< Previous60 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFAMILY MATTERSAs the cost of living continues to riseand the family dynamic shifts back tosomething better resembling ourEuropean cousins, it’s become morecommon to find multiple generationsunder one roof. Studies abound aboutthe benefits of bringing kids up aroundtheir grandparents, who can impart theirwisdom, as well as help ease the strainon parents. Yet assuming that the wholefamily can hop on a plane and head forsome tropical climate or other can bedownright dangerous. It’s easy to feel as though you’reabandoning your elderly – possibly evensickly – relatives while you take your wife,hubby and/or kids to kick back and relax.But there is a solution that’s perfectlysuited to everyone. We’re talking, ofcourse, about respite care. The best of both worldsAs with all facets of life, communicationis key, so opening a dialogue withrelatives, irrespective of age, is important.Assumptions can lead tomisunderstandings or, at worse, all-outarguments, and nobody needs the addedstress. Organising a holiday can beenough of a headache in its own right.So approach your relative and includethem in your plans right from the get go.Convey your intentions to take the familyaway for a week or two and broach thesubject of respite care. Any loving relativewill understand as they likely won’t wantto be a burden and compromise yourhard earned holiday. It might be theyeven want a break away from you. Butmisinformation and, perhaps, the wrongconnotations of what exactly respite careis, can mean gran has the wrong idea inmind. Respite care can serve a number offunctions. As the name might suggest, itoffers families a respite from looking afteran elderly loved one. Whether it’s apoorly partner, children or a sickly olderperson, looking after anyone can betough. It’s a demanding task and so it’sonly natural – nay, expected – that onewould need a break. Respite carefacilities offer a safe and trusted space toperform this very function.The trouble is that one can’t simplyleave an elderly relative to fend forthemselves at home. While some olderfolks are fit as a fiddle and are more thancapable of looking after themselves, noteveryone has that luxury. Respite careensures that a relative is looked after atall times, has access to medical facilitiesand, perhaps most importantly, is able tointeract with others. One of the issues surrounding old agethat is frequently ignored is theloneliness. Sure, Christmas brings with itthe requisite “old people are lonely”spiel, but the issue isn’t localised to onemonth, but rather all year round. Gettingolder means loosing friends along theway, and it’s no easy feat making newones – especially in old age. Studies© Shutterstock/Photographee.eu62 ÁLooking after elderlyrelatives is a hugelyrewarding and catharticexperience, but it’s notalways easy. This month,we look at respite care andthe benefits of pre-planned funerals. Getting themost out of life60-62.qxp_Layout 1 18/07/2018 11:10 Page 1The Law HousesolicitorsUncommon Wisdom. Common Sense.Words not usually associated with lawyers home, a death in the family or getting a divorce. Even if you only use a lawyer once, choosing the right one is an important decision. Many of our clients come to us because they have been sent to us, sometimes reluctantly, by existing clients who really like the way we work and our approach to clients. We are upfront and there are no unwelcome surprises or hidden extras realistically. Above all, we are exceptional at what we do. We have years of experience and the common sense to use it well. www.thelawhouse.com15 Bigby Street, Brigg, North Lincs DN20 8EJTel: 01652 650 520Comforts Avenue, Scunthorpe, North Lincs DN15 6PNTel: 01724 280 082J. NaylorFuneral DirectorsIndependent Funeral Directorswww.jnaylor-funerals.co.ukWe have experienced staffto personally help you withyour individual needs.Planning for thefuture?We can help you arrange afuneral now or help if you areplanning for the future.Member of National Associationof Funeral DirectorsAt The Grove we get to know our residents and their families individually. We provide personalised care and support, with lots of opportunities to participate in activities and to continue to enjoy hobbies and interests. Come and see us, we’d love to show you our home!The Grove Care Home Ings Lane, Waltham, Grimsby DN37 0HB 01472 821 127 | info@countrycourtcare.comwww.countrycourtcare.com• Large, comfortable, en-suite mATSWITHKITCHENETTE• Outside seating area with parkland views• Long term residential and short term respite care• Warm, family atmosphere60-62.qxp_Layout 1 18/07/2018 11:10 Page 262 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFAMILY MATTERSshow that even people in their twentiesstruggle to find new friends, and oftenwe’re stuck with the same bunch we wentto school with. Respite care allows for (and typicallyencourages) people to mix and mingle,potentially forging new friendships in theprocess. After all, this isn’t supposed tobe a punishment, but rather a holiday inof itself. If you’d still like to take an elderlyrelative on holiday with you, the bestcourse of action would be to find alocation that offers respite care facilitiesof some kind. Careful planning is keyhere, so remote locations and anywheretoo hot, cold or demanding will bestrictly off the table. Pre-planning the end Nobody likes to sit and ponder theirown mortality, so it’s understandable whyone would lament planning their ownfuneral. Yet more and more people aredoing exactly that, with the numbers ofpre-paid pre-planned funerals risingamong middle aged people on the up.Even millennials are getting in on it.Companies such as Golden Charter allowan individual to organise their funeralexactly how they’d like it and, crucially, payfor the costs up front. This is by no meansa lump sum and can be easily managedand spread across multiple payments. By getting involved in the planningstages, it prevents any awkward discussionabout what you would have wanted afteryou shuffle off this mortal coil. Sometimesall friends and family have to go on isassumptions and whatever is listed in one’swill. The trouble is, preferences changeand wills aren’t always kept up to date. The other major benefit of pre-plannedfuneral is cost. Funerals aren’t cheap.According to SunLife, the cost of theaverage funeral has risen by 50 per centover the last ten years alone and,doubtless, will continue to do so in yearsto come. A death in the family is never aneasy burden to bear, with the emotionaltrauma and the hole it leaves in your heart.But the sudden cost of a funeral can bedifficult to deal with, no matter how welloff you might be. But paying in incrementshelps ease any financial strain and givesyou peace of mind. Nobody wants to be aburden on relatives, so this is as much anact of kindness as well as ensuring you getthe send-off you would have liked. It’s truethat funerals are more for the living thanthe dead, but that’s not to say you can’thave a hand in planning it. Nothing worth doing is easy and whilelooking after elderly relatives comes withits own unique set of challenges, therewards can be profound. Providedresearch is done and communication isconsistent, there’s no reason why everyonecan’t be happy. Respite care ensures thatrelatives can enjoy their own getaways,just as you’re enjoying yours. It might bemorbid, but pre-planned funerals offerpeace of mind, both for elderly folksthemselves and for their families. And whocan put a price on that?© Shutterstock/Photographee.euRespite care ensuresthat relatives canenjoy their owngetaways, just asyou’re enjoying yoursThe Grove Care Home enjoys Summer Fair successThe Grove Care Home had a beautiful sunny day for its annual summer fair, thehome raised over £700 for the resident’s Comfort Fund which goes towards specialoutings, day trips and entertainment for residents at the Waltham care home.There were many stalls and games to enjoy including a raffle and tombola, withentertainment provided by the resident’s choir. Plants and crafts made by membersof the resident’s Gardening Club were on sale, club members had been busy makingwooden bird boxes to sell. There were also hand-made cards and cakes donated byresidents, staff and families.“We had fantastic support from local families and businesses who gave verygenerously towards the raffle and tombola prizes,” said Home Manager Ros Wells.“We’d like to thank everyone who came along to support us and made this a lovelyfamily event.”For more information, visit www.countrycourtcare.com.60-62.qxp_Layout 1 18/07/2018 11:10 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY63GAINSBOROUGHAsk about Gainsborough and it’spossible that many in Lincolnshirewon’t have much to say, good orbad, not having visited or notknowing as much about the town asthey perhaps should – forGainsborough is a town steeped inhistory, some of it rather grandiose.While many towns and villages inLincolnshire can trace their historyback to the industrial revolution andcertain industries such as coal andsteel (and Gainsborough is nodifferent there), it is rare that onecan have so chequered a past as theriverside town has.Gainsborough very nearly couldhave been the capitol of England atone point, as it was where DaneSweyn Forkbeard defeated KingEthelred and forced him to flee thecountry. Forkbeard then returned toGainsborough and was declared theKing of England – taking up highoffice at the Gainsborough Castle,which is where the Old Hall standsnowadays. King Sweyn was killed alittle over a month later in anaccident, however, and his son,Canute, chose to relocate his baseelsewhere. Had Sweyn lived,Gainsborough might today be oneof the most powerful places in thecountry, perhaps even Europe.Instead, Gainsborough is arelatively small town of some 20,000population, small by the standardsof many towns in Lincolnshire, andyet also punching rather above itsweight in other regards.Gainsborough a few years past wasnamed as an area of exceptionalgrowth, and this brought with it aspate of investment and expansion,All aboutGainsboroughGainsborough is a small town that hasworked hard to put itself on the map lately,attracting numerous big name investors. 64 Á63-65.qxp_Layout 1 18/07/2018 12:27 Page 1both with multiple residential homesbuilt, but also the introduction ofMarshall’s Yard a few years back, anin-town shopping district withnumerous big brand names.On top of that, Gainsborough hasseen investment from names such asTesco, McDonalds, KFC and evenLidl most recently, who opened up anew supermarket on land created bythe demolishment of a multi-storycar park. This is more expansionthan some larger towns go through,and even some cities, and much of ithas occurred in the last few years,highlighting the area’s potential forgrowth and the interest it hasgarnered from big businesses.Of course, there’s more toGainsborough than supermarketsand shopping. The town has astrong culinary scene, withnumerous high end restaurants, andmore cropping up regularly. TheClock House Café and Bistro is onesuch example and possibly thetown’s newest eatery and is alreadymaking a name for itself, and thereare signs that the area is only goingto get better in the coming years.© Shutterstock/markhThe ClockHouse, offeringfirst-class foodand drinkThe Clock House, Gainsborough’snewest coffee house and eatery, offersfirst-class food and drink in a relaxedcotemporary setting. Following a full refurbishment of theold rechabites hall, the Clock Houseopened its doors on 15th December 2016with the aim of offering customers apremier experience with both food and drink.The Clock House is now Gainsborough’s premier coffee house and bistro serving quality, local andseasonal produce which means our food is always tasty and fresh. It also serves sumptuous afternoon teaswith our homemade cakes and scones. The menu created by Head Chef Lewis Platts who blends British classics with contemporary options. Itsdedicated, professional yet relaxed team will all add to your experience at the Clock House. It alsospecialise in cocktails all made with fresh ingredients, prepared and put together by our friendly staff.For more information, visit www.clockhousecafebistro.co.uk.63-65.qxp_Layout 1 18/07/2018 12:27 Page 2Cliff Bradley & SonsFuneral Directors LtdFor a prompt, sympatheticservice from a recognisedfamily businessPrivate Chapel of RestDay and Night ServicePre-paid funeral plans41 Heaton Street,Gainsborough, DN21 2EA(01427) 810619www.cliffbradley.co.ukThere’s a lot to do in Gainsborough for potentialvisitors, from shopping in Marshal’s Yard to visiting theTrent or watching Gainsborough Trinity in their stadium.The Old Hall is a favourite of many looking to see thehistory and culture of the area, and is a staple visitingspot for many of the schools nearby. Gainsborough’sHigh Street has proven a little more resilient than thoseof other towns, but the crowds of the olden times arenow rarely seen except on market days, where they canonce more fill the streets. Gainsborough also draws a little fame from GeorgeElliot and the Mill on the Floss, with many scholarsbelieving that the fictional town of St Ogg’s is actuallybased on Gainsborough. The novelist visited in 1859 andstayed in the house of a shipbuilder on Bridge Street,with the bridge and the nearby willow tree mentioned,as well as the Old Hall being described in detail. It’s alsothought that the flood in the story’s climax might havebeen based on the Trent Aegir, which remains a notableand much-spectated event today. It is also speculatedthat Gainsborough is where King Cnut (or King Canute)attempted to turn back the tide, and that it may havebeen the Aegir he was trying to turn back. As a town, Gainsborough is both old and new, mixinga strong heritage and history with new investment thathas helped to make it one of the more modern towns inthe county, with a vibrant shopping scene, excellentrestaurants and plenty to do. Set to grow in the futureand with more expansion on the horizon, it seems likethe focus isn’t going to stop anytime soon. © Shutterstock/markhLINCOLNSHIRETODAY65GAINSBOROUGH63-65.qxp_Layout 1 18/07/2018 12:27 Page 366 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYPETS CORNERPutting onthe pounds © Shutterstock/Dennis van de WaterWe often hear about theobesity epidemic inhumans, but our unhealthylifestyles have also passedonto pets – with manyobese dogs and catssuffering as a result.66-67.qxp_Layout 1 18/07/2018 12:29 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY67PETS CORNERObesity is a problem; we all know that. It’s toutedacross the news, the web and in our hospitals, and itseffects are being felt quite heavily on the NHS. Mostof the time this is caused by a combination of anunhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle, but it’s worthpointing out that it’s often not just ourselves that suffer.In the animal world, especially with domestic dogsand cats, there has been an epidemic of obesity aswell, and this has just as much – if not more – of animpact on our furry friends than it does us. Our pets eat what we choose to give them, andexercise as much as they are able in the confines inwhich we live. In all respects, it is the owner’sresponsibility to care for them, and such should berealised the moment one chooses to take on a pet.Not all animals become overweight by neglect,however, and it’s important to know that some peoplesimply spoil their pets too much, or perhaps give in tobegging behaviour when it’s not necessary. As humans,we eat multiple meals in the day to manage our muchlarger body-mass. If a dog begs at each meal, andreceives scraps from it, that will be far more than theyneed, and weight-gain will result.Obese animals suffer a loss in quality of life, muchlike humans do, and there are further implicationswhich might lead to trouble, such as an increased riskof diabetes, arthritis, heart disease and certain types ofcancer. Much like us, being obese can reduce lifeexpectancy.Pet obesity is a rising concern in the veterinaryindustry, and something which may be seen more oftenif owners don’t take steps to help their pets loseweight. The most obvious symptom of obesity inanimals is excess skin and fat, along with a reducedrate of movement – but in dogs especially, it’s worthpointing out that a dog has a healthy weight when theribs are just about visible. This is a common problembecause in humans, visible ribs suggest one isunderweight and some owners feel dogs are starvingwhen ribs can be noticed.There are, realistically speaking, only two ways ofreducing your pet’s weight; a reduction in calorificintake and increased exercise.It’s always best to speak to a vet before engaging oneither of these routes. Vets will have access toknowledge and resources the average animal ownerdoes not, and can even suggest specific food-typeswhich should help. The goal is a long-term reductionand also maintenance of this, with a goal to bringingthe animal back to a healthy and happy weight andthen keeping there from then on. For animals which may have a little more difficulty,there are now a range of animal exercise centres too,the problem having become so large that gym-likearrangements have to be made. For most, however,simply giving them a good walk once or twice a day –with some decent distance covered – will improve botha pet’s exercise and also their mood.And, of course, it can never hurt for us to get outthere too! © Shutterstock/studio37th66-67.qxp_Layout 1 18/07/2018 12:29 Page 268 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYCOUNTY MOTORINGMitsubishi Outlander PHEVMitsubishi’s upcoming offeringespouses honest efficiency with a switchfrom the old NEDC fuel economy ratingsand emissions, to the new, more realisticreal-world WLTP ratings, where it stillretains an impressive 141 mpg. This increased efficiency does notcome at the expense of driverexperience, however, thanks to theOutlander’s new 2.4-litre petrol engine,which uses its MIVEC variable-valvetiming system to seamlessly switchbetween combustion cycles dependingon the driving situation. A number of other changes have beenimplemented to improve and built uponthe driving experience, including arevision to shock absorbers to improvelow-speed ride, and a new sport modethat brings sharper throttleresponsiveness and more grip.Nissan LEAFThe Nissan LEAF is proving to be oneof the most popular zero-emissionselectric vehicles on the market, sellingover 20,000 copies across Europe only amonth after it went on sale. The newNissan LEAF features a sleek profile,sharp, dynamic look and excellentaerodynamics. For those looking for efficiency, theLEAF delivers, with WLTP ratings of arange of 168 miles on the CombinedCycle, or up to 258 miles in cityconditions, on a single charge. The interior has also been through afull redesign, focusing on the driver andCars of thefutureIt’s an exciting time for motoring, with not only autonomous carsbeing tested today, but also electrical and hybrid motors, alongwith their charging stations, becoming more readily available.With high efficiency and low emissions on the menu, we look at some of the latest offerings.Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV68-71.qxp_Layout 1 18/07/2018 12:30 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY69COUNTY MOTORINGwhich combines a clever use of spacewith optimum functionability, alldesigned to create a relaxed ambienceand high-quality feel. Jaguar I-PaceA return to the pages of LincolnshireToday for the Jaguar I-Pace, which hasbeen turning the heads of many. The I-Pace has a state of the art 90kWhLithium-ion battery and offers sportsperformance of 0-60mph in 4.5 secondsalongside the practicality of a 298-milerange (again by WLTP standards).Combined with a 0-80% charging time of40 minutes, it’s clear to see that reliabilityand practicality are on the menu.Of course, it’s hard to argue that muchhas been neglected, especially not thesleek design or stylish interior. The I-Pacedelivers all the agility, ride comfort andrefinement that one would expect of theiconic British brand.Nissan LEAFJaguar I-Pace70 Á68-71.qxp_Layout 1 18/07/2018 12:30 Page 2Next >