Innholdsfortegnelse for December 24, 2012 i Woman's Own

It’s so refreshing to meet a celebrity who is happy in their own skin – and that’s exactly what Nadia Sawalha is. After years of struggling with her weight and body image, she’s accepted her curves and looks amazing. Now the face of high street fashion brand Bonmarché, Nadia thinks it’s hilarious that she’s a 48-year-old model with cellulite and a turkey neck (her words, not mine!). And this honesty just makes me like her even more. Our exclusive chat with her is on page 10, and I think you’ll find you like her too...…

Be bold in blue Amanda Holden looks much younger than her 41 years in this flattering midnight blue structured dress, and a fishtail hemline also makes a bottom look smaller. Update your midi Rachel Weisz, 42, shows how the once-safe midi is transformed with a sexy side split. Wear with open sandals to lengthen legs. Go casual chic Pair a sparkly blazer with smart trousers like Twiggy, 63, for a youth-boosting look that also keeps upper arms under wraps. Look great in lace Our very own columnist, Lorraine Kelly, 53, proves a lace cocktail dress is ageless. And the plunging neckline adds extra va-va-voom! Cover up with class Elongate arms and keep out the cold like Tess Daly, 43, in glittery sleeves. Warmth and glamour – the ideal Christmas party…

CHRISTMAS ALBUM I’d love to fill the house with Michael Bublé’s songs CANDLE The lime, basil and mandarin candle from Jo Malone is my favourite HOT WATER BOTTLE They may be old-fashioned, but there’s nothing like snuggling under the duvet with one! CHOCOLATE I am quite partial to a Terry’s Chocolate Orange - the milk variety, of course! BLOOMS Fresh flowers, especially scented rose s and freesias, are such a treat…

Just 18 when she became famous for her role in the 1970 film The Railway Children, Jenny Agutter is still entertaining us more than 40 years later as Sister Julienne in BBC1’s Call The Midwife. Married to hotelier John Tham, Jenny, who turns 60 on 20 December, splits her time between her two homes, in South London and Cornwall. Their son Jonathan is at medical school and will turn 22 on Christmas Day. To be honest, I wouldn’t say that I was a great mother. When my son Jonathan was born, I didn’t feel obvious maternal instincts. I felt an extraordinary love and closeness and I felt protective of course, but I didn’t feel like a mother. People say you get an instinct of when to feed your baby, but…

Gazing around me, I shook my head in wonder, trying to take in the big wooden sleigh, colourful display of tinsel, baubles, festive figurines and the jolly Santa sat patiently listening to children’s requests. Even aged 46, a shiver of sheer excitement ran down my spine. It was a magical scene. But I wasn’t in Lapland or on a film set – I was standing in Julie Scarborough’s one-bedroom bungalow. ‘Amazing!’ I gasped. ‘Anything to bring a smile to people’s faces,’ Julie said. And that’s exactly what Julie, 77, has been doing every Christmas for the past seven years. She turns each room in her home into a Christmas wonderland, with its own Santa’s grotto, to raise money for charity. Among those she helps is the Naomi House children’s hospice…

The cute curl AS SEEN ON DANNII MINOGUE Even short hair can be styled up for a special occasion. ‘Dannii’s look is easy to achieve and will complement most face shapes,’ says Akin Konizi, HOB Salons’ international creative director. ‘Apply a volumising mousse to damp hair and blow-dry upside down for lift and texture. Then tong the side of your hair that you want to keep loose and slick back the other side with hair clay, pulling the hair behind your ear. Brush out the tonged hair to keep the volume and finish with hairspray,’ he says. STYLING KIT ◆ Wella Shockwaves Ultra Strong Heat Defence Volumising Mousse, £2.85 ◆ Craft Clay, £15, Sebastian The messy bun AS SEEN ON CHARLIZE THERON Go Gatsby-chic with a modern finish. ‘Curl your…

1 Act early. If you’re struggling to pay the bills, make a list of all your outgoings and face the problem head-on before things get out of hand. 2 Avoid paying larger sums like housing costs on credit cards and high-interest loans. Your finances can quickly become confusing and the interest uncontrollable. 3 If you make regular mortgage payments, visit the Shelter website because you may be entitled to support from a government scheme, or your lender may be able to help you set up a more manageable repayment plan. 4 If you’re living in rented accommodation and feel that you’re struggling, talk to your landlord about a possible repayment plan. If you have a lower income, you may be eligible for rent support from the government. 5 If the…

3 step fix... Dry skin ◆ TRY THIS New Care Aqueous Emollient Cream (£2.99 for 100g, pharmacies) is a non-drying soap and shower gel alternative. It’s SLS free, which is a thickening agent widely used to make lather that can aggravate dry skin. ◆ DO THIS Massage luxurious Lotil Cream (left, £3.08 for 50g, pharmacies) over your body to soothe red, inflamed, cracked or itchy skin, and conditions like eczema and psoriasis. ◆ BUY THIS Central heating can really dry out skin. Keep air moist with a humidifier you can easily move from room to room. The Bionaire Compact Ultrasonic Humidifier (model BU1300W-IUK, £34.95, John Lewis) is so quiet you can use it at night. It’s weird... but it works! Avoid painful feet this party season by applying Carnation Footcare…

RED OR WHITE? Enjoy fantastic wines from around the world. Shop online with Majestic Wine and get 4% cashback as well as free delivery on orders that are over £40. THE LATEST FASHIONS For amazing quality and fantastic prices, shop the collection at Boden online and get 5% cashback on all orders. PAMPER TREATS Shop online with Chemist Direct and get up to 15% cashback on all sales. With over 20,000 top brand health and beauty products, you’re bound to find a bargain. COME FLY WITH ME Fancy a last-minute holiday? Book online and get up to 8% cashback for all bookings with Lastminute.com. UPDATE YOUR WARDROBE Buy the best in women’s, kids’ and men’s fashion from F&F Clothing. Choose from over 7,000 styles, including dresses, skirts, suits, jackets and…

Best games consoles Caroline Mileham, head of books and games at Rakuten’s Play.com, reveals her top three consoles Today’s games consoles come in all shapes and sizes, from palm-sized portable devices for on-the-go entertainment, to controller-free systems that are ideal for group fun in your living room. Most TV-based consoles now offer the ability to stream extra content to your screen, such as movies and downloadable games. When it comes to finding the console for you, research which games are available with each one, as many devices have exclusive content deals. Also investigate any extras you may need to invest in to get the most out of your system, as the cost of potential add-ons may have an impact on your budget. Best buy Portable games This Bluetooth controller attaches…

Reader rated ANN DELVE, 41, FROM KENT ‘I love this centrepiece – it’s perfect for afternoon tea. My friends “wow” at it, then break off chunks to eat with a cuppa.’ Tesco Finest Chocolate Christmas Tree, £6 Love lamb! For a fuss-free, midweek supper look no further than this delicious lamb joint seasoned with rosemary. Simply pop it in the oven and pass it off as your own. We won’t tell! Lamb with Pomegranate Butter, £7.99, Morrisons. Seasonal nightcap Luxurious hot chocolate MAKES 4 MUGS PREP TIME 2 MINS COOKING TIME 4 MINS 1 Add 2tbsp cocoa powder to 2tbsp milk in a cup and mix to form a paste. Over a low heat, bring 150ml single cream to just below boiling. Remove from the heat, add 500ml milk and…

There are so many special moments in a baby’s life – their first steps, first tooth, that first delightful laugh. And perhaps the most memorable is the day they say their first words. When my little girl Francesca was born in September 2002, I looked forward to celebrating every one of those achievements. But little did I know what lay ahead and how long I’d have to wait… Francesca was born four weeks prematurely and suffered problems from the start. She had a collapsed lung and spent three weeks in a special care unit. It was such a worrying time for my husband Jolyon and I to see our sweet, adorable baby daughter struggling so much. When she was finally allowed home, three weeks later, I prayed we were through…

Grab some CULTURE This pretty city offers all the shopping, restaurants and sights you could wish for in a weekend away, backed by the stunning mountain scenery of a ski holiday. High on top of a snow-capped outcrop, the 900-year-old Salzburg Castle (right) dominates the skyline. You can take the funicular train (a 10-minute ascent), or walk to the top in 30 minutes (salzburgburgen. at/en/), it’s worth the effort for the views alone. Back at ground level, Salzburg’s narrow-laned Old Town is the main draw for tourists. On the left bank of the River Salzach is the landmark Salzburg Cathedral – twice destroyed by fire and bombed during the Second World War, but still a beautiful baroque building with soaring arches and ceiling frescoes. It’s here that Mozart was christened,…

When I had my twins, Victor and Louis, in September 2010, I lost a lot of blood after having a caesarean section and I was incredibly tired. The first few weeks were horrendous, as any new mother knows. What got me through was my love for the boys. I’m very lucky because I adored them the second I saw them. I know with some women it can take much longer. I started filming the first series of Sky comedy Mount Pleasant when the boys were four and a half months old. I knew roughly what time they’d wake up in the night so I could manage it, despite having worked all day. But the second year of the show was horrific. I’d be on set all day and the boys,…

Christmas quiz Text Santa host Paddy McGuinness, 39, reveals his favourite way to spend the big day and a major childhood trauma… 1 Are you a fan of the festive season? I love it. People moan about decorations being in the shops too early, but I’m all for it. 2 What’s a typical Christmas Day? Much the same as everyone else’s – we eat, drink and then have an argument at the in-laws’ while watching Jurassic Park. 3 Have you ever thought about spending Christmas abroad? No, I like it best when it’s cold outside and I’m sitting indoors watching reruns of Only Fools And Horses on the telly. 4 Are you good at buying presents? I start buying them as early as November but there’s always someone I forget,…

AMY ‘The fishtail on Amanda’s dress is so elegant. I’m not too keen on Twiggy’s look, though – even with sequins, the T-shirt makes the outfit a little casual for me.’ BONNIE ‘Lorraine looks great – the lace is so flattering and I like the dress length. I think the midi dress really suits Rachel, but I think I’d have to try it on to be convinced the length would work with my body shape.’ MICHELLE ‘I love the sleeves on Tess’s dress. I hate my upper arms, so anything that covers them up is a winner! And Lisa Snowdon’s simple red dress is a classic that shows off her figure.’…

Nadia Sawalha says she’s at the top of her game. And that’s a good thing because she’s going to need every ounce of energy over the festive period. Not only is she cooking dinner for 12 people at her home in London, but her daughter Maddie turns 10 on Christmas Day. ‘About 4pm, the house switches to birthday mode,’ she laughs. ‘We have cake, more presents – wrapped in birthday paper – and a special tea.’ Nadia, who’s been married to TV director Mark Adderley for 10 years and with whom she has two daughters, Maddie and Kiki-Bee, five, says Christmas this year will be ‘old-fashioned with plenty of raucous behaviour. I don’t live in a big house, so it’s going to be heaving’. Bring it on She’s bought Monopoly,…

Behind the squeaky clean image of This Morning hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby are two mischievous pals who love a night out with their friend Jack Daniel’s. Perhaps that’s why Phil describes the pair as ‘a dangerous combination’. He adds, ‘The beauty of my image is that I can do anything and get away with murder. On This Morning, we’re utter filth.’ This week Phil, 50, and Holly, 31, form part of the presenting team for IT V’s all-star charity event Text Santa. No filth please, Phil! I’ll be head chef Holly will have her family to visit at her London home. ‘I’ ll have a pinny on all day, doing everything,’ she says. ‘Making Christmas pudding and cake from scratch. My gravy is legendary!’ Family ties HOLLY Mother of…

Emma is a married mum-of-one, part-time comedienne and freelance film extra. Between juggling a three-year-old, scriptwriting for her comedy act and auditioning for film parts, there’s no time for shopping trips, let alone salon visits. ‘I just don’t feel fashionable. I hate my legs and always hide them in dark leggings and boots,’ says Emma. Desperate for a glamorous new look to take her into 2013, she turned to our makeover team. Ready for a MAKEOVER? Are you stuck in a fashion rut? Email us at womakeovers@ipcmedia.com and tell us why you’re in line for a fab new look…

Tree treats Hang Beauticology Sweet Gingerbread Body Wash Gift Tube, £3, Baylis & Harding, on your tree for a festive treat. The mini body wash smells like Christmas and leaves your body feeling super-soft. Philosophy Purity 90ml Ornament, £9, contains a mini version of the brand’s cult facial cleanser in a cute hanging gift box. We’re huge fans of its gentle-but-effective formula. 3 of the best Luxe skin treats ◆ WITH GOLD Bathe your skin in 23-carat luxury with Hydration Gold, £39.95, Transformulas. This precious moisturiser leaves your complexion soft and glowing with radiance. ◆ WITH FRANKINCENSE Neal’s Yard Remedies Frankincense Nourishing Cream, £21.25, makes the most of this toning and firming ingredient to soften lines. ◆ WITH MYRRH Elemis S.O.S Emergency Cream, £51, timetospa.co.uk, uses the healing, cell-stimulating properties…

My sister’s pen pal is a prisoner DEAR EMMA, My younger sister recently confided she’s a pen pal to a prisoner after responding to an ad in a paper. From the way she was talking, it’s plain she’s developed feelings for him. This has really concerned me. And she even says she’s planning to visit him! Beth, 49, Sunderland There are plenty of dangerous men in the world. Some are in prison, but plenty are not! You can’t stop the feelings your sister has by simply disapproving of them. Instead, encourage her to take things slowly and remind her to be careful about revealing too many details in case things don’t work out. AM I BEING SELFISH? DEAR EMMA, My friend recently accused me of being selfish because I never…

This quick-fix diet will help you to streamline your silhouette, beat bloating and shave off pounds. The meals are reduced-carb (not carb-free, as carbs are a valuable energy source), high in potassium and low in salt – all of which help to get rid of excess water. There’s enough fibre and friendly bacteria to keep your digestive system working effectively, so constipation – the enemy of a flat tum – isn’t an issue. Your 72-hour SLIM-DOWN DAY 1 BREAKFAST u 1 mini bottle of probiotic drink (e.g., Yakult, Actimel) u 1 slice of brown bread, toasted, with a scraping of low-fat spread u 1 apple MID-MORNING u 1 medium-ripe banana Lunch u Handful of watercress and spinach, chopped cucumber and red pepper, dressed with 2tsp olive oil and balsamic vinegar.…

Save with out spending Here are my top tips this week to ensure you’re making the most of your hard-earned cash 1 SEND A FREE VIRTUAL MIX-TAPE Looking for cheap last-minute Christmas presents with a difference? Soundtracktoyour.com allows you to send a free virtual iTunes mix tape of 10 tracks to friends and family. 2 MAKE CASH FROM YOUR PRINTER Recycle your empty printer ink cartridges at websites such as cashforcartridges.co.uk or cartridgeco.co.uk and you can earn up to £3 per cartridge. 3 STASH KIDS’ CASH IN AN ISA If your children get cash gifts this Christmas and were born before 2002 or after 3 January 2011, you can save it for them taxfree with a Junior ISA. They can save up to £3,600 a year and earn up to…

Finishing touches From £2.50 Christmas is just days away, the turkey’s bought, the wine’s chilling and the Quality Street tin is already half empty! For any last minute gift wrap needs, pop along to Asda for its expensive-looking range of metallic paper and bows (above). Prices start at just £1.50. ADDED EXTRAS Wine glass, £3 each, John Lewis Two for one Add a chic splash of sparkle to your Christmas tabletop with these fabulous glittery place mats. And, as they’re reversible, you can flip them over for Boxing Day. Silver and gold place mat set, £18 from Next. EXPERT ADVICE ‘Home fragrance sales shot up by 25% this year. Aroma-filled rooms are set to be a big trend in 2013’ STEPHANIE LOWE, LIFESTYLE ASSISTANT Blissful Rest candle, £8.99, from getting…

‘So fat I broke the pogo ball’ As I sat in a crumpled heap, my kids, Alex, eight, and Olivia, four, roared with helpless laughter at the sight of their brand new pogo ball in pieces beside me. It was a gift from Santa – a purple ball with a silver plastic ring around it that you stand on to bounce up and down. ‘I’ll show you,’ I’d grinned, balancing on the ring and leaping into the air. But as I landed, my size 22 bulk had forced the ball out of the plastic ring, sending it flying across the room as I thudded loudly to the floor. Making a vow ‘You all right, love?’ my husband, Anthony, then 36, asked. I tried to laugh but shame overwhelmed me. When…

1 Duelling divas Strictly Come Dancing BBC1, Saturday, 22 December and Christmas Day Lucky Strictly fans get two hits in one week. This year’s series ends with a glittering finale on Saturday, then on Tuesday more celebrities, including newbies Sheila Hancock and Bobby Ball along with old favourites, take to the dancefloor for the Christmas special. Fabulous! 2 Hollywood legend The Girl BBC2, TBA Ahead of next year’s film Hitchcock comes this featurelength TV drama documenting the filmmaker’s obsession with actress Tippi Hedren (played by Sienna Miller). Toby Jones is brilliant as the portly Alfred, who becomes infatuated with his blonde star. 3 Hats off to old chums Miranda BBC1, Friday, 28 December While we love her as Chummy in Call The Midwife (BBC1, Christmas Day), it’s great to see…

Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr There’ll be lots of laughs and amazing news while you’re socialising. Just keep tabs on the temptation to tell someone too much, or go too far with the teasing after a cocktail or two. If you do say something you regret, the weekend’s good for smoothing things over. ◆ For more call 0901 609 4780 Taurus 21 Apr – 20 May You might think you’re too busy for something unexpectedly thrilling to enter your world this week. But think again. Around Wednesday something happens or is said that promises real excitement, most likely in your love life. Even more mundane matters will go well then. ◆ For more call 0901 609 4781 Gemini 21 May – 20 Jun In between all the Christmas shopping…

Monday A working weekend for the Daybreak team as Dr Hilary, Ranvir, Gethin, Aled and I took on the Emmerdale lot on a festive edition of Family Fortunes. Host Vernon Kay was on fruity form, which proved bait enough for us all when it came to adding sauce on the side. Which team got the seasonal stuffing? Tune in over Christmas to find out! Tuesday Catching up with the gorgeous Girls Aloud on their video shoot, I must admit, felt like I was facing down a pack of Afghan dogs. I’ve never seen so much sassy shag going on! They tell me the same woman does ALL their hair – she must have wands for hands. Wednesday John Bishop and Sheridan Smith invited me up to Lancaster where they’re filming a comedy…

Dancing into the sunset So here we are at last, heading into the final of Strictly. What a series it has been. I’ve been more interested than usual this year because my pal Richard Arnold was in the line-up. Unlike the other contestants, Richard had to get up at the crack of sparrows every morning to do his day job as Daybreak’s entertainment editor. We all became used to seeing him practising his dance moves in the make-up room and shimmying round the Daybreak sofa. I am so proud of him. An inspiration But the revelation in this series was the lovely Lisa Riley. Watching her dance has been a joy. Everyone believed she would be a figure of fun like Ann Widdecombe, but Lisa has shown that she’s a grafter who…

Caroline McCall (right) is the costume designer on TV’s biggest period drama. Here’s a sneak peek at the Christmas special. ‘My job is really challenging!’ she says. ‘Almost half the clothes in this series were specially made – there’s not much available to hire from that period. Lady Mary and Edith have the most. We normally use costume jewellery (it’s too nerve-racking to use real gems) but Lady Mary’s 1830s wedding tiara was genuine and valued at £125,000! All the women wear corsets but the ladies upstairs now wear softer bandeau styles to create the boyish silhouette that was the fashion in the’20s. And, yes, there’s a lot of frock envy from the women downstairs!’ HOT UNDER THE COLLAR The men moan about their shirts being so heavily starched. But…

On 1 January 2012, I did something that I wonder if you would be able to do. I made a New Year’s resolution to stop buying clothes. Go on, think about it. A whole year and not one new outfit. No sparkly party shoes, no snuggly winter jumper, not even pyjamas or a treat on your birthday. Do you think it’s possible? I thought it was, but when I made that vow, I began the most challenging year of my life… ‘Clothes were a way of deflecting attention from myself’ I had always loved going to buy clothes – picking them out from the shop rails, feeling the material, hearing the rustle of the plastic bag as you took them home. It was completely intoxicating. ‘Imagine how impressed everyone will…

SWITCH TO TIGHTS Emma was worried about showing her legs, so I chose a tunic dress with a flattering hemline that wouldn’t draw attention to them. I completed the outfit with opaque tights to slim her legs. GET CURVES I wanted to give Emma a completely different look for her second outfit so I chose a fitted jacket to enhance her slim waist. She looks so elegant and stylish. SKIRT APPEAL Emma thought the below-the-knee length of this sequinned skirt would be frumpy but the result was quite the opposite. Killer heels finished the look – try these ones (left), £12, Primark. STYLE UPDATE Emma’s hair was damaged from over-highlighting so we went for a shorter cut, which works well with fine hair. This sleek bob knocks off years and…

Cuddling her two young sons close, Michelle Trump forced a smile. ‘Happy Christmas,’ she said. Yet inside, her heart was breaking. There were no twinkling lights round a tree, no brightly coloured presents or turkey roasting in the oven. For Michelle, 27, and her two little boys, Cameron, six, and Zack, four, were homeless. All they had was dingy, temporary bedsit accommodation with a double bed, a small fridge and a cooker. ‘It was just all so terrible,’ recalls Michelle. ‘I had managed to buy a couple of small toys for the boys but it was so cold and cramped – I couldn’t believe how far we had fallen in such a short time.’ Michelle is an example of a new breed of homelessness many UK families are facing, as…

Eat smart ‘Chew food well,’ says nutritionist Marilyn Glenville (marilynglenville.com). ‘It’ll take a bit longer but makes a huge difference in terms of digestion and absorbing nutrients, which affects energy levels. Don’t eat on the run or standing up. This compromises digestive function as the stress hormone will be released, so your body thinks it’s in danger. It will then move energy away from non-essential areas, like the digestive system, and send it to the extremities, to run or fight. If you sit and take your time to eat, you’ll feel properly nourished.’ Line your stomach ‘To prevent a Christmas night out turning into the morning from hell, eat an omelette or scrambled eggs on whole meal toast before heading out,’ says Marilyn. ‘The fat will act like a buffer…

Standing at the top of the hill, I gazed out across the beautiful Welsh countryside and breathed the fresh air deep into my lungs. Then I thought of my partner Neil sitting alone in our car at the bottom, and hot tears began to stream down my face. ‘He would love it up here,’ I thought, quickly wiping my eyes before our twin daughters Emily and Melissa saw. It was October 2011, and Neil, 44, and I had taken the girls on holiday to Ruthin, Denbighshire, for their 13th birthday. We’d had a wonderful time seeing the sights and going out for dinner, but when we’d arrived at Moel Famau, a hill in the Welsh countryside, Neil said his back was hurting. ‘I’ve probably just twisted it,’ he said. ‘I’ll…

T he winner of our fabulous competition will stay in Los Angeles in a four-star hotel. The prize includes return flights from London to Los Angeles for two, and an indulgent couples spa treatment to get you in the mood for the Hollywood lifestyle. The prize also includes breakfast and transfers from the airport to your hotel. Gerard Butler stars as George in Playing For Keeps, the heartfelt new romantic comedy from the director of The Pursuit Of Happyness, Gabriele Muccino. George is trying to put his life back together again after numerous setbacks, as well as falling far from grace with both his ex-wife Stacie (Jessica Biel), and young son Lewis (Noah Lomax). Worth up to £3 ,50 0 In an attempt to rebuild his relationship with Lewis, George…

Quick bacon & spring onion pasta bake SERVES 4 PREP TIME 5 MINS COOKING TIME 15 MINS YOU WILL NEED ◆ 1ltr milk ◆ 2 garlic cloves, crushed ◆ 2 bay leaves ◆ 500g dried pasta ◆ 150g mixed vegetables ◆ 150g broad beans ◆ 75g butter ◆ 75g plain flour ◆ 1tsp mustard powder ◆ Small bunch parsley, roughly chopped ◆ 200g Cheddar, grated ◆ 6 spring onions, chopped ◆ 6 bacon rashers, cooked and chopped 1Bring the milk, garlic and bay leaves to the boil in a small saucepan, then remove from the heat and leave to infuse. Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions, adding the mixed veg and broad beans for the last two mins. Drain well. 2Strain the milk into a jug. Heat the…

Three years ago, my life turned upside down when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. At 46, I had a double mastectomy and took a course of fierce anti-cancer drugs. My husband, Duncan, then 48, and our kids Lauren, 15, and Will, 13, were devastated, but they stayed strong for me. ‘Give me a 44GG bust!’ I joked with the surgeon before reconstruction. Humour kept me sane but, underneath the bravado, I was terrified. I didn’t need chemotherapy, and was able to return to work as an admin clerk for Hampshire police. But the ordeal had taken its toll on me and, in February 2011, I decided to put in for voluntary redundancy. ‘I need to look at my life,’ I told Duncan. Creating magic Then, one day in April…

TOP PICK ICE SKATING Prepare yourself for a few bumps and bruises after trying out your best Torvill and Dean impressions on the ice. Hampton Court Palace, Winchester Cathedral, the Tower of London and the Royal Pavilion in Brighton are some of the more majestic backdrops to skating rinks this year. Go to visitengland.com for more information. WINTER WONDERLAND Keep the whole family happy with a trip to a winter theme park. The SnowDome in Tamworth (until 31 December, snowdome.co.uk) features live reindeer, while The Christmas Adventure near Leeds (until 6 January, visitleeds.co.uk) has an enchanted forest. SANTA’S GROTTO There’s still just enough time for children big and small to tell Santa Claus whether they’ve been naughty or nice this year. Calke Abbey in Derbyshire and Bodiam Castle in East…

Everyone loves a free gift When my local newsagent closed after more than 50 years, I felt a tinge of sadness. As a child, my comics came from there each week. I’d wake early and wait for the paper boy to push them through the door. I’d be beside myself with excitement if there was a free gift – rings were my favourite. I wonder if kids nowadays find such trinkets so thrilling? I was pleased to see many children’s magazines now come with stickers, art materials or even a kiddie camera. My mum was clearing out a box recently and guess what fell right at her feet? My very favourite ring from 1966! Linda Sherlock, Lancashire Win a bunch of f lowers Our star letter will win this striking…