal for a serene retirement Services

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Master of Fine Arts / MA

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A range of English short courses are also recruiting now.

Visit our Postgraduate Fair on Wednesday 18 May. Find out more: mmu.ac.uk/english/postgrad or email: postgradenglish@mmu.ac.uk

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UPDATE Tomorrow’s Retirees want more adventure and expect to try new things

Future generations of retirees have a much stronger desire to maintain their pre-retirement lifestyles or reinvent themselves to be more adventurous, according to Aviva’s Voice of New Retirement report. The findings show more than half (52%) of today’s retirees have found their lifestyle to be quieter than it was before they retired, although many feel this has nevertheless made them more relaxed and happy than they were before. But looking ahead, just 34% of the unretired aspire to a quieter life in retirement. Instead, there is growing appetite to prolong their existing lifestyle and seize the opportunity to do all the things they haven’t been able to before – emphasising the importance of planning ahead to make this possible. More than half of unretired people hope retirement will give them a chance to do all the things they haven’t been able to do before. Encouragingly, 53% of retirees say it has already done so for them.

Short-changed pensioners should claim benefits to boost income

Age UK urges all those missing out on the new state pension to check their entitlement Around three-quarters of all those reaching state pension age in the next 15 years stand to receive a notionally higher state pension under the new system, leaving many current pensioners who aren’t eligible feeling short-changed, according to Age UK. With the new system now in place, the Charity is urging all current pensioners – those who reached state pension age before the change came into effect on 6 April – to check if they can increase their income by claiming any money benefits they are entitled to. The introduction of the new state pension* has divided opinion, with many current pensioners feeling aggrieved that they will miss out, as only those reaching state pension age on or after 6 April 2016 will qualify. *The full new state pension will be £155.65 per week from 6 April 2016, but the amount people actually receive could be higher or lower depending on their NI contributions. Women born on or after 6 April 1953 and men born on or after 6 April 1951 are eligible, providing they have built up enough NI contributions. For further information visit https://www.gov/new-state-pension/overview

Britain’s over-55s have been identified as the most motivated group of workers, with 42 per cent motivated every day, whereas less than a quarter of millennials (those born between 1992 and 2000) share the same drive. Delving into employee motivation levels, the nationwide survey, conducted by Argos for Business, has highlighted a disparity in motivational drivers between the age groups. Only a third of younger employees enjoy working as part of a team, in comparison to over a half of all other workers who appreciate the camaraderie of their teammates. And perhaps yet to adjust to the ways of work, younger teammates already hope to experience a different way of working with 34 per cent keen to work alone rather than part of a group, a stark contrast to the mere eight per cent of over 55s who would like to operate solo. With over a third of 16 to 24 year olds eager to detach from their teammates, effectively motivating them to work collaboratively with their colleagues and understand team dynamics will help them adjust to teamwork and keep this vital demographic working within organisations. The enthusiasm of youth is evident in the research, showing a third of millennials enjoy asking questions to get work done, while 58 per cent of their more experienced colleagues work through ideas independently. Thankfully, a fifth of older team-workers enjoy motivating others, providing support to younger staff.

40% of over60s still “unprepared” for retirement, report warns An alarming number of the UK’s working over60s population are unprepared for their retirement, according to findings from a new white paper published by wealth management firm Sanlam. The Which Way Forward? report, released a week ahead of the Government’s spring budget, suggests that an increasing ageing population, the demise of generous final salary schemes and the pension freedoms introduced last April are all contributing to a radically shifting retirement landscape. As a result, as many as 40% of non-retired over-60s today feel unprepared for their future. The report, which uses qualitative research, compares the attitudes of 1,000 people who have retired in the last five years with 1,000 over-60s approaching retirement. It suggests there are many who still feel in the dark about their retirement, with 29% saying they weren’t aware of the new pension freedoms which the government introduced in April 2015. The results are surprising, particularly given the new freedoms were intended to give future retirees more autonomy with their savings. Some 39% of over 60s admit that they are unaware of how much they currently have in their pension pot. RETIREMENT

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Update

Over 55s are the most motivated

Steam Ahead to Heritage Railways

or many people ‘heritage railways’ can give the impression of old-fashioned, antiquated places, with grown men living out their childhood dreams of bygone days. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Although for many, a day out at a Heritage Railway can reawaken memories of a time long passed, it can also provide a treasured experience and a wonderful day out for all ages. To board a train and travel by a locomotive, especially steam, often through miles of beautiful countryside, is an occasion not to be missed. On boarding, passengers feel a sense of excitement,

and the staff are only too pleased to interact with passengers, conveying their enthusiasm for the traditional railways. Most of the staff are volunteers, from various backgrounds, all happy to give up their free time and expertise to offer a service and conserve something they are very passionate about. From an engine driver to someone associated with the catering or administration, they all provide the ingredients for a pleasurable day out. Check out special gala days or themed events, cream teas, and much more. These railways are hugely deserving of your support, so why not seek them out and have a great family day out.

Steam Ahead to Heritage Railways

Here are some examples:

Buckinghamshire Railway Centre: Keeping the Age of Steam Alive!

The Mid-Hants Railway Ltd ‘Watercress Line’

Buckinghamshire Railway Centre is a 25acre working steam museum with one of the UK’s largest collections of locomotives, rolling stock and railway memorabilia. At one of there Steaming Days you can go back in time and re-visit the age of steam, and go for a ride behind a full-size steam engine! Their Steaming Days are every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from March-October. As well as the 1890s station building, they have an impressive glass-roofed visitor centre – the former Oxford Rewley Road station building – with café, gift shop, stunning Royal Dining Coach from 1901, and a coach used by Winston Churchill and Dwight D Eisenhower for secret war strategy planning meetings. You can also visit their fabulous exhibition hall housing magnificently restored exhibits, with tracks displaying priceless vehicles awaiting restoration. Also, theirTravelling Post Office tells the story of moving mail by rail. For a small fee, you can also go for a ride on their miniature rideon steam railway. They hold several special weekend events throughout the year, for example they have their Spring Steam Gala on 1st/2nd May. Offering free parking, excellent access, picnic areas and indoor attractions, the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre makes a great day out for everyone! Tel: 01296 655720 www.bucksrailcentre.org

The Mid Hants Railway Ltd, famously nicknamed ‘The Watercress Line’ in the early c20th for its role in transporting the crop to London, is Hampshire’s only standard gauge heritage railway. It runs for 10 miles through idyllic countryside along the border of the South Downs National Park, between the market towns of Alton and Alresford. Opened on the 2nd October 1865 as the Alton, Alresford and Winchester Railway, it became part of British Railways until its hotly contested closure in 1973. The line and services were quickly reinstated by a dedicated preservation group and today the Watercress Line is one of the South’s premier visitor attractions, attracting 125,000 visitors annually with a turnover in excess of £2m. The Railway employees 50 staff and 8 engineering apprentices, but is supported by over 450 dedicated volunteers without which it could not function. It is committed to preserving Hampshire’s railway heritage and maintains a fleet of steam and diesel locomotives, rolling stock and infrastructure that create the essence of a bygone age. As a living history attraction it provides a comprehensive timetable from February to October and throughout December with standard running days, real ale and dining trains and special events. Tel.01962 733810 www.watercressline.co.uk

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West Somerset Railway A true country branch line of the Old Great Western Railway, full of fascination whether you are looking for a nostalgic ride back in time through lovely countryside or to study the railway and industrial heritage this line preserves. The West Somerset Railway line covers a twenty mile stretch through the countryside which is as varied as it is beautiful with sea views, steep sided cuttings, forest glades, rolling hills, signal boxes, bridges and other period features en route. The station at Minehead is three quarters of a mile long, big enough to take a 16 carriage train at peak time, and being in Somerset you’re never far from a glass of cider! There is a buffet car on most of their trains selling a variety of light refreshments, a large number of which are locally produced. Open April to October, with event days and special attractions to suit all ages. Tel.01643 704996 www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk

SHRIPNEY GARDENS CARAVAN PARK

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Near Chichester, Arundel & South Downs. 1.5 miles from Bognor Regis and Sea RETIREMENT

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A Classic Tour of Scotland By Debra Rixon

Footloose – A Classic Tour of Scotland

he inspiration for this trip, if we’re honest, there’s so much to see, it really is a was the Airstream. We bought and restored good day’s outing. a 1969 Airstream Caravel trailer and wanted On to Loch Lomond and the pretty to take a long journey to see how she held little village of Luss that made for a up; which was a bit risky as this was a filming very pleasant rest stop on our way trip and time-wise, we could not afford any up to the Highlands. The A82 winds mishaps. Luckily we only had the one..... around the loch then straightens out, Glasgow was our first stop, and proved to be a fascinating taking us through lovely Glenfillan, city of contrasts.We began above the city, at the Necropolis, ever closer to wild Rannoch Moor. which was not such a morbid beginning as you might think. We tramped across this amazing moor The graves here are monuments to Glasgow’s illustrious on the West Highland Way in glorious past, each one jostling for a better hilltop position. All the weather a few years ago – not so on prominent ‘great and the good’ are laid to rest here, and this trip! We made a stop at the Kings there are some great views across the city. It’s also the oldest House because I wanted to take some part of Glasgow, so there’s a good opportunity to visit more pictures of the brooding bulk of the historic cathedral and the oldest building – Provand’s Buchaille Etive Mor – the Shepherd Lordship. Another historic ‘building’ is here too – the first of the Glen – guarding the pass into of four grade-B listed Police phone boxes. infamous Glencoe. It was almost We descended into the city proper down to Glasgow biblical as we drove through the Cross, the historic city centre. Next we walked across wind and rain and shafts of sunlight Glasgow Green alongside the river Clyde and called in down the glen and found our pitch at the magnificent glass Peoples’ Palace. Our trail took us at Bunree, beside a choppy Loch into the heart of The Second City of Linnhe. After Glasgow was our first the Empire surrounded by magnificent a wild night of stop, and proved to be wind and rain, Victorian buildings, halls and shops.We strolled down Buchanan Street, then we woke to a fascinating city of Sauchiehall Street and made a muchsunshine and a contrasts needed refreshment stop at the Willow Tea Rooms, made famous by designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh. By taking the tour bus or Subway you can reach more of Glasgow’s attractions like the Riverside Museum, part of the shiny Clyde redevelopment complex. We drove to magnificent Stirling Castle, high on its imposing rock. Volunteers in costume gave us a spirited history of this stronghold, and RETIREMENT

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fresh dusting of snow on the Nevis range. Fort William is a useful town – if you are in the Highlands, chances are you have to pass through it, but it is not a pretty town. A saving grace is that it is host to the Jacobite Express, a ‘must-do’ if you are a fan of Steam, which I am.The Express steams across the stunning Glenfinnan Viaduct to Mallaig on one of the world’s greatest railway journeys. The drive to Skye was an eventful one, and we’d hardly left before we saw the magnificent sight of Ben Nevis, sprinkled with fresh snow. This is best viewed from Banavie where you can also see Neptune’s Staircase, the famous flight of 8 locks on the Caledonian Canal. Next on our road was a busy viewpoint at the Commando Memorial, Spean Bridge, with fantastic snow-capped vistas of the Great Glen. Some miles on we joined the A87, the road to Skye, with multiple viewpoints to stop at, even with a vintage caravan! Another classic stop is the lovely pocket-sized Eilean Donan Castle on the way to Kyle of Lochalsh before crossing the graceful arc of the Skye Bridge. A motoring tour of Skye was planned, in mixed weather.We stopped first in Portree, to explore the main town on the island. I chatted with a Skye man, who gave me a fascinating insight into the eloquence of the old

Mackenzie who eloquently explained the story of the final battle between the Hanoverians and the Jacobites in 1746. Leaving the area, we travelled south on the A9. First stop was Aviemore, the centre for outdoor activities in the Cairngorms National Park ...and host to the Strathspey steam railway. Continuing down the A9 we arrived at the pretty Victorian town of Pitlochry and spent a few nights there. There’s a lot to see in the area and the curious fish ladder at the dam fascinated me. Not far away is the historic village of Dunkeld and its ruined cathedral, and we took an unusual walking trail from Birnam across the river and through a country park, finding the oak tree from Macbeth, a folly and a hermit’s cave. Travelling further straight ahead and kept I chatted with south we visited the Black Watch Museum driving, so it pulled a Skye man, and Castle at Perth, to in front of us and we who gave me discover more about my had to stop. It wasn’t a fascinating father’s WWII regiment. a car-jacking – they At 90, he’s unable insight into the kindly advised us that to go himself, so we the entire contents of eloquence of undertook to call in on our caravan bumper the old Gaelic his behalf. Not too far had fallen out on the tongue to go now to journey’s road some way back. We were completely unaware we’d end at Edinburgh, but not without lost the electric cables and hoses seeing the iconic Forth Bridge first! The finale of our Classic and other paraphernalia essential Tour of Scotland: we talked to glamping. The 47-year old rivets had finally given way driving over a to tourism director Manuela crater-sized pothole. Then another Calchini about this much loved motorist stopped to say they had capital of Scotland. The first visit piled our belongings on the side of had to be a tour of Edinburgh the road for us. We managed to make Castle. Here we learned some of a turn and drove back. We sheepishly its long and violent history. Our recovered our property. We carried recommended city trail took us on six miles east, to Culloden, the down the famous Royal Mile site of the famous historic battlefield. to Holyrood Palace, taking some We talked to site manager Andrew curious detours on the way – we

had to find Blackfriars Bobby so I could rub his nose! Calton Hill provided the views over the city, whilst Princes Street provided the shops and gardens. We walked into the Georgian New Town, with planned avenues and elegant squares. Rose Street is full of bars and restaurants waiting to be discovered. Our city trail finished at pretty Charlotte Square. There is so much to see and do in Edinburgh, and many galleries and museums to visit, including the Botanical Gardens. Our Classic Scottish tour ended with a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia, berthed at the Ocean Terminal shopping centre, Leith. We were treated to afternoon tea on the Royal Deck, and our host Elaine shared some stories with us as we explored this enthralling

historic ship.The atmosphere on board is quite unique, you have the feeling the Queen has only just left. Debra and David drove around 600 miles on their tour, with detours to suit their fancy. After David took early retirement from the BBC, he and Debra have focussed on their own productions, and for over ten years have been renowned for their walking films in Europe. For information on A Classic Tour of Scotland and all the Footloose films, take a look at www.grindelwald.co.uk or watch previews of the walks on Youtube.

Win

We have 5 copies of A Classic Tour of Scotland on DVD to giveaway. For a chance to win a copy send in your details quoting TOS to: Amra Media Solutions, The Old Lavender Mill, 46a Brook Street, Aston Clinton, Bucks HP22 5ES Closing date 30 May 2016 RETIREMENT

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Footloose – A Classic Tour of Scotland

Gaelic tongue. From there we travelled north up the Trotternish peninsula, seeing amazing rock formations like the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock and the Quiraing. At the top of the Island at Kilmuir is an authentic collection of crofts which form The Skye Museum of Island Life. We sat down and talked to the custodian and creator, Jonathan MacDonald. Above the Museum is Kilmuir Cemetery, where Flora MacDonald is buried, and fashion designer Alexander McQueen! Completing the island tour we called in at Elgol, in the south west, to make a cliff-top walking trail to the alleged cave that Bonnie Prince Charlie slept in! After 3 nights on Skye we travelled back down the A87 to rejoin the A82 at the Great Glen. A scenic stop at Urquhart castle on Loch Ness was the highlight of the journey. The odd dark patches of water are definitely mysterious enough to squint your eyes and think you’ve seen something! 2 miles on, Drumnadrochit is home to two Nessie exhibitions. We hit the shops at Inverness and took a look at the Castle and Cathedral. Just past Inverness a white Transit van drew alongside us, flashing lights and honking its horn. We stared fixedly

Salads for all Seasons

hat defines a salad? In Savour: Salads for All Seasons, Peter Gordon shows us what versatile dishes salads really are, from a perfectly crafted plate able to take centre-place at a dinner party, to a quick three-ingredient salad that can be assembled in minutes. As Peter says, “Salads have never been as varied or as exciting as they are right now. Today, the idea of having a salad as a main meal, instead of just a starter or side dish, no matter what the season, is common place. We’ve come to appreciate that salads are not just for summer, they can be enjoyed all year round”It can be anything from a perfectly crafted plate able to take centre-place at a dinner party, to a quick three-ingredient salad that can be assembled in minutes. Here are some of our favourites for you to try …..

Tuna with coconut, chilli, mango,apple and lime FOR 2 AS A MAIN COURSE OR 4 AS A STARTER SLIGHTLY CHILLED Raw fish salads have been part of my family’s culinary repertoire back in New Zealand for as long as I can remember. Even my stepmum, Rose, a Cockney from London’s East End, got into the swing of things when she and Dad married. Whether it be a Peruvian ceviche or Cook Island’s Ika Mata, or even a jumble of Japanese sashimi, raw fish is delish! Pretty much any fish, so long as it’s very fresh, will work here. The smaller the chunks of fish, or the thinner it’s sliced, the less time it’ll take to marinate. If your limes are very firm, you can get the most juice from them by rolling them firmly on their sides along your worktop for 10 seconds, which helps to crush the cell walls inside the flesh. Alternatively, as odd as this may seem, zap them for 15 seconds in the microwave and then leave to cool. INGREDIENTS 350g (12oz.) very fresh tuna loin, skin and bones removed 3 tbsp lime juice (or use lemon juice) 1 small red onion, halved and very thinly sliced ½ tsp finely grated lime zest ½ medium-heat red chilli, finely chopped (use more or less to taste) 1 tsp grated palm sugar or light brown sugar 1 ripe, sweet mango 100ml (scant ½ cup) coconut milk 8 stalks coriander (cilantro), leaves picked 1 spring onion (scallion), thinly sliced 1 crisp, sweet apple 2 tbsp desiccated (shredded) coconut, toasted METHOD Cut the fish into cubes about 1½ –2cm (¾ in.) square. Mix with half the lime juice and ¼ teaspoon of flaky salt, then cover and leave in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Salads for all Seasons

Recipes from Savour: Salads for all Seasons by Peter Gordon, photos by Lisa Linder, is published by Jacqui Small (£25)

Briefly rinse the sliced onion under cold water, then mix with the lime zest, chilli, palm sugar and remaining lime juice. Cover and place in the fridge until the fish is ready. Peel the skin from one half of the mango and cut off the cheek (you’ll need only one cheek). Thinly slice the flesh. Drain the juices from the fish. Toss gently with the onion mixture, coconut milk, mango, coriander (cilantro) and spring onion (scallion). Cover and leave for 5 minutes in the fridge. Cut the apple (unpeeled) into juliennes and toss with the toasted coconut. To serve, give the fish another gentle mix and taste for seasoning, adding extra salt if needed. Divide among your bowls or plates and sprinkle the apple and coconut on top.

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Crumbed camembert, apple, mango,salad leaves and radish FOR 4 AS A STARTER SALAD AT ROOM TEMPERATURE, CHEESE WARM

INGREDIENTS oil for frying

Chilli-roast sweet potato, courgettes, roast garlic, hazelnuts and pears FOR 8 AS A SIDE DISH WARM OR AT ROOM TEMPERATURE This is one for the middle of the table, although it would also make a tasty starter with large chunks of goats’ curd dolloped on top, or even some thinly sliced smoked chicken breast (fillet). You don’t need to boil the garlic in advance, but it makes it a little more mellow.

1 ripe camembert (about 250g/9oz.), chilled, so it is firm enough to coat

INGREDIENTS

50g (1 ¾ oz./scant ½ cup) (all-purpose) flour

1 head garlic, broken into separate (unpeeled) cloves

1 egg, beaten

1kg (2lb. 4oz.) sweet potatoes, skins scrubbed, cut lengthways into wedges

100g (3½ oz./1 3 cups) breadcrumbs

2 large pears, halved, core removed, cut into thin wedges

1 mango, peeled and sliced

1 or 2 red chillies, thinly sliced

2 crisp eating apples, quartered and cored, then julienned

1 tbsp rosemary leaves

6 radishes, thinly sliced

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp runny honey

2 tbsp sesame oil

1 ½ tbsp lime juice

3 courgettes (zucchini)

½ tsp finely grated lime zest

(600g/1lb. 5oz.), quartered lengthways

1 handful salad leaves (I used baby kale)

100g (3½oz./ 2/3 cup) hazelnuts, skins off, roughly chopped

METHOD

100g (3½oz.) baby spinach (or use large-leaf spinach and coarsely shred it)

Heat 5cm (2in.) of oil in a medium pan to 180°C (350°F).

METHOD

Cut the camembert into quarters. Toss in seasoned flour, coat with the beaten egg, then carefully coat with the breadcrumbs, making sure that the cheese is entirely coated. Return it to the fridge for at least 20 minutes to firm up.

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F/Gas mark 4).

Mix the mango, apples, radishes, honey, lime juice and lime zest together in a large bowl. As you toss it the honey will melt into the dressing. Add salt to taste. As soon as you’re ready, deep-fry the cheese wedges until golden on all sides and drain on absorbent kitchen paper. If the cheese begins to ooze out of the coating into the hot oil then carefully remove it, but not until it’s golden. To serve, place the salad leaves on four plates and spoon the mango salad on top. Place the deep-fried camembert wedges on top, cut in half to allow the hot cheese to ooze over the salad. Eat while hot.

Put the garlic in a pan, cover with 3cm (1 ¼ in.) water and add ½ teaspoon of fine salt. Bring to the boil, then cook over a medium heat until the water has almost evaporated. Drain. Put the garlic, sweet potatoes, pears, chillies, rosemary, olive oil and half the sesame oil into a roasting dish. Sprinkle on 1 teaspoon of salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Roast in the oven for 45 minutes, tossing twice. Add the courgettes (zucchini), hazelnuts and remaining sesame oil and toss together, then cook until the pears and sweet potato are cooked through, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and stir in the spinach. RETIREMENT

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Salads for all Seasons

What could be better than deep-fried crumbed cheese? Yum yum! Whether you use goats’ cheese, ricotta mixed with herbs and dried chilli and rolled into balls, mixed cheese scraps squashed together or, as here, camembert, deepfrying it in this way is like having grilled (broiled) cheese on toast! Culinary purists may feel that combining a classic French cheese with mango is too odd but my Italian burrata with mango dressing (see page 138) will prove that mango is a great accompaniment to cheese. This works much better as a starter than a main as the cheese is very rich.

COMPETITIONS WIN 1 of 3 pairs of tickets to THRILLER LIVE!

jNow in its record breaking 8th year, THRILLER LIVE is a spectacular concert created to celebrate the career of the world’s greatest entertainer. Already seen by over 3.5 million people in over 30 countries, THRILLER LIVE continues to moonwalk around the world, taking you on a visual, audio and electrifying journey through the magic of Michael’s 40 year musical history. Experience over two hours of non-stop hits from pop to rock, soul to disco in a show that pays homage to Jackson’s legendary live performances and innovative dance moves executed with flair, precision and passion in a show that you will never forget. Expect your favorite songs delivered by an exceptionally talented cast and band, including: I Want You Back, ABC, Can You Feel It, Off The Wall, The Way You Make Me Feel, Smooth Criminal, Beat It, Billie Jean, Dirty Diana, Bad, Rock With You, They Don’t Care About Us and Dangerous LYRIC THEATRE www.thrillerlive.com Tel. 0844 482 9674 Terms and conditions apply. Prize is valid for Tuesday -Thursday performances until the 23rd June 2016. Subject to availability. Prize is as stated and cannot be transferred or exchanged. No cash alternative will be offered. Photo of previous cast member.

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WIN 1 of 3 pairs of tickets to see How The Other Half Loves. Alan Ayckbourn’s farcical tale of matrimonial mishaps, How The Other Half Loves receives its first major West End revival this spring, directed by Alan Strachan. As Bob and Fiona clumsily try to cover up their affair, their spouses’ intervention only adds to the confusion. William and Mary Featherstone become hopelessly stuck in the middle, falsely accused of adultery and with no idea as to how they’ve become involved. The plot culminates in two disastrous dinner parties on successive nights, shown at the same time, after which the future of all three couples seems in jeopardy… The star cast includes Olivier Award nominee Nicholas Le Prevost (Up The Garden Path), Jenny Seagrove (Judge John Deed), Tamzin Outhwaite (Hotel Babylon), Jason Merrells (Lark Rise to Candleford), Matthew Cottle (Game On) and Gillian Wright (Eastenders). Theatre Royal Haymarket Tickets from £15 Book Tickets / 020 7930 8800 Terms and conditions apply, prize is subject to availability. Winner’s tickets are valid for Monday – Thursday performances until 16/06/2016. Prize is as stated and cannot be transferred of exchanged. No cash alternative will be offered.

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WIN 1 OF 3 PAIRS OF TICKETS TO SHOW BOAT IN THE WEST END

The ground-breaking classic musical Show Boat sails into London’s West End for the first time in almost 20 years, direct from a hugely successful and critically acclaimed run at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre. Set against the backdrop of America’s Deep South at the turn of the 20th Century, Show Boat tells a powerful story of freedom, loyalty and above all love. The show’s Broadway premiere in 1927 changed musical theatre forever, and this lavish new production proves that its timeless themes and peerless music remain as vital, passionate and moving as ever. So hop on board the Cotton Blossom show boat, and be swept away by one of the most romantic musicals of all time, directed by Daniel Evans and featuring the timeless songs Ol’ Man River, Make Believe and Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man from Jerome Kern, with lyrics and book by Oscar Hammerstein II. New London Theatre www.ShowBoatMusical.co.uk call 0844 412 4654. Terms and Conditions Tickets valid Tues-Thurs performances until 7 July 2016. Subject to availability Non transferable.No cash alternative. Additional expenses are the responsibility of the prize winner. Not for resale. For a chance to send send in your details, quoting ref SB. Closing date 31 May 2016. RETIREMENT

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London Waterbus Trips

] LITTLE VENICE ] LONDON ZOO ] CAMDEN LOCK

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

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Wind String Keyboard Composing Conducting

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ESCAPE LONDON Days out within easy reach of London CHARLESTON In 1916, Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant turned this elegant manor house into the country home of the Bloomsbury Group, remodelling its interiors with décor that would draw on everything from Italian frescoes to the contemporary work of the post-Impressionists. Its walls are also adorned with pieces by Renoir, Picasso, Derain, Sickert, and Delacroix... and the gardens are equally stunning. Firle, BN8 6LL. 01323 811265 www.charleston.org.uk

Escape London

LEWES

It might seem quite contrary to head to the South Coast and miss the sea, but then Lewes is a rather contrary town. Indeed its sense of independence is so strong that in 2008 it even invented its own currency, the Lewes Pound. Little of this anarchic nature is overtly on display though in a town notable for its pleasing aspect. Handsome Regency buildings on Albion Street give way to the sweet little shops and shiplapped old cottages of Cliffe High Street, as well as the pretty Keere street further down. There are other less obvious pleasures to be discovered too. Like Pell’s Pool (Brook Street), a carefully preserved 47-metre long Victorian lido surrounded by trees and a lawn, and the arresting ruins of Lewes Priory Park (Cockshut Road). Or the impressive medieval St Michael’s Church (158 High Street), which was decorated with murals by Bloomsbury Group locals Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant. A walk to their stunning house and walled garden, Charleston, six miles away, is a terrific way to experience the beauty of the South Downs. Other local walks include strolls along the River Ouse to the picturesque village of Barcombe and a clamber through the town’s alleyways up to the imposing eleventh-century ruins of the motte-and-bailey Lewes Castle. If you’re here on Bonfire Night, it’s a fantastic perch from which to watch the Bonfire Society’s famous – and famously raucous – Grand Union Procession. But to really appreciate the unique appeal of this little town you’re far better off coming when the crowds are elsewhere. Get there: Trains run direct from London Victoria and London Bridge, taking around one hour.

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ANNE OF CLEVES HOUSE Set in a medieval timber house bequeathed to Henry VIII’s fourth wife, this little museum has not only history, but also a fantastic location in the pretty area of Southover. Its garden, complete with traditional Tudor planting schemes, is also a captivating spot in which to take tea and pretend you’ve slipped back a few centuries in time. 52 Southover High Street, BN7 1JA. 01273 474610 www.sussexpast.co.uk/properties-to-discover/ anne-of-cleves-house

HENLEY-ON-THAMES

D HARVEY’S BREWERY On the eastern bank of the River Ouse, this imposing Victorian brewery features a shop selling more than 20 types of own-brewed ale – including an eye-watering eight per cent Christmas Ale and many other seasonal tipples using hops from Sussex, Kent and Surrey. Sample them at the adjacent John Harvey Tavern or at the town’s two best pubs, The Gardener’s Arms (46 High Cliffe Street) and The Lewes Arms (1 Mount Place). The Bridge Wharf Brewery, 6 Cliffe High Street, BN7 2AH. 01273 480217 www.harveys.org.uk

For five days each July, Henley-on-Thames is filled to bursting with thousands of Pimm’s drinking rowing fans in striped blazers who descend on the town for the annual Henley Royal Regatta, the rowing tournament that has been held here since 1839. But for the rest of the year, this medieval market town is a quiet, sleepy settlement on the banks of the Thames that makes a fine starting point for

THE BOHUN GALLERY This small but well-curated space specialises in contemporary British fine art and the work of surrealist artist and printmaker Julian Trevelyan, who produced much of his work in Paris in the company of artistic greats Max Ernst, Joan Miro and Picasso. His fascinating pieces are accompanied by regularly rotating solo exhibitions alongside occasional sculpture work in the garden. 15 Reading Road, RG9 1AB. 01491 576228 www.bohungallery.co.uk

RIVER & ROWING MUSEUM Even if you’ve no interest in the sport, the River & Rowing Museum is an enjoyable and absorbing space. Exhibits cover not only rowing, but also nearby rivers, the history of the town and, for younger visitors, local author Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the W illows. 3D models, music and lighting are used to bring the magical story (and national treasure) to life. Mill Meadows, RG9 1BF. 01491 415600 www.rrm.co.uk

OXFORD The city of dreaming spires has been attracting students and visitors to its colleges since the Middle Ages, and if it’s your first visit, a tour of the college buildings should sit at the top of your list. The fourteenthcentury Christ Church College is home to the hallowed cloisters of Oxford Cathedral, while Keble College is a must for its intricate brickwork by William Butterfield as well as Holman Hunt’s painting, Light of the World. But Oxford also has much to enjoy beyond the architecture and art of its colleges and museums, thanks in part to its location at the junction of the Thames and Cherwell rivers. A relaxing riverside walk or punt from Magdalen bridge along the Cherwell will take you up to The Victoria Arms pub in Old Marston (Mill Lane), or you could hire a bike and head to the nearby Port Meadow, which is listed in the Domesday book. A potter around Oxford’s interesting shops also makes for a rewarding day trip – Truck Store (101 Cowley Road), for example, sells CDs, vinyls and books, and hosts regular live music performances. And the nineteenth-century Pitt Rivers Museum (accessed through the Museum of Natural History, Parks Road) is a first-class attraction that hosts temporary exhibitions alongside permanent collections of archaeological and ethnographic objects, including the ever-fascinating shrunken heads of ancient South America. To cap it all, the city’s gastronomic offerings are plentiful, with restaurants and cafés to serve all tastes. But for Oxford’s best gastronomic experience you’ll need to head to nearby Great Milton and Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons Get there: Trains run direct from London Paddington, taking around one hour.

OXFORD UNIVERSITY BOTANIC GARDEN

Britain’s oldest botanic garden has approximately 5,000 different plant species packed into its two hectares, which include a fernery, seven glasshouses and a walled garden. And just outside Oxford, the garden’s Harcourt Arboretum (Oxford Lodge, Peacock Gate) has one of the best collection of trees in the county, with some of the oldest redwoods in the UK. Rose Lane, OX1 4AZ. 01865 286690 www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk

Ashmolean Dining Room

Sitting above the Palladian splendour of Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum, the light and airy rooftop of the Ashmolean Dining Room is a fitting venue for modern European meals served on pale oak tables. Sliding glass doors ensure seamless transition from interior to exterior, making it a pleasure to eat here inside or out. Beaumont Street, OX1 2PH 01865 610406 www.benugo.com/restaurants/ashmoleandining-room An adapted extract from Escape London by Yolanda Zappaterra, published by Frances Lincoln

Reader Offer: To order 9780711236912 Escape London for £7.99 including p&p, telephone 01903 828503 and quote offer code QPG426. Or send a cheque made payable to:- Littlehampton Book Services Mail Order Department, Littlehampton Book Services, PO Box 4264, Worthing, West Sussex BN13 3TG. Please quote the offer code QPG426 and include your name and address details. *UK ONLY. Please add £2.50 if ordering from overseas. RETIREMENT

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Escape London

some scenic walks on the southern Chiltern Hills. The walks range in length, from a particularly appealing three miles along the Hamble Valley from Henley to Hambleton, to a nine-mile circular stroll through rolling hills to the stately home of Stonor Park. The National Trust’s Grey’s Court, a Tudor building with a beautiful walled garden, also makes for a great excursion just over two miles out of town. Whichever walk you decide to take will involve mixed woodland and green fields set in gently rolling valleys, and to have Henley at the start and finish is a real bonus. Oxford’s oldest settlement, reputedly founded in Roman times, is an absorbing mix of art galleries, antique shops, pubs and cafés set in listed buildings – some 300 of them dating as far as the fourteenth century. Get there: Trains run direct from London Paddington, taking around one hour.

Simply Scandinavian Northern Lights

Simply Scandinavian

n Sweden, the days are brutally short through the cold months from mid-autumn to early spring, meaning that people have had to learn to value the soft beauty and healing effects of natural light. The midpoint of the long, dark winter season – the longest night of the year – is marked by the Festival of Light, St Lucia’s Day, in December, when celebrations centre around the lighting of many candles. Candlelight is an important feature at this converted distillery on a farm in southern Sweden. ‘While we do have electric light, we rarely use it; instead we burn a large number of candles,’ say the owners. ‘Artificial light is so strong and cold, we prefer the warmth and glow – and the atmosphere of centuries long lost – that candlelight gives.’ The owners are mindful though of the destructive powers of naked flames and open fires. The distillery, being stone, is all that remains of the original period farm buildings that a fire destroyed just 30 years ago. The outbuildings have since been rebuilt in the Scandinavian softwood traditionally used as a building material. The farmstead is some distance from the nearest village, which gives it a romantic feeling of isolation that particularly appealed to the homeowners. ‘For us there is a special feeling that comes from living in the country and being alone. The peace enhances our closeness to the elements, and we have the knowledge that nature is always just around the corner for us to enjoy.’ RETIREMENT

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The owners are devotees of 18thand 19th-century traditional Swedish style – Gustavian in particular – and are also antiques dealers. Their antiques shop is on the ground floor, while their living space on the first floor benefits from the extra light that being a little higher up affords. The desire to exploit natural light is not a purely aesthetic one.Through the winter months, when the sun never rises above the surrounding treetops, spirits can be dimmed along with the sun’s rays. The inhabitants of this hideaway recognize this fact and the corresponding need for a regular dose, quite literally, of sunlight to maintain health and happiness. Therefore, as is traditional in Swedish interiors, the layout of the converted distillery is designed and decorated with two conflicting aims in mind: being warm and cozy during the long winters while maximizing every last drop of precious daylight. Heat-retaining small windows are offset by pale walls throughout the interior – painted with a traditional

Extract and images from Simply Scandinavian, by Sara Norrman, published by Ryland Peters & Small. Photography by Chris Tubbs ©rps

soft off-white distemper that reflects the light and complements the light-enhancing whites and greyblues used on the painted furniture. Internal doors are ‘glazed’ with fine wire mesh to allow the hazy passage of light between rooms, and the windows have blinds, rather than obstructive curtains. The owners’ preference for firelight and candlelight as natural mood lighting immediately creates a warm ambience through the constantly flickering flames and shadows and the associated aromas of beeswax and pinewood that fill the house. The placing of mirrors,

Simply Scandinavian

sconces and chandeliers combines with the soft light and magnifies it through reflection. It’s an old device that originates in earlier centuries when candles were a luxury. To fuel their passion for firelight, the owners spend the long daylight hours of summer collecting and chopping firewood in the surrounding forests, which they leave to dry ready for the harsh winter months.

Reader offer Simply Scandinavian is available to our readers for the special price of £14.99 including postage & packaging (rrp£19.99) by telephoning Macmillan Direct on 01256 302 699 and quoting the reference GI9. RETIREMENT

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Out&About...

Leighton House Museum 12 Holland Park Road, London, W14 8LZ Open daily 10am to 5:30pm; closed Tuesdays.

Free public tours available on Wednesdays and Sundays 3pm. Adults: £7, concessions: £5. National Trust 50%, Free for Art Fund. Leighton House Museum is the former home and studio of the leading Victorian artist, Frederic, Lord Leighton (1830-1896). It is unique among the capital’s museums in combining an exceptional collection of Victorian art with the intimacy of a private home. The house was designed by his great friend, the architect George Aitchison RA as a showcase for artistic taste and to entertain and impress the foremost artists, collectors and celebrities of the day. The exterior of Leighton House gives little clue as to the treasures that lie within. The highlight of any visit is the extraordinary Arab Hall which reflects Leighton’s fascination with the Middle East where he travelled widely. This room was built between 1877 and 1881 to display his outstanding collection of 16th and 17thcentury Islamic tiles and also contains mosaic floors, a gold mosaic frieze, set beneath a gilded dome, and a calming fountain. Also not to be missed is Leighton’s painting studio on the first floor, with its large north-facing window, picture slot and screen. Leighton produced all the works of his mature career in this room, including the iconic Flaming June which is now at the Museo de Arte Ponce, Puerto Rico. Frederic Leighton was born in Scarborough, Yorkshire in 1830 to a wealthy medical family; at an early age he showed an interest in drawing, and went on to study art on the continent, despite his parents’ early reservations about his choice of career. Leighton did undeniably succeed – Queen Victoria bought his first major painting in 1855, and in 1878 he reached the pinnacle of his profession, with his election as President of the Royal Academy of Arts. www.leightonhouse.co.uk

Fashion on the Ration: 1940s Street Style

Imperial War Museum, North - Manchester 27 May 2016 – 26 May 2017

Charlotte Brontë by George Richmond, Copyright: National Portrait Gallery, London)

To mark the 75th anniversary of the announcement of clothes rationing in Britain, this exhibition explores how fashion survived and even flourished under the strict rules of rationing and how despite the restrictions, austerity did not put an end to creative design or fashionable trends on the British home front. As uniforms and utility became commonplace on the streets of 1940s Britain and clothes were rationed for the first time, see how make do and mend, customizing and general creativity still allowed men and women across the country to assert their individuality and personal style. As well as clothes and accessories, also on display are photographs, film, official documents and publications, artworks, letters and ephemera, some which have never been seen before. www.iwm.org.uk

Celebrating Charlotte Masters of the Everyday: Brontë Dutch Artists in the Air Raid Wardens Wanted by Cecil Beaton, IWM

Out & About

National Portrait Gallery, London Until 14 August

Many personal items, original manuscripts and works of art on show to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charlotte Brontë. Among the treasurers are paintings and drawings by Charlotte, letters and journals, the famous little books created by the Brontë sisters as children including the first book Charlotte ever made, and a pair of her cloth ankle boots. Anyone interested in the Brontës will find this an unmissable experience. www.npg.uk RETIREMENT

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Age of Vermeer

The Queen’s Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh Until 24 July Twenty-eight of the finest 17th and 18th century Dutch paintings in the Royal Collection are on show in this exhibition. Paintings depicting ordinary people doing everyday things. They offer a look into the life of village taverns, peasant cottages as well as the quiet domesticity of courtyards and parlours. Scenes of everyday life rendered in extraordinary detail. Renowned for their exquisite depiction of space and light, Dutch artists of the period also included humorous or moralising messages in their work for the contemporary viewer to decode. www.royalcollection.org.uk

Gerrit Dou, ‘The Grocer’s Shop: A Woman Selling Grapes, 1672 Royal Collection Trust © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2015

1816-1855

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PALACE OF ART 12 Holland Park Road London W14 8LZ Open 10am - 5:30pm; Tuesdays closed www.leightonhouse.co.uk #leightonhouse

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Around the World in a FORD MODEL T

and Botswana we met a farmer who had an old Ford Model T in the shed, he gave us the tyre off of it as a gift to help us on our way,” Dirk said.

And the highlight of their journey?

“Highway 1 from Los Angeles to San Francisco is beautiful; steep slopes, deep ravines, mountains on one side and wonderful view of the ocean on the other. It’s breath-taking.”

About Ford Motor Company

Around the World in a Ford Model T

riving around the world is no mean feat. Doing it in a 100-yearold Ford Model T is a staggering challenge – but that’s exactly what Dirk and Trudy Regter from the Netherlands are attempting. The Regters began their epic journey in the summer of 2012. The husband and wife team covered 22,000 kilometres (14,000 miles) in 180 days during the first leg of the drive, which took them from their home town of Edam in the Netherlands to Cape Town in South Africa. In 2013 the couple conquered the U.S. and Canada, crossing 22 states during their 28,000-kilometre (17,000mile), 180-day road trip. In 2014 they ticked off another 26,000 kilometres (16,000 miles) through South America in a further 180 days. So far, the intrepid couple have driven almost 80,000 kilometres (50,000 miles) visiting and supporting various projects run by the international children’s aid organisation SOS – Children’s Villages. During 2016 and 2017 they plan to continue through New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, and India, crossing the Himalayas to China, through Mongolia and back to the Netherlands via Central Europe. Watch Dirk recount the many highs and occasional lows of their amazing journey: https://youtu.be/hhwVjJvEjAs RETIREMENT

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The car that conquered the world

Travelling the world in a 100-year-old Ford Model T takes serious dedication, but the vintage model is very robust and its simple design makes it easy to service and repair. Dirk and Trudy Regter – both retired – have owned their 1915 Ford Model T since 1997. Dirk previously owned a 1923 Ford Model T and a 1928 Ford Model A. His lifelong passion for vintage Fords is inherited from his father and grandfather. Ford built 15,000,000 Model Ts between 1908 and 1927. Production started in the U.S. but quickly expanded worldwide, including assembly plants in Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Spain and the U.K. The Ford Model T helped put the world on wheels, and owed its mass appeal

to being affordable, reliable and easy to maintain with standard, interchangeable parts. “In Africa we had to weld a broken front wheel at the local blacksmith,” Dirk said. “I’m pretty handy and a screwdriver, hammer, some duct tape, tie wraps and tensioning straps go a long way”. The Regters’ Ford Model T is powered by a 3.0-litre petrol engine and remains in the same specification as when it left the factory in 1915, apart from larger tyres for the wooden-spoked wheels, which make the ride softer and more bearable over long journeys. A set of tyres will last around 15,000 km (9,300 miles) on normal roads, but many fewer miles on some of the rough, unpaved tracks tackled by the Regters in regions such as Africa and South America. “On the border of South Africa

Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Mich. With about 199,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing, financing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and electrified vehicles, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. At the same time, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience and data and analytics. For more information regarding Ford, its products worldwide or Ford Motor Credit Company, visit www. corporate.ford.com. Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 53,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 68,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 24 manufacturing facilities (16 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and 8 unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.

Father’s Day Recipes

e all know the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach – well in most cases! This Father’s Day we’ve got a delicious selection of ideas for starter, main, dessert to make sure he has the best day.

Sticky Chocolate and BerryWorld Redcurrant Slice Sharp and tangy currants make this rich chocolate cake really very special. Serve with some thick cream! Serves: 6-8

There is nothing quite like the taste of roasted asparagus with peppery, punchy chorizo and creamy egg yolk. This makes for a lovely starter or light summer lunch Serves: 2

Brazilian Rib & Black Eyed Bean Salad

YOU’LL NEED

Cooking time: 1 hour

75g luxury plain cooking chocolate, broken into pieces

Serves: 4 MAIN:

75g unsalted butter 175g redcurrants, de-stalked

Zest and juice of 1 lime

3tbsp soft brown sugar

½ tsp chilli flakes

YOU’LL NEED

50g caster sugar

2 tbsp honey

a bundle (approx 250g) British asparagus

2 x size 3 eggs

1 tbsp olive oil

25g ground almonds

28g pack coriander, chopped

110g chorizo, sliced

25g cocoa powder, sifted

750g pork spare ribs

2 eggs

25g plain flour, sifted

400g can black eyed beans (240g drained and rinsed)

2tbsp redcurrant jelly

Cooking time: 10-12 minutes

STARTER:

handful of chives, chopped WHAT TO DO Preheat the oven to 210°c. Place your British asparagus into a roasting dish, add the olive oil and place in the oven for 10-12 minutes. In a hot dry frying pan add the slices of chorizo. Cook on both sides for 2 minutes until the slices of chorizo release their paprikainfused oil. Meanwhile place a pan of boiling water on the hob and bring to a fast rolling boil. When you have 3 minutes to go before serving crack your 2 eggs into the boiling water and immediately lower the heat to low-medium for 2 minutes. Then turn the heat off completely. Remove the British asparagus from the oven and place on a serving dish, sprinkle over the hot chorizo slices, and with a slotted spoon add the 2 poached eggs. Finally drizzle over the paprika oil and finish with the chives. www.british-asparagus.co.uk

DESSERT:

Cook time: 35 minutes

Prep time: 10 minutes

YOU’LL NEED

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Prep time: 25 minutes

195g can sweetcorn (160g drained and rinsed) 4 handfuls Crispy Salad Bag (150g) WHAT TO DO Preheat the oven to 180oC, gas mark 4. Whisk together the lime zest and juice, chilli flakes, honey, oil and half the coriander. Place the ribs in a large roasting tin and toss in half the dressing. Roast for 1 hour. Just before serving, mix the beans and sweetcorn into the salad with the remaining dressing and serve with the ribs sprinkled with remaining coriander.

Grated chocolate (optional) WHAT TO DO Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/gas 4. Line a 500g loaf tin with greaseproof paper and lightly grease. Melt the chocolate with the butter in a small pan or in a Microwave on High in 30-second bursts. When quite smooth remove from the heat to cool slightly. Set aside about 50g nice berries for serving. Cook the rest of the fruit with 2tbsp brown sugar until soft and then pass through a sieve. Whisk the caster sugar and egg yolks together until light and pale, then gently mix in the ground almonds, cocoa, flour, melted chocolate mixture and sieved fruit. Whisk the egg whites and fold in at the last moment. Spoon into the tin and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until risen and just firm to the touch. Cool in the tin for 2 hours or overnight, turn out onto a serving plate and peel away the lining paper. Cook the remaining berries with 1tbsp brown sugar and the redcurrant jelly until the fruit begins to soften. Sprinkle the terrine with grated chocolate and serve sliced with the extra berries and sauce.

Father’s Day Recipes

Roasted British asparagus with chorizo and a poached egg

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

HIGH FASHION

Book reviews

MODERN PASTORAL

Bring the tranquility of nature into your home Niki Brantmark Cico Books, £19.99 Hardback Taking inspiration from nature the author showcases homes from across the world using this simple pared back style. The book is divided into four sections, Forest, Graphical, Homestead and Waterside, each showing ways to make nature a part of your home to fit in with modern day living. A perfect way to transform the home into a unique sanctuary!

PERFECT ENGLISH COTTAGE

Ros Byam Shaw Rylands Peters & Small, £30 Hardback A book to inspire anyone hoping to achieve the classic English cottage style. Eighteen homes are featured, divided into five different chapters, Romance, Character, Holiday, Simplicity and Elegance. The homes featured vary from a humble farm workers cottage to a gothic folly, each with its own unique take. A must have book for anyone looking to pick up tips and inspiration!

BREAKING STONES

1963 - 1965 A Band on the Brink of Superstardom Terry O’Neill and Gered Mankowitz ACC, £29.95 Hardback A pictorial history capturing the formative years of one of the most iconic and influential bands in music history. Terry O’Neill and Gered Mankowitz two of the most exhibited and respected photographers in the world have captured the Stone’s early days, 1963 to 1965 when the band were starting to record and tour. A must have book for any Stones fan.

Bright Bazaar’s

The 20th Century Decade by DREAM DECOR Decade Styling a Cool, Creative and Emmanuelle Dirix Comfortable Home, Wherever you live Thames & Hudson, Will Taylor £18.95 Hardback Jacqui Small, £25 Hardback This book takes each decade Will Taylor provides a lesson for the of the 20th Century and home decorator on the basic rules highlights the significant that make up any design scheme. moments that shaped fashion The writer shares his techniques and in that era. The significant designers who helped shape ideas with the reader by encouraging them to use there surroundings the modern woman are and memories to create a unique highlighted and the key looks space. The writer also showcases they influenced. Illustrated design from across the world, throughout with archive from Hollywood to the Hamptons, images the reader is taken on from Tuscany to Paris the reader is a journey through 20th invited to view a range of diverse century style. A must have and inspirational interiors. A must book for those who for anyone embarking on a new love fashion. decorating project.

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

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The Psychiatry Research Trust

Together, we can help everyone make the most of later life.

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

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The Psychiatry Research Trust

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

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

TreaTing ProsTaTe CanCer QuesTions & answers For a FREE copy of this booklet please contact us at the address below Quoting RET2016.

This booklet has two aims: • to help you become better informed about prostate cancer and its treatment. • to guide you in the decisions you will make about your care with your doctor.

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It cannot replace talking to your GP or hospital doctor. If you can help us by raising funds for our research or to make a donation please contact us at the address below.

Almost half of the work Age Scotland does to help older people in Scotland is only possible because of people remembering Age Scotland with gifts in their wills. After you have taken care of your loved ones, please consider leaving a gift in your will to Age Scotland. Even a small gift can make a massive difference towards helping everyone make the most of later life in Scotland. Find out more about us at: www.agescotland.org.uk Age Scotland Causewayside House 160 Causewayside Edinburgh EH9 1PR Charity No: SC010100

The Thhe Royal College rgeons of England Surgeons of Su

Your support is vital!

Prostate Cancer Research Centre • Britannia House • 7 Trinity Street • London SE1 1DB Tel: 020 7848 7546 • Email: info@prostate-cancer-research.org.uk • www.prostate-cancer-research.org.uk

Age Scotland, part of the Age Network, is an independent charity dedicated to improving the later lives of everyone on the ageing journey, within a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in Scotland. Registration Number: 153343 Charity Number: SC010100 Registered Office: Causewayside House, 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh EH9 1PR.

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Charity NBarrow EWS woman

to celebrate 80th birthday by taking on new MyMarathon challenge for the British Heart Foundation A 79-year-old woman from Barrow-in-Furness will mark her 80th birthday by taking on the British Heart Foundation’s new MyMarathon challenge this May to help fund life saving heart research. The nation’s heart charity is encouraging everyone across the UK to join the fight against heart disease by taking on its new MyMarathon challenge, and run or walk 26.2 miles over the month of May.

Reflect and Remember a loved one Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is asking people to reflect and remember a loved one to help benefit the lives of others. Giving in memory of a loved one is a very positive way to help while reflecting on special memories. CHSS strives for a healthier Scotland, where no one dies too soon of preventable chest, heart and stroke conditions and it works hard to ensure all of those affected receive the highest standards of care, treatment and support. It does this through community support (local support services across Scotland for people living with chest, heart and stroke conditions), advice and information (a free, nurse led Advice Line for all Tel: 0808 801 0899 and downloadable factsheets) influencing public policy (lobbying the Scottish government) and funding vital research studies.

Charity News

Life can be particularly hard for those coping with a chest, heart or stroke condition as those affected may well be socially isolated, in financial distress or discomfort. CHSS aims to combat this across Scotland through its services.

As you remember someone close to your heart, support us now for longer, stronger lives in Scotland! Call Anne on 0131 225 6963, email: gifts@chss.org.uk, or visit www. chss.org.uk/sapphirefunds. RETIREMENT

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Rita Tadman, from Morecambe Crescent in Barrow-in-Furness, will be donning her walking shoes and taking on the challenge this spring to celebrate turning 80, and is looking for people to join her along the way. Rita first started walking last year in a bid to improve her health. Now she can be spotted walking around Cumbria every day of the week for up to 10 miles at a time. With MyMarathon, you can complete the challenge in your own time, whether it’s over 4 hours, 4 days or 4 weeks. You don’t need calves of steel or lungs of iron to run a marathon. Now everyone can go the distance! Every pound raised from MyMarathon will help the BHF fulfil its ambition to fund half a billion pounds of new research in the next five years, to revolutionise and accelerate the fight against heart disease. If you would like to sponsor Rita or join her on her walks, contact 01229 820878. To find out more or to sign up for free to MyMarathon visit www.bhf.org.uk/mymarathon

GIVE A LITTLE TO SAVE A CHILD’s LIFE St Margaret’s Hopsice has recently been hit by a suspected outbreak of AH1N1L influenza, after two weeks of quarantine, special hygiene, infection control, and health & safety measures, daily monitoring, and intollerable pressure on staff and management, the nightmare has finally ended. None of the other children nor any of the care staff have shown symptoms or developed this life threatening infection. Despite that, St Margaret’s care team have implemented a series of recommendations to improve the care of the children. The latest, upgraded public health protocols, similar to those applied in hospitals/infection disease departments will be incorporated into the Hospice’s care practices. In addition, to assure each child has a medical check-up on an almost a daily basis, the existing on-call GP and Consultant Paediatrican medical team, has been joined by a second, albeit part-time, paediatrican. A separate therapy room has now been allocated, which will be used only for the Hospice residents. Until now the hospice children used one of the therapy rooms within the adjacent St. Nicholas Child Development Centre. Emergency funding is urgenlty needed donate a little at www.childreninindistress.org Just Giving you may help save a child’s life.

Now & Next: ‘Planning for your Future’ workshops

POWERED BY AGE SCOTLAND Are you thinking about or approaching retirement and wondering how you will spend the extra 40 hours a week it will give you? Are you concerned about having enough savings to cover your expenses and enjoy a full and happy later life? Now & Next’s ‘Planning for your Future’ workshops provide relevant information to get you thinking and prepared about what you need to do now to ensure you have a happy and healthy retirement. Now & Next knows that the more thoughtful and planned you are about preparing yourself mentally, emotionally and financially for later life, the healthier and happier the experience will be. Have you recently retired and looking for an exciting, challenging and rewarding volunteering opportunity? Now & Next’s workshops are facilitated by recently retired volunteers who can provide insight into their own experience and share with delegates their personal aspirations and fears for later life. This is an exciting role that allows you to help prepare people to step into retirement and inspire attendees with positive encouragement of the transition into later life.

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

For more information on workshops or volunteering please contact Karen at Karen.Grzywa@agescotland.org.uk or call 0333 323 2400. www.nowandnext.scot

With love, care and lots of patience, it’s surprising how often a cat that has the most difficult and anti-social habits and behaviour can change. At Catastrophes Cat Rescue, their aim is to help any cat in need. They believe that every cat deserves a chance to have a safe, caring and peaceful place to live in which to enjoy the rest of their lives. They strongly belief in spaying and neutering as part of responsible pet ownership and all cats in their care are given a high standard of veterinary care. Unfortunately, some cats are difficult to rehome, but those that are, have the chance to live out their days in a peaceful home environment with the freedom of the country garden that surrounds the sanctuary, in idyllic grounds in East Sussex. For more information on how you can sponsor one of the unwanted cats in their care Telephone 01435 830212 info@catastrophescats.org www.catstrophescats.org

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

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Charity News

Help an unwanted cat

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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 30

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BE A FORCE FOR OUR FORCES. Every day, our team of 7,000 men and women volunteers are making a lasting difference in the lives of our veterans. Do something extraordinary and join them. Get in touch today to discuss a role that will make the most of your talents.

CALL 020 7403 8783 OR VISIT ssafa.org.uk

Registered charity No.210760 and SCO38056. Established 1885. S094.0116