Innholdsfortegnelse for 24-Dec-2019_Double issue i Woman's Weekly

Let’s celebrate! I used to think Christmas was all about children – I certainly did when ours were young. But of course it’s for everyone, young and old, devout or secular, to come together and celebrate – the perfect antidote to dark winter months. As my children have grown up, our own family get-together has slowly changed into something closer to a party, the more the merrier, with usually a few waifs and strays turning up to share the turkey. Maybe one day it will become more about children again, but in whatever form it takes, I love it. So on behalf of everyone at Woman’s Weekly, I’d like to wish all of our readers a very merry Christmas!…

MAGGIE OVERTON, 1929, sent in by her daughter Margaret Carter This photo of my mother was taken on her wedding day and it was Easter Monday. She carried a small posy of flowers and an ivory-covered prayer book. WENDY SCOTT, 1957 My sister June, on the right, was 19 and I was 14, and we were wearing skirts that were cut out ready to sew. We were both hopeless at sewing, so our aunt made them up for us! MOLLIE FLATT, 1964 This photo was waken at my sister’s wedding. The slimline, sleeveless dress worn with heels was a very fashionable look at the time. DORIS NASH, 1956 My photo was taken by a street photographer in Bristol. My blue jacket was bought by my husband and the cream pleated…

Kylie plays Glastonbury It was in 2005 that Kylie Minogue had to pull out of her slot at Glastonbury Festival because of her breast cancer diagnosis. But she was back in June 2019, playing the Sunday afternoon ‘legends’ slot. Chris Martin and Nick Cave joined the singer as she revelled in her triumphant return. Baby Archie arrives The world coo-ed as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex introduced their first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, to the world. They kept us waiting – he arrived on 6 May at Portland Hospital, but had his first photo call on 8 May. Children of the world battle climate change In September, millions of children around the world left school for the day and took to the streets to protest, along with parents, workers…

Wandering around Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield, Christina Surgey, then 39, and her husband, Tony, 45, just had one thing left to tick off their list. It was December 2012, and they’d been Christmas shopping for most of the day, starting in the Disney Store to pick up a cuddly Minnie Mouse toy for their daughter, Emma, seven. The couple, laden with bags, just needed to stop off in a card shop for gift wrap and they were done. Christina was already thinking about where they’d be going for dinner to celebrate a successful day’s shopping as Tony stood at the counter paying for the last of their bits. ‘It was as I was half-daydreaming, standing slightly behind Tony, that I realised he was slumping to the side,’ Christina remembers.…

When he sits down to his Christmas dinner each 25 December, Andrew Bengey, who’s 58, knows full well there’s a chance he’ll be called away from his steaming plate of turkey and stuffing at just a moment’s notice. Such is the life of a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) volunteer, but it’s something Andrew wouldn’t swap for the world. ‘I’ve been called away from birthday parties, meals with friends, but it’s just part of the job, and something you learn to live with,’ he says. Andrew, who grew up in Ilfracombe on the north Devon coast, spent most of his childhood fishing, sailing and swimming in the sea, so signing up for the RNLI in November 1978, at the tender age of 17, was a no-brainer. ‘I was comfortable in…

✣ Take time out You need 30 minutes of relaxation to regain lost emotional balance. Walk, read or do deep breathing until you’re feeling better. ✣ Let off steam Offloading to someone trustworthy reduces stress. Talk to your partner. Email a friend. Call Samaritans on 116 123; they offer support in any pressured situation, not just those that are life-threatening. ✣ Get perspective Underneath most festive frustrations there’s loyalty and love. So remember the positives – even make a list of what you value in your family. ✣ Look ahead Remember that once celebrations stop, tension is likely to fade. But also, explore what needs to happen during 2020 so that this year’s flashpoints don’t repeat themselves.…

Lifestyle tricks THAT HELP MY COLITIS I was diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases in 2007 – ulcerative colitis and autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. Over nearly a decade, I saw specialists, nutritionists, naturopaths and holistic doctors. I spent a lot of time, money and energy searching for a solution to feel healthy again. The doctors couldn’t fix my issues, and my health and quality of life were deteriorating, so I did my own research and found that the key factor in many non-communicable diseases is inflammation and, as a consequence, also gut health. So I developed a diet and lifestyle to beat it. Each morning and evening, I do a five-minute meditation in bed to help rewire bad habits. And I stick to an anti-inflammatory diet wherever I go! Eating healthily…

Christmas is projected as a happy time with family and friends – enjoying good food and drink, giving and receiving presents. But for many it doesn’t live up to expectations, and even for those who enjoy it, there’s stress in achieving it. Sadly, there’s an increase in self-harming, sleeping difficulties and panic attacks around Christmas. Fear of getting into debt, not meeting loved ones’ expectations, feeling lonely and alcohol problems are common factors. This time of year also heightens feeling of loss, anxiety and depression. Financial pressures are great and social media phenomena of competitiveness, one-upmanship and ‘fear of missing out’ add to stress levels. Have a plan Planning is always essential to avoid stress, so begin well in advance and cover all aspects of the festivities. Think about who…

A Tiredness is a difficult problem to assess as so many things could be causing it. It may take several appointments to sort out. Your doctor should first ask questions about when and how it started, what pattern it takes, how well you sleep, your diet, intake of alcohol or drugs and what medication you are taking. Also, a difficult-to-define area is the effect of anxiety and depression on the feeling of tiredness. Stress generally is a contributory factor, so being overworked, in a difficult job or caring for others such as small children or elderly relatives, can all take their toll. Then the doctor may suggest some blood tests – in particular a full blood count to look for anaemia or problems with immunity. Organ function tests include liver…

Her clock is ticking Q My daughter is coming up to her 40th birthday and has recently met a new boyfriend, who she’s going to move in with. We’re all delighted, as we know she really wants a family and her biological clock is ticking. Her partner says they can’t try for a child yet as they don’t know if living together will work out. I don’t think she can wait. Would I be wrong to encourage her to stop using contraception and see what happens? She could always bring up a baby on her own with our support. Name and address withheld A I don’t know whether it’s a matter of right or wrong. But it is a matter of whose life it is. I’m sure your daughter is…

MEASUREMENTS Place mat: Measures approximately 21cm/8¼in in diameter. Coaster: Measures approximately 11cm/4¼in in diameter. MATERIALS For the set: 3 x 50g balls of Sirdar snuggly 4ply (55% nylon, 45% acrylic) in White (251)*. Size 3.5mm crochet hook. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk. TENSION Whole motif of place mat measures 21cm in diameter, using 3.5mm hook. ABBREVIATIONS Ch, chain; dc, double crochet; htr, half treble; tr, treble; chsp, chain space; slst, slip stitch; yoh, yarn over hook; tr2cl, 2tr cluster: [yoh, insert hook in place as indicated, yoh and pull through, yoh and pull through 2 loops on hook] twice, yoh and pull through all 3 loops on hook; tr3cl, 3tr cluster: [yoh, insert hook in place as indicated, yoh and pull through, yoh and pull through 2 loops on hook]…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr This might be a good time to consider taking a calculated financial risk. It could possibly pay off. TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May Finding ways to relax is important to you. Be sure to take regular breaks to regain energy levels. GEMINI 22 May – 21 Jun Your dreams may be vivid, so it’s worth having pen and paper by your bed. Ideas will be flowing. CANCER 22 Jun – 23 Jul New friends and interesting acquaintances will enter your life. Stay open – you may meet some exciting people. LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug This is a good time to think about starting a new business or developing an idea you’ve been sitting on. VIRGO 24 Aug – 23 Sep If…

Coming Home to Winter Island by Jo Thomas (£ 7.99, Headline) ‘Christmas cheer might just prevail’ Escape to a remote Scottish island in this delightful new novel by Jo Thomas. When Ruby fears her singing career is over, she signs up for a retreat in Tenerife, only to have her plans scuppered when she’s called away on family business to Scotland – to meet the grandfather she’s never met. There may be family tensions, but amid the breathtaking scenery – and with the power of music and a little gin – Christmas cheer might just prevail. An enchanting book, best read with a hot mug of cocoa. A Mrs Miracle Christmas by Debbie Macomber (£7.99, Cornerstone) ‘A story of hope and seasonal magic’ What better time for Mrs…

KIM AYLING, 62 Tell us about your look Well I’m virtually head to toe in Tu from Sainsbury’s! It’s my ‘go to’ store when I’m in need of a fashion fix. The prices are such good value that’s it’s hard to resist. My lime ‘teddy’ coat, yellow blouse with bow, cable knit sweater and yellow loafers are all from there. My trousers and red shopper are both M&S, where I also like to shop on occasion. I love bright colours and enjoy putting outfits together. And the best bit of your body? My hair. SOPHIE BUTLER, 56 Tell us about your look I’m very much a jeans lady but I like to have fun with a print. My trench coat is by the designer Malene Birger. I love her contemporary…

The Christmas tree grower Davina Griffith, 63, runs Dinmore Hill Christmas Trees & Festive Farm Weekends with her husband Colin. Choosing a Christmas tree is a huge part of the festive celebrations, but have you ever thought about what goes into producing a real tree? ‘Christmas trees need loads of attention throughout the year,’ explains Davina. ‘They need pruning to grow the right shape, as well as protection from birds. We also have to label 40,000 trees according to size and type!’ Work starts to hot up in October, with Dinmore Hill’s two sites opening at the end of November. In 2014, as a result of being awarded ‘Grower of the Year’ by the British Christmas Tree Growers Association, they supplied a stunning specimen for No.10 Downing Street! And how…

“Vicars have chosen to follow a path that means they always work at Christmas, but their loved ones might not have made that choice. It’s always hardest on the family. The year before I was ordained, quite a lot was made of my ‘last Christmas’ (Wham!’s lyrics notwithstanding). Even I was a bit nervous about the changes that becoming a priest would mean to our traditional family Christmas Day together. I needn’t have worried. These days, I’m in a parish where a truly remarkable team of volunteers cook lunch on Christmas Day for anyone who comes. Anyone. And given that our church is right by Piccadilly Circus in London, that is usually an extraordinary mix of about 100 people. ‘All sorts of people wander in’ After the 11 o’clock service,…

Jimmy Choo Fever EDP, £43 for 40ml They say This fragrance opens with the rich, yet juicy sweetness of plum, blended with lychee and countered with the subtle bitter tones of grapefruit. At its heart, heliotrope mingles with vanilla orchid, contrasted with jasmine. Base notes of sandalwood, benzoin and tonka bean give the fragrance its appeal. We say Although it’s fresh and floral, there’s also an intensity, making it the perfect day-to-evening perfume. The decadent plum bottle would look good on any dressing table – the ideal gift for a style-conscious friend. Zoe West, Books Editor Flower by Kenzo Eau De Vie EDP, £41 for 30ml They say A love-at-first scent fragrance. The zesty ginger note starts a lively and exciting tempo, then follows a joyful orange blossom accord. The…

CRUSTLESS SMOKED SALMON TARTLETS These are incredibly easy to make and are also gluten free. MAKES 22 ✣ 6 eggs ✣ 200g (7oz) crème fraîche, plus 45g (1½oz) for serving ✣ 200g (7oz) smoked salmon, shredded ✣ 1 cooked beetroot (not pickled), approx 60g (2oz), chopped into small dice ✣ 2tbsp dill, finely chopped, plus a few extra sprigs for serving You will need: ✣ 2 mini cupcake tins, greased 1 Heat the oven to 160C/Gas 3. In a large bowl beat the eggs and mix in the crème fraîche until nicely combined. 2 Divide the smoked salmon, beetroot and chopped dill between the cupcake tin holes. Set the tins on a larger oven tray and pour over the egg mixture until almost at the top. 3 Bake in the…

ROUND 1: COLOURS These colour-themed questions should get you off to a relatively easy start... 1 In Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Mr McGregor hung up naughty Peter’s jacket ‘for a scarecrow to frighten the blackbirds’. What colour was Peter’s jacket? 2 Which three colours are known as the primary colours? 3 Which UK political party with particular interest in environmental issues has a colour in its name? 4 What colour, because it was so expensive to produce, was once worn only by emperors and royalty? 5 On the London Underground map, what colour is the Central Line? 6 Can you fill in the missing word in the title of this 1960s Rolling Stones’ hit: ____ Tuesday? 7 Which UK TV channel showing classic British comedies is named…

1 TO KEEP CHOLESTEROL LOW 1 Turkey breast is low in saturated fat, too much of which can lead to high cholesterol and a raised risk of stroke and heart attacks. Just keep clear of the turkey skin! 2 IT’S GOOD FOR STRONG BONES 2 Turkey is a rich source of protein and phosphorus, essential for healthy bones, muscles and teeth. It’s also low in calories, particularly for a meat, so is ideal for weight loss. 3 IT HELPS BALANCE MOODS 3 It contains tryptophan, an amino acid responsible for boosting the mood-regulating neurotransmitter serotonin. It’s also bursting with feel-good B vitamins, such as B6 and B12.…

Sugar causes hyperactivity in children FALSE. Twelve large trials have studied children consuming different levels of sugar. None, not even studies of children with ADHD, detected any behavioural difference between the children having sugar, whether from sweets or natural sources, and those without. Even in studies of children considered ‘sensitive’ to sugar, there was no difference. However, scientists noted that when parents think their children have had a sugary drink, the parents rate their children as more hyper.…

Travel expert Janet Mactavish, who runs bespoke consultancy janetmactavish. travel, shares her best advice. ✣ Always tell people, such as hotel staff, where you are going. ✣ Make sure someone has a digital copy of your passport and can easily email it to you if you lose it. ✣ Always take a door wedge for extra security. Not all hotel doors lock well and moving furniture isn’t practical, nor a great idea in case of an emergency. ✣ Choose smaller, boutique hotels where the staff will have more time to chat. Staff asking how your day went after you return from a fabulous day out is a great way to feel welcome and to remind you that, while you are travelling alone, you don’t have to feel lonely. ✣ Be…

MEASUREMENTS To fit bust 82-86 (92-97) (102-107) (112-117) (122-127) cm/32-34 (36-38) (40-42) (44-46) (48-50) in. Actual measurements across back 50 (55.5) (61) (66.5) (72.5) cm/19¾ (21¾) (24) (26¼) (28½) in. Side seam All sizes 50cm/19¾in. Length to shoulder 71 (72) (73) (74) (75) cm/28 (28¼) (28¾) (29½) (30) in. Sleeve seam All sizes 46cm/18in. MATERIALS  5 (6) (6) (7) (7) 50g (226m) balls of Sirdar Snuggly 4ply (55% nylon, 45% acrylic) in Cream (303); 5 (6) (6) (7) (7) 25g (200m) balls of Wendy Air (70% mohair, 30% nylon) in Celeste (2610)*. Pair each of 4.5mm (No. 7) and 5mm (No. 6) knitting needles; 2 stitch holders. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk. TENSION  18 stitches and 24 rows to 10 x 10cm, over stocking stitch, using 5mm needles and holding…

Walking in a Winter Wonderland With sparkling lights and activities for all ages, Winter Wonderland returns to London’s Hyde Park in spectacular style. There’s an exclusive Dickensian theme at the Magical Ice Kingdom, featuring an incredible recreation of A Christmas Carol in shimmering snow and ice. This year, all the family will be thrilled by the daily shows, which include Mr Men & Little Miss and Paddington on Ice, plus Santa’s Grotto and Ice Sculpting Workshops. Open until 5 January; book tickets at hydeparkwinterwonderland.com Cats Andrew Lloyd Webber’s blockbuster stage musical based on TS Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats hits the big screen in time for Christmas. Stand by for the spectacle of a giant litter of singing and dancing felines played, with the aid of digital fur,…

GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN God rest ye, merry gentlemen, do doze off now and then While we, the weary womenfolk, cook Christmas lunch for 10 And clear away the gift wrap (and the dog’s been sick again) Oh, tidings of comfort and joy. God rest ye, merry gentlemen, stay in your comfy seat I’d love to come and join you, but I’m rushed right off my feet And thank you for my present – that kettle, what a treat Oh, tidings of comfort and joy. God rest ye, merry gentlemen, and drain that full decanter Do watch that Christmas film of yours with all its merry banter For lunch will be delayed today – I’ve just run off with Santa Oh, tidings of comfort and joy. HARK THE HERALD…

Reading about Highclere Castle (26 November) sparked memories of my mother’s life in domestic service. She was born in 1905 and left school at 13. Starting as a ‘skivvy’, she became a kitchen maid and then a lady’s maid, before marrying my father. She passed on her skills to me, such as the correct way to lay a table and how to pack a suitcase, and had many stories of life ‘downstairs’. It was a hard life at times but much better than some alternatives. Peggy Knock, Suffolk…

Christmas is all about a special birth, and Jenny Agutter has her own special delivery to celebrate each year – she gave birth to her only child, Jonathan, on 25 December 1990. ‘It’s hard to measure anything else up against that as a gift,’ chuckles Jenny, who turns 67 on 20 December. The memory of it, she says, is as fresh today as when it happened nearly three decades ago. ‘It’s like looking back at what I did that year’ Like all the best Christmas presents, says Jenny, her baby’s arrival was a total surprise. ‘He was six weeks early. I went into labour, or what I thought was labour, early on Christmas Day. It was a long day! It got to 10pm and the baby wasn’t born yet and…

WHERE I’VE BEEN Nowhere outside Zone 1 for a month, as I’ve taken up to six carol services a week. WHAT I’VE BOUGHT No Christmas presents yet – that’s for Christmas Eve at 8am! WHO I’VE MET The whole range of UK society, from business executives to artists, hedge fund managers, retailers and homeless congregants – for once all singing from the same carol sheet. WHAT I’VE SEEN A young man with cold, wet feet asking us for fresh socks, which we were able to give him, thanks to generous visitors.…

CLEMENTINE AND CHOCOLATE SEGMENTS Full of festive flavour, these clementine segments can be easily made by children and adults alike. MAKES AROUND 40 ✣ 4 clementines ✣ 200g (7oz) dark chocolate To decorate: ✣ 2tbsp freeze-dried raspberries ✣ 2tbsp bronze crunch 1 Peel and segment the clementines, being sure to remove as much of the white pith as possible. 2 Melt the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of boiling water. 3 Carefully dip each clementine segment into the chocolate and then scatter over the raspberries and bronze crunch. You can alternate to get an even selection. Place them on baking parchment to set. TIP Our team also like to use these as a festive cinema snack. CHEESECAKE SQUARES Baking in a tray bake makes these squares super easy…

Alicia Eaton (aliciaeaton.co.uk) is a children’s emotional wellbeing specialist and author of First Aid for your Child’s Mind (£12.99, Practical Inspiration Publishing). MY GO-TO REMEDY If I feel out of sorts or I’m struggling with a few worries, I take my dog for a walk. Fresh air usually does the trick. MY FAVOURITE MEAL My parents were originally from Poland and I love pierogi – dumplings filled with cheese and potato. I’m sure they’re healthier than they sound! HOW I KEEP FIT AND HEALTHY I have suffered from back problems since childhood, and I now depend on my Pilates reformer (a piece of equipment used for Pilates) a great deal. I’m lucky to be able to have one at home and I use it regularly. MY PERFECT DAY I do…

✣ Limit others’ expectations. Make a challenge to everyone by having a cost limit on presents. Also, tell everyone coming to eat that they have to bring an item of food or drink. ✣ Share the workload. A written and visible chore list for everyone turning up is essential. No one has the right to snooze on the sofa until they have done their share ✣ Look to the post-Christmas period. Plan a small treat on your post-Christmas horizon to get you through the Christmas pressure and lighten up that grey post-Christmas period.…

1 SELF-CARE The simplest treatment is to use your own mix of honey and lemon juice to soothe and coat the throat to manage tickly coughs. 2 MEDICINE Get a pharmacist’s advice on medicines, from glycerine pastilles to decongestants and codeine, which act as cough suppressants. 3 PREVENT DRY AIR As the season brings central heating and closed windows, place pots of water on the radiator to humidify the air and stop your throat drying. 4 INDIGESTION? One cause of a persistent cough is reflux of stomach acids. Try some antacids such as Gaviscon, or acid-suppressing ranitidine from the chemist.…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr LOVE You will have the opportunity to meet many new people this year. Some relationships may last, while others are fleeting. You could also enjoy the thrill of a long-distance relationship. It’s a good year for finding creative ways of enhancing existing partnerships, and if you’re willing to be vulnerable you can experience greater intimacy. Great times for deepening relationships are in March and September/October, when the moon energies are favourable. FAMILY AND HOME A domestic situation may need your attention, as a decision is required. Take your time and don’t allow yourself to be rushed into taking on extra responsibilities. This is a good year for moving home or making changes to your environment. It will be important for you to get some…

Tied with a ribbon If you are worried about lighting these, why not create the same design on an LED pillar candle instead. YOU WILL NEED Time to make: 30 minutes ✣ Marble coasters ✣ Two pillar candles ✣ Red velvet ribbon ✣ Leafy foliage ✣ Red berries ✣ Scissors 1 Cut the foliage into short sections of stem and leaf or use an entire twig of leaves left whole. 2 Tie the ribbon around the centre of the pillar candle and knot it into a bow. 3 Thread the foliage underneath the ribbon to secure it in place. Spread out the leaves to create a fan effect. Top the arrangement with some red berries. 4 Place the pillar candles on top of a marble coaster to avoid spoiling any…