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Welcome...

Find Sammy Squirrel…
For how to join the
search see page 103

emember The Golden Girls, the
Eighties sitcom following the
escapades of four mature, single
women living as housemates in Miami, Florida?
The show was a hit around the globe, including
in Buckingham Palace where the Queen Mother
was reportedly a big fan.
This issue we speak to Jude (71), Charlotte
(70), Vivien (79) and Angela (90), who decided
to replicate the ‘Golden Girls’-style living arrangement as part of the
first co-housing community in the UK designed by and exclusively
for women aged over 50. Benefits include shared meals, regular
film nights and split household tasks. It’s a concept that has been
gaining popularity among retirees, especially those living alone who
value the friendship and security of an inclusive women’s circle. “We
always say we don’t ‘look after’ each other, we ‘look out’ for each
other!” Charlotte, tells us (p18).
Co-housing may not be for everyone, but these firm friends are
clearly thriving in this vibrant,
rosy chapter of their lives.

R

See you next issue

Caroline Reid, Editor

ONLY IN YOURS EVERY ISSUE…
68

Touching
real life stories
and chats with
the stars

14

REAL LIFE
18

COVER The 60-plus women
who are co-living

STAR CHAT
10

COVER Why Fern Britton’s not

12

COVER Positive living is key,

holding back
says Gloria Hunniford
14 How nature has helped
Michaela Strachan
16 Emmerdale’s Zoe Henry
111 Lesley Sharp in drama Red Eye
114 Vanessa on mumbling actors

LIFE & STYLE
25
28
31
32
36
41

Stylish lightweight jackets
Mood-boosting beauty
Affordable bags
COVER Hair loss solutions
COVER How to live longer
The benefits of seaweed

GOOD TO KNOW
58
61
65
67

How to ramble

COVER Secateurs on test
Tools to refresh your skin
Inside the pension boost

NOSTALGIA
72
74
77
79
81

Fond memories of Play School
Tea time for the stars
The comedy of Mavis Pugh
Remember the Trimphone?
Margot Fonteyn leaves jail

LEISURE TIME
42 Five-ingredient recipes
44 COVER Delicious traybakes
46 COVER Update your

Inspiring
places to visit
for short or
long breaks

outdoor space

48 Sustainable garden swaps
50 COVER Small-space veggies
52 COVER Create your own
mosaic bird bath

Get Yours every fortnight wherever you are

54 Knit a pretty mobile
68 Take a trip to Montenegro
108 What to watch this fortnight

Subscribe to Yours and get exclusive rewards and
content today! See page 82 for details
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THIS ISSUE...

YOUR FAVOURITES
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/Alamy Stock Photo

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8 Meeting Place
85 Short stories
93 Join the Yours
Book Club

94 Catch up with
friends

97 Puzzles and prizes
113 Horoscopes

WIN
A BARBECUE GRILL
AND OVEN

101

The

from Yours
Our round-up of the funny,
fascinating and unusual
stories this fortnight

Embracing
the grey
As Mary Queen of Shops, TV’s retail
expert Mary Portas was renowned for her
trademark short red bob. But at 63, the
chic style guru has ditched her flame locks
and joined the growing grey-hair brigade.
Mary’s natural new look was revealed
when she received an OBE from Princess Anne at
Buckingham Palace recently.
The award was for her services to business,
broadcasting and her ongoing charity work.

SWEDISH STYLE
When asked what words of wisdom he wishes
he’d known sooner, actor Ross Kemp replied
recently: “Your children are your best critics.”
We can’t help wondering whether the late
antiques experts Judith and Martin Miller would
have agreed, though.
Their daughter Cara, now 45, has revealed that,
as an eight-year-old child, she campaigned for
a flatpack Ikea wardrobe because her Victorian
pine bedroom furniture wouldn’t open easily.
Although they looked horrified, they agreed.
“My parents believed you should be
surrounded by things that you love. And if
I wanted to be surrounded by Ikea, then
Judith Miller was an expert
on Antiques Roadshow
that was my choice,” she said.

Robot Rovers
Man’s new best friend could be a robot if
a new government scheme is successful.
The Department of Health is giving robot
pets to 1,300 pensioners to help tackle
loneliness, stress and anxiety in the elderly.
The creatures will look like soft toys
but will be fitted with motors that will

allow them to wag their tails and move
their heads.
It is also hoped the £1 million trial
taking place in Milton Keynes, Luton
and Bedfordshire, will help with
communication after a stroke as well as
dementia and learning difficulties.

Princely sum for royal date
News that an affluent auction
bidder has splashed out £10,500
to dine with royalty has made
our imaginations run riot in the
Yours office.
While the diner remains
anonymous, he or she will be
eating with the King’s niece Zara
Tindall (42) and her husband Mike

Roam free
More than half of British holiday makers
are being charged an average £58.25 for
their overseas phone bills after Brexit,
according to new research.
And some have forked out over £100,
found the survey of more than 2,000
travellers.
So it’s good to hear that holiday firm
On the Beach, which conducted the
survey, is offering UK customers up to
5GB of free data per booking.
Let’s hope that more follow their
example in time for summer.

(45) at chef Tom Kerridge’s private
dining room, The Shed, in Marlow,
Buckinghamshire. Their generous
sum will go to charity.
What we’re all debating here is
which member of the royal family
would be our dream dinner date?
If you have a preference, we’d love
to hear from you.

STRAIGHT
TALK FROM
DOWNTON
On screen, Lady Maud Bagshaw
is no stranger to controversy at
Downton Abbey.
And actress Imelda Staunton,
who plays the bold lady-inwaiting, has shown herself to be
pretty forthright too.
When interviewed by BBC
Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball, she revealed
that a third and final film is in the
pipeline (a seventh series of the TV show
is already on its way).

When an elated Zoe said she hoped
her admission hadn’t got her into trouble
with her bosses, straight-talking Imelda
(68) grinned: “I don’t care!”

MAGIC MENOPAUSE DRUG?
new injection that mimics the action of
anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) which is
involved in ovulation.
When women hit menopausal
age, usually between 45 and 55, they
experience a sharp decline of reproductive
hormones, including AMH.
“This drug couldn’t just delay the
menopause, it could actually prevent it,”
said molecular biologist Dr Daisy Robinton.

PICS: ALAMY STOCK PHOTO, SHUTTERSTOCK

A team of New York scientists is working
on a new drug that’s promising to delay or
even prevent the menopause in future.
Its safety is still being tested and it is
years away from being made available,
but if it proves successful, it could end the
mid-life misery of hot flushes, brain fog
and debilitating fatigue for women.
Researchers from biotech firm
Aviva Therapeutics are behind the

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

5

Tulips and the Netherlands go hand in hand (or perhaps foot in
clog!) but actually the first bulbs weren’t planted here until 1593,
when they were introduced into the country’s oldest botanical
garden, Hortus Botanicus in Leiden. Thanks to the Netherlands’
chilly nights and cold winters, the flowers thrived and they’ve been
a highlight of the Dutch spring calendar ever since.
The 17th Century saw ‘tulip mania’, with bulbs becoming
increasingly sought after and pricey – at one point a single bulb
could cost as much as an Amsterdam canal house. Today they are
more affordable but just as popular, covering a whopping 6,400
acres of land, where more than 8,000 varieties are grown.
Late March to mid-May is the best time to see the striped fields of
the Bollenstreek – a colourful oasis sandwiched between bustling
cities, and one of the most famous areas for beautiful blooms.

6

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

PIC: GETTY

in the picture

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

7

tures & wise words…
Our pick of your best letters, pic

Meeting

Flying the Ness-t

£10 cheque
for every letter
published

r “Shhh,” I said to my wife, “the
Loch Ness Monster is behind you.”
The only trouble was that Nessie
was 192 miles south of its home,
enjoying the waters of the Swan
Pond, Culzean Castle.
Mike Lunn, Beith

A handy skill
r A reason to write was
an interesting article
(issue 449) on how writing
can improve memory
and fine motor skills.
I’m 69 and have kept
a diary since I was 20.
I love reading some of my
old diaries realising how
busy a lifestyle I had. My
daughters love reading
about their first day at
school, day trips out and
how life was so different.
I find writing every day
is relaxing and thought
provoking. Bring back
handwriting in schools
and at home.
Beatrice Richards, Pembrokeshire

Up, up and away… to A&E
r I just wanted to share this picture
of my son, Oscar, dressed as his hero
Biggles, for World Book Day.
He made the plane himself, several
months ago, using some big boxes left

over from Christmas presents. Then,
one morning in January, disaster
struck. Oscar had been working on the
plane, refusing to down tools, so that
when bedtime arrived, he simply left it
sprawled out in the living room ready to
commence work again in the morning.
But as he raced back over to start work,
he caught his foot in the plane’s wing,
tripped and hit his head on the living
room steps, and we ended up in A&E!
Thankfully he has now recovered
and was able to fly his plane, called
March the 7th, into school for World
Book Day! As you can imagine, it was
quite an emotional moment! And I have
to say, I think Biggles and his creator
Captain W.E. Johns would be very
proud of him.
Jennie Gardner, via email

STAR LETTER

Fated friendship
✪My friend Joan and I (both now
in our 80s) have been close forever,
living next door to each other
in Dagenham. We were always
together – holidays, parties, dancing
– so much so that some neighbours
weren’t even sure which of us was
Joan and which was Mary! In 1963
we were chief bridesmaid at each
other’s weddings and have seen our
children grow up and have families
of their own.
Four years ago (unbeknown to
Joan and myself) my granddaughter
Jade, and Joan’s granddaughter
Caitlin, each applied to Essex
University and were accepted
on completely different courses.
Although they knew of each other

they had never
met, but ended
up working
together on the
same shifts at
the university
shop. It was
only then that
they realised
the connection and became
good friends. Last year they both
graduated with first-class degrees
and Joan with husband David, along
with me and husband Roy, took
Jade and Caitlin for a celebration
lunch. You can imagine what proud
grandparents we are.
Since graduating they have kept
in touch, but we think it would still

be hard for them to beat 80 years
(and counting) of the wonderful
friendship that their grandmothers
have enjoyed, but who knows!
Mary Dudley, Billericay
Yours says: What a lovely coincidence!
We love stories of family friendships
and hope Jade and Caitlin remain in
each other’s lives for decades to come.

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

your letters
Lock up your sticky buns

Sign of the times?

r I came across this pavement
sign while in Matlock recently,
outside a pet shop. It made me
smile, imagining an elephant
rampaging through the shop.

r I am sorry that
Charlotte Macauley
found the traffic sign
for elderly people
offensive (Meeting
Place, 448). My husband
and I find it amusing and a fair
representation of our condition.
Both 85, we walk slowly and slightly
bent over due to my arthritis and
my husband’s unsteadiness and
he needs a stick to steady himself.
Don’t be offended by this sign, just
be thankful if you are energetic and
can walk upright.

Tip of the fortnight
r I received a new address book
for Christmas and have been
enjoying transferring over contact
details of friends and family.
I decided, though, that this time
I would put their first names in
alphabetical order, rather than
their surnames which I usually do.
If ever our children/family need to
contact our friends it’s less likely
they will know their surname.
It could save valuable moments
looking up ‘Maria’ instead of her
surname and you could include
their relationship to you too if you
have more than one Maria in your
life. Also tell your family where
you keep your address book.
Abby Vizard-Williams, Worcester

Tickets, purr-lease
r My son works at Loughborough
railway station. A cat living nearby
began coming daily to the station.
Finally, the owner was located and
told the staff they were not to feed
it. Apparently one day recently,
puss decided to take a trip on a
train and ended up in Sheffield.
He was promptly returned to
Loughborough station. Despite
the manager banning puss
from the office, it still comes to
sit on the platform.

r My husband
showed our
five-year-old
son, Harri,
a picture
of himself
when he was
younger, and
asked if he
knew who it
was. He stared
at it for a long
time, before
replying: “It’s
me when I’m
bigger!”
Shulah Clarkson,
Great Yarmouth

Sylvia Gardner, via email

Pause for thought
r I read your
interview with
Prue Leith (issue
448) titled Why
I won’t stop HRT
three times. It’s
food for thought,
it struck a chord
in me. I am in my
mid-40s and battling
the onset of menopause.
Of all the symptoms,
memory and fatigue are
my greatest struggles.
I was especially afraid
that I was too young
to be so tired. I’ve
been told that I have
been at the onset
of menopause for
years now and am
considering HRT.
I was very quick not

to explore it because of
the negative publicity
it has. After reading
this article, I found
myself reading more
about it and booking an
appointment to speak
to my GP. Thanks for
highlighting how HRT
can be beneficial and
how we can have an
example of someone
it helped.
Fagbeja Abiodun, Bristol

GET IN

Maureen Harrison, Leicestershire

Th at ’s go od to kn ow
Planning ahead
When you have a terminal illness, whatever stage you’re at,
it can be helpful to plan for your future. Maybe
you have some wishes you haven’t shared yet,
gifts you’d like to make, or places you’d like to
go. Whatever your wishes, call Marie Curie’s
free Support Line on 0800 090 2309 or visit
mariecurie.org.uk/planning-ahead

Please email letters to
yours@bauermedia.co.uk
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Please write to the address
on page 3
Or contact us at
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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

Rachel Toy, Leighton Buzzard

9

Fern Britton has returned to our screens, and
this time she’s not holding back
By Katie Begley and Lizzy Dening
ver the past decade, we
had recategorised Fern
Britton, from ‘TV star’ to
‘bestselling novelist’ (and
firm advocate for seaside living!).
But her recent surprise appearance
on Celebrity Big Brother (where she
placed fifth and was the last woman
standing) has set tongues wagging
that the presenter, at 66, may be
staging a second act and, this time,
it’s firmly on her own terms.
While she is keeping her
immediate plans under wraps, we’re
meeting a new version of Fern: one
who is more determined to wring
the good out of life, and
not let anyone get in her
way. “Approaching 60
you can so easily lose
confidence. The number
of women who say, ‘well,
nobody looks at me any
more. I’m not whistled at any more’.
Invisible, that’s the word,” she says.
“Well, maybe that’s a superpower
now because you can get away with
anything. Let your 60s be your
naughtiest decade. Enjoy it. And you
can start thinking ahead to what
happens in the next decade.” Not
being discounted in later life was
an important topic during her Big
Brother stint, with the presenter
firmly telling Strictly dancer Nikita
Kuzmin that, while she might be 40
years his senior, she still has “exactly

O

the same brain” as when she was
26. “Never look at an old person and
think they’re just old,” she warned.
It seems only fair that the newly
slimmed-down Fern (the result
of a passion for fitness, including
undertaking the Couch to 5K
running challenge) is playing by
her own rules, having weathered
a turbulent few years. As well as the
loss of both parents (her mother in
2018 and father in 2019), in January
2020 she split from her husband of
20 years, Phil Vickery, with whom
she shares grown-up daughter
Winnie. She previously told Yours:
“There comes a point when the
children are substantially off your
hands and you look at each
other and wonder where you’re
going from here.” She has
now started to “enjoy being
alone”, partly as a result of
the weekly therapy sessions
she’s attended for the past
decade. Fern also has twins Harry
and Jack and sister Grace, from her
first marriage to TV executive Clive
Jones. Having raised four children,
perhaps it’s time to turn back to
television, with speculation that
she’s being eyed up as a potential fit
for Loose Women.
While she’s worked across a variety
of programmes, it is, of course, This
Morning for which she’s best known.
When she left, after a decade at
its helm, there were rumours that
relations with co-presenter Phillip

‘You can get
away with
anything!’

Fern was
a surprise
housemate

10

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

star chat

Fern on her last day
at This Morning,
with ex-husband,
TV chef Phil Vickery

With co-presenter
Phillip Schofield

Schofield were fractious. “It’s fair to
say that towards the end we were
not getting on. Things were
tricky,” she admits. “I wasn’t
expecting to resign on the
day I resigned.” Sadly, she
says, she hasn’t retained
any friends from the
industry, although
she does miss the work
itself – both the celebrity
interviews and the meatier
elements. “I went to Basra to report
on the war. I said to Phillip, ‘We could
go, have a long weekend in Basra.’
‘I don’t look good in an orange
jumpsuit’, he said, which
made me laugh. So I said,
‘I don’t think they’re going to
be taking you hostage and
sticking you in Guantanamo
Bay’. He wouldn’t come. I went
with a director and it was the most
incredible experience.”
Since leaving that role, aside from
smaller-profile presenting work,
she’s had an impressively prolific
second career as the best-selling
author of 10 novels. Having moved
to Cornwall after her marriage
breakdown, she’s used the coast
for inspiration in her novels, and
enjoys its relaxed atmosphere,
where it is considered ‘bad
manners’ to be too dressed up.
“I’ve never been considered
glam. I’m not just looking for

compliments here. I’m not. Holly
Willoughby for instance, has that
beautiful face. I didn’t ever have
that.” Which has its upsides: “I’ve
never been judged by that, which
has also been very handy.”
She’s very candid about her work
regrets: “I didn’t pay attention to my
career because I’m not particularly
ambitious,” she says. “I think
bosses didn’t quite connect with
me because I was never a diva. At
the end of the show, I just wanted
to go home, be with the kids.” Fern
has said she believes there is still a
“long way to go” towards
achieving equality, and
she tells us, “There’s lots
of stuff“There’s a lot of
stuff I have obviously
learned from and
toughened up a bit.”
So now she’s back in the world
of television, and prepared to stick
up for herself like never before. “I
am pretty fearless! It’s got me into
trouble,” she says. “I’m not saying
I wasn’t scared doing Big Brother.
Of course I was scared, but it’s not
going to kill me. I’m not in Gaza,
I’m not in the Ukraine. This is
entertainment and it’s there for
the fun of it.” Fearless, fun and just
a little bit naughty… we could get
used to the new Fern.

Looking svelte
on Big Brother

n Catch up on Celebrity Big Brother now
on ITVX.

PICS: ALAMY, GETTY, SHUTTERSTOCK

‘I’m not
particularly
ambitious’

Gloria with daughter
Caron, who was 41
when she died

EXCLUSIVE

By Millie Payne
t’s hard to believe that April 13
marked 20 years since Gloria
Hunniford’s beloved daughter
Caron Keating lost her battle
with breast cancer.
The TV presenter was just 41
when she passed away and, for
Gloria, no matter how much time
has passed, she tells Yours, the pain
never gets easier.
“Sometimes it seems like 100
years ago, and sometimes it feels
like two,” she reflects. “You manage
your grief all your life – it never
goes away. To lose a child is the
worst thing that can ever happen
to you, and there was a point that
I thought, ‘This could take me out
as well’.”

I

12

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

Gloria
Hunniford
I thought: ‘Are you crazy?
(84), opens up
about grief and tells I think of her hundreds of
Yours why she has times every single day.’
“You can’t carry a child,
no plans to give bear a child and know a
up work
child inside out for 41 years

A vital
component in
Gloria’s grief
management
over the years has
been spinning her
daughter’s unfathomably
tragic fate into something
positive. After chatting to the
veteran presenter ahead of the
anniversary, it’s clear that Caron’s
optimistic attitude, which “allowed
her to live seven years when she was
only given one and a half”, has had
a profoundly positive impact on
Gloria’s outlook. “You have to try and
train your mind for positive living
because it’s the key to your own
existence and survival,” she says.
“Someone asked me the other
day: ‘Do you still think of Caron?’

and just get over it. You just
become different and learn to cope
better. You have to live your life, live
it to the fullest – and try to live for
the moment.”
But what also changed the course
of the broadcaster’s healing journey
was a letter she received shortly
after Caron’s passing, which led to
the establishment of The Caron
Keating Foundation. Gloria shares,
“This woman wrote to me and said,
‘I had to tell you how sorry I am that
Caron died.’ And then she said, ‘You
now have to find a way of carrying

star chat
always thought I’m as good as
Hever because it’s very special to us,
any bloke.”
and it’s where Caron rests,” Gloria
If Gloria has it her way, her CV,
explains. “We’re having a very small
which also lists Loose Women, Rip
event at the church, and then we’re
Off Britain and The One Show to
going across the road to the pub.
name a few, will never stop growing.
We want to make it an ‘up’ day for
“I want to work, I never want to
Charlie and Gabriel – talking about
give it up, because it stimulates my
what they loved about Caron. They
brain. I do understand that people
might learn more about their mum,
look forward to retirement, but
and I think it will be a fantastic
I want to keep the brain ticking over
gathering to mark her 20th.”
and do what I love.”
Gloria is very proud that,
Now, Gloria is
later this year, Charlie has
backing
a new NHS and
opted to wed in the church
the
Department
for Health
where Caron and Russ
and
Social
Care
campaign
exchanged vows back in
to tackle a ‘silent killer’, high
1991, news she admits made
blood pressure, which left
her cry. And the blended
untreated
can increase the risk of
family dynamic with Russ and
conditions
including heart attacks
Sally? It’s great, she says.
and
strokes.
It’s a particularly
“They have two lovely girls
poignant
one
for Gloria, as her
together and the boys are very
father
died
after
suffering multiple
close to them. Sally did
strokes,
and
her
husband
Stephen
a fundraising event
Way,
whom
she
wed
in
1998,
also
which I hosted for the
previously
suffered
a
heart
attack,
Foundation not that
as well as a bad stroke in 2012.
long ago and we all
“Stephen stumbled into the
meet up on various
room.
He’d been gardening, feeling
occasions. Charlie’s
fantastic,
proving it can happen
wedding will be
at
any
time,”
she remembers of
a wonderful, big
his
stroke,
explaining
how the
family event.”
Stephen and Gloria
warning
bells
went
off
in her head.
Gloria has been
at the Chelsea
Flower
Show
“But
I
discovered
–
which
is a
working since she was
Caron’s spirit
really
important
side
issue
about
seven years old, originally
forward. She
strokes
–
that
if
you
get
the
person
setting out to be a singer.
has a very big
to
the
hospital
within
three
hours,
But the broadcasting gods –
soul, and the soul is
[doctors]
can
give
them
a
clotspecifically a “forward-looking
never the end.’
busting injection, which Stephen
producer” – secured her a role on
“And in the middle of the night,
had. I believe that saved his life.”
BBC Belfast in the late Sixties after
I thought, ‘I’ve got to start up a
Gloria is urging people to get
she was interviewed about one of
charity in Caron’s name.’”
their
blood pressure checked free
her records.
Northern Ireland native Gloria,
at
their
pharmacy: “Please avail
She recalls, “He took me to the
who also has sons Paul and Michael
of
what
the NHS has set up, which
newsroom and he said, ‘What do
with her late ex-husband Don
I
think
is
a terrific scheme. It’s
you see?’ And I went, ‘A lot of men
Keating, shares how Caron’s loved
simple,
but
it will save lives.”
ones paid tribute to her on the 20th pounding at typewriters.’ He said,
‘Well remember, as a woman,
anniversary of her passing. The
you’re not coming in here to
Blue Peter presenter is survived by
do recipes and knitting and
husband Russ Lindsay, who went
so-called women things’ – and
on to marry Sally Meen and raise
The DHSC campaign follows the launch of
this is the phrase that I’ve
two daughters, along with Russ
expanded community pharmacy services,
never forgotten – ‘you’re as
and Caron’s sons Charlie (29) and
meaning that your local pharmacist can now
good as any bloke in this room.’
Gabriel (26).
supply some medications for seven common
“I’ve never ever been
“I’ve gathered all of Caron and
conditions. For more information about the
Russ’ friends and they’re coming to bothered by sexism – I’ve
Help Us Help You campaign visit nhs.uk/
thinkpharmacyfirst.

‘We want to
make it an
“up” day’

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

13

PICS: SHUTTERSTOCK

HELP US HELP YOU

star chat

‘Being in nature
is very healing’
Walking through the pain of grief has
been therapy for Michaela Strachan.
Here, the presenter, 57, tells us what she
learnt along the way

I find a lot of my answers
through Mother Nature
and through walking.
We live a very complex,
confusing life and
I think the simplicity
of putting one foot in
front of the other is
incredibly cathartic. It’s
my meditation and it’s
simple. To be with your
own thoughts and try
and declutter… I love
it so much. And being
in nature reminds you
that humans are merely
a single species within
a much wider frame. I do

a lot of hiking. I
often climb Table
Mountain in Cape
Cod, now that I live
in South Africa.

MY

LIFE
lessons

Survivor’s guilt
is a waste of time
My best friend’s funeral
came just days before I
started filming Pilgrimage
[the BBC2 series following
celebrities from different
faiths trekking together].
To take two weeks out
of my life and process
that awful time through
walking and talking was
extremely helpful. It
was very emotional and

challenging at the time,
but the best thing for me.
My best friend was the
last of quite a few people
I lost last year. She had
breast cancer – the same
diagnosis I had. She was
diagnosed two years after
me and we walked the
journey together but now
I’m here and she’s not.
I don’t have survivor’s guilt
though. I just wish she’d
lived. I wish that she’d been
as lucky as me. I wish she
was still here.

Parts of the UK are
truly beautiful
Filming in Wales for
Pilgrimage – walking
The North Wales Pilgrim’s
Way – reminded me how
beautiful parts of the
UK are. I’ve been to that
coastal path before while
filming, but when you’re
filming, you never get
the chance to really take
Michaela and the
gang on Pilgrimage

14

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

it in. It was nice to
experience it properly.

Being prepared
is important
I fell into wildlife
television. I came in as
a children’s TV presenter,
I didn’t come in with any
science background.
People expect me to
know everything about
anything wildliferelated, but I don’t. Chris
[Packham] is the expert
– he remembers the
inside leg measurement
of a pigeon and I just
about remember what
the bird’s called! But
I’m also somebody that
works very hard before
I do a programme. I do
the research, I get the
notes and I do my work.
That’s why I come across
as an expert, but it’s only
because I’ve worked really
hard and prepared well.

n Pilgrimage: The Road Through North Wales started March 29,
catch up BBC iPlayer.

BY DAISY HALL PICS: ALAMY STOCK PHOTO, BBC/CTVC

Nature is a source
of comfort

Actress Zoe
Henry opens up
to Yours about her
career, loves and
life at 50

By Shereen Low
his month sees
the culmination of
Emmerdale’s emotional
storyline, with Rhona
Goskirk standing trial for
kidnapping baby Ivy. In the
controversial plot, which has
kept the nation gripped, mother
of two Rhona went to extreme
lengths to keep her biological
child. Complications arose
because, while Ivy is genetically
hers, Rhona has no legal rights
over the child because she had
been conceived with a frozen
embryo that her ex-husband Gus
Malcolms (Alan McKenna) used
without her consent.
“It’s been fairly full-on, I’m not
gonna lie,” actress Zoe Henry, who
plays the Dales vet, tells us. “But
I work with great people and I think
that makes a massive difference.
Mark Charnock [Marlon Dingle]
and I get on like a house on fire.
Louise Jameson [Mary Goskirk]

T

16

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

is amazing and Alan McKenna, the
new addition who plays Gus, has
been so much fun. As heavy and
highly emotional as stuff has been,
we’ve had a lot of fun between takes.”
As Rhona awaits the verdict,
Zoe hopes her alter-ego can get her
life back on track. “It’s been a very
stressful time. There are probably
concerns around her marriage to
Marlon, even though they’ve been
together on and off for a good 23
years and I think they’re
going to come out of this
unscathed,” she says.
“I hope she gets to have
Ivy in her life in some way,
shape or form, although
I’m not sure how that will be. And I
hope that her and Gus can maintain
some kind of civil relationship – at
the moment it’s pretty dire. I think
there’s quite a lot of repair work with
[her children] Leo and April that
Rhona needs to do.”
As Rhona, Zoe has had her
share of big storylines including
a painkiller addiction, infertility,

domestic abuse and even a neardeath experience, since her debut
on the soap in 2001. “Every storyline
I’ve had, big or small, is a gift. It’s
a privilege. To be trusted with big
stories is an honour,” she says.
“I’ve lucked out. This has been
my favourite job ever. I love it!
There’s a lot to be said for playing
a character long term. It gives you
a very different four-dimensional
experience because it gets to the
point where you know the character
more than the writers do in some
ways – not that it gives us any
control over anything!”
Off screen, Zoe is married to
fellow Emmerdale star Jeff Hordley
(Cain Dingle). The couple, who
have been together for 30 years
and celebrated their 20th wedding
anniversary last August, have
daughter Violet, 19, and son Stan,
15. But, surprisingly, the subject of
the jobs is hardly ever brought up at
their Yorkshire Dales home.
“We rarely talk about
work. We talk about
vegetables, dogs and
children,” she reveals.
“Our children don’t give
a monkey’s about our
jobs. We don’t watch Emmerdale.
We never have so it’s not on their
radars. If anything, our jobs are an
embarrassment. They are forging
their own lives and personalities
and the last thing they want is two
soap actors hanging around and
embarrassing them.”
Zoe and Jeff, 54, met at drama
school and married in 2003.

‘It’s been a
very stressful
time’

star chat
Rhona and baby Ivy
are the centre of a
dramatic storyline

Zoe and Jeff
as Rhona and
Cain in 2002

“Marriage is a gift, to be with
somebody for as long as we’ve been
together,” the actress says of their
partnership. “It’s hard work and, like
any relationship, you get out what
you put in. I think we both really
value our relationship and that’s the
key. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes
we can’t bear the sight
of each other, but on the
whole, we work. We’re a
good match.”
Last September marked a big
moment for Zoe as she hit the big
50 milestone. “I’m fine with being
50. Sadly we’ve lost a lot of people –
family members and friends – over
the last 10 years and I think it brings
things into sharp focus because you
realise ageing is a privilege denied to
many,” she reveals. “A birthday like
that is to be celebrated and so I did
lots of little pockets of celebrating
with groups of friends. I’m happy

with where I’m at. I love my job. I’m
As she prepares to wave her
happy in my marriage, I adore my
daughter off to university, Zoe’s
kids. There’s a lot to be grateful for
ready for the next stage of her life.
and I am grateful.” She adds, “I don’t “I know the joy she’s going to have
want for anything more than what
and I’m excited for her, but I’m sad
I’ve got and I practise gratitude – it’s for myself,” she admits. “But there’s
important to remind yourself of
another couple of years before
those things you’re grateful for, no
Stan leaves and then I’ll have about
matter how big or small they are.”
15 dogs and 25 cats!”
When she’s not working, you’ll
n Emmerdale continues on ITV
find Zoe pottering
on her allotment or
some outdoorsy
pursuit.
“Gardening is
great for the soul,
to have your hand in the
earth, to nurture and
grow things,” she tells
us. “I like hanging out
with my dogs and my
kids, more than they like
spending time with me.
We go to the cinema a lot.
Charlotte Bellamy (who
plays Laurel Thomas)
Zoe with
husband and
and I have got into cold
Emmerdale
water swimming.”
co-star Jeff
Hordley

PICS: SHUTTERSTOCK

‘We’re a good
match’

Meet the 60-plus
women who live
together in the only
co-housing project
for women over 50
in the UK

By Olivia Dunnett
hen the friends and
family of New Ground
residents hear about
the project, they’re
sometimes a bit dubious! “People ask
me what it’s like living with a bunch
of older women,” says resident Vivien
(79). “But the truth is, living among
these women is inspirational!”
New Ground was founded by
a group of female
friends, who often
discussed living
plans for their later
years. Researching
options, they came
across the concept of co-housing –
a group of private homes, arranged
around central communal spaces,
aiming to encourage social support
networks. It wasn’t long until
they set about creating their own
version. Staunch feminists, the
group decided their community
would be all-female. “Women of our
generation are well aware men of the
same age expect to run things,” says
resident Angela (90). “We don’t want
that kind of competition!”
A site was found in High Barnet
in London on the grounds of an old
convent. The women worked closely
with architects to reach a design that

W

would suit them. Funding, planning
laws and council objections all
delayed the project and, in the end,
it took 18 years before they could
finally move into New Ground.
But as word of the scheme
spread, many women reached
out, interested in purchasing a
flat. “I didn’t want to move into
a regular residential home,”
says Jude (71). “I wanted to have
ownership of how I lived.”
Today, around 26 women
live at New Ground, and
decisions about the running
of the community are made
democratically by residents.
Monthly business meetings
are often followed by a communal
meal in the large Common House.

‘Men of the same
age expect to
run things’

18

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

Jude wanted
to choose
how she lived

The community
looks out for
residents like Vivien

real life

Charlotte and Jude
(standing), with
Vivien and Angela

Women also split maintenance
tasks, benefiting from each
other’s individual skills. While
Angela handles gardening duties,
Charlotte (70) hosts regular film
nights for the other residents.
“It keeps your brain and spirit
going,” she says.
In fact, these strong women
are somewhat reminiscent of
The Golden Girls, the iconic TV
series that followed four older
women living together in Miami.
Residents also help care for each
other’s health through a ‘buddy’
system. Living alone
and with family far
away, many older people
struggle to find support.
“I went through a period
of ill-health in my 60s,”
says Vivien. “I realised I wasn’t
particularly close with any of my
immediate neighbours, and there
was no one to check on me.”
But at New Ground, the women
have split themselves into groups
of three or four, so they can offer
support to each other with health
checks and household chores when
they’re unwell. “We always say we
don’t ‘look after’ each other, we ‘look
out’ for each other,” says Charlotte.
Applicants are all interviewed
by existing residents to make sure
they’re fully committed to the
co-housing goals of the project.
At first, elements of the set-up at
New Ground can concern potential
residents. Some of the women have
pointed out that at New Ground
you’re effectively ‘marrying’
26 other people. “Plenty of my
friends say, ‘Oh I could never
do that’,” says Vivien. “But
we’ve all learnt each other’s
rhythms, and how to recognise
if someone wants a chat or not.”
And the atmosphere of New
Ground speaks for itself. “When
I told my family my plan to live
here, they asked if I was sure
that I wanted to live with only
Central spaces
women,” says Jude. “But when
allow people to
get together
they came to see it, they got it!”

The combined living helps keep
everyone integrated and avoids the
isolation that faces so many older
people today. “As humans, we’re herd
animals,” says Charlotte. “There’s
a connection and responsibility
to each other which gives you
a validation and purpose.”
In addition to the strong
bonds within the group, New
Ground has put down plenty of
roots in the local High Barnet
community. Many residents are
members of the Barnet Residents
Association and get involved with
local organisations and
projects. And when New
Ground holds its annual
summer garden party,
friends and neighbours are
always invited. “We are a
living community within a living
community,” says Charlotte.
Social responsibility was essential
to the New Ground founders. The
development is a mixed tenure one
with one-third of the flats available
for social rent. More recently, the
development has also housed a
family from Ukraine.
The backgrounds of residents
are mixed, and the community is
open to all. Family and friends are
always dropping by and, of course,
men are allowed to visit if they want!
“There’s a woman in a long-term
relationship,” says Jude. “Maybe
more, we’re not curtain twitchers!”
Residents also benefit from
each other’s social networks. “For
people who don’t have grandkids,
it gives them access to that sort of
relationship as well,” says Vivien.
Now the project has been running
for eight years, they’ve got plenty
of interest from new applicants.
There’s no space there currently,
but the women are encouraging and
assisting with the development of
other projects around the country.
And it’s not surprising the women
of New Ground are still trying to
make the world a better place. As
Angela says, “The bottom line of
living here is, be kind!”

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

19

PICS: SUE HANCOCK

‘There was no
one to check
on me’

For the
love of
animals

From pampered pets to birds, bugs and wild beasties we
celebrate all creatures great and small…

NATURE NEWS

Pets
of the
fortnight

r Meet Buster our 14-year-old cat. He’s
very active, never walks when he can
dash, especially across the grass and
straight up the apple tree. Loves flowers,
rolling and sleeping in the Lobelia.

Rena Merle Biddle, Harwich

r This is our second
rescue dog, Leon. He’s
so well-behaved and
loves the water. He may
have some staffie in him
and he’s a real beauty,
I think you will agree!

r Here’s Bobby the Kelpie,
a four-year-old rescue dog.
He’s a gentle boy who loves to
please and is very sociable. He
enjoys playing ball and meeting
new people and dogs.

Alexa Millward, Holywell

Jane Walker, by email

GET IN
TOUCH

20

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

Jojo the horse had help from
her sheep friend during a trip
to the dentist last month. The
Shire horse mare who lives
in north Wales, had Hetty
the black sheep snuggled
underneath her for the
entire appointment. The
vet said, “I’ve been a vet 28
years and never seen a horse
and sheep so bonded.” The
friendship began a year ago
when Jojo’s mother died,
and her owners brought in
Hetty for companionship in
her field. Their owner, Susan
Ray, admitted, “They are
inseparable.”

WORDS: SARAH O’BYRNE PICS: GETTY

Usually only found in the
Mediterranean this sea slug
has been spotted in the
UK. Likely due to the rise in
ocean temperatures, the
Pleurobranchaea britannica
sea slug was found off the
south-west coast of England.

A zoo in East Sussex has recently
welcomed its newest member – and she’s
just 13cm tall. Rosie, a female pygmy
marmoset, is one of the smallest monkeys
in the world, and has been moved to
Drusillas Park in the hope that she’ll take a
liking to the resident male, Ben, so the pair
can create some even smaller monkeys.

NOW ON

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UP TO 4 ITEMS

The Glenmore Fireside Chair, shown in Morris & Co. Strawberry Thief.

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TIPS &
GREAT IDEAS

&STYLE
Inspiring ideas & expert tips for your best life NOW!

Love your
outdoors

-

FIVEINGREDIENT
DISHES pg 42

SPECIAL:

GREAT
GARDEN
IDEAS pg 46

PLUS:
31 Bags of style
for under £25
32 The truth
about hair loss
YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

PICS: SHUTTERSTOCK, STOCK FOOD

HOW TO LIVE
10 YEARS
LONGER pg 36

your style

We’ve got you
Stylish, lightweight jackets for
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Trench
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YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

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COMPILED BY: MATILDA STANLEY. PHOTO: GETTY

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your beauty
TIME IN THE TUB

LUXE LOTION

Packed full of magnesium, jasmine and
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skin while you’re in the bath. The
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Westlab Balance Bath Salt £9.99

Show your arms and legs some
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Tisserand The Countdown
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ROOT REVIVER
Hydrated hair is happy hair, and this light
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L’Oréal Elvive Hydra Pure
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SILK Y SERUM
Bring back bounce and firmness to
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Primark PS… Peptide
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Sanctuary Spa Lily & Rose Natural Oils Melting Pearls
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DAILY MASSAGE
De-puff and stimulate blood flow by using a rose quartz
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MIJ Masks Rose Quartz Facial Roller £15

BEAUTY SLEEP
While we sleep, our skin
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Green People Brightening Fruitful Nights
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WEEKLY PAMPER
Treat yourself to some ‘me time’ while
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with a weekly face mask. This mineralrich clay draws out impurities to leave
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Bubble Come Clean
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PLAYFUL COLOUR
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The zingy minty scent and cooling feel
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Faith in Nature Mint Body Wash

A quick fix for adding some fun to your day is trying
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31

The truth about
It’s not just a man’s issue – here’s how
hair loss can impact women too…

hen we think of
hair loss, it’s often
an image of a man
that springs to
mind. Its impact on women is less
talked about, despite it affecting
millions worldwide.
While it’s not unusual to see hair
building up in your brush, or strands
caught in the plughole after a shower,
losing too much can be a worry. But
it’s important to know that hair
shedding is normal. According to the
NHS, we can lose between 50 and 100
hairs a day as part of the natural hair
growth cycle.
However, a significant change
in the rate your hair is growing,
a widening parting or thinning
patches on your head, might be

WORDS: JULIA SIDWELL PICS: SHUTTERSTOCK, MARTA TEIXEIRA/CLINIHAIR.CO.UK

W

signs of female-pattern hair loss
(FPHL) – one of the most common
causes of hair loss in women.
Trichologist and dermatology
nurse Marta Teixeira sees many
women with FPHL visit her clinic,
seeking her help and advice. Here, she
reveals all you need to know about
the condition.

What it looks like

Female-pattern hair loss, also
known as female androgenetic
alopecia, is characterised by
a gradual thinning of the hair
and is one of the most common
causes of hair loss in women.
“It usually begins in your 40s, 50s
or 60s, however it can affect women
earlier,” says Marta. “Scientific
evidence has shown that,
by the age of 40, around
Meet the expert
40 per cent of women may
n Marta Teixeira is a certified
experience noticeable hair
trichologist and dermatology
thinning to some extent.”
specialist nurse for the NHS.
Common signs of hair loss
She sees many women with
include gradual thinning,
female-pattern hair loss (FPHL) visit her clinic,
starting at the crown of the
seeking her help and advice. Marta can be
head, mid-part or frontal
found on Instagram @clinihair.uk.

32

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

temporal sides; patchy bald spots;
slower hair growth; loosening of hair,
and even full-body hair loss.
Marta explains, “In men, malepattern baldness typically begins
with receding hairlines and crown
thinning. In women, FPHL usually
results in diffuse thinning on the top
and midpart of the scalp, with the
frontal hairline spared. Hair thinning
may be more noticeable in the central
part of the scalp, leading to a loss of
hair density.
“Alopecia is a general and medical
term used to describe hair loss. It
includes various forms of hair loss,
including FPHL. Alopecia areata, for

Hair loss is a
sensitive subject
for women

your health
SEVEN SOLUTIONS FOR THINNING HAIR
Early intervention and treatment can help slow down the progression
of hair loss and, in some cases, stimulate the regrowth of hair

1

EAT WELL
“While genetic factors play
a significant role, adopting a
healthy lifestyle can help ensure
the body has the necessary
building blocks for strong,
vibrant hair,” says Marta. “A diet
rich in essential nutrients,
including vitamins, minerals
and proteins, is important for
maintaining healthy hair.”
TURN DOWN
THE HEAT
Avoid excessive heat styling
and harsh treatments and

2

try to protect the hair from
damaging UV rays by wearing
a hat.
KEEP IT SIMPLE
Try to avoid putting your
hair up in tight ponytails or
hairstyles that put excessive
stain on the hair and scalp.
MANAGE STRESS
Stress hormones have
been proved to impair the
cells necessary for hair growth.
Take time to de-stress with
walks in nature, relaxing baths
and meditation.

3

4

example, is an autoimmune condition
that leads to hair loss in small, round
patches. So, while FPHL is a form of
alopecia, alopecia itself encompasses
a much broader spectrum of hair
loss conditions.”
Though hair loss is not lifethreatening, the psychological impact
should be taken seriously. Hair loss
is a sensitive topic for both men
and women, however
societal standards often
place a greater emphasis
on women’s appearance.
“This pressure on
how we look can lead to
women experiencing more significant
psychological distress when they
lose their hair,” says Marta. “Women
may feel that hair loss affects
their femininity and self-esteem,
contributing to the perception that it is
less ‘acceptable’. We need to remember
that, while men may find it preferable
to shave their head, women might not
have this option so easily.”

5

QUIT SMOKING
Smoking promotes
the release of cytokines,
Avoid excessive
proteins that can increase
heat styling and
inflammation and cause
treatments
scarring of the hair follicles.
This scarring can make your
needed boost and even help
hair more brittle and prone to
prevent breakage.
falling out.
WASH LESS
CHANGE YOUR
SHAMPOO
Washing hair daily may
Swap your usual hair care
cause hair to thin or decrease in
products for a volumising
volume over time, as frequent
shampoo and conditioner. These washing can strip natural oils
could give your locks a muchand dry out the scalp.

6

genetics are all thought to play
a role in its development. Genetic
predisposition plays a significant
role, and if you have a family history
of hair loss, you are more likely
to experience it yourself.” When
women go through the menopause,
it is common to experience hair
loss due to hormonal changes.
“A decrease in oestrogen and
progesterone can
influence hair growth
cycles,” says Marta.
“These hormonal shifts
often lead to thinning
hair and hair loss in the
post-menopausal period if there’s
a genetic predisposition for FPHL.”
Other reasons for female hair
loss may occur for those living
with chronic health conditions –
some treatments come with side

‘Many factors
can play a part
in hair loss’

Why does it happen?
The exact cause of FPHL is not fully
understood, though it’s believed
many factors can play a part.
Marta says, “Ageing, hormonal
changes, environmental factors and

7

effects that include the development
of FPHL.
Cancer treatments, such
as radiation therapy and
chemotherapy, are also known
for causing significant hair loss.
Chemo can cause hair loss all over
the body, not just on the scalp.
Radiotherapy only causes hair loss
in the area being treated. In these
cases, it usually grows back once the
treatment is completed.

Talk to your
GP if you have
any concerns

GET HELP
If you experience sudden
hair loss and visit your
GP, they may refer you
to a dermatologist or
certified trichologist.
Treatments can include
topical medication applied
directly to the scalp to
stimulate hair growth and
slow hair loss. In some
cases, oral medications

may be prescribed,
which can help regulate
hormones related to hair
loss. For very advanced
cases, a hair transplant
may be considered.
“There are some
fantastic temporary
measures now available,”
says Marta. “Hair

concealers that hide
bald spots, volumising
shampoos, or hair
styling techniques can
all create the appearance
of thicker hair. Wigs
or hair extensions can
also be considered for a
temporary improvement
in hair appearance.

Yours promotion

Two women share their
experiences with NHS
Patient Choice
e all want more of a
say when it comes
to our health – and
that of our loved
ones – which is why the NHS offers
Patient Choice. “Patient Choice
allows you to have a say in where
you go for hospital treatment.
It’s like being in the driver’s seat,

W

deciding where you
get your treatment to
fit your preferences
and needs,” says
Linda Cottrell (58)
Linda
from North London,
who was referred to
a specialist via Patient Choice for
treatment of ulcerative colitis.

What is Patient Choice?
Patient Choice is about working
with your GP or healthcare

professional to decide where you
are referred when you need to see
a specialist. If your GP suggests
you’re referred to see a specialist,
you can choose which hospital you
go to, whether NHS or independent
sector (as long as they provide
NHS services, at no cost to you).
As part of Patient Choice, your GP
practice should be able to share
information on waiting times and
other factors, to help you reach
that important decision. And while

GET SEEN QUICKER
If your GP has suggested seeing a specialist, it’s in everyone’s interest
to wait as short a time as possible. “I wanted to be seen quickly, and
was given the option of my local hospital, or travelling a bit further to a
private hospital,” says Julia Knowles (51) from Herts, who was referred
to a hip consultant for arthritis. “I chose there and then, during my
appointment,” says Julia, who was happy to travel further in order to be
seen earlier, and describes Patient Choice as ‘fantastic.’
Other reasons for adjusting your choice might include geography and
transport options – for example it might be easier to reach somewhere
further away with better public transport links if you don’t drive – or
wanting to receive treatment nearer to family members or friends, so
you can stay with them during your treatment or recovery.
Julia

an initial outpatient appointment,
and search by region or speciality.
Once you have decided where you
would like to go, you can make
your choice on the NHS App, online
or over the phone, by calling the
National Referral Helpline.
There are various reasons you
might choose one hospital over
another: for a shorter waiting time,
somewhere nearer your own home
– or the home of a relative or friend.

Who is Patient Choice for?

you can make your choice during
your appointment, you don’t have
to decide there and then. Choosing
where to receive care can be a big
decision and one you
may want to talk over
with a trusted loved
one. If so, simply ask
your GP to make the list of options
available to you, you can then
visit the My Planned Care website
(myplannedcare.nhs.uk), where
you can compare waiting times for

Most people can benefit from
Patient Choice, with a few
exclusions such as those needing
emergency care or those in the
armed forces (for more detail
visit nhs.uk/patientchoice). As
long as it’s a routine referral, you
almost certainly have a right to
choose where you are seen, with
common conditions including knee
replacements, hip replacements,
hernia and gallstones all falling
within the required criteria.
Many people who have used
Patient Choice have been pleased
to have more autonomy. Linda
is really happy to
have been referred
to a hospital which
specialises in her
condition: “It’s great to feel like
you’re talking to somebody who
really knows what you’re going
through and the ever-changing
symptoms.” She recommends

‘It provides a sense
of empowerment’

speaking to your GP about your
options: “It provides a sense
of empowerment, allowing
patients to feel in control – a
crucial aspect for individuals
navigating situations where they
can’t control what’s happening
internally.”
n For more information visit
www.nhs.uk/patientchoice

‘PATIENT CHOICE GIVES
PEOPLE AUTONOMY’
Dr Natalie Prout, a GP
in central London, tells
us more about Patient
Choice: “People want
that choice. People want
to be able to say, ‘I made
an informed decision
about where I went.’
I think it means they are more likely to
attend their appointments if they feel part
of the decision-making process.
“I will be quite upfront with patients and
say, ‘Look, this is your closest hospital,
however the waiting time is double the
amount than if I sent you to another
hospital. What would you prefer?’ Waiting
times are one of the biggest priorities
and location is the second, those are the
two top priorities that the majority of my
patients care about. When assessing where
to send someone, those are the two things
that we will discuss.
“Generally people are very, very surprised
and then quite happy that they are able to
choose. It’s not for every single service, but
for a lot of services you do have a choice of
where you go, so that means you can use
recommendations, do your own research,
see what’s convenient for you and what fits
into your lifestyle.”

How to
Discover some tweaks you can make to help you stay healthy
hile you may look
to your parents
to determine how
long you might live,
studies have shown that genetics
only account for 20-30 per
cent of longevity. That means
environmental influences like
diet and lifestyle can have a
huge impact – and, crucially,
they can add healthy years
to your life. The good news
is, those changes are in your
control and they might be
simpler than you think!

W

BALANCE ON ONE LEG
It might seem odd, but being
able to balance on one leg is an
important marker of longevity.
Physiotherapist Christine
Simms says: “Good balance
is important as falls can have
major consequences for older
people, usually because you
might break a bone and need
surgery, and some never regain
the same mobility afterwards.”
She says studies have found
that those who can stand
on one leg for 10 seconds or

longer have better longevity
than those who can’t. She
recommends the ‘flamingo’
pose. “Look straight ahead with
your arms by your side and tuck
one foot behind the other calf.
If you find this easy, add some
challenges: close your eyes or
move the suspended foot or
ankle a bit. You can incorporate
this into daily activities such
as standing on one leg while
waiting for the kettle to boil or
the toaster to pop!”

Meet the experts
n Dr Sarah Cooke is
a GP and Registered
Associate Nutritionist.
She is passionate about
how diet and lifestyle
can optimise health and prevent
disease. Visit scnutrition.com

36

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

n Christine Simms is a
physiotherapist, Pilates teacher
and psychotherapist. She is
the founder of The Mind-Body
Guide, helping people recover
from chronic pain using a mind-body approach.
Visit themindandbodyguide.co.uk

your health
MAKE MOVEMENT
PART OF YOUR DAY
Studies have found that those who live the
longest often build exercise into their day-today lives, rather than go to the gym or do a
formal class. Danish research also showed that
those who cycled daily lived four years longer
than those who did minimal exercise.
Christine Simms says: “Take some time to
think about what this might look like for you.
Maybe it’s gardening, taking the stairs whenever
possible or parking further away so you have to
walk a bit more. Remember, it’s important that
the exercises and changes are achievable.”

40-74, and they include checking
for diabetes, high cholesterol and
your blood pressure. It’s a good idea
to attend these so you can modify
your lifestyle to deal with any health
issues and prevent conditions which
may occur.”

Find healthy ways to
cope with stress

Fill up on plants

See your GP

When scientists have studied areas
of the world where people live the
longest – including regions in Italy,
Greece and Japan – they have one
thing in common: the people eat
a diet rich in plant-based foods.
Nutritionist Dr Sarah Cooke says:
“Eat a colourful diet, full of a variety
of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds,
wholegrains, beans and whole foods.
Think about adding colour to your
plate rather than cutting out foods.”

Dr Sarah Cooke says if you notice
any new symptoms, seeing a GP as
soon as possible is important. “If
you’re experiencing new symptoms
that last – as a rule of thumb – for
three weeks or more, such as a
cough, a change in bowel habit, or
weight loss without trying, then it’s
important to speak to your GP.” No
new symptoms? You can still go
for a health check. “The NHS offers
these every five years if you’re aged

A recent study by
Yale University
found that
being under
chronic
stress can
shorten your
lifespan.
Another
found that
stress can
reduce a woman’s
lifespan by 2.3
years. Dr Sarah Cooke
is also keen to point out that stress
can also lead to unhealthy coping
mechanisms, which can result in
health complications.
“Stress is an inevitable part of
life and, while we can’t remove all
stressors, there are ways to improve
our response. Adopt healthy
coping mechanisms like exercise,
connection with loved ones, hobbies
such as reading and listening to
music, rather than unhealthy ones
like alcohol and comfort eating.”

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

37

your health
Look after your grandchildren
A study showed that grandparents
who spend time with their
grandchildren tend to live longer;
in fact they have a 37 per cent lower
mortality risk compared to ones who
give no care.
Christine Simms says, “Caring
responsibilities give us a sense of
purpose and building close bonds
stimulates the release of oxytocin,
which helps reduce stress and
increases feelings of safety, which
will contribute to longevity. In
addition, the joy of playing with
grandchildren encourages you to
join in playfully and you’ll be more
active, improving joint mobility.
“Care-giving might also involve
helping out in your neighbourhood,
voluntary work or looking after
a pet.”

Form a community
Being around people is good for our
health. Research shows that people
with strong social connections tend
to live longer than those who are
more isolated. Christine says we
release oxytocin when we bond and
connect with others.
“Oxytocin is also known as
a ‘cardio protective hormone’
because it triggers the release
of nitric oxide which dilates the blood
vessels causing blood pressure
to reduce. So, kindness is good

for the heart and reducing stress.
Aim to include yourself in social
connections with people who show
kindness. Developing relationships
with these sorts of people will reduce
stress and make you feel happier.”

Drink alcohol in moderation
Some studies have shown moderate
alcohol consumption can reduce
your chance of heart disease, with
red wine thought to be the best
choice due to antioxidants. Dr
Sarah Cooke says moderation is key.
“Generally consuming alcohol within
a healthy limit: 14 units or less per
week, with at least three alcohol-free
days, is advised. Higher consumption
of alcohol is associated with certain
cancers, liver disease, heart attacks,
strokes and poor mental health.”
And if you’re a smoker? “Smoking
should be avoided, it’s never too late
to quit and see the health benefits!”

TRIM YOUR TUM
Carrying fat around your
abdomen means you likely have
visceral fat (fat around your
organs), which is associated
with health risks and a higher
mortality risk. It can increase your
risk of developing diabetes and
heart disease, which in turn have
a negative effect on lifespan
Sticking to a diet high in plant
foods, reducing processed foods,
losing weight and staying active
can help reduce visceral fat.

GET YOUR SHUT-EYE

38

a chance to repair.
Sleep disruption
– particularly in
shift workers – is
associated with an
increased risk of
type 2 diabetes.
Plus, a good night’s
sleep makes other
healthy habits easier.”
Making sure you get
up and go to bed at
similar times every day

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

If your GP suggests
seeing a specialist,
you can choose
where to go based
on what suits you.

can help aid sleep, along
with going for a walk
in daylight and taking
a warm bath or shower
before going to bed.

Like somewhere
that’s easier to
get to.

It’s your

Choice
Visit nhs.uk/patientchoice

BY ANNABELLE LEE PICS: SHUTTERSTOCK

Studies have found
that men who regularly
sleep well could live
almost five years longer
and women, two years
longer than those who
don’t. They will also
generally find they have
better health during
their lives.
Dr Sarah Cooke
says: “Sleep restores
us and gives the body

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your health
Can eating
seaweed be good
for your health?

The benefits of
Discover the superpowers of this nutrient-rich plant
e’re always hearing
about the latest
superfoods that claim
to be bursting
with nutrients to cure
a selection of ills. But the
medicinal use of seaweed
dates back to ancient
Roman times when it was used as
a treatment for wounds, while its use
as a nutritional powerhouse goes back
even further in Asian cultures.
Seaweed is popular in wellness
circles as it’s high in minerals and
vitamins. Dr Naomi Newman-Beinart,
health expert and nutritionist, shares
the health benefits of this iodinerich superfood and how you can
incorporate it into your diet.

W

Help for your thyroid

Brain power boost

Seaweed, a rich source of iodine,
is a thyroid superhero. Supporting
the thyroid gland’s optimal
function, it helps regulate
metabolism and maintain
hormonal balance. Bid
farewell to sluggishness and
welcome an energy increase.

Did you know that being iodine
deficient can influence how
intelligent you are? Researchers
have found that the more deficient
in iodine a person was, the lower
their IQ.

It can boost
your brain
power

A clear complexion
One more reason you might
want to add seaweed to your
daily diet is that seaweed
contains vitamins, minerals
and antioxidants that are
well-known to help protect the
skin from damage and fight signs
of ageing.

SEA WARES
If you’re looking to add seaweed
into your diet, try these products
Itsu Crispy Seaweed
thins, Amazon, £9

Doctor Seaweed
Immunity+, doctor
seaweed.com, £17

Less dry, flaky skin
Thyroid hormones, which contain
iodine, help your skin cells
regenerate. When thyroid hormone
levels are low, this regeneration
doesn’t occur as often, which could
lead to dry, flaky skin.

Faster hair growth
A recent study found that seaweed
can make your hair grow
up to four times faster
than normal. Researchers
found that people who ate
seaweed and had recently
had their hair cut had a
re-growth rate of 95-100
per cent, while people
who didn’t eat seaweed
had a re-growth rate of
only 25-30 per cent.

Organic Sea Salad,
Cornish seaweed.
co.uk, £5.75

WHILE MANY OF US CAN REAP THE BENEFITS OF
THIS MIGHTY INGREDIENT, SOME PEOPLE WITH
EXISTING HEALTH CONDITIONS SHOULD CHECK
WITH THEIR GP BEFORE USING IT, AS IT CAN BE
TOO RICH IN IODINE FOR THOSE SUFFERING
WITH HYPERTHYROIDISM AND MAY INTERFERE
WITH VITAMIN K LEVELS OF ANYONE TAKING
BLOOD THINNERS. IF YOU’RE UNSURE, CHECK
WITH A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

41

COOK’S

Remove any
beards (the
hair-like fibres
coming out of
the shell) from
the mussels. Tap any
open mussels and
discard any that stay
open. You should
also throw away any
with broken shells.
Use 2 x 500g packets
of mussels in white
wine, if you prefer.

TIP
Enjoy these midweek meals using just five ingredients

Tomato & garlic
mussels
Serves: 4 Takes: 30min
B
B
B
B
B

Cost per
serving:
£1.65

1 red onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
150ml dry white wine
400g can cherry tomatoes
1kg live mussels, scrubbed under
running water (see Cook’s Tip)

1 Heat 1tbsp oil in a large
saucepan over a medium heat.
Add the onion and garlic and
cook, stirring, for 5-6min or until
softened.
2 Stir in the wine and bring to
the boil, then add the tomatoes.
Reduce the heat and simmer
for 3-4min. Season with salt and
pepper. Add the mussels, cover the
pan with a tight-fitting lid and cook
for 6-7min or until the mussels have
opened, shaking the pan once or
twice. Discard any mussels that stay
closed after the cooking time.
3 Serve garnished with freshly
chopped flat-leaf parsley and
lemon wedges, along with fries and
a green salad, if liked.

42

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

your recipes
Veggie satay noodles
Serves: 4 Takes: 20min
B
B
B
B
B

250g pkt fine egg noodles
2tsp sesame oil
1tbsp garlic and ginger paste
600g pkt stir-fry vegetable mix
120g pkt satay stir-fry sauce

Cost per
serving:
£1.02

1 Cook the noodles in a large saucepan
of boiling water according to the pack
instructions. Drain well, refresh under cold
water and set aside.
2 Heat the oil in a large wok or frying
pan over a high heat. Add the garlic and
ginger paste and stir-fry for 1min. Add
the vegetable mix, lower the heat to
medium, and stir-fry for 2-3min or until the
vegetables are just tender (see Cook’s tip).
3 Add the noodles and stir-fry for 1-2min
until heated through. Add the satay
sauce and stir-fry for 1min. Serve
immediately with a squeeze of lime or
dash of soy sauce, if liked.

COOK’S

There are a variety of
stir-fry veggie mixes in the
supermarkets. Some have
chunkier and crunchier veg,
so you may find that you need to
stir-fry for an extra minute or so. Adding
a splash of water or soy sauce to the pan
will help to quickly cook the veg.

TIP

Sweet & sour pork & spring onion stir-fry
B 1tbsp vegetable oil
B

B

B

COOK’S

TIP

For a spicier flavour, use chilli oil
instead of the vegetable oil, or add a
deseeded and finely chopped red chilli
with the spring onions and mushrooms.

B

(see Cook’s tip)
400g pork loin
steaks, thinly
sliced
1 bunch spring
onions, trimmed
and sliced into
4cm lengths
150g oyster
mushrooms, sliced
if large, or use
regular closed-cup
450g jar sweet and
sour cooking sauce

Cost per
serving:
£1.73

1 Heat the oil in a
large wok or frying
pan over a high heat. Add the
pork and stir-fry for 3-4min or until
browned all over. Remove the
pork from the pan with a slotted
spoon and drain on kitchen paper.
2 Add the spring onions and
mushrooms to the pan and stir-fry
for 1-2min until just tender. Return
the pork to the pan, along with
the sweet and sour sauce, and
stir-fry for 1-2min or until sizzling
hot. Serve with boiled rice or
noodles, if liked.

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

EDITED BY: HAYLEY MERRICK PHOTOS: STOCKFOOD; PRICES ARE APPROXIMATE.

Serves: 4 Takes: 25min

43

Whip up one
of these easy
scrumptious
traybakes
– perfect to
share!

White chocolate
macadamia blondies

Cost per
blondie:
48p

Makes: 16 blondies Takes: 1hr 10min
(plus cooling)

EDITED BY HAYLEY MERRICK PHOTOS: STOCKFOOD. PRICES ARE APPROXIMATE.

B Vegetable oil, for
greasing
B 200g unsalted
butter, diced
B 280g white
chocolate, chopped
B 1tsp vanilla extract

B
B
B
B
B

3 eggs
220g caster sugar
150g plain flour
35g self-raising flour
120g macadamias,
halved

1 Preheat the oven to 160°C (fan 140°C, gas 3).
Grease a 20cm x 30cm traybake tin and line the
base and the two long sides with baking paper.
2 Place the butter, 180g of the white chocolate
and the vanilla extract in a heatproof bowl set
over a saucepan of simmering water and leave
until melted and smooth, stirring occasionally.
Cool for 10min.
3 Meanwhile, using an electric hand-held mixer,
beat the eggs in a large bowl for 5min or until
thick and pale. Gradually whisk in the sugar and
continue to beat until the mixture is thick and
leaves a ribbon trail on the surface when the
whisk is lifted.
4 Fold in the melted chocolate mixture. Sift over
the flours and fold in gently with the macadamias
and remaining chocolate. Pour the mixture into
the tin and bake for 40min until just crisp on top
and still dense
and moist in
Swap the
the middle.
macadamias
Leave to cool
for pecans,
completely
blanched
hazelnuts or
in the tin, then
roughly chopped
lift out and cut into
Brazil
nuts, if liked.
squares. Serve.

COOK’S

TIP

44

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

your recipes
Carrot cake traybake
Makes: 16 slices Takes: 1hr
20min (plus cooling)
B 200ml sunflower oil,
plus extra for greasing
B 3 eggs
B 200g light muscovado sugar
B Zest and juice of 1
small orange
B 2tsp ground cinnamon
B 250g self-raising flour
B 1tsp baking powder
B 250g carrots, peeled
and grated
B 50g pecans, finely chopped,
plus 75g, to decorate

Cost per
slice:
43p

FOR THE FROSTING
B 75g unsalted butter, softened
B 100g icing sugar, sifted
B 300g full-fat soft cheese,
at room temperature

1 Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan 160°C, gas
4). Grease a 20cm x 30cm traybake tin and
line the base and the two long sides with
baking paper.
2 Put the oil, eggs, sugar, orange zest and
juice and cinnamon in a large bowl and
beat together with an electric hand-held
mixer for 2-3min until the sugar has
dissolved. Sift over the flour and baking
powder and fold in gently, then fold in the
carrots and chopped pecans.

3 Spoon the mixture into the tin and level
the surface. Bake for 35-40min or until
risen, golden and springy to the touch.
Cool for 5min, then turn out on to a wire
rack and cool completely.
4 To make the frosting, put the butter
and icing sugar in a large bowl and beat
together until very smooth and creamy,
then gradually beat in the soft cheese until
evenly mixed. Swirl over the top of the
cake and decorate with the extra pecans.
Cut into slices to serve.

Cost per
slice:
24p

Gluten-free almond iced traybake
Makes: 20 slices Takes: 1hr 10min (plus cooling and setting)
B Vegetable oil, for
greasing
B 225g unsalted butter,
softened
B 225g caster sugar
B 4 eggs
B 1tsp almond extract
B 175g gluten-free selfraising flour (see Tip)
B ½tsp baking powder
(check that it’s
gluten-free)
B 50g ground almonds
B 125g icing sugar
B 20 raspberry jelly
sweets (or fresh
raspberries)

1 Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan 160°C,
gas 4). Grease a 20cm x 30cm traybake
tin and line the base and the two long
sides with baking paper.
2 Put the butter, sugar, eggs and almond
extract in a large bowl. Sift over the flour
and baking powder. Beat together with
an electric hand-held mixer for 2-3min
until smooth and creamy. Fold in the
ground almonds.
3 Spoon the mixture into the tin
and level the surface. Bake for 3540min or until risen, golden and
springy to the touch. Cool for 5min,
then turn out on to a wire rack and cool
completely.
4 Sift the icing sugar into a bowl. Add

2tsp warm water and mix to a smooth
thick icing, adding a little more water, if
needed. Spread the icing over the top
of the cake letting it drizzle down the
sides. Decorate with the raspberry jelly
sweets or fresh raspberries, if preferred.
Leave in a cool place until set. Cut into
slices to serve.
Gluten-free flours are excellent
quality nowadays. They are
mostly ready to use, but it’s
always worth adding a teaspoon
of xantham gum to the flour,
which helps hold your bake together.
Check the back of the packet of flour for
instructions and to check ingredients.

COOK’S

TIP

Love your
outdoors

Help your garden

-

Brilliant buys
to update your
outdoor space

Ergo Deadheader
with Finger Loop,
£12, National
Trust Shop

Verve Dahlia
Bulbs, £3.50
per pack of
2, B&Q

Q Garden 3000W
Garden Blower
Vacuum, £49.99,
Dobbies

Jardin Wooden
Border Roll, £4.99,
Home Bargains

COMPILED BY JO CHAPMAN

Garden
Spade,
£22.99,
Dobbies

46

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

your home

Solar
Post,
£12,
Matalan

Deep Leather Lichen Green
Gardening Gloves, £7, B&Q
Esme Bistro Set, £99, Dobbies
Duo Weave
Indoor/Outdoor
Rug 160 x 230cm,
£90 Homebase

Ecru Large
Tassel Fringed
Garden Parasol,
£225, Staycation
Vintage Parasols

Allium
Silhouette
Plant Stake,
£18, National
Trust Shop

Ribbed Metal
Trough, £4, B&M

3-Pack Ribbed
Planters, £10, B&M

EasyMower
18V-32-150,
£149.95,
Bosch-diy.com

Compact Wooden
Folding Dining
Set, £229, Bay Tree
Anthracite 120cm,
£65, Dunelm

Verve Wallmounted Auto
Hose Reel, £86, B&Q

Slate Thermometer, £22,
National Trust Shop

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

47

Love your
outdoors

-

These easy
switches will make
a big difference in
your garden and
to the planet

2

Mulch to conserve
soil moisture

Adding a few handfuls of organic matter
onto your flowerbeds or the tops of
pots is a no-brainer. Strulch (£14.99/9kg,
marshallsgarden.com) is made from wheat
straw and it helps retain moisture (so you
don’t need to water as much), reduce
weed growth and deter slugs and snails.

GROW YOUR OWN
1 CUT FLOWERS
Rather than buying flowers from the
supermarket, save air miles by growing your
own. You don’t even need a dedicated spot,
just some weed-free places in sparse borders
or empty pots in the sun will work. Try ‘cut and
come again’ zinnias, along with long-lasting
chrysanthemums and alstroemeria.

3 USE TOILET ROLLS
AS STARTER POTS
As long as the cardboard is
biodegradable, you can
fold over the sides at one
end to make a base,
then fill with compost
to sow seeds or grow
on seedlings. When
they’re ready to be
planted outside, snip
off the base and pop
them into the ground,
roll included, and tear off
any roll that’s left above
the soil.

your space
7 TAKE A STANCE ON GLYPHOSATES
Found in some weedkillers,
glyphosate is a toxic ingredient
that research has shown to be
harmful to plants, wildlife and
humans. While not illegal in
the UK (there will be a review

in 2025), many garden centres
have already decided to de-list
products with glysophates.
Do the same and buy an
electric weed burner instead –
prices start from £25.

4 PAVE SMART
This Ashbourne ECO Concrete Paving
(from £33.19/m2, bradstone.co.uk)
has a new mix with a reduced carbon
footprint of over 20 per cent to
make it a more sustainable option.

Pull up a slab

Create a green oasis in a desert of
paving by removing a slab, digging out
a planting hole and adding compost
and a shallow soil-loving plant such as
creeping thyme and Mexican fleabane.

6

Buy hemp pots

As well as looking pretty stylish, the
natural, fully biodegradable fabric
allows oxygen to get to the roots to help
growth. £2.99/5L pot agriframes.co.uk

8

Improve soil

Whether you’ve got
clay, sandy or a difficult combo
of soils in your garden, the
eco-friendly way to improve
it is with biochar. Biochar is
a catch-all term for any organic matter
that has been carbonised at a high
temperature without any oxygen, and
it will improve your plants’ health and
growth along with water and nutrient
retention. Try Carbon Gold Biochar Soil
Improver, £9.99/1L carbongold.com

9 COMPOST ON
A MICRO SCALE
No room for a compost heap?
Sink worm towers (£29.95 each,
coopersofstortford.co.uk) into
borders and raised beds. Fill with
kitchen waste and worms will scatter
the nutrients and aerate the soil.

10

Ward off ants
with vinegar

If you see a little trail of ants moving
busily back and forth, it’s easy to stop
them in their tracks and create a detour
route by spraying the ground with
white vinegar.

11

Lay wool matting to
stop slugs and snails

Protect plants from these garden pests
with a Multi-Use Pure Wool Horticultural
Mat (£3.95, worm.co.uk) with spiky fibres
that are too painful to travel across.

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

49

MODERN GARDENS PIC: ALAMY STOCK PHOTO, SHUTTERSTOCK

5

Love your
outdoors

-

Grow a kitchen
garden in planters
and hanging baskets
for a bountiful crop
in a compact plot
Fancy salad leaves
As long as you keep them
watered, you can grow salad
leaves in hanging baskets.
For a good-looking basket as
well as interesting salads, choose
a mixed collection (Lettuce Mixed,
£2.49/1,200 seeds, crocus.co.uk).
Sow in baskets of container compost
and thin out seedlings to 15cm
apart, using the ones you pull out
as microgreens.

EASY-GROW
AUBERGINES
These cheeky bulbous fruits can be
grown quite happily in a pot on a sunny
patio, and the variety ‘Scorpio F1’
(£16.99/3 peat-free potted plants dobies.
co.uk) has been bred to be super-easy to
grow and speedy to reach harvest.

Add a quirky look
to your garden

your space
Show-off courgettes
Sh

Abundant cherry toms
You should always make a bit of
space to grow some tasty toms!
A bushy variety such as ‘Koralik’ F1
(£12.95/3 x 9cm pots, mr-fothergills.
co.uk) will thrive in a pot or hanging
basket in full sun, and by buying
a potted plant you skip all the stress.
Plant now and it’ll be spilling with
toms from July.

Ready-in-aReadymonth radishes

You don’t need a lot
of space to grow veg

Not just for adding
a peppery taste
to salads, speedyto-grow radishes
can be roasted and
sautéed or simply
dipped raw into hummus
for a tasty patio snack. Radish Mix
(£2.50/500 seeds, sarahraven.com)
gives you a pretty mix of rosy tones.
Sow directly into pots and pull
out the largest as they reach the
size of a marble, which is when
they’re at the most tender.

Posh carrots
Chantenays taste fab eaten raw,
steamed or roasted, with no need
to peel. And their petite nature
means they’re happy in a pot in a
sunny spot. Choose a
stress-free strip
of young
plants
(£8/strip
of 32,
rootsplants.
co.uk)
and space
each plant
6cm apart.

Mixed potatoes
The Container Growing Seed Potato
Pack (£15/3 x 1kg of each
variety, rootsplants.co.uk)
includes three different
organic faves – ‘Charlotte’,
‘Jazzy’ and ‘Maris Peer’ – all
ideal for growing in planters or
large pots at least 45cm wide and
deep. Grow two plants per pot in a
sunny spot.

COLOURFUL CHARD
These vibrant tones will look fab on your
patio as well as on your plate. Use young
stems and leaves for salads or more mature
ones for steaming and stir fries, from July to
October.
n Chard ‘Bright Lights’, £6.95/10 young plants
dtbrownseeds.co.uk.

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

51

MODERN GARDENS PICS: ALAMY, SHUTTERSTOCK

Growing unique
varieties can mix
up your recipes

T Culinary Courgette
The
Collection (£6.95/5
C
sseedlings, sarahraven.com)
g
gives you five shapely and
d
delicious varieties for patio
sstyle and non-standard veg
to inspire your cooking. Pop
ea
each plant in a 45cm pot and
wat
water once a week.

Love your
outdoors

-

Use smashed tiles and a plant pot saucer to create
a stylish splashpool for feathered friends

TS
WHAT IT COS
s, including
Lef tover tiles or sample
broken
mirror tiles or pieces of
cs,
sai
Mo
ss
Gla
try
mirror, or
k
o.u
s.c
ros
ker
ba
0g
£14.95/50
Tea towel and hammer
Measuring jug
Mapei, £9.50
Fast-set tile adhesive:
for mixing in
diy.com and container
knife
Wallpaper scraper/pallet
Old plant pot saucer
Gloves
anean
Mosaic tiles: Mediterr
cm, £3.99
30
x
30
ol
Po
ng
Swimmi
tiles-direct.com
Old tea towels

Total:

52

£28.44

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

your space

2
1

Place the tiles between layers of a
folded tea towel and use a hammer
to break into pieces.

Pour the adhesive into a container
and add the required amount of
water, according to the instructions. Mix
until smooth, using the scraper. Aim for
a consistency that resembles smooth
peanut butter.

3

Use the scraper to spread the
adhesive onto a section of the saucer.
It needs to be around 13mm thick.

4

Place a tile piece onto the
adhesive and lightly press down,
nestling the base of the tile evenly
into it.

For an extra sparkle in the sunshine,
add the mirrored segments. Wear
gloves as these can be sharp.

Carry on adding sections of
adhesive and tiles until the base of
the saucer is covered. Leave to dry for
three hours. Spread a layer of adhesive
over the top of the tiles, working it into
any gaps between them.

8

9

5

7

Use a dry cloth to finish spreading
the adhesive, smoothing it
around the tiles and around the edge
of the saucer. Once you’re happy
with the finish, dampen the cloth and
carefully wipe any excess adhesive
from the tiles.

Apply adhesive around the edge
of the saucer and push in the
small mosaic tiles leaving small gaps
between them.

Smooth with a dry cloth, then
remove excess adhesive with
a damp cloth, and leave to dry for at
least six hours.

Turn to page 61 for the best secateurs
YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

53

MODERN GARDENS PICS: GAP PHOTOS

6

This sweet pom-pom mobile will brighten even the dullest day
YOU WILL NEED
Yarn and materials
Valley Yarns Becket
(50% wool, 50% alpaca)
worsted (aran) weight;
141yd (129m) per 3½oz
(100g) ball
Natural 01 (A); 2 balls
Daruma Iroiro Roving
(100% wool) worsted
(aran) weight; 24yd
(22m) per ¾oz (20g) ball
Baby Pink 104 (B); 1 ball
Cloudy Sky 114 (C); 1 ball
Apricot 106 (D); 1 ball
Needles & equipment
US 8 (5mm) circular
needles suitable for
working in the round
1 round marker
4 stitch markers
Tapestry needle
US 8 (5mm) crochet hook
Small pompom maker or
card circles

TENSION
4 sts and 28 rounds =
4in (10cm) square over
garter stitch, using US 8
(5mm) needles.

ABBREVIATIONS
Foll = follow; K = Knit;
k2tog = knit two together;
KFB = knit 1 into front and
back of a stitch; P = purl;
Pm = place marker; Sl1p =
slip purlwise; Ssk = slip slip
knit; St/s = Stitch/es; Wyif =
with yarn in front
n Can’t get this yarn?
Find a suitable alternative at
yarnsub.com

54

Cloud base
Using A, cast on 40 sts using
long tail method.
Work in garter st with twisted
edge selvedge as foll:
Row 1: Sl1p wyif, k to end of
row.
Rep Row 1 till work measures
1½in (4cm).
Pick up sts around base as
foll:
K to end, pick up and k5 sts
along short edge of base, pick
up and k40 sts along cast-on
edge, pick up and k5 sts along
second short edge of base, so
that needle tips are meeting,
ready to continue working in
round. (90 sts)
PM and p to end of round.
Marker is at front right side of
cloud.
Cont in garter st in the round
(alt k and p rounds) as foll:
Round 1: K to end of round.
Round 2: P to end of round.
Round 3: K to end of round.
Bottom section
Set up round: P5, PM, p30, PM,
p15, PM, p30, PM, p to end of
round.
Round 1: [K to 3 sts before
marker, kfb, k1, kfb, SM, k to
marker, SM, kfb, k1, kfb] twice, k
to end of round. (8 sts inc, 98 sts)
Round 2: P to end of round.
Round 3: [K to 3 sts before
marker, kfb, k1, kfb, SM, k to
marker, SM, kfb, k1, kfb] twice,
k to end of round. (8 sts inc,
106 sts)
Round 4: P to end of round.
Round 5: [K to 3 sts before
marker, kfb, k1, kfb, SM, k to
marker, SM, kfb, k1, kfb] twice,

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

Size: Cloud:
13in (33cm)
at widest
part, 8¼ in
(21cm) high

k to end of round. (8 sts inc,
114 sts)
Round 6: P to end of round.
Round 7: [K to 4 sts before
marker, kfb, k1, ssk, SM, k6,
k2tog, k1, kfb, k10, kfb, k1, ssk,
k to marker, SM, k2tog, k1,
kfb] twice, k to end of round.
(114 sts)
Round 8: P to end of round.

Round 9: [K to 4 sts before
marker, kfb, k1, ssk, SM, k6, k2tog,
k1, kfb, k10, kfb, k1, ssk, k to
marker, SM, k2tog, k1, kfb] twice,
k to end of round. (114 sts)
Round 10: P to end of round.
Round 11: K to end of round.
Round 12: P to end of round.
Round 13: [K to 7 sts before
marker, ssk, k3, ssk, SM, k to

your free pattern
Round 15: [K to marker, SM, ssk,
k4, k2tog, k8, k2tog, k4, ssk, SM]
twice, k to end of round. (8 sts
dec, 58 sts)
Round 16: P to end of round.
Top section
Round 1: K to marker, remove
marker, k to marker, remove
marker, bind (cast) off 8 sts,
remove marker, k to marker,
remove marker, bind (cast) off 8
sts. (16 sts dec, 42 sts)
Round 2: PM, p to end of
round.
Round 3: K to end of round.
Round 4: P to end of round.
Round 5: K to end of round.
Round 6: P to end of round.
Round 7: [K4, ssk, k9, k2tog, k4]
twice. (4 sts dec, 38 sts)
Round 8: P to end of round.
Round 9: K to end of round.
Round 10: P to end of round.
Round 11: K to end of round.
Round 12: P to end of round.
Round 13: [K4, ssk, k7, k2tog,
k4] twice. (4 sts dec, 34 sts)
Round 14: P to end of round.
Round 15: [K4, ssk, k5, k2tog,
k4] twice. (4 sts dec, 30 sts)
Round 16: P to end of round.
Round 17: [K4, ssk, k3, k2tog,
k4] twice. (4 sts dec, 26 sts)
Round 18: P to end of round.
Bind (cast) off all sts.
Hanging loop
Using US 8 (5mm) crochet
hook and A, crochet a chain
measuring 4in (10cm).
Fasten off, leaving a long tail
for sewing.
Pompom strings
Make nine small pompoms,
three in each in colour.
Long string
Cut a length of A measuring
50in (127cm).
Using US 8 (5mm) crochet
hook and A, crochet a chain
measuring 2½in (6.5cm),
pull yarn through final loop
to secure.
Thread first pompom onto
yarn to sit on top of chain.
Cont to crochet chain for a

further 2.6in (6.5cm), pull yarn
through final loop to secure.
Thread second pompom onto
yarn to sit on top of chain.
Cont to crochet chain for a
further 2.6in (6.5cm), pull yarn
through final loop to secure.
Knot yarn tail securely around
third pompom and trim off end.
Shorter string
Cut a length of A measuring
50in (127cm).
Using US 8 (5mm) crochet
hook and A, crochet a chain
measuring 2in (5cm), pull yarn
through final loop to secure.
Thread first pompom onto yarn
to sit on top of chain.
Cont to crochet chain for a
further 2in (5cm), pull yarn
through final loop to secure.
Thread second pompom onto
yarn to sit on top of chain.
Cont to crochet chain for a
further 2in (5cm), pull yarn
through final loop to secure.
Knot yarn tail securely around
third pompom and trim off end.
Repeat to make a second
shorter string.
Finishing
Seam together the two holes in
the middle of the cloud using
mattress stitch.
Fill the cloud with toy stuffing,
then seam together the hole
at the tip of the cloud using
mattress stitch.
Sew the hanging loop to the
top of the cloud.
Sew the three pompom strings
to the base of the cloud, with
the longer string in the middle
and the shorter strings on
either side.
Using a tapestry needle, weave
in all loose ends.

n Pattern
from Babies
& Toddlers by
Amy Philip,
published by
CICO Books

HERE’S WHAT
YOU’VE BEEN
MAKING…

n Some of the teddies knitted
at our crafty group for the
Buddy Bag Foundation. We
meet up every Thursday and
knit twiddle muffs for care
homes, and baby blankets,
cardigans and baby hats for
our local hospital.
Jenny Dougan, via email
n I crocheted
this from a
previous issue
of Yours. It
used lots of
my spare wool
and I loved
making it.
Jenny Brooks,
via email

n These are some of the hats
and fingerless gloves that
I have been knitting for the
homeless. I purchased the
wool from charity shops.
L.E. Broadfood, Liverpool
We love to see
your makes.
Please share
your creations
with us using
the contact details on page 3.

GET IN
TOUCH

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

55

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES GARDINER © CICO BOOKS

marker, SM, k2tog, k3, k2tog]
twice, k to end of round. (8 sts
dec, 106 sts)
Round 14: P to end of round.
Round 15: [K to 6 sts before
marker, ssk, k2, ssk, SM, k to
marker, SM, k2tog, k2, k2tog]
twice, k to end of round. (8 sts
dec, 98 sts)
Round 16: P to end of round.
Round 17: [K to 5 sts before
marker, ssk, k1, ssk, SM, k to
marker, SM, k2tog, k1, k2tog]
twice, k to end of round. (8 sts
dec, 90 sts)
Round 18: P to end of round.
Round 19: [K to 4 sts before
marker, ssk, ssk, SM, k to marker,
SM, k2tog, k2tog] twice, k to
end of round. (8 sts dec, 82 sts)
Round 20: P to end of round.
Middle section
Round 1: [K to 2 sts before
marker, ssk, SM, k6, kfb, k1,
k2tog, k10, kfb, k1, ssk, k6, SM,
k2tog] twice, k to end of round.
(4 sts dec, 78 sts)
Round 2: P to end of round.
Round 3: [K to 1 st before
marker, kfb, SM, k1, kfb, k4, kfb,
k1, k2tog, k10, ssk, k1, kfb, k4,
kfb, k1, SM, kfb] twice, k to end
of round. (8 sts inc, 86 sts)
Round 4: P to end of round.
Round 5: [K to marker, SM, k8,
k2tog, kfb, k10, kfb, ssk, k8, SM]
twice, k to end of round. (86 sts)
Round 6: P to end of round.
Round 7: [K to marker, SM, k7,
k2tog, kfb, k12, kfb, ssk, k7, SM]
twice, k to end of round. (86 sts)
Round 8: P to end of round.
Round 9: [K to 2 sts before
marker, ssk, SM, k7, ssk, k2tog,
k10, k2tog, ssk, k7, SM, ssk]
twice, k to end of round. (12 sts
dec, 74 sts)
Round 10: P to end of round.
Round 11: K to end of round.
Round 12: P to end of round.
Round 13: [K to marker, SM, ssk,
k5, k2tog, k10, k2tog, k5, ssk,
SM] twice, k to end of round.
(8 sts dec, 66 sts)
Round 14: P to end of round.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Relocating and
rediscovering
purpose
A widow, who relocated
to be closer to her son,
says she managed to
find purpose again with
the help of her local
Oddfellows friendship
group.
In 2013, Marilyn Hayward (82)
took the life-changing decision
to move from Sidcup to Woodley,
near Reading, after her husband
died and a later back injury
hindered her independence.
She soon discovered that most
residents in the retirement
complex she’d moved into had
existing friendship groups, so
she went to local churches and
social groups but couldn’t find
the right fit.
Beginning to lose hope, Marilyn
admitted that, for the first time
in her life, she felt lonely.

Then, in 2016, she discovered a
Thames and Kennet Oddfellows
friendship group was starting up
in Woodley and decided she had
nothing to lose by giving it a go.
Marilyn said: “Everyone was
so friendly. They took the time
to speak to me and ask me
questions about myself.
“You feel like you belong. Like
you’re not the new girl on the
block.”
She joined and said she “went to
everything going”. And added:
“I’d help out in the kitchen and
they appreciated it. I felt like I
had a purpose.
“I went to dinners and met
people from other areas and they
were friendly too. I liked being
able to get dressed up. All that
stopped when my husband died.”
The Oddfellows is one of the
UK’s largest friendly societies,
with around 37,000 members
across its 99 branches. It’s a non-

A FRESH START: Marilyn, pictured centre, enjoying spending time with new
friends at the Oddfellows

profit mutual (membership from
£25 a year) run by members, for
members, to improve the quality
of people’s lives.
Its branches offer support
to members by organising
regular social events, including
talks, walks and quizzes, as
well as offering volunteering
opportunities and a travel club.
Members also benefit from
wellbeing support and advice
with dedicated helplines.
Thames and Kennet Oddfellows
Branch Secretary, Karen Dyke,
said: “Marilyn is now an integral
part of many groups. I’m so glad
that she found us, and I know
she feels the same way.
“Moving to a new area can be
daunting, especially when you

don’t know many people, but we
always provide a friendly face
and a warm welcome.”
Marilyn added: “I’m not sure
where I’d be without the
Oddfellows. It’s not just a part of
my life, it is my life.”

To learn more about the
Oddfellows and to receive a
free information pack and local
events diary, call 0800 028 1810
or email enquiries@oddfellows.
co.uk. www.oddfellows.co.uk/
newstart.
*Terms and conditions apply to
all member benefits and services.
For details, visit www.oddfellows.
co.uk/terms-conditions, or call
0800 028 1810.

Moved recently?
Press play
on your
new start
Get to know some new faces
and places at your local
Oddfellows friendship group.

For your free
local information pack

FREEPHONE
0800 028 1810

Settling into a new home and community takes time. If you’re
looking for ways to meet people who share the same interests,
or to take part in some activities or social events in your new area,
why not give your local Oddfellows friendship group a try?

9am-5pm Mon to Thurs, 9am-4pm Fri

oddfellows.co.uk/newstart

We’re always ready to welcome new members.
Find out what’s happening in your new neighbourhood.
Media ref: 2115
The Oddfellows is the trading name of The Independent Order of Odd Fellows Manchester Unity Friendly Society Limited, incorporated and registered in England and Wales
No 223F. Registered Office Oddfellows House, 184 – 186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB.

ADVICE &
REVIEWS

to KNOW
Expert advice on saving you time & money
HOW TO
RAMBLE pg 58

PLUS:

SECATEURS
ON TEST pg 61

REFRESH
YOUR SKIN pg 65

PICS: SHUTTERSTOCK

67 State pension
boosts, plus get
paid to walk

How to
Walking is good for us – so how can we do
more of it? Whether it’s a gentle stroll or
a hearty hike, here’s how to best reap the
social and physical benefits

ou don’t have to take
part in a strenuous
gym session to keep fit
– walking is the most
popular form of exercise
in the UK for good reason.
If you’d like to increase
your steps and get out
of your comfort zone,
rambling could be the answer.
“Rambling covers everything
from walks in the park to hiking

BY LUCY HUNTER PICS: SHUTTERSTOCK, ALAMY STOCK PHOTO, GETTY IMAGES, RAMBLERS

Y

‘Walking
releases
endorphins’

Meet the expert
n Kate Davis is The
Ramblers’ (ramblers.
org.uk) Walking
Experience Officer. The
Ramblers is Britain’s walking charity.
They break down barriers that stand
in the way and give more people the
opportunity to walk and act to defend
public rights of way for walkers.

58

up hills,” says Kate Davis of The
Ramblers ramblers.org.uk (formerly
the Ramblers Association).
“Walking with a group means we
can chat to others; there
is something soothing
about talking as you
ramble along, taking
everything in together,
or encouraging each other through
tough bits.” Here’s Kate’s guide
to putting your best foot forward.

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

A boost for wellbeing
Walking in nature is good for our
bodies and minds. It can help us
manage or recover from certain
conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes
and heart disease, and is gentle on
our joints too. The act of walking
releases endorphins, so-called
‘feel-good’ chemicals produced
by our brain that promote
relaxation and improve
wellbeing. Rambling in

WHAT YOU NEED
The best thing about walking is
you don’t need lots of kit. All you
need for a short walk on a fine
day is some comfortable shoes,
and maybe a bottle of water
and a snack so you can recharge
during or after your walk.
If you are planning to be
out for longer or in changeable

weather, warm layers and
a waterproof can make all the
difference. It’s always a good
idea to let someone know
where you are headed
and when you
should be back
if walking
solo, too.

good to know
DON’T FORGET THE
COUNTRYSIDE CODE
We all have a part to play in caring for the
landscape while we walk, so it’s important to be
aware of The Countryside Code while rambling.
Essentially, this is a guide to enjoying parks and
waterways, coast and countryside. It encourages
respect and protection for the environment so, for
example, part of the code is to not cause damage
or disturbance and to leave no trace of your visit.
n Find out more at ramblers.org.uk

a group can also boost mental
health and help combat loneliness
and isolation. Physical activity in
a ‘green’ environment has even
greater positive effects.
For anyone new to walking, or
coming back to it after illness, The
Ramblers offer Wellbeing Walks.
They are free, short walks that take
place on the same days and times
each week and are available for
anyone to take part

Getting started
There are different things to love
about walking on your own or as
part of a group. When you’re on
a solo ramble, you might notice
more of the sights and sounds
around you – great for quiet
contemplation and mindfulness.
But, if you’re a beginner, walking
with other people can be a great
way of discovering new places and
meeting new people.
Walk within your comfort zone
for your first few walks. If you are
new to it, try a couple of walks
that aren’t too long or strenuous.
You’ll enjoy the experience and
learn what you want to get from
walking. Another tip is that,
while there is a lot of beautiful
countryside to discover,
don’t forget urban spaces.
Rambling through a city can
open your eyes to all manner of
wonderful things and provides
a unique perspective.

BENEFITS OF GROUP WALKING
Walking in a group is a good
place to start, because it gives
security and is social – you
chat to others about their
experiences – and you’ll get to
know the length and type of
walks that suit you. You might
find that hill walking is just the
bracing walk you are looking
for or that a lakeside route
provides the perfect number
of benches for relaxing breaks.
It’s best to build up to
bigger walks over time as
you gain confidence or
regain fitness. Ramblers run
events, such as a night-time
walk during summer and other social
activities you can join in with too.
Develop your interest in walking even
further by volunteering, which means
you can get stuck in to protecting paths
and much-loved routes.

SOLO WORKS TOO
When you’re walking on your own,
you notice more of the sights and
sounds around you – great for quiet
contemplation and mindfulness. The
Ramblers website offers more than
4,000 tried-and-tested routes and all
of those under three miles are free
to access – just go to the routes page
and pop in your postcode.
You can also watch free Navigation
films – a comprehensive series of
videos aimed at tackling one of the
biggest barriers to getting out into
nature: the fear of getting lost!

If your GP
suggests seeing
a specialist, you
can choose
where to go
based on what
suits you.
Like somewhere
with shorter
waiting times.
It’s your

Choice
Visit nhs.uk/patientchoice

your tried & tested
Love your
outdoors

-

A good pair of secateurs makes spring
gardening a breeze. Here are some of the best…

BEST
OVERALL

BeSt
BuY

Kent & Stowe SureCut
All Purpose Secateurs
Premium with a super-sharp
blade, these secateurs are packed
with clever design details. The first
thing our tester noticed is the rubberised,
textured handle grips, which make them really
comfortable to hold securely.
The chunky central lock is easy to use, regardless of
whether you’re left- or right-handed, and the fact that
you can adjust them to fit your hand size is a thoughtful
detail, too.
The steel blade itself is very sharp and cuts through
flower stems and green wood effortlessly – our tester found
they could snip rosemary sprigs, olive branches, grapevine

£19.99
and eucalyptus stems easily and achieved
a really precise, clean cut.
Although the steel blade and spring make these
secateurs quite weighty, this is balanced out by the
relatively lightweight aluminium handles.
n marshallsgarden.com

★★★★★
YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

61

Chosen by Nick and Judy Holdsworth of Independence Limited

Wash your hair without water

Full sized 100% cotton briefs

Simply place the shower cap on your head and
gently massage to leave your
hair feeling clean and fresh.
Inside is a cloth
lining saturated with
a light, refreshing
hair cleanser to
give you that ‘just
washed’ feeling.
Ideal for travel and
hospital stays.

Traditional full briefs that are so hard to find
in the shops these days. Generously cut with
a wider gusset. They are made from
pure soft cotton for a comfy fit.
Machine washable.
Ref M3200 Women’s
100% Cotton Full Briefs
Colours: Assorted Pastels or White.

Hip sizes: 36 to 50” (91-127cm)
Assorted Pastels
3 garments £13.75
Buy 6 for £24.50 (save £3)
Larger sizes: 52 to 66” (131-167cm)
3 garments £17.00

Ref M1569
Disposable Hair
Wash Caps £6.25 each
Buy 3 for £17.25 (save £1.50)

When ordering, please state colour & your exact HIP size

Pull out plugs with ease

Enjoy a wash without water

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

When you can’t get in the bath or
shower use these large, thick
wipes to feel clean and
fresh all over. Soft,
strong and suitable for
use on even sensitive
skin, these specialist
disposable cloths are
saturated with gentle
cleansers and moisturisers that don’t need to be
rinsed off. Can be cooled in the fridge or warmed
in the microwave before use.
Ref M1573
Bath-in-Bed Wipes
Size 13 x 9” (33 x 23cm)
£4.00 per pack of 8
Buy 2 packs for £7.00 (save £1)

Ref M3601 Plug Pulls
1 pack of 10 £12.00
Buy 2 packs for £21.50 (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 £6.50
(all one colour)
Honey

Buy 6 pairs for
£10.00 (save £3)

Ref M0145
40 Denier Pop Socks
One size fits 4-7.
Colours: Black or Natural.

Pack of 3 pairs £10.00
(all one colour)

Buy 6 pairs for
£17.00 (save £3)

Black

FREE 64 page catalogue
with every order

White

Read small print
with ease
Read a full
page easily
without
moving
the magnifier.
Made from
lightweight
plastic with a PVC frame.
Ref M7034
Full Page Magnifier
Measures 10½ x 7½”
(27 x 20cm).
2x magnification.
£7.50 each Buy 2 for
£13.00 (save £2)

Bag up used pads
Large fragranced bags with tie handles make it
easy and hygienic to deal with the mess and odour
of a soiled incontinence pad.
Ref M2487 Disposable Pad Bags
Large sized
Standard 7 x 12” (18 x 30cm)
for pads
including tie handles.
Pack of 300 £5.25 Buy 2 packs (600)
for £9.00 (save £1.50)

Easily put on tights, socks
or stockings
Slip socks or
stockings over the
device and pull
the ribbons to
draw them
up your legs.

Ref M1557
Sock and
Stocking Aid
£12.75 each

Terry cloth Silky
outer to
smooth
grip
inside
stockings
or socks

FREE UK DELIVERY
When you mention our code MY1624
If you order by mail post to

Independence Ltd. Dept. MY1624,
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
BEST HIGH END

BEST BUDGET
BUY

£13.16

Stihl PG 10 Bypass Secateurs

Genus Japanese Secateurs

Priced at less than £15, these secateurs are a great option
for those on a budget. Our tester found they worked well
for general pruning, however they could become painful
during prolonged use as there is minimal cushioning on
the handles.
The secateurs struggled to cut through thicker stems
and required a bit of force, however they cut through
thinner stems with ease.
Our tester thinks these secateurs would be better for
gentle trimming of flower and herb stems, as opposed to
thicker, unruly plants.

These secateurs are the best our tester has
ever used. They are well made, sharp, precise
and make pruning a joy.
The sleek, classic design fits well into your hand so they
feel comfortable when you are using them. The safety
catch feels secure, but easy to release as and when you
need to. They are packaged very nicely so would make an
ideal present for a keen gardener.
Although they are on the pricier side they have been
built to last and our tester feels confident they will never
need to replace them.

n stihl.co.uk

n genus.gs

★★★★★

BEST
LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN

£80

★★★★★

BEST
ADJUSTABLE

Wilkinson Ultralight Bypass Pruners

Opinel Le Secateur Hand Pruner

These secateurs are designed to be extremely
lightweight at just 150g, making them easy to hold for
prolonged periods of time. Our tester found this was
extremely helpful as pruning isn’t always a five-minute
job, and heavier secateurs can often cause hand cramps
or achy wrists.
Despite being lightweight, they are sturdy enough to
cut through tougher branches with ease and don’t feel
flimsy at all. The safety catch is also a valuable feature
as it keeps the blade protected and helps to prevent
accidents.

Made from slate and beech, these have
£54.95
a satisfying weight to them, without being
too heavy. The wooden handle is comfortable
to hold and not too bulky.
There are three settings, depending on the width
you need, and these are adjusted by a sliding bolt. Our
tester found they were easy enough to operate but may
become fiddly for stiff fingers on a cold day.
The blades are sharp and easy to clean as they are
stainless steel, so a quick rinse under the tap will keep
them looking good.

n wilkinsonsword-tools.co.uk

n opinel.com

★★★★★

BY LUCY BROWN PICS: SHUTTERSTOCK

£14.99

★★★★★
YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

63

The style of your life cottontraders.com

2

PACK OF 2 TUNICS
£40 £20 SAVE £20

CORAL/AQUA

PACK

Flattering fit and pure cotton
soft jersey for easy comfort.
In different pairs of vibrant colours.

DUSKY PINK/
MEADOW

Sizes 10 to 26
Length approx 30” (76cm)
Machine Washable

100% Cotton

Dusky Pink/Meadow

Coral/Aqua

Cobalt/Soft Lemon

AA14108

PULL-ON STRETCH TROUSERS
£40 £20 SAVE £20
COBALT/SOFT LEMON

Stretchy, straight leg denim or twill
with an elasticated waist.
Machine Washable

98% Cotton 2% Elastane
White

Sizes 10-24
27” (68.5cm) inside leg AC14773
Sizes 10-26
AC14774
31” (79cm) inside leg AC14775
33” (84cm) inside leg AC14776
29” (74cm) inside leg

Stonewash

Dark Denim

Sizes 10-24
27” (68.5cm) inside leg AC14609
STONEWASH

DARK
DENIM

Sizes 10-26
AC14610
31” (79cm) inside leg AC14611
33” (84cm) inside leg AC14612

HALF
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29” (74cm) inside leg

now £20

Plus only £3.99 standard delivery

WHITE

4

Post to: Cotton Traders, Neptune House, Pacific Court, Pacific Road, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 5BJ
ORDER CODE

SIZE

LENGTHS

1ST COLOUR
CHOICE

• FINAL OPPORTUNITY •
Postcode

Fast and reliable UK delivery service with easy returns

0844 844 1111
Enter product code, add to your basket and then
add your promotional code to apply your savings online.
14 day money back guarantee if not completely satisfied.

TOTAL

£3.99

TOTAL

Address

cottontraders.com

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order today at

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CHOICE

PLEASE USE THIS
PROMOTIONAL CODE
TO CLAIM YOUR OFFER

B350

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Payment taken at point of order. We aim to deliver within 3 working days from dispatch, stock subject to availability. We comply
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your gadgets

Discover the latest facial tools that can
instantly refresh and brighten your skin

BY LUCY BROWN PIC: SHUTTERSTOCK

C

ryotherapy facial
tools have become
the latest must-have
beauty gadgets.
They work by applying cold
temperature to the skin’s
surface helping to reduce
inflammation and stimulate
lymphatic drainage which
can result in a more sculpted,
contoured face. They reduce
facial puffiness and increase
circulation, promoting
collagen production
which gives the skin a
generally brighter, healthier
appearance.

While these tools come
in at different price points,
they all tend to be small
handheld devices and often
have globes on one end to
ensure they glide easily over
the skin. In use, it’s best to
pair them with a facial oil or
thick moisturiser to make
sure there is no resistance on
the skin.
Traditional cryo facial
devices are put into the
freezer before use to cool
them down, however some
more advanced units have
a cooling setting built in.

OUR PICK OF THE BEST!
BEST
MULTIPURPOSE

BEST FOR
BEGINNERS

BEST
BUDGET BUY

ESPA
cryotherapy
globes

This gadget claims to improve skin
firmness by 29 per cent and reduce
wrinkles by 10 per cent by using
FaceRocket’s 28 Day Face Programme.
It is expensive, but offers multiple
other settings. It also self-cools while
charging, so there’s no need to
pre-cool it in the freezer before use.

Made from hygienic
stainless steel,
these ESPA cryo
globes help skin
to feel lifted and
tightened.
In line with spa brand ESPA’s holistic
beauty approach, they come with a
Rituals Booklet with easy-to-follow
diagrams for a morning awakening,
twilight wind-down, soothing eyes
treatment and a relaxing neck and
express refresh. Before use, place the
globes into the freezer for 30-45 minutes
to enhance the cooling effect.

n £139, magnitone.co.uk

n £44, espaskincare.com

Face rocket 5-in-1 facial
firming and toning device

Bondi Body Cryo Sticks
At just under £20, these cryo sticks are
a great option for those on a budget.
Before using, place into the freezer for
up to four hours and then use with
a serum or daily moisturiser.
They are best used in the morning
before applying make-up, or at the
end of the day. And they’re also ideal
for applying along the jawline, neck
and top of the back.
n £19, Bondi-body.com
YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

65

My stairlift has made a massive
MJGFDIBOHJOHEJŢFSFODF
Mrs. Taylorson, Cumbria

Stay in the home you love
For straight and curved staircases
FREE no-obligation survey and quote
365-day local service and support

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your money

Money

MATTERS
Helping you spend wisely and save
more, with money expert Faith Archer

STATE PENSION BOOST
NeWs
YoU CaN
Use

This April pensioners get a big
boost to their State pension, as
it increased by 8.5 per cent, the
second biggest hike on record.
The rise means that recipients
of the full new State pension will see their
payments rise from £203.85 to £221.20 a week,
which is more than £11,500 a year.
Meanwhile, those who reached
State pension age before April
2016, who receive the older
basic State pension, will now get
£169.50 a week, up from £156.20.
In practice, the amount individuals
receive is based on the number
of qualifying years of National
Insurance contributions they
have built up.
In March’s budget, the current
government also confirmed that it
would keep the ‘triple lock’, which
means the State pension will continue
to go up each year by the highest of
average earnings growth, inflation or 2.5
per cent. However, don’t rush to spend
your pension pay rise all at once. The

amount you can
earn before you start
paying income tax,
known as the ‘personal allowance’,
has been frozen at £12,570 since 2021, rather
than increasing with inflation.
Thanks to the 8.5 per
cent increase, an extra
650,000 pensioners will
now start having to pay
income tax, and millions
more will see a large slice
of their pension hike
eaten by tax.
Jeremy Hunt
at last month’s
budget

MAKE MORE
Get paid to walk,
by downloading
the free WeWard
app on your
mobile phone.
You can then earn
‘wards’ for the
steps you take, to
cash in for bank
transfers, gift
and discounts. Plus, the
app can help motivate
you to walk more, by
tracking your progress,
taking part in challenges
and challenging your
friends. Just remember to
log in each day to convert
your steps, and watch the
pennies mount up.

PICS: SHUTTERSTOCK

SAVV Y SHOPPING
Need a flash frock for a special occasion,
such as a wedding, birthday party or
day at the races? Rather than splashing
big bucks on buying an outfit you’re
unlikely to wear again, try renting one
for a fraction of the price. At two of the
biggest clothing rental sites, Hurr and
By Rotation, you can hire the best bits of
other people’s wardrobes, with prices at
Hurr starting from a tenner to hire a dress
for four days.

Additional fees for expenses such
as delivery, returns and cleaning vary
by site.
Try platforms such as Front Row,
Rotaro and My Wardrobe HQ for top
designers, while Hirestreet has more
of an affordable focus. High-street
names are also getting in on the act,
with offerings from Selfridges and John
Lewis, while M&S and Asos use the
Hirestreet website.

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

67

From breathtaking beaches to rugged mountains,
here’s how to enjoy this stunning country

What to do
We recommend taking the
Kotor cable car to Lovcen
National Park where
you can experience
mesmerising views of
Montenegro’s mountains.
Climbing 1,348 metres in
just 11 minutes, the cable
car is surprisingly peaceful
and essential when visiting
Lovcen, which boasts bars,
a restaurant and places to
explore at the top.

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

Take a cable
car to Lovcen
National Park

For historic architecture, take a
wander around the old town of Budva,
also known for its gorgeous beaches,
cobbled streets and quaint boutiques.
Elegant Cetinje is the previous
royal capital of Montenegro. It’s home
to a dedicated museum to the King
Nicholas and definitely worth a visit
to explore all of the country’s rich
heritage.
Lake Skadar, shared with
neighbouring country, Albania, is the
largest lake in south Europe and is
surrounded by natural beauty.

your escapes
Where to stay

Montenegro may be one
of the smallest countries in
Europe, yet is unquestionably
mighty (and cheaper than
nearby Croatia!)
With massive mountains,
breathtaking beaches and
minimal crowds, Montenegro is
famed for its beauty and is truly
a relaxing, yet invigorating,
getaway for all the senses.
Counting Serbia, Croatia and
Albania as neighbours, flights
to Montenegro from London
Heathrow clock in at just
under three hours. Living up
to its age-old Black Mountain
nickname, the tiny Balkan
country is made up of 80 per
cent mountains and is offset
with 117 beaches, five national
parks and the oldest olive tree
in the world.

Enjoy boutique
markets and
stunning views

We stayed at Heritage
Grand Perast by Rixos
which has the best views of
Perast, an old town in the
bay of Kotor. The five-star
hotel is a knockout thanks
to its dreamy location,
great food and sublime
views of the harbour,
which includes Our Lady
of the Rocks church, Boka
Bay and St George Island.
A sunset dinner here was
beyond romantic.
For a glorious Medieval
contrast with modern
amenities, we loved our
stay at Stara Caršija Resort & Spa
which overlooks the old town of
Bar. We enjoyed superb treatment
from staff, excellent dining choices
at their on-site restaurant and an
enchanting spa for some well-

deserved me-time, it’s a glorious
choice. It is a halal hotel and is
alcohol-free, however, there are
plenty of bars nearby if you fancy
a glass of Rakija (the country's
traditional beverage).

Where to eat
Montenegro is packed full of
restaurants, bars and wineries to enjoy.
Montenegrin lamb in milk, Kacamak
Rijeka Crnojevica river near
the Skadar lake coast

(a hearty porridgetype dish served
with cream cheese)
and black risotto
are some of the
traditional delicacies
on offer, as well as plenty of
much-loved favourites including pasta
dishes, fine cuts of meat and seafood.
A major highlight was wine tasting
at local winery Garnet, situated in the
village Godinje. The session involved
sampling traditional wines and locally
produced snacks in a very picturesque
spot. A perfect excursion for anyone
who fancies themselves as a bit of
a wine connoisseur or just loves a glass
of vino while overlooking Lake Skadar.

Need to know

BY AIMEE JAKES PICS: SHUTTERSTOCK, GETTY

Why go

Overlooking Perast Old Town

n easyjet.com offers flights starting from £30.99 one way from
London Gatwick to Tivat.
n Rooms at Heritage Grand Perast by Rixos start from £192 per
night, visit hotelheritagegrandperast.com.
n The Stara Čaršija Hotel & Spa offers rooms from £85, bookable
at staracarsija.me.

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

69

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DON’T MISS OUR

TO THE WORLD
Loved equally by children and exhausted parents, we go
through the square window to see how Play School began

S

ixty years ago at 11am on
Tuesday April 21 1964,
viewers to Britain’s new
TV channel, BBC Two,
settled down to watch its first
ever broadcast programme. They
were greeted by a warm, friendly
voice, some simple drawn images
of a house and pleasant musical
accompaniment. “Here’s a house,”
the voice almost sung. “Here’s a door.
Windows: 1, 2, 3, 4. Ready to knock?
Turn the lock… It’s Play School!”
Soon, the image changed.
Now we were inside the house
itself where a slightly awkwardlooking couple, Virginia Stride
and Gordon Rollings, introduced
themselves. The first episode of
Play School, a new show

Play School’s first presenters
Gordon Rollings and Virginia
Stride both appeared in
Z-Cars before fronting
Play School

aimed exclusively at the under-fives,
had begun.
It wasn’t supposed to have
been this way. A whole evening of
grown-up TV viewing had been
scheduled to launch the channel
on the previous night, but these
plans were derailed by a massive
power failure. And so, between 1964
and 1988, Play School would find
a permanent place in the hearts of
the nation’s children, especially as,
for many of us, it was the first TV
programme we ever saw.
The show came about because,
in 1964, there was a shortage of
available nursery school places.
With this in mind, the first controller
of BBC Two, Michael Peacock
instructed Oxford graduate,
Joy Whitby to create the TV
equivalent of an actual play
school on screen.
During Play
School’s first half
hour, speaking in
the slow and clear
child-friendly
manner which
would come
to characterise the show,
Virginia Stride and Gordon
Rollings introduced many of
the key features that would

Did yo u kn ow
Paul Danquah became the first
black man to ever host a British
children’s TV show when he
hosted 20 episodes of Play
School in the mid-Sixties.

form part of Play School for decades
to come.
There was the clock. What was
the time? And what was under the
clock? On this first episode, it was
a selection of toy animals. This was
followed by a story. In time, the
likes of Roy Kinnear,
Cilla Black, Roy Castle,
Patricia Hayes, Clive
Dunn and Val Doonican
would be among those
who would sit in the
storytelling chair.
There were the three
windows: square, round and arched.
Later, there would be a triangular
one too. ‘Going through’ the window
would often lead to a short film

Patricia Hayes,
Clive Dunn and
Val Doonican
all sat in the
storytelling chair

your memories
PLAYMATES
Huge numbers of enthusiastic performers,
many of them actors, musicians and
comedians, took turns to sing songs,
impersonate pigs on a farm or to mime
being an acorn growing into a tree over the
years. Here are just some of the many
Play School presenters…

Brian Cant and Chloe Ashcroft
with Humpty and Jemima

episodes of Play
Away, which was
aimed at slightly
older children.
He also narrated
Trumpton and Camberwick
Green Warmly remembered
by all, he died in 2017.
Floella Benjamin: Another
Play School and Play
Away legend, Trinidadborn Floella also acted in
the first ever episode of
Bergerac and has become
a noted author, producer
and member of the House
of Lords, but is still most
commonly recognised for
being in Play School.
Johnny Ball: A regular on
Play School, Ball is best
remembered for his hugely
accessible educational

from the outside world,
perhaps featuring a trip
to the farm or bakery.
The series would
feature well-known
songs such as Ten
Floella Benjamin
Green Bottles and Jelly
on a Plate and new ones
such as He’s Working Very Hard
in the Garden, Standing on One
nippy cockatoo, Katoo, supplied by
Leg isn’t Easy, Scrub Your Face Every
animal expert, Wendy Duggan.
Day of the Week and There’s a Bear
Then there were the toys.
in There.
Humpty, Jemima, Poppy, Hamble,
Wednesday would often be Pets’
Big Ted and Little Ted experienced
Day with an array of animals ranging
a few ups and downs over the
from the occasional exotic likes of
years. The original Big Ted was
a baby elephant to more regular
stolen while the doll Hamble was
appearances by the sometimes quite
consistently unpopular with the
cast and crew who found
her rigid and
Unloved
Hamble was
eventually
replaced by
Poppy
(far right)

Johnny Ball, Carol Leader
and Derek Griffiths

shows for children in the
Seventies and Eighties, such
as Think of a Number and
Johnny Ball Reveals All.
Derek Griffiths: A familiar
face on screen in the
Seventies and Eighties,
Griffiths frequently
displayed his musical skills
on Play School and wrote
and performed the theme
tunes to children’s shows,
Heads and Tails and Bod.
The voice of the original
English cartoon, SuperTed,
Griffiths still acts today.

Did yo u kn ow
Future Oscar-winner Jeremy
Irons did half a dozen Play
Away episodes while still
a struggling actor in the
mid-Seventies, as did Anita
Dobson and Tony Robinson.

BY CHRIS HALLAM PICS: ALAMY, SHUTTERSTOCK EDITORIAL, BBC ARCHIVE

Brian Cant: An actor who
had once been killed by a
Dalek on Doctor Who, Cant
landed Play School after
impressing Joy Whitby by
climbing into a cardboard
box and pretending to go
on a deep-sea fishing trip
during his interview. He
appeared in more than
450 Play Schools and 189

difficult to cuddle. Play School
creator Joy Whitby admitted she
was “a very ugly, beaten-about
doll,” while presenter, Phyllida Law
claimed, “If I got frustrated, I’d
punch Hamble.”
In 1988 Play School was replaced
by Playbus and childhood would
never be quite the same again.

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

73

PROMETHEUS
UNWOUND
Boris Karloff needed to take every
opportunity to relax on the set of
The Bride of Frankenstein (1935). He
apparently lost 20lbs during filming from
working in the heavy costume, which also
exacerbated his already crippling arthritis.

CUPPA CHAR
Zulu (1964) was the first major movie role
for young Michael Caine, who admitted
he felt lucky the director was American
because no English filmmaker would
have cast a working-class Cockney to
play Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead.

74

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

April 21 is National Tea Day, a day
to celebrate the national cuppa.
Whether it’s a mug of builders’
brew or Earl Grey in a dainty cup,
nothing refreshes quite like
tea as these Hollywood stars
know all too well…

your memories

LOOSE LEAF
Maureen O’Sullivan
perhaps deserved a
warming cup of tea on
the set of Tarzan and His
Mate (1934), after all, her
costume wouldn’t have
kept her very cosy!

NIGHT MANOEUVRES

GOOD
NEIGHBOURS
You’d expect that a
Hitchcock film budget
would stretch to more than
one tea cup! Danny Kaye
was visiting the set of Rear
Window (1954) and took
the chance to grab a cuppa
with Grace Kelly. Danny was
taking a break from filming
White Christmas (1954) on
the lot nearby.

BY SHARON REID PICS: ALAMY, GETTY IMAGES, SHUTTERSTOCK EDITORIAL

James Cagney and Jeffrey Lynn were
probably in dire need of a shot of
caffeine as this picture was taken at
3am on January 12, 1940 when they
had been filming through the night
for The Fighting 69th (1940).

TEA TOTALLED
Spencer Tracy and Clark Gable look deep
in thought during their tea break. Their
dishevelled appearance was a result of
shooting the earthquake scenes for San
Francisco (1936).

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

75

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your memories

OF COMEDY

MaViS
PuGh

Comedy historian Robert Ross pays tribute to some
of the finest and funniest, but often overlooked, names in showbiz

T

Mavis’ stage success at the time,
often pairing her in frantic farce
and music-hall comedy with camp
comic extraordinaire Hugh Paddick.
Hugh and Pugh became so intuitive
that the act would peak in a battle of
ad-libbed banter.
In 1956 Mavis was spotted by
Jimmy Perry who was then running
the repertory company based at
Watford Palace Theatre. Pugh joined
the company, which also included
actor John Clegg.
John and Mavis married in 1959.
Clegg, like many of the troupe,
would star in Jimmy’s subsequent
television shows, memorably as
La-De-Dah Gunner Graham in It
Ain’t Half Hot Mum. Pugh too would
appear in the series, as
the hoity-toity Chief
Commander Crisp in the
episode Ticket to Blighty.
She had made her
screen debut, at the age
of 60, in the episode of
Perry and Croft’s Dad’s Army, The
Captain’s Car, and would chalk up
a couple of episodes of their Hide-Hi! as the Honourable Winifred
Dempster, the typically posh aunt
of the camp’s new Entertainment
Manager Squadron Leader Clive
Dempster (David Griffin). She was
sweet and soppy as Mrs Castle, the

‘She had made
her screen debut,
at the age of 60,
in Dad’s Army’

owner of a pampered pooch, in
Fawlty Towers. And You Rang,
M’Lord? combined this absurdity
with pomposity; playfulness
with manipulation. You can
certainly see the actress having
the time of her life, methodically
taking aim with the latest
unwanted bowl of breakfast, and
triumphantly splattering one of
the poor unfortunate staff. She
would bamboozle her son-in-law
Lord Meldrum (Donald Hewlett),
and even spin comedy gold from
interaction with her beloved
parrot, Captain. The bird was so
pivotal that its funeral provided
the basis for an entire episode.
Pugh’s is a performance of
aristocratic slapstick. As such
it is a distillation of her entire
professional life. She played
the role in all 26 episodes of
the series, transmitted from
December 1988 through to April
1993. It was her greatest comic
creation, and her last. Thereafter
Mavis Pugh drifted into
contented retirement. She died,
at home in Chichester, West
Sussex, on December 6, 2006, at
the ripe old age of 92.

PIC: MIRRORPIX VIA GETTY IMAGES

here is something
gloriously gratifying
about the career of
Mavis Pugh. She is proof
positive that it’s never too late
to make your name. Indeed,
she was well on the road to
80 when she played her bestloved character, that of quietly
bonkers, porridge-hurling Lady
Lavender in You Rang, M’Lord?
Mavis Gladys Fox Pugh was
born in Croydon in June 1914;
with her talents securing her a
scholarship to the International
School of Acting. Before the
war she worked in repertory
theatre in Amersham, making
her West End debut as Beth in
Little Women at
the Westminster
Theatre.
In 1943, Mavis
took over from
Joan White as the
titular star of Sally
Benson’s Junior Miss, at The
Saville Theatre. A decade later
she returned to the Westminster
to play the journalist in Ian
Stuart Black’s We Must Kill Toni,
starring acting couple Michael
Denison and Dulcie Gray.
Theatrical impresario Harry
Hanson orchestrated much of

n Visit the website of Robert Ross,
Britain’s Comedy Historian, at
robertross.co.uk

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

77

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your memories

OF DESIRE...
THE TRIMPHONE

The Trimphone was designed in 1964 by Martyn
Rowlands for Standard Telephones & Cables Ltd.
The GPO (General Post Office) ordered 1,000 units and
named it the TRIMphone (Tone Ringer Illuminated
Model), although technical problems meant it took
years before it was available
to the public.
In addition to the
new sleek, lightweight,
compact, boxy shape, the
Trimphone boasted an
electronic warbler instead
of a bell, an illuminated dial
and an extra-long cable.

The first Trimphone to be installed was
also the 10 millionth GPO telephone. It was
presented to George Byers and his fiancée,
Dorothy, as an early wedding present
on May 10, 1965 by Anthony Wedgwood
Benn, the Postmaster General.

stomers
As a luxury product, cu
re for the
mo
y
pa
were expected to
ed 30
arg
ch
O
Trimphone. The GP
ing
ist
ex
ur
yo
shillings to change
ion
lat
tal
ins
for
phone, an extra £1
er.
art
qu
r
pe
d
and a rental of 7s6

The extra expense meant the Trimphone gained
status as a luxury item, helped by people seeing it
on TV programmes, such as Bob Monkhouse’s The
Golden Shot and in The Good Life, where Margot
and Jerry Leadbetter naturally had one too.
By the Eighties the Trimphone
had moved from must-have
status symbol to national joke,
but the final death knell was the
luminescent dial which glowed
green in the dark. The effect
came from a small glass tube of
radioactive tritium gas and,
although the radioactivity was
tiny, public concern grew and the
Trimphone was branded a public
health hazard.

Starlings and
children in
playgrounds
learnt to imitate
the Trimphone’s
ring. There were
even human Trimphone
impersonators too. In February
1981 TV show That’s Life held
the ‘National Final of the boring
and ridiculous Trimphone
sound-alike competition’.

CHECK OUT!
For more nostalgia
pick up a copy of Yours
Retro magazine.
See yoursretro.co.uk
for more info.

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

79

BY SHARON REID. PICS: ALAMY, SHUTTERSTOCK EDITORIAL

OBJECT

How did the stylish Trimphone go from being a
must-have accessory and winner of a Design Centre
award, to public health hazard and now a design classic?

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yours.co.uk/life/shopping

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your memories

bArS
ApRiL 22, 1959 • MaRgOt FoNtEyN bEhInD
orld-famous British
ballerina Dame Margot
Fonteyn was released
after spending 24 hours
in a Panama City jail. Fonteyn’s
husband, Dr Roberto Arias, was
wanted by police on suspicion
of planning a coup against the
Panamanian government. The
country’s National Guard detained
the ballerina when the she arrived
at Balboa harbour. Fonteyn and
her husband, a former Panamanian
ambassador in London, had allegedly set
out on a fishing trip but only she returned.
It was believed he
jumped ship to board
a shrimp boat, from
which he and his coconspirators intended
to storm the National
Guard barracks.
Dame Margot was
freed from prison only
after intervention
from the British
Ambassador Sir Ian
Henderson. On her
– Shadow Foreign Secretary
release Fonteyn was
Aneurin Bevan
mobbed by journalists.
She insisted she did not know where her
husband was. “Naturally I am concerned. Any
woman who doesn’t know where her husband is,
is naturally concerned,” she said.
Three days later Roberto Arias took refuge
in the Brazilian embassy in Panama City
after his small group of rebels made a failed
attempt to invade Panama. The couple were
reunited a short while later in Rio de Janeiro
and eventually returned to Panama to fight the
government by more legitimate means, with
Arias taking a seat in the National Assembly.

W

Margot Fonteyn reads
the telegram with the
news that her husband
has been released

DiD YoU
kNoW?

BY SHARON REID. PICS GETTY IMAGES, SHUTTERSTOCK EDITORIAL

“The British
public did not
appreciate having
seen her in the
role of the swan,
then seeing her
in the role of a
decoy duck,”

Expelled from Panama,
Fonteyn arrives back in London
to a throng of reporters

In 1964, Dr Roberto
Arias was shot and
paralysed after an
argument with former
political associate
Alberto Jimenez.
YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

81

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Stately Delphinium
Collection
Loved by pollinators

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The perfect plants to
add colour and structure
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Delphiniums also look just
as sensational in a modern
planting scheme. Stunning
spires rise majestically
above lower growing plants
throughout summer, each
one holding masses of
beautiful blooms that bees
and butterflies adore. The
flowers are also excellent
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n Supplied as young plants,
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Who was the stranger on
Mary’s doorstep?
hen my front doorbell
rang at six o’clock
that Sunday evening,
I nearly didn’t answer
it. I’m not sure what prompted me to
change my mind. I could see from my
bedroom window a young man was
standing there looking so uncertain
of himself. He was tall, gangly, just at
that awkward age, and weighed down
by a bulging backpack. He looked
vulnerable, rather than threatening.
And a bit lost.

W

My instincts rarely let me down,
so I decided to trust them, and
opened the door.
“Mary Stockwell?” he asked.
“I know it’s getting
late. Sorry about that.
I missed my train
and then had to walk
from the station.” His
words came tumbling
out as he took off the
backpack and put
it by his feet. “This thing weighs
a tonne.”
“Who are you?” I asked.
His blue eyes searched mine. He

reminded me of my son at that age.
Always forgetting to look before
he leapt. And there was something
about the shape of his mouth that
looked familiar.
“Sorry,” he said. “It’s
Adam. Adam Stockwell.”
My knees just turned
to jelly. If he hadn’t
grabbed my shoulders,
I’d have fallen down.
“Adam?” I croaked.
“Let me help you into a seat,
Grandma,” he said softly, putting his
arm around my shoulders. “I didn’t
mean to shock you.”

‘I brought this
to show you,
Grandma, just in
case you didn’t
believe it was me’

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

85

BY GLYNIS SCRIVENS. PICS: GETTY IMAGES

short story

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

Historic Europe
NG
NI S
UN TIE
ST CI

Toledo

Malta
Uncovered

Repubblika Street,
Valletta

CH
RI
EUR UR
LT TO
CU

7 NIGHTS/8 DAYS
FROM

6 NIGHTS/7 DAYS
FROM

£1,299

£1,039

PP

PP

BASED ON TWO
PEOPLE SHARING

BASED ON TWO
PEOPLE SHARING

Travel

What’s included
✔ Return flights and transfers  Tours and visits
✔ Daily breakfast  Expert Tour Manager

What’s included
✔ Return flights and transfers  Tours and visits
✔ Half board  Expert Tour Manager

Madeira

Classic
Greece

Camara de Lobos

7 NIGHTS/8 DAYS
FROM

£1,549

PP

BASED ON TWO
PEOPLE SHARING

Epidaurus Amphitheatre

NG
KI
TA Y
TH ER
EA EN
BR SC

29th October 2024
Picturesque
(More departures between June
Mediterranean
2024-October 2025).
Island
There are wonderful seascapes and
a coastline eroded over the centuries,
huge caverns and contorted pillars
of rock blending perfectly with the deep blue sea. You will
see the 16th-century fortifications of Valletta, the hauntingly
atmospheric old capital of Mdina, early Christian catacombs,
cathedrals and the oldest temples on earth. Blend all this with
beautiful old towns, wonderful scenery.

R N
LA IO
PU AT
PO STIN
DE

23rd April 2025
to the heart
(More departures between September
of Spain
2024-October 2025).
The historic cities of inland Spain, its
stunning countryside and monuments have
been brought to the attention of the discerning traveller. This
superb tour visits the highlights of the ancient kingdom of
Castile, the medieval university city of Salamanca – the former
capital of Toledo, Madrid with its world-class art and the former
Royal Residence of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.

7 NIGHTS/8 DAYS
FROM

£1,629

PP

BASED ON TWO
PEOPLE SHARING

14th October 2024
(More departures
Pearl
between June
of the
2024-October 2025).
Atlantic
The ‘Pearl of the Atlantic’, Madeira is a
subtropical gardener’s paradise, blessed
with a mild climate all year round, making
this ‘island of eternal spring’ a superb destination.
Our tour begins in the picturesque capital, Funchal, in the
sunny south. We also discover many of the island’s gems
including beautiful gardens and the hidden Valley of the Nuns.

27th September 2024
(More departures
Captivating
between May 2024-September 2025).
As the cradle of western civilisation,
Greece
democracy, philosophy, the theatre,
and so much more, Greece has drawn
visitors for centuries with all extolling the
purity and clarity of its skies, the overwhelming
hospitality rooted in its ancient civilisation and the zest for life
of the Greeks themselves.

What’s included
✔ Return flights and transfers  Tours and visits
✔ Daily breakfast & 7 dinners  Expert Tour Manager

What’s included
✔ Return flights and transfers  Tours and visits
✔ Daily Breakfast & 2 dinners  Expert Tour Manager

SAVE £100PP ON CLASSIC & SIGNATURE EUROPEAN TOURS 2025
Book by 30th April 2024 to receive a £100pp saving on all European tours departing in 2025 of 6 nights or longer. The saving value has already been applied as a price
reduction to the advertised price. City Breaks are excluded from the offer. Departures at reduced rates are available on a first come first served basis.

To book or for further information...
Call Rivera Travel
on 01283 901299 quoting YOU
or visitrivieratravel.co.uk/you

Terms & Conditions: Prices based on one person and
are correct at the time of print. This holiday is operated
by and subject to booking conditions of Riviera
Travel, ABTA V4744 ATOL 3430 protected. Subject to
availability. Additional entrance costs may apply.
Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel. For further information please
write to Riviera Travel, New Manor, 328 Wetmore Road, Burton upon Trent,
Staffs, DE14 1SP.

PICS: GETTYIMAGES

Madrid,
Salamanca
& Toledo

TRAVEL

short story
I hadn’t heard the word Grandma
in years. My eyes filled with tears.
The last time I’d seen Adam was on
his fourth birthday. The following
day my daughter-in-law had taken
off with her boss, leaving a trail
of broken hearts behind her. Not
least mine. She’d taken my beloved
grandson with her. And in all these
years I’d never had so much as a card
from her.
I’d ached at his absence. I
couldn’t look at anything without
remembering the wonderful
moments we’d had together, and
then he’d been snatched from my
life. As though none of it mattered.
Adam put a cushion behind my
back and dragged over the old green
pouffe to rest my feet on. We looked
at each other and the years melted
away. I blinked back tears as I saw
the little blond boy bringing the
pouffe over so he could sit as close
to me as possible. I could see he
was remembering the
same thing.
“I don’t remember a
lot, Grandma,” he said,
“but I do remember
you always seemed to
have a cup of milky
tea in your hand. Maybe you’d like
one now?”
When I nodded, he walked into
the kitchen and put the kettle on.
“And you’d always ask for a sip,
Adam,” I smiled as he poured the
tea. “That’s why it was so milky.
I didn’t want you to get burnt.”
We looked at each other for a long
time. There was no need for words.
The bond was still there, as strong
as ever. After all these long years of
waiting, Adam was back in my life.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect.
Or even whether I’d find you here,”
he said taking a small photo
from his wallet and handing it to
me. “I brought this to show you,
Grandma, just in case you didn’t
believe it was me.”
My hands trembled. It was the last
photo I had of him. I remembered
the school photographer had posed

us in the reading area of
Adam’s nursery school.
He was sitting on my lap
and I was reading him
a Beatrix Potter story.
“If it hadn’t been for
that book, Grandma,”
he said, “I might never
have found you.” He took
a rumpled blue envelope
from his jeans pocket and
I recognised my handwriting.
“Do you remember posting
me this?”
I’d written my address on the
back of the birthday card I’d posted
to him.
“I found the envelope in the
Beatrix Potter book,” he said. “We’d
used it as a bookmark.”
“All those lost years,” I sighed,
taking a sip of my tea. “I never knew
what had become of you.”
“I drove Mum crazy asking for
you,” he said. “Asking if we could
move back to our old
house. And at night
I did drawings of you
and put them under
my pillow so I could
dream about you.”
The image of my
four-year-old grandson going to
bed with a drawing of me under his
pillow was too much for me. I sobbed
for the hours I’d spent pining for
him. And for the thoughtlessness
that had kept his mother from
contacting me.
“I promised myself I’d come and
find you when I was old enough.”
Adam’s voice was full of emotion,
and he held me tightly in his arms.
I felt lost for words, and at the
same time, a thousand questions
were tumbling out and I couldn’t
stop them.
“Where do you live now? How old
are you? Are you studying?”
“Mum’s still in Worcestershire
with my stepfather,” he said. “I’ve
been living in halls on the university
campus. I’m studying to be an
engineer, Grandma.”
“We never knew,” I said.

‘She told me you
weren’t interested.
Said she’d posted
my letters to you’

He shook his head. “For
years Mum told me you weren’t
interested. Said she’d posted my
drawings and letters to you. That
you’d never replied.” He put his
hands on my shoulders and rested
his head against mine. “I had to find
out for myself.”
I held his hands. His cheek was
bristly now but I remembered the
soft downy cheek that had lain
against mine a lifetime ago.
The tears came back. When
I finally found my hanky and blew
my nose, he was rummaging in his
backpack. He took out an album.
“My life,” he said, kissing me on the
cheek as he gave it to me. “I wanted
to fill in the gaps for you.”
Time stood still as we sat
there together poring over the
photographs. School photos, photos
of Adam playing football, of him
playing a flute. As he turned the
pages, I could see his features
slowly developing, the young
beautiful boy turning into this
amazing beanstalk beside me.
Then he stopped talking and just
looked at me, framing my face in
his hands.
“You’re exhausted, Grandma,” he
said. “I’ll head off now. Can I come
and see you in the morning?”
I looked at my grandson with
a heart swollen with pride and love.
“Please stay here with me,”
I said. And I showed him to his old
bedroom.

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

87

book with us!
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TRAVEL

Warner Historic Hotel
Explorer Holidays
Oxfordshire Gems
Bath & Winchester
Steam & Cruise

Free
Drinks
From

50

£

PP
deposit

Free Drinks, Excursions
& Entertainment

Herefordshire
Wye Valley, Gardens
Cider & Steam

Free
Drinks
From

50

£

PP
deposit

Warner Littlecote House
Wiltshire l 4 nights from £939PP

Warner Holme Lacy
Herefordshire l 4 nights from £929PP

l 10 June & 16 September 2024 l Self Drive to hotel

l 3 June & 16 September 2024 l Self Drive to hotel

E

excursions by coach take in The Severn Valley Steam Railway,
Escorted
Hereford, Westonbury Mill Water Gardens, Hampton Court Castle, Ross

scorted excursions by coach take in Blenheim Palace and Oxford,
Bath with a guided walking tour and ‘sparkling’ Avon river cruise,
Watercress line steam train ride and Winchester with afternoon tea

Steaming Back
to Yorkshire’s
Treasures

Free
Drinks

Just

50

£

PP
deposit

Warner Nidd Hall, Harrogate
l 4 nights from £939PP l 9 September 2024 l Self Drive to hotel

excursions take in Haworth House, World Heritage
Escorted
Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden, York, Harrogate,
the Embsay & Bolton and Keighley & Worth Valley railways and a Leeds
Liverpool Canal cruise

on Wye, Symonds Yat Rock, Westons Cider Mill tasting & Ploughmans lunch

‘The Prisoner’s’
Portmeirion, Gardens
& Steam of Wales

Free
Drinks
From

50

£

PP
deposit

Warner Bodelwyddan Castle
North Wales l 4 nights from £889PP
l 3 June & 2 September 2024 l Self Drive to hotel

excursions take in Portmeirion - location of 60s TV series The
Escorted
Prisoner, Conwy, Snowdon Mountain Railway, Victorian Bodnant Garden,
Plas Cadnant Garden on the Isle of Anglesey & Caernarfon

INCLUDED • Welcome Sparkling Reception on first evening • Services of a Tour Manager throughout • Escorted excursions
by private coach and entries as stated • 4 nights’ standard accommodation at the stated Warner hotel (singles and upgrades
available) • 4 breakfasts and 4 dinners with 1/2 bottle of wine per person per night • Entertainment every night • Car parking

Holidays operated by GN Holidays & Voyages (ABTA Y0291), a company wholly independent of Yours Magazine. These exclusive breaks
cannot be booked direct with Warner. Prices shown are per person and based on two people sharing a standard twin or double bedded
room - singles & upgrades available, supplement applies. £50pp deposit or full amount if booking less than 12 weeks to holiday.

ABTA

91
Y02

Call 01895 83 33 33

9am to 5.30pm weekdays. Book online www.gnholidays.com

100% FINANCIAL PROTECTION

short story

Just what was Maxine’s husband up to? She needs to break a promise in order to find out
axine Galbraith was
growing increasingly
worried about her
husband. He had been
acting strangely for weeks and
seemed permanently distracted,
which was most unusual for him.
Unable to fathom what was
wrong, Maxine decided it was high
time she raised the issue.
“Is everything all

wrong the more Ian seemed to
retreat into his study to get away
from her.
When Ian had first set up the
study, Maxine had agreed never
to enter his ‘work domain’. But,
such was her growing concern,
she couldn’t help wondering if
she might find something in
there that might explain his
strange behaviour.
Although she
was loath to break
her promise, when
Ian headed out that
Saturday afternoon
with their Labrador, Randolph,
Maxine decided to investigate.
Armed with polish and a
duster, Maxine decided her
excuse would be that she was
doing a bit of spring cleaning. She
paused at the study door and bit
her bottom lip. Entering the room
felt like an act of betrayal, but she
was so worried she felt she had
little choice.
It had been so long since
Maxine had set foot in the study,

As she read,
Maxine’s heart
began to pound

BY TONY HAYNES. PICS SHUTTERSTOCK CREATIVE

M

right, darling?” she asked one
evening.
Ian blinked.
“Sorry, I was miles away.
What was the question?”
“I asked if everything was
all right.”
“Fine,” he replied, despite
the fact something was clearly
troubling him.
Although Maxine
decided not to press
the issue, she
resolved to keep
a close eye on
her husband
for the next few days to see
if she could work out what
was wrong.
Was he worried about
work? Were there debts
piling up that he was
afraid to tell her about?
Had he joined an online dating
site? Maxine’s imagination was
running riot. By the end of the
week, she was still no nearer to
solving the conundrum. The
more she asked what was

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

89

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Find someone to
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We are well and truly in the
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PICS: ISTOCK PHOTO

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short story

she barely recognised it. She took
a moment to familiarise herself
with her surroundings, before
undertaking a thorough search.
As Ian was a meticulously tidy
person, it didn’t take her long
to sweep the room. Much to her
relief, she failed to find anything
untoward or suspicious.
But then, as she was about to
depart, she happened to glance at
Ian’s laptop. It would be like reading
someone’s diary and people say no
good can come of that!
“If I was to find something on
his computer there will be no going
back,” Maxine thought as she sat
down at the desk and turned it on.
When the prompt asked her to
provide the password, she tried
Ian’s date of birth. No joy. She tried
her own date of birth. Once again
her attempt was rejected.
Maxine paused to think.
Knowing her husband to be
something of a romantic, she
then tried the date they got
married. Success!

Once the laptop had granted
her access, Maxine chose a file at
random and opened it. It was a list
of old cricket scores, which was
hardly incriminating.
Closing the file, she
tried another. This one
looked like a copy of
Ian’s dissertation, so
she tried another.
Her search
continued to prove fruitless until
she opened a file that appeared
to be a diary.
At first glance, the diary
seemed fairly innocuous, but then
the diarist began to describe his
wife.
Initially, the comments and
observations were extremely
complimentary. Gradually, however,
the tone began to change.
The diarist began to criticise his
wife, pointing out her various faults.
Although it made for uncomfortable
reading, Maxine was so absorbed
she failed to hear Ian’s car pull up
in the driveway.

As the diarist confessed that he
was considering killing his wife,
Maxine’s heart began to pound.
Frustratingly, at the exact point
the diary threatened to reveal
what method the murderer was
contemplating using, it tailed off.
Maxine let out a little yelp of
frustration. Anxious to learn more,
she was just about to open another
file when she heard footsteps
behind her.
Maxine froze. Then very slowly,
she turned to see Ian standing
behind her.
Ian’s eyes narrowed.
“I thought you’d agreed never to
enter this room,” he said looming
over her.
“I know,” Maxine blurted out.
“I’m sorry, only I’ve been really
worried about you recently.”
“Worried? Why?”
“Because of the way you’ve been
acting… so distracted and distant.”
Pointing at the laptop, Ian asked,
“And have you found anything that
might explain my behaviour?”
Maxine nodded. “I think so.
I’ve found a file entitled Diary of
a Murderer.”
“Have you read
much?”
“Quite a bit.”
“You know I don’t
like you reading my
new novels while
they’re a work in
progress,” Ian sighed.
“I know,” Maxine replied. “But
this one had me gripped.”
“Honestly?”
“Yes.”
Ian smiled.
“That’s such a relief to hear.
Only, I’ve been struggling with it
recently. You see, I haven’t made up
my mind how the main character is
going to kill his wife.”
Maxine’s face suddenly
brightened.
“I have an idea!”
Taking his adorable wife in his
arms, Ian kissed her.
“I’m all ears.”

‘If I was to find
something
there will be no
going back’

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

91

shop with us!
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SHOPPING
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be placed in sunny or semi shaded positions.
n Despatching from May onwards

My order

Geranium F1 'Best Red'

PRODUCT

PRICE QTY SUBTOTAL

Apricot Shades Improved
KA9686 Begonia
15 Garden Ready Plants
£12.99
Begonia
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KC6169 30 Garden Ready
£25.98
Geranium
Best
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ADD P&P £6.99 PER ORDER £ 6.99
TOTAL £

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Yours

BOO K
CLUB

Book Editor’s Pick
Death on the Thames
by Alan Johnson (Wildfire, £20)

Here are our recommendations – and yours
– of what to enjoy reading this fortnight
What you’re reading....
Diamond Promises
by Anna Jacobs (Hodder & Stoughton, £7.99)

“I didn’t want the story to end,” says Jane
Bird. This gripping tale, set in 1895, follows
Abigail Dawson’s quest for freedom
after her father’s murder. Amid societal
pressures and looming threats, her
alliance with handyman Rufus promises
hope, yet sparks doubts. A riveting saga of
love, secrets and resilience.

Our Books Editor introduces her
current favourite read

HEARTWARMING

He served as a Labour MP for 20
years, but since retiring in 2017, and
following the award-winning success
of his published diaries, Alan Johnson
has turned his hand to writing crime
fiction. His third novel, Death on the
Thames, is set on the brink of the
new millennium. A young Detective
Constable Louise Mangan crosses
the Thames one misty morning in
pursuit of a killer. She finds a tranquil
community on a leafy island close
to Hampton Court Palace, but soon
realises that all is not as it seems. There is something evil at
play in this quiet suburb.
Twenty years later, a horrific fire brings Detective Chief
Superintendent Mangan back to that same island. Soon, she
discovers that murder was just a drop in these dark waters.
The river runs deep, and the tide is rising at last. Will the
truth rise with it?

Savage Ridge
A fast-paced thriller that’s
cleverly and exquisitely layered.

by Morgan Greene (Canelo, £8.99)

If you enjoyed Adam Kay’s
This is Going to Hurt…
GRIPPING

Calling Sergeant Crockford
by Ruth D’Alessandro (Welbeck, £10.99)

“A fascinating insight into what life was like
for pioneering female police officers,” says
Debbie Kent. Set in the height of the
Cold War, Ruth D’Alessandro reveals the
true story of her mother, Detective Gwen
Crockford, and her ascent to Woman
Police Sergeant in Newbury.

…then you’ll be interested to read The
Real Doc Martin (Whitefox, £10.99). With
humour and honesty, Dr Martin Stagg
recounts the daily ups
and downs of his life as
a GP for 30 years on the
outskirts of Manchester.
Poignant, moving,
hilarious and chaotic,
this is a true glimpse
into the unpredictable
rollercoaster ride that
is a life in general
practice.

MEMOIR

n These books are available from hive.co.uk/yoursbookclub. Yours digital and print-plus subscribers
can get an extra 10 per cent off with free delivery.

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.

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

BY SHARON REID PIC: ALAMY

“An intriguing study of the toxic nature of
guilt,” says Wendy Cash. Ten years ago,
Nick, Emmy and Pete murdered their
high-school classmate. His body was
never found and they vowed to leave
town for good. But a private investigator
lures them back to make them answer for
their crime. The tighter the noose gets,
the more secrets are uncovered...

93

‘Helping others
has been a
learning curve’
Although she’s enjoying her
retirement, Jackie Lord feels
she still has more to give…
part from wearing
glasses and undergoing
eye tests herself, Jackie
Lord knew nothing about
optometry for most of her life.
That changed when the retired
office worker started a new
volunteering role with an optical
charity for the disadvantaged
almost 18 months ago. At that
point, Jackie (73) felt she had more
work-based skills to give.
“I’d been retired for five years
then and I felt the need for a new
challenge,” she recalls.
Sociable by nature, she also
knew she wanted to work with
people this time, not wildlife
as she’d done in a previous
volunteering role.
Her search took her to the
national charity Vision Care for
Homeless People which has a clinic
in her home town of Gloucester.
A warm welcome from the other
volunteers there made her instantly
decide to join them.
“I knew nothing about
optometry, but having worked in
admin and customer-facing roles,
I was happy to do this work at
the clinic.”
“Nevertheless it was a big
learning curve for me,” admits

A

94

Jackie. “I had to learn a new way
of working and a new computer
system, as well as work out how to
communicate with some patients
who don’t speak English.”
Patients are homeless and
include refugees and asylum
seekers. Thanks entirely to

volunteers, professional eye tests
and glasses are supplied to them
all free of charge and, for many, it’s
life changing.
Jackie, who’s also involved
with fundraising and outreach
work, says: “I thoroughly enjoy
volunteering here. I’m

THE BIG HELP OUT
If you love the idea of volunteering
but are still dithering about taking the
plunge, The Big Help Out 2024 could
provide the push you need.
The annual event, which this year
takes place over the weekend June
7-9, raises awareness of volunteering
throughout the UK. Many of the
country’s well known charities have
joined the not-for-profit and nonfundraising initiative to invite people
to volunteer and make a difference in

WhY NoT
VoLuNtEeR?

their communities. It is
open to all individuals,
organisations or
businesses and there are
a variety of opportunities on offer.
So whether you only want to spend
an odd hour or a day helping others,
or whether you wish to do so all year
round, the website will point you in
the right direction.
n To register or find out more, visit
thebighelpout.org.uk

n We’d love to hear about any volunteering projects you take
part in or support. Mark your envelope ‘Yours Community’
YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

Friends of Yours
These readers are looking for like-minded
penpals, companions or someone special

Sheila, 61, is looking for new
friends, any age, from the
Greater Manchester area to
meet up with for chats/coffee.
She enjoys walks, nature and
reading. APR2–101

Jules from Mid-Wales is
looking to meet other ladies
for walks, coffee, days out
and possibly holidays. She
loves to walk her dog so
must like animals. APR2-107

Maureen, a widow, 70s, would
like to meet a tall man who
is kind, caring and loving, a
driver with a sense of humour.
She enjoys cooking, music and
going for drives in the country.
Hertfordshire area. APR2-102

Mr B, 72, gay from Hull,
seeks similar, mid-60s
upwards as pen friends,
hopefully more in time. He
is an animal lover, enjoys day
trips, the countryside and coast.
Preferably Hull/Manchester area.
APR2-108

meeting new people,
making new friendships,
keeping my brain and body
active and using skills
acquired during a lifetime
for a new purpose.”
n Visit visioncarecharity.org

David, 64, 5ft 7in, would like to
meet female friends between
50-65. He enjoys reading,
talking, meeting people, sport,
TV and films. Nottingham area.
APR2-106

To place an appeal

Meg, 62, from Essex would like
to connect with a man who,
like herself, is loyal, sincere
and respectful. She enjoys
gardening, reading, short walks
and has a renewed interest
in stamp collecting. Photo
appreciated. APR2-111
Keith, 70s, from North London is
an actor and artist’s model. He
would like to meet a local lady
who enjoys the countryside, art
and music. APR2-112

Married Eunice, 62, from Wales,
is looking for female pen pals
from anywhere, any age. She
loves reading, music, TV, cats,
the internet, walking and
writing letters. Collects pin
badges. APR2-104
Mary, 70s, from Leicestershire,
is looking for a non-smoking,
kind gentleman who has a
sense of humour. She enjoys
walking, cinema, theatre,
outings and meals out.
Leicestershire/surrounding
areas. APR2-105

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!

Ms A, 70, would like to meet
a kind man from the Brigg/
Lincolnshire area. She likes
TV, gardening, reading music,
wildlife and boot sales.
APR2-113
Happy, smart Ms W, 70, a nonsmoker and animal lover would
like to meet a similar male friend
for holidays, coach outings and
more. Wiltshire area. APR2-109

Divorced Sandra, 69, would like
pen pals to correspond with,
male/female. She enjoys the
cinema, theatre, music, TV and
reading. She is a non-smoker.
APR2-114

Josie, 65, is looking for cheerful
female friends from the Romford
area. She likes animals, walking,
shopping and days out. Would
prefer drivers. APR2-110

Alan, 68, a widow from
Doncaster would like to find a
new lady friend 60-75. He likes
the seaside, day trips, music,
walks and reading. APR2-115

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, 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.

BY CAROLE RICHARDSON PICS: SHUTTERSTOCK

Mr D, 70, from Suffolk is a
non-smoker. He enjoys the
countryside, animals, holidays
and car boot sales. He is
looking for a loving, caring
lady. APR2-103

There’s no need to be
lonely – we can help!

shop with us!

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Winnie the Pooh
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A.A Milne first mentioned Christopher Robin’s ‘Edward Bear’ in a 1924
poem, a year later ‘Winnie the Pooh’ was seen in the London Evening
News before the book was published the following year and ‘Winnie the
Pooh’ made his debut alongside his Hundred Acre Wood friends Piglet,
Eeyore, and Tigger officially.
Winnie the Pooh A5
Winnie the Pooh Centenary A5 Collectable. Twelve Winnie the Pooh &
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Dive into the enchantment of Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, and the gang
with this charming collectable. Seize the opportunity to bring a touch
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displaying with the twelve Winnie the Pooh & Friends labels on a Winnie
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BOOST
YOUR
BRAIN!

£1,504 PWROIZRETSHTOOFWIN!
Try our just-for-fun quizzes and brain
teasers – plus there’s a chance to win cash
and prizes over the next few pages!

ANSWERS
ON PAGE
103

Wordsearch
Celebrate one of the greatest blues singers of the 20th century
by finding all these Nina Simone songs in the grid.
E J Y E S O L

I

Y A W R E H T

K M R B Q O F B P A

I

I

E A

V N Y E C M D

A G O T A R A S H T U R W S D A S O
N T Z H A B E S C T E O
E L

I

I

E M N D O

U N N Y G T A X D S R

I

T E G

B N H W C R H M P G E N O U A S E T
L N O O O M U

I

E T S F B S Y E N N

M R L G N N A T D V S E E M L E E
B U D U S L K E E E O M C
Y T N V G

I

I

I

P N H A

O R U R O L L S S O S T

O N O N N M L L E S Y A

I

I

T B E A

U R G O O A B L E T C H U H T O E H
C U R E S U E M I W T T C T A D L T
A T U M T O M P
N N D N H

I

I

R F E T F V Y

A N N E H E B O

I

I

D

H N N

H R G R G T E A E T G T K U N U E A
A U E U

I

V T Y T N

I

A O O R M M H D Y O A
I

H S O C G N E R

F P O

A

I

I

S K L A T O M B
I

H E T A T

G D L M T N O B O S E A R N

M C O M E Y E R

I

I

E T T M Y W A Y T

G O D G O D G O D R V U S P N E U O
D T H G
I

I

R Y A R P U O Y F

I

N C G

T U R O L Y F L E S Y M R O F E

THE THRILL
IS GONE
TURN ME ON
TURN! TURN!
TURN!
YOU BETTER
KNOW IT
YOU CAN
HAVE HIM
YOU TOOK
MY TEETH

WIN
£100

WHERE
IS SAMMY
SQUIRREL?

I

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 103.
Closing date for entries
is May 6, 2024.

PIC: SHUTTERSTOCK

I GOT IT BAD
(AND THAT AIN’T
GOOD)
I HOLD NO
GRUDGE
I LOVE MY BABY
ISN’T IT A PITY
LILAC WINE
MY WAY
NEAR TO YOU
NIGHT SONG
OF THIS I’M SURE
RETURN HOME
SARATOGA
SEE-LINE
WOMAN

I

E R N W T N N F N
I

BLUES FOR
MAMA
BROWN BABY
COME YE
EITHER WAY
I LOSE
FEELING GOOD
FORGET
FOR MYSELF
GIMME SOME
GOD, GOD, GOD
HE NEEDS ME
I CAN’T SEE
NOBODY
IF YOU PRAY
RIGHT

T L L T R U Y E C O O W D

More prizes to win
at yours.co.uk

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

97

WIN
£50!

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9
10

TWO £50
PRIZES

11

12

13

Prize crossword
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 103 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!

14

15

17
18

19

20

21

22
23

27

24

25

26

28

29

Cryptic clues
ACROSS
1 Royal gets into a taxi, beyond
irritable (6)
4 A trick to induce ridicule (8)
10 Pointed ends of tubular charm (9)
11 Fruit — but not the first variety (5)
12 Century after which a girl is kind (5)
13 Equipment that allows you to hear a
dog chasing a reversing vehicle (9)
14 Communication sent initially
between this compiler and
a very wise person (7)
16 Unlikely to break… or about
to break? (6)
19 Preacher forces open Satan’s
heart (6)
21 Great female parent next to
male insect (7)
23 Snapper we arranged for
the Guardian, say (9)
25 Sudden introduction of stringed
instrument (5)
27 Consider almost all of the stuff
on the page! (5)
28 Barrel-maker finished off work
in collaboration (9)
29 Despicable chap secretly tracks
how hair might be worn (8)
30 Plot with a creature from an
unearthly place — Mars, maybe? (6)

16

30

Quick clues
DOWN
1 Crypt’s opening, above a crypt
containing a crypt’s opening,
leading to a crypt (8)
2 Rebuilt near a stadium (5)
3 Gives support to label put on
eastern section of a theatre (9)
5 Extract from Belloc to be read when
the clocks change, perhaps (7)
6 Trunk decay reaches upwards to
such a great extent (5)
7 Politician’s goals: aims often
confused… (9)
8 … a guy featured in a Conservative
proposition (6)
9 Holds a retail event without a fuss (6)
15 Unchecked tool inserted into
metal coil (9)
17 A shocking disclosure goes down
dreadfully and terrible anguish
follows (9)
18 Carriage from a short street in which
fashionable fellows are found (8)
20 Hot, very hot, though not
beginning to roast (7)
21 A brownish-red strand (6)
22 In keeping one part of a shoe (6)
24 Audibly prepare to kiss for real (5)
26 A stove for cooking during
another time (5)

ACROSS
1 Bad-tempered (6)
4 Scorn (8)
10 Incisive (criticism) (9)
11 Chain of mountains (5)
12 Elegant sophistication (5)
13 Bass speaker (9)
14 Get the - - -, understand what
is meant (7)
16 Vigorous, hardy (6)
19 Pastor (6)
21 Extinct animal related to the
elephant (7)
23 Journal (9)
25 Having a keen edge (5)
27 Believe (5)
28 Act jointly (9)
29 Bunches on the head (8)
30 - - - of the Apes, 1968 sci-fi film
starring Charlton Heston (6)

SOLUTION TO PRIZE CROSSWORD: ISSUE 450/March 19, 2024
Across 1 Deputy, 4 Twitcher, 9 Subdue, 10 Brooklyn, 12 Rail, 13 Chain,
14 Here, 17 Search engine, 20 Intelligence, 23 Term, 24 Toast, 25 Veto,
28 Leverage, 29 Driver, 30 Solitary, 31 Twelve.
Down 1 Distress, 2 Publican, 3 True, 5 Working-class, 6 Thor, 7 Helmet,
8 Runner, 11 Cheesemonger, 15 Scene, 16 Snags, 18 Interval,
19 Recourse, 21 Stylus, 22 Travel, 26 Grit, 27 Crow.
Prize word DANGLE

Entering is easy!
ONLINE: Enter at Yours.co.uk/competitions
BY POST: Send the coupon on page 103
with the answer created by the shaded

DOWN
ANSWERS
1 Underground burial
IN ISSUE
chamber (8)
454
2 Site of gladiatorial
contests (5)
3 Behind the scenes (9)
5 Halloween month (7)
6 Body excluding the head
and limbs (5)
7 Candidate’s policy statement (9)
8 Hypothesis (6)
9 Bother (6)
15 Stretching out messily (9)
17 Beautiful blonde? (9)
18 Quantity of cargo (8)
20 Up-to-date (7)
21 Desert (6)
22 Part of the foot (6)
24 Perfect — for Jamie Oliver? (5)
26 Once more (5)

squares above to: Yours Issue 452
(April 16) 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 p103.
Closing date: May 6, 2024.

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
103

Beginner

45

x6

DOUBLE
IT

+6

HALVE
IT

-6

x5

1/
10
OF THIS

TRIPLE
IT

-57

÷3

x17

+67

2/3
10%
OF THIS OF THIS

-25

÷15

x8

÷30 +11

Intermediate
2/
3
OF THIS

69

+22 x10

HALVE
IT

Genius

38

÷2

TRIPLE
IT

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.

Capital of
Spain

Pro

Spirit of
Aladdin’s
lamp

Smiled
broadly

Daze,
astonish

Devoured

Andi ---,
chef and
TV host

--- line,
sign on
this!

Egg dish

Dietary
fibre

Carbon
jewel
--- cortex,
brain’s
outer layer

Hansel’s
sister
EightLongextinct armed sea
creature
bird

Rigid

Rage

Animal
doctor

In this
place
Colour of
danger?

Mineral
source

Indistinct
smudge

Writing
implement

Pig fat

Arthur ---,
US tennis
champion

Ice ---,
animated
franchise

Puma
Depend

More prizes to win
at yours.co.uk

2
2
5
4
2
2
2
2
3

2
3
2
2
2
6
2
4
2

5/9
OF THIS

2
2
2
5
3
1
2
2
2

2
7
2
2
2
4
5
2
2

1
2
2
2
6
2
2
2
9

2
2
8
3
2
2
2
6
2

2
2
2
6
5
9
2
2
2

2
1
2
7
2
2
2
8
2

6
2
2
2
2
8
2
2
2

Hard Grid
Our harder grid has 16 4x4 squares to challenge you!

Decree
Breach
of law

CUBE
IT

Arid

10 6 3
15 1
8 11
7 11 15 9
5 16
4 5
8
10
1
8 13
15 12 2
11
3 14
6 12
16 6 10 7 15
4 13 8 12
6 11
14 1
12 14 10 5
6 13 3 7 9 16
11 1 16 14 4
9 15 5 12 6
6 5
13 8
10 1
3
9
9
5
6 1 11
3 12
10 16
13
3 10 7
1 13 4
7
4
14 5
16 15
10 9 6
2
5 12 13 11
16 7 3
YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

99

shop with us!
yours.co.uk/life/shopping

Comfort and
style guaranteed

SHOPPING
WE GUARANTEE: ✔ Carefully selected
products ✔ Safe reliable service ✔ Delivery
straight to your door ✔ Yours customer
care helpline ✔ Reputable & trustworthy

Comfort Bras (Pack of 4)

£19.99 for 4

The ultimate comfortable bra,
you’ll forget you’re wearing
A breakthrough in body-contouring technology
and the secret to seamless shape and support. Many
women struggle to find a bra that combines comfort,
fit and support. It’s like wearing nothing at all!
In super stretchy nylon and elastane, the ComfortBra can be worn all day! It’s perfect for work,
weekends and exercise, and even for sleeping in.
Wide comfortable shoulder straps and full
coverage cups eliminate discomfort. And because
it’s so stretchy, it adjusts to fit when gaining or losing
weight, and is a great option post-surgery for a
comfortable supportive fit.
My order
PRODUCT

PRICE QTY SUBTOTAL

5216 Comfort Bras (Pack of 4) - M

£19.99

£

5217 Comfort Bras (Pack of 4) - L

£19.99

£

5218 Comfort Bras (Pack of 4) - XL

£19.99

£

5219 Comfort Bras (Pack of 4) - XXL

£19.99

£

2931 Wide Shoulder Strap Seamless Easy-Close Snap - M £19.99

£

2932 Wide Shoulder Strap Seamless Easy-Close Snap - L £19.99

£

2933 Wide Shoulder Strap Seamless Easy-Close Snap - XL £19.99

£

2934 Wide Shoulder Strap Seamless Easy-Close Snap - XXL £19.99

£

ADD P+P £3.95 PER ORDER £ 3.95
TOTAL £

My details Title

Initial

Surname

Address
Town

Postcode

Date of Birth (optional)

/

/

Tel No

Email address

Payment
I enclose a crossed cheque for £___________ made payable to Easylife
Limited (write your name, address and offer code YM291 on the back
of your cheque)
Or debit my:
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 offers from
Yours. I am happy for Easylife 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
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OFFER CODE
http://www.bauer datapromise.co.uk Yours magazine is published by H Bauer Publishing,
YM291
company number LP003328, The Lantern, 75 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PL.

Easy-Close Bra (Set of 3)
So easy, so supportive that’s the Easy-Close Bra
Four pop fasteners on the front make this
the easiest of bras to slip on and off. With no
awkward twisting or struggling with fiddly
hooks or fastenings it’s the perfect choice for
anyone who suffers with arthritis, has limited
dexterity or impaired movement/
stiffness in arms/shoulders.
With extra-wide shoulder
to lend added support without
slipping, sliding and digging, and a fabriccovered elasticated band at the bottom which
eliminates the need for underwiring, the EasyClose Bra is flattering look under clothes.
Blissfully comfortable, with gentle lift and
support that practically guarantees all-day
comfort.
Made from a hand-washable blend of 95%
cotton and 5% spandex, it’s supplied as a set of
three: one white, one beige and one pink.
n Stretchable to fit cup sizes A, B, C, its
available in M (38-40) L (42-44), XL (46-48)
and XXL (50-52).

£19.99 for 3

How to order...
By phone:

By post: Send the coupon (left) to:
QUOTE CODE

Reader Offers, Easylife Limited,
Walbrook West, Queenborough Road, ME12 3XT
0800 055 7766 YM291 Yours
Online: easylife.co.uk/YM291W

Bumper

PRIZE

giveaway

£1,304 PWROIZRETSHTOOFWIN!
WIN A CENTRAL
LONDON STAYCATION
with Holiday Inn London Regent’s Park
We’ve teamed up with the Holiday Inn
London Regent’s Park to offer the
exclusive chance to win a fabulous
central London staycation. The lucky
winner and their guest will enjoy a
2-night stay, including breakfast both
mornings and dinner one evening.
The Holiday Inn London Regent’s
Park Hotel offers easy access to London’s major
attractions as well as the glittering West End
with the best shops, restaurants and bars just
around the corner.
The Holiday Inn London Regent’s Park has
recently undergone a £1 million Open Lobby
refurbishment, designed to provide guests
with one multi-faceted public space to eat,
meet, relax, and socialise.

WORTH

£600

Win two
SpongeBob
SquarePantsthemed
Fugglers
and a prize
bundle

WORTH

n For more information visit: lghhm.com/
portfolio/holiday-inn-london-regents-park

£300

The UK’s leading
independent toy retailer, The
Entertainer, has launched
two limited-edition, exclusive
SpongeBob SquarePantsthemed Fugglers™. We’re
offering one lucky reader
the chance to win one of
each exclusive Fugglers™,
SpongeBob SquarePants and
Patrick Star, and a prize bundle
worth £300. The winner will
have the freedom to choose
their toys, ranging from
the funny-ugly monsters to
options like the Dolu My First
Red Garden Slide. The new
SpongeBob Fugglers™ join The
Entertainer’s wider Fuggler™
collection that includes Baby
Fugg, Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles, and more.

ENTERING IS EASY!
BY POST: Send the coupon on p103
ONLINE: yours.co.uk/competitions

Terms and Conditions: The prize is not transferable. Travel
within 6 months of the competition closing date. Dinner includes a
expenses are not included. The winner and their guest will share a
starter, main and dessert each, plus a bottle of house wine. The prize
double or twin room. The prize must be taken (subject to availability) cannot be taken on Bank Holidays or any black-out dates.

Get grilling this summer
with the Bar-Be-Quick Trolley Grill & Bake Barbecue with Oven
This barbecue will have your
sausages sizzling and your
burgers cooked to perfection,
so you can show off your
culinary BBQing skills all
summer long. It also has
a heated oven you can
WORTH bake in, so whether
£161 you’re teaming
your BBQ with some

Win the Essentials Lace bralette
and briefs from Anita
Whether as loungewear or lingerie,
the understated bralette with its
floral lace look is sure to brighten
any day. The moulded cups with
their removable pads provide a
flattering shape and the back is
fully adjustable with hook and eye

potatoes or roasted veggies,
you can do it all. It just
needs to be assembled and
comes with two cooking grill
positions, a storage shelf, and
removable grill. The prize also
includes 12 packs of instant
lighting charcoal, so you can
get cooking as soon as you’re
set up.

WORTH

£243

closures. Team it with
the matching Essentials
Lace brief for the ultimate in style
and comfort! We have three sets
to give away, but if you can’t
wait, you can get yours from
studiolingerieandresort.com.

TEXT AND BY PHONE!
Turn the page for details!

Turn the page to enter

Closing date: May 6, 2024

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

101

shop with us!
yours.co.uk/life/shopping

Garden ready
for spring

WE GUARANTEE: ✔ Carefully selected
products ✔ Safe reliable service ✔ Delivery
straight to your door ✔ Yours customer
care helpline ✔ Reputable & trustworthy

Bird Bath with planter

Grey (pack of 10)
Cobbled Stone
Edging

Give garden birds a refreshing welcome

Give your flowerbed,
lawn or garden path a
smart ‘stone’ border.
Simply tap in these
instant-fit garden
edging stones to create a neat,
attractive border around your
flowerbed, lawn, tree, path or shrub.
No back-breaking digging, cutting or
preparation needed, simply tap the edging stones
into the soil with a mallet.
Each section locks into its neighbour to create a
stable and strong curved or straight lined cobbled
stone edging.
Made from durable, weather-resistant plastic.

£6.49

n Each section measures W24xH10cm, on a 13cm
stake. Supplied in packs of 10, enough to make a
2.5m (8’) long edging. The thickness is 1.1cm (0.43”).

Attract robins, finches, skylarks and sparrows (plus all their other feathered
friends) with this charming wash-and-brush-up garden water feature.
Inspired by elegant Victorian bird baths with a traditional bronze effect,
it’s made from sturdy, solid and
weatherproof plastic to stay outdoors
through the year.
The clam shell shaped bath - featuring
two decorative little birds - is mounted
on an attractive and very stable base
and measures
80cm in height.
With built-in flower
planter to bring
even more colour and cheerfulness to
your garden. Easy to move and easy
to clean, its ideal on a lawn, patio or
balcony - and just what garden birds
have been longing for.

£19.99

n H 80cm x Dia 52cm.

My order
PRODUCT

PRICE

QTY SUBTOTAL

2616 Bird Bath with planter

£19.99

£

2836 Rattan effect lawn edging (pack of 6)

£12.99

£

(pack of 10)
4559 Grey
Cobbled Stone Edging

£6.49

£

ADD P+P £3.95 PER ORDER £ 3.95
TOTAL £

My details Title

Initial

Surname

Address
Town

Postcode

Date of Birth (optional)

/

/

Payment
I enclose a crossed cheque for £___________ made payable to Easylife
Limited (write your name, address and offer code YM292 on the back of your
cheque)
Or debit my:
Mastercard

Visa

Rattan effect lawn edging
(pack of 6)
Give your garden a stylish makeover
with ‘rustic rattan’ edging.
Holidaying at home this year? Planning
barbecues - even a garden party? Then
now’s the time to smarten up your bit of the
‘great outdoors’ with this easy, instant lawn
edging. Ideal for bordering flowerbeds and
defining paths and driveways, it looks like traditional
woven rattan and complements any type and style
of garden.
Child’s play to install - the spikes along the base stake straight into the
ground - the individual 60cm long panels interlock to create any length you
want. And because this edging is flexible, you can shape it around bends,
curve it around corners, even encircle shrubs and trees.
Made from PP, it’s weather-proof, rot-proof and practically indestructible so no painting, staining or maintenance required.

£12.99

Tel No

Email address

Maestro (Tick as applicable)

Card
number
Valid
from

SHOPPING

n Supplied in packs of 6 panels, each measures L60xH22xW0.7cm.
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 offers from
Yours. I am happy for Easylife 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
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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,
YM292
company number LP003328, Academic House, 24-28 Oval Road, London NW1 7DT

How to order...
By phone:

By post: Send the coupon (left) to:
QUOTE CODE

Reader Offers, Easylife Limited,
Walbrook West, Queenborough Road, ME12 3XT
0800 055 7766 YM292 Yours
Online: www.easylife.co.uk/YM292W

Yours

PUZZLES
& PRIZES
ISSUE
452

PUZZLE ANSWERS
Wordsearch (p97)

Closing date:

Midnight, May 6, 2024

E J Y E S O L

K M R B Q O F B P A I V N Y E C M D

How to enter
by text, online, phone or post...

A G O T A R A S H T U R W S D A S O
N T Z H A B E S C T E O I E M N D O
E L

BY TEXT to 65115

I U N N Y G T A X D S R I T E G

L N O O O M U I E T S F B S Y E N N
B U D U S L K E E E O M C I P N H A

50p*

All you need to do to enter
each fortnight is…

In your text message, type:
YRS452 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 YRS452 J Smith
19 (or house name eg Old Mansions)
AB1 2CD then all the giveaways you wish
to enter (see example, right).
Handy hints…

TO SEND ALL
YOUR ANSWERS
BY TEXT

BY POST:
Send the coupon (below) to:
Yours Competitions
Issue 452, PO Box 504,
Leicester LE94 0AE

U R G O O A B L E T C H U H T O E H
C U R E S U E M I W T T C T A D L T
A T U M T O M P I R F E T F V Y I D
N N D N H I A N N E H E B O I H N N
H R G R G T E A E T G T K U N U E A
A U E U I T L L T R U Y E C O O W D
V T Y T N I

I A O O R M M H D Y O A

I A I G D L M T N O B O S E A R N I
G O D G O D G O D R V U S P N E U O
D T H G I R Y A R P U O Y F

I N C G

Arrowword (p99)

65115
Text message

Sudoku (p99)
Medium
2 7 4 3
6 3 8 7
5 1 9 6
4 2 5 9
8 9 3 1
7 6 1 4
1 8 6 5
9 4 7 2
3 5 2 8

1
4
2
8
6
5
7
3
9

9
5
8
3
7
2
4
6
1

8
2
7
6
5
9
3
1
4

5
1
4
7
2
3
9
8
6

6
9
3
1
4
8
2
5
7

M C O M E Y E R I E T T M Y W A Y T

I T U R O L Y F L E S Y M R O F E I

YRS452
J Smith 19
AB1 2CD
DVD JUMPER
MIRROR
COFFEE GIN

You can also enter:

I T B E A

E R N W T N N F N I S K L A T O M B

Example only

✔ Use capitals ✔ Keep texts
under 160 characters or you may be
charged for more than one text

Y T N V G I O R U R O L L S S O S T
O N O N N M L L E S Y A I

H S O C G N E R I F P O I H E T A T

You can enter as
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Beginner 15
Intermediate 130
Genius 15

B N H W C R H M P G E N O U A S E T
M R L G N N A T D V S E E M L E E I

*

F
G
OM E
B R A N
D I
G R E
I
D O D O
C
F
S T I F
O R E
P E N
U
C
A S H E

B
L E
A
AM
T E
E D
H
F
B
L
O U
R

S
T T
U
O N
L
I C
V E
E R
R E
B
A R
G A
E L

E
D
O
T
T
E
D
D
R
Y

Hard
16 10 6 3 4 7 14 15 1 2 8 12 11 5 13 9
7 2 11 15 6 9 1 12 10 14 13 5 8 16 4 3
4 5 13 12 8 3 2 16 6 7 9 11 14 1 10 15
1 9 8 14 13 10 11 5 3 4 16 15 6 12 2 7
15 1 7 8 11 16 13 3 14 9 5 10 2 4 6 12
11 16 9 6 10 4 7 14 15 1 12 2 13 3 5 8
5 4 3 13 9 8 12 2 7 6 11 16 15 14 1 10
12 14 2 10 1 5 15 6 8 13 4 3 7 9 16 11
13 11 1 16 14 2 4 7 9 3 15 8 5 10 12 6
2 6 5 7 12 13 8 11 4 10 1 14 3 15 9 16
10 8 14 4 3 15 16 9 12 5 7 6 1 2 11 13
3 12 15 9 5 1 6 10 16 11 2 13 4 8 7 14
9 3 10 11 7 14 5 8 2 16 6 1 12 13 15 4
8 7 12 2 16 6 9 1 13 15 3 4 10 11 14 5
14 13 16 1 15 11 3 4 5 12 10 7 9 6 8 2
6 15 4 5 2 12 10 13 11 8 14 9 16 7 3 1

Where’s Sammy Squirrel? Issue 450: Sammy was on page 65.
The winner will be notified by post

ONLINE:
yours.co.uk/
competitions
BY PHONE:

0905 669 6606
Calls cost 50p per min plus your
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✁

Number Cruncher (p99)

I Y A W R E H T I E A

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general terms and our privacy policy at
bauerdatapromise.co.uk

COMPETITION RULES:
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(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
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Winners must agree to the publication of
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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 452 Puzzles & Prizes entry coupon
PRIZE CROSSWORD (p98):

SAMMY SQUIRREL:

What word is created
by the shaded squares?

On which page did you
see Sammy Squirrel?

_______________

_______________

PRIZES TO WIN (p101): Tick all that
you would like to enter
■ Holiday Inn London Staycation

ENTER THIS
WORD BY
TEXT

TITLE

PLEASE USE BLOCK CAPITALS THROUGHOUT
FIRST NAME

SURNAME
ADDRESS

POSTCODE

STAY

■ Spongebob-themed Fugglers

TOY

HOME TEL NUMBER

■ Bar-Be-Quick barbecue

BBQ

■ Essentials Lace bralette and briefs

EMAIL ADDRESS

BRA
YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

103

✁

Simply Yours

The normal size Walk-in Bath
you can lie down or shower in!
100% watertight door - Available either side
of the bath O Low threshold
O Optional powered seat
O Wide, roomy interior
O Thermostatic taps

FITTED IN
A DAY*

SALE

Easy
to use
handset!

UP TO

20%
OFF

For a free
brochure call

FREEPHONE

0800 316 9798
ASK FOR EXT. 65431

25 NO SAL
% W OE
O N
FF

TO ADVERTISE PLEASE CALL SUSAN SCOTT ON 01733 363017 OR EMAIL SUSAN.SCOTT@BAUERMEDIA.CO.UK

O

*Based on a straightforward fitting.
**Not in conjunction with any other offer.

Don’t grow old alone
&RQWLQHQFHFDUH
SURGXFWVIRUPHQDQG
ZRPHQ
2QOLQHDQGPDLORUGHU
Online and Phone order

)RUDGYLFHIUHHVDPSOHV
DQGDEURFKXUHFDOO

RUYLVLWZZZDUHOOHFRP

Enjoy Better
Health!

Happy Tummy®
charcoal capsules
adsorb acidic
toxins, can
reduce wind &
improve
digestion.
Supports a
healthy tummy.

T. 0800 612 7496
finefettlefeed.com

GROW OLD
TOGETHER

Let Friends1st - the
UK’s most personal
Christian introduction
ÃiÀÛViw`ÞÕÀ
life partner.

Call 0208 088 3917
www.friends1st.co.uk

NORTH DEVON, NEAR CLOVELLY
FOXWOOD HOLIDAY
ACCOMMODATION
Small barn conversion sleeps 4
(WHEELCHAIR FRIENDLY)
Small cottage & timber lodge
both sleep 2/3
All set within 12 acres of
idyllic surroundings only 2 miles
from pub & shop.

For brochure call 01237 431324

www.foxwoodlodge.co.uk
e: foxwoodlodge@outlook.com

QUALITY STAIRLIFTS

Bathe in luxury,
comfort and safety
once again!

Old fashioned values...
Quality, Price, Service







Emergency
Installations
& Repairs

FROM £1,295
*Straight Stairlifts
inc. 2 years warranty

Rent or Buy
Straight & Curved Stairlifts
Family run British company
Free survey or quote by phone
Open 9am to 9pm every day

FREEPHONE: 0800 652 9562
www.stayhomestairlifts.co.uk

Stairlifts Installed and Repaired
following latest Covid 19
Government Guidelines

MADE IN

BRITAIN
25 YEARS
1

2

• British designed and manufactured
• Safely lowers and raises you at the
click of a button

• Battery operated, no wiring or cables
just recharge every 7-10 days

• Belt retracts into cassette for normal
bath use for other family members
• Stud walls no problem
• Normally fitted in under an hour

For a FREE brochure call us on: TRY IT OUT!

0800 011 4376

WITH A FREE
‘DRY’ HOME
DEMO
Britain’s household name in bathing mobility

STAIRLIFTS
104

•

WALK IN BATHS

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

•

WALK IN SHOWERS

We offer a friendly, easy, practical, confidential
planning service tailored to your needs.
Leave instructions for your loved ones, so when
the time comes they’ll know what to do.
Save them money and ease their pain.

10%
DISCOUNT
for YOURS readers
(excludes p&p)

Call our Coventry Office:

02475 317250 or 07763 107210
www.TombTalk.co.uk

Email: info@TombTalk.co.uk

Simply Yours

TO ADVERTISE PLEASE CALL SUSAN SCOTT ON 01733 363017 OR EMAIL SUSAN.SCOTT@BAUERMEDIA.CO.UK

105

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

Simply Yours
DENTURE
PROBLEMS

TO ADVERTISE PLEASE CALL SUSAN SCOTT ON 01733 363017 OR EMAIL SUSAN.SCOTT@BAUERMEDIA.CO.UK

No more
őĂĆúĂÚĂÁƈĢú
Love your summer dresses with
these lightweight, breathable
slip shorts. Sizes UK12-36.

GDC 157100 - GDC 50299
Cosmetic Natural Dentures
Lip support if required
New Copy Dentures
Different choices of dentures
offered at various prices

‘Get what you want not
what you are given’

WE COME TO YOU
Over 80 year’s family experience
in Denture Prosthetics

01326 373268

WWW.THE BIG BLOOMERS COMPANY.CO.UK

MOBILE
07831 157 761
www.dentureproblems.co.uk

…is at
hand as
you write
and publish
your life
story.

We are proud to manufacture our 100% Cotton
Slips here in the UK and offer a special
made to measure service.

Scanned in HD

We can also transfer most

Video & Camcorder
Audio Tapes & Slides
to DVD & USB
72-Hour Return Postal Service

Phone Mike for a
free brochure

01234 871901

01869 246796

www.suzannecharles.co.uk

For Men & Women

Standard8 Super8
9.5mm & 16mm

Give us a call for friendly advice

We supply Triumph, Sloggi, Naturana, Royce,
Slenderella, Marlon, La Marquise and many more .

Call for a
Free Brochure

Opening jars, turning taps,
bending? 100’s of items
to make life easier,
FREE MAIL ORDER
CATALOGUE.
Tel: Clark’s Independence
Centre 0113 258 8888
www.clarksmobility.com
CINE FILM TRANSFER

Help!
A family business offering a friendly service specialising
in Front Fastening Bras, Corsetry, Shapewear,
Vests, and Classic Lingerie, Nightwear & Outerwear.

DO YOU NEED
HELP WITH
EVERYDAY
TASKS?

www.boundbiographies.com

10%

22 Walker Avenue, Troon
Ayrshire KA10 6SA

01292 22 22 11
www.look2.com

OFF

Stylish WIDE FITTING
Shoes Fittings EE to 8E

YOUR ORDER*
QUOTE
YRX2416F

FREE

for your FREE catalogue call 01933 311 077
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Can sleep up to 6

Animal aid
Cameras follow the
dedicated staff of the South
Essex Wildlife Hospital
as they work to save sick,
injured and orphaned
animals and return them
to the wild. Their patients
include a fox at risk of
suffocating after it got
its head stuck in a plastic
bottle, and a struggling
swan that swallowed
a fisherman’s hook.

Vet Tom with
vounteer Nina

n Wildlife Rescue, Channel
4, Thursdays, 8pm. Begins
April 18

Believe it or not, Midsomer
Murders has reached its
25th series, and DCI John
Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) is still
cracking crimes across the
county. In the series premiere,
it turns out that during the
Cold War, the sleepy village
of Blacktrees-on-Marsh was
listed as a potential target
for Russian nuclear bombs.
It may seem like a joke or
a quirky historical fact, but it
becomes all too serious when
a doomsday prepper is found
dead in his bunker.
n Midsomer Murders, ITV1,
Started April 14. Catch up
on ITVX

Oliver Savell
as young Alan,
with the real
Mr Carr

Book
Not content with hosting
the BBC2 book club,
Between the Covers,
Radio 2 DJ Sara Cox is also
a novelist in her own right.
Her latest book, Way Back,
follows Josie, who seems to have the
perfect life but still feels lost. Could
the answers lie in her past?
n Coronet, priced £16.99

Film
Britain lost one
of its brightest
musical talents
when Amy
Winehouse died
in 2011, aged just 27. The biopic Back
to Black charts her short life and
stars Marisa Abela in the lead role –
bravely, she’s doing her own singing.
n In cinemas now

Theatre

CHANGING ENDS
Alan Carr may be a popular comedian
and presenter, but his dad, Graham, is
also something of a minor celebrity – he
managed Northampton Town football
club during the Eighties. If you think
Alan’s early years have the makings
of a great comedy, you’d be right.
Oliver Savell takes the role of the
young comedian in the semiautobiographical sitcom Changing
Ends, while Shaun Dooley and
Nancy Sullivan play his parents.
n Changing Ends, ITV1, Tuesdays,
8.30pm. Begins April 16.

It’s routinely voted one of the best
sitcoms of all time, and now John
Cleese is bringing Fawlty Towers
to the Apollo Theatre, Shaftsbury
Avenue. While he may have adapted
the show, he’s handing the role
of Basil to Adam Jackson-Smith.
Anna-Jane Casey is Sybil and Paul
Nicholas is the Major.
n From May 4, fawltytowerswestend.com

Podcast
As the stars of Gavin & Stacey and
EastEnders respectively, Joanna
Page and Natalie Cassidy are two
of our most recognisable
small-screen faces.
But what do the
pair, who are
friends, watch on
TV? Find out in
their podcast Off
the Telly.
n BBC Sounds

PICS: BBC, ITV, CHANNEL FOUR

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tv chat

‘ This role
is a dream
come true’
Lesley Sharp plays the head of MI5 in
the tense flight thriller, Red Eye

A

Jing Luci and
Richard Armitage
also star in Red Eye

111

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

What drew you to
Red Eye?
Aside from the fact
that I thought Madeline
Delaney was a really
compelling character,
the script was a real page
turner, I was intrigued
by what was going to
happen next. I thought
it was really audacious...
Individuals in mortal
terror, unable to escape
because they’re 30,000
feet above ground.

Are you fascinated
by the inner workings
of MI5, like so many
of us?
Yes, absolutely.
Every time
I drive over
Vauxhall
Bridge, I have
a look at that
MI6 building
and I wonder
what’s going
on in there.
I love John le
Carré’s Smiley

books, Slow Horses on
Apple TV… I’m really
heavily invested in that
genre. I was super-happy
to be asked to play the
head of MI5 in Red Eye,
what can I say, it’s a
dream come true!

Is it fun to play
a woman who seems
so utterly capable
and in control?
Totally. It is amazing to
play people who have
exactly the right riposte
at the right moment, or
make the right decision,
or even just manage
to take a breath before
they respond. Don’t we
all wish that we could be
like that?!

What were the
biggest challenges
for you in making
this drama?
I think after the readthrough it was difficult
to say goodbye to all
the colleagues who

were going off to shoot
the plane sequences.
We then had a very
concentrated period
later on where we shot
all of the MI5 scenes
back to back. Eventually
the characters do all
come together so I did
actually get to spend
time with [co-stars]
Jing [Lusi] and Richard
[Armitage].

What inspires you
about new projects
– are you looking
for strong female
characters to play?
I think the optimum
place for any actor is that
they get offered a full
range of characters to
investigate. Describing
female characters
as ‘strong’ is kind of
outdated now... and
I don’t really know what
that means… I prefer the
prefix three-dimensional
or complex!
n Red Eye, ITV1, April 21

PICS: JONATHAN FORD/BAD WOLF/SONY PICTURES TELEVISION

ctor Lesley Sharp
was thrilled to
get the call about
her latest role
in action-packed drama
series Red Eye. Lesley
(63) plays no-nonsense
Madeline Delaney, the
Head of Security for MI5,
who’s tasked with the
impossible. When there
are serious problems on
a mid-air flight between
London and Beijing and
it’s up to Delaney to try
and resolve them from the
ground. But can she land
the flight without losing
anyone on board?

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your stars
Astrologer Lynne Ewart
predicts what’s in store
for you this fortnight

HOROSCOPES
APRIL 16-29

SAGITTARIUS NOV 23-DEC 20 If it’s your birthday this fortnight...

Your ruler, the expansive, ‘more is
more’ Jupiter makes a rare ‘at last!’
breakthrough. Miracles do happen.

n For a weekly update call 09044 705708

CAPRICORN DEC 21-JAN 20
It’ll be worth your while, given the
potential of Mercury retrograde, to take
your time over new commitments.
n For a weekly update call 09044 705709

Taurus , the peace-loving bull, is no pushover! You love
your creature comforts, good food, fine wine and easy
company, avoiding confrontations where possible but
unafraid of standing your ground. You’re reliable and
dependable, someone who sees a plan through.
n Famous Taureans celebrating this fortnight
include Gabby Logan, Barbra Streisand, Renée Zellweger
and William Roache.

AQUARIUS JAN 21-FEB 18
VIRGO AUG 24-SEPT 22

n For a weekly update call 09044 705710

Here comes a ‘now or never’ moment of
truth, where doubts could be shed, to
take a leap of faith.

PISCES FEB 19-MARCH 20

n For a weekly update call 09044 705702

n For a weekly update call 09044 705705

You’re about to achieve something you’ll
be proud of, such as a triumph over
something that’s been holding you back.

CANCER JUNE 21-JULY 22

LIBRA SEPT 23-OCT 23

n For a weekly update call 09044 705711

Many a Cancerian will spring surprises at
this time. A success story is possible, as
may be a happy announcement.

A choice arises, whether to stay put or to
shake things up? Financial arrangements
may be in the spotlight.

ARIES MARCH 21-APRIL 19

n For a weekly update call 09044 705703

n For a weekly update call 09044 705706

Second time around travel options could
arise. Meantime, try to make time to
catch up with that to do list!

LEO JULY 23-AUGUST 23

SCORPIO OCT 24-NOV 22

Breakthroughs, unexpected
opportunities or changeovers feature
through key relationships. An uprooting
may be mooted.

Sometimes what seems out of the
question or just never happening does.
Look out for beneficial unexpected
about turns.

n For a weekly update call 09044 705704

n For a weekly update call 09044 705707

n For a weekly update call 09044 705700

TAURUS APRIL 20-MAY 20
Much has been changing, yet now it’s
you driving that process forward, maybe
to your own surprise. New faces arrive.
n For a weekly update call 09044 705701
The Yours team...
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Deputy Editor: Claire Tapley
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Printer: Walstead, Peterborough
Syndication: syndication@bauermedia.co.uk

Get in touch...
Yours is published by H Bauer Publishing,
company no LP003328, registered address
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Telephone: 01733 468000
Email: yours@bauermedia.co.uk

No part of the magazine may be reproduced in any form in
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Bauer Publishing and we reserve the Right to copy or edit any
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Bauer Publishing, whether unsolicited or requested, is taken
as permission to publish that material in the magazine, on the
associated website, any apps or social media pages affiliated
to the magazine, and any editions of the magazine published

PICS: SHUTTERSTOCK

GEMINI MAY 21-JUNE 20
There’s extra focus on a significant other,
on possible shift-arounds linked to work
and wellbeing.

You might be wary of what’s changing
over at the core of your world, but luck
should be with you.

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We do not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage,
however caused, resulting from use of the material.

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

113

And finally…

anessa

Our columnist
doesn’t need her
ears
testing – she nee
ds
TV actors to stop
mumbling!

Dear readers,
Something strange has happened to TV drama. The mix is
wrong. Background music is too loud. Footsteps echo at
maximum decibels. Sirens roar. Rain lashes loudly down.
Everything is ramped up to deafening levels – except the
one thing the audience really need to hear: the dialogue.
In vain, you strain to make out what’s being said. Did that
man tell his wife he loved her, drove her or loathed her?
What was the whispered phone conversation about?
You could just about make out
every third word, but it left you
bewildered. Whole conversations
whiz by in a droning sound storm
of indecipherable gobbledegook.
You understand so little, they
could be speaking a foreign
language. The plot rushes along. You can barely follow.
You start wondering if the problem is yours. Do you have
hearing loss? Should you make an appointment – if you
can get one – with your GP?
Before you start trekking off to throw yourself on the
TV drama and a raft of new movies recruiting sensible
mercy of our medics, let me reassure you the inaudibility
grown-ups who appreciate realism – speaking as if you
problem is nothing to do with you. Young actors have
mean it, not as if you are acting – is terrific and effective,
never been taught to enunciate. Think of Dame Judi
but only if the audience grasps what the speaker is saying.
Dench. Every syllable she utters is clearly defined,
Marlon Brando and James Dean have a great deal to
consonants crisply pronounced, vowel sounds crunched
answer for. They started the vogue for ‘natural’ acting
and shaped with such care you don’t miss the meaning.
and were so keen not to project theatrically like Lord
Children used to have elocution classes to learn to
Olivier and Sir John Gielgud – established thespians they
enunciate. Pronounce the ‘t’ in Tuesday. Don’t be lazy and
considered old-fashioned – they decided a mumble was
say Chewsday. Finish every word with its final letter. Say
preferable. Directors who value their audiences should be
singing not singin’ and get home not ge’ ’ome. Why bother?
brave enough to nip this fashion for mumbling firmly in
Speaking clearly is a mark of respect to those you are
the bud. Don’t they realise we’re fed up to the back teeth
addressing. If you slouch through conversation, eliding one
with switching on subtitles just to watch a soap or serial?
word into another, chopping off
What’s more, our patience with inaudible, mispronounced
endings, fudging beginnings and
rabbiting which sounds like ‘rhubarb rhubarb’ but even
mixing everything into a sloppy
less intriguing is wearing thin.
syllabic soup, the listener is left
Please turn down the background
frustrated and alienated. The
ruckus, lower the volume on the
point of speech is communication.
music, lessen the screech of the
Mumble and you sabotage your
special effects and give us actors
meaning. No-one ‘gets’ you
who know how
because they’re not sure what on
‘Mr Mumbles’,
n Do you agree with
to enunciate.
earth you were muttering about.

PICS: SHUTTERSTOCK

Marlon Brando
and James Dean
have a lot to
answer for

Marlon Brando (left)
and James Dean

114

YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

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DELIVERY

BILLING/DELIVERY ADDRESS

Name

Platinum

Pink

£ TOTAL

Address

Post Code

Telephone

Email
(Please advise us of your email address to receive special offers.)
PAY BY CARD OR CHEQUE
Card Number

Expiry Date

Security No.

A cheque made payable to Pavers Ltd with my name and address on the back
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Offer expires 08/07/2024. Free delivery applies to your first order only. We’d like to send you our latest
collections, promotions and special offers, please tick here if you do not want to receive these by post.
Occasionally we make our mailing list available to carefully selected companies that we think may be of interest
to you (never phone numbers), if you would prefer not to receive these contacts by post please tick here
POST TO: Pavers Ltd, Northminster Business Park, Upper Poppleton, York, YO26 6QU

*

USE OFFER CODE YOURS2 FOR FREE DELIVERY

CALL US ON 0844 826 2642

SHOP ONLINE p a v e r s . c o . u k
Excellent

Spring
SA L E

50

%

UP
TO

OFF

*

AS SEEN ON

TV

We’re Rated Excellent

UP TO

50%
OFF*

Matching Sofas

Riser Recliners

Adjustable Beds

Luxury, handcrafted furniture made just for you
• Wide range of riser recliner
chairs and adjustable beds

• Enjoy temporary

• FREE Delivery and installation
• VAT-FREE for
qualifying customers

positional relief

• Over 25 years’ experience
• 100’s of fabrics to suit all styles
and tastes
YRS16/04/24c

For our latest brochure or to book a free home demonstration:
Call:

0800 854 330

Visit:

willowbrook.co.uk

*Up to 50% OFF applies to selected items, excludes Home Care range. Optional extras charged as per retail price list. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Offer ends 30/04/24.