ChoiceChoiceChoiceTHE ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE FOR THE OVER 50’S

MEDIA INFORMATION 2019

68

BEFORE THERE was Elvis Pr

there was nothing – so one o

ardent fans, John Lennon,

remarked. And after Elvis? When

King left the stage so abruptly, what d

leave behind?This summer it will be 40 years sin

died and there’s no question, a

anniversary approaches, that Elv

death is every bit the colossal star th

was in life. If anything, he’s even big

Google his name, this icon from a

long before the internet, and today

than 48 million links come up.

His recordings continue to se

phenomenal numbers – the one b

total was passed a while ago – and in

the most recent of them, an albu

reworkings of some of his classics, ba

by the Royal Philharmonic Orch

topped the UK charts last autumn.

His face is still instantly recognis

every generation, his songs are the w

karaoke favourites (how often have

heard someone strangle The Wond

You?) and no Pop-Idol-type TV

from Afghanistan to Zanzibar, can

series without at least one of his hits

given a make-over.

Elvis impersonators – if you

mind, they prefer to be called ‘tr

acts’ – are a branch of showbu

all to themselves.They hold look-alike convention

sing-alike competitions, and they r

all the eras of Elvis, from blue

rocker with slicked-back quif

paunchy middle-aged balladeer

rhinestone jump suit.

Many of them earn a livin

Nostalgia

EFORE THERE was Elvis Presley,

there was nothing – so one of his

ardent fans, John Lennon, once

remarked. And after Elvis? When the

King left the stage so abruptly, what did he

This summer it will be 40 years since he

died and there’s no question, as the

anniversary approaches, that Elvis in

death is every bit the colossal star that he

was in life. If anything, he’s even bigger.

Google his name, this icon from an era

long before the internet, and today more

His recordings continue to sell in

phenomenal numbers – the one billion

total was passed a while ago – and indeed

the most recent of them, an album of

reworkings of some of his classics, backed

by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra,

His face is still instantly recognised by

every generation, his songs are the world’s

karaoke favourites (how often have you

The Wonder Of

?) and no Pop-Idol-type TV show,

from Afghanistan to Zanzibar, can run a

series without at least one of his hits being

Elvis impersonators – if you don’t

mind, they prefer to be called ‘tribute

acts’ – are a branch of showbusiness

They hold look-alike conventions and

sing-alike competitions, and they reflect

all the eras of Elvis, from blue-jean

rocker with slicked-back quiff to

paunchy middle-aged balladeer in a

Many of them earn a living at

ALL SHOOK UP…THE DAY THAT ELVIS PRESLEY DIED

It may be 40 years since his death but The King’s music and legend live on.

Dennis Ellam looks at the enduring power of this rock and roll icon

pretending to be him. In all, it was once

estimated, professional and amateur,

there are probably 35,000 performing

worldwide. And the man himself still goes

on tour. Raised from the dead by the

miracle of digitalisation, his image playing

on giant video screens and most recently

accompanied by a full orchestra, he fills

arenas wherever he goes.

Elvis lives! Certainly he does

in the hearts and minds of the devoted

fans who will descend on

“His faceis recognised

by everygeneration”

Elvis inhisFifties

prime

CHOICE MARCH 2017

86

Home and garden

W AVE GOODBYE to boring store-boughtsandwiches and embrace the art of thelunchbox with Lunch on the Go (RylandPeters & Small, £14.99), imaginative, healthy,inexpensive homemade lunches created withcare. Here are some examples to try.

Proper Salad NiçoiseMAKES FOUR TO SIX SERVINGSThe salade Niçoise is an old favourite, thestore-bought version of which can be ofunpredictable quality. Make it yourself and you willbe assured of its exquisite deliciousness. It evokesmemories of a warm breeze coming off theMediterranean and sand in between the toes.

10 new potatoes, boiled and halved225g green beans, trimmed325g vine tomatoes75g black olives, stoned2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Lunchon the goTurn the middle of theday sandwich grab into atasty treat with these quickand easy recipes

5 eggs, at room temperaturefreshly squeezed juice of one lemon4 x 175g tuna steaks, 2.5-cm thick4 little gem lettuce hearts,quartered lengthways12 olive-oil-packed anchoviesa large handful of fresh basil leaves(optional)

salt and freshly ground blackpeppera ridged griddle pan

VINAIGRETTEa pinch of sea salt3 tbsp white wine vinegar4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil1 generous tsp Dijon mustard1 garlic clove, crushed (optional)

1 Preheat the oven to 200C, Gas 6.Put the new potatoes in a liddedsaucepan (preferably with a steamingbasket attachment) and bring to theboil. After 10 minutes, add a steamerabove the saucepan with the trimmedgreen beans in. Steam the beans forfour minutes, then transfer them to alarge roasting pan. Add the tomatoes(still on the vine) and olives to the

roasting pan and drizzle over the oliveoil. Cook in the preheated oven for 12to 15 minutes

2 Remove the potatoes from the boil(they should have had around 15minutes total cooking time) andblanch in cold water to cool beforedraining and halving

3Boil the eggs for six minutes, thenput the pan under cold runningwater for a couple of minutes to cooldown. When cool, peel the eggs andcut them in half

4 Transfer the roasted tomatoes,beans, olives and any warm oliveoil to a dish to cool and squeezeover the juice of half a lemon andtoss well

5 THeat a ridged griddle pan on thehob for fiveminutes. Brush the tunasteaks with olive oil and season reallywell with salt and pepper beforeplacing the steaks in the pan. Cook forthree to four minutes on each side,until the tuna is cooked through.

To assemble: Divide the lettuce leavesbetween lunchboxes and scatter overnew potatoes and anchovies, then addthe halved boiled eggs, green beans,roasted tomatoes and olives. You caneither choose to keep the tuna steakswhole and place them on the salad, orbreak them into flaky chunks and tossthrough. Seal the lunchboxes and chillin the refrigerator until required.Transport the vinaigrette separately

and drizzle it over the salad just beforeserving, otherwise the leaves can wilt alittle. Sprinkle with fresh basil leaves, ifusing, also just before serving.

Simple French VinaigretteTo make the dressing, add a big pinchof sea salt to the vinegar and mix todissolve. Add the olive oil, Dijonmustard and garlic, if using, and mixbefore sprinkling over the salad.

ChoiceChoiceChoiceTHE ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE FOR THE OVER 50’S

t

APRIL 2017 CHOICE 67

Terryyr Gilliamcontributing severalanimatiitions for thhthe show.

Cleese said: “Grahamand I used to watch Do NotAdjust Your Set. It was our treaton a Thursday afternoon. Wewould finish early and watchthat because it was the funniestthing on television. I said toGraham, ‘why don’t we ringthe guys and see if they want todo a show with us.’ “

Palin, Jones and Idlewere, similarly, admirersof At Last! The 1948 Show,which starred Cleese and Chapmanalongside Marty Feldman and TimBrooke Taylor and when the five of themended up writing for Feldman’s showMarty, it seemed perfectly naturalto join forces.

Amazingly, the BBC approved an

initial episoderun of 13 despite

the Pythons nothaving a clear

idea of what formthe show would take.

The TVVTV show would end uprunning from 1969 through to1974, but its life continued wellbeyond that into four feature

films, albums, stage shows and the2014 reunion shows.

Today the Dead Parrot Sketchand the Lumberjack Song have

become part of our nationalfabric, so familiar that it is easy

to forget just how strikingly new andanarchic Python was at the time.

Speaking to Time Out in 1973 GrahamChapman said: “Our biggest thing reallywas getting rid of the punchline. Theproducer would look quite blank if therewasn’t a punchline because how can he

n Monty Python’sFlying Circus: HiddenTreasures, by AdrianBesley is published byCarlton Books at £30,ISBN 9781853759741.

t

Amazingly, the BBC approved an wasn’t a punchline because how can he

contributing severalanimations for the show.

Cleese said: “Grahamand I used to watch Do Not

. It was our treaton a Thursday afternoon. Wewould finish early and watchthat because it was the funniestthing on television. I said toGraham, ‘why don’t we ringthe guys and see if they want todo a show with us.’ “

Palin, Jones and Idlewere, similarly, admirers

At Last! The 1948 Showwhich starred Cleese and Chapman

initial episoderun of 13 despite

the Pythons nothaving a clear

idea of what formthe show would take.

The TV show would end uprunning from 1969 through to1974, but its life continued wellbeyond that into four feature

films, albums, stage shows and the2014 reunion shows.

Today the Dead Parrot Sketchand the Lumberjack Song have

become part of our nationalfabric, so familiar that it is easy

to forget just how strikingly new andanarchic Python was at the time.

51MARCH 2017 CHOICE

Beauty

Fat traps – and howto avoid them

MOST OVEREATING happensbecause you’re in the wrongplace at the wrong time, and as

we get older it becomes even harder tocontrol our weight. The trick is to avoidsituations that cause the problem. Hereare seven easy ways to stay on track withyour diet.

1 Eating in front of thetelevisionn What’s happening Subdued lightingmakes you eat more.n Solution Soft lighting acts as agentle relaxant so you can actuallyeat up to twice as much in the dark andit’s a fact your mood becomes moretrance-like the later you watch. Switchon the lights to eat and make meals afocus by having them at the table.

2 Popping into the cake shopon your way outn What’s happening Giving intosugar cravings.n Solution Taking another route willprevent temptation. The body’s sugarlevels are at their lowest first thing,which is when you’re most vulnerable.You can help yourself by eating theright kind of breakfast: chooseunsweetened muesli, fresh fruit andwholemeal toast to naturally curb theurge to nibble.

3 Choosing the food at arestaurantn What’s happening Not being prepared.n Solution Try the ‘speed bump’method of eating, choosing foods that

weight on as little as 100 calories a dayas your body learns to conserveenergy. Grazing, eating four to sixsmall low fat meals a day, will rev up asluggish metabolism, forcing your bodyto burn calories.

7 Late night snackingn What’s happening You’re notfeeling satisfied.n Solution Protein has a mildappetite-suppressant effect on thebody as it takes twice as long ascarbohydrates to digest. Make yourlast meal of the day some light chickenor fish with plenty of salad and you’llgo to bed feeling pleasantly full.Promote restful sleep by having abanana snack before bed – it contains amineral that triggers the brain to relax.

Sue Moxley is one of the UK’s leadingbeauty experts; her career as asuccessful makeup artist took heraround the world and she was thetrusted artist for many celebrities. Suebranched into beauty journalism andwas beauty editor of a nationalnewspaper as well as otherpublications. She has also hostedseveral makeover shows on nationaltelevision. She currently has a brand ofbeauty accessories and cosmetics inTesco Extra stores and online:(www.suemoxleybeauty.co.uk).

will slow down your meal like freshprawns or mussels that need shellingand hot soups you need to sip. Spicyfoods like Indian, Thai and Mexicancontain metabolism-stimulatingingredients like ginger, chilli and garlicthat have been proven to actually burncalories faster. Make mental swaps onthe sweet trolley, a tangy fruit sorbet isjust 70 calories, a chocolate nut sundae,a whopping 275.

4 Drinking when youshould be eatingn What’s happening You’re consumempty calories.n Solution The sugar-loaded caloralcohol react with the hormones thcontrol the metabolism so they’remore instantly stored as fat. If youmust drink make it half a glass ofdry white wine topped up with sodathat costs just 60 calories. Thejuniper berries in gin offer a short-term solution to bloating; try sippingit with slimline tonic that contains juscalories a bottle.

5 Comfort eating when youstressedn What’s happening Hormones areaffecting your sugar levels.n Solution Cortisol – the hormonereleased when we’re stressed –interferes with sugar levels, making ittempting to reach for a sweet treat.Don’t give into the first wave ofcravings, they do peak and ebb, trytaking a bath, a walk in the garden orphoning a friend instead. Turkey, oatsand cottage cheese contain amino acidsthat have a tranquilising effect on thebrain, hot milk’s even better.

6 Not eating enoughn What’s happening Your metabolismhas ground to a halt.n Solution Research reveals thatthe heavier you become the sloweryour metabolism rate becomes. It’sbeen proved someone who weighs

around 80 kilos can maintain their

ming

ries inhat

u

st

u’re

e around 80 kilos can maintain their

several makeover shows on nationaltelevision. She currently has a brand ofbeauty accessories and cosmetics inTesco Extra stores and online:(www.suemoxleybeauty.co.uk).

You’re consuming

The sugar-loaded calories inalcohol react with the hormones that

more instantly stored as fat. If you

it with slimline tonic that contains just

5 Comfort eating when you’re

Hormones are

CHOICE APRIL 201780

Home and garden

BE IT as relaxed party food, a snack in front ofthe television or a healthier alternative tohigh-fat salty snacks, dips continue to be

enduringly popular. Delicious Dips (Ryland Peters& Small, £9.99) features more than 50 recipes fromlight and healthy snacks to rich and creamy recipesfor sharing. Here are some examples to try.

Beetroot hummus withsquid ink crackersSERVES FOUR TO SIX

This is a sophisticated dip and dipper combinationthat’s sure to wow party guests. The ink is availablein convenient sachets from Italian and Spanishspecialist stores, and from some online retailers.

140g/1 cup canned chickpeas/ garbanzos,drained and rinsed250g/2 scant cups beetroot/beets, cooked and cubed1 large garlic clove, peeled

2 tbsp olive oil1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice2 tbsp tahini2–3 pinches of sea salt flakesmicro herbs such as pea shoots,to garnish

For the squid ink crackers300g/2

1/4 cups plain/all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder1 tsp salt1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

80ml/1/3 cup olive oil

3 x 4g/1/6 oz squid ink sachets

1 Tomake the hummus, put all of theingredients in a food processor orblender and blitz until smooth. Tasteand adjust the seasoning, if necessary

2 Tomake the crackers, preheat theoven to 180°C (350°F) Gas 4. Mix theflour, baking powder, salt and cayenne

pepper in a largemixing bowl, andmake a well in themiddle. Mix150ml/2/3 cup water with the olive oiland squid ink, then add to the well.Stir gently, slowly incorporating the dryingredients until a dough forms

3Turn out the dough onto a flouredsurface, and knead for about 3–5minutes, or until smooth. Divide thedough into 15 pieces and roll them intothe desired shapes with a rolling pin

4 Transfer the shapes to a bakingsheet lined with baking parchmentand bake for about 10–15minutes inthe preheated oven, or until crispon the undersides. Cool on a wirerack. Keep in an airtight container forup to threedaysbefore serving. Spoonthehummus into abowl, garnishwitha fewpea shoots and servewith thesquid ink crackers for dipping.

gardenHome and garden

DeliciousDeliciousdipsdips Create dips for

all occasionswith these

great recipes

90 CHOICE APRIL 2017

APRIL IS a month of newbeginnings; many animals begintheir breeding season

whilst other creatures thatwere dormant over thewinter awaken.

Wake up at dawn and afantastic cacophony ofbird song will welcomeyou. Some birds such asblackbirds began singing asearly as January, but the arrivalof the Spring migrants will addsome different voices to the mix.

This singing is of course, not for ourbenefit. It is a sign that birds are ready tobreed. The sweet tuneful song that helpsthe males attract a mate can also serve asa warning to rivals that this is their spot.

Squabbles and fights are not unusual asbirds battle for the best places to maketheir home.

It’s not just the birds that are active now.Some insects will rise from their winterslumber earlier on in the year but reallycome to life in the milder April weather.

Red admirals, small tortoiseshell andpeacock butterflies will be taking to thewing in good numbers. Bees will be busytoo, as the newly-emerged queens buildup their energy after their winter slumberand look for places to start their nests.

These could be in holes in the ground,under sheds, in tree stumps or even inbird nestboxes. Bees need our help, sothese holes are best left undisturbed.

Many insects rely on plants for food andshelter. Throughout April, meadows are

dotted with dainty Cowslips gentlynodding in the breeze.

If you are lucky you may findthat the odd early purple orchidhas joined them. Towards theend of the month, woodlandsare carpeted with blankets of

fragrant bluebells. Not allground cover has yet taken a

complete foothold at this time ofyear, however, and this

makes April a goodtime to catcha glimpse ofsome of ourmore elusivemammals, thestoat and theweasel. Probablyall you’ll see ofthese is a gingery bluras they make a dash across a road or path infront of you. So keep your eyes peeled for along reddy brown creature.

To help with identification, if it has a blacktip to its tail, it’s a stoat. If it’s much smallerand has no black tail tip then it’s a Weasel.

April also sees the first of the summeravian visitors arrive. Swallows from thesouthern tip of Africa grace our skies thismonth, gradually followed by house martinsfrom tropical Africa and then swifts towardsthe end of the month. The dainty, yetcolourful willow warbler also arrives in April W

RITTE

NBYCLA

IRETH

OMAS

PHOTO

GRAPHS:(W

WW.RSPB-IMAGES.C

OM)

Garden birdwatch

their breeding season whilst other creatures that were dormant over the

you. Some birds such asblackbirds began singing asearly as January, but the arrivalof the Spring migrants will addsome different voices to the mix.

dotted with dainty Cowslips gentlynodding in the breeze.

If you are lucky you may findthat the odd early purple orchidhas joined them. Towards theend of the month, woodlandsare carpeted

fragrant bluebells. ground cover has yet taken a

complete foothold at this time ofyear, however, and this

makes April a good

ApppApril jobssbsIn Apppril, spring flowering plants burst into lifeproviding not only a much-needed resource formanyyy insects, but also pleasing colour for us.Ornammmental cherry trees and yyyellow forsssyyyyttthhhiiiaaa aaaddddddiiiinnnssstttaaannnt colour to any dull day and if the weatheris kind, now is the time to plant summer bulbs fora splash of colour for later on in the year.

Adding plenty of good quality mulcharound existing trees and shrubs will helpimprove the surrounding soil.

If you have not done so already, April is also agood month for planting evergreen shrubs suchas holly and yew, which not only provide year-round cover, but plenty of ripe juicy berries formany hungry birds during the colder months.

Despite the warmer days try to resist thetemptation to tidy any hedges and shrubs asyou run the risk of disturbing nesting birds.There is no harm keeping your feeders toppeduuup throughout April as you may find thatfiiinches and other seedeaters may ventureinnnto your garden.

The month of new beginningsThe month of new beginnings

INYOURGARDEN

and stays in the UK until September.From April time onwards, unless it has

been milder beforehand, everyone’sfavourite prickly garden visitor may beseen, or more likely heard snuffling andsnorting about our gardens at night.Emerging from their winter hibernation,hedgehogs will undoubtedly win browniepoints with many a gardener, by seekingout unwanted garden pests such as slugsand other invertebrates.

Cat or dog food (not a fish variety) anda dish of water are also welcome.

Find out moren To join the RSPB, tel: 01767 693680,website: (www.rspb.org.uk).

year, however, and thismakes April a goodtime to catch a glimpse of

weasel. Probablyall you’ll see ofthese is a gingery bluras they make a dash across a road or path in

year, however, and thismakes April a good

There is no harm keeping your feeders toppedup throughout April as you may find thatfinches and other seedeaters may ventureinto your garden.

and stays in the UK until September.From April time onwards, unless it has

been milder beforehand, everyone’sfavourite prickly garden visitor may beseen, or more likely heard snuffling andsnorting about our gardens at night.

66

FOUR YEEYEARS ago the MontyytyPython comedy troupe lost alegal case regarding royalties

from the musical Spamalot, leaving themwith in excess of £800,000 in legal fees.

However, their loss turned out to be adream come true for comedy fans. To footthe bill the remaining Pythons decided toreunite for a live one-off show (laterextended to ten) at the O2 arena in 2014.

Long-time fans of the group had despairedof ever seeing the Pythons reunite, but therethey were on stage, older and perhaps a littlefrailer, but just as funny as ever.

The show featured cameo appearancesfrom such luminaries as Stephen Fryyry andEddie Izzard as well as scientists Brian Coxand Professor Stephen Hawking, a reminder

of just how deep Montyyty Python has sunkinto the public consciousness. Not a badachievement for what started as a whackyand surreal late night comedy programmemade by a cohort of ex-Oxbridge studentsand an American animator.

With the sad news that Terry Jones issuffering from dementia it is safe to say thesurviving Pythons will never share a stagetogether again, but there is still much tocelebrate. A new book Monty Python’sFlying Circus: Hidden Treasures (Carlton,£30) provides a useful history of the groupfrom its foundation up to the 2014 O2shows, with rare and unseen photographs,artwwtwork and facsimile replicas of scripts– including several unused sketches –posters, programmes, fllflyers and tickets.

There is even a cut-out ‘create your ownshow’ – but you really wouldn’t want toruin this sumptuous book.

Although the films are omitted, thereare some fascinating features on suchPython arcana as the shows made speciallyfor German television, the four-week runat the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in 1974and the Pythons’ first venture Stateside.

The book also looks at how the show cametogether. All of the Pythons, bar TerryGilliam, had worked on the sameprogramme before – the David Frost-frontedFrost Reporttr – but it was an offfffer from JohnCleese that first brought the team together.

In1968MichaelPalin,TerryyryJonesandEricIdle were all working on thhthe ITVVTV children’sprogramme Do Not Adjust Your Set, with

As a new book is published celebrating this comedy institution,Greg Matttttocks-Evans looks at what made the PyyPyttyythons so special

CHOICE APRIL 2017

Nostalgia

and Professor Stephen Hawking, a reminder posters, programmes, flyers and tickets. programme

SSSomeemetteethhtthiihhinniinggnng coocomppmpleeletteeteettelleelyylly diidiffiifffffferrereerrenneenttnnt

buy our Retirement Planning Files for their retiring staff.

Choice also aims to help readers defend other assets like their health, family, relationships, time and talents. We then provide practical and inspiring ideas to use and enjoy those assets.

Our motto is Get the most out of life and that’s just what readers and advertisers get from Choice.

Independence isn’t the only factor that sets us apart from other magazines in the market.

n 95% of our sales are subscriptions mailed every month to individual addresses.n Our readers are committed to Choice - every copy is paid for and not at token prices, most pay around £25 a year.n Our readers are both men and women, just over 60% are female.n An impressive list of blue chip companies and public sector organisations buy Choice subscriptions for employees as part of their retirement planning. Nearly 50% of those go on after their initial company subscription to buy the magazine in their own right.n The company subs are a perfectly targeted source of refreshing our database. New readers are constantly added throughout the year through

this and other targeted direct marketing.

F or over 40 years, Choice Magazine has been providing a wealth of independent information, practical advice

and exciting ideas for people over 50.It’s a modern, glossy magazine but, just

like our readers, as well as an up-to-the-minute outlook, we have retained our values and common sense!

Established, independent and trusted....Every issue is 132-pages, each a glossy magazine packed with practical, essential information and inspiring photography. The heart of each issue is the 16-page Your Money and Your Rights section that helps readers make the most of their money, property and assets. Readers can even send written questions to our panel of independent experts and have access to a 24-hour, free legal helpline service. Other regular features include: health, travel, motoring, fitness, DIY, hobbies, food and drink.

We are independent and not beholden to any parent company or vested interest, so our advice and stance can be trusted by readers – many of Britain’s top companies t

Choice readers are firmly in the group of the 50 plus population that have high disposable income.

Choice therefore delivers an extremely well targeted and highly valuable audience who are committed to getting the most out of life. More than 80% fall within the ABC1 groups.

But much more than that.

n They spend a lot of time making the most of their assets (40.8% say the Money and Rights section is the top reason for buying Choice). This means they are high users of financial services, they look after their property well (93% are homeowners) and are willing to shop around for a good deal.

n They keep their middle-age going strong by staying active, keeping up with modern lifestyles and travelling the world. A Choice reader on average takes five holidays a year (two main and three short breaks). They love taking cruises and visiting newer exotic destinations like China and South America as well as the old favourites at home and in Europe.

n To enable them to keep up the pace they watch what they eat, take supplements and try to keep fit. They use anti-ageing cosmetics and like to dress fashionably.

n But there’s a more serious side to their leisure time. More than 35% do voluntary work. 70% express an interest in supporting charities.

n Although 74% have no dependent children, just under half have living parents, hence their interest in property and products aimed at an older group.

READER FACTS84% are ABC160% are female80% are married or living together48% are aged between 60 and 70 29% are under 60, 23% over 7030% have a pension or income of more than £30k93% own their home83% have children74% of their children are not dependent83% of those with children have grandchildren46% have living parents

The 50+ market continues to be the most affluent and growing sector in the UK

n 17m+ are over 50 today, rising to 20m+ by 2020n They have a combined annual spending power of £260 billion in the UKn They enjoy financial freedom with small or zero mortgages and own 80% of all private wealthn Many will continue to benefit from the fast disappearing final salary pension schemesn They are the fastest growing segment of internet usersn They are highly responsive to advertising and prepared to buy, test and switch to new products

Sources TGI and Government Actuary

REACHING YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE

JENNIFER STORROWJennifer Storrow isInvestment Director of Gee7Wealth Management, a firmof financial planners. Shespecialises in investmentsand pensions and answerspersonal finance questionson radio and in newspapers

MIKE HORSEMANismanagingdirectorandfoundingdirectorof IFAsCockburnLucas.Heholdsadvancedqualificationsininvestment, taxationandtrustsandspecialisesinretirementplanning,Investments,andlong-termcare.

PENSIONS/INVEST

MENTS

INVEST

MENTS

66

Q My wife and I (both aged 88and disabled) have lived in

our detached bungalow since 1975.Our neighbour’s detachedbungalow borders our garden andat the rear the two properties areseparated by a low brick wall, ontop of which is a fence. The wholestructure is around six feet high.The present occupiers have been

there about eight years, and soonafter they moved in they planted anumber of small leylandii trees andan ornamental tree with copperleaves. In addition, there was alaurel tree which has been allowedto spread. The overall effect is nowa solid row of foliage around 40ftlong and 12ft high, with manybranches overhanging our garden.A friendly word with our

neighbours has failed to persuadethem to cut down the offendingbranches and reduce the height ofthe plants. Our concern is that

damage will be caused to the fenceand the trees will be allowed togrow uncontrolled, with the rootspotentially disturbing thefoundations of the dwarf wall.Could you please explain the

legal situation and advise onthe best course of action?

Name and address supplied

Jonathan Whittaker of SASDaniels replies:

AThe law in this area isgoverned by Part 8 of the

Anti-social Behaviour Act2003. This gives your localauthority/council the power toorder your neighbour to reducethe height of the hedge to nomore than two metresmeasured from ground level.You must first of all keepevidence of your attempts to tryto resolve the matter with yourneighbour. Without this

evidence the local authoritywill not accept your complaint.

If your attempts fail withyour neighbour, you mustcomplain to the local authorityon the prescribed form and paya fee which is not refundableeven if the council upholdsyour complaint. If the councildoes make such an orderagainst your neighbour andthey do not comply, amagistrates’ court may imposea fine of up to £1000. If theneighbour still does notcomply, some local authoritieswill undertake the workthemselves, but this is notmandatory. Also, you have nopower to do the work yourself.

Any branches on your side ofthe fence may be cut as theseare technically trespassing onyour land. In terms of the rootsand damage to the dwarf wall,

this again may be a trespass and youcould claim damages from yourneighbour by going to court.

However, these actions areexpensive as you will need expertevidence from a surveyor to provethat any damage to the wall has beencaused by your neighbour’s roots andno other reason. The costs of makingthe claim may be greater than thecosts of repairing the wall and this isusually a disincentive to court action.This is why formal mediationbetween you and the neighbour isoften the best option. The Party WallAct 1996 would not appear to berelevant as the shared boundary is awooden fence, not a brick structure.

CanmynephewbenefitfromdoubleIHTallowance?

Q I am a widow and my husbanddied in 1999. We did not have any

children and it is my intention to leavemy flat to my nephew. Will he be able tobenefit from the double Inheritance Taxallowance for married couples?

Name and address supplied

Kevin Minter, investmentdirector of IFAs Advison, replies:

AProvided your husband left allhis estate to you when he died,

you will have both nil-rate bands(NRB) of £325,000 available to you.If he used up some of his allowanceat the time of his death by leavingassets to people other than yourself, apro-rata amount of the NRB will beavailable. The ability for the survivingspouse to use both allowances came

CHOICE OCTOBER 2016

Canwecurbourneighbour’strees?

The Choice panel of experts answers your querieson tax, pensions, benefits, investment and the law

YOURQUESTIONSANSWERED

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CHOICE OCTOBER 2016

OCTOBER IS the month forpickling, when we begin topreservvrve surplus allotment bountyyty

or buy shallots and botttttle them in spicedvinegar for use on Boxing Day with theChristmas lefttftovers and other cold cuts.

Although unsubstantiated, it issuggested that the art of pickling firstbegan in India around 4000 years agousing cucumbers. Primarily, this mostbasic form of food preservation ensuredthat surpluses could be kept in an ediblestate well into the winter months whenfresh cultivation became impossible. In

meat-eating countries, pork and beefbecame the first meats to be salted fordeferred consumption, especially when longjourneys were necessaryyry via land or sea, andfood supplies en route could not be assured.

The etymology of the word picklederives from the Dutch ‘pekel’, meaningbrine, albeit in the global lexicon it canrefer to different things. For example, inNorth America a pickle will almostcertainly mean a pickled cucumber orgherkin. In Australia, it conjures up apickled onion or perhaps caulifllflower. Inthe UK, pickle – as in a cheese and pickle

Home and garden

piccick offofLighter, short-term pickling is the culinary flavour of the month.

Graham Sherwood has some quick pickling tips

88

“Turnips andradishes are making

an incredibleclimb in the food

popularity stakes asa result of pickling”

QualityWhen pickling try to use only unwaxed produce,making sure it is scrupulously clean and in goodcondition before preparation. Check for, anddiscard, any overly soft items and cut offblemished skin. For the very best results,the fresher and younger the vegetable, thetastier the pickle will be.

Similarly, do not be tempted to economise on thequality of the pickling ingredients. Use only picklingsalts and wine vinegars where stated in the recipe.You will only get out what you put in, as they say.

pickling

The

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