Golden Years

A leading pensions expert has stated that...

...many people's expectations of their retirement incomes...

...were likely to be optimistic...

...and that in reality millions will face retirement poverty.

The latest figures have come at a time...

...when pensioners are already feeling...

...very unsure about their futures.

Social Services fear that this growing uncertainty...

...may lead to some pensioners taking desperate measures...

...in order to get by.

Hello. Have you seen outside your window today?

It's a beautiful spring morning in the South West.

That's what we like to see. But make the most of it...

...because storms are forecast for later on in the week.

But coming up we've got the Henley W.I...

And our brain of Bristol quiz...

Can anyone knock Kevin from Keynsham...

...off his five week run at the top?

We'll soon find out. Stay tuned for your chance...

...to win the quiz of a lifetime.

Morning, my love.

Thank you, Arthur.

Dear. Thank you.

As a little reward, why don't you pop in for a cuddle?

Got lots to do.

Thought I'd better make a good start.

-Morning, George. -Morning, Arthur.

Morning, Iris.

How are you today?

You're late.

Martha made you a cottage pie.

I prefer shepherd's pie.

If an adult human has a full set of teeth...

...how many is that?

-Thirty-four. -I've only got a few in me head...

...so I'm not really one to ask.

Thirty-four.

I know it's more than thirty but I'm not sure.

Come on, numskull. Everyone knows it's thirty-four.

-It's thirty... -Thirty-four.

I'm gonna have to hurry you, Kevin.

-I'm gonna say thirty-two. -Correct.

What board game was invented in nineteen thirty two...

...by an unemployed...

Come on in, he's just in the bedroom.

Is that my Steven?

Pot Noodle, you said?

It's all I got.

When I said it weren't proper food...

...they locked me in me room.

Said I were having a turn and...

...needed me rest.

But I'll tell you, Arthur.

I know whether I'm having...

...one of my bleeding turns or not.

Mr. Goode...

...I can assure you the residents receive...

...a balanced nutritional offering.

-A what? -A nutritional offering.

Calorific intake.

What they eat.

Well, why didn't you say so?

I think we're getting off the point.

We ourselves were concerned whether pot noodles were fit...

...for purpose and removed them from the offering.

The reaction amongst the residents wasn't positive...

...to say the least.

So we re-offered them.

As for being locked in his room...

...the roster shows Mr. Wilkins was assisted to his room...

...when he became fatigued.

If you have more feedback, here's a form.

Or you can action your information online.

Evening, boys.

Pint, Royston. Or should I say "Billy Fury?"

Diet lemonade please, Brian.

I'm playing Eric Liddell...

...in the Tewkesbury Players production of Chariots of Fire.

I said to myself, if I win, it's a win for God.

But, I find myself sitting here destroying it all, but I have to.

To run would be against God's law.

I thank you.

Sounds more like Braveheart.

So how's your toy boy?

Still off his game, then?

Well, let's say I haven't had a bit of tickle...

...let alone any slap for longer than I care to think about.

My Royston's not much fun now at the moment.

What with all our worries.

They take it very hard.

Aren't you a little too...

...curvaceous to play an Olympic athlete?

What are you talking about? I'm an Adonis.

Well, at least that's what my Shirley tells me.

I think you've brainwashed her somewhere back in the 50s.

Only with my devilish charm and my roughish good looks.

Look, where's this diet lemonade?

He's been like this all night.

He's just found out his pension's b....red...

...and he's finding silly excuses not to take a pint from his mates.

Your pension's b....red? How?

The little spiv that calls himself a financial advisor says...

...it's falling equity bondings or something like that.

Anyway, I can't afford to buy a round...

...so I'm covering Shirley's drinks and I'm not drinking myself.

Anyway, Arthur, there's nothing silly about having some pride.

So that's a pint for Royston.

Two more pints for us and one for yourself.

Thank you, Arthur.

It's pride.

Eats away at the man side of them...

...like trying to make them vegetarian.

Iris did that to her husband, made him go vegetarian.

For his health, she said.

Pined away for a want of a sausage, he did.

Like you and me.

Sorry, boys. That's my cue.

Come on, Shirl. Let's see it!

Off you go.

Are you going to tell me what's wrong?

Is it Charlie?

You've not been the same since this morning.

You should have seen him.

You should have seen the clever clogs running the place.

Letting him rot without a care.

As long as her balance sheets add up.

You know...

...when he went in there he could walk for himself.

Now look.

Arthur?

Remember what we said.

We said, we wouldn't let ourselves get upset about this kind of thing.

Be thankful for what we've got...

...and never forget we've got each other.

I just feel so sodding helpless.

So bloody helpless.

Hello, Mr. Goode. Sorry to keep you.

Just so you know, there's a note...

...on Mrs. Goode's repeat prescription...

...asking that you contact your doctor.

Is everything ok?

There's never been a problem before.

I can't tell you anything more, I'm afraid.

You really must contact your G.P.

-Thank you. -Thank you.

Hello there.

The doctor actually said that to you?

Yeah, well they call it the postcode lottery.

Apparently if you don't live in the right area...

...you don't get your medication.

And the medication for Martha's Crohn's disease...

...isn't covered anymore.

And you reckon it'll cost you 300 pounds a month?

Well, that's just for the basic medication.

On top of that there's another thousand pounds...

...a quarter for her infusion.

Are you alright for that? That's a lot of money.

Well, I'll just have to be, won't I?

At Martha's age I can't imagine the risks.

Now, listen. Don't say anything to the girls, will you?

I'll sort it out somehow.

Yeah, sure.

...Cigarette Club and don't spare the horses.

Wait a minute. You got a little snooping to do first.

You can do your snooping but I'm going to Marty's party.

So am I. Afterwards. Don't you realise this is a chance...

...or us to get to the detective bureau?

What's the matter with the emergency squad?

Haven't you got any ambition?

Sure, but not for playing cops and robbers.

Hey, driver, drop me at the Cigarette Club.

Your mystery will keep for an hour or so.

Will you go back with me afterwards?

-It's a deal. -Come on.

Alright, love? Everything ok?

I was just making a cup of tea.

I wondered if you wanted one.

Lovely.

Well, am I right or am I right?

I see you've been given your complimentary cappuccino?

Yes, thank you.

I've, I've come about the letter that I've received from you.

Yes, it's very serious. Most unfortunate situation.

Unfortunate? What do you mean?

Trafalgar Electronics.

The letter we sent you. Your pension.

No, I don't understand.

I thought you were here because of the letter...

...we sent you on the...

...second of May, five a.m., New Delhi time.

No. No, I never received a letter from you about my pension.

I've come about the letter...

...concerning the bowls club tenancy.

Bowls club?

Ardagh Lawn Bowls and Social Club.

Up Coldharbour Road?

I see.

What's this you say about my pension?

I'll try to make this as simple as possible.

Trafalgar Electronics went into liquidation...