Stairlifts in Belfast, Derry, Bangor, Lisburn, Newry and Armagh

If you are looking for

stairlifts

in Belfast or anywhere in Northern Ireland



If you are looking for fascinating facts about the area then feel free to read on.



Belfast is the biggest city in Northern Ireland and is surrounded by hills, the river and the sea. Named after Beal Feirste which means "mouth of the sandbars" its deep port is famous for at one time the largest shipbuilding works in the world. It was here that the Titanic was built, aswell as HMS Canberra and many others including aircraft carriers and ferries. As well as shipbuilding the port enabled Belfast to succeed in making rope and exporting linen.

It's not all industrial though as Belfast is home to over 40 public parks looked after by the Forest of Belfast a public/private partnership which has encouraged Belfasts flowering as a tourist destination. Indeed Belfast was named in 2009 by Frommers Guides as one of the Top10 must -see destinations in the world. Included in those gardens is the spectacular Botanic Gardens where there are tropical glasshouses inlcuding the Palm House which was one of the first curved cast-ron glasshouses in the world. A stroll around the scenery can be enjoyed and for the more energetic there are festivals and pop concerts held here.

If sport is more your thing then you will be well catered for in Belfast as a spectator or a player. In fact there are figures to prove that people in Ireland as a whole are more active than in England. The most popular sports are Rugby, Football, Gaelic Football, Hurling and Camogie. Notable Belfast football legend George Best was born here and one of the airports is named after him.

Also Alex "Hurricane" Higgins was from Belfast and was known for frequenting the Crown Bar an unusual Victorian era Gin Palace not far from the train station and which has been restored and is now run by the National Trust. Take a look at its interior below.

Here below, as with all our regional stairlift blogs, we have some of the main towns and cities in the region – along with a selection of notable residents – past and present. It’s always remarkable, how many people do not know just who comes from their own town.

From Belfast there are musicians Van Morrison and James Galway.

From Bangor there is Eddy Irvine the Formula 1 racing driver.

From Derry there is multi-award winning songwriter, composer and recording artist Phil Coulter.

From Lisburn there is Harry Ferguson founder of the tractors firm.

From Newry you have Pat Jennings the Irish international goalkeeper.

From Armagh there is Richard Robinson founder of the Armagh Observatory.

Stairlifts in Leicestershire including Leicester, Loughborough, Hinckley, Market Harborough, Coalville and Melton Mowbray

If you are looking for

stairlifts in Leicester

If you are looking for fascinating facts about the area then feel free to read on.

Leicestershire is an inland county bordered by 7 other East and West Midlands counties. First mentioned in the Domesday book the county takes its name from Leicester the county town. Leicester is the site of an ancient roman fortified town and relics of roman baths and walkways have been found beneath it. In the industrial revolution its factories were skilled in engineering, producing shoes and also hosiery. The towns industries have always been boosted by immigration to work in it's businesses and the city has the largest Caribbean Carnival outside London and also the largest Diwali celebration outside India.



Called the sport capital of the UK it has Championship side Leicester City Football Club, Leicester Tigers Rugby Union Club - and of course Leicestershire County Cricket team. Stoke on Trent (the home HQ of Castle Comfort Stairlifts) and Leicester have a lot in common.

Their soccer teams, Stoke City and Leicester City have enjoyed

the services of two of the greatest goalkeepers the world has ever known - Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton.
See our stairlift cartoon with Peter Shilton here getting his own back on Diego Maradona for that infamous 'hand of God' goal. And believe it or not, Keith the founder of Castle Stairlifts uses the services of his friend 'Diegito' when visiting Argentina. See here an Englishman and an Argentine with the Falklands and football very much forgotten!

Leicester was also the home of the person responsible for setting up this now national stairlifts company. Robin Linnell of Acorn Stairlifts, many years ago, persuaded the Castle Comfort homecare products specialists to get serious about expansion. Robin's efforts and help, despite poor health, ensured that the Stoke based firm would go from stength to strength. Robin has now sadly left us, but in accordance with his beliefs - is still here - with other absent friends.
His succesor, Richard Roemer of Acorn was challenged to be a satisfactory 'half as good at his job as Robin' but has in fact exceeded well beyond that. Richard, also of Leicester, is a staunch follower of Leicester City and is often seen at the "Walkers Stadium" when not working.

Loughborough is known for it's university that is well ranked in the UK and was actually voted University of the Year 2008/9 by the Sunday Times. It is also the site of the world's largest bell foundry having been responsible for making both the bells for St.Pauls Cathedral and also York Minster. Ding dong!



Hinckley is located in the south west of Leicestershire and like Leicester is famous for it's engineering and hosiery manufacturing. It has the headquarters of Triumph, the classic motorbike firm ridden by Tom Cruise and George Clooney. Concerning hosiery, in its heyday it was estimated there were upto 6000 people making stockings in the town!



Melton Mowbray if not famous throughout the world is certainly known in England for it's pork pies. Its pies are now protected by an EEC ruling like that applied to Champagne in France. If it is not produced in the area you cannot put Melton Mowbray on it or call it by that name. It is also known for the Stilton cheese produced here and the town calls itself the "Rural Capital of Food."



Market Harborough is known for being the birthplace of Thomas Cook the founder of the package tour company. In fact the world's first package tour which he organised was to the sunny climate of Loughborough previously mentioned above! If you need assistance to travel about and want some help getting up and down the stairs safely and want a trustworthy company to help you then please contact Keith or Ann free on 0800 007 6959.

Castle Comfort Stairlifts 'making it easy to stay independent.'

Stairlifts in Dorset including Bournemouth, Poole, Weymouth and Dorchester

If you are looking for

stairlifts in Dorset

If you are looking for fascinating facts about the area then feel free to read on.
Dorset is situated in the South West of the country and is bordered by Devon to the West, where we also have a chairlift office.

Somerset and Wiltshire are to its North and Hampshire is to its East. It is very beautiful and has more protected conservation areas including areas of outstanding natural beauty and heritage, than any other county in England. Nearly half of it's total land area is in such a conservation area.

As previously mentioned on our Devon blog the Jurassic coast runs along here and is famous for its fossils and beautiful seaside beaches. Who hasn't been to Lyme Regis at some point and eaten tasty fish and chips on the Cobb. It's certainly a happy memory that I have.


Dorchester is the county town and its most well known past resident is Thomas Hardy the author who wrote "The Mayor of Casterbridge" and "Tess of the D'Urbervilles," while resident at Max Gate the house he had built for himself, now in the care of the National Trust.


Nearby Bridport is not actually on the coast but close to it, and is famous for the sightings of local TV River Cafe chef Hugh Fearnley-Wittingstall, GMTV's Fiona Phillips and also actor Martin Clunes who also live nearby.

East along the coast you come to Weymouth, where another famous actor makes his home and that is "Trigger" from TV's "Only Fools and Horses."

Most stairlifts firms are reputable and honest - but avoid the chance of meeting the odd 'rogue trader.' See our famous SPAM blog and you'll laugh your socks off! But it has a serious message that will protect you from unfair selling practises. To guarantee you get a genuine, no pressure, stairlift firm to give you the right price and information needed without hassle, please contact the Bournemouth office of Castle Comfort Stairlifts on 01202 355466 - or go to their website at castle comfort stairlifts

Stairlifts in Devon including Exeter, Exmouth, Sidmouth and Torbay

This post is part of Castle Comfort Stairlifts series of city and area information pages and is devoted to fascinating facts about Devon towns and will also link you to advice if you are looking for Stairlifts in Devon


Devon is the fourth biggest county in England and has as it's county town the city of Exeter. Well known for its 12th century cathedral and Princesshay shopping area it is also the site of Britain's oldest and longest established public park, Northernhay Gardens created for leisure and pleasure in the 1600's. The three biggest employers in the city are Devon County Council, the University of Exeter and six years ago The Met Office relocated here. If you had been studying the weather forecasts wouldn't you decide it was time to move the office to the English Riviera, with it's amazing microclimate. Who can blame them, eh?
The city motto adopted long ago is "Semper Fidelis" and this means Always faithful and if you're searching for a stairlift firm it goes without saying that you need them to be the same. Feel free to read the reviews from satisfied customers on Castle Comfort's Google listing Their after-sales service is always faithful too.



Just along the coast and popular with retirees and tourists alike is Sidmouth Here begins the World Heritage Jurassic Coast which leads into Dorset. It has a popular esplanade with rows of Georgian and Victorian villas and there are local bowling, golf and tennis clubs for those active in the community. In 2008 a Canadian millionaire who often holidayed in the area left his fortune to the town for community projects. These can already be seen in the planting schemes such as those at Connaught Gardens.


Another town where Castle Comfort has an office is Exmouth
which has a couple of famous people associated with it. Pauline Collins the actress famous for her portrayal of Shirley Valentine, the story of a ladies search for love on holiday. Also from Exmouth is Ed "Stewpot" Stewart who presented "Crackerjack" on TV and was a Radio 2 presenter in the afternoons. In 1995 he climbed Snowdon and Ben Nevis in aid of charity, broadcasting his shows from the summits. If climbing the stairs is starting to feel like climbing a mountain for someone you know, why not ask for a free no obligation quote from Castle Comfort Stairlifts and help them continue enjoying their own home. Call them on 01395 349 198 or email them at
Send Mail

Stairlifts in North London - Enfield, Haringey and Islington

This blog about Stairlifts in North London is part of our expanding series of regional and area blogs highlighting fascinating facts about where you live and the benefits of impartial stairlifts advice for those seeking Stairlifts in Enfield, Haringey or Islington.

Stairlifts in Nottingham, Leicester and Derby

Due to ever increasing demand Castle Comfort Stairlifts have now got a Nottingham office serving the East Midlands region, which includes those looking for a stairlifts in Derbyshire Leicester or Peterborough too. As part of our series of regional and city blogs this one will give you fascinating facts about the area as well as linking you to information on buying stairlifts in Nottingham a city famous for many things but I hope to uncover some new facts that will surprise you.

An Englishman's home is his castle and Nottingham has it's own castle built on a hill with far reaching views over the town. Intriguingly it's built on Castle Rock, which has a network of stairs and cave passageways carved out underground, beneath the castle. In the time of Edward III it was invaded by troops who had found a stairway that led from Englands oldest pub located down below in the town and went through the rock to the castle. It must have been handy for the castle owner to pop downstairs for a tipple!

This area is well known for the bands of robbers, outlaws and highwaymen around these parts, and no I'm not talking about other national stairlift firms!! Of course I'm talking about Robin Hood and his Merry Men those Nottingham legends that have had many books and films made about their story. But did you know that Nottingham has also been featured in some other films? The Golden Globe, Academy Award and Bafta nominated actress Samantha Morton hails from Nottingham and has filmed here. Though it might be Albert Finney and Hylda Baker, who starred in TV sitcom Nearest and Dearest with Jimmy Jewel, whose names are more familiar to you starring together in BAFTA winning Saturday Night Sunday Morning which was filmed in Nottingham.


Another legend well known in the area who took two East Midlands clubs to spectacular new heights in football was Brian Clough. Infamous for being passionate and opinionated about the game he nevertheless took first of all Derby County and then Nottingham Forest onto great achievements. At Derby he got them promoted to Division 1, won the league cup and helped them set an undefeated 22 match record. At Nottingham, with his help, they went from 8th in Division 2 to winning the Division 1 League cup and back to back European cup championships including a record breaking undefeated run of 42 games.
Talking football, Stoke City have in their time played Notts County, Nottingham Forest and Derby County. Stoke is where Castle Comfort Stairlifts have their head office. If you want to see how you can get round a curved set of stairs with less cost then see their chair lift cartoon with a Stoke City rider!



Other sports that Nottingham is known for is of course it's cricket. Trent Bridge being one of the finest international cricket venues, (and third oldest ground in the world.) It's here you can watch England play international cricket with the best in the world. Other sports that Nottingham are known for with national centres of excellence are its National Ice Centre and in Holme Pierrepont the National Watersports Centre where every year an Ironman Triathlon is held. Competitors swim a couple of miles, cycle over a hundred then run a gruelling marathon - all in a day. If tackling the stairs is getting as demanding for you and you'd like to make life easier for yourself why not try a riser recliner chair from Castle Comfort in Nottingham.
Their direct number is 01159 717012 and they would be pleased to tell you more about their huge range of helpful mobility products including adjustable beds bath lifts and wheelchairs.

Here below, as with all our regional stairlift blogs, we have the main towns and cities in the county of Nottinghamshire – along with a selection of notable residents – past and present. It’s always remarkable, how many people do not know just who comes from their own town.


Arnold – Andea Lowe, actress. Arthur Knighton-Hammon, Painter. Attenborough – Robin Hood – needs no introduction. Beeston – Sir Paul Smith, Fashion Designer. Bingham - Ian Storey- Moore, Former Footballer. Frank Miles, Artist. Bulwell – Bertie Mee, Arsenal Football Player. Partrick Doyle, Songwriter and member of pop group ‘The Diamonds’. Carlton – Richard Beckinsale, Actor. Cotgrave – Ernest Hayes, Britsh Army Soldier. Eastwood – Jeffrey Astle, West Bromwich Albion and England Footballer. D.H. Lawrence, Author. Hucknall – Lord Byron, Poet and Philosopher. Eric Coates, Composer of theme tune for ‘The Dam Busters’ movie. Kimberley – John Reynolds, British Superbike Champion. Kirkby-in-Ashfield – Sam Hynde, 2008 Paralympic- double Gold Medalist in Swimming. Mansfield – Chris Gascoyne, Coronation Street’s Peter Barlow. Alivin Stardust, Singer. Mansfield Woodhouse – David Gray, Singer. Newark - Sir Godfrey Newbold Hounsfield, inventor of the CT scanner. Toby Kebbel, Actor starred in ‘Rock ‘n’ Roller’. Retford – Phillip Jackson, Actor best known for his role in Agatha Christie’s Poirot. Liam Lawrence, Football Player for Stoke City FC. Southwell – Lord Byron, Poet. Stapleford – Tom Johnston, Football Manager and Player. Sir John Borlase Warren, Admiral. Sutton-in-Ashfield – Andrew Lewis, Composer. Kris Commons, Footballer for Stoke City, Nottingham Forest, and Derby County. West Bridgford – Harry Wheatcroft, famous rose grower. Worksop – George Best, Footballer. Bruce Dickinson, Iron Maiden Singer.

Stairlifts in London Part 1 of 4 - What a capital idea!

This post will tell you fascinating facts that not everyone knows aswell as information on Stairlifts in London London as everyone knows is the capital of England but did you know that according to local legend the capital of England wasn't always based in London or Londinium as the Romans called it.

Kind Edgar, that's him up above to the left, established himself at Penkridge, only a mile and a half from one of the regional offices of Castle Comfort Stairlifts at Dunston in Staffordshire. In those days wherever the king was living was held to be the seat of government and therefore the capital of the country. Edgar the Peaceful as he was known was declared to have held his seat of power in the area for reputedly upto 3 years.
According to the Birmingham Post when they were visiting Penkridge many locals were proud of their small towns claim to fame even if it was way back in the 10th Century!

Castle Comfort Stairlifts are an impartial, family owned national stairlift firm with regional offices throughout London and the South East.
For Stairlifts in London in the modern day capital of London or for straight or curved stairlifts why not be uplifted by the customer service and personal support of Castle Comfort. Give them a call day or night to find out what they can do for your nearest and dearest. Now that's a right royal idea.

Picture credits
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d4/Edgar.jpg/210px-Edgar.jpg

Stairlifts? ... straight away for Cardiff & Swansea folk - in fact for anyone in South Wales ....

...... that is of course, if they need a stair lift! South Wales has perhaps often been regarded as one of those inaccessible parts of the UK to many national suppliers of curved and straight stairlifts. Glamorgan and Gwent, Monmouth, Bridgend, Neath, Camarthen and Pembrokeshire have been served for many years by an excellent road system and with these South Wales regions containing two thirds of the Welsh population. Most are based in these towns/cities -

Cardiff, population - 316,800

Swansea 225,500

Newport 139,500

Merthyr Tydfil 55,000

Cwmbran 50,000

Neath 45,000

Bridgend 40,000

Barry 40,000

We have highlighted Barry, as this town, which you can study on the blue link, only had a population of 85 just over a century ago - has now produced a current world political leader ... go to 'Famous Names from South Wales' further on.

Castle Comfort Stairlifts soon realised that there is a higher than average, UK-wise - percentage of that populous being over 65 - then just as well that , this expanding national stairlift company has opened its regional office at Swansea that now serves the whole of South Wales. A Cardiff office will open soon to get a chairlift anywhere in South Wales.




Castle Comfort Stairlifts have in fact been arranging the installation of their Stairlifts in South Wales for some years - but the astute directors had long ago noticed the extra demand.

It all started with a few installations being completed for their range of Acorn, Minivator and Stannah stairlifts by relatives of contented clients living in other areas. So a small advertising campaign was started in the Swansea Evening Post, followed by Yellow Pages and then Castle Comfort took the step to open a regional registered office at Uplands to the west of Swansea.

Within weeks, most major Internet search engines had picked up Castle's presence in the South Wales region, and recognised this established chair lift company originating from Stoke on Trent, from its ratings elsewhere. Google, for example granted Castle Stairlifts a number one map rating - stairlifts swansea As with all Castle Comfort Stairlifts Internet placings - they are not paid (or sponsored) adverts - they are judged by the ever powerful search engines, to be given a place on longevity (how long the firm has been in business), reputation, reviews and opinions by third parties - along with acknowledgement by countless authorities, directories, and in general - trustworthy sources capable of giving the 'thumbs up.' The opinions of others are always useful to judge a company - see what these people had to say about their experience with Castle Comfort Stairlifts.


The owners of this popular chairlift company know that these information links will lead you to other stairlift companies in competition to Castle. They are in fact delighted and hope that you will invite quotations from all of them. Keith & Ann however, who personally run the company, have placed a 'shopping tip' in most of their marketing ...


"Before choosing a stairlift firm - call them at midnight (you may have to one day in an emergency) and see whether you get an answerphone, nothing at all - or personal attention."



TRY LATE TONIGHT
- 0800 007 6959
OR SWANSEA (01792) 359 212


THEN CALL THE FREEPHONE NUMBER OF A NATIONAL STAIRLIFT COMPANY AND SEE WHO'LL HELP YOU.

(Micky-takers will be warned and pardoned once but any persistent sad examples will be called back at 5 am in the morning!)

In addition, to remind folk to be aware of the dubious sales tactics that sadly some stairlift companies use - have a glance (and a laugh at) the now famous SPAM blog. Monty Python lovers and those with memories of school dinners will love it!

We'll come back to stairlifts and Castle Comfort shortly, but as with our series of 'City and Regional blogs' we are going to provide some fascinating facts about SOUTH WALES, its people - its history and above all a few things about the region that its citizens may well be proud of.



BUT FIRST IF YOU ARE DESPERATE FOR STAIRLIFT PRICES? Well you can bookmark this page and come back to it later. Please go to Castle Comfort's web page Stairlift prices - or to cut even more corners - click on stairlift solutions wales .... or .. for the those really in a rush because the pub is closing, telephone free, the number below -

0800 007 6959
or - 01792 359 212

and a director of Castle Comfort will answer your call (directed to his mobile if he is already in the pub!)

Swansea has many links with North Staffordshire, especially Newcastle under Lyme and Stoke on Trent - the region from which Castle Comfort originates.

For instance, both regions enjoyed the post-war boom of coal mining, with both Staffordshire and South Wales having similar sized industries. Consequently, with the demise of such a job providing facility - both areas suffered enormously economically when inevitable unemployment followed the Thatcher days.

South Wales produced one of the most famous names in football - only to have him 'exported' to England as a player and manager. He guided Stoke City as a manager back in to the old first division. ALAN DURBAN, from Bridgend, was a Welsh international and manager between the 1970s and 1990s.

He began his career at Cardiff in 1959, playing fifty games before going to Derby County four yeas later. After 27 appearances for the national Welsh team he had a spell at Shrewsbury town as player manager before coming to Stoke in 1978. After gaining promotion he was poached by Sunderland only to return to Cardifff City for a four year spell as manager and then returning to Stoke.

Alan Durban's allegiance to Stoke and its people was highlighted when he made a celebrity appearance at the now closed Jollies Nightclub in The Potteries in 1985. The former Stoke manager confidently occupied for two hours a stage that had been graced by the very top in show business - such as Shirley Bassey, Morecambe & Wise, Neil Sedaka, Tommy Cooper, Jimmy Tarbuck, Cilla Black and of course Pontypridd's Tom Jones.

Durban was always regarded as something as a 'tough nut' yet tears were brought to many in the audience when he detailed an account of something that totally changed his attitude to life, in particular whether success at what we do career-wise was really that vital. He had had apparently a bad time at work on the day of October 21st 1966. It was during a period when it seemed excitment would never wain over England having just won the World Cup. He switched on the radio to hear that 144 people had lost their lives - 116 of them school children, aged just 7 to 10. It was, moreover at Aberfan just a few miles from where Alan was born.

The pupils of Pantglas Junior School had arrived only minutes earlier for the last day before the half-term holiday. They had just left the assembly hall, where they had been singing "All Things Bright and Beautiful", when a great noise was heard outside - a colossal landslide. One of the worst disasters in history had struck.

We all hope lessons have been learnt and subsequent enquiries, though they will not return a lost generation, can prevent such a thing happening again. The web has countless tributes to those lost and their families. One reference to an Aberfan premonition- is that of the nightmare of a 10 year old that had told her mother of the coming tragedy. Correctly, but with hindsight tragically, the mother reassured her daughter, dismissing it as a child's dream - and saw her safely off to school.

See this photo collection







FAMOUS PEOPLE BORN IN SOUTH WALES

As with all our regional blogs, we list a few of the famous that originate from South Wales. This is one of the most widely read features of the Castle Comfort Stairlifts series as we are told time and time again that most people had no idea and are amazed that so many celebrities, stars and those famous for different reasons - come from their town.

A selection of the 'South Wales Gallery' is here - but before you read on, we'll present you with a challenge. You may know some of these people personally (or knew them when they were alive!) or at least be aware of lesser known facts about them.



SO, AMONGST THE FAMOUS IN SOUTH WALES

- WHO HAS GOT (OR HAS HAD) A STAIR LIFT ???


IF YOU EMAIL THIS INFORMATION TO-


eventhefamousneedastairlift@castlecomfortcentre.com

We'll chip in £25 for every correct answer to this very good cause.

So here is a selection of the famous that originate from Wales -

Alan Durban (born in Bridgend, Mid Glamoragan) Alfred Wallace (Usk, Gwent) Alun Hoddinot (Bargoed, Mid-Glamorgan) Alun Richards (Potnypridd, Mid Glamorgan) Aneurin Bevan (Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent) Angus McBean (Newbridge, Caerphilly) Arthur Horner (Merthyr Tydfil, Mid Glamorgan)

Arthur Machen (Carleon, Newport) Bertrand Russell (Trelleck Monmouthshire) Brian Josephson (Cardiff) Catherine Zeta Jones (Swansea) Ceri Richards (Swansea) Charles Kemble (Brecon, Powys) Charlotte Church (Llandaff, Cardiff) Chris Addison (Cardiff) Christian Malcolm (Newport, Gwent) Colin Jackson (Cardiff) David Davies (Barry, Glamorgan) David Thomas (Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf) Dick Francis (Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire) Dillon Prendergast (Cardiff) Donald Swann (Llanelli, Carmarthenshire) Dylan Thomas (Swansea) Eric Linklater (Penarth. Cardiff) Ernest Jones (Llwchwr, Swansea) Gareth Thomas (Bridgend)

Geoffrey Howe (Port Talbot) Geoffrey of Monmouth (Monmouth) Gethin Jones (Cardiff) Gillian Clarke (Cardiff) Griff Rhys Jones (Cardiff) Gwilym Lloyd-George (Criccieth, Caernarvonshire) Gwyn Jones (New Tredegar, Monmouthshire) Gwyneth Jones (Pontnewynydd, Monmouthshire) H H Price (Neath, Port Talbot) Harry Secombe (Swansea) Henry V (Monmouth, Monmouthshire) Henry Vaughan (Newton, Gwent) Howard Spring (Cardiff) Ian Hislop (Swansea) Ivor Novello (Cardiff) Ivor Emmanuel (Port Talbot) James Kemsley (Merthyr Tydfil, Gwent) James Thomas (Newport, Gwent) Jeff Banks (Ebbw Vale, Gwent) Joan Ruddock (Pontypool, Torfaen) John Humphrys (Cardiff)

John Ormond (Dunvant, Swansea) Jon Ronson (Cardiff) Julila Gillard (Barry, Glamorgan) Kenneth Baker (Newport, Gwent) Laura Ashley (Merthyr Tydfil, Gwent) Lisa Rogers (Cardiff) Mandy Rice-Davies (Llanelli, Carmarthenshire) Megan Lloyd-George (Criccieth, Caenarfon) Michael Heseltine (Swansea) Michael Howard (Gorseinon, Swansea) Michael Sheen (Newport, Gwent) Neil Hamilton (Fleur-de-Lis, Caephilly) Neil Kinnock (Tredegar, Gwent) Nicole Cooke (Cowbridge, Glamorgan) Paul Whitehouse (Caerphilly) Peter Greenaway (Newport. Gwent) R S Thomas (Cardiff) Ray Milland (Neath, Port Talbot) Ray Reardon (Tredegar, Gwent) Rhodri Morgan (Cardiff) Richard Burton (Pontrhydfen, Glamorgan) Richard Lewis (Aberavon, Port Talbot)

Richard Meade (Chepstow, Monmouthshire) Richard Nash (Swansea) Richard Price (Tynton, Flint) Roald Dahl (Llandaff, Cardiff) Rob Brydon (Port Talbot) Rowan Williams (Swansea) Roy Jenkins (Abersychan, Gwent) Ryan Giggs (Cardiff) Sarah Siddons (Brecon, Powys)

Shakin' Stevens (Cardiff) Shirley Bassey (Cardiff) Sir Anthony Hopkins (Port Talbot) Stanley Baker (Ferndale, Rhondda Cynon Taff) Tanni Grey-Thompson (Cardiff) Thomas Lewis (Cardiff) Tom Jones (Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taff) Tommy Cooper (Caerphilly) William Berry (Merthyr Tydfil, Gwent) William Grove (Swansea)


A TRUE RAGS TO RICHES STORY THAT WILL MAKE EVERY WELSH PERSON PROUD.

As promised, we come to the tale of a humble family from Barry, Glamorgan which many yeas ago decided to try and do a little better for itself. Miss Julia Gillard, now 48, was an unwell five-year-old when her parents took her from Wales for the warmer climate of Australia. Young Julia had suffered with pneumonia and doctors advised her family of the benefits of moving from damp and drizzly old South Wales to the sun of New South Wales.

Her policeman father John and mum Moira decided to emigrate to Australia settling in Adelaide in 1966 with Julia and sister Alison, three years older. The family were among thousands of ‘£10 Poms’ - Brits who emigrated to Australia in the sixties paying just £10 for their boat fare.
But Barry's 47,000 residents woke up in June 2009 to discover that Julia has become Australia's first woman Prime Minister. The new first lady of Australia has roots that are thousands of miles away from TV's Neighbours - in the Gavin and Stacey seaside town of Barry, Glamorgan. The family lived at Queen Street in a two-bedroomed terraced house - just like the modest home of Stacey from the popular BBC comedy. (Could this be the first comedy/soap eventually to feature a stairlift?)

Neighbours in Queen Street commented to an excited press contingent - 'She was a lovely young girl – we remember her playing with the local children in the street. 'She was very small when she left here and no one could imagine she would go on to become the most powerful person in Australia.' A rags to riches tale indeed – and above all one from illness to full health and may it continue and be many years before Julia needs a stairlift!

Juila Gillard comes from a long line of Welsh Labour politicians including former Prime Minister David Lloyd George, and Labour leaders Neil Kinnock and Michael Foot.





Julia Gillard from
Barry Glamorgan

How about another famous head of state with connections in South Wales - the man who reputedly invented the STAIRLIFT. He was in fact a king of notoriety who designed a block and tackle rope-pulling system to enable his servants to carry his 30 stone carcass upstairs. His name? HENRY V111 !


READ THIS REMARKABLE ACCOUNT OF HIS INVENTION OF THE STAIRLIFT




Henry's father was Welsh - Henry Tudor, whose real name was Hari Tudur and was born at Pembroke Castle. Old 'Harri' was proud of his Welsh identity and said he originated from an ancient Anglesey family with its roots going back to Cadwaladr the last legendary and ancient ruling Welsh king. He passed on a lot of land the lords in Wales but his son did not inherit this affection for Welsh soil. Henry V111 passed laws annexing Wales, and didn't stop there. He made English the official language of bureaucracy especially the courts - so the Welsh language was intentionally chopped as brutally as were the heads of the monarch's out of favour wives!

He didn't speak Welsh, so he had banned it - though rumour has it that he tried, practising phrases like 'Ble alla ca a stairlift beiriannydd chlosia Caerdydd?'


For the none Welsh language aficionados out there struggling to understand, it means -

Where can I get a stairlift engineer near Cardiff?'



UK WIDE LINKS AND SNIPPETS YOU'll ALL LOVE READING ABOUT IN CARDIFF AND SWANSEA!

We have already covered in many regional blogs the 'Good Deeds' that the Castle Comfort team get up to - well, Stairlift Stephen who has already caused the Coronation Street scriptwriters to pledge that a STAIRLIFT will soon feature in 'Corrie' is up to it again - now it's the turn of Emmerdale.

Castle Comfort Stairlifts immortal cartoons have been given the thumbs up from many regional blog fans. Indeed Richard, our unpaid professional cartoonist has received many requests for his skillful services after his works were posted world wide in the name of 'making stairlifts a little humorous.' See the collection of stairlift cartoons and then struggle up the stairs with a smile on your face - but please be careful.


You won't find many Stairlift companies honoured in the world's largest online encyclopedia - but Castle Comfort Stairlifts is in Wikipedia - and indeed they are very proud of the fact.

Buying Stairlifts. Who would you trust most - a stair lift salesman or a doctor?

Dr Neil Stirling MB ChB - now living in Cheshire - is Honorary Ambassador to Castle Comfort Stairlifts. - Head Office, Newcastle under Lyme, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire.

When the founder of a Stair lift company from Newcastle under Lyme, just outside Stoke on Trent, heard that his doctor was retiring, it was all action stations. Keith Simpson, founder of Castle Comfort Stairlifts knew that his trusted family doctor for over 25 years. Dr Neil Stirling MB ChB - despite his age of 78 years - was not one to do nothing.


We'll come back to the story as to just who is Doctor Stirling shortly. But his impact on this family stairlift business and the stairlift market in general became an instant phenomena.

These days, Doctor Stirling receives a continual flow of correspondence from people who have acquired stairlifts following, who lives in Cheshire, his involvement, recommendations and contacts. Remarkably the most common situation is that people often discover that the is a stair lift specialist within a short distance of the buyer's home - and because such reasonably priced and very professional firms do not advertise and are very busy indeed - they have a low profile marketing wise.
Installations of straight and curved chair lifts - both new and reconditioned have in the past two year been completed in the following towns and cities where the recommended stairlift firm is based -

The list is not comprehensive or complete, but has many good examples ....

HUDDERSFIELD, EDINBURGH, BRADFORD, STEETON, KEIGHLEY, LEICESTER, ANDOVER, BLACKPOOL, CHESTER, LEEDS, WARRINGTON, HANLEY, CONSETT, GIZMOVILLE, GATESHEAD, MAIDSTONE, WHITBY, EASTBOURNE, ROCHESTER, NORWICH & SHIPLEY .... etc etc

In addition, Dr Stirling's own base company - Castle Stairlifts have become involved especially where the group now has regional offices, including -

Glasgow, Newcastle upon Tyne, York, Manchester, Macclesfield, Liverpool, Nottingham, Birmingham, Belfast, HQ at Stoke on Trent, Walsall, Stafford, Bristol, Bournemouth, London, Swansea and Exmouth.

NB Castle Comfort's expansion programme expects to have full showroom and stairlift facilities at these location by the sunmmer of 2012.

The life and times of Doctor Stirling from humble beginnings as the first white baby to be born in Mozambique, makes fascinating reading. A career spanning six decades with numerous posts and positions in public and private health care - has now culminated in him being Honorary Ambassador to the Castle Comfort Group. Initially his duties covered customer liaison and his quickly enhanced knowledge of the mobility products sector - particularly stair lifts has resulted in his own website - see it here- which offers independent help and guidance when handling the task of choosing a chairlift company.


Naturally, Dr S's allegiance towards his home base in Stafford shire at Castle Comfort's head office, means that Castle themselves will be receiving business as a result of the doctor's involvement. But not every time. Depending on the geographical situating of those needing a stairlift - and any special requirements such as paediatric (children) or bariatric (heavy duty cases) then referrals are made to the best specialist stairlifts companies to deal with this. Sometimes firms pay a commission a a token of appreciation of the referral - and this is used in two parts - towards the running of the website - and to top up the Good Deeds Fund of which Dr Stirling is the administrator, and oversees the granting of free or part-subsidised stairlifts.
By contacting Dr Stirling - you will learn a few things about stairlifts that are not obvious - and that some companies may not want you to know. For instance, if the stairs have a curved fan at the top or stairs off from a landing, then you may be budgeting for a curved stairlift sytem. But there may be an economic alternative. A Stoke City fan may help you. What? Seriously - just click on this.

Motor Neurone is an area where help is frequently given - as Castle Comfort's original registered charity was called 'The Doug Brown Motor Neurone Fund' Former Stoke on Trent Lord Mayor was an MN sufferer - and soon a dedicated blog can be seen on his life an times. Meanwhile go to Doug's story here. By a curious coincidence, Doctor Stirling, just before his retirement and the serious involvement with Castle comfort Stairlifts, lost his first wife Marguerite after she combated with MN for several years.

First please absorb some of the fascinating story of Dr Stirling's life - and in his very own words,
we'll begin -

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF DR STIRLING

"My name is William Neilson Stirling, and I was born on 3rd January 1927 at a Medical Missionary station, which was founded by Dr David Livingston ( I presume), in what was then Portuguese East Africa, and is now Mozambique.

"In 1927 my father was a newly qualified doctor and the son of a Church of Scotland minister, who felt he wanted to spread the word and use his medical skills at the same time. He had studied at Glasgow University but had had his studies interrupted by the First World War. Following the war he completed his studies and married Janet, daughter of the local Bank Manager. Janet had herself attended University and had a degree in languages and was a gifted musician.

"The young couple went out to Africa where conditions were very primitive – it was at the Missionary Station, which was some two weeks' trek from the coast that I was born. I was delivered by my father whilst my mother held the paraffin lamp! I was only the second baby to be born at the Station and was the first white baby.

"My father was in charge of all aspects of the Station but the medical help he was able to give was restricted by the conditions and medical supplies available there. Most of his patients would have called to see him and many would have had to travel across difficult terrain to get to him. Communications were also difficult with letters to home taking on average 2 months!

"After 2 years in Africa he decided to move to India. He went to work for Findley & Co, a large company with interests in tea plantations and forestry. The family went to Assam in the North East of India where my father was in charge of several Indian doctors and also had responsibly for the hospital there.

"One of the benefits of the job was the fact that a car was essential to the position and at any one time there were usually about 3 cars as breakdowns took several weeks to get mended and spare parts were very hard to come by. My father had to cover a large area to look after his patients and transport was a priority.

"This move was a big change for us, as we now had a large bungalow to live in and a much more active social life. I had lots of other youngsters to play with and in my early years, spoke both Hindi and English! I still have a liking for Assam tea which I acquired from the time I lived on the plantation.

"Obviously I was very influenced by my father, and from a very young age I knew that I wanted to be a doctor – although I have to admit with a rue smile that I also always wanted to have a car and the only person I knew who had one in those days was a doctor!

"My father now had a chance to practice his medical skills to the full; acting as everything from GP to chief surgeon he had to undertake all kinds of work. Although life was a lot easier with Findley & Co it was essential to have a knowledgeable competent doctor in the post.

"As a family, we only had 6 months off every 3 years so the first time I came to the UK I was 5 years old. I went to live in Glasgow with my paternal Grandmother, and also had to start at school! I must confess that it was very traumatic when my parents returned to India, knowing it would be another 3 years until I saw them again.

"My parents moved back to the United Kingdom on a full time basis in 1948, after the Second World War. By this time I had a sister, Irene, who was of course born in India. It was a difficult few years for us as the war came very close to Assam and the women and children were evacuated to Lahore so large amounts of time were spent apart.

"My father returned to Glasgow and worked in the hospital there, specialising in Psychiatry. He was still working when he died – sadly from a heart attack at the very young age of 60.

"Meanwhile, I was pursuing my dream of becoming a doctor (and owning my first car!), attending primary and public school, and then following my father's footsteps to Glasgow University, which I attended from 1945 – 1950 studying general medicine. I continued to live with my Grandmother, and traveled to University on the bus every day. There were no grants available in those days and my father paid for my education. I really enjoyed University life, and worked hard to achieve my ambition of being a family doctor. I have to confess to also enjoying the odd drink at the Students Union, having been brought up in a teetotal household!

"Following completion of my education, I went straight into National Service, spending the majority of my time in Korea as a Regimental Medical Officer. Although no stranger to foreign parts, I found the climate there very harsh with very hot summers and very cold winters. There was no opportunity to return to Scotland during my tour of duty, the only leave I managed being a couple of short stays in nearby Japan for some R&R, where conditions were rather bleak in the aftermath of the war.



"Happier times were ahead after National Service, with my first job. I found a position as a trainee in Loch Lomond, where I acted as assistant to the local GP. I stayed in lodgings with an Italian landlady known affectionately as Mrs D. Once again I found myself in a very busy post where I was forced to learn quickly,
but I did have the opportunity to make some new friends. My most notable new acquaintance was a midwifery student named Marguerite, who by coincidence was born in Cheshire. Whilst it was work that brought us together, I knew from the outset that this was to be a special person in my life. Our first date was at the local Police Ball, where we got to know each other a lot better.

"Marguerite and I got married in December 1955 at her family church in Doddington, Cheshire. My parents and sister traveled south to attend the wedding. We honeymooned in Stratford-upon-Avon, with a visit to the theatre to see Much Ado About Nothing!

"In 1956 Marguerite and I moved to Liverpool and bought a house in Penny Lane. I had gained a position as an assistant to a GP and was again learning my trade with a hands on job. My two daughters Helen and Fiona were born during our time in here.

"Three years later, in 1959, we moved to Newcastle under Lyme where I became a partner in a family practice in Burslem. I worked here until 1976, and my two sons Neilson and Crawford were born. Although a partner, I still had to work hard as GP in those days had to do everything from taking blood pressure to making home visits - plus being on call! But it was what I had always wanted to do – look after people and make them well again.

"Although my father sadly died at the young age of 60, my mother lived to be 92, apparently none the worse for the exciting and adventurous life she had led, and so I returned to my native Scotland on a regular basis to visit her. My daughters followed in the family tradition of medicine with Helen becoming a radiographer while Fiona trained as a midwife. My sons however found alternative careers one studying at Agricultural college and the other becoming a financier in The City.
"In 1976 I took the decision to resign from the NHS to go into private practice – this was a huge step to take with a large family support, but it turned out to be a good decision as it gave me the opportunity to go back to old fashioned medicine with time to talk to my patients. The practice had its own dispensary, which
enabled patients to be treated straight away. I continued here until 1987.

"From 1959 to 2003, I also had the privilege of serving as the local Police Surgeon. This was a job I enjoyed immensely as it was both interesting and eventful, with call outs day or night to attend such things as murder scenes, accidents or drink/driving incidents. I have many amusing tales to tell, including how I
would decide if some was over the limit or not before the breathalyser came into being.

"My other commitments included a term as Chairman of the local British Medical Association, and as a member of the Stafford Local Medical Committee. I was also a senior officer with the Red Cross.

"The one tragedy during this time resulted from my dear wife Marguerite contracting Motor Neurone disease. She very sadly passed away in 2001.

"Although I am now officially retired, I am the honorary consultant for Castle Comfort Centre

and spend time with the company giving them the benefit of my vast experience and knowledge.
"In recent years, I have acquired an in depth knowledge of the mobility products sector – in particular stairlifts. As a result, I now enjoy life by enthusiastically providing free impartial advice, in response to constant requests for information. The ultimate result of this work is this website.

"Finally (until next time!), I have been lucky enough to meet another special lady - Sue, and we were married in January 2006. We now live a happy and active life in Cheshire."

© Stairlift Doctor 2009


Some of the letters and kind words of appreciation from recent happy stairlift 'pilots' can be seen here.

To receive honest, personal and independant advice on the subject of STAIR LIFTS , just ask Dr Stirling here. You will be glad that you did.

The Editor

LINKS

Doctor Stirling can provide useful information regarding GRANTS - often from unexpected sources. However - as you can see here - it's not always easy.

See who is NUMBER 1 on Google Maps.

Finally, not everything goes well with all stairlift companies - and The Daily Mail features something of a stairlift disaster ... SEE HERE .. HOW NOT TO MARKET YOUR STAIRLIFTS