Retired & Living in Staffordshire issue 34 by John McGrath

EDITION 34

Retired NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011

& living in Staffordshire

Inside ...

MICHAEL ASPEL On how he stepped up to the mike

RICK STEIN Shares his favourite dishes inspired by Flavours of the Med MOORCROFT

Made entirely by hand since 1897 in Burslem, England for Collectors around the world

THE LOCAL MAGAZINE FOR THE OVER 55s

FREE Please t

ake one

WWW.RETIREDMAGAZINES.CO.UK

Inside... 4-5

26-27

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.

14-15

24-25

TRAVEL & LEISURE 4-5

Under The Tuscan Sun

6-7

Robinsons Coach Tours 2012 New Dates ... Book early

FOOD & DRINK 26-27 Rick Stein Mediterranean Escapes Recipes

INTERVIEW 14-15 Michael Aspel On how he stepped up to the mike.

HEALTH 22-23 For a healthier and more independent life Staffordshire Cares 24-25 Open Your Mind To Alternative Therapies 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 everyday 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.

McGrath Media. Unit 6 | Moses Gate Workshops Gladys Street | Bolton | BL3 2QG. T: (01204) 796 494 | F: (01204) 791594 e: mcgrathadmin@btconnect.com

www.retiredmagazines.co.uk

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.

Under the Tuscan Sun

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. 4

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 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

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

TOWYN, NORTH WALES

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

Est.1923

Affordable peace of mind ..... Holidays

FULL 2012 BROCHURE COMING SOON

COACH TOURS 2012 LOCAL PICK UP POINTS

ABBEY LAWN HOTEL, TORQUAY

IMPERIAL HOTEL, EASTBOURNE

OCEAN VIEW HOTEL, ISLE OF WIGHT

Abbey Lawn Hotel, Torquay AAHHH Torquay is most certainly one of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.

Imperial Hotel, Eastbourne 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.

Ocean View Hotel, Shanklin 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.

Freephone : 0800 0839086 www.robinsons-holidays.co.uk

Park Garage, Great Harwood, Blackburn BB6 7SP.

1501

Book any tour from this magazine before 31st December 2011 and receive 12 month membership to our TRAVEL CLUB* *Current Travel Club members will receive a free 12 month Travel Club membership when their present membership expires

8 Days/ 7 Nights Dinner Bed & Breakfast, includes at least 2 Excursions and FREE Insurance

Abbey Lawn Imperial Ocean View Mystery Tour

Sat/Sun 28/29 Apr 05/06 May 12/13 May 19/20 May 26/27 May 02/03 Jun 09/10 Jun 16/17 Jun 23/24 Jun 30 Jun/01 Jul 07/08 Jul 14/15 Jul 21/22 Jul 28/29 Jul 04/05 Aug 11/12 Aug 18/19 Aug 25/26 Aug 01/02 Sept 08/09 Sept 15/16 Sept 22/23 Sept 29/30 Sept

£345 £345 £345 £355 £355 £355 £365 £365 £365 £375 £375 £375 £385 £385 £385 £389 £389 £389 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £399 £389 £389 £389 £379 £379 £379 £359 £359 £359 £339 £339 £339

£299 £315 £325 £335 £345 £349 £359 £359 £359 £359 £359 £359 £359 £359 £359 £359 £359 £359 £359 £349 £339 £319 £299

7 Days/ 6 Nights Dinner Bed & Breakfast, includes at least 2 Excursions and FREE Insurance Monday 05-Mar 12-Mar 19-Mar 26-Mar 16-Apr 23-Apr 08-Oct 15-Oct 22-Oct 29-Oct

Abbey Lawn Imperial Ocean View Mystery Tour

£219 £229 £239 £249 £275 £285 £279 £269 £259 £249

£195 £205 £215 £225 £249 £255 £249 £245 £235 £225

£249 £245 £239 £235 £229 £225

£225 £219 £215 £209 £205 £199

Turkey and Tinsel 05-Nov 12-Nov 19-Nov 26-Nov 03-Dec 10-Dec

£249 £245 £239 £235 £229 £225

5 Days/ 4 Nights Dinner Bed & Breakfast, includes 2 Excursions and FREE Insurance Monday 06-Feb 13-Feb 20-Feb 27-Feb 05-Mar 12-Mar 19-Mar 26-Mar 02-Apr 06-Apr 11-Apr 16-Apr 23-Apr 30-Apr 07-May 14-May 21-May 28-May 04-Jun 11-Jun 18-Jun 25-Jun 02-Jul 09-Jul 16-Jul 23-Jul 30-Jul 06-Aug 13-Aug 20-Aug 27-Aug 03-Sept 10-Sept 17-Sept 24-Sept 01-Oct 08-Oct 15-Oct 22-Oct 29-Oct

Abbey Lawn Imperial Ocean View Mystery Tour £139 £145 £149 £155 £159 £165 £169 £175 £175 £185 £185 £189 £195 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - £225 £215 £209 £205 £199

£139 £145 £149 £155 £159 £165 £169 £175 £175 £185 £185 £189 £195 £199 £209 £215 £219 £225 £229 £239 £249 £249 £249 £249 £249 £249 £249 £249 £249 £249 £249 £249 £245 £239 £235 £225 £215 £209 £205 £199

£129 £133 £135 £139 £145 £149 £155 £159 £155 £165 £165 £169 £175 £179 £189 £195 £199 £205 £209 £215 £225 £225 £225 £225 £225 £225 £225 £225 £225 £225 £225 £225 £219 £215 £209 £199 £189 £185 £179 £175

£199 £195 £189 £185 £179 £175* £169* £395 £375

£179 £175 £169 £165 £165 £165* £165* £355 £335

Turkey and Tinsel 05-Nov 12-Nov 19-Nov 26-Nov 03-Dec 10-Dec 17-Dec 23-Dec 29-Dec

£199 £195 £189 £185 £179 £175* £169* £395 £375

* Unlimited Singles

Abbey Lawn and Ocean View Hotels - Front facing/seaview supplements 7 Days £13 per person. 8 Days £15 per person. 5 Days £10 per person

Freephone: 0800 0839086 Park Garage, Great Harwood, Blackburn BB6 7SP www.robinsons-holidays.co.uk

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t leave home without it!

Cancel papers Cancel Milk Redirect Post

With Royal M

ail

Contact Coun

cil - Council Ta

TE!

Make sure you have registered to vote with your local council - take it with you by re-registering when you move address - also donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to re-register if you have a postal vote!!

You can apply for a postal vote anytime so if your at university busy working or often on holiday just have problems going to vote person-apply now.

at or or in

Councils working together to get your voice heard! 8

Electoral Council Contacts Cannock Chase District Council PO Box 28, Civic Centre, Beecroft Road, Cannock WS11 1BG Phone: 01543 464754 E-mail: electionsoffice@cannockchasedc.gov.uk Web: www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk East Staffordshire Borough Council Town Hall, Burton upon Trent DE14 2EB Phone: 01283 508376 E-mail: elections@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk Web: www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk Lichfield District Council The District Council House, Frog Lane, Lichfield WS13 6YU Phone: 01543 308125 E-mail: elections@lichfielddc.gov.uk Web: www.lichfielddc.gov.uk Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council Civic Offices, Merrial Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme ST5 2AG Phone: 01782 742231 E-mail: electreg@newcastle-staffs.gov.uk Web: www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk Stafford Borough Council Civic Centre, Riverside, Stafford ST16 3AQ Phone: 01785 619424 E-mail: elections@staffordbc.gov.uk Web: www.staffordbc.gov.uk Staffordshire Moorlands District Council Moorlands House, Stockwell Street, Leek, ST13 6HQ Phone: 01538 395500 E-mail: electoral.services@staffsmoorlands.gov.uk Web: www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk Stoke-on-Trent City Council Civic Centre, Glebe Street Stoke-on-Trent ST4 1RG Phone: 01782 233800 E-mail: elections@stoke.gov.uk Web: www.stoke.gov.uk South Staffordshire Council Council Offices, Codsall WV8 1PX Phone: 01902 696121 E-mail: elections@sstaffs.gov.uk Web: www.sstaffs.gov.uk Tamworth Borough Council Marmion House, Lichfield Street, Tamworth B79 7BZ Phone: 01827 709263 E-mail: elections@tamworth.gov.uk Web: www.tamworth.gov.uk

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

and showing off the dogs who need homes at dog shows, fetes, carnivals and summer shows throughout the Spring and Summer.

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

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. 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.

Support a Charity This Christmas The Retired Greyhound has launched its range of Christmas cards with money raised from sales ploughed back into the charity. Choose from traditional or animated cards. Each pack of 12 cards has three different designs and are priced at £5, including postage and packaging within the UK.

Find out more about retired greyhounds from your local branch: Monmore Green Retired Greyhound Trust Alison Bandurak tel: 01922 412212 www.rgtmonmore.co.uk 10

www.retiredmagazines.co.uk

Could it be time to take to the floor? Dancing can be wonderful to watch, but joining in really does you good, Strictly legends Ann Widdecombe and Anton du Beke tell James Pringle

trictly Come Dancing stars Ann Widdecombe and Anton du Beke are leading the way in helping thousands of older people to dance their way to better health. Less than 10 per cent of over-75s get enough exercise, according to a new report by care home provider Bupa. Even in the 65-74 age group, that figure is under 20 per cent. The report concludes that dancing, no matter how gentle, is beneficial to the health, fitness and emotional wellbeing of older people. It improves co-ordination, reaction times, muscle endurance, flexibility, gait and strength – which all reduce the risk of falls. It can also play a part in the prevention or treatment of conditions as diverse as dementia, arthritis and Parkinson’s disease. Bupa’s Shall We Dance? campaign is urging policy-makers to pay special attention to dance when looking at ways to promote fitness in older people. It’s also encouraging dancers, dance troupes and dance teachers – of any style – to contact their local Bupa care home to share their passion for dance by performing for residents or offering dance classes to people who have a range of mobility issues. Residents and staff from three of company’s Kent homes – The Sidcup Nursing & Residential Centre and Abbotsleigh Mews Residential & Nursing Home, both in Sidcup, and Elmstead Residential Home in Chislehurst – attended the campaign launch in London at the National Theatre. They were welcomed by Bupa Care Services medical director Dr Clive Bowman and took to the floor with the Strictly stars after the

www.retiredmagazines.co.uk

PIC CAPTION: Elmstead Home’s Kathleen McIlroy and Clifford Morgan from the Sidcup Centre partner up with Anton du Beke and Ann Widdecombe. former government minister and her professional dance partner had given a demonstration. Anton told Retired: “This campaign is a great initiative. When you get to a certain age it’s easy to do nothing, but the thing about dance is that it’s very social. It gets you involved with lots of different people of a similar age and you can dance at your own pace – you don’t have to do it too fast. It’s great for the mind and body, but to me it’s the social interaction that’s important. “I love to dance socially. I enjoy the whole element of taking hold of a girl and having a bit of a dance around, whether she can dance or not. It’s terrific fun. “Often I hear stories like: ‘Fifteen years ago my wife passed away and last year I went on a cruise

and met Doris, we had a dance and we’re together now. We’re getting married next year, and I’m 84.’ That’s brilliant!” Nobody should worry that they are not as agile as they once were, Anton believes. You can do as much or as little as you like, at any speed, and if you have a partner, you can hold onto them. “Don’t feel you’ve got to do it wonderfully,” he stressed. “Just do it for your own enjoyment.” Anne Widdecombe added: “When you’re my age [63] you do quite a lot. I walk, I swim and a lot of people my age still play quite active sports. In 20 years’ time that’s not going to be quite so feasible, but you still need to keep all the bits and pieces moving – and that includes the brain. 11

“With dancing you can move at your own pace, whatever suits you. Because you have to remember a routine and know which step comes after what, it keeps the brain active – and it keeps you sociable, because you can’t really dance on your own.

Perpetual motion for dancing stars

“It’s a great way for the elderly to keep a little bit in trim. I don’t think anybody’s going to worry about making fools of themselves – they’re not going to do what I did on television in front of eight million people! Anyway, most people are quite confident, they’ve seen it all before.

Tour titles to date, Cheek to Cheek, Stepping Out and Putting on the Ritz, identify Fred Astaire as a major inspiration.

“While I was doing Strictly, people kept coming up to me and saying ‘You’ve inspired me to take up dancing’, and some of them were well beyond my age.” Kathleen McIlroy is a sprightly 86-year-old who could pass for 20 years younger. The Elmstead Home resident is a fine advertisement for the benefits of dancing and yoga. Her fitness helped her survive an extremely serious setback. “Mum was marching to the Cenotaph with the last year when she had a major heart attack,” her daughter, Kathy Avery, explained. “The hospital told me she wouldn’t pull through. She was in intensive care for three and half weeks, but she made it. The doctors couldn’t believe it, and I think it was purely down to the fitness of her body with the dancing and yoga she did.” Kathleen told Retired: “I’ve been dancing since I was about 15 – ballroom and Latin – and I thoroughly enjoy it. I’m coming up against arthritis now, but I just work round it. “It’s a good thing for old people to get out and go dancing. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know a lot – it’s amazing how you pick it up, and it brings people together. It’s just a matter of getting over your inhibitions.”

After last year’s Strictly series, Anton and his regular partner, Erin Boag, went on their third national tour and they are now planning a show for mid-January to late March 2012.

“I love him,” said Anton. “Everything we do is a nod in his direction.” These days he and Erin cannot find time for ballroom dancing competitions. “I miss them. I miss that level of dancing, that intensity and that drive to meet the next man. I enjoyed the competitive side of things.” Anton’s Strictly success has seen him branch out into TV presenting, with the shows Step Up to the Plate and Hole in the Wall. “Hole in the Wall was just hysterical. I don’t think we’ll see it any more, sadly. I wish they’d bring it back, because it’s fun. Half an hour of nonsense and we loved doing it.” Other programmes are in discussion and Anton hopes there will be more opportunities. Meanwhile, he looks forward to this year’s series of Strictly. Many viewers were surprised when former Westminster big hitter Ann Widdecombe joined the 2010 lineup. “All the time I was a politician, it would not have been appropriate,” she said, “and that is why I turned down Strictly every year from 2004 to 2009. “I wouldn’t have had time and, in terms of dignity, I couldn’t have done it as an MP. My constituents would not have expected it and I wouldn’t have done it to them. But once I retired there was no obligation to conduct myself as if I was still a Member of Parliament. I can do anything now!”

Ann’s harshest critic during the TV series was judge Craig Revel Horwood. For the live national tour of the show, someone came up with the masterstroke of making Craig and Ann dance partners. “Oh it was such fun!” said Ann. “We both enjoyed it so much that we’re doing pantomime together in December.” For a moment, your reporter thought she was joking, but it’s true. The unlikely pair will be appearing at Dartford’s Orchard Theatre in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Ann will be lady-in-waiting to the Wicked Queen, played by Craig. “We enjoyed the tour so much,” Ann added. “We were getting a huge reaction from huge audiences. Sure, when you do it on television you’ve got millions of viewers, but you can’t see ’em. All you can see is quite a small studio audience. But when you’re playing Wembley and the O2, you’re stacking up tens of thousands and the reaction is just overwhelming. “I danced every day for five weeks, and twice a day when we were doing matinees.” Ann confessed that she was never a serious competitive dancer on Strictly. “I was doing a pantomime act. On day one, Anton said to me: ‘The less time you spend with your feet on the floor, the better’. Hence all the lifting, spinning, dragging, flying – anything to avoid actually doing the steps! “The flying was Anton’s bright idea. I said to him: ‘We’ve got to do something, because I’m never going to win on dancing. He said: ‘Fly off the balcony’. I’ve got terrible height phobia, but I did understand the potential, so I flew off the balcony.” Once Snow White is over, Ann will be ensconced in her study. “My agent is very keen that I reapply myself to my writing. I haven’t had a novel out since 2005 and I need to get one out next year. And I’ve got an autobiography to write. So I really do need to apply myself to my word processor.” www.retiredmagazines.co.uk

Membership from

£28

PER MONTH

contract JoInInG FEE InDUctIon FEE

How Michael stepped up to the mike When the young Michael Aspel headed for Cardiff, his father thought it was to develop his career with a bedding company, but Michael had other ideas, as James Pringle discovered Who would expect a highly experienced broadcaster like Michael Aspel to be dogged by moments of doubt?

“There was just this one gigantic dinner suit between all of us. We wore whatever we liked below – it could be tennis shorts or whatever, because the picture never cut below the waist.

“For some years I was very cocky and full of myself, yet I’ve always been very nervous,” he tells Retired. “Luckily I was able to handle awkward situations, but you get less and less confident as you grow older.” Such feelings are not helped by television’s fondness for young faces, and Michael is now a wellpreserved 78. But when the 100 Years of Us series earlier this year highlighted changes in society during the first century of the National Census, he was “well qualified to be the front man, having been around for most of that time”. Indeed, for many of us, Michael has always been on the airwaves, but he was a teaboy for a London publisher before National Service in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps in the early 1950s. “When I came out of the Army, I wanted to be an actor,” he recalls. “My father was very sympathetic. He said: “Get a job or get out’. I took a job with a bedding firm that had contacts in Cardiff with a big store there. I went down there ostensibly to learn the bedding trade and the sales business, but that wasn’t my intention at all. I auditioned for radio drama at the BBC in Cardiff, and they gave me occasional work while I waited for a place to come up on the BBC drama repertory company. I did all sorts of jobs – including drainpipelayer and gardener – that I could drop at a moment’s notice when they required me for a freelance broadcast. I would rush straight from the building site and be in things like the Children’s Hour serial.

“That was a wonderfully happy time. It was quite different from Lime Grove or the later Television Centre – partly because it was news only and partly because it was such a historic place, where television began, and physically cut off from the rest of the BBC, and you could not get a better bunch of workmates.” Michael remembers a time he made news himself. “I went on one night with a black eye. I’d been playing in a charity cricket match the day before and got the ball in my eye. The response was incredible – it was even in the papers in France and America.” Michael never did become an actor – except that “occasionally theatres let people from the telly do plays, to put bums on seats, and I’ve done a few”. He hosted Ask Aspel, Crackerjack, Aspel and Company, Miss World, Come Dancing, Give Us a Clue, The Six o’Clock Show, This is Your Life and Antiques Roadshow and his mellow tones were also heard on the radio.

Michael joins Lance England in the studio of community station Brooklands Radio

“I intended to pursue acting and in the mid-50s I was on the radio in London, but then someone told me they were looking for continuity announcers at the BBC TV’s Lime Grove Studios. 14

Lime Grove was the BBC TV’s main London base, but the news department was at Alexandra Palace. When Richard Baker was indisposed, Michael was drafted in to read one weekend’s bulletins and ended up staying for eight years.

On the Light Programme’s Family Favourites sound engineers were at the controls, but Michael learnt to self-operate a studio as part of the launch team of London commercial station Capital Radio.

“When I did something for the BBC after that, they asked if I’d like to self-op and I said I would – but their controls worked the other way round and I said www.retiredmagazines.co.uk

I N T E RV I E W ‘Good morning’ and switched myself off. “Capital was exciting and I did things I never dreamt I would do. There was a brilliant young producer called Simon Booker and the station’s chairman was Richard Attenborough, who would get us tremendous guests with his contacts. “That kept going with the television chat show, although, to be honest, that was a great disappointment to me. It didn’t compare with the shows I did on Capital, because there were various restrictions and I wasn’t as confident.

to the researcher, who would type it out and give it back to the person as a script. “They would then try to learn it, and come stumbling on, trying to remember the script of their own story. That didn’t always work, so you would have to gently nudge them, hopefully without giving away the joke.” Michael lives near Weybridge, Surrey, with his partner Irene Clark. Retirement has never figured in his plans. He will be among the stars at this year’s Parkinson’s UK charity Christmas Concert at Central Hall, Westminster.

“At the radio station my researcher – a woman who had a PhD in mediaeval French – provided me with information on people and I would then prepare the interview. When I started the chat show on Thames, I found there was an agreement between representatives of the guest and our people as to what line the interview would take.”

Recent years have seen him guest hosting Have I Got News for You and making a documentary about his wartime evacuee experiences. He has taken to the stage in a Rocky Horror Show tour, as well as appearing in several pantomimes.

Who were the most difficult people to interview? “Actors like Elliott Gould – he was utterly impossible – and others just weren’t very good at it.

“Because of some kind of imaginary gravitas that you bring to the stage, the thing works and you can still have the time of your life while being this old codger.”

“Tony Curtis was every interviewer’s gift most of the time, but occasionally he would lose interest and he did that on one of my shows. When I said: ‘Did this make you the happy man you are today?’ his reply was: “Who said I was happy?’ Then he said: ‘And with that, I bid you goodnight’ when we’d only had about three minutes. He walked off and we had to fill in.” Another live show guest was an inebriated Oliver Reed. “I wasn’t as horrified as I was reported to be,” Michael points out. Always at the back of your mind, in a situation like that, is that ‘This is good telly’.

Feeling festive in a good cause The Parkinson’s UK Christmas Concert is at 7pm on December 9 at Central Hall, Westminster, with music, poetry and celebrity guests including Michael Aspel, Jane Asher and singer Paul Potts, first winner of Britain’s Got Talent.

“The worst experience was the very last chat show we did. It was taken over by Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis, who’d put money into opening a restaurant in the West End. The whole thing became an advert for that and it was just ghastly. I lost control of it and felt very low by the end.” When Michael hosted Crackerjack and This is Your Life, his laid-back style contrasted the anxious manner of his predecessor, Eamonn Andrews. “For a big burly man and an ex-boxer, he was amazingly sensitive and easily embarrassed,” says Michael. “When This Your Life and guests wandered from the point, I tried to laugh it off. But it was the most silly, unnatural arrangement. Someone would originally come in with a good anecdote and tell it

www.retiredmagazines.co.uk

Tickets available from September, via www.parkinsons.org.uk/carolconcert or by calling 020 7963 9319.

Tailor-made products and services for the over 50s

• Home Insurance • Car Insurance • Travel Insurance • Gas and Electricity • Personal Alarms • Funeral Plans

For a no-obligation quote, visit: Age UK North Staffordshire 19 Stafford Street, Hanley, Stoke on Trent ST1 1JW Tel: 01782 214922 (open 9am–4pm Mon to Fri) Age UK South Staffordshire 22 Salter Street, Stafford ST16 2JU Tel: 01785 600602 or call 08000 853 741 or visit www.ageuk.org.uk/buy

Home, car and travel insurance are provided by Ageas Insurance Limited. Gas and Electricity is provided by E.ON Energy Solutions Limited. Age UK is a registered trademark of Age UK (Charity no 1128267). The use of the name and logo Age UK is done so under a licence agreement between Age UK and Age UK Enterprises Limited, its commercial services arm. Net profits are donated to Age UK. Age UK Enterprises Limited, Linhay House, Ashburton, Devon TQ13 7UP. ID9975 11/10 MP2210V2APR11 SL032185_11_1

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void and darkness was on the face of the deep

creativity from The MagnifiCEnce of the Universe to the minutiae of Life on Earth T he

Bee tle

Pla

A century ago, a technique used in the early days by William Moorcroft was that of the blue-on-blue engobe patterns. Examples regularly surface in the auction rooms, but by the time Moorcroft reached its centenary in 1997, the engobe technique had also been rediscovered. When she designed Beetle Box, Kerry Goodwin demonstrated once again that Moorcroft could create art with just one colour, cobalt blue. The various shades of blue allow cleverly contrived design patterns to crawl out of the clay.

Height: 11x13cm Numbered Edition RRP: £380

De ne sig

h r: P ichardson illip R

D an c e i

win

vatt

er: Vicky Lo

(Bumblebee r e ) lov

r: Designe Kerry Good

Design

Height: 22.5cm Limited Edition: 150 RRP: £695

ts ne

Vicky Lovatt has an affinity with space. The universe might well be her local park and the planets objects of beauty strategically placed around that park with their own colours and forms. What Moorcroft collectors do not know is that on the 1st September this year, Vicky was elected to enter the coveted Moorcroft Design Studio. Moorcroft will then have a Design studio of five designers to propel the company into the future. For Vicky, circles of life are to be found in the universe, among the stars and planets.

Height: 10cm diameter Numbered Edition RRP: £125

ReadeR OffeR

D a nc e i n

Clo v

At the time of its introduction in 1987, Honeycomb by artist/designer, Phillip Richardson, was seen as novel, but its subsequent success in the secondary market was not a thought which entered anyone’s mind. Happy indeed are those collectors with a Honeycomb ginger jar who will be probably looking at a five-fold increase on their original investment. Phillip has been a bee-keeper for more than thirty years, and it is perhaps not altogether surprising that he opted to revisit the subject of bees on the smallest piece in The Circles of Life Collection. Bumblebee is one of two pieces in Phillip’s Dance in Clover section. His bumblebee is both tubby and happy as it takes nectar from a clover flower. Simplicity and clarity are two great qualities sought by designers in a fine piece of Moorcroft, and the little clover coaster has great charm for that reason alone.

Quote Retired Mag/nov 11 before 31st January 2012 to receive a 10% discount off any piece in the Circles of Life Collection, in addition to a free of charge one year Collectors’ Club membership worth £30 from:

a (Gr

sshopper)

The Moorcroft Heritage Visitor Centre Sandbach Road, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent T: +44 (0) 1782 820515 E: heritagevisitorcentre@Moorcroft.com James Macintyre & Co Ltd 23 County Arcade, Victoria Quarter, Leeds LS1 6BW Tel: +44 (0) 113 2346363 E: Macintyre@Moorcroft.com

Desi gn

Talents of Windsor 12 Church Street, Windsor SL4 1PE T: +44 (0) 1753 831459 E: Enquiries@TalentsofWindsor.com

r : P hil l

www.Moorcroft.com

son ard ch Ri

Height: 20cm Numbered Edition RRP: £285

Floral Wonders in the

Circles of Life Collection In P ra

Pr o

o ise

Moorcroft designer, Nicola Slaney, took the world by storm with her a Jerusalem vase which sold out within months notwithstanding its £11,000 price tag. Today, blazing red poppies rise in effortless movement out of the darkness, twisting around the vase with magnificence.

ve nc e

De s i g ne r

Senior Designer: R

:N i

a ch e lB is

ey lan

A predecessor of this piece sits on the Edwards family table, admired by many. Reintroduced on a Moorcroft shape rediscovered in Oglethorpe, Georgia, in the United States in 2001 this vase is tipped to be a favourite amongst the thousands of Moorcroft Collector’s Collector’s within the Moorcroft Collectors’ club.

on ss Bo

RSA sF

Moorcroft Art Pottery, all pieces in the Circle of Life Collection will be

embossed with this celebratory back stamp

The Circles of Life Collection is available from authorised Moorcroft retailers worldwide (listed at www.Moorcroft.com)

To mark Hugh and Maureen Edwards 25 years at the helm of

p ho

Desig ne

r: E m Height: 20cm Numbered Edition RRP: £645

Designer: E m m aB os s on s

lowers

e lam

F gh ou

Height: 30cm Limited Edition 250 RRP: £860

S la

Alle g

Th r

Emma Bossons FRSA design gift to Hugh and Maureen Edwards which follows their fractured family into four counties in England and unites them in this limited edition floral tribute. Poppies (flower of Essex), Cuckoo flower (flower of Cheshire), Maltese Cross (floral emlem of Bristol) and heather for the Staffordshire Moorlands. The flowers twist and dance in an effortless flow of movement and colour. Emma has never been orthodox in her design work, but on this occasion she has surpassed of London Elect commissioned Emma to design the cover for the Lord Mayor’s Show programme for 2011 in London, his banquet menu card and a Christmas card for Heads of State,Ambassadors and Captains of Industry worldwide. Emma has also just returned from a successful tour of New Zealand where hundreds of ceramic art enthusiasts visited the ten towns and cities on the tour stop to meet the famous designer.

Height: 25cm Numbered Edition RRP: £610

A Fam il y

f Poppies

Rows of sweet-perfumed, purple lavender fields sway below a dark-greenbackcloth of columnar cypress trees. Provence, from our Senior Designer, Rachel Bishop, brings to The Circles of Life Collection asubtle mix of lavender pink, purple and green - all three colours at themore challenging end of the Moorcroft colour spectrum. The design itself is gloriously evocative of the region, with its rich colours,simple linework and a magical use of green shaded with burgundy. Taken together, it is predicted that Provence will one day be seen as one ofthe great Moorcroft designs of all time. Rachel Bishop has done it before and this time round, she has done it again.

WHETHER we are aware of it or not many local services that underpin daily life in the country’s communities keep going thanks to volunteers. Prime Minister David Cameron is conscious of this huge and valuable regular input and it is one of the central props of his Big Society. In fact, volunteers generally are now so vital, and held in such high esteem in many organisations, that they are often encouraged to take vocational training and enhance their c.v. as a stepping stone to permanent work. As we become older, we may not only be reliant on volunteers at different times and for a variety of help, but also may discover that becoming a volunteer ourselves is a simple way to enrich our own lives and make us valuable once more.

at Age UK, explained that they run a wide variety of vital services with volunteer help. These include befriending services going to see older, isolated individuals in their homes, driving vehicles from communities to local centres, helping and running its charity shops including sorting, pricing and serving, delivering information to older people and acting as trustees to give strategic governance in individual areas. “It doesn’t matter whether people have only a couple of hours a week to spare,” she stresses. “They can offer extremely valuable help to the services we deliver.” Kate adds that the “other side of the coin” is that the organisation recognises the benefits to individuals of volunteering.

Charities large and small both benefit from and encourage volunteering. You may “There is a feelgood well find that your local DIGGING FOR FUN: Volunteer Elizabeth Black gets to work factor, people get out and hospice, for example, in the Apprentice House garden at the Quarry Bank Mill about, are part of a largecan gratefully use even and Styal estate in Cheshire (Pic: NTPL/Andrew Butler) scale network. This can a small amount of your be particularly important spare time in some during retirement when practical way. we are used to having this network provided, and This may be with fundraising, making small items to need to start again to create a new one,” states Kate. sell, driving, donating your time in charity shops or even arranging flowers for the wards. Special skills “We have younger volunteers as well as older ones may also be very welcome to organisations which but the latter tell us that they love the friendship and have little spare cash and look to donated help to companionship that they get when they meet up improve their services and aid patients in practical with other volunteers. Particularly if your own family ways. And schools regularly welcome in volunteers to network of people are getting on with their lives, help youngsters with reading skills. it’s easy to get isolated in your home so it’s very important to get out and meet people” One organisation that relies on its valuable volunteers and encourages the practice is Age UK – created by One newer area for Age UK which has been proving the merging of Age Concern and Help the Aged. It has particularly effective concerns digital champions – around 70,000 volunteers in its older people willing to share their skills with others central hub and in local Age UK who may not be online but would like to learn. “Even centres which act as its partners. if people have very basic skills, their willingness to spend some time with a person with none, helping And when you consider that the them make a start with digital skills, is really very organisation has 170 centres useful,” said Kate. across the country and more than 500 shops, that involves an The National Trust has around 62,000 volunteers awful lot of volunteers! across the country with half aged over 65. As Mark Crosby, head of volunteering there, explains: “We just Kate Adams, head of couldn’t function without them. engagement and volunteering www.retiredmagazines.co.uk

“They bring a vast array of skills, talents and enthusiasm to the organisation and do a variety of different tasks. These days, we find our volunteers are more flexible and focused than ever.” This voluntary work ranges from the traditional guides at historic properties to gardening, conservation, research, education and involvement as trustees. “They run gardens as rangers and project manage various things as leaders of a team,” adds Mark. “Older volunteers regularly work alongside younger ones.

Certainly, volunteering brings its individual pleasures, as 69 year-old Peter Herriman well knows. He has been volunteering at a National Trust historic property for 15 years. “I’m in three days a week and work as a volunteer room guide, education guide and Victorian costumed guide,” he said. “I love the variety of the job and meeting so many different people. I also get a huge amount of satisfaction from volunteering and would thoroughly recommend it if you’ve got some time to spare.”

“We’re also particularly keen to involve our older volunteers in a variety of activities, including getting closer to nature with country projects which offer health, friendship and a sense of value.” Getting involved in volunteering can certainly enrich this part of our lives, perhaps make it golden. Psychotherapist Josephine Cropper believes that retirement offers special volunteering opportunities. “It might be that an area of interest that you didn’t follow when employed you are now able to follow in retirement,” she says. “Often, people have gained skills in many different areas of life. These skills may either have been hobbies during a busy working life, or a continuation of skills gained from work. These can now be drawn together, not only to enhance the voluntary role but also to maintain self-esteem. We all need to feel valued and appreciated.” Josephine stresses the importance of how new friendships can also bring new outlooks on life and offer opportunities for new conversations. “Although many of us may have dreamed of winning the lottery and doing nothing for the rest of our lives but sitting in the sun with a cocktail, in fact, work gives structure to our lives. “This is still much-needed for our general wellbeing. The benefits of keeping active mentally and physically are just as important at this time of life as any other. The structure voluntary work can bring can keep isolation and depression – sometimes an issue in retirement – at bay.”

www.retiredmagazines.co.uk

MEN AT WORK: Volunteers repairing a dry stone wall on the estate at Lyme Park, Cheshire (Pic: NTPL/Arnhel de Serra)

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES • Health and social care – Age UK, www.ageuk.org.uk tel 0800 169 8787, The British Red Cross, www.redcross.org.uk tel 020 7201 5164 • Animal welfare – PDSA, www.pdsa.org.uk tel 0800 854 194 email volunteers@pdsa.org.uk RSPB, www.rspb.org.uk, tel 01767 680551 • Arts and Heritage – The National Trust, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/volunteering tel 01793 817632, email volunteers@ nationaltrust.org.uk , The Voluntary Arts Network, www.voluntaryarts.org tel 02920 395395, email info@voluntaryarts.org • Environment and conservation – BTCV, www.btcv.org tel 01302 388883, email information@btcv.org.uk, Friends of the Earth, www.foe.co.uk tel 020 7490 1555

what can Staffordshire Cares

do for you..?

VER 6,000 people have already contacted Staffordshire Cares to find out how they can live a healthier and more independent life. Have you? The new, groundbreaking service is an easier way to all the information and advice you need, whether you’re coping with a disability, changing health problems or you’re simply getting that bit older. Easy to access on-line, over the phone or by speaking directly to a customer advisor, whatever your preference, Staffordshire Cares can help. By having a quick chat with a locally–based Staffordshire Cares customer advisor directly, you can find out about all the practical solutions you need to help yourself, and more about the local and national organisations that can give you a helping hand. And feedback is showing these customer advisors have already changed the lives of hundreds of people across Staffordshire. Lucie, a Customer Services Advisor, based at the district council offices in Lichfield, said: “Many people I’ve helped have been surprised at how taking on board just one little piece of advice has made such a difference to them. “We’ve helped a number of older people who were struggling with the everyday tasks we all take for granted. By helping them to browse, and in some cases buy household gizmos and gadgets that help them to bathe, make a cup of tea or even prevent them from falling over, they’re much happier. “We’ve also helped people to discover the clubs and local get-togethers down the road

Karen , Staffordshire Cares Customer Advisor 22

What’s in

Staffordshire Cares? Discover all your options in one place, including: Staffordshire Cares ‘My Choices’ A quick and easy journey of discovery to find out who can help you to live a healthier and more independent life. CareMatch Choose from over 3,000 professional carers and support staff who can help you, or apply for jobs in the care and health sector. Staffordshire Cares Purple Pages Thousands of things to do, services and products in one place Organisations and businesses can advertise their activities, products and services for free on the purple pages and reach thousands of people

that they didn’t even know about! In many cases this has gone a long way to reducing the isolation they’ve felt. Family members have also found support for their elderly relatives and carers have been able to find out about the support is out there for them.” Karen, a Customer Advisor based at South Staffordshire District Council, in Codsall, said: “We’ve seen a lot of people who are convinced that there’s no one out there to help them. We use the Staffordshire Cares ‘My Choices’ programme to take people on a quick journey to help them realise how they could live a better life. Many were really surprised at the suggestions about local befriending groups, craft groups and safety organisations that are out there. The details of over 2,000 organisations and growing are at our finger tips, so there’s loads of options for people to choose from. Staffordshire Cares is a great place to start from. We’re ready and waiting!”

Lucie , Staffordshire Cares Customer Advisor

You can speak to a Staffordshire Cares Customer Advisors at any of the following places: z Chesterton One-Stop Shop, 6 Edensor Court, London Road, Chesterton, Newcastle, ST5 7EA zBurton upon Trent Customer Service Centre, Market Place, Burton upon Trent, DE14 1HA zCafé Connect Staffordshire, Bradbury House, Weston Road, Stafford, ST16 3RS zTamworth , Marmion House, Lichfield Street, Tamworth, B79 7BZ zLichfield District Council, District Council House, Frog Lane, Lichfield, WS13 6YY zSouth Staffordshire District Council, Council Offices, Wolverhampton Rd, Codsall, WV8 1PX North Canes Library, on Burntwood Road, can help to guide you through the Staffordshire Cares website and help you to contact the Staffordshire Cares advisors via phone if you need more help. You can also: zSpeak to an advisor over the phone on 0300 111 8010 for just the cost of a local call zText 07814 191 111 if you have a hearing impairment zBrowse the website or send a question to an advisor at www.staffordshirecares.info zMinicom 01785 276207 zHelp other people by sending your advice and experiences to the website editor at www.staffordshirecares.info/ helpotherpeople www.staffordshire.gov.uk

Your lifestyle, your choice, your care

For a healthier and more independent life An easier way to the advice and information you need

Your options, all in one place.

0300 111 8010 ( Speak to a locally-based Customer Advisor

The cost of a local call

)

www.staffordshirecares.info

Text/SMS: 07814 191 111 (for people with a hearing impairment) www.staffordshire.gov.uk

Angela Close - Be autician and Alternative Therap ist

Open your mind to alternative therapies WHEN it comes to treating our ailments these days most people have a more open mind about what can help them and may combine traditional medicine and alternative therapies with great success. Sensible care, as always, needs to be employed in anything health-related and sometimes your GP’s opinion may be needed to check if any particular therapies are not recommended for you or your condition. However, there are plenty of therapy options available across the UK and, reassuringly, governing bodies to ensure standards of practice. There are also millions of satisfied customers of alternative – or complementary – therapies who insist these have been successful in dealing with health problems ranging from asthma and migraine to digestive problems and muscle strains. Even though for many of us in the Western world this is a relatively new approach - and there are certainly sceptics about their effectiveness - there is evidence that many of these alternative therapies have been successfully in use around the world for centuries. Acupuncture, for example, is an ancient Chinese medical procedure involving the insertion and manipulation of needles at more than 1,000 points in the human body. It’s used to relieve pain during surgery or in rheumatic conditions and also to treat conditions varying from anxiety and depression, to arthritis, asthma, eczema, sports’ injuries, migraine and even gastro-intestinal problems. The word “acupuncture” means “needle piercing” and the skin is penetrated by special needles in a painless process which is meant to allow the body to transmit 24

energy or qi (pronounced chee) through pathways or meridians to heal and promote wellbeing. A common alternative therapy for which you don’t necessarily have to have an ailment but which certainly helps combat stress and makes you feel better is Aromatherapy. This is a relaxing treatment using massage techniques together with blended essential oils. Usually, explained beautician and alternative therapist Angela Close, there is a consultation prior to treatment “to try and build a picture of which oils would be beneficial to the individual – some have antibacterial effects, anti-fungal and anti-viral. With the use of massage, the oils penetrate the skin usually after about 20 minutes and have a very calming effect, soothing the mind, body and spirit.” Aromatherapy can be used for a range of physiological and psychological conditions including anxiety, stress and insomnia, muscular aches and pains, headaches, digestive ailments and menstrual problems. It’s also gentle enough to be used on people of all ages. Added Angela: “Aromatherapy is not a cure for disease; its most potent effect helps relax the mind and body, relieves pain and restores the body’s systems to a state of balance in which healing can best take place.” Some people suffering from Parkinson’s Disease have found relief and help from a holistic method of healing called Bowen Therapy which is a hands-on technique exponents say prompts the body to re-set and heal itself. Marie Hurst is a qualified Bowen therapist, and she explains: “It’s like acupuncture without any needles – it can be very relaxing although it may not suit everyone. However, I’ve treated several people with Parkinson’s over the years and they have become very www.retiredmagazines.co.uk

THRE A LVTEHL relaxed because Bowen helps the body release stress at a very deep level. Some have also reported a reduction in their tremors during treatment and a sound night’s sleep afterwards.” Some alternative therapies seem unconnected to the ailments they may treat. Reflexology, for instance, involves application of pressure to the feet and hands using specific thumb, finger and hand techniques to try to effect physical changes elsewhere in the body. The technique dates back as far as the Egyptians and is based on a system of zones and reflex areas that are said to reflect an image of the body on the hands and feet. The purpose is to create relaxation, reduce pain, improve blood flow and post-operative recovery and aid mental health by interrupting stress signals and re-setting the body’s balance. People with nasal problems or with head pains have found relief in an unusual therapy called Hopi Ear Candling. At the very least, this is a relaxing treatment which promotes a feeling of wellbeing. You lie on your side on a heated bed in a peaceful environment, and the hollow candle is placed in the ear with the other end lit. “Certainly, some of my clients have found it very soothing and pain-relieving,” said Angela Close, who has been using the therapy for more than 20 years. Another ancient healing method is Reiki, a Japanese word meaning Universal Life Energy which relates to a system of natural healing. Its ideology is that natural healing flows in a powerful and concentrated form

through the hands of the Reiki-giver. The recipient simply lies on a couch or bed and relaxes comfortably. There is no need to remove any clothing, and the practitioner gently places his or her hands in a sequence of positions which cover the whole of the body. Each position is held for several minutes and, in some of them, the hand is held closely to the body rather than actually on it. “It involves your body, mind and soul,” added Angela. “Reiki balances the energy in the body, heals holistically, relieves pain and relaxes and reduces stress, among many other things.” Some businesses now bring exponents of Indian Head Massage into the workplace to help stressed out staff to relax and ultimately perform better. Certainly, it’s a safe, simple yet effective therapy that provides relief from aches and pains and stress – and promotes hair growth! The head, neck and shoulders are important energy centres within the body. “If you’re feeling stressed or angry, tension tends to accumulate in these areas,” stated Angela. “The tension can later show up as a stiff neck and shoulders, eyestrain and even hair-loss.” Indian head massage involves working with a firm and gentle rhythm to help unknot blockages and relieve the uncomfortable build-up of tension. Fans say it also works on an emotional level, calming the spirit, promoting relaxation and banishing stress. For more information, go to the Complementary Therapists Association at www.ctha.com or the Association of Natural Medicine at www.associationnaturalmedicine.co.uk

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 www.retiredmagazines.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.

PLEASE quotE oFFER REFEREncE RMWR91

RMWR91

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

FO O D

DRI NK

Rick Stein's Mediterranean Escapes Recipes Rick Stein’s passion for fresh well-sourced 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 ‘Mediterranean Escapes’ (BBC Books, £20) here are two of Rick’s favourite recipes inspired by flavours of the Med.

SERVES 4 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 1/4 teaspoon crushed dried chillies 1 mild green chilli, stalk removed and thinly sliced 225g fresh porcini mushrooms, cleaned and thickly sliced 2 large, ripe vine tomatoes, skinned, seeded and sliced 400 g dried spaghetti 1 kg small clams, such as carpet-shell, washed 60 ml dry white wine A large handful flat-leaf parsley, leaves finely chopped Salt 26

Vittorio’s Pasta with Clams and Porcini Bring 4.5 litres water to the boil in a large saucepan with 8 teaspoon salt. Meanwhile, put the oil and garlic into a deep sauté or frying pan and place it over a medium heat. As soon as the garlic begins to sizzle round the edges, add the crushed chillies, green chilli and sliced porcini and cook briskly for 2-3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook for another minute or two. Set to one side and keep hot. Add the pasta to the pan of boiling water and cook for 9 minutes or until al dente. Heat another large pan over a high heat. Add the clams and the wine, cover and cook over a high heat for 2-3 minutes until they have all just opened. (Discard any that stay closed.) Tip them into a colander set over a bowl to collect the clam juices. Add all but the last tablespoon or two of the clam cooking liquor (which might be gritty) to the porcini sauce, return to the heat and simmer rapidly until it has reduced by half to a well-flavoured sauce. Drain the pasta and return to the pan with the cooked clams, the porcini sauce and parsley and toss together well. Serve immediately.

Pastitsio: Beef and Macaroni Pie with Cinnamon, Red Wine and Kefalotiri Cheese SERVES 8-10 500 g tubular pasta, such as rigatoni, tubetti or tortiglioni 2 eggs, lightly beaten 50 g finely grated Greek kefalotiri cheese or parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons melted butter 10 g fresh white breadcrumbs For the white sauce 115 g butter 115 g plain flour 1.2 litres full-cream milk, plus a little extra 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg For the meat sauce 4 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium onion, finely chopped 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped 2 celery sticks, finely chopped 1kg lean minced beef 200 ml red wine 400-g can chopped tomatoes 2 tablespoons tomato purĂŠe 10-cm piece cinnamon stick 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1 tablespoon dried oregano, Greek if possible 2 tablespoons fresh copped oregano 3 fresh bay leaves Salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the meat sauce, heat the olive oil in a medium-sized pan, add the onion, garlic and celery and fry until just beginning to brown. Add the minced beef and fry over a high heat for 3-4 minutes, breaking up any lumps with the wooden spoon as it browns. Add the red wine, tomatoes, tomato purĂŠe, cinnamon stick, ground cloves, dried cloves, dried and fresh oregano, bay leaves, 100ml water, 11/2 teaspoons salt and some black pepper, and simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring now and then, until the sauce has thickened but is still nicely moist. Remove and discard the cinnamon stick and bay leaves. Bring 4.5 litres water to boil in a large saucepan with 8 teaspoons salt. Add the pasta and cook until a al dente - about 13 mins, but take care not to overcook as it will cook a little further in the oven. Drain well, transfer to a large bowl and leave to cool slightly. For the white sauce, melt the butter in a medium-sized non-stick saucepan, add the flour and cook, stirring, over a medium heat, for 1 minute. Gradually beat in the milk, then bring to the boil, stirring, lower the heat and leave to simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with the nutmeg and some salt and pepper to taste. Preheat the over to 1800C/Gas Mark 4. Stir 250ml (about one-fifth) of the white sauce into the warm pasta with the beaten eggs and half the grated cheese. Keep the remaining sauce warm over a low heat, stirring now and then and adding more milk if it begins to get a little thick. Use the melted butter to grease a large, shallow ovenproof dish that measures about 23 x 33 cm across and 7cm deep. Spread one-third of the pasta over the base of the dish and cover with half the meat sauce. Add another third of the pasta and then the rest of the meat sauce, then cover with a final layer of pasta. Spoon over the remaining white sauce. Mix the remaining grated cheese with the breadcrumbs and sprinkle them over the top. Bake for 40 minutes until bubbling and golden brown.

The Best Dog Breeds for the over 50s Many breeds of dog make excellent pets for the over 50s. Dogs have proven to be benefits for this age group, and have even been shown to increase longevity in their owners. There are several breeds of dog that are especially well-suited to homes, each with their own advantages and personality traits. When selecting a dog breed always remember that it is a personal decision that needs to balance the individual owner’s capabilities and activity levels with those of the dog in question. 1. Shih Tzu This cuddly breed loves nothing more than to spend an afternoon snuggled into its owner’s lap. The shih tzu is a relatively small breed of dog (like many of the others on this list), which makes them good for individuals who may have trouble walking larger and stronger dogs. Shih tzus will need regular grooming, but are relatively lowmaintenance dogs otherwise.

2. Pomeranian What they lack in size these dogs make up for in charm, and are known for their affectionate nature and teddy-bear looks. Poms can be high-energy dogs, but require little space to run around.

3. Yorkshire Terrier While the breed’s long coat needs frequent grooming, Yorkies are relatively low-energy dogs and are very affectionate toward their chosen humans. Yorkies tend to bond with one person more strongly than others, so are a great breed for a retired person living alone.

4. Boston Terrier Boston terriers are docile and loving, but will need regular walks to keep their rambunctious behavior under control. While they generally only weigh 15 to 20 pounds, their protective nature can offer comfort for solitary seniors.

5. Cocker Spaniels

6. Scottish Terrier

Spunky but mellow, the cocker is a great breed, and as long as the dog is provided with a nice morning walk each day, it will happily spend all afternoon and evening curled on the sofa, head resting in its owner’s lap.

The classic little black dog is a wellknown breed with personality to spare. While these dogs do need plenty of exercise, they are affectionate and very protective of their humans, making them perfect for the dual role of lap and guard dog.

7. Great Dane Breaking the trend of small dog breeds, Great Danes are surprisingly mellow and are considered a low-energy breed (a product of reduced metabolism common in such large animals). While Danes may be big lap dogs that contentedly snooze the day away, their size should never be underestimated, and the breed should only be selected if the owner is sure he can handle the animal’s strength, since daily walks are good to keep the breed’s joints in good condition. That being said, Danes are incredibly gentle and loving companions that are also excellent at providing peace of mind. 28

We love dogs! We love dogs, big ones, short ones, long ones, fat ones, thin ones, we love all of them! Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why we have spent the last 20 years growing a friendly, family-run business, specialising in outstanding boarding kennels and the breeding and training of Springer and Cocker Spaniels.

* * * * * * *

5 star accommodation Individual Kennels and Outside Runs Fully Insulated and Heated Personal Supervision Daily Exercise Vaccinated Animals Only Inspection Welcomed

WOODSTOCK BOWER FARM Marchington Woodlands Marchington Uttoxeter Staffordshire ST14 8PD TELEPHONE 01889 568761 EMAIL ray@woodstockbowerkennels.co.uk WEBSITE www.woodstockbowerkennels.co.uk

GLENTHORNE VETERINARY GROUP IS A MIXED SPECIES VETERINARY PRACTICE WITH THREE MODERN SURGERIES IN: UTTOXETER, TUTBURY AND BURTON UPON TRENT. WE LOOK AFTER JUST AS MANY LARGE ANIMALS AS WE DO SMALL ANIMALS.

UTTOXETER Glenthorne 71 Derby Road Uttoxeter ST14 8EB

TUTBURY 37 Monk Street Tutbury Staffordshire DE13 9NA

BURTON UPON TRENT 25 Ashby Road Burton Staffordshire DE15 0LG

TELEPHONE 01889 562164

TELEPHONE 01283 813343

TELEPHONE 01283 519090

FACSIMILE 01889 569821

FACSIMILE 01283 815999

FACSIMILE 01283 519099

24HR FARM & EQUINE LINE 01889 567200 EMAIL enquiries@glenthornevets.co.uk WEBSITE www.glenthornevets.co.uk

www.retiredmagazines.co.uk

Benefits Departments - working in partnership Cannock Chase District Council PO BOX 28, Civic Centre, Beecroft Road, Cannock WS11 1BG

Telephone: 01543 464292 benefits@cannockchasedc.gov.uk www.cannockchase.gov.uk

Lichﬁeld Connects The District Council House, Frog Lane, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS13 6YX.

Telephone: 01543 308900 benefits@lichfielddc.gov.uk www.lichfielddc.gov.uk

Would you like to know if you can get help to pay for your rent?

Could you be one of 35% of people who are entitled to money off their Council Tax Bill but haven’t claimed it?

If you are worried about paying your Council Tax Bill, we can reduce your bill in the following situations: • If you live alone • If you are disabled and your property has been adapted because of this • If you are being cared for somewhere other than your main home • If the property we billed you for is a second home or is empty • There is also a 25% discount if the other residents aged over 18 or over are severely mentally impaired.

Housing and Council Tax benefits For many people the Beneﬁts system is a daunting subject full of complicated rules and regulations, long claim forms and even longer lists of documents you might have to provide before your entitlement can be worked out. As a result, every year millions of pounds worth of benefit is unclaimed by people who are entitled to it. According to the Government the retired are among the most likely not to make these claims, particularly those in their own home who may be able to get some help towards their Council Tax. Remember - welfare benefits such as Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are legal rights - if you meet the rules you are entitled to them. Many people do not know about these benefits, some others may think they will not be entitled because they have a retirement pension and a few savings. If you are one of these people why not check it out - maybe you will not qualify for anything, but then again maybe you will.

What is Housing Beneﬁt? This is financial help towards paying your rent. Retired people who are receiving a state pension, private pension, pension credit savings, and who have savings of less than £16,000 can claim it.

www.retiredmagazines.co.uk

Stafford Borough Council Customer Contact Centre, Civic Centre Riverside, Stafford, ST16 3AQ.

Telephone: 01785 619478 benefits@staffordbc.gov.uk www.staffordbc.gov.uk

South Staffordshire Council Council Offices, Wolverhampton Road Codsall, South Staffordshire WV8 1PX

Telephone: 01902 696668 benefits@sstaffs.gov.uk www.sstaffs.gov.uk

Tamworth Council Marmion House, Lichfield Street Tamworth, Staffs B79 7BZ

Telephone: 01827 709540 benefits@tamworth.gov.uk www.tamworth.gov.uk

What is Council Tax Beneﬁt/ Second Adult Rebate? These are similar to Housing Benefit and can be claimed by most retired people who are responsible for paying Council Tax on the property where they live. Couples make one claim based on their joint income and savings. Second Adult Rebate can be claimed where you may not qualify for benefit based on your own circumstances and you do not live with a partner, but may have someone else living in your home who is on a low income, for example a grown up son or daughter.

Who can claim these beneﬁts? You can claim Housing Benefit if you are a private tenant (that is, you pay rent to a private landlord, housing association, or you live in lodgings) or if you are a council tenant paying rent to the Council. However, you cannot normally claim if you are living with a member of your immediate family and paying them rent. Anyone who has to pay Council Tax can claim Council Tax Benefit.

How are these Beneﬁts calculated? The amount of help you can get depends on: • • • • •

Your income and that of any partner Your savings and that of any partner The amount of rent and Council Tax you pay Who else lives in your home Your “needs allowance” (the amount the Government says you need to live on)

www.retiredmagazines.co.uk

Is any income ignored? Whilst it is important that you declare all of your income, some income is not taken into account, this includes: • • • •

War Disablement /War Widows Pension Attendance Allowance Disability Living Allowance Mobility Allowance

What about savings? The first £10,000 of savings is ignored. If you have savings over £16,000 you will not be able to claim benefit unless you are in receipt of guaranteed Pension Credit.

Other people in your home? If you have grown up children or other relatives living with you then in most cases the amount of benefit you get will be reduced by a fixed sum, depending on how much income the other people living in your home have. These are called non-dependant deductions.

How can you claim? Use your local council’s benefit calculator online to see how much benefit you may be entitled to. A claim must be made on the correct form. You can get this form by contacting direct the Council who sends you your Council Tax bill or by downloading one from their website. 31

CAR E

The Dilnot Report - The Most Ambitious Report into Long Term Care since 1999 Andrew Dilnot’s report takes the view that the existing funding system for long term care is confusing, unfair, and unsustainable. His proposals for change would cost an initial £1.7bn a year, but he claims this is a price well worth paying. At present, anyone with savings and assets of more than £23,250 has no help from the state for care costs. The Dilnot report recommends that this limit should rise to £100,000. No individual should have to pay more that £35,000 towards their care costs, regardless of savings, although they would still be liable for costs of accommodation and food in a care home, but this would be capped at £10,000 a year. If these proposals were implemented, no individual would have to spend more than 30% of their assets on care. Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has described this report as an “immensely valuable contribution” but the government would need to consider this against other funding priorities. Ministers considered the plans ambitious and costly, but were impressed with 32

proposals for a simplified means testing system, better national standards, and the cap, which could enable a viable private insurance market to work. Government response will be published next spring, and proposals for the reform of adult social care will be published in a white paper. So we wait, and hope, that government acts promptly on this report. Twenty three leading charity organisations issued a joint statement, in which they urged that the government “sets out a clear timetable for change and does so quickly.” At present, we cannot insure against future care costs, for the simple reason that we have no idea how much we may need. Once the cap on costs is implemented, insurance companies can become involved, or savings can be considered, so that the worry over where money will come from for long term care can be alleviated. In the meantime, the rules for long term care are complex and confusing. Various factors, such as

www.retiredmagazines.co.uk

restrictions on mobility, behaviour changes brought on by the illness, and speed of deterioration, all count in the assessment process, and a patient may not automatically qualify for NHS funding. Over the past ten years there have been many cases where people have been forced to sell their homes to pay healthcare fees, and in some cases, later discovered they were entitled to state support. At present, levels of care and criteria vary from borough to borough and Age UK says that councils are rationing services. The outlook for the elderly looks bleak. We’ve all been appalled over cases where vulnerable older people have been neglected and mistreated, and hopefully, the Dilnot report will help to ensure that this can never happen again However, this will take time. In the meantime, how can elderly people, and their families, ensure that they’re given dedicated care and kindness in their most vulnerable years. 1. It is essential that the correct level of funding is established. Relatives of the elderly should make sure that they are aware of the rules, and that these are correctly interpreted when funding for care is established. 2. Funding can be provided through the Direct Payment Scheme, allowing the individual to make his/her own arrangements for care. Use this tailored to your own requirements. In order to qualify for this, the amount of care you need is assessed, and for more information on this you can obtain a leaflet: Guide to Direct Payments From Local Council, free from the Department of Health. Tel: 0207 972 2000. A fact sheet has also been produced – Paying for Care and Support at Home by Age UK.

WARDLES – 44 years of caring

Originally a family business established in 1967 Wardles has spent the last 44 years providing for all the communities needs from basic daily living aids through to more medical needs from our base here in Hanley Stoke-on-trent. Our range of products cover all aspects from mobility bathing daily living right through to incontinence and our specialist team are always on hand to offer advice. We like to think of our customers as friends and we believe we can understand and evaluate their particular needs and set out to meet them in a constructive and effective way. Our advice is free as are home demonstrations as we understand the importance of getting the right equipment for the client and their family so they can be confident that their choice is well informed. The servicing of equipment is available including nebulisers scooters wheelchairs and bathlifts and we also offer a hire service for wheelchairs scooters and walking aids.

Rise & Recline Chairs

Acorn Stairlifts

3. Be realistic. The number of people over 85 has risen by two thirds since 2004, but local authority budgets for social care are being cut. It is becoming more and more apparent that help in an individual’s later years is, in part, down to their own efforts in preparation and funding. Good sources for information on this is Age UK.

Scooters

Wheelchairs

4. Check out private care agencies. If you need help in the home, but are still mobile, this is the perfect stage in your life to establish a relationship with a care agency. Using your Direct Funding, you can assess if this particular agency is efficient, caring and responsible. You can also assess the capability of the agency to provide more long term care, should that become necessary. A reputable Care Agency will have your best interests at heart. You can build up your trust in your Carers, and relax.

Circulation Boosters

Walking Aids

You’ve worked hard all your life, and need to be sure that your later life will be happy and free from worry. A little forward planning now, can help to ensure that this is the way it will be.

www.retiredmagazines.co.uk

Call Wardles today

08000 969099

Visit our showroom 51, Lower Huntbach Street, Hanley FREE DEMONSTRATION AVAILABLE

Peace of mind whenever you need it l

Reassurance at the touch of a button

24 hours a day, 365 days a year

Local friendly service

Helping you to stay independent for longer

arget tolerance vel 1% ctual target

Helping people to remain independent and in control of their lives for longer .... Contact us FREE on 0800 111 4554

Whenever I have to call the Customer Call Centre they are exceptionally kind and helpful. I ring them afterwards to thank them and the reply is ‘That’s what we’re here for”

You First Customer Call and Telecare Services provides a quality and accredited 24 hour reassurance link. For more information on the Telecare Services and charges please contact us on 0800 111 4334 or visit our website www.sarh.co.uk

94% 94% 94%

95% 95% 95%

We have quality self contained apartments available 97% 97% 97% You First Customer Care and Teleservices Annual Re

You First Customer Care and Teleservices Annual Report 2009-2010

90% 90% 90%

Actual target

98% 98% 98%

99% 99% 99% 100% 100% 100%

91% 91% 91%

92% 92% 92%

l Target tolerance level 1%

96% 96% 96%

93% 93% 93%

You choose the level of support you need. September

independent living schemes we 92% 92% 92%

when you move into one of our 91% 91% 91%

At Stafford and Rural Homes, 90% 90% 90%

put you first.

September

March March March February February February January January January December December December November November November October October October September September September August March August March August July March February July February July June February January June January June May January December May December May April December November April November April November October October October September September September August August August July July July June June June May May May April April

Actual target

Target tolerance level 1%

to rent in Stafford, Stone and surrounding rural areas.

All our independent Living Schemes offer:

Self Contained Apartments

Safe and Secure Environment

24 Hour Emergency Alarm - providing peace of mind

Community Environment

Social Activities

Handyman Service

Communal Gardens

If you, or a member of your family is interested in visiting one of our schemes, please call us on 0800 111 4554 or visit www.sarh.co.uk

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