Garden waste
WOULDN’T YOU like to spend more time
enjoying your garden and less time travelling to tips to dispose
of all that bulky garden waste?
Charnwood Borough Council has introduced a new scheme to help
you do this. For just 50p per week, or £26 per year, you
will be able to lease a brown wheelie bin and dispose of as much
garden waste as it will hold every fortnight. Simply put the
brown wheelie bin on the edge of your property on recycling week
and it will be emptied and replaced.
Cllr Jill Vincent, Lead Member for Recycling said: “Already
we have seen a very positive response to our Garden Waste Service
and in the past week along over 300 residents have already signed
up to the scheme.”
If you order your bin before September 30, 2004 you can take
advantage of our Introductory Offer of ‘Buy Now and get
18 months for the price of 12’. Just call 01509 634 563
or join online at www.charnwood.gov.uk.
WEA courses
THE BIRSTALL and Rothley branch of the
WEA are running two courses at Longslade Community College and
two at the Rothley Centre, starting week commencing September
20.
Leicestershire in the Middle Ages is a 10 week course on a Monday
evening. Leicestershire has always been at the heart of historical
events, playing a central role in the nation’s development.
Richard Whitmore will examine the conditions and times of both
ordinary people and the famous, such as Richard III, who lived
in Leicestershire during the medieval period. There may be a
chance for fieldwork during this course.
The Autumn & Winter Night Sky. Lift off for a guided tour
of the universe, starting at the earth, moon and planets, calling
at the sun, stars and galaxies with Ann Bonnell of the Leicester
Astronomical Society. The course will be of interest to beginners
and those with some knowledge. This is a six week course to be
held on a Thursday evening.
Two courses will be held at the Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane,
Rothley. On Tuesday mornings the subject is Communications along
the Soar Valley. The River Soar has been a natural route for
hundreds of years. Bob Payne will explore the history of transport
and communications along the valley, focusing on the development
of turnpike, navigation and railway in the 18th & 19th centuries,
along with the social and economic effects of these changes on
the local community.
Lastly, on Wednesday evenings our popular tutor Janis Baker will
be back with a course entitled ‘Mavericks’. This course
takes a look at some moments in art history when like minded
artists came together to rebel against established contemporary
thinking to create original and powerful paintings. We will focus
on specific groups of artists, for example the Camden Town Group
and the Glasgow Boys. No expert knowledge is required - just
a lively and open minded interest in art!
To obtain further information on these courses, fees and for
details on how to enrol, pick up a brochure or leaflet at your
local library, log on to our website at www.birstallandrothleywea.org.uk
or tel 0116 2675086 or 01509 813005.
Finds at Watermead
LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY Council’s Archaeological
Services Team have produced a small travelling exhibition describing
the exciting findings from recent excavations at Watermead County
Park.
The display has three large panels which illustrate how archaeologists
from the University of Leicester uncovered important prehistoric
and Anglo-Saxon remains during early phases of gravel extraction
within the park after two human skulls were found.
The travelling display is a condensed version of a detailed exhibition,
which will open at Charnwood Museum, Loughborough on Saturday
September 4, 2004. This larger exhibition will display a selection
of the finds from the site, including the two human skulls and
a neck vertebra with knife cut marks.
The remains include a Bronze Age ‘burnt mound’ complex,
which may have been a cooking site, an early Anglo-Saxon foot
bridge and prehistoric human and animal bones. Organic remains,
including microscopic seeds and pollen, which normally rot away,
have survived in the airless layers of an old course of the River
Soar. Due to the delicate nature of these remains the finds themselves
will not be in the travelling exhibition.
Ernie White, the County Council’s Cabinet member for Community
Services said: “In addition to providing enormous pleasure
today for many people, one of the most significant aspects of
this site is the information it gives us about the types of animals
and plants living with our ancient ancestors thousands of years
ago. It’s great that the people who live near the park and
visit it regularly can go to their local library to find out
more about Watermead’s past”.
Both exhibitions were paid for by the Aggregates Sustainability
Levy Fund.
The travelling exhibition is currently on show at Birstall Library.
It will be moved from Birstall to Syston Library on October 4.
Open day
LONGSLADE COLLEGE’S Open Day in June
saw staff and students working together to create events and
activities on a range of themes across the campus.
Pic: Katie Borrett and Kerry Jones
(left) with cakes they made.
Pic:
Science teacher Paul Peach demonstrates
a light gate to Luke Dale (13), Nathan Dale (10) and their grandfather
Brian Sharpe
Principal Dr Mike Griffiths said: “Many visitors commented
on the buzz about the place and appreciated the friendly, yet
focused environment.”
Grants for home insulation
HOMES ACROSS Charnwood will soon be warmer,
cheaper to heat and more environmentally friendly following the
launch of a new energy efficiency campaign.
The HEAT Charnwood campaign has been launched to provide large
grants and heavily discounted prices to insulate loft and cavity
walls.
Supported by Charnwood Borough Council, homeowners and private
tenants taking part in the HEAT Charnwood campaign will benefit
by not only improving the insulation and energy efficiency levels
in their home, but will also save money by lowering heating bills
as well as significantly reducing levels of potentially harmful
carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere.
People taking part in the project will receive a grant, providing
a significant proportion of the cost of undertaking the insulation
work, and it is estimated that once that work has been done,
heating bills could be reduced by up to 35 per cent.
Before the launch of the HEAT campaign, which is now supported
by over 100 local authorities across the UK, many millions of
pounds were wasted annually by homeowners as a result of poor
insulation levels. It is estimated the average poorly insulated
house wastes around £200 per year on fuel. By installing
loft insulation, savings can be made of up to 30% on fuel consumption
and around 35% on cavity wall insulation.
“The HEAT Charnwood campaign is designed to not only make
homes more energy efficient, making them cheaper to heat, but
will also benefit the environment by reducing the levels of potentially
harmful carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere”,
said Anna Warmington of the HEAT Charnwood Campaign.
“Few people realise that the average home pumps out more
carbon dioxide every year than a car, so to be able to reduce
fuel bills, whilst at the same time reducing pollution levels
locally is a real advantage”.
Cllr Betty Newton, Lead Member for Housing, said “What we
need homeowners and private tenants across Charnwood to do now
is contact the HEAT Charnwood Campaign hotline so that we can
assess the grant levels that they are entitled to”.
For further information on the HEAT Campaign call 0800 093 40
50.
Methodist church news
Visa Delay for New Methodist Minister
The new Methodist Minister Rev Edward Sakwe finally arrived into
Heathrow from Cameroon (West Africa) on Wednesday August 18,
almost two months after he was originally expected.
Although he applied in good time, initially, some of his family
were refused a Visa to enter the UK. It has taken endless and
protracted efforts, which, at one stage involved the local MP
to eventually resolve the difficulty.
Plans had been made for him to spend some weeks with his family
at the College of the Ascension in Birmingham. He was then to
have moved to Birstall, having almost a full month here in the
community before taking up his duties from September 1.
He finally arrived in Birstall on Friday August 20, when he moved
into the Park Road manse, with his wife (Esther) and family Lucella
(a girl aged 8), Masoma (a boy aged 6) and Jemea (a girl aged
3). Also with them is Electa (a girl aged 14) whom Edward &
Esther took into their family in 1996 following her parents’
death.
It will be a big change for the family, in addition to changes
to the life of the church, but the members and friends at the
Methodist Church are looking forward to welcoming the family.
His welcome service is at 2.30pm on Sunday September 5.
Carpenters Arms
£385 was raised for the Carpenters Arms at the Garden Party
held on Saturday August 7 at the home of Mary & Trevor Downs.
The Carpenters Arms is a short stay hostel for the homeless in
Wharncliffe Road Loughborough. As you may guess from the title,
the premises used to be a Public House.
Holiday Club
60 youngsters took part in the Holiday Club, which ran for a
week every morning in mid August on the Methodist premises. This
was a joint venture with St James, and followed the theme of
a ‘Time Train’.
Historic Churches Bike Ride
Although the Methodist Church can hardly be described as ‘historic’
it will be open, along with many other churches in the county
on Saturday September 11. This is a sponsored event and half
of the money goes to the Historic Churches Trust, who help maintain
many of the older churches in the city and county. Further details
tel: 2207045.
Jack & the Beanstalk
Practices for the 2005 Men’s Pantomime begin on Thursday
September 23 at 8pm
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Your Say...
ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour makes peoples’ lives a misery and
blights communities. It isn’t fair that the selfish few
- the louts, the yobs, and the nuisance neighbours - should be
allowed to ride roughshod over everyone else. Graffiti, litter
and abandoned cars foster an environment where crime and anti-social
behaviour can thrive.
Tackling anti-social behaviour is a priority for the Government
and we have taken steps to give organisations the powers and
resources to win back their communities.
The tough new laws in the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, with
measures such as the closure of crack houses and dispersal of
intimidating groups gives communities the powers to combat this
blight and sends out a strong message that anti-social behaviour
will be tackled not tolerated.
In every town there are people and organisations who are already
making a real difference tackling anti-social behaviour in their
communities - helping in a youth centre, running a residents’
group or Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, or organising community
clean-ups.
We want to recognise and support this work which is why we are
running the Taking A Stand Award scheme for the second year.
I am asking the public to nominate local people who have decided
enough is enough - people who have decided to tackle anti-social
behaviour and help to put a stop to it.
Entries for the Taking A Stand Awards are invited until September
28. The overall winner will receive £5,000 and the additional
100 winners nationwide will receive £1,000 to help fund
their local anti-social behaviour projects. Winners will also
be offered a specialist programme to help build their skills
and confidence in tackling other local problems and help people
in a similar situation.
Do you know of a likely candidate or local group that deserves
recognition, or are you one yourself? Call 0800 085 2980 or visit
www.takingastand.org for a nomination form. We’d love to
hear from you.
Together we can beat anti-social behaviour. It’s time to
Take A Stand.
Hazel Blears MP
Minister of State, Home Office
There has been extremely bad weather recently. Therefore more
details of the balancing ponds should be given. Where are the
nearest balancing ponds? Where can we see two balancing ponds,
connected by a bridge? Will these ponds solve drainage problems
on an estate built where there is a 3 way incline?
Anglia water is putting in larger pipes in Market Harborough
so why can’t Severn Trent do the same in Hallam fields?
When Loughborough put forward this building plan several years
ago the plan included cutting down trees and constructing a bus
lane through red circle island. This implied that the bus lanes
would be new constructed bus lanes. Loughborough was sure that
their plan would attract funding from Central Government when
Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council agreed
on the 4 Park & Rides that would ease traffic congestion
in Leicester. It has become clear that Leicester City Council
and Leicestershire County Council are not co-operating. The saga
of the 4 Park & Rides is endless and Central Government is
not releasing any cash.
Loughborough is apparently solving some of Leicester’s traffic
problems, but their only plan to solve Loughborough’s traffic
problems is the advice to get on the bus. However Loughborough
does not tell us how a full-size bus can provide a service on
narrow bendy roads on the Hallam Fields estate.
In January 2005 there is an Act “The Freedom of Information
Act (FOI)” How will this Act fare against the Data Protection
Act?
Les Briers
Perhaps you could find out why there are notices on Loughborough
Rd and School Lane directing us to ‘The Mulberry Tree’.
These signs are very similar to Heritage signs being brown with
white writing on. The only difference I can see, there isn’t
a daisy in the corner.
I have written to the Parish Council about them, but they have
not replied. Why should one public house/restaurant have this
advantage over the other establishments we have in Birstall?
And who paid for these signs?
Mrs K Edmands
A county council spokesman responded: “The signing for the
Mulberry Tree was paid for by the owners. This type of signing
is provided where attractions or facilities meet County Council
guidelines, particularly where finding the establishment can
be difficult. The requirements include facilities for families
and disabled people and endorsement of the local tourist association.”
Regarding the comments made about Birstall Gala and Gunns
Gym I would like to reply by saying I, Carl Gunns, went out of
my to publicise the Gala on radio and in the press. This was
good for the village and the response was terrific. I spent a
lot of my own money getting Del Boy and other people to donate
etc and am delighted with the end product. In this world publicity
counts and although I agree about the loud music putting people
off on the Saturday, Sunday was great and I for one would like
to thank the Parish Council for organisation of the event, I
can’t wait for next year
Yours in sport
Carl Gunns, Chairman of Gunns Gym Birstall
As a spokesman for residents on the Lawn estate, Lambourne
Road and Orchard Road area of Birstall on the subject of bus
service number 99.
I would like to thank all the people who have given their time
to assist me in getting justice for the above area.
This has been a victory not easily won and I would like to thank
Councillor Roger Wilson for his tireless support. Finally I would
ask you to support the present and the new forthcoming service
at every opportunity.
Raymond J Hunt
In reply to Ms Garland’s letter ‘One day gala’.
I agree with Ms Garland. The Birstall Gala was not advertised
at all apart from a banner on Loughborough Road hidden in the
hedge of the park.
Unlike Ms Garland I have experienced the first day of the gala
before and so held little hope that it would have improved and
I was right, it was commented that there was more of a crowd
when the cricket teams play on any other Saturday.
Sunday was a better turn out with a variety of stalls and amusements
the highlight of which was I thought Del Boy, who was brought
in by Carl Gunns who tried to bring a bit of extra to the Gala,
as for Carl Gunns taking over at least he put in a bit of effort
and provided something other than that of a car boot stall. Perhaps
those that are in charge of the organisation of this event should
take a leaf out of his book! Keep up the good work that you are
doing in the village Carl...
Name & address supplied
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is looking for special
people who enjoy walking to turn their hobby into a charity fundraiser
and organise a Walkabout sponsored walk.
The BHF needs more people to step up and help organise walks
in and around Leicestershire as part of its Walkabout series.
Whether people rally round friends and family for a leisurely
sponsored stroll or arrange a brisk work walk at lunchtime, the
where, when and who is up to them - all we ask is that people
let us know and get sponsored and we’ll offer as much support
and help as they need.
We really do need help.
Almost every family in the country has been touched directly
or indirectly by heart disease. Everyone’s heart is precious,
anyone’s heart can break. We mend broken hearts through
our extensive programme of research, education and patient care
but we can’t do it without the support of our team of dedicated
volunteers who allow us to put on more events and raise even
more money.
If any of your readers would like to organise a walk so that
the BHF can mend even more hearts, they can phone me on 0116
2376011 for an informal chat.
Rachel Porritt
Area Organiser, British Heart Foundation
Many thanks to all who have wished us well and supported us
through the passing of the beloved Dr T V Raivadera. We keep
him in our thoughts.”
From the Raivadera family
As the storm of recent news reports shows, it appears that
the only certainty older people and their families face when
it comes to obtaining and paying for care is that it will be
a confusing and daunting experience.
The chaos over who pays for care continues unbated and the real
losers are older people and their families who are left feeling
vulnerable at the time when they need support most.
The government has admitted that some people have wrongly paid
for their care and the NHS has set aside up to £180 million
to compensate them. The cases that have been identified so far
may just be the tip of the iceberg and there may be other people
paying for care costs that should in fact be met by the health
service.
Older people who are entering or already in care and who are
confused about their fees or feel they are paying wrongly need
good independent advice. The Help the Aged Care Fees Advice Helpline
can help people find their way around the complex system of funding
care. Readers can telephone freephone 0500 76 74 76 for further
information.
Philip Spiers
Help the Aged Care Fees Advice Service
Oh dear! What a sad, sad letter from Mavis Garland criticising
the Birstall Gala!
Apparently she was disappointed that the Saturday event, which
from the very first Gala, has always been a young people’s
event, was not to her taste.
Before she wrote her letter, I wonder if she considered that
over the course of the last twelve months, a small number of
people (mainly parish councillors) had given up hundreds of hours
of their time to organise the event. Over the weekend of the
Gala, some of them worked for 16 hours a day. All on a voluntary
basis, without any thought of being paid or having their name
‘in lights’,
A former parish council chairman, Nigel Coleman, originally conceived
the idea of the Gala as a ‘village event’, not a parish
council event. He and his successors in later years asked for
members of the public to serve on the organising committee. Just
two have done so in four years.
Not Mavis Garland, nor any of the other people who have been
critical of the parish council in this paper during the last
year, like the infamous ‘J Smith’ and his family.
“No”, they said “Let THEM (ie parish councillors)
do all the work. We’ll just sit on our backsides, do nothing
and then criticise.”
The Gala is not perfect. Some things (notably publicity) could
be improved. The organising committee learn something new every
year - but only after working very, very hard. And after many
hundreds of people have had a very good time.
Perhaps Mrs Garland will remember that the next time she feels
the need to complain.
Peter West
We are looking for three players to represent your county
at the UK Shuffleboard Championships to be held as part of the
Eastbourne Beer Festival, October 7-9, 2004 on the glorious South
Coast.
Played in Tudor England over 500 years ago, Shuffleboard was
a favourite pastime of Henry VIII. Old in concept with the added
spice of having once been illegal, and now above-board and in
revival with the UK’s first championships taking place in
Eastbourne in October.
The object of the game is to slide 30 concave beechwood discs
down a long narrow board through gaps into the scoring area.
The team with the highest aggregate score wins.
The Eastbourne Beer Festival is seeking to host the first Shuffleboard
Championships, and is an ideal venue as it already offers a wide
range of family entertainment, pub games and over 100 real ales,
ciders, wines and beers from around the world. Coupled with a
celebration of international culture and cuisine, visitors can
enjoy a traditional Oktoberfest style evening or sample the delights
of food and drink from faraway continents.
So come on you budding shuffleboard players, if you are 18 plus,
come on down to Eastbourne and help your county become the first
UK County Champions.
To enter, visit www.englishshuffleboard.co.uk or telephone 01273
564375. Teams should enter as soon as possible since places are
limited. For information on Eastbourne Beer Festival and accommodation
packages, visit www.eastbournebeerfestival.co.uk or telephone
01323 412000.
Adrian Williams
The English Shuffleboard Co.
Are you a senior citizen who is facing financial difficulty?
If so, we may be able to help. There’s an old saying that
“old age doesn’t come alone”. Certainly it can
bring with it real hardship. If you are having problems in making
ends meet, there may be a solution.
For many years Charity Search has been giving free advice to
elderly individuals in need by linking them with appropriate
charities that might help them. There are many charities nationwide,
and it is possible that one of them may be willing to assist
you.
To find out if we can help to solve your problem, or maybe that
of someone you know, please write to us at: Charity Search, FREEPOST
(BS6610), Avonmouth, Bristol BS11 9TW - no stamp needed.
This could be one of the important letters you have every written.
Wendy Wiltshire, Charity Search
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Nature Notes
The grass on the lawn, which I had attacked with gusto and
a blunt mower the week before, was as long as ever. All those
weeds which I had pulled out of the flower beds had spontaneously
regenerated, and all those seeds I had faithfully promised to
plant were still in their packets in the shop.
It was time for a fresh assault. I rolled up my sleeves, pulled
long-retired gardening tools from all those places where they
were hiding, and set to work. For a time mowing and hoeing, clipping
and raking occupied all my thoughts. Then I heard a sort of ‘Krrruk’
sound that I always associate with the alarm of the carrion crow
and, looking up, was in time to see a heron disappear over the
roof-tops. The next sound that penetrated was one that I never
expected to hear in a back garden: the excited calls of three
pairs of common terns.
It was in the 1960s and over 100 miles away when and where I
saw my ‘first’ inland terns. There were three of them
following a meandering stream on its way to the Thames. I did
not quite believe it, and still have my doubts. Then less than
a mile away, a scaup (a sea-going duck) took up residence in
a local pond. Within a couple of years I saw a flock of terns
over what was to become many years later the Birstall Lakes.
By the 1980s cormorants became a problem for inland fishermen,
and now common terns breed regularly inland and may be seen almost
anywhere.
In the late 1950s it was widely believed (and set out then in
all the books in print) that the only inland tern was the uncommon
black tern, only to be seen on migrations. Cormorants behaved
in a proper manner by depleting fish stocks at sea, and were
rewarded be being shot by deep-sea fishermen. Gulls only came
inland if there was a storm, except for a few that penetrated
a short way up our estuaries and then went back to where they
belonged. But then, goshawks were said to be rare visitors when
in fact they were rare breeders, and nobody had ever heard of
a collared dove.
So - did the ancients get it all wrong, or have things changed?
If they have changed, is it all down to global warming?
In fact things have changed and none of the changes can be attributed
to global warming. Bird populations thrive where there is plenty
of food for them, where predation is low to moderate, and where
disease is infrequent. It has been said many times that rubbish
tips attract gulls, but think of all those fish that stock inland
waterways, and all that pollution and overfishing that has decimated
fish stocks around our coasts. The sparrowhawk, once nearly poisoned
out of existence in this country, is now THE common bird of prey
in our towns and cities.
Whilst some have come in, others have left. The wryneck and red-backed
shrike left long ago; our farmyard pesticides have (indirectly?)
reduced bird populations in some places almost to vanishing point;
and our song thrushes are rapidly becoming someone else’s.
House sparrow broods die for lack of food frequently. it all
makes for an interesting time.
By Finch
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Age Concern Info
Age Concern’s Information and Advice
Service
This Service run by Age Concern Leicestershire and Rutland can
help you with: Money Matters * Welfare Benefits * Housing &
Property * Residential & Nursing Care * Leisure & Social
Activities * Family & Personal Matters * Your Rights * Local
Services * Most other issues that affect your quality of life.
The Information and Advice Service is Free * Independent * Confidential
Tel: 0116 2992233 to speak with an advisor or make an appointment.
Opening hours Monday 1.30-4.30pm, Tuesday 1.30-4.30pm, Thursday
1.30-4.30pm, Friday 1.30-4pm.
Appointments can be made for general advice, information and
form filling. For convenience, home visits can be arranged if
you are unable to go to the office. Waiting time varies according
to demand. Age Concern Factsheets are available on request (and
these can be seen at Birstall Library).
Age Concern Leicestershire and Rutland at Lansdowne House, 113
Princess Road East, Leicester LE1 7LA can also be contacted by
Fax : 0116 2992244.
Email : enquiries@ageconcernleics.com
www.ageconcernleis.com
Age Concern Leicestershire and Rutland Will
Writing Promotion
September 1 to October 31, 2004.
Writing a Will is something all of us should do. A Will ensures
that our wishes regarding any property or money we might have
are carried out and those we love and care for actually benefit.
A Will also enables us to plan such things as our funeral, again
making sure that everything is carried out as we intended.
Age Concern Leicestershire and Rutland would like to encourage
people in the 60+ age group to think seriously about drawing
up a Will. To this end the Charity has persuaded 28 firms of
solicitors based around the county to reduce their Will writing
price to £30 + VAT for a single, uncomplicated Will.
The Will writing promotion will run from September 1 -October
31, 2004 and anyone wanting more details should phone Age Concern
Leicestershire and Rutland on 0116 2992233.
Commenting, the Executive Director of Age Concern, Mr Anthony
Donovan said: “Most people appreciate that it is extremely
important to make a Will but either never get round to it or
continue to put it off on the basis that they are too young and
it is something that they will do when they are much older. Unfortunately
seven out of ten people die before they get round to it. By making
a Will you express your freedom of choice and determine who will
receive your money and property, rather that it being left to
the rules of law to decide.”
Getting Older - Feeling Good
This book is produced by the British Institute of Learning Disabilities
(BILD) as part of its Your Good Health series. It is aimed at
people with learning disabilities who are growing older. Using
both simple language and pictures, the book includes chapters
covering the themes of what it means to get older, staying healthy,
healthy eating, staying active in mind and body, having good
friends, looking good and feeling safe, getting extra help and
feelings about getting older.
Getting Older - Feeling Good 12pp Price £5.50 (plus 55p
p&p) ISBN : 190408270X. Available from BookSource, 32 Finlas
Street, Cowlairs Estate, Glasgow G22 5DU. Tel: 0870 2402182
Osteoarthritis Report
This report from Arthritis Care is based on the outcome of a
survey of 1,762 people with osteoarthritis in the United Kingdom.
Key findings from the survey are that:
81% of people surveyed said that they experience constant pain
or are limited in their scope to perform everyday tasks;
patient awareness of what can be done to help them is low;
diagnosis of osteoarthritis is slow;
of those taking prescribed medication, one quarter are also buying
over-the-counter treatment.
The report sets out in detail the results of the survey and makes
recommendations for both policy makers and people living with
osteoarthritis.
OA Nation : The Most Comprehensive UK Report of People with Osteoarthritis
20pp. Available free from Arthritis Care, 18 Stephenson Way,
London NW1 2HD. Tel: 020 7380 6500. Fax : 020 7380 6505. Also
available on the Internet at: http:11oanation.arthritiscare.org.uk/fileadmin/oa_nation/downloads/OA_nation_report.pdf
Pension Credit During a Temporary Stay Abroad
: Age Concern Campaign
Age Concern has launched a campaign to encourage the Government
to change the rules which currently state that Pension Credit
will normally stop if people are abroad for more than four weeks.
This rule can particularly affect older people from black and
ethnic minorities who wish to visit friends and family living
far away. Age Concern is arguing that the time be extended to
at least 13 weeks. A campaign leaflet has been produced.
Fair Pensions for All : Let’s Make Pension Credit Work Abroad.
6pp. Available on receipt of a (9”x6”) sae from Ray
Mitchell, Public Affairs Department, Age Concern England. Tel:
020 8765 7322. Email : mitcher@ace.org.uk. Also available on
the Internet at: www.ageconcern.org.uk?Age Concern/news_2866.htm.
Doorstep Selling : New Education Campaign
Launched
Following the issue of a report on its investigation into doorstep
selling, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) launched an education
campaign in July. The investigation found that many people who
buy on the doorstep or inside their homes are unprepared for
the powerful sales techniques that can trap them into buying
unsuitable or expensive products. The campaign highlights the
six most commonly used psychological tactics that doorstep salespeople
use. It aims to equip people with the information and skills
they need to deal with doorstep selling, and to understand their
legal rights, which vary depending on whether the visit was solicited
or unsolicited.
To support the campaign, the OFT has produced a leaflet giving
strategies that will help guard against pressure selling, and
a doorhanger to give an instant reminder to people of the three
key messages to remember whenever they open the door : to check
the seller’s identity; to take control by asking the questions;
and not to sign immediately but take time to think.
Your Doorstep, Your Decision. 13pp The leaflet and the doorhanger
are available free by calling 0870 606032 or on the internet
at www.oft/gov.uk/News/Press & releases/2004/111-04.htm
Health of Carers
The Princess Royal Trust published a new study in June to coincide
with Carers’ Week. The study looks at the health of carers
and is based on a survey of over 1000 carers. Almost half of
the carers who responded said they had health problems and over
a third suffered from depression.
Carers UK, in association with TNS Health Care, published a survey
simultaneously which looked at access to GP services for carers.
The survey found that only 37% of GPs keep a record of carers
and only 2% offer carers special appointments.
The four charities who organise Carers’ Week : Carers UK,
the Princess Royal Trust, Crossroads Caring for Carers and the
M5 Society, have written to all primary care trusts urging them
to improve services for carers.
Jex Woods
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