< Previous60 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY CARING I t hasn’t been easy to be old in recent years. We have talked much in our magazine, over the years, about the golden years and how to enjoy them, but the last few years have seen a pandemic that targets the elderly worst of all, a lockdown that saw many socially isolated, and now the rising energy bills and the soaring cost of living will be putting yet more at risk this Christmas and raising the very serious and very real risk of death in some. The Government, sadly, has shown that nothing will be done about this. I’m sure some may disagree and argue, but the current administration under Liz Truss has too many problems of its own to focus on and is busy trying to save its own skin when people across the county, and even the whole country, need quick and decisive action. In Parliament, this is probably being blamed on the opposition party, or on selfish members of their own party failing to support Liz Truss, but the reality is that neither matters and people need help. It may be that we are the only ones who can offer it. The problem is that the soaring cost of living is also impacting everyone else, leading many to make drastic changes to their lifestyles. Surrenders of beloved animal pets are at an all-time high, which is tragic enough as it is, but that puts families in a difficult position where they might wish they could do more to support their parents or grandparents, but where they realistically cannot. Belts are being tightened and people are cutting back already, and the problem isn’t going away, and is unlikely to given Tis the season to be chilly Soaring inflation, rising energy prices and the cost of living are all combining to make this winter a crippling one for many people – but the elderly are increasingly at risk. At a time of need, it’s going to be up to us all to come together. 60-63.qxp_Layout 1 17/10/2022 15:17 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 61 CARING Russia’s determination to continue pushing the war in Ukraine, and now OPEC’s alignment against the United Kingdom. By all accounts it will be a difficult winter. A YouGov poll of over 3,000 elderly people showed that over 15% will be turning off their heating this winter, a truly dangerous proposition given the colder and colder winters the county has been experiencing in recent years. The survey also found that over 65% of adults will be turning down the heating compared to past years, and 19% said they were planning to try and get by eating less, while 18% will be forgoing showers. It’s worth remembering that methods the human body uses to keep warm include burning food as fuel and energy internally, which means that eating less won’t do much to solve the heat issue. Similarly, sickness from a lack of hygiene causes the body temperature to fluctuate, which could make things even worse. Age UK regularly publishes advice on how to stay safe at winter, and this year’s involves much of what is to be expected: Stay fit and active, keep the heating up, stay up to date on vaccinations, dress 62 Á © stock.adobe.com/simona 60-63.qxp_Layout 1 17/10/2022 15:17 Page 262 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY CARING warmly and eat well. The advice – though good – is going to be impossible to follow for many, who will see their annual energy bills rising to £3,500, and who are suffering as the monthly shopping bill doubles as food prices soar. For those who have families who can help, we urge those families to help. Inviting and accepting elderly relatives into your home this Christmas can help pool resources for energy bills and getting through the winter comfortably. In previous years this might have been seen as an imposition, or an inconvenience, but this year is not the year to rely on such things. Health is at stake, and lives in the cases of those who are vulnerable with illness, or who are relying on state pensions and benefits. When lives are at stake, surely “inconvenience” must take a back seat. For those who do not have living family, or for those whose families cannot take them for reasons of health, medical needs or others, there is still hope. Government support is limited, and roundly lambasted as “not enough” but it is there. Recent studies highlighted that many elderly people refuse to reach out and accept help in terms of financial support because of pride or a sense that the help won’t materialise. We do not normally condone or support the idea of forcing change on loved ones, but this is something we have to advise you sit down with them and talk over and, if necessary, contact the support lines on their behalf. Pride is a small price to pay for a Winter Fuel Payment through the Government’s scheme, that could see an extra £100-300 made available for heating bills over the winter months. If you can, and if you are fortunate enough, then consider donating or supporting elderly people in your area as well. There are many support charities that can be found online, and many groups across Lincolnshire accepting donations of money or food to give out. With many older people forced to choose between eating or heating, providing some meals, even simple supermarket canned foods, can make a huge difference. Think of others this Christmas. And let us all hope this will not – and never – become the new normal. © stock.adobe.com/pololia 60-63.qxp_Layout 1 17/10/2022 15:17 Page 3Remembering loved ones ...by having your free personalised tag put on our funeral home memorial tree during December this Christmas... To find out more contact your nearest funeral home: Lincolnshire.coop/storefinder Proudly serving the families of Gainsborough and the surrounding areas for over 5ȋ years With sincere empathy and understanding, .%*#ˏ"+.ˏyour loved ones as if they were our own. As your local family run and owned funeral directors, we have dedicated our lives to guiding those in our community through the difficult times of bereavement. 41 Heaton Street, Gainsboroughȑ DN21 2EA39 High Street, Saxilby, LN1 2HA www.cliffbradley.co.uk info@cliffbradley.co.uk Funeral Plans from £2,785 Private Chapel of Rest Day and Night Service Pre-paid funeral plans 01427 81061901522 708888 Our care and nursing homes provide the highest standards of family-led residential and dementia care. Our homes are comfortable and beautifully furnished, whilst retaining a warm family atmosphere that makes them feel extra special. •Person-centred dementia care •Tailored meaningful activities •Homecooked food •Luxury facilities: salon, café, cinema To find out more about life at our care homes in Lincoln visit www.countrycourtcare.com or email careenquiries@countrycourtcare.com Country Court Care & Nursing Homes in Lincoln T OCTOB£2.95 BER2022 Breat MarketT M TT Stl Autumn Awaren Cancer B l RiRecipes Hearty S COLNSHIRETODAYNETCOLNSHIRETODAY.NET WWWLINCWWW.LINC Lincolnshire Today’s gift subscription for only £27.55 with free delivery Call 01472 310301 or visit www.lincolnshiretoday.net/341 1st 3 £1 Looking for a great gift idea? 60-63.qxp_Layout 1 17/10/2022 15:17 Page 464 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY COUNTY MOTORING The future As the popularity of electric cars surges, more and more of them are arriving in UK showrooms. R ecent advances in battery technology, too, have caused the classic argument against an electric car – ‘it doesn’t go far enough without plugging it in’ – to fall by the wayside. Indeed, just about every manufacturer is now getting in on the act. So while there is still very much a case for buying a petrol, diesel or hybrid, the case for the electric vehicle is gaining traction all the time. So, here’s a list of our top electric cars to look out for. There are no Teslas here, by the way. Why? Well, as suggestions go, we decided to look at less obvious options. BMW i4 Electric BMW’s i4 Electric is the battery-powered version of the standard 4-Series Gran Coupe. It has its own personality and design, although none of BMW’s top-notch engineering has been sacrificed in its production. An 83.9kWh battery means you’ll get up to a 365-mile range, with a 10-80% charge taking around half an hour. It’s swift and has a refined ride. But there’s also a quicker ‘i4 M50’ version producing 544PS which has been dubbed an ‘electric BMW M4’. There’s little reason to doubt that claim. Audi Q4 e-Tron Practicality and economy are personified in this crossover SUV. The vehicle is packed with the 66 Á Audi Q4 e-Tron 64-67.qxp_Layout 1 17/10/2022 15:18 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 65 COUNTY MOTORING is here… BMW i4 Electric 64-67.qxp_Layout 1 17/10/2022 15:18 Page 266 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY latest technology, including Audi’s excellent interior design and impressive infotainment system. It’s now available with a range of 314 miles thanks to its 82kWh battery, which can be charged from 5-80% in just 29 minutes. A higher- powered 299PS four-wheel-drive version is available, too, which gets from 0- 62mph in 6.2-seconds. It’s well-equipped and practical, while a Sportback coupe variant with a sloping roofline is also offered for those who prefer more athletic characteristics. Mercedes EQS For those wanting a big saloon, the Mercedes EQS isn’t quite an all-electric S- Class. However, there are some similarities, not least in terms of its size and luxuriousness. That said, an S-Class looks bland sitting next to it. 333PS is offered, while a humongous 108kWh battery provides a range of up to a whopping 453 miles, yet a 10-100% charge takes little more than 30 minutes. It’s a hefty car but still handles reasonably well. If money is no object, then a 658PS AMG version also exists with four-wheel drive. The EQS is also the most aerodynamically efficient production car ever made. Genesis GV60 Recently, Genesis appeared on the European scene as an off-shoot luxury brand of parent company Hyundai. The GV60 is a subcompact crossover with an ostentatious interior – far more so than the likes of BMW, Audi, and Mercedes- Benz. Meanwhile, a 77.4kWh battery provides up to 321 miles of range depending on which motor you pick (although it’s not quite as high if you choose the most powerful one, which has 482PS at the touch of a button). A 10- 80% charge can be done in just 18 minutes if you can find a quick enough charger. The looks are futuristic, while it’s practical, spacious and packed full of tech. Plus, it comes with a five-year warranty. Hyundai Ioniq 5 The Ioniq 5 is a compact crossover that looks much bigger in the metal. It’s excellent in every way, exceptionally well- equipped as standard and rapidly fast. Mercedes EQS 64-67.qxp_Layout 1 17/10/2022 15:19 Page 3The car has a well- designed, futuristic, spacious interior and a large, accommodating boot. What’s more, it comes with a five-year warranty. 58kWh and 73kWh batteries are available – and if you can find an ultra-rapid charger, you can get from a 10-80% charge in eight minutes. Three power outputs are offered, ranging from 170 to 217PS, while the range is between 238 and 323 miles. Alternatively, consider a Kia EV6, which is basically the same car with a different body, which can go even further. As we said at the beginning, there are dozens of electric cars now, and more are arriving all the time – and there are plenty of excellent vehicles that didn’t make this list. The future is well and truly here. LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 67 COUNTY MOTORING Tel: 01472 812130 www.lincsvwa.com Unit 3, Woodside Park, Station Road, Tetney, Grimsby. DN36 5HX Find An Experienced Motor Mechanic In Tetney, Near Grimsby n Servicing n MOTs n Repairs n Brakes & Tyres n Engine diagnostics n Car Batteries n Exhausts n ECU Remapping n Air Conditioning Testing/repairs/Re Gas VW, AUDI, SEAT & SKODA SPECIALIST Genesis GV60 Hyundai Ioniq 5 64-67.qxp_Layout 1 17/10/2022 15:19 Page 468 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY COUNTY MOTORING Lotus Emira Exotic supercar appeal 68-69.qxp_Layout 1 17/10/2022 15:20 Page 1COUNTY MOTORING The Emira is the first Lotus sports car to carry the new design language showcased on the award-winning Evija hypercar. It is a contemporary look, delivering exotic supercar appeal in the sports car segment. T he vehicle has two defined chassis and suspension settings. Tour is tuned for everyday road use, delivering the optimum blend of Lotus dynamic performance and handling with a more comfortable ride. Sports is available with the optional Lotus Drivers Pack and provides a slightly stiffer suspension set-up for enhanced dynamic capability and feel. Two petrol engines are available, a Lotus-engineered 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit and the characterful 3.5-litre V6 from the Exige and Evora. Lotus car interiors have always been famed for putting the driver at the centre of the experience, with ergonomic design and carefully placed instruments for the most intuitive use. The Emira follows these principles to create a modern cockpit environment with the essential controls to hand and minimum distraction. The wraparound nature of the dashboard, as it blends into the door trim, creates a cossetted feeling that makes you feel at one with the vehicle. The raised gear shifter only enhances that emotion. The two seats have been designed to combine exceptional lateral support for high-speed cornering with total comfort for long-distance journeys. In addition, a dramatic supercar-like low stance has been achieved while matching best-in-class ingress/egress and headroom. Also unique to the Emira is the flat-bottomed sports steering wheel with metallic spoke detail and integrated controls. The interior features ambient and wraparound lighting as well as map lights. Furthermore, storage is vital in a sports car, and the Emira’s cabin has been well thought out. It has twin central cup holders, a phone storage slot between them, and door bins that accommodate a 500ml bottle. Luggage or other large items can be stowed behind the two seats (208 litres) or in the boot to the rear of the engine. This space (151 litres) will take a standard-sized flight case or a set of golf clubs. Fast Facts Max speed: 180 mph 0-62 mph: sub 4.3 secs Engine layout: 1998cc four-cylinder turbo petrol Max. power (PS): 360 CO2: sub-180 g/km Price: From £59,995 68-69.qxp_Layout 1 17/10/2022 15:20 Page 2Next >