New flu vaccine available this winter for those aged 65 and over READ MORE HERE: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-flu-vaccine-available-this-winter-for-those-aged-65-and-over

Well i have never seen anything like it. I have been watching the weather models like a hawk.For a week or so. Not one of them is sure what is going to happen. I watched one weather presenter very experienced guy,even say so on the BBC. However one thing seems to becoming clearer,it is not going to be like last year.All the Atlantic storms rolling in one after another. This could be a winter to remember. I enjoy the storms as being a beachcomber this is when i collect many things from the shoreline. But understand it is hell for others. Latest is that we could have a winter like we have not had for quite a while. But this is just beginning to surface far away from our shores. Amazing what can affect our tiny island. The weather models at the moment are very good entertainment. So what else is there to say. Well i have bought a sleigh and a snow shovel.And put a small bet on snow for Christmas. Also have my barbecue and leopard skin bikini nearby just in case. What do you think is going to happen this winter. This is where i hang out in winter just in case you want to check things out. If you are a weather lover read a few pages back,perhaps a week if you have time,strap yourself in and enjoy the banter. And the weather models.A right old battle taking place. Check out how disappointed some get when the cold suggestions evaporate but then get excited as things change again. https://www.netweather.tv/forum/topic/86580-model-output-discussions-06z-041116/?page=176

The December solstice happens at the same instant for all of us, everywhere on Earth. This year the solstice occurs on Wednesday December 21st at 10:44 GMT (Universal time). The winter solstice happens every year when the Sun reaches its most southerly declination of -23.5 degrees. In other words, when the North Pole is tilted furthest – 23.5 degrees – away from the Sun, delivering the fewest hours of sunlight of the year. The Winter Solstice is the most important day of the year at Stonehenge and a truly magical time to be there. It's an ad hoc celebration that brings together England's New Age Tribes (neo-druids, neo-pagans, Wiccans) with ordinary families, tourists, travelers and party people - 100's of them! For many the impulse to arrive at Stonehenge in time for the Solstice is a little like all those people drawn to the strange rock in Close Encounters of the Third Kind. It's akin to a spiritual experience. Anyone who has witnessed the crowd become silent as the sky begins to brighten can attest to that. Do you have a strange urge,are you feeling drawn to do something a little strange tomorrow. Well can you believe it,the winter solstice is nearly here,another exciting day,when you can let your hair down. Do a little dance perhaps,dress up or visit Stonehenge even and really celebrate. Everything you need to know,including video. And a countdown clock. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/0/winter-solstice-2016-shortest-day-year-time/

The Festival of Winter Walks was set up by Britain's walking charity, Ramblers. Their aim is to make walking paths safer and encourage people to do more walking. And this year, they want you to go out walking over the Christmas period! There will be hundreds of free woodland walks taking place all over the country between 19 December 2015 and 3 January 2016. It's a great way to burn off that Christmas dinner and have fun doing it together with your loved ones. Depending on how much you feel like doing, there will be short, easy trails you can enjoy with family and more challenging walks for the experienced hiker! http://www.ramblers.org.uk/winterwalks

Hi everybody! I have a question to someone who lives somewhere in Clacton-on-sea or Kent, or in some picturesque place not too far from London. Can you please advise some place to spend New Year days? I mean some caravan park or smth like that for a couple with a cat. May be someone has other suggestions?

According to the forecasts, we will either have one of the coldest winters on record with ten feet snowdrifts or a very mild gentle winter with very few cold spells. In other words the forecasters don't know. The ones who sell stories to newspapers are claiming the 'killer' extreme winter and the ones who just study the science without selling stories claim it will be very mild. I tend to therefore believe the latter, as they are not forecasting to generate media headlines. Some of the bookmakers have cut odds on a white Christmas because people have been placing bets because of the media stories.

SIGOMA Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities (outside London) within the LGA (SIGOMA) is a grouping of 45 urban authorities in the Northern, Midland and South-Coast regions of England. SIGOMA’s membership compromises of 33 metropolitan districts and 12 major unitary councils with similar characteristics. We are the collective voice across these regions and embody the opportunities and potential of the communities who live there. The combined population of SIGOMA councils amounts to over a quarter of the population of England and its member account for over 25% of English local government expenditure

The Highways Agency is encouraging road users to spend a few minutes making sure they, and their vehicle, are fully prepared for severe weather. You might think that most of their advice is blindingly obvious, but a survey showed that: Many motorists (45%) don’t do any winter checks at all on their vehicle Nearly two-thirds of drivers (63%) do not check their anti-freeze, oil or water before setting off on a winter journey Less than half (41%) said they checked their lights were working before setting out. Just over half (53%) of drivers don’t have warm clothes in their car in case of emergency. Fewer than half (42%) of drivers carry de-icer in their vehicle. Almost two-thirds (64%) don’t carry drinking water. Only a third (33%) carry a warm drink, around the same number (32%) take food, and (37%) said they packed a blanket. A few minutes of preparation could be a life saver. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/survey-shows-many-drivers-wont-be-ready-when-winter-bites

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/winterhealth/Pages/KeepWarmKeepWell.aspx#close

'Winter Fuel’ payment. Older taxpayers receive 'Winter Fuel’ payments and I'll explain it by using a Q & A format: Q. What is a 'Winter Fuel’ payment ? A. It is money that the government will send to old taxpayers. Q. Where will the government get this money ? A. From taxpayers. Q. So the government is giving me back my own money ? A. Only a smidgen of it. Q. What is the purpose of this payment ? A. The plan is for you to use the money to purchase gas and electricity...or a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy. Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China ? A. Shut up. Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the U.K. Economy by spending your 'Winter Fuel’ payment wisely: * If you spend the money at Asda or Tesco, the money will go to China, Taiwan or Sri Lanka * If you spend it on petrol your money will go to the Arabs * If you purchase a computer it will go to India , Taiwan or China * If you purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico , Honduras and Guatemala * If you buy an efficient car it will go to Japan or Korea * If you purchase useless stuff it will go to Bangladesh * If you pay off your credit cards or buy shares, it will go to management bonuses and they will hide it offshore. Instead, keep the money in the UK by: 1. Spending it at car boot sales 2. Going to night clubs 3. Spending it on prostitutes 4. Buying beer or whisky 5. Getting yourself a tattoo 6. Visiting a bookie (These are the only UK businesses still operating in the U.K. ) Conclusion: Be patriotic - go to a night club with a tattooed prostitute that you met at a car boot sale and drink beer day and night !No need to thank me...just glad I could be of help.

A friends mother lost her hubby back at the beginging of year. She is elderly & disabled. And grieving quite bad at the moment. Apparently she can't afford to put her heating on. My friend doesn't live near her & her mum can't stop with her as her house isn't suitable for her mums disabilities. My friend claims disability, not for physical though. So she can't afford to help her out. I know recently there was talk about better off pensioners donating some of their fuel allowance to less well off pensioners. Does anyone know where info for this may be found? Or any other help you can suggest.

Can a claimant get backdated payments if during the relevant winter the claimant was on assessment rate, then subsequently won on appeal? According to the Directgov site payments can't be made for late claims for any winters from 2000/01 onwards. My argument is that the automatic payment was not triggered due to claimant status, and that a claim could not be made for the same reason.