Innholdsfortegnelse for 5-Dec-2023 i Woman's Weekly

Meeting Dame Mary “When I first joined Woman’s Weekly, back in the days before electric light and the motor car, one of my first jobs was to go on a photo shoot for our forthcoming Christmas food feature. That year, we had asked Mary Berry (who though a well-known cookery author, was not yet a TV star) to be our guest chef, and the shoot was to take place at her Buckinghamshire village home. I arrived to discover that not only was her house and garden enchanting, but more importantly, Mary turned out to be every bit as delightful as she later revealed herself to be on The Great British Bake Off. If you like Mary too, turn to page 8.”…

“Being presented to royalty is not something I ever thought would happen – especially when I was a relatively unknown American writer. It all came about in the autumn of 1990. I was a full-time employee in the chief medical examiner’s office – a place where I could observe autopsies – when the phone rang. It was my agent informing me that I had won a best first crime novel award (the Creasey Award) in Great Britain, and it was to be presented by Princess Margaret. I hung up and rushed downstairs. The chief examiner was in the middle of an autopsy – literally with a pair of forceps in his hand – when I rushed in to tell him and others the news. Do you think anyone gave a…

Tropical pavlova with Malibu cream A twist on a family favourite, this simple dessert adds a delightful splash of colour to the dinner table. SERVES 8-10 PREP 30 mins COOK 1 hr 30 mins, plus 4-5 hrs cooling ✱ 6 large free-range egg whites ✱ 330g caster sugar ✱ ½tsp cream of tartar ✱ 1tsp white wine vinegar ✱ 1tbsp cornflour FOR THE TOPPING ✱ 300ml double cream ✱ 3tbsp Malibu ✱ Pulp 2 ripe passion fruits ✱ 3tbsp passion fruit/orange curd ✱ 1 ripe mango, peeled and cut into slices ✱ 2tbsp toasted coconut flakes 1 Heat the oven to 180C Fan/Gas 6. Draw a 23cm diameter circle on a sheet of baking paper and place this drawing down onto a baking tray. 2 Whisk the egg whites to…

ADVICE FROM OUR WOMAN’S WEEKLY DOCTOR Tourette’s starts during childhood, more often in boys and in people with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or learning difficulties. The cause is unknown, but may be linked to the brain area that helps regulate body movements. The main symptoms are tics and other symptoms, which usually improve after several years, sometimes going away completely. Physical tics include blinking, eye rolling, grimacing, shoulder shrugging, jerking of head or limbs, jumping, touching objects and other people. Vocal tics involve grunting/throat clearing, whistling, coughing, tongue clicking, animal sounds, saying random words or repeating a sound. Swearing is rarer, affecting one in 10 with Tourette’s. Symptoms may worsen with stress, anxiety, tiredness or general illness. Tics aren’t usually harmful but physical tics, such…

As soon as Joe walked into the department store, he felt unsettled. Where to start, that was the question. He’d put off buying Laura’s Christmas present, hoping inspiration might strike. Today might be his last chance. A voice snapped him out of his daydream. ‘Are you OK, sir? You’ve been standing there for several minutes.’ He turned to see a woman wearing a ridiculous elf costume. Her green eyes were almost as bright as her outfit. He put his brain back into gear. ‘I’m fine, thanks. I need to get a Christmas present for my girlfriend but I have no clue what to buy.’ The elf grinned. ‘It’s my job to help shoppers find whatever they need. Let’s grab a coffee and I’ll see what I can come up with.’…

FAIRY-TALE TRAIL Along with its magical light trail and an artisan Christmas market, Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire has reimagined the story of Sleeping Beauty as part of its seasonal celebrations. Visit the Evil Fairy’s lair – complete with toads, see a kitchen frozen in time, and enjoy the sight of the Lilac Fairy watching over Aurora. ✱ blenheimpalace.com/christmas Going wild A monumental series of animal sculptures in London, which is playful but compelling, draws our attention to the threats faced by the world’s wildlife, and how we can help preserve its wonders. Artists Gillie and Marc imagine an elephant, giraffe, gorilla, polar bear and other endangered species joining us in our own lives, as they engage with ‘Rabbitwoman’ and ‘Dogman’ in games and activities. ✱ In association with the Zoological…

St Davids Cathedral St Davids is the smallest city in Britain and its 12th-century cathedral has one of the most beautiful locations, tucked into a hillside in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The building is named after the patron saint of Wales, born nearby. This year, festive music includes a Christmas Spectacular (9 December), Handel’s Messiah (16 December) and the Nine Lessons and Carols service (22 December). ‘We are the only choir in the country to have a main soprano line of females aged between eight and 18,’ says Ben Richards, the cathedral’s music administrator. ✱ stdavidscathedral.org.uk BELFAST CATHEDRAL Every night the spire, which soars to about 39m above the roof of the Cathedral Church of St Anne, is illuminated, shining across the capital city. This is no ordinary spire,…

1 Aveda Botanical Repair Strengthening Essentials Light, £45, John Lewis & Partners Aveda’s bestselling shampoo, conditioner and treatment mask will help restore partied-out hair. 2 Julien Macdonald Lip Wardrobe Lipstick Trio, £14, Boots One for the friend you never see without their lippy, this simple set includes pinky nude, deep nude and classic red lipsticks. 3 Elemis From Frangipani with Love Tropical Shower & Body Duo, £45, cultbeauty.co.uk Worth £58 if purchased separately, these heroes from Elemis will transform a morning shower into a spa-like experience. 4 Trinny London Evening Icons Set, £49, trinnylondon.comTrinny London’s iconic stacks are perfect for popping in your party clutch. This one holds a shimmering gold shadow, a rosy lip topper and a handy mirror. 5 Q+A Festive Favourites Skincare Gift Set, £19, sephora.co.ukThis set…

Help! I’m sick of dieting Q I am a yo-yo dieter. I put on weight and then lose it by following the latest fad diet. But after a few months it’s back on again. I feel so much better when I am slimmer but don’t seem to be able to stay at the lower weight. I’m sick of dieting and would like to find a way to not have to keep doing it. Kath, Preston A Maintaining a healthy body weight isn’t easy for many people. As you’re someone who is prone to gaining weight, you have to eat in a sensible, considered way, otherwise your weight will yo-yo. From what you’ve said, it sounds that you haven’t changed your eating habits but lurch from one style to another. Fad diets won’t help…

Books The Girls Left Behind by Emily Gunnis (£8.99, PB, Headline) Police Superintendent Jo Hamilton is about to retire when the cobwebs of two distressing cold-case deaths converge. Forty years ago, as a young PC, her suspicions were ignored by senior, misogynistic colleagues, who she believed were covering up evidence. Now, with only days to go before stepping down, she’s determined to expose the truth about how two young girls from the same children’s home died in tragic circumstances. A compelling but heartbreaking tale of cruelty, loss and betrayal. The First 48 Hours by Simon Kernick (£20, HB, Headline) Who are The Vanishers? Why did the National Crime Agency (NCA) demote DI ‘Fish’ Fisher, and how far is lawyer Becca Barraclough prepared to go to save her daughter? Two days…

Letter of the week Cardigan twin I just wanted to comment on Hannah Fisher’s letter and picture in a recent issue [5 September]. The cardigan her nanny knitted her is from the same pattern my nanny used to knit me one, back in about 1952! Mine was in blue with little flower buttons. In those days, when you outgrew something, you took the buttons off and unpicked the garment so you could reuse the wool. Recycling is not new! I still have the buttons in the button box I inherited from my mum. I hope Hannah continues her nanny’s tradition. Thank you for rekindling some fond memories. Doreen Kennett, by email PAWS FOR THOUGHT This is my grandpup Arlo. He has been a brave boy at the vets and thinks…

KEEP A HEADACHE DIARY ‘It’s important to know what your triggers are,’ says Dr Kiran Johal from Vitality healthcare. Avoiding them will help you avoid pain. Common food triggers include caffeine, alcohol, cheese, chocolate, gluten and citrus fruits. PILE ON THE PRESSURE There’s an acupressure point on your shoulder that, when pressed, helps to relax the tense head and neck muscles, and stimulate your vagus nerve, says acupressure practitioner Fran McElwaine. ‘Find it by placing your little finger on the side of your neck and your other fingers along the ridge of your shoulder, with your elbows touching in front of you. Roughly where the middle finger lands is the point you need to stimulate, and it will feel tender under your skin.’ GIVE YOURSELF A HEAD MASSAGE Step under…

Having dropped out of school with no qualifications at the age of 15, then falling pregnant at 21, Pauline Buchan found herself alone and terrified – until a health visitor introduced her to The Family Cottage Centre in Fife. As a scared single mum, it took her weeks to even to enter the place. She certainly never imagined that she would end up working there, helping hundreds of other vulnerable families – or being the brainchild behind one of its most successful schemes: The Big Hoose Project. ‘My relationship with my parents broke down when I was 13 and I became a looked-after child,’ Pauline, 48, from Kirkcaldy, remembers. ‘I dropped out of school, got into a bad relationship and fell pregnant.’ After giving birth, rather than the all-encompassing rush…

3 REASONS TO... Exercise with friends 1 MORE MOTIVATION ‘Friends are value support systems, motivating you to stay on track, says Dean Zweck, fitness expert at Total Fitness. You’re more likely to stick with it if you’re having fun. 2 MORE ACCOUNTABILITY If you’ve arranged to go to a class with a friend, you’ll likely not want to let them down. ‘Making plans together creates a sense of responsibility, motivating you to show up and participate,’ says Dean. 3 IT BOOSTS YOUR MOOD Socialising with others is great for your mental, as well as your physical, health. You can also both cheer each other on with support for your fitness goals, as well as sharing stress and letting off steam. NEWSFLASH Hot yoga may help to beat depression One session…

DUNELM M&S JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS…

LATE FIREWORKS Chrysanthemums still flower in November and December, giving a final whiz-bang to borders. For extra sizzle, try bronze-orange ‘Apollo’ (H. 60cm), glowy purple-pink ‘Bretforton Road’ (H. 65cm), or ‘Rumpelstilzchen’ (H. 70cm), red with gold markings. These perennials enjoy a sunny, sheltered spot in fertile soil. Hardy down to -5C, a thick layer of mulch or cloche cover will protect them at lower temperatures. PLANT DIVISION Crowded perennials, like agapanthus, benefit from being divided now. Not only will this improve their flowering but it creates extra plants to use elsewhere or share with friends. Lever up a clump with a fork, then use a sharp knife to separate into sections – those at the edge of the plant are healthiest. Pot on the divisions or replant direct in the…

Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS Length 35cm Width 26cm MATERIALS 4 x 20g (43m) balls of Sirdar Happy Cotton DK (100% cotton) in White (Dolly 761), 2 balls in Green (Wicket 781) and 1 ball in each of Red (Lippy 789), Brown (Cookie 777), Yellow (Quack 788), Navy (School Days 758) and Purple (Currant Bun 756)*. Size 4mm crochet hook; 30cm dowel or knitting needle for hanging; thin ribbon; tapestry needle. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk TENSION 20 stitches and 21 rows to 10x10cm, over double crochet, using 4mm hook. ABBREVIATIONS Ch, chain; dc, double crochet; st(s), stitch(es). NOTES Change colour on the last yarn round hook of the previous stitch. Yarn amounts are based on average requirements and are approximate. BACKGROUND With 4mm hook and White, make 52ch. 1st row (right…

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, plural words are allowed. There is one nine-letter word in the grid, for which the clue is: Range of frequencies. Average = 8 More than 16 = well done SUDOKU To solve this puzzle, fill in the grid so that each 3 x 3 box, each row and each column contains the numbers 1-9. 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…

Horoscopes ARIES 21 MAR – 20 APR Confidence, courage and fearlessness are all qualities you should cultivate, then your self-esteem will blossom. TAURUS 21 APR – 21 MAY Patience is your keyword now. If you can remember to breathe and trust in the rhythms of life, you’ll remain calm and strong. GEMINI 22 MAY – 21 JUN Financially, you may receive some good news. Stay alert, as opportunities are all around you, some potentially lucrative. CANCER 22 JUN – 23 JUL This is a wonderful time for developing your existing skills, or for exploring new ones. Your creativity is waiting to shine. LEO 24 JUL – 23 AUG Your magnetic personality has the ability to attract everything you ever wanted. Set clear intentions, visualise strongly, and the magic will begin.…

‘We desperately need a man,’ said Mrs Beasley, the manager of our charity shop. ‘Speak for yourself,’ said my colleague Wendy, which was quite brave, as Mrs B is renowned across five counties for having no sense of humour. We’d just closed the shop, and were sitting in the storeroom enjoying a quiet cup of coffee and some jam doughnuts. ‘That’s not what I meant,’ snapped Mrs B. ‘It’s all very well saying that,’ I chipped in, ‘but where are we going to find one? They never seem to last.’ ‘That’s men all over,’ said Wendy. Isn’t she a wag? ‘Thank you, we do know who Nigel Lawson was’ In case you’re wondering what we’re talking about – and who can blame you? – we have decided to embrace charity…