Innholdsfortegnelse for 08-mar-16 i Woman's Weekly

I realise this is going to risk seeming unduly morbid, but I’d like to continue the theme of last week’s missive and talk about death. Indeed, it’s talking about death specifically that I want to… well, talk about. Because I feel really strongly that’s what we should be doing more. I’ve long wondered why it is that we put so much emphasis and effort into making sure each person has the best birth possible and yet, in spite of it being the guaranteed outcome for all of us, we don’t do the same when it comes to death. Watching the brilliant BBC2 documentary How To Die: Simon’s Choice a few weeks ago (if you haven’t seen it, do), about a man with aggressive motor neurone disease and his considered desire…

WW Fiction Editor, Gaynor, says, ‘I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel to Notes From A Small Island . American-born Bill Bryson seems to understand his adopted country better than the natives. His account of his trip from Bognor Regis to Cape Wrath is lovingly littered with fascinating facts and jokes at our expense, as well as some masterfully chosen expletives! Reading this book really is the best way to travel. You’ll learn while you laugh.’ The Road To Little Dribbling by Bill Bryson (£20, Doubleday). Wicked Wit ‘Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.’ Anonymous…

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…

Margaret Blackshaw, 64, Birmingham Tell us about your look… My style is quite eclectic. I love clothes and I love shopping. I really like things that coordinate, so everything has to match. My coat is from Romans, my trousers are M&S and I bought the scarf in Spain. Shopping is my hobby so I look everywhere, but I especially like House of Fraser, Primark and checking out the charity shops. And the best bit of your body? My hair. Iris Crane, 78, East Tilbury Tell us about your look… I like to look smart all the time – even my casual clothes are smart. I wear a lot of dresses and skirts and I enjoy wearing colour – I think you feel better when you do. I bought this jacket…

Have you ever wondered about the difference between etiquette and manners? The internet has plenty on the subject, but to sum up, etiquette is a set of rules, and manners are something you observe because you’re innately courteous and you care about your fellow human beings. Which seems to say that etiquette is for posh people, and manners are for the rest of us. I was chatting about this subject to my good friend Barney. He’s a single gentleman of mature years, and lives alone. He had a friend to stay for New Year and he made sure the spare room was exceptionally welcoming. Laundered sheets, flowers, well-chosen books on the bedside table. Lovely. Imagine his dismay when the friend left and he went into the bedroom to find a…

Dr Julia Riley (right) is the pioneer behind Coordinate My Care, which allows people in a vulnerable health situation to draw up a plan for how they want the end of their life to be handled. In many ways, it’s akin to a birth plan, where you find out about the options in terms of medical treatments and procedures, work out what’s right for you, and get it all noted down in a place where the people caring for you can access it and abide, as far as is possible, by your wishes. ‘You think about where you think you’d like to die, who you want with you and what medical interventions you want or don’t want,’ explains Julia. ‘It puts the individual and their family at the centre, and…

Breakfast boost Hair supplements really do work! Philip Kingsley Tricho Complex Food Supplement, £45 for 90 tablets, philip kingsley.co.uk, makes up for any nutritional shortfalls with a cocktail of hair-loving vitamins and minerals. Take two tablets with breakfast every day for four months. Fuller strands L'Oréal Elvive Fibrology Thickness Booster, £5.99, contains Filloxane, a clever hair-expanding molecule that gets right into the hair fibre to increase its diameter. Apply to damp hair after shampoo and conditioner and leave in for long-lasting fullness. Treat your scalp Just like watering the earth is essential for beautiful flowers, taking care of your scalp will boost healthy hair. Aveda Invati Scalp Revitalizer, £45 (0370 034 2380), uses special herbs to stimulate the scalp and boost circulation so hair loss is minimised. Do the double…

‘I had a bread maker, so I haven’t ever made bread by hand before. I will do now!’ Editor Diane’s Classic Baguette 500g (1lb) strong white bread flour 10g (¼oz) fast-action dried yeast 10g (¼oz) salt 1 baking sheet, oiled 3 long tubes – we used rolling pins Baking parchment, oiled 1 Place the flour in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook or in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the middle and tip in the yeast and salt. Add two thirds of 300-325ml (10–11fl oz) lukewarm water and mix slowly. 2 Once it starts to come together, add the rest of the water (you might not need it all). Mix at a medium speed until you have a springy but slightly sticky…

Imagine how much more inviting a sunny patio will look with containers filled with blooms in the tropical shades of scarlet and orange. To maintain impact, don’t include white and pastel shades as they can dilute what should be a flamboyant display of colour. Plant list Right: Heat tolerant Begonia boliviensis ‘Santa Cruz Sunset' has flower-packed trailing stems and gorgeous angel-winged leaves. Left: Begonia ‘Glowing Embers' produces fiery, almost luminous orange blooms above dark purple-bronze foliage. Running through middle: Helichrysum petiolare ‘Gold' acts as a bright-coloured foil for the more vibrant flowers. The simplicity of an old-fashioned cottage border can be created in a pot with a colourful and unruly mix of bee-friendly hardy annuals. To bring in butterflies, choose blue, purple or yellow flowers…

While a patio is the obvious place to display containers, it isn’t the only option. Use them to reinforce your garden style, as focal points, to flank a path or gateway and to decorate the tops of walls or to fill gaps in borders where herbaceous plants have died back or finished flowering. They are perfect, too, for cleverly concealing eyesores, furnishing dark alleyways and greening up a flat roof.…

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 WW10. 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: WW10 Vintage Ladies’ Knits Offer, WW Shop Customer Care, Blue Fin Building, Room 06-C06, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU.…

Passive-smoking Pets Second-hand smoke may be even more dangerous to our pets than people, according to Glasgow researchers, who say that as well as inhaling the smoke, animals may absorb cancer-causing chemicals trapped in carpet fibres. They say cats also absorb concentrated ‘third-hand’ smoke particles when they groom their fur, and add that smoking outside doesn’t remove the risk completely – as it doesn’t with children’s health – so it’s safest all round to quit. True Or False? Squeezing a soft foam ball helps if you're stuck for ideas. True, according to US researchers, who say it can improve our creative thinking and help us to identify multiple solutions or alternatives. But they say squeezing a hard ball is more likely to find us the single correct answer. Bug Balance…

Canestest Self-Test for Vaginal Infections (£9.99, from most pharmacies) The most common vaginal infection is bacterial vaginosis (BV), but it’s often misdiagnosed as thrush because it causes similar symptoms, such as itching and smelly discharge. This is the first self-test (vaginal swab) available over the counter, offering an at-home diagnosis to make it easier to get an accurate reading and the right treatment. If you have BV, use Canesbalance Bacterial Vaginosis Vaginal Gel (£12.99, from most pharmacies) and avoid overwashing, hot baths and soaps, deodorants or body washes not specifically formulated for the delicate intimate area.…

Having the heating off can damage his health Q My widowed father insists on having his heating off unless it’s snowing outside! I’m really worried about him because he often looks blue with cold when we go round. He keeps saying that heating is unnecessary and expensive and he never had central heating as a child. If he was short of money, it would make more sense but he isn’t. I’m worried about his health. Moira, Glasgow A You’re right to be concerned. A recent poll by Independent Age – the older people’s charity – found that around one-third of people in the UK aged 65 and over do not heat their home adequately some, most or all of the time in winter because they worry about paying fuel bills.…

Where I went This historic maritime city has a thriving art district, world-class museums and a rather amazing shopping centre. What I did Liverpool holds the Guinness World Records title of Capital of Pop, so a visit to the famous Cavern club was a must. I also took a long walk along the Mersey, which boasts spectacular views. I ended my day with shopping, shopping, and a little more shopping in Liverpool One at the heart of the city centre. Where I stayed At the Hilton’s Liverpool City Centre hotel (0151 708 4200; hilton.com), which is located within Liverpool One and overlooks the revitalised Albert Dock. What I ate There are so many restaurants in the area, which makes it particularly hard if you’re as indecisive as me. But I…

‘I pocketed £180 on my contract with Vodafone’ Debbie first heard about Quidco a few years ago through her husband’s colleague. ‘Someone at his office recommended Quidco to Richard. He was impressed by the website and opened up an account. When he told me about it, I followed suit and opened my own account. The first thing I bought was house insurance and then car insurance. I couldn’t believe how easy it was.’ Soon Debbie was logging on to quidco.com/womansweekly whenever she wanted to buy anything. ‘I’d looked at other sites but they were far inferior to Quidco. The site keeps a track of all your cashback earnings and you can see how it mounts up. I’ve bought clothes, and booked flights and hotel accommodation through Quidco. I was getting…

Aries 21 March - 20 April A desire for adventure could trigger a trip, the start of a creative project or a course of study. Take this opportunity to do something new. You may have to spend more time alone than you usually would – but with no one disturbing you, you will be able to enjoy your own company. For more, call 0901 609 2591* Taurus 21 April - 21 May Be honest about your needs and desires. Beating around the bush will only cause confusion. You will meet someone you find interesting at a social gathering. Make the first move because they may be too shy to approach you. Your social circle will welcome them. For more, call 0901 609 2592* Gemini 22 May - 21 June Your…

 How do you like your tea? ‘I hear Fernando by Abba’ ‘I’m transported when’ Weak and sweet. Nobody believes I take sugar in my tea, or that I drink 10 cups a day! But I never have biscuits, so that’s my trade-off. Who would you most like to have a cup of tea with? Judi Dench. She’s such a brilliant actress, and the fact she came into her prime later in life is inspirational. Tell me about your new book, The 3-2-1 Diet . How does it work? It’s all about balancing normal eating days with ‘lighter’ ones, where you cut back to 800 calories. It’s a less dramatic reduction, so you can still enjoy three meals a day. What's your ultimate indulgence?…

What’s In A Name? Professional auctioneers are adept in valuing most types of antiques and objects. However, the price of a rare autograph is very difficult to call. Mikhail Gorbachev’s Memoirs (above) was published some years ago. In a second-hand market, the book is worth little. However, a signature brings up the value. The late Mr Gorbachev has many admirers, particularly outside Russia, and a signed copy sold at auction recently when it was bid to £35, On another day it might make in excess of £100, depending on the audience. So, taking my auctioneer hat off and purely guessing on these scant details, an estimate of £30-£150 is possible. The late John Mortimer, is a similar case in point. The much-loved writer of the Rumpole novels, will have a…

Where I’ve been... I’ve spent quite a lot of time in Guildford lately. I thought I knew it, but discovered so much more. Well worth a visit! What I’ve seen... I was given a present of a box set of Margaret Rutherford’s Miss Marple films – absolutely marvellous. Who I’ve met... While I was in pantomime recently, I met a young man who was working as an usher. He asked me if he could play me some of the songs he’d written. My heart sank ever so slightly, but of course I said yes. I’m so glad I did, because the songs were outstanding. His name is Brad Hayes, and if he isn’t a BIG success, I will eat my hat. What I’ve bought... A new hat. Just in case…

…TO PLAN Age UK provides a free LifeBook where you can write your funeral wishes, as well as important information about your bank accounts, pensions, etc. Order a printed copy at ageuk.org.uk or call 0345 685 1061, quoting ALL 721. British Humanist Association has a directory of trained funeral celebrants who can help you plan a non-religious funeral, should you wish to. Visit humanism.org.uk or call 020 7324 3060. Home For Life is a service run by the RSPCA that will find a new home for your pets after you’ve died. Sign up at rspca.org.uk or call 0300 123 0239. …TO TALK Deathcafe.com offers advice on setting up your own death cafe, and information about forthcoming meet-ups – visit deathcafe.com Dying Matters provides leaflets on how to start the conversation…

A ccording to trichologist Philip Kingsley, there are seven early signs to look out for if your hair is thinning: Your hair is shedding more than is normal for you for longer than two months. You will notice more hair fall than usual when you shampoo, when you brush your hair and perhaps on your pillow and clothes. Also, if you leave more days between shampooing than you usually do, the amount of hair falling out that you see will be more noticeable. You feel your ponytail is thinner than it once was. Your scalp is becoming more visible and/or you notice a reduction in overall volume or density. You find your hair is unable to grow as long as it used to. Your ends are finer than they used…

Switch up your shower routine If your hair is on the fine side, loading it with heavy conditioner is just going to weigh it down and make it look flatter. That’s why Tresemmé has created a back-to-front washing regime. Use the Beauty-Full Volume Pre-Wash Conditioner, £4.99, first to moisturise, followed by Beauty-Full Volume Shampoo, £4.99, which cleanses all traces of conditioner so your hair can be at its bounciest. Clever colour If you dye your hair, the right shade can actually make fine hair appear fuller. ‘Hair colour has the unique ability to create an optical illusion that will make the hair appear thicker,’ says Ian Michael Black, Global Artistic Director at Aveda. ‘It also has the additional benefit of roughening up the cuticle, which will enhance hair’s fullness.’ Highlights…

Even if you have no soil to dig, you can still create your dream garden, whether it’s a vegetable plot or an exotic border, if you grow plants in containers. All you need are a few first rate plants and plenty of imagination! Being totally in control of all your plants’ needs means that even fussy plants like lime-hating camellias can be grown. Just fill a pot with the right compost mix and you can plant whatever you like. You don’t need to spend a fortune on stylish pots either, as you can plant up practically anything, from a salvaged tin bath or a pair of old boots to an old wooden crate if you wish – the most important consideration is that plants are allowed to shine. Use whatever…

These stunning perennials are free with every order, so customers can enjoy four of each of Liatris, Eryngium Planum and Echinacea Purpurea as well as Aquilegia and Lupin year after year. Supplied as bareroots. See coupon inside for details. 5 Begonia ‘Apricot Shades’ The bestselling, beautiful Begonia ‘Apricot Shades’ produces large, cascading double blooms in sunshine shades of apricot and lemon that will last from July to October. Supplied as jumbo plug plants. See coupon inside for details. Worth £9.99. Daphne ‘Eternal Fragrance’ Non-stop blooms from April to October make Daphne x transatlantica ‘Eternal Fragrance’ unbeatable for flowers and fragrance. Perfect for planting in containers. Height and spread: 90cm. Supplied as a 10.5cm potted plant. Buy 1 for £16.99 (TCK10073) Buy 2 for £26.98 (TCK10489) Hardy Fuchsia Collection This collection…

When choosing plants for a container, be sure that you pick those that like the same conditions. Don’t combine sun worshippers and shade lovers, and don’t mix those that have different soil or watering requirements. Do your homework and check plant labels before you buy. Regular watering, feeding and deadheading is the key to success, so only plant up as many pots as you can handle, because this routine ‘grooming’ could take up to an hour a day. Watering Using compost that has water-retaining gel added to the mix will help prevent the risk of plants wilting on long, hot days, as the gel crystals absorb water, then gradually release it as the compost dries out. Arranging containers in a group will create a humid microclimate that will slow down…

Create a pretty and useful purse from offcuts of your favourite fabrics. Home Editor, Emily Dawe You will need: Finished size: 19 x 17cm • 45 x 25cm rectangle of patterned fabric, lightweight wadding and plain fabric • Cup or mug with an 8cm-diameter rim • Sharp HB pencil • Matching sewing thread • 15cm metal glue-in purse frame • Scrap of masking tape • Strong textile glue Geometric Planes Triangles, Geometric Triangles, Raindrops Pink, Aqua Blue Spots, Floral Border Mint fabric, £3-£3.75 per fat quarter, elephantinmyhandbag.com (01580 754 549). 15cm brass glue-in purse frame, £3.75, and Gutermann Textile Glue, £4.90, from Bag Clasps Ltd (01253 590 188; bag-clasps.co.uk). Cutting out Cut one 20cm square from patterned fabric for the purse. Place the rim of the cup or mug on…

Leading brand Nurofen has been accused of misleading consumers over the way it sells its painkillers. An Australian court ruled the manufacturer Reckitt Benckiser had used packaging that could trick people into paying extra for a product that was no more effective. Nurofen Tension Headache, Migraine Pain, Back Pain and Period Pain were marketed to relieve specific ailments but all contain the same active ingredient, ibuprofen lysine. If you’re in doubt, ask a pharmacist.…

‘People tell you all sorts of things,’ said the hairdresser You know how it is in spring. You happen to glance at a shop window as you trudge down the high street and you catch sight of an elderly bag lady with wild hair. Suddenly, and with mounting horror, you realise it’s your reflection. That’s where the spring bit comes in. ‘It’s spring,’ you say. ‘It is the time for renewal and rebirth. I think I’ll treat myself to an extra dab of moisturiser and a new hairdo.’ And before you know it, you are sitting in front of the mirror at the Brassy Barbara Hair Salon & Beauty Parlour. Brassy Babs herself is not in residence. She, too, has a spring routine. She also glances at the mirror, realises…

Help! I decided to give your recipe for Spiced Carrot Cake (2 February) a try. Alas, the recipe does not contain carrots, only pineapple! Janet Pix, Sheffield Oops… So sorry! Many of you have contacted us about this error, so we’re happy to be able to put the record, or rather, recipe, straight. Heat the oven to 180°C or Gas Mark 4. Whisk together ¼ltr (8fl oz) vegetable oil with 4 eggs and 400g (14oz) light muscovado sugar for a few minutes. Sieve in 300g (10oz) self-raising flour, 2tsp ground cinnamon, 1tsp mixed spice. Add 250g (8oz) grated carrots, 60g (2oz) pecans and 200g (7oz) crushed pineapple and fold everything together. Spoon into a 18 x 28cm (7 x 11in) lined tin and bake for 50 minutes-1 hour until a…

See Alice In Wonderland If you’re in London, don’t miss The British Library’s free exhibition on Lewis Carroll’s classic, until 17 April. With 150 years worth of Alice-inspired illustrations, artwork and films to admire, you’ll love the gifts in the pop-up shop, too. For more information, call 01937 546 546 or visit bl.uk/events Watch Brooklyn If you missed this at the cinema, the multi award-nominated film is now out on DVD (£19.99). The emotional, 1950s-set drama tells the story of a young girl (played by Saoirse Ronan) who moves from her small Irish town to the eponymous New York suburb. Visit Blists Hill Victorian Town Mums get in for free this Mothering Sunday (6 March) in celebration of how the day was marked in the Victorian era, with servant children…

Growing up, no bedtime would be complete without a story. Whether you pored over every page or fanned through at lightning speed to get to your favourite part, there was something about the ritual that stuck with us all. Yes, we loved the words. But, truthfully it was the crayon-bright drawings of the characters and the worlds they inhabited that really gave our favourite fantasies their staying power. So, in celebration of World Book Day this month, we’ve taken a look back at the illustrations that have enthralled young minds over the years. The Tiger Who Came To Tea  by Judith Kerr, 1968 That tiger has a lot to answer for, gobbling all the cupcakes and slurping all the tea. Every night, two-year-old Tacy begged her mum, Judith, to ‘talk…

1 STRESS In extreme circumstances, feeling anxious can cause hair loss. Stress stops your body from absorbing the nutrients it needs, which can cause your hair to shed and appear thinner. 2 HORMONES During the menopause, 40% of women will suffer from thinning hair as hormones are fluctuating. As oestrogen decreases, it shortens the growth cycle so hair doesn't grow as long. Plus menopause increases androgens (the male hormone), which affects the thickness of each strand. 3 GENETICS Sadly, if one or both of your parents suffered hair loss, you could inherit the same gene. Contrary to popular belief, the gene isn’t just inherited from the mother’s side – it can come from your father’s side, too. 4 DIET Healthy hair starts from the inside out. Eating a low-protein diet…

As for telling her what to do, I could as easily see myself flying to the moon When I was 16 and had been working at Bradshaw and Son’s for just under a year, I bought my mum a proper bouquet for Mother’s Day instead of the usual bunch of daffodils and hid it in our old outside privy overnight. I remember there were a couple of things worrying me that weekend and one of them was Mr Entwistle. He’d been a friend of my father’s and after Dad died, Mum had continued the tradition of inviting him round for Sunday dinner once a month. We’d go for a drive in his Ford Zodiac afterwards, weather permitting, sometimes venturing as far as Cheshire or the Lake District. I’d caught him…

Hanging baskets are back in fashion and useful to give bare walls a bright new look. While perfect for decorating the house, they can also be fixed to the rafters of a pergola or from the branches of trees to fill the air with colour. For summer interest, the modern spillers and thrillers to use are nemesia, bacopa, diascia, felicia, verbena and lysimachia ‘Goldilocks’. Geraniums or pelargoniums, petunias and fuchsias. Good old busy Lizzies shouldn’t be ignored, either, as they’ve stood the test of time and will flower right up until the frosts. 1 Line the basket with perforated plastic to prevent water draining straight out, then part-fill with potting compost ready to take the first layer of plants. 2 Water the plants before removing their pots, then put in…

Growing trees in containers is ideal for small gardens where space is limited. Suitable trees that will add height and structure to your garden are Japanese maple and topiary specimens of box, yew, privet and holly. Tender trees, such as olives, citrus and datura or brugmansia, are perfect for adding glamour or if you prefer you can train bedding, such as fuchsia and heliotropes, as standards to provide a focal point to your container collection. You will need the space to keep any tender plants indoors in the winter, though, as frost will quickly kill them off. A minimum temperature of 7-8°C and plenty of light will keep plants ticking over – provided you keep the plants almost dry, watering only when plants show signs of wilting. Apple blossom is…

Technical Knitting Editor, Tina Egleton This sturdy DK cotton bag is really easy to make. The technique uses trebles and chain stitches to create a pretty, openwork crochet fabric with treble stitches for the handles. MEASUREMENTS 26 x 29cm/10¼ x 11½in, excluding handles. MATERIALS 1 x 100g (212m) balls of Sirdar Cotton DK (100% cotton) in Seersucker (503)*. Size 3.00 crochet hook. TENSION 12 trebles and 5 chain spaces, measure 10cm across, over pattern, using 3.00 hook. ABBREVIATIONS Ch, chain; chsp, chain space; dc, double crochet; tr, treble. NOTE Yarn amounts are based on average requirements and are therefore approximate. Instructions in square brackets are worked as stated after 2nd bracket. Back With 3.00 hook, make 64ch. Foundation row (right side): 1tr in 8th ch from hook, 1tr in next…

Q My GP suspects I have bladder cancer and has referred me for urgent treatment. What can I expect? A Anyone with unexplained visible blood in the urine should be seen by a urologist within two weeks as this is the most common early symptom of bladder or kidney cancer (often without pain or other urinary symptoms), although blood occurs in urinary stones and infection too. Bladder cancer tends to affect older people, and more men than women. You’ll need blood tests, an ultrasound scan of your bladder/kidneys and a cystoscopy (telescope examination), including samples (biopsies). If there’s a cancer, cells from the bladder’s muscular lining will also be tested for signs of spread. If the tumour can be fully removed, a dose of chemotherapy may be injected into your…

I’ve been an NHS nurse for 23 years and currently work at Dorset County Hospital as a ‘bank’ nurse. Even as a student nurse, I was interested in alternative therapies and the concept of healing. I particularly liked reiki, a form of Japanese healing that taps into ‘chi’ (pronounced ‘chee’), known as ‘universal life-force energy’. I believe we all have the ability to self-heal areas where we feel pain or imbalance. So, about 10 years ago, while still nursing, I decided to train as a Usui Reiki Master practitioner. Reiki is given through ‘light touch’ or non-touch to areas of the body to reduce pain, stress and anxiety. Studies have found it to be an effective additional therapy to conventional medical treatment – and a number of NHS trusts have…

Q Most of my music is stored on my phone. How can I play it on loudspeakers at home? Earphones are fine for playing music while you jog round the park or sit on the train – but in your own home, there is nothing like a good loudspeaker providing rich, room-filling sound. The best loudspeakers used to be huge and eye-wateringly expensive, but the latest models have hi-tech magnets and new electronics for great sound in small packages. Q Do I have to plug the phone into the speaker? New speakers have wireless technology built in, so you can choose the music on your phone and transmit it to the speakers. Two technologies are available, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and it is important you choose the right one for your…