EDITION 34
Retired SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
& living in Manchester, Salford & Trafford
LYNDA BELLINGHAM
WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET WITH THIS CALENDAR GIRL
INSIDE LEISURE MADRID THE EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF ART ROBINSONS EXCLUSIVE TOURS PLUS MONEY OFF VOUCHER
HEALTH UNBELIEVABLE INCH LOSS ONE OF THE TOP 6 NEW INNOVATIVE TREATMENTS DISABLED LIVING PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS SUPPORTING DISABLED ADULTS, CHILDREN AND OLDER PEOPLE
HOME INDEPENDENCE, SECURITY & CONVENIENCE WITH IRWELL VALLEY HOUSING ASSOCIATION
RICK STEIN
SHARES HIS FAVOURITE DISHES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
THE LOCAL MAGAZINE FOR THE OVER 55s
FREE Please t
ake one
WWW.RETIREDMAGAZINES.CO.UK
St Vincent’s Retirement Apartments Make the Most of Your Retirement Years With nearly 40 years experience of delivering independence, security and peace of mind – we can help you make the most of your retirement years. St Vincent’s retirement schemes have so much more to offer than simply a roof over your head. We have won awards for our retirement schemes which are designed specifically to meet the needs of senior members of the community.
Who are our retirement apartments for? Anyone at all who is either over 60 or has a disability. If you feel lonely, isolated from your family, or find your present home is becoming too much to manage, then moving to a St Vincent’s retirement apartment could be the best move you will ever make. All our scheme managers are fully trained and live on site, on-hand to give help and advice if needed.
Company when you want it All our retirement schemes have a communal lounge where residents can come together, if they wish, and meet for coffee mornings and other social activities, such as bingo and Christmas parties. All our scheme managers organise regular day trips, for example trips to the theatre. At the end of a busy day socialising, however, you can return to your apartment, and close your own front door.
All mod-cons All our retirement schemes have modern amenities. Independence with Security. Our retirement schemes are designed to give residents complete independence. You have your own apartment but residents’ security is a key concern for us. We have installed CCTV, a door entry system with intercom, boundary fencing, window locks and smoke alarms, and additionally we have installed spy holes and ID card slots at Swithun Wells Court.
Lovely surroundings for our residents to enjoy Residents at all our retirement schemes enjoy the peace and tranquillity of delightful landscaped gardens. The grounds are maintained regularly by a gardener and provide a relaxing meeting place for summer BBQ’s or just a lazy afternoon with a book.
Local amenities Swithun Wells Court and Dunstan Court, Moston are all located within a short bus journey of Walkden Centre, Farnworth Town Centre and Bolton City Centre. There are post-offices, local shops, libraries and doctors surgeries all within easy access.
And if you think a St Vincent’s Retirement Apartment is for you… We will do everything we can to make sure you settle into your new home. Our scheme managers will ensure you are put in touch with support agencies in the area, and help you find your feet. We even provide a Welcome Pack containing a lovely Hessian shopping bag, a pen, mug, t-bags and coffee, energy saving light bulbs, bin bags and a Homebase voucher.
Don’t just take our word for it "I've been living in Swithun Wells Court for over 12 years now and I absolutely love it. I moved from Walkden, which is just down the road, and have never looked back since. Before, I lived alone in a house which was too big to manage, and I was very lonely. Now, I don't need to worry about any of that, I've made lots of friends here and Vera, the scheme manager is always here to help, she's golden" Margaret Worthington - Resident.
St Vincent's has sheltered schemes across the Manchester and Salford area, get in touch to find out more We offer: l
Self contained apartments, but with an on-site warden
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24 hour emergency call out
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Secure door entry system
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Communal gardens, and laundry
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Free repairs and maintenance service
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Links with health professionals
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A lift
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A communal lounge to meet up with friends Full and varied social life if you want it, although some of our residents choose to enjoy a quieter life - it's entirely up to you!
Our Handyperson Service We offer a free handyperson service to all our customers who live in our sheltered housing schemes, get those little jobs, such as hanging a door, or fitting a grab rail, done for free.
St Vincent's has nearly 40 years experience in providing retirement schemes for senior members of the community
Give Jane a call on 0845 606 6565 if you would like more information or to discuss your circumstances. Visit our website at www.svha.co.uk
CONTENTS
Welcome to Retired Magazine 18-19 6-7 5 28-29 26-27
12-13
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.
TRAVEL & LEISURE 6-7
Madrid Charming, cultural & thrilling.
8-9
Robinsons Holidays 2012 plus money off voucher.
TOWYN, NORTH WALES
REGULARS 5
Family Run - No Pressure Selling No Siting or Connection Fees No Strict Age Limits 10% OFF CARAVAN HIRE WHEN YOU BOOK ONLINE
Call 01745 342 455 to arrange a visit
www.oakfieldcaravanpark.co.uk
Graham Smith Twittering on.
18-19 Interview Lynda Bellingham talks to Retired.
HEALTH 16-17 Disabled Living Practical Solutions supporting disabled adults, children & older people.
McGrath Media. Unit 6 | Moses Gate Workshops Gladys Street | Bolton | BL3 2QG. T: (01204) 796 494 | F: (01204) 791594 e: mcgrathadmin@btconnect.com
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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.
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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.
There’s a hole in your bench Amazingly the same village got a double dose of daftness when the local council decided to recobble and landscape the bottom of Main Street. A lovely 12-month old wrought iron bench was removed to facilitate the work and it hasn’t come back. For years locals and visitors have enjoyed relaxing on the bench and no injuries have ever been reported apart from the odd drunk slipping off the edge and nearly falling under the Oakworth bus. The locals of yesteryear would have sat there and watched horses and carts go up and down the steep cobbled street posing some hazard if one set off at the gallop going downhill. But we can’t have the bench back because a health and safety executive decision said a child might get their finger stuck in the wrought iron! Oh, do me a favour. There are still stocks at the top of the street, what if someone gets trapped in them while having their picture taken? I’ve seen women in stiletto heels pirouetting like Margot Fonteyn trying to walk down the street and not get trapped in the cobbled setts. But we cannot have our bench back. In fact some half wit has now decided it is so dangerous that it is to be repainted and auctioned off. I suppose we can’t have a wooden on either in case a splinter develops and punctures some old dear’s derriere. 5
Madrid
The European Capital Of Art
Madrid possesses a wealth of cultural attractions and is a thrilling city with theatre shows, opera, dancing and countless other forms of nightlife. You will also find other exciting places to go for a night to remember. Madrid has long laid claim to the title of “European Capital of Art”. It has a number of museums and galleries housing some of the finest classics from Goya, Velásquez, El Greco and many more.
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Museo del Prado is a fine museum of paintings set in a stunning 18th century neoclassical building. Worth visiting even if you have only a passing interest in art and must see works include Velásquez’s Las Meninas, widely considered to be the finest painting in the world and Goyas Majas and Pinturas Negras (dark paintings). There are usually a number of local artists outside selling interesting pieces. Centro Nacional de Arte Reina Sofía is second in size only to the Pompidou in Europe, this modern art museum showcases 20th century Spanish creations, including Picasso’s famous anti-war masterpiece – Guernica. I started on the top floor which has pencil drawings and sketches for Guernica before going downstairs to appreciate the magnificence of it for real. Casa de Campo, known as the “lungs of Madrid”, has plenty of space to get lost in its 4,000 acre park, which was only opened to the public in 1931 after previously serving as a royal hunting estate. As well as countless walks, it boasts a boating lake, an open air pool (mid June - September, 10.30am-8pm), a zoo and a theme park. www.retiredmagazines.co.uk
TRAVEL
DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT… ...visiting the Parque del Oeste, one of the city’s lesser known spaces, this park offers the perfect spot for a tranquil shady walk beneath mature trees. Overlooked in the summer by the lively terrazas on Paseo del Pintor Rosales, it is also an ideal way of connecting to Casa de Campo by cable car which runs high over the river and offers stunning views of the city. Madrid airport is 9km from the centre and Exprés Aeropuerto (Airport Express) is a 24-hour service which has only 3 stops after the airport: O’Donell, Plaza de Cibeles and Atocha. The buses run every 15 minutes during the day and every 35 minutes at night, and the journey takes approximately 40 minutes. Tickets can be bought on board. There are taxi ranks in front of the arrivals lounges of all three terminals at Madrid airport. A taxi to/from the airport to/from central Madrid should cost around e20 though taxi drivers are notorious for overcharging recent arrivals! Check that the meter is set at zero when you get in and that it begins the journey at the official minimum fare - currently €2.05.
Climate: The climate of Madrid is dry, warm and pleasant. It’s high altitude and proximity to mountains causes some wide variations in winter and summer temperatures. In summer the heat at midday can be intense, with pleasantly cool evenings. Winters, by contrast, bring temperatures dropping to just below freezing. Rain in Madrid is a rarity, with a short rainy season in late October and some showers in spring. Plaza de Santa Ana, a small central square has strong literary connections and is the recommended spot for sundowners and tapas at the end of a day’s sightseeing. Madrid has a rich football history and the Madrileños live and breathe it. It is home to two 1st division sides, Real Madrid and Athlético Madrid. The main draw is Real who play at the 75,000 capacity Santiago Bernabeau stadium. A tour is available on non-match days between Tue-Sun, 10.30am-8.30pm. Getting to see matches is difficult if they are playing their great rivals Barcelona or one of the Madrid teams but otherwise tickets are generally available, although be prepared to queue! Madrid is not without its romantic side. As the new home of Flamenco, Madrid is alive with music and passion. The many stunning parks and gardens provide tranquil spots to stroll and the numerous quaint little tapas bars offer a warming ambience all year round.
Language:
Spanish and although English is spoken widely, the locals always appreciate your small efforts to communicate in their language.
Currency: Euro (EUR) €
Est.1923
Affordable peace of mind ..... Holidays
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Torquay is most certainly one of the UK’s Finest resorts and the heart of the English Riviera. If you are looking to unwind in style, this elegant Georgian hotel is the place to stay. Located in the grounds of the former Torre Abbey, overlooking Torbay, there are superb facilities. These include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, gym, steam room, sauna and a spacious conservatory. As with all our own hotels a night porter ensures 24 hour reception service.
Ocean View Hotel Robinsons HHH Take a short boat ride across the Solent and discover the Isle of Wight, an island of great natural beauty and superb weather, with a wealth of attractions for visitors of all ages. Shanklin, on the south coast of the island, is home to a variety of safe, golden beaches and a quaint collection of shops housed in traditional thatched cottages. An elegant hotel commanding magnificent views across Sandown Bay, the balconies provide the perfect place to enjoy the sunset on summer evenings. Guests can unwind in the piano lounge before enjoying an evning meal in the spacious restaurant. A night porter ensures 24 hour reception service.
Imperial Hotel Robinsons HHH Eastbourne is an ideal holiday destination, it has one of the top sunshine records in the UK and has been awarded the Seaside Award for its clean safe beaches for the past eight years. An impressive Victorian hotel, situated at the seaward end of Devonshire place, less than a hundred yards from the seafront, on a delightful tree-lined boulevard less than five minutes walk from the main facilities and town centre amenities. A night porter ensures 24 hour reception service.
5 Days/4 Nights, dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation, local pick-up points, 2 excursions and FREE insurance Departures
Abbey Lawn Hotel
Imperial Ocean View Hotel Hotel
06 Feb £139 £139 £139 13 Feb £145 £145 £145 20 Feb £149 £149 £149 27 Feb £155 £155 £155 05 Mar £159 £159 £159 12 Mar £165 £165 £165 19 Mar £169 £169 £169 26 Mar £175 £175 £175
Reader Offer - Save £20 per booking with Robinsons Holidays Simply attach to your Robinsons Holidays booking request to claim your £20 discount. Only one voucher per holiday booking. Discount is only valid on new bookings. Discount voucher can not be redeemed against any existing bookings.
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TOUR NO : 120 - 5 Days/4 nights, dinner, bed and breakfast. Includes 2 Excursions Stirling, Trossachs, Callendar & Oban
Scotland – Aberfoyle and Trossachs Situated at the Southern edge of the West Highlands and lying within the Lomond and Trossachs National Park, the tiny village of Aberfoyle is an ideal location for our 5 day tour to Scotland. Our tour stays at the ever popular Rob Roy Hotel which provides an ideal base from which to explore the surrounding countryside and National Park. All rooms are en-suite with television, telephone, and complimentary tea and coffee. The hotel has a lift serving all floors. 06 February £149pp 20th February £149pp Single Supplement may apply
TOUR NO : 111 - 5 Days/4 nights, dinner, bed and breakfast. Includes 2 Excursions Southport & Chester
Liverpool Liverpool remains one of the countries most popular and endearing destinations, famed for its mixture of rich heritage, wonderful buildings, including, the world famous UNESCO listed waterfront, the arts, entertainment and shopping. The city provides an ideal centre from which to explore the surrounding countryside, including the beaches of the Wirral Peninsula. Our tour is based at the renowned Britannia Adelphi Hotel just a short walk from the city centre and all its shops and attractions. All rooms are en-suite with television, telephone, trouser press, hair-dryer and tea and coffee making facilities. The hotel has a lift. 6th February £159pp 12th March £159pp Single Supplement may apply
TOUR NO : 113 - 5 Days/4 nights, dinner, bed and breakfast. Includes 2 Excursions Kent and the Garden of England & Hastings
Folkestone and the Garden of England Folkestone is an attractive seaside resort with sandy beaches, colourful gardens and a wide sweeping promenade. Its shopping area leads down to The Lanterns, an area of period architecture, whilst the cobbled old High Street, with its interesting curiosity shops, leads down to the working harbour which is full of maritime character. Our hotel for this tour is the Britannia Grand Burstin Hotel overlooking the harbour; all rooms at the hotel are en-suite and tastefully decorated with TV, telephone, hair-dryer and tea & coffee making facilities. The hotel has a lift and offers entertainment. 20th February £149pp 19th March £159pp Single Supplement may apply
TOUR NO : 114 - 5 Days/4 nights, dinner, bed and breakfast. Includes 2 Excursions Southampton, New Forest & Weymouth
Bournemouth Bournemouth often referred to as “The Garden City by the Sea” is renowned for being one of Europe’s most fashionable resorts, attracting millions of visitors each year. Seven miles of golden beaches and sheltered waters make this a firm favourite for beach holidays. Bournemouth is also renowned for its beautiful gardens and stunning landscapes. Our tour stays at the Britannia Hotel which is situated near East Cliff which is a short walk from the town centre and close to all resort amenities and many of the excellent beaches. All rooms are en-suite. 13th Feb Britannia Hotel £159pp 12th Mar Britannia Hotel £159pp Single Supplement may apply
TOUR NO : 112 - 5 Days/4 nights, dinner, bed and breakfast. Includes 2 Excursions Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon & Cotswolds Tour
Coventry & Cotswolds The Cotswolds covers an area of some 790 square miles and is recognised as one of the most popular and picturesque regions in the country, with its many villages, historic towns and buildings. The tour stays at The Britannia Hotel Coventry, which is situated in the heart of the city. All rooms are en-suite, with television, telephone, hair-dryer and tea and coffee making facilities. The hotel has a lift but does not offer entertainment. 13 February £149pp 12 March £155pp Single Supplement may apply
TOUR NO : 115 - 5 Days/4 nights, dinner, bed and breakfast. Includes 2 Excursions Hexham and Hadrian’s Wall, Newcastle & Whitley Bay
Newcastle and Northumberland The vibrant and friendly city of Newcastle upon Tyne is situated in Northumberland in the North East of England close to the border with Scotland and is surrounded by the stunning countryside of the Northumberland National Park. Our tour stays at the Britannia Hotel Newcastle Airport which is an ideal location from which to explore the area and Northumberland’s’ treasures. All rooms are en-suite with television, telephone and tea and coffee making facilities. 13th February £169pp 19th March £175pp Single Supplement may apply
Freephone : 0800 0839086 www.robinsons-holidays.co.uk
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Over 60? ... Living in Manchester?... Home Owner? ... or Private Tenant?
Do you need help with ... Do you need help with ... ... dripping taps? ... fitting curtain rails? ... fixing safety rails? changing lightbulbs? ... ... dripping taps? ... fitting curtain rails? ... OR other small domestic repairs? ... fixing safety rails? ...OR changing lightbulbs? ... major repairs to your home? ... assistance in planning the work ... OR other small domestic repairs? ... finding a reliable contractor arranging interest free finance or access to grants? OR ......major repairs to your home?
OR... assistance in planning the work advice aonreliable how tocontractor live independently in your ...... finding own home? ... arranging interest free finance? OR ... help with a personal problem? benefits, advice, advocacy or ...... advice on how to live independently in your own home? ... how to avoid trips and falls in your home? ... help with a personal problem?
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To contact us tel: 0161 872 5500 Manchester Care and Repair Ltd., Unit 14 Empress Business Centre, 380 Chester Road, Manchester M16 9EA. e: mail@careandrepair-manchester.org.uk w: www.careandrepair-manchester.org.uk
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Rick Stein's Coast to Coast Recipes Rick Stein’s passion for fresh wellsourced food has taken him from continent to continent, across magnificent shorelines and to the very best produce the coast has to offer. Rick remarks “My greatest enthusiasm in life has been finding dishes that change my perception of cooking, that reveal a whole new vista of flavour combination. I think we all enjoy that. I’m just someone with an enthusiasm for food and a curiosity that’s sent me sniffing around all over the place looking for lovely dishes in all corners of the globe” Taken from his book ‘Coast to Coast’ (BBC Books, £20) here are three of Rick’s favourite recipes inspired by travels across the world.
M A K E S
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4 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for drizzling 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped, 1½ kg (3½ lb) vine-ripened tomatoes, skinned, seeded and roughly chopped 1 tablespoon chopped oregano 350g (12oz) buffalo mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced A large handful of basil leaves, torn into pieces Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper FOR THE BASE:
550g (1¼ lb) strong white flour 4 teaspoons easy-blend yeast 2 teaspoons salt 325-350ml (11-12 fl oz) hand-hot water 4 teaspoons olive oil 4 tablespoons polenta or semolina 12
Pizza Margherita For the base, sift the flour, yeast and salt into a bowl and make a well in the centre. Add the warm water and olive oil and mix together into a soft dough. Tip the dough out on to a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Then return it to the bowl, cover with cling film and leave in a warm place for approximately 1 hour, or until doubled in size. Meanwhile, for the topping, heat the oil and garlic in a large, shallow pan. As soon as the garlic starts to sizzle, add the tomatoes and some salt and pepper and simmer quite vigorously for 7-10 minutes, until reduced to a thickish sauce. Adjust the seasoning if necessary. Put 2 large baking sheets or quarry tiles into the oven and heat it to its highest setting. Knock the air out of the dough and knead it briefly once more on a lightly floured surface. Divide into 4 pieces and keep the spare ones covered with cling film while you shape the first pizza. Sprinkle a spare baking sheet or a pizza peel with some of the polenta or semolina. Roll the dough out into a disc approximately 25cm (10 inches) in diameter, lift it on to the baking sheet and reshape it with your fingers into a round. Spread over one quarter of the tomato sauce to within about 2½ cm (1 inch) of the edge. Sprinkle with some of the oregano and then cover with a quarter of the mozzarella cheese slices. Drizzle with a little olive oil, then open the oven door and quickly slide the pizza off the tray on to the hot baking sheet on the top shelf. Bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the crust is crisp and golden. Meanwhile, prepare another pizza and slide it on to the second hot baking sheet. Take the first pizza out of the oven and move the second one on to the top shelf to continue cooking. Slide the cooked pizza directly on to wooden chopping boards placed in the centre of the table, scatter with the torn basil leaves and cut into wedges with a pizza wheel. Make sure everybody starts while you make and cook the other 2 pizzas.
S E R V E S
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450g (1 lb) dried linguine or spaghetti 3 vine-ripened tomatoes, skinned, seeded and chopped 300g (10 oz) fresh white crab meat 1 tablespoon chopped parsley 1½ tablespoons lemon juice 50ml (2 fl oz) extra virgin olive oil A pinch of dried chilli flakes 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
Crab Linguine with parsley & chilli
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Cook the pasta in a large pan of boiling, well-salted water (1 teaspoon per 600ml/1 pint) for 7-8 minutes or until al dente. Meanwhile, put the tomatoes, crab meat, parsley, lemon juice, olive oil, chilli flakes and garlic into another pan and warm through over a gentle heat. Drain the pasta, return to the pan with the sauce and briefly toss together. Season to taste. Divide between 4 warmed plates and serve immediately.
S E R V E S
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1 small green (under-ripe) papaya 1 teaspoon palm sugar or light muscovado sugar A pinch of chopped garlic A pinch of chopped red bird’s eye chilli 5 x 10cm (4-inch) pieces of snake bean or 5 french beans, halved lengthways A few roasted, unsalted peanuts A pinch of chopped dried shrimps 1 tablespoon Thai fish sauce (nam pla) 1 tablespoon water 4 cherry plum tomatoes, halved Juice of 1 lime www.retiredmagazines.co.uk
Green Papaya Salad Peel the papaya and finely shred it on a mandolin into long, thin shreds. Work your way around the fruit until you get to the core and seeds, which you discard. Moisten the palm sugar (which is always very hard) with a little cold water. Put the garlic, red chilli and green beans into a mortar or mixing bowl and lightly bruise with the pestle or the end of a rolling pin. Add the sugar, peanuts, dried shrimps, fish sauce, water, tomatoes and lime juice and bruise everything once more, turning the mixture over with a fork as you do so. Add a good handful of the shredded papaya (about 50g/ 2 oz) and turn over and bruise one last time. Serve straight away.
Delicious meals to your door from Wiltshire Farm Foods The team of chefs at Wiltshire Farm Foods, the UK’s leading home meals delivery service, have been busy over recent months, lovingly creating lots of enticing new meals and desserts for you to enjoy this autumn. From traditional favourites to irresistible puddings, the Autumn & Winter menu, out this September is packed full of delicious recipes to enjoy. There are lots of exciting meals and desserts to choose from, everything from classic Steak & Mushroom Pie, to indulgent Black Forest Gateau. Last year Wiltshire Farm Foods introduced a new Hearty range for those with larger appetites, and these have been such a hit with customers that they are adding more fantastic choice to the range. So if you like your meals just that little bit bigger, why not try succulent Hearty Redcurrant & Rosemary Lamb Casserole, tasty Hearty Ocean Pie or warming Hearty Aberdeen Angus and Ale pie? There are over 240 great value tempting options to choose from in the new brochure, including all your classic favourites, Mini Meals for smaller appetites and Hot and Cold Desserts. Wiltshire Farm Foods also cater for a wide range of special dietary needs, including lower fat, gluten free, diabetic diets and a range of ‘free from’ options. Meals are delivered nationwide, free of charge and direct to your door by caring, CRB police-checked drivers and if you wish, your driver will even pop the meals in the freezer for you. Whenever you’re ready, you can simply heat your meal from frozen in an oven or microwave and enjoy. So a piping hot meal is only ever minutes away! David Barker from Wiltshire Farm Foods Manchester outlet comments: “We’re so pleased with all our new meals and desserts and they’re perfect for the colder months. If you can’t decide what to choose, why not try one of our excellent selection packs, offering a choice of our most popular meals and desserts – it’s the perfect introduction to our range. Ordering is easy on the phone or online at www.wiltshirefarmfoods.com and we’ll deliver to your door free of charge. Give the team a call on 0800 773 773 - we’re happy to take your order or answer any questions you may have.”
With 20 years experience, Wiltshire Farm Foods has earned a reputation for delivering quality meals and outstanding customer service, so you’ll be guaranteed tasty, nutritious meals whatever the weather this autumn. 14
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Bury Market Hall open everyday except Sunday “Winner BBC Radio 4’s Food and Farming Awards” Best Food Market “Winner UK Coach Awards – Most Coach Friendly Shopping Attraction” “Winner NABMA’s” Best Market Attraction Full Markets Open Wednesdays Fridays and Saturdays
An Award Winning Market Bury Market’s huge selection of fresh food and produce has been praised the world over…but the only compliments we really want are from our customers! At Bury Market you’ll discover over 350 stalls selling everything from fresh food to the latest fashions – and a whole lot more! Bury Market’s easy to find and even easier to enjoy. The world famous Bury Market located off junction 2 of the M66 – every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Bury town centre is also home to the Fusilier Museum, East Lancashire Railway, Bury Transport Museum and Bury Art Gallery
Helping you to support older and disabled relatives and friends at our new Disabled Living Centre based in Salford. adaptations, handling and moving solutions such as hoists and complex mobility issues. Our team also act as a signpost to other organisations who can offer both financial and emotional support.
Disabled Living, is Manchester’s oldest disability charity. Formally based in Cheetham, we have relocated to a purpose built Centre in Salford, with good car parking facilities, near to the major motorway junctions, making it more accessible. Disabled Living provides advice and information about equipment and products to make everyday tasks easier. Our team of health and social care professionals and knowledgeable information workers ensure you get the correct information to keep people more independent and improve the quality of life for the people you care about. We will have over 3,500 products on display. Gadgets and gizmos to help people open jars, tip the kettle safely without the hot water going everywhere, others to assist with putting on socks and tights and slippers that are wide and comfortable. For people who need that extra support the team have practical solutions to what may seem are unmanageable problems. Equipment to help with bathing, rise and recline chairs, advice about stairlifts, scooters and wheelchairs. We want to ensure people do not make unnecessary and costly purchases. For those with more complex problems we can advise about room
We have two specially adapted kitchens in the Centre, which would look fantastic in any home. In addition, we have bathroom displays for those with more complex bathing needs to show our clients equipment for people with extra needs can be very stylish and suitable for the whole family. Disabled Living supports both adults and children. If you have a grandchild with a disability or special needs our ‘Kidz’ Information Coordinator can tell you more about our ‘Kidz’ events and point you in the right direction of specific companies. In addition the team organise three large one day exhibitions of equipment for children in Bolton, Coventry and Reading, so children can try a range of equipment before it is purchased. Our PromoCon service supports people who have bladder and bowel problems and their carers. From people who have ‘a little leak’ to those who are totally incontinent. Our team have expert knowledge and can suggest the most appropriate products and services to help manage this very embarrassing and not talked about problem. PromoCon Confidential helpline 0161 607 8219 Disabled Living’s services are free and we look forward to hearing from you. However, we do operate an appointment system to ensure
we can give you or your relatives the time needed to offer practical solutions and try equipment. Equipment Helpline 0161 607 8200 Integral to the Disabled Living Centre will be a shop selling a whole range of equipment to make life easier. It is anticipated the shop will be up and running in October 2011. If you want to visit the shop, please ring beforehand to make sure our newest development is on track.
To compliment our new Centre, Disabled Living has launched a new website. This resource will provide a wealth of information relating to equipment, suppliers and will also have on online shopping facility. www.disabledliving.co.uk
Disabled Living is a leading North West charity that provides free and impartial advice on solutions used to help with everyday activities. Come and join us.... The Last Friday in the month is our ‘drop in’ day and an opportunity to have a look round the new Centre and gather information. If our staff consider you or your relative would benefit from an assessment we will make you a further appointment and if necessary arrange for additional equipment to be available.
Volunteer Vacancies at Disabled Living Disabled Living recognise the wealth of knowledge, expertise and experience retired people have. The majority of Disabled Living’s services are free, but we do rely on volunteers behind the scenes to support the free services we offer. Please take a look at our noticeboard. Can you help for a few hours a week?
Finance
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Admin
Journalism Retired healthcare professionals
How to find us
Web: www.disabledliving.co.uk Email: information@disabledliving.co.uk
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Burrows House, 10 Priestley Road Wardley Industrial Estate, Worsley Manchester M28 2LY
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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 62, 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. 18
“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.
I N T E RV I E W 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. 19
OUT & ABOUT
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Book Now! South Pacific comes to the Palace Theatre 25 October - 5 November ‘Samantha Womack gives the best performance of her career. You won’t want to wash this girl outta your hair' Daily Mail. Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester M1 6FT. Call: 0844 871 3018 www.ManchesterPalace.org.uk
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Christmas Decorations 01/12/2011 to 31/12/2011 Come and see Smithills Hall decorated in traditional Medieval, Tudor and Victorian decorations. The decorations have been researched and installed by the Friends of Smithills Hall. Smithills Hall, Bolton Lancashire BL1 1SE Tel: 01204 332377
East Lancashire Railway
Open All Year - Bolton Street Station Bolton Street, Bury, GREATER MANCHESTER BL9 0EY. The beautifully restored East Lancashire Railway takes you on a captivating journey to discover the region’s rich transport heritage, taking in viaducts, historic towns and picturesque villages and passing through tunnels en route. There are great places to take the kids to, and visitors can hop on and off the train to explore the surroundings including the Chocolate Café in Ramsbottom and Fudge Village in Rawtenstall. Kids can also get hands on in the new Transport Museum, which re-opened in March 2010 following a £2.9m transformation. Activities include building bridges, coin rubbing, trying on period hats and costumes and learning about people’s lives and jobs in the early 20th century. Not to forget the extensive collection of fully restored vintage road and rail vehicles. To keep up to date on family friendly activities and events go to www.east-lancs-rly.co.uk . Tel: (0)161 764 7790. www.retiredmagazines.co.uk
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Complete Denture Service The eyes, nose and teeth are the focal points of every face; they give the first impressions of your personality. Natural teeth grow in proportion and in harmony with your facial features and your dentures should be made accordingly. Your teeth, or your dentures, have many important functions: to support your facial muscles, to help formulate your speech, and most importantly to chew your food and start the digestive process. It is very important to chew food properly, as poorly chewed food will take longer to digest, especially for the elderly who could risk problems in the digestive system.
Difficulties in Constructing a Good Set of Dentures Constructing a functional and aesthetically pleasing set of dentures is the most difficult task in dentistry. We are not only replacing lost teeth, but also lost tissue matter and bone. In other words, we have to re-create your facial features as they were before the loss of your natural teeth. In most cases we do not know what your teeth looked like, what size they were or what position they were in originally. We have a few indications but mostly we have to rely on our visual and artistic judgement. At the same time we have to use our technical expertise in order to make the denture stable and functional. Denture construction is more art than science.
Where do I go to have a good set of Dentures made? Every dentist can make dentures, but not all of them will specialise in denture making.
Denturists will take the greatest care to make your dentures look natural and fit properly. They can give you and your dentures the time and attention you deserve.
Summary 1. Clean your dentures daily with a denture brush and denture cream. 2. Have your dentures inspected every two years, and re-lined or ultrasonically cleaned. 3. Have a new set made every 5 years if possible. 4. Keep a spare set for emergencies. 5. Remember, dentures do not have to hurt and do not need to be uncomfortable.
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Choice of Dentures There are three main quality standards in denture materials: Denture Base Acrylics: standard quality, ultra impact much stronger non brittle and the latest thermoplastic. Denture Teeth: 2-layer acrylic very basic and inexpensive, 3-layer acrylic re-enforced much harder, 4-layer composite extra hard and natural looking. However, good materials on their own will not make good dentures. A skilful and experienced clinician and technician are required. The best results are achieved when the whole job is done by the same person.
Your Dentures need Attention 1. When they become loose. 2. When teeth or denture base discolours. 3. When tooth surfaces become flat. 4. When denture base does not fit around natural teeth (in partial dentures). 5. When you develop deep lines around your mouth. 6. When your chin sticks out, and the corners of your lips are constantly wet, developing sores.
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THE GARDEN CLUB by Shelia Alcock Most of last week was spent in my garden. Clipping, weeding, dead heading and mowing. I’d taken a hard look at my plot, trying to see it through other people’s eyes, and decided it needed some work. The reason for all this concentration was because of the garden club. My garden was on the list for a visit this month, and I needed to make it look as good as possible. I joined this small group at the beginning of the year. It’s fun, it’s sociable, and best of all, we all get to visit each other’s gardens. The gardens range from small and exquisite, to large and ambitious, and it’s a joy to be able to wander, admire, and swap stories of failures and successes. The thing I love most about this group is the way shared interests unite us all. We have a keen herbalist, a bank manager, a couple of primary school teachers and one fantastic cook. And the styles of the gardens sometimes reflect this, and sometimes veer off into sheer fantasy.
Hanging Baskets on a Patio The first garden we visited together belonged to a widow. It was a small plot, but there was so much crammed into it, it seemed much bigger, and we spent a long time admiring the huge variety of plants. At the shady end of the garden there was decking, with a couple of garden seats under the trees. This area was fenced off and gated. “Charlie, my dog likes burying things in the grass”, she explained, “so I put him in here with his bone”. The lawn beyond had stepping stones leading towards this area, and closer to the house, a huge tree trunk had been utilised to show off pot plants of geraniums, interspersed with the flowing lines of white cosmos and scabious. Hanging baskets, a huge urn containing fennel, and other pots with roses and flowering shrubs produced an effect of sheer exuberance. As an example of how to turn a tiny garden into a haven of colour and form, this would be hard to beat. The next garden was one which belonged to a man who loved his veg. Immaculate rows of lettuce, leeks and cabbages, together with a lush looking patch of potatoes, took up half the garden, enlivened by patches of blue from chives and the electric red of 26
A collection of lavender and foliage plants runner beans. His wife had the other half, and she was into herbs. She showed us her store of mint jellies, elderflower cordial, and elderberry wine, and we enjoyed the scent of lavender as we looked at her herb collection of mints, rosemary, lemon thyme, oregano, sage, marjoram and tarragon. She grew nasturtiums and rocket to enliven her salads. Two bay trees clipped into lollipop shapes stood guard over a garden bench, and it all combined to make this a garden as attractive as it was productive.
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Tea that day included delicious homemade scones with cream and home grown strawberry jam. The next garden took us to fantasy land. The front hedge was clipped into the shape of an enormous snail, drift wood was carved into the shapes of various animals from crocodiles to rabbits and there were two solar powered water features. One of these was an old grinding stone, set into a larger stone trough. The water bubbled through the central hole in the water wheel and collected in the trough. The whole was surrounded by yellow iris. The other water feature was a huge rock. Water cascaded over it into a sealed pool. Dragonflies hovered, and the sound of water splashing over stones gave an added dimension. The primary school teacher’s garden was a trip back into childhood. She was experimenting so that she could encourage the children to grow seeds in the plot they had at the school. Radishes were quick growing she told us, and the children loved to watch them growing. There were rows of carrots, lettuces and marigolds, all with large labels and pictures of the produce. She had also reproduced the nursery rhyme of Mary Mary, Quite Contrary, with a bed of marigolds surrounded with shells, and wind chimes in the trees to reproduce the silver bells. So far this year, we’ve seen six of the gardens, and we’ll be meeting twice a month between now and October, to fit in the ones remaining. At every garden we visit, there’s a table outside with numerous
A shady corner for a hot day cuttings, potted up and carefully labelled, for us to take home. We sit in the gardens over tea, comparing notes on successes and failures, we talk of gardens we’ve visited, and we’re already planning visits to National Trust gardens for late autumn. I’ve learned so much from these fellow gardeners, and made new friends. Joining the garden club has given me new ideas for changing odd corners, made me realise how different gardens and gardeners can be. I’ve acquired lots of different varieties of plants, I’ve laughed a lot, and I’ve loved every minute. Now I’m off to whip up a sponge for our tea.
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Make a Difference – Leave a Legacy Retirement from the racing track is the start of an exciting new life for greyhounds. The Retired Greyhound Trust takes these wonderful dogs and helps to transform them into the perfect pet. But, the Trust is only able to continue its great work to find homes for retired greyhounds with kind donations from its supporters. Some donations are made by people when they pass on. It is their way to give something back with the money they can’t take with them. Have you ever thought about leaving a legacy? The Retired Greyhound Trust is the national charity dedicated to finding homes for greyhounds at the end of their racing careers and there are hundreds of dogs across the country in need of loving owners. Peter Laurie, Chief Executive of the Retired Greyhound Trust, said: “It costs a lot to keep the dogs in kennels until new homes can be found for them. Legacy donations help us to ensure every greyhound is vaccinated, neutered and given a health check by the vet before it moves in with its new family. We also provide collars, leads and muzzles for every dog. “These are costly for the charity, but we feel they are essential services to ensure both the greyhound and its new family get the best possible start to their new lives,” he added. A greyhound is a trusty companion for all ages who will fit in easily with its new owners or family. After finishing on the track, they undergo a remarkable transformation. They change from being the fastest breed of dog to ‘couch potatoes’ that love lolling around and sleeping in comfy places. Despite their well-deserved reputation as formidable athletes, they do not require large amounts of exercise and are easy to look after. The vast majority of greyhounds are perfectly content with two 20 minute walks a day. The Retired Greyhound Trust has 72 branches across the country who look after the dogs in their kennels until homes can be found. Many of these branches are raising funds and showing off the dogs who need homes at dog shows, fetes, carnivals and summer shows throughout the Spring and Summer. There are all sorts of ways to get involved with the charity as well as leaving a legacy – from adopting a greyhound or sponsoring a dog in kennels, to helping their local branches with fundraising or volunteering.
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Without funds or volunteers to help, the charity will struggle to continue its great work in finding homes for around 5,000 retired greyhounds with caring owners every year. For more information about the work of the Retired Greyhound Trust or to discuss leaving a legacy, please contact our head office on 029 8335 3016.
Make a Donation There are lots of ways to make donations to the Retired Greyhound Trust. You can donate online through Just Giving - www.justgiving.com/ greyhounds/donate/, you can send a cheque to The Retired Greyhound Trust, 2nd Floor, Park House, Park Terrace, Worcester Park, Surrey, KT4 7JZ or call our office on 0844 826 8424. The Trust has also launched a new texting donation service - just text RGTD04 £10 (or other amount) to 70070.
Greyhound Factfile • Greyhounds are one of the oldest breeds in existence and have been traced back thousands of years to the early cave drawings. • Harry Potter author JK Rowling owns a retired greyhound called Sapphire. • The Greyhound is the only breed of dog mentioned in the Bible. Proverbs 30, verses 29-31. • The greyhound was the dog of the Pharaohs in Ancient Egypt, the dog of the kings of Ancient Greece and of the landed gentry and nobles in England. • According to H Edward Clarke, greyhounds can be traced back 4,000 years. Find out more about retired greyhounds from your local branches: Lancashire and Belle Vue Retired Greyhound Trust Sarah Horner www.lancashirergt.com 07970 312 183 Merseyside Retired Greyhound Trust Graham Auld www.adoptagreyhound.co.uk 01925 638858 Cheshire Retired Greyhound Trust Jan de Witt www.cheshire.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk 07925 384477
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Give an old athlete the will to live.
RGT in your Will and you’ll be sure of a place in doggy heaven! For more information on how to leave a legacy to The Retired Greyhound Trust, simply fill in the coupon or phone us on:
0844 826 8424 You’ll be doing us all a big favour.
✃
There’s a hopeful, trusting look in the eyes of most retired greyhounds. They’re hoping for a comfortable retirement home, and they trust us to provide it for them! How can you help? With the best will in the world, you may not be able to either adopt or sponsor a greyhound right now. But a legacy could be the answer; remember the I’d like more information on leaving a legacy to RGT. I enclose a donation £ Name: Address:
Tel:
RT/June/2011
Charity no. 269668
Postcode:
Retired Greyhound Trust 2nd Floor, Park House, 1-4 Park Terrace, Worcester Park Surrey KT4 7JZ www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk email:greyhounds@retiredgreyhounds.co.uk
Independence, Security & Convenience We have availability at some of the following Irwell Valley locations:Roman Court, Lower Broughton
Situated in the heart of the private regeneration area in Broughton, Roman Court offers a bright and welcoming environment for residents. A popular scheme, the one bedroom apartments are perfect for single people who want to live in a friendly scheme in a great location. The accommodation at Roman Court is located in two connected buildings linked by the residents’ lounge, which opens directly onto its own private gardens – a popular spot for summer garden parties.
refurbished to provide a beautiful and comfortable setting for numerous social activities that take place. Both studio and one bedroom apartments are provided, together with all the facilities that you would expect from an Irwell Valley 50Plus Housing scheme – day time staff cover, together with the peace of mind of 24 hour emergency response, laundry facilities and a stylish en-suite guest room for your overnight visitors.
Alderfield House, Chorlton, Manchester Alderfield House is located in a larger Irwell Valley development with views over Longford Park. The scheme presents a residents’ lounge and entrance area in a fresh modern style. Located close to both Chorlton and Stretford, Alderfield House is perfectly located for easy access to both. The apartments are either studios or with one bedroom and are presented to the high standard that you would expect. Regular social events take place – from Christmas parties though to games evenings, with on-site services provided by your dedicated co-ordinator.
Peterloo Court, Salford
Located in the Weaste area of Salford, close to shops and local amenities, Peterloo Court is an attractive scheme for older people, consisting of a large residents’ lounge and guest suite, leading out to the attractive self enclosed courtyard garden. The apartments at Peterloo Court all open directly onto the courtyard, creating a safe and friendly ‘village’ environment. All the apartments are spacious and have one bedroom and are suitable for single people or couples. Peterloo Court has a busy social scene with activities and events to suit all tastes taking place in the residents’ lounge or further a field on organised outings.
Northleigh House
Northleigh House is located between Chorlton and Old Trafford and conveniently placed for access into Manchester city centre too. The residents’ lounge has recently been
If you are interested in finding out more about what we can offer please contact Hayley on 0161 969 2859 or Una on 0161 962 7213 - or check out our website on www.irwellvalleyha.co.uk which has details of all of our 50Plus Services and further information about Irwell Valley. We’re also on Facebook and Twitter – log on to read the latest news.
Have you thought about moving to an Irwell Valley property? Irwell Valley is an award winning housing association based in Manchester and we have been providing homes and services since 1973. Being founded on the values of a traditional housing association, we see ourselves as more than just a landlord. Our aim is to create fantastic places for people to live, work and enjoy life. To do this we provide homes that go well beyond what you may expect from a housing provider. At the heart of our vision is Gold Service, our award winning loyalty scheme, which was pioneered by Irwell Valley in 1998. Gold Service rewards positive, loyal customers with a reward package that includes a faster repairs service and cash rewards amongst many other benefits. Irwell Valley is an organisation that responds to the changing needs and aspirations of older people; to achieve our aims colleagues at our 50Plus services focus on:-
• Actively promoting the health, wellbeing and independence of our residents
Our 50Plus services provide accommodation and support to older people and are located across Greater Manchester. Whilst all the schemes are different in size and design they all benefit from the following: • On site staff during office hours • 24 Hour emergency staff cover • Secure door entry systems • Guest suite for visiting relatives • Residents’ lounges and a busy calendar of social events
• Encourage residents to participate in the running of our schemes • Recognise the importance of comfort and invest resources into giving our housing a fresh and modern look • Delivering high quality services tailored to customers individual needs
Our customers tell us that they value our services for the security and peace of mind we can offer. This, together with companionship provided by a friendly community and the services of our dedicated colleague team really make the difference. By choosing to move into Irwell Valley 50Plus Housing our customers are making an active decision to secure their independence and quality of life.
Please call us on 0161 969 2859 for more information
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