Innholdsfortegnelse for 26-Apr-2016 i Woman's Weekly

While I can’t honestly take any credit for it (other than the rigorous overseeing of their twice daily clean), I’ve always been delighted that both my girls have very good teeth (I can hear them groaning with embarrassment that I’ve shared that with you all. Sorry girls!). That’s partly because I don’t. Have good teeth, that is. Indeed, I’ve always said that if, God forbid, I ever had to be identified by my dental records, my long-standing and endlessly skilled dentist would proudly (and deservedly) step forward to take credit for the fact that I have more than a smattering of teeth at all. As I’ve always been pretty assiduous about looking after them, I lay the blame for this squarely in the lap of my parents and the genetic…

Tiara Hairband Materials Small amount of metallic thread; 2.50 and 3.50 crochet hooks; hairband. Abbreviations Ch, chain; dc, double crochet; tr, treble; htr, half tr; st, stitch; slst, slip st; chsp, chain space; repeat [ ] as stated. To make 1 Using 3.50 hook and two strands of yarn together, beginning and ending 2cm from ends and taking yarn around the band for each st, work odd number of ch along band, turn and using 2.50 hook and one strand of yarn only, 1dc in each ch to end, turn. 2 Mark centre 45dc, slst in each dc to first marker, [1dc in next dc, * miss 2dc, work 3tr, 2ch and 3tr in next dc – shell made, miss 2dc *] 3 times, 1dc in each of next 2dc,…

More than 40 years ago, reader Carol McDonald from Eastcombe in Gloucestershire, made the WW pattern ‘Brunie Bear’ for her son Bruce. The old brown bear is still around and loved by Bruce’s daughter Martha (pictured). However, Martha requested her grandma make her a girl version of Brunie. For once, Carol was delighted to be a bit of a hoarder, as she managed to find the pattern, dated 30 November 1974. So here she is, ‘Brunette Bear’, as named by Martha! • Have you made something gorgeous? Well, don’t be shy – we want to see it!…

Going For Bronze Bronze figures and animals have been with us for hundreds of years. Cold to the touch and quite heavy and dark, they remain an acquired taste. Bronzes are further complicated by the wide variety of types available, some falling into the ‘collectable’ category and many others, not so due to the changing nature of fashion. The bronze pictured left is a 19th-century French seated female by the sculptor Eugène Marioton. At 32cm in height and weighing more than we would like to carry, it should be a collector’s prize for its realistic representation. However, in today’s market, demand is not as strong as it once was and it’s worth £300-£400 – great value to the right buyer. The sculpture pictured right is not dissimilar – if you…

• HELEN MIRREN (PRIME SUSPECT) Only the foolhardiest police chief would dare mess with this straight-talking, no-nonsense detective. DCI Jane Tennison set the mould for future female cops. • BRENDA BLETHYN (VERA) Rambling through the Northumbrian moors in her beat-up old Land Rover, DCI Vera Stanhope is Yorkshire's answer to Miss Marple. But don't let her apparent dizziness fool you. There's a top-notch detective hidden underneath that mac and hat. • SARAH LANCASHIRE (HAPPY VALLEY) Sarah Lancashire's gritty and grave performance as the battle-scarred Sergeant Catherine Cawood showed, for the first time, the real emotional toll working on the frontline as a policewoman can take. • GILLIAN ANDERSON (THE FALL) Cool, calm, collected, and with a wardrobe to die for, DSI Stella Gibson has captivated viewers with her relentless pursuit…

She looked at me as if not sure what to do with me. I was a disease without a cure; all she could do was wait Do you ever think the universe is showing you little signs? That’s how I felt this morning when I opened my curtains and stared out at my normally very flat lawn. Today it had a hump in it. No, it had three. I stood frowning. ‘I’ll ignore it,’ I thought to myself. ‘That mole will likely tunnel back into the fields at the bottom of the garden very soon.’ My daughter would have a fit. “Mum,” she’d say. “It’s not a big deal. That slipped tile on the roof and that broken pane in the greenhouse aren’t the end of the world, either. It’s…

MEET OUR TUTORS Tina Egleton: Woman’s Weekly’s Technical Knitting Editor has over 40 years’ experience. She’s designed many of our 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 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. Make The Woman’s Weekly Knitted Bear £69 per person Monday 16 May, 10am-4.30pm For confident knitters: Freddie and Monika will help you make our teddy. They will guide you through the tricky shapings you’ll need, including turning rows, invisible seaming and facial embroidery. Circular Knitting Masterclass…

Home Editor, Emily YOU WILL NEED Chair Paint and Websters Chalk Paint Powder* Soft clear wood wax – we used Fiddes & Sons Supreme Wax Polish, £12.99 for 400ml, from Courtyard Creations ( Cotton fabric Polyester wadding or foam (if required) Newspaper Small or medium paintbrush Non-scratch sponge scourer Cotton rags, cut up from old bedding or a cotton T-shirt, or a buffing cloth Pencil Staple gun Extra-strong glue Sheet of 6mm MDF (if required) *You can either use ready-mixed chalk paint, or you can turn any paint into a ‘chalk paint’ by adding Websters Chalk Paint Powder, £13.99, available from Courtyard Creations (as above). For our chair, we used Valspar matt emulsion paint in Dreamy Green, £2.58 for 230ml , available from B&Q (diy.com). 1 Remove the seat…

Bamboo can be relied on to add texture and colour to an evergreen planting scheme and wind filtering through the stiff canes makes a gentle rustling sound, which in urban gardens can help mask noise from the outside world. While the aim is always to beautify your outside space, privacy is likely to be important too. Bamboo is perfect for turning it into a secret hideaway and, with a bit of imagination, you can give selected areas of the garden a tranquil Zen quality, where you can relax and enjoy some peace and quiet. For a touch of magic, add uplighting and you’ll also enjoy the feathery shadows it casts on garden walls. There are many different species and hundreds of varieties to choose from – but you must take…

This dwarf version of a cottage-garden favourite is compact and floriferous, so it’s perfect for patio containers and small gardens. The well-branched habit and racemes of saucer-shaped, soft pink blooms will attract bees and butterflies into your garden and, once established, this tough little mallow needs little maintenance and will even tolerate short periods of drought. Height: 75cm (30in). Spread: 60cm (24in). Supplied as a 7cm potted plant. Buy 1 + GET 1 FREE for £9.98 Buy 2 + GET 2 FREE for £15.98 WW Gardening Magazine Editor says: ‘Easy to grow, this dwarf lavatera is hard to beat for endurance, drought resistance (once established) and sheer flower power.’ Geoffrey Palmer To order, call 0844 573 6057 and quote WWK2083, or complete the coupon HOW TO…

The Long-term Benefits Of Statins Taking the cholesterol-lowering drug pravastatin for high levels of LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol can cut the risk of dying from heart disease over the next 20 years by a fifth, according to the latest results from the West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study. Researchers prescribed pravastatin (simvastatin or atorvastatin are usually prescribed nowadays) for around five years to people with no known cardiovascular disease (primary prevention). They say hospital admissions also fell – by a quarter for heart attacks, and by a third for heart failure. True Or False? Special ‘coffee' genes determine how many cups of coffee we like to drink. True, according to Danish researchers, who also say that drinking more or less coffee doesn’t seem to affect our risk of developing obesity or…

It’s never too late Q I’ve suffered from panic attacks and depression since my teens. I now feel ready to meet someone special and settle down. The problem is, I don’t know how – I don’t go to pubs or clubs and I don’t want to use internet dating. The other issue is, I’m in my early forties and still a virgin. Nicola, address withheld A You’ve definitely not left it too late and I’m delighted to hear you now feel able to look for a relationship. I wonder what it is that worries you about the internet? It’s a good way to meet people but certainly not the only one. Take a look at meetup.com and adverts in your local paper for events for single people in your area.…

Where I went Circled by the Shropshire Hills, with the River Teme running round its feet, Ludlow’s often described as the loveliest town in England – and you can see why. It’s got an ancient castle, picturesque streets and quirky old buildings galore. What I did Ludlow’s a foodie haven so we visited the farmer’s market by the castle and then moved on to the Ludlow Food Centre, where you can see cheese, ice cream, bread, cakes and jams being made. Then we walked across Dinham Bridge and climbed the riverbank to take photos of the castle. Where I stayed At the blissfully relaxing, comfortable and friendly Fishmore Hall hotel (fishmore hall.co.uk). Located just outside Ludlow, it’s a recently restored 200-year-old country house with pretty gardens and glorious views. What…

Q How can I pick an efficient dishwasher? Feature-packed dishwashers come in all shapes and sizes, and they’re all loaded with programmes that make fine glassware and grubby pans sparkle, but a model that uses minimal energy should be top of the list. Whether you’re shopping in store or online, all dishwashers display an energy rating label. The scale, also used for measuring washing and drying performance, runs from A to D, but now the best models score even higher. AEG’s ProClean A+++ with AirDry F66722Vi0P, £599, opens the door by 10cm automatically at the end of the programme for energy-saving natural drying. Also, running a dishwasher on its eco programme uses around 20% less energy and saves around two litres of water, by washing more slowly and at a…

Aries 21 March - 20 April Although you want to expand your horizons, long-term commitments may thwart any plans to do so. You should shelve them and concentrate on finishing outstanding jobs. Why not take the time to get in contact with someone you’ve not been able to deal with? You’ll be glad you did. For more, call 0901 609 2591* Taurus 21 April - 21 May Your motives may be misunderstood. Instead of getting defensive, be patient and hear what the other person has to say. You can set the record straight later if needs be. You might have to be more careful with your cash than usual for now, so postpone any large-scale spending plans. For more, call 0901 609 2592* Gemini 22 May - 21 June You’re…

‘Are you about to tell me I’m fat, doctor?’ Well,’ said the doctor, as he unstrapped me, ‘there doesn’t seem to be anything in particular to worry about. Your blood pressure is in the normal range.’ This was certainly no surprise to me, and if Huw Edwards was planning a Mrs Dear blood pressure special bulletin, he can stand down. ‘I have porridge for breakfast every day,’ I explained. ‘Porridge is supposed to be good for blood pressure. Or is it good for lowering cholesterol? I can never remember.’ ‘Yes,’ said the doctor, distantly, as he peered at his computer screen. ‘That must be it.’ ‘I’ve also started eating more beetroot. I think that’s good for blood pressure too. I nearly always have a bit of beetroot mid-afternoon if it’s…

Support The Stroke Association’s Life After Stroke Awards After her stroke in 2005, Lil Sullivan (pictured above, seated) used art to inspire herself and other stroke survivors. Her efforts were recognised by charity the Stroke Association at its annual Life After Stroke Awards. Nominations have now opened for the 2016 ceremony. Every nominee will be given a certificate, and winners will get an award. If you know someone who deserves to be nominated, visit stroke.org.uk/ lasa before 30 April. Watch Shakespeare Live! From The RSC This St George’s Day is also the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death – and BBC Two is broadcasting a live show of the Bard’s most dramatic scenes performed by some of Britain’s top actors, including Judi Dench and Ian McKellen. David Tennant will be hosting…

It was such a pleasure to read the serial Some Sunny Day, about a young woman’s wartime romance with an RAF bomber pilot [December 2015 issues]. It took me right back to the time when I lived in London during the Blitz, and a bomb actually hit the roof of the tall office building where I worked. Luckily, it didn’t explode. Instead, it drifted on its green parachute over into the next street, where it detonated, damaging the much-loved Little Theatre just off the Strand. It was a lucky escape for all of us, and it wasn’t long after that I started reading Woman’s Weekly. Now 90, I still buy it every week. Renee Porter, Orpington, Kent • Thanks for sticking with us, Renee – we’ll keep the great reads…

Eileen Page, 72, Hornchurch Tell us about your look… I like to be comfortable but coordinated. I often adapt and customise clothes to suit me. If I like the fabric but want a different length or shape, I just change it – this top was originally really long. These jeans are from Primark and the boots are from Dorothy Perkins. My favourite shop is Wallis – the clothes are well made. And the best bit of your body? My eyes. June Burdon, 53, Upminster Tell us about your look… I love fashion and really enjoy putting outfits together. I wear a lot of jeans with blazers and scarves and I like jumpsuits too. I go for things that are versatile, so I can change the look…

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Crispy Singapore-Style Chicken Serves 2 Calories: 455 Fat: 16g Saturated fat: 2g Carbohydrates: 43g Not suitable for freezing 1 Cook the noodles, according to the pack instructions. 2 Meanwhile, heat the oil in a wok or frying pan over a medium-high heat. Stir-fry the chicken for 3 mins, or until it’s lightly golden. Add the garlic and curry paste; mix well and fry for another min. 3 Add the mangetout and red pepper. Stir-fry for another min before adding the carrot sticks. 4 Add the drained, cooked noodles to the pan, using tongs to mix, then stir-fry for 2 more mins. Mix in the soy sauce and spring onions. Beef Salad Stir-fry Serves 2 Calories: 670 Fat: 21g Saturated fat:…

Easy-peasy A Bit More Tricky Hard–ish Quite A Challenge MEASUREMENTS To fit bust sizes 81 (86) (91) (97) (102) (107) (112) (117) cm/32 (34) (36) (38) (40) (42) (44) (46) in. Actual measurements 89 (94) (99) (104) (110) (115) (120) (126) cm/35 (37) (39) (41) (43¼) (45¼) (47¼) (49½) in. Side seam All sizes 32cm/12½in. Length to shoulder 51 (52) (53) (54) (55) (56) (57) (58) cm/20 (20½) (21) (21¼) (21½) (22) (22½) (22¾) in. Sleeve seam All sizes 45cm/ 17¾in. MATERIALS 5 (5) (6) (6) (6) (7) (7) (7) 100g (200m) balls of Debbie Bliss Cotton Denim DK (100% cotton) in New Denim (02) and 1 ball in Mid Blue (04)*. Pair of 3¾mm (No.9) and 4mm (No.8) knitting needles; 9 buttons. TENSION 22 stitches and 30 rows, to…

• Make a scented path by laying slabs with about 15cm between each one, then plant up the gaps with decorative, fragrant herbs such as the non-flowering camomile ‘Treneague’, or golden and silver-leaved thymes that will give off a delicious scent when trodden on. • Create a showstopping garden with rhododendrons. They come in a massive choice of colours and range from tall trees to tiny prostrate mats ideal for small gardens and containers. • Cut back shrubs such as buddlejas that flower in mid to late summer on current season’s wood and spring-flowering shrubs that have finished blooming. Reduce plants by a third, starting with dead and dying wood to ensure that your plants stay healthy all summer.…

MYTH 1 You Should Brush Your Teeth Straight After Meals ‘Never brush teeth immediately after meals or snacks,’ warns Karen Coates of the Oral Health Foundation (dentalhealth.org). ‘Eating alters the pH level in the mouth, making it more acidic. This acidity can soften tooth enamel and brushing straight after wears away the weakened enamel and can lead to erosion.’ If you wait an hour after eating, saliva will rebalance the pH. But because this isn’t always practical in the mornings, it’s far better to brush teeth before breakfast. This has the added benefit of leaving a protective coating of fluoride on the teeth before you start eating. Only 21% use dental floss regularly MYTH 2 All Toothbrushes Are Pretty Much The Same ‘Many people use toothbrushes that are too big…

Lifestyle Editor Jayne says, ‘ This wonderful sequel to Jojo Moyes’ phenomenal bestseller, Me Before You, joins Louisa Clark as she struggles to carry on with life after the loss of Will Traynor. She’s working in an airport bar and living in a flat bought with money left by Will. At first, it seems like she’ll never be happy again, until she meets someone new who turns her life upside down just like Will did. But it’s not long before the past starts to catch up with them both.’ • After You by Jojo Moyes (£16, Michael Joseph) is out now.…

‘Shellfish make me violently ill’ How do you take your tea? Strong and thick, but with no sugar. You can stand a spoon in it! If we were coming for tea, what cake would you bake? A gooey and rich flourless chocolate cake. Everyone loves chocolate, don’t they? Who would you most like to have tea and cake with? Mary Berry, Nigella Lawson and Delia Smith – that would be a cool tea and cake afternoon. In case anybody's missed it, tell us about your current TV series – Bake Off: Crème De La Crème . It’s a professional version of The Great British Bake Off, with 15 teams of three pastry chefs from hotels, restaurants and patisseries. In each heat, they have to make miniatures –…

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 don’t 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 the…

It was all my fault. I had just been explaining to fellow dinner guests that I’d given up having pets for the last few years, seeing pet-owning as a form of slavery. But, suddenly crippled with back pain, I excused myself and lay down on a sofa in another room. The first thing that happened was that I was jumped on by a charming black cat who settled down and began purring, all the while staring into my eyes like a hypnotist. We started bonding like billy-o. Returning to the table I said, ‘But if I could have a cat like that one, then I’d change my mind!’ I should have known. My host immediately announced that we had a deal. He was going to Miami on a two-year contract…

The nourishing bath oil My husband moans every time I use a bath oil – it makes the shower too slippy, apparently – but I caught him stealing a couple of capfuls of Elemental Herbology Detox Botanical Bathing Infusion, £20, feelunique.com. It fills the bathroom with a spa-like aroma and leaves your skin feeling incredibly moisturised – and that gets the spousal stamp of approval. The suits-all scrub St Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub, £4.19, is gentle enough for more sensitive skins with natural exfoliants that softly slough tired-looking skin, without that scratchy feeling. The his ’n’ hers hand cream L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream, £19, is a cult classic and for good reason. Bathroom guests will appreciate the quick-to-absorb, nourishing formula. The shampoo for all hair types A one-litre…

Book your place on one of our needle-felting workshops run by our felting experts Judy Balchin and Roz Dace. These workshops are great for complete beginners or for anyone keen on needle-felting, which is a simple 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. Wee Woolly Mouse…

HOW TO ORDER Order By Phone Call 0800 024 1212* MasterCard, Visa or Maestro cardholders can order direct on this number quoting WW17. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm, but closed bank holidays. *Call charges from mobiles and non-BT landlines may vary. 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 the time of printing. All correspondence concerning this offer should be sent to: WW17 Pattern Offers, Woman’s Weekly Customer Care, Room 06-C06, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU. Items will be dispatched within 2-5 days once payment has cleared. You’ll be notified if a longer…

Bidens ‘BeeDance Painted Red’ This is the perfect patio plant to make sure butterflies and bees flock to your garden this summer, thanks to its intense honey scent and the high nectar content of its flowers. Supplied as Postiplug plants. Height 30cm (12in). Spread: 45cm (18in). • Buy 5 for £9.99 • Buy 10 for £17.99 – saving £1.99 £1.95 postage. Plants dispatched from May 2016. Contract of goods is with Thompson & Morgan, a company wholly independent of Time Inc. (UK) Ltd. Visit www.thompsonmorgan.com/womansweekly to order or call 0844 573 6057 and quote WWK2083A.…

As more of us stay active well into middle age and beyond, the number of people under the age of 60 choosing to have hip replacements has increased by 76% to 18,000 a year in just 10 years, according to the Health and Social Care Information Centre. The total number of hip replacements increased by almost half, and more younger men and women are also having knee replacements. While there are simply more people in their sixties now than a decade ago, this trend has also been driven by better techniques, materials, and ‘use-by’ dates. Hip replacements can now last 20 years, reducing the need for more complex (‘revision’) operations, although younger patients will often need one. Who needs them? Most hip and knee replacements are performed for osteoarthritis –…

3 Reasons To… Eat Grapefruit 1 It’s rich in potassium which helps the body regulate heart rate and blood pressure. 2 Grapefruit boosts metabolism. A study in the Journal Of Medicinal Food found people who ate half a grapefruit before meals, without making any other dietary changes, lost an average of 3.5lb over 12 weeks. 3 It’s full of vitamin C. This natural antioxidant helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and harmful free radicals. Warning: Grapefruit can affect some medicines, such as statins, usually by increasing the level of the medicine in your blood and raising the risk of side effects. If you’re on any medication, please check with your GP before eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice. My Healthy Life Personal trainer David Kingsbury (…

As I adjust my goggles and dip my face below the surface of the warm, clear seawater I see a serene mermaid reclining on the sandy ocean bed. Further along a man sits at a desk in front of a typewriter, seemingly engrossed in work, and an ethereal group of children stand in a circle holding hands. You might be forgiven for thinking I’d indulged in a drop too much local rum the previous evening, but it’s with a totally clear head that I immerse myself in one of Grenada’s unusual attractions. There are now more than 65 installations at the world’s first underwater sculpture park that opened in Molinere Bay in 2006. Some are just 20ft below the surface and can be seen on glass-bottom boat trips as well…

THE STORY SO FAR LENKA and her eight-year-old daughter, BESS, are living in a Gypsy camp in Norwood, south London, a handful of years after London’s Great Plague. MARGARET, the queen of the Norwood Gypsies and the best fortune teller in the land, has been kind to take them in after the events of last year left them seeking shelter. Fellow Gypsy GEORGE also keeps a watchful eye over mother and daughter. Little Bess speaks to no one, too tormented by nightmares of the death of Lenka’s violent husband, BABIK. She believes she killed him. But one night Babik turns up at Norwood. He is not dead after all! Lenka was no fool. Not any more. He was tricking her She heard a whoosh as an object moved quickly through…