Today (Monday 1st February), the Government closes its evidence gathering for the Review of the Default Retirement Age (DRA). TAEN – The Age and Employment Network, Britain’s centre of expertise on age and employment issues, has dubbed the law “a draconian measure which should be repealed at the earliest possible moment.”

According to research by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) every year 3.2 million adults – one in 15 people in the UK – fall victim to a scam involving deceptive unsolicited mailings, phone calls, emails or texts. Every year £3.5 billion is lost by consumers to the scammers and the average amount lost per scam is £850.

Scamnesty, the annual campaign by the OFT, returns in February 2010 and aims to empower people to fight back against the scammers

 After years of risking their lives and serving their community, retired firefighters currently living in Marine Court, Littlehampton, may soon be facing another threat: the Firefighters Charity, who own the sheltered housing complex, has announced plans to close the accommodation in order to build a therapy centre on the site.

Bruce Forsythe – pictured here with last year’s winner Derek Short - is asking Mature Times readers for THEIR nominations for The Stroke Association’s Life After Stroke Awards.  The awards not only recognise the courage and determination people have in the face of such a devastating condition, but that of carers and volunteers too.

 Chopsticks leave me fumbling, but that won’t stop me devouring Chinese food this Sunday to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Unfortunately cooking my own stir fries is a bit of problem as we don’t have mains gas. All cooking must be done on an electric hob and my round-bottomed wok just doesn't work well on that. So when I fancy sweet and sour pork balls I place an order at the local take-away, then pop next door to the off-licence and pick up a suitable bottle of wine.

Age Concern and Help the Aged, supported by BT, will today announce  
their Internet Champions for 2010. The Champions will be ambassadors for the Charity to show the 6.4 million older people who have never used the internet that they too can enjoy the many benefits it has to offer, such as keeping in touch with friends and family and making savings online.

 The Royal Shakespeare Company returns to London’s West End with Twelfth Night directed by RSC Chief Associate Director Gregory Doran with award-winning actor Richard Wilson as Malvolio.