If you're fed up with fake news - go retro ( or talk to Jan)

If  you're fed up with fake news or don't believe what you see in the papers these days, read on.

I've just rediscovered The Weekly News which even my dear old mum could flick through  without taking offence.  Very popular in the 1960s and with a history that dates back to the middle of the nineteenth century,  it's known as 'the paper with the feel-good factor.'

And if you think Cliff Richard looks a bit young in the photo above there's a reason for that - the whole thing is very 'retro' with a modern twist. Which  brings me to the reason for this post. Featured on page five is another face I recognise, Janice Rosser,  talking about  her hugely popular website which  is aimed at the over-55s.

Called OAPSchat, which stands for Optimistic and Proactive Seniors Chat, it boasts a huge band of followers. Aware that many seniors are using the internet these days,  Jan recognised that some of them were lonely and/or in need  needed  of cheering up. So in 2013 she asked  her younger son to design the website which continues to gain much deserved recognition.

A mere 61 herself, Jan willingly cared for her own mother for several years, but found the job could be very isolating. Now she encourages her members (both men and women) to chat with each other on all kinds of subjects from health and finance to singers and telvision stars, as well as hosting a regular quiz and competitions.

Jan, who is based in Hereford,  would one day like to get members together  for a cup of tea and a chat. 'I don't know if people would want to do that,' she told News reporter Craig Campbell, adding, if so " we could take it from there and have meetings all over the country.'

Jan enourages  both readers and writers to join in the daily conversation,  featuring novelists from many different genres, (including Yours Truly) some of whom who regularly advertise on the website. The advertising has proved a success and she has many glowing testimonies to prove it.

Meanwhile, having turned to page 16 of The Weekly News, I find a feature on the 'Rise of the Robots.' Maybe it's not so retro after all...

Janice Rosser and OAPSchat members in the latest  edition of The Weekly News

You can find the OAPSCHAT website here

https://www.dcthomson.co.uk/brands/the-weekly-news/

The Snowdrop

HELLO FEBRUARY!  My second daughter was born in February around the time the snowdrops, heads bowed against the cold, appeared through a layer of fluffy white snow. Gathering some from her own garden, my neighbour brought the snowdrops to my door just hours after we brought the new baby home. I put the tiny white flowers in an miniature glass jug that once belonged to my grandmother, creating  a memory that has always stayed with me.

For the next few months I will be spending less time here on my blog to concentrate on my writing. Since 2010 I have blogged almost every week, made many friends and had almost 60,000  page views from all over the world. I've published two novels, am working on the third, and now want to break into short story writing - something I have always wanted to do.

You never know - my first published story might just be called The Snowdrop.