June 2012 Issue 6

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The Queen’sD i a m o n d

Jub i lee wasce leb ra ted in

style with partiesr i g h t a c r o s s

Colchester.Here is just a taste of the

celebrations that were held.Top picture: Wivenhoe Mayor,

Mrs Penny Lear, leads a Toastto the Queen at Wivenhoe Lunch

Club`s Royal Jubilee Buffet. Centrepicture: The Mayor of Colchester, CouncillorArnold, officially opens the Fordham SchoolJubilee Tea Dance, which was supportedby Age UK Colchester. Lower picture:Members of the Autumn Leaves Club atHighwoods enjoyed a buffet to celebratethe Royal Jubilee.

This new presentation for Age UK Colchester willtake you back to the era of What’s my Line? andSunday Night at the London Palladium. Enjoy anhour of clips from television programmes of half acentury ago!

To book this presentation for your club then pleasecontact Peter Simpson on 01206 331715.

A donation to Age UK Colchester will be requested.

I took part in the CoronationReg Jones now, andon his horse Jean inThe Royal HorseGuards for theCoronation in 1953.

Reg Jones, now enjoying his retirement inFordham, and a member of Oaks and

Acorns, an intergenerational project betweenFordham All Saints Primary School and Age UKColchester, has fond memories of our Queen’sCoronation Day - 2 June 1953.At that time Reg was a corporal in the Royal Horse Guardand he formed part of the escort for the royal carriages.Reg was not lucky enough to be chosen to escort theQueen but he did provide the escort for the QueenMother’s carriage on this special occasion.Reg’s recollection is of a very long day with some sevenhours in the saddle following preparing the kit for the daywhich took some eleven hours of ‘spit and polish’His horse, a mare called Jean, also took many hours ofgrooming to get a good shine on her coat and to getevery hair of her mane to perfection.Reg said, “The crowds were terrific and many slept onthe pavements along the route so as to get a good viewof the Gold State Coach with the Queen and PrincePhilip inside.”Reg was stationed at Knightsbridge Barracks,near to Hyde Park so, in his free time, he used torun round the park to keep fit.Being in the Royal Horse Guard meant that Reghad numerous special duties to perform. Theseincluded the State Opening of Parliament,Trooping the Colour and being escort for visitingheads of state.

“The weather was not too good on the day of theCoronation, it was cold and wet, and we felt sorryfor some of those who had been waiting hours forthe procession so we went out to them withwarming cups of tea!”

Call us now on 01206 368420Globe House, 6 George Street, Colchester, CO1 1TP

Most older people find Council Tax a considerable financialburden and either don’t know there are ways to reduce it, or arereluctant to try. If you are a lone occupant you are entitled to a25% discount.There is also Council Tax Benefit. It is means tested and restrictedto people with less than £16,000 in capital. Nevertheless it isquite a generous benefit, particularly for the over 65s. Manypeople we work with have been quite surprised to find that theyqualify for some benefit because they have occupational pensionsin addition to their state pensions. Sometimes the amount forwhich a person or a couple qualifies is small – perhaps just threeor four pounds a week – leaving them to wonder if it is worth thetrouble of filling in forms to apply. It is worthwhile because in thisday and age, three or four pounds will still help.We have an excellent computer programme that will tell us withina couple of minutes if you might qualify for council tax benefit. Itcan be done over the telephone. We will help you to apply. Youmight save a fair few pounds between now and Christmas!

Finding Council Tax a burden?

The Big Knit 2012Calling all our Knitters. Yes, The Big Knit isback! We need 5000 little hats for smoothiebottles as soon as possible for this fundraiserorganised by innocent drinks.Please call Lin or Frankie for further informationon 01206 368420. New patterns will soon beavailable. Any offers of wool will be gratefullyreceived. All monies raised will be put towardsour winter warmth programme.

GrymesDyke Court

ActivityCentre

Globe House6 George Street,

Colchester, CO1 1TP

You may be entitled to a Personal Budget which ourfully trained Advice Service Team will help you claim.

Phone (01206) 368420for further details

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Tuesdays andThursdays

10.45 am to2.45 pm

Our aim is simple: to help everyone makethe most of later life. We believe that oldage should be valued. That choice isimportant through life. And we believe inyour right to stay independent as long aspossible.

So, volunteers give practical support. Wehave expert information and advice youcan rely on; and we will campaign for yourrights.

Globe House, 6 George StreetColchester, CO1 1TP

Phone: 01206 368420Fax: 01206 500984Email: info@ageukcolchester.org.uk

Web: www.ageukcolchester.org.ukAge UK Colchester is a registered charity (Registered Charity No. 1142414)

and company limited by guarantee. Registered in England and Wales No7517777. Registered Office: 6 George Street, Colchester, CO1 1TP.

Three cheers for Her MajestyIt’s a Royal day today!

Britain is still greatWith the Queen to lead the way,

We will defend our countryAnd its Royal line too,

Proudly waving Union JacksOf red white and blue -

Everyone is happyIt’s time to celebrate,

To greet our gracious QueenAnd salute her noble state,We’ll all join in the gaietyAnd pleasant sights to see

For this, today is our dear Queen’sDiamond Jubilee!

Audrey Keen