Issue 56December 2010

State Pension to riseto £140 per week?

2

The Government’sSpending Review

3

AGM votes to becomeAge UK Colchester

4

Mobility scootermayhem

5

50 years of CoronationStreet

6

The Blitz on Coventry 8Noticeboard 9Christmas Quizzes 10Singin’ Carols 12

In This Edition

A fairpensionfor all?

The Coalition’s latest idea to remove thestigma of claiming benefits

The Coalition Government’sannouncement that all older

people could be receiving a pensionof £140 per week in about five yearstime, without the need to apply forbenefits, may not be all it seems.Following the euphoria of theannouncement on 25 October of aplanned green paper to make significantchanges to the way pensions are paid,there was then concern in some quartersthat those already on a basic pension of£97.65, with the possibility of additionalmeans-tested Pension Credit, willcontinue on this arrangement for the restof their lives.

Andrew Harrop, director of policy at AgeUK, said: ‘It will seem very unfair if youhappen to be on the wrong side of the cliffedge.’

Details - page 2

Christmas and New

YearClosure

The Age ConcernColchester office willbe closed from 4 pm

on Thursday 23December and re-

open on Tuesday 4January 2011.

ACCol NewsPage 2

The state pension could be increased to about £140 a week underGovernment plans to ensure everybody has a 'decent' income in retirement

with Ministers drawing up plans to sweep away the means-tested system andintroduce a new flat-rate pension worth considerably more than at present.

The basic state pension is currently £97.65 for a single person and £156.15for a couple. Means-tested top-ups for the poorest ensure single pensionershave an income of at least £132.60 and couples get £202.40.Scrapping the complicated and expensivesystem is expected to save enough moneyfrom reduced bureaucracy to pay for the£140-a-week pension.

The move would benefit everybody inretirement, including the better off.

But it would be a particular boost for women,many of whom lose out on the state pensionafter taking time out of work - and nationalinsurance contributions - to bring up children.

Ministers hope to implement the new systembefore the next general election, scheduledfor 2015.

It is being worked out by Work and PensionsSecretary Iain Duncan Smith and PensionsMinister Steve Webb. A Green Paper is to bepublished later this year.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Workand Pensions said: 'The Chancellor hasconfirmed that the Government will improvethe quality and accessibility of pensions in theSpending Review period.

'We will be bringing forward proposals forreform in a Green Paper later this year.

'Our aim will be a simple, decent statepension for future pensioners, which is easyto understand, efficient to deliver andaffordable.'

Commenting on the planned reforms to bemade to the state pension, Michelle Mitchell,Charity Director at Age UK, said:

'Press reports that the Government isproposing to improve the quality andaccessibility of pensions will be welcomed byolder people across the UK, many of whommay not be receiving the financial support towhich they are entitled. The fact that up to 1.6million pensioners are missing out on up to£2.93 billion of Pension Credit each year istestimony to the fact that the means-testsystem is failing to reach some of the poorestpensioners in the country.

'Linking pension entitlement to residency,rather than years of National Insurancepayments, will be particularly helpful forwomen who are more likely to have gaps intheir National Insurance contribution historiesbecause of child care or caring for olderrelatives.

'We look forward to a more detailed analysisof this significant financial reform, and itsimpact on people in later life, which willenable us to identify those who will benefitfrom the transformation of the pensionsystem, and those who could potentially missout.'

State Pension to rise to £140 per week?

Issue Page 356

The Coalition Government’s Spending Review has left older people relativelyunscathed with good news on social care, benefits and the National Health

Service and with no changes to free bus passes, winter fuel payments or the coldweather payment. The only downside is that it will take longer for us, and inparticular women, to reach pensionable age as the movement towards retirementat 65 and then to 66 is speeded up.

There will be a VAT increase from 17½% to 20% in January but this does notapply to most foods which are zero rated. In addition, there will be a smallincrease in the current VAT of 5% for gas and electricity.

The Coalition Government’s Spending Review

The Treasury obviously listened to Age UK'stop call for the Spending Review, "Don't cutcare", with care budgets faring far better thanexpected just a few weeks ago. Overall, weexpect that spending on care will fall modestlyin real terms over the next four years; but itcould have been far worse. Half of the moneyfor care will come from the NHS budget,which we support, as health and social careare inextricably linked. The rest will be a grantfor councils that will be earmarked for careservices, but not ring-fenced - so it will bedown to local campaigners to ensure thatcouncils actually maintain care budgets ineach community.

On the NHS, we were pleased to see anacknowledgement that the proposed £20bnsavings would need to be reinvested, and thatit was important to make these savings toface up to the reality of our ageing population.Sustained funding for dementia research willbe welcomed by the thousands of sufferersand their families and friends across the UK.

We saw good news on the Post Officenetwork, a vital lifeline for many older people,particularly those in rural areas; the temporaryincrease in the level of Cold WeatherPayments will become permanent; and theGovernment's commitment to roll outsuperfast broadband should hopefullyencourage more people in later life to go online.

However, it wasn't all good news. The StatePension Age will now be raised to 66 between2018 and 2020 for both men and women,substantially before the previous plan of 2025

to 2026 - and in breach of the coalitionagreement's commitment not to raisewomen's state pension age. Many peopleapproaching the end of their working lives willbe disappointed that this rise is coming sixyears earlier than expected, and it is worthbearing in mind that this change will not savethe Government any money for another eightyears. That said, it could have been worse, asthe original proposal was for men's pensionage to rise from 2016.

The Warm Front programme will, as expected,be phased out when new energy efficiencyand climate change programmes come onstream. To accompany this, we now needurgent national and local plans for tackling fuelpoverty, particularly among older people. Withenergy prices continuing to rise, we'll bescrutinising the Government's forthcomingproposals to ensure they prioritise affordabilityfor low income groups, not just climate change.

Today's announcement was better thanexpected for older people, due to the workAge UK has done over the last weeks andmonths.

Chancellor, GeorgeOsborne, delivering

his Spending Reviewspeech in the House

of Commons

ACCol NewsPage 4

AGM votes to become Age UK Colchester

At the Annual General Meeting of Age Concern Colchester, heldat the George Hotel on Wednesday 13 October, it was agreed

that the charity should change to Age UK Colchester in the comingyear.

The trustees put before the meeting four special resolutions, all ofwhich were passed unanimously by those attending. They were:

1. The membership agrees the Trustees of Age Concern Colchestershould seek ‘brand partnership’ with Age UK

2a. The membership authorises the Trustees to proceed with the creationand registration of a new charity called Age UK Colchester

2b. The membership authorises the Trustees to seek incorporation of AgeUK Colchester

3. The membership authorises the Trustees to agree the form of words forthe Memorandum and Articles of Association in line with the standardform of words issued by Age UK

The trustees will now have a busy time in the coming weeks to achieve thesetasks since it is hoped we will be able to change to Age UK Colchester at thebeginning of the new financial year in April.

Are you spending more than 10%of your income on heat and light?

A Social Tariff is provided by all the energy suppliers. It is designedto help people on small incomes to meet their energy costs.

To find out more then pleasecontact Age Concern Colchester

on (01206) 368420

Issue Page 556

Police crack down on mobility scooter mayhem

A police force facing savage budget cuts has announced a crackdown on the menace ofthe mobility scooter driver. Officers have launched a course to combat the scourge of

the lawless silver-haired scooter rider as the number of accidents on the roads rise. Theymay not be joyriding teenagers any more, but officers say pensioners on mobility scooterscan be just as dangerous with many being caught drunk or high on prescription drugsbehind the wheel.Norfolk Police are now running lessons to teachusers the rules of the road. Riders learn to navigatetheir way over ramps, through slalom runs andacross zebra crossings.

They are also taught how to master the shopping run,negotiating around cones which representsupermarket aisles.

Superintendent Jim Smerdon helped devise the freemobility scooter awareness course which wasfunded entirely through sponsorship by Halfords. Hetold Police Review that the problem of dangerousriders is becoming more prevalent because of anageing population and the ease with which scooterscan be bought.

He said: 'People can just buy a mobility scooter,sometimes off the internet or somewhere else, andliterally just get on it.

'People are buying one that might be totallyunsuitable for them and then getting on it withabsolutely no training whatsoever and then they areable to go on the roads, or around supermarkets or

whatever else they wish to do. One of the problemsis that the larger ones have two speed ratios, 4 mphand 8 mph, and you change it from the 4 mph to the8 mph. If, for instance, you are in a supermarket andyou have not changed it back to the 4 mph, then 8mph round the supermarket would be scary inanybody's world with the ability to clip people or clipdisplays.'

Around 150 people are killed or seriously injuredannually as a result of incidentsinvolving mobility scooters inthe UK.

Currently, anyone over the ageof 14 can purchase the fastestclass of scooter, which has atop speed of 8 mph, with norequirement for a licence,training or insurance. TheGovernment is facing calls for anationwide testing andregistration scheme for thedisability vehicles.

REAL CHRISTMAS 201020th December to 2nd January (sixth year)

Over the Christmas period many organisations close, at a time when older peopleor those who are disabled may need practical help or support.

If you would like any help or company over the two week festive period,(especially if we have bad weather), we have registered volunteers who would liketo help and would be happy to visit you.

If you know someone who might benefit from this campaign,please share this information with them and encourage them to contact usnow on 01206 768930 or between 20 December and 2 January contact

07910775363TIME BANK @ the Volunteer Centre

Registered charity No. 1114556timebank@volunteercentrecolchester.org.uk

ACCol NewsPage 6

This winter, a cobblestone street in one particularManchester suburb will echo to the sound of a very

special celebration.

50 years ofWelcome to Coronation Street, theworld's longest running fictitioustelevision series which, on 9thDecember, celebrates its 50thanniversary.

For the past half-century, the dramatic,hilarious and often poignant events in

"the Street" have been watched bymillions of viewers not just in Britain,but right across the world, so, it isincredible to discover that it wasoriginally only scheduled to run for 13episodes. The programme was thebrainchild of Tony Warren, a 23-year-old actor who started writing "inbetween" acting jobs. He wrotevarious scripts for Granada Television,before pursuing the idea of a series setin a working-class street in northernEngland. Inspired by the communityhis grandmother lived in, he had madean earlier approach to the BBC, butthey didn't show any interest.Fortunately, producers at Granada didand Tony's script for the series hecalled was accepted.

When it came to casting thecharacters Tony Warren's actingbackground proved invaluable. Hesuggested Doris Speed for the role ofAnnie Walker, the landlady of theRovers Return; Violet Carson as EnaSharples, the formidable hairnettedcaretaker of the Glad Tidings MissionHall; and Pat Phoenix as Elsie Tanner- the siren of the Street.

Just a month beforewas to be broadcast a major changewas made – the name. Concerned

that sounded rather like adisinfectant, the producers narroweddown the alternatives to Coronationand Jubilee. Several weeks later, at7pm on Friday 9 December, thedistinctive notes of Eric Spear’s cornetsolo heralded in the first episode ofCoronation Street. It was broadcastlive and the action started at thecorner shop where new owner FlorrieLindley had arrived to take from ElsieLappin who was retiring.

At the time, Tony Warren’s creationgave television audiences somethingvery different. They were used todrama, but thanks to the combinationof Warren’s brilliant writing, his keenear for dialogue and the cast’scompelling performances, CoronationStreet offered a new sense of realism.Regardless of their own surroundingsand backgrounds viewers could allidentify in some way with thisdepiction of community life.

The newspaper critics, however, weredivided. The Daily Mirror predicted itsdownfall, whereas The Guardianreckoned it was a winner. Audiencesloved it though and were soon tuningin to the twice-weekly episodes.

Throughout the 1960s viewing figuressteadily climbed as the nationwatched the highs and lows of theresidents' lives unfolding in black-and-white. From the counter of the cornershop to the bar of the Rovers Return,and behind all the doors in between,viewers witnessed moments ofhappiness, anger, sadness, frustration,

Issue Page 756

Coronation Streettenderness, jealousy and comedy.Every human emotion possible wasplayed out on the cobbles.

In 1964 Hilda Ogden moved intonumber 13 with her husband Stan andthis was brought vividly to life by JeanAlexander and Bernard Youens asthey became one of the programme'smost popular couples and a hilariousdouble act.

Shrill-voiced Hilda with her pinny-headscarf and three hair rollers wasforever nagging her lazy husbandwhile she scrimped and saved tomake end meet - working as thecleaner in the Rovers Return.Renowned for reading tea leaves andher unique style in home decoration -a "murial" and three ornamental flyingducks adorned her sitting room wall -Jean Alexander created anotherCoronation Street legend.

Few would want the Ogden’s asneighbours, but the performances ofJean and Bernard were television gold.What was so magical about thisscreen marriage was that, despite allthe arguments and nagging, a level ofgenuine affection existed betweenHilda and Stan.

Throughout its long history theprogramme has seen manydepartures, but there have been manyarrivals, and new faces have soonbecome established as firm favouritesand long-standing cast members.

Three actresses who first steppedonto the cobbles in the 1960s and stillappear in the series today are EileenDerbyshire (Emily), Barbara Knox (Rita)and Betty Driver (Betty). Kind-heartedEmily has always been associatedwith charity work and good causes,

but in the early days of CoronationStreet she went into business with thedraper Leonard Swindley (played byArthur Lowe before he was known toaudiences as Captain Mainwaring inDad's Army).

The character of Rita, who has formany years run The Kabin CoronationStreet's newsagent's, first appearedas a dancer and friend of ElsieTanner's son, Dennis, in 1964 andwasn't seen again until the early1970s since when she has been aregular. She currently has to endurethe busy-bodying antics of herbespectacled Kabin colleague NorrisCole (Malcolm Hebden) who lodgeswith Emily.

Meanwhile, barmaid Betty has beenpulling pints at the Rovers Returnsince 1969 and "Betty's hotpots" area Weatherfield delicacy. Betty Driverwho plays the character celebratedher 90th birthday earlier this yearsomething that scriptwritersincorporated into an episode.

You might not be a loyal viewer oreven ever seen a single episode ofCoronation Street, but there's nodenying that its longevity, togetherwith the legions of devoted fansworldwide, is afantasticachievement andtestament to itstremendoussuccess. Its 50thanniversary is trulya golden momentin British televisionhistory anddeserves to becelebrated assuch.

ACCol NewsPage 8

The Blitz on Coventry

On the moonlit night of 14 November 1940 the old city ofCoventry, at the industrial heart of Britain's war production,

was destroyed when over 500 German bombers massed for thebiggest raid of the war to date.

After the bombing of Munich by the RAF on 8 November - Hitlersought revenge and "Operation Moonlight Sonata" was instigatedwith the target being Coventry.At 7.00 pm the air raid sirens soundedand the first wave of bombers droppedtheir bombs on Coventry. Half an hourlater a second wave of planes arrived.Some were aimed at industrial targetsaround the city but many others concen-trated on bombing the centre of the cityto create a firestorm. Early on in theevening the Cathedral of St Michael washit.

The people of Coventry hid themselves incellars, crypts and air raid shelters. Othersstayed in their homes, thousands ofwhich were destroyed or damaged.

The bombing went on through the earlyhours. Finally at 6.15 am the next morningthe all-clear sounded.

When daylight broke, city was shrouded ina cloak of smoke as people wanderedaround in a daze taking in the destruction.There were 4,330 homes destroyed andthree-quarters of the city's factories dam-aged.

Amongst the rubble lay human remainssome of whom were never identified; 554men, women and children lay dead and865 injured. It was perhaps a miracle thatthe figures were not higher consideringwhat had been dropped on the city non-stop for eleven hours. The world hadnever previously witnessed this sort ofairborne destruction before and the Ger-mans coined a new word for it'coventrated'.'

The city's tram system was destroyed,with tram lines ripped from the ground orarched into the air. Out of a fleet of 181buses only 73 remained. Practically allgas and water pipes were smashed andpeople were advised to boil emergencysupplies of water.

Troops were drafted in by the hundreds tobring order and help clear up the streets.Rescue parties of troops and members ofthe public worked day and night trying todig those out who lay buried in rubble.

Ministry of Information vans toured thestreets advising people where to obtainfood and where to find shelter if they hadbeen made homeless. Canteens were setup and within three days the Royal Engi-neers had restored electricity. Water andgas supplies resumed not long after.

King George VI visited and toured thedevastation on the 16 November. On 20November the first mass burial took placeat the London Road Cemetery.

Prime Minister, WinstonChurchill, inspecting the

ruins of CoventryCathedral.

Issue Page 956

Autumn LeavesClub

Meets at the St Johnsand Highwoods

Community Centre onthree Wednesdays each

month and wouldwelcome new members

Would you like to joinour friendly Colchester

club?We are New Town Co-

operative Pensioners Club.We meet at Church Hall,

Military Road every Tuesdayfrom 1 to 4 for social activities.We are not an ex-employeesclub but we do like people to

be Co-op members.For further information,

please contact MrsFairweather on 01206

860617.

Alone at Christmas?

If you are going to be alone at Christmas then don’t forgetthat you are most welcome at the Salvation Army for lunch.You will be collected at 10 am so, in addition to yourChristmas Lunch, there is lots of company.

If you would like to take part, or you would like to find outmore, then please contact Major House on Colchester768465.

Big Knit 2010What a wonderful year it has been for the BigKnit 2010! An enormous total of 625,360 hatshave been knitted this year.Age Concern Colchester has produced 5595hats which totally exceeded our expectations.All money raised on this fund-raising campaignwith innocent drinks is being spent on winterwarmth projects locally.A big thank you to all of you who have takenpart in the Big Knit.

Christmas and NewYearClosureThe Age ConcernColchester office willbe closed from 4 pmon Thursday 23December and re-open on Tuesday 4January 2011.

ACCol NewsPage 10

1. Which horse won the 1964 Derby?

2. Who is Aladdin’s Mother?

3. What were the names of Cinderella’s two ugly sisters?

4. On which night is it said that, animals can speak and evil spirits lose theirpowers?

5. What was stolen from Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1950?

6. What bird did Queen Elizabeth I decree should be eaten at Christmas?

7. Which British colony surrendered to the Japanese on Christmas Day 1941?

8. Died Christmas Day 1946. US movie-actor / comedian. Noted for his quotessuch as, “Anyone who hates small dogs and children can’t be all bad”?

9. Who banned Christmas festivities as heathen practice in 1652?

10. In Holland, what do children put out on Christmas Eve, instead of stockings?

11. In December 1897, what did over a million women ask Queen Victoria to shuton Sundays, over the festive season?

12. What occupation is Joseph the patron Saint of?

13. What was Scrooge's business partner called?

14. What did the Sun publish early in December 1993, that got them into a lot oftrouble?

15. Who had the Christmas number ones, in 1975 and 1991, and with which song?

16. What was the first thing that Scrooge purchased after his change of heart?

17. Who discovered Christmas Island in 1777?

18. Which carol mentions a 19th century Duke of Bohemia?

19. In which century was Christmas first celebrated ?

20. Jesus was probably born during what season?

21. Why was December 25th chosen as Christmas Day?

22. How did the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe develop?

23. What significance is holly in celebrating Christmas?

24. What country did poinsettias originally come from?

25. Who probably was the first man to illuminate a Christmas tree with candles?

Christmas Quiz

Issue Page 1156

Guess the Christmas Song or Carol

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

Well, we sang fer three hours solidArter tea on a Thursda’ night,An’ Jimma, wi’ his ‘cordeon,

He played wi’all his might.An’ we hollered merry greetin’s

Inter many a cosy room,An’ we shared the joy o’ Christmas

As we carolled our way hoom.

J E Kett

We went round a-sing’ carolsArter tea on Thursda’ night,

With a week to go t’Christmas,An the mune a-shinin’ bright.

An’ from time to time that clouded up,An’ snow come floatin’ down,But we never took any notice

As we carolled round the town.

We were all dolled up right properArter tea on Thursda’ night,

Wi’ rum ole hats an’ mufflers onWe looked a funna sight!

But that were suffin’ frosta,An’ we hatta stamp our feet

An’ blow our hands ter warm’emAs we carolled down the street.

That crowd o’ livela youngstersArter tea on Thursda’ night,

Sang by many a step an’ troshleWhile Alan held the light.

There was Juda, Ann, an’ Gillian,An’ Martin there, o’course,

Stuart, Jane, an’ several others –An’ they carolled theirselves hoarse!