Innholdsfortegnelse for 12-Apr-2022 i Woman's Weekly

A community effort I was at a Sunday service recently in a tiny village called Charles, on the edge of Exmoor in Devon. The organist, who I believe was advanced in years, had forgotten to attend, but no matter, one of the parishioners organised the music, via their smartphone and loudspeaker. Everyone pulling together seems the very essence of village life, and although most of us live in towns these days, we British still have a special affection for village communities – a lot of us dream of ending up living in one. But many are under threat in the modern world. See page 20 to find three amazing women fighting back.…

BRILLIANT BRENDA Thank you for chatting with Brenda Blethyn recently [1 February] – isn’t she wonderful and so down to earth? She seems to have a wicked sense of humour too, and lots of fun filming Vera. The series is just so welcome. When I see it on the TV schedules, I know once more I’m in for a quality drama with jigsaw-puzzle pieces that don’t fit at the beginning, but do at the episode’s conclusion. The characters hold their own, the scripts are clever, and the production and camera work is the finest quality. We are taken on a journey of discovery, hand in hand with the characters. Just perfect viewing! Kathryn Gairmisso, Cheshire 100 years young My dear grandad, Spencer Allard, turned 100 years old in January this…

As the doyenne of baking, it’s hard to imagine Dame Mary Berry putting her feet up and allowing others to take charge in her kitchen. But that’s exactly what happened recently, when the 87-year-old was forced to take a rest, following a fall at home. Last August, she spent 10 days in hospital after tripping over some bricks while picking sweet peas in her garden. After it was discovered she had broken her hip, Mary had surgery. This meant that the ever-busy star had to spend a couple of months convalescing, shelving her work and home commitments, while her loved ones rallied round. ‘My daughter, Annabel, and all the family were wonderful and helped out, while I got better,’ says Mary, who had three children with her husband, Paul –…

1 Berries Loaded with disease-fighting anthocyanins, immune-boosting vitamin C and gut-friendly fibre, it’s easy to see why scientists at Tufts University in Boston, US, gave berries the thumbs up in their healthy food research. ‘Berries are naturally sweet and tasty,’ says nutritionist Dr Emma Derbyshire, ‘so it’s very easy to integrate a handful of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries or blackberries into our daily diet.’ TRY THIS A handful of frozen mixed berries heated up with your porridge for breakfast. 2 Tomatoes Raw or as juice is best to preserve nutrients, but lightly cooked is good too. Tomatoes are bursting with lycopene, which studies suggest is linked to a lower risk of heart disease and prostate cancer. Their heart-friendly credentials get a further boost because they’re rich in potassium, and their vitamin…

For you, it might be the death of a loved one or the end of a relationship. For others, it could be retirement or unemployment. For me, it was a combination of all of these. Added to the fact that, like many women in deep middle age, I was facing an empty nest and the nagging feeling that the salt that once seasoned my life had somehow lost its savour. I needed to ‘repot’. After a long career, it was still daunting to uproot from my familiar London life to take on a fellowship in the US. Embarking on any change is demanding, but moving countries, absorbing new cultures and assimilating new disciplines in my mid-60s forced me to navigate a whole new ball game of stress. If, however, like…

Our beautiful market towns are often voted the best places to live in the UK, combining countryside with local amenities. The term originated in the Middle Ages, when small towns were given a historic legal right to host markets. Here are six of the many still thriving today. Bakewell, Derbyshire There has been a market here since at least 1330, after Henry III granted permission for a 15-day fair in the town the previous century. The town is all pretty cottages, cobbled streets and quaint courtyards. The River Wye runs right through town, with its gothic five-arched bridge and beautiful grassy banks lined with willow trees. Now the market takes place in the centre of town every Monday (along with a livestock market), with over 150 stallholders. There’s also a…

The new ‘no fault’ change to divorce law kicks in this month, meaning couples can separate without having to cite a reason. But while divorce may become easier, making sure the finances are divided equally is more difficult. Here are four things to consider. Get on top of your finances Around 54% of women leave investment decisions to their spouses*. If you’re one of them, make it a priority to get an understanding of exactly what you have – and what your partner has too. This is important regardless of whether you are getting divorced, as the vast majority of women live longer than their male spouses, so at some point they will probably need to understand their financial situation. Start by making a list of assets you have, such…

1 GO FOR A BRISK WALK Do this three times a week. Regular exercise helps preserve memories beyond the age of 50, according to a new US study from Pittsburgh University. 2 WEAR A HEARING AID Only if you need one, of course. It may reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, say researchers from Oxford and Ulster Universities. 3 EAT PORRIDGE FOR BREAKFAST Regularly starting your day with a high-fibre meal, such as porridge, can cut your chances of dementia, researchers in Japan found.…

2012 Dawn picked up the glossy travel brochure. ‘I’ve always dreamt of going to India and seeing the Taj Mahal. For me, it’s the most romantic place in the world.’ Harry had taken her hand. ‘I know, sweetheart, but we can’t afford it, not if we want to get a place of our own. We’ll get there one day.’ They ended up going on honeymoon in Palma. The sun shone, the waves lapped. She was with the man she loved, but a tiny part of her wished they’d been able to go to India instead. 2015 ‘You should have seen it, Sis. The Taj Mahal is so much more than the photos. It’s true what they say – you have to be there.’ Dawn swallowed a melon-sized gulp of envy.…

Cool corner A shaded garden is an opportunity to cultivate a selection of plants that enjoy respite from the sun. A woodland pocket can be created with just a small tree or two underplanted with bulbs and perennials, giving a soft, natural look that calms the eye and soothes the soul. It also allows privacy – a cosy retreat for sitting and relaxing. Small trees and shrubs can be container-grown too, so you can try this style on a patio or terrace. Light-filtering trees Look for trees with an open canopy, so light filters through its branches to the ground. A silver birch (Betula pendula) is a great choice – its white limbs reflect light, and its delicate leaves cast pretty patterns of light and shade. Its slim profile allows…

THE STORY SO FAR: Between jobs as a domestic servant in Manchester, Sarah Morton has come back to her parents’ hill farm for a few days. It’s almost lambing time, and when her father’s weak chest leaves him bedbound, Sarah takes on the job of checking the ewes. Her first love turns up – a farmer called Davey. He helps her with a ewe that’s in trouble, and indicates he regrets leaving Sarah for another girl. Sarah is momentarily wistful, but says they can’t turn back the clock. As they part, a horse rider gallops past, a dog at his heels, and splashes them with mud from a puddle. Davey tells her it was Guy, the newly arrived nephew of local, childless widow, Mrs Bradshaw. He sneers that Guy wants…

Seal pups success Blakeney Point Nature Reserve, in Norfolk, saw the birth of its first grey seal pup of the season late last year, and rangers have since been spotting more. The National Trust reserve is now home to the largest seal colony in England, since the first grey seal pup was born there in 1988. This breeding season, around 4,500 new arrivals were expected between November and January. PLAN YOUR EASTER FUN Bodnant Garden’s family-friendly Easter trail in the Conwy Valley, North Wales, runs from 15-18 April. Pick up an activity pack and follow the trail around the garden, doing nature-inspired things along the way. You can claim your Rainforest Alliance chocolate egg (or allergen-free alternative) once you’ve finished. For more info, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/bodnant-garden DID YOU KNOW? Chores lead…

‘It’s so much more than just a pub’ Sally Soady, 63, lives in Bamford, Derbyshire, with her husband John, 65. We’ve lived in the beautiful village of Bamford for 24 years – a perfect, rural location in the heart of the Peak District. For years, the village had two pubs, a shop, GP surgery and post office. ‘It’s evolved to have something for everyone’ The GP surgery closed in 2007, which was a real blow. Then one of the pubs, The Derwent, shut its doors in 2011. When, in 2012, we heard the remaining pub, The Anglers Rest, was up for sale and then shortly afterwards that the post office might close too, locals were devastated. Villages die without facilities, so a group of us called a meeting to discuss…

The inner-ear labyrinth includes the cochlea, which manages hearing, and the vestibular system, controlling balance. In labyrinthitis, symptoms of dizziness, hearing loss and vertigo (a sensation of the world moving around you), ear pressure sensation, ringing (tinnitus), pain, headache, blurred vision, fever and nausea are common. Rarely, fluid leaks from your ear. Often, people diagnosed with labyrinthitis only experience balance problems – this is called vestibular neuronitis, but both terms are used. The cause is usually a viral infection, commonly in adults aged 30 to 60, linked to colds or other viral infections, especially in people with underlying autoimmune conditions. Children under the age of two are more vulnerable to bacterial labyrinthitis, following middle-ear infections or meningitis. Many conditions cause dizziness, so your GP diagnoses labyrinthitis by your symptoms, medical…

I’m organising my affairs Q I’m trying to put my affairs in order, and this includes Power of Attorney documents and choosing the executors of my will. I have three children, two who manage their lives well and one, a dear soul but a bit all over the place. I don’t think he would do a good job. How do I tell him that I’m leaving him out? Name and address withheld A As I read this, the words that stood out were ‘leaving him out’. How would anyone feel about that? What you’re suggesting is that you ask those who are more competent with paperwork to do this. That doesn’t mean you want your third child to lose out in any way. He can be part of the decision-making…

Ezra’s been a poppet, as always,’ Anne said when I arrived at her house to collect my son. On the days I worked, my ex-mother-in-law picked him up from school. She smiled indulgently. ‘He did some drawing and I read him some of the stories. Of course, he wanted his favourite one read twice.’ ‘Thanks, Anne,’ I replied, with a knot of anxiety in my chest, knowing she’d soon be asking what I’d decided to do about the stories. I followed her into the lounge, where my five-year-old was sitting on the floor, intent on building a tower of red Lego bricks. ‘Hello, Poppet,’ I said. He looked up and grinned. ‘Mummy!’ We hugged for a moment before he wriggled away. ‘Did you have a nice day at school?’ He…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr This is an excellent time to create a new stream of income. If you’ve got some ideas, implement them. TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May The way you think influences the results in your life. Make sure you focus on positive thoughts and you should be able to manifest miracles. GEMINI 22 May – 21 Jun You’re likely to be juggling many balls this week. Luckily, you’re a great multitasker. CANCER 22 Jun – 23 Jul If you can concentrate on listening more in all your relationships, you will notice a drastic improvement in their quality. LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug This is the ideal time to sign up for a course or workshop. You might be writing, journalling or publishing a book…