Chorus of approval to stay young
ELDERLY people who sing in a choir boost their brain power, a study claims.
Researchers found group singing has a positive effect on brain functioning similar to playing a musical instrument or exercise.
It is hoped it can be just as good for mental agility to counter the effects of ageing.
A total of 162 volunteers aged 60, or above, were tested and members of a choir were found to have better verbal flexibility than those not in one.
Those who had sung for more than 10 years had the best test scores for social togetherness and were happier with their overall health.
Study leader Emmi Pentikainen, of the University of Helsinki, said: “This supports findings previously gained on the effects of playing an instrument on the cognitive functioning of elderly people.
“Choir singing too may potentially have similar beneficial effects.”
BRITAIN can expect a decadelong Brexit boom thanks to business opportunities in surging Asian economies, Dominic Raab has said.
The Foreign Secretary urged people to take a “10-year view” of the UK’s growth potential outside the EU.
And he blamed Brussels for “imposing” trade barriers that could potentially put struggling firms out of business or force them to relocate to the Continent.
Mr Raab, right, said such disruption should be seen in a broader context.
He said: “You can always take individual cases – and I know they matter – but overall we’re in an excellent position to grasp the opportunities of a global Britain.
“I think if you take a 10-year view, as well as looking at the short-term risk, which is right to do, actually the growth opportunities in the future are going to come from emerging and developing economies around the world.”
He said this didn’t mean that UK businesses should accept less trade with the EU and focus more on places such as Asia.
But he added: “It’s certainly right to say that we want to bank, if you like, the baseline of our European trade – it’s very important to us and they are obviously our neighbours. But if you look at the opportunities for growth in the future for UK companies, the growth economies are going to come from the Indo-Pacific region.”
TONY Blackburn has told how his Jaguar E-Type was once stolen and used by criminals as a getaway car – then returned fully serviced.
The former Radio One presenter said the sports car was nicked from outside his London home near the BBC studios in the 1960s.
But it was found in a garage close to his Marylebone pad two days later – having been given a tune up which made it nicer to drive.
Tony, 78, said police told him the vehicle had likely been used for a getaway, as thieves often have cars serviced to make sure they are working properly.
Speaking on the Stars Cars Guitars YouTube channel,Tony said: “The E-Type Jaguar was in my front drive and somebody stole it.
“I came back and it wasn’t there anymore.
“I reported it to the police and – this is
absolutely true – two days later they rang me up and they had found it in a garage just down the road, and it had been serviced.
“I said to the police ‘what do you mean it’s been serviced?’When I got in it, it was beautiful.
“It had obviously been used for a getaway, because what they do [is] they steal the car and make sure it’s all working properly.
“So thanks to them stealing it I got a free service, which was wonderful.
“I never found out who stole the car, but I did find it funny – not when it was stolen but when I got it back. I’ve never had a car work so beautifully before.”
Father-of-two Tony began his career broadcasting offshore on pirate radio stations Radio Caroline and Radio London.
He then became the first DJ to broadcast on BBC Radio One in September 1967. He now works in local radio.
A LITTLE known squad of Polish paratroopers trained in secret in Essex during the war – now it is hoped locals can help fill in with their story.
The Cichociemni force led the resistance in their Nazi-occupied homeland. Now, exactly 80 years since their first mission behind enemy lines, historians want to uncover their lives at Audley End House.
From their base near SaffronWalden they trained in covert operations – with exercises that included raiding the local post office and train station.
During night manoeuvres they even occasionally came to blows with the police or Home Guard. Of 316 Cichociemni dropped into Poland, 103 were killed by the Germans.
Andrew Hann, of English Heritage, said he would love to hear from people who have any memories to share.