Innholdsfortegnelse for 30-Jan-2024 i Woman's Weekly

Tea and cosy "A lot of rain falls over our islands, and generally that’s a good thing; we wouldn’t have such a green and fertile landscape if it didn’t. But particularly in the winter, I’m especially enthusiastic about bright sunny days, in spite of the fact they’re usually accompanied by a drop in temperature, because the sharp light of the sun at this time of year is surprisingly uplifting. It’s also the perfect weather for walking, with the promise of a cosy cup of tea by the fire when you get back. And isn’t the contrast of the cold and the cosy one of the best things about winter? If you agree, have a look at page 38 for a selection of cosy UK hotels, perfect for a winter getaway."…

Letter of the week Tribute to Granny Before my granny Diana Whitmarsh passed away in June 2023, she knitted my girls these two dresses from a pattern in Woman’s Weekly. She always said she wanted to send it into your letters page. The morning I put them on my girls for the first time, I took this photo to show her, but then I found out that afternoon she had passed away. She never got to see them in the dresses, so I wanted to fulfil her wish and send the photo in to be published in her memory. Charlotte Ceely, by email PAWS FOR THOUGHT This is our cat Poppy when we rescued her seven years ago. I am now 87 and Poppy is my constant companion, except for…

Want to spend less money? Then we could do worse than look to our grandparents for inspiration, but with the help of modern technology. Reducing our food waste is a great way to save, and it has the advantage of lowering our impact on the environment. The cost of food waste Food waste is a big problem. In the UK, 60% of food waste comes from our homes – and this means we’re chucking money in the bin. The average UK family could save £1,000 per year by not throwing so much food away, says the campaign group Love Food Hate Waste. You can find advice on its website atlovefoodhatewaste.com, but there are also easy-to-use smartphone apps that can help. Too good to waste On the Too Good To Go…

I’ve been demoted Q I work for a charity as an assistant to the chief executive officer. The old CEO left recently and a new person has been appointed. They’re just giving me menial tasks to do rather than the work I was doing before. When I asked why, I was told I had moved above my station with the former CEO but now just needed to do my job. I like the other people here so I don’t want to leave, but I’m not sure what I can do. Name and address withheld A Sadly, when new people come in to lead an organisation, they can shape their role and the role of their assistant in whichever way they want. If they’ve decided that your job is to do what…

BALLET EXTRAVAGANZA The Varna International Ballet and Orchestra brings a glittering repertoire of classics – The Nutcracker (pictured above), Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake – to theatres throughout the UK until the end of February. With sumptuous costumes, sets and music, Swan Lake will be presented in the original 1877 version, created by Tchaikovsky for the Bolshoi Ballet. ✱ raymondgubbay.co.uk Do the Charleston Twentieth-century artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant have been honoured with an English Heritage blue plaque at 46 Gordon Square, the London home in Bloomsbury they shared. But much of their most innovative work was created in Charleston, the Sussex house they moved to in 1916. Here they were visited by other members of the Bloomsbury set, including Vanessa’s sister Virginia Woolf. Charleston is full of paintings…

Whenever Gaynor Faye has a conundrum, she knows where to turn for help – to her late mother, celebrated screenwriter Kay Mellor, who died suddenly in May 2022. ‘I hear my mum’s voice all the time,’ says former Emmerdale star Gaynor, 52, speaking to Woman’s Weekly. ‘I often think, “What would Mum do?” It’s my initial thought whenever I’m wondering about something. And when I’m working at Rollem [the production company Kay founded] and something comes up, everybody’s like, “What would Kay do?” And yes, we often get the answer!’ Kay’s untimely death at just 71 shocked the showbiz world – she was the creator of some of Britain’s most iconic TV dramas, including Fat Friends, Band of Gold, In the Club and The Syndicate. Kay kept her family close…

"As an actor and writer, you can always improve your craft, and the more acting you do, you realise that less is more. Often I’ll be asked by a director to stare at a mark on a wall, then walk off again. It’s actually part of film theory. Behaving in a uninflected way on screen is vivid for the audience. The more you try to act, the less convincing it is. Of course, acting is a hard profession to break into because you can’t get good until you do it, but you often can’t get work until you’re experienced. I started out in the late 1980s by doing as much live performance as I could, and performing comedy with my friend Alexander Armstrong after meeting outside a World Party gig…

Making her way onstage ready to address an audience of hundreds as a motivational speaker, 42-year-old Geraldine can feel the rush of adrenaline and the tingle of nerves. But she’s confident and excited to be sharing her story. After all, public speaking is something she never envisaged she would, or could, ever do. ‘I was just two years old when I was hospitalised with measles in 1983, and I suffered a life-threatening allergic reaction to penicillin,’ says mum-of-four Geraldine McGrath from Enniskillen in Northern Ireland. ‘Although I was too young to remember, I’m told that for 40 hours my life hung in the balance. My head and tongue swelled up, and I was lucky to make a miraculous recovery. The swelling went away, but I struggled with movement of my…

EASY WAYS TO WINTER-PROOF YOUR GUT HEALTH Good gut health is key to whole body health, because it feeds into your mood, immune system, energy levels and skin health. Follow these easy steps to help your gut bacteria thrive: ✱ Drink and move more Shorter, colder days mean we move less and drink less water, which can cause bloating, constipation and damage to gut bacteria, affecting our immunity. ✱ Take vitamin D I don’t usually advocate supplements but vitamin D is different. We can’t get enough from food or sunlight in winter and it’s now being strongly linked with good gut health. ✱ Pack in the plants Aim to eat 30 varieties a week, including nuts, seeds, wholegrains, herbs and spices, as well as fruit and veg. The fibre they…

Difficulty level YOU WILL NEED To cover a standard rectangular tissue box, measuring 9.5x11.5x23cm ✱ 56x80cm patterned cotton fabric✱ 56x80cm medium-weight fusible interfacing✱ 20cm of 1.5mm wide corded elastic✱ 1.5cm wide buttons✱ Matching thread✱ Hand-sewing needle 1 Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric. Draw two rectangles, each measuring 38.5x55cm, on the interfacing side, and cut out. Then cut out 13.5x15.5cm sections at each corner, taking 15.5cm from the longer edge each time. 2 Pin the pieces, right sides together. Cut the corded elastic into two 10cm lengths. Fold in half, then sandwich in between the pieces along one of the long edges and approximately 6cm in from the edges. Sew all the way around the edge with a 6mm seam allowance and leaving a 6cm gap…

Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS To fit ages 0-3 (3-6) (6-12) months. Actual chest 55.5 (57) (61)cm/21¾ (22½) (24)in. Length to shoulder 26 (28) (31)cm/10¼ (11) (12¼)in. Sleeve length 13 (16) (19)cm/5 (6¼) (7½)in. MATERIALS 3 (3) (4) 50g (112m) balls of West Yorkshire Spinners Bo Peep Luxury Baby DK (52% wool, 48% nylon) in White (Fluffy Clouds 1063) and 1 (1) (1) ball in Blue (Raindrop 460)*. Pair each of 3.25mm (No. 10), 3.75mm (No. 9) and 4mm (No. 8) knitting needles; stitch holders; 2 buttons. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk. TENSION 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10x10cm, over stocking stitch, using 4mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS Inc, increase (by working twice into the same st); k, knit; p, purl; skpo, slip 1, k1, pass slipped stitch over (to decrease 1 st);…

Books Miss Austen Investigates by Jessica Bull (£16.99, HB, Penguin) Keen intelligence, sharp wit and a fierce loyalty to her family combine to recast Jane Austen as an indefatigable detective in this sparkling new novel – the first of a series. A hideous murder is discovered during a glamorous country house ball, but the local gentry seem oddly reluctant to find the culprit. Jane’s having none of it, especially when her own beloved brother is implicated. Woven through with fascinating insights into our heroine’s real life and loves, this is a brilliant debut that does Jane justice. The Search Party by Hannah Richell (£16.99, HB, Simon & Schuster) If you met your oldest friends today, would you still want to be mates with them? When Annie and Max invite their…

Horoscopes ARIES 21 MAR – 20 APR This is a wonderful time for reassessing your life. You may be making some big changes, which will be beneficial. TAURUS 21 APR – 21 MAY You may be busy with many different commitments. Pace yourself, take your time and think carefully before you act. GEMINI 22 MAY – 21 JUN Your social life may be picking up, especially in person rather than online. If you are willing to reach out to new people, your world will improve greatly. CANCER 22 JUN – 23 JUL Listen to your intuitive voice. If you are facing big decisions, take time out in seclusion and you will receive answers. LEO 24 JUL – 23 AUG This is a great time for pursuing your creative gifts. Give…

The words ‘slug’ and ‘gardener’s friend’ rarely occur in the same sentence; indeed slugs and snails regularly take the top spot as the most significant pest in UK gardens. And yet, there is one rather handsome mollusc that not only tidies our gardens by feeding on unwanted dead organic matter, but also predates those voracious slugs that devour the fresh green shoots of perennials and newly planted seedlings. Leopard slugs are quite distinctive and unique in their appearance. Their light brown, slimy bodies are covered in patterned spots at the front and broken lines of stripes at the back. Look for them as soon as the weather warms up. My garden week Having weeded a small patch in my sunny herbaceous border, I planted a trio of lily bulbs, which…

Every year around 25 January, people celebrate the birth of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns. The first Burns Night supper was held in 1801 at his family home five years after his death. It’s since become an annual celebration of all things Scottish. Here, we lift the lid on six fabulous Scottish makers. Snuggle up With whisky in hand, get snuggly with a Katherine Cowtan scarf. Katherine, 61, moved to Scotland over 20 years ago, and takes the hilly landscape surrounding her home in Fintry, Stirlingshire as her inspiration. ‘The variety of colour changes through the seasons and even throughout the day are what influence my designs,’ says Katherine, who trained and worked in textile art before focusing on painting. The designer’s website features her latest collection, made with silk…

1 GENTLE GEL Calming, hydrating, plumping and softening, this gel-based face cream does it all. The vegan formula contains a soothing mix of niacinamide and green tea, which instantly reduces redness and inflammation, as well as being deeply hydrating. BYOMA Moisturizing Gel Cream, £11.99, Boots 2 NOURISHING BALM Dissolve make-up gently with this rich cleansing balm that melts into your skin. Packed with vegan-friendly ingredients, such as oatmeal and oat oil, this soothing balm reduces irritation, and removes make-up, dirt and grime effectively. The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm, £11.99, Boots 3 ALL-OVER OINTMENT Nourish your body from head to toe with this multipurpose vegan shea butter balm. Use on lips, nails, sunburn, dry skin and more. It can be shared with the entire family, and is a handy size…

Tomato, pepper and basil soup Is there anything more inviting than a warm mug of tomato soup? Topped with crisp croutons and basil leaves, it’s irresistible. SERVES 4 PREP 10 mins COOK 30 mins ✱ 3 red peppers, chopped✱ 2 small red onions, cut into wedges✱ 2 garlic cloves, crushed✱ 2tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling✱ ½ltr vegetable stock✱ 500g passata✱ 2tbsp sun-dried tomato paste✱ 1tbsp granulated sugar✱ Handful basil leaves and pinch chilli flakes, to serve FOR THE CROUTONS ✱ 2 thick slices of bread (we used sourdough)✱ 1tbsp olive oil✱ 50g Parmesan, finely grated 1 Heat the oven to 180C Fan/Gas 6. In a roasting tin, toss the peppers, onions and garlic with the oil. Roast for 30 mins until charring. 2 Tip into a blender with…

ADVICE FROM OUR WOMAN’S WEEKLY DOCTOR It’s a normal emotion and most people feel anger at some time, but if it’s uncontrolled, affecting life, work and relationships, you need to recognise the fact and seek help. It may relate to other negative emotions, stress, anxiety or depression. Anger causes various symptoms, affecting how you feel physically or mentally, or how you behave. Some people become aggressive towards others, some hide their anger, even taking it out on themselves. It’s not always easy to recognise the reason why you’re behaving differently. Physical symptoms include rapid heartbeat, faster breathing, chest tightness, tense muscles, clenching fists, and feeling hot, flushed and sweaty. Mental ones include feeling tense, unable to relax, being easily irritated, feeling humiliated and resenting others, leading to behavioural changes, such…

Superior interiors Welcoming houseplants into your home is an easy way to add style, colour and a calming vibe. Not only do plants create a verdant oasis, with leaf shapes in pleasing shapes and textures, they bring other benefits too, such as lifting our mood and sharpening concentration. Plus, they can filter pollutants from the air and raise humidity, combating the effects of dry air. Tumbling jungle Nail that rainforest feel with plants that, in their wild habitat, trail from tree nooks or scramble from the jungle floor up to the light. Let them tumble from hanging baskets and lofty shelves, or coax around a mossy pole and along wall hooks to dramatic effect. ✱ Satin pothos (Scindapsus pictus*) Has velvety, apple-green leaves flecked with silver. Likes bright, indirect light.…

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: Fused, blended. Average = 15 More than 35 = 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: In short, the chief finance minister of the UK. Crossword Try the easy or cryptic clues, then rearrange letters in the…

‘You’ll never guess what,’ said my little sister Debs. We were having coffee in the little cafe in the park, which wasn’t very adventurous of us because it’s only about 600 yards from her flat. I stroked my chin and pulled my glasses to the tip of my nose, in an attempt to show that I was thinking very deeply about her question, then took a stab in the dark. ‘Have you been approached to appear in I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!?’ ‘Of course not.’ ‘Is your wild affair with Mick Jagger going to be exposed in the Daily Star?’ ‘As you know, I do like mischievous eyes in a man’ ‘Mick Jagger? Certainly not. Rod Stewart every time. Mick Jagger, indeed! Look, you’re not taking this…