LINKLINE JULY 2010

PENSIONERS COMMUNITY LINK LAUNCH

LOWTON ST MARY’s

 CHURCH HALL

THURSDAY, 8 JULY 2010

10.00am – 12.00noon

There will be information on services available for the over 50’s, tasters on various activities.

Come along and join us and meet the members of Compassion in Action’s “Toaster” Coffee Morning.

Pensioners Link will then be available each week for drop-in for Information and Advice on issues affecting over 50’s, Advocacy, Social/Health/Educational Activities and Volunteering Opportunities.

For further details please ring Sue or Jeanette on 01942 261753.

WHAT’s YOUR SECRET?

So many of you must have been asked this question about how well you look. Why not send us some of your tips for a healthy, happy existence, and we will pass them on and even use them ourselves.

My forgetter’s getting better, but my rememberer is broke.

To you that may seem funny but, to me, that is no joke.
For when I’m here, I’m wondering if I really should be ‘there’

and, when I try to think it through I haven’t got a prayer!

I wrack my brain, but all in vain! A zero is my score.

Oft time I walk into a room, say ‘What am I here for?’
When shopping I may see someone, say ‘Hi’ and have a chat.

Then, when the person walks away, I ask myself ‘who the hell was that?’

‘100 CLUB’ DRAW – JUNE 2010
Drawn by Anne Deacon

First  53    Second  5    Third  39

Please note: Our July draw will be first in our next series of twelve. If you are quick, there may be a few numbers left – see Kevin Meekin at Pensioners Link with your £12.00 subscription covering the next twelve months. Thank you.

Warning in a church newsletter: “Don’t be surprised if you find mistakes. We aim to print something for everyone, and some people are always looking for mistakes”. This statement made us smile.

PENSIONERS LINK ACTIVITIES
Drop-In/Activities-Tyldesley
Tuesday, 10am-12.00noon at Ingleside, Upper George Street, Tyldesley.
Friendship Group – Leigh
Tuesdays 1.30pm to 3.30pm at Allan Taylor House, Charles Street, Leigh.
(Not 3rd Tues in month)
Tai Chi – Leigh
Tuesdays 2.00pm to 3.00pm at the Liberal Club, Church Street, Leigh.
Drop-In/|Activities–Worsley Mesnes
Tuesdays 1.30pm to 3.30pm at Eliot Gardens, Eliot Drive, Worsley Mesnes, Wigan.
Friendship Group – Wigan
Wednesdays 1.00pm to 2.30pm at Queens Hall Methodist Mission, Market Street, Wigan.
Friendship Group/Drop-In - Ince
Wednesdays 2.00pm to 4.00 pm at Ince Community Centre, Manchester Road, Wigan
Friday Coffee Morning - Leigh
Every Friday 10am to 12 noon at Allan Taylor House, Charles Street, Leigh. Call in for a chat and a cuppa!
Friday Friendship Group-Hindley
Every Friday 1.30pm to 3.30pm at the Hindley Family Church @ Bethel, Atherton Road, Hindley Green.
Friday Friendship Group - Leigh
Every Friday 2.00pm to 4.00pm at Allan Taylor House, Charles Street, Leigh. (Not 1st Friday in month).
Friendship group with social sessions, chat, games and speakers.

It is possible to arrange Ring & Ride block booking for all groups if sufficient numbers.
If you would like more information on any of our groups, please call Pensioners Link on 01942 261753.
Please note: Activities at our new mini-links will take place on the last drop-in of each month. Look out for information about the next three drop-ins to be opened shortly.

STANDISH OVER 60s WELFARE CLUB
are looking for new members.
They meet on Thursday evenings from 7.00pm to 8.30pm
at Standish Community Centre, Church Street, Standish.
Please ring 01257-422125
For further details.

TRAVEL TIPS
If you are going abroad on holiday, think ahead and make sure you won’t run out of any prescription drugs you need to take with you.
Also when self-catering, take a small bottle of washing-up liquid, a tea towel and a scourer, as local shops only sell big packs, which end up being wasted at the end of the holiday. If you are flying, you are restricted to 100mls of liquid in your hand luggage. When packing your suitcase, roll clothes instead of folding – that way you won’t get any creases.

CLEANING TEETH
‘BOOSTS HEART’
Researchers have warned that people who don’t brush their teeth at least twice a day are more than doubling the risk of heart disease.

VISA ENTRY FORMS FOR USA
Holidaymakers heading for America risk paying needlessly for travel papers they can get free. The electronic system for travel authorisation (Esta) form is part of the latest visa entry requirements for visitors from some countries, including the UK. It gives them the right to travel, although not automatically enter, the US and it became compulsory in January 2009. There is no charge and has to be applied for online. Beware, when you search the internet you are not directed to commercial websites, with no connection to the US Government, and they charge a fee for a so-called service.
For more information on Estas go to www.usembassy.org.uk.

VISA/MASTERCARD TELEPHONE SCAM
The scam works like this: Person calling says, “This is (name), and I’m calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, which I’m calling to verify.” After asking you to confirm some information they already have, e.g. your address, they say, “I need to verify you are in possession of your card.” He will then ask you to “turn your card over and look for some numbers.” These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. If you do get a telephone call similar to the above – hang up immediately and report to the police.

HARD OF HEARING?
Most common questions
“I miss visitors at my door as I cannot hear the doorbell. I cannot hear the telephone ringing and miss calls. I am worried that I will not hear the smoke alarm in event of a fire in my home. I cannot hear my alarm clock and have trouble waking in the mornings. I have tinnitus – how can I relieve the symptoms? I am getting interference from my mobile phone, what can help? I want to be able to view and record subtitles on television programmes and see subtitles on my video. I cannot always understand the dialogue on television/radio programmes. I cannot hear clearly on the telephone. I cannot hear conversations very well.” What products can help? Contact the RNID information line on 0808 808 0123 for more information on hearing services in your area, or try the www.rnid.org.uk.

BEE AND WASP STINGS
Prevent it: Avoid strong fragrances, cover sweet drinks, don’t wave your arms or try to swat the insect. Treat it: Scrape off the sting using a blunt surface (like the edge of a credit card). Wash with soap and water and cover with a cold flannel. Apply antihistamine cream to prevent itching and swelling. Take painkillers if it is very painful.
Get medical help: Go straight to you’re A&E if your tongue or lips swell, a rash develops on your body, or you suffer wheezing, fast heart rate, dizziness or difficulty swallowing. You could be having an allergic reaction. DON’T attempt to pinch out the sting as this risks spreading the poison.

STRAWBERRY JAM
Ingredients: (to make 4-6 jars)
2-lb strawberries
2-lb granulated sugar
Lemon juice
Small knob of butter
Method:
Slice strawberries and mix with 1-lb of sugar in bowl.
The next day, place clean jam jars on a rack in oven set to 140C/275/Gas1.
Pour strawberry/sugar mix into large pan, add remaining sugar and lemon juice. Stir over a gentle heat until sugar dissolves, then bring to boil until jam sets.
Turn off the heat, stir in butter and skim off scum. Let the jam cool and thicken.
Remove jars from oven. Stir jam, then ladle into jars. Seal the top surface of the jam in each jar with a waxed paper disc. Cover with a lid while still hot, label and store in a cool, dark cupboard.

GINGER SHORTBREAD
250g/8oz butter, softened
125g/4oz caster sugar
250g/4oz plain flour, sifted
2 teaspoons ground ginger
Caster sugar, for sprinkling
Cream together butter and sugar on a clean surface and gradually work in the sifted flour and ginger to form a dough. Knead until smooth. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 5mm/3/4 inch thick and cut into rounds (about 36). Place on a greased baking sheet. Bake 160C(325F), Gas 3 for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Sprinkle with caster sugar while still warm. Cool biscuits on a wire rack.

ANOTHER CLASSIC!
A woman walks into the benefits office, trailed by 15 kids. ‘Wow!’ the social worker exclaims, ‘Are they ALL yours?”. ‘Yeah they are all mine’, the flustered mother sighs, having heard that question a thousand times before. She says, ‘Sit down Terry.’ All the children rush to find seats.
‘Well,’ says the social worker, ‘then you must be here to sign up. I’ll need all your children’s names.’ ‘This one’s my oldest – he is Terry.’ ‘OK, and who’s next?’ ‘Well, this one he is Terry, also’.
The social worker raises an eyebrow but continues. One by one, through the oldest four, all boys, all named Terry. Then she is introduced to the eldest girl, named Terri. ‘All right, says the caseworker. ‘I’m seeing a pattern here. Are they ALL named Terri?’.
Their mother replied, ‘Well, yes – it makes it easier. When it is time to get them out of bed and ready for school, I yell, ‘Terry!’ ‘And when it’s time for dinner, I just yell ‘Terry!’ and they all come running. ‘And if I need to stop the kid who’s running into the street, I just yell ‘Terry’ and all of them stop. It’s the smartest idea I ever had, naming them all Terry.’
The social worker thinks this over a bit, then wrinkles her forehead and says tentatively, ‘But what if you just want ONE kid to come, and not the whole bunch?’
‘I call them by their surnames!’

Inclusion of information and views in this publication does not necessarily indicate endorsement by Pensioners Link.

Registered Charity No.1003175 Company Registered No.2608731