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ISBN: 0957-9850

Year: 2023

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‘Doctors wrote off my
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Style buys NOW she’s a catwalk model’

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OCT 17-30,
2023
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Expert tips to
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‘I revamped my
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Cliff back on tour

‘I may be 83 but I
can still Move It’


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WIN £100! Welcome... Find Sammy Squirrel… For how to join the search see page 102 I love this time of year. From a stroll through bright orange leafy parks, to the smell of a slow-cooking casserole, there’s lots to embrace as we slide into autumn. But I’m also aware how a change in seasons affects my mood and wellbeing; the cooler, shorter days have me feeling nostalgic for summer – when I had more energy and a spring in my step. Sound familiar? On p36 we’ve the perfect pick-me-up as our experts share their tips for beating those autumn blues. And as the nights draw in, why not indulge in some warming comfort foods? As part of our eight-page moneysaving special, we’ve pulled together three tasty ‘fakeaway’ favourites that you can make with ease at home – for a fraction of the cost. Turn to p42 for some cooking therapy! See you next issue Caroline Reid, Editor ONLY IN YOURS EVERY ISSUE… REAL LIFE 18 COVER Supermodel Ellie says having Down’s syndrome hasn’t held her back STAR CHAT 10 COVER Why Dawn French finds joy in the small things 12 COVER Keep moving, says Cliff Richard 14 Daniel O’Donnell’s secrets 16 Nadiya Hussain talks about baking and spices 111 Nicholas Lyndhurst on Frasier 114 Vanessa discusses the merits of not bottling things up LIFE & STYLE 25 28 34 36 41 COVER Supermarket fashion Make-up for that star look Cosy up with nature COVER 14 ways to feel happier Build your strength GOOD TO KNOW 61 64 66 70 72 75 77 Touching real life stories and chats with the stars Electric heaters on test Craft through the seasons How to make £2,500 in a year Help appliances last longer COVER ‘I’ve saved £1,000 fixing up my home’ Bump up your credit score Our pick of smart scales NOSTALGIA 80 100 years of Disney 83 Remembering teenage 85 Home styling tips and products shopping trips Dalai Lama’s visit to the UK LEISURE TIME 42 46 48 51 55 86 108 Get Yours every fortnight wherever you are Subscribe to Yours and get exclusive rewards and content today! See page 94 for details WRITE TO US: Yours, Bauer Media Publishing UK, The Lantern, 75 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PL EMAIL: yours@bauermedia.co.uk JOIN IN: facebook.com/ Yoursmagazine INSIDE THIS ISSUE... COVER Fakeaways and bakes Ideas for your dining room Planting evergreen pots Create a patio orchard Knit a fun scarf Seaside breaks TV highlights this fortnight YOUR FAVOURITES Cover pic: Alan Chapman/ Dave Benett/Getty Images ONLINE: yours.co.uk Yours magazine ISSN 0957-9850 (USPS 8720) is published fortnightly by H Bauer Publishing Ltd, The Lantern, 75 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PL United Kingdom. Airfreight and mailing in the USA by agent named World Container INC 150-15, 183rd St, Jamaica, NY 11413, USA. Periodicals Postage Paid at Brooklyn, NY 11256. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Yours magazine, Air Business Ltd, c/o World Container INC 150-15, 183rd St, Jamaica, NY 11413, USA. Subscription records are maintained at Bauer Media, Subscriptions, CDS Global, Tower House, Sovereign Park, Lathkill Street, Market Harborough, Leicester LE16 9EF, United Kingdom. Air Business Ltd is acting as our mailing agent 8 Meeting Place 89 Short story 92 Join the Yours Book Club 96 Catch up with friends 99 Puzzles and prizes 113 Horoscopes WIN A BREAK IN THE LAKE DISTRIC T 103
Right: Bet Lynch, played by Julie Goodyear, with Barbara Knox as Rita The from Yours Our round-up of the funny, fascinating and unusual stories this fortnight KNOW YOUR ONIONS Prices for value ranges in Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco have risen by 22 per cent in a year, according to The Grocer magazine. And, as one supermarket so often told us: ’every little helps’, a recent investigation on fruit and veg costs is worth noting. According to investigators from one national newspaper it’s cheaper to buy vegetables loose as the netting on pre-packed stuff can cost more than the contents. Depending on the store, the net can add 55p to 70p to your purchase. Clearly, it pays to know your onions. Worth a try? Maybe the two-thirds of UK women identified in a new survey as still doing more housework than men could learn from Joan Collins (90). “I used to cook,” Dame Joan has revealed. “But then, when Percy [Gibson] and I got together and I started making him spag bol, he’d be behind me in the kitchen hovering, so in the end I said: ‘OK, you do it.’ Now he does all the cooking, which is fine by me because it means I can watch Friends on TV.” Worth a try, though it might not work as well when you’re cleaning the bathroom… Camilla and Brigitte dressed to dazzle
NOT REALLY ROCK ’N’ ROLL Right FRENCH CHIC Ooh la la! As half of an impossibly stylish couple at a French state dinner, Queen Camilla dazzled in Dior. Sorry Charles, we’re not referring to you as the other half of the glamorous duo. On this occasion, our eyes were firmly fixed on images of your wife with France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron. Together, in their 70s and sparkling in navy couture dresses and glittering jewellery, they oozed the film star chic the host country is renowned for. to reply At 82, opera actor Rose Knox Peeble was rightly proud of the glowing reviews she read about her opening night performance in Das Rheingold at the Royal Opera House. But on reading in the Financial Times that she was ‘made up to look quite a fright’, she decided to correct this particular reviewer. “The fright look is all naturally mine, she proudly wrote in a letter to the paper, explaining that she wasn’t actually wearing any make-up. As her character Erda, an ancient weary gnarled earth mother, she pointed out: “I would hardly look like some beautiful young thing.” Besides, the grandmother and former Vogue model says she’s “perfectly happy” with the way she looks, adding: “To my eyes getting old is a plus.” Well said Rose! RIP DAVID MCCALLUM The British actor who shot to fame as a spy in The Man From U.N.C.L.E. has died aged 90. Scottish born David McCallum, who played Illya Kuryakin in the Sixties drama, also played Judas in The Greatest Story Ever Told and was in The Great Escape and A Night to Remember. Millions of female fans will, of course, remember him as their handsome heart throb. PICS: SHUTTERSTOCK, GETTY IMAGES, INSTAGRAM/ROSEMARYLATCH Happy 90th birthday from all of us at Yours to the Corrie icon Barbara Knox who’s entertained us all as the Street’s glamorous, wise and feisty redhead Rita for more than 50 years. Not a bad run considering she was only booked for an initial one-off appearance as an exotic dancer in 1964, later returning in 1972. During Barbara’s Weatherfield reign, she’s had three screen husbands, Len Fairclough, Ted Sullivan and Dennis Tanner, along with her fair share of heartbreak. She also holds the record for receiving more marriage proposals than any other character: 15 rings from 12 different men. As Kate Rawcliffe, ITV’s Head of Commissioning, rightly says: “It’s easy to throw the words ‘legend’ and ‘icon’ around, but Barbara embodies those terms.” If you’ve ever fantasised about having dinner with Rolling Stone Mick Jagger, it might not be quite the dream date you expected… Ab Fab’s Jennifer Saunders Jennifer was invited and Adrian round to had a not the Richmond so ‘fab’ encounter home he with Mick then shared Jagger with Jerry Hall in the late Nineties. Rumours of a remake of the American version of the cult show were rife and Jerry wanted to play Patsy. So when Jennifer and her husband, comic Ade Edmondson, arrived, she welcomed them dressed as Patsy and explained that Mick was upstairs having his eyebrows dyed. When he finally joined them for “what looked like a school dinner” and a half bottle of plonk with cling film round the top, his behaviour bordered on “sulky teenager”. The story is recounted in Ade Edmondson’s new autobiography Berserker! YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT 5
The paw-fect chauffeur This adventurous pup is loving life on the open road These adorable pets were snapped trying to mimic their owners... Copy cat Looking ever so purr-fessional! 6 YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT
in the picture Just press paws! Rover thought the movie was a tear jerker! A furry friend Just paw-sing for a quick cuddle... Clever kitty This furry friend is feline parched BY SOPHIE BARTON PICS: GETTY News hound Catching up on the headlines in the Canine Chronicle YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT 7
Meeting tures & wise words… Our pick of your best letters, pic £10 cheque for every letter published Loss after love r I read Vanessa’s recent column on loneliness. My loneliness is quite different. To me it’s losing someone after 60 years. You miss the slam of a door, no one to grumble at when things don’t go quite right, nobody there when you need to tell someone how exciting your day has been. Seeing the empty chair. I fill my days as much as possible and do enjoy them but it doesn’t make up for the loneliness of actually being alone. Do other readers feel the same? Margery Worsell, Cumbria Festive flavours r I thought I’d seen it all until I saw these Christmas tree flavoured crisps in a supermarket! Whatever will they come up with next? Barbie mania r I loved the article in ‘Your Memories’ issue 436 about the history of fashion dolls. Back in the early Nineties my sister Bennie and I had a large collection of both Barbie and Sindy dolls and we would spend many happy hours playing with them. I don’t know what happened to them when we grew up and left home, but some of them would now be quite valuable (if we hadn’t given them ‘hairstyles’ with the pinking shears maybe). I’m aged six on the left of the photo. Mrs Giblin, South Wales Katie Gooding, Wilts STAR LETTER A helping hand ✪ Yours reader Michelle Mathers recently asked if anyone had paid for someone else’s shopping. I was in a local supermarket when I heard a young girl asking her mother for a packet of chocolate biscuits. The mother stated she couldn’t afford them this week, so I offered to buy them for her. The mother was so grateful and thanked me and the little girl smiled at me and said, “Thank you so much.” It made me so happy to help them out. Ruth Sanderson, aged 88, Staffordshire Yours says: What a thoughtful and generous gesture, Ruth! We really do have the kindest readers. A photo I’ll always treasure r Our star letter will receive a stunning Lush Lilacs bouquet with chocolates from our friends at Flying Flowers. To place your order with free delivery visit www.flying flowers.co.uk r This is of my parents Violet and Fred who were small-time entertainers at weddings, parties and local pubs and clubs in and around Portsmouth in the Fifties and Sixties. Usually mum played the piano with dad on his drums and my mother had a tremendous voice. They both enjoyed making people laugh by dressing up, and here they are at my 21st birthday party in 1967 both dressed as hippies. I wish they were here now to entertain my grandchildren. Valerie Reilly, via email 8 YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT
your letters A happy Hallowe’en r I don’t like Hallowe’en very much so I thought I’d carve a ‘happy pumpkin’ instead of a scary one! Linda Keen, Sheffield Don’t suffer in silence Mrs Y Southgate, Ceredigion Royal hope r This is a photo of me and my dad in the Seventies at Windsor Castle. I loved the Queen and I can still remember the excitement I felt at seeing the Castle. I kept my eyes peeled the whole time, hoping for a glimpse of the Queen. My dad didn’t have the heart to tell me she wasn’t there that day! But it was still a day to cherish. Esther Newton, Nottinghamshire A true star r My son Finn was seven years old and was drawing in his new pad, when I asked him if he could draw me. He looked round and said, “I don’t think you’ll fit on the page mum!” Charming! J Gibl, South Wales r My four-yearold niece Katy was visiting us. I was making a trifle, using custard powder. Katy came to watch. “What are you doing, Sue?” she asked. “Making Bird’s Custard,” I replied. Katy looked enchanted and asked “Oh, Sue, can I give it to the birds?” Sue Tyson, Stockport A gem of a card r I recently took up a new hobby of using small glass beads to make designs for cards. After leaving my craft room one afternoon, I noticed a sapphire missing from my engagement ring. I checked my work area and, on examining my latest blue flower design, noticed one of the crystals seemed bigger than the others, and not quite the same shade of blue! I carefully unpicked it, and the next day took it to a jeweller. I was not completely sure the stone I’d brought was really my sapphire. However, it was confirmed to be the stone, and my ring was repaired. Somebody nearly got a VERY expensive birthday card! Jill Hairsine, Staffordshire r Recently my local cinema screened one of my favourite classic romantic comedy films, Roman Holiday. It was so interesting to read in your magazine how this film was brought to the screen. Seventy years may have passed but it has hardly aged at all and Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck make a beautiful couple. It’s hard to imagine anyone else in the lead roles. Peck apparently told the director that Hepburn should have star billing despite this being her first big screen role. Not many actors would do this. Sylvia Smith, Walthamstow GET IN Please email letters to yours@bauermedia.co.uk Don’t have access to email? Please write to the address on page 3 Or contact us at facebook.com/pages/ Yours-Magazine twitter.com/ yoursmagazine TOUCH ■ Sadly, we cannot reply to every letter and photo we receive. They may be used here or in other Yours publications. Please write your name and address on the back of photos and don’t send your only copies of precious prints. YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT PICS: SHUTTERSTOCK, ALAMY STOCK PHOTO, BBC r I read your recent interview with The Repair Shop’s Suzie Fletcher. I find the show so interesting and often end up in tears from some of the stories. However, your article mentioned that Suzie had been in an abusive marriage for many years. I really feel that the more people who talk about this often-hidden subject, the better! Nobody should have to put up with violence towards them. Thank you for highlighting the issue and perhaps you could do a feature on the subject in the future. 9
Double act: Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders Dawn French on how the tragic death of her father has made her appreciate the simple things in life and why we shouldn’t bother striving for perfection… By Alison James N ational treasure Dawn French is a very, very funny woman. We’ve loved her since her Comic Strip days in the Eighties and those early French and Saunders years. While many comics and actors who make us laugh for a living are great at sending others up, they’re not so willing to take the mickey out of themselves. Dawn is definitely not one of them. Her current sell-out nationwide tour is entitled – and excuse our French here – Dawn French is a Huge Tw*t. Her latest book The Tw*t Files was published this month. So just what is it about the wonderfully selfdeprecating Dawn and the ‘T’ word? “I could have used another word that means the same thing,” she tells us, “but I prefer tw*t. It’s neat and accurate. I am a twa*t sometimes. Isn’t everybody? There are many times when I’ve misunderstood or got something embarrassingly wrong. Such as the time I thought myself to be massively in love with the actor Phil Daniels after doing bedroom scenes with him in the 1997 film we made together called Sex and Chocolate. Or the time the first Mr French, Lenny Henry, and I dressed up as Michael Jackson and his chimp, Bubbles (I was the monkey), for Elton John’s 50th birthday fancy dress party. I was so hot and uncomfortable in the intensely itchy costume I was wearing, we were there all of four minutes. The idea is to show that getting things wrong is often where the fun in life is.” ‘Getting things wrong is often where the fun in life is’ 10 YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT She’s also saying – in both her book and the show – that nobody’s perfect. “There is no need to be perfect – ever. Perfection seems to have taken on a life of its own, with social media, filters and all that. And although it’s been sold to us as the way to find our best self, it’s just been stopping us from being who we are. Stopping us from embarrassing mishaps and making terrible mistakes, the kind we look back on and laugh at for years to come. The kind we learn from, too.” One of the most important things Dawn has learnt has been to enjoy the little things in life. This, she admits originates from the tragic death of her father Denys in 1979, when Dawn was just 19. Dawn has said that losing her father to suicide at such a young age shaped who she was, but that she’s grateful for the love he showed and the lessons he taught her.
star chat Dawn and Mark Bignell have been married for a decade “Now that I look back on it as an adult, I think he needed to give me some armour, he told me I should value myself and that I deserved the very best,” she has said. “As a little chubby girl I could have grown up with all kinds of insecurities, but because of him I have never doubted that I’m not worth something.” Her father’s struggle with mental health also gave her a deeper understanding of the complexity of depression and a greater appreciation for her own emotional stability. “He kept his depression very well hidden, so most of the time Dad was very cheerful but he also had these black dog moments where he just couldn’t cope,” she said. “He’d lived his whole life with it. But this was at a time when you didn’t say you had a mental illness if you were the head of a family. I still have sadness about it.” Dawn admits she has often feared she too would suffer with depression. “I’ve had sadness, but I haven’t sunk to depths like that. I’ve got too much to live for I think,” she has admitted. “I find joy in lots of tiny things,” she added. Dawn, who’s happily married to her second husband Mark Bigelow and has a grown-up daughter and two grown-up stepchildren, turned 66 on October 11, but it seems she has no plans to tone herself down as she gets older. “I plan to grow old disgracefully,” she says. “Finding humour is the way I relate to my life. Getting older isn’t for wusses. Things stop working, you have to have a knee operation, your teeth are a bit yellower, something very strange happens to your ankles… Once you hit 60, you wake up one day and you realise that you haven’t got ankles any more. Your calves and your ankles join together to get what they call ‘cankles’. Everything goes a bit ‘bleurgh’. I miss my former, rather finely turned ankles but I’m OK with it. I’ve come to terms with it!” Dawn lost her father Denys when she was a teenager n The Twat Files was published on October 12, RRP £22 n Dawn French is a Huge Twat, dawnfrenchontour.com YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT 11 PICS: ALAMY STOCK PHOTO, INSTAGRAM / @DAWN FRENCH ‘He told me that I should value myself’
EXCLUSIVE By Sophie Barton H e’s been an institution in the UK since the late Fifties, when he burst onto the music scene with his debut single Move It and, since then, Sir Cliff Richard has rarely been out of the spotlight. From his hip-swivelling early rock ’n’ roll days, when he was dubbed the British Elvis Presley, to his movies and duets with icons including Olivia Newton-John, Van Morrison and Elton John, he’s maintained his status as one of the most successful British pop artists. Cliff once said that “retiring is not in my vocabulary,” and the singer, who was born Harry Webb, has certainly been true to his word. He’s released more than 130 singles over his career, and this year alone sees him launch a new album, Cliff Cliff and Olivia were soulmates with Strings, as well as embarking on a national tour. But he readily admits that, as a young man growing up, he never would have anticipated such stratospheric success. “If I told the 17-year-old Harry that eight decades later I’d still be recording and touring, I’d have thought I was mad,” Cliff tells us, and he is “so grateful” to his loyal fans. “What teenager even thinks more than a few days ahead? Most definitely, the longevity has surprised me, and also, the opportunities I have been presented with. Recording, performing, working with aweinspiring charities, travelling to far-flung places – all because I was a singer/performer. It was never on my radar that I would have any opportunity having grown up in what I thought was a pretty ‘regular’ family with no experience in showbiz.” Cliff has had many successful collaborations over the years, and he tells Yours he’d love to work with Canadian crooner Michael Bublé. One of the much-loved duets on his new album is Suddenly, a track he recorded with Grease star Olivia Newton-John for the 1980 musical fantasy movie Xanadu. Cliff has called the actress, who passed away last year after a battle with breast cancer, his soulmate, and he pays tribute to her on his album, with a new version of the song. His career has spanned eight decades and countless chart hits, but Sir Cliff Richard has no plans to slow down any time soon… “Cliff with Strings is a reimagining of some of my biggest hits – how could I not include Suddenly?” he says. “It is all the more poignant due to losing dear Livvy so recently. I never imagined life without her sweet soul calling me every so often or dropping by – we were such great friends. We recorded this version together live for my 75th birthday in 2015 and it always strikes me how well our voices sounded together.” Cliff turned 83 this month, but he’s remained eternally youthful and has a famously upbeat attitude to life. So, what’s his secret? “To me, age is just a number,” says the singer, who counts Gloria Hunniford and one-time girlfriend Sue Barker among his close friends. “Having good health and keeping fit helps. I can do what I want, and am able to do what I choose – but if I was incapacitated with bad health, it would of course be much, much harder.” ‘To me, age is just a number’
star chat Heart throb Cliff was Britain’s answer to Elvis The singing star has worked hard to maintain his wellbeing. For years he has played tennis twice a week, and worked out in the gym. “I always say to people just keep moving,” he has said. “If you can run, run. If you can’t run, walk. Just keep everything moving and I think that’s helped me a great deal. You can still have fun within your age group within your standard of whatever sport you choose to do. That’s what I do. I still keep active.” Cliff watches what he eats too. He follows the Blood Type diet, which means adjusting your food according to your blood type. For the singer, that means avoiding dairy, wheat and red meat, alongside bananas, potatoes and tomatoes. “I’m doing something right,” he said. “I also take eight vitamins every day and 10 every other day. I keep saying one or two of them are keeping me alive, and I don’t know which ones they are, so I just take them all!” Of course, his positive mental attitude helps, and that’s something he credits his parents for. “I have always had a positive outlook to life,” says Cliff, who is the highest selling British male solo artist of all time. “My parents instilled that in me, along with a good work ethic. I have always been energised by a career I love, surrounded by colleagues who are talented and full of energy. It bounced off each of us. “If you do what you love every day, it’s not considered working for a living. I manage to live my life decently, with lots of great friends and a loving family around me, so it’s hard to be anything other than positive and energised. I have loved each of my decades, I am comfortable in my own skin, and am surrounded by fabulous friends and family. I am blessed – that makes me happier every day.” n Cliff With Strings – My Kinda Life is available digitally and on CD from November 3. Cliff Richard will tour nationally from November 6. Pre-order the album and purchase tickets from cliffrichard.org YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT 13 PICS: PA IMAGES / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO ‘I have always had a positive outlook’
star chat Do a job you love All things considered, I’ve been very lucky – I have a wonderful career, wonderful fans and a wonderful home life with my wife Majella [the pair wed in 2002 and renewed their vows in January]. One of the things I enjoy most is meeting my fans when I perform. I’ve known many of them for years and it’s great to meet up with them after a performance, it’s like chatting with old friends. Without the people who follow me I would not have this life. It’s said that when you’re doing a job you love, you never work a day in your life. Well, that is certainly the case with me. I feel like I’ve never worked since I became an entertainer. Be encouraging, not pushy My mother was probably the biggest influence in my life. My dad The couple renewed passed away their wedding vows when I was only just after Christmas six years old so mum, who was a very strong lady, was everything. She was never pushy but very supportive and encouraging. Whatever I and my siblings wanted to do, she was always behind LIFE lessons us. I dropped out of college in order to take up a career in music which was far from being the norm, but she never said a word against it. She said, “If that’s what you want to do, then that is what you must do.” If I hadn’t become a singer, I probably would have gone into teaching. I had a real flair for numbers, although I’m not very good now. Embrace your own style My advice to young singers is for them to just be themselves. I’ve learned that from experience. I loved – and still love – Cliff Richard and Elvis Presley but I knew I’d never be as good as they are at being a version of them, so I never tried to copy. You need to develop your own style. There is room for Elvis, Cliff – and you. Do Daniel is releasing a new album ‘you’ as well as you can and people will love you for it. Treat people how you like to be treated I don’t like speaking ill of people and am not much of a gossip. I’m good at keeping secrets and confidences – people can tell me anything and I’d never disclose it. I’ll shout good things about people from the rooftops, but if it’s not positive I keep my lips zipped. Treat people as you like to be treated is my philosophy on life. We all lack confidence sometimes Believe in yourself and play to your strengths! Even now, there are times when I still lack confidence – we all do on occasion, I think. Maybe it’s just human nature. n How Lucky I Must Be is released on November 3, danielodonnell.org BY ALISON JAMES. PICS: ALAMY STOCK PHOTO, DANIEL O’DONNELL / FACEBOOK Much-loved Irish crooner Daniel O’Donnell (61) talks to Yours about the love he has for his loyal fans, the debt he owes to his late mother and why he refuses to gossip MY

TV chef Nadiya Hussain tells us about finding her happy place, her love of spices and how she keeps her mental health in check By Shereen Low N early a decade on since winning The Great British Bake Off in 2015, Nadiya Hussain’s life has changed spectacularly. She’s landed her own TV shows, become a familiar presence on screen and an accomplished author of cookbooks and children’s books. She’s also been awarded an MBE and even baked for the Queen. In her new BBC Two series, Nadiya’s Simple Spices, and the accompanying book of the same name, the chef, 38, shares her favourite recipes. These predominantly use eight spices: four ground – cumin, turmeric, chilli and curry powders – and four whole – cardamom, fennel, cinnamon and bay leaf. “This is all about a celebration of spices. There are lots of yummy recipes that I think people are going to really, really love,” Nadiya tells us. “I grew up in a house where we used spices all the time, but I’m aware that people are daunted by them and how complicated they may appear to be to use. They don’t have to be. We only use eight spices in our family, and you can create most of the recipes in this book with those.” She reveals that her recipes are simple and easy to follow. “Every single recipe is exactly what I would cook. I’m aware that we all lead busy lives but don’t want to compromise on flavour, so I’ll always feature recipes that will be easy but tasty,” ‘I have days where I lack motivation’ 16 YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT she explains. Being a busy married mum of three means that Nadiya, like many of us, doesn’t have time to slave in the kitchen. “A lot of these recipes are meals that people can whip up in no time. I’m all about making life easy and saving time so there are lots of hacks. I cheat like you wouldn’t believe,” she says. “I love using tinned potatoes and tinned lentils. There will be purists who will say, ‘You’ve got to use fresh lentils, soaked overnight’. But who gets to make that rule? If you have the time, then do that.”
star chat Nadiya with husband Abdal and their children She met Charles in 2019 and has said she’d love to bake for him Their favourite treat is pakoras. “We always have pakoras at the end of the week, with stuff we’ve got knocking around in the fridge – asparagus, green beans. Add an onion to that and you’ve got pakoras that are crispy and crunchy and delicious.” While she may have a catalogue of recipes up her sleeve, Nadiya – who’s married to IT specialist Abdal – reveals that she too has days when she doesn’t know what to cook. “I have days where I lack enthusiasm or motivation,” she says. “Sometimes I don’t want to do anything, sometimes I want to be looked after, sometimes I want to have somebody else do it, so occasionally we might have a takeaway. Fish and chips is our favourite!” While she may be living her best life now, things haven’t always been rosy for Nadiya. She has suffered from a panic disorder since she was seven, when she was bullied. The condition has caused panic attacks and crippling anxiety, which has plagued her for most of her life. “I’m definitely at a stage where I don’t have as many panic attacks as I used to,” she tells us. “I’m learning about myself and understanding my cues and triggers and knowing what I can do to help myself.” She explains, “Having a routine is really important to me. When I don’t have a routine, I feel like I’m coming off the rails a bit and can feel the anxiety hit me. When I know something’s bubbling up on the surface, I combat that by going out for a walk or having a cold shower to set me right.” Cooking also helps her manage her mental health. “When I’m baking, I can shut everything out because I have to concentrate,” she reveals. “The ingredients and amounts are so specific and that plays a fundamental part of focusing my mind when I’m feeling like things are going off the rails.” Having baked for the late Queen, she’s up for doing the same for either King Charles or the Prince and Princess of Wales, who love Indian food. “I haven’t been asked, but I would love to,” she says. “And now that it’s been put out there in the universe, who knows what will happen?” Her love of food has passed onto her eldest son Musa, 17, and daughter Maryam, 12. “My eldest loves cooking noodles. He makes amazing ramen noodles,” she says. “My little girl loves baking too, she makes the best cookies.” But her second son, 16-yearold Dawud, isn’t as enthusiastic about cooking. “My second son hates being in the kitchen, doesn’t enjoy cooking and doesn’t even enjoy eating sometimes, but he can unload the dishwasher so he has his uses,” she adds, laughing. n Nadiya’s Simple Spices airs on Wednesday September 27 at 8pm on BBC Two. The accompanying book (published by Penguin Michael Joseph, £26) is out now. YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT 17 PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK, INSTAGRAM (NADIYAJHUSSAIN) ‘I’m all about making life easy’
She defied doctors and loved dancing from an early age By Moira Holden Y Ellie Goldstein, 21, was the first supermodel with Down’s syndrome to represent Gucci in a major global campaign. Her face has also graced the cover of Vogue. Here, Ellie and her mum, Yvonne, 59, talk about her battle for recognition vonne, says: My first daughter, Amy, was seven when I fell pregnant with Ellie. By then I was in my late thirties, I’d had several miscarriages, and my husband, Mark, and I had begun the adoption procedure. I was screened for Down’s syndrome, but the results indicated I was very low risk and I was told there was no need for an amniocentesis test to check if my baby had a chromosomal condition. She’d been due on Christmas Day, but was born by Caesarean seven days earlier because she’d been shifting position, and the hospital didn’t want to risk a natural birth. Nobody said anything when she was born, and I could instinctively tell something was wrong. Then she was whisked away. We were terrified – we had no idea what was happening – until a nurse said, “We think she might have Down’s syndrome, but we’re not sure.” Later, a doctor told us that Ellie would never walk, talk or go to university. It was as if she’d been written off on the first day of her life. The doctor explained there was a stand outside with leaflets that would give us more information. Leaflets? Lifeless, faceless, leaflets? We didn’t ask any other questions. We didn’t know what to say, what to ask or where to start. Back home, I took Ellie out in the pram and a social worker said: “You actually took her out in public?’’ They acted as if she were someone to be put aside. But I knew she was beautiful and special. And as she grew, we could tell that her life was not going to be as limited as the doctors had predicted. She learnt to walk and talk and loved dancing – her mischievous personality shone through. She and her sister would put on make-up and dress up. Ellie would walk around the room as if she were on a catwalk. My mum said: “She’s going to be someone. She’s going to be famous.’’ Ellie has never let her condition get in the way of life. We sent her to a mainstream primary – she made good friends ‘Give her a chance’ 18 YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT and enjoyed it, although I overheard some parents saying that she shouldn’t be there. Every school review was a battle though. ‘’Talk to her, she can talk, give her a chance,’’ I had to keep telling teachers, as they spoke to me and ignored her. People did not see the talents she had. It was me who decided to put Ellie’s name forward for Superdrug’s Christmas advert – a friend of ours had heard about Zebedee Management, an agency
real life She defied all the odds against her. I’m proud of her strength, courage and heart. And I love it that the world can see Ellie’s achievements and realise that everyone is capable of so much more than some people might think. Mum Yvonne is so proud of Ellie’s achievements that celebrates disabled and different models. Ellie’s teacher didn’t accept that she was good enough for it, but I knew she was capable. It was lovely to see her being herself in front of the camera. So confident, having fun – it was clear to see she absolutely loved it. From then on, she was asked to promote the first Barbie doll with Down’s syndrome, and she’s featured in lots of other big-brand modelling campaigns and walked the catwalks at London Fashion Week – Ellie has a carefree attitude and lives life to the full. I’ve given up my part-time job as a support worker because I had to keep taking time off to take Ellie to auditions or to go on photoshoots. We get so many messages from families dealing with disability who tell us that they have shown their children what Ellie has done. They tell me she’s changed their lives. It’s wonderful that she is so inspirational to so many people. llie says: I’ve never felt different for a single day, but I know that in some ways I am. I’ve never let it stop me doing what I wanted to do, though. Ever since I was little and went to drama clubs, I’ve loved dancing. I love the freedom of movement and I have a natural ability. I’ve done ballet at the Royal Opera House and appeared at the Albert Hall – I’m never scared at all. At the moment, I’m studying performing arts at college, and hip hop and contemporary dance are my favourites now. The modelling photoshoots are amazing. When I saw myself on the front cover of British Vogue it was fantastic. I was crying in shock. People came up to me at the next photoshoot I was on with a pile of the magazines and asked me to autograph the front cover. Modelling has taken me to Milan, Sweden and Germany, but it’s just the beginning for me. My next dream is to go to New York, modelling or working on television. It would be great to go shopping there! I couldn’t have done all this without the support of my mum. I joke with her and tell her she’s my favourite mum! But I want to give out a serious message to promote how important diversity and inclusion are in all walks of life. If you want something, don’t give up. Having Down’s syndrome doesn’t mean you don’t get to live your best life. Look at me – my dreams have come true! n Against All Odds, by Ellie Goldstein, published by SPCK, £16.99, is out now. YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT 19 PICS: ZAK WALTON , INSTAGRAM/BRITISH VOGUE/ELLIEJG16_ZEBEDEEMODEL E
For the love of From pampered pets to birds, bugs and wild beasties we celebrate all creatures great and small… NATURE NEWS A HOMECOMING! A rare sea turtle that washed ashore on a Welsh beach has been flown home to Texas. Tally, a Kemp’s ridley, travelled across the ocean in the Gulf Stream and was nursed back to health in Wales after arriving one chilly winter’s night. The RAF helped transport Tally to London, where an organisation called Turtles Fly Too donated the transatlantic travel fee to send her home to sunny Texas. Pets of the fortnight r This is my chihuahua Teddy, who is 10. He likes to sleep in my bed with the fan on when it’s hot. The Wildlife Trusts have launched ‘Wilder Marches’. This initiative will restore habitats across the historic and distinctive Marches region running along the Welsh-English border and help rare species, through regenerative farming and emerging green finance opportunities. r Our 6-yearold, Diesel, loves boxes. ‘Puss in Boots’ won’t eat his food unless he has his special cat biscuits sprinkled on top. Sharon, Hampshire GET IN TOUCH 20 r I thought you might like to see a picture of Cinderella (known as Ella) who is a 15-year-old rescue cat. So beautiful and so loving. Christine, by email Send us a picture of your pet with personality, tell us their likes, dislikes and age and if we print it you’ll receive a £10 cheque YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT Did you know that octopuses can dream? Researchers at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology in Japan have discovered that octopuses, like humans, enter an REM stage of sleep where most dreams occur. However, unlike humans, octopuses change the pattern and colour of their skin while dreaming! PIC: SHUTTERSTOCK G Deasey, Essex.

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24 PAGES OF ADVICE &STYLE Inspiring ideas & expert tips for your best life NOW! SUPERMARKET SWEEP pg 25 CONNECT WITH YOURSELF & NATURE THIS AUTUMN pg 34 PLUS: 36 Chase away those winter blues 41 Keep strong in the menopause PIC: ALAMY STOCK PHOTO, STOCK FOOD DELICIOUS FAKEAWAYS pg 42
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your style £50, 6-22, F&F at Tesco £15, 6-24, Tu at Sainsbury’s £27.50, 6-22, F&F at Tesco Tu aT SaInSbUrY’s £18, Tu at Sainsbury’s Supermarket Dress, £25; Coat, £36, both 8-26; Bag, £17; Boots, £65 You’ll want to add these star buys to your weekly shopping list YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT 25
Add a little colour to a dark outfit £25, 6-24, Tu at Top, £5; Jacket, £24; Trousers, £17, all 8-20 Sainsbury’s £36, 6-24 Tu at Sainsbury’s £19.50, £30 6-22, F&F at Tesco Tu at Sainsbury’s nUtMeG aT mOrRiSoNs gEoRgE aT AsDa £22 8-24; Boots, £28 Looks great when paired with a blazer £32, 8-24, £28, 8-22, Nutmeg at Morrisons George at ASDA
your style Shirt, £27.50, Skirt, £35, both 6-22, F&F at Tesco £40, 8-22, Nutmeg at Morrisons ose Perfect cover-up for th ys da ‘in-between’ weather £22, Tu at Sainsbury’s gEoRgE aT AsDa £20, George at ASDA Dress, £18; Gilet, £38, both 8-24; bag, £18; Boots, £20 £38, COMPILED BY: CIGDEM TANRIOGLU Tu at Sainsbury’s YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT 27
Our favourite celebs swear by these age-defying tips and tricks JULIANNE MOOR E GOLDEN ARCHES Our eyebrows naturally get thinner and sparser as we age, which is where a trusty brow pencil comes into play. The trick to getting natural, fuller-looking arches is to opt for a lighter colour than you’d think. Actress Julianne Moore always uses a blonde shade, while for darker haired ladies we recommend opting for a subtle brown hue. When drawing your brows, start from the middle and carefully work outwards in small strokes. Once you’ve filled in any gaps, gently set the hairs in place using a clear gel. Used by Julianne Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Blonde, £23 Rimmel Wonder’Full Brow Gel, £6.99 Maybelline Express Brow 2-In-1 Pencil Pen + Filling Powder in Brunette, £6.99
your beauty BASE CAMP £15 Great skin hydration No7 Beauty Balm Tinted Skin Veil, £15.95 WIDE AWAKE JODIE FOSTER A subtle smoky eye can be tricky to pull off, but Jodie Foster’s make-up artist has revealed the actress’ secret on how to make those peepers pop – she never applies dark eyeliner to the lower lash line. Instead, the 60-year-old sticks to taupe, golden and brown tones and applies colour to the upper lid only. Finish off with lashings of mascara for a youthful statement look. LIP SERVICE HELEN MIRREN Thinning lips can be an age giveaway, but Helen Mirren proves that sticking to natural, rosy tones can create the illusion of a plumper pout. Make-up artist Val Garland, who has worked with the 78-yearold, recommends lining lips before going in with a creamy, volumising lipstick. Her top tip? Always following the natural contour of your mouth to avoid looking messy. Ciaté Fierce Flicks Liquid Liner £15 New launch Revolution Pro Eyeshadow Palette Quad Crystal, £10 Avon Exxtravert Mascara, £11 L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick in Rosy Confident, PS... Lip Pencil in Light Pink, £9.99 £1.50 As seen on Helen! WORDS: CIGDEM TANRIOGLU. PIC: SGETTY IMAGES, SHUTTERSTOCK JANE FONDA Nothing will age you more than dull and dry skin, which is why the likes of Jane Fonda use a lightweight yet buildable foundation like a a tinted BB or CC cream. The 85-year-old’s makeup artist recommends starting off with a small amount of product, adding more as required. Also, try prepping skin with a plumping, thirst-quenching serum, before applying a light layer of foundation. This will soften lines and aid the process of creating a smooth, glowing complexion. HydraTint by Sculpted by Aimee, £23 Fresh Elements Hydrate Daily Serum, e.l.f Lip Lacquer in Wild Rose, £4 YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT 29


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your beauty The curved applicator on this mascara means you can lift and curl lashes with ease. Plus, the formulation has been created with special holding technology to keep your flutter in place for up to 24 hours without any flaking. Max Factor 2000 Calorie Pro Stylist Mascara, This ultra-pigmented pick comes with a highdefinition brush which is perfect for coating and combing every hair, even corner lashes. We love its staying power and the instant lift it gives with just a few swipes. Clinique High Impact High-Fi Full Volume Mascara, £27 £10.99 If you’re looking for a mascara that does it all, this is your answer. The flexible wand is designed to ensure even the shortest eyelash hairs are captured, and the formula is suitable for sensitive eyes, is cruelty-free and veganfriendly. Essence Lash Without Limits, £3.75 BY PHOEBE DENMAN These new mascara launches deserve a spot in your beauty bag Too Faced’s Better Than Sex mascara was a cult classic when originally released, and now the brand has launched a primer to condition and prep lashes, pre-mascara application. Complete with a blend of argan and grape seed oils and deep black pigment, the formula glides on seamlessly without any smudging. Too Faced Better Than Sex Foreplay, £27 Apply this brownhued mascara from root to tips in a zigzag motion to lengthen lashes with a naturallooking finish. It’s an essential for making your eyes pop! Catrice Pure Volume Magic Brown Mascara, £3.99 Mixed with lash-loving panthenol to strengthen your eyelashes while adding shine, this new version of Rimmel’s bestselling mascara is packed with ultrablack pigment for thicker lashes with tons of drama. Rimmel Thrill Seeker Pitch Black Volumising Mascara, £10.99 YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT 33
Autumn is the perfect time to start new rituals and connect with yourself, nature and your loved ones The art of rituals Autumn. A time to slow down, go inwards and savour the simple joys this season so often brings. After the often relentless pace of a long summer, it’s the perfect time to start new rituals and instil a sense of peace and structure back into our lives. “The art of rituals goes back centuries and many studies show that incorporating daily rituals into your life can support your wellbeing, boost confidence and increase connection with others,” Meet the expert n Joanne Fiddy is a certified body confidence expert, wellbeing coach and an accredited NLP and EFT practitioner. riseandvibewithjo.com 34 YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT says wellbeing expert Jo Fiddy. “This is something we would all like more of as winter approaches.” Start small Starting a new ritual doesn’t have to be a grand gesture, or even cost anything. “A ritual is like a habit,” Jo explains. “In essence, it’s a daily practice that makes you feel good and helps you to create a sense of balance in your life. You don’t have to be spiritual to make rituals a daily part of your life, and simple mindful actions go a long way.” So what can we do to kick start our cosy autumn rituals? Over to Jo to find out. interested in trying meditation, a walking meditation is perfect for you,” Jo says. “Before you begin, pop your mobile in your pocket or bag so that it’s not a distraction. Start your walk and, as you do so, just notice your surroundings. How many colours can you see? After a few moments notice what you can hear. Maybe it’s dogs barking or birds singing. Allow your attention to focus on the noise around you. Then become mindful of any smells such as fresh cut grass, or pine cones. Then take your attention to what you can feel. It could be how your feet feel in your boots as you walk or the breeze of the wind on your face. Finally, bring your attention to your body and notice how you are feeling in yourself.” You can even ‘Rituals support wellbeing’ How to do it “If you find sitting still while meditating a challenge, or you’re
your health HYGGE YOUR HOME ‘Walking meditation helps you stay in the present moment’ Alongside shorter days the long winter nights can feel disheartening, yet it is also an illuminating opportunity – quite literally – to bring some hygge style to our homes. “Be inspired by the Danes and decorate your home in cosy candlelight,” Jo Fiddy says. “Make lighting your candles a relaxing daily ritual to signify that the day has ended. Take a moment to think of five things you are grateful for or moments in your day that made you smile. Sip your favourite tea and enjoy watching your candles flicker.” add it onto another regular activity. “A walking meditation can also be a wonderful way to connect with loved ones,” Jo says. “Why not try making it a family affair before you enjoy your Sunday roast?” The entertainment ritual The hygge way of life (see box above) is all about embracing connection with friends and loved ones. “When was the last time you had a movie night or went to the theatre with your friends or family?” Jo asks. “Imagine watching the latest comedy on the big screen with a box filled with popcorn, or being part of the audience watching the actors perform live “How many times do you walk on stage.” Otherwise, how the dog or walk to the shops, and about inviting your friends instead of being present to your over for a movie night and surroundings, your mind rattles a takeaway, to watch a through your to-do list?” Jo asks. favourite or must-see film? With its rich array of colours, “Doing activities that light autumn is a beautiful time of the up your soul is an important year to try a walking meditation part of self-care and boosts ritual. “It has lots of lovely all the feel-good vibes,” says benefits such as decreasing Jo. What ritual could you stress, boosting those feel-good start doing this week? endorphins and exercise,” says Jo. “A walking meditation helps you to stay in the present moment and restore a sense of calm and it’s simple to do.” TRY A WALKING MEDITATION BY JO CARNEGIE PICS: SHUTTERSTOCK, ALAMY STOCK PHOTO, GETTY IMAGES “Even with some of the darkest winters, Denmark is considered the second happiest country in the world according to the 2023 World Happiness Report, so they must be doing something right,” Jo says. According to the Oxford Languages Dictionary, hygge is defined as “a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being and is regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture.” Jo continues: “As we move into autumn and winter, more people are bringing the concept of hygge into their home and way of life.”
ways to Chase away the autumn blues with these great techniques M any of us feel lower in mood and energy as we adjust to the change in seasons. While autumn gives us the chance to gently drift towards winter, the reduction in sunlight can lead to fall in levels of serotonin, the hormone that affects mood, appetite and sleep. There’s also an increase in the hormone melatonin, which can make you feel sleepy and depressed. 1 Talk to a friend Positive social connections are key factors in happiness and general life satisfaction, say experts. A 2023 study published in the science journal Communications Research looked at the types of conversations people needed to have, and how often they should have them, in order to improve their wellbeing. Researchers found that even having one daily conversation with a friend can increase happiness and lower stress levels. Meet the expert 3 YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT “A 10-minute walk outside boosts our vitamin D, which increases our dopamine and our serotonin, or our happy chemicals,” says psychologist Dr Alison McClymont. “Even if the sun isn’t shining the vitamin D is blazing, so get outside and get a boost. This in turn also helps regulate our circadian rhythms, which makes us feel more alert, boosts our metabolism and regulates emotions. Avoid catastrophising Questioning negative thought patterns can move us from a miserable mindset to a happier state. If you always think the worst is going happen, step back and assess. Instead of focusing on the worst-case scenario, think of how a similar situation in the past might have played out and what you did then. Maintain a sense of perspective and ask, “How will I feel about this in five hours, five days or five months?” If you have habitually negative thought patterns, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy can help to reframe things more positively. n Dr Alison McClymont is a leading clinical psychologist and an expert in creative art therapy (dralisonmcclymont.com). 36 2 GO FOR A 10-MINUTE WALK
your health 4 Swap ‘what if’ thinking for ‘what now’ 5 Stop social media use at 6pm A chronic case of the ‘what ifs’ never made anyone happier. When we think about what might have happened, we can end up chastising ourselves over perceived mistakes, or regretting that something didn’t go another way. We can’t change the past, so instead of getting brought down by the what ifs, reflect on what we can do right now to make things better. “Rather like taking a walk outside, curbing blue light exposure will help regulate our circadian rhythms and allow our body to properly unwind and prepare itself for a restful night’s sleep,” says Dr McClymont. “Leave your phone outside the bedroom and focus on giving your brain its much needed detox and regeneration time.” Try creating your own uplifting playlist 6 PRACTISE GRATITUDE Giving thanks can make us happier according to Harvard University, helping us to refocus on what we do have instead of what we lack. Writing someone an unprompted thank you note to say how much you appreciate them (for maximum happiness effect, deliver it in person) or even thanking someone mentally for something nice they’ve done can make us feel happier. Keeping a gratitude journal, counting our blessings, or sitting down to write down everything that has gone well that morning/day/week all help to bump up our happiness in the moment, even if it’s just enjoying a cup of tea. “Gratitude practices have been shown by research to boost serotonin and overall feelings of wellbeing,” adds Dr Alison McClymont. “Just ten minutes a day can help calm stress and increase happy hormones by encouraging you to think about the positives.” 7 Put on some upbeat music 8 Get moving Putting on a favourite feel-good song always gives us a lift, and we can supercharge the happy feeling. A US study found that participants who were asked to try to boost their mood while listening to 12 minutes of music reported a higher positive mood, compared to participants who simply listened to music without attempting to alter their mood. Studies demonstrate that listening to positive music may be an effective way to improve happiness, particularly combined with an intention to lift our spirits. Why not try creating your own uplifting playlist, or pick an upbeat song every morning to start your day with – and then choose to be happy! Physical exertion produces serotonin, dopamine and endorphins, the ‘happiness hormones’ or mood boost that comes with doing some sort of exercise (the ‘runner’s high’). But we don’t need to do a marathon YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT 37
your health to get the benefits. Any form of movement that increases our heart rate will prompt a positive feeling, while endorphins will also interact with pain receptors in our brain and reduce our perception of pain, which of course will make us feel better. Don’t fancy exercising or walking alone? Join a group or invite a friend – research shows that group workouts produce more endorphins than doing them alone. Do self-care every day “This is whatever self-care looks like to you; it could be reading, a facial, reflection time etc,” explains Dr McClymont. “Spend time making yourself feel loved and cared for, even if it’s only ten minutes, to focus on something that brings you pure enjoyment. This helps to reduce stress and increase dopamine levels for a happy hormone hit that will carry through the rest of the day.” 10 Get your nature fix Mother Nature is well known for her positive effect on our mental health. Countless studies have shown the connection between time spent in green spaces and reduced negative emotions, including things like anxiety, depression, stress and even indigestion! Even five minutes in nature can make us feel happier says a Canadian study, while spending just 20 minutes outside in nature has been shown to significantly reduce A PET (OR WATCH A FISH) 13 HUG We love our pets, but they can make us happier too. Just stroking a dog or cat has been shown to release the ‘love hormone’ oxytocin, as well as decreasing levels of cortisol, the stress-related hormone. Even fish can perk up our happiness levels: studies have shown that just observing a fish in a tank or aquarium can lower stress levels and boost our mood, as well as bringing our blood pressure down! levels of the stress hormone cortisol. You don’t even need to be outside to get the benefits: just having a green view or looking at images of nature has been shown to lower stress. Spend time on yourself 11 Do something nice for others Research shows that doing something nice for others can boost our mood, as well as theirs. Another US study showed that employees who performed more acts of altruism in the AROMATHERAPY 14 TRY “Engaging all the senses that connect to our parasympathetic nervous system helps our hormones to regulate and release,” says Dr Alison McClymont. “We often neglect our sense of smell when focusing on sensory experiences, but research shows our smell has powerful synapse connections with our hormones and our memory bank. Dig out your favourite scents and see what happy memories come.” 38 YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT workplace showed higher levels of happiness and job performance and were less likely to quit. Even something as small paying your neighbour a compliment, letting someone go before you in the supermarket queue or surprising someone with a homemade goodie can help. 12 Use a grounding technique BY JO CARNEGIE. PICS: SHUTTERSTOCK 9 “Using a grounding technique such as the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 approach (see below) helps to bring ourselves back to the present and fully into our body,” Dr Alison McClymont Notice: says. “This see 5 things you can will reduce touch n ca 4 things you feelings hear n ca 3 things you of hypersmell n ca 2 things you vigilance, ste ta n 1 thing you ca anxiety or stress.” it Ho w t o d o
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KEEP STRONG in the menopause Maintain muscle mass and burn fat with these three simple at-home exercises P ersonal trainer Anna Black says, “Strength training is a non-negotiable for women over 40. It helps to counteract all the changes we can start to face as our hormones decline, including: supporting the maintenance and growth of lean muscle mass, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and decreasing visceral fat. Start with three sets of six repetitions and progress the difficulty level as you find it achievable. Always go at your own pace and stop if anything feels painful.” Stand with your feet slightly wider than hips, toes facing forward at 10 or 2 o’clock. Keep your whole foot on the floor. Push your arms forward as you push your bottom back until you are sitting on a chair. The knees should track with and remain behind the toes. Squeeze your glutes and push through your heels. Don’t let your knees come in towards each other as though you’re doing the Charleston! Meet the expert STATIC LUNGE PUSH UP Stand with feet hip-width apart, right foot forward and left foot back behind your body, with your toes on the ground. Keep your spine nice and long. Focus on your back/left leg coming down, until your knee is bent at 90 degrees. Push up through your front foot as you come up. If you find this too much, hold on to the kitchen side or a unit and decrease the depth of the lunge. n Anna Black is a personal trainer, menopausal coach and 3rd Age expert. Find out more about Anna’s three-month strength training programme at annablackpt.co.uk Start on a raised surface such as a kitchen top, feet hip distance apart and shoulders in line with your wrists. Gradually lower your body, squeezing your glutes and keeping your body in line from shoulder to heel. Aim to get your chest on the kitchen counter, keeping your elbows at 45 degrees to your body and not out to the side. Exhale and push your body away from the raised surface. BY JO CARNEGIE. PICS: SHUTTERSTOCK SQUAT TO CHAIR n Disclaimer: Consult your GP or a health professional if you have any existing health concerns or are new to exercise. This is intended as a guideline only. YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT 41
Cost per serving: £2.48* Gluten-free pizza Serves: 2 Takes: 1hr B 1 medium (900g) cauliflower, broken into florets B 35g gram flour (or use a gluten-free flour) B 80g Parmesan or Grana Padano, finely grated B 2 eggs, lightly beaten B Salt and freshly ground black pepper B 200g jar pizza sauce B 200g mozzarella, drained and thinly sliced PHOTOS: STOCKFOOD; PRICES ARE APPROXIMATE TOPPING VARIATIONS B 100g salami B 120g red pepper from a jar, drained and thinly sliced B 120g mushrooms, thinly sliced B 100g prosciutto, torn B 50g rocket 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/Fan 180°C/Gas 6). Line two large oven 42 trays with baking paper. Mark 26cm circles on paper, then turn the paper over. 2 Put the cauliflower, in two batches, into a food processor and blitz until it resembles fine crumbs. Transfer to a large bowl, then stir in the flour, parmesan and eggs. Season with salt and pepper. 3 Shape the cauliflower mixture into the marked rounds on the trays and smooth the surface. Bake for 25min or until golden. 4 Spread the pizza sauce over the bases. Top with the mozzarella, then add your chosen topping and bake for about 15-20mins or until golden and the cheese has melted. Serve garnished with fresh basil leaves, if liked. *NOT INCLUDING TOPPINGS YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT A ‘fakeaway’ is every bit as satisfying as a takeaway, and your bank balance will thank you! COOK’S TIP Leave the pork to marinate in the fridge for up to two hours if you have time.
your recipes Fish & chips Serves: 4 Takes: 55mins B Olive oil spray B 1kg potatoes, unpeeled & cut into 1cm rounds B 175g panko breadcrumbs B Handful of dill, chopped B 750g boneless firm white fish fillets, defrosted if frozen and halved lengthways B Salt and freshly ground black pepper B 2 eggs, lightly beaten B 1½tsp sumac 1 Preheat oven to 230°C/210°C Fan/Gas 8. Spray a baking tray with olive oil spray and place the potato rounds in single layer. Spray with olive oil and bake for 40mins, turning once, or until crisp and golden. 2 Meanwhile, combine the panko breadcrumbs and dill in a bowl. Season the fish with salt and pepper and coat in the egg, then toss in the breadcrumbs, pressing to coat. 3 Heat the grill to high. Put the fish on a foil-lined grill tray and spray with olive oil spray. Cook the fish under grill for 3mins, until lightly golden. Turn the fish, spray with oil and cook for a further 3mins or until cooked through. 4 Sprinkle the potatoes with sumac, if using, and serve with the fish and tartare sauce, lemon wedges and green salad, if liked. Sesame pork stir-fry Cost per serving: £1.23 Serves: 4 Takes: 30mins (plus standing) B 750g pork loin steak, sliced into thin strips B 5tbsp teriyaki sauce B 1tbsp brown sugar B 2tbsp lemon juice B 1 garlic clove, crushed B 2 long red chillies, sliced thinly (optional) B 1tsp sesame oil B 200g rice B 1½tbsp vegetable oil B 1tbsp sesame seeds, toasted 1 Combine the pork, teriyaki sauce, sugar, lemon juice, garlic, chilli, if using, and the sesame oil in a large bowl. Leave to stand for 10mins (see Cook’s Tip). 2 Meanwhile, cook the rice following the pack instructions. 3 Drain the pork and reserve the marinade. Heat half the vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan, then stir-fry pork, in batches, until browned. 4 Add the reserved marinade and pork to the wok, bring to the boil, then stir-fry until hot. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds. Serve the pork with the rice, broccoli and pak choi, if liked. COOK’S Cost per serving: £3.27 TIP This is a healthier way of enjoying fish and chips at home as nothing is fried. Why not try cooking in your air fryer? Butter chicken Serves: 4-6 Takes: 45mins (plus chilling) B 900g chicken thigh fillets, diced B 4tbsp Greek yogurt, plus 120g extra B 4½tbsp tandoori curry paste B 90g butter B 1 onion, thinly sliced B 1 green chilli, deseeded and finely chopped B 2cm piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated B 2tsp garam masala B 2tsp ground cumin B 1½tsp paprika B Salt and freshly ground black pepper B 400g passata B 120g spinach, roughly chopped 1 Combine the chicken, yogurt and curry paste in a bowl. Cover and chill for 2hr. 2 Melt half the butter in a large frying pan over Cost per a medium heat. serving: £2.17 Cook the chicken for 6-8mins, turning often, until browned. Remove passata. and set aside. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to 3 Heat the remaining low and simmer for butter in the same pan. 5-10mins or until the Cook the onion for chicken is cooked 4-5mins until lightly through. Season with golden. Add the chilli, salt and pepper. ginger, garam masala, cumin and paprika. 5 Add the extra yogurt Cook for 1-2mins, and spinach and cook stirring. until the spinach has wilted. Serve with rice 4 Return the chicken and riata, if liked. to the pan with the According to recent data, the average UK household spends £641 a year on takeaways. These little treats once a week, alongside the rising cost of living is beginning to blow our budgets. The UK’s most popular takeaway is Chinese, followed by Indian, fish and chips and pizza.* *YUGO.COM
Sweet treats packed with unique flavour combinations, taken from Bake Off finalist Crystelle Pereira’s new book, Flavour Kitchen Lime, coconut & sesame cake Serves: 10 Takes: 1hr 10min (plus cooling and standing) For the sponge B 50g desiccated coconut, plus extra to decorate B 3tbsp black sesame seeds, plus extra to decorate B 50g unsalted butter, at room temperature B 225g caster sugar B Zest of 3 limes, plus extra to decorate B 25g coconut oil, melted B ½tsp vanilla extract B ¼tsp coconut extract (optional) B 3 eggs B 100ml coconut cream, at room temperature B 160g plain flour B 1½tsp baking powder B ½tsp fine sea salt EDITED BY: HAYLEY MERRICK. RECIPES: CRYSTELLE PEREIRA PHOTOS: VANESSA LEWIS. ALL PRICES ARE APPROXIMATE. For the lime icing B 100g icing sugar B Juice of 2 limes 1 Preheat the oven to 160°C fan/gas 4 and line a 22 x 11 x 6cm loaf tin with baking paper. 2 Place the coconut and sesame seeds in a dry frying pan and toast over a low heat for about 5-7min until golden. Transfer to a bowl and set aside. 3 Beat the butter in a bowl until soft and creamy (a stand mixer works best here). In a separate bowl, combine the sugar and lime zest and use your fingers to rub these together, which will release the oils from the zest and create a lovely citrus aroma, and turn the sugar green! Then, add the zesty sugar mix to the butter, and beat this 44 YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT (Kyle Books, £22) Cost per serving/ portion 48p together until combined, scraping down with a spatula every so often. 4 Add the coconut oil and beat until pale and fluffy (for about 7min on a stand mixer), then add the vanilla bean paste (and coconut extract, if using) and beat again. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing until fully incorporated before adding the next. 5 Melt the coconut cream in the microwave for 10-15sec until smooth but not hot. 6 In a separate bowl, sift in the flour, baking powder and salt and whisk to combine. Then, using a spatula, fold the dry mix into the batter in three parts until no streaks remain, alternating with the coconut cream – be careful not to over mix. Finally, fold in the toasted coconut and sesame seeds, reserving some for the garnish. 7 Pour into the lined loaf tin, level out with a spatula, then bake for around 50min, until a skewer comes out clean. Allow to cool in the tin before transferring to a wire rack. 8 While the cake is cooling, make the lime icing. Place the icing sugar in a bowl and add the lime juice, bit by bit, until it forms a thick but runny consistency. 9 Once the cake is cool, use a spoon to drizzle the icing all over the top, then sprinkle over the reserved coconut, sesame seeds and lime zest. Leave to stand for about 10min, to allow the icing to firm up slightly, then slice and serve. ‘The black sesame seeds add a lovely visual element to the cake but white will do – you just won’t have that speckled crumb.’
your recipes Rasmalai-inspired bread & butter pudding Cost per serving/ portion £1.78 Serves: 6-8 Takes: 45min 45g pistachios 50g whole almonds, skin on 15 cardamom pods 400ml full-fat milk 200ml double cream 80g caster sugar Big pinch of saffron 10 slices brioche bread 60g unsalted butter, softened at room temperature B 3 large eggs B 50g sultanas B 2tbsp demerara sugar B B B B B B B B B 1 Preheat the oven to 160°C fan/ gas 4. Roast the pistachios and almonds in a roasting tray in the oven for 15min, until slightly golden and toasted. Allow to cool slightly before roughly chopping with a knife into small chunky pieces (we want these to add crunch). 2 Place the cardamom pods in a dry frying pan over a medium heat and toast for about 10min, stirring constantly, until slightly golden and fragrant. Transfer to a pestle and mortar (or spice grinder), bash them to remove the seeds (reserve the shells), and grind these into a fine powder. 3 In a medium saucepan, place the milk, cream, sugar, saffron and ground cardamom, along with the shells, and mix to combine. Heat gently for 10min, stirring constantly, then turn off the heat and leave to infuse while you prepare the bread. (Once infused, remove the cardamom shells.) 4 Spread each slice of brioche with butter, then cut each slice into nine small squares and set aside. 5 Crack the eggs into a large bowl and whisk to combine. Then, carefully pour in the milk mixture, bit by bit, whisking constantly until combined. 6 In a square 24cm casserole dish, scatter over half the brioche pieces to cover the base. Sprinkle over half of the roasted nuts and sultanas, then pour over half the custard. Repeat this process with the remaining ingredients and, finally, sprinkle demerara sugar on top. Leave to soak for 10min, then bake for around 25min, until slightly golden and crunchy on the top, and soft and custardy underneath. 7 Serve on its own or with a scoop of ice cream on the side. ‘Bread and butter pudding is a comforting British classic, with a slight custardy feel to it, whereas rasmalai is a cold milky dessert, flavoured with cardamom and saffron (and tastes divine). I decided to combine both desserts together, which means that I no longer have to choose between the two.’
Dark wood tones add atmosphere to any dining occasion. Introduce overhead cluster lighting to ensure you’re not dining in the dark! Chicago Pendant Ceiling Light, £199; Mango Wood Dining Table, £899; Aiden Dining Chairs, £230 for two; Bronx Drinks Cabinet, £425; Tealight Holders, £16 for three; Lagoon Dinner Set, £45 all Next BY ZOE BISHOP Create the perfect dining space to enjoy time with family and friends this autumn 46 YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT
your home Elyssia Cocktail Glasses, £7 for two, Dunelm Alma Dining Chair in Natural Weave, £199, Cult Furniture Jazz up dinner with some funky floral linen and fresh white china. Perfect Palms Table Runner; £20; Endless Recycled Glass Tealight Holders, £25 for four; Pattern Vase, £22; Organic Beaded Side Plates, £30 for four; Dinner Plates, £40 for four; Bowls £30 for four, all Joe Browns Wax Resist 12-piece Dinner set, £40, Habitat Bobbin Natural Linen Stool, £290, Graham & Green Rattan Tall Dome Easyfit Shade, £44, Bhs.com Tangzon Dining Table, £88.95, Amazon Bamboo Cutlery Holder, £18, Dunelm Bravo 16-Piece Cutlery Set, £30, Sazy Sipping Wine Glasses, £29 for four, Loaf Pheasant Linen Napkins, £29.95 for four, Annabel James Massanutten Bamboo Trays, £49.99 for two, Wayfair Faux Leather Baskets, £30 for two, Habitat Dwell Luto Dining Bench, £299, DFS Fired Earth Vase, £39.50, Marks & Spencer Gallsopp Placemat, £5, Ikea
Fill a strawberry planter with shapely fronds for year-round patio style! YOU WILL NEED Terracotta strawberry pot _______ £79.99 crocus.co.uk Paintbrush & paint: Cuprinol Garden Shades __________£14/1L wickes.co.uk Crocks or flat stones, & trowel Multi-purpose compost with John Innes ________________£8/50L diy.com Fern collection _______________ £39.99/10 gardenersdream.co.uk Watering can TOTAL ________________________£141.98
your space 1 Paint the planter with two coats. This will make the terracotta less porous, so the compost stays moist for the ferns. 2 3 4 5 6 Feed the leaves through a hole. Wrap the fronds into a tube shape with clingfilm if you struggle. Scoop compost over the top, filling the planter to just below the lowest planting hole and firming as you go. Keep adding the ferns and layers of compost until you reach a few cms below the planter rim. Pop the largest fern into the top of the planter, pushing compost around the sides to fill any gaps. 7 Check that any fronds haven’t snapped. If you find a damaged stem, snip it off with secateurs at the base. 8 Position in a spot that enjoys dappled shade for most of the day, and water until it dribbles from the base. YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT 49 BY GEOFF HODGE PICS: GAP PHOTOS. PRICES CORRECT AT THE TIME OF GOING TO PRESS. Gently slide the plastic pot off a fern, unravel any roots that are circling the root ball, and lower into the pot. Add plenty of crocks to the base of the pot to stop compost clogging the drainage hole. Flattish stones work too.
shop with us! yours.co.uk/life/shopping Designer Japanese Acer ‘Ukigumo’ SHOPPING WE GUARANTEE: ✔ Carefully selected products ✔ Safe reliable service ✔ Delivery straight to your door ✔ Yours customer care helpline ✔ Reputable & trustworthy Is your garden missing an eye-catching feature plant? Then why not try our unusual Japanese Maple ‘Ukigumo’. Also known as ‘Floating Clouds’ this spellbinding beauty will produce unique patterning every year, with leaves emerging highly patterned with white markings, green with speckled white spots or, with soft pink shades. From autumn, the foliage transforms to orange and red, before it sheds for the winter. A unique and attention seeking maple, with an eventual height of 3m. Top-quality 2- litre pot plant supplied. My order PRODUCT PRICE £19.99 SP139 Two Acer ‘Ukigumo’ (saving £5) My details Title QTY SUBTOTAL £ £ ADD P+P £4.99 PER ORDER £ 4.99 TOTAL £ SP138 One Acer ‘Ukigumo’ Initial £34.98 Surname Address Town Postcode Date of Birth (optional) / / Tel No Email address Payment I enclose a crossed cheque for £___________ made payable to J. Parker’s Dutch Bulbs (write your name, address and offer code YM143 on the back of your cheque) Or debit my: Mastercard Visa (Tick as applicable) Card number Valid from Expiry date Signature Yes please, keep me up-to-date via email post or phone with the latest news and special offers from Yours. I am happy for J.Parker’s to contact me via email post or phone Please do let us keep in contact so we make sure you don’t miss out. If you have opted to share your email address, you can unsubscribe at any time from any email we send you via the unsubscribe link or opt out by emailing dataprotectionofficer@bauermedia.co.uk For our privacy policy go to OFFER CODE http://www.bauer datapromise.co.uk Yours magazine is published by H Bauer Publishing, YM143 company number LP003328, The Lantern, 75 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PL. BUY ONE ACER ‘UKIGUMO’ FOR £19.96 OR ORDER TWO FOR £34.98 How to order... By phone: QUOTE CODE By post: Send the coupon (left) to: Reader Offer, Dept. YM143, 14 Hadfield 0161 848 1091 YM143 Yours Street, Old Trafford, Manchester, M16 9FG Online: jparkers.co.uk/YOURS23 Delivery within 28 days . Closing date 15.03.2024, while stocks last
your space Create a Grow dwarf trees in pots for an abundance of fruit in a small space F ancy taking a wander through an orchard and picking fresh fruit from a tree? Of course the answer is yes! And the great news is that you can achieve the dream in a small space just outside your back door. There are now lots of dwarf fruit trees that are perfect for growing in pots on the patio. The secret to success is to choose compact trees that are grafted onto a dwarfing rootstock. And don’t worry, we’ve done all the hard work for you! Look for the rootstock information on the plant label or online description; the best rootstocks for dwarf patio fruit trees are: n Apple – M27 n Pear – Quince C n Cherry – Colt n Plum – Pixy n Peach & nectarine – St Julian A If space is especially limited, go for trees that have been bred or trained to grow upwards rather than producing spreading branches. These are usually labelled as columnar, or sometimes Ballerina, trees. If you only want to grow one tree of each fruit type, make sure the variety is labelled self-fertile (all Small trees can still harvest a good crop Position where you can enjoy the gorgeous spring blossom YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT 51
Ä,Ù¤,Å+û©,¾Ö)äûËéÙ £¬Å¤,Ùä¬ÖÝõ¬ä©ä©, #)¾¾¾)ÙÄr)ä+© !"#$ AV$ Bx );S Bxr) V ,Ba)f 9 S,)+,Ë£ĬÅ/0 õ©,Ù,ô,Ù¾¬£,ä)»,ÝûËé µ«çеõµ±đŵõµĐµõėçąÀçǻřśÅçąõù$ ±$ėǻ Ş ±$ėù $ đµµ×Ǻ Ā Åçàµǻ Èá Āŵ À$õ±µáǻçõçąĀ$á±$ªçąĀǺ sÈĀÅÔąùĀĀŵòąùÅç¿$ªąĀĀçáėçą đÈÚÚªµ«çááµ«Āµ±Āççąõg:'ª$ùµ± µàµõÀµá«ėùąòòçõµ$à¿çõ$Āđç' đ$ė«çáеõù$ĀÈçáǺbŵėđÈÚÚĀŵá ùµá±ŵÚòĀçėçąõÚç«$ĀÈçáǺ f91Ý),$)ZaVaSVZHB;;VAZVq, #afV,B$faHAa,#;;aa,HB -¿ Āŵ yçąõ[Āõȱµ đ$«Š±µĀµ«Āù $ ¿$ÚÚǻ ėçą đÈÚÚ ªµ «çááµ«Āµ±ĀççąõµĖòµõȵ᫵±řśȈŞàçáÈĀçõÈáÀµ$àǺ yçą«$áà$áą$ÚÚė«$ÚÚªėòõµùùÈáÀĀŵ[I[ªąĀĀçáçá Āŵ¿õçáĀç¿Āŵđ$Ā«ÅǺ ù śş˅ ç¿ ¿$ÚÚù ç««ąõ çąĀùȱµǻ yçąõ[Āõȱµ3ù ¿$ÚÚ $Ú$õà đ$«ŠÅ$ù ªµµá ±µùÈÀáµ± Āç đçõ× ªçĀÅ Èá±ççõù $á± çąĀ±ççõùǺ[Ā$ė$«ĀÈеǻùç«È$ÚÈùµđÈĀÅ¿õȵá±ùǻ$á±µĐµá «ÚÈàªàçąáĀ$ÈáùđÈĀÅyçąõ[Āõȱµǿ Ba,q,axB);a)AHB,aHV yçąõ[Āõȱµ Èù $ «çà¿ėǻ ÚÈÀÅĀđµÈÀÅĀ đõÈùĀđ$«ŠđÈĀÅ $ «Úµ$õ ĀÈൠ$á± ±$µ ±ÈùòÚ$ėǺ ÚçáÀùȱµ Āŵ [I[ ªąĀĀçá $á± $ąĀçà$ĀÈ« ¿$ÚÚ ±µĀµ«ĀÈçáǻ ÈĀ àçáÈĀçõù ėçąõ ŵ$õĀ õ$µǻ ªÚçç± òõµùùąõµǻ $á± Å$ù $ ªąÈÚĀ'Èá ùµò' «çąáµõǺ bŵyçąõ[Āõȱµđ$Ā«Åçòµõ$µùÈá±µòµá±µáĀÚėç¿sÈ$È çõ $ Ú$á±ÚÈáµǺ ù $ õµùąÚĀǻ ėçą «$á «çá¿È±µáĀÚė $««µùù ĀŵŵÚòėçąáµµ±$áėđŵõµÈáĀŵg:ǻÅ$ùùÚµ'¿õµµǺ )Hra);VAZVq,rHV9Z TõµùùĀŵ[I[ªąĀĀçá çõÅ$еĀŵđ$«Š±µĀµ«Ā$¿$ÚÚ Iąõµ$àùòµ$×ùĀç ėçąĀÅõçąÀÅĀŵđ$«ŠĀçąá±µõùĀ$á±đÅ$Ā Å$ùÅ$òòµáµ± sµđÈÚÚùµá±ŵÚòĀçėçąõ Úç«$ĀÈçá7á$൱«çáĀ$«Āù çõĀŵµàµõÀµá«ė ùµõĐÈ«µù8 sµđÈÚÚ×µµòėçąõ «çáĀ$«Āùąò±$µ±đÈĀÅ Èá¿çõà$ĀÈçá$ù õµôąÈõµ± 7KH<RXU6WULGHZDWFKLVMXVWeZLWKHPHUJHQF\KHOSIRUePRQWK )DOOGHWHFWLRQRQO\ePRQWK$OORQDIOH[LEOHUROOLQJFRQWUDFWZLWKQRPLQLPXPWHUP 72 25'(5 FDOO RUYLVLWZZZ<RXU6WULGHFRP
your space our recommendations in the panel, right, are self-fertile), so it pollinates itself and doesn’t need pollen from a different variety to produce fruit. If you want to grow more than one variety of a fruit type, check their pollination groups and choose trees from the same group or the next overlapping group. Many self-fertile fruit trees will crop more prolifically if you grow two different varieties, or check to see if your neighbours have a tree in their garden that may be a suitable partner. While apples, pears and plums all do well in a position that is warm and sunny, cherries, peaches and nectarines need as much sun as you can give them. Apples and pears will also tolerate light shade, so you can position these behind the others. All Fruit tree Bucket of water Crocks – broken terracotta pot pieces or large flat stones 35cm terracotta pot: Verve Laleh, £10.35 diy.com John Innes Peat Free No.3 Compost, £6.99/25L dobbies.com Watering can High-potash feed: Flower Power Organic Liquid Plant Food, £8.99/500ml richardjacksongarden.co.uk Try mulching pots with bark to reduce time spent watering Our favourites Apple ‘Saturn’ Supercolumn Crisp flesh with a high juice content, stores well, pick early October. n chrisbowers. co.uk fruit trees need a sheltered spot that usually escapes the frost, and protection from strong winds when flowering, so a sunny patio in the shelter of a warming house wall is perfect. Frost and strong winds can damage the blossom and reduce pollination, which means you won’t get as much fruit. How to grow YOU WILL NEED BY EMMA KENDALL. PICS: ALAMY STOCK PHOTO, SHUTTERSTOCK. PRICES CORRECT AT THE TIME OF GOING TO PRESS Apple trees can flourish in the tightest of spaces Grow your compact fruit trees in pots on a sunny and sheltered patio. WHAT TO DO 1 Stand the tree, keeping it in its plastic pot, in a bucket of water for 15-20 mins before planting, to soak the roots. Place crocks over the drainage holes in the pot. Start filling the terracotta pot with compost, lightly firming as you go, until when you place the tree’s plastic pot on it, the top is 2-2.5cm below the rim. Remove the plastic pot and unravel any long roots going around the root ball. Stand on the compost and fill around with more compost, firming as you go. Water with a full can and ensure compost is wet thoroughly. For the rest of autumn and winter, water whenever dry; in spring and summer water more thoroughly and feed weekly. 2 3 4 5 6 £20.80 Pear ‘Concorde’ n A superb aromatic variety with an excellent sweet taste, pick from late September. £34.99 n 3fatpigs. co.uk Plum ‘Jubilee’ Supercolumn Light red with succulent sweet yellow flesh, pick from mid-August. n chrisbowers. co.uk £20.60 Cherry ‘Sunburst’ Large, almost black cherries that are supersweet, pick from mid-July. n thompsonmorgan.com £29.99 Peach ‘Garden Lady’ Rosy-pink with orange skin and so juicy, pick from mid-August. n frank pmatthews.com £53
Cherish a Message from Above 17 Genuine Topaz Sculpted Feather Detailing 18 -Carat Gold-Plated Solid Sterling Silver Your Wings Were Ready Topaz Bereavement Ring During a time of loss, wearing a reminder that your relationship lives on can lift your spirits and give you a sense of peace. Now a beautiful ring available exclusively from The Bradford Exchange provides touching reassurance that your loved one’s memory will always be with you. Handcrafted of solid sterling silver with lavish 18-carat gold-plated accents, the ‘Your Wings Were Ready’ Topaz Bereavement Ring features a genuine heart-shaped white topaz stone at the centre, accented with 16 smaller white topaz gems. Framing the centre stone are two sculpted feathers, symbolising the wings of angels that hold you close in your time of need. On the inside of the shank is etched this gentle message, Your Wings Were Ready, But My Heart Was Not. Exquisitely realised, rich with meaning, this lovely ring will keep memories of your loved one always near. An Exceptional Value Not Sold In Stores – Order Your Tribute Now PAY NOTHING NOW ORDER FORM Please Respond Promptly To: The Bradford Exchange, PO Box 653, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 4RA YES! Please order the ‘YOUR WINGS WERE READY’ TOPAZ BREAVEMENT RING for me as described in this advertisement. Complete today or Call 0333 003 0019 Please indicate your ring size: Available in ladies’ whole sizes K to Y, the ‘Your Wings Were Ready’ Topaz Bereavement Ring is an amazing value at only £99.96*, payable in 4 interest-free instalments of £24.99 (plus £6.99 S&S)* each. It is accompanied by a custom-designed presentation case, a Certificate of Authenticity and our famous 20-day money-back gurarantee. Pay nothing now – complete and return your Priority Order Form today! Find your perfect ring size below K M O S U W Q Name (Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms) (PLEASE PRINT) Address Postcode Y Match the inside of your ring with one of the circles above. Please note, the matching size letter may differ slightly from your regular size. If your ring size falls in between these sizes, please select the larger size. Telephone !;OL)YHKMVYK,_JOHUNL: ::OPWWPUN :LY]PJL6'LYHWWSPLZ[V<2VUS`6\YN\HYHU[LL is in addition to the rights provided to you by consumer protection regulations. 01-33505-001 Mobile Email Address FASTEST WAY TO ORDER Applicants must be aged 18 or over. Please note, we may contact you via mail, email and mobile with information about your reservation. For details of our privacy policy, please go to www.bradford.co.uk/ privacypolicy or contact us at the above address or phone number. 01-33505-001 Order Ref:436301 www.bradford.co.uk/wingsring Or call on 0333 003 0019 and quote reference code 436301
your free pattern Children will love this fun knitted snake scarf YOU WILL NEE D Cascade 220 yarn 2 x 100g balls of 2452 Turtle (A) x 100g ball of 8010 Nature (B) Lang Yarns Merino 120 light worsted (DK) yarn Very small amount of 163 (dark red) (C) Needles and equipment: US 8 (5mm) knitting needles US 5 (3.75mm) knitting needles Yarn sewing needle 2 x 7⁄8in (22mm) brown buttons TENSION 18 sts and 24 rows in stockinette (stocking) stitch to a 4-in (10-cm) square on US 8 (5mm) needles. ABBREVIATIO NS Difficulty rating: ●●● Inc- increase; knit; k2tog- knit two together; p-purl- p2tog- purl two together; st(s)- stitch(es); st st- stocking stitch- ssk- slip slip knit n Can’t get this yarn? Find a suitable alternative at yarnsub.com MEASUREMENTS The finished scarf is 40½in (103cm) long (excluding tongue) and 6in (17cm) wide. YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT 55
Trust to add style and warmth to your wardrobe SAVE up to £12 on these comfortable ladies’ stretch trousers. Designed to keep you feeling great and looking smart. º 360 ELASTICATED WAISTBAND JERSEY TROUSERS with 360º ELASTICATED WAISTBAND CHOICE OF FOUR STYLISH £19 ALL SIZES NOW ONLY COLOURS +p&p Chums are offering these stylish jersey trousers at up to 38% off catalogue prices - just £19 SAVING YOU UP TO £12 A PAIR! Beautifully styled from ‘warm-touch’ material, you’ll feel cosy and classy! The 360º elasticated waistband copes with any fluctuations in your body shape, and the ‘pull-on’ style will make them a wardrobe favourite. The permanent stay-sharp crease makes them perfect for work AND weekends, and the 35% polyester/65% acrylic mix means they keep their shape wash after wash! In sizes 10 to 24 with 3 leg lengths (25” 27” & 29”) and four warm colours: navy, grey, brown and black. SIZES 10-24 THREE LEG LENGTHS 25", 27" & 29" ORDER ONLINE chums.co.uk/offers ORDER NOW... ALL SIZES IN STOCK. SAVE UP TO £12 OFF WHILE STOCKS LAST NAVY Shop at home with delivery to your door GREY BROWN PLUS FREE RETURNS! BLACK OFFER PRICE YOU SAVE SIZE WAS 10, 12 £25 £19 £6 14, 16 £27 £19 £8 18, 20 £29 £19 £10 22, 24 £31 £19 £12 LT020 Inside leg 25”, 27” & 29” MACHI BLE HA WAS NE Chums Ltd., (Dept. 42Y23), P.O. Box 50, Prescot, Merseyside L34 9GX. Please send me item(s) indicated PLEASE USE BLOCK LETTERS ITEM NUMBER COLOUR SIZE INSIDE LEG QTY PRICE LT020 LT020 ORDER ONLINE NOW - IT’S FAST, SAFE & EASY www.chums.co.uk/offers and enter media code: 42Y23 IMPORTANT! YOU MUST ENTER MEDIA CODE ON OUR WEBSITE TO BENEFIT FROM THIS PROMOTIONAL OFFER Our friendly UK Customer service staff are waiting to take your order. Call Now! 08715 267 166 Calls cost 13 pence per minute, plus your network access charge. Now accepted Personal shoppers welcome at our showroom. Open Mon - Fri 10am - 4pm. M57 Junction 4, off School Lane, Unity Grove,Knowsley Business Park, Liverpool L34 9AR Send cheques/POs/Mastercard/Visa/Maestro card details to: Chums Ltd (Dept. 42Y23), P.O. Box 50, Prescot, Merseyside L34 9GX. Chums offer you FREE RETURNS and complete satisfaction if you want an exchange or your money back. Goods usually delivered within 7 days. I enclose Cheques / POs made payable to Chums Ltd for £ Please write your address (inc. post code) on reverse of cheque or charge my MasterCard/Visa/Maestro Account No. PLEASE TICK START DATE: MONTH/YEAR Title EXPIRY DATE: MONTH/YEAR / SUB TOTAL UK mainland P&P Highlands & Islands P&P £5.95 £7.00 TOTAL PLEASE DEBIT MY A/C NUMBER AS SHOWN BELOW / CARD ISSUE NO. (Maestro Cards only) Forename Surname Address Post Code Telephone Email MEDIA CODE 42Y23 We think you’d enjoy some of the latest products and selected offers by post from other trusted retailers, charities, finance, travel, FMCG and utility companies. If you would prefer not to receive these by post, please tick this box . To learn more about our trusted partners and how we use your data, see our privacy policy at www.chums.co.uk/privacy or ask for a copy when you call us. From time to time Chums would like to send you our latest catalogues, special offers and promotions by post that we think you’d appreciate as a valued customer. If you would prefer not to receive these, please tick this box . Chums Ltd. Co. Reg. No. 1561474 LT020 Order LT020 - Pull-on Jersey Trouser
your free pattern Top KEY TO COLOURS: 2452 Turtle (A) ■ 8010 Nature (B) ■ Underside Work as for top to *. Row 23: Inc, k to last 2 sts, inc, k1. (27 sts) Row 24: Purl. Rep rows 23–24 twice more. (31 sts) Work 210 rows in st st beg with a knit row. Row 233: K2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. (29 sts) Row 234: Purl. Rep rows 233–234, 3 times more. (23 sts) Row 241: K2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. (21 sts) Row 242: P2tog, p to last 2 sts, p2tog. (19 sts) Rep rows 241–242 twice more. (11 sts) Row 247: (K2tog) twice, k3, [ssk] twice. (7 sts) Row 248: P2tog, p3, p2tog. (5 sts) Bind (cast) off. Tongue Using US 5 (3.75mm) needles, cast on 24 sts in C. Bind (cast) off. To make up Join the top and underside pieces together using mattress stitch. Stitch the buttons in place for the eyes using a separated strand of B. Fold the tongue in half width ways and stitch the centre point to the mouth. Weave in all loose ends. n Knitted Scarves & Cowls by Fiona Goble, published by CICO Books (£14.99) Photography by Terry Benson © CICO Books YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT 57 PICS: CICO BOOKS Using US 8 (5mm) needles, cast on 13 sts in A. Row 1: Inc, k to last 2 sts, inc, k1. (15 sts) Row 2: Purl. Rep rows 1–2, 10 times more *. (25 sts) Row 23: Inc, k11 in A, k1 in B, k10, inc, k1 in A. (27 sts) Row 24: P12 in A, k3 in B, p12 in A. Row 25: Inc, k10 in A, k5 in B, k9, inc, k1 in A. (29 sts) Row 26: P11 in A, p1 in B, p1 in A, p3 in B, p1 in A, p1 in B, p11 in A. Row 27: Inc, k9 in A, k3 in B, k1 in A, k1 in B, k1 in A, k3 in B, k8, inc, k1 in A. (31 sts) Row 28: P10 in A, p5 in B, p1 in A, p5 in B, p in A to end. Row 29: K11 in A, k3 in B, k1 in A, k1 in B, k1 in A, k3 in B, k in A to end. Row 30: P12 in A, p1 in B, p1 in A, p3 in B, p1 in A, p1 in B, p in A to end. Row 31: K13 in A, k5 in B, k in A to end. Row 32: P14 in A, p3 in B, p in A to end. Row 33: K15 in A, k1 in B, k in A to end. Row 34: Purl in A. Rows 35–45: Work from chart below. Row 46: Purl in A. Rep rows 35–46, 15 times more. Beg with a knit row, work 6 rows in st st. Row 233: K2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. (29 sts) Row 234: Purl. Rep rows 233–234, 3 times more. (23 sts) Row 241: K2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. (21 sts) Row 242: P2tog, p to last 2 sts, p2tog. (19 sts) Rep rows 241–242 twice more. (11 sts) Row 247: [K2tog] twice, k3, [ssk] twice. (7 sts) Row 248: P2tog, p3, p2tog. (5 sts) Bind (cast) off.
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Chosen by Nick and Judy Holdsworth of Independence Limited Carry drinks and dishes one-handed without spilling Protect your clothes Generously sized adult bib that’s easy to put on with an adjustable one-touch fastening at the neck. Wipe clean Polyester with a Vinyl backing. Machine washable and quick drying With crumb catcher Very sturdy, light and well balanced, this tray makes it easy to carry things upstairs as you can carry everything with just one hand and use the other to hold the handrail or open doors. Folds flat for easy storage. Non-slip mat available separately. Ref M3605 One Handled Safety Tray Colour: White. Size:18 x 12” (45 x 30cm). Weight: (approx) 1½ lb (600g). £23.50 each Ref M3606 Rectangular Non Slip Mat Add our advanced technology non slip mat to help prevent dishes and cutlery sliding. Colour: Beige. Size: 10 x 14” (26 x 36cm) £21.00 each Ref M3680 Mealtime Protector Colour: Blue Check. Size 18 x 29½” (46 x 75cm) £19.00 each. Buy 2 for £34.50 (save £3.50) Pull out plugs with ease It takes just seconds to clip on one of our strong, flexible handles, making plugs easy to pull even if you have weak grip, rheumatism or arthritis. No tools or rewiring needed. Unlike other plug handles these are extremely thin so they don’t interfere with the electrical contacts. No need to replace existing plugs Simple to attach without rewiring Ref M3601 Plug Pulls 1 pack of 10 £11.50 Buy 2 packs for £20.50 (save £2.50) Comfy knee high pop socks Lightweight to wear under trousers, these knee highs have a deep ribbed top which holds securely without cutting in or leaving ugly marks. Ref M0140 15 Denier Pop Socks One size fits 4-7. Colours: Black, Honey or Mink. Pack of 3 pairs £6.25 (all one colour) Honey Buy 6 pairs for £9.50 (save £3) Ref M0145 40 Denier Pop Socks One size fits 4-7. Colours: Black or Natural. Pack of 3 pairs £9.50 (all one colour) Buy 6 pairs for £16.00 (save £3) FREE catalogue with every order Black Safety pants with sewn in pads Safety pants have a lightly padded gusset and waterproof lining to provide total security for occasional minor leaks, without the need to wear an additional pad. They look and feel just like ordinary underwear. Absorbs up to 175ml of liquid (about a teacup). Ref M2450 “Cecil” All-in-One Safety Pants White White Machine washable. Colour: White. Classic Y-front style with fly opening. 100% cotton (except pad). Sizes S to 5XL Waist 30 to 54” (76-137cm) 1 garment £15.00 Buy 3 for £42.00 (save £3) Ref M2445 “Carrie” Cotton Safety Pants Machine washable. Colour: White. Cool 100% Cotton (except pad). Sizes S to 4XL. Waists 26 to 60” (66-152cm) 1 garment £15.50 Buy 3 garments for £43.50 (save £3) A helping hand to pick things up Magnetic tip Save bending and stretching with our lightweight reacher. A gentle squeeze on the trigger handle operates strong grabbing jaws which hold objects firmly even if you have a Easy to use trigger poor grip. Pick up small metal objects with the magnetic tip. Ref M3723 Helping Hand Reacher Standard 26” (66cm) £23.75 each. Buy 2 for £43.50 (save £4.00) Strong jaws Relief for the balls of your feet Feel the difference as soon as you slip them on. Special silicone gel pad gives excellent cushioning yet is still slim enough to wear with your regular footwear, under socks or hosiery. Washable and reuseable. Please state shoe size. Ref M2427 Gel Ball of Foot Cushion Shoe sizes 4-11 up to E fitting. 1 pair £11.50 Buy 2 for £21.00 (save £2) When you mention our code MY4223 If you order by mail post to Independence Ltd. Dept. MY4223, 5E Lancaster Way, ELY CB6 3NW Write on a plain piece of paper and make cheques payable to ‘Independence Ltd’ Free returns and full refund if you are not satisfied.
your tried & tested Yours WhAt’s bEsT test Keep warm on winter nights with an energy-saving electric heater BEST BUDGET BUY Challenge 2kW Convector Heater If you’re looking for a basic electric heater, look no further than this simple model. While the design isn’t as sleek or modern as others, it is lightweight, making it easy to transport around different parts of the house. It comes with a 1.5-metre power cord, which also allows for easy movement around any room. And there are three heat setting options and a safety cut-out feature for peace of mind. Our only slight issue with this heater was that it was tricky to put the feet on when assembling. However, after the initial set-up, it seemed pretty sturdy. n Argos £30 ★★★★★ YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT 61
Pure cotton jersey nightwear to country keep you warm and cosy collection - from only £35 Freda Nightdress Classic style four button neck fastening with ribbon and binding detail. Available in long and short sleeve styles. Length 43”. S (10-12) M (12-14) L (16-18) XL (20-22) XXL (24-26) AK9 BL AK8 BL Long sleeve Short sleeve £49 £39 £45 £35 Freda Pyjamas Front button fastening style with long sleeves. Decorative binding to collar and patch pocket. Elasticated waist trousers. S (10-12) M (12-14) L (16-18) XL (20-22) XXL (24-26) AL4 BL £55 £45 P&P £5.50 FREE Country Collection is part of an employee owned business BLOCK CAPS PLEASE Name (Title) ________________________________________________________________________________ Ordering and delivery For credit and debit card orders Phone 0330 094 8678 (we are here Monday-Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm). Order online www.countrycollection.co.uk or complete and return the Freepost coupon. Offer ends 28th November 2023. Allow 7 days for delivery. (Current catalogue price refers to Country Collection Christmas and Christmas Essentials 2023 catalogues.) NO TIME LIMIT GUARANTEE If at any time during its lifetime, an issue arises with the quality of the product please return it for an exchange or immediate refund in full. Returns are post free (UK only). REFERENCE SIZE QTY PRICE TOTAL Address ______________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________ Postcode ____________________________________ country Tel _____________________________________________________________________________________________ collection Mobile________________________________________________________________________________________ P&P £5.50 FREE Grand Total I enclose a sterling cheque payable to Country Collection or charge my Mastercard, Visa or American Express card no: Email________________________________________________________________________ We think you will enjoy hearing about our latest products and offers (your contact details will not be passed on to any third party). Please tick the 3 digits on reverse. 4 Expiry relevant box if you do not wish to receive: ! Email ! SMS/Text Message. date digits on front for AMEX. See our Privacy Policy at www.countrycollection.com/privacy. We may in the future occasionally make customers’ names available to Phone 0330 094 8678 selected trusted retailers, UK charities and organisations whose products Post to: Country Collection, FREEPOST CE451, we feel might be of interest to you. Should you prefer not to receive these Dept. YS126, Crawhall, BRAMPTON, Cumbria CA8 1BR postal mailings please tick this box ! From only £35 and FREE P&P Offer code YS126 To fit sizes 10-24 No time limit guarantee FREE returns
your tried & tested BEST FOR TECH LOVERS BEST PORTABLE HEATER Tristar Heaters 2000W Smart Ceramic Digital Fan Heater 2500W 11 Fin Oil Filled Heater n B&Q £70 ★★★★★ Daewoo COL1550GE Hot & Cool Tower Fan n Currys n Dunelm ★★★★★ BEST SPACE SAVING BEST DESIGN Want a heater that has it all? This one won’t disappoint. Offering both heating and cooling functions, it can be used all year round to regulate the temperature of your home or workspace. With a maximum heat power of 1900w, there are ten fan and three heat settings to suit your preference. Arguably one of the best features of this model is the touch control and remote function, which make it convenient to switch settings. Despite its quite large size, we found this wasn’t as loud as some of its smaller competitors. And, while it might not be ideal for those short on space, its sleek design does make a nice addition to any room. This portable heater has three settings to suit your comfort level, is simple to assemble and set up, and has the bonus of wheels so can be moved easily. The cable tidy on the side of the heater prevents the power cord trailing behind and makes it £59 look much neater. While it isn’t the most modern-looking or compact design, the heater gets the job done and can be neatly stored in a cupboard when not in use. The thermostat control works well and keeps temperature regulated, and we found it was able to heat up a small room within 15-20 minutes. As it heats up so efficiently, you don’t have to let the heater run for long, making it cost-effective. £149 ★★★★★ 1400W Sealey Ceramic Fan Heater With its compact design, this heater is ideal for areas with limited space £36.50 or those looking for a desktop option. There are two heat settings (from 700W to a maximum 1400W), and the heater is easy to use, requires no set-up, and has overheating and tip-over protection. When using the heater on a desktop in smaller spaces, a tilt function would have been useful to allow you to direct heat to certain areas of the room, but the thermostat control works well to maintain and regulate temperature, meaning it won’t get too hot to touch. Excellent price too. n Bigdug.co.uk ★★★★★ ■ Prices quoted at the time of writing and may be subject to change YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT 63 BY LUCY BROWN PIC: SHUTTERSTOCK This modern electric heater can be connected to your smartphone or tablet through the Tristar app, allowing you to schedule warmth from anywhere. While this sounds ideal for those on the go, we found the app to be clunky and outdated, making controlling your heater much more complicated than needed. However, the heater itself works well using manual controls. With a maximum 2kW of power, the heater also has a 24-hour timer, digital display and can rotate. Our other slight gripe is that it is rather loud when in use, making it a bit unpleasant to sit in the room when it’s turned on. BeSt BuY
Dragon’s Den entrepreneur and former Strictly star Sara Davies shares her love of creating seasonal crafts to update your home G etting your home ready for autumn doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, creating your own original pieces can be a rewarding experience and give you something unique to display and enjoy. This is the inspiration behind crafting guru Sara Davies’ new book, Craft Your Year, and Yours spoke to her to find out how she caught the crafting bug! We’ve become obsessed with decorating our homes for the seasons. Why is crafting items better than buying them? If you make something for someone or if you’ve taken the time to make something for your own home, it’s got that personal touch. It’s not like anybody can go out and buy it – especially if it’s a gift. Mix this with the well-being side of crafting and you’re hooked. How does crafting help with your mental health? To me it’s all to do with the fact that you’re doing something with your hands. 64 YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT So, the dexterity side of it is good, but then if you’re doing paint by numbers, you’re following a pattern. If you’re crafting, you’re following some instructions, so your brain is actively engaged in what you’re doing, and you need to focus and be in the moment. You’re essentially switching off. What’s the project you’re most proud of? All of them! I think the good thing is in the book I cover some of my favourites, however it was difficult to get to get down to just 20 for each season. I tried to make sure that I was covering not only all the different occasions, but all the different disciplines. So, we’ve got everything from macramé and box making to candle making and Easter decorations. n Craft Your Year with Sara Davies, £20, published by Bantam, is available from October 19.
your craft You will need: Glue gun, glue sticks, charger plate (or old circular tray that you’re happy to upcycle), thick rope, scissors, wooden rings (I used 25 wooden curtain rings). To create: Plug in your glue gun to heat up. Take the rope and use the glue gun to adhere it to the centre of the tray. From the centre starting point, spiral the rope outwards, gluing it into place as you go. Once the plate is completely covered with the rope, cut it at an appropriate point with some sharp scissors. Set aside to dry. Once the rope is glued firmly in place, use the glue gun to adhere all the wooden rings to the outer edge of the tray on top of the rope. Take care not to use too much glue. Set aside to dry. Style your finished tray with candles and ornaments of your choosing. Beautiful! Sara says: “I love air-dry clay and have made so many things with it. It’s especially fun to use with the kids to create memorable keepsakes. Years ago you had to buy clay that needed to go in the oven, but these days it’s all air-dry.” Clay trinket tray You will need: Air-dry clay, knife, rolling pin, acrylic paints in various colours, small paint brushes. To create: Cut a piece of clay about the size of a satsuma. Roll it out so it’s roughly the size and shape of a DL envelope and around half an inch thick. Trim the edges with your knife to create a neat rectangle. Using your fingers, mould the sides of the tray upwards to give it a raised rim. When you’re happy with the overall look of your tray, set it aside to dry for around 24 hours. Once the clay is completely dry, it’s time to paint! Take your first acrylic colour and mark a diagonal line across the tray, from corner to corner. If you’d like this to be perfectly straight, use a ruler. Then, paint one half of the tray in your chosen colour. Next, take a second paint colour and, using a fresh paint brush, gently spatter some paint across the entire tray. Set aside to dry for at least one hour. Once dry, add your favourite pieces of jewellery to your stylish new trinket dish! YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT BY LOUISE BENNETT. PICS: PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE, BAKER ROSS, SARA DAVIES Sara says: “Beautiful centrepieces are just as popular as they’ve ever been. I’ve tried a few different projects to create the perfect centrepiece tray and this boho chic-inspired piece has to be one of my favourites. It looks effortlessly stylish and really is straightforward to make.” Rope tray 65
HOW TO MAKE , A YEAR Boost your budget by raking in some extra cash W hether you fancy a treat or need to cover bills, you might be surprised at how much cash you can collect. Spend the next week ticking off our money ‘do list’, and you could bump up your income by more than £2,500 a year. Use loyalty and cashback balance Check what you’ve raked in via loyalty schemes, cashback websites and reward account balances, and work out ways to max out the money. For example, you can transfer earnings from sites such as TopCashback and Quidco direct to your bank account, or benefit from up to 25 per cent extra as vouchers for specific shops or websites. Similarly, points and vouchers from loyalty schemes such as Tesco Clubcard and Sainsbury’s Nectar are typically worth more when used elsewhere, rather than spent on supermarket shopping. Dig out giftcards er is an e expert Faith Arch Our money advic blogger d an st ali rn jou oney award-winning m ty pu de Less. Faith was at Much More With raph leg Te ily Da editor at The personal finance make to s aim e Sh . BBC radio and is a regular on , eting ch as family budg money matters su and. rst de un to r sie ea pensions and tax If you have any giftcards shoved at the back of a drawer, boost your budget by spending or selling them before they expire. Friends or family might be willing to give you the face value for unwanted giftcards, or try websites such as Cards2Cash to turn giftcards into cash.
SpEnD LeSs SaVe mOre! Cash in on clutter For money in a hurry, sell books, DVDs and video games via sites and apps that make immediate offers and pay for postage, such as Music Magpie and We Buy Books. Snap quick pics of clothes you no longer want to sell on sites such as Vinted or Depop. For mobile phones, find where you can get the best price at sites such as Sell My Mobile or Compare and Recycle. Revenue will range from pennies to hundreds of pounds for the most recent phone tech. Refer a friend SELL STUFF AT A CAR BOOT SALE To raise quick cash over a weekend, scour local listings to find a car boot sale. Take lots of change, arrive early, choose a good pitch and set out your stall. Be prepared to accept low offers to shift your stuff – as a guideline, expect to charge 10 to 15 per cent of the original value. Then resist the temptation to spend your proceeds at other stalls. Depending on your wares, you might come away with £50 to £200. See if any of the services or sites you love will pay out if you recommend them to your friends. Many will reward you both, if your friend signs up and meets any criteria required. Brits earn on average £45 a year by referring friends, with some making as much as £200 from a single referral, according to research by TopCashback. Big payers include Octopus Energy, which adds a £50 energy credit each, BT Broadband, which offers a £50 Amazon voucher each and PayPal, which promises £10 each, while TopCashback offers up to £30. You could cash in at a car boot SWITCH CURRENT ACCOUNTS Get paid just for switching your current account. Right now, First Direct offers a £175 bonus to new customers who switch via the Current Account Switching Service (CASS) and pay in at least £1,000 during the first three months. The CASS process only takes seven working days and does all the hard work for you, moving your balance, direct debits and standing orders across and closing your old account. SWITCH SAVINGS TO A BETTER RATE For every £10,000 moved from a high-street bank paying as little as 1.16 percent to an easy-access account paying five percent, you’ll earn an extra £384 in interest every year, according to advice website Savings Champion. Anna Bowes from the company said, “Better still if you don’t need access to the cash, you could tie it up for a year earning up to 6.2 percent – providing £620 gross a year. Why say no to free money!” Reclaim lost cash The average value in lost pensions is £23,125, £450 in forgotten bank accounts, £800 in missing life insurance policies and £40 in unclaimed NS&I assets, according to Gretel, the free online hub which reunites consumers with lost and dormant accounts across the financial services industry. Duncan Stevens from Gretel said, “Marriage, divorce and moving jobs or homes are often stages where people can lose touch with their accounts.” The average amount reunited via Gretel is a chunky £2,400. YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT 67
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your money Apply for Pension Credit SELL SERVICES Turn time into money and get paid for your skills such as babysitting, dog walking, painting, gardening or cooking. Set up an Airbnb Experience such as hosting a guided walk around historic features nearby or holding a cooking class in your own home. My mother is getting older and more forgetful. Should I investigate lasting power of attorney? Clare Cousins Faith says: If you are concerned your mother might need to set up lasting power of attorney (LPA), it’s a good idea to discuss it with her well before it might be needed. LPA is a legal document that allows someone else to make decisions on your behalf, should you become unable to make decisions yourself. There are two types: LPAs for financial decisions and for health and care decisions. Crucially, LPAs can only be put in place while your mother has the mental capacity to do so – that is, while she can understand the decision needed and the likely outcome. Otherwise, if you don’t have an LPA in place and your mother’s health worsens, you may end up having to apply to the Court of Protection to be appointed as a deputy so you can make decisions on her behalf. Kirsty Limacher, chief legal officer at Solicitors for the Elderly, said, “This process can be timeconsuming, expensive, and burdensome for your relatives, adding unnecessary stress during an already challenging time.” Setting up an LPA must be your mother’s choice. Giving someone lasting power of attorney is a big responsibility, because they could end up making decisions about, for example, where she lives, how to pay her bills and her medical care. The instructions have to come from the person making the LPA, not from someone acting on their behalf. It may be sensible for your mother to appoint more than one person that she knows and trusts as her attorneys and specify whether they can act jointly or independently. Although people can fill in LPA forms themselves, it is well worth getting help from an expert, whether a solicitor or a local advice agency. LPAs need to be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) before they can be used, but on average more than 20,000 LPA applications are rejected each year due to mistakes, according to a freedom of information request by wealth managers Quilter. Allow £82 to register each LPA, plus solicitor’s fees on top, and expect the registration process to take several months. Ms Limacher said, “Creating an LPA is like an insurance policy against ill health. You hope it will never have to be used, but if it does, it Got a burning makes life much money question? easier for those We’d love to help, so involved.” please write or email us using the contact details on page 3 PICS: SHUTTERSTOCK If you are past state pension age, do check if you’re entitled to Pension Credit. Try benefits calculators on sites such as Turn2Us.org. uk, EntitledTo.co.uk or AgeUK. org.uk. Payments are worth an average of £1,900 a year for lowincome households according to Age UK. Claiming Pension Credit also unlocks a whole host of other savings, such as £150 via the Warm Home Discount Scheme, cold weather payments, help with Council Tax, reduced water bills, free NHS dental treatment, a free TV licence for over 75s, cheaper home phone and broadband deals, and extra Pension Credit for carers worth up to £38.85 a week.
You can save hundreds of pounds on replacing white goods by using these tips to help extend their lifespan W hen even a budget washing machine can cost around £400, and you can fork out anywhere between £300 and £1,500plus for a new oven, it’s important to keep your household appliances running for as long as possible. We asked Ian Palmer-Smith, Supplier and Heating Services Director at Domestic & General, and Mira Yordanova, owner at topcleaninggb.co.uk, to share their top tips to keep yours in optimal condition, and postpone the next big household spend! 70 YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT CHECK THE WASHING MACHINE Got a machine that shakes the whole room when on a spin cycle? It’s time to check it. “Setting up your machine will impact how it runs, so it’s important to make sure the machine is installed correctly,” says Ian. “Check that the feet on all corners are touching the floor. An uneven machine can move across the floor during the spin cycle and risks causing serious damage. Adjust the front-levelling legs to the correct height and ensure the lock nut is tight.” Once it’s level, keep it clean. Check the lint filter with a damp paper towel to ensure it’s not clogged with lint, fabric softeners or detergent, and run an empty hot wash once a month. To refresh the drum and dispensers. “Spray white vinegar around the inside of the drum, including the rubber seal. Pour 500ml of white vinegar into the detergent drawer and set to a standard hot wash,” says Mira. “Add 60-70g of baking soda into the drum and run through again.”
SpEnD LeSs SaVe mOre! EASY OVEN DEGREASING A clean oven will reduce your bills CLEAN YOUR VACUUM “Your vacuum will have much more power if any debris is removed,” says Mira. “If possible, remove the brush from any attachments or heads. Use a pair of scissors to cut through trapped hair and other debris to release it from the brush, but take care to avoid cutting any bristles.” Mira recommends removing the cylinder from the vacuum and emptying the contents. “Use a toothbrush to gently remove excess dirt and dust from the rest of the compartment, making sure to reach spots where any has built up,” she says. “If you can remove the filter, run it under cold running water to rinse away any debris. Leave it until completely dry before returning to your vacuum. This will improve suction, but also help to remove any bacteria and germs.” REMOVE DISHWASHER DIRT If your dishwasher has become less efficient, Ian recommends cleaning it before shelling out for a new one. “Firstly, make sure your filter is being maintained,” he says. “You can normally remove the filter at the bottom of the dishwasher, by twisting or pulling. Using a soapy sponge, scrub the inside and outside of the filter. Run it under a tap for a final clean.” Then check the spray arms: “Remove the racks and utensil holders,” Ian says. “Use an old toothbrush to get into the nooks and crannies to ensure all grime is cleaned. Check your user manual to see if you can lift the lower arm out. Clean the arms in the sink and check the holes in the arms are clear. Hold each one under a tap to check the water flows through it properly and there is no further blockage. If it doesn’t, it might be time to replace them.” Lastly, Ian suggests checking you’re using the appropriate dishwasher salt regularly and trying rinse aid to help your dishes look shiny. YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT BY LUCY HUNTER. PICS: SHUTTERSTOCK “A deep-cleaned oven will reach the correct temperature for cooking much quicker than one covered in food residue and grease,” says Mira. “This means lower bills – and nicer tasting food.” She advises removing the racks and grill plate from your oven first. “Use a dustpan and brush to remove crumbs and debris from the bottom of the oven. Mix baking soda and water to a thick, paste-like consistency and smear the paste across the metal and glass – avoiding any heating elements. Leave for 20 minutes, then wipe the grease away.” Mira suggests placing your oven racks in a bath on an old towel (to avoid scratches) along with hot water and a few dishwasher tablets. “Soak for as long as possible – you should be able to wipe away any grease.” Spritz the outside of your oven door with glass cleaner and wipe the glass with a damp, non-abrasive cloth in a circular motion until you can see the dirt and grime has disappeared. 71
Abby Williams, 59, from Worcestershire, moved into a Victorian two-bedroomed terraced house a year ago. Here, she shares how she saved a fortune with her clever money-saving tips and tricks By Moira Holden I started work on the outside of the house first before turning my attention to the inside. I paid a professional £2,000 to replace old roof tiles and to cap the crumbling chimneys – only a professional can do those sorts of jobs. But it’s worth scouring local reclaim yards for identical tiles or asking neighbours if they have any left over. Turning to the interior, I spent £400 on a stair carpet from Carpetright, but there was a sizeable amount left over. A friend suggested keeping the offcuts and I used a Stanley knife to cut a piece to make a long runner for my wooden bedroom floor, plus two doormats for the front and back door. Using those offcuts saved me from spending a further £125. The trick is to have a neutral coloured carpet that blends well with any colour of paint or patterned wallpaper. In the kitchen, the two wooden bench tops were faded and stained with marks from saucepans, but if I’d had new bench tops installed, the cost would have been £1,000. Instead, I paid a professional £200 to sand them down and to treat them with oil. They look like new. Sample bathroom tiles have also saved me money. I couldn’t decide on colour and pattern, so I paid £1.69 online each for some samples or got them free in-store. I kept them afterwards and now use them as placemats for soap dispensers, my beauty products, salt and pepper pots, a run The trick is to have carpets that are a neutral colour SaaRVoUiNnDg: £125 r p e t fr o m Sp are ctahe st a ir s.... 72 ...b eca me ner in my bedroo m YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT and even a vase of flowers. I’ve saved around £30, and they look so pretty. Friends ask where I got them from! I spotted a towel rail in a charity shop, paid £5 for it and painted it white – a new one would have cost about £40. One of the best ways of saving money is to join your local Facebook group. People give things away for free because they don’t want the
SpEnD LeSs SaVe mOre! SPRUCE UP ON A BUDGET , Prices may be soaring, but furnishing your home doesn’t need to cost a fortune. Car boot sales and charity shops make great places to pick up preloved pieces, often for next to nothing. All it takes is a bit of patience! Scour antiques shops for vintage finds too – dark wooden furniture can often be bought for a steal, and it’ll stand the test of time. Remember that a quick lick of paint is an easy way to give anything, from a wardrobe to a mirror, a new lease of life. Be bold with your colours too – statement pieces will add character to your home. Paints by Frenchic and Annie Sloan are incredibly easy to use, and you’ll find plenty of great inspiration on their websites. This lo ve ly la m p wa s free fr om a lo ca l Fa ce bo ok gr ou p SaViNg: aRoUnD BY ABBY WILLIAMS. PICS: ABBY WILLIAMS, INSTAGRAM/ANNIESLOANHOME £15O bother of going to the tip or getting the council to take them away. I got a beautiful floor lamp, just what I’d always wanted, for nothing – a new one would have been £150. I sent a photo of it in my house to the lady who’d given it to me. She said it looked better in my house than hers!” SaViNg: aRoUnD £3O SaViNg: aRoUnD £8oo tained My o l dosr kt o p... w Use bat hro om tile s as pla cem ats ...rest ore d by san din g and oil ing YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT 73
shopwith us! yours.co.uk/life/shopping FREE BOOK Bargain Crime Bestsellers with every six ordered We have a thrilling selection of unputdownable titles for you in this issue. If you want a bespoke selection or top up – just ask. There’s a FREE bestseller with every SIX books ordered. Our best value for avid readers, is twelve books + two free. 2 THE PERFECT HOLIDAY 3 THAT WOMAN 4 5 THE SECRETS HE KEPT 6 Four people walked into the dining room that night. One never left. Matthew: the perfect husband. Titus: the perfect son. Charlie: the perfect illusion. Rachel: the perfect stranger. MY HUSBAND’S SECRETS Grief-stricken, Ali can’t believe that beloved Matthew is gone. But months pass, Ali uncovers secrets. And why can’t she shake the feeling that somehow, somewhere, he is still alive? Please tick the desired book reference 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 I have ordered ____ books @ £5 each OR______12 books at £60 + P&P. I enclose P&P £7.99 * for 6+ books (*£9.99 for N. Ireland (N.I.), Shetland, Outer Hebrides isles and Isle of Man); 4-5 books £5.50 P&P (*£7); 1-3 books £4 P&P (*£6) to the total order value.________ PAYMENT I enclose a crossed cheque/ P.O. (address and code Y34 on reverse; P&P added) made payable to AB FAB BOOKS for £___________ Bank name _____________________Cheque no. __________ OR debit my card for the sum of £____________ Card number Security number Olivia and Julian are enjoying lazy days in Spain. A chance encounter with a younger, attractive man changes everything. An idyllic break, turns into cat and mouse. Who will get out alive? He loves you and your children and, would never put family in danger or, would he? Sally discovers everyone has secrets and truth is not always good to hear. The new girl at work’s, everything you used to be. Young, beautiful and confident. Flattered by friendship, she slowly takes control of everything, including your life! MY LOVELY DAUGHTER Precious daughter, the world is dangerous and you have no idea of the horrors in our past, that I have shielded you from. Nor, can you ever discover just what I’ve done or am willing to do, for your safety. 7 Please send me a FREE book with EVERY six ordered Expiry date WE GUARANTEE: ✔ Carefully selected products ✔ Safe reliable service ✔ Delivery straight to your door ✔ Yours customer care helpline ✔ Reputable & trustworthy 1 THE DINNER GUEST Yours Crime Fiction Offer 1 SHOPPING ➔ The last 3 digits on the back of your card Tel No (for queries & cards only) Name on card Signature Title: Miss/Mrs/Ms/Mr Name Address Postcode Yes please, keep me up-to-date via email post or phone with the latest news and special offers from Yours. I am happy for Ab Fab Books to contact me via email post or phone Please do let us keep in contact so we make sure you don’t miss out. If you have opted to share your email address, you can unsubscribe at any time from any email we send you via the unsubscribe link or opt out by emailing dataprotectionofficer@bauermedia.co.uk For our privacy policy go to OFFER CODE http://www.bauer datapromise.co.uk Yours magazine is published by H Bauer Publishing, Y34 company number LP003328,Media House, Lynchwood Business Park PE2 6EA HOME TRUTHS 8 LITTLE DARLINGS A terrifying encounter leaves Lauren Angie’s happy life is shattered convinced someone is trying to steal when her son Liam falls in with her new-born twins, the wrong crowd. so, she locks them all Her son’s bad choices in the bathroom until lead to the murder the police arrive and of her husband and, discover nothing on somehow, she must the CCTV. Lauren is keep the remaining convinced a woman family together. is after her children. 9 LUCKY Etta joined a gambling website to get a bit of cash. And she was so good at it … until she wasn’t. If she is lucky, a friend who hit the jackpot, could lend her money to win it back, if she didn’t feel so afraid. How to order... By post: Send the coupon (left) to: CRIME Bestsellers (Y34), 12 Gordon Road, Ealing, London W5 2AD Offer closes 18 November 2023 10 SNOW D.I. Strafford investigates a murder at Ballyglass House, home of aristocratic Osbourne family. As snow falls with an expanding mystery unfolding, people are determined to keep their secrets. If you cannot post your order or are paying by debit /credit card, please call 07941 57 58 15 and quote YOURS CRIME Fiction (Y34) and leave your name and telephone number. We’ll call you back to take your order. Line opens 10.00am – 5.30pm Mon-Sat. Call rates to mobiles apply. Terms & Conditions: Offer closes 18 November 2023. Allow up to 28 days delivery. Offer open to UK residents only. Courier rates for six+ books for Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Shetland, and Outer Hebrides - £9.99. The free book is our choice with every order of six books. Offer subject to availability; we reserve the right to substitute a title. Promoter: Ab Fab Books 07941575815
SpEnD LeSs SaVe mOre! Helping you spend wisely and save more, with money expert Faith Archer BUMP UP YOUR CREDIT SCORE One-in-five UK adults had their applications for credit turned down during the last year, according to the Money and Pensions Service. The main reasons given included ‘poor credit history’ (38%), ‘couldn’t afford the repayments’ (28%) and ‘having too much other credit’ (19%). Making multiple applications will damage your credit history, meaning you may be offered higher interest rates in future or declined altogether. Instead, before trying to borrow, check your credit report for free with the three main credit reference agencies. Access your Experian details via the MSE Credit Club, view your Equifax report using Clearscore and get access to your TransUnion report at Credit Karma. Reporting any mistakes, k updating d your address and registering on the Electoral Register can all bump up your credit score. Paying bills and debts on time and in full, and using less than 30 per cent of your credit limits, will also improve matters. Jackie Spencer from the Money and Pensions Service said: “If you’re declined, it’s time to stop, take a breath and reassess before applying again. “If you need credit for essential costs like food, or to repay other borrowing, it might be time to seek free debt advice.” SAVV Y SHOPPING As the weather turns colder, get help towards the cost of a new boiler. Heating accounts for about 55 per cent of energy costs for the average household, according to EDF, so fitting a more energy-efficient boiler can really cut your bills. People receiving certain benefits can apply for grants offered by most energy suppliers under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme, designed to help improve energy efficiency. Even if you’re not on benefits, people in England or Wales may still be able to claim up to £6,000 towards the cost of moving to a heat pump or biomass boiler. Home Energy Scotland runs a similar scheme, with grants of up to £7,500 to install a heat pump, or up to £9,000 if you live in remote areas, plus interest-free loans worth up to £7,500 for any remaining installation costs. MAKE MORE S SS ES OUT OF LE Get extra cash towards wards the cost of Christmas, mas, using supermarket et savings schemes. Top up your account before their deadlines, and rake in up to six per cent in free money. Just make sure it’s a supermarket where you want to spend the money. The Iceland Bonus Card pays £1 on every £20 deposit, the Co-op’s Christmas Saving Stamps tops up every £48 with £2 and the Sainsbury’s Christmas Club Card adds £2.50 to every £50. The Tesco Clubcard Christmas Saver scheme and the ASDA Christmas Savings Card offer tiered cashback. YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT PICS: ALAMY STOCK PHOTO, P SHUTTERSTOCK NeWs YoU CaN Use 75
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your gadgets Gain insights into your body to help achieve a fitter, healthier you LUCY BROWN PIC: SHUTTERSTOCK S mart scales are the modern upgrade on traditional body weight scales. Able to track more than just weight, these scales are ideal for those aiming to improve their health. Depending on the brand, many smart scales can access body composition information such as fat percentage, muscle mass and bone mass. This information can be useful as we get older. Smart scales work by using bioelectrical impedance analysis to measure how much of our bodies resist an electrical pulse. As electricity moves faster through water and bone than it does fat, this can then estimate how much fat, bone and muscle is in our body. Lots of modern smart scales come with a partnering fitness app that allows you to document your results over time, making it easier to stay on target. Smart scales vary in price with top-of-the-range devices coming in at hundreds of pounds and more budget versions at less than £20. OUR PICK OF THE BEST! Renpho Smart Bathroom Scales BEST BUDGET BUY This smart scale can measure up to 13 metrics such as body mass index (BMI) and basal metabolic rate. Not only can the scales be used with the Renpho Health app, but they are also compatible with other apps such as Apple Health, Samsung Health, Google Health and Fitbit. There is also a special ‘athletes mode’ made for more active people, providing them with more detailed results. n Argos, £25 Withings Body Smart BEST FOR TECH LOVERS Paired with their own Withings app, users can keep track of activity, sleep and weight, as well as see trends, progress, and get coaching to help you improve over time. With a clear display, the scales also offer nutrition tracking to help users manage daily calorie intake. n withings.com, £80.95 FITBIT Aria Air Smart Scale Ideal for those who are already Fitbit users, these scales can be paired with your tracker in the Fitbit app, which will display your data in easy-to-read charts and graphs and sync seamlessly with the device. The scales track data such as weight and BMI and there’s no limit on how many users can be recorded. n Currys, £49.99 BEST FOR FITNESS FANATICS
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Peter Pan was released in 1953 100 years of For a century, Disney has captured the hearts and imaginations of children and adults alike. We explore its incredible story and how it became one of the most iconic companies in the world Walt Disney was a skilled artist O ctober 16 1923 proved to be the start of an incredible journey for Walt Disney and his brother Roy, when they founded the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio in Hollywood, California. A skilled artist, Walt already illustrated cartoons and that year he had signed a contract to produce a series of short films, called Alice’s Wonderland. Half-animated, half live-action, the black and white comedies were based on Lewis Carroll’s iconic book. The series was so successful it ran until 1927, but the studio nevertheless struggled financially. However, Disney’s fortunes changed the following year, with the release of Steamboat Willie. The short film marked the birth of animated film and forever changed the entertainment industry. Not only did it use groundbreaking techniques, it was the first animated short to use synchronised sound. Crucially, it also introduced us to the world’s most loveable and famous rodent – Mickey Mouse. Steamboat Willie sparked huge innovation in the industry, and over the next few years Disney continued to produce animated shorts. Then in 1934, Walt Disney Productions took a huge gamble, when it embarked on creating the first full-length colour animation from an American studio, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Nicknamed ‘Disney’s Folly,’ it went 400 per cent over budget and The studio struggled Family favourites Pinocchio and Cinderella 80 YOURS involved more than 300 animators, artists and assistants, but when the charming tale hit the silver screen in December 1937 it was a triumph. The box office sensation won an Academy Award. Over the following decades, the Walt Disney Company produced dozens of ground breaking and acclaimed films, including Pinocchio (1940), Cinderella (1950), Peter Pan (1953), Sleeping Beauty (1959) and One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961). Inevitably, creating the movies tasked Disney’s legendary Nine Old Men (the principal animators) with the novel challenge of animating people for the first time.
your memories Based on the 1812 German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, Snow White was the first full-length traditionally animated feature film how her pupils were amazed when they discovered her secret Disney identity. In 1950, Disney began producing live-action movies too, many of which were box-office hits – such as Treasure Island and Mary Poppins. Disney’s live-action films quickly became famous for teaming likeable human stars with loveable furry friends and heartwarming messages. The company was dedicated to preserving its squeaky-clean image, so everything had to be family friendly and no wild behaviour was allowed while filming. Of course, you can’t always account for animals though – actress Jodie Foster recalled the lion in Napoleon and Samantha picking her up and shaking her like a doll. The beast’s trainer made it drop the star, but it left her with a lifelong phobia of cats. Walt Disney passed away from lung cancer in 1966, but not before realising his dream of creating a theme park “like nothing else in the Disney was squeaky-clean world.” Disneyland opened in July 1955, on a former orange grove in California. It cost $17 million, but soon raked in huge profits and now hosts more than 18 million visitors every year. Walt Disney World Resort in Florida followed after his death in 1971, opening to the public for the first time with 10,000 guests. Amazingly, the brand now has 12 parks across the world, including in Paris, Tokyo and Shanghai. Over the last 100 years Disney has produced hundreds of movies, with most recent including The Little Mermaid, Elemental and Indiana Jones the Dial of Destiny. It has also acquired multiple companies, including Pixar, Marvel Studios and National Geographic. Now, this autumn, we can look forward to celebrating its centenary with Wish, a film exploring how the wishing star that so many Disney Animation characters wished upon came to be. Here’s to enjoying the magical celebration... DID YOU KNOW? Walt Disney's daughters Diane and Sharon loved the book Mary Poppins, and so he promised he would turn it into a movie. However, it took him 14 years and $2 million to convince author PL Travers to sell him the film rights. Mickey Mouse was originally called Mortimer, until Walt’s wife suggested Mickey might be a better name. Walt built a family apartment above the ‘Fire Department’ on Main Street in Disneyland. A lamp was placed in the window, and is now always lit in his honour. Frozen II is Disney’s highest-grossing animated movie, garnering $1.453 billion. Walt Disney joined the Red Cross during World War I and was trained as an ambulance driver, then sent to France. Contrary to rumours, Walt Disney wasn't cryogenically frozen after his death. BY SOPHIE BARTON . PICS: ALAMY STOCK PHOTO, GETTY IMAGES Determined to capture realistic body movement and facial expressions, Walt Disney did this by producing live action film counterparts. Actors in full costume would perform within crude skeleton sets, mouthing to prerecorded dialogue, with cameras set at the same angle as the storyboard drawings. The animators took inspiration during filming then viewed the playback over and over to refine their characterisations. Relatively little is known about the unsung heroes who inspired Disney’s animators, but they include dancer Marge Champion, who became the live action reference for Snow White, and London-born Kathryn Beaumont, who provided the voice and live action reference for Peter Pan’s Wendy. She was also cast as Alice in Alice in Wonderland, which proved a career highlight for the actress-turnedschool teacher, who later revealed
book with us! We select our partners to ensure that we only offer breaks of good quality, to make sure you have a great time every time 60s !o S"#$ & Mot"%& TRAVEL 4-Sta' ()*+r ,'u)-+s - b. Ra)$ /r Ai' 4 to 7 nights Bruce Parker Keith Slater Nancy Ann Lee Full Board PLUS from £999pp From Free Drinks £75pp deposit Date Destination UK Entertainers On Board Ship 4 nights 8 Apr 2024 Dutch Bulbfields & Amsterdam Waterways Amsterdam > Enkhuizen > Hoorn > Keukenhof Gardens > Amsterdam Keith Slater & Nancy Ann Lee ‘Little Miss Sixties’ 4-Star MS Carmen 7 nights 3 Jun 2024 Dazzling Danube - by Air only Budapest > Bratislava > Dürnstein > Linz & Salzburg > Melk > Vienna > Budapest Keith Slater & Bruce Parker ‘The California Soul Man’ 4-Star MS Carmen 7 nights 23 Sep 2024 Rhine Wine Festival, Lightning Night & Moselle Cologne > Andernach > Cochem > Koblenz > Rüdesheim > Boppard (Wine Festival and Lightning Night) > Cologne Keith Slater & Bruce Parker ‘The California Soul Man’ 4-Star MS Otello 4 nights 4 Dec 2024 Rhine Christmas Markets Cologne > Rüdesheim > Koblenz > Cologne Keith Slater & Nancy Ann Lee ‘Little Miss Sixties’ 4-Star MS Otello Price from £999 PP £1899 PP £1899 PP £999 PP What’s included: ● Escorted rail travel, or flights, plus transfers ● Full-board cruise sharing a main deck rear cabin – single cabins and upgrades available ● Entertainment every night ● FREE beer, wine & soft drinks with meals and 6pm to midnight at the bar ● Services of our Cruise Director & Host on board Call 01895 83 33 33 9am to 5.30pm weekdays. Book online www.gnholidays.com These private UK guest cruises are operated by GN Holidays & Voyages (ABTA Y0291, ATOL 9362), a company wholly independent of Yours Magazine. From price is per person sharing a main deck rear cabin, upgrades and singles available. *Flight supplement may apply. Danube cruises by air only. £75 per person deposit by rail or £200 by air, or full payment if less than 12 weeks to cruise. GN Holidays reserve the right to change act performing. Over 40s only. ABTA&ATOL 100% FINANCIAL PROTECTION WINNER
your memories the time Carole Richardson looks back fondly on teenage shopping trips PICS: ALAMY STOCK PHOTO I to mention the faux fur and suede bomber ’m not averse to online shopping, but I’m not its biggest fan for clothes buying. Too jacket, or the lurid green A-line crimplene mini-dress I wore to my first school disco. many memories of scouring the high Wardrobe treasures! street for the latest trends in my teens With time – and Saturday job wages – have ruined it for me. there was more money to be spent. School What excitement there was in heading off holiday excursions went further afield to the by bus to the nearest town with my friends nearest city and its more plentiful offerings. to spend my pocket/birthday/ Chelsea Girl! That black and white plaid Christmas money in the C&A pinafore dress… Gear Cellar. Of course, I’ve enjoyed years of retail We could while away an entire missions (with girly lunches added) Saturday afternoon in the since. No more. Meagre stocks in dark moody basement the shops that still exist have there, singling out the WRITE TO US converted me to click and perfect tartan Oxford Tell us your collect. But it’s not nearly as bags (think Bay shopping much fun. City Rollers). Not expedition stories! Send them to the address on YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT page 3 83
shop with us! www.yours.co.uk/shopping Harry Potter NEW Limited Edition Stamp Collectables recommends SHOPPING WE GUARANTEE: Carefully selected products Safe reliable service Delivery straight to your door Yours customer care helpline Reputable & trustworthy Magical Harry Potter Stamp Collectables - Unleash your Wizarding Spirit! Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Harry Potter with this limited edition pair of Gryffindor & Slytherin Harry Potter stamps collectables. Celebrate your love for this iconic series and bring the magic to your home. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, these stamps are a must-have for any Potter-head. Order your set now and let the wizarding adventure begin! LIMITED EDITION ONLY £29.50 PLUS P&P My order PRODUCT PRICE BC730PAIR Harry Potter Pair of Covers £29.50 £ £19.50 £ BC730M Harry Potter Miniature Sheet Cover QTY SUBTOTAL ADD P+P £3.45 (UK) £4.45 (WORLDWIDE) PER ORDER £ TOTAL £ My details Title Initial Surname Address Town Harry Potter Creatures and Beings Collection! Postcode Date of Birth (optional) / / Tel No* Email address* Payment Debit my card: Mastercard Visa Maestro (Tick as applicable) Card number Valid from Expiry date Issue number (Maestro) Security number The last 3 digits on the back of your card Signature Yes please, keep me up-to-date via email post or phone with the latest news and special post offers from Yours. I am happy for Buckingham Stamps to contact me via email or phone Please do let us keep in contact so we make sure you don’t miss out. If you have opted to share your email address, you can unsubscribe at any time from any email we send you via the unsubscribe link or opt out by emailing dataprotectionofficer@bauermedia.co.uk For our privacy policy go to OFFER CODE http://www.bauerdatapromise.co.uk Bauer Media Group consists of Bauer POTTERYRS Consumer Media Ltd, Bauer Radio Ltd and H Bauer Publishing LIMITED EDITION ONLY £19.50 PLUS P&P Step into a world filled with magical creatures and mythical beings with our extraordinary collection. Featuring the mischievous house-elf ‘Dobby’, the majestic phoenix ‘Fawkes’, and Harry’s very own Owl, ‘Hedwig’. Grab this miniature sheet collectable which shows a Kelpie design in Hufflepuff colours, and see these enchanting creatures brought to life like never before. How to order... By phone: 01303 278137 QUOTE CODE POTTERYRS By post: Send the coupon (left) to: Yours Reader Offer Buckingham Covers, Warren House, Shearway Road, Folkestone, Kent, CT19 4BF Online: www.buckinghamcovers.com/potter-yours Stamps issued 19th October 2023. Please allow up to 28 days after this date for delivery.
1950s 1960s 1970s your memories 1980s 1990s this fortnight 70 years ago 40 years ago OCTOBER 30, 1953 OCTOBER 22, 1983 War drama Take the High Ground! opened in cinemas. Starring Richard Widmark and Karl Malden, the film follows two tough drill sergeants who are tasked with turning civilians into soldiers during the Korean War. The film was a huge hit, earning almost $2 million in box office receipts. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) held its biggest ever protest against nuclear missiles in London with an estimated one million people taking part in major cities across Europe, where similar events were staged. Police estimated 200,000 people turned up in London for the march which brought the city centre to a standstill. 60 years ago OCTOBER 18 & 19, 1963 Harold Macmillan tendered his resignation as Prime Minister on the grounds of ill health at the age of 69. After seven years in office Macmillan chose a private meeting with Queen Elizabeth II to endorse Alec Douglas-Home as his replacement. T he spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, the Dalai Lama, arrived in Britain for the first time. The 10-day visit was part of a European tour that began with him meeting Pope Paul V at the Vatican in Rome and continued through Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, West Germany and Austria. Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, had been living in exile in India since 1959. He left his home country following a failed uprising against the Chinese in Tibet. However he insisted that this tour was not politically motivated. The 38-year-old Buddhist leader declared that he simply wanted to meet people on his trip who were “thinking deeply about the problems of mankind” and said his message to British Buddhists was that “they must develop compassion”. During his Which airbase was stay he met the the site of the Women’s Archbishop of Peace camp – an ongoing Canterbury, Dr protest against Michael Ramsey, cruise missiles? and addressed many of his followers including a group at Sutton Courtenay Abbey. Jus t for fu n YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT 85 PICS: ALAMY AND GETTY IMAGES OCTOBER 20, 1973 DALAI LAMA HEADS TO THE UK ANSWER: GREENHAM COMMON 50 years ago
Whatever the season, enjoy an overnight or weekend break at one of these gorgeous UK hotels with the perfect coastal view The Pier House Hotel, Argyll The hotel overlooks Loch Linnhe Hidden away on the shores of Loch Linnhe, and surrounded by natural rugged beauty, you’ll find the perfect Scottish escape, with cosy comfortable rooms and views to take your breath away. Enjoy days exploring the local area, hire an electric bike and make light work of the surrounding valleys, or hike the Highlands. If you’re more active, try a sea safari or kayaking on the loch, before heading back for a spot of relaxation in this warm and cosy hotel. For dinner head to the on-site restaurant for some of the finest and freshest produce, all from local suppliers, including farmers and fishermen. n From £130 per room per night with breakfast, book online at Pierhousehotel.com The Burgh Island Hotel, Burgh Island, Devon This tiny gem of an island off the south coast of Devon is only accessible by a strip of sand at low tide. At high tide the only way off is via the one of its kind Sea Tractor, a hydraulic tractor that keeps you above the water while navigating to the mainland. The island boasts its own 1327 original smugglers inn, The Pilchard Inn, serving ales The artand traditional food along with stories of deco Burgh Island Hotel pirates and bootleggers. Known for its links to Agatha Christie, the island’s art-deco inspired Burgh Island Hotel was often visited by the famous novelist and was also where she penned her book Evil Under the Sun. Fans can even stay in her favourite beach house retreat, which has views of the bay and an outdoor hot tub. n From £450 a night for a double room including dinner and breakfast, book online at Burghisland.com Burgh Island at low tide
your escapes Dramatic views surround Pier House Hotel The Swan, Southwold, Suffolk Perched on the east coast of England, the small town of Southwold offers typical seaside fun with its sandy beach, traditional pier and candy-coloured beach huts, which have a different appeal all year round. A working lighthouse (open to visitors) stands tall in the town centre, while the Adnams Brewery, offers daily tours and tasting sessions. Stay at the famous Swan hotel for some grown-up glamour and stylish interiors. Behind the striking Georgian facade is a very different story. Here you’ll find modern, contemporary design, with soft colours combined with pops of hot pink, teal and aqua, which is a delightful treat for the eyes. Each bedroom is full of high-tech gadgets, hidden in rustic furniture and your own coffee machine for that first cup of the day to get you going. n From £250 per double room a night, with breakfast, book online at Theswansouthwold.com Southwold beach The Scarlet, Cornwall The ecofriendly Scarlet Stunning views from the hot tub Perched upon a cliff top in north Cornwall, The Scarlet is one of the UK’s best eco-escapes. The glass-structured building has been designed to enjoy far-reaching views of the beach and sea from wherever you are in the hotel. You can also enjoy all sorts of natural elements including the cliffside log hot tubs, natural reed-bed swimming pool and the on-site holistic spa, which has an upcycling towel programme where old towels are made into sleep masks and scrub mitts. The hotel has 111 sustainable measures to ensure it has taken steps to improve its green commitment, which includes the use of solar panels, locally sourced food for the restaurants and biomass boilers throughout the hotel that use wood pellets instead of gas or oil. Enjoy days exploring the coastline before cosying up in one of the many snugs dotted around the hotel. n From £260 per room, per night including breakfast, book online at Scarlethotel.co.uk Experience awardwinning dining at the Atlantic The Atlantic, Jersey Situated on Jersey in the Channel Islands this stunning Calm your mind hotel has luxury with some rooms, award-winning on-site yoga dining and some of the most beautiful coastal views. For those looking for more of a wellness break, guests can embark on an Atlantic Yoga experience with the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature with a programme of outdoor yoga – you’ll learn from experienced instructors before a relaxing massage at the on-site spa. n From £180 per room per night, book online at PoBhotels.com YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT BY ZOE BISHOP The Swan hotel’s contemporary interior 87
book with us! We select our partners to ensure that we only offer breaks of good quality, to make sure you have a great time every time Make it an occasion to remember With so many special days coming up in 2024, why not get ahead of the game and plan a celebration like no other for yourself, or a loved one. Maybe you’d like to treat your special someone, to an indulgent stay and some quality alone time for your anniversary? Or, celebrate the next big birthday with a break full of great food, great entertainment, and even better company? There’s no better Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or Valentine’s surprise than the gift of a relaxing getaway, with so much already included. Book today and Yours readers can also save money on your break, to use on those little extras. With additional packages like VIP tables, spa treatments, flowers, and chocolate trees, you can make any break even more of an occasion. TRAVEL CELEBRATE WITH US AND SAVE Yours EXCLUSIVE OFFERS Save £10 per person on any 3 or 4-night break plus, on select breaks save up to £40 per person. Bohemian Rock will light up your evening To book or for further information... Call Warner Hotels on 0333 202 0304 ote code or visit warnerleisurehotels.co.uk/partnership-offers/yours Qu WHYOURS Save a minimum of £10 per person on any 3 or 4-night dinner, bed and breakfast break arriving in 2023 and 2024. Plus, exclusive monthly offers with up to £40 per person on selected breaks. These offers are time and availability limited. The code WHYOURS must be applied at the start of your break search, and the discounts are not valid on Christmas or New Year breaks. Prices are ‘from’ per person, per break, based on two people sharing Standard accommodation. Supplements apply for room occupancy, upgrades, views, balconies, patios, ferries, spa treatments and other activities not included in the price of your break. Discount applies to new bookings only, cannot be combined with any other offer or discount, and are only applicable on bookings of up to 19 people. All guests must be aged 18 or over. Full terms and condition of booking on Warner website. Warner Hotels reserves the right to change or withdraw any offers without prior notice. Calls to 03 numbers from any line type cost no more than calls to geographic (01 or 02) numbers. Bourne Holidays Limited (trading as Warner Leisure Hotels) is a company registered in England and Wales with company number 01854900 whose registered address is 1 Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP2 4YL.
short story Vicky and Grampy both know what it is to be unlucky in love years and never found him. “She’s called Claudia,” he says. “And you play cards with Claudia?” “Um, yes,” he says, but he doesn’t sound very convincing. I hope they don’t play poker. After this, I decide to start visiting more often, hoping to run into Claudia, but she’s never there when I call. The playing cards are always on the table, as if they’ve just been used. I try asking Grampy about the cards, but he just clams up. I sense he’s embarrassed. I suspect they might be playing cribbage and fear there is money involved. I hope this Claudia woman isn’t going to bankrupt my kind granddad. “Strip rummy?” my friend Pete suggests when I tell him about it. “Wash your mouth out!” I retort. He brushes a strand of black curly hair away from his eyes. He does this when he’s put his foot in it and he can see that I’m hurt. I have a special fondness for Grampy and can’t bear to think of anything smutty going on. The next day Pete arrives with a bottle of Prosecco. He has removed the original label and replaced it with one he has made himself. It says, ‘Special Sorry Vintage from the Big Mouth Vineyard’. ‘I’d like to see you settled and happy’ PIC: ALAMY STOCK PHOTO W hose are those playing cards?” I ask. Grampy looks uncomfortable, as if I’m asking him to disclose classified information. “Er, well, I’ve got a sort of lady friend,” he mumbles. I can’t blame him for being reticent. The last time he had a girlfriend, things didn’t end well. Her name was Marianne. Her lipstick was bright red and her voice was loud. After dating for a few weeks, she invited Grampy to join her dance class. In his day, he’d been quite a whizz at the waltz, so he donned his best suit and bought some new aftershave. “It was line dancing! Everyone wore cowboy hats,” he had groaned. Marianne had dumped him the following day. “What’s your lady friend’s name?” I ask, trying to sound positive because I know Grampy gets lonely. I understand how he feels. I’ve been looking for that right person for YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT 89
Yours promotion Wrapped in words Give the gift of reading this Christmas with our best new book picks T ime spent with a good book is never wasted. Why not add these uplifting and entertaining reading recommendations to your Christmas present list? Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop – Jenny Colgan Amid snowflakes and holiday cheer, Carmen faces a topsy-turvy Christmas. To save the beloved bookshop, she embarks on a delightful adventure, discovering hidden treasures and unexpected allies. This feel-good novel is a cosy escape into a world of festive enchantment. ■ Out now in hardback, audio and ebook Roseland – Judy Finegan Nestled on the Cornish coastline, Roseland, Eloise’s ancestral home, holds cherished summer memories for her friend Cathy. A decade after Eloise’s passing, Cathy’s return, prompted by a shock wedding announcement, stirs up the past and long-buried secrets begin to surface. Judy Finegan’s tale, reminiscent of Daphne du Maurier’s ‘Rebecca’, weaves a captivating narrative, exploring haunting legacies and uncertain futures. ■ Out now in hardback, audio and ebook Christmas on the Farm – Adam Henson Countryfile presenter Adam Henson captures all the rustic charm of the holiday season. With heartwarming stories and festive traditions, this delightful and wholesome read reveals the warmth of rural life in winter. ■ Out now in hardback, audio and ebook The Proof in the Pudding – Rosemary Shrager ■ Out now in paperback, audio and ebook It Always Snows on Mistletoe Square – Ali McNamara Another delectable blend of mystery and culinary delights. Celebrity chef Prudence Bulstrode faces her toughest challenge when a murder occurs during her grand winter feast. With intricate twists, this cosy Practical presents Walk Yourself Happy – Julia Bradbury With a refreshing approach to wellness, Julia Bradbury invites readers – through inspiring stories and practical advice – to embrace the healing power of nature, offering a transformative journey that encourages physical and mental well-being. ■ Out now in hardback, audio and ebook crime novel offers a scrumptious recipe for intrigue. The perfect heartwarming Christmas treat for readers. Elle’s journey to capture a house’s history unravels through enchanting decorations and captivating tales. As pasts intertwine, a charming tale unfolds, blending festive magic with newfound hope. ■ Out now in paperback, audio and ebook Great British BakeOff: Kitchen Classics With 80 revamped recipes, Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, and the 2023 bakers add their touch, transforming familiar treats into irresistible creations. A must-have for culinary enthusiasts, destined to impress and delight. ■ Out now in hardback, audio and ebook
short story I chuckle. Pete and I never fall out for long. We’ve been friends since junior school. When I take Grampy a homemade chicken pie, his eyes look watery as he asks, “Do you ever wonder about the future, Vicky?” “We’re all in the hands of fate, Grampy,” I reply. I try to appear blasé, but I do often wonder about the future and what it might hold. I live in hope that one day something exciting will happen to me or I’ll meet someone gorgeous who will sweep me off my feet. “I’d like to see you settled and happy,” he sighs. We both know that I’m an expert at choosing the wrong men. My relationships invariably end in tears and Grampy is always there with a clean white handkerchief. On Tuesday, I pay him a surprise visit. I spot an ancient Volkswagen Beetle in his drive. It’s painted orange and decorated with large daisies. I park a little way down the road and sneak round to the back of his house. Feeling like a burglar, I peep in through the dining-room window. A woman is sitting close to Grampy at the table. She has frizzy hennaed hair and is wearing a colourful kaftan with dreamcatcher earrings. They seem to be playing a game of patience. Grampy look up and sees me. I wave and he comes to the back door. He seems flustered. “Come in. This is Claudia. Claudia, this is my granddaughter, Vicky.” I’ve never seen him go red in the face before. “Darling!” Claudia hugs me like we’re long-lost friends. She smells of patchouli. Raising her eyebrows at Grampy, she says: “Henry, this is the perfect opportunity.” I’m puzzled. Perfect opportunity for what? “Er, I’m not sure I’m ready,” Grampy stammers. Ready for what? I feel panicky. Get in touch Claudia says reassuringly, “You’ll be perfect.” Grampy shuffles the cards. I bite my lip nervously. He holds the pack out to me and says, “Take three cards.” “OK – what’s all this about?” Claudia says, “Hasn’t he told you?” She shakes her head at Grampy as though he’s a naughty child. “Told me what?” I ask. “Claudia has been teaching me how to tell fortunes. The three cards represent the past, the present and the future,” he explains, as I follow his instructions and turn over the first card. It’s the seven of spades. Grampy closes his eyes as he intones, “Advice given has not been taken in the past. You are your own worst enemy.” I blush as I remember what he said about my previous boyfriend, before turning over the second card, the ace of diamonds. Grampy says, “Today is all about good news.” I wish this were true. There’s been no sign of good news so far. I turn over the third card. “Ah, the king of clubs,” Grampy smiles. “A dark-haired, kind-hearted man, generous and spirited, will play an important part in your future.” This all sounds like mumbojumbo to me, but I can see Grampy is pleased with himself. “Bravo,” says Claudia. They exchange a tender look, so I depart, not wanting to be a gooseberry. Later I’m at Pete’s place, regaling him with my version of the fortunetelling session. He’s listening intently. We both laugh, sharing a moment. Suddenly, I stop laughing. What did the third card say? Darkhaired? Kind-hearted? Thank you, Grampy, for making me see that sometimes The One is right there under your nose. I’ve never seen him go red in the face before Meet our author Barbara Compton lives in Hampshire and also spends a lot of time in Greece. SUBSCRIPTIONS & BACK ISSUES To contact us about an order, renewal or missing issues email bauer@subscription.co.uk or call 01858 438884 (overseas +44 1858 438884). 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Yours BOO K CLUB Our Books Editor introduces her current favourite read Book Editor’s Pick Past Lying Here are our recommendations – and yours – of what to enjoy What you’re reading.... The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp The Book of Beginnings by Sally Page (Harper Collins, £8.99) by Leonie Swann (Alison & Busby, £14.99) “A brilliant cosy crime story,” says Fran Potter. SENIOR Sunset Hall is SLEUTHS a house-share for the old and unruly, led by Agnes Sharp. When police inform them that a body has been discovered next door, the residents are relieved that it’s not the one they’re hiding in the shed. That body is Lillith and all the group have to do is find out who murdered their neighbour, so they can pin Lillith’s death on them… “A truly uplifting read,” says TOUCHING Bridget Dalgliesh. Jo Sorsby is hiding from her past when she agrees to run her uncle’s beloved stationery shop – which she is hoping will distract her from her bruised heart. When she meets Ruth, a vicar running from a secret, and Malcolm, a septuagenarian still finding himself, she suddenly realises she isn’t alone. They each have a story that can transform Jo’s life… if only she can let them in. What the Yours team are reading... by Val McDermid (Little Brown, £22) A Stroke of the Pen Val McDermid’s latest offering proves once again why she reigns supreme in the world of crime fiction. DCI Karen Pirie returns in this heart-pounding thriller set in Edinburgh, a place haunted not just by its literary ghosts but also by unsolved mysteries. McDermid masterfully weaves a tale where an author’s manuscript becomes the blueprint for an actual crime, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. Set against the backdrop of Covid lockdown with all the additional complexities of that strange and unique time, the intricate and clever plot balances fact and fiction while the heroine Karen Pirie is as captivating as ever. For fans of the series, it’s like a reunion with old friends, and for newcomers, it’s an invitation to dive into a world of suspense and intrigue where McDermid’s storytelling prowess shines through as she skilfully explores themes of betrayal and revenge, leaving readers guessing with every unexpected twist. A treasure trove of 20 early short stories by the legendary Terry Pratchett that showcase his trademark wit and imagination. From the adventures of Og the inventor to the evicted ghosts of Pilgarlic Towers, Pratchett’s storytelling prowess shines through. A must-have collection for fans and a fitting tribute to a literary giant. Simply a must-read for anyone who appreciates top-notch crime fiction. Terry Pratchett (Doubleday, £20) FANTASTICAL The Black Feathers By Rebecca Netley (Michael Joseph, £18.99) GOTHIC MYSTERY A chilling and atmospheric tale set in mid-19th century Yorkshire. Annie’s marriage to Edward Stonehouse takes a sinister turn as the eerie presence of Edward’s medium sister, Iris, adds a spine-tingling layer to the story. As Annie grapples with unsettling occurrences, you are drawn into a haunting mystery that will keep you guessing. The Figurine By Victoria Hislop (£25, Headline) A compelling story of heritage, archaeology, and the price people pay to hold onto their history in the world of cultural treasures. Set against the backdrop of Greece’s tumultuous history, the story follows Helena’s quest to unravel her family’s past and understand the origins of her grandfather’s valuable collection. ABSORBING
reading this fortnight Bright Young Women WIN BOOKS... That Festive Feeling by Jessica Knoll (Macmillan, £16.99) “An utterly compelling read,” says Liz Tredway. It’s 1978 and Pamela CHILLING Schumacher, president of her sorority in Tallahassee, finds two of her sisters dead; and two others maimed. On the other side of the country, Tina Cannon believes the young women who keep going missing are the targets of the man the newspapers refer to as the All-American Sex Killer. She rushes to Florida, on a collision course with Pamela – and one last impending tragedy. Yours and Little Brown are giving one reader the chance to win a delightful bundle of festive fiction! Curl up with some wonderful wintery reads; from Jenny Colgan’s heartwarming bookish romance to the story of an extraordinary cat who helps a town in need in Midwinter’s Tail. Entering is easy! Send a letter with your name and address in an envelope marked ‘Yours Book Giveaway 439’ to Yours, H Bauer Publishing, PO Box 14369, London NW1 7NY by the closing date of November 6, 2023. If you don’t wish to receive further information from Yours, please state clearly on your entry. You can also enter online at yours.co.uk/competitions. Normal competition rules apply (see page 102). Good luck! WoRtH £58 By Heidi Swan (Simon & Schuster, £8.99) “This book SEASONAL ROMANCE got me in the Christmas spirit,” says Emma Palmer. A heartwarming holiday tale of self-discovery. Set against the backdrop of a close-knit community’s festive celebrations, Holly’s house-sitting adventure takes an enchanting turn when she befriends May and her charming Dachshund, Monty, as well as the charismatic Bear and his lovable rescue dog. The Traitor By Ava Glass (Penguin, £8.99) A body is found in a padlocked suitcase and Emma Makepeace’s relentless pursuit of a killer leads her into a web of international intrigue and government conspiracy. To find out who the traitor is, Emma goes deep undercover on a superyacht owned by a rich oligarch. This will keep you on the edge of your seat. HIGH -STAKES THRILLER Harlem After Midnight By Loise Hare (HQ, £20) Assistant to the Villain By Hannah Nicole Maehrer (Penguin, £8.99) A delightfully quirky and witty take on the criminal underworld. Evie Sage’s unexpected job offer from an infamous villain leads to a mix of humour, romance, and intrigue. With a touch of the supernatural and a charmingly unique premise, this is a light-hearted read that will have you rooting for the bad guys. GET IN TOUCH For more book inspiration and discussion, join our friendly Yours book club at facebook. com/groups/yoursbookclub. Alternatively write or email to tell us what you’re reading – the address is on p3. n These books are available from hive.co.uk/ yours-bookclub. Yours digital and print-plus subscribers can get an extra 10 per cent off with free delivery. PIC: SHUTTERSTOCK HISTORICAL MYSTERY A gripping historical mystery set in Thirties Harlem. Lena Aldridge’s quest for the truth about her father’s past and her burgeoning romance with handsome musician Will Goodman make for a gripping storyline. As secrets unravel and danger looms, the story will keep you engrossed until the very end. QUIRK Y ROMANCE YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT 93
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By sharing their experiences, Jane Barnfield and her husband Jerry are informing tomorrow’s nurses about Alzheimer’s PICS: SHUTTERSTOCK B efore Jane Barnfield’s husband, Jerry, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, her perception of the condition was very different to what it is today. “If you’d asked me then, I’d have wrongly said that when you get Alzheimer’s you go into a care home,” says the 56-year-old financial services worker. “I’d have also said Alzheimer’s was all about memory which wasn’t the thing we first noticed. It was more to do with finding words which was unusual for Jerry.” So when Jane and retired actuary Jerry (69) were offered the chance to promote real awareness and understanding about Alzheimer’s to a new generation of healthcare professionals they took it. The couple who, despite challenges, still manage to “live well” at their home in Epsom, Surrey, five years after Jerry’s diagnosis, are volunteers on the Alzheimer’s Society’s Time for Dementia programme. Since 2019 they’ve been sharing their experience about how it really is to live with and care for someone with Alzheimer’s with nursing students over Zoom sessions. Some have previously worked in the care sector and only seen people with later stage Alzheimer’s living in 96 YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT Jane helps out on the Alzheimer’s Society’s Time for Dementia programme SIGN OF SUPPORT homes. “That’s very different to people still living at home and being part of society,” she adds. Jane, who works part time, no longer relies on Jerry to tackle household problems. But he still drives, plays golf and they enjoy holidays together. Feedback from students describes their input as invaluable. Talking so openly has also prompted the couple to step back and think about how they really feel. “I come off the calls and I feel invigorated. We both enjoy it and I feel I’m adding value without overcommitting. I’d recommend it to anyone in our position.” n Visit alzheimers.org.uk If you have any experience of living with or working with deaf people, you’ll know that it can be extremely isolating for them in a predominantly hearing society. The Manchester Deaf Centre provides a range of services to support and empower the deaf community and at the heart of its work are volunteers. If you are familiar with British Sign Language and hold at least a BSL Level 1 qualification, or have previous experience working with the deaf community, they may have a role for you. Volunteering opportunities are varied and include working within the wellbeing group, the job club or helping out at the social bar providing n We’d love to hear about any volunteering projects you take part in or support. Mark your envelope ‘Yours Community’
Friends of Yours These readers are looking for like-minded penpals, companions or someone special Jenny, 74, widowed, would like to meet a gentleman of a similar age for friendship, maybe more, from the east Devon area. She enjoys gardening, animals, days out, entering competitions and crafts. OCT2-101 Scottish James from Paisley, 68, is looking for company, someone kind to share days out with to the coast and holidays. OCT2-102 trade, likes sport, reading, travelling and holidays. He is looking for a mature lady, 70-plus. OCT2-107 Married Barbara, 72, is looking for female friends in the Stockport area to enjoy the cinema and meals out with. She likes the gym, travel, gardening and football. OCT2-108 Patricia, 81, would like to meet new, non-smoking friends, male or female who live in the Swanley/Kent area. She likes going out for meals, theatre, cinema and 60s/70s music. OCT2-103 WhY NoT VoLuNtEeR? Maxine, 54, is hoping to find new female friends in the Newcastle area to meet up for coffee and chats. She is also looking for pen pals from any area. She likes yoga, the soaps, music, films, gardening and walking. OCT2-106 Cameron, 53, from the West Midlands, is a builder by To place an appeal admin support or organising fundraising events. All volunteers are subject to DBS checks and will have a trial session to ensure they are suitable for the service chosen. n To find out more information visit manchesterdeafcentre.com Friends of Yours is a completely free way to make connections and help tackle loneliness. Whether you’re looking for a new penpal, someone to talk to on the phone or over coffee; perhaps to share a holiday with – or even a new romance – you just need to take the first step! Tricia, 76, a widow from Suffolk, would like to meet new friends, male or female to share social gettogethers and evenings out. She likes people, history, exploring places and music. OCT2-111 Pamela would like to meet a nice gentleman around her age, 79, a non-smoker from Milton Keynes or surrounding area. She likes going for walks, lunches out and the seaside. OCT2-112 Spiritual Jane, 60s, likes crime novels, walking the dog, nature and historic houses. She would like to hear from similar females around the Stourbridge/West Midlands area. OCT2-104 Widower Robert, 86, likes cooking, gardening and doesn’t smoke or drink. He is looking for a lady 70-80 from the Leicester or surrounding areas. OCT2-105 There’s no need to be lonely – we can help! Carol, 68, from Aberdeen would like to meet a nice man for company. She enjoys the beach, going to the park, Facebook, Spain and Jerusalem. She is disabled but still walks around. OCT2-109 Lewis, 75, would like to meet a lady between 65-80 from the Rossendale/Burnley area. He likes reading, walking, playing the piano and listening to music and shopping. He does not drive. OCT2-110 Don’t forget to include your address so we can send your replies Simply write a letter or send an email introducing yourself, telling us about any hobbies and interests along with the kind of person you’re hoping to connect with. A photo will get people’s attention. We’ll also need your contact details but these won’t be printed in the magazine – for confidentiality, your appeal will be allocated a box number. Write to: Friends of Yours, Bauer Media Publishing UK, Craft-loving Julie is looking for pen pals from any area. She is an animal lover, likes going to boot sales and charity shops, reading and listening to music. She will reply to any letters received. OCT2-113 Sandra, 73 and married, is looking for friends around the Preston area. She likes knitting, reading, walking and animals. OCT2-114 Active Brenda, from Cheshire, mid-70s with a sense of humour, likes country/sea walks, gardening, music, films and the theatre. She is looking for friendship with a gent 70-80, non-smoker. OCT2-115 The Lantern, 75 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PL or email yours@bauermedia.co.uk including ‘Friends of Yours’ in the subject line. To respond to an appeal Simply write a letter introducing yourself, including your contact details. Write the box number on the outside of the envelope and send it to: Friends of Yours, Bauer Media Publishing UK, The Lantern, 75 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PL The small print The editor reserves the Right to refuse publication. Appeals are restricted to over-50s. Space is limited; we cannot guarantee publication. Allow three months from posting your appeal before applying again. Your details will be used to administer Friends of Yours and are not kept on file or passed to a third party. We will forward letters to box numbers on a regular basis from issues less than two months old. Unused appeals will be destroyed.

BOOST YOUR BRAIN! £1,180PWROIZRETSHTOOFWIN! Try our just-for-fun quizzes and brain teasers – plus there’s a chance to win cash and prizes over the next few pages! Wordsearch ANSWERS ON PAGE 102 Double, double, toil and trouble: see if you can find these words about magic and potion making! M K N N O F F E R S A C R I V A P Y M I I F I Y T Q O T G E T X S I I N G L S L N W B I C E S O D S D E G U R S N P E R R R R C E I N O C A A T E T S N L G U C I I X T I C L M I M G I N R E D M U Y E R N T T N J A H I I I O N O A O H O Q C I O H I G N T W D B R S E P O U A E E R P R S K K S L C N A R E I R E N T A E E T S L Z R O O N L S W S B S N T L E N T P P I I I I Q H S R T E L P N K O O T A H D E T N I O P C B P E M E S O G A R T R I I G C L O A S H U U C D L S L R O E D Y Y E N E O S M A C P G I A F T R C S R O Y L P V U O I S N L B A F O T N S E S O A L T H N L A A H S C A O I O P C G D C Z F C A T T U L L U O F L U A R R R N N M B U P N I I T A N S E O O O R E A N I E N A B N E H E M N G W C S R C T T P L I D W S S W E F L E D E A K A E L B T T N R A K C I T U A Y T C T A O D R C L E B E R P S S A I Q I I P F O G D R T P E N H M Z A H D L O O ACONITE BLACK CAT BROOMSTICK CAULDRON CRYSTAL BALL EYE OF NEWT GRIMOIRE HENBANE HOCUS-POCUS INCANTATION INCENSE INQUISITOR MONKSHOOD OFFERING PENDANT PENTANGLE PHILTRE POINTED HAT POISON APPLE POTION POULTICE SACRIFICE SORCERY SORTILEGE TALISMAN TAROT CARDS WING OF BAT E V D L D N I N U O D B N W WIN £100 WHERE IS SAMMY SQUIRREL? Find where he’s hiding in this issue of Yours and you could win £100. To enter, fill in the Competitions answers coupon on page 102. Closing date for entries is November 6, 2023. More prizes to win at yours.co.uk YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT PIC: SHUTTERSTOCK U A C I 99
WIN £50! 1 3 4 5 8 TWO £50 PRIZES 11 13 For this puzzle we’ve provided two sets of clues, each giving the same answers. One set of clues is cryptic, one is quick. It’s a good way to hone your skills because it gives you two ways to crack the crossword! Once complete, the letters in the shaded squares, when read from top to bottom, left to right, will spell out a word — this is your prize answer. Write it on the entry coupon on page 104 and post it, email it or enter online. Two winners will be chosen randomly from all correct entries and whichever set of clues you follow, you have an equal chance of revealing the prize answer and winning! 7 12 14 15 16 17 22 18 20 19 21 24 23 25 27 26 29 Cryptic clues 28 30 Quick clues DOWN 1 US soldier takes in terrible ogre with a girl’s name (7) 2 Vegetable plot found in outskirts of Ghent below even hedge (8) 3 Head of France is not commonly hard to spot (5) 4 Mix together tiny fish to make eastern dish (4-3) 5 Scaring me silly, laughing wildly (9) 6 Hospital employee masters sci-fi film (6) 7 Angel upset over new and old penny for nation (7) 15 It carries the patient engraver underneath the street, right? (9) 18 Fire 8A perhaps for what might have happened on Strictly Come Dancing (8) 19 Compendium listing data from a large chap with a cold (7) 20 She gives lessons from church after drink with Cockney woman? (7) 21 Barbie’s guy follows elegant bird (7) 23 Excellent child acquires love of martial art (6) 25 King serves 21D to heartless royalty (5) ACROSS 8 Noncommissioned officer in certain armed forces (8) 9 Unit of length that is equal to 22 yards (5) 10 Very small quantity of liquid (4) 11 NHS employee? (5) 12 Character in a play, eg (4) 13 Backless sofa (5) 14 Well-known (9) 16 Condition (5) 17 Audibly inhale through the nose (5) 22 Perceptive (5-4) 24 Wood-turning machine (5) 26 Knave in a pack of cards (4) 27 Travel by bike (5) 28 Per person (4) 29 Become rotten (5) 30 Improved, made better (8) ANSWERS DOWN IN ISSUE 1 Former Soviet 441 republic (7) 2 North American name for an aubergine (8) 3 Momentarily lose consciousness (5) 4 Cook quickly in a wok (4-3) 5 Shrieking (9) 6 Senior 11A (6) 7 This is - - -, 2007 film that spawned three TV miniseries (7) 15 Device for moving wounded people (9) 18 Passionate Spanish dance (8) 19 Yearbook (7) 20 Educator (7) 21 Domestic fowl (7) 23 Japanese system of self-defence (6) 25 Lenny - - -, comedian who founded Comic Relief (5) SOLUTION TO PRIZE CROSSWORD: ISSUE 437/September 19, 2023 Across 1 Omnibus, 5 Shifty, 9 Arson, 10 Oar, 11 Pitch, 12 Gobi, 13 Mainstream, 15 Demonic, 16 Fences, 20 Hiding, 21 Chicane, 24 Chartreuse, 26 Undo, 28 Cobra, 29 Ton, 30 Sprig, 31 Broker, 32 Trimmer. Down 1 Orange, 2 Nosebleed, 3 Bank, 4 Sporadic, 5 Shrink, 6 Impatience, 7 Title, 8 Chemise, 14 Soundtrack, 17 Conundrum, 18 Choc-ice, 19 Chestnut, 22 Letter, 23 Dogger, 25 Amber, 27 Asti. Prize word NATION Entering is easy! ONLINE: Enter at Yours.co.uk/competitions BY POST: Send the coupon on page 102 with the answer created by the shaded 6 9 10 Prize crossword ACROSS 8 Portrait artist heard Constable’s superior (8) 9 Charles Hawtrey — initially one in an ongoing series (5) 10 Dismiss doctor prior to quick operation (4) 11 Patient watcher! (5) 12 Lore complicated part (4) 13 Item of furniture I’d brought back with goods vehicle (5) 14 Notable concert in place for those camping without a leader (9) 16 Say 1D, perhaps (5) 17 Fish’s head and limbs return smell (5) 22 Discerning half of clergy are past the island’s furthest tip (5-4) 24 It might be used for shaping articles in French and English (5) 26 Device for hoisting ship’s flag (4) 27 Round segment of juicy clementine (5) 28 For every one that’s been eaten by 20D (4) 29 Confuse Dale about receiving award finally (5) 30 With a bit of a boost, he had gone after nicer changes (8) 2 squares above to: Yours Issue 439 (October 17) Crossword, PO Box 504, Leicester LE94 0AE n The first two correct entries drawn at random from all entries will win. Yours competition rules are on p102. Closing date: November 6, 2023.
Number Cruncher Time to test your mental arithmetic! You have just 60 seconds to try and solve these three sums — can you beat the clock? ANSWERS ON PAGE 102 Beginner 45 x5 DOUBLE IT +6 HALVE IT x13 1/6 OF THIS TRIPLE IT ÷13 +46 x8 3/8 OF THIS +54 2/3 OF THIS ÷9 -24 x8 ÷4 +5 DOUBLE IT -39 x3 TRIPLE IT ÷9 Intermediate 3/ 4 OF THIS 40 Genius 94 ÷2 90% OF THIS -75 Arrowword Sudoku Fill in the answers following the direction of the arrows. Medium Grid Fill in the squares in the grid so that every row, column and each of the nine 3x3 squares contain all the digits from one to nine. Existing in reality Leave empty Rock ’n’ roll ‘King’, --- Presley Colorado resort Unoriginal Warble Star Trek android Dry white Burgundy wine Reserve (3,5) Hard Grid Our harder grid has 16 4x4 squares to challenge you! Craftsperson Leaf through Paused Foreign Snatch hold of Little Saltwater expanse Starchy pudding Overhead Painful Deep opera voice Pull along behind Sad colour? Changes direction Scottish river More prizes to win at yours.co.uk 6 5 6 6 6 6 6 9 6 6 6 4 7 6 3 6 6 6 6 6 9 8 2 5 4 6 6 2 6 6 6 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 1 2 6 7 8 6 6 9 6 6 6 1 6 6 6 2 6 6 6 9 3 2 5 6 6 6 6 3 6 6 1 7 6 6 6 8 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 14 3 2 8 13 1 8 3 9 6 7 15 4 1 14 7 16 6 13 6 8 3 1 11 13 9 5 15 1 8 4 16 2 11 4 16 12 6 6 7 2 13 10 15 1 14 9 6 4 7 3 11 10 12 15 8 3 5 9 13 8 10 14 1 11 7 5 4 16 13 14 10 15 1 7 9 16 2 3 6 7 2 11 9 15 8 9 6 13 11 14 16 12 10 8 3 15 7 6 2 7 1 10 9 13 YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT 101
Yours PUZZLES & PRIZES ISSUE 439 PUZZLE ANSWERS Wordsearch (p99) Closing date: Midnight, November 6, 2023 How to enter by text, online, phone or post... BY TEXT to 65115 * All you need to do to enter each fortnight is… In your text message, type: YRS439 then a space followed by your name, house number/house name and postcode, then the names of the giveaway words and competition answers you wish to enter, all separated by a space to: 65115, eg YRS439 J Smith 19 (or house name eg Old Mansions) AB1 2CD then all the giveaways you wish to enter (see example, right). Handy hints… 50p* TO SEND ALL YOUR ANSWERS BY TEXT BY POST: Send the coupon (right) to: Yours Competitions Issue 439, PO Box 504, Leicester LE94 0AE I F I C E S O D S D E G U R Y M I I Y T Q O T G E T X S I S N P E R R R R C E I N O C A A T E T S N L G U C I N J A H I I I X T I C L M I M G I N R E D M U Y E R N T T I O N O A O H O Q C I O H I G N T W D B R S E P O U A E E R P R S K I R E N T A E E T S L Z R O O N L S W S B S N T L E N T P P I I I I Q H S R T E L P N K O O T A H D E T N I O P C B P E M E S O G A R T R I I G C L O A S H U U C D L S L R O E D Y Y E N E O S M A C P G I A F T R C S R O Y L P V U O I S N L B A F O T N S E S O A L T H N L A A H S C A O I O P C G D C Z F C A T T U L L U O F L U A R R R I N N M B U P N I P L You can enter as many competitions as you like. T A N S E O O O R E A N I I D W S S W E F L E D E A K A E L B T T N R A K C I T U A Y T C T A O D R C L E B E R P S S A I Q I I P F O G D R T P E N H M Z A H D L O O U A C I E V D L D N I N U O D B N W Arrowword (p101) 65115 Text message A C T P U A A L S M S A L B L V H A C T A R T I E T E A B G O V U E E B L V S I I S N G R E A S T E E D Beginner 13 Intermediate 249 Genius 14 A I S P D E A N T A B R S O OW R S E E Sudoku (p101) Medium 3 8 6 2 5 2 1 7 7 4 9 8 1 7 8 3 4 9 2 5 6 3 5 9 2 6 4 1 9 1 3 4 8 5 7 6 4 3 1 2 6 7 8 5 9 9 6 5 4 1 8 3 7 2 7 4 6 9 3 2 5 8 1 5 9 3 6 8 1 7 2 4 1 8 2 5 7 4 9 6 3 Hard 7 6 5 14 11 3 16 2 8 10 15 4 13 1 12 9 16 8 1 3 9 12 4 5 13 11 2 6 7 10 15 14 12 11 4 15 13 1 10 14 7 5 16 9 3 6 2 8 2 13 10 9 6 8 7 15 12 14 3 1 16 5 11 4 13 9 7 5 14 10 15 3 6 1 11 12 8 2 4 16 3 2 15 11 4 5 13 1 14 9 8 16 12 7 6 10 6 4 8 12 7 2 11 16 5 3 13 10 1 14 9 15 1 10 14 16 12 9 8 6 4 15 7 2 5 3 13 11 10 14 12 6 1 15 2 8 3 4 5 7 11 9 16 13 8 3 16 13 10 14 6 12 9 2 1 11 4 15 5 7 9 5 2 4 16 7 3 11 15 8 6 13 14 12 10 1 15 1 11 7 5 13 9 4 10 16 12 14 2 8 3 6 5 7 3 1 2 11 14 10 16 13 9 15 6 4 8 12 4 15 9 8 3 6 12 13 11 7 14 5 10 16 1 2 14 12 13 10 8 16 1 9 2 6 4 3 15 11 7 5 11 16 6 2 15 4 5 7 1 12 10 8 9 13 14 3 Where’s Sammy Squirrel? Issue 437: Sammy was on page 79. The winner will be notified by post ONLINE: yours.co.uk/ competitions BY PHONE: 0905 669 6606 Calls cost 50p per min plus your network access charge. You must be 18 or over and have the bill payer’s permission. Phone UK SP: Spoke (0333 202 3390). Text SP: Bauer Media. Email smshelp@bauermedia. co.uk or call 0330 159 2525. Normal network messaging rates apply. ✁ V A P E N A B N E H E M N G W C S R C T T YRS439 J Smith 19 AB1 2CD DVD JUMPER MIRROR COFFEE GIN You can also enter: S A C R I K S L C N A R E Example only ✔ Use capitals ✔ Keep texts under 160 characters or you may be charged for more than one text Number Cruncher (p101) M K N N O F F E R I N G L S L N W B *Text entries charged at 50p per text. Normal messaging rates apply. If you enter after the closing date you will not be entered but may be charged. Not available in Eire. This is not a subscription service. Please ensure your entry is completed correctly as incorrect entries may be charged but not entered. You are automatically consenting to receive further communications about these competitions from us via SMS text. You can opt out of this at any time by texting STOP to 65115. This will be charged at your standard network rate but you will need to do this each time you enter the competition by text. Your personal data will (regardless of whether you opt out) always be used to process your entry. For further information on this, please see our general terms and our privacy policy at bauerdatapromise.co.uk COMPETITION RULES: Competitions open to residents of the UK (including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man), Eire or BFPOs, aged 18 or over, except Bauer Media employees, its affiliated companies, any promotional partners, or their families and anyone connected with the competitions. Enter by text, online, phone or post. No purchase necessary. Answers must be the product of own work. Unless expressly stated, travel expenses and spending money is not included. There is no cash alternative to prizes and no alternative holidays can be offered. Prizes are not transferable. No responsibility can be accepted for entries that are delayed, damaged, mislaid or wrongly delivered, or for any loss in service of the online entry mechanism or for entries lost, delayed or corrupted due to computer error in transit. Only one entry per person. A winning entry is the first correct answer drawn after the closing date. For a free entry enter online at yours.co.uk/competitions Prizewinners will be notified by post on headed paper or by official email. The results are published. Winners must agree to the publication of their names, age and photos. The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence can be entered into. Your information will only be used to administer promotions in accordance with our privacy policy. Entry implies acceptance of these rules. Promoter: H Bauer Publishing. Full T&Cs can be found at bauerlegal. co.uk/competition-terms.html EVERY TEXT, ONLINE ENTRY, CALL OR COUPON HAS AN EQUAL CHANCE OF WINNING! Yours Issue 439 Puzzles & Prizes entry coupon PRIZE CROSSWORD (p100): SAMMY SQUIRREL: TITLE What word is created by the shaded squares? On which page did you see Sammy Squirrel? SURNAME _______________ _______________ ADDRESS you would like to enter ENTER THIS WORD BY TEXT ■ A break in Edinburgh HOLIDAY PRIZES TO WIN (p103): Tick all that PLEASE USE BLOCK CAPITALS THROUGHOUT FIRST NAME POSTCODE HOME TEL NUMBER EMAIL ADDRESS 102 YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT ✁
Bumper PRIZE giveaway There’s something special about waterside settings and The Wateredge Inn at Ambleside certainly hits the spot. Found at the head of England’s largest lake and recently refurbished, this historic property is perfectly placed for enjoying the best that this bustling market town has to offer. With breathtaking views from the inn and its expansive lakeside beer garden, home-cooked food and delicious drinks can be enjoyed while soaking up the atmosphere and activity around Waterhead pier. It is a convenient base for exploring too, with the heart of Ambleside and all the amenities of the town just a short stroll away. From beautiful parks to quaint streets with independent shops, visitors can stride out into the great outdoors too, with the spectacular Stock Ghyll Force and wooded walks found at the top end of town. The Wateredge Inn is also an excellent place from which to explore the wider Lake District too with frequent ENTERING IS EASY! BY POST: Send the coupon on p102 ONLINE: yours.co.uk/competitions TEXT AND BY PHONE! See left for details! Closing date: November 6 2023 The historic inn started life as a row of fishermen’s cottages WORTH £980 Enjoy a comfortable break away transport links serving destinations including, Coniston, Grasmere, Kendal, Keswick and Windermere. Dating back to the 17th century, The Wateredge Inn was originally a row of terraced fishermen’s cottages but as tourism boomed, they were first converted to serve the growing number of visitors in the 1890s. One of ten properties owned by The Inn Collection Group in the Lake District, it has recently reopened following a multimillion-pound refurbishment. Open all day, every day, The Wateredge Inn is designed to delight all that come through the doors, be they visitors to the area or The beautiful Lake District local residents, creating a convivial atmosphere that brings people together. Embracing the inn style of hospitality for their fabulous locations, The Inn Collection Group ensure that guests find a fantastic mix of comfort, convenience, and quality in equal amounts, creating the best possible stay and a wonderful break away from home. With 33 sites across northern England and North Wales in picture-postcard locations, there is an inn well-placed to serve whatever break that lies in store. There are superb packages available to enjoy these locales as well, with popular Christmas and New Year staycations and budget winter breaks all available to book now. n For more information about The Inn Collection Group and it’s venues from which to eat, drink, sleep and explore, visit inncollectiongroup.com Terms and Conditions: Prize is for a two-night dinner, bed & breakfast stay for two-people in a lakeview room. Prize must be taken by July 31 2024. Booking is subject to availability and is unable to be booked between December 24 to 27 2023 and December 31 2023 to January 2 2024. Travel to and from the Inn is not included. No cash alternative offered. YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT PIC: SHUTTERSTOCK Win a stay at The Wateredge Inn at Ambleside! 103
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. .. s w o sh le b sa is m n u & s Catch up on the latest TV new Inspiring stories Seventy-five years ago, the Empire Windrush ship landed at Tilbury Docks in Essex, and the men and women who stepped ashore were pioneers for a group of people who transformed Britain – the Windrush Generation. In the Pride of Britain Awards: Windrush Special, Sir Trevor McDonald, Mel B, Alesha Dixon (pictured), Judi Love and HRH The Prince of Wales hear from some of them. n Pride of Britain Awards, ITV1, Thursday October 19, 9pm. SCHEDULE DETAILS ARE CORRECT AT THE TIME OF GOING TO PRESS The ship carried 1027 passengers – and two stowaways Baring Italy’s sole According to Gino D’Acampo, the southern heel and sole of Italy is where the country is at its most epic. In six-part series Gino’s Italy: Secrets of the South, the chef explores the rugged mountains, cave cities, sandy beaches and clear turquoise waters, as well as cooking some of the Puglia and Basilicata’s favourite dishes. n Gino’s Italy: Secrets of the South, coming soon to ITV and ITVX. Ireland hopping The former Countryfile presenter Julia Bradbury returns to the land where she was born to explore the Emerald Isle’s landscape, culture and history. From the hills of Connemara to the streets of Dublin, Julia Bradbury’s Irish Journey sees her experience the people and places of a country that has captured the world’s imagination. n Julia Bradbury’s Irish Journey, episode three on Channel 4, Saturday October 21, 8.30pm. Catch up on Channel 4. Celebs on the search for antiques
DON’T MISS Old buildings get a new life Book From the Sunday Times bestseller Rose Tremain, comes a piercing story of first love. It’s Chelsea in the Sixties and Marianne Clifford falls in love with 18-year-old Simon Hurst, whose cleverness and beauty suggest he will have a successful future. But fate intervenes… The programme that follows intrepid Brits breathing new life into abandoned and remote villages, hamlets and borgos and cortijos in Europe is back. In Help! We Bought a Village, a restored village in Italy prepares to host its first guests and the owners of a derelict French hamlet renovate their most cherished building. n Help! We Bought a Village, on Channel 4, Tuesday October 17, 5pm. Catch up on Channel 4. Take five Jamie Oliver’s back, as he helps us say goodbye to long shopping lists and hello to all-new easy, clever recipes that use just five hero ingredients to deliver maximum flavour. In four-part series Jamie’s Five Ingredient Meals, he uses ingredients easily sourced from the supermarket to demonstrate hassle-free dishes that surprise and delight without busting the budget. n Jamie’s Five Ingredient Meals, episode two on Channel 4, Monday October 23, 8pm. Catch up on Channel 4. Treasure hunting The latest stars to take part in Celebrity Antiques Road Trip are Derry Girls actors Ian McElhinney and Tara Lynne O’Neill. They join experts Paul Laidlaw and Natasha Raskin Sharp for a tour of Aberdeenshire’s antiques emporia. On Wednesday, Strictly’s Dianne Buswell and Radio 2 presenter Owain Wyn Evans are in South Wales. n Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, BBC2, second week starts Tuesday October 17 at 7pm, catch up on BBC iPlayer. Cinema Director Martin Scorsese teams up again with Leonardo DiCaprio (left) and Robert De Niro for the western Killers of the Flower Moon. It tells the story of how members of the Osage Tribe were murdered in Oklahoma during the Twenties. n In cinemas October 20. Podcast From ghostly phantoms to UFOs, The Battersea Poltergeist’s Danny Robins investigates more real-life stories of paranormal encounters in the third series of Uncanny. n BBC Sounds, new episodes every Wednesday. Theatre Backstairs Billy stars Dame Penelope Wilton as the Queen Mother, with Luke Evans as her loyal servant William ‘Billy’ Tallon in this comedy set in 1979. n The Duke of York’s Theatre, London, October 27 to January 27, 2024. PICS: MARMALADE SKY, PA ARCHIVE/PA IMAGES, BBC / STV STUDIOS, CHANNEL 4, BBC/JAMIE SIMONDS/RUFINA BRESKIN, ALAMY STOCK PHOTO Restoration nation n Published by Chatto & Windus, £16.99
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tv chat ‘I’ve always been a big Frasier fan’ The famous sitcom is back – with Nicholas Lyndhurst making an unexpected but welcome appearance By Caroline Blight They were at college together. They were at Oxford together. And there’s a deep love between them. He likes teasing people and there are some characters in this cast that are very easy for him to tease. Tell us about your character… What is Kelsey like to work with? I think the quickest way of telling you something about Professor Alan Cornwell is the brief that’s said on page one of the script, ‘Alan is British and boozy’ – and I thought, yeah, I can do that! He’s very non-PC. He comes out with whatever he wants to say. He drinks too much. He doesn’t think enough. He’s a college lecturer, but he doesn’t really like any of his students at all. There’s one episode where my character says, “There are two things I care deeply about. My cat and Frasier Crane.” And that’s it. His saving feature, I suppose, if he has one at all, is his love for Frasier Crane. They were at school together. Nicholas joins the cast of Frasier, playing his old friend Alan He is the most genuinely charming man I’ve ever worked with. And he’s an exquisite director, he’s very fast. He knows exactly what he wants, knows where the camera and sound wants to be. He’s done it for so long, I think he probably knows everyone’s job. He composes the most beautiful music, just tinkling there on the piano, and it made me cry. ‘It was a big part of my life’ 111 YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT Did you used to watch the show? I was an avid fan, like most of the planet – it was a big part of my life. Still is. It’s a clever show. Nowadays, perhaps people are sort of going, “Oh, it’s funny, but it’s a bit divisive.” Or somebody won’t like that, or part of society won’t like that. I don’t want to sound like I’m on my soapbox here, but comedy has got to have a victim, otherwise it’s not funny. [Charlie] Chaplin knew that. [Buster] Keaton knew that. Something’s got to happen, be it verbally or physically, to make it funny. Are the fans going to love it still? It’s like putting on a lovely warm jumper. It’s always been cleverly written. It’s always been hugely entertaining. People want to know what’s happened to Frasier, and now here are 10 episodes telling them what’s happening to his life. It’s a really lovely ride to be on. n Frasier, Friday 13 October, Paramount+ Enjoying a pint was easy for Nicholas! PICS: CHRIS HASTON/PARAMOUNT+, SHUTTERSTOCK C lassic sitcom Frasier is returning to our screens after almost 20 years away, with Kelsey Grammer back in the role of psychotherapist Frasier Crane. Many of the former cast will be popping up in cameos as we find Frasier returning to Boston and reconnecting with his adult son Freddy. A new but familiar face joins the cast in the form of Nicholas Lyndhurst, who plays Frasier’s friend Alan. Speaking before the current SAG actors and writers’ strike in the States, Nicholas, 62, filled us in…
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your stars Astrologer Lynne Ewart predicts what’s in store for you this fortnight NOV 23-DEC 20 OCT 17-30 If it’s your birthday this fortnight... You are born under Scorpio, the sign of autumn’s withdrawal, time for sowing the seeds of spring. Yours is a water sign, sensitive, intuitive, and you are a wonderful listener, which means folk trust you with their confidences. You have great willpower and can rise like a phoenix and make a fresh start when necessary. n For a weekly update call 09044 705708 CAPRICORN DEC 21-JAN 20 You could be making a career move, experiencing a status shift, or welcoming a new dimension to your personal life. n Famous Scorpios celebrating this fortnight include Sarah Greene, Julia Roberts, Hillary Clinton, Fleur East, John Cleese, Keith Urban and Winona Ryder (pictured). n For a weekly update call 09044 705709 AQUARIUS JAN 21-FEB 18 What’s being resolved feels as though it opens doors in family life, or brings a hoped-for domestic change. n For a weekly update call 09044 705710 PISCES FEB 19-MARCH 20 If you’re serious about a travel ambition, then late October brings a liberating ‘push’ in your chosen direction. n For a weekly update call 09044 705711 ARIES MARCH 21-APRIL 19 There may be fixing afoot, or perhaps a financial changeover going ahead for another, concluding a challenging phase. n For a weekly update call 09044 705700 TAURUS APRIL 20-MAY 20 The more committed you are to a longer term target, the better, with welcome rewards shining around October 28. n For a weekly update call 09044 705701 GEMINI MAY 21-JUNE 20 VIRGO AUG 24-SEPT 22 This is eclipse season and time to strip away what no longer merits a place in your plans. Strong foundations beckon. A financial ‘lift-off’ is possible, with eclipse power suggesting potential turnarounds with a degree of luck. n For a weekly update call 09044 705702 n For a weekly update call 09044 705705 CANCER JUNE 21-JULY 22 LIBRA SEPT 23-OCT 23 With a root-level eclipse suggesting time for new directions, there may be keys ahead and a much needed ‘completion’. It’s your time to make a change you’ve been thinking of, for stripping off the old, preparing for new chapters. n For a weekly update call 09044 705703 n For a weekly update call 09044 705706 LEO JULY 23-AUGUST 23 SCORPIO OCT 24-NOV 22 Routines may be shifting, work may be afoot at home, and some serious conversations link to family plans. Something is settling down for you now, perhaps ending a turbulent phase, with agreements between partners. n For a weekly update call 09044 705704 n For a weekly update call 09044 705707 PICS: SHUTTERSTOCK SAGITTARIUS There’s a phoenix aspect afoot now and it could shift your outlook, bringing change, perhaps a healthy one. HOROSCOPES For a weekly update calls cost 65p per minute plus network access charge. For entertainment purposes only. Users must be over 18. Service provider: Spoke. Customer services helpline: 0333 202 3390 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) The useful stuff... Subscriptions Visit www.greatmagazines.co.uk/yours-magazine or call 01858 438884 Back issues Call 01858 438828 or email bauer@subscription.co.uk Yours on tape and CD A recorded version is available for blind and partially sighted readers from RNIB Newsagent. For a free sample and information call RNIB Newsagent Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk/newsagent No computer? 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anessa And finally… Our columnist d iscusses the very British tradition of keeping a stu ff upper lip and bottling thin gs up Dear readers, We all know it’s beneficial to get things off our chests. Sigmund Freud, the father of psychotherapy carved a career out of it. The late great Bob Hoskins made the case for a jolly good chat, starring in the BT commercials of the Nineties telling us “It’s good to talk.” Americans took enthusiastically to baring their souls on their ‘shrink’s’ couches. We Brits were less keen. We were all about the stiff upper lip, soldiering on and putting up and shutting up. We didn’t feel comfortable letting our innermost feelings out and we’d been rigorously trained by parents who believed children should be seen and not heard that no one would have the slightest interest in our emotions if we worked up the courage to reveal them. Let’s face it, those of us of a certain vintage were reared to think bottling things up was a virtue. Don’t burden others with your problems. Don’t hog the conversation and be branded an attention-seeker. Don’t let the cat out of the bag. Zip your lip. Keep yourself to yourself and put on a happy face. Of course, we now know that stuff doesn’t work. Putting a cork in our worries and internalising them leads to unhappiness, isolation and even illness both mental and physical. We’ve had to work hard at ‘unlearning’ our childhood programming and communicating our anxieties to friends, partners and professionals. When the Vanessa Show started in the UK in 1994, nearly 30 years ago, alongside Vanessa proved her show was a winner 114 YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT the indignation about an Oprah Winfrey-style series being made over here, was the emphatically stated conviction that it couldn’t possibly succeed. “We Brits are naturally reserved” fumed the critics, “there is no way we will act like the Americans and wash our dirty linen in public.” They were wrong. It turned out we couldn’t wait to stop bottling things up. The show went from two afternoons to three and swiftly to five mornings a week. Viewers lapped it up. The tide at last had turned. Now, though I still try not to deluge unsuspecting strangers with my personal turmoil, I wholeheartedly endorse the healing power of sharing thoughts and experiences. Make sure the listener is willing. Obviously be kindly receptive to doing the same for them. Make sure you listen a little more often than you talk and let it all out. Then have a nice cup of tea and enjoy how much better you feel. PICS: SHUTTERSTOCK The tide at last had turned n Do you agree with Vanessa? Let us know your thoughts by contacting us using the details on page 3
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