Hertfordshire issue 28

Jean-Christophe Novelli

THE NATION’S FAVOURITE FRENCH CHEF

HERTFORDSHIRE

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JANUARY - MARCH 2013EDITION 28

TheHairyBikersHOW TO LOVE FOOD AND LOSE WEIGHT

THE LOCAL MAGAZINE FOR THE OVER 50s WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

BATTLEFIELD TOURS BY COACH 2013

MOBILITY MADE EASY ... BEARD BROTHERS

Las Vegas Experince Weekend30th March - 1st April£145 ppHoliday includes

All Coach Travel•2 Nights half board•Local Excursion•Las Vegas Night Experience•

Dutch Bulbfields13th - 16th May£315 ppHoliday includes

All Coach Travel•3 Nights half board•Ferry Crossings•Excursion to Amsterdam•Entrace to Keukenhof Bulb Fields•

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Eastbourne27th - 31st May£375 ppHoliday includes

All Coach Travel•4 Nights half board•Entrace to Brighton Pavilion•Entrance to Heaver Castle•

Torquay5th - 11th August£399 ppHoliday includes

All Coach Travel•6 Nights half board•Entrace to Eden Project•Paignton and boat/train trip•Two further local excursions•

Cheshire21st - 25th August£365 ppHoliday includes

All Coach Travel•4 Nights half board•Manchester Ship Canal Trip•Liverpool Excursion•Chester Excursion•

Scotland8th - 15th September£589 ppHoliday includes

All Coach Travel•7 Nights half board•Cairngorm and Deeside Excursion•Loch Ness and Isle of Skye Excursion•Gairloch and Ullapool Excursion•

Derbyshire & Peak District30th Sept - 4th Oct£355 ppHoliday includes

All Coach Travel•4 Nights half board•Entrance to Chatsworth House•Matlock & Bakwell Excursion•A day in the Peaks•

Warner Hayling Island10th - 14th June£380 pp

Warner Bodelwyddan Castle2nd - 6th August£405 pp

Warner Bembridge Coast Hotel23rd - 27th September£390 pp

Let us take you thereHolidays by coach 2013

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Scarborough8th-12th Nov£275 pp

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Cologne - GermanChristmas Market29th Nov - 2nd Dec£295Holiday IncludesAll Coach Travel3 Nights Half BoardFerry Crossings2 Days Cologne & Markets

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TRAVEL & LEISURE6-7 Special Promotion for Readers ... From The Perfect Smile Studio and Academy8-9 Travel to a touch of England in the Med ... Visit Malta

HOME18-19 The Hairy Bikers ... How to Love Food and Lose Weight

20-21 The Nation’s Favourite French Chef ... Cheeseboard Theatre Tips

28-29 Changing Rooms ... Tips for a new home

inside...

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Things ain’t what they used to beThe size of Waggon Wheels says a lot about the state of this country in my opinion. I was chatting, tweeting even, to a friend the other day and he set me thinking because he was dreadfully upset about his Penguin bar, almost in tears he was.

They’re just not the same any more, and when I mentioned Waggon Wheels he almost had apoplexy.

“They’re like tiddlywinks compared to when I was a lad,” he sobbed. I had to agree.

I don’t have a sweet tooth often but I have noticed that since we joined the Common Market, or whatever we’re supposed to call it now, things have not been the same.

Jelly babies have become positively embryonic, wine gums have become a third of the size they were when I was at school and when did you last see a whopping great tomato in a supermarket? You won’t, because the supermarkets now employ people to make sure all fruit and veg is of virtual uniformity and colour. The tomatoes have to stand to attention every morning while some sergeant major of an attendant inspects them and anything over a centimetre bigger than its neighbour is probably splatted with a swagger stick.

If a banana curves at more than the prescribed EU defi nition it is fed to the local zoo, gooseberries have been ordered to the barbers if they are too hairy, the list is endless.

I recall that Rileys toffee rolls were twice their size in my youth. We bought them in loose “quarters” then, that was sensible measurement, but now they’re shrunk wrapped in at least three layers of cellophane which is more designed to keep the fl avour out than in. Mars bars are in serious danger of extinction if they get any smaller and gobstoppers simply can’t compete.

So why are we a nation of increasingly obese people if everything is getting smaller? That’s easy. Every café now seems to be serving “mega all day breakfasts” with enormous helpings of greasy spoon material, pizzas are getting bigger and it seems to be the norm now to walk down the street eating large pastries, spitting crumbs everywhere and heeding no one because there is a piece of electrical equipment plugged into every bodily orifi ce. Give it fi ve years and some of these kids won’t know what birdsong and traffi c sound like.

There is one saving grace to it all though, if they are run over by a Waggon Wheel it won’t do much damage.

You must be jokingWhat passes for humour today often leaves me cold. Winner of the top joke at the Edinburgh Fringe was Stewart Francis with the offering, “Know who gives kids a bad name? Posh and Becks.”

Oh come on you can do better than that! What happened to the golden age which produced real comics such as Morecambe and Wise, Les Dawson and Dave Allen? They could not only deliver the stuff with immaculate timing but write it as well. Their actions and expressions were funny and they didn’t have to resort to the vernacular vulgarity so often seen at televised fringe events where the laughter is canned and the comic probably should be.

Stewart Francis by the way is Canadian, which, if you’ve had a drink or two, sounds like comedian.

The Swansea tribeI have a fondness for quirky people and had to smile at the Swansea man who lives as an Apache Indian and was almost prosecuted for wanting to turn badger paws and eagle wings into a headress.

Mangas Colaradas, 60, was due to stand trial for keeping protected wild animal parts but the Crown Prosecution dropped the case. He brought the bits back from Spain, where he lived in a tepee, to his three-bed semi in Swansea.He refused to reveal his real name and appeared in court wearing a ceremonial headdress, tassled suede jacket, moccasins and a snake’s head necklace.

He said, “I wear this all the time, I’m not just some weekend Indian. I don’t put it on to show off, I put it on because I want to wear it.”

Geronimo! You tell ‘em Mangas.

HAVING A TWITTER with Graham Smith

6

Also, the best thing about this is that it doesn’t matter what your mouth is like right now! We can offer a wide range of treatments and services that will have you feeling back to your normal self in no time at all. So come for a FREE Personal Consultation and let us talk to you about how we can help you. Call us on 01992 552115.We create exacting smiles using our Signature Complete Care Assessment program. This is an intensive highly detailed assessment that can last up to 3 or 4 hours. It involves for the most part Dr. Doshi using various state of the art diagnostics and understanding the details of your mouth. As a patient it is a very comfortable exercise and our customer care team will be on hand at all times to cater for your every need. You will also be able to enjoy our relaxation suite with refreshments as a break whilst Dr. Doshi does some very sophisticated treatment planning.

How do The Perfect Smile Studios & Institute create your Perfect Smile?1. We have a detailed comprehensive evaluation and assessment process. This allows us to completely understand your every need and requirement.

2. Personalised Treatment Planning. Once we understand the type of smile you are looking for we then generate a customized treatment plan of action. This incorporates cosmetic dentistry techniques that allow us to create that stunning smile that will be yours.

3. We do mockups on your teeth that are completely removable. They allow you to see the type of smile that would work for you.

4. We provide Free Computerised Smile Imaging. See your smile before you have anything done to understand which look suits you best.

5. We show you and discuss with you previously done similar cases to decipher your exact wants. We have found looking at different cases that are similar to you helps you to choose a smile makeover that you like.

6. We create stunning Trial Smiles. Dr. Doshi lectures regularly on this subject. The trial smile is another opportunity for you to see how you like your smile to be. It gives you the opportunity to “try-out” your new smile for a time. This way you can see your new look and smile in the comfort of your own home and get opinions from your family and friends if you wish. Dr. Doshi is then able to make alterations in your smile according to your exact and precise requirements.

7. We work in partnership with you to develop the exact smile you want.

8. Treatment does not end until you are fully satisfied. Aesthetic treatment is not completed until you are happy with the cosmetic outcome.

How to have a comfortable mouth with a beautiful natural smile that suits

As we get older we are often faced with a whole plethora of ailments. One of the most frustrating is our inability to enjoy the simpler things in life like our favourite foods because our mouths are not as they should be. Some people suffer from loose dentures which cause ulcers and the inability to chew food properly; others suffer from unsightly teeth that are often dark, painful and embarrassing; and many others suffer from bad gums which tend to bleed frequently and loosen teeth. Well, if you are suffering from any of these problems or even if your self-esteem and confidence has been hurt, then let me tell you there is light at the end of your tunnel. You can now have a beautiful natural looking smile with teeth that are fixed and strong. At The Perfect Smile Studios & Institute we are dedicated to creating mouths that look great, feel great and function to your satisfaction. We want you to look better…not different!

BEFORE AFTER


6. Finance Plans. We offer flexible financial help with a leading company that specializes in financing for dental patients. This means you can afford a larger investment in your dental care by paying in small instalments over an extended period of time. We even offer interest-free loans over 12 months!

7. Special Techniques for Nervous Patients. For patients who are anxious, we offer relaxation sedation techniques or hypnosis to help with overcoming your fears. This allows you to have the important treatment you need in a totally comfortable manner. Indeed, there are now cosmetic treatments available to you whereby minimal preparation or no drilling is necessary of your teeth using our special Ultrathin Veneers techniques.

8. Pain-Free, Injection-Free, Drill-Free Laser Dentistry. We are one of the few practices in the UK that have a comprehensive range of dental lasers. These are used in many ways for our patients offering the very latest in dental technology.

9. Unique Ambience. Our Hertford Studios do not look and feel like a dental practice. We have a warm friendly atmosphere with so many small touches for your comfort and care.

10. Confidence and Trust. This is perhaps the most important reason. Dr. Doshi and his partners will advise and guide you as though you were their own family member. You will become part of our patient family where we will continue to respect your long-term dental care.

Award winning celebrity cosmetic dentist Dr. Rahul Doshi of The Perfect Smile Studios & Advanced Training Institute says: “ We have treated many people in our practice, at the institute and also on the TV programmes like Extreme Makeover

UK. It is amazing to see the transformation in people when they have increased inner confidence due to having corrective comprehensive dental treatment. People can easily look 10 years younger. So now they can LOOK like they FEEL”

1. Our Signature Complete Comprehensive Detailed Assessments. This means that you have the confidence and trust that you will be given the best advice regarding suitable treatment solutions that meet your needs perfectly and satisfactorily.

2. Outstanding Customer Service. We are committed to looking after you in every way we can. We offer a range of complimentary services to make your visit with us as enjoyable and comfortable as possible. These include painless injections, aromatherapy, your choice of relaxing music on digital wireless headphones and a hand held buzzer so that you can stop treatment at any time and much more.

3. An Empathic and Understanding Approach. Many of our patients are aged 50 and over. We always take our time to listen to your needs and understand your previous dental experiences.

4. Hand-Made Cosmetic Strong and Stable Dentures. Working with award-winning leading dental technicians enables us to create beautiful, natural looking dentures that are comfortable and amazingly lifelike!

5. Denture Alternatives. We can offer a combination of treatments (including Dental Implants) that allow us to replace missing teeth in a predictable manner giving you back your confidence. You can now avoid the embarrassment of loose dentures and restore your chewing ability. Have teeth which look, feel and function like natural teeth.

10 Ways How The Perfect Smile Studios Can Help YOU

Dr. Rahul Doshi works with a team of highly skilled dentists and specialists at The Perfect Smile Studios & Advanced Training Institute. He is a highly acclaimed, award winning leading UK Cosmetic Dental Surgeon, who works with the TV media on various makeovers, the most popular of them being Extreme Makeover UK and Britains Worst Teeth. He has also been extensively featured in the National Press including The Times, The Independent, The Daily Mail, The Guardian, Tatler and various other magazines. He is an international lecturer on many aspect of clinical dentistry and is author to many associated articles in the dental press. He has now taught over 5000 dentists on clinical dentistry. He helps the dental profession through his editorship with the main dental professional publication and is a board director at the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

Any patient seen by Dr. Doshi or any of his partners will be in extremely good hands. The entire team will also be present to make sure your visits to the studios are as pleasant and relaxing as possible.

Special Promotion for Readers• FREE Personal Consultations (WORTH £175.00)• FREE Scan Radiograph to assess your dental health (WORTH £75.00)• FREE Computerised Photographic Cosmetic Analysis and Advice (WORTH £79.00)• FREE Smile Imaging for you to preview your teeth.

Call us on 01992 552115 and talk to us about your dental needs or go towww.theperfectsmile.co.uk for more special offers and information.

The Perfect Smile Studios and Institute, 7/9 South Street Hertford, Herts SG14 1AZ

!


Travel to a touch of England in the Med

50 Plus Travel sponsored by

MALTA

Malta is a fabulous Mediterranean destination especially if you dislike the hassle of foreign languages. Everyone speaks good to perfect English yet Malta retains all the charm of the Mediterranean.

The universality of English is down to Malta being part of the British Empire from 1814 until 1964 but strangely it was not one of the Empires conquests. In the Napoleonic era Malta was between a rock and a hard place - at risk of being invaded by the French and the Russians. It opted for the protection of the British Empire and subsequently played a crucial role in defeating Rommel’s Afrika Korps in North Africa during WWII.

It’s a tiny place, signifi cantly smaller than the Isle of Wight, with a familiar yet foreign ambience. They have the highest density of catholic priests outside the Vatican City, produce and explode more fi reworks per head than anywhere else on earth and eat an unbelievable number of rabbits.

Of course, they drive on the left and something I love is how it’s kept some of the classic images from my childhood – old red telephone boxes, red post boxes and blue lights outside police stations. Sadly EU

By Peter LynchJournalist, rail and wildlife specialist, contributor to Great Train Journeys of the World and Silver Travel Advisor

bureaucrats have forced the withdrawal of the famous orange vintage Leyland and Bedford buses.

The World Heritage listed capital of Valletta is Europe’s fi rst planned city, laid out in a grid system of streets and alleyways. The Knights of St John built it on a peninsula as a defence against the Turks during the sixteenth century.

The Upper Barrakka Gardens provide a must-see harbour and city view and the Grand Master’s palace and armoury is a must. Don’t be put off by the plain exterior of St John cathedral; it belies a fabulous Baroque interior and a famous painting by Caravaggio.

Valletta’s real charm is its ambience, so it’s important to sit in an outdoor cafe and soak up the palpable sense of history rather than just rushing around the sites –the perfect excuse for loafi ng.

But all this is just recent history; Malta’s prehistoric megalithic temples are older than Stonehenge or the Pyramids. It’s a dream destination for historians and reads like a textbook of western civilisation, probably with more human history packed into its122 sq miles than anywhere else on earth.

There are 23 prehistoric sites dating back 6,000 years including the impressive megalithic temples of Taraxien and Hagar Qim but the subterranean


Silver Travel Advisor is a travel review, information and advice website exclusively for over 50’s, packed with articles, suggestions, tips and ideas. For free and independent travel advice as well as reviews about holidays, hotels, restaurants and days out, please visit www.silvertraveladvisor.com or email [email protected]. It’s free to register as a member of Silver Travel Advisor, and you could win a fabulous holiday prize.

hypogeum of Hal Safl ieni is perhaps the most breathtaking. It is the only known underground pre-historic temple.

Not much is known about these ancient temple builders or their mysterious parallel ‘cart tracts’ gouged into the limestone. They’ve been likened to a complex railway junction (Clapham Junction) because they criss-cross the landscape and some even disappear off the edge of the cliff - creating an endless source of myths and legends.

Homer’s Odyssey tells of Ulysses being shipwrecked on the nearby island of Gozo where Calypso captivated him on his journey back from Troy to Ithaca in Greece.Then there are the Phoenicians from the Biblical cities of Tyre and Sidon who traded and settled Malta until ousted by the Roman’s. St Paul was also shipwrecked

on Malta en-route to Rome and his indelible legacy of Christianity is still evident in the islands 360 churches.The marks of Norman and Arab confl icts are everywhere on the island, culminating with the spectacular city of Valletta built by the Knights of St John in 1566. Malta’s history rolls on involving the Spanish Empire; Napoleon predictably turned up and of course the British.

But its not history that makes Malta one of the UK’s favourite holiday destinations - it’s the glorious weather, the friendly people, the Mediterranean lifestyle and the convenience of English speakers.When Malta’s history, shopping and nightlife pall the 20-minute ferry across to Gozo is like moving to another country. It is Malta’s exclusive hideaway island with a pastoral ambience compared to Malta’s brasher tourist developments. Everything runs at a slower pace on Gozo.

The islands capital of Rabat was renamed Victoria in 1897 to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond jubilee but its still the beautiful quant town of alleyways, cafes and little shops it always was. The imposing walled citadel sheltered people from the marauding corsairs who plagued island communities throughout the Mediterranean.

Gozo has its share of prehistoric monuments such as the Ggantija temple - supposedly built by giantesses and more mysterious ‘cart ruts’.

The impressive Romanesque Basilica of Ta Pinu dominates the Gozitan skyline and has become a local shrine with a Lourdes-like status for miracle cures. Inside the walls are adorned with artifi cial limbs and other relics left by grateful pilgrims.

So don’t bother with a history book in Malta, just stroll around and let it all seep in, and between momentous historical events you’ll be able to fi nd a perfect pasta and a decent pint of beer.

Valletta’s real charm is its ambience, so it’s important to sit in an outdoor cafe and soak up the palpable sense of history...


If you're new to cruising, looking for cruise tips or cruise advice then read on. A cruise holiday is a unique way to escape from the rigours of everyday life and to explore many different destinations in one of the most relaxing ways imaginable. It offers you an extraordinary variety of activities and entertainment, plus an exceptional quality of dining. And of course, if you simply want to escape, there’s plenty of opportunity to do absolutely nothing at all.

Booking a cruise can be like ordering a salad in the States, lot's of choices to make, from dining time to bed configuration, to choice of table size. But by far the most important choice of all is getting the right ship and cruise for your requirements.

When booking your first cruise the choices can be daunting and getting it wrong could lead to a disastrous holiday.

Make sure you seek out a cruise professional for the best advice!

What type of people go on cruises?The great myth about cruise holidays is that it's just for the older generation. More and more families, couples singles are setting sail on ships that offer a holiday for everyone. Cruising appeals to a wide range of people so there’s a good mix of age groups, families, couples and singles on board. Once again the best advice from the outset is imperative. There are adult only ships, family orientated ships, different classes of ships and the size of ship can matter!

How much luggage can I take?On cruises sailing from and returning to Southampton you can take as many bags as you can fit into your cabin. On fly-cruises you’ll be restricted to the airline’s baggage allowance.

What do I wear?During the day casual wear is ideal with comfortable shoes for exploring ashore. Although cruising isn’t as formal as it once was, passengers still love to dress up in the evening. There are three types of evening

Cruise For the First Time

Cruise holidays continue to be in great demand. An estimated 2m people will take a cruise holiday from the UK this year.

wear; smart casual, semi-formal and formal, however it greatly depends on the cruise line you travel with, the dress codes are usually relative to the type of meal arrangements on board, for example NCL Cruises are Freestyle and have no formal evenings and provide buffet meals.

Is the port at the main destination?Usually yes, but in some countries the ships dock in alternative locations. In these cases, the itinerary lists the port in brackets alongside the destination, e.g Rome (from Civitavecchia). Shore excursions are offered from your ship to your destination, with public transport and taxis available for those wishing to explore independently.

How long do I get at each port?Again this can vary by Cruise line and ship.

However, in the majority of destinations you will be able to enjoy a full day ashore. Your ship will usually arrive between 7am and 10 am, departing between 4pm and 6.30pm.

A cruise line such as Hurtigruten, operates as a working ship taking Norwegians from port to port thus spends less time at each port. However as the ships are smaller you get the best possible access and cruise to see the wonderful Norwegian Fjords.

Will I be sea sick?For those who haven't cruised before this seems to be the biggest single fear. The vast majority of those customers on their return state most of the time they couldn't even tell they were on a ship. Sea sickness is rare. The shear size of many of these ships makes them stable in all weather conditions. However if you are worried, you can buy tablets that will help. Additionally, ships also contain well-equipped Medical Centres staffed by qualified doctors and nurses 24 hours a day.

So what you waiting for set sail now!

T R AV E L

Cozy Tours 2013 l 0345 265 8888 l www.cozytours.co.uk

BEACHES OF NORMANDY

4 DAY BATTLEFIELD TOUR

APRIL 23RD 26TH

The Normandy

Invasion an

d the libera

tion of

Europe was o

ne of the la

rgest undert

akings in

military his

tory. The l

ogistics are

quite simpl

y

unparalleled

from the as

sembly of th

e largest an

d

most powerfu

l armada eve

r, to the la

nding of

three airbor

ne divisions

and massed

infantry.

Overlord, as

it was code

named, is qu

ite simply a

military fea

t to be marv

elled at.

£395.00

Deposit: £50

pp£65.00

Single supp

lement

Full payment

due: 15/3/1

3

Price include

s:

All Coach Tr

avel

•Ferry

crossings

•3 Nigh

ts BHalf Boa

rd

•This h

oliday is ac

companied by

a Rifleman

•Tour G

uide

BATTLEFIELD TOURS BY COACH 2013

YPRES SALIENT4 DAY BATTLEFIELD TOURAUGUST 13TH 16THThe British, French and Belgian Armies heldthis part of the line from October 1914 until1918. The cost of their determination washorrendous and several hundred thousand liveswere lost and Ypres was more or less destroyedduring the four years of war. All that wasleft was the Cloth Hall's ruins standing as adefiant iconic landmark to the passing troopson their way to the front.

£295.00Deposit: £50pp £80.00 Single supplementFull payment due: 5/7/13Price includes:All Coach Travel•

Ferry crossings•

3 Nights Bed & Breakfast•

This holiday is accompanied by a Rifleman

•Tour Guide

THE SOMME

4 DAY BATTLEFIELD TOUR

OCTOBER 1ST 4TH

Prior to July 19

16, the Somme wa

s a relatively

quiet sector of

the Western Fron

t. However, in

the build up to

the 1st July and

the launch of

one of the large

st battles in hi

story, this area

was shelled for

a solid seven da

ys with the aim

of shifting the

Germans from the

ir well dug

trenches. At 7.3

0am the soldiers

of the British

army went over t

he top to what t

hey assumed woul

d

be certain victo

ry and the begin

ning of the end

of the war. But

by the end of th

e day British an

d

Empire losses ha

d totalled 19,24

0 dead and 57,47

0

casualties. It w

as indeed the bl

oodiest day for

the British Army

.

£295.00

Deposit: £50pp

£90.00 Single su

pplement

Full payment due

: 22/8/13

Price includes:

All Coach Travel

•Ferry cr

ossings•

3 Nights Bed & B

reakfast

•Excursio

ns accompanied b

y a Rifleman

•Tours Gu

ide

All our tours are run In conjunction withRifleman Tours who specialise in World War One

and World War Two battlefield tours.Run by husband and wife team Tony and Allison,Rifleman Tours is committed to providing apersonal service at an extremely high level.

Cozy Tours 2013 coach holidaybrochure now available call FREEon 0800 028 1658 to request your

copy of our 2013 brochure

50 Plus Battlefield 2013_Layout 1 16/12/2012 01:17 Page 1


When Russell Grant first danced into the hearts of the viewing millions on “Strictly Come Dancing” last year his stars might well have predicted great success and a comeback of cosmic proportions.For arguably Britain’s favourite astrologer may not have won the series – well, let’s face it, his dancing was more entertainment than excellence – but the live audiences and those at home loved him. And for Russell this TV appearance provided a passport back to fame.

Born in Middlesex, Russell was brought up in a council house by his set designer father Frank and secretary mother Joan who both worked at Pinewood Studios. His parents separated when he was 11 and he moved in with his maternal grandmother but, in spite of the upheaval, Russell has always said he had a happy childhood.

He worked as a Butlins’ Redcoat and trained as an actor, appearing in a variety of shows. While working in Blackpool, Russell met his partner Doug Beaumont and the two have been together for almost 40 years.

Although Russell first came to prominence in 1978 after he held an astrological reading for the Queen Mother which led to him being dubbed “Astrologer Royal”, his theatre, TV and film career was surprisingly comprehensive and successful.

It spanned more than 30 musicals and comedies, including work as varied as touring with “The King and I” to TV’s “On

The Buses”, “Please Sir!” and “The Fenn Street Gang”. He’s been in “Tom Brown’s Schooldays” in the West End and was an effective panto dame in shows all over the country.

However, TV beckoned and it was Russell’s fascination with astrology and his exuberant personality that brought him before the nation, first on Yorkshire TV and then on Granada TV where he was a regular onscreen explaining the daily horoscopes. From there he moved to breakfast TV with BBC’s “Breakfast Time” and later to TV-am as resident astrologer on “Good Morning.”

A broadcasting natural and popular presenter, this role soon broadened to presenting other shows including celebrity quiz “Star Choice”. He later had his own six-episode series “Russell Grant’s All Star Show.” He worked for Channel 5 just after it was launched and directed and starred in “Russell Grant’s Postcards”, a collection of more than 100 five-minute travelogues produced by his own company Russell Grant World Productions.

Russell worked solidly on a number of TV projects, with his astrology skills ever present, and he wrote a number of popular newspaper columns and horoscopes in regional newspapers throughout the country as well as in various magazines.

Like many TV personalities, however, his star waned for a while. In 2006, he took part in the fourth series of “Celebrity Fit Club” and lost over three stone, but he later suffered from depression and his weight rocketed, this time to 26 stone.

He became something of a recluse at the 30-acre Snowdonia estate that he shares with Doug but, being Russell Grant and

RUSSELL GRANT: THE COMEBACK KID


a trouper, determined that the show must go on, he began losing weight – around 10 stone in two and a half years by disco dancing each day for half an hour!

In 2011, an online group called “Get Russell on Strictly” finally persuaded TV executives to have him as a contestant on the show. In September last year, he burst onto our screens with his lovely professional dancing partner Flavia Cacace. Surprisingly light on his feet and with genuine rhythm, Russell sported a number of colourful and outrageous costumes and certainly won the day with viewers.

In fact, they kept him in the knock-out programme until late November – in spite of much criticism from the judges, in particular the often acerbic Craig Revel Horwood. The abiding memory of Russell from the series, however, is of him being shot from a cannon as part of one particularly fun number!

This great revival by the “comeback kid” caught the attention of the famous musical writer and producer Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. He invited Russell to return to the West End stage – and the Palladium Theatre where he’d last performed 34 years before – and take part in a three-month stint replacing Michael Crawford as the “Wizard of Oz” in a new production.

“I was worried as I was due to have an operation on my knee,” commented Russell. “I’m 61 now. At this age you know your limitations. But you also sense your mortality. So there was a two-way thing going on. I was trying to talk myself out of it, thinking ‘Can’t I just go back to Wales?’”

Fortunately, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Russell’s close friend Lulu convinced him the part was right for him, and a

highly successful run followed which enhanced and revived Russell’s theatrical reputation once more.The production also brought him under the dancing wing of choreographer and dance teacher Arlene Phillips – “She even had me dancing the Charleston”, said Russell.

Following his memorable appearance in the hit musical, Russell has been brought in as a guest star for a new tour of the show “Grease”, taking the role of Teen Angel at various venues including Newcastle, Llandudno, Southseas, Wimbledon, Dartford and for a one-week run in Manchester in October.

He’s back working with Arlene Phillips, whom Russell insists is his “dance sister.” “Arlene brought out the very best in me working on ‘The Wizard of Oz’,” he stated. “So when she said I was right for Teen Angel and, if I took the part, she’d create the choreography, how could I resist!”

The sparkly suit and no doubt mesmerising performances are bound to leave the audience hopelessly devoted to Mr Grant’s special charms again. And it’s one more dancing role which he now loves, as he explained: “Teen Angel has a Strictly twist and shimmy which captures the joy of dance I’ve been lucky enough to have discovered.”

As for the future, who knows? Russell hasn’t set himself any special showbiz boundaries and his fans are never surprised – just happy to see their favourite star once more ascending.

INTERV IEW

Up to

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Worried About Your Bill? Having Difficulty Paying?The sooner you contact us, the quicker we can help...

Can I get a reduction in my bill?

Ways to pay your Council Tax

By Debit Card over the phone

We can reduce your Council Tax 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 18 or over are severely mentally

impaired

Direct Debit is as simple as one telephone call.

Just phone your local council (see following pages) and have the following

information ready:-

Your Council Tax account number

Your bank account details (sort code, account name

and number)

Just phone your local council (see following pages) and have

the following information ready:-

Your Council Tax account number

Your debit card number, expiry date and name

on the card

Please visit the council website for details on how to make payments online

If you have less than £16,000* in capital and a low income please contact the Benefits Service (see other page)


New government rules from 1 April 2013 mean that the nationalCouncilTaxBenefitschemewillbeabolishedfrom 31 March 2013 to be replaced by new forms of local support.

Each council which currently administers council tax benefitonbehalfofthegovernment(DWP)willhavetocreate and adopt its own local scheme. Local people have been consulted and the councillors have the finalsay.Eachschemeonlylastsayearandhastoberenewed on an annual basis.

At the same time, councils have to be aware of costs and have to make 10% savings compared to the previous scheme.

What does this mean for you? Ifyoualreadygetcounciltaxbenefit,andyouareclassed as ‘of pensionable age’, you will be protected fromtheeffectsofthechangesandgetbenefitonthesamebasisasnow.YouwillbenotifiedofthisinMarch2013 when the new council tax bills are produced and sent out as normal.

Ifyoualreadygetcounciltaxbenefit,andyouareof‘workingage’,yourbenefitwillbetransferredtothenewscheme but you may be slightly worse off and have some/more council tax to pay even if you haven’t had

to pay towards your Council Tax in the past. You will be notifiedofthisinMarch2013whenthenewcounciltaxbills are produced and sent out as normal. You may need to contact the local council Revenues Section to change or start an agreement to make council tax payments – Direct Debit is an easy way to do this.

Ifyoudonotcurrentlyreceivecounciltaxbenefitbutthinkyoumayneedfinancialhelptopayyourcounciltax because you are on a low income, you can apply for counciltaxbenefitnowbycontactingyourlocalcouncil.If you qualify, the council will automatically consider your claim again for council tax support next April but this may be a less generous scheme. If you need help in the future after April 2013, you can apply for council tax support by contacting your local council at any time.

What is council tax support like?Inmostcasesitwillbeverylikecounciltaxbenefitwith a few slight changes to address local needs and costs.Certainlyinthefirstyearitwillbeverylikethemeanstestedbenefitswehavenow.Infutureyearsyouwill need to contact your local council for advice and information as schemes and their rules may differ widely from district to district. Some councils may require you to fillinanapplicationformbuttheyshouldhavedetailsoftheir schemes and local rules on the council website or ininformationleaflets.

New Council Tax Support from 2013


Overall Benefit CapThiswillbebasedonthetotalweeklybenefitincomereceived by the household.

For a working age single adult with no children, the maximum will be £350 per week.

For working age couples or single parents, the maximum will be £500 per week.

ThisincludesbenefitslikeHousingBenefit,JSAandIncome Support.

The following groups will not be affected - people of PensionCreditage,peopleclaimingworkingtaxcredit,war widows/widowers, or people receiving Disability Living Allowance, Carers Allowance, or the support component of ESA. If you are likely to be affected, JobcentrePluswillcontactyoutogiveyoumoreinformation.

Social Housing size restrictionWorking age households may see a reduction in HousingBenefitiftheyliveinrentedaccommodationwherethelandlordisaCouncilorHousingAssociationand they have more bedrooms than they need.

HousingBenefitwillbereducedby14%ifyouhaveoneextra bedroom or 25% if you have more than one extra bedroom.

The Government is introducing limits on how much benefit some groups of people can receive from April 2013

The bedrooms you need are calculated as follows:

Each person/couple is entitled to one bedroom,Except:

l Children under 16 of same gender expected to sharel Children under 10 expected to share regardless of genderl Disabled tenant or partner who needs non resident overnight carer will be allowed an extra room

Example:

Single parent, with 17 year old son, and two 12 year old daughters.= 1 bedroom for parent, 1 bedroom for son, one bedroom for daughters = 3 bedrooms.

Couple with son aged 15 and son aged 11= 1 bedroom for parents, and one for children as both same gender and under 16 = 2 bedrooms. When son is aged 16, the bedroom allowance would increase to 3.

Single parent with son aged 7 and daughter aged 9.= 1 bedroom for parent, and 1 for children under 10 regardless of gender. When daughter is aged 10, the bedroom allowance would increase to 3.

If you think this may affect you, you should contact your landlord to ask about moving to a smaller property.


Contact your local CouncilThe Benefits ServiceStevenage Borough Council Daneshill HouseDanestreteStevenageSG1 1HNTel: 01438 242440Email:[email protected]

Benefit ServiceWelwyn Hatfield Borough CouncilThe CampusWelwyn Garden CityHertsAL8 6AETel: 01707 357000Email: [email protected] in partnership with ARP

ARPT Working in Partnership withWelwyn Hatfield Council

Dacorum Borough CouncilCivic CentreMarlowesHemel HempsteadHertfordshireHP1 1HHTel: 01442 867868Email: [email protected]

St Albans District CouncilDistrict Council Offices, Civic CentreSt Albans, Herts AL1 3JE Tel: 01727 866100Text phone 07727 819570Email [email protected]

Broxbourne CouncilBishops' CollegeChurchgate, CheshuntHertfordshire EN8 9XGTel: 01992 785503Email: [email protected]

Benefit SectionThree Rivers District CouncilThree Rivers HouseNorthwayRickmansworthHertsWD3 1RLTel: 01923 773138.Email: [email protected] www.threerivers.gov.uk

Benefits Section North Hertfordshire District Council Council Offices Gernon Road Letchworth Garden City SG6 3JF Tel: 01462 474597 Email: [email protected] www.north-herts.gov.uk

Hertsmere Borough CouncilCivic OfficesElstree WayBorehamwoodHertsWD6 1WATel: 020 8207 7404 Fax: 0208 207 7403 Email [email protected]

East Herts Council The Causeway, Bishop's Stortford, Herts, CM23 2EN. Tel: 01279 655261Email: [email protected]

The Benefits Office Watford Council Town Hall, Watford, Herts, WD17 3EX Tel: 01923 278501 Fax: 01923 278541 Email: revenues&[email protected] www.watford.gov.uk

Revenues & Benefits ServiceEastHertsCouncilandStevenageBoroughCouncilWallfieldsPegsLaneHertfordSG13 8EQTel:01438242440Email: [email protected] Benefit ServiceWelwynHatfieldBoroughCouncilThe Campus, Welwyn Garden CityHertsAL86AETel: 01707 357000Email: [email protected] in partnership with Steria

Steria working in Partnership withWelwyn Hatfield Council Dacorum Borough CouncilCivic CentreMarlowes,HemelHempsteadHertfordshireHP11HHTel:01442228000andaskforBenefitsEmail: [email protected] St Albans District CouncilDistrict Council OfficesCivic Centre, St AlbansHertsAL13JETel: 01727 866100Text phone 07727 819570Email: [email protected] Broxbourne CouncilBishops' CollegeChurchgate, CheshuntHertfordshireEN89XGTel: 01992 785503Email: [email protected]

Benefits SectionThree Rivers District CouncilThreeRiversHouseNorthway, RickmansworthHertsWD31RLTel: 01923 773138Email: [email protected] InPerson:BenefitsSectionNorthHertfordshireDistrictCouncilCouncil OfficesGernon RoadLetchworth Garden City SG6 3JFByPostto:BenefitsServiceNorthHertfordshireDistrictCouncilPOBox480Sale M33 ODE

Tel:01462474597Email: [email protected] HertsmereBoroughCouncilCivic Offices, Elstree WayBorehamwoodHertsWD61WATel:02082077404Fax:02082077403Email: [email protected] Revenues & Benefits ServiceEastHertsCouncilandStevenage Borough CouncilWallfieldsPegsLaneHertfordSG13 8EQTel: 01279 655261Email: [email protected] The Benefits OfficeWatford CouncilTownHall,WatfordHertsWD173EXTel: 01923 278501Fax:01923278541Email: [email protected]

The Benefits ServiceStevenage Borough Council Daneshill HouseDanestreteStevenageSG1 1HNTel: 01438 242440Email:[email protected]



































































































18 www.50plusmagazine.co.uk18 www.50plusmagazine.co.uk18 www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

THE HAIRY DIETERSHOW TO LOVE FOOD AND LOSE WEIGHT

THE HAIRY DIETERSHOW TO LOVE FOOD AND LOSE WEIGHTby Dave Myers and Si KingPublished by Weidenfeld & Nicolson in trade paperback at £14.99, eBook £7.99

The Hairy Bikers were back this summer with a new book to accompany the exciting 4 x 60 minute food odyssey on BBC Two that started on Thursday 2 August. Si King and Dave Myers have made their names cooking real food for real people, creating mouth-watering dishes big on flavour and calories - and it’s taken its toll on their bodies. All of that had to stop, as they returned to our screens with The Hairy Dieters: How To Love Food And Lose Weight.

Loving the food they eat is a cornerstone of Si and Dave’s lives and they know they won’t succeed in shedding the pounds if the food they eat is dull and repetitive. The Hairy plan: to create some delicious healthy recipes to help them on their way and so persuade Britain to lose weight with them.

The Bikers set out to discover how to enjoy the best great British food at home, creating new dishes and adapting some culinary treasures to make them and us fitter for life. THE HAIRY DIETERS: How to Love Food and Lose Weight includes a healthy eating plan with mouth-watering recipes for eating at home, eating out, and of course, entertaining. It is filled with all of the dishes that

THE HAIRY BIKERS’ BIG BOOK OF BAKING, published in March 2012 is currently this year’s biggest selling hardback non-fiction book. Other cookery books by the Hairy Bikers include: THE HAIRY BIKERS’ FOOD TOUR

OF BRITAIN, MUMS KNOW BEST, THE HAIRY BIKERS’ 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS, MUMS STILL KNOW BEST, THE HAIRY BIKERS’ PERFECT PIES

have made Si King and Dave Myers two of the nation’s favourite cooks. From perfect pies, curries, roast dinners and delicious desserts, the Hairy Dieters prove that cooking without the calories doesn’t have to compromise on taste.

Now for an excerpt from their best selling book.

FOOD ISN’T JUST FUEL FOR US — IT’S OUR LIFE. WE SPEND MOST OF EVERY DAY COOKING, THINKING ABOUT FOOD AND COMING UP WITH RECIPE IDEAS, NOT TO MENTION EATING! GREAT-TASTING FOOD IS OUR PASSION AND WE’RE NOT ABOUT TO GIVE THAT UP. But we have to admit that we’ve overdone it a bit. Years of enjoying endless gorgeous meals has taken its toll and we’ve piled on the pounds. Like many middle-aged blokes — and ladies — we found that we’d got too hefty and our health was suffering. It was time to face facts and take a good hard look at ourselves so we took a deep breath and got on the scales. Ouch! It was a long time since we’d weighed anything except ingredients and it was a shock. We were both a couple of stone or more overweight and over 40% of our body mass was fat. It was time to diet.

Now we have to be honest, we’re never going to be skinny minnies and we don’t want to be. It’s just not us.

19

But we’ve made the effort to lose weight to stay healthy and enjoy life to the full. We want to be walking up hills and down dales without getting out of breath, and to be riding our big bikes when we’re 70 so we need to keep mobile and trim. And that means every now and again watching what we eat and reining it in a bit.

Okay, we’re not going to diet for ever — we’re still greedy and we’ll always love our pies and curries — but our weigh-in was a wake-up call to act before we got dangerously big. Losing weight has been quite a journey for us but we’ve done it and we’re proud of ourselves. Now we know we can drop the pounds when we need to and this will help us keep a check on things in the future. If we can do it so can you. Look at losing weight as an investment in yourself and the people you love. The benefi ts far outweigh the sacrifi ces.

SO THIS IS WHAT WE DID... We didn’t want to sacrifi ce the pleasure of cooking and feel deprived or hungry so we knew we had to come up with meals that we would enjoy making and eating if we were to stick with the diet.

With the advice of healthy eating experts, we discovered that by making small changes in our cooking habits we could still enjoy big fl avours and the food we loved while dropping the pounds. And it’s true. We’ve shed weight and we feel the better for it. Our blood pressure and cholesterol levels are down, our waistlines have shrunk, we have more energy and we look HOT — but not as sweaty as we used to!

And even more importantly, we’ve done all this while still eating some of our favourite, great-tasting dishes that we now cook with less fat and sugar, but bags of fl avour. We think our recipes are fantastic. Yes, they’re lower in fat and sugar but they still taste amazing and we’re still just as enthusiastic and creative about our cooking as ever.

COUNTING THE CALORIES IT’S WORKED FOR US AND IT CAN WORK FOR YOU

We’ve found a way of eating ourselves slimmer and we want to share our discoveries with you. The secret is to make better choices and use little tricks to reduce your daily calorie count. Calorie counting might have fallen out of favour somewhat over recent years, replaced by all sorts of wacky dieting ideas, but it does work. We’re the living proof. We’ve lost pounds and inches!

We’ve made all the recipes in this book as low in calories as possible while not compromising on the taste. And we’ve had a nutritionist check them out and do calorie counts for each one so you know exactly where you are. If you eat these, without cheating, you will lose weight — and you’ll love us for it.

We have to confess we’ve never really thought too much about calories and the amount of food we were taking in but we know a lot more now. As many as a quarter of us Brits are obese and it’s not good for us, so it seems that many of us are taking in much more than we’re putting out. Our experts explained to us that in order to lose weight, you have to take in fewer calories so the body has to use its stores — makes sense so far doesn’t it?

Preheat the oven to 200°C/Fan 180°C/Gas 6. Put the onions, potatoes, garlic and tomatoes in a large roasting tin and season with sea salt and lots of freshly ground black pepper. Toss everything together lightly and roast for 20 minutes.

While the vegetables are roasting, skin the chorizo and cut the meat into thin slices – 5mm is about right. Put the chicken thighs on a board and carefully slash each one 2 or 3 times with a knife. Season all over with black pepper. Mix the paprika and oregano together and set aside.

Take the roasting tin out of the oven, scatter the chorizo over the veg and turn everything a couple of times. Place the chicken on top of the vegetables and chorizo and sprinkle with the paprika and oregano. Season with a little salt and return to the oven for 20 minutes.

Take the tin out of the oven. Holding one corner carefully with an oven cloth, lift the tin a little so all the juices run to the opposite end, then spoon and drizzle the juices back over the chicken. Tuck the pepper strips loosely around the chicken and vegetables.

Turn the oven up to 220°C/Fan 200°C/Gas 7. Put the tin back in the oven for another 20 minutes or until the peppers are just softened and the chicken is golden and crisp. As you eat, squeeze the garlic out of the skins and enjoy the deliciously soft and fragrant fl esh. Just don’t kiss anyone afterwards!

Spanish-style chicken bakeThis is a brilliant recipe and you’ll notice that there’s no additional fat needed – all the fat comes from the chorizo, and the tomatoes make it lovely and juicy. A low-fat fi esta of a dish.

Serves 41 medium onion, cut into 8 wedges1 medium red onion,cut into 8 wedges500g new potatoes,quartered lengthways8 whole garlic cloves, unpeeled8 medium tomatoes, quartered75g chorizo (preferably picante)8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs½ tsp sweet smoked paprika½ tsp dried oregano1 green pepper, deseeded andcut into stripsfl aked sea saltfreshly ground black pepper

ONLY 370 calories per portion

Jean-Christophe Novelli is a 5 out of 5 AA Rosette and Michelin award winning chef and he has been dubbed the “the nation’s favourite French chef”.

Exclusively for Port Salut, Jean-Christophe has created two French themed recipes and a series of tips for creating the perfect cheeseboard.

“Port Salut is a classic French cheese which I have always enjoyed, so I was delighted to be asked to work with the brand. For the recipes I have used Port Salut to give traditional French dishes a new twist and I hope my cheeseboard tips will give your cheese course a whole new lease of life.”

CHAR GRILLED CHICKEN, LEEK, PORT SALUT AND BUTTON MUSHROOM FRICASSEE, WHOLE MEAL CROUTON

I N G R E D I E N T S

4 x skinned and boneless chicken supreme’s (cut into thin strips)2 leeks, trimmed, washed and cut into thin slices2 x spring onions (trimmed and chopped into thin roundels)1 clove of garlic (peeled and crushed)100g chestnut or button mushrooms (sliced)100g grated Port Salut50g breadcrumbs50g grated Port Salut75ml double cream25g butter1 bunch of chives (chopped)4 slices of wholemeal bread (cut into fi ngers)25ml olive oil1/2 tsp dried herbs1/2 glass white wine

M E T H O D

1. Heat a char grill skillet until very hot, brush the chicken strips with some of the oil and season with salt and pepper and your favourite spice, paprika is good as is cumin or garam marsala.

2. Quickly char grill the chicken pieces until well coloured and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and keep warm.

3. In a large saucepan melt the butter over a low heat.

4. Add the leek and spring onion and sweat until tender.

5. Add the garlic and the mushrooms and continue to cook until the mushrooms are tender and softened.

6. Add the white wine and the cream and allow to boil

7. Add the 100g of Port Salut and continue to simmer until the cheese is melted and the sauce is thick. Add the chives.

8. Add the strips of chicken and stir in to coat with the sauce.

9. Place in an oven proof serving dish.

10. In a small mixing bowl combine the 50g of Port Salut with the breadcrumbs and scatter this over the top.

11. Bake in a pre heated oven until the crumbs are crisp and golden and the cheese has melted.

THE NATION’S FAVOURITE FRENCH CHEF

FOR THE WHOLEMEAL CROUTONS

M E T H O D

1. Place the bread fi ngers on a baking tray.

2. Brush with olive oil & dried herbs and season with cracked pepper

3. Bake in a hot oven until crisp and golden brown. Serve on a side plate with the chicken and leek fricassee.

Jean-Christophe Novelli has produced these tips exclusively for Port Salut. Visit www.portsalut.co.uk for more info.

CRISPY GRANARY BRUSCHETTA, POACHED EGG, SPINACH AND A PORT SALUT GLAZE.

I N G R E D I E N T S

4 eggs (free range, large)2-3 tablespoons of white wine vinegar4 thick slices of ciabattas bread25ml olive oil1/2 tsp dried herbs400g washed baby spinach leaves100ml double cream4 egg yolks100g Port Salut (grated)50g butter (optional)Sprinkle of ground nutmeg

M E T H O D

1. Place the slices of ciabattas on a baking sheet and brush with olive oil and season with dried herbs, salt and pepper.

2. Place in a hot oven and bake until crisp and golden brown.

3. Place on four plates or a serving dish.

4. In a large sauce pan heat plenty of water to boiling point.

5. Add a couple of tablespoons of white wine vinegar and season to taste with salt.

6. Once boiling stir with a whisk to start a circular motion in the water and crack in the eggs one at a time, bring to the boil and immediately turn down to a simmer. Cook for 3-4 minutes if a soft egg is required, a little longer for a fi rmer egg and 5-7 minutes for a hard poached egg.

7. Keep the eggs warm in the water until needed.

8. In a sauce pan bring the cheese to the boil, reduce for a few minutes to thicken. Remove from the heat.

9. Stir in the Port Salut and the eggs, allow the cheese to melt

10. In a frying pan add half the butter if used and add the spinach cover with a tight fi tting lid and bring to the boil allow the water from the spinach to cook the leaves and when soft and wilted strain to remove any excess water remaining.

11. Season with salt and pepper and spoon an equal amount onto each ciabatta bruschetta.

12. Top with an egg and mask with the cheese and cream mix.

13. Place under a hot grill until bubbling and golden brown.

14. Garnish with some snipped chives and serve.

CHEESEBOARD THEATRE TIPS

1. Add some fl avoured texture to your cheeseboard by dropping plain bread in favour of a fruit & nut bread such as apricot & walnut or prune & hazelnut and serve it slightly stale, cut into thin wafer slices

2. Fruit and cheese are a classic combination but give your grapes some extra character by serving them frozen – simply wash a bunch of grapes and shake off any excess water, place on a plate and pop in the freezer, serve directly once frozen onto the cheeseboard giving a more interesting texture with extra bite

3. Add a simple twist on the traditional by pairing your cheese with fruit that has a sharp acidity such as: cherries, raspberries, gooseberries, redcurrants, nectarines and tangy plums – these work well frozen too

4. Turn your cheeseboard into a visual feast by serving long celery stems in a vase of ice water. Team with a small bowl of rock salt too for dipping

5. Radishes are a tasty substitute to celery providing a peppery bite, leave a little stem on each on to hold on to and these can also be dipped in the rock salt

6. A fashionable alternative to the classic chutney is quince jelly – its sweet fl avour will add a different dimension to your cheeseboard

7. Spice up your cheeseboard with a handful of sliced chillies or jalapenos, to give a fl avoursome punch. This works particularly well with hard cheeses – these will complement the quince jelly too

8. Tantalise tastebuds with a rollercoaster ride of textures and fl avours by adding olives and nuts to your cheeseboard

9. For an unexpected fl avour, add some ground coffee beans to your board. A little sprinkle will give your cheeseboard a delicious edge

10. Use dried vine leaves, herb sprigs and edible fl owers to add more drama, aroma and taste to your cheeseboard

21

You may have heard the latest news that greyhounds make great pets, but what is all the fuss about? Can the fastest dog breed alive fi t in with the lifestyle of Britain’s families? We’ve answered a few of the most common questions from those thinking about adopting a retired greyhound.

Q. Are greyhounds highly strung?A. No. They are naturally calm and rather self-possessed. As a breed they have been around for a very long time and they are genuine thoroughbreds.

Q. Are greyhounds good with children? A. They are as good as any dog and better than most, because of their characteristic gentleness. Most greyhounds never get their fi ll of fuss and are happy to be hugged and loved by children.

Q. Are there character differences between males and females?A. The differences between greyhound genders tends to be less pronounced than in many other breeds. Spaying or castrating can normally relieve most behavioural problems and is recommended.

Q. How much exercise do they need?A. Surprisingly, they need very little. Twenty minutes, twice a day is usually more than enough. While greyhounds are sprinters, they use up their energy in short bursts so short, slower walks are preferred.

Q. Will I need a special bed for the dog?A. No. An old quilt folded in two is perfect. But they are used to sleeping off the ground and will need no encouragement to take over your bed as well as your settee. They do like to stretch out and get into all sorts of unique sleeping positions.

Q. How do greyhounds get on with other dogs?A. They are normally ok. There will be an initial wariness, but familiarity and common sense is the order of the day.

Q. I have a cat, so can I have a greyhound?A. Just like any breed of dogs, some greyhounds get along great with small animals and cats. When enquiring about a greyhound, make sure you mention that your house has a cat, so you can be matched up with the ideal greyhound.

Q. Are greyhounds easy to train and do they come back when you call?A. Yes, but it needs patience and understanding. Like any dog, a greyhound loves to please and tasty rewards are highly appreciated after the racing regime.

The Word is Out:Greyhounds make great pets

Find Your Perfect PetThe Retired Greyhound Trust has just made is easier to

search their 72 branch network for your closestgreyhound contact. Simply visit

www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk/Branch-Locations/to use the interactive mapping service.

Do you want to fi nd out more? Visit www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk.


KEEPING well is more important than ever in Winter because it’s a time of nasty bugs that can lay you low and cold weather than can depress your immune system.

There are, though, plenty of easy things you can do to ensure that this Winter is a healthier and happier one for you.

First of all, do ensure that you keep well and flu-free. Injections that prevent flu are given free right across the country to people over a certain age or with particular pre-existing conditions. So it’s definitely worth checking with your GP about availability.

Failing that, branches of Boots and supermarkets including Tesco provide a flu jabs’ service in their pharmacy departments for a very reasonable fee. Flu is a major seasonal killer in this country so it’s definitely worth taking this easy preventive step. Find out more about this year’s flu strains and other relevant details at NHS choices on www.nhs.uk

Keeping in good health during chilly months also means ensuring, for example, your eyesight is good so book an eye test if you’ve not had one for a while. Poor eyesight can lead to falls, especially outside the home, which can result in major injuries and mobility problems.

Eat and drink well, whatever your household finances. It’s also vital to keep hydrated properly with six to eight glasses of liquid like water, juice, milk or fruit squash each

day. Avoid fizzy drinks as they contain a lot of sugar and calories, but do have plenty of hot drinks.

Ensure you maintain a balanced diet by eating from the five main food groups: fruit and vegetables; starchy foods; meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans lentils and nuts; milk and dairy foods and fat, sugar and salt.

Fruit and vegetables are particularly important as they’re full of minerals, fibre and antioxidant vitamins to help bodies work efficiently and support our immune systems. They can be fresh or frozen, dried, canned or juiced and should make up around a third of our diet – aim for five portions a day.

Do have valuable protein in meat or fish. You don’t need to buy expensive cuts to eat well – invest in a slow cooker, or pop a dish in the oven early and cook it slowly to make the most of cheap cuts of meat. Add plenty of vegetables for an easy, cheap dish that makes a warming, nutritious meal.

And if you don’t think your diet is giving you all the vitamins you need, start taking a supplement. Supermarkets have their own good-value ranges and taking one or two well-chosen supplements can make a real difference to your wellbeing.

Exercise is one of the best ways to maintain our health and independence and help keep muscles strong. Walking, gardening, Tai Chi and dancing are great examples of exercise for any age and state of health but check with your GP first.

Karen Pheasant, who runs Ladies Workout Express gym in Swinton, Greater Manchester, stresses the importance of getting out and about in Winter, too. “Being closer to nature gives us a psychological boost – with greenery, water and mountains especially cheering,” she states. “When added to the natural mood enhancement we get from exercise, and the self-satisfaction from doing something that takes more self-motivation, then the Winter blues don’t stand a chance!”

Exercising in daylight also increases production of Vitamin D, you get a boost to your immune system - the good news is that you also burn more calories by exercising in the cold, around 12 per cent.

Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather, dress in layers so you can take them off as you warm up, and wear a hat and gloves to reduce heat loss from extremities.

Exercising in a gym can also be a sensible part of your regular routine. Many local councils run sessions in gyms so go on your local authority website to see about available sessions, and about free swimming sessions in your local pool.

Private gyms often have advantageous rates for people attending at off-peak times, and they usually run special sessions, too, often with the emphasis on overall health.

Keeping Warm and Well in Winter ...


Warmth is also vital in the Winter months so, as well as ensuring you’ve got good clothing and footwear when you go out, don’t stint on home heating in spite of concerns about energy bills.

Draw your curtains as soon as it gets dark to stop heat escaping and draughts coming in. Keep any windows and internal doors closed when it’s cold to keep heat inside and if you’re sitting for any length of time, pop on a shawl or blanket for extra warmth. Have a look around the stores currently and you’ll see that “onesies” or all-in-one fleecy garments are everywhere and offer real cosiness at home.

Ensure your heating system has been serviced, that your water stopcock is working properly, and invest in a keyhole cover – it’s amazing how this can keep out draughts! Fit thermal linings to your curtains if you can, and check out all the benefits and grants available to help with insulation and energy efficiency like cavity wall insulation.

Turn your thermostat down, reducing your room temperature by 1oC could cut your heating bills by up to 10% and save you around £50 per year.

If you have a timer, set your heating and hot water to come on when you need it rather than all the time.

Also, if you have radiators with valves you can control individually (thermostatic valves) it is worthwhile doing, as this helps you to direct warmth in the places you need it, can save money and be more energy efficient. Put thermal reflectors behind your radiators to reflect heat back into your room.

Using the sunshine to power your home. If you are lucky enough to have a photo-volatic system fitted to your roof, you will be able to make the most of the green electricity generated.

Things to remember:-l The low cost energy is generated during daylight hours, and must be used during the same day, as it cannot be stored overnightl Use your washing machine and other fuel hungry appliances during the dayl Think differently, using your washing-line, if you have one, instead of your tumble dryer.

Using water wisely. If you have a water cylinder you should turn it to 60oC. This is hot enough to kill any harmful bacteria, and heat your water sufficiently for household use.

If the temperature is any higher it is a waste of energy and there is an increased risk of scalding.

When you are cooking, always use the right size pan for the job, and the right sized hob ring for each pan. Remember to use a lid.

Consider taking a shower instead of a bath.

Top tips on water. Use less hot water with a lower temperature setting for the washing machine, dishwasher and shower.

Don’t overfill the kettle, boil only as much water as you need.

If you boil your kettle with only a cupful of water it will cost you about 1/3p, but make sure you cover the elementOver a full year this will cost you £5.61

If you boil a full kettle it will cost you 11/2pOver a full year this will cost you £29.08.

Top tips on appliances. If you are buying new, always chose A rated or A+ rated equipment which use less energy and reduces emissions.

Defrost your freezer regularly, an iced-up freezer costs more to run.

Washing machines use a surprising amount of energy

l Always fill the drum with laundry to get the most value from the water and energy you’re using.l Avoid using the extra rinse as this is a water waster.l Switch to a 30oC wash instead of 40oC which can save you around £9 a year.

If you would like to advertise inthe next 50 Plus Magazine in

April please call us

01204 796494or email [email protected]

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

We don’t need glasses at all now and our only regret is that we should have had this treatment years ago.Stephanie & Bill Yemc, IOL Treatment

We don’t need glasses at all now and our only regret is that we should have

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2012

treated

50+_quarterad_0712.indd 1 31/07/2012 10:41:35

If your vision has declined or become blurry in recent years, don’t assume that a stronger prescription is all you need for a quick fi x.Cataract is one of the most common causes of sight loss in the UK, but it needn’t be. Leading sight loss charity RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) warns that 50 per cent of sight loss could be avoided and that people should be more aware of what to look out for. A cataract is a clouding of the part of the eye called the lens. It causes vision to become blurred because the cataract is like frosted glass, interfering with a person’s sight. The lens is a clear tissue found behind the iris, the coloured part of the eye. The lens helps to focus light on the back of the eye – the retina – forming an image.

What to look out for:If you experience any of the following symptoms make an appointment for an eye examination:-

Blurry Sight: This is very common. You may notice that your sight has become blurred or misty, or that your glasses seem dirty or appear scratched.

Dazzled By Light: You may be dazzled by lights, such as a car headlamps, and sunlight.

Change of Colour Vision: Your colours may become washed out or faded.

If your doctor or optician has told you that you have a cataract, don’t be alarmed. Cataracts are very common with one in three people over 65 being diagnosed in the UK. Many people over 60 have some cataract and the vast majority can be treated successfully. Cataract surgery, where the cloudy lens is removed during

CATARACTKnow the warning signs

50 Plus Health

an operation, is one of the most successful eye operations.

If you or someone you know has a sight problem, RNIB can help. Call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk.

Optimax is one of the UK’s leading Laser Eye Surgery specialists. Founded in 1991, it has carried out more than 350, 000 treatments. We offer a range of treatments suitable for those over 40, which can restore natural vision and give you freedom from glasses.These include Intra - Ocular Lens procedures. These Intra-Ocular Lenses replace the natural lens, which may eliminate the need for glasses and restore natural vision at the same time.

What all Optimax treatments have in common is helping people to see the world more clearly.

Choose Optimax for unbeatable results, affordable prices and outstanding patient care.

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www.carematters-uk.com

If you are considering the care provision of a relative or friend, you will know how complicated and stressful such a task can be. Carematters recognise this and provide clear, practical advice. We offer a bespoke service that focuses on those aspects of financial planning which are designed to help you secure your loved one’s care needs and financial security.

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We may know what we DON’T want around us, but probably have only a vague idea of what we do. The way we proceed next tends to relate either to the structure of the house – knocking through to give bigger rooms, adding a conservatory or building an extension – or the interior décor which includes everything from light fittings and wallpaper to furniture and paintings.

For the first, often more sweeping, approach, architectural consultant Gary Willis from Novensus says always remember the importance of light. “Daylight directly affects our wellbeing and living in dark conditions can add to our lethargy,” he states.

Deep rooms can appear dark as natural daylight can’t penetrate to the furthest reaches, so Gary suggests perhaps adding more windows. If privacy is an issue, consider use opaque window film, opaque glass or even glass blocks. “High level strip windows can also be used to provide natural light without sacrificing privacy,” he adds.

A pitched roof with a flat internal ceiling could be opened up to a more interesting space, enhanced by exposed roof structure and effective roof lights.

“Remove a wall to create an open plan dining/kitchen and a more adaptable space,” says Gary. “Even the removal of a load-bearing wall – one that has a structural purpose – is a relatively straightforward task to a competent builder.”

For bigger projects, consider a garage or loft conversion. “Only around half of us really utilise our garage,” insists Gary. “Put this space to good use. Rather than just turning the garage into a room, how about thinking more laterally? Could you use part of the garage to extend an adjacent room to create a larger kitchen, whilst still reserving part of the garage for garden storage, a utility area or a study?”

A conservatory can add both light and space to a home, “but a sun room or orangery is a much better option. It

will be insulated to current standards that will provide a usable room in all seasons and ultimately add more value to your home.

“Another alternative is a pre-built garden room which can be brought onto site in one piece, or built quickly in a modular format with limited disturbance.”

Maximise garden views “and minimise rubbish ones!” advises Gary. “Create a cosy oasis of space with a smaller patio. Dress it up with flower boxes and a beautiful chair or swing to provide visual interest throughout all seasons.”

Indoors, bring in the light with brighter, lighter colours on walls, floors and ceilings to maximise available light. Gloss and satin finishes will reflect more light than dull, dark colours and mirrors can be used imaginatively to bring much-needed light into a room or brighten a dark hallway also giving the illusion of space.

When cash is short, home stylist and project manager Jill Brimley from Changing Spaces advises looking carefully at what you’ve already got and adapting where you can.

“Dark walls can be painted a light, neutral shade like Dulux Natural Calico,” she says.

Take a close look at doors as these can give a dated feel to a room, and invest in new, white ones to add to light. For the Living Room makeover (pictured), Jill also had new panelled cupboard doors made for the meter cupboard. The electrical socket was removed and re-sited to get rid of ugly trailing wires and storage added within the cupboard.

CHANGING ROOMS IN THE HOME IS SOMETHING MANY OF US LONG TO DO BUT ARE HAMPERED BY THOSE TWIN PROBLEMS: LACK OF MONEY AND LACK OF KNOWLEDGE.Writes Angela Kelly

BEFORE

BEFORE


For more details visit www.changingspaces.org.uk and www.novensus.co.uk

A “gorgeous little chair” was bought from TK Maxx, the dark legs painted in white satin wood. The original curtains were dry cleaned and a new complimentary fabric panel was added to lengthen them to the fl oor. “Additional fabric was bought to cover existing cushion pads to co-ordinate the look,” says Jill.

She recycled accessories from around the home - “We also decluttered, removed the old carpet and put in new oak wood-style laminate fl ooring and painted the dark mahogany fi replace, mirror and cupboard in white satin wood to provide a brighter and nicer co-ordinated room.”

For this Kitchen makeover on a budget, Jill kept the original units, unifying them to a cream satin wood and then adding freestanding furniture with doors almost identical to the existing units and bought at a clearance shop to add to the fi tted look.

Modern inexpensive cream brick tiles were used around the necessary areas, the walls were painted lighter with Dulux’s Javan Dawn, and the original back door was replaced with small French windows to bring in extra light and a view of the garden. Jill also replaced the original work top with a solid oak butcher’s block.

In the Bedroom, use relaxing light neutral colours. If space is limited, go for sliding wardrobe mirror doors to refl ect light back into the room. Shop carefully for complementary bargain soft furnishings – go online, visit mill and clearance shops or use sale curtains to make Roman blinds or a bed throw.

“For a contemporary look, change the door handle and light switch to chrome,” adds Jill. “Inset halogen lights in the front and inside of the wardrobe, and upgrade the radiator and radiator cabinet.”

Use old pillows that have fl attened as cushion pads or cut up old duvets, and plump up curtains with crumpled tissue paper.

The Bathroom can improve if you knock through an old bathroom and separate toilet into one modern area. Add a heated towel radiator to save on space and for a more stylish look.

It’s worth investing in a combi boiler which gets rid of the old water tank and is more effi cient. Try bricking up the original toilet window externally and reduced it in size internally to give a useful shelf/recess.

Investment in a white modern suite is really worthwhile. Use fl oor and wall tiles in the same neutral colour but different sizes - bigger tiles with smaller grout lines also give the illusion of space.

And if you struggle to see new potential in your home – call in the experts!

GARY WILLIS Architectural Consultant Novensus

JILL BRIMLEY Home StylistChanging Spaces

Meet the

EXPERTS

AFTER

AFTER

JILL’S TIPS FOR UPDATING ANY EXISTING KITCHEN ARE:• declutter work surfaces, tops of cupboards and

walls

• Steam clean kitchen area

• Update white electrical sockets with chrome

• Replace worktops with new, more modern items and/or change cupboard doors

• Inexpensive plain tiles can make the look fresher and more modern

• Chrome tile trims give a more upmarket look

• Emulsion the walls to compliment the décor

• Invest in new fl oor covering

• Change the colour of your kettle, toaster etc for instant impact

30

About Rivers HospitalRivers Hospital is a leading private hospital situated quite landscaped grounds in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire.

Offering the highest standard of clinical and personal care Rivers Hospital is dedicated to providing a professional and friendly service for all patients. Our consultants, resident doctor and nursing staff all have your care and comfort as their highest priority.

Setting standards for private health careRivers Hospital, part of Ramsay Healthcare, is a provider of Ramsay Premium Care, an enhanced service package for private patients, whether self-funding or insured. Ramsay Healthcare is the only hospital group to offer Premium Care for Private Patients.

Patients within the Premium Care service are treated as guest as well as patients and receive enhanced benefits to our standard service including choice of specialist Consultant, flexible appointment times, priority referral for treatment and single en-suite room, to mention a few.

The philosophy at Rivers Hospital is to deliver high quality services and appropriate care for every patient.

The hospital is strictly regulated and audited by the Care Quality Commission, the government body responsible for maintaining standards and a rigorous vetting procedure ensures that only qualified and experienced surgeons are granted practicing privileges.

Rivers Hospital... offers Premium Healthcare for insured

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At Rivers Hospital you will benefit from:• Full diagnostic services to investigate your symptoms• Easy access to and from the hospital, including access for wheelchair users and free parking• Single en-suite inpatient room for peace & privacy• Consultant led care for a specialist opinion• Experienced, friendly and professional staff to support you throughout your care• Dedicated day case facilities for fast track treatment

Accessing treatment at Rivers Hospital For some conditions, your GP will refer you for further treatment. For other treatments such as physiotherapy and cosmetic surgery, you can self refer without seeing your GP.

But in both instances, you can decide when and where you have your treatment so that you can benefit from fast access to quality healthcare that fits around your schedule.

Call us for more information and to find out how to access treatment at Rivers Hospital.

Contact usIf you would like more information please contact Rivers Hospital, Sawbridgeworth on:

01279 602644or email: [email protected]

Also, see our website for details of all of our services, www.rivers-hospital.co.uk

Your local hospitalof choice

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30

Your local hospitalof choice

Call us now to discover how easy it is to “go private”

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The only hospital group to offer Premium Care for Private Patients

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01279 602 [email protected] Wych Road, Sawbridgeworth, Herts CM21 0HH

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O U T & A B O U T

SHARE YOUR HOMEAND HELP SAVE LIVES

Can you help care for a child from a developing country for 2-4 weeks?

One in every 100 children worldwide suffers from heart disease. Many of these children can be treated with routine operations. Chain of Hope aims to provide this treatment either in London or by organising medical missions abroad.

We urgently need more host families to care for children who come to the UK for surgery. Each child needs a family to provide a supportive and caring environment for them, and their parent or guardian during their temporary stay.

If you live within easy reach of London, why not help bring hope to many more children waiting for a chance of life. A small allowance is payable.

For more information, please phone Sue on 020 7351 1978,

or email [email protected] of Hope, South Parade, Chelsea, London SW3 6NP

www.chainofhope.orgChain of Hope is a registered charity in the UK/1081384

Dickens age 6 months from

Uganda wrapped up for the

British weatherDickens age 6 months from

Uganda wrapped up for the One year old Sarah and her granny

Can you help care for a child from a

One year old Sarah and her grannySharing the care….

Abigail from Uganda with

her mum and host mum.

Brendan Cole - Licence To ThrillSaturday 9 February 2013

Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford Hertfordshire WD17 3JN

Following on from his debut theatre tour Live and Unjudged, Brendan is once again set to dazzle audiences across the UK with his brand new show, Licence To Thrill. Join him and his cast of 20 musicians and dancers as they take you on a journey of music and dance in this spectacular night of theatre entertainment. Brendan, one of Strictly Come Dancing’s most charismatic choreographers and performers, will host you throughout and along with his company will treat you to an evening of Ballroom magic and Latin excitement in this, his live dance extravaganza not to be missed. With music from across the ages, there will be something for everyone in this sophisticated production sure to wow audiences.

Sat 9 Feb, 7.30pm. £32, £29, £25. Contact: 0845 075 3993

Hits From the BlitzSunday 17 February 2013

Letchworth Arts Centre. 2 The Arcade, Letchworth Garden City Hertfordshire SG6 3EW.

The unique “feel-good” 1940s show, as featured at Dame Vera Lynn’s Charity Gala Nights. Famous war-time tunes and “sing-a-long” songs brought to life by the singers and multi-instrumentalists of the Five Star Swing band, (“Superb, they swing like crazy!” – Sheila Tracy, BBC). Featuring Simone from the latter days of the Ivy Benson Orchestra plus Chris Smith (Jnr), composer and arranger for Glenn Miller’s Brother, Herb, and the BBC Radio Big Band.

Doors open 6.30. Show starts 7.00. Tickets £10. Book by February 2 for our special early bird discount - tickets only £9 from 01462 670788.

California SuiteWednesday 27 February 2013 to Saturday 2 Mar 2013

The Pump House Theatre, Local Board Road, Watford, Hertfordshire WD17 2JP.

A witty play from Neil Simon, full of comical situations and delightfully outrageous characters. Set in the Beverly Hills Hotel, California, this hilarious play treats you to a comedic take on 4 different couples in a hotel suite. A nicely set up and fun play for you to laugh at, squirm at and enjoy!

Weds 27th Feb to Sat 2nd March 2013 - every evening at 7.45pm, plus Sat matinee at 2.45pm. Tickets - £12 or £10.50 concession (over 60’s and under 16’s on all performances). Box offi ce: 07917 324 179 or 0845 521 3453.

Milton JonesFriday 1 March 2013

Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford Hertfordshire WD17 3JN.

Milton Jones is back on the road with another tour, this time imaginatively entitled On The Road. If you like the stuff he’s done on Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo or in any of the nine radio series he’s done for Radio 4 then this is the show for you. Hundreds of his celebrated one-liners, plus pictures he drew. Clever, surreal but mainly just stupid stupid stupid. He’s won awards you know.

Friday 1 March, 8pm. £21. Contact: 0845 075 3993

Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital Open DayThursday 11 April 2013

23 Wroxham Way, Harpenden Hertfordshire AL5 4PP.2.00pm - 5.30pm

National Plant Collection of Thymus (Scientifi c Status). Brickell Award 2011. Plantsman’s garden, planted for year round interest and for wildlife, organic. Plants for sale. Entrance - £2.50. Mrs. Margaret Easter. Tel. 01582 768467

“By buying a plannow, I know that allthe arrangements are made and paid for.Now I can get on withliving my life”

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“By buying a plannow, I know that allthe arrangements are made and paid for.Now I can get on withliving my life”

Funeral Plans Peace of mind for you and your family

Plans tailored to your needs

Guaranteed acceptance

No financial burden on family

No health checks

Independent trust

Security of all funds

Easy pay instalments

24 hour emergency helpline

Available throughout Europe

Eco conscious ‘green’ funerals.

Pre-planning your funeral saves you money and saves your family

extra worry and distress. It gives you the freedom to plan things

exactly how you would want them and spares your loved ones the

considerable expense of a funeral.

Funeral costs have risen dramatically in recent years and look set to

continue rocketing. There's no guarantee that a savings plan or

insurance policy will pay out what you need when the time comes.

Bought now at today’s prices, the Funeral Director’s costs are

guaranteed no matter when they are needed or how much the costs

of a funeral have risen in the future, regardless how long you live.

It makes perfect sense to buy now and not wait until it’s too late.

F P AF U N E R A LPLANNINGAUTHORITYREGISTERED

For Funeral Planning advice contact the experts ...

www.carematters-uk.com

If you are considering the care provision of a relative or friend, you will know how complicated and stressful such a task can be. Carematters recognise this and provide clear, practical advice. We offer a bespoke service that focuses on those aspects of financial planning which are designed to help you secure your loved one’s care needs and financial security.

Services include: • Funding Care Fees • Estate Preservation • Equity Release •

The Carematters team are approachable, highly experienced and totally independent. Let us help you to make sense of the complex issues involved, so that you can make an informed decision that is right for you and your family.

0800 822 [email protected] is authorised and regulated by theFinancial Services Authority. FSA No: 587083

CALL FOR YOUR FREEGuide to Care Fees Planning Handbook

Funeral Plans

� "Worry-Free" package� Loss & damage protection� Full insurance� Breakdown Assistance� Service, Maintenance and Repairs� Prices from £11.50* per week

If you receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance or War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement you can benefit from this "Worry-Free" package.

With the Scheme, you get more than just the Scooter or Powered Wheelchair,

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Power Wheelchairand Scooter Scheme

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Head Office & ShowroomUnit 2, Maxted CornerEaton Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 7RATel: 01442 270202 | Fax: 01442 260360

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Staff at Austin’s Funeral Directors are celebrating once again after winning three prestigious business awards. The family firm,which has eight branches inHertfordshire and owns and runs HarwoodPark Crematorium and Memorial Gardensin Stevenage, picked up the Excellence in Customer Service award, Medium to Large Business of the Year award and the prestigious overall Business of the Year award at the InspiringHertfordshireAwards.

Organised by the Hertfordshire Chamberof Commerce and Industry the awards are designed “to celebrate success and achievement and boost business confidence in Hertfordshire” and attracted a huge number of entries. Over 300 people attended the gala presentation evening which washeldatthePorscheCentreinHatfield.

Hat-trick of awards for Austin’s

Harwood ParkTh e perfect setting to commemorate

the life of your loved one

Keeping memories alive

Crematorium and memorial gardens createdand managed by the Austin family in the

beautiful Hertfordshire countryside

01438 815555

www.crematorium.co.uk

Claire Austin, the tenth generation of her family to run Austin’s said: “I was absolutely thrilled to win these awards. Customer service is our number one priority so to have our hard work recognised officially is great. To then go on and win the other two awards, including overall Business of the Year, is amazing. All three are testament to the hard work and commitment of every single member of staff at Austin’s and I’m incredibly proud of their achievements.”

Presenting the Business of theYear award to Claire, whowasalso a finalist in the Entrepreneur of the Year category, thejudges commented: “In an outstanding field, our winner tonightdemonstrated all the qualities one would wish to see in a successful company. Over a 10 year period it has increased turnover on a consistentbasis,deliveringimpressivegrowthinitsprofits.Ithasachieved this by delivering upon a clear and imaginative growth strategy which has been driven by its management and supported by its staff. Austin’s Funeral Service is not only outstanding within its own sector but is an exemplar for all business.”

As overall winner, Austin’s also received £7,500 worth of integrated marketing support from Royston-based Kiss Communications.

Claire and her team are no strangers to awards; in November the company won Most Successful Medium Business category at theHertfordshireBusinessAwardsand inOctoberAustin’swonthe Service Excellence category at the East of England Business Champions Awards. Earlier this year Claire travelled to Mexico to pickuptheinternationalNextGenProfessionaloftheYearAwardin recognition of her achievements as head of the 300 year old firm.

L-R: Alan Coleman, Annette Bird, Gary Ford, Jackie Lawrence, Claire Austin, Neville Reyner CBE, DL, chairman of the Hertfordshire Chamber of

Commerce, Peter Hope and Brian Lawrence.


The HertfordshireFuneral Plan is a

bespoke, pre-paymentplan exclusive to Austin’swhich takes care of your

wishes and simplifi esthe arrangements for

your loved ones.

Peaceof mind

for you andyour family

www.austins.co.uk

Planning ahead for peace of mind

01438 794420MONDAY - FRIDAY ONLY

Arranging a funeral for a loved one can be a distressing experience for family and friends. Quite often the wishes of the deceased have never been discussed and it is left to grieving relatives to second guess what they may have wanted.

Hertfordshire’sleadingindependentfuneraldirectorsAustin’s,offers an exclusive, pre-payment funeral plan which enables you to have the funeral of your choice and your family toavoidanyemotionalorfinancialstress.Unlikemanyotherplans,theHertfordshireFuneralPlanisbespokesoarrangements can be as simple or elaborate as required. And whatever choices you do make, you can rest assured thatyouandyourlovedoneswillbenefitfromtheexceptionalcustomer care that Austin’s is renowned for.

How it worksIf you are considering a plan, our funeral arrangers will be happy to guide you through the options. They will go through the details in the same way as any other funeral and will provide you with a written estimate. The cost is based on Austin’s current price list and is fully inclusive.

You will receive a draft plan of the arrangements for your approval. There is no rush. You may wish to discuss your wishes with family and friends and any changes can easily be madepriortofinalisingtheplan.

Once you are completely happy, and payment has been made,youwillreceiveacertificateoutliningallthedetailsalong with copies for your family or solicitor.

When the time comes your family simply informs us that you haveaHertfordshireFuneralPlanandwewilltakecareofeverything.

Frequently asked questions

• Istheplansecure? AlthoughtheHertfordshireFuneralPlanisoperated in conjunction with Austin’s Funeral Service,its fund and administration are protected under an independent trust. A copy of the fullDeclaration of Trust is available.

• WhathappensifImovetoadifferentarea? If you move to an area not serviced by Austin’s, on death, the current value of the plan may be claimed by the local funeral director carrying out the arrangements.

• MustIbeingoodhealthtotakeoutaplan? No.AHertfordshireFuneralPlanmaybetakenoutby anyone regardless of age or state of health.

• CanIchangemymindaboutthe arrangements? Yes. Changes may be made by contacting Austin’s.

Planning ahead for peace of mind• WhendoIpayfortheplan? Paymentisnormallymadeinfullonconfirmationofthe arrangements.Howeverpaymentbyinstalmentswillbe considered, if required.

• WhathappensifIdieawayfromhomeor onholiday? The plan will cover returning you from anywhere in the UnitedKingdom,toyourhomearea.Shouldyoudie whilst overseas, the plan includes collecting you from any UKportorairport.Youshouldbeinsuredwhentravelling overseas.TheHertfordshireFuneralPlancannotinclude charges for air or sea travel.

• Willtheplancompletelycoverthecostof myfuneral? Yes.Providingthatthefuneralarrangementsarecarried out in accordance with the details of your plan, no further charges will be incurred. Your family, or friends may wish however to include additional services not selected by you. These will be charged in accordance with Austin’s current price list.

Erskine Hall Care Centre offers the highest standards of residential, nursing, palliative, respite and convalescence care and specialised Parkinson’s care.

Features of the home include:• 85 rooms recently refurbished to a very high standard• Landscaped gardens with wheelchair access• Patio• Private visitors’ lounge• Quiet lounge• Separate activities room• Free view TV• Small pets welcome• Larger rooms may be able to accommodate two people

if required

For more information about Erskine Hall, or to arrange a visit, please call 0800 012 1508 quoting referenceCH2637 or visit bupa.co.uk/50plushertfordshire.

Bupa has 13 care homes in the Hertfordshire area, for information on any of these homes please visit bupa.co.uk/care-homes

EXPERT C AR E AT ERSK INE HALL

Hertfordshire issue 28

Documents

Transcript of Hertfordshire issue 28