Innholdsfortegnelse for 26-Nov-2024 i Woman's Weekly

Marketing plan “We love a market in our family – we’ve got a great one near us in the Devon town of South Molton – and so perhaps unsurprisingly we also love a Christmas market. I first really discovered them in the wonderful historic city of Lincoln, and the heady combination of fun purchases, jollity, delicious, locally sourced food stalls plus a warming drink or two makes for a lovely Advent day out. Sadly, the hugely popular Lincoln event no longer takes place; the local council scrapped it due to their worries about safety in the narrow, medieval streets, but there are still loads to choose from across the UK. See page 38 for some really great suggestions.”…

I’m in the thick of filming The Great Pottery Throw Down, and on this week’s 400-mile round trip from my home in Surrey to Stoke-on-Trent, I picked up a hitch-hiker at the Welcome Break Oxford Services on the M40. ‘What?’ I hear you say? ‘Isn’t that risky?’ Well, I disagree. I trust the human spirit and I believe there are more nice people out there than those wishing to cause harm. It’s why I’ve stopped for a few hitch-hikers in the past and often, when it’s raining and I see people at bus stops, I think, ‘I could just pull over and offer them a lift.’ Sadly, that’s not the done thing nowadays, which feels a shame. John the hitch-hiker, a chap in his 60s, was polite and gracious. He…

‘We wish the animals a Merry Christmas!’ Danielle Hearne, 46, is a deer and antelope zookeeper at Whipsnade Zoo in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. She is married to Brian, 49 this week, and they have two grown-up children, Caelan, 28, and Bailey, 21. Christmas Day is the only day of the year the zoo isn’t open to the public. ‘As much as we love having visitors, it’s great to have the place to ourselves to enjoy our beautiful surroundings,’ I tell my family. As well as deer and antelope, I work with camels, wild pigs and exotic cattle. As part of our Christmas celebrations previously, we’ve walked our female reindeer around the zoo wearing our Christmas jumpers! On Christmas Day, our teams come in at 8am, and make sure all the animals…

3 HERBS TO... Beat the blues Shorter days and less sunlight can decrease our production of serotonin, the happy hormone, leading to feelings of low mood, says medical herbalist Dr Chris Etheridge. Try these to help you to weather the winter. 1 ST JOHN’S WORT Research suggests it may have an effect on neurotransmitters in the brain, similar to the effectiveness of prescribed SSRI antidepressants, but without many of the side effects. 2 RHODIOLA A natural adaptogen that can help to protect the mind and body from the damaging effects of emotional and physical stress. 3 SAFFRON Technically a spice, but has been used in herbal medicine as an antidepressant to help ease anxiety. NEWSFLASH We’ve been taking blood pressure readings all wrong! Holding your arm in the wrong position could result in a false…

3 OF THE BEST... baubles STYLE TIPS 1 CLASSIC COLOURS Stick to a simple palette of reds, greens and tartans for the ultimate nod to tradition. For a fresh take, add star motifs and touches of glitter. 2 ANIMAL MAGIC Bring the outdoors in with accessories inspired by woodland animals – think robins, hares, birds and deer. 3 TIMELESS STYLE For soft furnishings like cushions and throws, invest in pieces that will last the whole season not just at Christmas. Choose ageless styles in classic checks and with simple embroidery. 4 TREE DECOR To decorate your tree, pick out a couple of statement baubles in different shapes and colours, then pair them with an inexpensive multipack of decorations in the same shade – in this case, red or gold –…

Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS Length 180cm/70¾in. Width 20.5cm/8in. MATERIALS 4 x 100g (166m) hanks of West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft Shetland Aran (100% wool) in Green (Fetlar 312) and 2 hanks in Cream (Sullom 010)*. Pair of 5mm (No. 6) knitting needles; spare 5mm needle. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk TENSION 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10x10cm, over stocking stitch, using 5mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS K, knit; p, purl; ss, stocking stitch (k on right side and p on wrong side); st(s), stitch(es). NOTES When working from chart, read from right to left on k rows and from left to right on p rows. Strand yarn not in use loosely across wrong side of work, weaving in every 3 or 4 sts. On 1st to 10th rows, use separate balls of…

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: Type of flour or bread. 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: A two-wheeled vehicle. Crossword Try the easy or cryptic clues, then rearrange the letters in the shaded squares…

MARVELLOUS MARY Mary Poppins is everyone’s favourite nanny – not only does she arrive by umbrella but she makes life ‘supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’. The stage adaptation, based on the stories by P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney film, is back for a 2024-25 UK and Ireland tour, packed with special effects, classic songs and a sprinkling of magic. See it at the Bristol Hippodrome until 30 November, then it’s touring the UK and Ireland until November 2025. ✱ marypoppins.co.uk Whale watching The coastal waters of western Scotland provide rich feeding grounds for minke whales, and researchers from the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust have been monitoring their health for 20 years. In 2023, they saw 167 – a record number of these magnificent cetaceans. However, basking shark numbers appeared to be in…

With the most wonderful time of the year almost upon us, you’ll want to start planning the festivities. Between the present buying, decoration hanging and food prepping, why not enjoy a choral concert? Read on for our rhapsodic round-up – and get ready to feel merry and bright! Carols in the Caves, Kents Cavern, Torquay, Devon Enjoy a unique festive experience with carols by candlelight in stunning caves. Kents Cavern has teamed up with local choirs Yours In Harmony, Torbay Police and Community Choir, and the Red Rock Acappella for carols and Christmas songs, finished up with festive treats in the cafe. ✱ 26 November to 19 December, 6pm and 8.30pm, kents-cavern.co.uk THE BRIDGEWATER HALL, MANCHESTER This annual charity concert in aid of Young Lives vs Cancer will feature a…

1 GLOW GIVER PS… Revive & Hydrate Sheet Mask, £1, Primark, is bursting with brightening vitamin C to boost your complexion. Save this bargain sheet mask for a big event and leave it on for up to 20 minutes the night before. Your skin will look super healthy, deeply nourished and radiant when you wake up next morning. 2 RAPID REVIVAL After healthy-looking skin in an instant? Then stock up on Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Hydrating Sheet Mask, £3.45, Superdrug. Containing the equivalent of a bottle of serum, nothing restores skin health like this. Leave on for as little as 10 minutes for a plumped and nourished complexion. 3 EXFOLIATION STATION Want to shed some of your drab winter skin? Then you need to try Bubble Deep Dive AHA +…

Confit duck with red cabbage, parsley and walnut salad This indulgent dish is easier to make than you might think, as the duck can be cooked in the fat ahead of time, which preserves the meat. SERVES 4 PREP 30 mins COOK 2 hrs 45 mins, plus chilling ✱ 4 duck legs, we used Gressingham ✱ 10 peppercorns ✱ 1 orange, zest pared and orange segmented (reserve the juice) ✱ 5 sprigs thyme ✱ 600g-1kg duck fat ✱ 1tbsp red wine vinegar ✱ 1tbsp olive oil ✱ ½ red cabbage, finely sliced ✱ Small bunch parsley, finely chopped, plus extra for garnish ✱ 60g walnuts, toasted and chopped YOU WILL NEED ✱ 25cm lidded casserole dish 1 Heat the oven to 130C Fan/Gas 2. Pat the meat dry and season…

Empathy lessons to improve behaviour A study suggests one term of empathy lessons in schools could lead to positive behavioural changes. Nine-hundred pupils aged five to 18 in six countries were shown thought-provoking films before a 30-minute activity and discussion session. Empathy, the ability to understand and share others’ feelings, is considered something we develop through childhood and life experiences. Pupils were rated by teachers on empathy, behaviour and other characteristics, with the average empathy and behaviour scores rising during following weeks. DIABETES AND DEMENTIA New research shows that people with type 2 diabetes who were treated with sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors were less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia than those taking other diabetes medication. A previous Canadian study found lower dementia risk in those over 66 taking SGLT-2…

Difficulty level YOU WILL NEED ✱ Two fat quarters (for outer and lining) ✱ 120cm of 1.5cm-wide ribbon ✱ Matching sewing thread ✱ Scissors ✱ Pins ✱ Pencil and ruler ✱ Safety pin or bodkin 1 From each fat quarter, cut a 12cm-diameter circle and two 20x32cm rectangles. Pair up a rectangle from each fabric with right sides facing and sew along one of the shorter edges with a 1.5cm seam allowance. Press the seam open and repeat for the other two rectangles. 2 Pair up the sewn rectangles with right sides facing, and pin. Using a ruler and pencil, mark a 1.5cm-wide channel on the outer fabric, 5cm down from the middle seam. Sew down the long sides of the rectangles with a 1cm seam allowance, leaving the channel…

Horoscopes ARIES 21 MAR – 20 APR Spend time in nature, be around animals and relax alone or with others. This week, enjoy the simple pleasures of life. TAURUS 21 APR – 21 MAY Gratitude for everything will open the doors for abundance to pour into your life. Do this daily and be thrilled with the results. GEMINI 22 MAY – 21 JUN Step out and face your fears. You have great inner strength that is waiting to be unleashed. Don’t allow minor issues to take you off track. CANCER 22 JUN – 23 JUL Try to reconnect with your child within and give yourself permission to play! This will enhance your relationships. LEO 24 JUL – 23 AUG Take up a new hobby. You’re ready for exciting encounters and…

Letter of the week Ship ahoy! I was interested to see the feature on historic ships in your 10 September issue. However, there is another, less well-known ship at the National Museum of the Royal Navy in Hartlepool – the Trincomalee, which I visited with my husband when on holiday in County Durham. The vessel was designed by an Indian architect, built for the Royal Navy and launched in Bombay (now Mumbai) around 1830. It led an interesting life before being decommissioned and left with only some routine maintenance. It has as now been fully restored to its original condition, though, and is a delight to explore, even for (fairly fit) oldies. Kids seem to love it! I encourage people to visit, they will not be disappointed. There is lots…

We’re all getting older but we don’t have to look and feel old, because there are some simple changes we can make to our lives to supercharge our health and happiness – and they don’t have to cost a fortune. They’re not difficult to do, either, and nor do they take an age to take effect. Check out these simple week-by-week changes and feel fabulous in little over a month. WEEK ONE START Taking a vitamin D supplement. TO HELP Keep teeth, bones and muscles healthy, plus boost your immune system to keep winter bugs at bay. WHY Your body produces vitamin D when your skin is exposed to the sun, but during the darker months, it can be tricky to get sufficient sunlight to make enough. So the Public…

VELVET DRESSES This luxurious fabric beautifully drapes the body without clinging. Wrap and V-neck styles flatter larger busts by highlighting the waist, while dramatic sleeves help balance out the hips on more fitted styles. PLEATED SKIRTS Pleats create natural movement, giving these skirts a graceful, flowing appearance. The structured fabric creates volume without bulk, perfect for disguising hips and thighs. SEQUIN TOPS Every wardrobe needs one of these to see them through the festive season. For curvier frames, looser styles with flowing sleeves offer a more relaxed silhouette. Slender or petite shapes will benefit from more fitted styles. VELVET TROUSERS Velvet’s plush texture absorbs light, giving a slimming effect. If you are petite or have long legs, head to Boden and M&S, as they offer three alternative fits.…

The countdown is on – it’s nearly Black Friday. This shopping event started in the US and, traditionally, it’s the first Friday after Thanksgiving – which means this year, it will be on Friday 29 November. Although that date makes little sense over here, it has grown in popularity with retailers. Brands battle for your attention in the days leading up to the main event and continue until Cyber Monday: the online equivalent of in-person Black Friday events. So, with more deals than ever before, how can you make the most of your money? Plan ahead The key to making the most of Black Friday is to be strategic with your spending. You won’t get the best deals without preparation. Brands reward loyalty and normally notify their customers of offers…

Am I silly to want to travel? Q I have travelled very little and I’d be sad not to see more of the world. I know it costs and I would need to use up some of my savings. My friends say it’s foolhardy as I may be short later, but who knows how long I will live? I’ve always been very sensible and worry I might be making a mistake. Judith, Lincoln A It is hard to predict the future, so we can’t make decisions based on our imagined future health and length of life. What we can do is know what is good for us now and to follow our heart. Of course, there is a caveat, which is that you mustn’t leave yourself destitute. It sounds like travelling is important for you and…

Book club Fire by John Boyne (£14.99, HB, Transworld) Are people born or made evil? Freya is a successful surgeon at a hospital burns unit, with a nice home and car. By turns empathetic, frank and imperious, she is a woman in control. But child neglect and abuse have left their mark on her. With clear-eyed compulsion, she exacts revenge until she comes up against a man who is one step ahead of her. Unsettling and utterly compelling, you’ll devour this psychological twister in one go. Beautiful People by Amanda Jennings (£16.99, HB, HarperCollins) Victoria doesn’t fit in with her university friends. Despite changing her name to Vix, dropping her Mancunian accent and altering her style, she can never compete with the ultra-wealthy and beautiful Cami, Tilly, Nick, Fraser and…

“It is Sunday morning and I am looking over Mr Dear’s shoulder as he loads the dishwasher. If you are a woman, you will agree that this is a sensible precaution. On the other hand, if you are one of our valued male readers, you will no doubt be outraged at this unwarranted intrusion into the technical process of loading dishes. All I can say is this – if you put things in the right place to start with, no supervision would be necessary, would it? This is a more complicated operation than normal, as we are recovering from a visit on Saturday from our son Oli, his wife Rose and their two children. Will Mr Dear, you are wondering, be up to the task? As it turns out, he…