Retirement today summer 2016

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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 87 Summer ‘16 £2.90

Best of British Entertainment Musical entertainment performed by the Royal Air Force’s finest musicians.

The programme includes Dambusters March, Chariots of Fire, Devil’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

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CONTENTS

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4 Reigniting a sense of purpose – Legacy Beginning the new chapter of retirement, many of you might want to think about your own legacy. What do we want to leave, and for whom?

WELCOME TO RETIREMENT TODAY MAGAZINE

Top right: Image from Afternoon Tea at Home by Will Torrent (RPS) Photo by Matt Russell

Middle right: Image from Botanical Style by Selina Scott (RPS) Photo by Rachel Whiting Bottom left: Image courtesy of Lincoln Cathedral

7 Update Holiday care companion service; Mini-skirt wearing days are over by age 39 say Brits; Grandparents spend over £1000 extra looking after grandchildren in summer break; TripAble is born.

8 Afternoon Tea at Home Deliciously indulgent recipes for sandwiches and cakes.

10 Collecting as a hobby Alistair Wallbanks takes a look at the hobby of collecting.

13 Retirement Living Read about some of the property options available for the retired.

17 Out and About Read about events taking place up and down the country.

18 Footloose in Italy

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10 13

Debra Rixon takes us on a journey through some beautiful areas of Italy.

21 Cathedrals of the British Isles We take a look at some of the magnificent Cathedrals, steeped in history, around the British Isles.

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

24 Botanical Style – bring the outdoors in Ideas to transform your home into a leafy haven.

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29 Home is where the heart is

• Published by:-

Mike Francis explores one of the increasingly attractive options on the housing market – Park Homes.

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

32 How to be a Dog

• Email: info@amramedia.co.uk

PAGE 34

Visit BeautifulinLondon.co.uk

Call 0845 200 7981

Design & Print

34 Competitions Your chance to win some great theatre tickets.

• www.retirement-today.co.uk

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.

WIN

Some essential rules of the doggie world; a dogs guide for living with humans.

• Tel: 01296 632700

• Designed by: Tom Evans Design

YOU’LL FEEL THE EARTH MOVE!

36 Charity News Successful surgery for Poppy; Chest Heart & Stroke; A little help from our friends.

39 The Importance of Legacies Read about how leaving a legacy in your will can make such a difference to many worthwhile charities.

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42 Book Reviews A review of some of the best books currently available.

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REIGNITING A SENSE OF PURPOSE Legacy

B Reigniting a sense of purpose – Legacy

eginning the new chapter of retirement, many of us begin to think about our own legacy.What do we want to leave, and for whom?

For some, it is an account of memories to share with future generations. For others, it is a work—or works—of art in the form of song, painting, or poetry. While each person is called to leave something slightly different, all are possessed of interesting and rich stories that are well worth sharing.

Many of us have had the experience of losing a parent and not having asked many questions that now go forever unanswered. As we trigger our memories by working through the Memoir, we answer many of the questions held by those who follow us—our children and grandchildren, and sometimes those related to us by bonds of love, not blood. Many of us find that as we recall our stories, we discover a richer sense of meaning in our lives and a deeper sense of connection not only to those who follow us but also to those whom we have followed. Recalling the events that shaped our characters and values, we give to those who follow us a blueprint for their own maturation.

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Reaching back in our own histories to connect with our personal sources of inspiration, we may in turn inspire others. As we seek to recall the incidents that shaped us, we find greater and deeper understandings of our own lineage.

My grandmother raised boxer dogs, and whenever I see one my heart leaps with joy. I find myself stopping to talk with their owners, telling them, “We used to raise boxers!” An affection for the breed is something bred in the bone in my family. As I remember my grandmother, I remember the names of the dogs we so adored—Trixie, Clooney, Shawn. For all of us, our memories and histories make up the colorful fabric of the lives we live today.

Especially when we are new to the wide-open possibilities of retirement, we may be full of ideas and not sure where to start. In such cases, “begin at the beginning” is sound advice. When I wrote my memoir, Floor Sample, I started with a memory of childhood reading, and once started, the narrative continued to unfold. I was shocked at the level of detail that reappeared before my eyes, as if in Technicolor. I have written Morning Pages for three decades, and always saved them just in

case I ever wrote a memoir. But once I began writing, one memory led to the next, and I never once looked back into my pages for clues to my past. Beginning at the beginning gives us a gentle structure. Our memories and ideas will come. There will be room enough for all of them.

As we focus on sharing the highlights of our lives, we naturally honor our own experience. As we draw on our past experiences, loves, and ideas, we are possessed of a greater sense of purpose in our present. We realize we do indeed have much to share. My love for my childhood pony, Chico, gave me the nudge to take my thentoddler daughter, Domenica, on pony rides in the park. Like me, she loved this adventure. Now, with a daughter of her own, Serafina, she leads her on pony rides. Remembering my childhood love of Rodgers and Hammerstein has led me to share some of their melodies with my grandchild, Domenica’s daughter.

Writing about my memories of the thrill of first-time cookie

I documented experiences that I was a part of, and it was satisfying for me.

Many of us have had the experience of losing a parent and not having asked many questions that now go forever unanswered experience. For me, a photograph gives me something concrete to hold on to and remember, and the magic in it is that everyone remembers the moment and experience a little bit differently.”

After several years of taking photographs regularly, Lee discovered he was drawn to older photographs as well. “Here I was, taking pictures of the present to share with the future, but what about the person who went before me?” Lee started to collect photographs taken by his father and grandfather, and began a process of digitalizing them. “I wanted to preserve them, but I also wanted to find out what the stories were behind them,” he explains. “Lots of people in the pictures were people I didn’t know. I started to reach out to family to ask questions and learn as much as I could about my relatives and the people in their lives. The project brought me closer to both my living family and family members who had passed on. I felt very drawn to this project, and the personal satisfaction and sense of connection was very deep. I felt it was my mission.” The project gave Lee an ongoing sense of purpose as he worked, and a lasting memento to be shared with present and future generations.

TASK Legacy

Answer the following exploratory questions: 1. I would like to be remembered as . . .

2. I wish I could leave . . .

3. A person whose legacy inspires me is . . .

4. As a child, I dreamed of . . .

5. One way I am already leaving a legacy is . . .

Now, look back at your list.

Are there clues in this list about projects you might like to begin? n

Reigniting a sense of purpose – Legacy

baking inspired me to invite Serafina to participate in my own baking adventures. Cherishing our past enriches our present.

It is not only writing that can embody our legacy. Quilting was Ellie’s chosen art form, and she created piece after piece to honor the different people and places of her past. “When my first grandchild was born,” she says, “I made him a quilt with clothes that my grandmother had left. I felt I honored the past and the future in this way, and I felt like I was a part of both.”

Lee, who has pursued photography in retirement, sees photographs as a way of capturing the stories of the past, present, and future. “At first, I took pictures of what I saw,” he says.

“I documented experiences that I was a part of, and it was satisfying for me. Then I took the photographs and gave them as gifts to the people I had shared the experiences with.

We all became a little bit immortal with each one. It’s a small thing, but it crystallizes our

An extract from The Artist’s Way for Retirement by Julia Cameron with Emma Lively, published

by Hayhouse.

RSP £12.99

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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.

Residential Courses Summer Schools Workshops Concerts

Tel: 020 7482 2550 www.londonwaterbus.com

Wind String Keyboard Composing Conducting

www.benslowmusic.org 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

Retirement Today_Spring.indd 1

03/03/2016 15:12:21

The University for World-Class Professionals

Master of Fine Arts / MA

Creative Writing Join the most successful Creative Writing course in the UK and complete a full-length book under the guidance of established writers directed by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy.

MA

English Studies with specialist pathways available in Contemporary Literature, Film & Theory and The Gothic.

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Online distance learning available for MFA / MA Creative Writing.

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Financial support is available through our postgraduate scholarships.

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A range of English short courses are also recruiting now.

Visit our Postgraduate Fair on Wednesday 7 September.

Find out more: mmu.ac.uk/english/postgrad or email: postgradenglish@mmu.ac.uk

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UPDATE

Holiday Care Companion Service

Older people who need to be cared for, will have memories of going away on holiday, to the coast, visiting historic cities, travelling to find the sun, visiting relatives both at home and abroad. Many believe that memories are all that are left.

Now there is an alternative to just memories as Able Community Care have made it possible for older and disabled people who require care to choose and enjoy a holiday with a Holiday Care Companion.

Able Community Care has thirty five years’ experience of providing Live-in Care Workers for thousands of people who wish to remain living in their own home rather than moving into a residential care setting and have now extended this service to provide Holiday Care Companions.

Holiday Care Companions offer personal and domestic care coupled with social companionship when you are travelling and when you reach your chosen destination, your ‘holiday home’.

All Holiday Care Companions have a minimum of one year’s proven care experience, are DBS checked, personally interviewed and referenced directly by Able Community Care.

Holiday Care Companions have recently accompanied older people to: France, The South Coast, Germany and on cruising holidays.

For further information www.ablecommunitycare.com

GRANDPARENTS SPEND OVER £1,000 EXTRA LOOKING AFTER GRANDCHILDREN IN THE SUMMER BREAK Europcar research reveals that grandparents go the extra mile to keep grandchildren entertained during the summer holidays During the summer holidays, the average grandparent looks after two of their grandchildren for a total of 11 days, reveals new research commissioned by Europcar, the leader in car hire services in Europe. And the summer holidays don’t come cheap, with grandparents spending an average of £105 over their usual daily living costs during the school break – equating to over £1,000 for the average of 11 days.

Grandparents are a vital source of childcare for many parents, especially during the long school holidays. But Europcar’s research reveals that one fifth (20%) spend an extra £50-£100 per day, compared to their normal daily expenditure. And on top of the cost of looking after grandchildren, 19% have to take time off work to do so.

Mini-Skirt Wearing Days Are Over by Age 39, Say Brits

TripAble is born

Daniel Humphrey’s father had a spinal cord injury in 2005, leaving him as a paraplegic. Over the years Daniel and his mother have tried to go on holiday with his dad, as well as take him to places in the UK that require an overnight stay. They have always struggled to find an appropriate hotel that meets his needs, with many suggesting they do but in reality have missed the mark. This has caused a number of issues for them in the past.

It was frustration that made Daniel want to make a difference, not just for his dad but for all those who go through the same struggles, so… TripAble was born.

TripAble is a simple review system, with rating from one to five, allowing everyone to rate a hotel’s accessibility across six main categories • Hotel Access • Room Usability • Toilet Facilities • Washing Facilities • Hotel Facilities • Fire Exit The website is an ideal information site for people with a wide range of mobility issues and a vehicle for you to add your reviews if you have visited a hotel with good disable facilities.

For further information www.TripAble.org RETIREMENT

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Update

They say life begins at 40 … but you’re going to have to live without going clubbing, following reality TV or getting drunk in public.

Researchers polled 2,000 Brits and found the majority believe discos should be avoided once you hit 44, and visiting the infamous European night-club hotspot is forbidden for those over 39.

By the age of 40, lads and lasses should forget about going on holidays without their family or partner in tow, and at 41 it is considered inappropriate to have an interest in reality TV. Women should also ditch the mini-skirt once they turn 39, while men should stop wearing trainers at the age of 49.

The Retire Savvy study shows age 38 is a key milestone for ‘growing up’ – as this is the point at which people should watch their alcohol consumption when in public, take out their belly button piercing and forget about getting any more tattoos.

At age 36 it is no longer considered ‘cool’ to support a favourite boy band, and text talk should be avoided at all costs.

While 52-year olds should not stay out past midnight and those at 49 must consider logging out of Facebook for good.

Long hair, skinny jeans, and leggings are also things with have an upper age limit on them.

Clare Mahood, from retiresavvy.co.uk said: “It seems the nation expects older generations to go quietly into later life even if they feel young at heart, but at Retiresavvy we have found there are a sizeable number of people who have no intention of doing so.

“In our community we often hear from people in there late 40s, 50s and even 60’s who enjoy doing many of the things the nation thinks they shouldn’t , from DJ’ing in Ibiza and going to festivals, though to taking part in extreme sports and making a name for themselves as a blogger, age is nothing but a number.”

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Afternoon Tea at Home

Deliciously indulgent recipes for sandwiches and cakes

R

ecipes taken from Afternoon Tea at Home,

by Will Torrent, published by Ryland Peters & Small. Photography by Matt Russell.

Images ©Ryland Peters & Small

JAM AND COCONUT CAKES Similar to Australia’s Lamington cakes, these are often described as English madeleines and were cooked in tall dariole moulds. I like to dip my squares of cake in warmed raspberry jam because it works so well with the coconut. You could even dip them in passionfruit curd, then the coconut for a tropical twist.

175 g butter, softened 175 g caster sugar 3 large eggs, lightly beaten 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste 150 g plain flour 30 g cornflour 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder a pinch of salt 2 tablespoons whole milk TO DECORATE 450 g good quality raspberry jam

Afternoon Tea at Home

Give the humble egg mayo sandwich a new lease of life by adding spices, Dijon mustard and a little mango chutney in a nod to the retro devilled egg.

Or dress thinly sliced cucumber in cider vinegar – it lightly pickles it and gives the sandwich a little lift, which works really well with the citrus butter.

350 g desiccated coconut

4 eggs

a 20-cm/8-inch square cake pan, greased and base-lined with buttered baking parchment

a pinch of salt

Makes25

1 tablespoon mango chutney

Preheat the oven to 180°C (375°F) Gas 4.

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Cream together the butter and caster sugar until really pale and fluffy – this will take about 5 minutes. Gradually add the beaten eggs, mixing well between each addition and adding a little of the plain flour if the mixture looks curdled at any stage. Sift in the plain flour, cornflour and baking powder and add the salt and milk. Mix again until smooth.

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or paprika

Spoon the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake on the middle shelf of the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes until well risen, pale golden and a skewer inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean.

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DEVILLED EGG MAYONNAISE SANDWICHES WITH MICRO HERBS

Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cover with clingfilm and leave overnight to make cutting easier.

Using a long serrated knife, trim the sides of the cake to neaten, then cut into 25 even 4-cm / 1 ½ inch squares.

Spoon the jam into a small pan, add 2 tablespoons of water and melt over a low heat until the jam is smooth and runny. Tip the desiccated coconut onto a large baking sheet.

Taking one square cake at a time, spear it onto a large fork and dip into the hot jam to completely coat. Allow any excess jam to drip back into the pan, then roll the cake in the desiccated coconut to cover in an even layer. Arrange on a clean sheet of baking parchment and repeat with the remaining cakes.

Leave to set for 1 hour at room temperature before serving.

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2–3 tablespoons mayonnaise

freshly ground black pepper, to taste 50 g salted butter, softened 8 slices white bread fresh watercress Makes 16 Carefully arrange the eggs in a saucepan in which they will fit snuggly. Add the salt and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 6 minutes. Drain and run cold water over the eggs for at least 3 minutes until they are completely cold.

Peel the eggs, finely chop and tip into a bowl. Add the mayonnaise, mango chutney, mustard, cayenne pepper or paprika and season with salt and black pepper. Mix well.

Lay the bread out on the work surface and spread with butter. Divide the egg mixture between half of the slices, spreading it evenly and scatter with watercress. Top with the other buttered slices, butter-side down and gently press together.

Using a serrated knife trim off the crusts. Cut each sandwich into dainty bite-sized triangles or rectangles to serve.

READER OFFER: Afternoon Tea at Home is available to 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 GJ5)

BLUEBERRY AND BUTTERMILK SCONES WITH HONEYCOMB BUTTER These are a weekend breakfast favourite of mine but are also perfect on an afternoon tea stand. Super simple to make and even quicker to eat… all of them! Serve warm from the oven with a dollop of honeycomb butter melting over the top – the perfect treat for a lazy weekend morning or leisurely tea.

You can use frozen blueberries if you can’t find fresh.

350 g plain flour, plus extra for rolling out 3 teaspoons baking powder a pinch of salt 125 g butter, chilled and diced

On my recent honeymoon in New York, my wife and I ate at the famous Gramercy Tavern and it blew us away! It’s one of America’s most beloved restaurants, serving food for almost 20 years. Pastry Chef Miroslav Uskokovic’s mother used to make this cake all the time during sour cherry season and the cake is very common in northern Serbia and Hungary. The first time Miro made the cake in America was while working as a sous chef at the Jean-Georges restaurant. Jean-Georges himself found this cake irresistible and would stop by the pastry kitchen almost every day for a slice. When Miro became the pastry chef at Gramercy Tavern he put his cake on the menu and paired it with some other traditional Serbian flavours like poppy seeds, farmers’ cheese and chervil, and the dessert was a great success.

320 g plain flour 10 g baking powder a pinch of salt 250 g caster sugar 2 eggs

75 g caster sugar 175–200 ml buttermilk 150 g fresh or frozen blueberries 2 tablespoons whole milk 2 tablespoons demerara sugar HONEYCOMB BUTTER 100 g honeycomb or 2 chocolate-covered honeycomb bars 175 g butter, softened 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste a pinch of salt 2 baking sheets lined with baking parchment Makes 16 Start by making the honeycomb butter. Tip the honeycomb into a freezer bag, twist the end to prevent any escaping and crush the honeycomb using a rolling pin. Cream the butter and vanilla bean paste in a stand mixer until really soft. Add the crushed honeycomb and mix again until combined.

500 g fresh or frozen pitted sour cherries (if frozen, do not defrost)

Lay a piece of clingfilm or baking parchment on the work surface and spoon the butter down the middle to form a rough sausage shape, wrap up the butter tightly to make a smooth log, twist the ends to seal and put the butter in the fridge to harden until needed. Alternatively you can make the butter fresh while the scones are baking and use immediately.

a handful of flaked almonds

Preheat the oven to 200C, Gas 6.

icing sugar, for dusting

Sift the flour, baking powder and a pinch of salt into a large mixing bowl.

Add the chilled, diced butter and rub into the dry ingredients using your hands. When the mixture resembles sand and there are only very small pieces of butter remaining, add the caster sugar and mix to combine.

15 g vanilla extract 225 ml sunflower oil, or other neutral vegetable oil 225 ml whole milk

a 27-cm square baking pan, lined with baking parchment Serves 16 Preheat the oven to 160C, Gas 3.

Sift together the flour and baking powder in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.

Combine the salt, sugar and eggs in a separate bowl and beat with a handheld electric mixer until the mixture triples in volume and leaves a trail when you drag a spoon through it. Add the vanilla extract and stir through.

In a slow stream pour in the oil, mixing well, followed by the milk.

Add the sifted flour mixture and mix just enough to combine.

Spread evenly in the prepared pan and sprinkle all over with sour cherries.

Sprinkle with flaked/slivered almonds for extra flavour and texture.

Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean.

Cool, then cut into squares and sprinkle with icing sugar before serving.

Make a well in the middle of the mixture, add the buttermilk and blueberries and stir to combine using a rubber spatula. Once the dough starts to come together, use your hands to form a rough ball.

Tip the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Very lightly knead for about 30 seconds to bring the dough into an almost smooth ball but do not overwork the dough. Cut in half and flatten each half into a round disc each about 16 cm in diameter. Using a long, sharp knife cut each disc into 8 triangular wedge shapes.

Arrange the wedges on the prepared baking sheets and brush the tops with a little milk, scatter with demerara sugar and bake on the middle shelf of the preheate oven for 12–14 minutes, or until well-risen and golden.

Cool on a wire rack and serve slightly warm with slices of the honeycomb butter ready to spread on top.

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Afternoon Tea at Home

MOM’S SOUR CHERRY CAKE

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Images courtesy of Jersey Post

COLLECTING AS A HOBBY

O

By Alastair Wallbanks

Collecting as a hobby

f all the items people around the world collect, I suspect stamps must be one of the most popular. It can also be quite lucrative if you’re fortunate enough to get your hands on a mint example of a Penny Black it could fetch upwards of £1800. The Penny Black being the worlds’ first adhesive postal stamp introduced in the UK in 1840.

The introduction of this stamp not only impacted throughout the United Kingdom but also in Jersey.

Jersey’s allegiance is to the British Crown but it is not a part of the United Kingdom and it is not represented in the British Houses of Parliament. Jersey has a postal history going back as far as the 15th century, although the Island’s postal administration, Jersey Post, has only been producing stamps since 1969 Following the introduction of adhesive postage stamps in 1840, British stamps were used in Jersey for the next 100 years. With the German occupation of the island in 1940, mail between Jersey and England was forbidden and messages could only be sent on special forms provided by the German Red Cross. It was during this time that the first postage stamps marked with ‘Jersey’ were issued because the Island ran out of British stamps.

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In 1969, the British Post Office became a Corporation and the States of Jersey took the opportunity to gain postal independence from Britain.

Philatelic Marketing Manager Rachel MacKenzie said, “Jersey Post has been issuing its own stamps since becoming an independent postal administration operator in 1969. The island of Jersey is rich in history and culture and over the years Jersey Post has produced stamps on a wide range of topics including the Island’s heritage, special anniversaries, traditions and Jersey’s links to celebrated figures and world events.

“The Jersey Philatelic Bureau works closely with specially commissioned illustrators, designers and photographers to create Jersey’s stamps and the Bureau is constantly looking to produce issues which broaden interest in philately Rachel continues, “Jersey Post has achieved many ‘firsts’, among them being in 2012 to commemorate 60 years since Queen Elizabeth’s Accession to the throne they issued a world-first, a stamp affixed with a genuine hand-cut diamond. Presented as a Souvenir Miniature Sheet with only 600 available, they sold out in a remarkable six days.”

Each year presents a new array of fascinating subjects to be researched, interpreted and portrayed through art and photography, culminating in beautiful stamps which are collected all over the world.

Their 2016 stamp programme includes many diverse subjects, for example, in January, Lunar New Year - Year of the Monkey and then in May celebrating Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity.

However some of their most stunning issues this year commemorate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th Birthday Celebration, which was issued on 21 April.

The ten stamps feature nostalgic photographs of Her Majesty in each decade of her life, together with different members of her immediate family.

Then on 29 April they issued a set of five stamps and a Miniature Sheet celebrating the 5th Wedding Anniversary of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The five stamps in this issue capture key milestones from each year of the Royal Couple’s married life, whilst the Miniature Sheet features a stunning family portrait taken by acclaimed fashion and portrait photographer, Mario Testino OBE. All Jersey Post’s stamps are available in specially designed presentation packs or affixed to first day cover envelopes.

The Presentation Packs are full colour folders inside, on which the stamps are carefully mounted within a custom board to ensure they stay in pristine mint condition.

Information and technical details about the stamp issue are printed on the inside of the folder.

In the case of a First Day Cover, all the stamps are affixed to a specially commissioned full colour envelope and cancelled with a Jersey Post first day of issue date stamp. The information and technical details about the stamp issue are printed on the reverse.

Collectors of Jersey stamps can set up a subscription with Jersey Post and they will post each new issue out to them (whether in the form of a mint set, Presentation Pack or First Day Cover) making sure that they never miss a new stamp issue.

The sporting arena is another domain that engenders itself to the collecting culture, not least of all golf, to such an extent that the British Golf Collectors’ Society was founded in 1987.

The society has around 800 members, the majority live in the UK but there are supporters in Europe as well as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

They have their own quarterly publication, “Through the Green”, former editor, John Hanna said, “While collecting is the main theme there are other aspects such as upholding the history and tradition of the game.”

He added that playing implements such as hickory shafted clubs are one area of collecting. He went on to say that in the European golf scene there is a vast growth in the number of people actually playing with hickory clubs. John explained the reason

for this is that hickory shafted clubs have become more widely available.

John added, “In Britain and Europe the clubs have to be pre 1934 whereas in the USA modern replicas are manufactured and used.”

Other golf collectables are balls and items made of porcelain and silver, adding to this, the thousands of golf books that have been issued and the millions of post cards showing golf courses throughout the world makes the scope for collecting is very wide indeed.

Horse brasses are also popular with collectors. The attraction of collecting horse brasses is that you are collecting rare items which perhaps were discarded years ago and are preserving them as an historical record of the past.

The General Secretary of the National Horse Brass Society, Jim Speed recalls, “Looking back to 2005 as I was fast approaching retirement, I was visiting the Great

Dorset Steam Fair, and pondering what I might collect in retirement that would not take up a lot of room and cost an arm and a leg, I came up with the idea of horse brasses.”

Jim went on to explain that harness decoration has been around for many

centuries and in ancient times was thought to ward off evil spirits and keep the animals safe and healthy. Horse brasses and harness decoration as we know it today began in the 1800’s and continued right up to the 1930’s when tractors replaced the heavy horse.

The NHBS was formed in 1975 and has members world-wide, it organises three meetings a year which serve as social gatherings for likeminded people to meet and compare their latest acquisitions.

Further information on any of the above societies can be found by visiting their websites and for more information on Jersey Post visit www. jerseystamps.com.

“Collectors are happy people”, is a quote attributed to German statesman and writer Johann von Goethe, so, from one as eminent as he, there must be some truth in it. n

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

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

www.facebook.com/jerseystamps

@JerseyStamps

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Collecting as a hobby

Lunar New Year Year of the Monkey

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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

Discover the freedom renting in retirement can bring...

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.

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

55+? Did you know you can rent private retirement property on a Life Long Tenancy which gives you the right to remain living in the property for as long as you wish, with service charges and maintenance included in the rent?

0800 525 184 www.girlings.co.uk

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For Leah and David and hundreds of people like them,

Without doubt, the best property decision you may ever make...

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can still mean a life of awful hardship.

ists in le ial

Despite state benefits, sickness, disability and old age

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Peace of Mind Independence Flexibility Choice

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

Cycling Pool Bar Mini-bus Car Hire

Home help Caterer Gardening Sports ground

Secure grounds 12

RETIREMENT

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RETIREMENT LIVING Alastair Wallbanks looks at the options

Hawthorns Eastbourne

Residents Ron & Joyce Edwards Ron and Joyce Edwards endorse The Hawthorns’ saying, “The Hawthor ns’ rental model makes life simple as it is easy to budget around the fixed allinclusive solution, and we are free from the costs and responsibility of maintaining a house and garden. Downsizing has enabled us to live a life of luxury, and we have access to our capital and flexibility to make choices. We’ve made many new friends at The Hawthorns, and would recommend it without a doubt.”

Girlings Retirement Rentals also provide the option of renting. It is a family run company founded by Peter Girling and his wife more than 25 years ago.

One options is an assured tenancy.

Peter said, “Our unique selling point is the assured tenancies which are extremely popular, giving security of tenure without actually buying, with this scheme there is no landlord to terminate a lease, the tenants can give notice any time they want.”

Caroline Hull, Executive Manager

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The Hawthorns offers a unique concept of luxury apartment-style retirement communities set within modern purpose built facilities. The company was founded in the US more than 30 years ago and has now become one of the largest and most successful operators of retirement communities in the world.They launched their first project in the UK to much acclaim in 1985 and are now owned and operated by British company Avery Healthcare.

Many purchase options are leasehold rather than freehold, and all carry additional costs in ground rent, maintenance and service charges, which obviously may increase. Many purchased retirement properties can only be sold back to the developer at their valuation and most charge ‘exit’ fees that can vary from 1% to 10% of the value. A costly solution,

with outgoings that are not easy to budget.

The good news is that there is an alternative, where a fixed monthly rental covers everything, and there are no hidden costs. No property or garden maintenance, no council tax, no utility bills, no weekly housekeeping charges, and even the bedlinen laundry is done for you. You choose how warm you want your central heating, or how much hot water you use.

Sandra Stark, Director of Retirement Living at The Hawthorns says, “Sounds too good?

We’ll include three high quality restaurant meals daily, with refreshments throughout the day; a full cooked breakfast, or healthier options, menu choices in all three courses at lunchtime and dinner, and choices for wine or soft drinks.

Throughout the day enjoy coffee, tea, juices, fruit, cake and biscuits, whilst reading the free daily papers. The free Wi-Fi access and Skype-enabled PCs mean you can chat to your family and friends.

“There is a private dining room for you to host a special occasion with guests and a suite should they wish to stay overnight. Our dedicated Well-being co-ordinator creates a monthly calendar full of exciting and interesting activities and our private minibus with dedicated driver takes residents on outings so you can keep up with your existing hobbies and links with groups or associations.

“With no binding contract or lease, only 30 days’ notice and importantly no exit fees, what could be simpler? You could rent your existing property to generate rental income, or sell it and invest the capital where you have ease of access and flexibility.”

Gary and Wendy Robinson Girlings

Retirement Living

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s the theme tune to a wellknown soap opera suggests, “Everybody needs good neighbours”, is never as germane perhaps as in one’s retirement. Living in a community with likeminded people of a similar age while retaining your independence.

There are companies who specialise in providing custom designed accommodation creating retirement communities. Among the many benefits of this type of living is that you can rent your apartment or cottage as opposed to buying outright.

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Retirement Living

and Head of Marketing told me, “We are delighted to see that the interest in renting in retirement shows no sign of abating with a year on year 7% rise in new enquiries. We are also buying retirement property across the country on behalf of one of our large Investor Landlords so that we can offer more choice to those who are looking to rent in retirement.”

Satisfied clients Gary and Wendy Robinson, 69, have been living in a Girlings’ property in Clacton-on-Sea in Essex for the past nine months.

The couple retired at age 60 and decided to downsize from their home in Basildon where they had lived for 30 years.

Gary explained, “We didn’t want the responsibility of maintaining the home as we get older so thought renting would be a better option. We also didn’t want to take on another mortgage.”

The couple had enough money left over from the property sale to buy a touring caravan and for four years they had many holidays touring with their caravan.

During this time, the couple rented a retirement property but because the tenancy agreement was short term, they decided to look for a Girling’s property instead.

The Robinsons wanted to stay in Essex and Clacton-on-Sea was a good option because their friends had recently moved there and it was only an hour’s drive from their daughters and grandchildren in Basildon.

They chose a one-bedroom apartment at Imperial Court, Clacton-on-Sea, one of 83 flats in a purpose built development with a secure door entry system and CCTV. The property has a sea view and is just a 100 meters walk to the sea.

Gary says, “We are really happy to rent here. The apartment is lovely and it’s really safe and secure. We also like the fact we have access to a 24 hour emergency call system in our apartment. My wife has Prinzmetal angina which can make her heart go into spasm. She has medication but it’s a comfort to know we have the call system just in case something should happen.”

The couple enjoy an active social life, they have made a lot of friends and take part in various social activities arranged at the development including bingo nights, darts nights, pub lunches and film nights.

Gary took up bowling and now plays for England’s Indoor Bowls Association.

He bowls several times a week and travels around taking part in Bowls England President matches.

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The couple also love to travel. Gary concludes: “When we go away, we are always confident our apartment is safe and secure, which is an added benefit of living at Imperial Court.”

Résidences la Différence was created by a company called Leisure and Land aimed at British and other nationalities already living in France as well as UK residents looking to make the move to a secure village-style environment.

Richard and Eva Edds have been working in France with Leisure and Land for over 25 years.Richard states, “Our bungalows are virtually zero energy consumption to reduce monthly costs. Via our existing network of estate agents, we will assist potential buyers already living, or who have a house in France, to sell their existing property.

“Our gites complex adjoins the development and offers a wide range of facilities and services difficult to match elsewhere.”

In sunny Charente Maritimes Résidences la Différence combines the atmosphere of a ‘country club’ with the services you’d expect from a luxury hotel.

The bungalows each have their own gardens, the properties can be found on the existing complex of Domain les Granges, which has a wide range of facilities and lies within walking distance of a typical French market town.

The facilities include a heated swimming pool, spa, restaurant and gym. In addition on-site staff take care of all of your needs which includes the maintenance of your house, leaving you free to socialise and

indulge in leisure activities or explore the nearby town. Richard added, “There are many British and foreign nationals living in France who would like to remain living here even after they have retired and downsized their property. Quite often, these individuals still struggle with the language barrier and would much prefer living in a community with likeminded individuals who speak the same language.

“We are offering retirees the opportunity to downsize their property and their annual bills but without downsizing their social life. We have specifically chosen to build this complex in the Charente Maritime so that residents can benefit from living in the second sunniest area in France without the scorching French Mediterranean heat.”

If you feel this life style is appealing, you can sample it by holidaying at Les Granges as they offer holiday gites in addition to permanent accommodation.

One satisfied family said, “I chose Les Granges due to previous excellent reviews and they were absolutely spot on. Peaceful, semi-rural, pretty, and clean, lots do on site, and lots to do and see in immediate area, and further afield.

“The gites are just so sweet, full of character and a hundred times nicer than the caravans we have stayed in previously. We stayed in ‘Romarin’, and to be honest I could quite easily have sent my kids and husband back home and stayed there permanently.

“The facilities inside the gites and on the site are great and all so thoughtfully done.

With only 15 gites, the crowds, the fights for sunbeds and queues to use the facilities were totally avoided! Even the neighbouring cockerel didn’t bother us, it is a farm area.

Richard and Eva were welcoming, friendly, and extremely helpful we hope to return.”

With all this on offer it makes retirement seem like one long holiday. n

For further details:

Résidences la Différence RETIREMENT

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Girlings: www.girlings.co.uk Hawthorns: www.hawthornsretirement.co.uk Résidences la Différence: www.residences-ladifference.com

WHERE YOUR W E L L- B E I N G M AT T E R S Y O U R W E L L- B E I N G

A comprehensive and active programme to support your extended health, Well-being and independence, covering all aspects of your mind, body and soul.

H OT E L Q U A L I T Y

The best service and standards for your independent lifestyle, in an easy to manage all inclusive monthly rental, with no hidden charges, exit fees, or long notice period.

R E S TA U R A N T D I N I N G

Menu choices at all three meals, with wine served and everything from fruit and juices to a full English for breakfast, all served to your table and no washing up!

Please call 0800 1143504 for further information or a copy of our full brochure T H E H A W T H O R N S W H E R E YO U ’ R E I N G O O D C O M PA N Y Aldridge, West Midlands | Braintree, Essex | Clevedon, Somerset | Eastbourne, Sussex | www.hawthornsretirement.co.uk RETIREMENT today

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RETIREMENT

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Out&About...

Perfect day out with the Grandchildren

Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Station Road, Quainton, HP22 4BY Steam Train Rides: Wednesdays and Sundays: July 10th – August 31st 2016.

All aboard! Why not introduce your Grandchildren to the World of Steam this summer? For a First Class family day out, look no further than a Steaming Day at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, where you can take your grandchildren for a ride on a real, full-size steam engine! You can wander around their 25-acre site, take a trip on their ride-on miniature steam engine (£1 per person), visit their extensive railway museum, and spend time in their beautiful glass-roofed visitor centre (originally Oxford’s Rewley Road station building) with café, shop and beautifully restored vintage locomotives on display.

From July 10th, they are open for Steam Train Rides every Sunday and Wednesday, until August 31st. They are also open Tuesdays and Thursdays for Static Viewing, when you can come and look around the site, but no trains will be running. Some weekends they have special events, and you can find out more about these at www.bucksrailcentre.org, or call for a leaflet.

Special Event: 3/4 September – Thomas the Tank Engine is coming! Ride in a train being pulled

by Thomas the Tank engine, meet the Fat Controller, enjoy a children’s show and much more!

Go and enjoy a day out at your local heritage railway centre!

For further information: Email marketing@bucksrailcentre.org. Tel: 01296 655720. Website: www.bucksrailcentre.org.

The English Rose

Feminine Beauty from Van Dyck to Sargent The Bowes Museum, County Durham Until 25 Sept

The concept of the English Rose is celebrated in this exhibition, saluting 400 years of society beauties.

George Romney, Emma Hart as Miranda, The theme is centred on the artists represented, their oil on canvas. Private collection, care of Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal. sitters and fashions, and follows a chronological order from the 17th to 20th Century.

Many of the sitters are as famous as those engaged to paint them. Mrs Sarah Siddons, the outstanding ‘tragic’ actress of her time, most famous for her dramatic portrayal of Lady MacBeth.

Also on display is one of the finest female portraits from Van Dyck ‘Olivia, Mrs Endymion Porter’, painted in c1637 when the artist was at the height of his career, as well as paintings from Gainsborough, Reynolds, George Romney, John Singer Sargent and Peter Lely. www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk

Kate Malone exhibition inspired by Waddesdon The Stables, Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire Until 16 October

Visit Waddesdon and see an amazing collection of over 50 new ceramic pieces created by one of the UK’s leading artists, Kate Malone, in collaboration with Adrian Sassoon. Kate immersed herself in Waddesdon for two years, Malone, Miss Alice 2105. taking inspiration in the collections Kate © Kate Malone, Photo Derek Pelling. © in the manor, its architecture and The National Trust Waddesdon gardens, as well as people past and present, to create some beautifully crafted ceramic masterpieces.

See ‘portrait’ pots of Waddesdon’s creator Baron Ferninand de Rothchild, along with his sister ‘Miss Alice’ capturing their characters and interests, as well as an array of glazed ceramic fruits and vegetables, and more.

Whatever your interest, Waddesdon Manor has so much to offer.

Discover the history of the house, marvel at the paintings, furniture, decorative and contemporary art, including the current exhibition on display ‘Bountiful Invention’, exploring the work of two of the most innovative draughtsman and designers of the 18th century.

All set in acres of splendid formal gardens and parkland.

For further details, and information on special events: www.waddesdon.org.uk

Holidays are wonderful for spending lots of time with children and grandchildren, but it can sometimes be hard to find activities that will keep little ones entertained and at the same time won’t break the bank!

So why not visit a National Gardens Scheme (NGS) garden? There are almost 500 gardens open across England and Wales during the Summer Holidays, many of which don’t charge for young people under 16 years of age.

All NGS gardens are inspiring, uplifting places, guaranteed to keep the family entertained for an afternoon.

Visitors to NGS gardens will also have the benefit of knowing that their entrance fee is supporting wonderful causes; since its foundation in 1927, the NGS has donated over £45 million to nursing and caring charities, including Marie Curie and Carers Trust. www.ngs.org.uk RETIREMENT

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Out & About

An NGS Garden Is the Place to Be

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Footloose in Italy

by Debra Rixon

Footloose in Naples with Vesuvius

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Main picture Ischia and inset Positano

aples may be a vast urban sprawl on the tour have to be the Archaeological over a century ago. I’m partial to lower slopes of Vesuvius, but it is sliding Museum and Napoli Sotterania (the volcanoes and this one never loses its into one of the most beautiful bays of the Catacombs), and we took the funicular appeal for me. I happily tramped up Mediterranean, so it made sense to start our up to Vomero to see the massive Castel the steep last part just to see steam tour of the Sorrentine Peninsula there. An Sant’Elmo fortress, high above the city. coming out of the mountain, and the ancient kingdom, Naples is probably the We took a hydrofoil across the bay views of course are terrific. oldest continuously inhabited city on the Mediterranean, to visit the volcanic island of Ischia, The next stop on the line is and possesses some impressively massive Spanish fortresses and caught a little bus from the port Pompeii, and everyone knows what that are certainly worth a visit.We strolled along the elegant to visit the ancient Castello Aragonese. happened in AD 79, but I think on sea-front, the Via Partenope, past the swanky hotels to a There are lots of thermal mud spas on each visit you see or find something pleasant public park. It was on the prom that Dave was the island, and the resorts are pretty you didn’t know about before. The offered an obviously stolen apple laptop in exchange for and less busy than those further down end of the line is Sorrento. his camera by a young man on a scooter, which he refused. the coast.

Perhaps the best place to stay in Despite this incident, and having been warned not to, we Taking the train on the Circum Campania is Sorrento. For the sheer did saunter through some back streets, just to get some Vesuviana line, we stopped at Ercolano ease of travel and relaxed atmosphere local ‘colour’ before we hit the fashionable tourist spots. for the Herculaneum ruins, and to you can’t beat it, and for me, it’s a place The Galleria Umberto 1st is an elaborate shopping centre follow in the steps of a Thomas Cook to come back to.We made all our trips near the Royal Opera House, which contains a spectacular tour up to the crater of Vesuvius, well from here. A walking tour of Sorrento interior to rival any other opera house in the world. is easily done in an hour or two Perhaps the best place to stay The pink Royal Palace and the Piazza Plebicito are and there are two museums definitely on the must-see list, and it’s a shame about in Campania is Sorrento. For the to look out for: the Correale the graffiti over just about all the national monuments. sheer ease of travel and relaxed and the Inlaid Wood, the latter You just have to get over it. Two more sites on the giving a wonderful insight atmosphere you can’t beat it into how important Sorrento was as an historic, cultural and Capri romantic destination on the “Grand Tour” a century or two ago. We also visited nearby Meta to look at an interesting collection of maritime antiques. The Foreigner’s Club is a unique bar/restaurant to relax in, I think, and it possesses absolutely the best terrace view in the town. You can’t leave Sorrento without trying Limoncello and we sampled different types (it isn’t all lemons – I loved the RETIREMENT

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Capri Arco Naturale

fennel liqueur!) and talked to the cross (on the zebra crossing) to enter retraced our steps to a crossroads which had signs for Arco family at I Giardini Cataldo that has the town.

Naturale and a rare sight indeed – a public loo. The Arco is been growing lemons in the town and The Piazza is a melee of tourists and a lovely natural stone arch that looks as if it is about to fall producing the delicious “nectar” for cafe tables, plus an interesting fountain, at any minute, but the views are stunning and the water the many years. all before the steps up to the amazing bluest you’ve ever seen.

We made a 6km walk from Sorrento cathedral of St Andrew with its black Walking on you pass a grotto, a 1930’s designer house and to Termini through olive and lemon and white stripes. Dave managed fabulous glimpses of the Faraglioni rocks that look like a groves, stopping for refreshment at to lose himself in the cloisters. We row of teeth. A pleasant serpentine pathway takes you back Massa Lubrense and then Schiazzano struck off up the Valley of the Mills to Capri town past high-end hotels and shops. before climbing up to the backbone to visit a fascinating little museum of We took a little bus on a hair-raising ride up to Capri’s other of the peninsula to gaze across at the Hand-Made Paper – their medieval town, Anacapri, which is smaller, prettier and incidentally, the island of Capri.There is a further 2km machinery actually still works and it bars and restaurants are cheaper too. After seeing Anacapri’s to hike to the tip of the peninsula really is worth a visit because it is so attractions and shops we walked through the outskirts of Punta Campanella, but it’s uphill all unusual. We boarded an open-topped the town down narrow paved roads lined with Moorishthe way back to Termini and the last bus to travel up to Ravello, high above, inspired houses, hotels and villas. Eventually we reached the bus back to Sorrento is quite early and elected to pass by Villa Rufolo cliff-top path and turned right past Capri’s heliport and the – we had one or two anxious weather station, to find a popular site,Villa Damecuta, The Arco is a lovely natural moments as you have to switch the atmospheric remains of another Roman villa and stone arch that looks as if it is buses, and at one point we were medieval fortress. There are fine views from here and convinced the second bus wasn’t about to fall at any minute, but the way below you can see many boats swarming around coming, it was so late. views are stunning and the water the famous Blue Grotto. Walking back along the cliff Lots of value for money buses path we found the zigzag road down. I admit on such the bluest you’ve ever seen leave Sorrento for the Nastro a hot day we caught the bus to the Blue Grotto! Here, Azzurro, the switchback coast road and discover Villa Cimbrone instead. if you dare, and for a price, you can board a little boat and be to Amalfi, and we stopped off in With the spectacular views from the rowed into this amazing cave through Positano, glad we were going one way terrace, it was the right place to end its tiny entrance. A job for Dave, then! down the steps to the beach. Taking our Campania tour.

There is of course a bar overlooking A visit to Capri is mandatory, and an Italian master class in cooking was all this activity, and I based myself there very trendy, so naturally I elected to in fact, we sailed across twice because as Dave risked a soaking to enter the take part. It took place at Hotel Buca we wanted to do two walks and see famous grotto. I certainly raised my di Bacca, and was a fun, entertaining the sights. It’s a scrum when you get glass and toasted his intrepid journey. way to find out I have absolutely zero off the ferry or hydrofoil to go up We flew to Naples airport, and used talent with gnocchi! We took my the funicular to Capri town – what is trains and buses throughout our visit. Debra in Sorrento take-away delicious culinary efforts on not clear is that you need to buy your As Sorrento was our base, return tickets could be bought at tickets at a booth further up the square a boat to Amalfi. the train station and on the buses themselves. We booked the The port area of Amalfi is nothing rather than at the funicular station. At cooking master class before we travelled. After David took too special, and it amazes me that the top there is a tiny piazza full of early retirement from the BBC, the couple have focussed on all the traffic from the coast road flowers and cafe tables, and a lovely their own productions, and for ten years have been renowned funnels through a narrow archway terrace for panoramic views which for their walking films in Europe. For information on that separates the port from the is always busy of course. We headed all the Footloose films, take a look at www.footloose.tv town. A white-helmeted policeman through an archway in the piazza up or watch previews of the walks on Youtube. n with a whistle controlled the flow Via Longano to walk up to one as pedestrians risked life and limb to of my favourite places, Villa Jovis. It’s quite a steep walk, Vesuvius Volcano crater but on the tiny little paved We have 5 copies of Footloose in alleyways that constitute roads Italy III on DVD to giveaway. in Capri so easy underfoot, and For a chance to win a copy send in there is a bar just before you your details quoting FI to: reach the ruins which is useful, AMRA MEDIA SOLUTIONS, either going up or coming The Old Lavender Mill, 46a Brook St, down. However, don’t tarry too Aston Clinton, Bucks HP22 5ES long on the way up because the Closing date 31 August 2016. ruins close early afternoon. We

Win

RETIREMENT

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Footloose in Naples with Vesuvius

Sorrento

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Inspiring people in different ways Plan your visit at LincolnCathedral.com or telephone 01522 561600

OPEN TREASURE

A new world-class exhibition experience now open at Durham Cathedral!

Journey through some of the most intact surviving medieval monastic buildings in the UK as the remarkable story of Durham Cathedral and its incredible collections are revealed. www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/open-treasure

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FD10079_DC_Open RETIREMENT today Treasure Ad landscape.indd 1

04/07/2016 15:16

CATHEDRALS OF THE BRITISH ISLES

By ALASTAIR WALLBANKS

its spectacular location at the heart of the Durham UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It boasts one of the earliest examples of a ribvaulted Nave and is one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Europe.

It also boasts the most intact surviving set of medieval monastic buildings in the UK, home to Open Treasure, the Cathedral’s new exhibition experience. The journey begins in the Monks’ Dormitory with its original fourteenth-century oak-beamed roof. Here,

reat Britain is steeped in history, a history stretching back thousands of years.

Reminders of that history are all around us in the form of magnificent buildings such as castles and cathedrals.

Tremendous amounts of time and money is spent preserving these glorious edifices, with one of the finest examples being Lincoln Cathedral.

Once the tallest building in the world Lincoln Cathedral is now the proud owner of one of only four remaining copies of the Magna Carta.

The first Cathedral was started after William the Conqueror ordered Bishop Remigius to establish a Cathedral in Lincoln in 1072, being consecrated in 1092 Remigius, a Benedictine monk was the first Norman Bishop of the largest diocese in medieval England, extending from the Humber to the Thames.

The heavy rounded arches at the west front are believed to date from Remigius’s original structure designed to set William’s Norman stamp on the country he had invaded.

Imagine the Anglo-Saxon inhabitants and how they may have responded to this giant of a building rising amid their huts.

Throughout the ages the Cathedral has suffered considerable damage. In 1141, or possibly earlier, there was a fire which severely damaged it. The task of rebuilding it fell to Alexander ‘the Magnificent’, Bishop of Lincoln, 1123-48, then in 1185

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Lincoln Cathedral from footbridge Pelham bridge

an earthquake caused structural damage to the Cathedral and on this occasion it was St Hugh, Bishop from 1186-1200, who was responsible for the reconstruction Lincoln Cathedral stands on a hill as a beacon for Lincolnshire, it was once a welcoming sight for the RAF on their way home from the bombing raids during WW2 but the history of the building does not stop there, it remains today true to its original purpose. Lincoln Cathedral hosts 35 services a week and continues to be a working Church.

Durham Cathedral was built around the same time, 1093. It is renowned for

Durham Cathedral Open Treasure - Monks’ Dormitory

Cathedrals of the British Isles

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Lincoln Cathedral detail from Banks View

Durham Cathedral RETIREMENT

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Cathedrals of the British Isles

St. Davids Cathedral

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visitors can learn about the history of Durham Cathedral, brought to life through interactive activities and exhibits for all age groups.

The journey continues with the new stateof-the-art Collections Gallery, where you can see some of the Cathedral’s most precious artefacts before reaching the Great Kitchen.

This spectacular space, with its magnificent octagonal ceiling, is one of only two surviving monastic kitchens in the UK and will eventually house the Treasures of St Cuthbert.

For now, it is home to a stunning exhibition of plate and metalwork.

Visitors to Open Treasure return to the atmospheric Cathedral Cloister via the newly created Pilgrimage Gallery and Community Gallery, completing the experience.

Open Treasure marks a new chapter in the Cathedral’s history, interpreting the fascinating story of Durham Cathedral in an imaginative way.

Marketing Officer, Catherine Hodgson said, “Our main priority at the moment is Open Treasure, our new permanent exhibition experience which is open to the public from Saturday 23 July 2016.”

There is a small charge for Open Treasure, but entry to the Cathedral itself remains free.

Pembrokeshire is host to St David’s Cathedral. Since the 6th century there has been a church on this site.

The 15-foot high Close Wall was built in the 14th century and enclosed the original cathedral city. The wall was pierced by four gatehouses, The Tower Gate House is now the only survivor. Housed in the Tower Gate House is the lapidarium where there is a display of religious stones, below is the bishop’s dungeon.

The Gatehouse contains an exhibition displaying information about St David himself, and mediaeval pilgrimages. In feudal times St Davids occupied a strategic position at the junction of major land and sea routes between England, Wales and Ireland.

The exhibition considers the Reformation RETIREMENT

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and Revolution and the impact of these on the Cathedral. During the Civil War, Commonwealth troops did severe damage to the cathedral and destroyed manuscripts in the library.

The last phase of the exhibition covers the last two centuries a time of renewal and rebuilding culminating in the restoration of the gatehouse and the recreation of the mediaeval cloisters.

Moyra Skenfield, of St Davids, said, “There will be various art exhibitions featuring local artists over the summer and autumn which are well worth visiting in the Cloister Gallery.

Many of the works are originals but there are also limited edition prints available and an excellent selection of cards by the artists.

There are also concerts both informal ones which can be enjoyed in the Cathedral during the day and professional concerts in the evening including a visit by the Welsh National Opera Orchestra.”

Downpatrick in County Down Northern Ireland is the location of Down Cathedral.

Down Cathedral

An Anglican Cathedral of the Church of Ireland. It is believed that St Patrick is buried in the Cathedral’s graveyard.

Tradition has it that Saint Patrick brought Christianity to the country in the early part of the fifth century, around 432. Patrick was a North Briton who was captured by a party of raiding Irishmen and brought to Ireland as a slave.

After six years he escaped and was reunited with his family, but it is believed that in a dream he was asked to return to Ireland.

The present Church of Ireland church at Saul, 2 miles from Down Cathedral, was built in 1932 to commemorate the fifteen hundredth anniversary of Patrick’s arrival.

In 1183, at the invitation of John De Courcy, Benedictine monks from Chester established a monastery here. With the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century the monks left in 1538 and the building gradually fell into ruin, however parts of the present building were part of that original monastery.

Throughout the centuries the Cathedral has been damaged many times, firstly by Viking raids, then in 1016 a stone church and round tower were burned by lightning, further damage was caused during the Bruce wars of 1316.

Renovations took place in 1986/7, attacks of rot were so extensive that almost the entire interior plaster walls and vaulting had to be removed. What visitors see now is an almost entirely new interior, a replica of that which it replaced.

These are but a few of the many historic buildings spread across the length and breadth of the United Kingdom. Some are mere shells while others have been restored to all their former glory but irrespective of their condition they are all worth a visit. n

For further information www.LincolnCathedral.com www.durhamcathedral.co.uk www.stdavidscathedral.org.uk www.downcathedral.org

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DOWN CATHEDRAL

A place of beauty, peace and pilgrimage

ST DAVIDS CATHEDRAL Turning visitors into pilgrims St Davids, Pembrokeshire SA62 6RD Opening times: 8.30am—5pm.

Built in 1183 as a Benedictine monastery, Down Cathedral is now a Cathedral of the Church of Ireland.

Prominent and majestic, the cathedral is believed to have the grave of St Patrick in its grounds. There is also wonderful stained glass and a pulpit and organ of highest quality.

Open all year round. Monday – Saturday 9.30 – 4.00; Sunday 2.00 – 4.00 pm

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.

The Mall, English Street, Downpatrick, County Down BT30 6AB T: 028 4461 E: info@downcathedral.org

www.downcathedral.org

info@stdavidscathedral.org.uk

01437 720202

www.stdavidscathedral.org.uk RETIREMENT

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BOTANICAL STYLE BRING THE OUTDOORS IN

An extract from Botanical Style

by Selina Lake, published by Ryland Peters & Small.

Photography by Rachel Whiting.

Images ©Ryland Peters & Small

Reader Offer

Botanical Style is available to 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 GI5)

Botanical style – Bring the Outdoors In

Foraged from the Garden

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Sourcing foliage from the garden is a budgetfriendly way to introduce a botanical feel and a couple of leafy bough makes a big impact in any interior. Invest in a pair of secateurs, if you don’t already own a pair, and some gardening gloves to protect your hands. If your garden isn’t big enough to harvest a few stems or branches, or if you don’t have any outdoor space, ask neighbours if there’s anything they’d be happy for you to cut back, or look at what is growing wild near where you live. It is not usually an offence to cut foliage from a plant that’s growing wild, as long as it’s for your own personal use and you don’t pull up or damage the roots in any way. Be warned that any plants growing in, for example, parks roadsides or town or village displays are off limit, likewise those in nature reserves or community gardens.

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n this lofty London apartment, houseplants and potted herbs have been used to mirror the view through the picture windows. Larger-leafed plants, such as a castor oil plant (Fatsia japonica), occupy spacious corners, while smaller pots are clustered on tabletops and hanging plants at different heights add interest. The scale of the long branches cut from a kumquat tree (Fortunella crassifolia) and arranged in a giant glass jar is striking. If you have a view like this one, allow it to enjoy centre stage. Here, a deep pelmet covered in soft grey linen is all that is needed, as tall trees offer a sense of seclusion and privacy from the neighbours. Introducing different woods is another way to bring the outside in.

Use untreated timber wherever possible (and practical) and mix up a variety for extra impact.

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During the summer months when the trees outside are in full leaf, sitting at this table for a meal feels like dining in a treehouse. The old wooden table was found in a second-hand shop, while the black metal and wood chairs came from a French flea market.

Wooden crates turned on one side make useful kitchen storage or an under-window display.

Add warmth with wood

Style Tip

Natural wood and lush greenery is a perfect combination when creating a botanical look. Accessorize a wooden desk or simple shelving with elements such as glass bottles, antique prints and, of course, a few houseplants. Here, old wooden crates stacked on the floor or hung on the wall provide interesting shelving as well as the perfect place to display pot plants, including a spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) and a delta maidenhead fern (Adiantum raddianum). Look for wooden shelves and old crates at flea markets and junk stores. If you find a nice piece that’s badly stained or coated in varnish, don’t be put off – it won’t take too much elbow grease to sand it back to its natural state.

Natural Kitchen

The effect of the dark-stained wooden doors on these kitchen cupboards has been softened with the introduction of a couple of plants – an aloe in the foreground and a mistletoe cactus (Rhipsalis cassutha) on the far worktop – and masses of false Queen Anne’s lace (Ammi majus) in a green cut-glass vase, along with some springs of dill (Anethum graveolens) and berry-laden branches, which add a pop of colour.

To bring a natural feel to a kitchen, you need to introduce natural woods, and here a couple of worn chopping/cutting boards do the trick. A kitchen island is a good place to display plants in a kitchen – just make sure you leave enough room so that it still performs its function. Accessorise with a vintage enamel bread bin; this one has a few chips, but I think that adds to the charm.Terracotta plant pots also make great holders for utensils in natural kitchens.

Make a Botanical pinboard

Transform an old frame into a pretty pinboard to display an array of botanical postcards and prints.You will need a frame, spray paint, unsealed cork tiles, a craft knife, PVA glue and pinks or tacks.

If your frame has glass in it, remove it and set aside the backboard.Wash the frame with water and let it dry.Take it outside and place it on newspaper, the use spray paint to cover the front of the frame (I used Matt Antique White from Plasti-Kote).

Let it dry, then apply a second coat.

Next, place the cork tiles face down on a flat surface, put the backboard on top and mark around it with a pen. Use a craft knife to cut the cork to size. Glue with cork to the backboard with PVA glue and let it dry. Use the spray paint to give the cork a couple of coats of paint. Finally, slot the backboard into the frame and use pins and tacks to fix your botanical pictures in place.

Head outdoors in search of botanical additions for your home and take a few cutting from shrubs and trees. In spring, collect branches laden with blossom; choose flower and greenery in summer; colourful orange and red leaves in autumn; and berries and ivy in winter. An oak (Quercus) branch makes a stroking display on this windowsill. On the sideboard and dining table houseplants, including a mistletoe cactus (Rhipsalis cassutha), sit happily alongside foliage foraged from the garden, such as false Queen Anne’s lace (Ammi majus), dill (Anethum gravolens) and berries. n

Botanical style – Bring the Outdoors In

The marble top of this antique chest of drawers is home to a carefully curated display of natural finds, ranging from a collection of shells to a glossy Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) sitting on a pile of books. A handcarved wooden dish holds a collection of old scissors. In this tranquil bedroom, the bed frame and headboard are made from rosewood and teamed with cotton bedding and vase of aromatic eucalyptus. When sourcing wooden furniture or accessories, head to second-hand shops or markets to find something unique. Battered or chipped pieces do have charm, but always check that they are repairable before handing over your cash. A little light sanding or a re-stain are fairly easy tasks, even if you’re not a fan of DIY.

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PART EXCHANGE YOUR PROPERTY

SO YOU CAN BUY YOUR NEW PARK HOME TODAY!

Move into any park home in any location and use the capital from your existing property to secure your move!

Quick Move Properties is the UK’s largest property part exchange company.

We work alongside a wide range of park operators from across the UK as well as leading manufacturers to offer a professional part exchange service for those who are looking to move onto the next stage of their life without the hassle!

How does Quick Move Properties service work?

If you’ve found your dream park home and want to secure it, applying for our part exchange service couldn’t be easier! Our experienced teams, efficient processes and substantial cash reserves allow us to make immediate decisions!

What are the benefits of using Quick Move Properties?

You get FREE independent, unbiased advice all at no obligation Zero cost to you! We pay estate agents and solicitor fees associated with the sale of your existing property

Sound Interesting?

If you would like to discover how Quick Move Properties could help you move into your dream park home, contact our team today on: t e w

01793 840917 px@quickmoveproperties.co.uk www.quickmoveproperties.co.uk

No need to pay the normal deposit to secure your dream onward purchase We provide you a quick, efficient and hassle-free service, allowing you to move onto your dream home

No fees, No hassle, No delays!

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Property part exchange could make your move quick, smooth and hassle-free

the security it offers; you don’t have to line everything up as you would with a normal sale and purchase, and there is less risk attached to the process as well, for example we knew our buyer was not going to drop out last minute.

“It took just over four months, from start to finish, because we wanted to be able to spec our new home with certain extras and adaptions that we needed as I am disabled, but we were never under any pressure to move before it was all ready.

“The team at Quick Move Properties were always polite and helpful and I always felt that they had our best interest at heart… we couldn’t have asked for more and we are very, very happy with our new home.

Anyone with a bricks and mortar property to sell can use Quick Move Properties’ part exchange service. Whether you’re planning

to move to a retirement apartment, a park home, or simply downsize to a smaller, more manageable house, Quick Move Properties’ part exchange service could make the move to your new home smooth, simple and completely stress-free.

If you’d like to discover how Quick Move Properties could help you move to your dream home, contact their friendly team today on: 01793 840917 or visit www.quickmoveproperties.co.uk

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Property part exchange

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f you’ve fallen in love with the idea of moving to a new home, but thoughts of the stress and hassle of selling your existing property are putting you off, Quick Move Properties’ part exchange service could offer the perfect solution.

As the UK’s largest and most established independent property part exchange company, Quick Move Properties could help you move to your new home without the stress of having to try to sell your existing property on the open market. Because the company buys your existing home from you directly there are no viewings to organise, no estate agent negotiations to handle and no pressure. Quick Move Properties will even tie the sale of your existing property in with when your new home is ready.

Since the company was established in 1998 Quick Move Properties has helped over 5,000 people move to their new home. One couple who have benefitted from Quick Move Properties’ part exchange service are Derek and Gill Deacon.

When unforeseen medical circumstances forced Derek to take early retirement, he and his wife, Gill, were keen to downsize in order to clear their mortgage.

After seeing an article for property part exchange in a magazine, Derek decided to get in contact with Quick Move Properties to see whether they could help make his move a smooth, simple and stress-free one.

Derek explains: “We were attracted to the idea of property part exchange because of

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HOME IS WHERE THE PARK IS

by Mike Francis

Killarney Homes

Park Homes

These are the latest luxury style bungalow properties complete with their own gardens and driveways that come in a myriad range of design and layout options giving each building that ‘special bespoke look’. It’s a long way from the 1960s and the ‘little tin box’ that my grandparents used for their caravan holidays . Park Homes are set in beautiful parkland and are principally for all year round re s i d e n c y although some can be used as holiday homes and rented out when you are not there. This

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can bring in a useful source of revenue but you need to check with the park owner first regarding occupier terms. Finding a new suitable home you are happy with is particularly important when you consider how much leisure time you will have on your retirement plate. Assuming you have a full time job working 9 to 5 on average on weekdays once you retire you will broadly have an extra 2,000 hours a year to keep yourself amused. Many of the Park Home dwellers organise their own activities from bingo, arts and crafts, and petanque, to bird watching and themed supper evenings.

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Home is where the park is

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ith your impending retirement looming you may have plenty of intentions,expectations and ideas all ready planned to ensure your new life will be a safe , comfortable and easy touchdown from the hurly burly workaday life that you are used to.

Very probably at the top of your list will be where to live? Do you need to move to a smaller unit now the family have flown the nest? Do you have to be near the town or city now you longer work there? Do you simply want to exploit the chance of experiencing another life opportunity elsewhere? If the answer to any of these questions is a resounding yes then perhaps you should consider one of the increasingly attractive options on the housing market.

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JJ Cooper Group Park Estates

Finding a new suitable home you are happy with is particularly important when you consider how much leisure time you will have on your retirement plate.

Centrally heated, double or triple glazed, well insulated

All Park Homes are built to British Standards on a level floor with well insulated double or triple glazed windows, central heating ,and low energy efficiency and maintenance costs so you can put your feet up, read a book or listen to the radio in relaxed cosy comfort while the wintry winds blow outside. Park Homes are also a cheaper option to buying more traditional homes and because of the gathering interest in them their intrinsic value is appreciating. Most parks have a minimum age restriction so residents are broadly a similar age and reassuringly many of the parks have gated entry or CCTV for security purposes. Tending your own private garden is a great way to burn off a little elbow grease although not too taxing for any Gertrude Jekyll while your car has a neat off the road driveway and the expansive common acres of landscape grounds provide ample space for relaxing or meeting your friends in the warmth of the summer sunshine or in the convivial atmosphere of the club lounge.

Killarney Homes

Home is where the park is

There are many companies up and down the country specialising in park living, owning and running their own residential parks. Killarney Homes have been doing exactly that for over 50 years up in Nottinghamshire where they run three parks exclusively for the over 45s.

According to Director Sophie Brown ‘people who buy Park Homes are generally those close to retirement or thinking about making that final move, their children have flown the nest and they want to downsize and clear

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Coopers Windsor Park Home

out the clutter’. Surrounded by 35 acres of peaceful countryside which include Charles the second’s hunting lodge, Lord Byron’s former home and Robin Hood country, Killarney Park offers up spectacular views of the county from the front door of every Park Home , affordable yet built at reasonable distances from their next door neighbours. The presence of several golf courses,country walks and shops 3 miles away means there is always somewhere to keep your putter, your legs or your wallet active! and an opportunity to indulge in that most positive of human occupations, socIalising.

Williow Park is one of their newer park home developments set in a private gated park on the outskirts of Calverton, a village north east of the county. Sandwiched between a picturesque golf course and stunning countryside It has its own communal allotment for growing your own fruit and veg and is near the basic amenities of pubs,shops, doctor,library and post office. A regular bus service to Nottingham stops just outside the park and a courtesy bus takes residents to the local town and village.

JJ Cooper and Sons have been running exclusive Park Home estates for many years and are now responsible for eight parks situated in attractive areas in the south of England,some within easy reach of London. Most parks have gated entries some with CCTV but not out of necessity because as James Cooper one of the partners says ‘the residents requested them to feel more secure’. Local amenities are just a short walk away. James says that if you had bought one of these homes in the 1990s their value would have depreciated ,whereas in today’s marketplace the rising popularity of Park Homes has reversed the trend and their value is now increasing. One of the many benefits of owning a Park Home is that it can be gifted to a relative when the owner passes on. Leisure amenities are well provided for within this group and at California Country Park near California Lakes in Finchampstead, Berkshire, fishing,walking and golf are just some of the active delights that await. You also have the benefit of a short wait for your new Park Home because the company has pre-build slots in place with various manufacturers. James concludes that ‘Park Home life has become an extremely fashionable and well respected way of living’.

Give your home a name

One of the many tasks and probably one of the last you will get round to doing is giving your new home a name. This can have important repercussions in your Park Home life. My grandparents used to keep a caravan in the shadow of Cromer lighthouse in Norfolk.

One of the best decisions they made was to name their caravan DANETRE, the traditional title for the small midlands market town of Daventry where they came from.

This attracted a good number of passers by who , intrigued by the name, asked the owners if they came from Daventry. In this way my grandparents discovered not only many new Daventrian faces but even old ones they hadn’t seen for years! n

For further information: www.killarneyhomes.co.uk www.jjcoopergroup.com RETIREMENT

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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

JJC JJ C C J JC

J JC J JC

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JJ

TM

JJ COOPER & SONS Exclusive Park Home Estates

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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.

Call us today 0118 942 8782

info@jjcoopergroup.com | www.jjcoopergroup.com

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All Aboard for a Day Out with the Grandchildren!

There’s only one thing dogs need to know about cars: four legs good; four wheels bad.

No matter what you hear, it’s not fun travelling in motorized transport. There’s a romantic notion about dogs travelling with their owners in cars – the lure of the open road, the chance to poke your head out of the window, the wind in your fur and a never-ending series of varied, exciting smells wafting by, while a mysterious destination awaits ...

As you probably already know, the reality is somewhat different.

Despite all attempts to secure you, you’ll be thrown around, jerked this way and that and bumped up and down without any warning.

And there’s a good chance you’ll be sick. When that happens, not only will you still be uncomfortable, but you’ll be uncomfortable in a car that now smells of sick. And although a car can whisk you to a truly magical destination, the reality will usually be a disappointment.

The truth about car journeys Where you think you’re going Where you invariably end up Park Vet Countryside Vet Woods Vet Beach Vet Dog show Vet Vet Kennels

Riding in a car: The dos and don’ts

How to be a Dog

For a First Class family day out, look no further than a Steaming Day at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre. Ride behind a real steam engine, take a trip on our ride-on miniature railway, visit our magnificent exhibition hall, and spend some time in our visitor centre with café, shop and vintage locomotives on display.

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Steaming Days are every Sunday until the end of October, and also Wednesdays from July 13th until August 31st. We also hold Special Events at some weekends, like our famous Days Out With Thomas™, Steam Galas and Traction Engine Rallies. For information on our Special Events, visit: www.bucksrailcentre.org or find us on Facebook.

For more information contact us: Email: marketing@bucksrailcentre.org Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Station Road, Quainton, Nr Aylesbury HP22 4BY Tel: 01296 655720 www.bucksrailcentre.org

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DON’T suddenly bark as loud as you can just inches behind your owner’s head. The shock could cause your owner to have an accident, and while temporarily being without a car will benefit you, you’ll inevitably (and completely unfairly) get blamed for the crash.

DO whimper continually. This should start as soon as you’re placed in the car and increase in pitch, timbre and volume until the level of distress you’re exhibiting brings the journey to a premature conclusion.

DO drool when sticking your head out of an open window. The wind will catch this and fling it over the windscreen of the following car.You’ll find this funny although the driver behind will not.

DON’T view an open sunroof as a challenge. Appreciate it for the cooling air wafting around you, not as an escape opportunity that, while being dramatic, will probably result in injury.

DO let your owners take a photo of you with your paws perched on the steering wheel. Humans find hilarity in this, especially when they post the photo on Facebook with a caption saying, “It was his turn to drive”! or alluding to their car being a Range Rover. Let them have their fun, and reap the rewards of their mood later.

to be a Dog Canine Comment

Bruno: I went for a ride in a car. When we left the house I had testicles.

When we returned I didn’t.

I don’t like cars.

As Sun Tzu remarked, ‘To know your enemy, you must become your enemy’. He didn’t mean pooping in a box filled with gravel, cruelly toying with injured birds or eating fish heads (well, at least he didn’t in my translated doggy edition). What I’m sure he meant was that as dogs, we need to understand cats so we’re not surprised by anything they do. However, since a dog’s life is a busy life (when we’re not sleeping), I’ve listed the following feline facts to save you the time and embarrassment of finding out for yourself.

Feline facts: 10 things every dog needs to know about cats 1. No matter how confident you are, like even if your name is Starey or Mr Staresworthy, don’t bother getting into a staring contest with a cat. There will only ever be one winner.

2. There is only one thing that cats hate more than plants.

Dogs.

3. No matter what tricks you can do, even if it’s walking upright on two legs or balancing a dinner plate on your nose, a cat will always, always, ALWAYS win at being cuter.

4. Unbelievable as it might seem, cats sleep even longer than we do.

5. Being bitten by a cat WON’T turn you into a cat (but it might hurt).

6. Cats are creepy, weird and ‘otherworldly’. Is it any wonder that they’re associated with witches and Halloween?

7. When a cat arches its back it is a sign it’s being threatened and is about to attack. It is not an open invitation for you to try and run underneath it.

8. Cats are always looking for things on which to sharpen their claws. This can include tree trunks, furniture, scratching posts, or you. Be wary.

9. They can squeeze into places that you can only dream about, so don’t try and emulate them.

10. They can get away with murder. For example, a cat jumping on the table to eat the remains of a chicken dinner is ‘cute’.

If you try it, it’s ‘dirty’.

If you hear your owner say, “It’s raining cats and dogs”, don’t get overly excited or anxious. He is lying.

CESAR MILAN

If you see your owner with a book or a DVD by this man, be afraid.

Be very afraid.

He is known as the Dog Whisperer, but most of us know him as the Dog Shouty Man. His training techniques have been called controversial and are based on the fact that we should be treated like dogs and that our owners should act like pack leaders, not playmates.

Where’s the fun in that? He calls this the dominance theory. We call it plain wrong.

If we wanted to be put in our place constantly, yelled at and made to understand rules, boundaries and limitations we wouldn’t be dogs, we’d be children.

CHASING

Chasing stuff is not only instinctive, it’s also fun and SO EASY to do!

How to chase something 1. Run after something really fast.

2. That’s it What’s more, there’s absolutely NO pressure.You don’t even have to catch up with whatever it is you’re running after; the thrill is the chase itself.

Good things to chase Balls Sticks Cats Frisbees Smaller dogs Birds Squirrels People

Bad things to chase Anything stationary Bigger dogs Cars (they are not metal dogs Your tail (you’ll get a headache)

An extract from How to Be a Dog: Maxwell Woofington’s Guide to Living with Humans and Getting the Upper Paw by Maxwell Woofington and Mark Leigh is out now in hardback, £9.99, Michael O’Mara Books

How to be a Dog

CATS

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COMPETITIONS

Competitions

Win 1 of 3 pairs of tickets to see The Go-Between starring Michael Crawford!

Michael Crawford leads the cast of the major new musical The Go-Between, a beautiful and touching adaptation of L.P. Hartley’s classic novel. the West End following into triumphantly comes musical This glorious new British critical acclaim at West Yorkshire Playhouse. Now starring Michael Crawford in his first leading role in a musical for 20 years (having created the title roles in The Phantom of the Opera, and Barnum).

The Go-Between tells a dramatic and moving coming of age story, explored through vibrant music and passionate song. Leo Colston (played by Michael Crawford), reflects on the hot summer of 1900 spent in Norfolk at the country house of his school friend Marcus, and his unwitting role acting as a go-between for the beautiful upper-class Marian (Gemma Sutton, Gyspy) and tenant-farmer Ted (Stuart Ward, Once). Their secret love affair, carried out against the wishes of the formidable Mrs Maudsley (Issy Van Randwick, Fascinating Aïda), has devastating effects on those around them and in particular young Leo who will be changed forever.

Don’t miss this sensationally entertaining new musical adaption of the much loved novel The Go-Between, at the Apollo Theatre for 20 weeks only from 27th May. http://thegobetweenmusical.com/ Booking until 15th October 2016

Terms and Conditions apply: Subject to availability. Prize is valid Mon-Thurs until 29th September 2016. Prize is as stated and cannot be transferred or exchanged. No cash alternative will be offered.

For a chance to win send in your details quoting ref TGB Closingdate: 31 August 2016

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

Win 1 of 3 pairs of tickets to see BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at the Aldwych Theatre, London Long before she was Carole King, the chart-topping music legend, she was an ordinary girl with an extraordinary talent.

She fought her way into the record business as a teenager and sold her first hit, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, when she was just seventeen.

By the time she reached her twenties she had the husband of her dreams and a flourishing career writing hits for the biggest acts in rock ‘n’ roll from Aretha Franklin to The Monkees, The Drifters, to The Shirelles. But it wasn’t until her personal life began to crack that she finally managed to find her true voice.

BEAUTIFUL tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. Along the way, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation, with countless classics such as You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman, Take Good Care of my Baby, You’ve Got a Friend, So Far Away, It Might As Well Rain Until September, Up on the Roof, and Locomotion.

Beautiful plays eight times a week at the Aldwych Theatre, London, including matinees on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. www. beautifulinlondon.co.uk

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Terms and Conditions apply: Tickets valid Mon-Thurs performances, excluding matinees, until 22 September 2016. Tickets subject to availability, non-transferable and no cash alternative will be offered.

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TAILORED TOW PRO RANGE

LHM Retirement Today Spring HP_FINAL.pdf 1 3/29/2016 4:50:41 PM

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When a loved one dies, return them to nature and grow new life with the Woodland Trust’s eco-friendly biodegradable urns which can be buried with a tree.

Or keep them close with a beautiful piece of silver ash keepsake jewellery.

You’ll be directly supporting our country’s wonderful woods and wildlife, so your loved one will leave a lasting legacy we can all treasure.

woodlandtrustshop.com/memories Phone: 0330 333 5310 Web:

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Charity N E W S

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland

Please remember the work of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland in YOUR Will.

Did you know that 40% of the total income Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland receives every year comes from individual Gifts in Wills? Founded in 1899, the charity’s great work continues today, improving the lives of people in Scotland with chest, heart and stroke conditions. They do this through support in the home and community, advice and information, influencing public policy and funding research.

The challenges are clear, as services are going to be needed even more in the future. Chronic lung illnesses in Scotland are due to rise steeply in the next 20 years. While deaths from heart disease have almost halved, many more people are living with heart failure every year.

And although more people are surviving a stroke, many still need specialist help in their journey to recovery.

CHSS understands that family and loved ones will always take priority, but remembering a cause close to your heart doesn’t mean excluding others. Even a small gift can make a very real difference and what’s more, every penny stays in Scotland.

For longer, stronger lives in Scotland!

Visit chss.org.uk or email Vanessa at gifts@chss.org.uk or call 0131 225 4800.

Successful Surgery for Poppy

Charity News

The Dog Aid Society of Scotland re-homes dogs all over Scotland and they will financially support dogs and their new owners with existing medical problems, just like Poppy.

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Poppy the Golden Retriever was only 14 weeks old when she came to the Society with an ectopic ureter, this meant she constantly dribbled urine and would cause her major problems in life. Her owner could not afford the specialist surgery she required so was considering euthanasia. The Society took Poppy in and paid for her surgery to let her live a long and happy life.

Poppy’s surgery was a success and the Society have since found her a wonderful country home where she has another dog for company.

The Society does not receive any government funding, all income is through memberships, donations and legacies. It is thanks to their supporter that allows them to be able to assist dogs like Poppy.

If you would like more information about the Society please visit www.dogaidsociety.com or Telephone 0131 668 3633.

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A Little Help from our Friends

St Margaret’s Hospice, is likely to be the final home of twenty terminal or incurable ill children resident there today, most of whom have been abandoned by parents and doctors as being beyond help and hope. The Hospice is a beacon of love and care where every child is encouraged and helped to live their life to its full potential.

In the aftermath of the tragic loss of life in last year’s nightclub fire in Bucharest, the Hospice’s doors may soon have to close, if it cannot find help to fund the additional fire protection measures now demanded to retain its previous “gold standard” health, safety and fire licenses. Set against the treat of crippling financial penalties or potential closure, an initial review, requires windows must be blocked, others opened; double-glazing replaced; the laundry and lift motor resited; the existing fire sensor and alarm systems extended; extensive construction works carried out and building plans and electrical system diagrams redrawn to comply with newly introduced specifications.

The wellbeing and lives of so many of the children are paramount, but CID UK needs a little financial help to ensure the future of the Hospice and children living there. www.childrenindistress.org.uk

FSC_Retirement Today 2016 ad_Layout 1 06/01/2016 11:31 Page 1

LEARN ABOUT and be INSPIRED by THE OUTDOORS A range of day and short residential courses to help you discover and enjoy the natural world.

Walking, Photography, Wildlife & Arts courses l Stunning locations across the UK l Meet like-minded people l Comfortable sole occupancy accommodation l

Call: 01743 852100 Visit: www.field-studies-council.org/discover-something-new

Meet Heather.

Since her Gran died, she’s determined that no-one copes alone with chest, heart or stroke illness.

Make the end a new beginning A gift in your Will can mean life to those suffering from chest, heart and stroke illness in Scotland. The funding that gifts in Wills provide is crucial to our work.

We are Scotland’s Health Charity Research • Advice • Support • Action 0300 1212 555 | gifts@chss.org.uk | www.chss.org.uk Registered with and regulated by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (no SC018761), Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is a wholly Scottish charity. It also operates as CHSS and is registered in Scotland as a company limited by guarantee, no SC129114.

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Aimee has learned to tell her teacher what she wants – she’s found her voice.

For Aimee, this is a huge achievement.

At East Park we work to help our young people achieve what others have said is impossible.

Help us to continue achieving the impossible.

After you have taken care of your loved ones, leave us a gift in your will. Talk to your solicitor today. You will be achieving something marvellous – making sure that children in the future, like Aimee, find their voice and more.

Darius is given lifeline care by CID UK.; he needs your help today

www.eastpark.org.uk

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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The Importance of Legacies Introduction by Alistair Wallbanks

W

s

The following examples highlight the importance of how a legacy in your Will can make such a difference

A Will To Change Lives

Most of us write a will to ensure that our families and loved ones are cared for after we’ve gone. But some people also decide to use their will to help others, future generations, people that they’ve never even met. Legacies are vital for BRACE to enable us to continue our world class research.

One generous donation made to BRACE from the estate of a late supporter was used to fund the research of a chemistry PhD student at the University of Bristol.

This project focused on designing a drug to activate receptors in the brain which are known to promote the growth and the survival of specific brain cells – leading to a promising potential therapy for Alzheimer’s disease.

In addition to enabling this research, this legacy also supported the early career of a highly talented young scientist and provided her with resources necessary to develop the skills and knowledge for a successful future in dementia research.

BRACE receives no government funding and so we rely entirely on voluntary donations like legacies to continue our ground breaking research to find the causes of dementia, achieve earlier diagnosis, to find better treatments and one day a cure - helping achieve our vision of a future without dementia. www.alzheimers-brace.org RETIREMENT

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The Importance of Legacies

ouldn’t it be nice to know that after you are gone you could continue to support friends, family, institutions or charities that you have given to all your life?

There is a way that can be most beneficial to all parties involved, leaving a legacy is one of the most financially sound methods of doing just that.

A legacy or gift to charity is tax free and can reduce the tax you pay on your entire estate.Therefore, leaving a legacy can be a tax saving to those inheriting, depending on the size of the estate. A legacy no matter how small or substantial will make a real difference to a charity.

Charities, as we are all aware, exist purely for the benefit of others and the reality is that they are entirely reliant on donations, including gifts left in wills or ‘legacies’.

Research by ‘Remember A Charity’ campaign has shown that almost 70% of the general public regularly give money to charity during their lifetime, but just over 4% leave a charitable donation in their will.

Only one in three donors part with their cash tax effectively. There are a number of ways in which you can be more cost effective when donating to charity, for instance if you pay tax in the UK you can give the charity of your choice a simple Gift Aid declaration this allows the charity to reclaim the tax on your gift.

By contributing in this way everyone benefits, the charity by receiving the gift and the donor because legacies are not subject to Inheritance Tax making it an easy way of providing long term support for that charity.

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The Importance of Legacies

A Little Makes a Huge Difference

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Ellie was born with Di George Syndrome, a severe genetic disorder and multiple heart defects. At just 10 days old, Ellie survived ten hours of surgery and not without complications. She was frail and relying on breathing and feeding tubes, her parents were told she may not pull through.

Ellie remained in hospital until she was eleven months old before coming to The Children’s Trust, the UK’s leading charity for children with brain injury, where she received specialist rehabilitation and her parents empowered to get involved in these routines.

“We weren’t home but we were no longer in a clinical environment. It was like home. They were so efficient and made the transition very easy, Ellie was in her own room for the first time, prettily decorated and full of toys.” Ellie’s mum The Children’s Trust supported Ellie and her family to make the transition home. Physiotherapists ensured Ellie was not stunted and she began to walk, initially assisted by a bespoke pink trolley made to carry her breathing equipment.

Ellie is now an independent four-year-old girl, keen to walk places herself and communicates using a language programme taught by The Children’s Trust’s speech and language team.

This year, Ellie was awarded a London Children of Courage Award, organised by the St. James’s Place Foundation, for her outstanding bravery.

Please consider a donation, as with your support we can continue making a huge difference to the lives of children just like Ellie. www.childrenstrust.org.uk

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The Royal British Legion

Gunner Mark Stonelake was serving with 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery when he was deployed to Afghanistan in 2008. Mark’s tour was cut short after the vehicle he was driving was blown up by a road side bomb, which left him severely injured. His leg had to be amputated and his other foot was badly damaged. He also suffered a fractured back, and broken bones, nose, jaw and teeth.

Upon arrival back to the UK, Mark was sent to the Selly Oak Hospital for treatment. Mark was being put into a medically induced coma and had only 80 percent chance of survival. Thankfully Mark regained consciousness and just three months later, he learnt to walk again at Headley Court with a prosthetic limb. Whilst receiving treatment there Mark was one of the first wounded soldiers to benefit from the Legion-funded Battle Back programme.

Mark’s wife Donna also served with the Royal Navy and supported Mark throughout his recovery. Donna gave birth to their daughter Grace almost a year to the day after Mark’s attack.

The couple now have two more daughters, Mollie and Olivia.

“The Royal British Legion helped me while I was in the Army, and I know that help will continue, should myself or my family need it in the future.” Mark Stonelake Once you have provided for your loved ones, a gift in your Will can ensure The Royal British Legion will be there for Mark for the rest of his life.

To find out more or have your will written for free go online www.britishlegion.org.uk/legacies or contact Charlotte Forristal. legacies@britishlegion.org.uk 020 3053 7087 n

Together we can build brighter futures, for children like Tommy In a moment Tommy’s life changed, when he fell 50 feet from a hotel balcony on to concrete below. He suffered a severe brain injury, leaving him unable to walk or talk.

Tommy came to The Children’s Trust, the UK’s leading charity for children with brain injury, where he took the biggest step of all – to walk again.

Thanks to gifts left in Wills, The Children’s Trust has developed clinical expertise in rehabilitation, education, therapy and nursing care.

Please consider a gift in your Will, as with your support we can continue making a huge difference to the lives of children just like Tommy.

For information on how you can support The Children’s Trust call Mandy on 01737 365 081 email: legacy@thechildrenstrust.org.uk visit: thechildrenstrust.org.uk/legacy Please quote reference RT16 The Children’s Trust Tadworth Court Tadworth Surrey KT20 5RU

Thank you.

Registered charity number 288018

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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

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

Britain’s Toy Car Wars

Book reviews

Best of British

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Shades of Grey

Art Deco

Decorating with the most elegant of neutrals Kate Watson-Smyth Ryland Peters & Small, Hardback £19.99 Nothing illustrates the current look in interiors more than grey walls both in homes and retail environments. Interior expert Kate Watson-Smyth in her first book helps the reader choose the perfect shade of grey. The book shows us inspirational homes throughout with of course the perfect grey. A must have for those looking to update their home.

Norbert Wolf Prestel, Hardback £29.99

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This book highlights the birth of Art Deco between two world wars, a period of huge change in the art world. The writer looks at the background to Art Deco through to the present day and the importance it holds today. The book is beautifully illustrated throughout with examples highlighted in interiors, paintings, jewellery, fashion and furniture. A must read for anyone who is an avid collector and follower.

Art Deco Collectibles

Fashionable Objects from the Jazz Age Rodney and Diana Capstick-Dale Thames & Hudson, Hardback £34.95 Another great coffee table book for lovers of all things Deco. Showcased throughout the book are those highly collectable and prized objects from that era. Beautifully illustrated throughout, each item sectioned and the best designs of the Deco era are lavishly illustrated. A must have book for the collector and those with a passionate interest in the Art Deco movement.

The Stories Behind Britain’s Iconic Brands Crompton Egelnick Friedrichs Prestel, £35.00 Hardback Britain has been at the forefront for many years of some of the world’s most iconic brands. This book takes a behind the scenes look at some of our most distinguished heritage companies that after many years trading are still very much to the forefront of their market place, many still remain in family ownership.

These iconic brands are based throughout Britain, Barbour in South Shields, Johnston’s in Elgin, John Smedley in Derbyshire, producing a diverse selection of goods. Although many of these companies differ in size all seek to produce the very best in their field.

A must have book for those who appreciate tradition and style.

Dinky vs Corgi vs Matchbox Giles Chapman The History Press, £20 Paperback In 2015 a collection of 1500 Dinky Toy cars sold at auction for £250,000. This book tells the story of the three iconic British brands that generations of boys played with and for many it’s a passion that has carried on to this day. Today, it’s the boys who kept their prized cars boxed and pristine now find their cars making eye watering figures at auction. Although none of the three companies survived, rare examples are much sought after and sell for up to five figure sums.

The book traces the history from Frank Hornby producing his first diecast-metal Dinky Toy in 1934, Lesney launching Matchbox toys in 1953 through to Corgi in 1957.

A big must have book for any collector.

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FRANK FOUGHT AT D-DAY HIS LEGACY IS OUR FREEDOM

Picture courtesy of The Northern Echo

YOUR LEGACY COULD HELP THOSE FACING NEW BATTLES 90-year-old D-Day veteran Frank Hughes fought for our freedom on the beaches of Normandy. Gunner Mark Stonelake put his life on the line in Afghanistan, losing a leg in an IED explosion.

Remember The Royal British Legion in your Will, and your legacy could be a more hopeful future for both of them – and the whole Armed Forces community. Even a small portion of your estate could help us give lifelong support, providing everything from home adaptations for an injured veteran, to specialist dementia care in one of our award-winning Legion Care Homes.

The Legion has helped Service men and women of all conflicts, and their families, for almost a century. Once you have provided for your loved ones, you could give Britain’s bravest men and women the lifetime of support they so richly deserve.

For more information, or to take advantage of our free Will-writing service: Call our Legacy Manager Nicola Hall on 020 3053 7087 Email legacies@britishlegion.org.uk Or visit www.rbl.org.uk/legacies to find out more.

Registered Charity Number: 219279