Innholdsfortegnelse for 10-May-2022 i Woman's Weekly

Beavering away The reintroduction of beavers into the UK has not been without controversy – many farmers and fishermen were initially resistant to what they felt were unknown consequences of their reappearance after more than 400 years. However, the public and many beaver experts were strongly in favour, and they are now to be found on many rivers around the country (in truth, perhaps often released under cover, without official approval). These predominantly nocturnal creatures are hard to spot but Devon’s River Otter, in particular, has a substantial population – see page 38 for more details on where to see them and other wildlife. Editor geoffrey.palmer@futurenet.com…

Building drystone walls Emma Knowles, aka Stone of Arc, is a drystone waller from Yorkshire who works in both the UK and Australia. It’s a joy working outdoors and creating structures that blend seamlessly with the environment. Dry stone wall methods have been developed over thousands of years, and the walls exist in perfect harmony with nature. It’s all about physics: carefully placing each stone so it maximises friction and gravitational forces to hold it together. Growing up in Yorkshire, I was surrounded by drystone walls. But it took a journey around the world for me to rediscover them. When I was travelling in Australia working on farms, I was asked whether, being British, I could build a drystone wall. I couldn’t at that time, but the spark was lit.…

Hearing the stories of how so many lives have been changed as a result of the charity she and her late husband Ian set up is overwhelming, but a wonderful legacy in his memory, says Jenifer. Ian was diagnosed with heart failure in 2003, his condition so severe doctors only gave him two months to live. But after travelling to Germany for pioneering stem-cell treatment, he lived another three years and devoted himself to establishing the Heart Cells Foundation, so others in the UK could also access the therapy. ‘Ian was a positive, tenacious person, and thanks to this stem-cell treatment, we had another three amazing years together,’ says Jenifer, 79, who lives in London. ‘His treatment cost £5,000 18 years ago, but it wasn’t available in the UK –…

Skomer, Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales Pembrokeshire is home to the largest colony of puffins in southern Britain. Around 31,000 of these extraordinary birds make their home on the island of Skomer. Thanks to the work of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, the species population is actually growing every year. They’re best spotted between May and July, after they’ve returned to their nesting sites. As well as these colourful birds, Skomer is also home to Atlantic grey seals, dolphins, porpoises, gannets and fulmars. Where to stay The island is perfect for a day trip (check sailing times on 01646 636800), so stay nearby at Roch Castle (above left), which has beautiful views across St Bride’s Bay towards Skomer; rochcastle.com Eilean Shona, Inner Hebrides, Scotland There are about 400 pairs…

As Maddie’s best friend, little did I know just how strained our relationship was to become. Thrown into the mix were her daughter Carly, and Vincent Poole – womaniser personified. Carly, a bright young woman, lives and works out of town doing very nicely for herself in advertising, working hard and climbing the ranks. However, as Carly’s godmother, I have a responsibility, especially when Maddie needs her daughter most. And Carly really wasn’t delivering, which was confirmed during a particular phone call between us regarding her mother. Maddie was just about to star in her first stage production at our local theatrical society. It had taken a lot to persuade her to join. And now her daughter couldn’t find the time to come to the show – which was running…

The wonders of wetlands Did you know that wetlands are the most biodiverse habitat on earth? They support 40% of wildlife yet cover just 6% of its surface. That’s why the National Garden Scheme has teamed up with the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) to promote the importance of water in nature. The WWT’s aim is to raise awareness of the role garden wetlands can play in reducing climate change. You can do your bit by creating a small pond in your garden – it will boost biodiversity and you’ll soon spot some new visitors! Explore wwt.org.uk to find out more. BIRD CALL Anna Petrie from Merseyside is one of 12 amateur wild bird photographers who won a national photography competition run by retailer Wilko earlier this year. Her adorable…

Oily or dry? Pimply or wrinkly? Worrying about the state of your skin is the first important step to giving it the TLC it needs. But don’t stop at your face. Your skin is your body’s largest organ. Accounting for about 15% of your total body weight, it performs multiple vital processes – from storing water, fat, glucose and vitamin D to regulating the body’s temperature and protecting you from infections and harm from ultraviolet rays. As summer approaches, you may think of looking at your moles and freckles to notice any changes. It’s something we should be doing all year round, but people often forget about mole checks during winter, says dermatologist Dr Adam Friedmann of Stratum Dermatology Clinics. ‘If you’re not in the habit, start now. Do it…

My fail-safe remedy Rest! But it really depends on the issue. I have a remedy for everything. If I could bathe in lavender and chamomile, I would – I just find scent so emotionally powerful. I’m a cold bath person, and cryotherapy is amazing for lots of things – inflammation, mood, energy. I was raised on Rescue Remedy for anxiety. Fresh air and a good walk by water is a cure for a lot of mental unrest. My favourite meal A roast dinner… Because not only is there an amazing mix of flavours, generally, there’s also a huge variety of fresh vegetables. We don’t do meat and two veg. We’re more of a meat and eight veg type of family. It’s a solid healthy meal, topped off with family time…

I’m anxious in crowds Q I really struggle with large groups of people; they make me very anxious. My new partner has a large extended family and they get together a few times throughout the year. I went along once and felt ill, and we had to leave early. Every time we get an invitation, he pleads with me to come. I’m not doing this to be difficult. I did recently go to my daughter’s wedding, which I found hard, but I stuck it out. He says I could do that for him. Bryony, Preston A If you’re a person who likes a crowd and manages it easily, it can be hard to accept that, for some, this is really difficult. Many extroverts thrive on these kinds of occasions, while…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr Trust your intuition and your hunches this week. You are receiving invisible guidance, which can be very valuable. TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Go cautiously and carefully before committing. GEMINI 22 May – 21 Jun Financially you may be going through changes. Follow your heart and you will find new opportunities that are very rewarding. CANCER 22 Jun – 23 Jul You have many gifts yet to explore. Resolve to spend a little time every day focusing on something you enjoy. LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug This is a wonderful time for anything social. It can be in person or online. You’re ready to meet new and exciting people. VIRGO 24…

1 Lift daffodils If you have overcrowded clumps of daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs, dig them up – don’t pull on the leaves – and gently divide and replant them. 2 Protect potatoes Earth up your potato plants to prevent sunlight reaching the tubers. If it does, they’ll turn green and poisonous. 3 Split hostas Any well-established hostas can be divided as they start to grow now. Tease the roots apart with your hands. Dunk in water for 5-10 minutes and replant.…

Collections, such as stamps, are usually ordered, tidied away but accessible. Hoards, on the other hand, are usually disorganised, cluttering living space. Items, often of little monetary value and considered rubbish by others, become largely inaccessible. Hoarding affects around one in 50 people, both sexes, and often worsens with age, becoming a problem when living space is overtaken, interfering with everyday life. The clutter causes significant distress, and reduced quality of life for the person or their family. Frequently the hoarder doesn’t see the problem, being unaware how it affects those around them. The reasons behind hoarding aren’t straightforward. There may be mobility problems leading to difficulties clearing acquired clutter, learning disabilities or dementia, causing indecision categorising or disposing of items. Associated mental health problems include depression, psychoses, schizophrenia and…

Emma didn’t usually have trouble getting to sleep. Normally, she went out like a light as soon as her head touched the pillow. But she just couldn’t drift off on Friday the 13th because the events of the day kept playing back in her mind. It had been a terrifying day. She’d been plagued with palpitations, and she’d been right when she’d woken up in the morning imagining something would happen – because something always happened on Friday the 13th. One year, she dented the bumper of her car when she’d accidentally reversed into a bollard. Another time, she tripped over a paving slab and sprained her ankle. But this time, the events of the day had been life-changing! She’d taken the day off work and wished she could just…

The A-team The popularity of alliums has skyrocketed over the past few years, thanks to their regular appearances in the show gardens at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Most varieties flower in late spring to early summer, when their tall stems and spherical flower heads make a striking visual statement. The long-lasting blooms look good even as they fade and form seed heads. And, as they are perennial, most alliums come back year after year. Cover up By the time alliums are in flower, their grey-green, strappy leaves are dying back and looking tatty. So plant the bulbs among lower-growing plants to disguise fading foliage. Try fleshy-leaved sedums and broad-leaved hostas to contrast with ramrod-straight allium stems. Or create colour contrasts with other perennials, like acid-green lady’s mantle (Alchemilla mollis),…

THE STORY SO FAR: Since losing the beloved parents she’d cared for, Ava has been living with her sister Sophie. While she tries to find work and get back on her feet, Sophie’s husband Simon has another agenda – to marry Ava off to one of his work cronies. On the eve of her wedding to Morris, a man she doesn’t love, she feels trapped into a future that’s the opposite of everything she ever dreamed of. Seeking comfort from memories, she flicks through a photo album of holidays spent at Hydrangeas, the cottage on the Cornish coast that’s been in her family for generations. Remembering how happy she had been there, Ava realises it’s the only place she wants to be. Just hours before her marriage ceremony, she tries…