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Free prescriptions and, for those resident within
the London travel zone 6 boundary, the Freedom Pass are probably the
two best known concessions available to the over 60's. The
Freedom Pass permits unlimited travel after 9.30.AM (9.00 on the
Underground, Docklands Light Railway, trams and buses) within the zone and is a
boon to mobility. We thought that it would be of interest to
members to see some of the other concessions available to us retired
people. Do please tell us if you know of any that we can
include here, particularly any out of London concessions! And of course, if you are not sure, ask first
before paying the full rate! If any
concessions advised below are not as stated, please advise the
Secretary. This is the only way inaccuracies or errors can be
corrected.
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Internet Links |
The following links, while not strictly
concessionary, may be of interest to members. The
Association is not responsible for the content on the sites
listed.
http://www.cashquestions.com/ This website offers
discussion on various financial matters, but not investment
or other financial advice for which you need a registered
financial advisor.
https://www.utilitywarehouse.co.uk/home/index.taf?exref=976352
This site offers a single point of contact and savings for
utility bills and various other benefits.
A former colleague has provided this site
http://www.frixo.com,
of use if you plan to travel by car across Britain's traffic
hotspots!
Another former colleague has 'done up' a gîte
in the Limousin area of France and is taking rentals now.
Visit
www.lesdeuxmaisons.com for information.
A new online magazine is available at
www.over65magazine.co.uk.
It is called the Over65 Magazine and is downloadable as a
PDF file on entering your name and email address. It says of
itself: "Over 65 is a new
publication, aimed as the title suggests, at mature readers
who are young at heart. The magazine will be available
monthly, and is free to download or view on line." |
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Dining |
The Manor Hotel, Datchet, tel. 01753
543442 and
The Red Lion Hotel, Henley-on-Thames,
tel.01491 572161
both offer 10% discount on Sunday lunches
if you mention the HSBC Bank UK Pensioners' Association.
Check & book by phone in advance.
Harrow branch hold their summer luncheon
at Datchet and are looked after very well there. The
Henley hotel is recently under the same management. Avoid
the Regatta week. Both locations ideal for a day out. |
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Travel |
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The London Freedom Pass can now be
used on all local off-peak busses within England (but
not Wales, Scotland or Ireland). Within the London
area it can be used on buses 24 hours a day. After
9.30 A.M. you can use the pass on the Tube, DLR or
London Overground trains. You can also take up to
four under eleven year olds on your pass free.
Your pass is valid on certain Overground services as far
as Amersham, Chalfont and Latimer, Chesham, Chorley
Wood, Croxley, Rickmansworth, Watford, Finsbury Park,
Harrow, Upminster and Ruislip. If you have a disabled
Freedom Pass you can travel with Southern services
at any time. Holders of Older Persons
Freedom passes can travel free at any time after 9.00
A.M. on weekdays or at any time on weekends and public
holidays. National Rail will also accept the
Freedom Pass on journeys to Dartford and Swanley which
are outside Greater London.
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The Freedom Pass can also be used to
obtain a discount on several of the Thames Riverboat
services.
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Likewise for Local Authorities that
issue bus passes to the over-60s, the pass can be used
on all local off-peak busses within England. For a
list of issuing Authorities, go to
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/PublicTransport/BusAndCoachTravel/DG_10036264
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For Surrey residents, free bus pass
on local application for travel inside the county only.
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A Senior railcard can save you up to 1/3
on rail journeys. Visit
http://www.seniorrailcard.co.uk/
It costs £24 and is
valid for 1 year.
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P&O Ferries Dover-Calais. Not
specifically for over-60s, but you can obtain through
their loyalty scheme a season ticket of 5 return
crossings for £300, i.e. £30 each way for short breaks(
1-5 days), or £450, i.e. £45 each way for long breaks
over 5 days. They can, apparently, be used also by
members of your family.
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National Express coaches offer over-60s discounts on travel
booked over the internet
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Northlink Ferries to the Orkneys and
Shetlands (for all you Springwatch addicts)
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Sight-seeing |
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Westminster Abbey £6 (save £4)
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Tower of London £12 (save £3)
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English
Heritage membership single £26 (save £12), couple £42
(save £23
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Historic
Scotland membership single £27 (save £9), couple £47
(save £16)
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Museums, arts &
entertainment |
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Courtauld Institute of Art £4 (save £1)
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Cinemas, theatres, museums, concerts, art galleries, stately
homes, swimming pools, gardens & exhibitions, football
grounds - many offer
concessions. Ask.
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DIY & Gardening |
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B&Q Diamond
Card over 60s club offers 10% discount on Wednesdays
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FOCUS DIY
Privilege Card offers 10% discount on Tuesdays
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The Wyevale
Tuesday card offering 10% discount ceased on 18 March
2009. It has been replaced by their
Gardening Club, a reward scheme like Nectar.
However do not expect any help from the Gardening Club
website,
www.yourgardeningclub.co.uk if your local shop has
no packs. They will not send them to you: you must
keep going back to your local shop to pick one up, and
then register the card online.
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On Tuesdays you will receive double
points, but you will also receive points on other days.
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Local Authority
services |
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Miscellaneous |
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Winter fuel
allowance (£250) payable by the government
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Free eye
tests
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Membership of Institute of Financial Services (half price)
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If you join
Boots Health Club (which is free) you qualify for 10%
off Boots brand products. There are conditions.
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Over-75s |
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Odds & Ends |
Member Lesley Norton provides here
information of interest to those with arthritis. Click
here to open the document. |
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