EDITION 14
Retired DECEMBER/JANUARY 2011/12
& living in Durham & Tees Valley
LYNDA BELLINGHAM
WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET WITH THIS CALENDAR GIRL
INSIDE HOME
1st 4 SOLAR CLEAN ENERGY CASHBACK SCHEME
TRAVEL
UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN
HEALTH
DENTURE CLINIC LAUGH, TALK & EAT WITH COMFORT AND CONFIDENCE.
FREE Please t
ake one
THE LOCAL MAGAZINE FOR THE OVER 55s
WWW.RETIREDMAGAZINES.CO.UK
Need a new Hip or Knee? A return to mobility…. If there’s one thing that has helped keep up fit and on our feet in the last 50 years it’s the increase in the technology and availability of hip and knee replacements. Hip replacements were first performed in this country in the 1960s, with knee and ankle replacements since the 1970s. In England and Wales each year, around 160,000 of us are able to enjoy a new lease of life and mobility thanks to our new hip and knee joints and, if you’ll forgive the pun, ankles are quickly catching up. For many people, hip or knee surgery not only signals a return to mobility but usually leaves behind grinding daily pain. If hip pain is so severe it interferes with quality of life including sleep, medication is not working and everyday tasks are difficult, it might well be the right time for a hip replacement. Most adults having them are over 65, and women tend to need them more than men. The most common reasons for hip replacement are: osteoarthritis (when the connecting tissue between the joint is damaged, causing the bones to run together painfully), rheumatoid arthritis (when the immune system attacks the lining of the joint resulting in pain and stiffness), septic arthritis (when the joint becomes infected), Paget’s disease (affecting bone growth), bone tumours and other joint injuries. Always speak to your GP about hip problems because they will know your history and examine you, and may want to have an x-ray to confirm their diagnosis. Your overall health is important before any major surgery, so your GP will want you to be as healthy as possible beforehand. Breathing exercises will help to prevent chest complications, foot and ankle exercises maintain circulation and leg exercises aid maintenance of muscle strength. Before surgery, a physiotherapist will also discuss your rehabilitation programme and how to use walking aids like crutches and sticks. After surgery, you’ll need some help at home for six weeks and you won’t be allowed to bend down to your feet so you’ll need some assistance with washing. You’ll also need help with the shopping for a while. You’ll need a suitable armchair to sit in, a high stool for use in the kitchen and a raised toilet seat (the latter two can be loaned by your occupational therapist). Equipment to help you get dressed safely and without bending too much is also available.
Before your surgery, you’ll attend the hospital for a preoperative assessment to ensure you’re fit for surgery and that you understand the nature of the operation. There will be medical checks like blood and urine tests and you’ll be screened for MRSA as well as possibly having further x-rays. This is also an opportunity to discuss your surgery, what happens afterwards and talk about the aids you’ll need to help your recovery. At some stage, your written consent for the surgery will also be taken. Patients are usually admitted either on the day of surgery or the day before. Your leg will be prepared for surgery with the correct side marked, and you’ll be seen by the anaesthetist who will discuss the different types of anaesthesia. The surgery replaces both the natural socket and the rounded ball at the top of the thigh bone with artificial parts. The surgeon will remove the upper part of the thigh bone (femur) and the natural socket for the head of the femur is hollowed out. A plastic or ceramic socket is fitted into the hollow in the pelvis and a short, angled metal shaft with a smooth ball on its upper end is placed in to the hollow of the thigh bone. The plastic cup and the artificial bone head may be pressed into place or fixed with acrylic cement. The day after the hip operation, you’ll be given a pair of surgical stockings to be worn day and night, to prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis. You return to the ward, or recovery room, lying on your back probably with a triangular pillow between your legs apart to protect the new joint. For both hip and knee replacement surgery, you may have a catheter inserted into your bladder to help drain urine. You may have an intravenous line in your arm, and you will probably be given oxygen – all of which are normal for major operations like these. Expect to begin getting up and about the first day after your operation once the wound drains have been removed. The physiotherapist will help with mobility and teach you how to get out of bed correctly to prevent any damage to your new hip. As your confidence and leg control improve, you’ll progress to walking with crutches or sticks – all with physio help – and probably be in hospital around five days. You may need to use your walking aids for up to six weeks but this varies from person to person.
Hip replacements currently last 20 to 30 years.
Awaiting Orthopaedic treatment?
A damaged, worn or diseased knee – arthritis is again the chief culprit – is an ideal candidate for knee replacement surgery. There are two major types of surgery involved – total knee replacement and partial (half) knee replacement depending on the amount of damage.
Are you suffering with joint pain, want to be seen quickly in a clean and safe hospital? Spire Washington Hospital has a regionally acclaimed orthopaedic service which features a team of specialist orthopaedic consultant surgeons, highly trained nursing staff, first class physiotherapists and consultant radiologists.
And, as with hip surgery, candidates need to be well enough for both a major operation and rehabilitation afterwards. Most candidates are over 65, and just over half are women. Surgery involves removing the worn ends of the bones in your knee joint and replacing them with metal and plastic parts. In total knee replacement, both sides of the knee joint are replaced in a procedure lasting one to three hours. You’ll begin moving about the next day, once the wound drains have been removed, and the physio will help with mobility. Like hip surgery, you’ll be discharged once you are able to get up and down the stairs safely and have regular physio afterwards. With proper care, the replacement knee should last 15 to 20 years.
The hospital can provide rapid access to state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging, so whether your clinician believes MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), x-ray or ultrasound would be the most appropriate to support your diagnosis; you will be able to take advantage of highly sophisticated technology within a comprehensive hospital setting. Treatment at Spire Washington Hospital is available to all, whether you have private medical insurance or are looking to pay for your own treatment. The hospital offers all its patients: • Rapid-access appointments • Consultant led clinics • State-of-the-art diagnostic imaging • Specialist physiotherapists • Excellent nursing care • Safe and clean surroundings with very low infection rates Spire Washington Hospital is a full service facility with three theatres, a dedicated High Dependency Unit, on-site MRI and x-ray.
If you would like to discuss the options available to you at Spire Washington Hospital, please call
0191 418 8687 or visit
www.spirewashington.com
Inside...
8-9
10-11
TRAVEL & LEISURE
8-9 Durham Universtity Visitor attractions & What's On. 10-11 Under The Tuscan Sun
INTERVIEW 14-15 Interview Lynda Bellingham talks to Retired.
HOME
18-19 Saving Energy, Money & The Environment Dear Reader, Welcome to the latest local Retired magazine which we hope you will sit back and enjoy at your leisure. Our journalists Angela Kelly, Graham Smith and Sheila Alcock are continuing to keep you well informed with their celebrity interviews and up to date household tips. We know you will also be left with a smile on your face after reading Graham’s observations on life! If you know of an event which would benefit from free publicity please feel free to let us know and we can consider including it in our next issue.
14-15
18-19
McGrath Media. Unit 6 | Moses Gate Workshops Gladys Street | Bolton | BL3 2QG. T: (01204) 796 494 | F: (01204) 791594 e: mcgrathadmin@btconnect.com
Denture Concerns?
NEW DENTURES & REPAIRS Denture wearers can take heart from our all-inone Denture Service. At The Denture Clinic they offer an expert, NEW DENTURE manufacture, relines, repair and maintenance service directly to the public. The Denture Clinic is a long established business in Darlington, Middlesbrough and York operated by a fantastic first class team including Richard Harrison DIP CDT RCS ENG, who graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons (England) in February 2008 as a clinical Dental Technician and after working in South Yorkshire joined The Denture Clinic. Richard is one of the first members of the new profession of clinical dental technicians registered with the General Dental Council. He is a qualified Denturist as well as a qualified Dental technician. This means he can take the impressions, make the Dentures himself and carry out all the fittings so every step of the Denture fabrication can be done by the Denture Clinic. It completely removes the need for your Dentures to be sent backward and forwards between your Dentist and a Denture manufacturer. All dentures need replacing occasionally. Usually, the tell tale signs that your dentures need to be checked by a professional are easy to spot. The teeth maybe loose, rock from side to side, heavily stained or feel furry.
or new ones made, Denture Clinic can help. They offer a wide range of services including new complete dentures, relines, soft linings and chrome dentures. Now Available. IMTEC Denture Stabilization System. Hundreds of Denture patients have experienced immediate improvement in their quality of life and confidence that long term Denture stability brings. Visit the Dentist in the morning, have the mini implants fitted in less than 2 hours, then go home to your favourite lunch. Eat comfortably have a pleasant conversation, laugh and talk with confidence. Your Denture feels secure and is being held firmly in place all of this is available at an extremely affordable price.
ENHANCE YOUR LIFE WITH THE IMTEC DENTURE STABILIZATION SYSTEM. Call for a FREE consultation and see our demonstration model. LAUGH TALK EAT With comfort and confidence.
Feel stability for yourself!
You may have noticed the tooth surfaces are worn flat or that you can’t see the teeth when you talk or smile. Some people have difficulties chewing or pronouncing certain words or find their dentures keep breaking. All these problems maybe an indication that you may need your dentures checked by a dental professional. If you are considering having your dentures checked
Denture repairs while you wait l Relines l Soft linings l Chrome Dentures l FREE Consultation l
Mr R. Harrison DIP CDT RCS Mr A. Ward RDT
www.dentureclinics.co.uk
Ring for your FREE consultation MIDDLESBROUGH -28 BOROUGH ROAD. ( 01642 351405 DARLINGTON - 21 WOODLAND ROAD. (01325 3580555 YORK - 44 YORK ROAD (01904 789876
y jo n e o t e e r f l e Fe t n e m e r i t e R r u Yo le p im s e m o s h it w Legal Planning "Plan with us today to safeguard your family tomorrow" Wills The most important consideration is to make a Will. This is the only way of ensuring your property and affairs benefit those whom you would wish to do so. People who do not make a Will are leaving unnecessary work, complications and costs to their family. If you don’t make a Will the “Intestacy Rules” will decide which family members will receive your money and possessions after you die.Your estate does not automatically pass to a surviving husband, wife or civil partner as most people presume. Unmarried partners will receive absolutely nothing often causing financial hardship and distress. Surely it would be better to make sure that the people you wanted to benefit following your death was controlled by you? If you already have a Will it is also important to consider reviewing it. Changes in family, financial circumstances or the law may mean existing Wills may no longer reflect your current wishes or include unnecessary complications. Significant changes to Inheritance Tax for married couples in 2007 may make Wills prior to this date no longer appropriate. 6
“Home made” Wills and those prepared by Will Writers with often limited or no legal training are frequently either fully or partially invalid. As these errors only arise following a death when you cannot rectify matters, surely it is better to have the peace of mind your Will is fully valid and tailored personally to your wishes by specialist solicitors. For a free initial consultation to discuss your Will requirements with an experienced solicitor from our team, including members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and the Law Society's Private Client Section contact your nearest office today. www.retiredmagazines.co.uk
LEGAL & FINANCE
Lasting Power of Attorney Have you considered what would happen if you were unable to manage your financial affairs or make decisions over your healthcare treatments due to accidents, old age or illness?
to give away large sums of money. If you do so and the Local Authority claim you have purposely done so to avoid the asset being used to pay for care you can still be treated as owning that asset. There is also a greater risk that children may get divorced, have financial difficulties or predecease you causing someone outside the family to get their share leading to you finding finance to buy them out of a property or even losing your own home.
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows you to appoint the person or people you would like to take those key decisions for you. Without it, a family member or friend would have to make an expensive and time consuming Court application and suffer annual administrative requirements.
Steps can be taken to preserve your assets from funding long term care but these have to be taken whilst you are in good health. It is vital to take expert legal advice to fully understand your options as early as possible to increase the chance of protecting your hard-earned wealth.
It is important to note that an LPA does not take away your independence or control whilst you have capacity and you can limit the decisions you may wish your Attorney(s) to take on your behalf.
Donnelly McArdle Adamson Solicitors have vast experience in helping people protect their property locally, regionally and nationally so you know you and your family are in safe hands.
An LPA can only be drawn up whilst you have mental capacity and whilst it might sound daunting, the key is to deal with it sooner rather than later whilst your health is not an issue. Why delay? Call your nearest office to arrange a free, no obligation consultation today.
Asset Protection & Long Term Care Costs As a population we are living longer and an increasing number of us face the real possibility of going into residential care in the future. Most people are concerned about funding long term residential care with an average cost of £700 per week. Currently, if your assets exceed £23,250 (including the value of your property) then you will be self-funding and have to pay for your care yourself with the exception of certain medical conditions. Life savings are being decimated and family homes intended to pass as Inheritance are sold for those without planning in place. As the need for residential care approaches, people may be tempted to transfer their homes into the names of children or
Our Wills, Trusts and Probate Department specialise in helping people cope with the present and plan for the future. Working together, we can guide you and your family through vulnerable, emotional and difficult times. • Wills • Inheritance Tax Planning • Lasting Power of Attorney • Asset Protection • Trusts • Probate Contact us today to arrange a free, no obligation consultation with one of our specialist solicitors at your nearest office or in the comfort of your own home.
Contact Us... 56 Duke Street
26 Frederick Street
Darlington DL3 7AN Tel: 01325 482 299 15
Sunderland SR1 1LT Tel: 0191 510 9911
15 Norfolk Street
155 York Road
Sunderland SR1 1EA Tel: 0191 514 3020
Hartlepool TS26 9EQ Tel: 01429 274 732
www.dma-law.co.uk
www.retiredmagazines.co.uk
Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
9-11 Burnhope Way Peterlee SR8 1BT Tel: 0191 586 3581
Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th May Greenwood Working Event Organised by ‘Friends of the Garden.’ Botanic Garden, 10am-5pm
Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th May World Heritage Site Weekend Visit the marquee on Palace Green for FREE family activities, tours and talks. Palace Green Library
Sunday 8th May Friends of the Garden Plant Sale Botanic Garden, 11am-4pm
Friday 13th May Museums at Night: Spooky Storytelling Come along and listen to spooky stories. Refreshments provided. Old Fulling Mill, 6pm-8pm
Friday 13th May Museums at Night Event: Amazing Astronomy In association with the launch of an exhibition celebrating Thomas Wright, feed your fascination with the sky at night. Palace Green Library Special Collections, 6pm-8pm
Saturday 14th May Family Storytelling North East artist and writer Ingrid Sylvestre will be doing special storytelling sessions in the greenhouse. Botanic Garden, 11am & 12noon
14th May – 9th July Thomas Wright of Durham; Astronomer, Architect & Garden Designer, 1711-1786 Exhibition on the remarkable Thomas Wright. Palace Green Library Special Collections, Exhibition
Saturday 14th May May Day Madness Make a flower garland to celebrate May Day. Botanic Garden, 2pm-4pm
Visitor Attractions Durham University offers a host of attractions appealing to thousands of visitors, of all ages and interests. Wednesday 1st June & Friday 3rd July 10th & Saturday 13th Saturdaythe 23rdunique Discover collections Wednesday in the Oriental June August Festival of British Archaeology Ancient Egyptians Museum and Old Fulling Mill Museum of Archaeology. Family Story Telling Day – Flint Knapping Make an Egyptian cartouche and North East artist and writer Ingrid With expert Karl Lee. Not suitable Bring theyoung children along to join inSylvestre free weekend learn about hieroglyphs. will be doingcraft some for very children. Old Fulling Mill, 1pm-3pm special storytelling sessions in the Old Fulling Mill, 11am-4pm
Wednesday 1st June & Saturday 11th June Family Storytelling North East artist and writer Ingrid Sylvestre will be doing some special storytelling sessions in the greenhouse. Botanic Garden, 11am & 12noon Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th June World Environment Day Follow our exciting riverbank trail! Old Fulling Mill, 1pm-3pm Saturday 11th June Fantastic Fathers Create a special gift for Father’s Day. Botanic Garden, 2pm-4pm Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th June Celebrate the Summer Solstice Try traditional solstice crafts. Old Fulling Mill, 1pm-3pm Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th June Perfect Pots Make a pot to take home. Old Fulling Mill, 1pm-3pm Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd July Dinosaurs Make a scary T-Rex and fossil footprint to take home. Old Fulling Mill, 1pm-3pm Saturday 9th July Healthy Herbs Plant up some seeds to grow your own. Botanic Garden, 2pm-4pm Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th July Festival of British Archaeology – The Dinky Dig Wear some old clothes and prepare to get muddy! Old Fulling Mill, 11am-3pm
activities.
greenhouse. Sunday 24th July Botanic Garden, 11am & 12noon MG Car Display Visit historic Durham the latest Durham MG Owners ClubCastle or see Wednesday 24th August Jays Animal Encounters showcasein their cars. Green Library. exhibition Palace The zoo comes to the Botanic Botanic Garden, 10am-4pm Garden, from cute & cuddly to th Wednesday 27 July smooth & scaly. Ancientthe Egypt Explore tranquil surroundings of the Botanic Botanic Garden, 11am-3pm Make an Egyptian amulet. st Garden, set across 25-acres just to the south of the Oriental Museum, 1pm-3pm Thursday 1 September Dinosaurs th city.Saturday Follow30nature trails, glasshouse or just & Sunday 31st visit theMake a scary T-Rex and fossil July relax and have lunch in the coffee shop. footprint to take home. Festival of British Arcaeology – Old Fulling Mill, 1pm-3pm Tibias, Fibulas & Funny Bones Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th Help make a life-size burial With a wide variety of dramatic and musical September chamber and a mini skeleton. Open Days Old Fulling Mill, and 1pm-3pm Heritageprogramme performances regularly changing of Free admission to Durham nd th Tuesday 2 Durham & Thursday 4 exhibitions, University really does offer so University attractions. August Durham University Visitor much The more. Rotten Romans Attraction Sights Make a 3D colosseum and gladiator to take home. Monday 17th -Sunday 23rd YouOldmay also interested in….October Fulling Mill, be 1pm-3pm Book Festival Wednesday 3rd & Wednesday Events and activities with a literary st 31 August theme Islam Palace Green Make a prayer mat and learn Theabout IASRamadan. offers an extensive andTuesday thought-proving 25th-Thursday 27th Oriental Museum, 1pm-3pm October programme ofrd public lectures and seminars covering Celebrate Science Wednesday 3 & Wednesday a myriad of topics, tackling themes public interest. A freeof3-day celebration bringing 17th August science to life for children and Teddy Bear’s Picnic Lectures are free of charge and open to all. teenagers. Enter your bear into the most Palace Green, 10am-4pm loved teddy competition, and create bear-y good artwork. Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd Botanic Garden, 10am-4pm October Food Festival Friday 5th & Wednesday 17th Musicon Concert Celebrating theSeries best of regional, August is the University’s Public national and Japan Administered by the Department of Music.international Musiconfood and drink with markets and events. Make a Japanese kite. promotes twelve1pm-3pm concerts throughout the year Palace Green Event as well Oriental Museum,
Institute of Advanced Study
Musicon
as .a regular lunchtime concert series.
What’s On Institute of Advance Study Lecture Series FREE and open to all. 1 December 2011 5.30-6.30pm
Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th January
Dinosaurs
Friday 17th February
Ancient Egyptians Make an Egyptian Mummy
Recreate the world of dinosaurs by making dinosaur diorama.
Oriental Museum 6pm – 8pm
Old Fulling Mill, 1pm-3pm
Saturday 17th &
Sunday 18th March Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th May Wednesday 1st June & Friday 3rd Energy from Microalgae: Wednesday 10th & Saturday 13th Saturday 23rd July June Greenwood Working Event Monday 23rd January – Monday Medieval Craft Weekend August Festival of British Archaeology Biofuels Dream or Ancient Egyptians Organised by ‘Friends of the 6th February Family Story Telling Day – Flint Knapping Environmental Nightmare? Make an Egyptian cartouche and Garden.’ inspiration Northfrom East Medieval artist and writer Ingrid With expert Karl Lee. NotTake suitable Chinese New Year Activities learn about hieroglyphs. Botanic Garden, 10am-5pm craftsmen and make a stained Sylvestre will be doingglass some for very young children. Professor Kevin Flynn Old Fulling Mill, 1pm-3pm th th special storytelling sessions in the Old Fulling -Mill, 11am-4pm Daily. Monday 6th February Special window. & Sunday 8 May Saturday 7 (Swansea University) greenhouse. th Junenight & Saturday World Heritage Site Weekend Wednesday 1st late opening. Sunday See the24museum July The Ustinov Room, Van Mildert Old Fulling Mill, 1pm-3pm Botanic Garden, 11am & 12noon 11th June Visit the marquee on Palace lit by lanterns, huntMG theCar dragon and Display Family Storytelling GreenCollege for FREE family activities, Wednesday 24th August join in the parade. Durham MG Owners Club North East artist and writer Ingrid tours and talks. Saturday 24th Jays & Animal Encounters showcase their cars. Sylvestre doing someMuseumBotanic PalaceFull Green Library series available Lecture atwill be Oriental TheMarch zoo comes to the Botanic 6pm –Garden, 8pm 10am-4pm Sunday 25th special storytelling sessions in the Garden, from cute & cuddly to Sunday 8th May www.durham.ac.uk/ias Wednesday 27th July Riverbank Weekend greenhouse. smooth & scaly. Friends of the Garden Plant Saturday 11th February to Ancient Egypt Botanic Garden, 11am & 12noon Botanic Garden, 11am-3pm Come along and learn all about Sale Make an Egyptian amulet. Sunday 19th February st Botanic Garden, 11am-4pm Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th June Durham’s riverbanks and make a Oriental Museum, 1pm-3pm Thursday 1 September Lovely World Environment Day Literature th woodland creature to take home. Dinosaurs Friday 13 May Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st Follow our exciting riverbank trail! Make a scary T-Rex and fossil Drop into Palace Green Library and Museums at Night: Spooky July Old Fulling Mill, 1pm-3pm Old Fulling footprint Mill, 1pm-3pm to take home. Storytelling try your hand at creating a work of Festival of British Arcaeology – th Old Fulling Mill, 1pm-3pm June Saturday 11 Come9th alongDecember and listen to spooky – June 2012 literature Tibias, Fibulas & Funny Bones Fantastic Fathers stories. Refreshments provided. Easter Sunday 8th April & 11th Saturday 10th & Sunday Help make a life-size burial ‘Living for the moment’ gift for Father’s Create a specialPalace Old Fulling Mill, only 6pm-8pm Green Library Easter Monday 9th April September chamber and a mini skeleton. Day. and the Open Days Old Fulling Mill, 1pm-3pmAnnual Easter Heritage 13th May woodblock prints FridayJapanese Chick Hunt Botanic Garden, 2pm-4pm Free admission to Durham birth of manga nd th Museums at Night Event: Saturday 11th February Tuesday 2 & ThursdayA4 fun family University event around the attractions. Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th Amazing Astronomy August Magic Modelling Durhamby University Visitor garden organised our 'Friends June In association with the launch of The Rotten Romans Attraction Sights Celebrate the Summer Solstice an exhibition celebrating Celebrate the arrival of Spring by of the Garden'. A nest full of Easter Make a 3D colosseum and th Try traditional solstice crafts. Thomas Wright, feed your -Sunday 23rd gladiator to take Monday 17 Creating a Green Man out of clayhome. chicks have hatched and escaped! Friday toat night. Old Fulling Mill, 1pm-3pm fascination with2nd the sky October Old Fulling Mill, 1pm-3pmThey are believed to be hiding in the PalaceSunday Green Library 4th Special December Saturday 25th &Botanic th 2pm – 4pm rd Book Festival Sunday 26Garden Botanic Garden! Come along and Wednesday 3 & Wednesday Collections, 6pm-8pm Events and activities with a literary Durham Traditional June 31st August see how many you can spot. Free th theme May Perfect Pots Saturday 14 Tuesday 14th & Christmas Festival Islam goodies for the winners! Palace Green Family Storytelling Make a pot to take home. Thursday 16th February Make a prayer mat and learn North Craft East artist and writer Ingridentertainment Old Fulling Mill, 1pm-3pm stalls and family Botanic Garden, 10am-4pm The Super Stoneabout AgeRamadan. Tuesday 25th-Thursday 27th Sylvestre be doing special nd rd thiswill yearly festival is bigger than ever Oriental Museum, 1pm-3pm & Sunday 3 July Saturday 2 October storytelling sessions in the Take inspiration from the Old Fulling Dinosaurs Palace Green Celebrate Science Wednesday 3rd & Wednesday greenhouse. Make a scary T-Rex and fossil Mill’s collections and your own A free 3-day celebration bringing August 17thmake Botanic Garden, 11am & 12noon www.durhamchristmasfestival.com footprint to take home. piece of rock art to Teddy take home. science to life for children and Bear’s Picnic th th Old Fulling Mill, 1pm-3pm 14 May – 9 July teenagers. Enter your bear into the most Saturday December Thomas Wright of10th Durham; Old Fulling Mill, 1pm 3pm th Palace Green, 10am-4pm loved – teddy competition, and July Saturday 9 Astronomer, Architect & Christmas at the Garden create bear-y good artwork. Healthy Herbs Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd Garden Designer, 1711-1786 Botanic Garden, 10am-4pm Plant up some seeds to grow your Wednesday 15th February October Exhibition the remarkable Funon family event including a festive own. Food Festival Thomas Wright. Friday 5th & Wednesday 17th Whizzing Windmills Circus workshop, reindeerBotanic hunt and Garden, 2pm-4pm Celebrating the best of regional, August Palace Green Library Special th th activities for the family. Christmas Sunday 17 Saturday 16 &Make a windmill and see how fast national and international food and Japan Collections, Exhibition craft making using nature-July inspired drink with markets and events. Make a Japanese kite. you can make it spin th Festival of British Archaeology Saturday 14 Maycards. Christmas Palace Green Event Oriental Museum, 1pm-3pm May Day Madness – The Dinky Dig Botanic Garden 2pm – 4pm Botanic Garden 10am-4pm Make a flower garland to Wear some old clothes and . celebrate May Day. prepare to get muddy! Botanic Garden, 2pm-4pm Old Fulling Mill, 11am-3pm
Future Exhibitions at the Oriental Museum
Events & Family Activities
Under the Tuscan Sun
S
trung along 18km of serrated cliffs between Levanto and La Spezia, the Cinque Terre is one of Italy’s treasures. These five higgledy-piggledy villages Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore are cut off by mountains, choked with olive groves and dry-stone-walled vineyards, where farmers have eked out a living over the centuries. The Cinque Terre became a Unesco World Heritage site in 1997, which includes a protected marine area, and became a national park (Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre) in 1999. Wine growers still use monorail mechanisms to ferry themselves up and the grapes down these unique lands, and in some cases have to harvest by boat as access is restricted. If the terraced hillsides are not worked, they will quite literally slide into the sea. National park status has spared the area from a propagation of tourism and the tacky souvenir stands that come with it and saved it from environmental destruction. Cars and motorbikes are not allowed in the villages, instead they are connected by train. In the villages, electric buses scale the sheer streets. Park authorities close walking paths when numbers become too great, so it s best to arrive in the cool and relative calm of the early morning.
EATING/DRINKING Grapevines and olive trees cover the hillsides, so wine and oil are a must on the restaurant tables. They prove excellent companions for the salted anchovies of Monterosso served in olive oil as well as the many specialty fish dishes and authentic gastronomic delights. 10
The cuisine of the Cinque Terre almost perfectly conserves the characteristics of yesteryear; the respect for the flavours and fragrances of the primary ingredients. Trofie is a kind of pasta made from chestnut or wheat flour, It’s condiment is still pesto sauce, an original Ligurian sauce made from basil leaves, extra virgin olive oil, grated parmesan cheese and pine nuts. Torte di verdura - vegetable pies -are prepared with a stuffing containing parsley, marjoram, wild local herbs, artichokes, zucchini, potatoes and leeks, combined with egg and ricotta cheese or with stale bread soaked in milk or béchamel sauce and parmesan cheese. The pie crust is very thin, because flour was a very precious commodity. Torta di riso - rice pie - is a specialty of every Italian grandma in the region. Frittate - flat omelettes - are popular today as the ‘frittata’ has been rediscovered as a tasty antipasto. Another important dish on the tables of the Cinque Terre population was cotoletta di acciuga, anchovies stuffed with a breadcrumb based filling and then fried. The fritelle di bianchetti, fritters made from tiny newborn anchovies or sardines, were also highly appreciated. Following the seamen’s gastronomic traditions, other dishes included stewed cuttlefish, stuffed calamari and spiced octopus.
SLEEPING Numerous villagers have rooms to rent: look for signs reading camere (rooms) or affittacamere (rooms for rent). Accommodation booking offices in Riomaggiore are really helpful and can help you organise a room ahead of time. The town of Levanto is bigger and has a lot of accommodation including hotels, bed & breakfasts www.retiredmagazines.co.uk
T R AV E L and even camping areas where you can rent a tent with two beds and linens for very low prices! Note: Breakfast in an Italian hotel or B&B will be some slices of bread and a croissant, butter, jam and coffee with orange juice if you are lucky. This is a typical Italian breakfast so if you can get a room without breakfast and head down to the nearest cafe where there is a larger choice.
GETTING AROUND Take the train to La Spezia and change onto the regional (“Regionale”) train that makes all the local stops in the Cinque Terre mostly through tunnels. All the Cinque Terre towns have their own train station. Almost all the trains from La Spezia stop in Levanto. The train represents the best way to visit all the villages of the Cinque Terre. Until the end of the 19th Century these towns were completely isolated and reachable just on foot or by sea. In 1860 (works ended in 1874) the first tunnel of this track was built connecting Genoa with La Spezia and crossing almost entirely all this territory through tunnels (32 tunnels were built here!). This means of transportation gives you the possibility to visit the villages in a discreet and easy way and as the train emerges from another tunnel you are treated to another stunning view of one of the best secrets in Italy.
DONT LEAVE WITHOUT The Cinque Terre boasts some of the best coastline hiking trails in the world. The path from Riomaggiore to Manarola is called the Via Dell’Amore - or Lovers Walk. The beautiful trail along the shore is very easy to hike. Along the way, you’ll witness where lovers have written their names on the rocks and trees surrounding the walk. In the middle of Riomaggiore and Manarola you will come across ‘The Lover’s Lock’ which is a place to seal your eternal love. At this point there is a concrete throne in the shape of a male and female locked in a kiss, where many people duplicate this creating a lovely photographic opportunity. The next hike from Manarola to Corniglia is also easy. However, there is an up hill hike and a large zigzag shaped staircase with 385 steps which can be quite a mission in the midday sun! The trail from Corniglia to Vernazza offers incredible views of shore and is only steep at certain places. The trail from Vernazza to Monterosso is the steepest (you need a reasonably good level of fitness - there is over 250m of climbing over very uneven rocks, totalling approx. 750 ‘steps’ - not easy!), winding through olive orchards and vineyards and offering dramatic ocean views. The paths are narrow, with a very real danger of falling 12 to 15 feet if you lose your footing. If you attempt this hike, take some water, and be prepared to build up a sweat.
www.retiredmagazines.co.uk
Monarola at Sunset
The walk between all the villages takes the better part of a day. For those that would rather not walk (or not walk the entire trail), a pedestrian ferry service runs seasonally to all five villages, plus Lerici. The price is reasonable, and gives a nice view of the villages from the water. The milk train that connect all the villages is also a quick way to hop among towns. It is advised that you attempt the walk as early as possible to avoid the hottest part of the day during the summer period. Sneakers or suitable walking shoes are essential. You must purchase a pass for the hike. It is also possible to purchase a hiking and train pass in one if you wish to catch a train to the next town. Hiking Times around the Cinque Terre: Monterosso - Vernazza: 90 minutes. Vernazza - Corniglia: 90 minutes. Corniglia - Manarola: 45 minutes. Manarola - Riomaggiore: 20 minutes. Manarola also has its own beautiful vineyard walk.
Language:
Italian and although English is spoken widely, the locals always appreciate your small efforts to communicate in their language. Currency: Euro (EUR) Time zone: GMT + 2 11
With snow and ice affecting many parts of the country Road Safety GB North East has issued advice for safe Winter driving to ensure that you keep safe when driving this Winter.
The main tip is to keep your speed right - not too fast so that you risk losing control, but not so slow that you risk losing momentum when you need it – and brake, steer and accelerate as smoothly as possible. Always start gently from a stationary position and avoid high engine revs. If you get yourself into a skid the main thing to remember is to take your foot off the accelerator and steer, never use the brake as this may lock up your wheels resulting in total loss of control.
Follow these tips and safety advice in order to make your Winter driving incident free...
• Handbrake - Check for damage to handbrake cable covering. Cables should be changed if water has penetrated.
Avoiding a Skid Skidding on ice is the main concern for those driving in freezing conditions. Quite often drivers do not anticipate the impact that snow and ice can have on the handling to your vehicle.
12
Protecting Your Car for the Winter • Engine/cooling system - Check antifreeze levels. A 50/50 mix of antifreeze to water will protect the engine down to –34ºC.
• Washers and wipers - A 50/50 mix of additive to water is needed in very cold weather. Switch off wipers when parked in frost - doing so prevents damaging blades or overheating the wiper motor when the car is started. • Locks - Oil door and boot locks and spray with water repellent to prevent freezing. Similarly for bonnet and fuel cap.
www.retiredmagazines.co.uk
Quick Check - Top 10 Winter Driving Tips 1. Always carry a survival pack in the car, including food, water and a blanket. This should include extra warm clothes. 2. Ensure your phone battery is fully charged and you have an in-car charger. 3. Put a shovel in your boot – in case you need to dig yourself out of trouble. • Diesel - Can become waxy and unusable below –15ºC. Some additives can lower this temperature. If possible, garage your vehicle in extreme cold. • General - Check oil level, battery, lights, and tyre tread and pressures
More advice for Winter driving •
Double or even triple your normal stopping distance from the vehicle in front.
•
Plan your journey around busier roads as they are more likely to have been gritted.
•
On motorways stay in the clearest lane where possible, away from slush and ice. Keep within the clear tyre tracks if you can.
•
Stay in a higher gear for better control.
•
As conditions improve make sure your foglights are only on if necessary – they can dazzle other drivers.
•
In falling snow use dipped headlights to make yourself visible to others (especially pedestrians)
Preparation •
Check the weather in advance – don’t ignore police warnings about closed roads.
•
Make sure you have an emergency kit so you are prepared in the event of a breakdown. This should include a torch, food for energy, water and a blanket. On longer journeys always let someone know you have set off and tell them your planned route.
•
Ensure your mobile is charged up so you can make a call in an emergency – but don’t use it when driving!
•
Do a proper Winter check of your vehicle, looking at washer fluid, de-icer/scraper and tyres.
www.retiredmagazines.co.uk
4. Consider fitting Winter tyres, but even if you don’t, have your summer tyres checked. Winter driving means that tyres should have no less than 3mm remaining tread. 5. Have your battery checked. Batteries have to work extra hard in the cold and are more likely to fail. 6. Make sure your windscreen washer fluid is topped up with the correct concentration of screenwash. Windscreens get particularly dirty in the Winter months and screenwash will help prevent the liquid from freezing. 7. Have your coolant checked – the antifreeze needs to protect your engine against the lowest of temperatures. 8. Have your air-con system serviced. It’s not just for summer – an effective air-con system will demist windscreens much more quickly, helping visibility. 9. Adjust your driving style to the conditions – be sensible in the rain, snow and ice. 10. Above all, in bad conditions consider whether your journey is really necessary.
For further information, advice and guidance on Winter driving and all other Road Safety related matters, please contact your Local Authority Road Safety section.
13
What you see is what you get with
LYNDA BELLINGHAM Lynda Bellingham was trying to sort out her home “after a hell of a week” rehearsing someone new on the latest tour of Calendar Girls and spending rare time in domestic bliss. “Because my life tends to be all over the place outside the home, I like relative order in it,” she explains in those immediately identifiable sexy tones that have ensured a fascinatingly varied career including a wealth of radio and TV voice-overs. She is now 63, still glamorous but with the kind of accessible personality that makes women like her and men fancy her. The fact that she has spent the past two years taking her clothes off on stage – twice on Saturdays – has, surprisingly, endeared her to both. “We’re not actually nude, of course,” she laughs, “but that’s how it looks. Calendar Girls is a marvellous play – Tim Firth (who wrote the film and the play) has done a fantastic job with it and wherever you go you can feel the audience’s sense of excitement and anticipation because of the ‘nude’ scenes.” If you’ve been hiding in a cave in the Himalayas for the past couple of years you might not have heard of the true story of the ladies of a Yorkshire Women’s Institute who decided to raise money for charity after the husband of one of them died from leukaemia. Their idea of a nude calendar made them iconic figures worldwide, and spawned both a hit film and the highly successful play. Chris Harper is the main driver of this campaign (mostly played on stage by Lynda although casts have varied) and the actress is still a great admirer of the original role model. “It took someone like her to make it happen, I think. Having met her several times, I can see why.” So could Lynda herself have been that driving force in the same situation? “Yes, I think I could,” she states. “I think I’m a bit determined like that.” A glance back at Lynda’s own life reveals the truth of that statement. She was born in Montreal, Canada, but adopted by an English couple at the age of four months and brought up in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. 14
“I had a wonderful childhood, very happy,” she recalls. “I think my generation got used to accepting things – the Pill, sexual freedom among them – and that has stood us in good stead for today’s changing world.” She got her big break as a nurse in ITV’s ‘70s afternoon soap opera General Hospital and appeared in films including Confessions of a Driving Instructor and Sweeney! During the ‘80s, though, she became famous as the head of the family in the Oxo TV adverts. “Of course they wanted me to be warm and motherly, while what I really wanted as an actress was to be edgy and different!” she says with a husky laugh. “It was fine doing the adverts but it can be a doubleedged sword - my profile among agents and casting directors for a long time was this type of person.” This worked in her favour, though, when she played vet James Herriot’s wife (replacing Carol Drinkwater) in telly favourite All Creatures Great and Small, and her comic timing was also recognised in situation comedies Second Thoughts and its sequel Faith in the Future.
She starred in the 14-part Doctor Who serial The Trial of a Time Lord playing against type as the Inquisitor, reprising this character for an audio series. And from 2000 for three years, she played compassionate accountant Pauline Farnell in the hit TV series At Home With The Braithwaites alongside Amanda Redman and Peter Davison. For several months in 2004, however, she enjoyed a recurring role in The Bill as villainess Irene Radford, offering fans a chance to see a different side of Lynda’s acting skills. “I really loved doing that!” she exclaims. “Unfortunately, there really aren’t that many good roles for women of a certain age, and there are quite a few of us after the few that there are.” Lynda, has, however, had an interesting range of roles in the theatre, and has also raised her own profile on TV as a quick-witted regular on the award-winning Loose Women programme where she is just herself. In her private life, she has been married three times, her last – “and final” – marriage to Michael Pattemore (a Spanish-based mortgage broker known on Loose Women as “Mr Spain”) on her 60th birthday. She has two sons and a stepson, all in their 20s, two of whom live with the couple in London.
OF COURSE THEY WANTED ME TO BE WARM AND MOTHERLY, WHILE WHAT I REALLY WANTED AS AN ACTRESS WAS TO BE EDGY AND DIFFERENT!
“Michael has always come touring with me, which is lovely because you can be away from home for a while,” she states. Her autobiography Lost and Found proved a literary hit, and the paperback version was out in March. More appearances in Loose Women and more theatre performances are also on the cards for this year, although Lynda says that Calendar Girls will be “rested” after a three-year run and she’s fine with that. She has also become an active campaigner and spokeswoman for the Alzheimer’s Research Trust and Age UK after both her adoptive mother and her birth mother suffered from this debilitating dementia. “It’s funny because you can get quite nervous talking about yourself, as I’ve been doing promoting my book at literary festivals and the like,“ she says. “But I don’t find it difficult to talk about the charity and the importance of getting more people to understand about Alzheimer’s.” As for having her own “role models”, Lynda reckons that she would really like to have the kind of serious roles that comedian and presenter Matthew Kelly has moved into latterly. “Now get me some female Matthew Kelly-type roles and I’ll be happy”, she insists. And that warm voice breaks into the kind of laughter that makes you realise that the likeable image you see is actually what you get with this talented actress whose career is set to continue delighting fans for a long time to come. 15
Finding it hard to think about anything else? There you are, trying to enjoy life, but all you can think about is your urgent need to find a toilet. Well, you’re not alone. In fact, 1 in 5 people over 40 have the same problem, it’s called an overactive bladder. You too may simply have an overactive bladder. This isn’t a natural part of getting older, and help is at hand. Effective treatments that don’t involve surgery are available from your Doctor. Simply call the Bladder and Bowel Foundation for free, confidential, professional advice. We can also send you our new booklet called “The Pathway to Success” which is full of useful information and helpful advice to help you overcome the problem. To take back control of your life, call us now or visit our website.
0800 011 4696 www.bladderandbowelfoundation.org
Sponsored by
Registered charity no. 1085095.
It is estimated that in the UK alone, 7 out of 10 adults have not made a Will, yet they can be very simple and straightforward to make. We appreciate that the thought of going to see a professional to discuss making a Will can be a daunting prospect, which is why our team of professional Will writers come and visit you at your home. We are very experienced in all matters surrounding making a Will, trusts, estate and inheritance planning. Our consultants take the time to understand your needs and wishes and explain the Will writing process to you thoroughly, every step of the way. Our attention to detail and service with a personal touch ensures that the Will you ultimately make accurately reflects your wishes. There are many good reasons why almost all adults in the UK should make a Will and we cover the most common ones within our website.
Protect your home and assets from care costs Most of us work very hard over the years to buy our own homes and build up our savings for our retirement and would like to leave a “little something” for our children and grandchildren after we are gone. Unfortunately, the costs involved in moving into a Care
Home can literally wipe out your entire savings and your home may have to be sold to pay for care fees. This could mean that your loved ones could receive very little, or even nothing at all of what you originally intended them to have. When someone enters care they are automatically “means tested” and ALL of your assets, including your home are taken into account. Only those who have very few assets will escape the costs of care.
So what can be done? Firstly, it is important to safeguard your home and the first step is to look at the way you currently own your home. The majority of people own their homes jointly which means that on first death, the survivor would then own 100% of the full property value and this is when your home becomes vulnerable to attack from Care. By simply changing the way you own your home to what is known as Tenants In Common, combined with the appropriate Trust planning, will effectively ensure that your property is fully protected should either of you enter care.
Making a Will brings security, reassurance and peace of mind, not just to you but those who depend on you.
Need to make a Will but can never find the time?
Special offer
59
only
£
single or double Wills
Our Will writing consultants visit you at home to take your Will instructions and answer any queries or concerns you may have.
Why make a Will?
Direct Will Writers telephone: 01429 299 299 87 Stockton Road, Hartlepool TS25 1SJ
Making a Will is the only way to ensure that your assets go to your family and loved ones in the way that you would like, in the event of your death. If you have not made a Will the law decides how your estate is distributed and in some cases it may even go to the Crown.
website: www.directwillwriters.co.uk email: mail@directwillwriters.co.uk
Is your hard earned cash going through the roof, or down the drain? Last winter was one of the coldest we’ve had in the UK for twenty years and we paid the price in hugely inflated heating bills. To make matters worse, these are expected to rise even higher over the next few years. Unfortunately, human nature being what it is, as the weather gets warmer, its all too easy to forget winter chills and put off the moment when we need to take a good look at ways of keeping those heating costs down.
First off, and the most immediate way of cutting out waste, is to take a few simple steps to save energy. 1. Turn the thermostat down on your room temperature. A reduction of 1 degree could cut your heating bills by up to 10%, and you could save around £40 a year. 2. Set the temperature on your hot water tank to 50 degrees celsius. 3. Set the temperature in your refrigerator to between 1.7 and 3.3. degrees Celsius, and set it to -18 degrees Celsius for the freezer. 4. Wash clothes on a low heating cycle, and dry outside on a line, or indoors on a drying rack. Only wash when you have a full load. 5. Turn your computer off when not in use, and unplug DVD players, TVs and games consoles when not in use. 6. Turn lights off when you leave the room. 7. Install low energy light bulbs in every room. 8. Make sure your hot water tank has a foam insulating jacket. 9. Install radiator shields behind your radiators. This will direct warm air upwards into the room, instead of being lost in the wall. 10. Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows 11. Never open the oven door while cooking – you could lose around 20% of the heat when you do this. 12. Re-heat small portions of food in your micro-wave oven. This uses less than half of a conventional oven. 18
13. Never fill your kettle to make a single cup of tea, but ensure you use sufficient water to cover the element. 14. If you have fireplaces in your house which are not used, install chimney balloons to prevent cold air entering your rooms, and warm air escaping.
To Save on your Water Bills 1. Take a shower rather than a bath, and install low-flow showerheads. 2. Fix any dripping taps. 3. Install tap water savers to all taps. These can be fitted in minutes and can dramatically reduce water consumption. 4. Use a water saver in your lavatory cistern. These are balloons made of heavy duty plastic, and will save around 3 litres of water every time the toilet is flushed. 5. Install water butts on down pipes outside your house. This water is free of chlorine, is better for your plants, and will save you a fortune in water bills. As well as the large water butts, they are now available in narrower format, for difficult corners.
Once you’ve taken these easy ways to save energy, it makes sense to look at the wider picture, ask a few more questions and try to take steps before winter sets in again. Is your home insulated? And if not, would you qualify for free loft and cavity wall insulation? There can’t be many of us who don’t know that up to a quarter of the heat we pay for, goes straight through the roof. Yet we could remedy that quite easily. Have you checked your loft recently. Is it properly insulated? Maybe you had your loft insulated when you moved into your home, but how long ago was that? It could be that the depth of the insulation was considered less important then. These days, the recommended depth of the most common insulating material, Rock Wool, is 270mm. If you’re a home owner or renting and are on eligible benefits or tax credits, or if you are over 70, or if the state pension is your main source of income, you could well qualify for loft or cavity wall insulation installed free of charge. For more information on this, go to http://www.government-grants.org.uk or contact your local Age Concern organisation.
Solar Power With the introduction of the Feed In Tariff, solar electricity is now a viable option to reduce your electricity bill and receive an annual payment from the government for doing this. Solar electricity systems use photovoltaic (PV) cells to capture the energy from the sun and convert it into electricity. There are two ways of installing Solar PV, by fitting panels to your existing roof or if your roof needs repairing anyway, replace some of the tiles with PV tiles. Solar photovoltaic panels have a long life expectancy of around 50 years and most systems having a 25 year warranty and little or no maintenance they will give you peace of mind whilst generating your electricity. Savings can be considerable and a basic 2 kWp systems could provide around 40% of a household’s annual electricity. The more it generates the more you save as any excess electricity can be sold back into the grid.
Clean energy cashback scheme Your roof could earn you up to £2,000 per year
In April 2010 the government introduced this scheme, commonly referred to as the "Feed in Tariff" whereby you are paid money for installing solar panels on your property. Slash your utility bills Reduce your carbon footprint Generate "FREE" electricity Tax free, index linked income guaranteed for 25 years Return on investment of between 8-12% For a free, no obligation quote call us free on:
0800 410 2588
www.1st4solar.co.uk A NORTH-EAST COMPANY
OFFICES IN HARTLEPOOL & MIDDLESBROUGH
19
OUT & ABOUT
Stewart Park Young Rangers First Saturday of each month 10.30am - 2.00pm Come along and join this group of 7 - 13 year olds who carry out environmental tasks within Stewart Park. Membership fee applies. For more details please call 01642 300202. Please meet outside the information point near pets corner for all events unless stated otherwise.
Black Horse Beamish Christmas Fair Saturday 3rd December, 11am - 3pm George Ridley Room. Discover a treasure trove of gifts and treats you simlpy won’t find on the highstreet... With something for everyone from fashion to food, festive floral demonstrations, cake decorating and much more.
Exhibitors...
Stewart Park, The Grove, Marton, Middlesbrough, TS7 8AR Tel: 01642 300202
Middlesbrough Town Hall BIG MOUTH COMEDY CLUB
Saturday 10 December | 8pm | £14.50 The North East’s biggest comedy club, featuring Justin Moorhouse, Martin Bigpig and Danny McLoughlin (MC). 18 + only
LONDON COMMUNITY GOSPEL CHOIR Wednesday 21 December | 7.30pm | £15
Come and catch the choir for one night only. Energetic, inspiring and spirit filled, they have backed artists such as Sir Elton John and Madonna.
Pears Boutique
Pears Boutique specialise in Designer Evening Gowns, Prom Dresses, Cocktail Dresses, Stunning Costume Jewellery and will be show casing some amazing Christmas Party dresses for all price ranges. www.pearsboutique.co.uk
The Body Shop
The Body Shop is the original, natural and ethical beauty brand, with over 2,500 stores in over 60 markets worldwide. www.thebodyshop.co.uk
Pet-isserie
Pet-isserie create handmade high quality dog treats that wouldn't look out of place in a luxurious bakery. Why not treat your pooch to some Festive snacks? www.pet-isserie.co.uk
Flower Fever
Flower Fever is situated in Chester-le-street Co.Durham and is dedicated to creating bespoke wedding and event flowers in the North East of England and will be showcasing some fabulous Christmas Reefs and Garlands. www.flower-fever.com
Red Row. Beamish, Co. Durham DH9 0RW Tel: 01207 232 569 Info@blackhorsebeamish.co.uk 20
H O L I D A Y S Classic Holidays are a well established coach company, offering a high level of service for over 25 years. We boast a wide range of eclectic holidays, ranging from city breaks, scenic tours, seaside resorts and more! As well as all of this, we have an extensive day tour programme, offering local pickups throughout the North East and include something for everyone. Check out our latest offers and book from the comfort of your own home by visiting our website where you will find our holidays, day trips, itineraries and information about our regular service to and from Blackpool.
10% Discount on all bookings made in 2011!* WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE COACHES AVAILABLE ON OUR TOURS#
To book or to request a copy of any of our brochures please call us on 01207 282225 or visit our online booking system at www.classiccoachesholidays.co.uk *Direct bookings only, please quote reference number RET11 when making your booking. # Subject to availability
www.retiredmagazines.co.uk
Graham Smith has a Twitter But is he right or wrong? Health and Safety and Hot Air! Reading the entire collection of Health and Safety rules which dictate our lives today would be a suitable prison sentence for murder. New ones are added daily by some overpaid barmpot in Whitehall and two I came across recently are worthy of mention. In the beautiful Bronte village of Haworth there is an annual event in June to celebrate the 1940s. Everyone and their granny descends on the village, some villagers have been known to move out for the weekend to avoid the crush, and many dress in period costume singing “We’ll Meet Again” increasingly loudly as the local brew takes effect. Until three years ago part of the spectacle was a fly past by retired World War Two aeroplanes, usually a Spitfire, a Hurricane or a Lancaster Bomber. Now these planes are still air
worthy after seventy years but some clown in Bradford Council’s Health and Safety asylum decided there was a problem. The Spitfire won the Battle of Britain. Hitler and his army eventually chucked the towel in because they couldn’t down enough of the planes to win. It’s a good job Bradford Council wasn’t on his side or he’d have won. The organisers of the Forties Weekend had to conduct a Health and Safety and feasibility study and here was one of the questions:“What was the likelihood of one of the planes crashing onto the village during the flypast?” Now we don’t see many Fokkers or Messerschmitts over Haworth these days and the Home Guard was disbanded some years ago. The only aerial threat we have is from rooks and the occasional duck with a dicky
tummy, which might necessitate wearing a tin helmet on windy days. I think we had the greatest confidence that the pilots would have successfully cleared the village without a mass slaughter of the population, but, no, we couldn’t have a fly past. 10,000 people squeezed onto our tiny cobbled streets that weekend. Traffic management had a pink fit as the hordes parked their cars anywhere and everywhere. Hermann Goerring was spotted having a pint in The Fleece but we couldn’t have aeroplanes using the only empty space in the valley…the sky. Were all flights from Leeds-Bradford airport suspended for the day in case the lunch time Ireland plane crashed in Central Park? They were not. There was a famous wartime phrase which said, “Your country needs you”. I suggest the same does not apply to the Health and Safety nitwits of today.
Aquarius Wet Room
the ultimate answer to bathing difficulties exclusively available from Bathing Solutions Glass side panel secured to wall
No shower tray to step over – floor is same level throughout the room
Mosaic tiled floor with fast drain; choice of colours
Open, easy-access entry; no doors
For a free copy of our 28 page brochure call free on
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
Optional fold up seat for added comfort
Completely replaces all your existing bathroom fixtures and fittings
Choice of colours for wall panels & floor tiles
0800 783 1912
Please send me a brochure on your range of easy-access showers and walk-in baths. 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: Bathing Solutions, FREEPOST SWC3136, Ledbury, HR8 2ZZ
PLEASE quotE oFFER REFEREncE RMWR91
RMWR91
Durham Information Guide (DIG) is a new free online database which allows you to search for information on social care services, health groups and other community information, such as arts, leisure, sports and social groups and organisations, on a countywide, regional and national basis. Topics covered include: Getting out and about
Health and wellbeing
Family and living at home
Keeping safe
Managing disability
Care and support choices
Legal, financial and general help
If you are an organisation that would like to appear on DIG or for more information please contact dig@durham.gov.uk
You can access DIG from any computer with an internet connection by visiting:
www.durham.gov.uk/dig Your local library offers free internet access and library staff will be able to help you.
Your Life
Your Choice care and support designed with you
Self Directed Support is a way of assessing someone’s eligible social care needs. If a person is eligible they will receive a Personal Budget. A Personal Budget is not an addition to the services people already receive. It is an amount of money that is available to meet an adults eligible social care needs and gives more choice and control over how their social care needs are met. A person has several options available to manage their Personal Budget:
Option 1: We can arrange Direct
Payments so that the individual can manage their Personal Budget with or without support; paying for their own care and support services or employing their own staff.
Option 2: We can manage their Personal Budget on their behalf and they will still have choice and control over the goods and services that they receive. This is called a Virtual Budget.
Option 3: They can have a mixture of the above, where a person can choose to take part of their Personal Budget as Direct Payments and part as a Virtual Budget.
Durham Information Guide (DIG) can help give a person more independence, flexibility and choice over who provides their care and support services and when they are delivered. It is recognised that many social care needs are met by individuals who either choose to help themselves by finding and funding their own services or by those people who are not eligible for financial assistance. DIG can help with a variety of information and ideas to help meet a persons needs. You are able to search the database by using key words, by organisation, service, geographical area or type of service and can print the information that you need. You can access DIG from any computer with an internet connection by visiting: www.durham.gov.uk/dig
More information about Self Directed Support can be can be found at:
www.durham.gov.uk/yourlifeyourchoice
JOIN TODAY AND discover the secret 62 MILLION PEOPLE WORLDWIDE ALREADY KNOW
Did you know, as a
Retired Employee you may qualify for Costco Membership? Costco is a membership warehouse club that sells a wide selection of top quality brand name merchandise at low warehouse prices. Speciality departments include Fresh Deli and Produce, In-House Bakery and Butchery, Service Deli, Cafe, Tyre Centre, Opticians, Fine Wines, Beers and Spirits, Electrical Appliances and much much more! Individual Membership You qualify for Individual Membership if you belong to specific employment groups – please see below for details of qualifying categories. To join Costco and start saving please provide your employee ID card or current pay slip to prove your employer, PLUS a current utility bill (electricity, gas, telephone, water) or a bank statement addressed to your home. The annual membership fee for Standard Individual Membership is £25 (plus VAT), which includes a complimentary card for your spouse or domestic partner. Individual Members Eligibility Criteria Retired employee of: Banking/Finance, Civil Servant, Education, Fire/Rescue, Insurance, Local Government, Medical/Health Service, Police Force, Post Office, Airline.
For membership queries, or for further information about Costco please contact the Membership Team at Costco Gateshead:
Call 0191 461 9800
or email marketing109@costco.co.uk Costco Gateshead Mandela Way Gateshead Tyne & Wear NE11 9DH T: 0191 461 9800 E: marketing109@costco.co.uk Central Membership: 01923 830 477 www.costco.co.uk
Sign up for Membership with this advert and receive a FREE bottle of wine and a box of chocolates! Costco Gateshead only. Valid until 28.02.12. Accepted methods of payment: cash, cheque, debit card or American Express. Membership must be obtained before purchases can be made.