Chester & Wirral issue 36

BernieNolanBOUNCES BACK IN TRUE CHICAGO STYLE

Rick SteinSHARES HIS FAVOURITE DISHES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

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

CHESTER & WIRRAL

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JULY - SEPTEMBER 2012 | EDITION 36

InsideWELSH WONDERSAN AREA OF OUTSTANDINGNATURAL BEAUTY

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FREE THREE DAY PASSFOR SPIRIT HEALTH CLUB

e l e c t r i c a l � p lumbing � b a th rooms � k i t chens � b edrooms

Here at Chester Electrical & Plumbing Supplies we are an independent company who pride ourselves on our customer service.

Choosing a new bathroom can be a potentially daunting task. With so many products available it can also be difficult to get value for money in a market filled with hundreds of white ceramic clones. In our showroom we display over 45 bathroom ranges from quality brands the likes of Twyford, Imperial, Lakes, Siadaw, Matrix, Eco kitchen and bathrooms and Vitra. These are some of the best manufacturers & suppliers in the business offering quality products backed up with the reassurance of superior after sales support.

Whether it’s a new toilet seat or a full designer bathroom we aim to ensure you get exactly what you want to suit you and your budget. We spend time with each customer right from the start of your bathroom search which is vital to ensure that what you require will be not only suitable, but fit perfectly and hopefully exceed your specific needs.

Our friendly staff have together over 25 years combined experience in the trade which also includes bathroom and kitchen fitting. This coupled with a number of preferred local installers, plumbers & electricians on hand ensure you can have the bathroom of your dreams without necessarily needing a dream budget. So feel free to drop in and browse our showroom & experience our unique customer service.

Visit our showroom at: Bumpers Lane, Sealand Industrial Estate, Chester CH1 4LT.

CHESTER ELECTRICAL

We are also a plumbing / heating and electrical & lighting wholesaler and have a new kitchen and bedroom showroom so all your needs can be met at one location.

We have now opened a bespoke kitchen / bedroom furniture department and offer over 40 different kitchen and 20 bedroom styles, 6 of which are on display. There are ranges to suit all budgets whether if it’s for your first home or something you have been planning to do for years, you will get the same easy to understand guidance.

We offer clear no nonsense advice from the planning stage as you will be talking to our sales staff who have over 10 years experience of installing kitchens. We conduct an onsite consultation to ensure you get the kitchen or bedroom that suits you, your home and your budget. After this is done we issue a clear and concise quote with a detailed auto cad drawing so you can see the layout of your new kitchen or bedroom.

Once you have chosen your kitchen we can assist you in choosing your work surfaces be it laminate, composite, or granite, as well as appliances, tiles, sockets and lighting. We have a large number of each on display as it is our intention to make the choosing of your new kitchen or bedroom a pleasurable stress free experience.

We are main dealers for Neff appliances and in 90% of cases can beat internet prices so you can purchase with no risk. We also are very competitive on all the best ranges of kitchen

appliances and taps, such as Abode, Franke, Gorenge, Caple, Luxair, Bosch, Belling, Stoves, Rangemaster and Smeg to name just a few of the better market brands.

Once you have chosen your kitchen we can assist you with your kitchen fitter, electrician and plumber and tiler. Then deliver it for free within a 20 mile radius at a time that suits you, so no more waiting in all day!

Is it possible to have all your needs professionally dealt with in just one place? It is now!

So call into our showroom now and let your new kitchen or bedroom become a reality.

OUR CUS TOMER SERVICE IS SECOND TO NONE

t: 01244 383323 e: [email protected] w: www.cepsonline.co.uk

CHESTER ELECTRICAL & PLUMBING SUPPLIES

4 www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Graham Smithhas a Twitter

Waiting for a Princess!Joining a small crowd waiting to see the Princess Royal in Keighley I had to laugh at some of the comments as time ticked by and she did not emerge from the Civic Centre she was opening.

“I suppose she’s had her dinner, I’m on the wrong side of mine,” growled one elderly lady.

“Who does she think she is being so late, royalty?”, from one man.

I was curious to see this much travelled, often criticised member of the Royal Family whose dog has a penchant for eating geese and who can be a bit nippy behind a steering wheel.

Security was tight for the only royal to have been close to being kidnapped some years ago. On the centre door were two local security people who collectively must have weighed 50 stone but when Anne’s exit was signalled they were dwarfed by her own security men, and women, one of whom could have been seven feet tall with a tell-tale bulge under his immaculately tailored suit jacket.

Then there she was, initially wearing that so serious look she is known for but she kindly broke into a half grin and her eyes lit up as a lady beside me made a light hearted comment about how long she had been inside before leaping nimbly into the back of a Range Rover.

She certainly has the “royal” look and for a woman slightly older than me, in her early 60s, she is still youthful.

“I’ve immensely enjoyed my trip to Yorkshire,” she said to us all.

We enjoyed having you Ma’am, but next time could you save us a sandwich if we have to wait so long?

Inside this issue ...

TRAVEL & LEISURE6-8 Welsh Wonders Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

14-15 Find your true Spirit Free three day pass

20-21 Exhibitions at Art Gallery & Museum, Birkenhead

FOOD & DRINK30-32 Rick Steins' Recipe Pages Rick's favourite recipes

HOME5 Bespoke Bathrooms and En-Suites Wirral Wetrooms

16 A Room with a View Exclusive reader offer

17-18 Is it Time to Downsize? How to furnish something smaller

McGrath Regional Media.Unit 6 | Moses Gate Workshops | Gladys StreetBolton | BL3 2QG.T: (01204) 796 494 | F: (01204) 791594e: [email protected]

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RhossiliVisitors to the area should head straight for Rhossili, which has been described on numerous occasions as one of the best beaches in the UK, and even the world! Rhossili is located at the most Western part of the Gower Peninsula. The most photographed part of Gower, The Worms Head, stretches out to sea and becomes an island when the tide comes in. History buffs can investigate the wreck of the Helvetica, which ran aground in 1887. For the best panoramic views, walkers should head for the top of the Downs where they will be able to see for miles in each direction.The breathtaking view is completed by the long sandy beach and the towering cliffs and this makes it a popular destination throughout the year with surfers, paragliders and ramblers. However, Rhossili still manages to maintain its tranquillity and unspoilt beauty.

Back To NatureFor those wanting to get back to nature, there are a number of companies that can get you on the right track. Dryad Bushcraft offers a range of courses in the art of bushcraft (learning to live in a wilderness environment). Courses include Wilderness Gourmet,

Prehistoric Gower, Introduction to Bushcraft and Family Bushcraft. www.dryadbushcraft.co.uk

Village LifeAmongst the Gower’s many other charms are its tiny fi shing villages, from Llangennith to Horton. Perhaps the most well-known is The Mumbles, a delightful Victorian village with lovely views over Swansea Bay, boasting little boutique shops and a plethora of pubs and restaurants. Up on a hill overlooking the town is Oystermouth Castle, a picturesque and atmospheric 12th century castle that used to be the chief residence of the Lords of Gower and merges perfectly with the dramatic landscape. In fact, the area is so picturesque that Catherine Zeta Jones chose to build a house there not so long ago.

Bright LightsNearby Swansea offers a vibrant nightlife, with the Wind Street area turning from a modern café quarter during the day to a party zone at night. The city is also home to Wales’s must see largest indoor market which is a huge and buzzing expanse selling cockles, lava bread and fresh Welsh cakes. Swansea city is also the birthplace of poet Dylan Thomas, (for information about his house then visit www.5cwmdonkindrive.com).

WELSH WONDERSThe GowerIn 1956 The Gower (a peninsula in south Wales jutting from the coast into the Bristol Channel) was named the very fi rst ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ in the UK by the Countryside Agency and it’s not hard to see why.

Its rugged coastline boasts some of the cleanest water in Europe and with the Gulf Stream keeping the water warm the Gower is a tempting place to take a dip. The

spectacular landscape also makes the Gower perfect for rambling walks, country cycling or even horse riding along the golden sands. Despite all this, the Gower has remained one of Wales’ best-kept secrets and is all the better for it.

GORGEOUS GOWER


7www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Eating and DrinkingThe Gower is spoilt for choice for quality when it comes to eating out locally but the Gower itself is limited to the number of establishments that it could viably sustain; however, Swansea certainly offers everything that you could hope for and all within driving distance.

SleepingThe rugged nature of the landscape is offset by The Gower’s many attractive places to stay ranging from one or two rooms in a family home to self-contained en-suite rooms with dining and sitting room facilities reserved especially for guests.

The Gower may only be 70 square miles but it seems vast. With its huge deserted beaches, isolated landscapes and tiny, pretty villages, the peninsula will envelop you – and you won’t want it to let go.

SnowdoniaLakes, castles and waterfalls create a surreal experience which could be right out of Lord of the Rings as you enter Snowdonia National Park. Located in north-western Wales, the national park was established in 1951, which made it the fi rst national park in Wales - it covers 840 square miles! www.snowdonia.org.uk

Local signs are often both English and Welsh and many aspects of traditional Welsh life, including food, clothing, and crafts are still to be found. The region is very popular for hiking, mountaineering, kayaking, amongst other outdoor pursuits. It also features the magnifi cent Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales at 1,085 m (3,560 ft).

Talyllyn RailwayThe Talyllyn Railway is one of The Great Little Trains of Wales, a group of Welsh narrow gauge railways which offers bargain travel through its Discount Card scheme.The Talyllyn operates over 7 miles of 2ft 3in gauge track along the Fathew Valley from Tywyn Wharf near the coast of Cardigan Bay, to Nant Gwernol, three miles from the lake which gives the railway its name. Much of the route is within the Snowdonia National Park, and leafl ets are available detailing scenic walks from many of the stations.

The line opened in 1865 and still uses two of the original locomotives and coaching stock, in fact three of the locomotives are over a century old! The Victorian train runs on Saturdays and offers the unique experience of travelling in the original coaches behind a Victorian locomotive. The line was the fi rst

7

narrow gauge railway designed for use with steam locomotives. It was built to serve the slate industry but also carried passengers almost from the outset. The quarry closed in 1946, but the railway’s owner pledged to keep the line open for as long as he lived. He died in 1950, but the line was saved from closure by a group of enthusiasts who formed a preservation society (the world’s fi rst) dedicated to safeguarding its future.

Riding The FootplateWhilst on the Talyllyn Railway and if you are very lucky, you can ride part of the way on the locomotive footplate - a sensational experience! Not wanting to disappoint, the Railway also offers members of the public the opportunity to drive one of its historic steam locomotives. For information see either:www.talyllyn.co.uk or www.greatlittletrainsofwales.co.uk

Picture PerfectThe picturesque town of Barmouth rests just within the south west corner of Snowdonia National Park. Barmouth’s location lying between a mountain range and the sea on the mouth of the river Mawddach is arguably one of the most beautiful locations in Wales. The old town is well worth a visit with its steep steps and slate-roofed cottages set on the side of a mountain. The harbour is beautiful and you can walk across the spectacular Barmouth Bridge spanning the river which can be an ideal spot for an evening stroll.The beach is large and perfect for sunbathing; surfers can often be seen here depending on the swells and time of year. It also has a large range of shops, pubs, hotels and other accommodations including caravan parks. A funfair and amusement arcades are open from March to October.

BEAUTIFUL BARMOUTH

T R A V E L


Eating and DrinkingThe foodie scene in this area has come a long way in the last 20 years or so. The Snowdonia mountains and coast are bursting with quality local produce, from Welsh lamb and black beef to farmhouse cheeses and Dyfi salmon, not to mention the sensational seafood from the rich waters of Cardigan Bay. This freshly sourced and home-grown produce has helped transform bistros and fi ne dining restaurants, cafésand country inns throughout the region.

DON’T LEAVE WALES WITHOUT ...Hanging Ten On The Gower!The Gower lends itself to a large range of water sports, such as surfi ng, canoeing, sailing, windsurfi ng and water skiing. Most of the beaches do NOT have a lifeguard, so don’t forget to stay safe and check the tides. Surfi ng is very popular in this area so whether you’re a novice or more advanced, try ‘hanging ten’ on the Gower - Hanging Ten is a diffi cult surfi ng maneuver when the surfer walks to the front of the board and

GETTING AROUND...

By RailAs previously mentioned, there are a large number of local steam railways, rescued by railway enthusiasts during the Beeching era, known collectively as The Great Little Trains of Wales. Passport tickets are available, giving access to all the railways for the whole season (email addresses supplied above).

By RoadMany of the smaller roads are slow, and in upland areas may become impassable during bad weather. The latest traffi c information is available from Traffi c Wales www.traffi c-wales.com

ClimateWales has a temperate climate, which means, like the rest of the UK, it never really gets very hot and never gets really cold. The best times to visit is during the summer months. May, June, July and August are generally the sunniest and driest months. During the winter it can rain frequently, but temperatures rarely drop below zero. They’re normally between fi ve and seven degrees. A raincoat and a thick jumper will usually cope with the worst that the Welsh weather has to offer!

SleepingSnowdonia has a wide-range of hotels, B&B’s - traditional or fashionable boutique, country houses or even campsites to satisfy even the most discriminating visitor, whether you choose to stay in Llanberis, Betws-y-Coed, Beddgelert, Abersoch, Harlech, or any of the other pretty towns and villages.

hangs all ten toes over the nose of the board – easier said than done! For people fortunate enough to have their own equipment popular surfi ng spots include: Sumpters near Overton, Boilers Reef near Port Eynon or Pete’s Reef not far from Pilton, but for those who don’t or would like a ‘taster’ session, there are a number of companies who can hire boards and wetsuits, or provide you with more information

Try these websites: www.samssurfshack.com or gowersurfi ng.com

WHY NOT TRY SOME SURFING?

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An impressive Victorian hotel, situated at the seaward end of Devonshire Place, less than a hundred yards from the seafront, on a delightful tree-lined boulevard less than fi ve

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ROBINSONS AA ��Abbey Lawn - Torquay

If you are looking to unwind in style, this elegant Georgian hotel is the place to stay. Located in the grounds of the former Torre Abbey overlooking Torbay, there are superb facilities.

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04/05 Aug £399 £399 £399 £359

11/12 Aug £399 £399 £399 £359

18/19 Aug £399 £399 £399 £359

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01/02 Sept £399 £399 £399 £359

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24-Sept - £235 £235 £209

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08-Oct £215 £215 £215 £189

15-Oct £209 £209 £209 £185

22-Oct £205 £205 £205 £179

29-Oct £199 £199 £199 £175

Festive Breaks05-Nov £199 £199 £199 £179

12-Nov £195 £195 £195 £175

19-Nov £189 £189 £189 £169

26-Nov £185 £185 £185 £165

03-Dec £179 £179 £179 £165

10-Dec £175 £175 £175 £165

17-Dec £169 £169 £169 £165

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Bernie Nolan has taken on the pivotal role of Mama Morton in multi award-

winning musical ‘Chicago’ this year.

In 2009, the singer and actress played the fairy godmother at Manchester Opera House, following on The Nolans’ reunion tour which proved a spectacular success and fi lled arenas around the UK. But between then and now, Bernie, aged 51, has fought a dramatic battle against breast cancer which saw her having to have a mastectomy and six months of chemotherapy.

In true showbiz style, Bernie has bounced back from this traumatic time to entertain us once more. All of which is no surprise when you consider her strong family background, and the way she has lived much of her life in the spotlight.

Bernadette Therese Nolan came from an Irish family, the second youngest of eight children, and was brought up in Blackpool. Showbiz was in her blood and her sisters, brothers and parents would often perform in clubs and pubs around the resort.

It was when Bernie teamed up with four of her sisters, however, as The Nolans that fame and success fi nally came their way. The pretty, harmonious pop group sold millions of records worldwide in the ‘80s and ‘90s including more than nine million albums.

They had chart hits like ‘I’m in the Mood for Dancing’ and were regular guests on some of the top TV shows of the time. Their appeal – apart from singable, danceable hits – was their wholesome niceness and visual charm, which proved a pleasant antidote to the extreme vagaries of the pop scene.

Bernie had one of the strongest voices in the group, but when she fi rst tried her hand at acting she showed that she also had talent in this direction. She became a presenter on BBC Saturday morning children’s show ‘On The Waterfront’ , and pleasantly surprised critics by her gift for comedy and the ability to laugh at herself.

In 1993, she appeared in the stage play ‘The Devil Rides Out’, and left The Nolans in 1994 to pursue a solo career, scoring solo hits and an album ‘All By Myself.’ She also had noteable success in the Willy Russell musical ‘Blood Brothers’ which brought her to the attention of TV bosses, and in 2000 she joined the cast of popular Liverpool soap ‘Brookside’ as Diane Murray.

Bernie played this role successfully for two years before leaving to play Sheelagh Murphy in ITV’s iconic police drama series ‘The Bill’ where she was given several strong storylines. Her character proved popular and, although she left in 2005, the door was left open for her character’s return.

In 2006, she took part in the Channel 4 series ‘The Games, raising funds for Alzheimer’s and children’s charities, and the following year starred in the play ‘Mum’s The Word’. During the summer, she appeared at Blackpool’s North Pier Theatre in ‘Soap Queens’ , enhancing her reputation as a reliable stage star when she went on to play Hannah Owens in ‘Flashdance The Musical.’

The Nolan family had already been affected by cancer previously:

sister Anne had breast cancer in 2000 and Linda suffered from the disease in 2006. However, little could really have prepared Bernie for her own breast cancer diagnosis in April, 2010.

As she recalls: “The day I found out, I cried my eyes out for about two or three minutes with my husband, Steve. After that, I didn’t cry again the whole way through my treatment.

Bernie bounces back intrue Chicago style

I N T E RV I E W


“ At the very beginning, though, it’s important to let out every feeling you’ve got. Cry, scream, shout, do whatever you want because it’s one of the biggest things that will ever happen to you.”

As a strong woman, however, Bernie very quickly adopted a positive attitude. “I thought ‘ there’s no way I’m going to die from this’. Once you make that decision, you can get on with beating it. From the start, it’s a case of taking things one day at a time.

Don’t worry about what’s coming up in two weeks’ time. Deal with today, you’ve got enough on your plate.”

Inevitably, though, there were terrible times. One of the worst for Bernie was telling her children. “I was diagnosed a week before my daughter Erin’s 11th birthday and we didn’t want to tell her until that was over. But kids aren’t daft – she knew something wasn’t quite right,” she recalls.

‘So we just sat her down and told her the truth. She knew about cancer because of Anne’s and Linda’s experience and she knew they were OK, which helped. Erin asked if I was going to die. I told her no and then she asked me if the lump was big. Again, I said no, and explained they’d found it early. One little tear ran down her cheek and she accepted it.’

Bernie had great support from her large family, and especially from her husband Steve in spite of the understandable initial shock and fears for the future. Much of the optimism surrounding Bernie, however, emanated from herself. When her hair fell out from the treatment, she didn’t hide but spoke out publicly about the problem and campaigned for early diagnosis and better understanding of the disease.

She believes in check-ups and self-awareness in the battle against cancer, and has a practical approach to the disease itself. “You’ve got to take every bit of support you’re offered, whether that’s from the doctors, your family or friends,” she insists. “And, take it from me, none of it is as scary as it sounds. I wouldn’t lie.”

Given that strength and determination, it’s logical that she has now returned to the stage and performing, and is reportedly “excited” about her role in one of the most enduringly successful hit musicals of recent times.

In fact, Bernie has followed the advice of one of The Nolans’ biggest hits “Gotta Pull Myself Together”. And in 2012 she is certainly one together lady!

Angela Kelly



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3rd, 6th and 7th JulyLiverpool Empire Theatre

Book Tickets0844 871 7627

Check the website for other dates and venues

www.chicagothemusical.co.uk

Fitness YOUR WAY

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Enjoy your conservatory to the full this summer and create a cool, calm, relaxing

oasis with made to measure conservatory blinds designed to transform your conservatory into a beautiful and comfortable living space all summer long – and all year round.

Thomas Sanderson can provide a whole host of solar refl ective fabrics that will help keep you and your conservatory cool in the summer and warm in winter. Unique fabric coatings cleverly refl ect the heat and glare, keeping the room cool and comfortable or cosy and warm.

Many conservatory owners make the mistake of leaving their roof panels bare and this is where the exposure to the heat and glare of the sun can be at its greatest. With coordinating roof and window blinds available you can transform your entire conservatory and create a blissfully cool room.

Thomas Sanderson have been manufacturing blinds in Britain for over 20 years and their specialist installation techniques ensure each blind is fi tted precisely into the recess of the window or roof frame, leaving little opportunity for light to fi lter through. Unlike many other blind options, each Thomas Sanderson blind fi ts snugly into the window frame, so you have the fl exibility to open your windows even when the blinds are down.

Combine all this with the exclusive Platinum Power System and you can control your comfort at the touch of a button. . . the perfect fi nishing touch to any conservatory.

AN ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE BY THOMAS SANDERSON

Take advantage of Thomas Sanderson’s 3 for 2 on a set of conservatory blinds, plus exclusive to 50+ readers, you can look forward to enjoying your garden this summer with luxurious garden furniture. To claim this exclusive off er just call 0800 220 603 and quote reference D411B or visit www.tsoff er.co.ukOff er must end 31st August 2012.*Terms and conditions apply. Limited period only.

Unique fabric coatings cleverly refl ect the heat and glare, keeping the room cool and comfortable or cosy and warm.

ExclusiveReader Off er

Get

3 for 2plus, exclusively for

50+ readers, a set of luxury

garden furniture.*

Complete your details below for your FREE brochure and to get 3 for 2, plus a FREE luxury set of garden furniture.

Send to: Thomas Sanderson, FREEPOST, Hants PO7 7UW

Call 0800 220 603 or visit www.tsoff er.co.uk Quoting referenceD411B

To take advantage of this exclusive off er...

Name:

Tel No:

Address:

Post Code: Quote Ref: D411B

Discover the secret to cooler summer livingConservatory blinds aren’t just about making your room look good. They also do a very real job in the conservatory environment where outside temperatures can dramatically aff ect the room.


Enjoy your conservatory to the full this summer and create a cool, calm, relaxing

oasis with made to measure conservatory blinds designed to transform your conservatory into a beautiful and comfortable living space all summer long – and all year round.

Thomas Sanderson can provide a whole host of solar refl ective fabrics that will help keep you and your conservatory cool in the summer and warm in winter. Unique fabric coatings cleverly refl ect the heat and glare, keeping the room cool and comfortable or cosy and warm.

Many conservatory owners make the mistake of leaving their roof panels bare and this is where the exposure to the heat and glare of the sun can be at its greatest. With coordinating roof and window blinds available you can transform your entire conservatory and create a blissfully cool room.

Thomas Sanderson have been manufacturing blinds in Britain for over 20 years and their specialist installation techniques ensure each blind is fi tted precisely into the recess of the window or roof frame, leaving little opportunity for light to fi lter through. Unlike many other blind options, each Thomas Sanderson blind fi ts snugly into the window frame, so you have the fl exibility to open your windows even when the blinds are down.

Combine all this with the exclusive Platinum Power System and you can control your comfort at the touch of a button. . . the perfect fi nishing touch to any conservatory.

AN ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE BY THOMAS SANDERSON

Take advantage of Thomas Sanderson’s 3 for 2 on a set of conservatory blinds, plus exclusive to 50+ readers, you can look forward to enjoying your garden this summer with luxurious garden furniture. To claim this exclusive off er just call 0800 220 603 and quote reference D411B or visit www.tsoff er.co.ukOff er must end 31st August 2012.*Terms and conditions apply. Limited period only.

Unique fabric coatings cleverly refl ect the heat and glare, keeping the room cool and comfortable or cosy and warm.

ExclusiveReader Off er

Get

3 for 2plus, exclusively for

50+ readers, a set of luxury

garden furniture.*

Complete your details below for your FREE brochure and to get 3 for 2, plus a FREE luxury set of garden furniture.

Send to: Thomas Sanderson, FREEPOST, Hants PO7 7UW

Call 0800 220 603 or visit www.tsoff er.co.uk Quoting referenceD411B

To take advantage of this exclusive off er...

Name:

Tel No:

Address:

Post Code: Quote Ref: D411B

Discover the secret to cooler summer livingConservatory blinds aren’t just about making your room look good. They also do a very real job in the conservatory environment where outside temperatures can dramatically aff ect the room.

THE children have all left home for lives of their own or you suddenly realise one day that the house you’re in is simply too big for your needs. Whatever the reason, it’s time to DOWNSIZE!

Once, downsizing carried a bit of a stigma, almost as if you couldn’t afford the home you had so you had to go for something less. But, in today’s cost-conscious, energy-effi cient and fi nance-orientated world, many more people are downsizing for all the right reasons.

Along with fi nding a smaller property to live in, however, comes some unusual dilemmas – along with the usual dilemmas of how to furnish the new home and what is surplus to requirements.

Interior designer Chrissy Halton from Innerspace offers some simple advice: “When downsizing, don’t try and replicate the house you had – go for a new look.

“And only take with you items that really mean something to you. Off-white walls look great with more antique furniture items, for example. Less is more!”

The advantages of moving to a smaller property can be that your bills are likely to be smaller and there will be less housework needed. The fi rst big minus, though, is that you’ve probably got far too many possessions to fi t into your new home.

“You can’t take everything with you,” says Chrissy, “so start by having a really good de-clutter so that you can really see what you have that you love. That way you can more easily make the decision about what to take – and you don’t have to pay the removal company too much!”

Ask your relatives and friends if they would like to have particular items that you don’t want to take with you. There’s a growing trend for mixing old and new furniture currently so they may be glad to be offered a piece they’ve coveted or that may fi t in their home. Or look to sell items on ebay and start afresh in your new home with some new furniture.

The National Association of Estate Agents says that downsizing offers a chance to have “a thorough springclean and focus on exactly what you want in your new home, and what you don’t.”

“You may have furniture which isn’t suitable for your new home, or that could do with replacing. So think ahead and make sure you have taken proper measurements of your new property so you don’t struggle on moving day with items that you probably shouldn’t have brought with you.”

For many of us, the pull of our old home is all about the memories that we’ve shared as a family within those bricks and mortar. Our children may have grown up here, and every room can be associated with personal milestones or events that matter to our own family history.

“If you’re worried about losing all the history behind your old home, think about using photos to show your life,” adds Chrissy. “It’s easy to make them into beautiful collages, and that way you can ‘take’ the items with you without having the real thing.”

When it actually comes to chucking out much-loved – and possibly worn – furniture or other items, contact a local charity which might be glad of household goods and especially furniture in good condition. The national

IS IT TIME TO DOWNSIZE?

Interior Designer Chrissy Halton


LOVELY LOUNGE – Relaxing toning, muted shades, a lack of clutter and plenty of light can be the hallmark of your new lounge when you downsize.

BEDROOM BEAUTY – Go for pretty fabrics in blinds and warm shades that can be picked up in bedding to create this attractive smaller bedroom.

BATHROOM BRIGHT – Ensure your new bathroom has plenty of light with the help of a clever skylight window

homeless charity Emmaus, for example, may have a local collection service for unwanted furniture, or another charitable organisation may be willing to pick up your item to sell for funds or to give it a good home with someone else who really needs it.

It’s important to plan ahead with your new space. “Think about how you’re going to use the space you are moving to,” says Chrissy. “What is the purpose of each room? How many people will you need to fit in to sit? Will you really need a dining room specifically?”

“Situations change and what you once needed you may no longer require. If you actually look at how much time you spend in each room of your current home now, you may be very surprised at how little space you actually use on a regular basis. Take this – and what items you use – as a gauge for what you need to take with you.”

For example, she points out, if your new bathroom is smaller than you’ve been used to, is it worth removing the bath and having a larger shower? This may not only make more sense for your daily living but can help with any current or future mobility issues.

Whatever style of décor you choose for your new home, it’s worth trying to avoid clutter and opt for today’s cleaner lines and minimalist approach – if only to cut down on housework!

Take a look at current interior styles and how these can be easily achieved. Open up a dark room or small bathroom with a roof window or skylight, for example.

Take advantage of the wealth of modern flooring including natural woods that can make a room warm and homely in Winter and cool and calming in Summer. You might like to team this type of flooring with a handsome rug in a shade or pattern that tones with your room’s chosen colour scheme.

Plain walls matched with attractive fabrics in curtains or blinds give a room a modern look and allow smart furniture and impressive pictures or photographs to really come into their own.

If the downsizing also applies to your pocket, then you don’t have to spend a fortune on your new place. In fact, there’s often an enjoyable challenge in keeping within a tight budget yet coming up with something fresh, new and comfortable even if the items are cut-price or second-hand. Again, ebay can be a boon here.

The key to successfully moving at this crucial stage is to take a fresh look at your lifestyle, and decide to make a new start. That way you can downsize the costs – but upsize your enjoyment of your new home!

For more information on Innerspace Interior Design go to www.innerspaceinteriordesign.co.uk

Dining & Occasional furniture, mirrors, pictures & lamps

Large Selection of bedroom furniture, beds & new nursery department

Fully fitted carpet, vinyl & Karndean flooring

Classic & Contemporary Suites

We are furniture and carpet/Karndean specialists, situated in Chirk drawing customers from Oswestry, Wrexham, Llangollen, Shrewsbury, Chester the Wirral and beyond.

Traditional Sofas & fireside chairs

SHANNON SALESChirk, Wrexham LL14 5NA | Tel. 01691 773257 | www.shannonsales.co.uk

OPEN MON - SAT

Lift/Rise Recliners

VAT FREE

Exhibitions at the WILLIAMSON ART GALLERY & MUSEUM, BIRKENHEAD

PLEASE NOTE: Williamson Art Gallery & Museum CLOSED from 3 December until January 2013, opening date yet to be announced.Throughout 2012 we will be doing our best to stay open, but building work will require some room closures and may close the building completely for short periods. The dates given are subject to alteration, possibly at short notice, and we apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused.

Williamson Art Gallery & MuseumSlatey Road, Birkenhead CH43 4UE0151 652 4177 [email protected]

Open Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 5pmClosed Monday (including Bank Holidays)

30 June – 9 SeptemberWirral Spring Exhibitionof Art & PhotographyFor 2012 we are springing into summer for our annual celebration of local talent, open to all artists with Wirral connections to submit work.

Each year prize-winners are chosen by the selectors for adding to the gallery collection, as well as the Kriterion Award that is voted on by visitors. (illustrated 2012 prize-winners)

22 September – 4 NovemberWirral Society of Arts Open ExhibitionEvery two years, timed to match the Liverpool Biennial, artists from all over the country are invited to enter work for hanging alongside the members of the Wirral Society of Arts. Prizes are awarded by the Society. (Handing-in dates 31 August & 1 September, submission fee)

Wirral Art School FellowshipOne ex-student from Wirral Met’s Fine Art course, Fiona Philipps, showing work completed in the year since graduation.

Shared GroundA collaborative book arts & printmaking initiative with Wirral Met College’s BA Fine Art course and the Dept of Visual Arts at Brigham Young University, Utah USA.

30 November, 1 & 2 DecemberOxton Art FairA chance to buy from local artists and craftspeople, perfect for Christmas presents.

WIRRALHave you visitedBirkenhead Priory?

A site now wholly enclosed by modern Birkenhead, the Priory has the oldest standing buildings in Merseyside and is usually a haven of tranquillity.

The Undercroft Museum tells the story of the Priory and the Chapter House dates back to 1150, in use as church since St Mary’s parish church closed forty years ago. Upstairs is the chapel dedicated to HMS Conway, the training ship stationed on the River Mersey off Rock Ferry for many years. The chapel is open by arrangement.

Work on the refurbishment of some of buildings has started and will carry on through much of 2012. St Mary’s church tower is not available to visitors but while the rest of the site will be open most of the time, there may be parts that are inaccessible.

Please telephone before a visit if you are hoping to see something specific.

Open Wednesday – Friday pm, Saturday & Sunday all day.Telephone (0151) 666 1249 or 652 4177 to check times,

which vary with the season.


Solar energy has become big business and looks like going through the roof for many more years to come.

Solar Panels transform daylight into electricity, which homeowners can then turn in to earnings and energy savings thanks to Feed-In Tariffs (FITs).

The sun’s energy is absorbed by solar cells in photovoltaic (PV) panels before being converted into electricity. This can then be used in the home or fed back into the national grid.

Daylight causes an electric field across layers of silicon in the cells, creating an electric current.

Within seconds of reaching the earth’s surface, photons from the sun have become electrons and they are then powering devices in homes across the country.

Home Solar panel systems are hooked up to the national grid so that any extra electricity created by a Solar panel system can be passed through to the national grid. A fee is then paid by the electricity company for every unit of electricity exported.

In the UK, an increasing number of households are switching on to the advantages of Renewable Energy and investing in their own Solar photovoltaic panels.

Buoyed by financial incentives set up by the Government and supported by energy suppliers, many see an investment in Solar Energy in the UK as a great way to cut bills and make money.

Once a reputable company has installed solar panels, a small device called an inverter will convert the DC into AC power.

Solar PV Feed In Tariff Summary Available to anyone generating electricity.

Payments for 25 years after system installation.

Earn from Generating, Exporting and Saving

9% to 11% Return on your Investment.

A 2kWp system can earn over £500 per year.

Your home will also be fitted with a monitoring device to keep track of the total amount of electricity generated by your PV panel Solar system.

Solar panels do not need direct sunlight to function and, even on a cloudy day, will generate some electricity. And so, as the daylight hours pass, your earnings will increase.The FITs scheme allows households with solar PV panels to earn money in three ways. Firstly there is the generation tariff, which pays up to 21p for every unit of electricity produced, regardless of whether it is used or exported.

Then there is the export tariff – an additional 3.1p paid for every unit exported to the national grid.

Finally there is the added bonus of cheaper electricity bills because you will be using power at the source. In addition to the Feed in Tariff payments, an average household using half of the electricity produced can expect to save over £121 per year on their bills.

Solar PV panels can be installed without planning permission, except for homeowners in conservation areas or in listed buildings. In which case, advice should be sought from local councils before going any further.

Properties will need at least 8m2 of South, South East or South West facing roof space to fit Solar panels, it is also possible to fit Solar to East or West facing roofs with only a small percentage loss in production.

Once connected to the grid, systems need very little maintenance.

FITs are paid for by the energy companies and are driven by the Government’s desire to create a sustainable energy mix and reduce climate change effects.

The ultimate goal is to increase the total percentage of energy that comes from renewable sources from 2% (in 2009) to at least 15% by 2020.

There’s money up on the roof!


It’s little wonder that Governments all over the world have placed their faith in Solar power to create a sustainable future.

Power from PV panels is emission-free, renewable and easy and cheap to generate. In fact, it’s just about the perfect energy source. But even better for homeowners and families in the UK – it can make money and deliver huge returns on investment.

Thanks to the UK’s drive to cut carbon emissions and move away from using dwindling fossil fuels, long-term financial incentives have been put in place for those who invest in solar.

The Government must meet targets set out by the Kyoto Protocol and are willing to reward those who help deliver the environmental promises the nation has made to the world.

By aiding the country in its bid to reduce carbon emissions, you could make money for years to come and also significantly cut your energy bills.

Don’t just take the Government’s word for it that investing in PV panels is a wise decision. Take a look at the numbers for yourself and you’ll see exactly how you can cash in on PV Solar power.

Installing PV panels on your roof will cost around £6,000 for a typical (8 panel) 2kWp system whilst a 4kWp system consisting of 16 panels will cost around £8,000.

Taking into account the three ways to earn money from PV Feed-in Tariffs (FITs), this initial sum is likely to pay for itself within a decade of the installation of your photovoltaic Solar system.

Given that FITs payments are guaranteed for 25 years, there can be few investments which offer such risk-free, rewarding long-term stability.

With almost every sector facing economic uncertainty, even the shrewdest market investor would struggle to find an investment matching this level of security.

These figures will likely increase over time as the Feed in Tariff rates are linked to inflation which typically goes up each year, leading to significant savings on energy bills. Larger systems will also produce much bigger returns.

Then there is the value a PV Solar system adds to your property. Panels are built to last beyond the 25 year FIT period, meaning the PV panels cost and reward should be factored into the value of your home when you come to sell it on in the future.

Other benefits include the fact that Solar panels are noise-free, need little maintenance and can be attached to almost any type of roof surface or can even be ground mounted if you have the space.

You may have read in the press that there are free Solar Panels available that allow you to enjoy some of the benefits of Solar for free. However, they work in favour of the installers rather than households and their financial rewards are limited.

By allowing a company to put Solar Panels on your property for free, you are effectively depriving yourself of the financial advantages of Solar Energy, namely the Feed-in Tariff.

While Solar companies take the payments from the power you have generated, you will only make savings on your electricity bills of anything up to 50%.

Northern Solar has been a fully certified installer since 2006 and together with over 20 years experience in the electrical field. We belong to the Real Assurance Scheme and BRE and are an associate installer of one of the biggest PV companies in the UK, Solar Century. Our Experience over the years have included private (domestic) and commercial installations across the UK.

CASE STUDIESHere what their customers said:

Mr C HigginbothanDear ShaunI should like to thank you for the excellent service that we have had from your company in supplying and fitting solar panels. At every stage in the process we have been very impressed by your expertise and professionalism and that of all your staff. We are pleased with the product and would like to commend the installation team and electrician who were friendly and polite, worked well as a team and were clean and efficient. We have had several enquiries about the installation and have no hesitation in recommending your company to them.

Yours sincerelyMr C Higginbotham.

Jim and Bev RileyThanks very much for a speedy job with minimal disruption performed by a friendly installation crew. We’d be more than happy if you wished to use this letter as a satisfied testimonial. All the best for the greener future.

Yours sincerelyJim and Bev Riley.

(Bev is a deputy head and also had a large PV system installed at the school where she works).


Northern Solar is an experienced Photovoltaic Installation Company in Liverpool, having been established since 2006. We install small and large scale installations ranging from 1KWp domestic to 31KWp commercial. We can design, install and commission a system that is tailored to individual needs throughout Merseyside and all of northwest England and most of Wales.

The Photovoltaic (PV) systems that we supply are a completely renewable energy source using only the energy of the sun. A PV system allows you to earn money from FITs, as well as lower your energy consumption from un-renewable sources and so lower your impact on the environment and increase the value of your home.

Rising Energy costs and growing environmental concern have highlighted the need for alternative energy forms. Forward thinking people are now choosing to have their energy supplied by Renewable Technology Systems.

In just one hour the sun delivers more energy to earth than the whole world uses in one year, lets harness it.

Why Go Solar?Whether you’re buying selling or just improving your home, it pays to know how simple changes can affect the value of a property in the long term. New research reveals that many buyers are prepared to pay up to £10,000 more for an environmentally friendly home.

Though buyers may be initially swayed by a lick of paint or a mowed lawn most look past cosmetic improvements to more important factors, such as the condition of the boiler or the quality of the windows. Rising fuel prices and greater environmental awareness are encouraging buyers to pay closer attention to a home’s running costs its impact on the planet.

Government and Legislation - The government is starting to take notice and there is a fundamental shift in attitude which has resulted in the availability of Feed In Tariffs (FITs). At the moment you will be paid 21p. This tariff is index linked so will rise over the 25 year period for every unit of electricity produced. A 4Kwp system can earn you over £780 a year and may save you over £520 in energy bills plus £58 earned from the export of unused electricity giving a total earning of £1358

Energy Cost Rises - Any system will provide you with inflation free electricity for at least 25 years. If more electricity is produced from your system than you use you can sell back the excess to your electricity provider.

Your Carbon footprint - A typical (4KW) system would save 2.4 tonnes of carbon polluting the atmosphere. Even if you only have a 1 KW system installed your system will still prevent 568kg of carbon being emitted per annum.

Why Go Northern Solar?• Liaise directly with an approved installer• Very competitive prices • Past customers can be contacted for references and possible installation visits• We pride ourselves in having a proven track record of happy customers• We were the first accredited installer in the Merseyside area• We have an established track record with over 500 installations to date• We have a wealth of experience from a variety of installations• High standard of health & safety implemented• We have excellent standards of customer care• Approachability / Friendliness with a real sense of pride in our work• High standards of quality and service• We do not use any subcontractors on our installations• We are purely a P.V. installation company, not an electrical, building or double glazing company that also install PV as a side line!

As well as making an impact on the

environment by lowering your emissions you can also

make money on your system with the introduction of the Feed In Tariffs (FITs). Introduced in April 2010, FITs are index linked and government guaranteed for the next 25 years.

CONSERVATION...THROUGH INNOVATION

Costs of PV

How much does Solar PV cost, and how much electricity does it generate?Installing solar PV costs between £5,000 and £9,000 depending on the size of system and your choice ofPanels. A typical domestic installation can be anywhere between 1.5 - 4 KWp. An unshaded, south facing4 Kilowatt system roof can generate up to 3,818Kwp per year.

The cost of PV and the installations payback period is dependent on the size (Kwp) of the system youchoose. The bigger the system, the quicker the payback period. See table below.

At present (April 2012).

System Size Earns May Save (on energy bills) Export

1 Kwp £195 £130 £14

2 Kwp £390 £260 £29

3 Kwp £585 £390 £42

4 Kwp £780 £520 £58

The savings above are based on the government SAP calculations.

Feed in Tariffs

System Size Amount Earned per Kwh Number of Panels

0-4Kw 21p 0-16

4-10Kw 16.8p 16-40

10-100Kw 15.2p 40-400

Tariffs correct on 1st April 2012.

FREE SITE SURVEY & NATIONWIDE INSTALLATION

ACT NOW AND GIVE US A CALL TODAYTel. 0151 523 1133Email: [email protected] Solar, Unit 11 Brookfi eld Business Park, Muir Road, Aintree, Liverpool L9 7AR.

Or visit our website www.northernsolar.co.uk

FINANCEALSO

AVAILABLE


No.1 Fear in Retirement - Running Out Of Money!

*A recent survey of people aged 44 to 75 showed 61% are more afraid of running out of money than they are of dying!

So you are approaching or have fi nally reached retirement. But wait, your retirement income is substantially less than your salary and your cash savings are yielding a pitiful income.

How will you maintain your standard of living?

Supplement income with further withdrawals from capital? But, if you do this how long will your funds last?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Thousands of people are faced with this situation. We are all living longer and uncertain whether to spend and enjoy, or save and wait. The decisions and choices you make may affect the income you receive for the rest of your life. All the questions, decisions and choices are things that can be confusing and end up being put off until it’s sometimes too late. Arrow Financial Services are here to help you through the minefi eld by giving you “Impartial, jargon-free fi nancial advice”.

We will sit down with you to fi nd out what your current situation is and what you want to achieve. We will then agree with you the most suitable course of action and review this regularly.

Don’t let phrases like – Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Equity Release, ISA’s, Investments, Draw-down or a myriad of other confusing terms put you off. We’re here to help you by explaining this thoroughly and cutting through the jargon.

Arrow Financial Services has built a reputation for giving jargon-free fi nancial advice.

Our aim is simple - to give you expert advice at a level and depth to suit your individual needs.

Being completely independent means that we can provide you with sound, impartial fi nancial advice. With Arrow Financial Services at your side you’ll be safe in the knowledge that any recommendations are made only after thorough research of the entire market place.

Regular reviews are also offered to take account of changes in your life and also changes in the fi nancial market place.

*AARP - source Allianz Life Insurance.

We are Bill Hughes and Dave Jacobsen of Arrow Financial Services UK Ltd. We are a fi rm of Chartered Financial Planners whose aim is to help you achieve the lifestyle you want during retirement, by maximising your Pension and Investment opportunities.

If you think this could be of interest to you, please contact our offi ces in Chester on 01244 322 330 and we will arrange for an initial meeting without obligation or cost.

.

Call Arrow FinancialServices for advice on:• Pensions• Annuities• Investments• ISA• Equity Release• Wealth Management• Long Term Care Planning

Our clients enjoy regular face to face meetings and these are enhanced by combining the very best advice with the very best technology. As your IFA we also believe that YOU should benefit from this combination.

There is no substitute for face to face advice and a personal relationship but for those who use technology you can access your financial information when and where you want.

Logging in to your personalised site gives you all of your informationin six simple categories.

My Portfolio My Performance Secure Messages

l Live real time valuations l View historical performance l 2-way messaging system l The ability to drill down and interrogate of all investment and pension allows instant and secure your data for each plan and policy plans communication

My Risk Profile & Asset Allocation My Personal Details My Document Library

l A live “x-ray” asset allocation of l View all the information we l Store and view any of your your entire portfolio have gathered on behalf documents in one online of you location

“How can we be sure we are fully prepared for Retirement?”

Arrow Financial Services46 Watergate Street, Chester CH1 2LA. | Tel: 01244 322 330

Email: [email protected]

www.arrowfs.co.ukArrow Financial Services UK Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

FSA No. 528826. Registered No. 6967392.

Arrow Financial ServicesImpartial, jargon-free financial advice

Primary Care Trusts (PCT) currently have responsibility

for assessment and decision making for NHS

Continuing Health Care (CHC) provision. Subject to

the passage of the Health and Social Care Bill, the

statutory responsibility for CHC will transfer to clinical

commissioning groups (CCGs). This is being used as

an opportunity to close down retrospective claims for

care which was wrongly charged.

As of 30th September this year, it will no longer be

possible to claim for care provided prior to 31st March

2011.

Is your loved one paying for care that should be funded by the NHS?

Individuals with a primary health care need are entitled

to receive Continuing Health Care Funding by the NHS.

Whilst there is no legal defi nition of a healthcare need

in the context of NHS continuing healthcare, in general

terms it can be said that such a need is one related

to the treatment, control or prevention of a disease,

illness, injury or disability, and the care or aftercare

of a person with these needs (whether or not the

tasks involved have to be carried out by a healthcare

professional).

With recent surveys indicating the average length of

stay for residents in care at 4 years, at an average cost

of care at £540 a week, it means those requiring care

will pay in the region of £112,000 in fees. Very often

the cost of care means savings quickly reduce and the

family home has to be sold in order to meet costs.

CHC funding is a complex area of law and requires

specialist advice. Dawn Joughin and her team at

Merseyside law fi rm, Canter Levin & Berg work with

families to review their situation, and if there is a case

for funding by the NHS take forward their claim on a

no win no fee basis. They can also assist with funding

going forward, and reclaim fees that by right should

not have been paid out. In many cases recovering

monies for families, after the resident in care has

passed away. Claims may be brought on behalf of

a resident by an attorney, close family member, or

executor of an estate.

If you believe a member of your family is entitled to NHS funding they are not receiving, contact Dawn Joughin or her colleague Krystal Lewis at Canter Levin & Berg on 0844 335 2905. There is only a limited time to make claims for CHC funding claims.

Changes To NHS Funded Care

28

Our experience makes yours better

0844 875 6200

Recent cases include backdated payments of up to

£165,000 where the family home was sold to help

pay for care. Others included a refund of £130,000

because the NHS deemed the problems ‘social’

rather than ‘health’ related.

If you feel that you have been incorrectly charged,

speak to one of our specialists on:

You could claim a refund for fees paid for care that should have been provided free!

Claims backdated to 2004Review current assessment Save £1000’s on care home feesWe fight your case for youStress free consultationSpecialists in care home refunds

CARE HOME NHS REFUNDS!

It is estimated that about two thirds of the 150,000 in nursing homes who pay for their own care should be funded by the NHS -

that's around 100,000 paying unnecessarily

We can also help you save on inheritance tax by

guiding you through the most tax efficient methods

of estate planning and the writing of a will which

ensures that your estate passes to those you intend

to receive it.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

CLB CARE AD ARTWORK.pdf 10/11/10 15:10:22

• Claims backdated to 2004 (the deadline to claim is 30th September 2012 so please hurry)

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F O O D & D R I N K

Rick Stein's French Odyssey

Rick Stein’s passion for fresh well-sourced food has taken him from continent to continent, across magnifi cent shorelines and to the very best produce the coast has to offer. Rick remarks “My greatest enthusiasm in life has been fi nding dishes that change my perception of cooking, that reveal a whole new vista of fl avour combination. I think we all enjoy that. I’m just someone with an enthusiasm for food and a curiosity that’s sent me sniffi ng around all over the place looking for lovely dishes in all corners of the globe”

Taken from his book ‘French Odyssey’ (BBC Books, £25) here are three of Rick’s favourite recipes inspired by fl avours from France.

Heat the butter in a large, heavy-based pan. Add the onions, garlic and sugar and cook over a medium heat, stirring regularly, for 25-30 minutes until the onions are really soft and well caramelized.

Add the wine and leave to simmer rapidly until it has reduced by half.

Add the beef stock and bouquet garni, cover and leave the soup to simmer for at least another 30 minutes. Then remove and discard the bouquet garni, and season the soup to taste with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, preheat the over to 150oC/Gas Mark 2. Place the slices of bread onto a baking tray and leave them for 30 minutes to dry out but not get at all brown. Then remove the tray and increase the oven temperature to 220oC/Gas Mark 7.

To serve, place a slice of bread into the bottom of each of 4 deep ovenproof soup bowls and ladle the soup on top, making sure the onions and stock are distributed evenly. Cover the top of the soup thickly with the grated cheese, place the bowls onto a sturdy baking tray and bake for 30 minutes until golden and bubbling. You can also place them under a hot grill for 5 minutes if you prefer or are short of time. This soup should be served scalding hot.

60 g butter

1 kg onions, halved and thinly sliced

4 garlic cloves, fi nely chopped

2 teaspoons caster sugar

300 ml dry white wine

1.5 litres Beef stock, browned

Bouquest garni of bay leaves, thyme

and parsley stalks

4 x 2.5-cm-thick slices French bread

225 g Gruyére or Comté cheese,

coarsely grated

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

SERVES 4 French Onion Soup

30


First you need to remove the bones from the fish. To do this, remove the head of each one, and then, working with one fish at a time, start to cut the top fillet away from the bones until you can get the whole blade underneath the fillet. Then rest a hand on top of the fish and cut the rest of the fillet away from the bones until you are about 2.5cm away from the tail. Turn the fish over and repeat on the other side. Then pull back the top fillet and snip out the backbone, close to the tail, with scissors. The fillets will still be attached at the tail. Repeat with the remaining fish.

Melt the butter in a large frying pan and as soon as it is foaming, add the bacon and fry briefly until lightly coloured. Add the sliced ceps and the garlic and toss over a medium-high heat for 1 minute until lightly cooked. Season with salt and pepper and remove from the heat.

Lay the prepared trout on a chopping board and pull back the top fillet of each one.

Season the outside of each fish with a little more salt and pepper, then dredge with the flour and pat off the excess. Heat the sunflower oil in one very large or 2 slightly smaller frying pans over a moderate heat. Add the fish and fry for 21/2 minutes without moving them until nicely golden. Carefully turn the fish over and cook for another 21/2 minutes, until golden brown on the second side and cooked through. Lift the fish onto warmed plates.

Discard the frying oil (from one of the pans if using two) and wipe the pan clean. Add the butter for the beurre noisette and allow it to melt over a moderate heat. As soon as the butter starts to smell nutty and turns light brown, add the lemon juice, parsley and some seasoning. Pour some of the butter over each fish and serve.

Fried trout stuffed with sliced ceps, garlic and diced bacon

4 trout, each weighing about 300g 40g butter60g rindless streaky bacon, chopped175g fresh ceps, trimmed and cut into 4-mm-thick slices2 garlic cloves, finely chopped1 tablespoon roughly chopped parsley25g plain flour2 tablespoons sunflower oilSalt and freshly ground black pepper

FOR THE BEURRE NOISETTE:75g unsalted butter2 teaspoons lemon juice1 heaped tablespoon chopped parsley

SERVES 4

Unroll each sheet of puff pastry and cut a 25-cm disc from one piece and a 29-cm disc from the other, rolling them out a little more if necessary. Rest them in the fridge for 20 minutes.

For the almond paste filling, cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl until pale and fluffy. Beat in the egg and one of the egg yolks, then gently stir in the ground almonds, flour and kirsch. Stir in the pitted cherries.

Place the smaller disc of pastry onto a buttered baking sheet and mound the cherry and almond mixture into the centre, taking it to within 2.5cm of the edge. Beat the remaining egg yolk with 1 teaspoon of cold water and brush a little around the edge of the pastry. Lay the second disc over the top of the filling and press the edges together to seal, pressing out any trapped air as you do so. Crimp the edges between your thumb and forefinger to give the edge an attractive finish, then chill the pudding for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat the over to 220oC/Gas Mark 7. Brush the top of the pithiviers with the rest of the egg yolk glaze, then with the tip of a small, sharp knife, score radiating arcs from the centre out towards the edge, just into the surface of the pastry, taking care not to cut too deeply. Make a small hole in the centre to let the steam escape, and bake for 15-20 minutes until puffed up and richly golden. Lower the over temperature to 180oC/Mark 4 and continue to bake for 40 minutes or until a skewer pushed into the centre comes away clean. If it starts to get too brown, lay a sheet of foil loosely over the top.

To give the pithiviers its classic glazed appearance, remove it from the oven and increase the temperature once more to 220oC/Gas Mark 7. Dust the pastry with the icing sugar and return to the over for 3-4 minutes until the sugar has caramelized and the tart has taken on a high gloss. Transfer to a cooling rack and leave to cool slightly, then serve warm, cut into wedges, with vanilla ice cream or pouring cream.

2 x 350-g packets ready-rolled puff pasty, and butter for greasing

FOR THE ALMOND PASTE FILLING:125g butter, softened125g caster sugar1 medium egg2 medium egg yolks125g ground almonds15g plain flour2 tablespoons kirsch225g fresh cherries, stones removed 1 teaspoon icing sugar, for glazing.

Serve with Vanilla Ice creamor pouring cream

VANILLA ICECREAM

SERVES 4

Slit open 2 vanilla pods and scrape out the seeds with the tip of a knife. Put 500 ml full-cream milk, the vanilla pods and seeds into a non-stick pan and bring to the boil, then remove from the heat and set aside for 30 minutes to infuse the milk with the flavour of the vanilla. Put 6 egg yolks and 200g caster sugar into a large bowl and, using an electric hand-held whisk, whisk for 3 minutes until pale and moussey.

Bring the milk back to the boil, strain onto the egg yolk mixture and mix until well combined. Return to the pan and cook over a low heat, stirring for 3-4 minutes until the mixture lightly coats the back of a wooden spoon, but do not let the mixture boil or it will curdle. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly, then stir in 500 ml single or double cream and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Chill until cold. Pour the chilled mixture into a shallow container and freeze until almost but not quite firm. Then scrape the mixture either into a bowl or a food processor and beat until smooth, then return it to the container and freeze once more.

Repeat this process 2-3 times, until the mixture is very smooth, then leave until frozen. Use as required.

SERVES 8-10

Cherry pithiviers

32

Repeat Prescription Collection ServiceDelivery for the Housebound and ElderlyEmergency ContraceptionSmoking CessationWeight ManagementAlcohol Advice and GuidanceBlood Pressure MonitoringMedicine Use Reviews

Pharmacies

Healthcare services in your community

Manor Pharmacy - Hoylake/Meols - 632 0070Greasby Pharmacy - Greasby - 678 3350

Irby Pharmacy - Irby - 648 1498Willaston Pharmacy - Willaston - 327 5110

Westminster Park Pharmacy - Little Sutton - 339 3382

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Vittoria Pharmacy - Birkenhead - 647 8679Birkenhead Pharmacy - Birkenhead - 653 7720

Victoria Central Pharmacy - Wallasey - 639 0732Wallasey Village Pharmacy - Wallasey - 638 2392

Egremont Pharmacy - Wallasey - 639 5016Blackheath Pharmacy - Leasowe - 604 1600

Healthcare in your Community


















































Vittoria Pharmacy - Birkenhead ..............647 8679Birkenhead Pharmacy - Birkenhead ...........653 7720Victoria Central Pharmacy - Wallasey .......639 0732Wallasey Village Pharmacy - Wallasey ......638 2392Egremont Pharmacy - Wallasey ................639 5016Blackheath Pharmacy - Leasowe ..............604 1600

Manor Pharmacy - Hoylake/Meols ........................... 632 0070Greasby Pharmacy - Greasby .................................. 678 3350 Irby Pharmacy - Irby ................................................ 648 1498Willaston Pharmacy - Willaston ............................... 327 5110Westminster Park Pharmacy - Little Sutton .................... 339 3382Westminster Park Pharmacy - Westminster Park ...01244 677000Owens Chemist - Saltney .........................................01244 680410

Our Pharmacies offer a wide range of services including:

OF OUR WATERWAYSUNLOCK THE WONDERS

Call. 0151 355 5017South Pier Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 4FW2 mins from M53, Jnct 9. Chester 15 mins & Liverpool 25 mins

www.nwm.org.uk

Flotillas of boats, historic canal docks and fascinating collections and displays.

PLUS waterside café, boat trips and loads for all the family to do.

Prices: Adult £6, conc £5, child (5-16) £4, under 5s and Season Ticket holders free

With its delightful waterside setting, fl otillas of historic boats and fascinating displays housed in a fi ne collection of Victorian buildings, the National Waterways Museum is a great day out whatever the weather.

Walk across towering locks, watch swans and wagtails beside the canal basin and explore a world of warehouses, docks, stables and pump houses. Our collection of narrow boats, barges, ice breakers and more is the best in the world.

Find out about the entrepreneurs, engineers and navvies who created the world’s fi rst great man-made transport network and uncover Ellesmere Port’s pivotal role in the North West’s great industrial revolution

Take a boat trip, pay a visit to our blacksmith, watch a narrow boat come in to moor and swop stories later in the Waterside Café. There’s lots for all the family to enjoy at National Waterways Museum, plus check our website for details of special events and school holiday family fun activities.

Events taking place:• Manchester Ship Canal Cruises July 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th 2012• Horses at Work – Sunday 5th August 2012• Beer Festival October 12th -14th 2012

www.nwm.org.uk

National Waterways Museum, South Pier Road, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire CH65 4FWOpen; daily April to Oct, 10am to 5pm. Nov to March, Weekends only, 10am to 5pm weekends and school holidays, other days museum partially open. Closed Dec 25 to Jan 1. Shop and Café open all year, daily 10am to 4pm.

34

Nuffi eld Health The Grosvenor Hospital, Chester offers a comprehensive range of ophthalmology (eye surgery) services for both insured and self-paying patients. In addition to assessment and treatment by a local, experienced consultant surgeon of their choice, patients are often able to choose the date of their treatment/surgery, safe in the knowledge that the same consultant will treat them throughout their hospital experience.

What’s wrong’? Why are you sad? Why are you crying? These are just some the questions that patients with watery eyes are asked every day. They fi nd that they are always wiping their eyes and always have to carry a hanky. Watery eye syndrome, or ‘epiphora’ to use the medical term, is very common. Many patients ‘put up’ with their symptoms because either they don’t feel it is serious enough to warrant treatment or they do not know that it can be treated. Watery eyes can be treated, often quite easily.

There can be many reasons why an eye may water. Generally either too many tears are being produced or the tears are not draining away as they should. If we think about too many tears being produced, this is usually due to something irritating the eye. This could be an ingrowing eyelash, ‘dandruff; like material in the eyelashes or dry eyes. All these conditions will cause irritation on the surface of the eye which will then stimulate tears – much in the same way chopping onions does! The normal tear drainage channel is then overcome and tears will role down the cheek. All the above conditions can be easily treated.

The natural drainage channel for tears starts in both the upper and lower eyelids. The entrance to the duct is called a ‘punctum’ and it is very common for this opening to become narrowed, a condition called punctal stenosis. This can be treated with a minor operation to enlarge the punctum allowing the tears to fl ow freely. From the punctum, tears then fl ow into a tear sac that lies in the side of the nose and then down the ‘naso-lacrimal’ duct to empty into the nose. This is why our noses run if we cry! This channel can be obstructed at any point, again causing ones eyes to water. The treatment for this nasolacrimal duct obstruction is an operation to make a new channel for the tears. Nowadays this operation is performed ‘endonasally’ or up the nose so that there is no scar on the skin. The success rate is very high at 80% and recuperation is very short. A small silicone tube is placed in the new channel to keep it open as the wounds heal. This tube stays in place for two months and is then easily removed in the clinic.

If you are suffering with watery eyes, please visit your General Practitioner who can organize an appointment with a specialist who can help.

Mr Jonathan BhargavaConsultant Ophthalmic, Lacrimal and Oculoplastic Surgeon

Eye problems? Look no further!

Mr Stewart ArmstrongMr Armstrong treats patients with general ophthalmic disorders including cataract, and glaucoma. For further information please visitwww.nuffi eldhealth.com/hospitals/chester

Clinic availability:Wednesday AM-PMContact 01244 684325

Mr Jonathan BhargavaMr Bhargava treats patients with general ophthalmic disorders including cataract, eyelid disorders, and watery eye syndrome. For further information please visitwww.nuffi eldhealth.com/hospitals/chester

Clinic availability:Tuesday PM, Friday AMContact 01244 684325

Mr Jeremy ButcherMr Butcher treats patients with general ophthalmic disorders including cataract, glaucoma, and squint correction. For further information please visitwww.nuffi eldhealth.com/hospitals/chester

Clinic availability:Tuesday AM, Friday PMContact 01244 684325

Mr Joey CazabonMr Cazabon treats patients with general ophthalmic disorders including cataract, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. For further information please visitwww.nuffi eldhealth.com/hospitals/chester

Clinic availability: Thursday PM, Saturday AMContact 01244 684325

Mr Miles TuttonMr Tutton treats patients with general ophthalmic disorders including cataract, glaucoma, and laser eye surgery. For further information please visitwww.nuffi eldhealth.com/hospitals/chester

Clinic availability:Monday PM, Friday AMContact 01244 684325

Don’t just go private, go personal.

Why wait? Rapid access to Eye Treatment/Surgery.For more information on cataract surgery, watery eye syndrome, eyelift surgery, or general eye disorders contact your local Nu eld Health The Grosvenor Hospital, Chester on 01244 684 305. In most cases we are able to arrange an appointment within 1 – 2 weeks, all you need is a referral letter from your GP.

We welcome insured and self pay patients. Finance options available.*

Our Consultant Ophthalmology Surgeons are:

• Mr S Armstrong • Mr J Cazabon• Mr J Bhargava • Mr Tutton• Mr J Butcher

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Leadopinion is a rapidly growing internet community for people living with illnesses or disabilities.

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Documents

Chester & Wirral issue 36