Innholdsfortegnelse for 16-Apr-2024 i Woman's Weekly

A reader lives many lives I suppose you could say that reading is the secret of humanity’s success. Each new generation can build on the scientific knowledge of previous generations because they wrote it down, rather than having to discover everything anew. With fiction, it also allows people now long dead to entertain us. I’m currently reading The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins, written in 1868. It was enjoyed by his fellow Victorians, but also since then by Edwardians in bonnets, people in World War Two bomb shelters, 1970s maxi-dress wearers and now millennials, maybe on their phones. So I think any initiative to encourage reading is a great idea. See page 27.…

While she may be Loose Women’s oldest panellist, Gloria Hunniford is still young at heart. The 84-year-old has graced our screens for six decades now and hasn’t any plans on hanging up her mic just yet. Discussing her quest to keep working she tells Woman’s Weekly, ‘If I had a boring job I probably wouldn’t still be doing it, but as I love my job, why would I give it up?’ The TV presenter also credits her homeland for her success, explaining, ‘I feel that people from Northern Ireland have a very good work ethic. I’ve been making money ever since I was seven years old [as a semiprofessional singer].’ To add to her glittering career, Gloria is also mother to Caron, Paul and Michael from her first marriage to…

“We’ve always known that friendship is important, but there are still interesting questions about it that keep philosophers busy. What do we owe our friends? Is it possible to be a friend to a person who isn’t honest or reliable? How many friends can the average person have? These questions continue to interest those who think about friendship in our lives. I have always admired people with a talent for friendship. I often wonder about how they do it, and have reached the conclusion that the real key is openness. Friendship is about admitting other people into your life, and becoming, in your turn, part of theirs. It’s about sharing, and giving. Mean people are not good at making friends, as a rule, while generous people tend to have legions…

New York club sandwich This iconic double-decker is always a crowd-pleasing option. SERVES 4 PREP 10 MINS COOK 10 MINS ✱ 12 thin square slices of bread (white, rye or sourdough)✱ 50g salted butter, at room temperature✱ ¼tsp cayenne pepper✱ 2tbsp horseradish sauce✱ 4 large lettuce leaves✱ 400g cooked chicken✱ 80g mango chutney✱ 12 bacon rashers, cooked until crispy, then cooled✱ 4 medium tomatoes, sliced✱ 4tbsp light mayonnaise YOU WILL NEED ✱ 8 short skewers 1 Toast the bread, then leave to cool. In a small bowl, mix the butter, cayenne pepper and horseradish sauce. Spread all the slices with the butter mixture. 2 Divide the lettuce and chicken between 4 slices of toast, then sandwich with a second slice. Spread over the mango chutney and top with bacon, tomatoes…

ADVICE FROM OUR WOMAN’S WEEKLY DOCTOR Gangrene can affect any part of the typically starts in the toes, body but feet, fingers and hands, occurring as a result of injury, infection or a long-term condition that affects blood circulation. Without treatment the affected tissue starts to die, swelling, and becoming red, brown, purple or black, before shrivelling up and falling off. There’s loss of sensation or severe pain, sores or blisters that bleed or produce foul-smelling pus. Pressing the skin may produce a crackling sound due to a build-up of gas underneath. If infected, you may feel hot and shivery. Gangrene may be dry, where the blood flow to a tissue becomes blocked; wet, caused by an injury and bacterial infection; or gas gangrene, where infection develops deep inside the…

HOLLYHOCK The tall spires of Alcea rosea are great against walls and fences, offering pops of pink, purple or yellow. For better rust resistance, try a Halo variety, like ‘Halo Apricot’. H1.8m. CROCOSMIA These flowers set any garden alight and the handsome strappy foliage is an added bonus. Try ‘Lucifer’, with tall arching sprays of scarlet-red tubular flowers. H30-150cm. VERBENA Nectar-rich purple clusters are a magnet to bees. Patio verbena (V. x hybrida) is great in pots, while taller Verbena bonariensis is best for borders. H30cm-2m. ASTILBE A must-have for a damp spot, astilbes throw up plumes of tiny flowers that come in vibrant or pastel colours. A reliable perennial for a semi-shaded spot. H30cm. NASSELLA TENUISSIMA Dotted throughout a sunny border, this superfine-leaved feathery grass is useful for linking…

Books Homecoming for the Chocolate Girls by Annie Murray (£8.99, PB, Pan Macmillan) The Chocolate Girls are back! It’s 1946 and war is over. In the final instalment of this gripping family saga, Ann Gilby’s husband Len has left her and she is finally free to follow her heart, though her divorce causes a scandal, when she plans to live with the father of her youngest child. Daughters Joy and Sheila’s husbands return, but war has changed them, with Joy’s husband traumatised from his time at a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp and Sheila’s having outgrown Birmingham. It’s a heart-warming and affecting tale. The Little Penguin Bookshop by Joanna Toye (£7.99, PB, Cornerstone) Every reader knows the power of books to change lives – especially during turbulent times. When Carrie Anderson sets…

A MOUSE NEEDS A HOUSE For a family outing in one of London’s most beautiful outdoor spaces, take the children to Bear Snores On, at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Based on the beloved 2005 picture book written by Karma Wilson, this magical adaptation sees a mouse seeking shelter in a cave – but is it already occupied? ✱ Until 21 April, openairtheatre.com Hedgerow heroes Supporting a huge range of wildlife, the UK’s hedgerows have a major part to play in preserving nature. Not only are they home to countless creatures, they act as a wildlife corridor, and form a barrier to wind and rain, helping to anchor fertile topsoil. Meanwhile, their root systems encourage healthy soil, capturing three times as much carbon. The Soil Association has already planted 2km…

Perfect porcelain Sophie Cook, 49, is a ceramicist from Woodbridge, Suffolk. As a child, Sophie, who was born in Greenwich, London, made sculptures from wire and modelling clay. This interest led to her studying for a degree in ceramics at London’s Camberwell College of Arts, where she produced hand-built bottles for her final-year show. She then started throwing with porcelain and, with support from the Designers Guild, she bought a kiln, took studio space and sold her work in its King’s Road shop. Sophie moved to Suffolk in 2015, where she lives with her partner Matt, 51, and their three boys, Finn, 16, Gabriel, 14, and Kit, 11. ‘Initially I worked with just the original bottle shape in a range of matt turquoises, but then added other colours and finishes,…

Embrace icy tones Dame Helen Mirren, 78, is well-known for experimenting with her grey hair, but recently she’s keeping her silver strands looking fresh by mixing them with some blonde colour. Whether you choose to do this by dyeing your hair or using a toner each week, a colour-enhancing treatment like Revolution Haircare Toner Shot in Blonde Ice Diamond, £8, Boots, is essential. It brightens, boosts colour, hydrates and adds a glossy shine. Give grey a go If you have bleached blonde locks and fancy trying out a grey tone, then give Bleach London Fade To Grey Toner Kit, £9, Boots, a go! The dye banishes yellow, brassy tones from blonde hair, while depositing colour for an even charcoal grey base. This is ideal if, like Andie MacDowell, 65, you…

Harsh opinions are hurting Q I have a few opinionated friends who offer their views in the name of love and support. Sometimes it’s helpful but often it’s hurtful. I’m not going to turn my back on them so how do I change my reaction so I’m not upset? Ruth, Oxford A It’s interesting how many of us are fearful of others’ opinions. We hear a comment and give it an importance it doesn’t deserve. Often, when people offer opinions that aren’t asked for, they’re projecting their feelings onto you. If, for example, someone tells another they need to lose weight, they may have their own issues with eating. Constructive feedback that you’ve asked for is helpful. It’s the way we learn about ourselves, and it helps us grow and…

Well-chosen climbing plants bring colour, structure and impact to a doorway, especially if you opt for a scented variety: nothing beats arriving home to a fragrant fanfare. Whether you hanker after rambling roses, cascades of clematis, pillowy wisteria blooms or veils of glistening leaves, there’s a vast array of climbers to choose from, so let your imagination run wild. WISTFUL THINKING Paint a heavenly picture with heady wisteria, perfect for a south-facing or west-facing wall or entrance. Wisteria sinensis tends to produce shorter racemes than other varieties, making it ideal for growing around a restricted area, such as a doorway. Wisteria frutescens subsp. macrostachya ‘Blue Moon’ is also a good bet, and can be grown in a large container if kept well fed and watered. All wisterias demand lots of…

SUMMER SALADS There’s a huge variety of easy-to-grow leaves you can try to keep your salad bowl well stocked. For easy access, grow them outside the back door, or on a balcony or terrace, in troughs or pots. The more you pick, the more leaves appear. For spring sowing, try Cos ‘Lobjoit’s Green’, a lettuce with crisp, well-flavoured leaves that’s ready to pick after 10-12 weeks. If sowing salad seeds in hot weather, place the packet in the fridge the night before to stimulate germination. For a constant and varied leafy supply, try chicory, mizuna, rocket, mustard greens or lamb’s lettuce. You can buy young plants, but it’s easy to sow your own seeds too, and you will see results in a week or so. 1 TINY TOMS If you…

DUNELM MATALAN GEORGE HOME…

Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS Length 35cm/14inWidth 35cm/14in MATERIALS 2 x 100g (202m) balls of King Cole Comfort Aran (60% acrylic, 40% nylon) in Grey (Silver 3113) and 1 ball in White (330), plus 1 x 100g (200m) ball of King Cole Fashion Aran (70% acrylic, 30% wool) in Black (3318)*. Pair of 5mm (No. 6), knitting needles; 35x35cm cushion pad; 35cm zip fastener; tapestry needle; sewing needle and thread to match Grey and White; stuffing. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk TENSION 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10x10cm, over stocking stitch, using 5mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS Inc, increase (by working twice into same st); k, knit; p, purl; p2togb, p2tog through back of sts (to decrease 1 st); skpo, slip 1, k1, pass slipped st over (to decrease 1 st); ss, stocking…

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: Remove. Average = 25 More than 45 = 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…

‘What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare?’ wrote a chap called William H. Davies, the poet laureate of the duvet day. He coined those words in 1911, which was clearly a more relaxed age. I’d like to see Mr Davies attempt to stand or stare or even put his feet up for 20 minutes in the modern world. I attempted it the other day, and it can’t be done. It’s been a busy time at Dear Towers. Many hours have been spent counselling my daughter Rachel and assuring her that she won’t always be single. I’ve also been supporting my sister Deb’s sudden enthusiasm for yoga, which means that I have aches where I didn’t think I had joints. In other…

WEIGHTLIFTING HELPED EASE MY MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS Michelle Geraghty-Corns** is from Leicester. I started powerlifting a year ago and have never looked back. When we enter menopause, our oestrogen levels begin to fall, which reduces bone density. When we do strength training, this helps to keep our bones strong, since the movement stimulates bone growth. Powerlifting can help to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and fractures after menopause, since it supports the maintenance of bone mineral density. Women going through menopause can experience accelerated muscle loss from hormonal changes, but what many don’t know is that you can combat this with powerlifting. It builds muscle mass and strength, which can enhance functional ability and balance, and reduce the risk of falls. It can also improve heart health by lowering blood pressure,…

One of the best things about gardening is that there is as much joy in dreaming and planning, as there is in sowing, planting and tending. This guide is all about seasonal ideas for turning your outdoor space into a green haven, whether by adding a splash of floral colour to a balcony or planting fragrant climbers around the front door to make a welcoming entrance. There’s also inspiration for indoors, with resilient houseplants that bring style and lushness to your home. Finally, our round-up of garden accessories will help you make the most of long summer days and nights. Happy gardening!…

Shrubs are easy to propagate at home, and doing it yourself will save you money. Take semi-ripe cuttings in August and September – these are short shoots, 10-15cm long, where the tip of the stem is soft, but the base is becoming hard. Step-by-step cuttings 1 Choose shoots that have grown this year, with leaves down to the base, and whose foliage is in good condition. 2 Make up some compost using your usual potting compost, mixed 50:50 with sharp sand or perlite for extra drainage. 3 Snip off cuttings a little longer than you need, using sharp secateurs, and collect them in a polythene bag. Trim the bottom just below a leaf joint, remove the tip and snip off the leaves on the lower half. 4 Insert the cuttings…

When the warmer months come around, it’s natural to want to spend as much time as you can in the garden – and not just working! To help yourself down tools and switch off, make it truly welcoming. There are plenty of products to help ramp up the relaxation, from squishy cushions to a weather-resistant rug where you can slip off your shoes and let the breeze tickle your toes. When the sun goes down, twinkly lights and a cosy firepit will make evenings more pleasurable to stay out too. SHINE ON Provide a gentle evening glow with candles and tea lights. This lantern not only protects the flame but hangs from a stake that can be placed wherever it’s needed – in a planter, on a pathway or by…

Ever since she was little, Helen had wanted to be a garden designer – like the ones at the Chelsea Flower Show. So, for the past few years she’d spent her evenings at the local college studying for her RHS exams. Now she’d passed, she planned to practise her horticultural skills by starting small – doing mowing, lawn-edging, pruning… She knew it would be useful to work with a landscape gardener once she was designing gardens. But the only one she’d met at college had been so good-looking and confident, she didn’t have the nerve to talk to him. On the day of her first job, she parked outside the grand detached home of Mr and Mrs Higgins, an eccentric couple who’d been a village fixture for decades. Their grounds…

Design size: 20.5x27cm YOU WILL NEED ✱ 35x42cm piece of 28-count white evenweave✱ Cross-stitch needle✱ Embroidery floss listed in the key✱ White mount card✱ Double-sided tape✱ Masking tape✱ Painted wood frame 1 The 0, or dotted central lines, on the chart should be matched with the centre of your fabric. Fold the fabric in half, then into quarters. Where the fold lines cross is where you start stitching. You can mark the centre with a line of tacking stitches to use as a guide. 2 Cut a 40cm embroidery thread length. Take two strands from the length and work cross-stitches from the centre of the chart and fabric. Each coloured square on the chart represents one cross-stitch worked over one block of fabric threads. 3 Once the cross-stitched areas are…

Horoscopes ARIES 21 MAR – 20 APR This is a time of great changes. Try to go with the flow, release resistance and you’ll attract undreamed-of opportunities. TAURUS 21 APR – 21 MAY You may be making some key financial decisions now. Take your time and think everything through carefully in advance. GEMINI 22 MAY – 21 JUN Laughter, fun, playfulness – these are all themes in this week for you. Remember to focus on the positive side of life. CANCER 22 JUN – 23 JUL This is an excellent time to review your life. What is most important to you now? Construct your life according to your most treasured values. LEO 24 JUL – 23 AUG Your creativity is in the spotlight this week. You will be able to…