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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 77 Sept/Oct £2.90
Joyce loved the days out arranged by our Day Care Service
Sadly Joyce is no longer with us but we still think of her and smile. As she wished, her legacy now lets others enjoy a great day out. Whether it’s to the beach, a wander round town or sightseeing then lunch alfresco. More than to be remembered, for Joyce it was about making sure others received the same care and attention she did in her lifetime. The volunteer programmes. The social activities. The additional little things. So little of it would be possible without the generosity of people like Joyce. You can help older people lead fulfilling lives and help us make sure they are free to be. Please consider leaving a legacy in your will - however big or small - it’s simple and inheritance tax free. To find out how your legacy could change lives visit www.bield.co.uk. To make an instant donation text FREE23 and your donation amount eg “FREE23 £10” to 70070 BIELD HOUSING & CARE. Registered Office: 79 Hopetoun Street, Edinburgh. EH7 4QF. Tel: 0131 273 4000. Fax: 0131 557 6327. info@bield.co.uk. www.bield.co.uk Scottish Charity SC006878
CONTENTS
4 A Novel Idea! - How to think of that winning idea
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Ever thought of writing your own novel? Some tips and techniques to help get you started.
WELCOME TO RETIREMENT TODAY MAGAZINE
6 Update Move over Margate-The British Riviera is en-route to Norway; Why wait? Men are more decisive than women; Women and money report.
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8 For the Love of Oats Oatmeal possesses some of the most potent health-giving properties, packed with vitamins and dietary fibre. Here are some recipes to try.
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11 Property Update St Monica Trust; Brunel Crescent; Retirement Hot Spots; UK Government may remove tax-free allowance for ex pats.
Top right: © Stephen Morley Middle right: Photo by Claire Winfield from For the Love of Oats (Ryland Peters and Small) Bottom right: © 2014 Group ExpressRoularta from Modern Country (Jacqui Small)
13 Footloose in the Cotswolds
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Following our Footloose series, Debra Rixon visits the beautiful Cotswolds.
16 Winter Sunshine - along the Bargain Route Searching for a sun-kissed spot to spend the winter months? Lee and Les have a suggestion that might not cost a bronzed arm and a suntanned leg!
19 Out and About Read about events taking place nationally.
21 Subscription Subscribe and have Retirement Today delivered direct to your door.
• Published by: Amra Media Solutions Ltd The Old Lavender Mill 46a Brook Street Aston Clinton Buckinghamshire HP22 5ES
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21 Perfect Stay Our writer reviews East View Farm cottages in Norfolk
• Fax: 01296 632720 • Email: info@amramedia.co.uk
25 Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• www.retirement-today.co.uk
Having trouble sleeping? Here are a few general tips that everyone can follow.
• Designed by: Tom Evans Design All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. Although every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information and the advertisements contained within the magazine, the publishers cannot accept any liability. Retirement Today would be pleased to receive your articles and photographs for possible publication. Although all reasonable care will be taken the magazine can assume no responsibility and contributors are advised to retain a copy.
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22 Confessions of a Chicken Addict The author of Chickens As Pets, Andrew Hinkinson, recalls getting his first rescued factory hens in this extract from his book.
• Tel: 01296 632700
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30 Modern Country Inspiring interiors for contemporary country living – ideas establishing a style.
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32 Let charitable work live on leave a legacy Read about how leaving money to a charity in your will is crucial for their good work to continue.
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37 Charity News Read what’s happening within the world of charity. RETIREMENT
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A Novel Idea!
HOW TO THINK OF THAT WINNING IDEA
A Novel Idea!
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hat kinds of books are publishers looking for at the moment? It’s a question that comes up time and time again at talks. And there’s usually one answer. The publisher (and agent) will know what they want when they see it! How annoying is that? But you can also see what they mean. It’s a bit like falling in love.You might think you are looking for a tall Mr Right with a sports car and a mother who loves you. But then you go and fall for someone who’s a nose shorter than you with a motorbike and a mother who loathes you at first sight. But, somehow, you just know instinctively that this is the man for you! Some publishers and agents will tell you that certain genres are doing well in the current market. At the time of writing, historicals and crime are being ‘well received’, although contemporary romantic comedy is as difficult to crack as ever. However, if you decide to change your writing and suddenly switch from sci-fi, which is your real passion, to historicals (even though you know nothing of life before 1979), you could be in trouble. And not because you don’t know the period, because this is something you can research. No, it’s because your heart won’t really be in it. It will be hankering after little green men instead. And if you’re not passionate about your writing, the chances are that your would-be publisher and agent (let alone the reader) won’t be either. In my view, it’s the idea that counts rather than the genre. If you come up with a cracking good idea that no one has thought of before or which is a really original take on an idea which has been done, you stand a good chance of being moved from the ‘Might Just be Possible’ slush pile to the ‘Might be Possible’ pile. RETIREMENT
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YES, THAT’S ME! I believe that if you can find an idea for a novel that others will identify with, you’re on to a winner. I call this the ‘Yes, that’s me!’ factor. It’s when readers really believe that the heroine is just like them or how they would like to be – or that she is like someone else she knows. Why is this important? It’s because it makes the book believable. For instance, readers love Sophie Kinsella’s shopaholic books because they might be guilty of spending too much money themselves sometimes – or they know someone who does. They also like the fact that the heroine is warm and funny.
I believe that if you can find an idea for a novel that others will identify with, you’re on to a winner.
REAL LIFE Some of the best ideas for novels come from events which really happened. It might be a great-aunt who leaves you a cottage in the Lake District that you never knew about before. It might be a woman who didn’t think she could have children and then has a baby, after her husband had left her. (And she isn’t sure if it’s his child or the man with whom she had a ‘comfort stand’ when the ex went.) Or it might be the girl who discovered that her aunt was really her mother. All these stories above are true. But I’m not suggesting that you reproduce them faithfully like a reallife magazine article. If you do that, you could leave yourself open to a libel action or hurt someone. However, you could take part of that story and add a layer or two of fiction. For instance, the woman who had the baby might find out that she was having twins; and that it was medically possible that one baby might be her husband’s and the other, a handsome stranger’s. The story could centre on those two children growing up and their quest later on in life to find their real father. The aunt who left a cottage in the Lake District could be changed to an uncle who left a villa in Italy – together with the covenant that the niece who inherited it had to also look after the elderly neighbour next door. Maybe – and I’m letting my imagination run riot on this one – the neighbour was an elderly woman who had had a love affair with the uncle who had never married. And maybe – this is a big leap here! – the elderly female neighbour might turn out to be an aunt. (In other words, she gave birth to the niece’s mother whom everyone thought was adopted) n An extract from How to Write Your First Novel by Sophie King, published by How to Books, Little Brown. RSP £9.99. ISBN 978-1-84528-552-4
A Novel Idea!
TRICKS AND TIPS ON HOW TO FIND A NOVEL IDEA So how do you find that wonderful idea which will make your novel stand out in the slush pile? Here are tried and tested techniques which have worked for me and several other writers I know. RETIREMENT
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UPDATE
WHY WAIT?
Men are more decisive than women A study of 2,000 people into the nature of decision making and the thought processes behind them found men are twice as likely to make a decision ‘straight away’ than women. The research asked men and women to evaluate their decisions in life and found women are much more likely to consider the opinions of friends and take time on their choices while men adopt a more immediate process. A quarter of women said their approach was often to spend a long time mulling over the details of a decision before making it – but less than a fifth of men take the same approach. The study also found that even though women take longer to reach their decisions overall, they are more likely to regret the choice they made further down the line. Women are also twice as likely to consult their partner and get their opinion before making a decision as were men, results showed. The research, which was commissioned by swimming pool builders Origin Leisure, found the head really does rule the heart with Brits more than four times more likely to make a decision with their head than go on what the heart says. When a choice does require a bit of soul-searching, women are more likely to do something ‘from the heart’ than are blokes results found. Psychologist Cliff Arnall said: ‘’There are stark differences between how men and women make decisions. Women’s significant reliance on others plus a reluctance to make a wrong decision points to a measurable lack of confidence compared to men.” ‘’Weighing up different outcomes and scenarios may seem like a good strategy but it appears to be accompanied by increasing levels of stress and uncertainty. Going round in circles soon becomes counterproductive and leads to decision paralysis and feelings of frustration.”
MOVE OVER MARGATE THE BRITISH RETIREMENT RIVIERA IS EN ROUTE TO NORWAY Two in five (40%) retirees have a ‘Bucket List’ of things they would like to achieve in retirement, according to a new survey* by Fidelity Worldwide Investment. While DIY and home improvements feature high on people’s ‘Bucket Lists’ – it would appear today’s retirees are all about travel. In fact, three quarters (73%) of retirees with a bucket list view their golden years as an opportunity to fulfil their travel dreams, either by heading off on a luxury holiday, taking a road trip or jetting off on an around the world adventure. And far from having simple aspirations, the survey’s findings suggest a new-breed of adventurous pensioners, also known as ‘adven-sioners’, is emerging as retirees look well beyond the UK, choosing instead the Northern Lights, backpacking across Europe and a helicopter ride over Las Vegas as the top things to see and do when they retire.
TOP 10 BUCKET LIST DESTINATIONS FOR RETIREMENT View the Aurora Borealis in Norway
29%
Go on a cruise in the Caribbean
25%
Inter rail across Europe
23%
Take a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon and the Las Vegas strip
20%
Ride a gondola in Venice
18%
Walk the Great Wall of China
18%
Go on a road trip down Route 66 in the US
18%
See the Taj Mahal, India
17%
Go on an African safari
17%
Visit the pyramids in Egypt
15%
• Research commissioned between 20th and 24th June amongst 1,010 UK retirees
Women & Money Report 2014
Women say they’ll have to retire four years later than they’d like to and four in ten women feel worse off than a year ago Women don’t think they will be able to retire until four years after their ideal retirement date. Women would like to retire at 62 (compared to 63 for men), but think they will only be able to retire at 66. When it comes to their finances, twice as many women say they feel worse off than a year ago compared to those who say they feel better off (39 percent compared to 19 percent). These findings are from a new independent report that takes the pulse of women’s finances, by UK’s leading financial website for women,SavvyWoman.co.uk. Some further results from the Women & Money Report[i] research are: • State Pensions: A third of women (33 percent) have no idea when they will be able to retire, more than double the percentage of men (15 percent). Six percent of women say they won’t be able to retire until 70 (compared to 10 percent of men).
Update
• Everyday Money: Only three percent of women described themselves as feeling a lot better off than a year ago. Optimism about finances was highest among 18 – 34 year-olds with 31 per cent of women (and 50 percent of men) saying they felt better off.
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These are just a couple of conclusions published in the Women & Money Report, written by SavvyWoman.co.uk’s founder Sarah Pennells. For the full report visit www.savvywoman.co.uk [i] The research was carried out by Opinium, on behalf of SavvyWoman RETIREMENT
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Celebrating the Red Arrows’ 50th Display Season From The Beatles to Bolero, Queen to Sir Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Big Band to Puccini, the programme of music spans the past five decades and reflects the colour, flamboyance and entertainment provided by ‘Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines’ OCTOBER
Thursday 16 Sunday 19 Saturday 25 Wednesday 29
NOVEMBER
Sunday 2 Tuesday 18 Wednesday 19 Thursday 20 Sunday 23 Thursday 27 Friday 28
DECEMBER Tuesday 2 Saturday 6 Sunday 7 Friday 12
HIGH WYCOMBE BIRMINGHAM HARROGATE BASINGSTOKE
Wycombe Swan Symphony Hall Royal Hall The Anvil
01494 512 000 0121 345 0602 01423 502 116 01256 844 244
GATESHEAD CANTERBURY BRISTOL EASTBOURNE SOUTHEND MANCHESTER NOTTINGHAM
Sage Gateshead Marlowe Theatre Colston Hall Congress Theatre Cliffs Pavilion Bridgewater Hall Royal Centre
0191 443 4661 01227 787 787 0844 887 1500 01323 412 000 01702 351 135 0844 907 9000 0115 989 5555
LONDON IPSWICH NORWICH POOLE
Cadogan Hall Ipswich Regent Theatre Royal Lighthouse
0207 730 4500 01473 433 100 01603 630 000 0844 406 8666
Featuring: The Bands of The Royal Air Force Conductor: Wing Commander Duncan Stubbs Compered by either: Ken Bruce, Alan Dedicoat or Lynn Bowles Ticket prices: £23.00 £20.00 £17.00 London prices: £31.00 £26.00 £21.00 Transaction fees may apply
For more information please go to:
rafinconcert.com
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W OATS
For the Love of
hether soaked, baked, toasted or blended, oatmeal possesses some of the most potent health-giving properties, packed with vitamins and dietary fibre. Recipes and images from ‘For the Love of Oats’ by Amy Ruth Finegold published by Ryland Peters and Small. Photography by Claire Winfield.
BAKED FRUIT AND NUT OATMEAL Oatmeal is most often cooked on the stove, but following the oven method here makes a great change and takes oatmeal to a new dimension. When baking oatmeal, I always add an egg which changes its consistency nicely. 200 g old-fashioned rolled oats 20 g chopped almonds 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 55 g brown sugar or 1/2 tablespoon stevia 550 ml milk 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 tablespoons melted butter, plus extra for greasing 1 egg 70 g frozen blueberries
OATMEAL CRANBERRY COOKIES Oatmeal cookies are a classic treat and make a great gift wrapped in tissue paper and stored in a cookie jar. They are chewy, comforting and satisfying – they certainly won’t last anywhere long. 113 g butter (or melted coconut oil) 150 g dark brown sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 70 ml apple purée 135 g plain flour (plus 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum if using gluten-free plain flour) 175 g old-fashioned rolled oats 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 60 g dried cranberries 2 baking sheets, greased and lined with baking parchment Makes 24 Preheat the oven to 180°C (350ºF) Gas 4. Cream the butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl. It is easiest to do this by beating them together with an electric mixture until soft and creamy. Add the egg, vanilla, xanthan gum (if using) and apple purée and mix together until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, oats and bicarbonate of soda.
For the Love of Oats
Add the dry mixture into the wet a little at a time until all the ingredients are well-coated. Finally, fold in the dried cranberries.
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Put a tablespoon of chilled dough onto the prepared baking sheet and press down slightly with your thumb. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 minutes, or until the sides of the cookies are a toasty brown colour. Remove the cookies from the oven and set aside to cool before serving.
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a round 15-cm/6-in baking dish, greased Serves 6 Preheat oven to 180°C (350ºF) Gas 4. Mix the oats, almonds, cinnamon and sugar of your choice together in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the milk, vanilla, melted butter and egg together. Pour the wet mixture in the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Fold in the blueberries then transfer the oatmeal to the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 30–45 minutes, until the edges are crisp and golden. Set aside to cool slightly before serving.
For the Love of Oats is available to readers for the special price of £7.99 including postage & packaging (rrp £9.99) by telephoning Macmillan Direct on 01256 302 699 and quoting the reference GLR J3J.
ORANGE AND CRANBERRY TEA CAKE This is a delightful cake for afternoon tea. Light, fluffy and moist, it is delicious served with a little plain yogurt on the side. 115 g butter (at room temperature) 165 g brown sugar 2 eggs 80 g plain yogurt, plus extra to serve freshly squeezed juice and grated zest of 1 orange 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 100 g plain flour (plus 1 teaspoon xanthan gum if using gluten-free plain flour) 35 g oat flour 35 g old-fashioned rolled oats 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 1 teaspoon baking powder a pinch of salt 35 g fresh or frozen cranberries a 23 x 12-cm/9 x 5-in loaf pan Makes 8 slices
Cream the butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl. It is easiest to do this by beating them together with an electric mixer until soft and creamy. Add the eggs, yogurt, xanthan gum (if using), orange juice and zest and vanilla. Sift the flours into a separate bowl, add the oats, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder and a pinch of salt, then stir. Beat the butter mixture into the flours before folding in the cranberries.
PEACHES AND CREAM OATMEAL Peaches and cream reminds me of the perfect summer breakfast, one that you can replicate all year round using peach preserves in place of fresh peaches. Creamy, sweet and indulgent you’ll make this oatmeal again and again. 240 ml whole milk 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean.
200 g old-fashioned or quick-cook rolled oats
Remove from the oven and turn out onto a wire rack to cool before serving in slices with yogurt.
2–3 peaches, stoned and sliced (or 70 g peach preserve)
50 g flaked almonds 1 tablespoon butter 2 tablespoons brown sugar crème fraîche, to garnish a sterilized glass jar with airtight lid (optional) Serves 4 Begin by combining 650 ml of water with the milk and pure vanilla extract in a saucepan or pot set over a low–medium heat. Bring to a simmer then add the oats and bring to a boil. Quickly turn down the heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes, or 5 minutes if using quick-cook oats, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile prepare the almonds. Put the almonds in a dry pan set over a low–medium heat. Toast for 5 minutes or until the almonds are golden brown. Remove from the heat and set aside. Now prepare the peaches. Place the fruit slices in a frying pan set over a medium heat with the butter and sugar. Sauté for 5–7 minutes or until the peaches become soft. Put the toasted almonds and prepared peaches in a mixing bowl, reserving a small amount of each for the topping, and stir to combine. Stir into the cooked oatmeal. Pour into bowls and garnish with a slice of the reserved peach and a dollop of crème fraîche. Sprinkle extra toasted almonds on each dish for added crunch. Note You can store the toasted almonds in a sterilized glass jar sealed with an airtight lid for up to 2 weeks. If peaches aren’t in season you could substitute them with peach preserve which is just as delicious and makes this dish quicker to prepare. RETIREMENT
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For the Love of Oats
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350ºF) Gas 4.
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Exclusive Over 55’s Development Corner Position Two Double Bedrooms Views Over Fields to Dartmoor Flexible Care Package Available Independent Living
Okehampton Office: 01837 54080 okehampton@millertc.co.uk
Village Location
www.millertc.co.uk
Warden Provision
www.brunelcrescent.com
A DEVELOPMENT BY BLUE VIEW PROPERTIES
Meeting the needs of a changing society High quality retirement villages, care homes and home care in Bristol and North Somerset Care Homes
• Award winning en-suite accommodation • Locations in Bristol and North Somerset • Long-term and short-term places • Specialist dementia care • On site physiotherapy.
Home Care
• Care and support for people at home (in Bristol and the surrounding area) • Bathing (with the aid of our bath lift) • Bed making, light cleaning, shopping, preparing meals
• Help with getting up and dressed in the morning or getting ready for bed at night.
Retirement Villages • A range of spacious, comfortable properties in Bristol and North Somerset • On-site licensed restaurants, hairdressers, libraries, health spas and activity gyms • Many interest groups and activities • Unique communities of like-minded people • Buy outright, part-rent/ part-buy, rental options.
Call 0117 949 4004 to find out more www.stmonicatrust.org.uk | info@stmonicatrust.org.uk
Delivering well-being Registered Charity 202151
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PROPERTY UPDATE Brunel Crescent It was very important to ensure that the design of Brunel Crescent included benefits that improve the lifestyle of their over 55’s residents. They have included lifts to all floors, underground car parking and it is a completely secure site with coded entry system and CCTV. Private and shared terraces overlook the well plated gardens. A Pavillion opening onto the central ‘plazza’ can be enjoyed by all. The centre of Box’s thriving village life is a short walk along the footpath where all local amenities can be found. They are passionate about proving a well-designed, high quality environment which enables easy living with the added benefit of concierge services and care in the home if individuals require it. The running costs at the Crescent are much lower than at older properties and maintenance charges are lower because of the modern design of the mechanical and electrical systems incorporated into the building. They have included air recycling which keeps the internal environment fresh and incoming areas heated, which cuts down on underfloor heating costs. The underfloor heating frees up wall space, and includes Wet Rooms which have easy access and are easier to clean but also look great. One of the most important benefits is that they can provide a bespoke internal space with personalised kitchens and bathrooms and any other fixtures and fittings that are required. The Penthouse flats have been conceived to divide into two flats for future flexibility if further downsizing is desirable. They have had a tremendous response from the market place and endeavour to exceed people’s expectations in terms of design and quality. The feedback they have received from their purchasers is extremely encouraging. The balconies are particularly popular with the owners enjoying watching the sunsets over the open countryside views. www.brunelcrescent.com
NATION’S FAVOURITE RETIREMENT HOTSPOTS REVEALED MGM Advantage, the retirement income specialist, has revealed the nation’s favourite overseas retirement destinations, which are: 1st: Spain
6th: Canada
2nd: France
7th: Italy
3rd: USA
8th: South East Europe
4th: Australia
9th: India
5th: Far East
10th: Portugal
In total, over 6 million UK adults are planning to retire abroad, with an even split between Europe and the rest of the world. Of the estimated 3.2 million UK adults planning to retire in Europe, Spain is the most popular destination with 26% of the vote. France follows in second place with 17% of votes. Italy comes in third place with a 10% popularity rating. Looking further afield, an estimated 3.2 million UK adults are planning to retire outside Europe. The most popular destination is America, with 16% of votes. Australia follows in second place with 14% of votes. Coming in third place is the Far East, which pulled in 13% of votes.
St Monica Trust St Monica Trust’s £8 million development of its Cote Lane retirement community is nearing completion, with the first residents moving into their new assisted living properties in mid-September. The development of the Bristol-based charity’s founding site has involved the building of 24 one and two bedroom assisted living apartments and the redevelopment of its existing nursing and dementia care facilities. Following two rounds of allocations there are only 5 remaining properties available for sale, which will be offered on a first come, first served basis. “My advice to anyone who is interested in purchasing one of the new Cote Lane properties is to get your name down on the mailing list as soon as possible,” says the Trust’s sales manager, Will Ryan. “After all, there’s still a chance you could be moving into your brand new St Monica Trust retirement property in time for Christmas.” You can register to receive details of the Trust’s resale properties online at http:// www.stmonicatrust.org.uk/register-us or by calling the sales team on 0117 949 4004. RETIREMENT
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Property update
Chancellor George Osborne has indicated that all non-residents may soon have to pay tax on all their UK income – affecting all Britons who rent out their UK property, and even those drawing a Government pension abroad. It is estimated that this could decrease an expat couple’s income by up to £4,000, thanks to the Treasury’s proposals to restrict the tax free-allowance to those with a “strong economic connection” to Britain. Angelos Koutsoudes, Head of www.OverseasGuidesCompany.com, a free resource for Britons looking to move or buy property overseas, warns, “Sitting alongside the upcoming change of regulation which will enforce capital gains tax on the sale of all residential property owned by overseas nationals and/or UK expats, we would urge expats to review all their sources of UK income. “It’s important to seek professional advice as soon as possible when planning a move overseas, to find out how these plans could affect you. One option may well be to sell the UK property and move pensions into a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS). We deal with enquiries every day from concerned overseas property-buyers wanting to ensure their financial and tax affairs are in order. It’s rewarding to be able to put our readers’ minds at rest by connecting them with recommended tax and financial advisors, who are authorised to advise on all financial planning and taxation matters.”
Angelos Koutsoudes, Head of OverseasGuidesCompany.com
Recent reports suggest that the UK government may withdraw the tax-free personal allowance for expats or other overseas nationals who receive an income from the UK.
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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.
Tel: 020 7482 2550 www.londonwaterbus.com
CanalCruising
Boat hire with over 65 years of experience • Family run business • Warm, friendly service • Specialising in overseas visitors and novices • Pet friendly • Wide choice of routes For further information and special offers
Visit www.canalcruising.co.uk or tel 01785 813982 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. Live-in care & companionship in the comfort of your own home.
People like nurse Leah, 58, and her artist husband David, 63. They wanted a happy retirement together but Leah became crippled with arthritis and cannot walk. David is dedicated to his wife and cares for her full time. But, the loss of earned income has been devastating, and they are poverty-stricken.
Your Home. Your Lifestyle. Your Choice. If now’s the time to talk, we’re always happy to listen. Contact us on 0844 209 2646 www.country-cousins.co.uk
Despite state benefits, sickness, disability and old age can still mean a life of awful hardship. For Leah and David and hundreds of people like them, The National Benevolent Charity can help. The National Benevolent Charity Peter Hervé House, Eccles Court, Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8EH For more info visit www.thenbc.org.uk or telephone 01666 505500 Patron: HRH The Prince of Wales Registered Charity Number 212450
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Footloose in the Cotswolds
F
by Debra Rixon
Lower Slaughter
Chipping Norton is a pleasant place to have a stroll before you go on to Stow on the Wold.
Dover’s Original Olimpicks, and followed other revellers out of the town and climbed the hill above to witness, amongst other things, the ancient sport of shin-kicking.
We walked through impossibly pretty villages like Stanway to Toddington because we are both steam train enthusiasts. The Gloucester and Warwickshire Steam Railway – cheekily shortened to GWR – has a major depot there, and I was in seventh heaven as we were shown the workings of a signal box, and allowed to climb up – in white shoes! – onto the footplate of the engine. We then took a ride on the train, pulled by magnificent engine 5284, to Winchcombe, which is the historic site of Sudeley Castle. Almost everywhere you go in the Cotswolds, references to the English Civil Wars keep cropping up. Poor Sudeley, once home to Katherine Parr, was
Footloose in the Cotswolds
to say I was actually entranced by the mechanical piano – it reproduces the expression of the pianist – and if you close your eyes it is as if you are attending an actual performance. We visited Roman Cirencester and its sweeping amphitheatre on the way to exquisite Bibury, where we strolled along Arlington Row, and waited patiently to take our pictures with all the tourists. It was pleasant to walk out of Bibury on a circular walk that takes you through the fields, away from the crowds. Hidcote In the northern part of the region, we visited two outstanding gardens – Hidcote and Kiftsgate. They are each beautiful, but in very different styles despite their founders being friends and members of the Arts and Crafts movement. For me, the intimacy of the family garden at Kiftsgate just pipped the larger, more expansive Hidcote. The cake in the cafe was pretty good too. There was a lot to see in Chipping Camden, before we succumbed to the lure of Robert
s
ootloose in the Cotswolds was always going to be a difficult task; it’s a large area of outstanding natural beauty, and around almost every corner, a stunning viewpoint or pretty picture. We also realised that although the Cotswolds Way would have offered a perfect walking opportunity, quite a lot of the path keeps to the escarpment, and we wanted to go beyond that imposing ridge. So we enlisted the help of my elderly Mazda sports car, and in a way, it would help to illustrate the important motoring aspect of the Cotswolds; because that was how tourism began in the region. My husband and I shot so much footage we made two DVDs, and part one takes us to the North East, beginning with Moreton-in-Marsh with its colourful and bustling market. We couldn’t miss out a visit to the Rollright Stones, an unobtrusive ancient monument that captured the interest of several antiquarians, the fore runners to present day archaeologists. Chipping Norton is a pleasant place to have a stroll before you go on to Stow on the Wold. Stow is tranquil and very historic, and played an important part in the English Civil Wars. There is also an ancient well, which was quite bucolic on an early misty summer’s morning; complete with modern sign warning against washing your car there. After a short lesson on dry-stone walling, we walked from Stow across the fields and meadows to lovely Lower Slaughter and drank ginger beer with a snack at the old mill. Then continued onwards to the finish at Bourtonon-the-Water. We spent hours in the superb Motoring Museum there, not just filming but totally engrossed in the exhibits inside the glass cases, it’s a fabulous day out for all the family. The east and central region takes in Burford and Northleach, where we spent some time in an original House of Correction, before dropping in on Keith Harding’s Museum of Mechanical Music. Keith is a veritable encyclopaedia on all forms of mechanical music, and I have
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Footloose in the Cotswolds
Castle Combe
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Almshouses Chippy
‘slighted’ for having backed the wrong side, but it is well worth a visit. We walked a 5-mile circular trail, taking us out of Winchcombe and up to a rather fine Neolithic burial mound rejoicing in the name of Belas Knapp.You get great views of the valley and Sudeley as you return. We had to have another ride on the GWR, and boarded the train for Cheltenham Race Course, which is the end of the line in that direction. Cheltenham is such an elegant town, but still retains its country charms. We had a proper English tea at Huffkins (which began life in Stow) and cajoled Ollie the waiter to sit and talk to us about the company’s origins. Cheltenham is great for shopping, it has to be said, as well the Pump Rooms and concerts. Dave and I took to the Cotswolds Way and followed Nothleach We could not miss the ‘old the escarpment, with great views at Crickley Hill before we finished our trail at infamous Cooper’s Hill. Earlier, English’ film locations of Lacock, in May, we came to witness the strictly unofficial and its wonderful abbey and Castle definitely dangerous Cheese Rolling event, and I still Combe, where they have sensibly can’t believe so many people packed into that small space placed the car park completely outside of the village to watch other people hurtling which gets my vote We could not miss the at break-neck speed down that slope after a rolling, bouncing ‘old English’ film locations every time. It was a pleasant walk down cheese! There was a great of Lacock, its wonderful to the village which atmosphere, possibly because it has been banned.We rounded off abbey and Castle Combe, possesses a splendid medieval market house and an idyllic setting by the old stone bridge. We walked the last five miles of the Cotswolds Way, from Lansdown Racecourse high on the hill, down to Bath, which was a great way to enter this spectacular spa city. Bath is wonderful at any time, but with late summer sun softening the mellow stone so that it glowed was deeply attractive. I particularly like the Circus, and always enjoy a chance to behold Royal Crescent. The museum there is excellent, Sudeley and another of my favourites is the the western region with a stroll around lovely Painswick Jane Austen house. But of course, the baths and spa take the prize for and Laurie Lee’s little village of Slad. In the last part of our tour, the southern part, we sheer impressive history, shadowed visited the rival towns of Malmesbury and Tetbury; the by the magnificent cathedral. This is former’s abbey housed the so-called Flying Monk – it the end of our Cotswold travels, and what a fitting final didn’t end well for him – and the flourish it was n latter’s revived Woolsack Races, where a Korean tv team decided Debra and David to join in the fun. In the Mazda drove to various we travelled to Westonbirt destinations, walked Arboretum to catch the autumn between towns and colours of the maples, and we villages and caught were not disappointed, although the bus back to the it was already turning cold. Debra in the Mazda RETIREMENT
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car wherever possible. The distance between Kiftsgate Gardens and Hidcote is so short, it’s worth parking at the larger Hidcote car park and walking the few minutes to Kiftsgate. After David took early retirement from the BBC, they have focussed on their own productions, and for ten years have been renowned for their walking films in Europe. For information on all the Footloose films, take a look at www.footloose.tv or watch previews of the walks on Youtube.
WIN
We have 5 copies of the double DVD Footloose in the Cotswolds to give away. For a chance to win a copy send in your name and address, quoting FIC to: Amra Media Solutions, 46a Brook Street, Aston Clinton, Bucks, HP22 5ES. Closing date: 15 October 2014.
Every year thousands of people put their faith and trust in Cats Protection when looking for a new addition to the family. Behind each volunteer and member of staff is a wealth of experience and expertise which means when you adopt one of our cats, you can feel safe in the knowledge that he has been given the best possible care. When he leaves Cats Protection, your cat will have been treated to a top-to-tail medical. This means he will have been: • Fully examined by a veterinary surgeon • Vaccinated at least once against flu and enteritis • Treated against fleas, roundworm and tapeworm • Neutered if old enough • Microchipped
All he needs now is a loving home to make his dreams come true – over to you!
Find a Cats Protection cat looking for a home in your area. Simply scan the QR code with your smart-phone to use our new find-a-cat search tool, or get in touch on the details below.
T: 03000 12 12 12 E: helpline@cats.org.uk W: www.cats.org.uk Reg Charity 203644 (England and Wales) and SC037711 (Scotland)
We also provide four weeks’ free insurance (terms and conditions apply) giving invaluable peace of mind and reassurance as you and your cat embark upon this lifelong friendship. RETIREMENT
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Winter Sunshine Searching for a sun-kissed spot to spend the winter months? We have a suggestion that might not cost a bronzed arm and a suntanned leg.
How about South Africa? Perhaps not the first place that springs to mind for a value holiday, but thanks to the local currency dropping faster than the setting sun - it could be worth adding this long-haul destination to your long-stay options. The rand’s current poor performance is great news for Brits. With a bit of fine-tuning, we can find ourselves visiting the renowned Garden Route to discover that, of late, it’s turned into The Bargain Route. Known for it’s rugged unspoilt coastline and blessed with plenty of year round sunshine - certainly enough to keep the average sun-starved Brit happy - the Garden Route offers no end of activities wrapped up in a mild marine climate. Sandwiched between the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma mountains, and the Indian Ocean, the area is extremely popular with second homeowners, holding the key to their own escape plan - breaking away from the hustle and bustle of cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town - to spend the summer season in one of the laid-back beach towns that dot the Western Cape. Towards the end of January seasonal occupants, known as swallows, are rested and relaxed enough to pack up and fly out of town - leaving a surge of high quality rental properties in their wake - and that’s well timed for Brits ready to spend winter in the sunshine.
The Garden Route offers something for everyone. Natural attractions abound, the Indian Ocean laps long soft sand beaches, forests, grasslands and of course beautiful flowering plants and trees are never far away.
Winter Sunshine 16
Competition to find long-term renters is stiff - or at least stiff in the casual, easy-going way that’s endemic to this chilled-out part of the country - there are deals to be had on homes, hotels and self catering quarters up and down the coastline. With a bit of gentle negotiation you can settle into well appointed accommodation that definitely counts as a bargain. Fine weather runs from October through March on the Indian Ocean side of the mountains, autumn is typically filled with warm sunny days and cool evenings. As the surf rolls into winter, mornings become chillier and nights get cooler - but during the day, there’s still plenty of lovely warm sunshine to go around. As you might expect from an area tagged The Garden Route, rain occurs year-round, even in summer. During our three month visit, we’ve had little to complain about, either on the weather front or otherwise.
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British passport holders can obtain a 90 day visa-onarrival; long enough to avoid the worst of the winter weather and, sample what’s on offer in a scenic location where the sun is no stranger. Brits take up the lions share of tourist visas, followed by Ireland and Germany. We’ve chatted with many overseas visitors, touring as a group or traveling as individuals - and we hear the same comments time and again - stunning, relaxed, interesting, easy, clean and surprising are words that crop up in conversations wherever we go. To be fair, if you’re here for long enough, you might also add slow, unpredictable and disarray, but that’s all part of the adventure. The Garden Route offers something for everyone. Natural attractions abound, the Indian Ocean laps long soft sand beaches, forests, grasslands and of course beautiful flowering plants and trees are never far away. If it’s mountain views you’re looking for, they run for mile after scenic mile - along with endless nature reserves, national parks, lagoons, lakes and tons of marine life. Stretching from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to Storms River in the Eastern Cape - a distance of around around 210 kilometers - Plettenberg Bay is an ideal base with easy access to natural and tourist attractions. Rental cars are plentiful, driving is easy, key roads maintained and, compared to the UK, petrol is a bargain too. The Garden Route is packed with Africa’s natural heritage and action packed activities. Wildlife sanctuaries, game reserves, canoeing, bird watching, bush walking, hiking, biking, swimming with seals, horse riding, zip lines,
along The Bargain Route kloofing and whale watching are just a few of the diversions. With plenty of places to enjoy a long leisurely lunch out in the vineyard or on a beachfront deck - and afterwards, you can walking hand in trunk with an elephant or follow in the footsteps of inquisitive giraffes. Evenings usually start with sundowner drinks, and many hotels have good quality restaurants with cosy outdoor fires to ward off the chill - dining is cheap, the surroundings are quiet and the night skies are clear - making it easy to pick out the southern cross and constellations visible only in the southern hemisphere. If you plan to go on Safari stargazing activities are often included as part of the program. Wherever you visit and whatever you decide to do, you will have a clear view of South Africa’s polarized history. One bonus of a long-stay trip, is that it allows time to get to know the community and lend a hand if you wish. As well as superb scenery and friendly faces, the Garden Route
offers plenty of opportunities to get involved with local projects from helping out in a class room overflowing with children, to wielding a hammer on a low-income home, or making your presence count on a recycling programe as we have - you can leave your mark with more than footprints on the beach. The Garden Route is full of surprises - we certainly didn’t expect to find outposts of Marks and Spencer or Waitrose. And, with no shortage of pleasant ways to spend your time energetic or lazy - this part of South Africa will appeal to sun lovers and fun lovers. The scenery is easy on the eye, the people easy with a smile and the whole experience is likely to be a lot easier on your pocket that you might imagine n For more information on the couple featured in our article, Les and Lee - visit their website at wwwstayingforfree.com (Staying for Free.com)
Winter Sunshine
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MA Creative Writing
Is there a book in you? Postgraduate courses that suit your lifestyle The Manchester Writing School and the Department of English at Manchester Metropolitan University are inviting applications for their distinctive courses, available to study on campus in Manchester or accessible from anywhere in the world via online distance learning. Specialist routes in Novel, Poetry and Writing for Children. Taught by high profile, award-winning writers and critics including Andrew Biswell, N. M. Browne, Catherine Fox, Ben Masters, Livi Michael, Gregory Norminton, Adam O’Riordan, Michael Symmons Roberts, Jacqueline Roy, Nicholas Royle and Jean Sprackland.
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Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy is the Creative Director of the Manchester Writing School and teaches on the programme. Unrivalled success rate:more than 45 of our students have launched their first book in the past five years. Recruiting now for a September 2014 or January 2015 start. Further details: James Draper, Manager of the Manchester Writing School. Email: j.draper@mmu.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0)161 247 1787 www.mmu.ac.uk/writingschool
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@ Stoke Poges
Out&About... The British Museum, London
Until 30 November
Guitar Players by Laurie Lee
Laurie Lee: Poetry, Art and Landscape Museum in the Park, Stroud 6 September – 5 October
The Museum is celebrating Laurie Lee’s Centenary with a number of events through the year. This exhibition shows a collection of previously unseen drawings and paintings by celebrated poet and writer Laurie Lee. It also includes new work by artists inspired by walking, including a series of walks through Laurie Lee’s beloved landscapes of Slad, the Stroud Valleys and beyond. Accompanied by poetry readings and special events. Tel. 01453 763 394 www.museuminthepark.org.uk
This exhibition will introduce you to eight people from ancient Egypt and Sudan whose bodies have been preserved, either naturally or by deliberate embalming. Using state-of-the-art technology it allows visitors to virtually explore inside mummy cases and examine the bodies underneath the wrappings, bringing you face to face with eight individuals who lived in the Nile Valley thousands of years ago. Tel. 020 7323 8299 www.britishmuseum.org
Nanjing Museum / Nomad Exhibitions
MING: The Golden Empire
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Until 19 October
Discover the extraordinary story of the Ming dynasty (1366-1644), a period marked by a social, cultural and economic transformation and a dramatic flourishing of the arts. The exhibition shows how an increasingly wealthy society led to greater demand for luxury and craft objects, including blue and white decorated porcelain. Visitors can also discover exquisite luxury objects in a variety of precious materials, such as gold earrings, and a flawlessly executed late 15th century adornment of a gold cicada on a jade leaf, excavated from a family tomb. Tel. 0300 123 6789 www.nms.ac.uk/ming
Truth, Beauty & Power: The Designs of Dr Christopher Dresser New Bond Street, London 10 September – 2 October
The Fine Art Society is presenting a selling exhibition of exceptional designs by Dr Christopher Dresser (1834-1904), Britain’s first independent industrial designer and one of the most influential figures in nineteenth-century design. The exhibition showcases Dresser’s remarkably broad and eclectic output , which includes metalwork, furniture, glass, cast iron, chromolithographic books and ceramics designed for some of the most prestigious manufacturers of the Industrial Revolution, including Wedgwood, Minton and Coalbrookdale. Tel. 020 7629 5116 www.faslondon.com
A mummy undergoing a CT scan at the Royal Brompton Hospital. © Trustees of the British Museum
Bruegel to Freud: Prints from the Courtauld Gallery Until 21 September
This special display offers an introduction to the largest but least known part of the Gallery’s outstanding collection – its holding of prints. The Courtauld Gallery houses one of the most significant collections of works on paper in Britain, with approximately 7,000 drawings and watercolours and 20,000 prints ranging from the Renaissance to the 21st century. This display of some thirty particularly remarkable and intriguing examples spans more than 500 years and encompasses a variety of printmaking techniques. The selection includes works by Mantegna, Bruegel, Canaletto, Picasso, Matisse and Freud. Tel. 020 7848 2526 www.courtauld.ac.uk
Courtauld Prints - Canaletto’s Portico with lantern
Drum-shaped footstool decorated with beadwork by the Yoruba people, presented to Her Majesty during a trip to Nigeria in 1956. Royal Collection Trust /(C) Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2014.
The Commonwealth:
GIFTS TO THE QUEEN
Palace of Holyrood House, Edinburgh Until 2 November With the Commonwealth Games held at Glasgow this year, this exhibition shows over 70 objects gifted to the Queen by Commonwealth countries around the world, during her 61-year reign. It reflects the diverse traditions, craftsmanship and creativity of Commonwealth nations. Among the objects on display are a tapestry from Botswana, beadwork by the Yoruba people, a shell collage from the Bahamas, a coconut calabasa bowl from Belize, an Inuit wall hanging, a batik from St Kitts and Nevil, and a model of a totem pole from the Cowichan Coast Salish First Nation, Canada. Tel. 0131 565 5199 www.royalcollection.org.uk RETIREMENT
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Out & About
Ancient Lives: New Discoveries
©
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Had enough of being overweight? Hands up all those who feel they’re in a constant battle to achieve a healthy and sustainable body weight. How many diets have you tried and failed, feeling totally frustrated and not knowing what to do next? Having had a weight problem for 35 years, Rachel was desperate to find a way of being able to lose weight once and for all. ‘I had just about resigned myself to the fact that I would be overweight for the rest of my life, when I came across the principles of the Metabolic Weight Loss Programme. I followed these and to my amazement, I lost 3 stone in just over 3 months and then went on to successfully maintain my weight. The relief was enormous to have found something that finally worked for me.’ Rachel became passionate about wanting to help as many people as possible with their weight problems, which led her to become a qualified weight loss consultant. In the last 10 years, she has helped over 3,000 clients from all walks of life to help bring their dieting days to an end once and for all. ‘My clients’ ages range from 8 years to 85 years old, so there is hope for everyone!’
‘This isn’t an open-ended slimming club,’ says Rachel. ‘We set your target weight at the beginning and then get on with the business of helping you lose the weight, addressing any difficulties along the way, then we concentrate on keeping it off – for good!’ For those who are not able to visit, a very successful remote support service is provided throughout the UK - distance is no object!
With an average weight loss of 7-14 lbs a month for clients and hundreds of hand written testimonials, Rachel’s results speak for themselves
One of the popular aspects of the Metabolic Weight Loss Programme is there’s nothing faddish about it. There are no meal replacements, diet shakes or diet pills. All the foods on the programme are easily obtainable. Clients frequently say just how easy it is to follow, they don’t feel hungry and are not having to constantly battle with cravings. The four stages of the programme are tailored as necessary to provide the maximum results for each client. Rachel and her team give weekly one-to-one consultations, guiding you through the programme with personalised support, lots of empathy and total conviction in the success of the programme. Email support is available in between consultations.
Clients often comment on how impressed their doctors are with their results. ‘My doctor is very happy– I’ve been able to come off blood pressure and cholesterol medication,’ says one. Another doctor said, ‘All my lady patients on thyroid medication are struggling to lose weight, but you’ve lost 2 1/2 stone despite being on thyroxin – well done!’
With an average weight loss of 7-14 lbs a month for clients and hundreds of hand written testimonials, Rachel’s results speak for themselves. ‘I see real results daily, time after time I see people’s lives change in front of me.’
Rachel offers free consultations for those who are wanting to lose their weight once and for all.
Rachel Ricketts 01342 327396 Email rachel@rachelrickettsweightloss.co.uk www.rachelrickettsweightloss.co.uk
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PERFECT STAY Our writer reviews East View Farm Holiday Cottages in Norfolk
FACTBOX A week’s stay at East View Farm Holiday Cottages for two people starts from £395 and a short break from £275. To book, go to www.premiercottages.co.uk or call the owner on 01603 782225 or 07831 258258.
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orfolk and East Anglia are one of Britain’s most loved holiday destinations, however, I have a confession. My trip to Plum Tree Cottage at East View Farm holiday Cottages was my very first visit, but it definitely wouldn’t be my last! The cottages are two luxury barn conversions set in 10 acres of landscaped gardens, (even boasting its own model railway) in a rural setting on the Norfolk Broads. Despite only being a party of two, we were lucky enough to have the added luxury of the larger property, Plum Tree Cottage. Plum Tree is equipped with every convenience needed for a relaxing holiday, with every bedroom en-suite. Owner Jane Pond is a discreet presence on site, ready to answer queries or provide extensive knowledge of the area with much appreciated recommendations of places to visit. Our stay was short but still gave us a chance to explore the fantastic coastline the region has to offer. Inland also offers many attractions, the broads are an obvious, but also some unique National Trust properties, Sandringham and beautiful market towns such as Holt, full of quirky and individual shops. Unfortunately a weekend can’t do justice to everything this stunning area has to offer and all too soon our visit came to an end. East View Farm Holiday Cottages deserve their 5 star rating and more, providing a unique and rejuvenating stay. RETIREMENT
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Perfect Stay
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Confessions of a Chicken Addict The author of Chickens As Pets, Andrew Hinkinson, recalls getting his first rescued factory hens in this extract from his book.
I
Confessions of a Chicken Addict
collected my first-ever hens from the British Hen Welfare Trust, one of a number of charities working with farmers to promote free-range living for healthy hens and campaigning for better welfare. These hens, four in total, arrived with very few feathers. It was a cold day in February and I was immediately concerned they’d catch a chill, but the nice people from the BHWT told me the birds would quickly adapt. And they did. I’d been doing my research on chickens for over a year before finally getting some. I felt it was important to learn as much as I could to ensure I didn’t make any terrible mistakes that would affect the birds’ welfare. I lost count of the number of poultry magazines and books I bought or borrowed. I was surprised by how many of them were aimed at farmers and big commercial concerns. There was absolutely no material specifically and exclusively geared towards people who, yes, wanted to keep hens for their eggs but also intended to treat them as family pets and definitely not as livestock. I found advice and information in one book could be completely contradicted in another, which was very confusing to say the least. I didn’t know it back then, but the egg that eventually became Chickens As Pets was starting to develop. It would be several years before it hatched.
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Ex-battery, ex-caged In the UK, we used to commonly refer to these ex-caged ladies as battery hens. Thankfully, in January 2012, battery cages were banned across the EU. They’ve been largely replaced with so-called enriched cages that, while only a little bit bigger, do have slightly more space for the hens to indulge more of their natural inclinations to scratch around and exercise. They’re
not ideal, though. Free-ranging in the open air is the ideal. Although these enriched cages are better, they are nowhere near being described as great by anyone outside the industry who advocates the best in animal welfare. The hens that come out of these cages are just as pale and terrified of the outside world as the pre-2012 battery hens were and are often patchy in their feathering as well. Notice how I said the battery cages have been largely replaced but not completely replaced. In the UK, farmers have complied with the EU directive, but not all farmers across the EU have and some have been aided and abetted by governments turning a blind eye to the directive being flouted. British farmers are to be commended for the work they have done, which has come at a price to their commercial operations. They also deserve praise for working with the rehoming charities, which build positive rather than critical relationships with the industry. A lot of food products imported into the EU, from South America or the US for example, contain egg material from battery hens. The battery system has not gone away. In the US, there has been nowhere near as much progress as in the EU. In 2008, California passed Proposition 2 into law. This set a standard for space relative to free movement and wingspan, rather than cage size. It can’t be said to have fully addressed the welfare issues with
I will never forget the thrill, the morning after getting my first birds, of going down to the coop and opening up the nesting box RETIREMENT
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When I collected my ex-battery hens (as they were back then), I thought I’d prepared myself psychologically for the sorry state I would find them in. I was still shocked at what I saw, though, and found it hard to imagine them ever looking any better. They did grow their feathers back, quite quickly in fact, and they put on weight. They learned to enjoy the outdoor life, just as nature intended. It didn’t take them long, either; after just a few months, you couldn’t tell the difference between one of these factory survivors and a hen of their kind raised as a free-ranger.
caged hens, at best only reducing the suffering they experience to some small degree. Whether hens have come from battery cages or enriched cages, they are released from service after 12–18 months. When I say ‘released’, I mean most of them are then immediately turned into pet food or processed for the food industry. Only a tiny percentage of them end up with the rescue charities and, from those, find their way into the gardens of loving keepers of pet chickens.
After the first hens... the addiction begins! When my ex-battery girls lost their ghost-white pallor and started to look healthy, acting in adventurous and cheeky ways while fully engaged with the world around them and obviously very happy, I decided I wanted to expand my flock. I don’t know of any new keeper of pet chickens who doesn’t get that urge within a matter of months, but it has to be tempered with a reasonable sense of how many birds you can support and how much space you have. My first non-caged/non-battery hens were Marans and Buff Orpingtons.These and many other breeds are referred to as ‘traditional’ or ‘pure’ but most date back only as far as the nineteenth century. There are a few exceptions, the development of which can be traced much further back in history. The Dorking, for example, was a very large breed that was clucking around the forts and farms of Roman Britain, providing both meat and eggs to centurions, visiting Imperial dignitaries, Celtic tribesmen and Druids alike. The Marans and Orpingtons settled in well after enduring the necessary, and totally natural, brutality of being shoehorned into the lower ranks of the pecking order for a few days. I marvelled at their different personalities: some of the hens were shy and easily spooked, but others rushed up to demand I pick up them up for a fussing. That was when I discovered something new that has always amazed people when I tell them. Chickens purr when you stroke them.Yes.They really do. It doesn’t sound like a cat purring but it’s purring all the same: a sort of low-level oscillation that comes from deep inside the chicken’s body. And stroking a chicken on your lap is every bit as relaxing for you as stroking a dog or a cat. I’ve no doubt at all it’s just as good for your blood pressure and mental wellbeing.
Differences upon release Newly released battery hens have few feathers because they pull them out in boredom and frustration. They sometimes have wounds from pecking each other in the confined spaces they’re forced to stand up in; they are unable to sit down. They may be unable to walk and usually have no knowledge of how to use a nesting box, preferring to just lay their eggs as they walk around when the urge takes them. But everything heals, given time, patience, love and care. Hens coming out of enriched cages are a little bit better off. They have stronger legs and don’t tend to be as comprehensively featherless as exbattery girls. They are just as scared of the outside world, though, and their combs and wattles (those fleshy bits on top of their heads and under their beaks) are pale and bigger than they will be after a few months of living the good life outdoors.
I will never forget the thrill, the morning after getting my first birds, of going down to the coop and opening up the nesting box. Nothing. Ah. No, wait... I looked again. Being ex-battery hens, the ladies had laid their eggs wherever they’d been stood when the urge to lay came upon them. I found just one egg inside the coop, but not in the nesting box, and another three outside in the run. This continued for a few weeks until one of them presumably got the idea: “Hmm, actually, laying my egg inside the nesting box would be rather more comfortable than just parking myself on the ground!” After that first, pioneering spirit indulged her idea, the other three cottoned on. Those first eggs tasted like the best I’d ever eaten, even though those hens were not yet benefiting from the outdoor life and all the bugs, worms and greenery it would offer them. They were my eggs from my ladies. After a few weeks I did a comparison between shop- bought eggs from caged hens and eggs laid by my own flock. The former were horrible: pale and sad looking and completely without flavour. The latter, produced by my girls, were bright in colour; it was like Heaven above had sent them down to my dinner plate. I would rather not eat eggs at all if I had to choose between that or buying them from a supermarket. Even the free-range ones from shops don’t taste quite as nice as those laid by your own hens, which are far fresher by virtue of being laid just a few feet away from your back door n
Chickens As Pets by Andrew Hinkinson published by Spellbinding Media Ltd. ISBN 978-1-90 9964-15-0 RETIREMENT
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Confessions of a Chicken Addict
Eggs from Heaven
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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome General advice on sleep
s
• In addition to avoiding large meals just before bed it is also a good idea to leave out that cup of coffee after your last meal of the day. Caffeine, of course, is a stimulant and so keeps us awake. Coffee, tea, cola and other fizzy drinks contain high levels of caffeine, as does chocolate. But you can buy some very good caffeinefree alternatives these days, so you don’t have to go without your favourite beverages. Coffee lovers will often have their ‘good’ cup of caffeinated coffee in the morning, then stick to decaffeinated versions later in the day. Even though it may seem counterintuitive, alcohol can prevent us from having a good night’s sleep because our bodies have to metabolize it. This can result in waking up in the middle of the night. • This may sound like an old wives’ tale but hot baths just before bed do help some people fall sleep.This may be because after a bath our bodies are hot and then gradually cool down, rather than being cold and requiring time and energy to
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
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ven if you don’t have substantially disrupted sleep, good ‘sleep hygiene’ practice is something that you can do to support your immune system in general because lack of sleep can dampen the immune response. Here are a few general tips that everyone can follow. Not just people with CFS/ME: • Your evening meal may affect your ability to sleep. A heavy meal just before bed can disturb sleep as your body digests the food, so if your large meal of the day is an evening meal, try to have this in the early part of the evening. However, going to bed hungry is also disruptive, so if you’re hungry, a light snack before bed is better than not eating. In general, high protein foods are best at lunchtime (such as meat, fish eggs) and carbohydrate-rich foods (pasta, bread, potatoes and so on) are good in the evening. Eating carbohydrates leads to the release of the neurotransmitter serotonin.
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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
increase their temperature. Some people find showers quite invigorating, so if you have a tub, try soaking in the bath rather than taking a hot shower. • It is important to create a bedroom that is conducive for sleep. Gentle lighting can help with this, as can an optimum temperature. How hot or cool we like our bedrooms is a personal choice, but in general a freezing cold or boiling hot environment does not help us to sleep. If you live somewhere quiet, consider leaving a window open so that there is enough fresh air and oxygen circulating the room – a stuffy room can impede a good night’s sleep. • If outside noise is an issue for you, noise machines can help to block out any external sounds. There is a wide range of these available now, with various different settings. Some have natural sounds like ocean waves crashing, rainfall, a beating heart and birdsong. Others use ‘white noise’ that sounds a bit like static on a television. While it may seem odd to add more noise to your environment if noise itself is keeping you awake, noise machines can be beneficial because they emit constant and soothing sound rather than abrupt noise. A fan can also act as a noise machine, and has the added advantage of circulating air in the bedroom. • If noise machines don’t suit you, you may want to invest in some good-quality earplugs. Bespoke earplugs can be purchased from larger chemists. These should last many years but they are expensive. You will need to make an appointment and have moulds taken of your ears – these will then be sent off so that the plugs can be made to fit your ears perfectly. The process can take a few weeks, however, so you may want to buy some inexpensive earplugs in the meantime. Indeed it may be a good idea to start off with these cheaper versions to see if they suit you before investing in bespoke ones. Inexpensive earplugs are usually made from foam or silicone, so if you have an allergy to silicone take a careful look at the packaging.
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• When settling down for the night, try to steer clear of highly stimulating television programmes, music and video games. In fact it’s best to ban ‘screens’ from the bedroom – this includes computers and smartphones. If our brains are constantly engaged and alert t can be hard to switch off. However, if you are bedbound with CFS/ME and your contact with the outside world is via the internet, then it may be difficult to delineate the bedroom for sleeping only. If this is the case, do still attempt to limit screen-time in terms of your pacing schedule. • Natural light is vital for the sleepwake cycle or circadian rhythm, but this can be hard to get enough of if you’re limited to indoor activities. If you can, try simply to sit outside for a period of time, or it you are well enough, a brief walk can be beneficial. This will also help you to acquire vitamin D, which people can be deficient in if they are not exposed to enough natural light. There are numerous types of ‘light boxes’ on sale currently, which may also help maintain your circadian rhythm, but outdoor light is best where possible.
• Light boxes also exist that act as alarm clocks. They operate by gradually increasing the light they emit, mirroring a sunrise. Some people with CFS/ME find this a much more calming way to wake up. At night they work in the opposite direction, starting off relatively bright and slowly dimming. This may be another gadget you’d like to try. • Depending on your level of activity, gentle exercise like yoga can help improve sleep quality. This may also be due to the meditative state and deep relaxation that yoga can produce. You may want to try some, or all, of the above techniques to help you sleep well. However, a note of caution; gadgets such as noise machines and light boxes/alarm clocks, as well as the bespoke earplugs, can mount up in terms of cost, so you may want to try one at a time. Check the return policy for gadgets – there may be a free trial period n An extract from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome by Dr Megan A. Arroll, published by Sheldon Press. ISBN 978184709-300-4.
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COTSWOLD
MOTORING MUSEUM & TOY COLLEC TION
Enjoy Luxury Dining onboard
Enjoy Luxury Dining onboard 28
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set at the station, then armed with your clues you can interrogate the suspects whilst enjoying your meal onboard a steam train. The evening concludes back at the station where the murderer is revealed n
Find out more and book your tickets at www.watercressline.co.uk
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he Watercress Line in Hampshire has various dining trains throughout the year, whether you are looking for luxury 5 course dining, traditional Sunday lunch or a chance to practice your sleuthing skills! Watch the Hampshire countryside drift by as you enjoy a traditional Sunday roast with all the family on The Countryman. The delicious 4 course roast is served in restored dining carriages on select Sundays from February to October. With a professional chef on board to prepare your meal, the Watercress Belle really is a fine dining experience! The sumptuous five course meal is served in former boat train coaches, famous for carrying passengers from London to opulent ocean liners like the Queen Mary at Southampton docks. This first class dining train operates on select Saturday evenings from March to December and is for over 16’s only. Or solve the clues on a 4 course evening Murder Mystery dining train! The scene is
Stephen Morley
Sit back, relax and dine in luxury on board a steam train!
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Modern Country
An informed and confident style, here – traditional design, but with a distinct contemporary twist.The style signature is simple, pared down, with little or no extra ornament or embellishment, but everything geared towards comfort.
Modern Country
Inspiring interiors for contemporary country living
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Establishing a style
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he interior of a country house – whether it is a large, imposing edifice that commands its immediate surroundings, or a small converted hut or barn – will always have certain common elements. Natural materials will take precedence over more man-made artefacts. The rooms will be arranged to be flexible, to easily accommodate the few or the many. The seating will also be flexible, and, too, it will always be comfortable – sometimes old, sometimes new, but always chosen for relaxation.The arrangements for cooking and eating will play a large part within the overall interior scheme – and often the exterior scheme as well – and there may be several different choices of places to eat and drink. And most importantly, the interior will always be designed and arranged to relate to the outside world – living things, the landscape, the changing light, the colours and shapes of the countryside. If there is a lightness of being that is associated with the countryside, then there is also, in the best country houses, a lightness of being within the way a house is dressed and designed. This does not mean that there is any one particular style that works better than any other, it is just that there are certain decorative avenues that are best unexplored. Successful modern country houses, for example, do not groan beneath the weight of heavy, dark-hued, interlined curtains. If there are any, curtains are light and at one with the windows they do not hide. Neither do these houses drown under acres of closefitted carpets – flooring should look good, of course, but it must also be hard-working, of natural origin, and ready to shoulder the daily
Wooden garden rocking chairs, based on the traditional Adirondack design, are ready for use in this half-way room between the house and garden, shielded from the excess of weather of whatever description.
In a restored farmhouse stripped to its simplest form, with white walls and natural beams, an old, rustic trestle table takes centre stage as the dining table of choice.Waxed and polished, edged with simple wooden benches, it needs no other adornment.
Modern Country
perils of everyday indoor–outdoor living, in all weathers, without strain or complaint. Furnishing fabrics should be light, in texture and in tone; the colours that work best are usually within a sophisticated palette of neutrals – not boring beige, but a wider range that runs from cinder and pearl grey to ivory and clotted cream. Establishing a style also means establishing a way of domestic life that is designed to draw on the surrounding countryside, to make it accessible and part of everyday living. Modern country is simple, in the purest sense of being no fuss and not too many extras. This sort of style means keeping the decorative touches light and modest: too much pattern – indeed, too many shapes – can be hard to swallow, even indigestible. Excess is not allowed, neither are unnecessary frills and furbelows, although some carefully chosen ornament is good, as is the odd witty touch. Above all, comfort should be paramount – although that is not to say that a certain elegance need not be part of the mix n An extract from Modern Country: Inspiring Interiors for Contemporary Country Living by Caroline Clifton-Mogg. Published by Jacqui Small, £30. A traditional eating space, but more than that, a classical dining arrangement that could work within any style. A wide table covered with a check tablecloth, and surrounded by white-painted wooden chairs, is timeless in their appeal and charm.
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Let charitable work live on - leave a legacy
Let charitable work live on – leave a legacy
eaving just a small legacy to a charity of your choice in your will, means you will be making a significant contribution to its vital work for future generations – not to mention the fantastic footprint you will leave. Over the years, gifts in wills have helped charities in many areas, such as helping vulnerable people, protecting domestic animals and wildlife, funding of medical research, and much more. Legacies remain the most effective way to support your favourite charity and their significance is growing. Charities rely heavily on support from legacies and it is very often an important income stream for many. After you’ve looked after your family and friends, why not think about leaving a gift to a charitable cause that is close to your heart, the donation can be as small or as large as you like, even a little amount of money left in your will to a charity can make a big difference. Many people believe that only the wealthy and famous leave money to charity when they die, but this is not the case. The reality is that without gifts left in wills, many of the charities we know and support today would struggle to survive and many wouldn’t even exist. Remember, no matter how small the legacy it can make a huge difference to a charity in the long term. The legacy you write into your will today will not be available to the charity for many years, but you will be providing your chosen charity with a vital source of income in future years. Many people in the UK support charities in their lifetime and when asked many say they’d happily leave a gift in their will, but unfortunately only a small percentage actually do. Of course, family and friends
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Meet
A special gift for animals Smoochie Smoochie came to Wood Green when his owners were no longer able to care for him. Thankfully, in just a few weeks we were able to find him a new loving, forever home where he is now thriving!
Every year almost 5,500 animals need our help. Some are found hungry, abandoned and homeless, some have been mistreated, starved and abused; others are given to us when they can no longer be looked after. We know how lucky we are to have such wonderful supporters and it’s all thanks to the continued generosity of caring individuals like you. Donations and gifts left in Wills have enabled Wood Green, The Animals Charity to set national standards in animal welfare, taking in animals of all shapes and sizes. As well as cats and dogs, we continue to find loving new homes for chickens, rabbits, mice, guinea pigs, goats, sheep, ferrets and many more. We simply couldn’t continue to do this without your help.
£3 for 1 pet £21 for 7 pets
£12 for 4 pets Other
Name Address
OR give £3 by texting KITTEN to 70300, or calling our donation hotline on 0844 875 0150
Postcode
Texts charged at £3 plus your standard network rate. Wood Green, The Animals Charity will receive 100% of your donation. Registered Charity No. 298348 Wood Green, The Animals Charity is the Registered Trademark of Wood Green Animal Shelters
Please send cheques/postal orders/CAF charity vouchers payable to ‘Wood Green, The Animals Charity’ with this coupon to: Wood Green, The Animals Charity, Freepost PE1366, London Road, Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire PE29 2BR.
Please send me a FREE legacy information pack providing information on how to leave a gift in my Will to Wood Green, The Animals Charity.
WG Saga Legacy 190x260mm ad 8.14.indd 1
0914PRRETT
THANK Yes! I’d like to help YOU feed unwanted and abandoned pets like Smoochie.
The Animals Charity Registered Charity No. 298348.
13/8/14 21:16:00 RETIREMENT today
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should always come first, but donations to charity in wills can sometimes mean your family avoids paying inheritance tax on your estate. Many people decide not to leave a legacy to charity in case their children feel cheated of inheritance. However, one of the first steps you can take to giving yourself permission to donate to charity in your will is to talk to your family about your plans for your death, including leaving a donation and you may find that many people are proud of their parents planning to leave a gift to charity once their loved ones had been looked after. Leaving money to a charity is crucial for their good work to continue and if you have certain feelings about how the money should be spent, you can specify that it is for a particular use. However, it doesn’t have to be money – charities have been left everything from houses to antique ornaments!
According to recent research carried out by Foresters, the international financial services organisation, the UKs over-65s are the most generous generation when it comes to supporting charities. People in this age group say they plan to give 0.8% of their salary to charity; double that of the average UK contribution (0.4% of salary) and 0.1% increase since last year (0.7%). In fact, if everyone who donated to charity in 2013 (almost nine out of ten people) increased their average yearly donation, it would generate an extra £204 million* of funds for charities. Contributing to the support of charities in your lifetime and as a legacy when you passed on all helps to play your part in helping the good work live on n *Calculated using current ONS adult population estimates. Information Source: Remember a Charity and Foresters
Focus on the RED CROSS When disaster strikes around the world, the Red Cross is always one of the first on the scene providing lifesaving help to people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are.
And here in the UK, the Red Cross also helps over a million people in crisis every year. Just one of the services we offer is support at home for people who are recovering from an accident or a stay in hospital. It might not make the news, but this service is invaluable to individuals like Peter Toplis, a retired nurse who found himself housebound and isolated following a stroke. Peter recalls: “I rarely ventured beyond the front door, and ended up just looking at the same four walls day in and day out. I was very lonely.” A Red Cross volunteer started visiting regularly to support him in his recovery and journey back to independence. Peter says: “Having someone visit really boosted my self-esteem. It was rock bottom before the Red Cross started calling round, but now my confidence has rocketed.” Gifts in wills are vital to the British Red Cross, allowing us to respond immediately when a personal crisis strikes, and ensuring that we’ll always be there for future generations n
Focus on WOOD GREEN, The Animals Charity Legacies are vital to Wood Green, The Animals Charity’s very survival,
a fact that most of our supporters don’t realise. Over 50% of our income for last year was received from gifts left to us in wills.
Don’t just take our word for it... Hi, We came into Wood Green together in January 2011, as our previous owner could no longer keep us. Our new ‘mum and dad’ were so impressed with the vital work that Wood Green carry out - 365 days a year - and wanted to do something special to help more animals. They decided that one of the best ways they could do this was to pledge a gift in their will to Wood Green which will leave a lasting legacy, helping thousands more animals like us to find loving new homes n Apparently it is really easy to arrange and you can contact Lisa Mitchinson on 0844 248 8181 to find out how it all works. Licks & wags, Sandy & Scamp Cox 34
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Legacy quarter page ad.pdf
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20/04/2012
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Last year we helped over 80,000 wild birds and animals like Rudolph Faith and Sonny
Faith was among many ponies marked to be shot in the Bodmin crisis but when they went back the next day they found she had given birth. SWEP were called to take her and her foal in as they were already emaciated and would not survive on the moor. Sonny gave his mum a second chance in life and they are both now happy and well. Josh and Taz
Josh and Taz were abandoned at the side of the road in Somerset. The lady that found them could not take them in permanently so they came to SWEP. No-one else would help these ponies and we have now re-homed them on our pony loan scheme
Specialising in helping and rescuing wild moorland ponies on Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor. Ponies that are in an emaciated condition, mares having trouble giving birth and injured ponies hit by cars. All ponies receive veterinary treatment. Please help Sonny, Faith, Josh and Taz by making a donation and Gift Aid or leaving SWEP a legacy. You can ensure their future is in SWEP’s care. Unit B5, Torland Court, Yelverton Business Park, Crapstone, Devon, PL20 7PE Tel/Fax: 01822 854 823 - Email: contact@swep.org.uk Website: www.swep.org.uk
BYGONE NEWSPAPERS Anniversary & Birthday Gift Ideas • ORIGINAL Daily Newspapers 1847-2014 • A perfect gift to commemorate any special occasion • Each newspaper is accompanied with a Certificate of Authenticity • We offer a great range of high quality nostalgic gifts
For Free Details FREEPHONE 0800 0990 to 8pm Int: 00 44 1934 412844 www.bygonenews.com/RTM 36
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Please help me get better Not only do we treat more hedgehogs than any other wildlife hospital, but our caring teams save lives every day. Our aim is simple, to treat injured British wildlife, then return them to the wild. Like Rudolph, who arrived badly injured at just five days old. Our specialist care saved this little deer and he is now facing a brighter future. But it is only with your support we can help casualties like Rudolph; please remember Tiggywinkles in your Will.
Our late friend Dame Thora Hird actively encouraged others to help us secure funding for our lifesaving work. In her words "All the little wild creatures and I thank you so very much". For more information please contact: Jenny Babb, Tiggywinkles, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP17 8AF
01844 292 292 mail@sttiggywinkles.org.uk www.tiggywinkles.com Registered Charity No. 286447
Come and have a look around our Visitor Centre. Opening times can be found on our website www.tiggywinkles.com.
is the busiest wildlife hospital in the world.
Charity N E W S
Embedding alternatives to animal experimentation into the minds of tomorrow’s research scientists In the UK in 2013 there were 4.12 million scientific procedures conducted using 4.02 million animals. Alongside the ethical considerations, there is growing evidence (see the BMJ, May 2014, http://www.bmj.com/content/348/bmj.g3387) that using animals in medical research (including drug development) yield results that are not translatable to humans. The problem for scientists when designing innovative non-animal experimental methods is that animal use is embedded as the ’gold standard’. The Dr Hadwen Trust (DHT) is a charity funding medical research to advance our knowledge of medical conditions, replace animals and develop replacement technologies. In 2014 the DHT has concentrated on embedding animal replacement science into the minds of a new generation of research scientists. Seven research projects, including research into Parkinson’s disease, liver cancer, diabetes and tuberculosis, have been funded across the UK, conducted by researchers at the very beginning of their careers. Said Amelia Willcock, 20, one of the students funded, “I wish to pursue a PhD in neuroscience so feel very privileged. I am eager to prove that non-animal medical research produces valuable scientific results.” For more information about the Dr Hadwen Trust please visit www.drhadwentrust.org.
South West Equine Protection
Welcomes a New Addition!
Carrie came into South West Equine Protection’s care when she and three other horses, including a Shetland stallion were abandoned in a field. All were in very poor condition and needed lots of TLC and veterinairy care. Carrie was very nervous and unsure of human contact but with time and patience she has come round. Carrie was in foal to the stallion and gave birth at SWEP’s rehabilitation yard. We have named her gorgeous baby Yana, unfortunately Carrie couldn’t produce enough milk to feed Yana and so the SWEP team stepped up and bottle fed Yana every two hours, day and night for two weeks. Although she had a shaky start, Yana is now doing well and has bundles of energy and character. SWEP gave Carrie a new start and she can now go onto be rehomed to a loving carer once Yana is weaned; Yana may not have survived without SWEP’s intervention, she now has the rest of her life ahead of her and will forever be cared for under the umbrella of SWEP. For more information on the work of South West Equine Protection please telephone 01822 854823 or visit www.swep.org.uk
Aloe vera to the rescue “Hedgehog down drain!” Tiggywinkles sees this all the time. Invariably jammed in inextricably, they now have a technique to get them out using their spines to their advantage. That, however, was a problem with hedgehog Vera as she lacked spines making it nigh on impossible to get her out of her drain. When, eventually, she was freed, the shock was her having no spines at all on her front end with only her rump being normal. Even more shock was that the bald skin seemed to have been attacked with almost an acid. Perhaps inadvertently drain cleaner had got to her. Back at Tiggys, her affected skin was washed. The relief was her eyes, nose and ears were clear of any chemical. She seemed strong as she was dried in a warm towel before being massaged with soothing aloe vera gel. In fear of her getting cold she went straight into her own pen, in the heated hedgehog bank, making short work of a hearty meal.
Charity News
Twice daily she soon took to relishing that aloe vera massage, staying relaxed and unrolled growing to love the pampering. Her skin looked healthy but would she ever regrow her spines? After a few weeks Vera grew fitter and fitter. But no sign of any spines. Then, a short stubble appeared. Every day saw proper spines emerging. These spines were glorious, gleaming and sharp as needles. Give her a couple of months then she will be able to be released. www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk RETIREMENT
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Charity N E W S
cont...
Can you lend Age Scotland a Helping Hand and help older people across Scotland?
WVS Veterinary Clinics for Working Donkeys in India
Animal Sanctuary
CELEBRATE
90 YEARS!
Wood Green, The Animals Charity is celebrating its 90th year! Marking 90 years of dedication to animal welfare, they will be holding a magnificent Gala Dinner at their Godmanchester Centre in Cambridgeshire on Thursday 13 November 2014. From the moment you walk through the door you will be transported back in time to the roaring 20’s. There will be an opportunity to travel through the ages from Wood Green’s humble beginnings in North London in 1924 to the opening of their Northampton Centre in 2014. This wonderful 1920’s themed evening with fantastic entertainment, music from the era and a fundraising auction will help support the care of the 5000 animals that arrive at their centres every year. Starting with a champagne reception, you will be treated to a delicious selection of canapés followed by an amazing four course dinner served with complimentary wine. Tickets are £65 per person; dress code is black tie or something from the age to match their theme. Please contact stephanie.woof@woodgreen.org.uk, visit www.woodgreen.org.uk/itsourbirthday or call 0844 248 8181.
Age Scotland’s Helping Hands appeal is designed to help raise awareness of the issues facing older people across Scotland. While helping to highlight how easy it is to give a helping hand and make a positive difference to the lives of older people in your local community. All you need to do is draw around your hand, add a splash of colour or creative flare, send us the finished result and we will do the rest. The designed hands will then appear on eBay in a special charity auction where you will be able to bid on your favourite design. We already have a number of celebrities signed up in support - but we’ll only release the identity of each hand once the auction is complete. So join the likes of Eddie Izzard, Emun Elliot, Richard Madden, Bruce Forsyth and Mark Bonnar and give a helping hand! For more information please contact Alisdair Caulfield or send your completed hands by 21 November to: The Helping Hands Appeal, Age Scotland, Causewayside House, 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh, EH9 1PR RETIREMENT
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Charity News
Donkeys are a vital part of many local communities in India, but they are needlessly suffering. Often overworked in the stifling heat and carrying loads equal to their own body weight, they are pushed to the limit, with disastrous consequences and no access to veterinary care. Their owners carry out unconventional techniques such as hot iron branding and cutting of the nostrils, in an attempt to improve the donkeys work efficiency, but cause more pain and discomfort. The charity that provides free veterinary care for animals all over the world, the Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS), is working with local communities, providing free clinics to treat the working donkeys and to give their owners information on basic welfare techniques. The latest clinic carried out by the WVS Team saw a total of 272 donkeys given health checks and veterinary treatments. Injuries and sores were all treated, which would have normally been left causing excruciating pain. The team also visited locations of previous donkey clinics and was delighted to see a vast improvement in all of the animals. The cruel practices of hot iron branding and the cutting of the nostrils had stopped and their general condition had vastly improved. WVS is expanding their work in 2014 and throughout 2015 and with your support, they will be able to improve the lives of many more working donkeys in India. For more information or make a donation visit www.wvs.org.uk or tel. 01725 557225
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You can put a smile on the face of Scotland’s older people
This legacy was made in memory of Dr Marion Angela Crawford and Mrs Elizabeth Noel Marshall. A plaque bearing their names is displayed on the shelter to let others know the scooter would not have been possible without their generosity and to keep them in our memory for a very long time to come.
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H
ow many people realise they make a difference to older people in Scotland? We’re all familiar with larger charities and people will frequently donate in memory of a loved one who has suffered from an illness to help support other people in similar circumstances. But how many people know that through leaving a legacy they can make a real difference? This year we have been extremely fortunate to receive legacies that will make a real difference to Bield’s older people.
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One of our residents received legacies from her aunt and a close friend with a request that an amount was used to benefit a charity. Knowing we are a charity she chose to use the money for the benefit of others at Bield. Many of the residents at the development where the lady lived had nowhere to store their mobility scooters which are essential for them getting out and about and retaining their independence. Combining the two elements together means the legacy money has made a real difference to the day to day life of others.
Another large gift was received in memory of Betty Forster. Her son Howard donated £5,000 at her bequest for her “family” at Warrick & Glebe Court very sheltered housing development in Cumnock where Betty lived. Staff were overwhelmed by Betty’s gesture. They arranged meetings with the residents to decide on the best way to use the donation. Re-developing the garden for all to enjoy seems a popular choice and everyone is so thankful to the Forster family for their generosity. Unless there is a specific request when we receive a legacy, we talk to the people we care for. A £15,000 legacy left by Danette McColl Stobie as a thank you for the wonderful care Bield provided for her mother will enable service users at Munro Court Day Care and Glasgow Flexicare to enjoy days out. It is what they would like to do with this generous gift. Legacies like these make an enormous difference to the lives of those we look after. It doesn’t need to be thousands of pounds although a legacy may be the best opportunity for someone to make a significant donation. Modest gifts can cover transport costs for a single outing. You can put a smile on the faces on many. Anything is possible n
Large or small, leaving a gift in your will can make a
BIG difference Since 1971, the Dr Hadwen Trust has funded medical research that does not harm any animals. Our researchers have helped in the fight against conditions such as cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
We rely solely on voluntary donations and legacy gifts from people who are compassionate about animals and want to advance research into devastating health conditions.
Help us continue to save lives, both human and animal.
Registered charity number: 1146896
For our legacy guide or more information: Call: 01462 436819 Email: info@drhadwentrust.org Web: drhadwentrust.org Write: Portmill House, Portmill Lane, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG5 1DJ RETIREMENT
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Let’s make Scotland a place where we all love later life.
Age Scotland Dept RT Causewayside House 160 Causewayside Edinburgh EH9 1PR
As we grow older we all want to keep doing the things we love, remain independent and have a fulfilling life. However, as we age we may face new challenges - perhaps even loneliness, isolation, discrimination or poverty. That’s why Age Scotland is here. We are dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. We improve the quality of life for thousands of older people every year by providing life-changing information and advice. We support local groups where older people can come together and be part of a community. Where we find disadvantage and unfairness we stand up and speak for those who need us. With your help, we can make Scotland a place where we all love later life. When you visit your solicitor, and you have taken care of your loved ones, please remember Age Scotland in your will - even a small gift can make a massive difference.
www.agescotland.org.uk fundraising@agescotland.org.uk 0845 833 0200 Charity No: SC010100 Age Scotland, part of the Age Network, is an independent charity dedicated to improving the later lives of everyone on the ageing journey, within a charitable company limited by guarantee RETIREMENT and registered in Scotland. Registration Number: 153343 Charity Number: SC010100 Registered Office: Causewayside House, 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh EH9 1PR.today
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Britain’s BIGGEST exhibition for the active over-50s!
REGISTE R FOR FR EE
EXETER WESTPOINT Friday-Saturday 19-20 SEPT 2014
GLASGOW SECC Thursday-Saturday 9-11 OCT 2014
BIRMINGHAM NEC Friday-Saturday 13-14 FEB 2015
LONDON OLYMPIA GRAND Thursday-Saturday 23-25 JULY 2015
Music and entertainment • Crafts • Seminars & information • Financial tips & advice • Health checks • Gardening • Park & holidays homes • Keep fit sessions • Dance floor • Prize quiz • Fashion show • Cookery demonstrations • Holidays & travel • Have-a-go dancing and a wide range of exhibition stands!
www.50plusShow.com REGISTER ONLINE NOW or CALL THE FREE TICKET HOTLINE ON 01372 8409 63 For exhibiting enquiries, please call 01372 743 837