City (No) Limits

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F R E E A N D E X C L U S I V E F O R P E N S I O N M E M B E R S EXPERIENCE COUNTS Autumn 2013 City (No) Limits Get inspired to explore Europe’s hidden gems – we look at some of our favourite city breaks Improve your health and wellbeing We investigate the eight biggest health concerns affecting the over 50s and how you can combat them His name is Michael Caine We find out why this actor is far from retiring, despite turning 80 this year PLUS Great new and exclusive offers

Transcript of City (No) Limits

F R E E A N D E X C L U S I V E F O R P E N S I O N M E M B E R S

E X P E R I E N C E C O U N T SA u t u m n 2 0 1 3

City (No) LimitsGet inspired to explore Europe’s hidden gems – we look at some of our favourite city breaks

Improve your health and wellbeingWe investigate the eight biggest health concerns affecting the

over 50s and how you can combat them

His name is Michael CaineWe find out why this actor is far from retiring,

despite turning 80 this year

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W E L C O M E

Club Together – where experience counts and collective buying power equates to great deals.

Welcome to the latest edition of Club Together Magazine. In this issue, we interview top chef and host of Saturday Kitchen – James Martin, find out why Michael Caine is still working at the age of 80 and seek out four of Europe’s hidden gems to inspire you to take a city break.

We investigate the eight biggest health concerns facing the over 50s and how to combat them – including exercises and tips for looking after your back and advise you how to successfully declutter your home; ideal if you are downsizing, moving or just want a sort out. We have also got some fantastic offers on our website, so make sure you visit www.club-together.org and register for your chance to win a 16GB iPad Mini.

We hope you enjoy reading this issue. If there is anything you would like to see featured in future magazines, please get in touch – we would love to hear from you.

04 Michael Caine

10 How to successfully declutter your home

14 City (No) Limits

20 Call of the Wild

24 Eight Biggest Health Concerns Facing the Over 50s

29 James Martin Q&A

35 Just for fun

Contents

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He has been made a Fellow of the British Film Institute in recognition of his outstanding contribution to film culture. Renown for his cockney accent and his spectacles, Caine turned 80 in 2013 – and he’s still a long way from retiring. Born Maurice Micklewhite in London, Caine was the son of a fish-market porter and a charlady. He left school at 15 and took a series of working-class jobs before joining the British army as part of his National Service. He served in Korea during the Korean War, where he saw and faced combat. For years, he hated the smell of garlic as he associated the pungent aroma with his service in the Korean War where North Korean and Chinese troops would munch it as a snack. He eventually forced himself to overcame his dislike of the smell upon becoming a successful restauranteur. He co-owned top London restaurant Langan’s Brasserie and in total owns seven restaurants: six in London, one in Miami. Following his National Service, Caine returned to England and gravitated towards the theatre – getting a job as an assistant stage manager. He adopted the name of Caine on the advice of his agent, taking it from a marquee that advertised The Caine Mutiny, although he still uses the surname Micklewhite in his personal life.

Caine lived in a unique time, rubbing shoulders with eminently successful actors, writers and artists of his generation. One such example of this occurred in 1957, when Caine was at Brighton University appearing in a one-act play written by a fellow actor who went by the name of David Baron. It was Baron’s very first play. He later changed his name back to Harold Pinter, the name under which he won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2005 – now not a lot of people know that!

Over the course of his career, Michael Caine has played big parts and small parts, all of them memorable. He is one of the few actors

of his generation that deserve the title ‘living legend’ and is in an elite group of actors who have been nominated for an Oscar at least once in five consecutive decades (1960s – 2000s).

His name is Michael Caine

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“Old? I stopped ageing at 38. I still am 38… except when they say, ‘Run up those stairs’.”

Caine really struggled for his art and only came to prominence in the film Zulu, the 1964 epic retelling of a historic 19th-century battle in South Africa between British soldiers and Zulu warriors. This was followed by the roles of Harry Palmer in The Ipcress File (1965) and the title role in Alfie (1966), which made Caine a household name. However, he never forgot his working class roots and had an unshakeable work ethic. This led to mixed reviews of his performances, with him often taking roles in below-average films for the fees he could command. However, he also appeared in some classic roles including Get Carter (1971), Educating Rita (1983) and Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), for which he won his first Oscar. More recently, Little Voice (1998), The Cider House Rules (1999), which gave him his second Oscar and Last Orders (2001) have been widely acclaimed.

Throughout the 1960s he was going down a slippery path, drinking two bottles of vodka and smoking at least eighty cigarettes a day. He quit smoking cigarettes following a stern lecture from Tony Curtis at a party in 1971, and finally quit cigars shortly before his 70th birthday. Caine seems to show no sign of retiring and is the ultimate work horse – he currently has three films in pre-production Interstellar, Eliza Graves and Imagine and he has completed Mr Morgan’s Last Love and Now You See Me in the last 12-months.

Caine was once reported as saying that he knew he’d made it as an actor when he started getting scripts to read that no longer had coffee stains already on them (meaning he was first choice for that role). From his popularity and the plethora of roles under his belt – he’s more than made the grade.

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“Caine seems to show no sign of retiring and is the ultimate work horse – he currently has three films in in pre-production”

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Whether you are preparing your house for sale, downsizing or just trying to simplify your life,

decluttering your home can help. Clutter is simply anything in your life that you don’t love, use or treasure. The sorting process helps to identify what’s what, and keeps everything under control. Tackling your ‘mess’ is key to organising your home or readying yourself to move. You can’t truly know what you need to sort (and the space the items you will keep are going to need) until you sort through your belongings.

The advantages of declutteringDecluttering makes your home environment function better for you, so you can find and use those things that do matter. It can transform a room, give you additional space and create a more relaxing environment. Reducing your ‘stuff’ can make your home more appealing to a potential buyer and/or enable you to effectively downsize your property to a smaller home. A decluttered home is more relaxing to be in. Too much clutter can make people depressed and unable to relax

in their own homes and sometimes it’s difficult to know where to start. The task can seem overwhelming and it’s tempting to ignore it. However, if it’s kept under control it is easier to create a beautiful and relaxing home.

Getting startedBe prepared! Make sure you have the right equipment to enable you to complete your task. Source boxes, bin liners, sticky labels and a marker pen – so you can clearly label your items as you go. You may decide to recycle, throw out, give your items to a charity shop or move them to another room. Clear labelling will ensure that you don’t disregard the wrong items.

Select a room, drawer or cupboard to get started on. Every little helps, however, it may be worth starting with an area that will cause an immediate difference if it was organised as this will give you the impetus to continue. Do not start on multiple rooms or areas at a time as this can be disheartening and could cause you to not finish your mission and see the benefits of your hard work.

How to successfullydeclutter your home

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For each item you find, ask yourself whether you want to keep it or get rid of it, then ask yourself the questions for what to do next:

Decluttering tends to become the lowest priority. Using the box method means that you can focus on one thing at a time, and then at the end of the session you can simply do what needs to be done with each box.

Find ways to keep going and stay motivated, even setting a timer for half an hour and staying focused for this time period will make inroads on your clutter. Dedicating a short time to the problem each day will achieve steady progress.

Our decluttering tips will help you become clutter free, but don’t forget – what looks like clutter to one person is different to another.

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City breaks provide the perfect opportunity to explore a country’s history, culture and art without spending weeks in one location. Happy sightseeing!

City (No) Limits

Córdoba – SpainCórdoba was one of the greatest cities of the medieval world, rivalling Constantinople with its palaces and mosques – the grandest of which, the Mezquita, is one of the wonders of Europe. Now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s located in southern Spain by the Guadalquivir river in the centre of Andalucia. The city is smaller and less touristy than Granada and Seville and is ferociously hot in mid-summer. Its climate is best in autumn.

Córdoba has much to offer its visitors with its outstanding history and architecture, culture and art, museums and lively city life. It’s quiet during the winter months but comes alive from mid-April to mid-June, when the city stages most of its major fiestas.

The grand 17th-century square – Plaza de la Corredera has an elaborate history of public entertainment and gory showbiz. It was the site of Córdoba’s Roman amphitheatre, and the location for horse races, bullfights and Inquisition burnings. Córdoba offers variety of shopping opportunities where leather, silverware, jewellery and ceramics are the popular items to buy. Córdoba is famous for its cordobanes and guadamecíes by means of leather products in classical and modern designs. Silver and gold handicrafts are one of the most popular shopping items.

The city emerges as a fusion of Roman, Muslim and Jewish cultures. Córdoba is ideal for those who like to eat well, explore on foot, dive into old bodegas and relish architectural wonders.

14 Picture courtesy of Turespaña

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Cork – IrelandAffectionately recognised as Ireland’s second city, Cork is becoming one of Europe’s hippest cities. Marvel at the gothic spires of St Finbarre’s Cathedral, visit the picturesque Blarney Castle and kiss the Blarney Stone and check out the bustling English Market.

Surrounded by interesting waterways and providing a mecca for true foodies, it’s close to the scenic southwest but within easy reach of East Cork and West Waterford. The River Lee flows around the centre, an island packed with grand Georgian parades, cramped 17th-century alleys and modern masterpieces such as the opera house.

Cork City’s main road, St. Patrick Street, is lined with a variety of stores, and has become one of the main shopping areas downtown. A must-see for tourists is Shandon Church – the Shandon Steeple, along with the Shandon Bells, can be seen from various areas in the city. Explore the city’s history at the Cork Butter Museum or visit the Cork City Gaol, which looks like a castle outside, but is a museum depicting the gaol’s history.

Gaelic sports, such as Gaelic football and hurling, are played during the summer or try out spectator sports, such as Horse Racing and Greyhound Racing.

There are many things to do in Cork at night – for culture, try the Cork Arts Theater and Everyman Palace or plan your trip around the Cork Midsummer Festival or the Cork Arts Festival. If you have a passion for music, time your visit to coincide with

Cork’s Guinness Jazz Festival and the Cork International Choral Festival. For those who like to party, Cork’s St. Patrick festivities should not be missed!

Reykjavik – IcelandReykjavik is the most northern most European capital. Surrounded by a rugged volcanic netherworld, Reykjavík is a city of contrasts with the iconic Mount Esja complimenting quaint fishing huts, a vibrant nightlife and vivid demonstrations of modern art. In the summer the streets are lit up by 22-hours of daylight; in winter they’re shaded by blizzards and never-ending night. With a population of around 200,000, it’s perfectly sized for short breaks and leisurely strolls.

Reykjavik provides all the cultural expectations you would expect from a modern European city – world-class restaurants, fine museums, galleries and state-of-the-art geothermal pools. The Icelandic capital is one of the most innovative cities in Europe and is a wonderful holiday destination for explorers. You can take in the sights such as the super-modern

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Lviv – UkraineMysterious, edgy and architecturally lovely, Lviv boasts that it’s Ukraine’s least Soviet city. The city’s Unesco World Heritage-listed centre combines neoclassical architecture in rococo, baroque, Renaissance and Gothic styles and it has a deep-rooted coffee-house culture that is very European. Yet Lviv does still retain some of its Soviet heritage, which only adds to its charm.

The city boasts many of the country’s best museums, art galleries and theatres. It is also Ukraine’s Bible belt – with magnificent and inspiring churches and cathedrals on nearly every corner. Although Lvivians have the reputation as church-goers, they haven’t forgotten how to party. Pubs, clubs, restaurants and coffee houses are plentiful

concert hall Harpa, the striking Hallgrímskirkja church and the relaxing Lake Tjörnin or visit one of several spas.

Be sure to time your city break to see the spectacular Northern Lights – one of the planets greatest natural shows – a truly unforgettable experience. A city break to Reykjavik is for you if you are looking for lots of outdoor activities and attractions.

and it’s usually a local who’s continuing the celebration into the early hours.

Visit Rynok Square – the centre of political, public, cultural, and commercial life of the city for 500-years; or the Cathedral of St. George the Greek Catholic Archbishop’s Cathedral – a magnificent Rococo architectural ensemble dating back to the 18th century. Or the Lviv Opera House – an architectural gem of Lviv and one of the most beautiful theatres in Europe or the Kornyakt Palace (6 Rynok Square) an extremely valuable Renaissance monument dating to 1580; it was the palace of the wealthiest citizen in the whole history of Lviv – the merchant Constantine Kornyakt.

It is a very poetic city steeped in legends both ancient and relatively new. Lviv is a Ukrainian city with a European soul.

Which is the best European city you’ve visited? Share your experiences with us by emailing [email protected] or writing to FREEPOST RSRY-HAKJ-XGXA, Club Together, PO Box 4876, Lancing, BN99 8AY

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Why it makes sense to pay for funeral costs in advance

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None of us likes to think about dying, but with funeral costs rising every year it can be a worry to think how your

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A funeral plan guaranteed to beat rising costsA Guaranteed Funeral Plan from Dignity guarantees to cover the necessary costs of a traditional cremation funeral, regardless of how much these costs rise in the future. And, with funeral costs expected to increase from £3,516 today, to almost £5,000 by 2017, fixing funeral costs at today’s prices with a Guaranteed Funeral Plan is a practical and sensible decision that can save both you and your loved ones money and worry.

Support and guidance for loved onesAs well as pre-paying funeral costs you can also help to take care of arrangements in advance, so loved ones do not have the stress of deciding on what type of funeral you would have wanted. Just one phone call is needed to put the Plan into motion and they will then receive expert support and guidance from a Dignity Funeral Director.

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Wildlife gardening is not just valuable for nature – it’s also very rewarding. Britain’s gardens boast more biodiversity than any other habitat. Here are some top tips to make your garden more hospitable to wildlife.

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1 Make space for water – A pond (without fish) will support a wide range

of animals and allow amphibians and dragonflies to breed. If a pond is not practical, go for a simple bird bath or pebble fountain to provide water to drink.

2 Consider your chemicals – Avoid pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides.

Look into natural and organic remedies for your lawn and garden problems.

3 Compost your food and garden waste in the garden – The compost heap will

provide welcome food and shelter for animals, including hedgehogs and grass snakes and a free source of mulch for your garden.

4 Grow native flowering plants – This encourages butterflies, particularly if you

place flat, basking stones in sunny spots for them to rest on.

5 Leave perennials uncut until the spring – The seed heads provide valuable food

for birds and other animals through the winter and those with hollow stems provide shelter for over-wintering insects.

6Reduce the size of your lawn – Grass lawns do very little for wildlife; consider

groundcovers or wildflowers instead.

7 Grow climbing plants against bare walls, fences and trellises –

Climbers provide great cover and food for birds, insects and mammals. Climbing plants can also help provide privacy for your garden. Position your trellises 10cm from a wall or fence to ensure suitable space for nesting.

8 Keep dead trees around – Try not to remove them for aesthetic reasons

as they make good animal habitats and bird perches!

9Bird, bat and hedgehog boxes – These provide valuable nesting, roosting,

sheltering and hibernation opportunities. Did you know? Bats can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes in an hour.

10 Feed the birds with nuts, mixed seeds, scraps and fat balls – If you

start feeding keep it up through the year. If you use a bird table and feeders make sure these are kept clean.

Call of the Wild

Healthcare is better when it’s personal

Up to 72% no claim

discount for club together members

For a no obligation quote, call 0800 096 5411 quoting AXQ HUJ or visit avivahealthcare.co.uk and find out why over 850,000 people already trust our personal touch.

Aviva Health UK Limited. Registered in England Number 2464270. Registered office 8 Surrey Street, Norwich, NR1 3NG. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Firm Reference Number 308139. This insurance is underwritten by Aviva Insurance Limited. Registered in Scotland No. 2116. Registered office Pitheavlis, Perth, PH2 0NH. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Firm Reference Number 202153.

John Bradbury, Reading

“ Aviva helped to take away stress and worry when I was least able to cope.”

As a Club Together member, you can enjoy a great entry level no claim discount of up to 72% off your private health insurance policy-compared to the 66% maximum no claim discount if you go direct to Aviva. Currently 87% of Club Together customers obtain this discount. The no claim discount will be applied to the first year of your policy and your discount will be reviewed each year at renewal.

Calls to and from Aviva will be monitored and/or recorded.

As well as value for money, Aviva private health insurance gives you these added benefits:

Up to 72% no claim discount for club together members

Treatment by specialists.

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Willowbrook Ltd provides Age UK Adjustable Beds and works in association with Age UK Trading Ltd, a trading subsidiary of Age UK(registered charity number 1128267) which donates its net profits to that charity. Willowbrook Ltd will give £165 from the sale ofeach adjustable bed to Age UK Trading Ltd. Age UK Adjustable Beds is a product name of Age UK Trading Ltd. ID200709 08/12

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Age UK Bed FP_ClbTogthr.12.8 10/07/2013 09:58 Page 1

After financial security, health is a key concern. We look at the eight biggest health risks facing men and women over 50 and how to combat them.

Eight Biggest Health Concerns Facing the Over 50s

H E A LT H & L I F E S T Y L E

www.club-together.org

Women over 50 are at risk of many different health problems. These are the top eight health problems for older women:

As men grow older, they face a different range of health risks. The top eight health risks for men over 50 include:

What can you do to minimise your risk of illness and live life to the fullestStaying healthy and feeling your best is essential. Growing older precipitates major life changes, including career changes and retirement, children leaving home, the loss of loved ones and physical changes. Management of these changes is critical to staying healthy – identifying new things you enjoy, staying physically and socially active and feeling connected to your community and loved ones.

Myths about healthy ageingAgeing doesn’t mean declining health – Preventive measures like healthy eating, exercising and managing stress can help reduce your risk of chronic diseases.

Memory loss isn’t inevitable – Train your brain, you can learn at any age and it’s vital you keep your memory sharp.

An old dog can learn new tricks – Not only do you have the wisdom of experience on your side – you can also learn new things. If you believe in and have confidence in yourself, you are setting up a positive environment for change whatever your age.

24

• Prostate Cancer • High Cholesterol • High Blood Pressure • Heart Disease • Obesity • Stroke• Diabetes • Depression

• Heart Disease • Breast Cancer • Ovarian Cancer • Osteoporosis • High Blood Pressure • Depression • Obesity • High Cholesterol

H E A LT H & L I F E S T Y L E

www.club-together.org

Eat well Your relationship to food may change along with your body. A decrease in metabolism, changes in taste and smell, and slower digestion may affect your appetite, the foods you can eat, and how your body processes food.

The key is to adapt to your changing needs – healthy eating is important to maintain health and energy.

•Pick high fibre fruits, vegetables and whole grains

Fibre is very important for your digestive system as it slows down with age. Choosing foods that fuel your body will make you feel more energetic and keep you going.

•Spice up your life

Your taste buds and appetite may change as you age, but your nutritional needs will not. Find new ways to flavour, prepare and present your food to make it appealing.

• Liquid refreshment

Due to physical changes, you are more likely to get dehydrated, make sure you drink plenty of fluid even if you don’t feel thirsty.

• Social dining

If you live alone, invite friends over. It’s a great way to keep in touch and you have someone to help you wash up.

25

Don’t stop exercisingExercise is vital for staying healthy and maintaining strength and agility. It gives your mental health a boost and can help reduce chronic pain. Exercise helps you improve your confidence and outlook on life.

•Check with your doctor before starting any exercise

Find out if any health conditions or medications you take affect what exercise you should choose.

•Do something you like

Whether in a group, such as a class or sport, or as an individual exercise like swimming.

•Start slow

A few minutes a day helps build a healthy habit. Slowly increase the time and intensity to avoid injury.

• Walk the walk

Walking is a great way to stay fit and doesn’t require equipment or cost and can be done anywhere.

Did you know?Regular exercise can reduce your risk of developing: • Heart Disease• High Blood Pressure• Diabetes• Osteoporosis, Osteoartritis• Back Pain• Some cancers such as Bowel Cancer

Prepare for changeAs you age beyond 50, you will experience mixed emotions. It’s essential you find healthy ways to cope with challenges. This will allow you to enjoy the good times and help keep perspective when times are tough.

•Stop taking things for granted

Life is precious, when you stop taking things for granted, you appreciate and enjoy what you have.

• Don’t bottle your feelings

Don’t deny what you’re going through. Let your feelings out by talking with a close friend or writing your feelings down.

• Focus on what you can control

Rather than getting stressed, choose how you react to problems. Face limitations with dignity and a sense of humour.

• Look on the bright side

When facing major challenges, try to look at them as opportunities for personal growth, reflect on your choices and learn from your mistakes.

•Take daily action to deal with life’s challenges

Ignoring the problem doesn’t make it go away; it allows both the problem and your anxiety to build. Instead, take things one small step at a time.

Get a support networkOne of the greatest challenges of ageing is how your support network changes. Life changes such as retirement and health concerns and re-location can take away your network. Find ways to reach out and connect to others. Having company and support as you age helps combat loneliness, depression, disability, hardship, and loss. It doesn’t matter what you do, so long as you get out and socialise.

•Connect regularly with friends and family

Spend time with people you enjoy and who make you feel happy. If you don’t live nearby, call or email frequently.

•Make new friends

Make new connections to increase your circle. Befriend younger people as they can provide you with a new perspective.

•See one person a day

Whatever your living or work situation, regular face-to-face contact helps combat depression and stay positive.

•Volunteer

This is a natural way to meet others with similar interests or values.

•Find support groups

If you are struggling with serious illness or recent loss, participating in a support group with others undergoing the same challenges, can be helpful.

H E A LT H & L I F E S T Y L E

www.club-together.org

26

Your back is an intricate matrix of bones, muscles, nerves and tissue that keep your body stable, erect and functioning properly. It can also be the number one site for chronic pain, however, the good news is this can be prevented and/or controlled. More than 16 million people in the UK are putting up with stiff and sore backs and 66% of us have experienced a sore back at some time.

Protecting your back

Here are our top 10 tips for a healthy back:

1 Exercise your back regularly. Activities like walking, swimming, yoga, pilates and using exercise bikes are all excellent ways to strengthen your back muscles.

2 Let your legs do the lifting, always bend your knees, not your back and always lift and carry objects close to your body.

3 Never twist and bend at the same time.

4 Stand tall, sit up straight. Stand with your feet about shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent, shoulders pulled up and head centered over your shoulders with your chin up.

5 Lose any excess weight. Talk to your doctor about your healthy weight. The more you lose, the better your back will feel.

6 Use a chair with a backrest. Sit with your feet flat on the floor or on a footrest. Change your position every few minutes.

7 Stop smoking, because smoking decreases oxygen levels in the body needed for healthy bones and

muscles, which can lead to disc and spine problems.

8 Care for your feet – back-healthy shoes are comfortable, supportive and shock absorbent (not hard-soled). Look for shoes that allow for good posture and

wear high heels in moderation.

9 Choose a mattress suited to your height, weight, age and sleeping position. Whilst sleeping, your head, neck and back should be in proper alignment. Make sure your pillow supports your head and neck.

10 Stretch out – regular, dedicated stretching throughout the day increases your mobility.

Don’t let a bad back make your life a misery – there are many ways that you can take charge and fight pain whatever your age.

H E A LT H & L I F E S T Y L E

www.club-together.org

27

1 The benefi cial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 1.5-2.4g plant sterols.2 The benefi cial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 150mg Fruitfl ow® II

(water soluble tomato concentrate II) when taken with liquid. 3 Heart health benefi t is obtained with 250mg of EPA and DHA.

*£2 off your fi rst order only. Prices and voucher valid until 31.10.13. Call Freephone 0800 73 123 77. Single use only and not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Please allow 10 days for delivery. All Healthspan Ltd sales with standard delivery service are provided to you by PostDirect at a price of £1.95 incl VAT. T&C’s apply. Healthspan Ltd, PO Box 64, Guernsey GY1 3BT.

off£ CTM-WAUWhen ordering please quote above code2 when you spend over £15*

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HS Club Together Mag Ad [Jul13].indd 1 15/07/2013 14:46

C E L E B R I T Y & C U LT U R E

www.club-together.org

Who or what inspired you to be a chef? The biggest inspirations in my life have been my mother and grandmother. Their passion for everything they prepared at home rubbed off on me and made me want to put every bit as much effort and passion into all that I do.If you weren’t a chef, what would you like to have been? I would have loved to have been able to be a racing driver, something I am now lucky enough to have a go at. What has been your biggest kitchen disaster? There have been a few, but what happens in the kitchen stays in the kitchen!Who is your culinary hero? We are so lucky in this country as we have so many fantastic chefs and I have been very fortunate to have worked alongside some of the greats, some of whom I feel privileged to call my friends, such as Michel Roux Snr and Pierre Koffmann.If you could get anyone (alive or dead) to cook for you, who would you choose? My mum – she still makes the best Sunday roast.You’ve had many interesting guests on Saturday Kitchen, who has been the most memorable?We’ve had so many fantastic guests, it’s hard to say who was the best. Recently we have had some interesting people from politics to pop stars, Ann Widdecombe to Rachel Stevens, and sports.

If you had to choose your ‘food heaven’ and ‘food hell’ what ingredients would you choose? I love eating seafood and not much beats a great steak and chips. As for food hell, that would have to be wasabi or anything else resembling horseradish.Have you ever tried the omelette challenge on your show and if so, what time did you get?That would be telling, but what I will say is that it was edible! Everyone knows about your passion for cars. What is your dream motor ? It’s true – I love my cars and I now have a few in my garage. I’m not sure I have a favourite amongst them, they are all special to me. At the moment, I’m having a lot of fun in my Mini, which has been totally modified for me to race and I just won my first race in it so that was very exciting.What was the inspiration behind ‘Life, Fork and Spoon’?I was chatting with some friends who are also chefs and we thought there was an opportunity to provide people with great quality food for everything from a daily snack to full on catered dinner parties. It’s going really well so far and we hope to push on this year with this online service.

Club Together speaks to the popular chef and host of Saturday Kitchen on his dream motor and who makes the best Sunday roast.

James Martin Q&A

29

Life, Fork and Spoon has partnered with Club Together. To see our exclusive offer, go to the Directory or for latest recipes visit www.club-together.org

Find out more about benenden health

0800 970 6488*

quoting CLUBMEM

www.benenden.co.uk/clubmem

*Calls to 0800 numbers are free from BT landlines however charges may apply from other providers. Calls from mobile phones may also incur charges. Please note that your call may be recorded for our mutual security and also for training and quality purposes. Lines open 8am – 5pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays). Membership is available to anyone over the age of 16 who is normally resident in the UK. Members can add family and friends to their membership regardless of their age. Some services have a six month qualifying period. Benenden health is a trading name of The Benenden Healthcare Society Limited which is an incorporated friendly society, registered under the Friendly societies Act 1992, registered number 480F. The Society’s contractual business (the provision of tuberculosis benefit) is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. The remainder of the Society’s business is undertaken on a discretionary basis. The Society is subject to Prudential Regulation Authority requirements for prudential management. No advice has been given. If in doubt as to the suitability of this product, you should seek independent advice. Registered Office: The Benenden Healthcare Society Limited, Holgate Park Drive, York, YO26 4GG.†£15 for a main member and £5 for the first two family members or friends added to your membership when you join. To qualify for the incentive you must join before 30th December 2013 and remain with benenden health beyond the 14 day cooling off period. You must quote the code CLUBMEM at the point of join to receive your vouchers. For full terms and conditions visit www.benenden.co.uk/clubmem.AD/CLUBMEM/SP6291/07.13

Only

£7.80per person per month

£7.80 per person, per month…It’s a small price to pay to help protect your family’s healthbenenden health offers a range of affordable discretionary healthcare services to support the health and wellbeing of you and your family.

Whether you need prompt diagnosis, specialist treatment in an approved hospital or expert advice, we use our discretion to help you find the right care when you need it most. We do not exclude for pre-existing conditions and our price does not rise with age or service usage.

As a mutual organisation, our membership contributions go into one big communal pot to provide excellent healthcare services for you and the rest of our 900,000 strong community. So put your health in safe hands today for only £7.80 per person, per month.

Plus, as a member of Club Together, if you join before 30th December 2013 you will receive up to £25 M&S vouchers.†

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The adult brain retains an impressive ability to adapt through disciplined training, physical exercise, and active learning – at any age!

Did you know, you actually can teach old dogs new tricks? New research in brain science has identified that the adult brain retains exceptional powers of “neuroplasticity”. In essence, it has the ability to change structure and function in response to experience. Combined with a thirst for new knowledge and skills, this has seen an increased popularity for lifelong learning, with a significant increase in the number of college students aged 40 to 64.

So now is the perfect time to improve your skills. You could learn a new language, develop a hobby with a specialist course, or investigate work-based learning or an academic degree. Plus, you have the added benefit of meeting new people. People over

the age of 50 find it hard to be social, according to a new report – with one in six people in England aged over 50 ‘socially isolated’. They have few socially orientated hobbies, little civic or cultural engagement

with society, and may have very

limited social networks. This was a key finding by the English Longitudinal Study of

Ageing (ELSA), a project that aims to

understand the economic, social, psychological and health concerns

of an ageing society. The ELSA project is an extensive

research study following the lives of more than 10,000 English people throughout their older age, revealing the complex inter-relationships between personal finances, social detachment and overall health and well-being.

Previous reports from the project have shown how social engagement is closely linked with long life and healthy ageing. Those who were recorded as having a greater enjoyment of life were more likely to still be alive nine to 10-years later than other participants.

Teach yourself a new trick!

www.club-together.org

32

L E I S U R E & L E A R N I N G

www.club-together.org

33

Evening classes in the day?Evening classes are no longer confined to evenings – there are part-time, day, weekend, online and distance learning classes to choose from. Popular classes include languages, photography, yoga, cookery, computer skills, jewellery making and family history.

Higher education and universityThe majority of universities and colleges welcome mature students for their commitment, experience and skills. Many have a flexible admissions policy which takes into account work and life experience. To find out more, get in touch with the admissions tutors for the courses in which you are interested. It could be worth meeting them to discuss your situation and the options before making an application. If evidence of recent study is required, you may need to take an access course (see below). The UCAS guide for mature students is a thorough guide for those considering higher education.

Access courses Access to higher eduction courses teach the knowledge and skills required for a degree or diploma course. Run by local colleges, usually as evening classes, there are over 1,500 access courses listed at the Access to HE website.

Funding and grants for over 60sDirectGov’s student finance site provides information on the financial help available to students in higher education in England and links to finance information in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

How to find a coursewww.hotcourses.com – allows you to see a huge range of courses, from short courses to postgraduate study. https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice – has information about career-focussed courses. Local libraries have details of local courses and computer facilities if you need them for the course. www.nec.ac.uk – specialises in distance learning with over 150 home-study courses including vocational and GCSE and A level courses. Call: 0800 389 2839. www.oca-uk.com – offers home study courses in fine art, photography, creative writing, textiles, art history, music etc. www.learndirect.co.uk – has a network of local centres offering computer-based teaching. Their courses are mainly vocational skills, English, maths and business. Call: 0800 101 901 (0808 100 9000 if you live in Scotland). www.u3a.org.uk – The University of the Third Age is formed of local groups of older people whose members run informal courses, study groups and talks. They also run centralised tutored and untutored online courses. Call: 020 8466 6139.The BBC’s online language courses are free and cover French, Italian, Spanish and German.

L E I S U R E & L E A R N I N G

Happy learning! If you are already taking a course or in higher education, we would love to hear from you. Please tell us about your experience by emailing [email protected] or writing to FREEPOST RSRY-HAKJ-XGXA, Club Together, PO Box 4876, Lancing, BN99 8AY

To request your free catalogue...Simply complete your details below, cut out and pop into an envelope with this address: FREEPOST FISCHER FUTURE HEAT. No stamp or address required. Or call us on 0800 103 2702, quoting CT12AUGName:

Address: Post Code:Telephone/Mobile: Your information will not be sold or exchanged to a third party.

Call FREE 0800 103 2702or 0116 242 5533

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E X P E R I E N C E C O U N T S

www.club-together.org

ACROSS1 The name of Sir Alex Ferguson’s replacement at

Manchester United (10)2 Composer of the ‘Hallelujah’ chorus (6)3 The headline act at this year’s Glastonbury Festival (13)4 A yellow fruit which contains potassium (6)5 Surname of the Olympian who won the 5,000m and 10,000m

at the 2012 Olympics (5)6 First name of the designer daughter of Paul McCartney (6)7 Current Government position held by Teresa May (13)8 Where you would go to kiss the Blarney Stone (4)

DOWN1 The real surname of the entertainer Cilla Black (5)2 The most northern European capital (9)3 What is Dynamo best known for being (8)4 Number of books in the bible (8)5 The most prolific cancer affecting men over 50 (8)6 The brand who’s catchphrase is ‘I’m loving it’ (9)7 The number of English Premier League teams competing in

the Champions League (4)8 Distant or unsympathetic in manner (5)9 Famous playright Michael Caine met at Brighton University (12)

Just for fun...

Answers can be found online at www.club-together.org or by emailing [email protected]

Crossword

Riddles

1

1

6

9

3

6

2

4

7

8

7

5 8

5

3

4

2

1. What goes around the world but stays in the corner?

2. What gets wetter and wetter, the more it dries?

3. I am weightless, but you can see me. Put me in a bucket, and I’ll make it lighter. What am I?

4. What can run but never walks, has a mouth but never talks, has a head but never weeps, has a bed but never sleeps?

35

E X P E R I E N C E C O U N T S

www.club-together.org

Amsterdam Havana QuitoBangkok Istanbul ReykjavikBuenos Aires Jakarta Santa FeChicago London SydneyCopenhagen

Madrid TokyoDelhi Nice ViennaFlorence OsakaZurichGenevaParis HanoiPrague

Just for fun...

Club Together is a trading name of Paymaster (1836) Limited. Registered in England and Wales: 3249700. Registered Office: Sutherland House, Russell Way, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 1UH. Part of the Equiniti Group. Club Together is a registered trade mark of the Equiniti Group. Club Together may use the information collected to notify you about new or existing Club Together benefits we think you will find valuable. Please see our privacy policy statement on the website at www.club-together.org for full details of how your information may be used. Paymaster (1836) Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to arrange and administer a number of insurance and investment contracts. Our FCA Registration Number is 315407. We do not offer our own products. We will not give advice or make recommendations. If you need advice you should speak to a financial adviser. We occasionally receive fees or commission for arranging for you to access insurance and investment providers and these providers will tell you how much we receive. We are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) which means that you may be able to claim compensation if we cannot meet our obligations. We will provide you with a copy of our complaint procedure on request and you can also complain to the Compliance Officer at Paymaster (1836) Limited, Sutherland House, Russell Way, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 1UH. You can also refer complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service at South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London, E14 9SR (Tel 0845 080 1800). Making a complaint will not affect your rights to take future legal action.

Answers can be found online at www.club-together.org or by emailing [email protected]

Z U R I C H X C N O D N O L N

P H I K P R A G U E D B P F D

F L M E B Y E N D Y S E M L O

S U R E Y K J A V I K A S O X

V E L O S O R K L E D Q C R O

I J R H T O K Y O R P R H E S

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WIN AN IPAD MINIFor your chance to win an 16GB iPad Mini, just register at www.club-together.org

Entrants must be 18 or over. Competition closes at midnight 31st December 2013. The winner will be selected at random from all correct entries. The Editor’s decision is final. Full competition terms and conditions can be found at www.club-together.org/terms-conditions

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Over 50’s travel insurance specialist• Specialists in providing cover for the over 50’s

• All pre-existing medical conditions considered

• Maximum trip duration of up to 365 days*

• Children and Grandchildren under the age of 18 are insured FREE**

• Medical expenses up to £10 million

• Specialist Cruise cover available

*Maximum trip duration of up to 365 days for the under 70's. ** Children and Grandchildren under the age of 18 are insured FREE when travelling with an adult aged over 21, who is named on the travel insurance policy. Avanti Travel Insurance is a trading style of Avanti Insurance Limited, registered in England No. 03882026. Avanti Insurance Limited is an Appointed Representative of Health Connections Direct Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registration No. 307997. Registered offi ce: Century House, Century Drive, Braintree, Essex CM77 8YG.

Call our UK call centre FREE

0800 233 5870www.avanti.co.uk

Avanti_Club_Together_A5_240613.indd 1 24/06/2013 14:36:23

www.club-together.org

Product section Why we are happy to introduce...Home and family

Fine wine merchants0843 224 1224Quote code 1465002

Averys wine merchants have over 1,000 wines of quality and individuality and attentive customer service that has allowed them to thrive in the wine trade for over 200-years.

Gourmet food deliveryOrder online at www.lifeforkspoon.co.uk0844 567 6348Quote code Club10

Life, Fork & Spoon by James Martin – delicious gourmet food from James Martin and his team of chefs delivered to your door. Perfect for home dinner parties or just a tasty treat. Order now quoting reference Club10 to receive your welcome 10% discount. Terms and conditions apply.

Premium meat box deliverywww.fieldandflower.co.uk0845 6899 007Quote code CLUBTOGETHER20

Field & Flower delivers premium quality meat from their North Somerset farm, nationwide. 20% discount for Club Together members on an initial order of regular meat boxes.

Beautiful illustrated books020 7400 4200Quote code DZK8

Folio Society books make gifts that last a lifetime and the Folio Society has over 400 illustrated editions. Club Together members are offered free delivery and a free notebook with two books ordered on the initial order.

Broadband, TV and home phoneFreephone 0800 840 5355

Simplifydigital can save you up to £346 a year. They search over 11,000 broadband, TV and home phone deals to find the right package for you. Their friendly experts will even arrange the installation for you.

Holidays & Travel

Travel insuranceFreephone 0800 234 6513

Rock Travel Insurance provides great value cover available upto age 79, no claims excess and premiums from just £50.29.

Holiday moneyRegistering onlinewww.club-together.org /holidaymoney

With competitive exchange rates and no commission, a my Travel Cash Prepaid MasterCard® is an easy way to take money abroad. Plus with Chip & PIN protection and 24/7 Lost & Stolen support it can be a safer option than carrying cash.

Breakdown coverFreephone 0800 0280 281Quote CODE ClubMag

Start rescue is a service you can call in the event of a breakdown or accident. You qualify for a 10% discount on the annual fee.

HealTH & wellbeing

Advisory, diagnosis and treatment servicesFreephone 0800 970 6488Quote code CLUBMEM

benenden health provides discretionary health and wellbeing services aimed to relieve the distress of long waiting lists by helping you achieve prompt diagnosis and treatment for only £7.80 per person, per month. Join today and receive up to £20 M&S vouchers.

Vitamins and supplementsCall on 0800 7312377Quote code CT-WAU

Healthspan provides the gold standard in vitamins and supplements delivered direct to your door. A team of over 100 trained advisors in their friendly UK call centre, are ready to help you with FREE expert advice and guidance in selecting the right product for your individual needs. Order now quoting CT-WAU to receive your welcome offer – 20% off everything! Terms and conditions apply.

Private health insuranceCall on 0800 404 7094 Quote code INT-CTO

Aviva offer big savings on private health insurance – exclusive no claim discount of up to 72% just for Club Together members from day one of the plan.

Planning aHead

Guaranteed Funeral PlanFor an information pack call Freephone 0800 783 2617

The Guaranteed Funeral Plan from Dignity is the best way to pre-pay funeral costs in advance, saving you and your loved ones money and worry. Club Together members receive a £50 discount and £100 cashback when taking out a plan with Dignity.

Equity releaseFor more information visit www.club-together.org/equity-releaseFor your free guide call 0808 156 2699

Key Retirement Solutions is the UK’s No.1 independent equity release specialist, with over 40 industry awards to its name. Club Together members receive a free information guide. This is an equity release plan. To understand the features and risks, ask for a personalised illustration.

Family legal protectionFreephone 0800 652 3020

Lifetime Legal believe everyone should have access to legal advice when they need it, without fear of costs. For information about fixed cost legal advice and Lifetime Legal membership call 0800 652 3020.

D I R E C T O R Y

Get in Touch To contact our team about any of the fantastic product offers, email us at [email protected]

LegaL & generaL’s OVer 50s FIXeD LIFe InsUranCe PLan

LeaVe mOre.When your loved ones mean everything to you, it’s good to know you can now get more life cover for your money with Legal & General’s new improved rates – helping protect them with a cash sum when you’re no longer around. Premiums start from £8 a month – depending on your age, and you’ll have the reassurance that you’re with an award-winning insurer you can trust.

Find out more – Call today to receive your free no obligation application pack, or to take out cover!

0800 048 1254Lines open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Saturday. We may record and monitor calls. Call charges will vary.

club-together.org/life

Help ease the financial burden on your loved ones at a very difficult time, by providing a cash sum to put towards any outstanding bills, other debts or to contribute towards funeral costs. It’s important to consider that the cash sum provided by the plan is fixed and inflation will reduce its buying power in the future.

LegaL & generaL’s gUarantees tO YOU4 Special Club Together deal – higher cash sum

without paying a higher premium.

4 Guaranteed acceptance for UK residents aged 50 to 80.

4 No medical or health assessment.

4 Your premiums will never increase once the plan starts.

4 After two years, the plan will pay out regardless of the cause of death. If you die within the first two years they will refund any premiums paid, unless you die as the result of an accident, when they will pay your cash sum instead.

4 Even though you stop paying premiums when you reach 90, your cover will continue for the rest of your life. If you were to stop paying premiums when due, your plan will be cancelled and you will not get anything back.

4 Depending on how long you live the total premiums paid may be greater than the cash sum payable when you die.

This is not a savings or investment product, and has no cash value unless a valid claim is made.

Legal & General Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Club Together receive a fee for referring you to Legal & General. That fee depends on the term of the policy to your 90th birthday and can range from 6% to 80% of your first year’s premium. Please contact us on 0800 234 6513 if you want to know the exact fee that we receive.

Club Together and Equiniti Paymaster are trading names of Paymaster (1836) Limited. Registered in England and Wales no: 3249700. Registered office: Sutherland House, Russell Way, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 1UH. Paymaster (1836) Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Legal & General Assurance Society Limited. Registered in England No. 166055. Registered office: One Coleman Street, London EC2R 5AA.

Free £50 m&s VOUCHersWHEN YOU TAKE OUT COVEROffer ends 31 December 2013Full terms and conditions available with your information pack.

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DiscountedHome Insurance for readers ofclubtogethermagazine

CSIS competitor analysis. Conducted November 2012. CSIS isauthorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.Underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc (No:93792)

Civil Service Insurance Society- Established in 1890 -

Call 0845 6077444 and quote ref CTM or visit us online at www.csis.co.uk/ctm

{ }POLICY TYPE CSIS - Clearchoice SAGA - Essential Buildings Limit £500,000 £500,000Contents Limit £60,000 £50,000Home Emergency Cover INCLUDED ExtraMonthly Payments Interest Free 0% APR Extra 22.9% APRAdministration Fees FREE Extra

We believe in giving you value for money and quality cover without the EXTRA costs...

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