A welcome antidote to technology troubles arrives on Merseyside

OVER 50s on Merseyside who feel bamboozled by modern technology will finally be able to make sense of it all, with the anticipated arrival of Telewest Broadband’s jargon-free guide, specifically written for them. 

Following a recent survey of older folk in Merseyside, the cable company uncovered a host of frustrations concerning modern day gadgets and so set about seeking help from locals to produce a booklet to combat the confusion. 

The now available, free-of-charge guide, called Switched On, includes simple information and top tips plus useful websites, a jargon buster and answers to frequent problems, helping the reader to navigate through the maze of internet, telephone and digital TV services currently on offer. 

Those wishing to receive a free copy of Switched On can call 0800 953 1125. 

Philip Snalune, director of product management and marketing at Telewest Broadband, said:- “Although new technology can enhance retired people’s lifestyles, it can be difficult to get to grips with.

We’re championing the drive to do away with jargon-packed instruction manuals by speaking a language people will really understand. We’re very grateful to have been able to seek help from people in Merseyside. We hope they, and others alike, will benefit from our guide.” 

BANK GRANTS MORE THAN 50 WISHES

MORE than 50 charities across Merseyside have between them received an amazing £25,000 in the past 12 months thanks to grants from the Alliance & Leicester Fund, managed by the Community Foundation for Merseyside. The fund has made a significant difference to the lives of hundreds of people across Merseyside with money going towards a wide variety of worthwhile projects. 

Those who have benefited from the grants include:-

Crosby Group Riding for the Disabled Association, which used the cash to pay for a new hoist to help severely disabled members mount and dismount the horses.

The Nugent Care Society in Liverpool, which was able to send out more than 100 hand-packed food parcels full of Christmas goodies to needy families and individuals to help them celebrate the festive season. 

The Sundowns Group on the Wirral, which hired artists to work with children who have Down¹s syndrome.

Bill Sutton, Managing Director of Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank said:- “We are committed to making a contribution to our local community and are delighted to have been able to support such a large number of charities and to have made a real difference to the lives of so many people.

Community Foundation for Merseyside Grants Officer Joan Ford added:- “The Alliance & Leicester Fund has helped a diverse range of charities and organisations throughout the year and we have been very happy to work closely with Alliance & Leicester in order to find projects to benefit their local communities.” 

SWITCHED ON THIS WEEK
THE BEST BITS ON UK TV 
Written for us by Caren Clark Of TVSW

For the week Saturday 26 March to Friday 1 April 2005

1. Doctor Who BBC1 Saturday 7pm NEW SERIES.  Doctor Who Confidential BBC3 Saturday 7.45pm NEW SERIES It’s time to hide behind the sofa once more as Christopher Eccleston makes his much anticipated debut as the ninth incarnation of the Timelord, with Billie Piper as his new assistant Rose. Simon Pegg, who guest stars later in the run, narrates a behind-the-scenes companion series. 

2. Tsunami Football Testimonial Sky One Easter Sunday 3.30pm.  Ralf Little, Brian McFadden and Shane Richie are among the stars going head to head with some of Liverpool’s finest ex-players, including Robbie Fowler, Alan Hansen and Ian Rush, in aid of the victims of the Asian tsunami. 

3. TV on Trial BBC4 Easter Sunday-Friday 8.30pm NEW SERIES.  When was the true golden age on the small screen? Celebrity pundits put forward the case for each decade and present selected highlights, leading up to a live final next weekend. 

4. Colditz ITV1 Easter Sunday & Monday 9pm NEW SERIES.  30 years after the classic drama starring Robert Wagner, this two-part drama starring Damian Lewis and Sophia Myles explores a tense love triangle against the backdrop of the notorious POW camp. 

5. Fingersmith BBC1 Easter Sunday 9pm NEW SERIES.  Imelda Staunton stars as a Faginesque matriarch of a gang of pickpockets in this adaptation of Sarah Waters’ (Tipping the Velvet) bestseller about a scheme to swindle a wealthy heiress. 

6. 50 Terrible Predictions Sky One Easter Monday 9pm.  Angus Deayton counts down the most inaccurate prophecies ever made including the anti-climactic Millennium Bug scare and Michael Fish’s regrettable dismissal of the 1987 hurricane. 
 
7. Hustle BBC1 Tuesday 9pm NEW SERIES.  The con is on once more as Mickey’s (Adrian Lester) band of rogues return to target another set of gullible victims. The gang’s first escapade sees them trying to sell a fake gold mine to a sneaky property developer. 

8. Will & Grace Living TV Wednesday 9pm NEW SERIES.  Love is most definitely not in the air as the new series of the hit sitcom sees the marriages of both Grace (Debra Messing) and Karen (Megan Mullally) hitting the rocks, while Jennifer Lopez makes another guest appearance.

9. Footballers’ Wives ITV1 Thursday 9pm NEW SERIES.  Footballers’ Wives TV ITV2 Thursday 10.30pm NEW SERIES TV’s trashiest drama is back for another run with scheming Tanya Turner (Zoe Lucker) going to extreme lengths to ensure the paternity of her new baby. A spoof show follows on ITV2 with tips for aspiring footballers’ wives. 

10. Sophie Anderton:- Me, Myself and Mark ITV2 Friday 9.50pm.  From her disastrous relationships to her well-publicised addictions, Sophie Anderton is a tabloid’s dream. This fly-on-the-wall show follows the model as she tries to get her life back on track with the help of her new boyfriend.