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Newsletter ¦ 21st October 2022

I hope this email newsletter finds you well. In a packed email, we include our some of our plans for Christmas, a link to three exciting new jobs and an update about the Covid vaccinations. But first, we address an issue that has been hitting the headlines over the last week.  

Concern about the State Pension Triple Lock

The triple lock is a rule that means the state pension must rise each year in line with the highest of three possible figures, inflation, average earnings or 2.5%.

Inflation is currently 10.1% and average earnings have risen by 5.5%. If the triple lock is maintained and pensions rise in line with inflation, the new state pension would rise in April 2023 from £185.15 per week to £203.85. But if the state pension was to rise by only 5.5%, in line with earnings, the weekly new state pension would only be £195.33 which represents an annual loss of £442.  

Anything less than a rise of 10.1% in the state pension will represent a massive cut, as inflation erodes the value of the pension. This will be a double whammy for pensioners already facing rising costs in energy bills.

The Conservative Manifesto 2019 stated very clearly that "We will keep the triple lock". Reports over the last week suggest this commitment is now at risk and pensioners may lose out, if the state pension does not rise at the rate of inflation.   

If this affects you or a loved one, please write an email to your MP. We will be campaigning on this issue with our national partner, Age UK, but we know MPs pay more attention to their local constituents than organisations.

Your email doesn’t need to be long – a couple of sentences can make a huge impact.

The MPs for Bury are

James Daly, MP for Bury North

Christian Wakeford, MP for Bury South

Jobs at Age UK Bury

We are currently advertising three jobs for our new Home from Hospital service that will be starting in January 2023.

Please go to our vacancies page for more information https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bury/about-us/work-for-us/

Christmas Shopping Trip

Our next trip will be to Boundary Mill in Colne where you will enjoy huge savings on some of your favourite brands.

Our trip takes place on Wednesday 30th November. We will be departing from the Jubilee Centre and returning at around 3.45 in the afternoon. Tickets are £15 per person. As this trip is run on a not-for-profit basis, we can not offer refunds.  

Please buy tickets from Diane or Leisa at the Jubilee Centre reception.

Our Christmas Concert

By popular request, we are pleased to announce that there will be a Christmas Concert led by the excellent Radcliffe Male Voice Choir.

It will take place on Saturday 3rd December at 2.00 pm (Doors Open at 1.30 pm)

Tickets are on sale at £10.00 and includes refreshments at the interval. Tickets are available now from the Jubilee Centre reception. Please phone 0161 763 9030 for more details.

We anticipate that this will be a sell-out concert so tickets will not be available on the door. Please buy in advance.

Christmas Hamper Raffle

The Jubilee Café will be holding their annual Christmas Raffle, which raises funds for our work in Bury. We will welcome donations of drinks (alcoholic & non-alcoholic), pre-packed cakes, biscuits, crackers, Xmas crackers, chocolates and sweets.

Please give donations to Karen or Shirley at the Jubilee Centre café. Thank you for your kindness.

Covid Vaccinations

Covid infections in the UK have jumped 31 per cent in 10 days, according to the latest data, with most of the country now seeing a steady increase in virus levels. Experts are warning that the rise is particularly notable among the elderly population.

Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself, friends, and family from these dangerous viruses. Everyone in England aged 50 or over, can book their Covid booster and flu jab. Tell your friends and family!

Book here: https://bit.ly/3p10GXe

Member’s News

We were sad to learn of the passing of Margaret Townson, who for many years called the Bingo at the Jubilee Centre on Wednesday afternoons. Her funeral is on Tuesday afternoon at 2.30 at the Radcliffe Crematorium. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this very sad time.

Thank You

We would like to say a special “Thank You” to Jean Matthews who has been a volunteer trustee at Age UK Bury for many decades. Jean is retiring from her role at the young age of 92! The trustees of Age UK Bury wish her the very best for the future. Jean has promised to visit the centre when she is visiting Bury. 

We would like to thank the staff of Crown Oil who led our Quiz afternoon on Wednesday. They also ran a fundraising stall and helped us sort out a difficult planting job.

Our next newsletter will be out next Friday, with the names of this month’s 100 Club winners!

Stay safe, keep warm and remain cheerful!

Andy and all at Age UK Bury

Our friends from Crown Oil