Innholdsfortegnelse for December 31, 2015 i Woman's Weekly

…And Goodbye To 2015 With the end of the year upon us, the team at WW HQ have been reflecting on the past 12 months. We all agree that the world feels like a much more uncertain and dangerous place, and that change – be it in climate, politics or society, in far-flung places or on our doorsteps – seems to be happening at an ever-faster pace, and not always for the better. In spite of that, the inherent goodness of the vast majority of people, their commitment to family and community and their deep-seated generosity shine like a beacon through even the darkest of times. At Woman’s Weekly, we’re lucky enough to share our uplifting stories, inspiring ideas, expert tips and trusted information with a community of people –…

Book now Chitty Chitty Bang Bang This family favourite musical is going on tour, starting at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre on 10 February and working its way around the UK. For more information, visit chittythemusical.co.uk Watch War And Peace If you never got round to reading all 1,000-plus pages of Tolstoy’s classic novel, sit back and enjoy BBC One’s lavish new adaptation which starts on 3 January. With a cast that includes James Norton (Sidney Chambers in Grantchester) and Lily James (Lady Rose in Downton Abbey), it’s well worth staying in for. Enjoy Stoats Loony Dook On New Year’s Day, get down to South Queensferry in Edinburgh, where 1,250 people in fancy dress join the Dookers Parade through town before plunging into the chill waters of the River Forth. The event…

This week we take a look at toys that were popular with boys during the mass-production years of the 20th century. Most famous are Hornby Railways (started in 1919) and Dinky Toys (started in 1933), both the brainchild of Frank Hornby. An early range of Hornby trains, circa 1925. These came as a much-loved distraction from very hard times after the First World War. Self-propelling with strong clockwork motors, these were not exactly ‘true to type’, but sufficient realism was found in the paintwork and range of liveries. A group like this is worth £400-£600 at auction. This Dinky Toys big Bedford Heinz van (circa 1955) came in two versions – one advertising baked beans, worth £100-£150, and this, the rare one, tomato ketchup – worth £400 in this condition,…

Each pattern will be printed on A4 card and delivered to your door To order, call 0800 024 1212* or complete the coupon HOW TO ORDER Order By Phone Call 0800 024 1212* MasterCard, Visa or Maestro cardholders can order direct on this number quoting WW53. Lines open Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm, but closed bank holidays. Fill In The Coupon Payment must be made by cheque, sent with the coupon to the address provided. TERMS AND CONDITIONS Subject to availability to readers in the UK, offers cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions, prices are correct at time of printing. All correspondence concerning this offer should be sent to: WW Popular Patterns Offer, WW53, WW Shop Customer Care, Blue Fin Building, Room 06-C06, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU.…

With a dreamy smile, Amanda Abbington is remembering the day she first met her partner, Martin Freeman. It was 2000. Martin had yet to become well-known as Tim in The Office. As jobbing actors, they were filming a Channel 4 drama called Men Only – when the make-up artist stepped in to act as Cupid. ‘I was moaning to her that I didn’t have a boyfriend and she said, ‘Oh, there’s someone on this show who’s moaning he doesn’t have a girlfriend,’’ recalls Amanda. ‘He walked in just then and she said, ‘This is him...’’ And, yes, it was love at first sight. ‘We just hit it off,’ says Amanda. ‘I looked at him and thought, ‘Oh, it’s you... you’re the one I’ve been waiting for.’ And I remember him…

Before a long train journey it had always been my habit to rush into a newsagent and stock up on all manner of glossy fashion magazines to hunker down with in the quiet carriage. Once equipped with a coffee and a chocolate bar, I couldn’t wait to start turning all those glossy pages to discover my wardrobe instructions – from the right wedge heels to the next ‘must-have’ gothic over-cardigan (I made that style up, but give it time – it’ll come). But with maturity and austerity, I have found – shockingly – that my fashion covetousness has not only dipped, it’s transferred itself. On to… ahem, well, nice taps mostly. And stunning kitchen tiles, squishy tartan cushions and – sorry, but it’s true – throws. I’ve even started checking…

In 2016, we’ll be running an even wider selection of our ever-popular workshops. To learn how to write fiction or poetry in a fun, friendly and supportive atmosphere, come and join in. There are lots of dates to choose from – including these in Glasgow and Manchester – so grab your diary and book a place now. For details about other workshops we are running, visit womansweekly.com/events ABOUT OUR WRITING TUTORS Short Story With A Twist Glasgow SECC on Thursday 3 March Please arrive between 10am and 10.30am to meet the tutors and other participants 10.30am TALK Writing a twist for the Woman’s Weekly audience with Gaynor 11am TALK Dos and don’ts when writing a twist with Della 11.30am BREAK Tea and coffee 11.45am EXERCISE Writing the opening paragraph for…

Aries 21 March – 20 April LOVE: Whipping your relationships into shape will give you a refreshing sense of control. Overhaul your love life in March. Early December is the best time to get engaged or married or to make a romantic move if you’re single. FAMILY & HOME: Indecisive relatives will wear your patience thin in the spring. Pin evasive people down to exact dates and arrangements. Your family know you better than you think, as you will discover, this summer. Decorate a drab room in October. MONEY: After making a big financial decision early in the year, you’ll need to make adjustments before you can live with it. Building a nest egg will protect you from uncertainty. You could gain financially through a partner in October. For more,…

Each pattern will be printed on A4 card and delivered to your door To order, call 0800 024 1212* or complete the coupon HOW TO ORDER Order By Phone Call 0800 024 1212* MasterCard, Visa or Maestro cardholders can order direct on this number quoting WW53. Lines open Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm, but closed bank holidays. Fill In The Coupon Payment must be made by cheque, sent with the coupon to the address provided. For more patterns, visit womansweekly.com/ patterncollections TERMS AND CONDITIONS Subject to availability to readers in the UK. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions. Prices are correct at time of printing. All correspondence concerning this offer should be sent to: WW53 Chunky Knits Offer, WW Shop Customer Care, Blue Fin Building, Room 06-C06, 110 Southwark…

Come along and join felting experts Judy Balchin and Roz Dace as they run our 2016 workshops. These full-day workshops are brilliant for complete beginners or for anyone keen on needle-felting, which is an easy technique to pick up. You just need a needle and a pile of fluff and, once you’ve learnt the basic method, you can make almost anything. Judy is a designer who’s written numerous craft books and articles. She attended Cardiff and then Maidstone College of Art, where she studied graphic design, before starting work as a designer at the BBC. Roz has always loved creative writing, drawing, painting and all crafts. For many years, she was Search Press’s editorial director, commissioning practical art and crafts books for international markets. Good Hare Day Monday 7 March…

It’s usually good to talk QI live in a house that’s divided into two f lats. The upstairs f lat has just been rented out. I asked the landlord not to let it to young people and they agreed they wanted a family, but lo and behold, we now have three noisy young men who I’m sure are gay. I’ve got nothing against homosexuals but they do seem to keep very strange hours and have a lot of different visitors. Margaret, Nottingham A The fact that you mention their sexual orientation suggests you have some concerns about their behaviour and lifestyles. However, while these young men might perhaps behave differently from you, the fact that they’re noisy is likely to be due to their youth, rather than their sexuality. So…

Here Comes The Guest I was lucky enough to be invited to a spectacularly beautiful winter wedding, so it seemed the thing to try to look correspondingly glamorous. I started with a trip to the hairdresser, where I was chuffed to bits with my gorgeous updo. Though taking it down at the end of the evening was a challenge. It required a LOT of pins! And this (left) was the dress to go with the hair! Ravishing Roses See what I mean about spectacularly beautiful? These were the flowers on the tables at dinner after the ceremony. Gorgeous! Sugar Rush It can feel like a bit of a slog getting through to the end of the working year. So a sweetie pick-up in the form of a feast of Haribo…

We love seeing all the great things you’ve made. Keep sending them in! This happy soul is reader Susan Young, from Pershore in Worcestershire. The reason she looks so rightly pleased with herself is because she made the adorable bunnies, which we featured in our Easter issue. In her letter to us, Susan joked that when we said our project was ‘quite a challenge’, that was ‘quite an understatement’! They are now on their way to her friend’s grandchildren, all the way in Australia! Great work, Susan – thanks for persevering, and for sharing.…

We love letters Woman’s Weekly, 110 Southwark St, London SE1 0SU. PS. It really helps when you put your details in capitals We do not return photos (apart from ‘You Look Great!’) so please do not send originals Email us Womansweeklypostbag @timeinc.com  Tell us your full name, address and daytime phone number, please Fancy a chat? Log on to facebook.com/  womansweekly We can’t wait to hear from you! Important! All contributions to Woman’s Weekly must be original and NOT duplicated to other publications. £25 will be paid to the writer of the ‘Letter Of The Week’, and the ‘Good To Meet You’ contributor will receive a gift or similar as stated at time of publication of contribution, for all rights in each letter printed. The Editor reserves…

What makes me happy. Going for a walk every day. I can’t live without... My diary. My best piece of advice. Don’t look down on anyone, unless you’re helping them up. My favourite bit of Woman’s Weekly. The gardening features and the short stories. Tell us about yourself by answering the questions above and letting us know your age and occupation. Send them to us, with a daytime phone number and a good-quality photo/jpeg of yourself (for the address, see below,left). You’ll win this beautiful Spring Rose and Germini bouquet, worth £26.99, which will be delivered to your door. For more beautiful bouquets from just £9.99 with FREE delivery nationwide, call 0844 453 3777, or visit flyingflowers.co.uk…

What do the male stars of the New’s Year’s Day special think about taking their characters back to Victorian times? ‘I said, ‘You’re mad!’’ says Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays Sherlock. ‘I genuinely didn’t understand how they were going to get away with it. But when I read a more detailed pitch, I thought, ‘OK, this is going to be fun…’ Holmes is a man slightly out of his time anyway, so to put him back in the era he was written in originally is a joy. ‘And although I have the deerstalker hat and cape and a pipe, it doesn’t feel like a cliché. I’ve loved it. Maybe we can talk about doing it again.’ Martin Freeman, as Dr Watson, says that he too thinks his association with Arthur Conan…

Theresa stared around the hall. The doors were about to open. The stalls were ready, each one with a couple of her classmates manning it. There were adults, too, floating about, sorting out any problems, but Mrs Hughes wanted the class to run things. To show how grown-up they could be. Theresa didn’t feel grown-up. Her stall looked so ordinary. Every other year, it was amazing. “This looks lovely, girls and boys,” Mrs Hughes said. “Well done, everyone.” Theresa didn’t want to hear any of it. She glared at her mother’s cakes. They looked like boats. They weren’t lovely. She wanted to go home. When Mrs Hughes asked her to stay behind after school, last week, Theresa assumed that it was because of the bad thing she’d done to Sean…

River Cruising Five-star European river cruises There are lots of craft cruising Europe’s rivers but few ships can match the luxury and elegance of our selection of five-star vessels. Selected departures April to November 2016. The price includes: • Return rail* and Eurostar, or flights, taxes and transfers • Five-star cabins with hotel-standard beds, private bathrooms and river views • Exceptional cuisine with full-board throughout • Extensive and fully inclusive touring programmes Lake Como, St Moritz & The Bernina Express Take in stunning Lake Como and experience one of Europe’s most scenic train journeys through the Alps. Selected departures from April to October 2016. The price includes: • Return flights from Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton, Stansted, Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Manchester, Edinburgh or Dublin, taxes and transfers • Seven nights in…

Keep small hands warm this winter in these cosy hedgehog mitts. Knitted in stocking stitch and double moss stitch, with double rib cuffs and embroidered facial features. MEASUREMENTS To fit ages 7-10 years. MATERIALS 1 x 50g (87m) hank of Erika Knight Vintage Wool Aran (100% wool)* in each of Milk Chocolate and Flax; oddments of DK yarn in Black for embroidery. Pair of 5mm (No.6) knitting needles. TENSION 18 stitches and 24 rows, to 10 x 10cm, over stocking stitch, using 5mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS K, knit; p, purl; st, stitch; tog, together; inc, increase (by working twice into same st); dec, decrease (by taking 2 sts tog); dmst, double moss st; ss, stocking st (k on right side and p on wrong side); skpo, slip 1, k1, pass slip…

I fell in love with Chinese medicine when I attended a lecture by mistake! Then, I wanted to find out more. I did a three-year course in acupuncture, where I learnt the theories of Chinese medical diagnosis and treatment. I also trained in Chinese massage, followed by two years’ study in Chinese herbal medicine (CHM). Chinese medicine includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary therapy, massage and exercise. It can be used to treat many conditions but works well for gynaecological, digestive and skin diseases. It’s a holistic system of medicine, which treats each person as an individual. In an initial consultation, lasting 60-90 minutes and costing £40 an hour, I aim to find out all about the client. I ask about their physical, mental and emotional experiences and also about lifestyle…

Dear Keren I know New Year is meant to feel like a new beginning, but for me it feels like more of the same. I bring my money troubles and family issues with me. It’s nine years since my husband died and none of us seem to have got over it. My son is depressed and my daughter is anxious. My mother has been diagnosed with dementia and she won’t accept it. My finances are not good as my husband earned well and I’d given up my career – now I can only get admin work. Emma, Leeds I’m sorry you’ve been having such a hard time and that little seems to be going in the direction you’d like. New Year is a time when people reflect on their life…

Maxi Vac Window Vac Keeping your windows sparkling and streak-free has never been so easy. By combining a spray bottle, wiper and window vac all in one set, you’re able to remove stubborn dirt, condensation, watermarks and general spills from windows, shower screens, tiles, mirrors and more and achieve the finish you want. Saving time and effort, it is also more hygienic as it eliminates direct contact with dirty water. The window vac features a 280ml dirty-water reservoir that can be removed and emptied after use. A full charge will give you 20 minutes of use. Dimensions: L35 x W28 x H16cm. Weighs: 1kg. Power: 12W. D8876 – Window Vac D8877 – Pack of two spare pads (£6.99) Bird Feeding Station Create a safe haven for wildlife and an eye-catching…

Whiter, Cleaner, Brighter! [10 November 2015], which was all about old adverts, reminded me of a particular ad for ‘California Syrup of Figs’. Back in the 1950s, when I was a girl, one of my grandmothers was a great believer in this magic medicine; it was a cure-all for everything: colds, lethargy, Grandmother aches and pains would , and , even for throwing a wobbly! say ‘What you need, my girl, is a good dose of Syrup of Figs.’ she’d open my mouth and administer a great dollop of the wonder medicine. When I became a teenager , she’d moved on to sulphur tablets ‘to purify the blood’- thank goodness they were fruit flavoured! Marina Pridham, Cornwall Thank goodness you lived to tell the tale, Marina. We love to hear…

How do you like your tea? It has to be a good colour. I don’t like wishy-washy tea or funny tea bags. I love a ginger biscuit with it – I tell myself the ginger’s good for me. Who would you most like to have a cup of tea with? God. I’ve got a big list of things I’d like Him to sort out. Whatever happens in life, I’m a firm believer that a cuppa and a chat will help. How do you spend your spare time? I go to the gym, and I love hanging out with friends and family. Tell us about your new willow basket range. I’m obsessed with baskets. The design of this new range works in a modern home as well as a more traditional…

Where I went This beautiful Italian town overlooks the Bay of Naples, and offers tiny cobbled streets, historic buildings and stunning views of Mount Vesuvius. What I did Explored the whole area. Sorrento town has a fabulous cathedral. We also visited Pompeii and Herculaneum, survived a somewhat hairy bus ride along the stunning Amalfi coast and took the ferry to Capri island where we had a panoramic chairlift ride up to the old town of Anacapri. Where I stayed Half-board at the four-star Conca Park hotel (concapark.com), in the heart of the town. The staff were friendly and the evening buffet was a real treat, with fresh seafood every night. The outdoor pool was also glorious, but beware the fountain randomly switching on if you’re sunbathing on top of it!…

Maria Sylvester, 66, Cambridge Tell us about your look… I like to dress smartly and I love colour as I think it cheers you up. I wear a lot of dresses and high heels – I only really wear flats when I’m looking after my grandchildren. Today I’m wearing an M&S coat and Next jeans. John Lewis is my favourite place to shop as I like the range of brands. And the best bit of your body? My hair. Diane Brown, 50, Cambridge Tell us about your look… I’m very much a jeans girl and prefer casual clothes. I do dress up if I’m going out in the evening, though. I like quite muted colours. I’m wearing a T-shirt from Fat Face with a second-hand jacket…

Each pattern will be printed on A4 card and delivered to your door To order, call 0800 024 1212* or complete the coupon HOW TO ORDER Order By phone Call 0800 024 1212* MasterCard, Visa or Maestro cardholders can order direct on this number quoting WW53. Lines open Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm, but closed bank holidays. Fill In The Coupon Payment must be made by cheque, sent with the coupon to the address provided. For more patterns, visit womansweekly.com/ patterncollections TERMS AND CONDITIONS Subject to availability to readers in the UK. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions. Prices are correct at time of printing. All correspondence concerning this offer should be sent to: WW53 Cute Little Knits Offer, WW Shop Customer Care, Blue Fin Building, Room 06-C06, 110…

Smoked Salmon Pâté 150g (5oz) cream cheese2tsp creamedhorseradish175g (6oz) smokedsalmon trimmings2tbsp lumpfish roe1tbsp dill, chopped4tbsp soured creamTO SERVE:Artisan crispbreadsCaper berriesRadishes, halvedCarrots, celery andcucumber, cut into sticks 1 Put the cream cheese, horseradish, smoked salmon, lumpfish roe, dill and soured cream in a food processor. Season generously. Blend until smoothly combined. Spoon into ramekins and chill until ready to serve. 2 Serve with artisan crispbreads, caper berries, radishes, carrots, celery and cucumber sticks. Melty Baked Fondue Cheese 200g (7oz) Brieor Camembert,rind removed125g (4oz) Gruyèrecheese100g (3½oz)cream cheese3tbsp milk orwhite wine2tbsp Parmesancheese, grated2tsp cornflour5tbsp chutney1tsp thyme sprigsBread, to serve 15cm (6in)ovenproof dish 1 Heat oven to 160°C or Gas Mark 3. Put the cheeses and cream cheese in a processor with the milk or wine, half the Parmesan and the cornflour. Blend until…

Worldwide Tours Japan – Land Of The Rising Sun Departing March to October 2016. The price includes: • Return flights from Heathrow, taxes and transfers • Stay in four-star hotels, with breakfast and three meals • Fully escorted, comprehensive sightseeing including: Tokyo, a boat trip to Ginza, the Nikko National Park and UNESCO Shogun-era architecture • See Mount Fuji from Lake Kawaguchi and Hakone and the volcanic Owakudani ‘Boiling Valley’ by aerial gondola • Ride bullet trains, see the Kegon Falls, and Hiroshima’s Peace Park and museum • Explore Kyoto’s famous wooden houses, temples and Zen gardens • The chance to stay in a traditional ‘Ryokan’ Inn and learn origami, Japanese flower arranging or cooking • Escorted by an experienced tour manager New Zealand – Land Of The Long White…

OUR 2016 KNITTING & CROCHET WORKSHOPS IN LONDON TINA EGLETON  WW's Technical Knitting Editor has over 40 years' experience. She's designed many of Woman’s Weekly's knitting patterns and is an expert tutor. FREDDIE PATMORE  Our Knitting Assistant has been crocheting since she was a child. She's gone on to become a published author and designer and loves teaching our workshops. MONIKA COBEL  Our newest member of the team has a calm and patient nature, making her an excellent tutor. She's now begun designing for Woman’s Weekly. How To Design Your Own Knitted Cardigan with Tina on Friday 15 April Would you like to be able to alter a knitting pattern to your own specifications? Now's your chance. We'll teach you how to work out a pattern for a simple stocking-stitch…

Whether we’re optimists or pessimists, we all experience low mood occasionally, often as a normal reaction to difficult situations. But if it lasts more than a week or two, or is linked to other symptoms, it may be a sign of depression, even if there’s no obvious reason. Knowing the difference can help us to find the best way to feel better. Feeling unhappy We know it’s not realistic to feel happy all the time, as life often throws us problems – at home, at work or in our families and relationships. We can usually bounce back with support from friends and loved ones, but bereavement, rejection or serious health or financial problems can make us so sad that we can’t imagine feeling happy again. And some of us experience…

1 Are you ready? Online dating requires commitment. Join a site when you’re ready. 2 Consider your options. With over 1,500 UK sites to choose from, finding the right one can seem overwhelming. Dating.womansweekly.com is a great place to start. 3 Create the perfect profile. Avoid clichés like ‘bubbly’ and ‘easy-going’. Think what you enjoy doing, and make your profile unique. 4 Give people a reason to contact you. If your profile is interesting, people will be interested. If you enjoy reading, list some of your favourite books. If your passion is music, provide some examples of what you like. 5 Add photos. Use recent, good-quality photos. A clear head-and-shoulders main picture and outdoorsy, full-body shots to ensure attention. And smile! 6 Be proactive. If you like someone, don’t be…

Q Where do I start planning an adventure? If you feel as if you’ve had all the standard sunny two-week breaks you can stomach and want to strike out a little further, the first thing to do is tell yourself you can do it! Of course, the internet is there to help you the whole way. It’ll certainly kick-start your imagination – you can go all over the world without leaving your chair with the help of Google Earth. I really recommend a visit to gap360.com, which has a wealth of friendly and easy-to-read information and an important message: the gap year is no longer just for students (and it doesn’t even have to be a year). Try wanderlust.co.uk too – clicking the ‘Inspire me’ button to see a world…

Aries 21 March - 20 April It’s important to spend time with your nearest and dearest. Friends lend perspective to confusing situations. You should be considering how you want your world to shape up over the coming year. Some of the ideas, influences and individuals around you may need to change. For more, call 0901 609 2591* Taurus 21 April - 21 May Making career plans is strongly advised. A new potential partner will appear on the horizon. You’ll have to take the initiative in this relationship. You should be receptive to those who love you. Sometimes you can come across as rather insular when you should be more warm and welcoming. For more, call 0901 609 2592* Gemini 22 May - 21 June A chance to boost your prospects…

This is the time of year when we make New Year’s resolutions, and I can’t believe I’ve just written that. Of course it’s the time of year for New Year’s resolutions. We’d look a bit silly making New Year’s resolutions on, say, the fourth Sunday in Lent, wouldn’t we? (Note to self: it is my resolution this year to make unkeepable promises at New Year like everyone else and not leave it until Lent again.) I have lots of experience of New Year’s resolutions, and here is my solemn advice: really, don’t bother. You’ll only regret it. Probably by the third week in January. Here are some of the most common resolutions, and why they’re more trouble than they are worth. 1. I will go on a serious diet. This…