Innholdsfortegnelse for 18-Jul-2023 i Woman's Weekly

Dancing for joy There’s an old coaching inn called the George in Southwark, London, the last survivor of a once-common sight in the capital. It was there, sitting outside in the sun with friends many years ago, that I first witnessed a group of Morris dancers perform. The dancing was fascinating and clearly historic, but I thought it a shame all the dancers were men. Apparently, some of those involved in the Morris dance revival mistook them as a fertility rite and so suggested they were for men only. They were wrong and luckily, things are different now, with lots of female groups around the country. See page 20 for one of them.…

It’s hard to believe that Dame Arlene Phillips has turned 80. Once dubbed the ‘Queen of Mean’ for her plain-speaking, no-nonsense comments when a judge on BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing, Arlene has survived COVID, a stint in the freezing Welsh countryside on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! and, most recently, the loss of her good friend Len Goodman. But choreographer of the dance troupe Hot Gossip, Arlene is still as sprightly and full of verve as when she took the Strictly seat in 2004. So, what’s her secret – is it the surgeon’s knife or a special diet and vitamin regime that gives her that wonderful glow? ‘Everybody tells me how well I look and, to be honest, I haven’t done anything to my face, I’ve just…

I’ve got a superpower. And one of my aims in life as a TV presenter is to encourage other people, with the same superpower, to make full use of it! The power in question is Tourette’s syndrome and I regard it as a gift, rather than a weakness. I discovered, in my mid-teens, that if I focused on something about which I really cared, all the excess energy that would otherwise have come out in the form of tics would be channelled into something I absolutely adored. Back then it was DJing and theatre studies, now it’s podcasts, writing and making TV series The Three Drinkers. In the same way, musicians Lewis Capaldi and Billie Eilish, both of whom have Tourette’s, are able to really focus on their singing and…

‘I hope future generations continue the tradition’ Kerry Fletcher, 60, is the co-artistic director of Folk Dance Remixed. She lives in Maidstone, Kent with her partner Chris, 58. I’ve been Morris dancing since I was a teenager. ‘It’s amazing – I love the feeling of using your whole body, connecting with the dance and the music,’ I tell my friends. ‘It’s such good fun!’ My mother, Dixie Lee, used to run a folk club in Whitstable in the 1970s. It was going well, but she noticed the Morris dancers were all older men and didn’t think this looked great. She thought women could do it just as well, and encouraged their wives and partners to start a side [a Morris team]. My big sister Jo, now 65, was a founding…

3 OF THE... Healthiest breakfasts 1 PORRIDGE OATS Full of vitamins, minerals and soluble fibre to help keep glucose and cholesterol levels low. Oats release energy slowly, keeping you feeling fuller for longer. Add fresh or dried fruit for sweetness, and seeds for fibre and omega 3. 2 FRUIT AND YOGURT Go for Greek yogurt for an extra protein hit, and plenty of berries for their health-boosting antioxidants. 3 NUT BUTTER ON TOAST Nuts are full of antioxidants, potassium, magnesium and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. They also contain high amounts of fibre, especially almonds and hazelnuts. Nut butters are a great way to add protein to your breakfast. SIMPLE TRICKS TO HELP YOUR HAY FEVER SYMPTOMS Phil Day is a pharmacist at Pharmacy2U Although there’s no known cure for…

Craft Difficulty level YOU WILL NEED ✱ 35 fabric squares from a charm pack✱ Two 16x18in pieces of lining fabric✱ Two 16x18in pieces of firm iron-on interlining (optional)✱ Matching sewing thread STOCKISTS Paisley rose charm pack, £14, Sew Hot; sewhot.co.uk NOTE Use ¼in seam allowances and press seams open throughout. 1 Pin and sew nine rows of three squares together with right sides facing. Then join eight of the rows together with right sides facing along the long edges. With wrong sides facing out, pin and sew the last row of three to the base of the bag. 2 To sew the handles, join together a row of four squares, fold in half lengthways and sew as close to the edge as possible. Turn right sides out, press and topstitch…

Knitting Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS To fit bust 82-86 (92-97) (102-107) (112-117)cm/32-34 (36-38) (40-42) (44-46)in. Actual bust measurements 111 (122) (133) (144)cm/43¾ (48) (52¼) (56¾)in. Length to shoulder 60 (62) (64) (66)cm/23½ (24¼) (25) (26)in. Side seam 35 (36) (37) (38) cm/13¾ (14¼) (14½) (15)in. MATERIALS 9 (10) (11) (12) 50g (116m) balls of Sirdar cashmere merino silk DK (75% merino wool, 20% silk, 5% cashmere) in Silver Grey (405)*. Pair each of 3.25mm (No. 10) and 4mm (No. 8) knitting needles; stitch holders. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk TENSION 22 stitches and 28 rows, to 10x10cm, over stocking stitch, using 4mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS Beg, beginning; dec’d, decreased; k, knit; p, purl; patt, pattern; psso, pass slipped st over; rep, repeat; skpo, slip 1 st, k 1 st, pass slipped st…

Wordwise You have 15 minutes to find as many words as possible using the letters in the grid. Each word must contain four or more letters, one of which must be the central square. No proper nouns, plurals or foreign words are allowed. There is one nine-letter word in the grid, for which the clue is: determined. Average = 25 More than 45 = well done LINKWORDS Fit 10 words into the grid so that each links with the end of the word on its left and the beginning of the one on the right. Then unscramble the letters in the shaded squares to make a word. CLUE: A picture made using a camera. Crossword Try the easy or cryptic clues, then rearrange the letters in the shaded squares…

NOTHING’S COOKING When it comes to kitchen skills, it was found most young people can’t stand the heat! A survey* found that while 93% of over 65s in Britain can cook basic meals, only 5% of 18-24 year-olds could come up with something. Sea for yourself! Britain’s weird and wonderful sea life is being celebrated during this year’s National Marine Week (22 July to 6 August), with a whole host of seashore activities around the country. More than 30,000 species live in our waters, from colour-changing cuttlefish (main photo) and Risso’s dolphins (inset) to sea hares and sun stars. See what you can spot on a seashore safari in Yorkshire’s Boggle Hole, picnic with a porpoise on the clifftops of North Wales. Find lots of coast-inspired events near you at…

July is the perfect time of year to see butterflies and day-flying moths, as many are now at the adult stage of their life cycle. These quivering beauties live for around two weeks as adults (although some species live only a couple of days), and are members of the Lepidoptera family, one of our most diverse and fascinating insect orders. Butterflies and moths react quickly to environmental changes, so if you see them in your garden, it’s a great sign of a healthy ecosystem. Here are a few to look out for. Holly Blue This lovely butterfly is a frequent visitor to gardens with holly and ivy, as the flower buds of these plants are a preferred food source for its larvae. Both the males and females have the…

1 FROZEN FACE CREAM Designed to be kept in the freezer prior to use, this gel moisturiser really is as cold as it gets! With amazing de-puffing and hydrating properties, the aloe vera and hyaluronic acid leave the skin refreshed. Skin Proud Frozen Over Gel-to-Ice Hydrator, £16.95, beautybay.com 2 CALMING MOISTURISER Bursting with the soothing ingredients of aloe leaf juice and green tea extracts, this gel moisturiser is a serious complexion calmer. Use it in your morning routine to deeply hydrate your face before you apply make-up. Versed Dew Point Moisturizing Gel-Cream, £13.50, lookfantastic.com 3 GOOD ALL-ROUNDER Packed with potent organic peppermint oil and menthol, this body soap leaves skin tinglingly fresh. Use as a shower gel or a footbath, or for those who have hot flushes, apply during an…

Baked prawns with tomato and feta Our take on the Greek dish prawn saganaki, with its addictive sweet/sour base, juicy prawns and tangy feta, is a doddle to make. SERVES 6-8 PREP 25 mins COOK 12-15 mins ✱ 4-5tbsp extra virgin olive oil✱ 1 red onion, chopped✱ 2 fat garlic cloves, chopped✱ 5cm fresh ginger, grated✱ ½tsp pul biber (Aleppo dried red pepper) or chilli flakes✱ 2tbsp pomegranate molasses✱ 400g tin finely chopped tomatoes✱ 4 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped✱ 50g pitted Kalamata olives, sliced✱ 1tsp dried oregano/marjoram✱ Handful basil leaves, sliced, plus extra small leaves to garnish✱ 2 fresh mint sprigs, leaves sliced✱ Juice 1 lemon✱ 1tsp caster sugar✱ 20-24 sustainable large raw shell-on king/tiger prawns (keep the tails on if they have them)✱ 150g feta YOU WILL NEED ✱ Shallow…

Coping with… A HIP FRACTURE This is a break in the hip joint, usually at the top of the femur bone The hip is a ‘ball and socket’ joint, where the femur head sits in the acetabulum socket of the pelvis. A hip fracture commonly breaks at the top of the femur, rarely involving the socket. Hip fractures are fairly common, affecting 70,000 UK patients annually, 80% of which are aged over 80. They usually occur after a fall, although they can happen in otherwise healthy and independent people. Symptoms include: pain, swelling and bruising around the hip and upper leg; being unable to put weight on or move the affected hip and leg, which may be at an odd angle or shorter…

Her lungs were fit to burst. Her legs couldn’t pedal any further. ‘Come on, Kelly!’ encouraged the cycling leader, who had slowed down to be level with her. ‘You can do this.’ Kelly didn’t answer. She couldn’t. All efforts to speak and breathe at the same time were impossible. It didn’t help that Leonardo was gorgeous, with green eyes that danced delightfully when he talked to you. He had tousled chestnut-brown hair, greying slightly at the sides, with just a hint of stubble on his chin. Arriving at the top of the hill, Kelly could see the rest of the group had already dismounted. Doing likewise, she took off her helmet and ruffled her fringe. Catching her breath, she began to wonder if booking this cycling trip had been a…

Simply splashing Whether you want a still pond or a burbling fountain, a water feature adds a special quality to a garden. On hot, sticky summer days, water cools the air and soothes the soul, while its gentle splashes and gurgles help disguise unwelcome noise, such as traffic. Perfect for dressing up a patio or bringing life to a balcony, there are lots of options, even for pocket-hanky-size places. Blowing bubbles Moving water brings a sense of energy to a space, and its happy, splashy sounds are instantly cheering. One of the easiest to install is a bubble fountain, which pumps water through a narrow spout to create a thin film of water. This is a safe option for young children, takes up minimal space, and will attract thirsty birds…

ARIES 21 MAR – 20 APR You have more options available to you than you may realise. Think outside the box and you’ll come up with some tremendous ideas. TAURUS 21 APR – 21 MAY Now’s the time for meeting new people. If you’re looking for romance, your aspects are looking very encouraging. GEMINI 22 MAY – 21 JUN Studying, teaching and sharing inspirational information is under positive stars. If you step out, you will be well received. CANCER 22 JUN – 23 JUL This week, focus on your home, your environment and the people close to you. Socially, this can be an uplifting time. LEO 24 JUL – 23 AUG You’re ready for new horizons and experiences. Resolve to do everything with your usual Leo panache right now. VIRGO…

Letter of the week Editor of the Future? I have enclosed some photos of my granddaughter Esmee’s (age six) own version of Woman’s Weekly. She loves looking at it, especially the editor’s letter. She made up the crossword, recipe, stories and knitting pattern. We would both love it if you could bring back a serial for children again, like the Robin Family, which my nana used to read to me. I think many grans and mums probably feel the same. PJ Dolby, by email LOOK WHAT I MADE I have spastic paraplegia and do art therapy to take my mind off it. This is a self-portrait I did recently. What do you think? Stefan Badham, Portsmouth Thanks for sharing this, Stefan. We think it’s amazing! SILLY…

F eeling self-conscious about swapping tights and trousers for floaty dresses and shorts? You don’t have to be! With this easy-to-follow eating plan, you could lose up to 5lb in two weeks and shape up your legs. HOW IT WORKS ✱ To blast fat from your body, this diet is calorie-controlled to approximately 1,200 calories a day. ✱ You won’t go hungry, as it contains appetite-curbing lean proteins, along with high-fibre foods, such as wholegrains, which help to fill you up and provide slow-release energy. ✱ The potassium-rich foods in the plan help to de-bloat and lose unwanted puffiness. ✱ Colourful fruit and veg, rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, help to firm and smooth your thighs. WHAT TO DO Have one breakfast, one lunch and one dinner daily.…

LAYER LOOSE AND LIGHTWEIGHT FABRICS This shirt will keep you cool worn untucked over cargo trousers. Check out charity shops for oversized men’s shirts that will look great too. COLOURFUL TWIST The traditional navy-and-white Breton T-shirt has been updated in rainbow colours and looks fabulous with denim. Add a slogan sweatshirt for extra style points. IN THE PINK Flattering three-quarter-length sleeves and vertical stripes will make this dress a favourite. Add a scarf if you prefer to cover your neckline. CONTINENTAL CHIC Team bold stripes with splashes of bright red for a look that will take you from day to night in style. These side-stripe trousers will give you the illusion of slimmer and longer legs.…

We all love a bargain, and a trip to a car boot sale is a great way to save – or even make – a bit of cash. Thousands are held every weekend. More than just a fun day out, they’re a brilliant way to discover vintage and pre-loved gems without breaking the bank. And by recycling someone else’s clutter, you’ll be helping the planet – after all, one person’s trash is another’s sustainable treasure. Make a deal There are two types of sellers – regular traders and declutterers. Traders often sell one type of product, such as tools or electricals, while declutterers usually have a random assortment of household items, clothing, books and bric-a-brac, which you can often pick up for next to nothing. For the best bargains, wait…

We don’t like her new man Q My good friend has found a new partner, which is great for her as she’s been on her own for a while. But my husband and I really don’t like him and we don’t want to meet as couples. I’m very happy just seeing her. I have tried to say something but I probably wasn’t clear enough. I’m not sure what to say. Kelly, Bedfordshire A This is not an easy situation but it sounds like it’s one that needs to be talked about. You should be very clear about the reasons why you and your husband find the relationship difficult and that you’d prefer to put the couple relationship on hold for the moment. I dare…

Books Summer Wedding by Sarah Morgan (£8.99, PB, HarperCollins) Bestselling author Catherine Swift lives in her own fictional world. Elder daughter, Adeline, is an aloof clinical psychologist-cum-advice columnist, while younger daughter and half-sister, Cassie, is an aspiring writer. When Catherine invites the girls to her Corfu home to attend her fourth wedding, bottled-up emotions surface and force Catherine to disclose some hidden truths. But can they now find the harmony they seek and become a cohesive family? A beautiful read. The Cassandra Complex by Holly Smale (£14.99, HB, Cornerstone) Cassandra Dankworth has had a very bad day. Her boyfriend’s broken up with her, she’s lost her job and she’s having one of her complete meltdowns. The world she works tirelessly to curate just so is crumbling – that is, until…

You might remember that my little sister Deb has a new chap: an estate agent called Mark. They met when he was visiting a flat in her block and, knowing a good thing when she sees it, she invited him in for a coffee. In terms that he might understand, Mark is a medium-sized property dating from the latter half of the 20th century. He is generally in good condition with a fine thatch, and there is scope for future development. I know this because Deb feels able to invite people round to his place for dinner, so Tom and I duly slipped into our ‘going out to dinner’ togs and presented ourselves on his doorstep one Saturday evening. Chateau Mark is one of those Edwardian terrace houses with stained…