EDITION 32
Retired & living in Wrexham & North Wales
LYNDA BELLINGHAM
WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET WITH THIS CALENDAR GIRL
INSIDE HOME INTERIORS
GIVE YOUR HOME A FACELIFT
TRAVEL
SLAINTÉ! - WELCOME TO CORK ROBINSONS COACH HOLIDAYS AFFORDABLE PEACE OF MIND
ADVICE
BESPOKE LEGAL SERVICES YOU CAN PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM FUTURE CARE HOME FEES
HEALTH
RJD INDEPENDENT HEALTHCARE SPECIALIST THE BENEFITS OF PRIVATE MEDICAL INSURANCE
RICK STEIN
SHARES HIS FAVOURITE DISHES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
THE LOCAL MAGAZINE FOR THE OVER 55s
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ake one
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BETH AM YMCHWILIO I’R MATER? Os ydych ar incwm isel maeʼn bosibl fod gennych hawl i hawlio budd-dal hyd yn oed os ydych yn gweithio neuʼn berchen ar eich cartref eich hun.
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HOUSING BENEFIT AND COUNCIL TAX BENEFIT
ARE YOU MISSING OUT? You could be paying less Rent and Council Tax!
ISN’T IT TIME YOU FOUND OUT! If you are on a low income, you may be entitled to Benefit even if you are working or own your home.
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For further information/advice or an application form please contact:
Tel: 01352 704848 OR visit our website www.flintshire.gov.uk/benefits for all information on Benefits including a Benefits calculator, to see if you qualify, and an on-line Housing and Council Tax Benefits claim form.
CLAIM IF IN DOUBT, DONʼT GO WITHOUT!
Twittering. Everybody’s doing it says Graham Smith
When I was young I kept a diary, now I’m told I have to Twitter and tweet. I’ve cracked Facebook, where two third of the world puts its life in the public domain, so I thought I’d have a Twitter. Why not? Stephen Fry is a mega hero on there, politicians do it, celebrities do it, footballers do it, often while on the pitch, and world shattering news, once the province of the BBC is regularly posted on there….if you can read it. You see you have to get your message across in 140 letters. That’s 140 characters, not three pads of your granny’s best notepaper and a first class stamp, and it’s not easy. I’ve barely begun to impart my pearls of wisdom to the world when I’ve run out of space so I invariably leave a half finished tweet or delete the whole thing in disgust. Daft isn’t it? I’ve just written about 1,000 characters and barely begun this piece and a tweet is a tenth of that! When you tweet you attract followers. I have 19 including a newspaper group in Utah, Texas. I have no idea why Utah Newspapers wants to follow my tweets and I have no intention of following theirs. A large, muscular looking lady from Holland started following me but her tweets were in Dutch so I daren’t follow her in case I’m arrested for something unspeakable. If I’m honest I don’t really get it. I’m a closet tweeter, can I say that? If something in the news gets up my nose, and it invariably does, I’ll tweet and put a link on to the offending piece. That’s fun, but why do I want to read the tweets of John from Halifax who twitters on about everything including what his wife has put in that day’s sandwiches which he’s eating on the train travelling to London? Actor and comedian Stephen Fry is a Twitter celebrity. He has more followers than the lead pigeon on Nelson’s column and tweets incessantly. Riots were threatened when he said he was leaving the site, but who are all these followers? I’m perplexed in the morning when I see Rhondda from the Valleys peeking at me before I’ve had my second coffee. Maeser Morgan the washing machine repair man could be very useful but it will be a heck of a call out charge from Washington, and how Mary Beth Bass, romantic author, Keats idolater, butter
vegetarian, wife and mother came my way I don’t know, but she twitters incessantly. I’m also very worried about Erskine Howcroft, whose symbol is a large white egg and has yet to utter a tweet. Does this mean he/she has not hatched yet? I recall those minute diaries which you got at Christmas with a pencil stuck down the spine. I used to set off with good intentions of chronicling my life on a daily basis to leave for posterity, but invariably the pencil had broken by January 5th and you’d lost interest anyway. How times have changed. I’ve just written the equivalent of 16.26 tweets. I need to go to my blog.
It’s enough to give you a phobia In this mad politically correct world of ours there are many phobias but pogonophobia was a new one to me. Fear of pogo sticks I thought, but no I was educated by a former seafaring man with whom I worked recently. He has a full beard which is long enough to keep his knees warm in winter and he told me the story of how he lost his job as a trawler coxon because his boss had a bad case of pogonophobia. I questioned him and he explained how he had been summoned to the office and ordered to shave and eventually sacked because he refused. Apparently the boss had a bad case of pogonophobia…..fear of beards!
Do you have a language issue? What is BBC radio doing to the English language? Why are half the travel and news presenters now over enunciating and simpering as though they have blocked adenoids? The buzz words getting up my nose at the moment are “issues”, “awesome”, “iconic” and my most hated, “absolutely”, but it’s the pronunciation which is worst. There is only one “a” in way, it is not waay, as in over emphasising the middle syllable. The word is road not rowd, and there is no “y” in station! Do I have an issue with this? I do, absolutely, it’s an awesome insult to the English language.
I feel a Twitter coming on.
CONTENTS
Welcome
6-7
10-11
20-21
to Retired Magazine TRAVEL & LEISURE 6 - 7 8 - 9
SlaintĂŠ Welcome to Cork. Robinsons Holidays Affordable peace of mind.
REGULARS 4 10-11
Graham Smith Twittering on. Celebrity Interview Lynda Bellingham talks to Retired.
HOME 14-16 17
Give Your Home A Facelift Springvale Leather High quality furniture.
FOOD & DRINK 20-21
Rick Stein's Favourites Rick Stein shares his favourite dishes with Retired.
We hope you enjoy this new issue of Retired for your area and that you find the many features of interest for yourself and friends or family. We are pleased to include our celebrity interview with Lynda Bellingham who discusses Calender Girls, Loose Women and her long and successful career. Also we are pleased to have Rick Stein sharing some of his favourite coastal recipes with us. If you have an interesting story or event taking place which you would like to share with local readers please send it in and we will try to include it in the 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
‘Sláinte!’ C
ork is the second largest city in Ireland (after Dublin of course) and has always been an important seaport. It began on an island in the swampy estuary of the River Lee (the name Corcaigh means a marsh), and gradually climbed up the steep banks on either side. Today the river flows through Cork city in two main channels, so that you find yourself constantly crossing bridges. As the hilly streets go up and down, so do the voices of the locals. They have a characteristic singsong cadence, beloved of national comedians, and Corkonians are regarded as the most talkative of all the Irish. Cork City Gaol is a 19th century prison that will take you back in time to trace the life of a suffering prisoner. This must see attraction will take you on a journey to the cells that contain life size models with great sound effects. The exterior of the Gaol is an outstanding piece of Gothic architecture. It’s located just 2 km outside Cork city centre and is easily accessible by foot or by public transport which pass the gaol frequently. Guided tours are available and are offered in 8 different languages. Onsite, there is a café offering a ‘Victorian prisoner's fare’ and ‘the prison governor's menu’! Cork’s Shandon Bells date back as far as the 6th Century. Located in the Church of Saint Anne’s in Shandon, the Bells look out over Cork City. Reaching 37
6
metres in height, the steeple of The Church of Saint Anne can be seen from all angles of the city and offers panoramic views of the city by the River Lee. Visitors can climb the tower and absorb stunning views and you may even get a chance to ring the bells! And of course, all are welcome to worship on Sundays at 10am. The church is located in the historical area of Shandon, at Church Street, on the north side of Cork City, just a short walk from Cork city centre. Entrance fee: Adults: 6.00 Senior citizens and students: 5.00
SHOPPING 'Doing Pana' is a time-honoured tradition in Cork. Pana is the irreverent name which Patrick Street, the principal street, goes by. Home to the big city’s department stores, smaller speciality shops, cafes and restaurants, most Cork people will walk down this street on Saturdays for pleasure as well as business. Treat your taste buds with a trip to the Old English Market. It’s a covered market located right in the very heart of Cork city centre in a magnificent historic building dating back to 1788. It's surrounded by the main streets of Cork with access to the market from Patrick Street and Prince’s Street. Recently voted as one of 'The Top 10 Food Markets in Europe', a visit is a must when in Cork. From duck eggs to the Cork delicacy of tripe - be adventurous! The English Market is open six days a week from Monday to Saturday, operating hours are from 9am to 5.30pm. www.corkenglishmarket
RETIRED MAGAZINE | SPRING/SUMMER 2011
TT R RAV V EE LL EATING/DRINKING It depends on where you choose really, but there is definitely something to suit every budget in the city. A lot of good restaurants in the city offer great value pre-theatre menus or early bird specials, so it's a good idea to keep an eye out for these. There are lots of restaurants in the Huguenot Quarter and also on the various different streets off St. Patrick's Street. Many of these places are in quite a compact area so you don't have to wander far to find a great selection. Café Mexicana on Carey's Lane just off St. Patrick's Street was a great choice as the food is authentic and the portions large! Cork's a university city, which means students. And where there are students, there are bars offering cheap drinks, offers and promotions so again keep your eyes peeled. Some of the city's best loved bars can be found by wandering into some of the side streets off St. Patrick's Street and Oliver Plunkett Street.
SLEEPING Cork City has been featured as one of the top 10 cities of the world to visit in Lonely Planet’s travel guide for 2010 so you shouldn’t find it too difficult to find accommodation to suit. I found the Go Ireland website invaluable. www.goireland.com/cork/around-cork-city-centre. htm
FURTHER AFIELD Skibbereen Make it your last stop before heading back for Cork, as it’s a really pretty village with colourful houses lining the streets. If you wanted to learn about its past, which strongly reflects Ireland's history from pre-Christian period to the present, you could join one of Skibbereen Historical Walks starting from the Skibbereen Heritage Centre twice weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 6.30 pm. The town is also known for having been at the forefront of the struggle for independence for Ireland and fostering the use of the Gaelic language.
Ballycotton The famous east Cork fishing village of Ballycotton is a beautifully scenic spot with cliff views giving many other coastal scenes a run for their money. Bear in mind this is a small village and at times places change, what was a restaurant in past years down at the beginning of the village is now Waves café which serves lovely coffee and sandwiches. RETIRED MAGAZINE | SPRING/SUMMER 2011
Inn By The Harbour bar is well worth a visit. Part of this establishment is called Nautillius Restaurant and the food is excellent. The Bayview Hotel is open March to October and the views from here over the harbour are again stunning. Sit out and enjoy your coffee or wine with afternoon tea. Ballycotton is a treasure and well worth a visit.
DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT… No visit is complete unless you visit Blarney castle. A castle has existed on this site since 1210. The present-day castle was built nearly 600 years ago by Cormac McCarthy, no not the great Irish author but the great Irish chieftain. This Medieval castle is a magnificent ruin; it looks imposing and romantic at the same time and is full of the greenest grounds, trees and shrubs I've ever seen. It's as if there is a green carpet that blankets the whole area! At the top of the castle lies the Stone of Eloquence, better known as the Blarney Stone. Tourists visiting Blarney Castle may hang upside-down over a sheer drop to kiss the stone, which is said to give the gift of eloquence. Opening times: Monday to Saturday - 9a.m. to 6.30p.m. in May and September, 9a.m. to 7p.m. - July and August 9a.m. to sundown - from October to April Admission fees: Castle & Garden – 10 Fact file: Flights: Direct flights from London, Birmingham and Manchester operate several times a day and fares vary little throughout the year. Transfer into the city is easy and prices are approx 5 one-way on the Skylink shuttle bus, whereas a taxi from the terminal will cost you 10 to city centre so it makes more sense if there’s more than one of you. Car hire offices are located on the ground floor at the airport and competition ensures a good deal. Climate: The peak months of the tourist season are July and August, so consider visiting in May, June or September if you can. The weather is likely to still be good and hotels are less busy. Spring flowers are at their best in April and May, and October offers many arts festivals. In winter, Ireland rarely sees snow, as winters here are usually mild. Language: English though the locals always appreciate your small efforts to communicate in their language. Currency: Euro (EUR) Time zone: GMT 7
Torquay
Eastbourne
Isle of Wight
Saturday/Sunday Departures - 8 Day Tours - 7 Nights Half Board
ABBEY
LAWN
OCEAN
VIEW
IMPERIAL
HOTEL
16/17 April £299
7/8 May £355
28/29 May £385
18/19 Jun £399
23/24 April £325
14/15 May £365
4/5 Jun £389
25/26 Jun £399
30 Apr/1 May £345
21/22 May £375
11/12 Jun £399
2/3 July £409
16/17 April £299
7/8 May £355
28/29 May £385
18/19 Jun £399
23/24 April £325
14/15 May £365
4/5 Jun £389
25/26 Jun £399
30 Apr/1 May £345
21/22 May £375
11/12 Jun £399
2/3 July £409
16/17 April £299
7/8 May £355
28/29 May £385
18/19 Jun £399
23/24 April £325
14/15 May £365
4/5 Jun £389
25/26 Jun £399
30 Apr/1 May £345
21/22 May £375
11/12 Jun £399
2/3 July £409
Robinsons Own Hotels 2011 Torquay
Eastbourne
Stylish hotel located in the grounds of the former Torre Abbey. Facilities at the Abbey Lawn Hotel include Indoor Heated Pool/Outdoor Pool, Solarium, Sauna, Steam Room, Lounge, Gym, Large Conservatory & Sea View Rooms.
An impressive Victorian building set amidst a beautiful tree lined boulevard. Facilities at the Imperial Hotel include Two Residents’ Bars, Ballroom, TV & Complimentary Tea & Coffee in all Bedrooms, 2 x Lifts.
The Abbey Lawn Hotel, Torquay (AAMMM)
£20
DISCOUNT
V0UCHER
Simply attach to your Robinsons Holidays booking request to claim your £20 discount. Only one voucher per holiday booking.
Name:...................................................................................................................... Address:................................................................................................................... ................................................... Poscode:......................................................... Tel:............................................................................................................................ Discount is only valid on new bookings. Discount voucher can not be redeemed against any existing bookings. Can not be used in conjunction with any other special offer or promotion.
The Imperial Hotel, Eastbourne (Robinsons 3MMM)
Isle Of Wight
The Ocean View Hotel, Shanklin (Robinsons 3MMM)
An elegant hotel commanding magnificent views across Sandown Bay, Golden Beaches and a quaint collection of shops. Facilities at the Ocean View Hotel include Indoor Heated Pool, Spa, Indoor Bowling Green, Table MAGAZINE | SPRING/SUMMER 2011 Tennis, Snooker RETIRED Room, Lifts, Porterage.
To Book Or For More Details Call Freephone
Est.1923
Coach Holidays
0800 0839900
Includes 3 excursions and FREE insurance. 9/10 July £409
30/31 July £409
20/21 Aug £409
10/11 Sept £389
1/2 Oct £319
22/23 Oct £279
16/17 July £409
6/7 Aug £409
27/28 Aug £399
17/18 Sept £379
8/9 Oct £309
30 Oct £279
23/24 July £409
13/14 Aug £409
3/4 Sept £399
24/25 Sept £359
15/16 Oct £299
6 Nov £269
9/10 July £409
30/31 July £409
20/21 Aug £409
10/11 Sept £389
1/2 Oct £319
22/23 Oct £279
16/17 July £409
6/7 Aug £409
27/28 Aug £399
17/18 Sept £379
8/9 Oct £309
30 Oct £279
23/24 July £409
13/14 Aug £409
3/4 Sept £399
24/25 Sept £359
15/16 Oct £299
6 Nov £269
9/10 July £409
30/31 July £409
20/21 Aug £409
10/11 Sept £389
1/2 Oct £319
22/23 Oct £279
16/17 July £409
6/7 Aug £409
27/28 Aug £399
17/18 Sept £379
8/9 Oct £309
30 Oct £279
23/24 July £409
13/14 Aug £409
3/4 Sept £399
24/25 Sept £359
15/16 Oct £299
6 Nov £269
Our European Tours Date Tour & No Hotel Duration Price Single Room Supplement 07 May 28 May 29 May 4 June 11 June 25 June
AUSTRIA & SWITZERLAND (76) Swiss Lakes, Feldkirch and St Moritz GERMANY (65) The Rhine Valley and Moselle SWITZERLAND, FRANCE & ITALY (84) Lakes and Mountains GERMANY (71) The Hartz Mountains and Berlin AUSTRIAN TYROL (80)
Weisses Kreuz Hotel Feldkirch 9 Days
£682
£130
Hotel Traube Aumuller Rudesheim
8 Days
£515
£105
Hotel Forclaz Touring Martingy 9 Days
£645
£189
Berghotel Wolfshagen Langelsheim
8 Days
£599
£98
Hotel Zur Post Pfunds
9 Days
£645
£141
Hotel Tannenhof Steeg
9 Days
£651
£141
Pfunds, the Bernina Express & the Brenner Pass
AUSTRIA (77) Tyrol and Bavaria
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.”
“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.
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. RETIRED MAGAZINE | SPRING/SUMMER 2011
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.
RETIRED MAGAZINE | SPRING/SUMMER 2011
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Redwither Business Centre, Wrexham Industrial Estate, Wrexham LL13 9XR
www.thermseal.com | info@thermseal.com
0845 8340048 | 01978 660056
30207
Give your home a Face Lift There really couldn't be a better time to take stock of your home and give it a facelift. Bathroom and kitchen suppliers are reducing their prices and you will find some amazing furniture and fabric bargains around.
Hallway Hallways can often seem dark and unwelcoming but all that is needed is to use some light reflecting tricks such as painting walls and doors in fresh pale colours to brighten and refresh. To create a sense of maximum space try placing a large mirror on one wall and fix narrow, pale shelves to another wall to hold a collection of attractive glass bowls.
Sitting room This can be dramatic and cosy, or cool and serene. Whatever you choose, ideally it works best when it 14
reflects your taste and style. A pale colour scheme with a huge, striking mural on one wall is effective, or one wall painted a darker colour, with a collection of pictures grouped together also creates interest and focus. In a small sitting room, extra seating can be provided with a corner sofa, and replacing old style standard lamps with wall mounted lighting can also cut down clutter. Vivid scatter cushions and a new rug can pick up on your colour scheme or provide a contrast. Curtains are another feature which can make or mar the overall effect of your room. For maximum effect, curtain rods should be placed so that your curtains will hang beyond the window area when they're drawn back. This will make your windows larger, and you can add tie backs to make them hang neatly. The focal point of a sitting room is the fire and there are a huge variety of fireplaces to choose from. Traditional marble, stone or wood, there's a style and price to suit every taste. An addition to available ranges are the fireplace suites. These are complete fireplaces and fires combined as a unit, and are available using electricity or gas. The huge advantage of those
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T HR O A V M EE L
Windows Wooden window frames are a different matter. Over time, they can become flaky and absorb moisture. In the heat, they shrink, letting in cold draughts and rattling in the slightest breeze. If you're thinking of replacing them, aluminium windows have enormous advantages. Obtainable in casement, tilt or sliding styles, they can be treated so that they can be coloured inside to suit your decorating scheme, with a different colour for the exterior. They're thermally efficient, incredibly long lasting, and have a secure locking system.
using electricity is their adaptability. They require no installation and are free standing units which can be mounted on any wall and moved from room to room. The flame effect can be switched on without heating, and there is a choice of coals or pebbles. Those using gas should only be fitted by trained gas registered engineers for safety.
Front door and porch It's the first thing your visitors will see. Give the door a new coat of paint, plant up some pots and invest in a new porch light. With a few hours work and a small outlay, your front door and porch will look inviting and bang up to date.
Kitchen We spend a lot of our time in the kitchen, so it should be a warm, inviting place but it's also the room which gets the harshest treatment and the most wear. The fastest way of giving it a facelift is with fresh paintwork. If your work tops are stained, check out the range of new work tops which can be fitted in hours. Your kitchen unit carcases may still be perfect, but the drawers and cupboard doors can become shabby, so transform your kitchen by refacing cupboards with new doors.
Exterior Paintwork If you have double glazing, then you won't need to paint your window sills, but algae builds up and dulls the look of window panes and sills. There are companies now which specialise in washing off double glazing surrounds and conservatories, to make them look like new.
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The NHS is responsible for providing free nursing care in a nursing care home. If, following a needs assessment it is decided that the person’s needs should be met in a nursing care home, the NHS will pay towards the nursing element of that care. Even people who are funding their own care will receive this payment. It will not affect any benefits. In the event that the person’s medical needs are such that they require significant nursing care then it is possible that the NHS will pay for the care provided in full. So how can Hillyer McKeown Help? Going into care is not something that most people want to consider in advance but there are just a couple of ‘Good Housekeeping’ steps that you can make now that will not only help if this situation arises but will also ensure that you and your estate are well looked after no matter what eventuality: (1) Review your Will – make sure this is up to date and reflects your wishes. If you need to sell your home then this may affect how you wish your estate to be divided on your death. You may also wish to consider making a Living Will to make decisions about your future medical treatment (2) Make a Lasting Power of Attorney – this is a powerful document which you can make to appoint someone to manage your affairs should you no longer wish to or be unable to do so. A power of attorney will enable your house to be sold to help finance your care, essential if you are self-funding your care Our experienced Wills, Trusts and Estates team are here to help. Call us now to make an appointment on the numbers below or visit our website www.hilyermckeown.co.uk Chester: 01244 318131 Bebington: 0151 645 4255
GRANDPARENTS RIGHTS The breakdown of a marriage or long-term relationship can be upsetting for all concerned including grandparents. It can be even more distressing if contact with a grandchild is denied. Contact with grandparents or other extended family members is a vital part of a child’s experience. The close bond between grandparent and a grandchild often provide a child with intangible benefits that cannot be derived from other relationships. A grandparent provides many levels of support to the child. The removal of grandparents at a time when a child is undergoing the upheaval and distress of family separation is therefore devastating for that child. Every effort should be taken to ensure that the very special relationship that exists between grandchildren and their grandparents should not be lost.
What should a grandparent do if they fear they might lose contact?
If possible, approach the child’s mother or father and explain that no matter what the problems are between the parents, you as a grandparent do not intend to take sides but only wish to maintain contact with your grandchild. If the relationship has broken down to such an extent that it is not possible to reach an amicable arrangement concerning contact it may be appropriate for the parties to be referred to Mediation. This is an option whereby an independent Mediator will try and assist in reaching an agreement between the parents. Both parties must agree to Mediation and it may therefore not be suitable.
Court Proceedings
If no compromise or practical arrangement can be made regarding contact then it may be necessary to pursue an application to the Court. Unlike parents, a grandparent does not have an automatic right to apply for a Contact Order. It is necessary for leave to make that application
and in order to be successful a grandparent must show that they have a meaningful and important connection with the child. Once leave has been granted to make an application for Contact the Court is likely to appointment the involvement of a Children & Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) Officer to ascertain any welfare issues that need to be addressed and in some cases a report is prepared to assist the Court in reaching a decision. If the report is favourable it is often very strongly persuasive to the parent with care, but if they will not agree then there will be a full hearing with both sides giving evidence and the Court making a decision on the basis of what they feel is in the child’s best interests.
What happens if the mother or father does not comply with a Court Order?
Once the Court has made a decision that contact is in a child’s best interest it will make every effort to make sure that the Contact Order is adhered to. The Court has recently been given increased powers to ensure that Orders are not ignored by parents. Therefore, the making of an Order in favour of a grandparent is a powerful way of ensuring that a meaningful and fulfilling relationship continues between grandparents and a grandchild.
What do I do now?
If possible, attempt to discuss with the parents with care to try and reach an agreement in respect of contact. If that is not possible, talk to one of our Family Law Specialists to obtain detailed advice about the situation. Early advice will allow you to understand your options and to act in an appropriate way so as not to unsettle what could be a very delicate situation.
Talk to us today.
Call Graham Walsh on 01244 345551 We have offices in Chester, Bebington and Wrexham.
Hillyer McKeown Solicitors Serving the local community for over 35 years For all your personal legal or business needs Here to help when you need us most
Conveyancing and Residential Property / Family and Divorce Wills, Probate and Trust advice / Care home funding advice Commercial Legal support Wirral 0151 645 4255
Chester 01244 345 551 Wrexham 01978 229 346
2 Church Rd, Bebington, Wirral CH63 7PH
Murlain House, Union Street, Chester CH1 1QP
The Racecourse, Wrexham Football Club, Mold Road, Wrexham LL11 2AH
www.hillyermckeown.co.uk
We care about caring At Pendine Park, we are passionate about providing the best possible care for our residents and our other clients. Since being established 26 years ago, we have become internationally recognised for being at the leading edge of the social care sector and offering the right care in the right place at the right time.
From left: Lesley Griffiths AM, Gill Kreft, The First Minister Carwyn Jones, artist in residence Sarah Edwards and Mario Kreft.
We support people with a wide range of needs. In addition to residential and nursing care, we cater for younger people with brain injuries and people of all ages with dementia. We are opening a new dementia unit, Plas Gwyn, at Hillbury House near the centre of Wrexham and we also support people in their own homes and provide respite care.
We also have a distinguished track record of promoting the arts to ensure fulfilled lives for our residents and we have employed an artist in residence for many years.
Last year our new centre of excellence for dementia was officially opened by the First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, who described Bodlondeb as “a wonderful place”.
The pioneering partnership won an award from Arts and Business Cymru thanks to the on-going collaboration with the world-renowned Hallé orchestra, working with people who have dementia.
Bodlondeb was named as the best new dementia care facility in Britain at the prestigious UK Over 50s Housing Awards and was highly commended in the Pinder Healthcare Design Awards.
Our greatest strength though is our staff who create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere at our comfortable and homely residential homes where people are treated with dignity and respect.
MF415826 v1 SH
Home from home
Support to live life the way you want to Day care, respite, residential and 24 hour nursing care Friendly, highly trained staff Many therapies and activities including music, art and laughter 4 new ground floor rooms available Extensive landscaped gardens New Dementia Care Unit Care at home through Pendine Park Independent Living
To find out more call 01978 315200 or 07592 502913, visit www.pendinepark.com or just call in.
2 Hillbury Road, Wrexham, LL13 7ET
The right care, at the right time, in the right place Care at Home - Residential Care - 24hr Nursing Care - Dementia Care - Mental Health Care - Brain Injury Care - Convalescence - Respite Care - Day Care - Training
MF415826 V1 SH
Free training for family carers from Pendine Park Teaching Care Centre
FO O D
&
DRI NK
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
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.
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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.
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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
Green Papaya Salad
A pinch of chopped dried shrimps
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.
1 tablespoon Thai fish sauce (nam pla) 1 tablespoon water 4 cherry plum tomatoes, halved Juice of 1 lime RETIRED MAGAZINE | SPRING/SUMMER 2011
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.
Treacle tart with clotted cream ice cream For the ice cream, put the milk and clotted cream into a pan. Scrape out the seeds from the vanilla pod, add the pod and seeds to the milk and cream and almost bring to the boil. Set aside for 20 minutes. Cream the egg yolks and sugar together in a bowl. Bring the milk and cream back to the boil, strain on to the egg yolks and whisk in. Strain the mixture once more back into a clean pan and cook over a gentle heat, stirring consistently, until the mixture has thickened and lightly coats the back of a spoon. Pour into a bowl and leave to cool; then chill in the fridge until quite cold (overnight if possible).Churn the mixture in an ice cream maker until smooth. Transfer to a plastic box, cover and freeze for 6 hours or until needed. For the pastry, sift the flour and salt into a food processor or a mixing bowl. Add the pieces of butter and lard and work together, either in the food processor or with your fingertips, until the mixture looks like fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the water with a round-bladed knife (or process very briefly) until it comes together into a ball, then turn out on to a lightly floured surface and knead briefly until smooth. Roll out and use to line a loosebottomed flan tin that measures 23cm (9 inches) across the base and is 4cm (1¾ inches) deep. Chill for 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/ Gas Mark 6. Line the pastry case with a crumpled sheet of greaseproof paper and a thin layer of baking beans and bake blind for 15 minutes. Remove the paper and beans and return to the oven for 5-6 minutes or until the edges are biscuit-coloured.Remove and lower the oven temperature to 180°C/350°F/ Gas Mark 4. Stand the tin of golden syrup in a pan of hot water until it has gone liquid and then measure out your required amount into the dried-out pan.Stir in the lemon juice. Tip the breadcrumbs into the pastry case and spread them out evenly. Carefully spoon over the warm syrup and allow it to sink in and saturate the bread. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until set and golden brown. Leave to cool in the tin for 15 minutes. Transfer to a serving plate and serve, cut into wedges, with scoops of the clotted cream ice cream.
S E R V E S
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725g (1½ lb) golden syrup Juice of ½ lemon 175g (6 oz) coarse fresh white breadcumbs FOR THE PASTRY CASE:
225g (8oz) plain flour ½ teaspoon salt 65g (2½ oz) chilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces 65g (2½ oz) chilled lard, cut into pieces 1½ - 2 tablespoons cold water FOR THE CLOTTED CREAM ICE CREAM:
600ml (1 pint) full-cream milk 225g (8 oz) clotted cream 1 vanilla pod, split open lengthways 6 egg yolks 75g (3 oz) caster sugar
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EVERYONE wants a pleasant smile and – more importantly – teeth that don’t cause us regular problems or pain especially as we get older. The good news is that improvements in dental hygiene mean that more of us than ever will keep our natural teeth into old age. The figures speak for themselves: in 1968, 37% of adults had no natural teeth and by 1998, that figure had fallen to 12%. The truth is that with the right care and help from your dentist it’s possible to keep your teeth for life; gum disease and tooth decay can be prevented whatever your age. At the most basic level, human teeth are designed to tear food of all types and textures into pieces small enough to swallow, with chewing the first step in the process of digestion. Adults have 32 teeth made up of four types. Incisors have sharp edges for cutting food, canines (or eyeteeth) are pointed and used for tearing food,
bicuspids grind food and molars do the most vigorous and difficult chewing. Teeth are incredibly important apart from their duties relating to food. They help us to talk and to pronounce different sounds clearly. They also help to give our face its shape. And, of course, a healthy smile can be a great asset to anyone, young or old. Keeping teeth and gums healthy requires commonsense about nutrition and a daily health routine, advises the British Dental Health Foundation. Have sugary foods and drinks less often and regular dental check-ups. “When you eat foods containing sugars and starches, the bacteria in plaque produce acids which attack tooth enamel,” they state. “The stickiness of the plaque keeps these acids in contact with teeth. After constant acid attack, the tooth enamel breaks down forming a hole or cavity.” If plaque isn’t removed by brushing, it can harden into something called calculus, or tartar. As calculus forms near the gumline, the plaque underneath releases poisons which cause the gums to become irritated and inflamed. The gums start to pull away from the teeth and the gaps become infected. If gum disease isn’t treated swiftly, the bone supporting the teeth is destroyed and healthy teeth can become loose and fall out. Gum disease is the biggest cause of tooth loss in adults and you may need to have dentures, bridges or implants as a result. So, it’s important to remove plaque and food debris from around your teeth by brushing properly twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Choose a medium size brush with soft to medium multi-tufted roundended nylon bristles or filaments.
DENTAL NERVES: Dentists find many ways to help nervous patients including using music 24
As we get older, our gums recede or shrink back and teeth may become a little more sensitive as a result but ask your dentist or hygienist about this. He or she can show you the best brushing RETIRED MAGAZINE | SPRING/SUMMER 2011
method to prevent gum problems and may suggest a mouthwash to deal with sensitivity. Watch out for bleeding gums when you brush your teeth, or swollen, red or uncomfortable gums. Bad breath or an unpleasant taste in the mouth are all indicators of gum disease.
Association explains that you don’t need to suffer from missing teeth, or even have plastic dentures, as implant technology has leapt forward so much it offers same day teeth. States Dr Goolnick: “You can come in the morning wearing a denture, and walk out with a new smile which is fixed in place.” Implant treatment starts from £2,000.
If you have difficulties with normal teeth cleaning because of a problem with your hands or Gum recession, which may arms like arthritis, ask also leave teeth sensitive your dentist for advice. to cold, can be treated with Electric toothbrushes new technology where may be easier because dentists cover the root they usually have a wider surface with tooth-coloured handle and don’t require as resin materials to stop the much movement. Special sensitivity. “If the gums are adapters to make gripping healthy, we can even lift up EXPERT: Dr James Goolnik regular brushes easier are the gum to cover the root of the British Dental Association also available. The same surface,“ he adds. Cost applies if your eyesight involved here is from £80. is less than perfect; a magnifying mirror and a good light are often helpful. If you have crooked teeth, advances in orthodontics Some people take regular medication which makes their mouth dry. Saliva helps to protect teeth against tooth decay so get advice on this from your dentist. There are special products to help, including artificial saliva, which are available from most chemists. If you have dentures, it’s just as important to have a regular cleaning routine, brushing them twice a day with toothbrushes and solutions specially made for cleaning dentures. Rinse your mouth with warm, salted water after eating, before putting in your dentures in the morning and after taking them out at night. To kill bacteria that causes odour, place an effervescent cleaning tablet in the water used to soak your dentures. Dentists offer a variety of treatments, some available on the NHS. Dr James Goolnik of the British Dental
offer the opportunity to correct mild crowding within eight weeks with new treatments such as the clever device, the Inman aligner. “If you have more extensive crowding, the invisible braces can be fitted on the insides (lingual) so no-one needs to know you’re wearing them,” says Dr Goolnik. The cost of this kind of work is from £1,500. If time, smoking or drinking tea and coffee have caused your teeth to yellow and discolour, it might be worth considering tooth whitening. This uses oxygenating agents (mainly hydrogen peroxide) to unlock pores in the tooth enamel so that stains are gently removed leaving teeth cleaner and brighter. This varies in price and it’s worth finding a good cosmetic dentist to ensure efficient treatment that leaves you with a dazzling smile lasting for years.
* For more information, go to the British Dental Association website at www.bda.org or the British Dental Health Foundation at www.dentalhealth.org.uk The Foundation Helpline is on 0845 063 1188 with calls charged at local rates. RETIRED MAGAZINE | SPRING/SUMMER 2011
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Acorn
Antiques & Collectables
26
01978 754090
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Open every day 10am - 5pm Coffee shop open 10am - 4pm Late night opening Thursday until 8pm We offer an unrivalled choice of gifts, antiques and collectables creating a unique shopping experience. Two floors to discover!! Selling everything from antique furniture, jewellery, silver, ceramics and porcelain, militaria, clocks & watches, glassware, collectible books and reference books, dolls and teddy bears. Plus soft furnishings and accessories, 19th and 20th century rugs. Come and visit us and wander through our vast array of bygone treasures. You may find that antiques bargain you've been searching for. At the end of your search or indeed in the middle, stop and enjoy a coffee or tea in our coffee Shop. We serve freshly made sandwiches, baguettes and light lunches, hot and cold beverages and a selection of delicious home made scones and cakes.
Bring this ad and enjoy a free cup of tea or coffee with your homemade cake We are open every day from 10 a.m. to 5p.m. Late night -Thursday till 8p.m.
We are situated on the A541 Wrexham to Mold Road, behind the Heart FM radio station. Follow the signs for 'Acorn Antiques'
BERWYN BOOKS
NEW larger book unit now open with a vast collection of books old and new!
Situated behind Heart FM on the A541 Mold Road Westminster Estate, Mold Road, Gwersyllt, Wrexham, Clwyd LL11 4AF
www.acornantiqueswales.com
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If you live in the Wrexham County Borough area and are:
Os ydych chi'n byw yn Ardal Bwrdeistref Sirol Wrecsam ac:
Aged 60 years or over
Disabled (telephone 01978 266166 for further details)
Anabl (Ffonlwch 01978 266166 am manylion)
You will be entitled to a pass, which will enable you to travel free on all local bus services.
Free Travel for the Elderly and Disabled
Yn 60 oed neu hyn
Bydd hawl gennych i docyn a fydd yn eich galluogi i deithio ar yr holl wasanaethau bysiau lleol am ddim.
Teithio am ddim i'r henoed a'r anabl
Your pass will be valid all day, every day not only in Wrexham, but also for travel throughout Wales.
Bydd eich tocyn yn ddilys drwy'r dydd, bob dydd, nid yn unig yn Wrecsam, ond ar gyfer teithio ar hyd a lled Cymru.
How do I get my pass?
Sut ddylwn i gael fy nhocyn?
You can apply in person at the Busline enquiry office located at King Street Bus Station. You will need to take with you the following:
Gallwch wneud cais yn bersonol yn swyddfa ymholiadau y Llinell Fysiau. Bydd angen dangos y canlynol:
A completed application form
Ffurflen gais wedi'i chwblhau (Gweler drosodd)
A recent passport size photograph (Full face)
Llun maint pasport diweddar (Wyneb llawn)
Proof of residence such as a Council Tax bill, phone bill or gas bill
Prawf o gyfeiriad, megis bil Treth y Cyngor neu ffon
Proof of entitlement such as your pension/allowance book/letter, birth certificate or passport to show your age
You can also apply by post, sending your application form to: Concessionary Travel, Wrexham County Borough Council, Transport Co-ordination, Abbey Road South, Wrexham Industrial Estate, Wrexham LL13 9PW
www.wrexham.gov.uk/bus
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Wrexham Bus Line Llinell Fysus Wrecsam
Prawf o hawl megis eich llyfr/llythyr pensiwn/lwfans, tystysgrif geni neu basport i ddangos eich oed.
Gallwch wneud cais drwy'r post drwy anfon eich ffurflen gais i: Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Wrecsam Is-Adran Cydlynu Cludiant De Ffordd yr Abaty Ystad Ddiwydiannol Wrecsam Wrecsam LL13 9PW www.wrecsam.gov.uk/bws
01978 266166
retired magazine winter/spring 2009/10
Senior Rail Card Savings
Wrexham County Borough Council offer Senior Railcards, at the discounted price of £22.50, a saving of £3.50 off the current recommended retail price of £26.00. Cost equivalent to around £1.88 per month. The offer is exclusively available to all persons aged over 60 years, and who are residents of Wrexham County Borough. Senior Railcards are valid for 12 months from the date of issue and allow the cardholder 1/3 off all Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance fares across the National Rail Network. Senior Railcards can be purchased from Contact Wrexham, 16 Lord Street, by showing proof of residence and age. Senior railcards also offer savings on a variety of other products such as hotels, restaurants, cafes, and some of the top attractions in London.
retired magazine winter/spring 2009/10
Arbedion Cardiau Rheilffordd i Bobl Hyn
Mae Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Wrecsam yn cynnig Cardiau Rheilffordd i Bobl Hyn, am bris gostyngol o £22.50, sy’n arbediad o £3.50 oddi ar y pris manwerthu argymelledig presennol o £26.00. Cost gyfatebol o tua £1.88 y mis. Mae’r cynnig ar gael i bobl dros 60 oed, ac sy’n byw ym Mwrdeistref Sirol Wrecsam yn unig. Mae Cardiau Rheilffordd i Bobl Hyn yn ddilys am 12 mis o ddyddiad eu rhoi ac yn caniatáu 1/3 oddi ar deithiau Unrhyw Bryd, Allfrig ac Ymlaen Llaw ledled y Rhwydwaith Rheilffordd Cenedlaethol. Gellir prynu Cardiau Rheilffordd i Bobl Hyn o Galw Wrecsam, 16 Stryt yr Arglwydd, drwy ddangos prawf o’ch cyfeiriad a’ch oedran. Mae cardiau rheilffordd i bobl hyn hefyd yn cynnwys arbedion ar amrywiaeth o gynnyrch eraill megis gwestai, bwytai, caffis, a rhai o atyniadau pennaf Llundain.
RETIRED MAGAZINE | SPRING/SUMMER 2011
Edrychwch ar y ddwy enghraifft o pobol, dros 60 oed, sydd wedi cael ceisiadau llwyddiannus am Fudd-dal y Treth Cyngor: Have a look at these two examples of people, over the age of 60, who have had successful applications for Council Tax Benefit: Mae Mr Davies yn 78 oed ac yn byw ar ei ben ei hun. Mae’n talu cyfanswm o £21.00 yr wythnos mewn Treth Cyngor. Cysylltodd Mr Davies â’r Cyngor i weld a oedd yna unrhyw help ar gael iddo fo. Hysbysodd Mr Davies y Cyngor o fanylion ei incwm a’i gyfalaf fel a ganlyn: Pensiwn Ymddeol y Wladwriaeth - £114.00 yr wythnos Pensiwn Galwedigaethol £60.00 yr wythnos Cyfanswm cynilion o £15,000.00 Roedd gan Mr Davies hawl i ad-daliad o £14.83 yr wythnos. Mae hyn yn £771.16 y flwyddyn. Mr Davies: “Mae’n ffantastig, feddyliais i ddim am y byddwn i’n gymwys i gael dim…” Mae Mr a Mrs Evans sy’n 75 a 70 oed yn talu cyfanswm o £29.00 yr wythnos mewn Treth Cyngor. Ar ôl sylwi ar hysbyseb yn y papur lleol, penderfynodd Mrs. Evans hefyd i gysylltu â’r Cyngor i weld a oedden nhw’n gymwys i gael ad-daliad Treth Cyngor. Hysbysodd Mrs Evans y Cyngor o’u hincwm a’u Cyfalaf fel a ganlyn: Pensiwn Ymddeol y Wladwriaeth - £222.00 yr wythnos Pensiwn Ymddeol y Wladwriaeth - £58.50 yr wythnos Pensiwn Galwedigaethol £54.00 yr wythnos Cyfanswm cynilion £14,205.00 Roedd Mr a Mrs Evans â hawl i ad-daliad o £6.20 yr wythnos. Mae hyn yn £322.40 y flwyddyn. Mrs Evans: “Rwy’n hapus iawn bod fy nhaliadau misol wedi lleihau…”
Mr Davies is 78 years old and lives on his own. He is required to pay a total of £21.00 per week Council Tax. Mr Davies contacted the Council to see if there was any help available to him. Mr Davies advised the Council of his income and capital details as follows: State Retirement Pension - £114.00 per week Occupational Pension £60.00 per week Total savings of £15,000.00 Mr Davies was entitled to a rebate of £14.83 per week. This is £771.16 per year. Mr Davies: “It’s fantastic, I didn’t think for one minute that I would be eligible for anything…” Mr and Mrs Evans who are aged 75 and 70 are required to pay a total of £29.00 per week Council Tax. After noticing an advert in their local paper, Mrs Evans decided to contact the Council to see if they might be eligible for a Council Tax rebate. Mrs Evans informed the Council of their income as follows: State Retirement Pension State Retirement Pension Occupational Pension Total savings of -
£222.00 per week £58.50 per week £54.00 per week £14,205.00
Mr and Mrs Evans were entitled to a rebate of £6.20 per week. This is £322.40 per year. Mrs Evans: “I’m very happy that my monthly payments have reduced…” RETIRED MAGAZINE | SPRING/SUMMER 2011
s ss ar ne e si y ! bu 0 gn 2 si n ru g de ily in n m at he Fa br itc e k el in C
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