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November 2013
Issue 35
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Sport & leisure
Standing tall Corporal Andy Reid's life was changed forever when he stepped on a bomb in Afghanistan four years ago. After losing three of his limbs, his life is now back on track thanks to his family, friends and the charities that work with injured service personnel like him. He shares his incredible, inspirational story with friendscene in Culture club.
Also featured this month Food & drink: Two winter-warming cocktail ideas fit for a king Latest news: Parkinson’s UK say thank you for the Society’s support Around Britain: The City of Edinburgh’s festive celebrations and insider tips Travel: An update on Warner Leisure Hotels’ offers and discounts for members Home & garden: RSPB research reveals how children are increasingly disconnected from nature Health & wellbeing: Oddfellows care partner Home Instead provides a guide to dementia Money: Consumer champion Which? shares its guide to making switching energy suppliers easier
The Oddfellows is the trading name of The Independent Order of Oddfellows Manchester Unity Friendly Society Limited, Incorporated and registered in England and Wales No. 223F. Registered Office 32 Booth Street, Manchester M2 4QP.
As part of their annual ‘Great British Walk’ festival, the National Trust reveals the UK’s top 10 secret trails that can only be accessed by foot.
Get involved Photo competition How would you interpret the theme of Lasting Memories in a photograph? Why not give it a try and send it in to us at friendscene for your chance to win £30 of High Street vouchers. Take a look at November’s stunning Through the lens winning entry inside. (See Culture club) Book reviews If you’ve read a good book recently, why not tell us about it. If it’s published we’ll send you a £20 National Book Token to say thank you. (See Culture club) DISCLAIMER: Throughout this ezine we provide links to third-party websites. The links do not constitute an endorsement by the Oddfellows and the use of their advertised products and services is entirely at your own risk. The Oddfellows does not accept any liability or responsibility for any third-party material on other websites.
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Culture club Fancy catching a pantomime this Christmas? Many Oddfellows Branches have organised group trips to the theatre. Search for events near you at www.oddfellows.co.uk/events.
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Andy Reid motivating the Ultra6 LeJog (Lands End to John O'Groats) team – summer 2013
A real-life hero “I looked across to my left hand – the index finger was hanging off. I looked for my right arm but it was twisted behind my back and I couldn’t see it. I couldn’t see my legs either. But I wasn’t in any pain. I just felt this stunned numbness all over my body, like I’d run into a door. The adrenaline had kicked in but I knew something really bad had happened to me.” When Corporal Andy Reid stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan four years ago, his life changed forever in an instant. The date was 13 October 2009. Andy was out on patrol in Helmand province – now ingrained in the public’s consciousness as the place where more than 400 British soldiers have lost their lives during 12 years of war. He had been out there for three months, serving during the bloodiest period for British troops in the region. More than 100 soldiers a month were being killed or injured that summer, but in just 10 days’ time he was due to head home, back to his girlfriend Claire and his family in St Helens. Four years on, he can still remember every detail about the moments leading up to the explosion. “I’d stopped to investigate some tracks which looked freshly made. I looked down at my map, took three more steps forward and then stepped on the IED.
Collecting his medal from the Duke of Wellington in 2010 “The next thing I knew I was lying on my back, dust all around me. I couldn’t hear anything. The soldier in front of me had been blown forward by the blast but he managed to give me morphine and apply tourniquets to my arms and legs while others put a call out on the radio asking for an urgent medical evacuation.” The downward pressure of a helicopter’s rotor blades could have set off other IEDs buried nearby, so Andy was transported by armoured vehicle back to a nearby base and then flown to Camp Bastion. In Afghanistan they call it the ‘golden hour’ – service personnel with life-threatening battlefield injuries must get back to Camp Bastion within 60 minutes or they probably won’t survive. His flight took 45. (Continued on next page)
Culture club He was put into an induced coma on arrival, then flown back to the UK for treatment at Birmingham’s Selly Oak Hospital. His injuries were horrific. For two days his life hung in the balance as surgeons amputated three of his limbs – his right leg below the knee, his left leg above the knee and his right arm. After spending a week in intensive care, he woke up and realised life could never be the same again. “My first thought was: ‘What the hell am I going to do now?’ Coming to terms with what I’d lost was really tough. But then I thought: ‘Well, I’m still here; I can’t just sit around feeling sorry for myself. I’m going to do all I can to live a normal life.’” His first goal was to ask Claire to be his wife. This meant having to learn to walk using prosthetic limbs and being able to get down on one knee. Next was the July 2010 medals parade in Warminster, where Andy’s unit, the 3rd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, was based ahead of its next tour of Afghanistan. Less than a year after being injured, he walked up to receive his Operation Herrick Medal from the Duke of Wellington in front of family and friends. “It was important to show them that injuries like mine aren’t the end of the world,” says Andy. “Life carries on.” He then spent two years writing his autobiography, Standing Tall – putting down on paper everything he went through before and after the explosion, as much for himself as anyone else. A veteran of Kosovo and two tours of Iraq, Andy’s ambition at school had always been to join the army. In 1998, aged just 22, he was posted to Northern Ireland, where he came face-to-face with the grim reality of conflict. On the afternoon of 15 August he had been shopping with friends in the nearby town of Omagh while off duty. Walking back to base he heard an explosion and saw smoke rising from the town. “We ran back to base, put on our combats and went to help move the casualties – including the dead who we moved into a nearby gym for formal identification. That day made me realise what can happen when these destructive devices go off.” Fast forward to 2009 – and Andy, now a Corporal, wasn’t even meant to be in Afghanistan. Along with the rest of his regiment he had been back in the UK training for a tour of Iraq when his orders were suddenly changed. “The company commander gathered us together and said: ‘Right lads, in five days’ time we’re going to Afghan and I need some volunteers.’ Almost all of us stepped forward.” Six of his friends wouldn’t survive that tour. It would prove to be his final posting too.
Andy with his son Will Amazingly, he was in hospital for only two weeks after the explosion. Staff at ABF The Soldiers’ Charity made his house suitable for his disabilities, so he was able to continue his rehabilitation there. Andy is now an ambassador for them. “They were just fantastic in helping me get my life back to normal. After that I wanted to do everything I could to help them.” As well as now owning a bar in St Helens, Andy does motivational speaking as a career – going into schools, youth groups and hospitals to share his story and give youngsters a more positive outlook on life. He has met the Queen, the Prince of Wales and many other famous faces through his work – including his heroes at St Helens RFC. He even spoke to the Welsh national team ahead of this year’s Rugby League World Cup and has just completed the Washington Marathon. “Life is good for me now. I’ve got a beautiful wife, an 11month-old baby boy, financial security and some good friends around me – I’m one of the lucky ones. But I’ll never forget those who weren’t so lucky. I think about their sacrifices on Remembrance Sunday at my local cenotaph in St Helens, where I go every year. “I know people have a lot of respect for the work the armed forces are doing, and I think it’s important to remember that at least once a year. It can be a sad occasion for lots of people but I always try to make it a positive day – that’s why anyone who comes into our bar with a set of medals on Remembrance Sunday are offered a free drink. They always get a warm welcome.” Standing Tall: The Inspirational Story of a True British Hero is available to buy now on Amazon in paperback (£7.99), hardback (RRP: £16.99) and Kindle edition (£4.99).
Culture club
The Reader’s Review Book: Poetry of the World Wars Edited by Michael Foss Did you fight in or experience either of the World Wars in any way? Even if you didn’t, be prepared for a few tears since some of the poems in this book are so descriptive and deep in detail. They are enough to make anyone cry as you think of the sadness the World Wars caused everyone involved. At a quick glance the poems vary from place to place during both World Wars, which seem to be full of a cruelty and wickedness that never ends – from the trenches in WWI to the RAF in WWII. But studying each poem in detail, you can also see the kindness of the soldiers themselves who fought to save the people of their own countries. The poems make you feel as if you have turned the clocks back. It is like you are standing there watching the horror and evil go past but you are helpless to do anything about it. I hope no one has to experience going through a World War ever again. By Stephen L Wray, Barnsley Available on Amazon. Published by Michael O'Mara Books Ltd
Read a good book recently? Why not tell us what you thought about it. Send in your 150-200 word reader reviews to ezine@oddfellows.co.uk. We’ll send you a £20 National Book Token for each one we publish.
This month’s book reviewer, a member of the Society’s South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire District, has written a poem to share with friendscene readers.
The Oddfellows I know our name can sound a little queer But knowing the name means you are half way here. There’s a reason behind it but do you know why? Then why not find out and give us a try.
Friendship, company and out for a laugh, You’ll certainly get that when it comes to our staff. Advice, benefits and help that you seek, Helps turn your life so that it is not as bleak.
You may feel uneasy and cautious to come, So step though our doorway for a warm welcome. Here is your chance to make friends and talk, During our lunch club, trips or short walk.
Meetings, lectures, parties and balls, Or scratch cards, donations and charity stalls. Holidays, walking or a trip for a day, So what will it take to make you join and stay?
We’re all easy going and don’t turn away, That’s why our members are happy to stay. So once you have entered and joined our club, Come out for a meal at a local pub.
By Stephen L Wray
Culture club
Through the lens – photography competition We were overwhelmed with the quality and creativity of this month’s photographs – thank you to everyone who entered. The theme was Changing Seasons and our congratulations go to Robert Alston, our winner. We loved how Robert contrasted the crisp blue sky against the tree’s autumn leaves. Should you wish to view all the entries, they can be found on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/oddfellowsuk. (Don’t forget to ‘like’ us while you’re there.) For November, our Through the lens topic is Lasting Memories. It could be a view you’ll always cherish or a family moment you’ll never forget. Interpret as you wish. We look forward to seeing your entries! Send your images through to us at ezine@oddfellows.co.uk. If it’s published we’ll send you £30 of High Street vouchers. You can also enter by posting it on our Facebook page or by tweeting it to @OddfellowsUK. Good luck!
Friendscene competitions – Terms and conditions – open to the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man 1) Entries for our Through the lens competition can be submitted at any time. However the cut-off date for each competition will be the first day of the month. This month’s competitions, including The King’s Ginger giveaway, close on 1 December 2013. Entrants to The King’s Ginger competition must be 18 years of age or over. 2) Through the lens entries will be judged by friendscene’s editorial panel. The winners of The King’s Ginger free draw will be selected at random. If successful, you will be contacted by the Oddfellows to arrange delivery of your prize. 3) If your photograph contains an image of a person, building or private location please ensure you get permission from the person/building owner before submitting your entry. Any competition entry, including personal views, photos, recipes or articles, must be the work of the entrant and be entirely their own work. 4) By entering or submitting a photograph or personal view for a competition, you are confirming that you have given permission for the Oddfellows to use your name and reproduce the entry in future publications and marketing material, both online and printed. 5) The Oddfellows will assume your consent has been given once your entry is submitted unless you directly state otherwise at the time of entering the competition.
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Food & drink Dining events are some of the Society’s most popular social gatherings. Search for food-themed activities in your local area at www.oddfellows.co.uk/events.
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Winter cocktails, by Royal Commission In 1903, the Royal Physician to King Edward VII commissioned internationally-renowned wine and spirit merchant Berry Bros. to formulate a liqueur to ‘stimulate and revivify’ His Majesty while exposed to the elements on morning rides in his new horseless carriage. The result was The King’s Ginger. With its instantly warming aroma of ginger and zesty lemon, it provides a wonderful zing to winter cocktails and mulled wine. If it’s good enough for a kng, then we thought you might like to give these two ‘constitution strengthening’ recipes a try.
The King’s Ginger Mulled Wine Ingredients
The King’s Winter Cup Ingredients
Method Add all ingredients into a pan or soup urn. Simmer on a gentle heat for 30mins then serve. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
750ml red wine
1 orange zested
30ml The King’s Ginger
250ml The King's Ginger
1 stick of cinnamon
20ml cloudy apple juice
50g caster sugar
A dash of nutmeg
100ml apple cider
2 lemons zested (plus flesh of 1 lemon)
1 star anise
Cinnamon stick to garnish
Method
Simmer over a low heat for 3 hours, then double strain with a fine sieve.
Fancy a tipple?
We’ve got three boxes of six mini bottles of The King’s Ginger to give away, courtesy of Berry Bros. & Rudd. Email us with your name and address (over 18s only), by 1 December, to ezine@oddfellows.co.uk with the subject KINGS GINGER. The first three randomly-picked names will win. See page 5 for terms and conditions.
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Latest news Join the conversation and keep up-to-date with the latest Oddfellows news at facebook.com/OddfellowsUK and twitter @OddfellowsUK.
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Oddfellows fund Parkinson’s UK study In October, senior representatives from the Oddfellows met with the Chief Executive of Parkinson’s UK and University of Oxford researchers to present them with the first year of funding for their project entitled ‘Does Parkinson’s make it harder to learn new skills?’ Chairman (Grand Master) George Lickess, his Deputy, Clive Tayler, alongside family members of the late Derek Winbush, an Oddfellows member to which our donation is dedicated, presented the first of three cheques for just over £42,000. The two-year study, which started in September 2012 and costs £126,153 to undertake, hopes to help explain why people with Parkinson’s sometimes find it difficult to learn new things. Chairman George Lickess said: “Parkinson’s affects many of our members, so research to improve quality of life is very worthwhile. The late Derek Winbush, a past Society Chairman and long serving Trustee, had Parkinson’s in his later years. He made significant contributions to shaping the Oddfellows and this partnership is a fitting way for us to remember and honour him.” Derek’s wife, Margaret, who was joined by their daughter Suzanne on the day, said: “He would be honoured to know that this study will benefit many others who have Parkinson’s.” Steve Ford, Chief Executive at Parkinson’s UK, said: “We are very grateful to the Oddfellows for funding this project, which will help people with Parkinson’s to live more active and independent lives.”
Meeting night of the club of Oddfellows Did you know that the man who first discovered the condition, Dr James Parkinson, was an Oddfellows surgeon? London Metropolitan Archives kindly gave us permission to reproduce their 1789 engraving by Samuel Collins. Look carefully and you can see Dr Parkinson centre back holding up a medicine bottle in one hand and a ‘scrip’ (prescription) in the other. It was common practice for Oddfellows Lodges to have a Lodge Surgeon who provided medical treatment for members and their families from the Society’s earliest days right up until the formation of the NHS in August 1948.
The donation has come from the Oddfellows’ HA Andrews Memorial Fund – set up to support medical research in the UK. To date it has donated more than £760,000 to charity. • Every hour, someone in the UK is told they have Parkinson's. • It affects 127,000 people in the UK – which is around one in 500 of the population. • One in 20 people are under 40 when they are diagnosed. • Parkinson's is a degenerative neurological condition for which there currently is no cure. The main symptoms of the condition are tremor, slowness of movement and rigidity. • For advice, information and support, visit www.parkinsons.org.uk or call their free, confidential helpline on 0808 800 0303.
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Around Britain If you’re visiting different places in the UK and you’re an Oddfellows member, don’t forget you’re welcome to attend any Branch social events up and down the country. Search for events at www.oddfellows.co.uk/events.
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© edinburghchristmas.com
Feel festive in Edinburgh
It’s a special city to visit at any time of year but, in the run up to Christmas, Edinburgh transforms itself into a truly magical destination. Running from 22 November to 5 January, from 10am to 10pm each day, the city centre comes alive with artisan stands, glittering attractions and a festive buzz that will bring a warm cheer to even the most earnest of Ebenezer Scrooges.
European Christmas Market This year the city’s principal market will stretch from the National Gallery across the Mound Precinct, along East Princes Gardens Terrace, around the Scott Monument and on to St Andrew © edinburghchristmas.com Square. It features the traditional blend of crafters, artists, gift shops and gastronomic surprises – and, not forgetting, wonderfully warming mugs of glühwein.
Children's Market Situated in the heart of St Andrew Square, this child-friendly market offers a range of handcrafted toys and unique gifts in a fun, safe environment. Children can also take part in craft workshops and gingerbread decorating.
Edinburgh’s Scottish Market A foodie’s paradise. This market, also found in St Andrew Square, showcases the best food and drink the country has to offer – from traditional butteries with a contemporary twist to seafood and Scottish brewed craft beer.
Get your skates on! If you’re feeling adventurous, why not don some skates and give Torvill and Dean a run for their money. You’ll find the temporary Ice Rink just beneath the Big Wheel on East Princes Street Gardens Terrace. Sessions last for one hour, cost £8.50-£12.50 and are open for those aged 4+ to adults. Skates are provided and pre-booking is advised.
St Andrew’s Day 2013 On 30 November, it’s Scotland’s national day. To celebrate, Edinburgh is hosting a special day of events in the Grassmarket area between 2pm and 10pm. The programme includes headline performances from some of Scotland’s leading contemporary folk musicians, storytelling, music workshops and an outdoor Ceilidh. © edinburghchristmas.com
Around Britain Insider tips – Edinburgh A delicious meal Head to Wedgwood the Restaurant at 267 Canongate, Edinburgh, EH8 8BQ. A highly rated, award-winning restaurant in the heart of the Old Town headed up by husband and wife team Paul and Lisa, this is one not to be missed. Treat yourself to an evening meal from the à la carte menu or enjoy a top quality two course lunch for £12.
A space to contemplate Just yards from the bustle of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, there is a little known hidden gem. Walk along Dunbar’s Close (near Canongate Kirk) and discover a wonderful garden laid out as it might have looked in the 17th century. You are almost guaranteed to have it all to yourself so it’s a great place to relax, unwind and recharge.
© Sir Gawain – licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license
A two-hour attraction Top of the list has to be the newly refurbished National Museum of Scotland in Chambers Street which offers something for everyone, including a roof top restaurant. With an astonishingly varied and eclectic permanent collection, plus regular temporary exhibitions, this museum is one of Edinburgh’s true delights. Best of all, entry is free!
An afternoon trip Take a trip to scenic East Lothian and head for North Berwick – an easy 40 minute drive from Edinburgh. This great wee seaside town offers a huge selection of top quality restaurants – including the now legendary Osteria – and a High Street bursting with destination shops. There is also a wide selection of things to do such as the Scottish Seabird Centre, golf courses, a stunning beach, The Law and Tantallon Castle – the only problem will be making a choice!
Grand Gallery © National Museums Scotland
A place to recharge The Dome in George Street is an Edinburgh institution. Take your pick of the eating and drinking options available in this stunning building and take some time to enjoy morning coffee, lunch, dinner or cocktails. The highlight of the year is Christmas when The Dome is decked out in the most incredible decorations. So now is the perfect time to visit – prepare to be wowed!
Our insider tips were supplied with thanks to Amanda Fraser, Social Organiser for Oddfellows St Marnock Branch in the East of Scotland. Oddfellows East of Scotland has a thriving ‘Food with Friends’ events programme. If you live in the area and enjoy good company and great food, why not get in touch with Amanda to find out more and take your place on a very friendly table. Call 07729 563538 or email amanda.fraser@oddfellows.co.uk.
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Travel Oddfellows Active Travel Club has a trip to Krakow, Poland (27-30 April 2014). From £349 (based on two people sharing). Return flights from several airports, resort transfers and optional tours. For more information call 0161 832 9361.
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Sign up to special Warner offers and discounts Active Travel Club
As part of the Oddfellows Active Travel Club (ATC) you can receive discounts on Warner breaks across the UK.
The Events team send out monthly emails to all ATC members who have provided an email address. These provide details of any last minute offers and discounts at any of the Warner resorts and hotels across the UK. When booking a Warner break (whether over the phone or online), members will receive up to 50% off selected rooms and an additional £10 off per person when quoting the promotional code: PHCODDFELLOWS.
If you are currently a member of ATC but have not supplied your email to the team, or you would like to double check if we have the right details, contact the Events team on 0161 832 9361 or email active@oddfellows.co.uk Don’t forget, any Oddfellows member can sign up to join the Society’s ATC at no extra cost. Joining ATC means you can tap into unique member holiday opportunities, organised group trips away and the Home Swap scheme. For full terms and conditions about any of Warner’s offers and discounts, please contact the Events team.
Warner’s new promotional code for ATC members is GG979 until 31 December 2013. From 1 January 2014 it will become PHCODDFELLOWS.
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Travel
Exclusive ATC member holiday offer
Turkey and Tinsel in Hampshire 4 nights’ half board stay from £154 per person Join us for a four night midweek Turkey and Tinsel break during December and enjoy the whole festive season in one go!
Arriving on Monday 9 December 2013, the price includes: •
Accommodation at Warner Lakeside Coastal Village, Hayling Island
•
Bed, breakfast and a three course evening meal
•
Mulled wine and mince pie on arrival, Oddfellows drink reception and a Christmas gift
•
Traditional Christmas Dinner, Dick Whittington pantomime, Christmas Carol sing-a-long concert and quizzes*
•
New Year’s Eve celebration dinner and party night with live music*
•
Daily ‘Walk a mile with Warner’ resort ramble
•
For room supplements, please enquire when booking
*There may be last minute changes to advertised acts Contact Active Travel Club for full holiday details, or to book call Barbara or Chris on 0800 072 0772. Quote Oddfellows 83KZA.
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Home & garden Oddfellows members receive a 10% discount on any purchase through www.suttons.co.uk. Click here to take advantage of the offer. (You need to sign in as a member to access the Members’ Benefits page.)
George Hill was a professional gardener by trade, serving as Head Gardener at Burwarton House; a 22,500-acre estate near Bridgenorth owned by Lord Boyne, cousin and Lord in waiting to HM The Queen.
Ask George
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Q: Is there anything I should avoid throwing on my compost heap? Barry, Nottingham A: I tend to avoid the tops of potatoes, any debris that has fungus mould on it, old cabbage and stalks with aphids on. Also fruit tree prunings, as they take too long to break down. Q: I forgot to mow my lawn before autumn set in. Is it too late? Nathan, Edinburgh A: You can still do it until the end of the month if you catch a reasonably dry day with no forecast of frost. Then, don’t mow it until the frost has gone. Q: Am I still in time to plant daffodil bulbs for spring? Judith, North London A: You can do it until the end of November. The same for tulips and crocuses. Add a little fish, blood and bone fertiliser to give them a long-lasting organic feed for 12 months.
Why kids need wild time not screen time
: er tip b m e Nov forget to g e t Don’ er your v p v e dig o s and pr e h patc oil with s your c matter. ni orga
Thank you to our readers who sent in questions for expert gardener George Hill to answer. If we publish yours, we will send you a free pair of Joe’s Garden gloves. Send your gardening conundrums to ezine@oddfellows.co.uk.
Do you get nostalgic at the thought of playing conkers, making wormeries and pitching up a woodland den? A three-year study by the RSPB found that only 21% of children in the UK today have a level of connection to nature that can be considered ‘realistic and achievable’. The charity hopes to highlight the importance of young people interacting with nature and developing deeply-held feelings and attitudes towards it. This, it says, is critical in them caring enough about wildlife to help save it in the future. RSPB has founded, alongside a number of other wildlife organisations, The Wild Network (projectwildthing.com) – a pioneering movement to encourage children to swap screen time with ‘wild time’. Need inspiration when out in the garden or local park with your grandchildren or children? The Woodland Trust has a section on their website called Nature Detectives (naturedetectives.org.uk) where you can tap into lots of exciting activity ideas, puzzles and play packs.
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Sport & leisure “The Great British Walk is all about celebrating the outdoors and discovering new places on foot. There is something magical about walking somewhere new and uncovering its story.” Alex Hunt – the National Trust
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Discover the UK’s hidden walking gems As part of its annual Great British Walk’ festival, the National Trust has revealed the UK’s top 10 secret trails that can only be accessed by foot. The list has been carefully selected by experts at the Trust who wanted to showcase walks that offered a unique experience – whether a hidden viewpoint, newly accessible coastal path or the story of an old legend.
Head outside and explore The Trust’s list was compiled following research* that showed how nearly a quarter of adults said they rarely go for walks and 17% never venture more than 500 metres from their car. Despite this, 68% of the survey’s respondents described a feeling of euphoria on reaching the summit of a walk or an amazing viewpoint and 80% said walking makes them feel happy. So, what are you waiting for?
1 The White Cliffs of Dover, Kent The land acquired by the National Trust last year is now opened up to the public, allowing visitors to walk a new Trust route to the South Foreland Lighthouse which offers a previously hidden view across this iconic landscape. All images © the National Trust
2 Minnowburn, Northern Ireland The Giant's Ring is the largest henge in Ireland. It was built around the same time as Stonehenge and Avebury in 2,700BC, but its story is little known. This two mile walk starting from the car park reveals a hidden side to the well known city of Belfast, which lies less than three miles away. (Continued on next page)
Sport & leisure
3 Erddig, Wales A love story between two of Erddig’s family servants has been brought to life in a walk taking in rarely visited parts of the estate. Retrace the footsteps of where the lovers met and see for yourself, through treasured mementoes, how romance blossomed.
4 Sizergh Castle, south Lake District Hidden and hard to find – the secret here is a 1,600-year-old yew tree, buried deep in the woods.
5 Sparrow Dale, Sheringham Park, Norfolk Often overlooked by visitors to the park, Sparrow Dale is a hidden valley that’s perfect for wildlife lovers. It has a wide variety of trees making it a great place to spot birds of prey.
All images © the National Trust
6 Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland coast Many may know the castle but few people walk around the back to see the breathtaking views of the remains, its hidden cliffs and volcanic rocks.
7 Malham Waterfall, Yorkshire Dales The path leads to a magical waterfall where walkers will discover a secret cave. Local legend says the cave is home to the Queen of the Fairies, so making wishes is a must.
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Sports & leisure
8 Trelissick, Cornwall Overlooking the Fal estuary, this walk leads you much further into the estate than many usually venture to a secluded, iron-age fort.
10 Attingham, Shropshire A path, newly opened up for the Great British Walk, allows visitors to share a rare view of the front of Attingham House. This was previously reserved for privileged guests of the owners, the Berwick family, when they lived there.
22% have abandoned a walk half way through and turned around 27% admit to using public transport or a car to complete a walk
9 Stowe, Buckinghamshire Explore never before seen parts of the Stowe estate – including a secret garden hidden for many years surrounded by monuments and waterfalls.
57% said it feels like ‘cheating’ to not complete a walk 90% agreed that the majority of children walk less now than when they were children 61% said they walked more as a child than they do today *The National Trust surveyed 1,016 adults in August 2013 (flyresearch.com).
Walk your way to happiness Dr Katie Tryon, Head of Clinical Vitality at PruHealth and sponsor of the Great British Walk, explained the benefits of putting one foot in front of the other: “Walking is a wonder therapy that stimulates all the senses and can transform your life. It’s a wonderful way to relax, relieve stress and help lift your mood as it encourages the release of serotonin, the natural feel good chemical, as well as endorphins, known as happy hormones. It can also re-energise you and help you sleep better. Most of all it’s just a great excuse to get outside and explore the world around you, discovering new surprises along the way and what’s more, it’s free.”
All images © the National Trust
The National Trust looks after more than 250,000 hectares of countryside, 742 miles of coastline and hundreds of special places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For more information and ideas go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk.
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Health & wellbeing “Thank you so much for your help and support [with care]. The Oddfellows has made a difference to my father particularly over the past ten years…” Angela – Cheltenham
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Dementia awareness and support UK home care provider Home Instead is working alongside Oddfellows Canterbury District to deliver an information workshop for families and anyone involved in caring for someone with dementia. In this month’s Health & wellbeing section, they kindly share their informative guide... There are over 800,000 people with dementia in the UK today. By 2021, there will be over 940,000 people living with dementia and this is forecast to soar to 1.7 million by 2050. One in three people over the age of 65 will die with dementia, and there are also 16,000 people under the age of 65 with the condition in the UK. The word ‘dementia’ is an umbrella term for anything that can cause issues with brain functioning such as confusion, memory loss, or loss of problem solving ability. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia in older persons, but there are many more varieties, including Lewy Body dementia, vascular dementia, or frontal lobe dementia. Dementia often develops slowly and is not always obvious in the early stages. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive illness. This means that the structure and chemistry of the brain become increasingly damaged over time. Symptoms similar to dementia can be seen in other illnesses. Sometimes it can be difficult to differentiate dementia from the usual mild forgetfulness seen in normal ageing. Most of us forget things every day, like people’s names or where we put our keys, but this is not necessarily a sign of Alzheimer’s or dementia. In dementia, memory loss is more serious and recurrent than forgetting things occasionally. There are many reasons why people become forgetful. Some medicines and drugs can affect memory, for example. Depression, anxiety, vitamin deficiency and thyroid problems can also cause forgetfulness, so it’s important to get the right diagnosis. Families often say that they struggle to understand what doctors mean by dementia. That’s why it’s important to ask the doctor what type of dementia is being diagnosed. David Troxel, a noted global dementia expert who worked with Home Instead Senior Care to develop its Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias CARE Training Program, emphasizes that the doctor should be able to tell you the specific diagnosis and the reason for that diagnosis.
Educating family caregivers empowers them to form a team with healthcare professionals, social services and other dementia care specialists, focused on providing the best possible care for their family member. That focus needs to include an accurate understanding of the diagnosis, its symptoms, and its possible treatments. There are options available for Alzheimer’s and dementia care professionals to look after your loved ones, people that are trained to understand the distinctions between various dementias and ways to overcome the challenges. You do not have to face a struggle on your own. Home Instead branches run free workshops for those who care for someone with dementia. For more information visit www.homeinstead.co.uk. Oddfellows’ care partner Home Instead has been ranked England’s top performing provider in a recent report from the UK’s leading healthcare information specialist, Laing & Buisson. The company has been our preferred partner for three years, helping the Society to deliver the home care element of our Convalescence Care Benefit. The benefit provides vital short-term domestic support to our members recovering from illness. This includes help in personal care, appointment attending, giving home help and going shopping. The report, based on analysis of Care Quality Commission (CQC) documents, showed that Home Instead had the highest overall level of compliance (97.8%) against the CQC’s core standards.
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Money “When I had money worries the Oddfellows put me in touch with the right people who could help. They were with me every step of the way.” Pam - Cambridgeshire
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Switching energy suppliers step by step Before switching, check whether you'll incur a fee for cancelling your current energy deal. Exit fees are common with fixed or capped rate tariffs if you end the deal before a set period.
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Counting the cost of keeping warm this winter? With price hikes announced by many of the UK’s key energy suppliers recently, is it time you double checked if you are on the right tariff for your needs? In this month’s money section, independent consumer champion Which? provides its step by step guide on how to check and switch. Energy bills are the number one worry for consumers, but there may be considerable savings to be made by changing to a new deal. If you have never switched your gas or electricity supplier, or not switched in the last couple of years, you will almost certainly save money on your energy bills by moving to a different deal. Of those who have switched, nine out of 10 found the process straightforward. Most people can switch energy suppliers – even if you have a prepayment meter or debts of up to £500. Energy suppliers routinely launch new plans and tariffs, so even regular switchers should run a comparison every six months – or ahead of their current tariff expiring – to check they are still on the best deal. Switching energy suppliers is easy and it only takes a few minutes. See how much you could save by switching to a better energy deal by running a check on our online energy comparison calculator. Which? Switch is a free and impartial service from Which?. We are fully accredited to the OFGEM Confidence Code for energy comparison websites, so you can be assured of our accuracy. You can get access to all Which?’s product reviews, test scores and Best Buy or Don't Buy ratings for a one-month trial for £1. Visit www.which.co.uk/sign up for more information.
1. To start switching energy suppliers, go to our energy comparison calculator at www.which.co.uk/oddfellows. You will need the following information from recent energy bills and bank statements: - Your postcode - Current gas and electricity supplier, and the name of your tariff - How much you spend on gas and electricity (or use in kilowatt hours – kWh) - Your bank details (if you decide to switch and want to pay by direct debit). If you don’t have a recent bill to hand, you can still compare and switch energy deals using estimated energy figures – simply select 'No' when asked if you have your bill in front of you. 2. Enter your details into our switching form, to calculate which options are best for you. 3. On the results page you can compare the latest deals – we list the tariff details and a customer service star rating for each supplier, taken from the latest Which? Switch energy customer satisfaction survey click here for link. 4. Select the tariff and supplier you want, and follow the instructions to complete the switch. If you are unsure, our guide to energy tariffs lists pros and cons of the different types of tariff click here for link. 5. Your new energy supplier will organise the switch. You will need to submit meter readings to them when requested and settle outstanding bills with your old company. The process currently takes between two-six weeks. Don’t forget – if you are a member of the Oddfellows then the Society’s Advice Line, delivered by the Citizens Advice Bureau, can answer any concerns you have about switching and help you through the process.