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Award-winning newspaper columnist Matthew Parris speaks to us about his latest book and explains why, after having his fair share of failures over the years, he’s more content at 62 than ever before. Health & Wellbeing: Are you keeping warm enough this winter? Mary Atkinson from the Care Department explains why it’s so important, and how you can make the process easier. Home & Garden: George Hill, our resident gardener, is on hand to answer your gardening questions. Money: Expert advice from the Energy Saving Trust on ways to stay warm and save on your energy bills this winter. Sport & Leisure: We reveal new research that suggests exercising into old age could be better for your brain than a crossword.
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friendscene
Health & Welbeing
November 2012 Issue 23 www.oddfellows.co.uk Not already a member? Visit www.oddfellows.co.uk to join now!
Also featured this monthFood & drink: Make this delicious recipe, supplied by the chef at one of theUK’s best pubs, in your own kitchen.
Home & garden: George Hill, our resident gardener, is on hand to answeryour gardening questions.
Latest news: Find out how the Society pauses to commemorateRemembrance Day.
Sport & leisure: We reveal new research that suggests exercising into old agecould be better for your brain than a crossword; find out more inside.
Money: Expert advice from the Energy Saving Trust on how to stay warm andsave money on your energy bills this winter.
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Around Britain
Are you keeping warm this winter?
Festive shopping at Christmas marketsThere’s only seven weeks until Christmas, so help you get ready we’ve compileda guide to the UK’s must see festive markets; selling gifts, foods and drinks fromaround the world.
The award-winningnewspapercolumnist MatthewParris speaks to usabout his latestbook, The SpanishAmbassador’sSuitcase, whichcelebrates the veryBritish tradition ofthe diplomatdispatch.
After experiencingmore than his fairshare of failures,the 62 year-oldwriter tells us whyhe’s more contentnow than ever.
Getting better with age
Mary Atkinson from the Care Departmentexplains why it is so important to wrapup, and gives you tips to make it easier.
Prizes to be won
WIN: £50 of Jessops vouchers in ourthrough the lens photo competition!Send us your best photo inspired byChristmas to enter.
WIN: A dazzling pair of gardeninggloves! Send George a gardeningquestion for your chance to win
(See inside for more details)
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“I love going to the theatre once in a while, so
when I heard my local Oddfellows Branch was
arranging a trip I couldn’t pass it up.”
Sharon - Manchester
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The older he gets, the happier Matthew Parris feels.With his latest book, The Spanish Ambassador’sSuitcase and Other Stories earning critical acclaim,the 62-year-old writer is more content than he hasever been.
“I’ve found the vast majority of things related to getting olderare positive and to be embraced,” he says. “I’m far morecomfortable and confident now than I was as a young man.”
Parris is notably self deprecating. He describes his pastcareer choices – junior diplomat, MP, broadcaster – as“failures” and says it was only relatively late in life that hediscovered he could write.
“I was 39 and presenting Weekend World on ITV at the time.The editor of The Times had read a few of the things I’dwritten as an MP and asked me to be the paper’s newParliamentary sketch writer.
“I wasn’t at all confident that I’d be any good, but that was1989 – and I’ve never looked back.”
Nowadays the former MP for West Derbyshire describes his13 years of observing proceedings in Westminster as “goingrogue”. He would go on to further success as an awardwinning columnist for The Times and The Spectator.
Most recently he has turned his attention to celebrating thevery British tradition of the diplomat, a role once described as“a kind of gilded vagabondage”.
It seems an odd choice for a man who himself left thediplomatic service almost 40 years ago, less than two yearsafter joining as a junior civil servant. But it was while readingthe dispatches that landed on his desk that the Cambridgegraduate realised how integral good writing could be to adiplomat’s career.
Valedictory dispatches, written by ambassadors when leavinga post, were famous within the Foreign Office (FO) for theirhonest, hilarious and often harsh descriptions of the countriestheir authors were departing.
Ambassadors went to great lengths to “polish the prose” ofthese farewells before circulating them throughout the FO,where they frequently reached the desks of the ForeignSecretary and other senior ministers.
“The best ones were often ambassadors’ final dispatcheswhen retiring from the service,” says Parris. “Think of aspeech at an office leaving party where the speaker says allthe things he’s wanted to say about the office, hiscolleagues and the country but never has. These were thejewels.”
The lost art of diplomacy
“The art of letter writing is rare
nowadays. We just dash off and send
an email or a text message instead.
It’s a whole new means of expression.
““
(Continued on the next page...)
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It was the extraordinarily candid nature of the valedictory thatultimately proved its undoing.
Take Lord Morgan, who in 1984 wrote that “the majority ofCanadian ministers are unimpressive and a few... franklybizarre”. His thoughts, which became public in 2009, madenational headlines in Canada.
A succession of embarrassments resulting from similarlyforthright reflections prompted the government to axe farewelldispatches in 2006.
But the young Parris never forgot them, and after writingabout them in his columns four years ago he was contactedby a radio producer, Andrew Bryson, who suggested thesubject would make a fascinating programme and possiblyeven a book.
Six months later, after reading dozens of dispatches Brysonuncovered using the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA),Parris was convinced. As Bryson had predicted, a radioseries and accompanying book, Parting Shots, duly followed.
The Spanish Ambassador’s Suitcase and Other Stories,continues the theme. From Vietnam and Tokyo in theaftermath of war to a vibrant Brazil in the 60s, these cleareyed dispatches, written by ambassadors upon arrival at anew posting, offer a window on history.
Parris believes one of the most intriguing aspects of bothbooks is the fine line between humour and seriousness.
“There’s this ambivalence throughout between comedy andtragedy, politics and history, that means neither can be easilycategorised. Also intertwined are these beautifully evocativedescriptions of foreign places. There’s no doubt that someambassadors would have made great travel writers.”
Of all the dispatches that Bryson found during his huntthrough the National Archives in Kew, Parris’ favourite is asurreal report from Berlin in 1934 from the then ambassador,Sir Eric Phipps.
“It’s a completely ludicrous picture that Phipps paints ofGoering,” explains Parris. “He likens him to a big, fat, spoiltchild showing off his various toys, using humour to portraythe juvenile, fanatical nature of the man. And yet, as head ofthe Luftwaffe, Goering had other ‘winged toys’ that would oneday be launched to murderous effect.”
Both books are permeated by a subtle sense of regret at thedecline and loss of the Empire. Parris thinks this reflects anenduring sentiment in Britain, especially among the oldergeneration.
“This summer’s celebrations were rather contrary to that sad,backward-looking nostalgia that runs through these books,”he says.
Readers might be left yearning for a return to the valedictory,but Parris feels its time is gone.
“As long as you have Freedom of Information, anyambassador writing a valedictory would have to considerthe possibility that it could be published in a newspaper,which kind of spoils the whole thing. It’s the fact that it’s aconfidential conversation between knowing, intelligentcolleagues that gives it that special quality.”
Nor is it only the FOIA that makes a comeback unlikely. LikeBritain, the way people communicate has fundamentallychanged.
“It’s a whole new means of expression, and I think a lot isgained by that. But something is lost as well.”
The Spanish Ambassador’s Suitcase is available now.RRP £16.99.
I’ve found the vast majority of things
related to getting older are positive...
I’m far more comfortable and confident
now than I was as a young man.
““
Culture club
Through the lens – photography competitionThe theme of this month’s photography competition is ‘Christmas’, with only eightweeks away, now is the time to send us your festive photos for the Decemberedition. It could be a picture of a snowman, a frosty winter scene, a warm cracklingfire or a nativity scene.
You can enter by emailing your photo to [email protected], posting it on ourFacebook wall or sending it in a tweet that mentions @OddfellowsUK. Click on the linksbelow to visit our social media sites.
Terms and conditions1) Entries can be submitted at any time and still be included in this competition. However the cut off date for each edition will be the first day of the month. For example, this month’s competition closes on 1 December.
2) If successful, you will be contacted by the Oddfellows to arrange delivery of your prize.
3) If your photograph contains an image of a person, building or private location please ensure you get permission from the person/building owner before submitting your entry.
4) By submitting a photograph to this competition you are confirming that you have given permission for the Oddfellows to use and reproduce this image in future publications and marketing material, both online and printed.
5) The Oddfellows will assume your consent has been given once your entry is submitted unless you directly state otherwise at the time of entering the competition.
If we choose your photo to appear in the next edition you’ll win £50 ofJessops vouchers to spend in store, so go and get snapping.
The Reader’s ReviewBook: From 0 to Infinity in 26 Centuriesby Chris Waring
In one way or another all of life is controlled by numbers. A worldwithout them would be a world without form, organisation,communication or progress.
There are plenty of books on the market for those who wish to pursue ascientific study of mathematics, but few trace the evolution ofmathematics in a historical and cultural context.
This one does, and it does so in an off the peg, informal way throughout;from the oldest known civilisations right through to the present day.
This book is a personal account of how numbers have impacted uponcultures and lives. It brings everyday mathematical concepts to life,showing how and why they were invented.
This book is a numerical analysis of life and it is entirely up to you howto use it. By delving into it, you are guaranteed to come up withsomething that interests and intrigues you.Karen Doku, member of the North London District
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“My favourite thing about the Oddfellows is that all the
events are aimed at foodies like me. We even went on a
tour of an English vineyard recently – I’ll drink to that!”
George - Brighton
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Sport & leisure
Ingredients (serves eight)3 oz of dark brown sugar2 oz of butter3 oz of self-raising flour1/2 tsp of baking powder3 oz of dates
MethodSoak the dates in the water and bicarbonate of soda for10 minutes, then turn them into a puree.
Cream the butter and sugar together in a large bowl,before adding the egg and mixing everything together.
Next, add the flour and the baking powder before mixingagain. Add the pureed dates and stir again untileverything is thoroughly mixed together.
Butter and line a tray or small roasting tin – roughly 20 x 30cm – and then pre-heat the oven to 175C.
Bake it for 35 minutes, until the mixture has risen all over.To check it is cooked, insert a skewer. If it comes out witha few crumbs then it is ready to serve.
Toffee Sauce
Created by Wil Findlay, Head Chef at The Cock pub, Cambridgeshire
1/4 tsp of bicarbonate of soda1/4 pt of water1 egg
MethodAdd the butter, golden syrup and sugar to a pan and heatit all up slowly on a medium heat. Bring it to the boilslowly, stirring well throughout.
Once warm, remove the pan from the heat and allow thesauce to cool slightly, before stirring in the cream andthen pouring over the pudding.
The Cock atHemingford Grey wasrecently voted NationalPub of the Year andCambridgeshire diningpub of the year for 2013by readers of The Good Pub Guide.
Situated in the village ofHemingford Grey, itsseasonal food is freshlyprepared every day.
Visit the website.
Ingredients 2 oz of butter2 oz of soft brown sugar
1/2 lb of golden syrup1/8 pt of double cream
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Share your stories and pictures of Remembrance
Day events and Bonfire night through our
Facebook or Twitter pages. Just follow the links
on the right to carry on the conversation.
Remembrance
Shaken or stirred?
The new James Bond film Skyfall waslaunched last month to coincide withthe 50th anniversary of the first film Dr No. To celebrate, we’d like you tovote for your favourite ever Bond. Headover to our Facebook page by clickingon the icon below to cast your vote.
Congratulations!
Well done to Iris Gillett, who has wona signed copy of Nigel Slater’s newcook book The Kitchen Diaries II.
Thank you to everyone else whoentered; keep reading Friendsceneevery month for more chances to winprizes!
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The tradition of wearing a poppy as a sign of remembrancebegan in 1920 in America and was inspired by the poem ‘In Flanders Field’ written by Lt Col John McCrae during WWI.
The poppy appeal 2012 is organised by the RoyalBritish Legion. Organisers hope to raise £42million this year. Visit www.britishlegion.org.uk tosee how you can help.
Oddfellows members across the country have been joining theUK’s annual Remembrance Day ceremonies this month to paytheir respects to those armed forces personnel killed and injuredin the line of duty.
It is customary for representatives from the organisation’s 151Branches to attend local wreath laying ceremonies and to weartheir poppies with pride, commemorating the sacrifice made by somany over the years.
Every year at the Society’s AnnualMovable Conference (AMC),members attend the traditionalwreath laying service at the hosttown’s War Memorial. During theceremony, a wreath in the shape ofthree links, representing theprinciples of Friendship, Love andTruth is laid to remember the fallen.
Active+ launches in North Gloucestershire
A new membership scheme for younger people has been launchedin the North Gloucestershire. Membership includes access to socialevents, discounts and advice for just £25 per year.
More than 80 people turned up to enjoy an action-packed lunch break, complete withdelicious food and refreshing non-alcoholic cocktails. There was also a Wii challengewith the prize of a £100 Virgin Experience voucher that was won by Roger Hayne(pictured).
Alex Walker, North Gloucestershire’s Development Officer for Active+, said: “thelaunch gave us the perfect opportunity to show what we’re all about. Our socialcalendar is exactly what younger people need at the moment.”
“These days we take ‘staycations’ in the UK to
keep costs down. But wherever we go there are
always Oddfellows events to entertain us.”
Lesley - South Yorkshire
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(Stuttgart Christmas market in Germany)
The Christmas Market began in Germany more than 500 years ago. When Oliver Cromwell banned the celebration ofChristmas in the 17th Century, the tradition died out in the UK. However, today they are more popular than ever, attractingmillions of visitors every year.
Hundreds of towns and cities now host their own every winter – here’s our guide to this year’s must see markets.
This year’s must seeChristmas Markets
Lincoln6 - 9 DecemberHome to the UK’s first modernChristmas Market, Lincoln boasts250 stalls in a medieval squarebeside the Castle and theCathedral. Now in its 30th year,the four-day market showcasesfood, drink and crafts fromNeustadt, the German town twinned with this historical English City.
Bath 22 November - 9 DecemberFestive foods, gift ideas andentertainment will take over thestreets surrounding Bath Abbeyfor 18 days.
Glasgow 16 November - 23 DecemberStall traders come from Ecuador, Finland and Russia for thisfive-week festival in St Enoch’s Square.
Manchester 17 November – 23 DecemberOne of the country’s biggest andbest, Manchester’s marketconsists of more than 200 stallsspread across eight different citylocations. 14 years after it firststarted, it has become a populartourist attraction in its own right.
Even more marketsBelfast: 17 November - 20 DecemberBlenheim Palace: 16 - 18 NovemberCaerphilly: 8 - 9 DecemberIpswich: 15 - 18 NovemberLeeds: Now - 16 DecemberNewcastle: 16 November - 1 DecemberNottingham: 22 November - 24 DecemberPlymouth: 22 November - 24 DecemberSkipton: 2 - 9 DecemberSwansea: 23 November - 16 December
visitbath.co.uk © Bath Tourism Plus /Colin Hawkins
Image courtesy of MarketingManchester
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Profile: Sheffield
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This month we travel to ‘Steel city’ guided by Paul Eyre, BranchSecretary for South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire and anexpert Oddfellows historian.
Looking backSheffield has been home to Oddfellows members since 1730. Thepredecessor to the modern Oddfellows Society – the Union Order –moved to the city from London in the 18th Century after it wasbanned by the Government of the day.
It is rumoured that today’s Oddfellows Society – the ManchesterUnity – broke away from the Union in 1810 because of the age-oldrivalry between Yorkshire and Lancashire.
Sheffield joined the new Society in 1823 and still has more than1,300 members in the area today.
Tough timesStainless steel was invented in Sheffield but the city was badly hitby de-industrialisation during the 1980s. Most of the big industrythat once made it the world’s leading producer of steel has gone,but the world’s last independent steelworks remains; making moresteel now than ever before.
Recent renaissanceOver the past two decades, the city has pulled itself up by itsbootstraps. Where the giant factories once stood there is now theMeadowhall Shopping Centre, the Don Valley Athletics Stadiumand the Sheffield Arena.
The City is home to the World Snooker Championship in theCrucible and became world-famous once again in 1997 thanks tothe hit film The Full Monty.
Booming BranchLocal Oddfellows members meet at one ofnine different groups in the South Yorkshireand North Derbyshire area. With up to 100members attending each monthly meeting, theorganisers’ biggest problem can often befinding somewhere big enough!
Upcoming events in the area include a ghostwalk, dine around events and walks in thenearby Peak District. For more details aboutthe Branch, email [email protected] call 01709 838673.
City statistics• England’s third largest city
• Population: 560,000
• Home to two Universities (Sheffield University & Sheffield Hallam University)
Did you know?Sheffield is known as the greenest city in England,with wide open spaces for visitors to enjoy. This isbecause it was built on seven hills which madeconstruction in some places impossible.
Sheffield Winter Garden
Images courtesy of Sheffield City Council
Sheffield from the Peak District
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“I love the Oddfellows’ Active Travel Club. My friends and I
go on active and culture trips, weekends away and holidays
abroad. It lets me meet new people, and it was free to join!”
Roger, London
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Active Travel
Sport & leisure
Join us for a relaxing and picturesque trip to LakeComo; one of Italy’s most popular holiday destinations.
This fantastic foreign holiday includes return flights fromEast Midlands to Bergamo, transfers to and from LakeComo and four nights all-inclusive accommodation in thethree-star Britannia Excelsior Hotel in Cadanabbia.
Cost: £369pp (exclusive price to Active Travel Clubmembers) Single supplement: £10pp per night
Optional excursionsTrip to Lake Lugano in Switzerland and LakeMaggoire in Italy (full day) – £35 Lake cruise and wine tasting (half day) – £28
All-inclusive holiday to Lake Como (Italy) Wednesday 24 April 2013 (4 nights, 5 days)
Summer holiday 2013
These offers are only available to Oddfellows members.To find out more about becoming a member click here.For existing members to find out more about the ActiveTravel Club please email [email protected] orcall 0161 832 9361.
Norton Grange Coastal Village (Isle of Wight)Monday 1 July 2013 (4 nights, 5 days)Price - £214pp (based on two people sharing)
Join us for a relaxing trip to Norton Grange Coastal Village on theIsle of Wight. This fantastic break is for four nights half board en-suite accommodation plus an entertainment programme andoptional excursions. To book contact Barbara Flood on 0800 072 0772. Booking code 67GPB.
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“Sorting out the garden is how I like to relax.
An expert gave a talk at my local Oddfellows
branch – it helped me no end.”
Christine - Derbyshire Not already a member? Click here to join now!
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Members with green fingersOddfellows members are eligible to receive a special10% discount on anything at www.suttons.co.uk, fromseeds and bulbs to gardening equipment andgreenhouses. To take advantage of this exclusive offer,click here*.*You will need to be signed in as a member to accessthe Members' Benefits page.
Q: “I have dwarf cherry and apple trees which havefruited well over the years but have been left toovergrow. When and how should I cut them back toprevent damaging them?”Wendy, Leeds
A: The best thing to do is prune them at the end ofNovember. Remove around a third of the total growthwhile lightly pruning any younger growth where possible.
Q: “Should I prune the tall growth that has appeared onmy apple trees?” Ken, Kent
A: Cut it back by half to encourage more of thebranches to spread into the base of the tree. Doing thisshould result in a better shaped tree with fruit that’seasier to reach when picking. Mulching your fruit treeswith manure or organic matter will help as well.
Q: “Is it too late to prune back the plants in my garden?”Gill, Derbyshire
A: November’s a good time to clean the garden up. Trimback all the excessive new growth first and cut thingsback in the herbaceous borders almost to ground level.This helps to prevent the spread of disease.
Q: “Which herbs will survive in my garden during thewinter?”Jenny, Lincoln
A: Mint, sage and rosemary all survive quite well unlesswe have a really harsh winter. Parsley will be ok undersome polythene but everything else will struggle.
Ask George
George’s focusThis month I’ll be digging farmyardmanure into my garden. I always dig ashallow trench first, put the manure insideand then dig it over. The soil should thenbe ready for plants by next spring.
I’ll also be pruning my autumn fruitingraspberry canes and giving mystrawberries a light dressing of blood,bone and fish to keep vital nutrients in theplant throughout the winter.
Remember! If we publish your questionwe’ll send you a brand new pair ofdazzling gardening gloves absolutelyfree, thanks to Joe’s Garden.
Is your garden giving you grief? Well, fear not, because George Hillis here to answer your gardening questions. Send your question toGeorge by emailing [email protected]. If we publish yourquestion we’ll send you a brand new pair of dazzling gardeninggloves absolutely free, thanks to Joe’s Garden.
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“I’ve never really been ‘sporty’, but I try to keep fit. My local
Oddfellows branch now hosts a walking club. It’s great to get
some fresh air, and we always have a good time.”
Diana - Essex
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New research suggests that exercising as we get older maykeep our brains, as well as our bodies, healthier for longer.
Researchers studying the effects of ageing at the University ofEdinburgh interviewed almost 700 people aged 70 about theirexercise habits.
MRI scans were then carried out on the participants three yearslater to measure the overall health of their brains.
The tests revealed that people who exercised regularly showedfewer signs of age-related brain decline, such as brain shrinkageor damage to the brain’s wiring, than those who didn’t.
Dr Alan Gow, from the University’s Centre of Cognitive Ageingand Cognitive Epidemiology, believes the findings could helpmore people to keep fit mentally, as well as physically, as theyget older.
“Our results suggest that to maintain brain health, physicalactivity may be more beneficial than choosing more sedentaryactivities. Increasing exercise – even just a short walk each day– might therefore be beneficial in a number of areas and canonly be encouraged.”
Contrary to popular belief, the study found no impact on brainhealth from intellectual activities like reading or visits tomuseums or galleries. However Dr Gow stresses that theseactivities clearly have an impact on many people’s wellbeingand quality of life in other ways.
Gradual brain shrinkage and damage to the brain’s whitematter – the wiring that transmits messages around the brain –are to age-related changes which happen naturally in the body.
These become increasingly common as people get older, butwhat still isn’t clear is why some individuals seem to age moresuccessfully and more healthily than others.
Dr Gow and his fellow researchers now hope that further study,funded by Age UK and the Medical Research Council, willallow them to discover whether increased and prolongedphysical activity is a direct cause of better, longer-lasting brainfunction.
“If we can establish definitely that exercise provides protectionagainst mental decline, it could open the door to exerciseprogrammes tailored to the needs of people as they age.”
Sport & leisure
Keep fit to stay sharp
“If we can establish definitely that
exercise provides protection against
mental decline, it could open the door
to exercise programmes tailored to the
needs of people as they age.
““
Warm and well this winter
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Health & wellbeing“The Oddfellows give so much. I wish more people
knew about the great services they have to offer.”
Paul - London
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Mary Atkinson from the Oddfellows Care and WelfareDepartment explains why it’s so important to keep warmduring the coldest months of the year.
Studies have shown that it is in milder climates such as oursrather than in countries with very harsh winters that there isthe greatest risk of health problems due to being too cold.This is partly because its being just a bit too cold over a longperiod that causes most problems. Also we don’t tend to takethe cold as seriously as countries with a harsher climate andso don’t dress up properly when going out or insulate or heatour homes well enough.
Now that the nights are drawing in and the temperatureoutside is dropping, it is vital that you make sure your home isheated properly. Experts say that the rooms you use the mostshould be kept at 21C, with other rooms at 18C.
With energy prices going up again recently, the need to heatyour home may bring with it worries about the cost. Theadvice from the Care Department is to make heating bills apriority, while at the same time taking all the practical stepsyou can to keep your bills as low as possible.
There’s plenty of information online that can help you workout if you’re on the cheapest tariff, if you should switchsuppliers or if you are eligible to receive help with your fuelcosts and energy saving measures.
Why not start by visiting www.MoneySavingExpert.com, theGovernment’s website or the Energy Saving Trust (featured inthis month’s money section).
Need more help?Oddfellows members can call our Citizens AdviceBureau General Advice Line on 0845 606 2620quoting their membership number for advice onall aspects of managing fuel costs, including helpingyou work out whether you should switch suppliers.
If you would like a copy of Age UK’s ‘Winter wrappedup’ guide to staying well and warm this winter, contactthe Care and Welfare Advice Line on 0845 606 3102,quoting your membership number. Not amember? Click here to find out how to join.
Did you know?If you were born before 6 July 1951 you could be eligibleto a Winter Fuel Payment; a tax free grant of up to £300 tohelp you pay for your heating.
Warm Front SchemeAnybody vulnerable or on benefits could qualify for a WarmFront Scheme grant of up to £3,500 to pay for homeimprovements.
This can be used for draught-proofing, loft insulation, cavitywalls or heating.
Click here to see if you are eligible.
If you find any of these tasks difficult, get in touch with us onthe numbers below. We’re here to help all members,regardless of age or circumstances.
Caveat for insulation, heating and behaviour savings: based on a typical three-bedroom semi-detached as heated house, with an average gas price of 4.49p/kWh and electricity price of14.39/kWh; correct as of September 2011 and valid for 2011-12.
Caveat for appliances, domestic computer, consumer electronics and lighting savings: based onan average electricity price of 14.39p/kWh; correct as of September 2011 and valid for 2011-12. Microgeneration and renewables caveat: based on an average gas price of 4.49p/kWhand electricity price of 14.39pkWh; correct as of September 2011 and valid for 2011-12. All information is supplied by the Energy Saving Trust. To find out more visitwww.energysavingtrust.org.uk.
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“When I had money worries the Oddfellows put
me in touch with the right people who could
help. They were with me every step of the way.”
Pam - Cambridgeshire
Money
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As the mercury falls further this month, there are plenty of small ways for you to make a big difference to the size of your bills, as the Energy Saving Trust explains.
Practical ways to save on your energy bills
Sport & leisure
Replacing electric heating with a wood-pellet heating systemcould save you around £580 a year on heating bills.
A typical solar electricity installation could generate around75% of a home’s annual electricity needs.
Quick ways of saving money - Potential annual savings (£’s)
• Using a bowl to wash up ratherthan a hot running tap £34
• Turning off appliances at the wall socket when not in use £35
• Spending just one minute less inthe shower each day £13
• Washing your clothes at 30Cinstead of a
higher temperature £12
• Replacing a 60Wincandescent bulb
with a 15W energy-saver £8
Heating savings - Potential annual savings (£’s)
• Fitting a room thermostat £70
• Fitting a water-tank thermostat £30
• Fitting thermostatic radiator valves £10
• Installing reflective radiator panels yourself £4
Cut your metered water bills - Potential annual savings (£’s)
• Fitting a duel flush mechanism to your toilet £105
• Replacing an old shower head with an eco-shower head £78
• Replacing one bath per week with a five-minute shower £21
• Fixing a dripping tap £13
