Issue 57February 2011

Ready for DigitalSwitchover?

2

Phasing out cheques 3Census 2011 4Working in theCommunity

5

Benefits increases for2011

9

Answers to theChristmas Quizzes

9

Rationing 10Thrift and Economy 11I bought myself aprezzie

12

In This Edition

The recent Tea Dance at Fordham Lunch Club, where pupils fromFordham All Saints School were dancing with older people, was

a tremendous success and a highlight of the school year.This is just one example of how Age Concern Colchester has been developingits community services over recent months to provide services to a widernumber of people in later life.

Please turn to the centre pages of this edition to find out more on how AgeConcern Colchester is working in the community.

Pages 5-8 Ü

Next Month:

New Nameand a New

Look!

ACCol NewsPage 2

Digital TV Switchover takes place in the Colchesterarea from 6 July.

If you currently receive only BBC1, BBC2, ITV, ChannelFour and Five on your television then you may need tochange from the analogue to the digital service.If you are over 75 then you probably will have already received aletter from the Switchover Help Scheme. This is being run by theBBC to make certain that no one ends up with a blank screenafter the changeover.

The Help Scheme will arrange for you to have a ‘digibox’ fitted bya skilled engineer at an agreed time.

People running the Help Scheme are well aware of the concernsof older and disabled people about having strangers coming totheir doors so this is why no one will ever arrive unannounced.The engineers have identity cards and you can also arrange forthem to give you an agreed password to confirm they are genuine.

Age Concern Colchester will be working with DigitalUK and theHelp Scheme to make certain that everyone is kept fully informedand to assist with this we shall be arranging a number of DigitalChangeover Awareness Days during May.

In the meantime, do reply to the Help Scheme letter if you havereceived one; but, in particular, do not agree to having new aerialsfitted or a new television from pushy salespeople or callers beforethe Help Scheme people have given you unbiased advice.

Issue Page 357

Moving towards Age UK Colchester

The Chief Officer and Trustees of Age ConcernColchester are currently working hard with Age UK and

the Charity Commissioners to formally change our nameto Age UK Colchester. This is expected to take place inthe next couple of months.As part of our ‘new look’ this will be the last edition of ACCol News and from April our newsletter will beknown as Vintage.

Phasing out of cheques:

Concern is being expressed at what looks like the prematurewithdrawal of some services linked with cheques, well in

advance of the stated date of 2017 or 2018.We understand that after 30 June this year, it will no longer be possible toguarantee a cheque using a plastic card carrying Shakespeare`s logo becausethe Cheque Guarantee Scheme is being withdrawn. Customers will still be ableto pay by cheque after this date and businesses can still choose to acceptcheques – but they will not be guaranteed.

Age UK reports that over recent months hundreds of older people haveexpressed their concern that cheques and cheque books are being withdrawneven though they should still be available.

Age UK is to run a campaign starting in March calling on banks to continueproviding cheques to current account holders. If any of our readers would liketo give details of their experiences locally, please contact Claire Francis on0208 765 7624 or Claire.Francis@ageuk.org.uk.

ACCol NewsPage 4

Wake up and come to your Census!27th March 2011 is National Census Day

Colchester Borough Council will be holding Census completion events on the followingdates and times over a FIVE WEEK period to help you complete your Census form.Everyone is welcome all you need to do is remember to bring your Census form withyou.

Monday 21st MarchMonday 28th MarchMonday 4th AprilMonday 11th AprilMonday 18th April

9.30 –12.00

St Johns &HighwoodsCommunityCentreHighwoodsSquareColchesterCO4 9SR

Monday 21st MarchMonday 28th MarchMonday 4th AprilMonday 11th AprilMonday 18th April

2.00 –4.00

Tiptree LibraryRectory RoadTiptreeCO5 OSX

Wednesday 23rd

MarchWednesday 30th

MarchWednesday 6th AprilWednesday 13th April

9.30 –12.00

Prettygate Library44 PrettygateRoadPrettygateColchesterCO3 4EQ

Wednesday 23rd

MarchWednesday 30th

MarchWednesday 6th AprilWednesday 13th April

1.00 –4.00

GreensteadCommunityCentreHawthornAvenueGreensteadCO4 3QE

Friday 25th MarchFriday 1st AprilFriday 8th AprilFriday 15th April

9.30 –12.00

West MerseaTown Council10 Melrose RoadWest MerseaCO5 8JD

Friday 25th MarchFriday 1st AprilFriday 8th AprilFriday 15th April

1.30 –4.00

Shrub EndOrmistonChildren’s CentreSchool RoadMonkwickColchester

Bring your Census form to these drop-in sessions from 24th Marchuntil the 21st April:

● Tuesday - to Angel Court, High Street, Colchester from 10.00amto 1.00pm.

● Thursday - Citizens Advise Bureau, Blackbury House, 32 CrouchStreet, Colchester, CO3 3HH.

Help and information on completing your Census form can also be foundat: www.census.gov.ukHelp is available in large print/Braillle and up to 56 different languages.Census helpline 0300 0201 101Text Relay 18001 0300 0201 160

For more information on these events please contact ColchesterBorough Council on 01206 282222

Issue Page 557

Autumn LeavesClub

Fordham LunchClub

WivenhoeLunch Club

Tiptree ActivityCentre

Grymes DykeActivity Centre

Activ8

First Friday

Coffee Morning

ChristmasParcels

Computing

Royal BritishLegion

Fordham Lunch ClubFordham Lunch Club is proving to be a great success,and a treatto look forward to each month. We love the fellowship and thesocial gathering,with kind considerate children, helping with everyaspect of the event. We are given hot nourishing meals by theschool kitchen ladies,and all served to us by delightful well man-nered children,with an ever industrious Headmaster Mr. Malcolmworking by their side.

We all enjoyed the tea dance very much indeed,and the childrentried very hard to learn the waltz in a short space of time. Twelvemembers of The Fordham Friendship club attend each month andenjoyed the  Christmas play with other members from outlyingdistricts. Thanks go to Age Concern and Fordham All SaintsSchool for organising The Lunch Club,we all appreciate the hardwork.

Reg and Barbara Jones

ACCol NewsPage 6

The Autumn Leaves Club

About three and a half years ago, I was spending a lotof time on my own - feeling down after the loss of myeldest son. My daughter was concerned about me,and said I should see if there was something for me atHighwoods Community Centre.She persuaded me and I found there was a luncheonclub on Wednesdays, organised by Age ConcernColchester. I joined it and it opened up a new phasefor me.I enjoyed the meal and the company. Sometimes wehave a guest speaker or a singer. We have learned tomake greeting cards, and we have a quiz sometimes.We also play Bingo and Hoy. The staff, other than Sue,are volunteers and are very kind to us.Sometimes we go to a pub for a meal, and that is fun.The club means a lot to me and has widened my circleof friends. Long may it run!

Bill Driscoll at Autumn Leaves

Autumn Leaves ClubWednesdays at

Highwoods and St JohnsCommunity Centre

For more information contactAge Concern Colchester

on 01206 368420

The ACTIV8 club began inSeptember of 2010 with theintention of providing a club forpeople wishing to keep bothbody and mind active within asociable environment. Since itsinaugural meeting membershave taken part in seatedexercises and seated yoga,

and there have been talks regarding Winter Warmth and Time-banking, whilst somemembers have enjoyed playing card games and taking part in quizzes. Before Christmasthose who wished to made Christmas cards, learned new techniques and swappedknowledge. The year finished off with a Christmas party with nibbles and plenty of chat.Outside of normal club hours members attended a Christmas Concert and have recentlyhad a trip to the theatre to see Sweeney Todd. We are hoping to do more of these eventsand possibly some day trips also. Coming up in the programme is a talk by the FallsPrevention Service in March, and some more crafting in time for Easter. Looking ahead weare hoping to do some walks around the local area and to visit some of Colchester’sattractions such as Tymperleys and Hollytrees amongst others. The club normally meetson the second Tuesday of the month between 10am and 12noon, and all are welcome.

Issue Page 757

Wivenhoe Lunch Club

The Lunch Club has experienced a very successful first year, celebrating its birthdaywith a Valentine-themed lunch at the William Loveless Hall in Wivenhoe. An interest-ing talk was given on the training of guidedogs and a trainee guide dog and a puppywere also in attendance!The club meets twice a month,once at the hall where food isdelivered for lunch and onceout at a suitable local venue.Talks and other activities arearranged and there is a sum-mer trip out.Due to the increase of mem-bership, there is now a wait-ing list to join!

Coffee Club & First Friday Dining Club

Coffee Club is a weekly club held every Friday from 10 - 12 at our George Streetoffice. People drop in for coffee and cake and a chat.

It`s a chance to meet new people and make friends. Why not give us a try?

First Friday meets on thefirst Friday of each monthas its name suggests! Theclub dines out at localvenues and has recentlyenjoyed a special lunch-time menu at The Red Lion.

ACCol NewsPage 8

Age ConcernColchester would liketo put on record oursincere thanks to theColchester branch ofWaitrose and also

members of ColchesterRotary Club.

Without the help ofthese two organisationsit would not have beenpossible to provide onehundred local peoplewith food parcels of

essential items.

A word ofThanks

East Anglian Daily Times - 9 December 2010

Issue Page 957

Benefits increases for 2011Basic state pensionSinge person £102.15Married couple £163.35

Pension CreditSingle person £137.35Married couple £209.70

Savings Credit thresholdSingle person £103.15Married couple £164.55

Maximum amountSingle person(no change)

£20.52

Married couple(no change)

£27.09

Attendance AllowanceHigher rate £73.60Lower rate £49.30

Carer’s Allowance £55.55Jobseeker’s Allowance £67.50

Basic state pension is to go up by £4.50 from April2011 taking the weekly amount for a single pension

to £102. 15. Most Pension Credit recipients will see anincrease of £4.75 on their guaranteed credit and ColdWeather Payments have been permanently increased to£25.Minister for Pensions Steve Webb said: “We’ve taken a decisionto restore the link with earnings and increase the basic Statepension by the highest of prices, earnings or 2.5 per cent.” Headded that “this triple guarantee will ensure that pensioners canexpect a decent offering from the state in retirement.”

Christmas Quiz1. Santa Claus2. Widow Twankey3. Drucilla and Anastasia4. Christmas Eve5. The Stone of Scone6. Goose7. Hong Kong8. W C Fields9. Oliver Cromwell10. Clogs11. Pubs12. Carpenters13. Jacob Marley14. The Queen’s Christmas Speech15. Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody16. A turkey17. Captain Cook18. Good King Wenceslas19. In the 4th century20. Spring21. To compete with the pagan celebration22. It was associated with the Scandinavian love goddess23. The early church banned mistletoe, so holly was substituted24. Mexico25. Martin Luther

Guess the Christmas Song or Carol1. Driving Home for Christmas2. Mary Boy Child3. Sleigh Ride4. White Christmas5. Did you hear what I hear6. Last Christmas7. Silver Bells8. Little Drummer Boy9. Blue Christmas10. Jingle Bells11. Santa Baby12. We wish you a Merry Christmas13. Away in a Manger14. Its beginning to look like Christmas15. Past three o’clock16. The Holly and the Ivy17. All I want for Christmas is my two front

teeth18. I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus19. O Christmas Tree20. The First Noel

Answers to the twoChristmas Quizzes

ACCol NewsPage 10

Rationing

By the spring of 1941 all sorts of essential and non-essentialfoods were rationed, as well as clothing, furniture and petrol.

Before World War II, Britain imported 55 million tons of food, amonth after the war had started this figure had dropped to 12 million,so the Ration Book became the key to survival for nearly everyhousehold in Britain.

Rationing was introduced in 1940 tomake sure that everyone had a fair shareof the items that were hard to get hold ofduring the war.

There had been a National RegistrationDay on 29 September 1939, when everyhouseholder had to fill in a form givingdetails of the people who lived in theirhouse.

Using the information gathered onNational Registration Day, thegovernment issued every one with anidentity card and ration book. The bookscontained coupons that had to behanded to or signed by the shopkeeperevery time rationed goods were bought.This meant that people could only buythe amount they were allowed.

The government at the time was worriedthat as food and other items becamescarcer, prices would rise and poorerpeople might not be able to afford things.There was also a danger that somepeople might hoard items, leaving nonefor others.

Some people considered food rationingto be very unfair. Eggs, butter and meatcould be obtained fairly easily withoutcoupons in rural areas.

By the summer of 1941 greengrocers inthe towns were taking their lorries intothe country to buy vegetables directfrom growers.

Fourteen years of food rationing inBritain ended at midnight on 4 July 1954,when restrictions on the sale andpurchase of meat and bacon were lifted.This happened nine years after the endof the war.

WW2 Food Rations.This is the ration for one adult per week.

BACON and HAM - 4ozs ( 100g )MEAT - to the value of 1s.2d ( 6p today ).

Sausages were not rationed but difficult to obtain : offal wasoriginally unrationed but sometimes formed part of the meatration.

BUTTER - 2ozs ( 50g )CHEESE - 2ozs ( 50g ) sometimes it rose to 4ozs ( 100g ) and

even up to 8ozs ( 225g )MARGARINE - 4ozs ( 100g )

COOKING FAT - 4ozs ( 100g ) often dropping to 2ozs ( 50g )MILK - 3 pints ( 1800ml ) sometimes dropping to 2 pints (

1200ml ).Household ( skimmed, dried ) milk was available. This was Ipacket each 4 weeks.

SUGAR - 8ozs ( 225g )PRESERVES - 1lb ( 450g ) every 2 months

TEA - 2ozs ( 50g )EGGS - 1 shell egg a week if available but at times dropping

to 1 every two weeks.Dried eggs - 1 packet each 4 weeks.

SWEETS - 12 ozs ( 350g ) each 4 weeks.

In addition, there was a monthly points system.As an example of how these could be spent, with the 16 pointsthat you were allocated you were allowed to buy one can of fishor meat or 2lb ( 900g ) of dried fruit or 8lb ( 3.6kg ) of split peas.

Babies and younger children, expectant and nursing mothershad concentrated orange juice and cod liver oil from WelfareClinics together with priority milk.

This milk was also available to invalids.

School meals were started in the war because mothers wereworking extremely long hours to help the war effort.

Issue Page 1157

Kedgeree¼ lb cooked fish scraps¼ lb boiled rice1 oz margarineSeasoning

Flake or chop fish (without bones or skin), mix with rice, meltfat in pan, add fish and rice and seasonings and heat. Servepiled up on a hot dish.

Thrift and Economy in the selection and preparation of Food

A booklet entitled A Book of Improved Cookery recently arrived inour office. It had been produced by Staffordshire Education

Committee in 1916 and was urging people to live thriftily during theFirst World War.The Preface stated:

An early version of fuel saving!

Stewing - Prepare the stew or other dish to be cooked in a wellcovered saucepan, earthenware or other stewpan, or ordinarytin. Boil or stew for the required length of time. Wrap thestewpan in a piece of old clean blanket or clean house flannel.Bury it in the hay, packing the hay carefully and tightly roundthe pan and cover with the pillow. Close the lid of the box, andleave for twice the length of time ordinarily allowed for cookingthe particular type of food, irrespective of the time allowed forthe preliminary cooking by gas, oil stove or fire. Thus potatoesare boiled for 30 minutes on a fire; in fireless cookery they areboiled for 10 minutes, then buried in the hay for 1 hour.

Uses for Scraps of BreadStale bread may be made into crumbs bygrating or by rubbing through a sieve orcolander. If the crumbs are not dry enough theycan be placed in a warm oven and baked untiljust brown; or dry pieces of bread and crust canbe baked until crisp and then crushed with arolling pin. Dried crumbs or scraps of bread andcrust may be kept indefinitely stored in a tin in adry place. In light suet puddings of all kinds, use⅓  crumbs  to  ⅔  flour,  or  equal  amounts  ofcrumbs and flour.

Globe House6 George StreetColchesterCO1 1TP

Phone: 01206 368420Fax: 01206 500984Email: info@ageconcerncolchester.org.ukWeb: www.ageconcerncolchester.org.uk

Working for all older people in theBorough of Colchester

I bought myself a prezzie ‘cos I was feeling flush,I bought it in a hurry, ‘twas the lunchtime rush,They’re earrings and they’re golden, and cost nearly half mepay,They nestle in a velvet box, and there, I fear, they’ll stay.I couldn’t wait to try them on, then me eyes filled up withtears,For what I noticed was that they were for pierced ears.My spirits plunged into me boots, down to me very soles,To think I had the earrings but hadn’t got the holes!

Now ears are very funny things, if you stop to think about‘em,Tho’ they’re not exactly pretty, we couldn’t do without ‘em,They come in different sizes and have a sort of pinky tint,One might be high, the other low, which makes yourglasses squint.You can get very large ears, which wobble when you walk,Then again you might have small ones, which wiggle whenyou talk.But whether flat against your head, or stuck out at an angle,No way have ears got any holes from which earrings candangle!

Tho’ I’d like to get my ears pierced, the fact is I’m scaredstiff,You don’t get any chloroform, not the slightest little whiff!If only ears could be unzipped, and taken off at will,I could pop them in my pocket against the winter’s chill.I’d wear them in the daytime, and taken them off at night,And wouldn’t have to listen to what I didn’t like,Then when I next see the sign that says “Your ears piercedwhile you wait”,I’d drop them off at six o’clock, and they might be done foreight.

Now, I’m not one to criticise, or even bear a grudge,And I’m not saying men are cowards, for who am I to judge?Still I couldn’t help but notice, in the trendy ‘with-it’ brood,That one ear only is adorned, whilst the other one is nude.They insist, without a blush, or even a lowerin’ of the eye,That’s the very height of fashion – now that’s a thumpin’ lie!We know full well the reason for this ‘single-ear’ display –They meant to get both done but chickened out halfway!

At last I plucked up courage, and thought I’d take a chance,And marched into the shop with a tiny backward glance,But when I caught a glimpse of all the needles and theprobes –The instruments of torture for me unsuspecting lobes –I tried to tiptoe out again, and prayed that no one would see,Then a voice behind me said, “Are you ready now? I’m free.”Well, I never felt a thing, never even turned a hair,No, I wasn’t bein’ brave – I’d simply passed out in the chair!

I turned the keepers every day, and bathed me ears inDettol,Then I tried the earrings in – but was allergic to the metal!Me skin broke out in yellow spots, and then began to swell,And, when at last me pimples went, me holes had gone aswell!Vanished without a trace they ‘ad, me lobes were smoothand red,Oh, I wish I’d saved me money, and bought a string ofpearls instead!My agony was all in vain, and now I’m quite contentTo have no extra holes in me that nature never meant!