Innholdsfortegnelse for 28-May-2019 i Woman's Weekly

I hate changing doctors. I loved my last GP – he very possibly saved my wife’s life when she had an undiagnosed (by someone else) blood clot in her leg after giving birth – but surely even much-loved  medics have a right to retire. So, I was very sad when our own Woman’s Weekly doctor, Melanie Wynne-Jones, announced that she, too, was finally retiring from the hurly-burly of both patients and pen – Mel’s been a wonderful fixture in these pages for many years and we wish her every happiness in her retirement. However, we’re thrilled to have found such a sympathetic and caring replacement in Dr Gill Jenkins; look out for her on page 30. I’m already hoping she’ll stay with us as long as Mel did! All white…

There’s nothing like being on tour! Being part of a team – the dancers, the band, sound guys, wardrobe, make-up – it’s a bit like a travelling circus. But one of the things I love most about being on tour is the people you meet and perform for. Touring with Burn The Floor – the live dance show I regularly take part in – we travel to so many places and the audience’s reaction does depend on where you are. In Glasgow, the people are generally quite vocal and out for a genuinely good night, whereas in London you have to prepare yourself for a more reserved audience. Saying that, there’s nothing like winning over an audience – seeing them on their feet at the end of the night is…

Joy loved Sundays. That was the day she chose the hat of the week. She had 52 – one for each week of the year and they took pride of place in her bedroom, lined up in rows. First she went online to check the weather, still a bit chilly, especially for May, then ran her finger along the front row where the thicker hats were arranged. She stopped at a shocking pink one with lime green trim. It was the first hat she’d knitted with no help and was still a favourite. At work, she was never without a hat. They came in very handy when she was working outside, potting cuttings or tackling the weeds. Everyone called her Joy the Hat. ‘Want to know about hardy ferns, ask…

We’d like to introduce Woman’s Weekly’s new GP Gillian Jenkins, and to say a fond farewell to Dr Melanie Wynne-Jones, who has decided to retire after 13 years writing so brilliantly for our readers. I’m sure you’ll join the team in wishing her well and welcoming Dr Gillian on board. Dr Gillian has been a GP for more than 25 years and lives in Bristol with her partner. Atrial fibrillation affects around one million people in the UK, is more likely as we age, affecting seven in 100 of the over-65s, and is more common in those with high blood pressure, heart valve problems and other types of heart disease. Your heart should normally beat regularly, between 60 to 100 beats a minute when resting. In atrial fibrillation, the heart…

It’s her or me! Q My husband wants to move his very rude and belittling mother in to live with us. She’s become infirm and can no longer live alone. I think she should go into a home but he’s adamant that isn’t right for her. I can’t live with her. I want to give him an ultimatum and say it’s her or me, but I wonder if that’s a bit harsh. Lisa, Middlesex A You can only give an ultimatum if you will act on it. Are you prepared to leave if he says his mother comes first? If so, then that’s your final ‘weapon’. Otherwise, you’ll be seen to be crying wolf and he’ll be less likely to respect your views. That said, ultimatums are not the best…

Sissinghurst Castle is home to a moonlit masterpiece – the famous White Garden Vita Sackville-West created in the 1950s, now looked after by the National Trust. Her aim was to allow pale blooms and silvery foliage to stand out against the green of the yew and box hedging – and gardeners today are still inspired by her use of white blooms. In this unique design, she chose various grey mounds of artemisia, santolina and silver-leaved Cineraria maritima studded with the white trumpets of Lilium regale and spires of foxtail lilies, delphiniums and foxgloves. To add volume and structure to the borders, she used hydrangeas, roses, peonies and cistus with clouds of foamy gypsophila – the effect is stunning. Once you start researching, you quickly discover there’s a vast range of…

Pretty moon daisies cross-stitch cushion kit This lovely cushion front kit is easy to stitch with a large-holed canvas with 4.5 holes per inch, and so easy on the eyes and fingers! The kit contains all you need to complete your 40 x 40cm cushion front – simple-to-follow instructions, hand-painted 100% cotton canvas and 100% acrylic yarn and needle, all for just £34.99. There’s also a 100% cotton cushion back with a zip for just £12.99 and a pad for £12.99 to finish off your project. To order, call 01858 345108 quoting code WW70 or visit stitchkits.co.uk/WW70 LYN1143…

New scam alert! Brits have been warned about a new scam where fraudsters target victims, telling them they’re owed a refund on their council-tax bill – but it’s actually just a ploy to try to get their bank details. Scammers are emailing victims, claiming they need to hand over their personal information in order to get their ‘refund’, and the criminals then use these details to steal their money. In other cases, fraudsters are claiming they need to act on your behalf to get your ‘refund’ back – and then charge fees for their so-called ‘help’. If you experience or suspect a scam, you can report it to Action Fraud (actionfraud. police.uk ), which targets cyber crime. Spring clean Get your kitchen appliances in tip-top condition and you could save…

The French Lieutenant’s Woman  by John Fowles (£9.99, PB, Vintage) The story A passionate historical romance set in 1867, The French Lieutenant’s Woman is a masterpiece of modern literature. When Charles Smithson observes Sarah Woodruff standing on the famous Cobb stone jetty at Lyme Regis, he is intrigued. Deserted by a French naval officer, Sarah is a disgraced social outcast in the stifling conventions of the Victorian age. But even though Charles is engaged, after secret trysts with Sarah she captures his heart. With three possible endings to this modern classic, the conclusion is very much up to the reader. Our verdict Epic and seductive storytelling – this is one you’ll want to keep on your bookshelf for good!…

Paula Wechsler, 34 Tell us about your look… My silky kimono- style top is from TK Maxx. I like a splash of colour or a bold print and this was a great find. My black top and trainers are from Zara and my pleated, wide-leg trousers are from Italy. My sister lives there, so I usually buy a lot of clothes when I visit her. I love accessories and my bag and belt were bought in Italy. I always wear quite bold, statement jewellery. And the best bit of your body? I’d say my eyes. Sarah Auclair, 60 Tell us about your look… I love jumpsuits and boilersuits – it’s all I ever wear! This one is by Louise Markey, who basically does utility wear, such as jumpsuits. Her collection…

...Visit Alnwick Castle The Northumberland castle starred as Hogwarts in two Harry Potter films and, during Wizarding Weeks and Wizard Weekend, until 27 October, you may see lookalikes from the films, such as Harry and Professor Dumbledore. ✿ Visit alnwickcastle.com ...Book Latitude Festival Join headliners George Ezra, Snow Patrol, Lana Del Rey, Jason Manford, and Michelle Wolf for the 14th season of the festival (18-21 July) in the stunning grounds of Henham Park, Suffolk. Frank Skinner, National Theatre Live and Historic Royal Palaces will also be there. ✿ Visit ticketmaster.co.uk/latitude ...Enjoy Blithe Spirit Calling all comedy fans... Jennifer Saunders will be appearing in Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit, directed by Richard Eyre, at the Theatre Royal Bath, from 13 June-6 July. ✿ Visit theatreroyal.org.uk Important! All contributions to Woman’s Weekly must…

One of our country’s most beloved national treasures, Joanna Lumley, aged 73, shows no signs of slowing down. The epitome of glamour, the actress and presenter remains busier than ever and, for the second year running, she hosted the 2019 BAFTAs in February. ‘I hang on in there because I love doing what I’m doing,’ she says. ‘If I was in a job that I hated or tired me out, and was not rewarding, then I would retire like a shot. But as I am doing all I dreamed of doing in life, then why would I give it up?’ she adds with a shrug of an elegant shoulder. ‘Do what you can because you will regret it if you don’t’ ‘I once said to my husband, “What would life…

Where I’ve been... This week, I’m in Oxford with Rock of Ages. It’s such a lovely place. What I’ve seen... On my day off, I went to The Bridge Theatre in London to watch a play called Alys, Always. It stars Joanne Froggatt from Downton Abbey. I met her when she was talking about it on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show. It was fantastic and she’s a great actress. Who I’ve met... My good friend Russell Brand and his lovely wife, Laura, came to watch the show last night, so it was great to see them. What I’ve bought... Tickets to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Sunday.…

Mackerel and beetroot salad Salads can be substantial, as this delicious potato and fish-based recipe proves. SERVES 1 ✿ 200g (7oz) raw beetroot (around two small beetroot), skin on ✿ 75g (2½oz) new potatoes ✿ 100g (3½oz) smoked, peppered mackerel ✿ A handful of lamb’s lettuce For the dressing: ✿ 1tbsp crème fraîche ✿ 1tsp horseradish ✿ ½ lemon ✿ A few chives, finely chopped 1 Place the beetroot in a pan of water, bring to the boil, turn down the heat and simmer for 45 mins, until tender. Allow to cool slightly, then rub to take the skin off. Roughly chop. 2 Meanwhile steam the potatoes for 30 mins, until tender. 3 To make the dressing, combine all the ingredients and season to taste. 4 To serve, put the…

CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE HELPLINES Stress 0904 470 0681 Migraine 0904 470 0682 IBS 0904 470 0683 Varicose veins 0904 470 0684 Heartburn 0904 470 0685 Heavy periods 0904 470 0686 JAN DE VRIES ALTERNATIVE HELPLINES Osteoporosis 0904 470 0812 Bladder problems 0904 470 0813 Rheumatism 0904 470 0814 Losing a parent 0904 470 0871 Depressed 0904 470 0873 Arthritis 0904 470 0874 Calls cost 65p per min plus your telephone company’s network access charge and last approx. four mins. Users must be 18+. You must have the bill payer’s permission. Service provider: Spoke, 0333 202 3390…

1 Prepare your bedroom Make sure you have a comfy warm bed but in a dark, cool room with some air flow – without any distractions (TV or computer). 2 Turn off any lights Especially blue light from gadgets, as this can affect the brain’s sleep centre. Try to turn off smart phones, tablets and laptops an hour before bed so sleep isn’t impaired. 3 Avoid large meals And don’t drink too much tea, coffee or alcohol after 7pm – they all have stimulant effects and may also make you get up in the night. 4 Wind down Try to do any physical activity earlier in the day, making sure you get time to ‘wind down’ physically – and mentally – with…

For beds and borders, try Canterbury bells, which produce bell-like blooms in late spring and summer. White cosmos, which will flower into autumn, makes a good companion, especially when the Canterbury bells fade. To ‘whitewash’ walls, plant jasmines, which are loaded with sweetly scented flowers throughout the summer. Try the potato vine (Solanum Album), which has a mass of white flowers from midsummer until the frosts. A white clematis is a must – try Clematis Alba Luxurians, a slender plant that can be squeezed into the tiniest of spaces.…

STEM STITCH Working from left to right, bring the needle up at the end of the line and make a short stitch. Bringing the needle up again, adjacent to the first stitch and halfway down its length, make another short stitch. Repeat to form a line. BACKSTITCH Bring the needle up through the fabric about 3mm in front of the first stitch, working backwards insert the needle to create the stitch. Bring the needle forward under the fabric to emerge 3mm ahead of the first stitch, ready to make the next. Repeat to create a line of backstitches. FRENCH KNOT Bring the needle through from the back of the fabric to the front, wrap the thread three times around the needle and, holding the wraps with your thumb, reinsert the…

AppliancesDirect.co.uk found that millennials (born in the early 80s to mid 90s) are the cleanest generation, spending 3.65 hours per week cleaning. Whatever your age, now is the time to get your windows shimmering in the sunshine. Easy Squeegee, £9.99, jmldirect.com This isn’t made to last, but it’s perfect to use when cleaning the car or for an occasional window buff. A great option to speed up a tedious job. 6/10 Kärcher WV2 Window Vacuum Cleaner, £60, John Lewis Cleans windows, tiles and floors in seconds. The vacuum and microfibre cloth removes dirt and the replaceable blade creates a streak-free finish. 9/10 Beldray Window Vacuum, £20, Wilko Wash away the grime and use the vacuum to leave windows sparkling clean. Easy to use and rechargeable (up to 30 minutes…

When you’re not worrying about the economy, and world peace, and whether the Antiques Roadshow might be interested in the strange box you found in the attic, you’ll no doubt be wondering how Ben and Clare’s wedding arrangements are getting on. Everybody likes a wedding, especially if it’s not your fault that the flowers drooped, or the bride’s mother had food poisoning, or the best man’s speech shouldn’t really have been broadcast before the nine o’clock watershed. And we are agog with excitement at our little charity shop. Ben and Clare are our two youngest volunteers. Love blossomed, you might say, over black bags full of secondhand clothes. Anyway, after a couple of diversions involving other people, they both decided that other people didn’t meet the required standard and so…

✿ PLANT LAVENDER so that on hot sunny days, from now until August, the sunbaked leaves and spiky flowers emit their intoxicating fragrance. Ideally, plant them along the edge of a path or around your favourite seat, so that when you brush by, the scent is released. ✿ FILL BASKETS AND CONTAINERS with strawberry plants that are already bulging with ripening fruit. Keep them well watered while the fruits are swelling and introduce an organic liquid strawberry feed to give them plenty of stamina to perform. ✿ IF YOU’RE A VEGETARIAN OR VEGAN, it makes sense to grow your own veggies. You’ll need to eat beans and pulses, which are a good source of protein. Partner with herbs like thyme, basil and mint, which help repel pests and attract beneficial…

When you’ve just polished your shoes, finish with a quick spritz of hair spray. It will help them keep their shine for even longer. As well as lifting pet hair from your clothes, lint rollers are a handy tool for removing dust from lampshades, mantlepieces and even shelves. To make a natural repellent for clothes moths, pop some dried herbs – such as lavender, cloves, bay, rosemary and thyme – into small bags and put into your wardrobe and drawers.…

More and more of us are compiling lists of goals, experiences and sights we most want to fulfil in life, particularly when we’re planning our holidays. Seeing the Northern Lights in the Arctic, walking the Great Wall of China and visiting Niagara Falls are bucket-list favourites, according to a survey by Sykes Holiday Cottages. But while we Brits are pretty ambitious with our must-see lists, we may be missing out on some of the world’s finest sights right on our doorsteps. Here’s our pick of six alternative wonders to see, all close to home. Grand Canyon too far? Visit Cheddar Gorge instead Not only is the Cheddar Gorge a great destination in its own right, but visitors can expect to see a lot more flora and fauna than they would…

✿ Your pulse can have a natural variation in rate as you breathe in and out (called sinus rhythm), but if you feel a fast irregular beat you should talk to your doctor. ✿ Chest pains should always be reported urgently and investigated, especially if you have any breathlessness, pain in the arm, sweating or swelling of your feet. ✿ Blood-thinning medication previously meant only warfarin, but now newer medicines are commonly used, which ar e more reliable and don’t need regular blood tests. ✿ Cardioversion and catheter ablation may be done as a day patient and are usually permanent solutions to AF.…

My weight rose steadily over many years. Nothing in particular triggered it. I just liked eating out a lot, loved high-fat and sugary foods and had no portion control. By 2016, I hit 23st, was wearing size 28 clothes, and my health was suffering. If I walked anywhere I’d have to stop because of backache. But I was terrified of going to the doctors. But in September 2017, I was forced to go. My vision started to blur and I was scared I might lose my sight. The tests confirmed I had high cholesterol and blood pressure, and I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which was to blame for my blurred vision. They diagnosed mild retinal damage. I was put on medication, referred to a diabetic NHS nurse and…

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YOU WILL NEED ✿ Pink cotton fabric ✿ Patterned fabric scraps ✿ Paper-backed fusible web ✿ Embroidery thread in yellow and green ✿ Embroidery needle ✿ Matching thread ✿ Scissors ✿ Pins ✿ Sewing machine ✿ Tracing paper ✿ Iron-on transfer pencil Finished size: 32 x 38cm Time to make: 10 hours Stockists: Soft heavy pink cotton, £8.99 per m, minervacrafts.com INSTRUCTIONS 1 For the bag front and back, cut out two rectangles, measuring 35 x 43cm. For the handles, cut out two strips measuring 8 x 50cm. 2 Enlarge the template by 450%. Using a piece of tracing paper and transfer pencil, copy the template onto the bag front, using an iron on a low heat setting. 3 For the bird and leaf appliqués, transfer the two bird and…

MEASUREMENTS Approximately 31cm/12¼in tall (excluding ears). MATERIALS 1 x 25g (85m) balls of Sirdar Snuggly Snowflake DK (100% polyester) in each of Light Brown (Wuzzy 634) and Beige (642)*; oddments of DK yarn in Dark Brown and Black. Pair of 3mm (No. 11) knitting needles; washable toy filling. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk. TENSION Tension is not critical for this project. A smaller needle size than recommended for the yarn is used so that the toy filling is not visible through the stitches. ABBREVIATIONS St(s), stitch(es); k, knit; p, purl; ss, stocking st (k on right side and p on wrong side); inc, increase 1 st (by working into same st twice); k2tog, k 2 sts together (to decrease 1 st). NOTE All pieces are worked in stocking stitch. Unless…

Unnatural Causes  by Dr Richard Shepherd (£8.99, PB, Penguin) World expert Dr Shepherd shares the passion for forensic pathology that has seen him solve crimes, exonerate the innocent and help grieving families. But 23,000 autopsies take their toll as Dr Shepherd struggles with his own mental health. A brilliantly written and compelling account of a medical detective who has worked on many appalling crimes and human tragedies. The Dangerous Kind  by Deborah O’Connor (£12.99, HB, Zaffre) Jessamine Gooch puts her heart and soul into her weekly radio show, delving into the minds of killers and attempting to decipher where it all went wrong. When Jessamine agrees to look into the disappearance of young mother Cassie Scolari, she uncovers the scale of this particular trauma. A deeply poignant read that bravely…

Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr This is a good week for starting a new exercise programme or for fine-tuning an existing one. Taurus 21 Apr – 21 May Set aside time for you. Sometimes you get so busy that you leave yourself out of the equation. Gemini 22 May – 21 Jun Home and family may be your focus this week. Think carefully before taking on any extra responsibilities. Cancer 22 Jun – 23 Jul Freedom is the key. How can you break out of a restrictive situation? You may need to speak out. Leo 24 Jul – 23 Aug You may meet some fascinating people in the unlikeliest places. Keep your eyes and ears open. Virgo 24 Aug – 23 Sep A work project could come to fruition.…