the 50+ show guide magazine london july 2015

Show Guide MagazineNational Hall, London Olympia

9.30am - 4.30pm, 14 - 15 July 2015

£3Where sold

ProgrammeExhibitor listFloorplanCompetitionsFeatured exhibitorsWriting & photo competition winners ... and more!

A day at the beach by Anne Brittain -

Winner of The 50+ Show Photo Competition

Activity Zone SponsorOnline-media partner

Peace of Mind

Independence

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Choice

0800 525 184 www.girlings.co.uk

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The 50+ Show Magazineis published by The 50+ Show Company Ltd50 Reaver House, 12 East StreetEpsom, Surrey, KT17 1HXCo. Reg. No. 09327126

Reg. Office (no mail): 46 East Street, Epsom, Surrey, KT17 1HQ

Welcome to The 50+ Show Magazine and Show Guide for The 50+ Show in London in July 2015. We hope that you have a positive, re-energising and inspirational day out at The 50+ Show this year. We’ve made lots of

changes to the show this year so that it is more compact than in the last few years, but we have managed to retain many of the most popular features - including our rock climbing wall for all our dare-devil visitors!

In this show-guide-magazine you’ll find features on finance, health and more. Please take the time to tell us what you thought of The 50+ Show and of this magazine and be in with a chance to win £25 in M&S vouchers, by taking our quick online survey questionnaire before 25 July. We hope that you’ll tell us what you thought of the show - we really do read every single response. We’d love to read your feedback to help us make The 50+ Show - and magazine - even better next time.

On behalf of the whole organising team, we hope that you enjoy both The 50+ Show Magazine and The 50+ Show in London!

4 The 50+ Show floor plan

6 Showcase of selected exhibitors

7 The 50+ Show A-Z of exhibitors

Where to find the exhibitors you are looking for!

SHOW PROGRAMMES and COMPETITONS 8-9 Show programme for TUESDAY

10-11 Show programme for WEDNESDAY

12 Competitions and show offers

FEATURES14 For a warm welcome, visit MALTA!

16 SWITZERLAND - More than just chocolate, alp-horns and FIFA...

18 Get fit and funky with LadyXcise

19 What you need to know about bowel cancer...

20 Photo competition winners and runners-up (inc. photos this page)

Winners and runners-up in our photo competition, on the themes of

‘togetherness,’ ‘street scene,’ and ‘Fun in the sun.’

26 Hidden Hearing - Don’t delay your hearing check-up!

27 Are you getting a financial fair deal? If not, then the Financial

Ombudsman may be able to help...

28 The 50+ Show writing competition winners and runners-up

Back in January we asked our visitors to send in their true stories on the sub-

ject of ‘motherhood’ - and they did not disappoint. Here are the winner and

two joint runners-up - all unashamed tear-jerkers. Cry? We did!

32 The 50+ Awards 2015

Come and play ‘Bingo’ at 2.45pm on Tuesday 14 July - and win theatre tickets!

34 You don’t just have to put up with dry eyes!

Dr Robert McCaffreyEditor, show director

On-line survey address: http://50-plus-show.polldaddy.com/s/50-plus-show-london-visitor-survey-2015

The 50+ Show Magazine 3 July 2015

Visitors are advised to satisfy themselves as to the bona fides of the exhibitors prior to finalising any transactions.

CONTENTS

SHOW PLAN


The show organisers can be found on stand O2


This floorplan is subject to change without notice.

LV=Stand D6Want to get more from your pension pot? LV= can help with CORA, our Clear Online Retirement Advice service with telephone support from professional advisers. It’s a pretty revolutionary way of accessing fully regulated financial advice from the com-fort of your home. If you’re within three months of accessing your pension and have a pot size up to £150,000, CORA can offer you recommendations selected from a panel of leading providers, not just LV=, and even help you get them all set up if you choose. Before you get advice, why not explore your op-tions with your free personalised Retirement Options Report.LV= are the UK’s largest friendly society, which means that we have no shareholders to pay a dividend to, just members who expect a responsible business that puts customers first.Explore your retirement options online at www.LV.com/clear-retirement

Featured exhibitors

Explore WorldwideStand S4

Explore offers an inspiring col-lection of small group, tailor-made and self-guided tours to some of the most fascinating destinations in the world. Wherever your passions lie, whether it’s wildlife, culture, walking and trekking, a voyage to the polar regions or cycling, Explore will take you far beyond the tourist spots into the heart of the country you’re visiting for a more exciting and authentic travel experience.

Telephone: 0843 634 8044Nelson House, 55 Victoria Road, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 7PA

www.explore.co.uk

The Royal Air Force MuseumStand C3

With two great sites in North London and Shropshire, the Royal Air Force Museum provides a free, fantastic day out for the whole family. On display, across our two sites, are over 175 historic aircraft from around the globe, together with other artefacts and memorabilia such as uniforms, medals, RAF vehicles, paint-ings and missiles – all complemented by interactive kiosks and booths which bring the world of aviation to life. The Royal Air Force Museum LondonGrahame Park Way, Colindale, London, NW9 5LLTelephone : 020 8205 2266, [email protected] Royal Air Force Museum CosfordShifnal, Shropshire, TF11 8UPTel: 01902 376 200, Email: [email protected]

www.rafmuseum.org

Geoffrey LeaverStand D3

Making a Lasting Power of Attorney puts you in control if there comes a time when you can no longer make decisions about your everyday life. Don’t assume your husband, wife, children or other relatives can just walk into a bank and access your money...even if it is to help you...We at Geoffrey Leaver can help you to make a Lasting Power of Attorney to appoint someone you trust to look after your property, financial, health and medical matters when you are unable to do so. Our Solicitors are experts in guiding you through the legal process. We can also assist you with making a will or dealing with the economic and legal consequences of bereavement and Probate.Visit the team at the show on stand D3 - we can answer any questions you may have about safeguarding your families’ future. Or call Dagmara or Nick on 01908 689317.www.geoffreyleaver.com

Swan Hellenic and Voyages of DiscoveryStand Z1

Travel in comfort and style aboard Swan Hellenic’s Minerva and Voyages of Discovery’s Voyager, intimate small ships created for discovery cruising. On board both vessels you’ll find a friendly atmosphere, excellent facilities, spacious cabins and an attentive crew for whom nothing is too much trouble. Every cruise, from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, is accompa-nied by renowned Guest Speakers who bring each destination to life, and Swan Hellenic also offers guests a programme of tailor-made shore excursions included in your fare.

Swan Hellenic: www.swanhellenic.com

Voyages of Discovery: www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk

Travelsphere and Just YouStand Z1

Travelsphere escorted holidays and Just You holidays for single travellers allow guests to travel with confidence. Thor-ough planning of travel arrangements, itineraries and accommo-dation – along with the unique insight of knowledgeable Tour Managers and Local Guides – enables customers to experience the culture, traditions and hidden away places less accessible to other travellers. Whether you want to holiday in Europe, the Americas, India, the Far East or Australia, there’s something for everyone, and Just You customers never pay a single supple-ment. Travelsphere: www.travelsphere.co.uk

Just You: www.justyou.co.uk



Exhibitors50+ Show O23G Dentist F5Acibadem Healthcare G3Age UK London Trading D9Airedale Tours R4Swan Hellenic Z1Voyages of Discovery Z1Travelsphere Z1Just You Z1Alzheimer’s Research UK F7Alzheimers Society G9Ambassador Theatre Group F1Anzcro (UK) Ltd P5Berghoff Worldwide GB Green 2Berkeley Parks S1Blood Pressure UK J2Buy2LetCars.com C1Cats Protection X1Charles Taylor Trading RedChoice from Funeral Partners H1Churchill Retirement W1Collette P1Health & Wellness Costa Blanca R5CRUK Cancer Awareness Roadshow G4Cultural Breaks Q3David Urquhart Travel P2Dom Lekarski F6Dominican Republic Tourist Board R3English Short Mat Bowling Association T4ERV Travel Insurance S2Cologuard H2Explore Worldwide S4Falkland Islands Tourist Board Y7Financial Ombudsman Service D10Fish Insurance N4Food Sensitivity Test Y2Fortina Spa Resort D1Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Q1Freeman Retirement living T1Geoffrey Leaver Solicitors D3Gifts Gadgets Bean Bags X4Girlings Retirement Rentals O3Golden Charter T8Guide Dogs N6Hidden Hearing H3Home Care Preferred H4Hydro Hotel R6IBI Trading I3India Tourist Office Y1

Instantel Beauty X3Intermission Y3Isle of Wight P3Lanai Outdoor Living Green 3LV= D6Medical Travel Poland G7Merlin 2-in-1 Vac D7Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London B3Moon Beever Solicitors F4Nairn’s Oatcakes I2New Med (A division of Bedfont) J1Oakdale J3, J4On the Go Tours Z3Pancreatic Cancer Action G8Pieroth Ltd N1Police - Fraud Advice N5Prime Fifty G5Professor Birkmayer NADH F9Promedica24 UK Limited I1Purley Pillows F8Ramblers Worldwide P4Renaissance Villages Helical Liphook K1RetirementMove.co.uk U1Royal Air Force Museum C3RWM Financial Planning Ltd D4Saga Holidays P6Scope Opthalmics G1Select Property A6Silver Travel Advisor R1Medical Diagnostic and Treatment Center F2Specsavers Hearing Centres G6Sri Lanka Tourism Q2St Lucia Tourist Board E1Stately Albion Ltd PH1/PH2Susan Fleck Associates Ltd A4Teme Valley Beds Green 4The Co-operative Funeracare E5The FlyZone Ltd X2, F3The House Crowd N2The Pensions Advisory Service A3The University of the Third Age (U3A) E2Thornton & Baines K3 & K4Titan Travel S3TNS Global D8Torquay Leisure Resort Y5Warner Leisure Hotels Q4Westex X6Wilson Leisure Developments/Mullacott Park J5WSL Polly Will X8

Visitors are advised to satisfy themselves as to the bona fides of the exhibitors prior to finalising any transactions.

COMPETITIONS


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10.15

1.15

11.45

2.45

11.00

2.00

12.30

3.30

Travel Seminar Theatre

Money Matters Seminar Theatre

How to avoid a pension pitfall: Generating an assured retire-ment income through propertyGiles Beswick, Select Property

Buy2LetCars: The world’s first peer-2-peer vehicle funding opportunityReginald Larry-Cole, Buy2LetCars

Choosing your first Cruise

Alan Fairfax, Silver Travel Advisor

No care home like your homeRobin Sidebottom, Promedica24

Exhibition time! Exhibition time!

New pension freedoms: It’s your choice!Nigel Kern, Pensions Advisory Service

Saga Holidays and Cruises

Louise Batty, Saga

Cologuard: Bowel Cancer Screening - check out your options todayDr. Guy Chung-Faye, Consultant Gastroenterologist

Lasting Powers of Attorney – As important as making a WillAlexandra Bartrope, solicitor, Moon Beever

The World is more beautiful on footTony Maniscalco, Ramblers World-wide Holidays

Coenzyme-1 (NADH): Its beneficial effects in Alzheimer’s disease, depression and ParkinsonsDr George Birkmayer, NADH Handels

Q&A with the Financial Ombudsman

Phil Miller & Mel De Noronha

Travelling Solo – the Silver Travel guide for single travellers

Jennie Carr, Silver Travel Advisor

Health Tourism to India

Raj Kumar Sunani

How lasting power of attorney can protect youPolly Banwell, WSL Willwriting services

Holiday Homes as a new alternative investmentBill Wilson – Mullacott Park – Wilson Leisure Developments Ltd.

The latest developments in plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgeryAssoc. Prof. Mehmet Veli Karaaltin, Acibadem Healthcare Group

Identity Fraud - The Devil is in your detailsTony Blake, Fraud Prevention Of-ficer, DCPCU

The 50+ Awards Prize ‘Bingo’ (FREE)Win theatre tickets, courtesy of the Ambassador Theatre Group

Become a Dementia Friend

Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia Friends Champion speaking

Exhibition time!

New Zealand & Australia – Your holiday, our home!

Tui Davenport, Anzcro

Exhibition time!

Star

t ti

me

Tuesday 14 July

finance

travel

HealthSeminar Theatre

health

All timings are subject to change

10.45

1.45

3.15

12.15

Richard Rox - Chef extraordinaire!How do you make something delicious out of next to nothing? Richard Fox will show you how!

Exhibition time!

Exhibition time!

Exhibition time!

Exhibition time!

Richard Rox - Chef extraordinaire!With fabulous tastes and redolent aromas, Richard’s cooking will have your taste-buds in a tizzy!

Richard Rox - Chef extraordinaire!Richard’s talents as a chef and cookery presenter know no bounds - come and see him cook up a storm!

Richard Rox - Chef extraordinaire!Cooking to impress is what Richard Fox does best: This’ll be the best food you see today!


At-a-glance show programme

Live Cookery Theatre

food!

dance!

ABBA ChiquePut on your thigh-high sparkle-boots and hit the high notes with the girls from ABBA Chique!

Zumba Gold with Nana Akua aka LadyXSize

See page 18 for details



Exhibition time!

The fabulous L.A. ShowgirlsCome and enjoy the show-tunes and high-kicking dance extravaganza that these fabulous have prepared for you!

Exercise & Fitnesswith Medau Movement

Margaret Charlwood


FitSteps with Nana Akua aka LadyXSize


Carradine’s Cockney Sing-a-longTune-up and enjoy a good old- fashioned knees-up with Mr Tom Carradine on the ol’ joanna!

12.30: BalletBeFit

Sponsored by Warner Leisure Hotels

Gilbert & Sullivan ReprisedPerformers from The National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company / The Interna-tional Gilbert and Sullivan Festival.

Warner Pop ChoirCome and have a go at making a beautiful noise - from scratch!Sponsored by Warner Leisure Hotels

Moving into Age - MIAMoving Into Age dance troupe comprises nine dancers aged 60-80 - come and see them strut their funky stuff!

Exhibition time!

Activity ZonePerformanceStage

Activity Zone Sponsor

music

COMPETITIONS


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10.15

1.15

11.45

2.45

11.00

2.00

12.30

3.30

Travel Seminar Theatre

Money Matters Seminar Theatre

How to avoid a pension pitfall: Generating an assured retire-ment income through propertyGiles Beswick, Select Property

Buy2LetCars: The world’s first peer-2-peer vehicle funding opportunityReginald Larry-Cole, Buy2LetCars

Choosing your first Cruise

Alan Fairfax, Silver Travel Advisor

No care home like your homeRobin Sidebottom, Promedica24


New pension freedoms: It’s your choice!Nigel Kern, Pensions Advisory Service

Saga Holidays and Cruises

Louise Batty, Saga

Cologuard: Bowel Cancer Screening - check out your options todayMr Tan Arulampalam, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon

Lasting Powers of Attorney – As important as making a WillAlexandra Bartrope, solicitor, Moon Beever

The World is more beautiful on footTony Maniscalco, Ramblers World-wide Holidays

NADH Skin Serum - A unique cos-metic for the ageing skin

Dr George Birkmayer, NADH Handels

Q&A with the Financial OmbudsmanVenetia Trayhurn & Anna Whitelock

Travelling Solo – the Silver Travel guide for single travellers

Jennie Carr, Silver Travel Advisor

Health Tourism to India

Raj Kumar Sunani

How lasting power of attorney can protect youPolly Banwell, WSL Willwriting services

Holiday Homes as a new alternative investmentBill Wilson – Mullacott Park – Wilson Leisure Developments Ltd.

The latest developments in plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgeryAssoc. Prof. Mehmet Veli Karaaltin, Acibadem Healthcare Group

Identity Fraud - The Devil is in your detailsTony Blake, Fraud Prevention Of-ficer, DCPCU

The 50+ Show Free Prize Quiz

Win theatre tickets, courtesy of the Ambassador Theatre Group

Become a Dementia Friend

Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia Friends Champion speaking

Exhibition time!

New Zealand & Australia – Your holiday, our home!

Tui Davenport, Anzcro

Exhibition time!

Star

t ti

me

Wednesday 15 July

finance

travel

HealthSeminar Theatre

health

All timings are subject to change

10.45

1.45

3.15

12.15

Richard Rox - Chef extraordinaire!How do you make something delicious out of next to nothing? Richard Fox will show you how!

Exhibition time!

Exhibition time!

Exhibition time!

Exhibition time!

Richard Rox - Chef extraordinaire!With fabulous tastes and redolent aromas, Richard’s cooking will have your taste-buds in a tizzy!

Richard Rox - Chef extraordinaire!Richard’s talents as a chef and cookery presenter know no bounds - come and see him cook up a storm!

Richard Rox - Chef extraordinaire!Cooking to impress is what Richard Fox does best: This’ll be the best food you see today!


At-a-glance show programme

Live Cookery Theatre

food!

dance!


Zumba Gold with Nana Akua aka LadyXSize




Exhibition time!


Exercise & Fitnesswith Medau Movement

Jane Seyler


FitSteps with Nana Akua aka LadyXSize


Carradine’s Cockney Sing-a-longTune-up and enjoy a good old- fashioned knees-up with Mr Tom Carradine on the ol’ joanna!

12.30: Do you Warner Dance?

Sponsored by Warner Leisure Hotels

Gilbert & Sullivan ReprisedPerformers from The National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company / The Interna-tional Gilbert and Sullivan Festival.

Warner Pop ChoirCome and have a go at making a beautiful noise - from scratch!Sponsored by Warner Leisure Hotels

Moving into Age - MIAMoving Into Age dance troupe comprises nine dancers aged 60-80 - come and see them strut their funky stuff!

Exhibition time!

Activity ZonePerformanceStage

Activity Zone Sponsor

music

Competitions

ColletteCollette is offering you a chance to win a £1000 voucher towards one of their tours. To enter, simply visit stand P1, com-plete the prize draw entry card and submit it in Collette’s prize draw box. Good luck!

CologuardCome and see us at Stand H2 and Check Everything’s Peachy Today for Bowel Cancer. Complete our short survey and Spin the Prize Wheel for the chance to win an IPod Nano plus many other prizes on offer.

ExploreWin up to £500 towards your next Explore holiday! PLUS 5 run-ners up prizes of £100. Simply visit the Explore stand, complete a competition form and post into our competition entry box. Good luck!

Fred. OlsenVisitors booking a Fred. Olsen holiday on the day can save up to an extra £325 per person off published brochure fares and special offers. There will also be the chance to win a mini-cruise for two adults by entering a prize draw.

GirlingsWould you like £100 of Marks & Spencer vouchers? Visit our Stand O3 to enter our free prize draw for your chance to win!

LV= LV= can help you get more from your pension pot with CORA, our Clear Online Retirement Advice service. Our new online ad-vice service has been designed for those who are within three

months of accessing their pension and have a pot size of up to £150,000. We’re offering a FREE retirement advice report (usu-ally £199) for the first 50 people to register. T&Cs apply. Come visit LV= at stand D6 to find out more and for your chance to win a 16GB iPad mini in our free prize draw.

Moon BeeverMoon Beever will be holding a competition for all visitors for a chance to win £100 of Marks and Spencer vouchers. Come and visit us at stand F4 for your details to be entered in to our free prize draw.

SagaSaga specialise in cruises and holidays for the over 50s. Come to our stand P6 and meet our friendly staff. We include travel insurance and all gratuities and much more. At the Saga stand you can enter our prize draw to win a £250 holiday voucher and collect your discount vouchers.”

Silver Travel AdvisorVisit the Silver Travel Advisor team at Stand R1 and enter the prize draw to win a fabulous cruise for two people with Noble Caledonia around the Channel Islands and Isles of Scilly.

TLH Leisure Resort Y5Visit stand Y5 and enter our free prize draw for your chance to win 2 nights dinner, bed and breakfast at TLH Leisure Resort in Torquay, to include use of the fantastic range of leisure facilities and nightly entertainment.


ABBA Chique will be performing at this year’s 50+ Show in London...

...as will the fabulous L.A. Showgirls!

try

FREE DELIVERY

with your fi rst orderEnter code FIFTY0715

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To request your FREE catalogue call our friendly UK call centre on:

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WILLS, TRUSTS & PROBATE SERVICES

Lasting Power of Attorney.

Call our specialist lawyers Dagmara or Nick today on01908 689317 or visit us at geoffreyleaver.com or at stand D3.

There for you, fair for you.

What would happen if you could no longer make decisions about your every day life?

You need a Lasting Power of Attorney which allows you to appoint someone to deal with your property, �nancial and health matters for you.

We offer a Lasting Power of Attorney �xed fee regardless of your location.

Footsho-Leaver.indd 1 05/07/2015 12:55


The magical islands of Malta

Visiting Malta is a truly marvellous ex-perience, it has a subtropical Mediter-

ranean climate, with hot summers and mild winters, which provides great year-round holiday conditions. It is an island much loved by Brits, in part due to our long shared history - from 1814 to 1964 Malta was part of the British Empire. And still today, red letter and phone boxes are totally commonplace. Driving is on the left and comfortingly, English is the joint offi-cial language with Maltese so if you do get lost, someone will be able to help you!

All that said, these islands, for there are three – Gozo and Comino too – have been subject to many invasions over the cen-turies and the legacies of Romans, Phoe-nicians, Aragonese, Sicilians, Arabs and French are clearly woven into the country’s architecture and culture. The Malta Experi-ence, an audio-visual spectacular, on show in Valletta is an excellent way to grasp the really diverse history here.

So for the holiday maker, what is there to do? A great deal as it happens! Apart from enjoying exploring and strolling through the interesting, narrow streets of the towns and villages, the countryside walks and cycling trails on both Malta and Gozo are glorious. They can be as easy or challenging as you like. And on Gozo particularly, the coast line is superb, with several natural landmarks featuring in major films. Comino offers a real escape

to another world, seem-ingly remote with the saturated colour of the Blue Lagoon and rocky crags to clamber up, but actually only a ferry ride from the bustle of Malta.

Festivals in Malta are hugely important, each town and village has one to celebrate their patron saint, all part of the dominant Catho-lic culture. These are wonderful days of real tradition, which visitors are welcome to join in. And the larger Jazz, Arts and Fireworks festivals are growing in interna-tional popularity too. Carnival takes place countrywide in February, with colour, noise and outrageous clothing.

A wide range of ac-commodation is avail-able from luxurious 5* hotels to camping, with everything in between! If you’d like to be pam-pered and indulged, then it’s on offer with the most modern of spas. Alternatively, you might

prefer a quiet sanctuary on Gozo, where you can totally relax whatever the time of year. The Maltese welcome will be warm!

By Jennie Carr from Silver Travel Advisor, the reviews, information and advice site for travellers aged 50+.

Special 50+ Show Offer – save with Malta DirectSilver Travel Advisor works in partnership with Malta

Direct who offer a 5% discount for 50+ Show visitors us-ing the code ‘SILVER’ . This can be quoted over the phone

or entered on the basket page when booking online.The discount cannot be used in conjunction with any

other discount offer, can only be used on new bookings and must be booked by 31 August 2015

Visit www.maltadirect.com or call 0808 102 2570.

Boost your pension income by as much as 23%*

www.LV.com/clear-retirement

Powered by

CLEAR ONLINE RETIREMENT ADVICE

Free Retirement Advice Report

(usually £199) for the first 50 people to register.

Terms and Conditions apply. To find out more,

pick up a flyer from our stand at D6.

LV= can help with CORA, our Clear Online Retirement Advice service, with telephone support from professional advisers.

Our new online advice service has been designed for people approaching retirement and wanting to access their pension pot. It provides personalised retirement advice and recommends products from a range of leading providers, all from the comfort of your own home.

Explore your retirement options online

* Income boost based on a pension pot of £50,000 before tax-free cash. Rates taken from the Money Advice Service on 9 April 2015.

Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society Limited: County Gates, Bournemouth BH1 2NF. LV= and Liverpool Victoria are registered trademarks of Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society Limited (LVFS) and LV= and LV= Liverpool Victoria are trading styles of the Liverpool Victoria group of companies. Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society Limited (LVFS) is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority, register number 110035. Liverpool Victoria Financial Advice Services Limited (LVFAS), registered in England No. 3027145, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority,

register number 186890. LVFAS is a wholly owned subsidiary of LVFS. Registered address for both companies: County Gates, Bournemouth BH1 2NF. Telephone: 01202 292333.21551305 06/15

21551305 CORA Programme ad RW.indd 1 02/07/2015 09:53

The principal contacts for enquiries are:- Alexandra Bartrope who is also a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and can be contacted directly on 0207 539 4151 or email: [email protected] Julian Hay who is also a member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) and can be contacted directly on 0207 539 4122 or email: [email protected] Our extensive range of private client work also extends to Property, Matrimonial and Employment Law with the principal contacts being Daniel Moore (Property) Maeve O’Higgins (Matrimonial) and Sarah Rushton (Employment.) For more details visit our website www.moonbeever.com or email us at [email protected] or call us on 020 7400 7770

The Private Client Department at Moon Beever provides tailored, professional advice when it comes to meeting your personal legal needs in:-

Will drafting Lifetime inheritance tax planning Obtaining Grants of Representation and Estate

Administration Trust drafting Trust administration Challenges to Estates and Wills Long term care Powers of Attorney Court of Protection applications

Our team has a wealth of experience in these areas, recognising each client’s needs are different whilst offering an understanding and consultative approach.

http://www.facebook.com/willie.moon.18

http://www.linkedin.com/company/moon-beever

http://twitter.com/MoonBeever

http://www.youtube.com/users/moonbeevertv

LV-MoonBeever.indd 1 05/07/2015 12:57


Switzerland The perfect destination for 50+ Travellers

What springs to mind when you think of Switzerland? Mountains, cheese, chocolate, goats, efficiency, trains and lakes, which are all some-how tied in to the wonderful story of Heidi by Johanna Spyri.

Here at Silver Travel Advisor, we love mountains in both winter and summer

and Switzerland has its fair share of these, some of them very big indeed! Whether you’re a skier or not, the winter months in the Alps are stunning. The skiing is world-class, with a wide range of resorts, many of which are well-suited to silver skiers, such

as Wengen and Grindelwald. And a visit to St Moritz should be on every-one’s bucket list to witness the winter wonderland of ice polo and the infa-mous Cresta Run.

Once winter is over, the moun-tains and lakes are truly spectacu-lar, with glorious plant life, air that’s squeaky clean and views that can-not be beaten. Indeed, it would be hard not to stride out and relish the great outdoors. Many cable cars are open to allow walkers to enjoy the hikes and trails that exist throughout the country to be enjoyed through

spring, summer and autumn. This is a great place for mountain biking, naturally, although many less arduous routes are on offer along the valleys or around the lakes.

For music lovers, the Montreux Jazz Festival is an annual tradition for all tastes, with a breath-taking back drop of Lake Geneva and the moun-tains. But perhaps one of the greatest Swiss treats has to be a train journey,

through the dramatic peaks, glaciers and viaducts of the Alps on the Bernina Ex-press, travelling from St Moritz to Tirano. An alternative treat is St Moritz to Zermatt on the Glacier Express, which is known as the slowest express train in the world, crossing 291 bridges and passing through 91 tunnels! And of course, everything runs on time because that’s how things happen in Switzerland.

For food lovers, Swiss restaurants are exceptional not only because of the world class cheeses and triangular chocolate! Fine dining is the norm, whilst local spe-cialities such as raclette and rosti are deli-cious everyday fare.

We cannot promise you herds of goats or a cantankerous grandfather, however pretty mountain chalets, beautiful sum-mer pastures and a real sense of well-being are guaranteed. And in the winter, the skiing is pretty sublime. Heidi certainly chose the right place to live!

Silver Travel Advisor recom-mends Switzerland Travel Centre

for holidays to Switzerland. Enjoy a 5% reduction on standard

holiday packages for 50+ Show magazine readers quoting Silver

Travel – bookings must be made by 31st July, for departures by the end

of 2015. Visit www.stc.co.uk for details or call

0207 420 49 34.

visit explore.co.uk or call 0843 775 9516

ATOL 2595AITO 5048

� Travel insurance included*

� Perfect for solo travellers

� Small group, tailor-made and self guided trips

Adventure Holidays

� Culture� Walking� Cycling� Wildlife� Polar

*Travel insurance t’s and c’s apply – see website for details.

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Home Care Preferred provides live-in care in London and the Home Counties.

For an information pack or to speak to a member of our friendly team call: 020 8364 3670 or visit www.homecarepreferred.com Registered & regulated with Quality Care Commission

Award-winning live-in care

Then we want to hear from you!Would you be interested in a flexible, rewarding, varied role that aims to seek out the views of British citizens? Come and visit us at stand 8!

THINK YOU’VE HEARD IT ALL?

Find out more tnsglobal.com/uk/research-interviewer

Win theatre tickets!Come to the Travel Theatre

each day of The 50+ Show at 2.45pm for your chance to win!

Tuesday 14 JulyThe 50+ Awards ‘Bingo’ (FREE)

Guess the winners in advance and win!

Wednesday 15 JulyThe 50+ Show FREE Prize Quiz

All the questions are EASY!(If you know the answers...)

Come and give it a go - what have you got to lose?!

All Quarters.indd 1 05/07/2015 13:08


Funk your way to fitness!Get down with LadyXsize

“When I was young, when someone said they were 50, this was seen as old age. As I have become older,

the perception of being 50 has truly changed. Initially I thought it was just me getting older that was chang-ing my perspective, but you only need to take a look at the active older adult population to realize that a revolu-tion is truly upon us. 50 is the new 30.

People are no longer just giving-in to age and accepting that weight gain and inflexibility are inevitable as we age. We now realise that these notions are nonsense and that we can greatly improve our prognosis with regular exercise and it doesn’t have be boring.

So here are my top ways of making fit-ness fun.

1. Join a local community fitness class rather than a gym - As a fitness and health expert, I work with cli-ents of all ages and in particular the over 50s. When I started teaching local classes to this group, despite the fact that all my clients lived in close proximity, they had never met. In fact two ladies practically lived opposite each other. Community fitness classes tend to be more social, so get fit and make local friends in the process

2. Try a workout that makes you feel like you are on holiday, like Zumba, or Zumba Gold. The latter is more suited to the active older population, although many of my Zumba clients are over 50. If the music doesn’t get you going, then nothing will. The beauty of this workout is that the steps are simple and fun. They help to improve dexterity and range of motion

and you won’t even notice you’re exercising. There are Zumba chair-based workouts as well.

3. If you love ballroom dancing, but are missing a part-ner, no need to hang up your dancing shoes just yet;

try FitSteps. Created by Strictly come Dancing stars Natalie Lowe and Ian Waite, this workout will

have you jiving and quick stepping and make you feel like a teenager all over again.

4. Dress to impress – Just because you are over 50, doesn’t mean that when you

are working up a sweat you should ignore your appearance! There are some fabulous,

fun and funky outfits that will shape you and flatter your every curve. Daisy Fitness has a range

of supportive outfits that will make you look and feel like a million dollars!

5. If getting out is difficult or you just want to top up your exercise regime and maintain your level of fitness,

then try my fun workouts at www.ladyxsize.com. There are different workouts for various levels of mobility. Choose ones that are suitable for you and exercise at your own pace from anywhere in the world.

The secret to maintaining interest in exercise is va-riety and challenge. Exercise is on-going and lifelong.

So keep it interesting, keep it exciting and, above all, keep it fun!!!”

Exercise with

LadyXcise each

day at 2pm in the

Activity Zone!

A non-invasive test that detects 92% of bowel cancers*1

1. Imperiale TF, Ransoho� DF, Itzkowitz SH, et al. Multitarget stool DNA testing for colorectal-cancer screening. N Engl J Med. 2014;370(4):1987-97.* Cologuard sensitivity, per stage of cancer: I: 90% (n=29); II: 100% (n=21); III: 90% (n=10); IV: 75% (n=4). ADS-00039-UK-EN

BOWEL CANCER. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW, WHEN YOU HAVE TO GO.

So, what is bowel cancer?Sometimes referred to as colorectal cancer by doctors, bowel cancer occurs in the colon (large intestine) or in the rectum. It often starts with an abnormal growth called a polyp on the inner lining of the large intestine or rectum. While many polyps are common and typically don’t cause symptoms, some are dangerous and can turn into cancer over time. So early detection is the key to treatment.

What are the symptoms?There are a variety of signs you can look out for. If your stools are loose on a regular basis, or have blood in them, that can be a more obvious indicator. Other symptoms that may appear less related to bowel cancer, but should not be ignored, are tiredness, anaemia and unexplained weight loss.

What is Cologuard?Cologuard is an easy-to-use, non-invasive bowel cancer screening test that you can use in the privacy of your own home. It uses the latest stool DNA science to fi nd both cancer and pre-cancer.

Is Cologuard e� ective?In a 10,000-patient clinical study, Cologuard found 92% of bowel cancers1. It also found 69% of high-risk pre-cancers* (high-grade dysplasia). In short there is no other home test collection kit that is as sensitive as Cologuard.

How does Cologuard work?Every day, the lining of your bowel naturally sheds cells. If you have cancer and/or pre-cancer, abnormal cells shed into the bowel, along with the normal cells. The shedding cells are picked up by stool as it passes through your bowel. Cologuard uses advanced stool DNA technology to fi nd DNA from these abnormal cells and haemoglobin from red blood cells. Cologuard looks only for altered DNA associated with bowel cancer and pre-cancer.

Is Cologuard right for me?Cologuard is a non-invasive option for bowel cancer screening for people who are:

• 50 years of age and above.• At average risk for bowel cancer.

How do I fi nd out more?If you’re worried about bowel cancer, take the fi rst step by talking to your doctor. They’ll be able to tell you more about Cologuard and your screening options.

Alternatively you can visit cologuardtest.co.uk/patient

Bowel cancer is the second largest cause of cancer deaths in the UK. However, over 90% of those diagnosed can be treated successfully if their cancer is spotted and treated early enough.

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CHECK EVERYTHING’S PEACHY TODAY WITH COLOGUARD®

Cologuard Advertorial 50+.indd 1 30/06/2015 09:59

THE 50+ SHOW PHOTOGRAPHYCOMPETITION

Winners & Runners-up


Overall winner: Anne Brittain, with our front cover photo on the theme of ‘Togetherness,’

entitled ‘A day at the beach.’Congratulations!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION WINNERS

CATEG

OR

Y ‘TH

ING

S I LIKE’ W

INN

ERA

Walk o

n C

old

ing

ham

Sand

s, Berw

ickshire, b

y Phyllis A

ng

us

‘Fun in the Sun’ category winnerR. Hannam



JUST SHARING....SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE FUN IN THE SUN ENTRIES

D. Swift

Lynda Hood

Peter Keeble

J. NisbetR. Hannam

-------------------------------------------------------PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION WINNERS

Runner-up: Fun in the Sun ‘Rory’

JUST SHARING....SOME OF OUR OTHER FAVOURITE ENTRIES

C. Conyers

‘Togetherness’ by Graeme

R. Hannam




Runner-up, ‘Togetherness’ category: Barbara Beasley

Below: Winner ‘Togetherness’ by Roger Brenton

JUST SHARING....SOME OF OUR OTHER FAVOURITE ENTRIES

Street scene category winner - by Edmund Ranas

Street scene runner-up: ‘Matlock Bath in winter’ by Peter Keeble

JUST SHARING....SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE STREET SCENE ENTRIES

J. Bruce

Olive Carter


Listen up!Don’t delay seeking help if you’re worried about your hearing!

Turning up the volume on the television, straining to hear loved ones and asking people to repeat

themselves two or three times in a conversation is a common reality for the estimated 4 million people in the UK who are ignoring a hearing problem.

Due to the gradual way hearing loss affects us, many are totally unaware they have a hearing prob-lem until friends and family point it out. Some waiting up to 10 years before taking any action!

Undiagnosed hearing loss can have a huge im-pact on relationships, social life and mental wellbeing so it’s important to seek help sooner rather than wait un-til it gets worse.

Hannah Leech, audiologist at Hid-den Hearing shares some ‘tell-tale’ signs which could indicate that some-one is experiencing hearing loss:

Knowing the symptoms! 1. Difficulty hearing friends and

family clearly 2. Asking people to repeat them-

selves two or more times during a con-versation

3. Listening to the radio or watching television with the volume turned up higher than you have in the past

4. Difficulty hearing the telephone or doorbell5. Regularly feeling tired or stressed, due to having to con-

centrate closely while listeningHidden Hearing is exhibiting (stand H3) at The 50+ Show (14-

15 July), where leading audiologists will be carrying out free hearing screenings and giving out free Better Hearing packs,

containing useful advice and healthy lifestyle tips for anyone concerned about their hearing. Those who visit the stand will also be entered into a prize draw to be in with a chance of winning a Fit-bit Charge, worth £100!

If you’re concerned about yours or a loved one’s hearing, speak to your GP or visit your local

high street specialist straight away. For more information on hearing loss or to book a free hearing test at your local hearing centre, visit www.hiddenhearing.co.uk or call 0800 037 2060.


Fair play for your money...with the help of the Financial Ombudsman Service

For 15 years, the Financial Ombudsman Service has been look-ing at issues where a sense of unfairness is central to the prob-

lem. Our free service listens to both sides of the story before mak-ing a decision – we have the power to put things right where we think someone has been treated unfairly.

In some cases, a consumer’s age – or more accurately the point they are at in their life – is especially relevant to our decisions. It’s clear that, for many people, the wider impact of what’s happened – and how it’s made them feel – isn’t something that money alone can put right.

So we’re here at The 50+ Show to hear about the issues you’re facing, and to let you know about some of the problems we’re seeing, such as:

Power of attorney – Most of the problems about powers of at-torney involve missing documents and misunderstandings about what powers the attorney has been granted. Come and chat to us to find out more about our practical tips for consumers and businesses.

Vishing & Phishing – We’ve seen fraudsters move on from written methods in trying to scam people into handing over sen-sitive financial information. ‘Phone’ or ‘voice’ phishing (known as ‘vishing’) has received a considerable amount of media attention recently – we can tell you what to look out for and help you avoid getting stung.

Complaints about older products – We also hear from peo-ple who are concerned about a financial product that has been in

place for many years – for example, their pension, mortgage or an investment. Just because something happened a long time ago, it doesn’t mean we won’t be able to help.

Unsuitable products – Consumers (and their families) have been telling us about financial businesses that have taken advan-tage of their age to sell them something they didn’t want or need. And we hear from consumers that a financial business has refused to sell them a particular product based on their age or situation.

So if you feel you’ve been treated unfairly when it comes to your finances, come over for a chat in the ‘money matters’ zone – we’ll be happy to listen and see if we can help get things sorted.

We’ll also be at the ‘finance seminar’ area at 2pm on each day of the show to answer all of your questions. If you missed us at the show, there’s plenty of ways to get in touch…

Telephone: 0300 123 9 123 or 0800 023 4567Email: [email protected]: financial-ombudsman.org.ukFacebook: Financial Ombudsman ServiceTwitter: @financialombuds

Left to right: Venetia Trayhurn, Keith Taylor, Michael Goldberg


TRUE STORY COMPETITION WINNER--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

by ‘Isabella Rose’

When my first son was born, I was over the moon with delight. Money was tight, and the house mostly unfurnished, but I didn’t care. This little miniature person that our love had created, grasped my finger with surprising strength in his tiny hand. And when he looked at me with beautiful if slightly unfocused blue eyes, I was thrilled.

He filled all my waking hours. And kept

me up half the night. Until I turned into a

zombie. Exhausted and not realising the

dry cough signified that I was ill, I went

shopping. Then struggling to carry a large

wicker shopping basket, I started walking

home.

Mr Warren came dashing out the shop

after me –‘Haven’t you forgotten some-

thing.’ He pointed to my pram, where a

stranger was cooing over my son.

Whoops! How could I forget the light

of my life? After that fiasco, I had to learn

to catnap on the rare occasions when

my son slept. But I couldn’t shake a dry

cough.

In the 1950s life was very regimented

by unwritten social rules. Monday was the

weekly wash day. And without a boiler,

let alone a washing machine this did take

all day. Lonnie Donegan used a glass

washboard in his act and I sang, ‘My old

man’s a dustman’ as I used one to clean

my husband’s shirts.

Pegging out the washing, I was

stunned to discover an unwritten rule.

My neighbour said, “You can’t peg your

husband’s pants on the line next to your

knickers. It’s not done!”

I laughed, but she was serious. So I had

to conform. Luckily, she didn’t object to

a daily line of flapping muslin and terry

towelling nappies.

Tuesday was ironing, which I tried to

cut down by not ironing the whole of

every sheet - just the top which showed.

And drip drying our underwear. I sang

nursery rhymes to my son as I worked. We

didn’t have a television, or a telephone,

only a radio.

Wednesday was for baking

the whole week’s cakes. Jam

tarts, pies, both savoury and

dessert and even making bread.

It cost less to heat the oven only

once. And we cooked dinners on

top of the stove.

Thursday was housework,

but it was difficult to keep to

a schedule with a baby. It was

a great day when my husband

finally managed to buy me a sec-

ond hand vacuum cleaner. And

a twin tub washing machine.

Whoopee!

Friday was the day for chang-

ing bed linen, brushing down

the stairs and polishing the lino

in the hall.

Saturday was for catching up

on chores yet undone. And mak-

ing my own dresses on a Singer

sewing machine. Every night I

clicked knitting needles making

baby clothes.

Sunday was for church, long

walks and visiting relatives. Life

was regimented and children

went to Sunday school.

Three months after my son

was born, I was admitted to

a sanatorium with rapid tuberculosis.

Apparently, I caught it from my mother

in law, when I was seven months preg-

nant. She was admitted several months

later but was discharged after about six

months. I was still struggling to survive.

When I most needed help, I was ‘spe-

cialled’ for 3 days and nights and checked

up on every half hour for a fortnight. The

nurses worked in shifts and thankfully I

was never left alone. I was terrified and

was aware that when I tried to talk blood

bubbled out my mouth. I knew this was

the crisis point.

I wasn’t expected to live, I was even

offered the last rites, but refused them. I

believed that negative vibes would affect

the way I thought and probably would

finish me off.

An out of body experience after three

months flat bed rest, not even being

allowed to lift my head off the pillow,

was the turning point. I floated above my

body and saw a bright white light. I didn’t

Motherhood saved my life


v

want to look down at my face. I knew that

if I didn’t pull myself downwards back

into my body, I would die, but it was a

huge physical effort.

When I opened my eyes the nurse

screamed. “Gosh, you made me jump, I

thought I’d lost you. I was just going to

fetch the doctor because you haven’t

had a pulse for a full five minutes. I’m so

pleased you’re back with me.”

The fact that I had a loving husband

and a small baby son to go home to, kept

me fighting to survive. I simply refused to

believe that I would die. I knew that the

odds were stacked against me, so I said a

lot of prayers. And tried not to worry my

husband who travelled eighteen miles to

visit me every evening.

Doctors told me that X-rays taken in

bed showed that all I had left unscarred

was one inch of my left lung – no one

knew why my lungs hadn’t collapsed.

There is no doubt that the NHS saved my

life.

My husband and I could never have

afforded to pay for all the expensive

streptomycin injections. Or the heroin to

help me sleep, let alone pay for nursing.

I was left in the open air, the doors and

windows were never closed even in the

fog. Or the snow. And wasps were a men-

ace and tried to sting me in the summer.

I was an easy target. I dreamed of the day

that I would go home with my husband

and see my beautiful baby boy again.

After nearly a year, he was growing fast.

I had to rely on family and friends to tell

me how he was getting on.

I became ugly on the medication to

alter my metabolism, so that I ate more. I

had become skeletal, but I slowly began

to put on weight. I ate anything and also

other people’s helpings, if they didn’t

want them. Soon my moon shaped face

broke out in spots.

When I had my hair cut short to make

it easier for the nurses to shampoo, by

my hanging my head over the edge of

the bed (I was allowed to sit up in bed for

this rare treat) at first a doctor didn’t

recognise me, then he said. ‘Good grief,

what have you done to yourself. You’ve

aged ten years overnight.’

It took months to grow my hair back

to a decent length when I was finally

allowed to sit up.

A year later, I surprised all the

doctors by being discharged on my

feet. Not in a pine box as they had

predicted. I could breathe easily and

even run. I took medication and I had

a regular checks for the next ten years.

The outside world was a shock after the

peace and quiet of the sanatorium. As

I walked on pavements, traffic rushing

by would make me jump.

‘Your will to live is quite exceptional,’

said the doctor who discharged me. ‘A

lot of people faced with all your prob-

lems would have just given up. Only

your tremendous fight to get well, so

that you could see your baby son grow

up, saved you. I have had people not as

poorly as you, who didn’t make it.’

So, without him even knowing, my

baby son saved my life.

I’m now 79 with breathing troubles

as radiation treatment after a cancer

operation damaged my lungs. Health

wise, fate threw me a curved ball. My

handsome husband is 81 and we are

still in love.

My son whose existence forced me to

fight to live, against impossible odds, is still

my best friend.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------TRUE STORY COMPETITION WINNER


TRUE STORY COMPETITION JOINT RUNNER-UP--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

by James Meigham

In our busy world, silence can be one of the few things that can bring peace and perspective into our lives. We often long just to stop, take a deep breath, be still and enjoy a moment of clarity, of beauty and have some uncluttered quiet thoughts of our own.

Sometimes though, silence can be

overpowering, intimidating, prolonged

and surreal. In those moments silence

can scream the loudest, and make us

painfully aware of our situations, our

limitations and the circumstances we

cannot change. Mary heard that scream

deep inside her head. She had stopped

hearing his voice and could no longer see

his face properly. As pain and anguish

swept over her, Mary struggled for

control. She felt Gary’s hand slide

into in hers, glanced across and

saw the same pain reflected in his

eyes. She allowed herself to drift

into the safe room. She had been

here many times before, a place

where sanity could survive, a place

where everyone was okay. Here

she could take a breath, regroup,

find strength for today, hope for

tomorrow and emerge as if from a dream

and face the next challenge. It was how

she coped, how they had coped together

but it felt different this time. She couldn’t

feel anything but despair and she heard

an inner voice cry out loudly for mercy.

“Not by baby, please God, not my little

boy.”

“We have done everything we can,” he

had said. “Now, it’s just a matter of time.”

Did he really say that?

“How much time do we have?” She

heard herself ask.

Before he answered she knew, they

both knew. This kind man had led them

through some of their darkest moments.

He had always been honest and had

treated them with integrity and compas-

sion. A serious heart disorder had been

identified in the womb, a condition that

would need a series of complicated

procedures. He had walked them through

every stage, explained the dangers, the

complications. He never promised them

anything but his best. They, in turn,

had endured it all. Careers were put on

hold, the journey began and a pattern

emerged. Consultations, options, deci-

sions made and agreed. Hours of waiting,

worrying, hoping, waiting on the call to

hear how surgery had gone. Sleepless

nights and long hard days waiting to see

their beautiful boy, to see his eyes open,

his smile and feel his little hand grab hold

of their finger. Another day to be thankful

for, but not today!

Gary gripped her hand tighter. For

the first time there was no next step, no

reprieve, but Mary was somehow calm.

As they left the room she somehow

found herself wrapped in the arms of her

mother, and they were led to the family

room where Gary explained the situation

to both sets of parents. He had rehearsed

this in his mind’s eye several times, but

now it felt as if someone else was speak-

ing.

“There is no easy way to say this, but

James has fought his last battle and as

difficult as it is, we now have to prepare

ourselves to say our final goodbye to our

brave little boy.”

At that moment the Chaplain entered

the room. Keith had been a constant

source of support, encouragement

and even fun. Mary reckoned that the

children’s hospital had stripped him of

everything that smacked of organised

religion and left him with real insight into

real needs. He was a welcome presence

and she wanted him there to help her son

make his final journey.

“These are precious moments,” he

said, “we can never get them back and

we need to savour them, handle them

well. Mary and Gary will have occasion to

look back on this day and I want them to

know in their hearts that they honoured

their little boy with a proper and tender

goodbye. In a few minutes they will take

us into the room and Mary and Gary will

have James in their arms. We will all have

a chance to say our goodbyes, before

leaving to give Mary and Gary time alone

with James.”

In the room the Nurses had turned

the monitors away from where the family

would gather. Mary glanced around

her family. Every one of them had

been a rock but now they were

floundering, not knowing what to

do or say. Keith took charge and the

atmosphere in the room changed.

Mary sensed it, there was a peace,

a reassurance, and instinctively she

knew she was ready for the hardest

moment in her life.

The chaplain nodded to the nurse and

took James and as he placed him in his

mother’s arms, he said, “Hi little one, look

who’s here to see you” he paused.

“When we become parents we start

out thinking that we in time will teach

our children all about life, but when we

enter into the surreal world of a children’s

hospital and are faced with endless days

of maybe tomorrows, it is in fact the truth,

that in many respects our children teach

us what life is all about, what is precious,

what is worth fighting for. Know this,

The final silence


by Jean Livingstone

v

v

Mary, your little boy has never learned

to hate, judge others, or feel jealous. All

he has known is love and that’s what he

takes with him and that is what he leaves

you with. I know we all come from differ-

ent backgrounds, but many of us hope

that somewhere on the other side of eter-

nity our loved ones are safe and waiting

for us. That’s the hope we have for James,

that he can run skip and dance with other

children, be all the things he couldn’t be

on this earth and one day get the chance

to show mum and dad around the place.”

Without breaking stride he came and

knelt between Mary and Gary and bless-

ed their baby boy, naming him as one of

God’s children, loved and cherished.

Mary began to speak.

“Hi little one, can you hear me. Daddy

and mummy love you so much. You

fought well and were so brave and we

wanted you to stay and grow up strong

and have adventures. Oh the things we

were going to do together. Hear your

first words, see your first walk, and all

the little milestones we were going to

celebrate with you. I’ve imagined taking

you to school, and dad wanted to teach

you how to kick a ball and how to catch

the tadpoles in the pond. We will never

get that chance but you make sure you

do that upstairs. Tell God you need to

visit your mum sometimes to let us know

you’re okay. We love you, will always love

you and will always miss you, our brave

little boy. Sweet dreams.”

Everyone somehow knew to leave.

One by one the umbilical chords of life

that had held James to this world were

removed. The nurses left Mary and Gary

alone with their precious little bundle

and the machines fell silent.

And in the silence a mother lovingly

held her baby boy.

As I hold your hand Mum, you slumber

gently. You are rested and relaxed. It’s

late, but I feel I want to talk, to tell you

how I feel. I’m sorry if I’m disturbing your

rest, although you seem to be sleeping, I

hope you can hear.

I want to thank you for everything.

You have always been there for me,

supported me, been proud of me.

You have given me self-esteem,

confidence and humility. You

and Dad gave me the best

childhood. I had chances and choices

that made me who I am today.

I know there were times I caused you

to worry. Times I was not the best I could,

or should have been. I guess that, that is

all part of growing up. Sure, you got mad,

who wouldn’t?! Although, you never

stopped loving me. You never stopped

supporting me. You never stopped caring

for me.

Remember the time I wanted to go

out in the dress that I had bought from

that trendy boutique in town? I loved it,

It was just so ‘of the times’. You thought

it was way too short. Remember, we

rowed? Over Dad’s head, from one end of

the room to the other! Dad was trying to

keep out it of it, as was his way.

Looking back, of course I know that

you were only ever worried about my

safekeeping. It isn’t easy to understand

that, when you are a teenager experi-

menting with life and boundaries.

I love your wisdom Mum, the

quiet way you have helped. Not

just me but countless others.

Sometimes, in a quiet, almost im-

perceptible way. Although, when

needed, you can be really ferocious!

Your second sense is something

to be reckoned with too. Woe betide

anyone who does not take notice of how

you ‘feel’ about things. You are seldom

wrong. Dad and I both knew to our cost,

that we should have listened more.

Please don’t worry about me Mum.

I will be fine. William and I are a good

team. We grow as time goes on. We jog

along nicely. Bit like you and Dad have

done. I know you worry that I don’t have

children, but, I really will be okay. Wil-

liam’s family love me and care for me.

As I hold your hand Mum, you slumber

gently. You are rested and relaxed. It’s

late, but I feel I want to talk, to tell you

how I feel. I’m sorry if I’m disturbing your

rest, although you seem to be sleeping, I

hope you can hear.

A nurse pops in and checks how things

are. It is really late and it is so quiet. Just a

few checks Mum, they won’t be a minute.

I’m right here Mum. I’ll keep hold of your

hand.

I notice the nurse looks more serious. I

smile as she, like all the others, have been

so kind and so very caring. Suddenly, she

shakes her head. “I’m so sorry,” she says,

“your Mum has gone.”

Disbelief hits me hard. Your hand, still

warm in mine. How can this be true? But,

true it is. Your life ebbed away in the still

of the night. So very quietly, and so very

peacefully. I never even knew. You never

did like a fuss.

What on earth does anyone say at

times like these? I’m sure there are things

that you probably should say or even

wish that you had said. The only thing I

said and I remember it so clearly, was “Oh

Mum, you snook away.” And, you did.

Some hours later, I leave you. In the

darkness of the hospice grounds, a

nearby owl hoots loudly. It is like a final

farewell. Perhaps it was. In my head, or

maybe my heart, I feel you are close. You

whisper ‘I hope you can hear ’.

And,

I can.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TRUE STORY COMPETITION JOINT RUNNER-UP

TRUE STORY COMPETITION JOINT RUNNER-UP

I hope you can hear

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Your Total _______

The

Awards 201550+

What the voters said about the 50+ Awards

The 50+ awards are a good thing as people in general are living much longer (I hope).

Glad that someone is asking us over 50s our opinion as we are an opinionated bunch and our opinions should be valued.

That winning feeling...


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the 50+ show guide magazine london july 2015

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