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April 2012 • Issue 5

Knitted Olympians!

Mrs Surridge of Charles May Walk, Colchester has amazed us yet again with her hand knittedversion of the British Olympic Team complete with medals! It`s only a pity that knitting is notyet an Olympic sport!

STARTING 1st week of May

Wednesday 1.30-2.30

Looking to improve your balance and general mobility? Why nottry out a fun class aimed at all fitness levels?

Held at Age UK Colchester, Globe House, 6 George StreetColchester

CONTACT DETAILS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Dean Poole – 07775561705Lin Roberts – 01206 368420

Welcome to the Age UKColchester Spring

Newsletter

I hope you find many interesting articles here.Now that we have left winter behind us, why not

think about extending your horizons and sign upfor our computer courses. You will receiveone-to-one tuition from a tutor who will take thingsat your pace. If you are interested in finding outmore give us a ring on our main number.I would also like to draw your attention to the TeaDance being held in Mersea on Thursday 10 May.Tickets are £5 and available from our offices herein George Street. Why not welcome in the springby tripping the light fantastic! We’d love towelcome as many of our readers as we can.I am certain many of you will have shocked at thehuge increase in the price of stamps due to takeeffect from the end of April. This has caused usto consider the viability of our newsletter serviceto the Colchester community. We have decidedto continue producing the newsletter, albeit in areduced size, so that we can use smaller

envelopes and to ask as many of our readers toreceive it via email. Enclosed with this newsletteris a form asking if:

· You wish to remain on our mailing list· You wish to receive a paper edition· You wish to receive the newsletter via

email

Please, please fill in the form and return it to us.This will give us an opportunity to update ourmailing list and send you the version of thenewsletter that suits you best.Please also remember that you can find ournewsletter on our website:

www.ageuk.org.uk/colchester

How Safe is your Key Safe?

Following media reports of a smallnumber of key safes being broken

into and keys stolen, Essex Police`scrime reduction officers have issued thefollowing advice.While key safes can be extremely useful torelatives and carers of older people, like anyother security product, they are only as good asthe fixings that secure them.Opt for a key safe that has been accredited toa recognised police certification authority suchas Secured By Design. Choose a safe that ismade from non-corrosive metal such as zincalloy and that has anti-tampering features.Choose a key safe that allows a combinationlocking code more than 5 characters in lengthincluding letters and numbers.Make sure the safe is installed properly,accredited suppliers can supply trained fitters.Install the safe onto brickwork or concrete using

the approved fittings. Ideally the key safe shouldbe situated in a position out of sight of passersby. If you think the security code has beencompromised, change it straight away.At the Age UK office in George Street, we havea demonstration C500 key safe generouslydonated by Supra UK. It is the UK`s first policeapproved key safe. Please ring our office on01206 368420 if you wish to come in to inspectit.

Fivefold rise incost of Blue Badgeto combat fraud

More than two million disabled drivers facea fivefold increase in the price of a Blue

Badge under a new government anti-fraudscheme.Changes which Essex County Council hasimplemented from 1 April will see the handwrittenbadge replaced by a printed document, completewith hologram, serial number and digital photographof the motorist. This has pushed up the price of thebadge up from £2 to £10.With free parking spaces disappearing from townsand cities across the country the blue badges,issued to 2.5 million motorists across the UnitedKingdom, are becoming increasingly valuable. Insome parts of the country they are changing handsfor £1,500 and overall Blue Badge fraud isestimated to cost the country £46 million a year.

“Motorists who pretend to be disabled to get somefree parking are frankly disgraceful,” said NormanBaker, the local transport minister. “They preventreal Blue Badge holders from using parking baysdesigned for those genuinely in need and they cheatthe vast majority of road users who play fair whenthey park their cars.”

“Our new Blue Badge will be as secure as abanknote and anyone thinking of faking it can forgetit. We are also tightening up on enforcement andeligibility so there will be no way to scam thesystem.”The problem is particularly bad in London, whichhas some of the most expensive parking in thecountry. In Wandsworth, for example, a millionairecosmetic dentist was convicted of using a badgebelonging to the late father of his business partnerin order to park his £140,000 Ferrari in Putney HighStreet. Others convicted of Blue Badge fraud in theborough have included solicitors, bank managersand the owner of a care home for the elderly.

"Abuse of the blue badge system is absolutely rife.These people should hang their heads in shame,”a council spokesman said.

“Not only are they taking away parking spaces fromdisabled people, but they have no qualms at allabout leaving their relatives cruelly cooped upindoors all day just so they can drive to work or goshopping and save themselves a few pennies inparking costs.”

Launch of new Age UKColchester website

As part of the continuing development of AgeUK as the prominent charity supporting older

people across the country, the Age UK Colchesterwebsite is currently being integrated into thenational charity’s website.

Age Concern Colchester first developed it ownwebsite about nine years ago and last year it wasupgraded to become Age UK Colchester.

Over the coming weeks this will become just alink to the national site.

We will still have control of what is on our sectionof the new website it is just that by putting all thevarious Age UK’s right across the country ontothe same site there will be a consistent corporateimage.

If you want to look at the new site then go to:

www.ageuk.org.uk/colchester

Spring into actionA new Woolly Appeal!

Age UK Colchester`s Knit and Natter Group,which meets on the last Tuesday of eachmonth at our office, is in desperate need ofwool for our various charitable projects. Weparticularly need double knitting yarn but alland every type will be gratefully received, no

matter how small theamount. If you wouldlike to join this friendlygroup you will be verywelcome. For furtherinformation contactFrankie on 01206368420.

If you have already completedyour course of three classes,don`t forget that you are welcometo sign up again for three furtherclasses. The price remains at £15for three classes with a personaltutor who will work at your ownpace. Ring Frankie for furtherinformation on 01206 368420.

A Jubilee Community Event inFordham

Supported by Age UK Colchester

A celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee including a Tea Dance with music fromJeff Short and his Band and songs from Mrs Flatman

followed by a Barbeque and Family Activities for the local community

Ticket price is £5 per adultwhich includes afternoon tea.

Enquiries to the Age UK Colchester office on 01206 368420

Spring into action

Includes Tea & Cake

Tickets £5

Thursday 10 May 20122.30 pm to 5 pm

Tickets from:

Age UK Colchester, Globe House,George Street, Colchester, CO1 1TP(01206) 368420

The MICA Centre, High StreetWest Mersea, CO5 8QA Sponsored by

Home Instead Senior CareColchester

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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Grymes Dyke Court Activity Centre

getting vast amounts through as they still controlledthe Suez and were predominant in the Mediterranean.To resolve what could only become a more difficultsituation, Rommel decided to attack quickly even ifhe was not well-equipped.

By the end of August 1942, Montgomery was ready.He knew that Rommel was very short of fuel and thatthe Germans could not sustain a long campaign.

To throw Rommel off the scent, Montgomery launched‘Operation Bertram’ to convince Rommel that thefull-might of the Eighth Army would be used in thesouth. Dummy tanks were erected in the region. Adummy pipeline was also built - slowly, so as toconvince Rommel that the Allies were in no hurry toattack the Afrika Korps. Monty’s army in the north alsohad to ‘disappear’. Tanks were covered so as toappear as non-threatening lorries. Bertram workedas Rommel became convinced that the attack wouldbe in the south.

The Allied attack on Rommel was code-named"Operation Lightfoot" and started with over 800 artilleryguns firing at the German lines. Legend has it that thenoise was so great that the ears of the gunners bled.As the shells pounded the German lines, the infantryattacked. The engineers set about clearing mines.Their task was very dangerous as one mine wasinter-connected with others via wires and if one minewas set off, many others could be. The stretch ofcleared land for the tanks proved to be Montgomery’sAchilles heel. Just one non-moving tank could holdup all the tanks that were behind it. The ensuing trafficjams made the tanks easy targets for the Germangunners using the feared 88 artillery gun. The plan toget the tanks through in one night failed. The infantry

The Battle of El Alamein

General Montgomery commanding the North AfricanCampaign

The Battle of El Alamein,fought in the deserts of

North Africa, is seen asone of the decisive

victories of World War Two and was primarilyfought between two of the outstandingcommanders of World War Two, Montgomery,who succeeded the dismissed Auchinleck, andRommel. The Allied victory at El Alamein lead tothe retreat of the Afrika Korps and the Germansurrender in North Africa in May 1943.El Alamein is 150 miles west of Cairo. By the summerof 1942, the Allies were in trouble throughout Europe.The attack on Russia - Operation Barbarossa - hadpushed the Russians back; U-boats were having amajor effect on Britain in the Battle of the Atlantic andwestern Europe seemed to be fully in the control ofthe Germans.

Hence the war in the desert of North Africa was pivotal.If the Afrika Korps got to the Suez Canal, the abilityof the Allies to supply themselves would be severelydented. The only alternate supply route would be viaSouth Africa - which was not only longer but a lot moredangerous due to the vagaries of the weather. Thepsychological blow of losing the Suez and losing inNorth Africa would have been incalculable - especiallyas this would have given Germany near enough freeaccess to the oil in the Middle East.

Rommel planned to hit the Allies in the south as hehad done it before. However, Montgomery was helpedby the people who worked at Bletchley Park who hadgot hold of Rommel’s battle plan and had decipheredit. Therefore ‘Monty’ knew not only Rommel’s plan butalso the route of his supply lines. By August 1942,only one-third of what Rommel needed was gettingthrough to him. He was also acutely aware that whilehe was being starved of supplies, the Allies were

Answers:1. Breakaway, 2. Jelly babies, 3. QualityStreet, 4. Smarties, 5. Black Magic, 6. Wine gums, 7.Polo, 8. All Gold, 9. Milk Tray, 10. Treats, 11. After Eight,12. Imperial Mints, 13. Tick Tacks, 14. Mars bar, 15. Twix,16. Turkish Delight, 17. Dolly mixture, 18. Whisper, 19.Roses, 20. Bounty.

Sweet andChocolate Quiz

All the answers are to do with sweetsand chocolates!

1. Jailbirds do it2. Wobbly infants3. Where refined people live4. Wise guys5. A dabble in the occult?6. Home for alcoholic teeth?7. Cool sport for princes8. 100% top metal9. Carrier for dairy products?10. For being good kids11. 9, 10, 1112. Royal herb13. Strange people at races?14. Mother’s local?15. Nearly between16. Belly dancer17. All sorts of girlies18. Don’t talk too loud19. Gardner’s delight20. Pirate’s loot?

had also not got as far as Montgomery had planned.They had to dig in.

Operation Lightfoot was called off and Montgomerywithdrew his tanks. When he received the news,Churchill was furious as he believed that Montgomerywas letting victory go.

However, Rommel and the Afrika Korps had alsobeen suffering. He only had 300 tanks left to the Allies900+. ‘Monty’ next planned to make a move to theMediterranean. Australian units attacked theGermans by the Mediterranean and Rommel had tomove his tanks north to cover this. The Australianstook many casualties but their attack was to changethe course of the battle.

Rommel became convinced that the main thrust ofMontgomery’s attack would be near theMediterranean and so he moved a large amount ofhis Afrika Korps there. The Australians fought withferocity - even Rommel commented on the "rivers ofblood" in the region. However, the Australians hadgiven Montgomery room to manoeuvre.

He launched ‘Operation Supercharge’. This was aBritish and New Zealander infantry attack made southof where the Australians were fighting. Rommel wastaken by surprise. 123 tanks of the 9th ArmouredBrigade attacked the German lines. But a sandstormonce again saved Rommel. Many of the tanks got lostand they were easy for the German 88 gunners topick off. But the overwhelming number of Allied tanksmeant that more arrived to help out and it was thesetanks that tipped the balance. Rommel put tankagainst tank - but his men were hopelesslyoutnumbered.

By November 2nd 1942, Rommel knew that he wasbeaten. Hitler ordered the Afrika Korps to fight to thelast but Rommel refused to carry out this order. OnNovember 4th, Rommel started his retreat. 25,000Germans and Italians had been killed or wounded inthe battle and 13,000 Allied troops in the Eighth Army.

Rommel studying maps during the battle at ElAlamein

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.ukWeb: www.ageukcolchester.org.uk

Age UK Colchester is a registered charity (Registered Charity No. 1142414)and company limited by guarantee. Registered in England and Wales No

7517777. Registered Office: 6 George Street, Colchester, CO1 1TP.

Back in the early seventies when I was in my prime,I thought I’d buy a nightie all sheer with lace so fine.I bought it from a club book at a bob or two each week,And when it was delivered I was gob smacked so to

speak.Slowly I took it from its wrapper – and then I tried it on,It fitted me so perfect – not too short and not too long.When I looked into the mirror I liked just what I saw,Then very quickly took it off and hid it in a drawer.And there it stayed for weeks on end – until a certain

day,When I thought that it was time – the time for making

Hay.I had a bath and washed my hair – and made my body

beautiful,For tonight was just the night for being a wife so dutiful,I stood within the doorway feeling seductive and so trim,And full of hope and anticipation I called out to him.My heart was beating fast as I called my husband’s

name.Normally I was very shy – but that night I felt quite bold,Until he said “put something on before you catch a cold”

Muriel Gotts