Club Together Magazine by EC Design & Marketing

F R E E

A N D

E X C L U S I V E

F O R

P E N S I O N

M E M B E R S

EXPERIENCE COUNTS

Send her victorious... Celebrate the Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Diamond Jubilee and find out what is being done to mark this historic occasion

Edinburgh Find out what attracts visitors to this fabulous city

Tech Review iPad 2 or Kindle Fire â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we give you the facts and let you decide

Plus, great offers, exclusive to Club Together readers

WELCOME

clubtogether

Club Together – where experience counts and collective buying power equates to great deals Do you want to get more out of every aspect of your life – better deals on the products and services that matter, more out of your leisure time, discounts on the services and products you want? Well, if so, you’ve come to the right place. Club Together provides you with a forum, which allows you to connect with fellow pension members who want to get the most out of life. What’s more, 2012 is shaping up to be a big year for Club Together as we have updated the look of our magazine and are currently working on enhancing our club website. We are also looking to welcome more pension schemes on board, recruiting thousands more members. We plan to combine the collective purchasing power of around 3 million potential members, making our negotiating power a force to be reckoned with. With greater numbers of members, we’ll be able to bring even bigger and better deals straight to you through this magazine and via the website.

The 3 Rs Research... Review... Recommend As part of our commitment to Club Together members, we have developed a policy of reviewing the products you ask us to investigate and we rigorously follow the 3 Rs.

Research

• Investigate – find out about how you could boost your retirement income;

What do you want a better deal on? This is the very first question we ask. Then our experts evaluate the market to find reputable companies that could offer the best deals. We select one company which we feel best meets your needs and then we review them to negotiate an even better exclusive Club Together offer.

• Respond – tell us what’s important to you, so we can research issues on your behalf and better tailor our offers to your needs.

Review

How you can join in Remember, Club Together is your club and we want you to join in as much as possible: • Experience counts – share your wealth of knowledge and expertise by Freepost, Freephone and online;

Make the most of exclusive offers Your free Club Together magazine is full of interesting information and relevant offers, so take a look at the deals that apply to you. Or for more offers, go on to our website at www.club-together.org where you can also contribute to future editions by sharing your ideas, opinions and experiences. You can get in touch today, by completing the form on page 22 of the magazine. Tell us what you think The future of Club Together really is in your hands. What should be featured in the future? Do you have ideas for articles? If you’d like to become more actively involved you can register to become a member of the Club Panel and be able to share your views. We really want to hear from you.

We then ask a Club Together reader to review the offer from a customer’s point of view. The reader reviews the deal and service, paying particular attention to honesty, price guarantee, service, information and recognition.

Recommend After thorough research and review, when we and our members are happy that the offer holds up, we offer the product to all our Club Together Members.

F R E E

A N D

E X C L U S I V E

F O R

P E N S I O N

M E M B E R S

Please note: Club Together comes at no extra cost to you or your pension scheme. EXPERIENCE COUNTS

Want to get involved? Get in touch… Call Freephone 0800 234 6513 (lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm). E-mail us using the Contact and Feedback form online at www.club-together.org

Send her victorious... Celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and find out what is being done to mark this historic occasion

Write to: FREEPOST RSRY-HAKJ-XGXA, Club Together, PO Box 4876, Lancing, BN99 8AY

Edinburgh Find out what attracts visitors to this fabulous city

Tech Review iPad 2 or Kindle Fire – we give you the facts and let you decide

Plus, great offers, exclusive to Club Together readers

WELCOME

clubtogether

Welcome to your ‘new-look’ magazine

2012 is going to be an exciting year as more members join the Club, giving us even more buying power when it comes to negotiating better deals and making your opinions heard. We have a number of articles of interest in your ‘new-look’ magazine. Find out about the Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations and four amazing celebrity over-50s who are showing no signs of slowing down in our celebrity and culture features. We undertake our ‘Tech Review’ and find out the difference between the iPad 2 and the Kindle Fire in our leisure and learning article, we’ve got some great seasonal recipes in our health and lifestyle section, we find out why Edinburgh is the place to visit in our travel article and explore the latest trends for your home from John Lewis in our home and garden feature. We also have some amazing offers – £50 off and £100 cashback on Dignity funeral plans and five days free, if you book a Nutrichef, 30-day Meal Plan. Plus, register for your complimentary membership with Lifetime Legal and save £89.99.

Also, don’t forget – we’d like you to get involved: - Write to us and share your tips and experience; - Tell us what you’d like to see – in offers, articles and experience; - Visit www.club-together.org – our exciting, updated website with the very latest offers and deals. Find out how you can make the most of our website on page 22 – and for those of you who are not computer savvy, you can phone or write to us instead. Remember Club Together is all about you, so this is your opportunity to share your views and experience with a forum of like-minded members. If you’d like to become more actively involved, you could become a Club Panel member. Just visit www.club-together.org or call Freephone 0800 234 6513. We hope you enjoy your re-designed magazine – and if there’s anything else you’d like to see here – just get in touch. We value your feedback.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Mike Lusby Editor

Contents 04

Queen’s Jubilee

Edinburgh

Just Go! Holidays

Money Sense

Tech Review

Lifetime Legal

Seasonal Produce

Life begins at 50

Time for Colour

Just for fun

Dignity

Directory

C E L E B R I T Y & C U LT U R E

Send her victorious… We celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and find out about the events happening UK-wide to recognise the amazing achievement of her Majesty’s 60-year reign.

C E L E B R I T Y & C U LT U R E

f it had not been for the abdication of Edward VIII, life would have been very different for Princess Elizabeth of York. At her birth, Princess Elizabeth stood third in line to the throne after Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), and her father, The Duke of York. The Queen was born 21 April 1926, the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York, who were later crowned King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. She was named after her mother and her two middle names come from her paternal great-grandmother, Queen Alexandra, and paternal grandmother, Queen Mary. Her early years were spent at 145 Piccadilly, the London house which her parents acquired shortly after her birth, and at White Lodge in Richmond Park. Her childhood was also spent at the country homes of her paternal grandparents, King George V and Queen Mary, and her mother’s parents, the Earl and Countess of Strathmore. In 1930, Princess Elizabeth gained a sister, with the birth of Princess Margaret.

She was part of a tight-knit family and grew up with a quiet but idyllic childhood. This changed considerably in 1936, when her grandfather, King George V, died. Within a year of his death, his eldest son King Edward VIII decided to give up the throne in order to marry the woman he loved – divorcée Mrs Wallis Simpson. His abdication paved the way for Princess Elizabeth’s father’s succession to the throne as King George VI, and in 1937 the two Princesses watched their parents’ coronation in Westminster Abbey. This historical event meant that Princess Elizabeth became first in line to the throne, and was subject to intense public interest. The death of Princess Elizabeth’s father, King George VI on 6 February 1952 at the age of 56 meant that she was to realise her future role as Queen sooner than expected. Princess Elizabeth was only 25 years old at the time of her father’s death and on tour in Kenya when the news broke. She returned to England immediately to mourn the death of her father and to accede him to the throne.

DID YOU KNOW? The Queen was the first, and so far the only, female member of the Royal Family to actually serve in the armed forces, although other royal women have been given honorary ranks.

Timeline Here are some of the changes that have occurred in the sixty years the Queen has been on the throne. 1953 Elizabeth II of Britain is crowned at Westminster Abbey. 1954 Roger Bannister breaks the four minute mile. 1955 The seven inch single took the lead in sales over the 10 inch 78 rpm single. 1957 The Treaty of Rome creates the European Economic Community. 1961 Yuri Gagarin first person in space, Soviet Union. 1963 US President John F. Kennedy is assassinated. 1966 England won the World Cup. 1967 BBC tunes into colour TV. 1970 British half-crown out of legal tender. 1976 Nadia Comaneci becomes first gymnast to achieve perfect 10. 1981 Murder charge brought against Peter Sutcliffe the Yorkshire Ripper. Pope John Paul II shot. 1988 Margaret Thatcher became longest serving British Prime Minister of the 20th century. 1989 WWW invented by Tim Berners-Lee. 1995 Internet goes commercial. 2002 Introduction of the Euro. 2003 Martina Navratilova equalled Billie Jean King’s record number 20 Wimbledon titles. England won Rugby World Cup. 2004 Britain’s Kelly Holmes wins gold medal in the woman’s 1500 metres at the Olympic Games in Athens. Steve Redgrave becomes Britain’s greatest Olympian after winning gold medals at five consecutive Olympic Games. 2008 Lewis Hamilton becomes the youngest ever Formula One Word Champion at the age of 23. Michael Phelps wins eight gold medals at the Olympics. 2011 Mobile phone users reach over 5 billion.

C E L E B R I T Y & C U LT U R E

clubtogether

Although she was proclaimed Queen immediately after her father had died, the Queen’s Coronation did not take place until a year later in June 1953 in a glittering ceremony at Westminster Abbey, London. The Coronation of Elizabeth II was conducted by the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Geoffrey Fisher. Estimates suggest that the ceremony was attended by approximately 8,000 guests – including Prime Ministers and Heads of State from the Commonwealth countries. The event was broadcast to the nation on television for the first time in history and was the largest public broadcast ever to have occurred of a British event – watched by millions around the world. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrates the fact that the Queen will become only the second UK monarch to mark sixty years on the throne, an incredible achievement. Celebrations were previously held for Her Majesty’s Silver Jubilee in 1977 and Golden Jubilee in 2002. Celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee will focus around a central weekend of activities, which takes place between Saturday 2 June and Tuesday 5 June 2012,

with celebratory activities throughout both the UK and across the Commonwealth.

The main programme of events are as follows:

As is customary, the Jubilee Weekend features an extra Bank Holiday and with the late May Bank Holiday moved one week later, will make a 4-day long weekend.

Saturday 2 June, 2012 The Queen will attend the Epsom Derby.

DID YOU KNOW? At age 13, she met and was immediately smitten by her future husband, now the Duke of Edinburgh.

Sunday 3 June, 2012 The Big Jubilee Lunch: People will be encouraged to share lunch with neighbours and friends either as part of a traditional street party or a picnic lunch in small or larger groups. This event is being organised by The Big Lunch.

C E L E B R I T Y & C U LT U R E

clubtogether

The Queen’s Jubilee UK visits 1

29th March

North London

26th - 27th April

Wales

1st - 2nd May

South West England

15th May

South London

16th - 17th May

North West England

5 6

2nd - 5th June

Central Weekend

13th - 14th June

East Midlands and East Anglia

25th June and 25th July

South East England

2nd - 6th July

Scotland (Holyrood Week)

11th - 12th July

West Midlands

18th - 19th July

North East England

The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant: This event will take place on the Thames and include up to 1,000 boats from across the UK, the Commonwealth and around the world. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will travel in the Royal Barge, which will form the centrepiece of the flotilla. Monday 4 June, 2012 BBC Concert at Buckingham Palace: There will be a Diamond Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace with tickets being available to UK residents by public ballot and this will also be televised. The musical programme is still being planned and is expected to feature the cream of British and Commonwealth musicians. The event is being organised by the BBC and more information about how to apply for the ballot will be available nearer the time. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Beacons: A network of 2,012 Beacons will be lit by communities and individuals throughout the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Commonwealth. The Queen herself will light the National Beacon. Tuesday 5 June, 2012 Service of Thanksgiving and Carriage Procession: There will be a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral and a formal Carriage Procession by The Queen. In celebration of the Diamond Jubilee, Commonwealth Realms and other Commonwealth nations will be creating their own events and will be represented at, and involved with, the events taking place over the central weekend.

2 10 3

1 4 8

*Not marked on map as it covers the whole UK

Other 2012 UK Events FA Cup Final – Wembley – 12th May Chelsea Flower Show – Chelsea – 22nd – 26th May Wimbledon Tennis – Wimbledon – 25th June – 8th July Henley Royal Regatta – Henley – 27th June – 1st July 141st Open Golf Championships – Royal Lytham and St Annes, Lancs – 18th – 22nd July Conwy Classical Music Festival – Conwy – 22nd – 28th July London 2012 – Olympic Games – 27th July – 12th August

DID YOU KNOW?

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo – Edinburgh – 3rd – 25th August

The Queen has sent over 100,000 telegrams to centenarians in the UK and the Commonwealth.

The 2012 Festival Fringe – Edinburgh – 2nd – 27th August Paralympic Games – 29th August – 9th September

E b S V i u uS r Cl bEr l C M EX r fo ME fE Er of ETh G To

A D V E R T I S E M E N T F E AT U R E

working in association with

Inspiring breaks to National Trust properties at great value prices £10 off per person to welcome Club Together members

©NTPL/Andrew Butler

Club Together has teamed up with Just Go! Holidays – a leading UK tour operator, to bring you a fantastic collection of 19 exclusive tours to visit National Trust properties across England and Northern Ireland.

©NTPL/John Millar

Following a successful trial last year Just Go found that over 50% of their customers had never travelled by coach before, so these breaks appeal to everybody!

Discover

Exceptional Value from £179.99 – Save up to 20%* and Just Go!

Just Go! Holidays has formed an exclusive collaboration with the National Trust, allowing you to discover some of its amazing houses and gardens a little further from home. Touring by coach means a comfortable and stress-free way to see some of the National Trust’s most impressive and interesting places.

Just Go! Holiday breaks offer exceptional value and includes coach travel, hotel accommodation, breakfast and dinner, plus a full excursion programme. Just Go! Holidays are welcoming Club Together members by offering them £10 off per member.

To take advantage of this great offer call the friendly Just Go! reservations team on 0800 808 9915 quoting XADT01. Just Go! Holidays can offer Club Together members a fantastic holiday experience at a great value price.

“We loved the guided tours, interaction with guides and seeing hidden areas”

To request a brochure or book, quote ref: XADT01

Call 0800 808 9915 or visit www.club-together.org/justgoholidays

* This saving is based on analysis carried out on 1st February 2012 on two individual tours and based on the price if you were to book all parts of the tour independently. * Please note that you can only use one voucher per person per tour. There is no cash value attached to any unused vouchers. Vouchers are only valid on new bookings made after the 15th March 2012 and they must be used before the 22nd June 2012. Vouchers are non-transferable and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or credit note, gift voucher, complimentary voucher or self-drive holiday. The voucher may only be used on National Trust breaks. * All Just Go! Holidays breaks are fully bonded. For Just Go! Holidays standard terms and conditions, please see Just Go! Holiday’s Collection 2012 brochure or visit www.justgoholidays.com.

LEISURE & LEARNING

clubtogether

Tech Review: Kindle Fire vs iPad 2 T echnology is changing quickly and for those who want to keep up with the latest in gadgetry, we continue to review the latest innovations. For this issue, we focus on the Kindle Fire versus the iPad 2. Which offers the better value? It’s clear from our research, that both are good value products and that it will depend on your requirements and the functions that you need the product to perform. The Kindle Fire is definitely cheaper but does not have the level of functionality that Apple’s iPad 2 offers. Are the additional feature on the iPad 2 worth the increase in cost? We compare the two tablets to give you a clear picture of the strengths and weaknesses so you can make up your own mind.

However, the choice is yours.

If we look at the table, the price difference is a consideration. Apple always charges a premium price for their products and the iPad 2 is no different. Next we must look at the content source and the Apps store. Amazon has nearly every form of content available and competitive prices – better than iTunes. However, the Apps section is where Apple leads the field with a large range of Apps covering various areas of interest. The iPad 2 wins in the clarity of the screen. The number of dots per inch (DPI) has a big effect on the clarity of text and graphics on screen and so a higher DPI means the iPad 2 has a screen that’s easier to read than that of the Kindle Fire. The Kindle Fire is more portable and much lighter than the iPad 2, however, when it comes to capacity and storage, the iPad 2 wins hands down. If you want to have a lot of video, then the iPad 2 can accommodate more as it has a significantly larger memory. Also, the Kindle Fire does not have a camera. This may or may not be an issue for most people since most mobile phones have built-in cameras, that can upload instantly. The Kindle Fire is a strong competitor to the iPad 2, if you need a tablet that values function over form and it does offer good value for money. However, the iPad 2 does contain a significant number of extras that allow it to be used as more than just a tablet, but also a camera and a gaming device.

Product

Amazon Kindle Fire

Apple iPad 2

Operating System

Custom Android

iOS

Price*

US$199 (£125.00)

From £399.00

Content Source

Amazon

iTunes

App Store

Amazon App Store & Android Apps

iOS App Store

Apps Available

15,000 +

90,000 +

Screen Size (inches)

9.7

Screen Resolution

1,024 x 600

1,024 x 768

Screen Pixels Per Inch

169

132

Weight

14.6 ounces

21.28 ounces

Capacity

8GB

16-64GB

Expandable Storage

Optional

Wi-Fi

802.11 b/g/n

Camera

Front and rear

GPS

Yes – on 3G models

Browser

Amazon Silk

Safari and other webkit browsers

Battery Life

8 hours

10 hours

*Based on exchange rate at time of going to press, UK release date to be confirmed.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T F E AT U R E

clubtogether

Seasonal still the best and spring the best of all We investigate the best seasonal produce for the spring and summer months and show you how to make two great recipes with the best fare that nature has to offer.

espite changes in climate and the ‘four seasons in one day’ that we have experienced in recent times, we remain a country of clearly marked seasons, and food is very much part of that. Seasonal eating is as old as the most ancient civilisations as people ate what nature produced, and, by the 8th century, we find records that the choice of what to eat became a conscious social event. Today there are many good reasons to eat more local, seasonal food: • to reduce the energy and CO2 emissions needed to grow and transport the food we eat; • to avoid paying a premium for food that is scarcer or has travelled a long way; • to support the local economy. Yet the most important reasons haven’t changed from those ancient civilisations: • to reconnect with nature’s cycles and the passing of time; • seasonal food is fresher and therefore tastier and more nutritious (researchers in Japan found three-fold differences in the vitamin C content of spinach harvested in summer versus winter). Seasons form the natural backdrop for eating. Yet today it’s so easy for us to forget about seasons when we eat! Modern food processing and worldwide distribution of food make foods available year-round, and supermarket shelves look much the same in December as they do in June. Somehow spring seems the most exciting new season for food… with so many great new ingredients popping up, as well as those grazing in our fields, and swimming in our seas. Here are a few highlights: • Asparagus • Fennel • Garlic • Leeks • Mint • New potatoes • Spring onions • Onions • Lamb • Rhubarb • Sea bream • Haddock

We’ve taken some of our spring favourites and put together a fantastic evening meal or Sunday lunch for you to try. These recipes follow our cooking principles and are wheat and dairy-free. They also avoid adding salt or refined sugar, relying heavily on the beautiful natural flavours of the seasonal foods. With early summer comes more fruit and more colour… and we start to think of berry puddings, salads and fresh cool drinks like elderflower cordial. At their best in June are broad beans, strawberries and peas, but here are some other favourites: • Radishes • Spinach • Cauliflower • Beetroot • Elderflower • Gooseberries • Lettuce • Venison • Sea trout • Mackerel

Why not try… warm salads at this time of year? Ingredients like mackerel, broad beans and peas work really well warm on a bed of lettuce and baby spinach, with a drizzle of olive oil. Barbara Cox, Nutritionist and CEO Nutrichef Junior Canadian skating champion, Barbara, went off to live in Japan for nine years and it changed her life. Inspired by the Japanese way of life and food, she trained as a nutritionist and set up Nutrichef when she settled in the UK. Barbara has spent the last seven years creating delicious healthy meal plans for busy people who want to lose weight, maintain a healthy lifestyle or improve fitness performance.

H E A LT H & L I F E S T Y L E

clubtogether

MAIN COURSE

DESSERT

This main course loads you up with lots of vegetables and herbs, but they are all the support act to the star of the show, the spring lamb.

This dessert is many a family’s favourite, yet by adding some almonds and ginger it’s lifted to a whole new level, really showcasing the crumble as well as the rhubarb.

Lamb shanks in a herb broth served with crushed new potatoes and spring onions

Rhubarb, apple and almond crumble

4 lamb shanks 1 onion 2 leeks 4 carrots 1 sprig of rosemary 2 sage leaves 1 sprig of thyme 2 tbsp olive oil Cracked pepper to taste 2 cloves of garlic 150 ml vegetable stock

Serves

• Preheat oven to 180°C. • Pick leaves off rosemary, thyme, sage and put in blender with garlic, pepper and olive oil. Make a paste and then rub on top of lamb. • Roughly chop leeks, onions and carrots and place in the bottom of the pan, then pour vegetable stock over veg. • Place lamb shanks on top of the veg. • Cover with tin foil. • Cook for 2 hours and serve with crushed new potatoes and spring onions.

500g rhubarb 2 Red Braeburn apples 3 tbsp maple syrup An inch of grated ginger 100g flaked almonds

For your crumble mix: 100g veggie margarine 200g rice flour 1 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground cardamom • Roughly chop rhubarb and apples into chunks and mix with maple syrup and 1 inch of fresh, grated ginger. Place in an oven-proof dish and sprinkle with flaked almonds. • Mix all ingredients in food processor OR make the crumble by hand by squeezing the mixture through your fingers until crumbly bits appear. • Sprinkle mixture over rhubarb until fully covered. Press mixture down firmly. • Place in oven for 30-40 minutes on 200°C. Serve with soya cream and more maple syrup if desired.

16 new potatoes 6 spring onions 2 tbsp olive oil

NuTRichef OffeR

• Boil new potatoes until soft.

www.nutrichef.co.uk

• Fry 6 chopped spring onions in olive oil until golden.

Barbara’s exclusive Nutrichef offer for you…

• Crush potatoes roughly and sprinkle with spring onions.

Serves

Book a 30-day delicious healthy, meal plan and we’ll add five extra days at NO COST to you… simply use the code ‘NUTRISPRING’ when booking. 11

A D V E R T I S E M E N T F E AT U R E

Time for Colour New seasons bring new inspiration when it comes to refreshing our homes. ‘Playnation’, John Lewis’s key trend for spring/summer 2012, injects some much-needed fun into our surroundings. Celebrating colour, the palette utilises a core base of neutrals in conjunction with chalky pastels and pops of acid brights. The look combines a mid-century sensibility with a subtle hint of 60s retro; practical pieces of storage sit alongside playful flourishes and vibrant textiles. The collection also includes fun fabrics featuring painterly effects and zingy floral prints.

Fun and function needn’t be mutually exclusive. With spring blossoming and summer approaching, it’s time to lift spirits and brighten our living spaces... This page: John Lewis Playnation fabric, Eucalyptus Stripe (blind) £35 p/m; John Lewis Geometric cushion, Multi £25; Harper 5-light cluster £150; Bethan Gray Noah side table £350; William Warren Sunray chairs £185 each; Pixels rug, Multi, from £195.

HOME & GARDEN

John Lewis Playnation stripe picnic plate £2.50

John Lewis Toronto table, 4 x chairs & parasol set £299; Cage lanterns from £8

John Lewis Playnation mug tree £17

John Lewis Playnation stripe cushion £25

Townhouse table lamp, coral £40

A D V E R T I S E M E N T F E AT U R E

Protect your family by paying for funeral costs in advance

a G 50 ccep uA s a ta r nd nc An £1 e fo TE 00 r E ca the D sh ov ba er ck

A Funeral Plan gives the reassurance of knowing that funeral costs have been paid for When it comes to protecting loved ones from difficult decisions or financial stress, no-one thinks twice about making a Will. Now more and more people are also taking out a Funeral Plan, so that family and friends won’t have the added worry of making and paying for funeral arrangements at an upsetting time. The Guaranteed Funeral Plan from Dignity is the ideal way to do this as it actually guarantees to provide and pay for a traditional cremation funeral, no matter how much prices might rise in the future. Take control now and beat increasing funeral prices Pensioners are being relentlessly affected by the current economic climate in the UK. From the possibility of having to downsize to smaller homes to pay for old age care, to being forced to cut back on heating to stay warm because of skyrocketing fuel costs.

It’s one less thing for your loved ones to worry about The Guaranteed Funeral Plan helps loved ones at a time when they need it most. Dignity owns 550 Funeral Directors throughout the country and works with hundreds more to ensure they can cover all the major towns and cities.

However, there is another increasing cost that is not often talked about: the cost of dying.

When the time comes, one phone call to Dignity is all that’s needed to set the plan in motion. The Dignity Funeral Director will then provide your family with personalised attention, compassionate guidance and complete support.

Dignity, one of the UK’s largest funeral services providers, reports that between 2000 and 2011 the average cost of a funeral increased from £1,580 in 2000 to £3,368 in 2011. They forecast that, at this rate, the average cost of a funeral could be as much as £4,751 by 2016. Although the rising costs for food, fuel and old age care cannot be stopped, the cost of a funeral can. When you take out the Guaranteed Funeral Plan, Dignity guarantee that the full cost of a cremation funeral service will be frozen at today’s prices; saving a significant sum of money. The best way to cover funeral costs and arrangements Unlike some other ways of paying towards funeral costs, the Guaranteed Funeral Plan will cover the costs of a cremation funeral in full, at today’s prices. Regardless of how far in the future it is required, once you’ve paid for the services in the plan, neither you nor your relatives will have to pay a penny more towards them. What’s more, you can, if you wish, incorporate specific requests into the plan – leaving your family certain of your requirements. 14

Dignity – a name that guarantees quality Dignity is the UK’s leading funeral plan provider with a longstanding reputation for care and attention. Since they introduced funeral plans into the UK, more people have taken out their plans with Dignity

than any other provider; in fact over 480,000 people have chosen a Funeral Plan with Dignity to protect their loved ones. £100 cashback on the best funeral plan in the UK Dignity recognises that, collectively, Club Together readers have tremendous clout. There’s substantial money off for Club Together which the general public can’t get including a £100 cashback. for your £50 discount and £100 cashback CAll 0800 988 1918, visit www.club-together. org/pages/latest-deals/planning-ahead/funeralplanning or complete and return the coupon below “It really did help me at a time when I was shocked and sad. I really appreciated the fact that so much had been organised for me.” – Ms E Arnold, Hertfordshire

Exclusive offer for Club Together members £50 discount and £100 cashback! Call 0800 783 2617*, visit www.club-together.org/pages/latest-deals/planning-ahead/ funeral-planning or complete and return this coupon Yes! Please send my FREE no-obligation brochure, FREE pen and £50 discount AND £100 Cashback. Are you enquiring for (please tick): Yourself

Yourself and your partner

A relative or friend

Mr/Mrs/Miss/Other: .............

Initial(s): ...................................................................... Surname: .................................................................. Address: ........................................................................................................................................................ Postcode: .................................... Tel (inc. local code): ................................................................................. Date of birth: ............................... Club Together membership no: (optional) .............................................. Please complete the details above and return this coupon to FREEPOST DIGNITY (no stamp required). *Lines open 24hrs Dignity Pre Arrangement Limited will use the information you have supplied to send you information about the Funeral Plan. Dignity Pre Arrangement Limited may telephone to check you have received your information pack. Please tick if you do not wish to be kept up to date on other products and services brought to you by Dignity Pre Arrangement Limited. Dignity will pass your details onto Club Together for the purpose of updating their records only.

CLT013ND

A D V E R T I S E M E N T F E AT U R E

Aquarius Wet Room

the ultimate answer to bathing difficulties exclusively available from Bathing Solutions Glass side panel secured to wall

Optional fold up seat for added comfort

Mosaic tiled floor with fast drain; choice of colours

No shower tray to step over – floor is same level throughout the room

Open, easy-access entry; no doors Completely replaces all your existing bathroom fixtures and fittings Choice of colours for wall panels & floor tiles For a free copy of our 32 page brochure call free on

0800 783 1912

Say goodbye to bathtime struggles when you completely replace your existing bathroom with the Aquarius Wet Room. By waterproofing and then tiling the entire floor, it means there’s no tray to step over and no door to open or close; it’s the ultimate in easy-access, safe showering. Complete the totally new look by choosing sanitary ware from our superb range and make bathing difficulty a thing of the past with the Aquarius Wet Room.

www.safebathing.co.uk

PLEASE quotE oFFER REFEREncE cBWR42

Please send me a brochure on your range of easy-access showers and walk-in baths.

CBWR42

Name Tel No. Address Postcode Bathing Solutions and other group companies may send you information and offers in the future. Please tick box if you do not wish to receive information from us or third parties in the future. Post coupon to: FREEPOST BATHING SOLUTIONS (No further address details required).

T R AV E L

Town Focus -

Edinburgh We take a look at the top attractions Scotlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital has to offer.

ÂŠ Veronika Kallus

s a must-see cultural capital, Edinburgh is a multi-award-winning, world-class tourist destination. The city has stunning skylines, sandy beaches, historical landmarks and festivals providing something of interest for even the most discerning visitors. The city is one of contrasts – it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, split between the medieval Old Town and the Georgian splendour of the New Town. Edinburgh isn’t solely an historical masterpiece, it’s a vibrant, cosmopolitan city, providing contemporary pubs and bars, restaurants, specialist retailers and leading tourist attractions. Edinburgh boasts an array of award-winning cafés, bistros and restaurants, including five Michelin-starred eateries. So whether you’re looking for fine dining or Arbroath Smokies (smoked haddock) from an award-winning farmers’ market – Edinburgh has it all. Days can be spent exploring the magnificent Edinburgh Castle, situated atop an extinct volcano, high above the city centre or the city’s stunning architecture. Nights out contain lively street scenes, bustling bars and nightlife. Famous for its year-round festivals – the city’s streets are alive with visitors from around the world. Edinburgh is the second favourite UK city destination for international tourists and has been awarded accolades worldwide. But don’t take our word for it, Edinburgh’s plaudits speak for themselves – having won more than 13 Best City and Short Break awards over the last decade, including the Guardian / Observer Reader Travel award (nine years running) and Condé Nast Traveller Awards Best UK City 2004 and 2010.

Edinburgh has a wealth of attractions, including eight of Scotland’s most visited 20 free attractions and nine of the top 20 paid-for attractions. Shop for antiques or purchase bespoke gifts and keepsakes. Sample delicious local food at the weekly Farmers Market on Castle Terrace or peruse the latest designer fashion. Edinburgh’s Royal Mile is one of the most famous streets in the world – the historic heart of the city and full of fascinating links to Scotland’s past. the best way to see the Royal Mile is on foot, but it is also possible to get a feel for it on the city’s bus tours. The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is the 2nd oldest botanic garden in the UK. It’s both a scientific institution and a tourist attraction. The Temperate Palm House, built in 1858 is the tallest such building in the UK. Nearly 34,000 plants are grown at the Botanics in Edinburgh or its three smaller offshoots. Over 70 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds provide a tranquil haven close to the city centre. The Saint Giles’ Cathedral, although technically not a cathedral as it doesn’t have a Bishop. This church is the largest Church of Presbyterianism and contains the Chapel of the Order of the Thistle. St Giles’ Cathedral is the historic City Church of Edinburgh. The Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre is an excellent place to visit. A tour of the centre will teach you all about the making of whisky and the difference between the various types. There’s also a free drink included in the entrance price. Edinburgh Zoo is Edinburgh’s 2nd most popular attraction after Edinburgh Castle. In addition there’s much scientific work done including research on behaviour,

conservation and captive breeding programmes. The National Library of Scotland is the legal deposit library for Scotland and is home to about 7 million books, 13 million printed items and over 1.6 million maps! The most significant items include the original manuscript of Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species, the Gutenberg Bible and the First Folio of Shakespeare. The Palace of Holyroodhouse (aka Holyrood Palace) was originally founded as a monastery by David I of Scotland in the 12th century. The Abbey still exists as a ruin. Since the 15th century, there has been a palace on the site, used as an official residence of the Kings and Queens of Scotland. Today it is used by Queen Elizabeth II as a summer residence. Gilmerton Cove is a series of hand carved passageways and chambers that lie below ground on the South side of Edinburgh. This cottage now houses imaginative audio and visual displays that depict the various theories behind the origins of Gilmerton Cove, which still remain an archaelogical mystery after 300 years. Arthur’s Seat is the tallest peak in a range of hills found within Holyrood Park. The hill is an easy ramble, ideal for a quick walk in the Scottish countryside. When visiting the hill be sure to check out the Salisbury Crags, these cliffs are 46 metres tall and are popular with Rock Climbers. The National War Museum is a popular attraction and one of historical importance. It is a museum at the heart of Scottish history – representing four-hundred years of combat. To find out more visit www.edinburgh.org

M O N E Y M AT T E R S

clubtogether

Mon£y S£ns£ F

ind out how you can save money on your energy bills! Cavity wall and loft insulation can give you an approximate saving of £300 off the cost of your energy bills each year.

How does it work and what are the savings? Cavity wall insulation works by filling the space between the two layers of external walls. This keeps in the warmth and reduces energy bills. As an estimate, The Energy Saving Trust believe that cavity wall insulation could save a three-bedroom home up to £135 per year. Loft insulation works on the same principle but is a more effective way of keeping in warmth. If loft insulation is fitted properly, it can save £175 per year. Is your property suitable? Not all properties are suitable for cavity wall or loft insulation. Most providers will undertake a free survey on your property first to make sure you are eligible. However, as a rough guide, you won’t be able to get insulation if: • You are a council tenant or have a housing association property. • You already have insulation. • Your home is timber or metal framed or made from natural stone or concrete. • You live in a flat and can’t get agreement with all of the other tenants. Further tips to cut your energy bills As well as comparing suppliers, there are other things you can do to save money on your energy bills: • Make the most of any grants available to insulate your home. • Don’t assume buying gas and electricity from the same supplier is the cheapest way forward – shop around. • Consider switching to a monthly direct debit – this can save you 5-10% on your bill and any overpayments will be paid back at the end of the year. • Do a meter reading every time you receive a bill – don’t rely on your provider to estimate your bill correctly.

Free installation offers Here are some of the offers available which are free of charge to those who meet the criteria. Tesco

Who: Everyone, if your home’s suitable, you live in mainland Great Britain and the Isle of Wight. However, council or housing association tenants will need to ask their landlord to apply for funding. Deadline: Ongoing How to apply: Check suitability on the Tesco Home website, then apply online or call 0800 321 3456.

British Gas

Who: Everyone, subject to the type of property and amount of coverage required. Insulation installations that require insulation beyond these limits will be chargeable. You are only eligible if British Gas can insulate a minimum of two-thirds of the available loft space or available cavity wall space. For loft insulation the offer only applies where the thickness of existing insulation is less than 60mm. The offer excludes the cost of scaffolding, vents and any specialist equipment if needed. Deadline: The free installation offer ends 31 July 2012. How to apply: Check suitability on the British Gas website, then call 0800 975 1195.

• If possible, switch to your company’s Internet tariff – this could save you up to 10% over the standard tariff, and all it really means is you get your bills emailed. • Avoid pre-payment meters if possible. • Consider a financial hardship tariff. If you’re in financial trouble some companies offer special cheaper tariffs, which help. However, it’s possible the cheapest web tariff will beat many hardship deals.

Eon

Who: Everyone, if your home’s suitable and you receive certain income-related benefits. Unless you live in Northern Ireland, are a council or housing association tenant or own a flat or maisonette. Free insulation is dependent on your existing insulation being less than 60mm thick. Deadline: None. How to apply: Check suitability on Eon site, then apply online or call 0845 302 4253.

EDF

Who: Everyone, if your home’s suitable, unless you live in Northern Ireland, parts of Scotland or if you have pre-existing cavity wall insulation or loft insulation that’s more than 60mm thick or if EDF are unable to insulate at least two-thirds of the total surface of the loft or wall cavities Deadline: Ongoing – for about 200,000 homes. How to apply: Check suitability on the EDF website, then either apply online or call 0800 015 7785.

Scottish Power, SSE or Eon Who: Anyone over 70 or on certain benefits, subject to survey.

How to apply: Eon: Check your home meets the criteria on the Eon website, then either apply online or call 0845 301 4927. Scottish Power: Apply online or ring 0845 601 7836. Scottish & Southern Energy: Ring 0800 072 7201 to see if you qualify.

• Use less energy – don’t leave your electrical goods on standby, turn down the thermostat, turn lights off when you leave a room etc. Please note: These offers are correct at time of print but may be subject to change.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T F E AT U R E

clubtogether

Protecting the families of Club Together members If you need our service now or in the future, we are just a call away

id you know that last year Which? Money and The Office of Fair Trading exposed the high fees charged by high street banks to administer an estate – up to 4.9% of an estate’s value, equating to £13,000 for an estate of £270,000! Would you know how to protect your and your family’s interests during the difficult time of losing a loved one? If not, the answer is Lifetime Legal. Practical help when you need it most If you have recently lost a loved one and need help, we are here for you now. We can offer Club Together members access to reliable and trustworthy guidance when it’s needed most. The new “member service” provided by Lifetime Legal will provide both practical help and legal advice on a whole range of issues, giving our readers priority access to a new legal and bereavement advice service. You may not need us now, but keep this information safe and be assured that we will be there for you at your point of need. “Legal advice is provided by a dedicated panel of top law firms and Which? Legal Service” said Lifetime’s MD Rob Sendall. “Together we are absolutely committed to ensuring that all Xafinity and Club Together members get reliable and trustworthy advice.” “The new service will help to protect the families of Club Together readers at a time when they are at their most vulnerable; any family that needs help will be assigned an expert personal adviser, someone they know they can trust.” Managing family finances and property can be complex enough but even harder when you’re doing so because a loved one has passed away. Whilst high street solicitors can be better value than the high street banks, many still charge up to 2.5% even to deal with a simple estate. Which? Money also discovered less than 1% of customers that used a professional service did any shopping around, in part because they didn’t know where to start. Lifetime Legal offer a fixed price probate service that ignores the value of an estate and is instead based upon how complex it is. The fee, quoted at the outset, is often thousands cheaper than the banks and high street solicitors.

Just a call away

“Every step of the way we’ll make sure that members are getting the best possible advice” said Sendall “and, where we do provide legal services, substantial member discounts.”

Lifetime’s advisers will be able to help with everything including: • Arranging a funeral with Dignity and registering a death.

Cogent, one of the UK’s largest law firms is just one of the firms giving their support to the scheme.

• Financial assistance and benefits entitlement. • Managing, maintaining, insuring and selling an empty property.

“We’re delighted to be working with Lifetime Legal and Xafinity Paymaster” said senior partner Nick Addyman. “It’s very refreshing to be part of a scheme that has such a clear commitment on making sure that families get the help they need.”

• Advice on how to obtain probate and administering the estate. • Tracing assets including dormant accounts, shares and insurance. • Tracing missing relatives and beneficiaries to a Will. • Inheritance tax planning for all beneficiaries of the estate. • Helping arrange care home fee planning. • Dealing with family inheritance or probate disputes.

To activate your complimentary membership, please call 0800 652 3020, visit www.club-together.org/pages/latest-deals/ Lifetime-Legal or complete and return the coupon below:

• Access to legal documents to assist in DIY administration.

Exclusive offer for Club Together members Register for free Lifetime Legal membership Call 0800 652 3020, visit www.club-together.org or complete and return this coupon Are you enquiring for (please tick): Yourself

Yourself and your partner

Mr/Mrs/Miss/Other.: ......... Initial(s): ..................................

A relative or friend

Surname: ..........................................................

Address: ..................................................................................................... Postcode: .................................... Tel (inc. local code): ................................................... Date of birth: ............................................................... Club Together membership no: (optional) ................................................... Please complete the details above and return this coupon to Lifetime Legal Ltd, Marlin, 459 London Road, Camberley, Surrey GU15 3JA

C E L E B R I T Y & C U LT U R E

clubtogether

Life begins at 50 T

hey say that life begins at 40, however, it seems that some of our celebrities believe it starts at 50 or even 60! We show you the ones to watch...

At 63, Samuel L Jackson shows no sign of slowing down. Having made his name as a film and television actor and film producer, he’s won multiple awards throughout his career, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The 2009 edition of The Guinness World Records, stated that Jackson is the world’s highest grossing actor, having earned $7.42 billion in 68 films. Jackson has revealed in an interview that he watches his movies in cinemas with paying customers. He collects the action figures of the characters he portrays and is a comic book and anime fan. In 2001, Jackson gave his consent for Marvel Comics to design their character Nick Fury after his likeness – signing him up to a nine-picture deal which will see him play the character in Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, and The

Avengers as well as any other sequels. But what next? He is set to appear in Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming film, Django Unchained, take on the role of Sho’nuff in a remake of The Last Dragon, is involved in a project, titled The Samaritan and is set to produce a live-action movie of Afro Samurai. Aged 65, Harry Redknapp is at the age where many consider retiring. However, the former English footballer, who’s enjoyed a long career in football management, is currently tipped for one of the biggest prizes in football, the coveted England Manager’s role. The current manager of Tottenham Hotspur is in high demand, having previously managed Bournemouth, West Ham United, Portsmouth (twice) and Southampton. While in his second spell at Portsmouth, he managed the side that won the 2008 FA Cup. At the conclusion of the 2009–10 season he guided Tottenham into the UEFA Champions League for the very first time. Redknapp subsequently oversaw Spurs’ progress to the last 16, becoming the only

Recognised as a great man-manager as well as a tactician, in the current season, Redknapp has taken Tottenham to third in the table and won the Manager of the Month award for September and November. Following investigation by HMRC and a subsequent trial, Redknapp was found not guilty on two counts of cheating the public revenue, alongside Milan Mandaric. His acquittal came just hours before the resignation of England coach Fabio Capello and lead to a clamour for Redknapp to be installed as Capello’s successor. Redknapp has refused to rule himself out of the running for the job, but said that it would be very difficult to combine the role with his current job as Tottenham manager. However, it’s recognised that he can’t do both – so will it be Club or country?

a r

ackso n

dknap

new club to qualify for this stage of the competition, before beating AC Milan to reach the quarter-finals. As a result, he won the Premier League Manager of the Year award, only the second manager to do so in a season when his side did not win the title.

C E L E B R I T Y & C U LT U R E

clubtogether

Lord Sebastian Coe is best known as a middle distance runner – winning four Olympic medals, including 1500 metres gold at the Olympic Games in 1980 and 1984. His rivalries with Steve Ovett and Steve Cram dominated middle-distance racing for much of the 1980s.

Coe was awarded an MBE in 1982, and OBE in 1990 and a life peerage in 2000 as Baron Coe, of Ranmore in the County of Surrey. He was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2006 New Year’s Honours List for services to sport.

After athletics, he served as a MP from 1992–97, and became a life peer in 2000. He was the head of the London bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympics and after winning, became the chairman of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games. Coe’s presentation at the vital IOC meeting in July 2005 was viewed by commentators as being key to obtaining the IOC’s blessing and winning the bid. In 2007, he was also elected a vice-president of the International Association of Athletics Federations. On 25 August 2011, he was re-elected for another four-year term.

Coe has often said that London 2012 is more than five weeks of summer sport but about encouraging more people to take up sport at all levels. However, these ‘weeks of summer sport’ will have the eyes of the world upon him and will decide how successfully he has represented London as the host of the world’s biggest sporting event.

He was appointed the first chairman of FIFA’s new independent watchdog, FIFA’s ethics commission, but stood down to help bring the 2018 World Cup to England. He is a global Nike ambassador and owns a string of health clubs.

At 53, Madonna is an American singer, songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Having sold more than 300 million records globally she’s recognised as the world’s top-selling female recording artist of all time by the Guinness World Records. In 2008, Billboard magazine ranked Madonna at number two, behind only The Beatles, on the Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists. Considered to be one of the “25 Most Powerful Women of the Past Century” by Time, Madonna is known for

continuously reinventing both her music and image. She received critical acclaim and a Golden Globe Award for her role in Evita (1996), but has received criticism for other roles. Her business ventures include being a fashion designer, children’s book author, film director and producer. In 1992, she founded entertainment company Maverick as a joint venture with Time Warner. In 2007, she signed an unprecedented US $120 million contract with Live Nation. Madonna completed directing her second feature film, W.E., a biopic about the affair between King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson and contributed a new song titled “Masterpiece” for the W.E. soundtrack, which won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song at the January 15, 2012 69th Golden Globe Awards. The song will be included on her twelfth studio album - MDNA to be released in 2012. Madonna and special guests performed at Super Bowl XLVI during the Bridgestone Halftime Show on February 5, 2012 and was the most watched Halftime show ever with 114 million viewers. It would seem, therefore, that interest in the “Material Girl” is far from diminished.

stia n C oe 21

EXPERIENCE COUNTS

clubtogether

Just for fun... A T H L E T I C S I K U G B A H Q A F B C W

W R F G E I O A C J C D P E O F S T G E H E

G D C Q A O J S F U A N H A E A I W U A F I

E L A H T P E R H D S B F N B D G H D C N G

T O N A E W C T E O F A C U I S U T E H A H

I P O N K R A F S D O I S O A F P A C V W T

X M E D S O Y D A B N T A E K W O N D O E L

F E S B B W P A U G A R I T F R L E H L E I

S J L A U I G L K O U I H N O E H T N L I F

W G A L Y N M P B L O A U A G S S A G E O T

I C L L A G Y M N A S T I C S T F B S Y A I

M O O I M D J W U I G H D U P L A U T B O N

M L M F L A F L A W C L A S B I G R A A U G

I Z S O P W A T E R P O L O L N O D O L T T

N I B O X I N G O M D N K S I G M F W L A H

G T U T C S C E F I H B F L N I D L L A O T

H D A B Y P F R V P O H I E N A P O U C L E

I E G A B A T I B H L A D T A E F N K W A P

K W A L C O N C P A S S O I N O G E T D T O

L S U L A G A O T G I N D E S A Y U A O I L

4 6

2 9 4

3 5

3 5 7 2 8 4 8 7

3 5 9 1 5 6 4 7

1 6 4 3 8

Answers for both the Sudoku and wordsearch can be found online at www.club-together.org or by emailing info@club-together.org

Olympic Wordsearch Athletics Archery Badminton Beach Volleyball Boxing Canoe Slalom Diving Fencing

Football Gymnastics Handball Hockey Judo Rowing Sailing Shooting

Swimming Taekwondo Triathlon Water Polo Weightlifting Wrestling

Don’t forget, experience counts! There are many ways you can get involved with Club Together. We have listed just some of them below. Tick the relevant boxes to tell us how you’d like to help. Then fill in your details and attach any ideas or information you wish to share with us on a separate piece of paper, before posting the form back to us at FREEPOST RSRY-HAKJ-XGXA, Club Together, PO Box 4876, Lancing, BN99 8AY. You might find you feature in one of our forthcoming magazines. Alternatively, you can email us via the Feedback form online

how would you like to help?

(Please tick as many boxes as you wish)

Please contact me: I’d like to be a model in your ‘High Street Challenge’ feature – (we challenge national retailers to find outfits for our models for special occasions, give our models a makeover and photograph them in the outfits for use in a forthcoming issue). I’m willing to make a contribution by email at any time. I’d like to help review Club Together offers and services and earn £150 for my time. I’m interested in being a paid member of the Club Panel. CTM number

Title Mr

Mrs

Miss

Doctor

Other

Surname

Forename(s) Address Postcode

Daytime telephone number

Mob

Email Do you have a particular area of expertise? (This could relate to your career, a hobby or keen interest.) Please tick the appropriate boxes if you are happy to receive information about products and services from Club Together and carefully selected approved partners via the following channels: e-mail [ ] SMS (text) [ ] phone [ ].