Innholdsfortegnelse for 14-Jan-2025 i Woman's Weekly

Tea and cakes "When we were children, we used to go to my grandma’s after school every Friday for a treat. Looking back, it was probably more to give our mother and father a temporary, child-free treat instead. I say we went to Grandma’s – my grandad was there too but he was poorly a lot of the time and also, back then, men were often rather discouraged from getting involved with children. One of the weekly highlights we loved was being served little round teacakes called Munchmallows (very different from the sort of teacake you toast, which I discovered later on in life). So I was thrilled to see a chocolate teacake recipe on page 34!"…

"I do a lot of different genres of acting, but I love theatre because of the rehearsals and the creativity of putting it together. Every night, you’re in charge of your own edit, and you have the opportunity to create something unique. The production I’m working on at the moment, The Merchant of Venice 1936, is a perfect example. It started off as a little idea I had, and it was a small production in Watford and Manchester. It did so well it got picked up by the Royal Shakespeare Company, and we took it on tour for 11 weeks before going to the West End. We’re going on another national tour in February. Doing anything live makes me more nervous than filming – you can’t go back and do…

Hypertension and dementia Among more than 30,000 people taking part in community-based longitudinal studies of ageing, those with untreated hypertension were more than a third more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than normotensive people or people with treated hypertension – another important reason to take blood pressure medication. People with hypertension were also at higher risk of forms of dementia other than Alzheimer’s disease although, puzzlingly, this increased risk wasn’t reduced by anti-hypertensive treatment. NEGATIVE COLONOSCOPY Colonoscopy in people with a positive bowel cancer screening faecal immunochemical test (FIT) fails to find advanced cancers in more than half. Linking data from colorectal cancer screening programmes to national cancer registry, Dutch scientists found upper gut cancer was slightly commoner in people screening positive regardless of whether their subsequent colonoscopy…

YOU WILL NEED ✱ Plain frames ✱ Annie Sloan chalk paint in Tilton yellow, Firle green, Antoinette pink, Emperor’s Silk red and Provence teal ✱ Fine sandpaper ✱ Paintbrushes ✱ Finishing wax ✱ Damp cloth ✱ Pencil STOCKISTS Frames, £2.50 each, B&M; chalk paint, £7.95 for 120ml, Annie Sloan 1 Remove the frames’ glass inserts, card mounts and MDF backings. Gently sand the frames then wipe away leftover sandings with a damp cloth. 2 For the yellow frame, apply two coats of Tilton yellow and allow to dry between coats. Once dry, use a pencil to sketch waves on the inner edge and fill in with Antoinette pink using a small paintbrush. Use Emperor’s Silk red to paint dots around the edge. 3 For the green frame, apply two coats…

TESTED BY US so they work for you MEASUREMENTS To fit bust 82 (87) (92) (97) (102) (107) (112) (117)cm/32 (34) (36) (38) (40) (42) (44) (46)in. Actual measurements 92 (98) (104) (109) (115) (121) (126) (132)cm/36¼ (38½) (41) (43) (45¼) (47¾) (49½) (52)in. Length to back neck 49 (50) (51) (52) (53) (54) (55) (56)cm/19¼ (19¾) (20) (20½) (21) (21¼) (21¾) (22)in. Sleeve length All sizes 45cm/17¾in. MATERIALS 7 (7) (8) (9) (9) (10) (11) (11) x 50g (180m) balls of King Cole Merino Blend 4 Ply (100% wool) in Rose Gold (3299)*. Pair each of 3mm (No. 11) and 3.25mm (No. 10) knitting needles; 2.75mm (No. 12) long circular needle; stitch holder; 6 buttons. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk TENSION 28 stitches and 42 rows to 10x10cm, over patt,…

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: Imposed. Average = 15 More than 25 = 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: Paintings which depict countryside scenes. Crossword Try the easy or cryptic clues, then rearrange the letters in the shaded squares for the…

The first time I met Mr Dear was at a party, so long ago that it was probably held to celebrate the Relief of Mafeking, or possibly the invention of the automatic dishwasher. At that time, Mr D had a beard, which is possibly why he pretended he was an officer in the Royal Navy and on leave. When he went to the lavatory, his friends told me the awful truth. ‘Well,’ he confessed later in the evening. ‘I didn’t think you’d be very impressed if I told you I worked in my father’s hardware store.’ Imagine Siegfried in the most recent series of All Creatures Great and Small, and you’ll get the rough idea of that beard. It looked rather distinguished, except for the time it was decorated by…

We are a nation of sauce lovers, whether adding a touch of the exotic to a basic meal or perking up a classic. In fact, UK shoppers add sauces and condiments to the pantry about 16 times a year, spending around £2.5 million. Many of our favourites have been enjoyed by generations and remain an indispensable complement to breakfasts, dinners, sandwiches and snacks. Sarson’s vinegar For many, a fish and chip supper just isn’t complete without a splash of vinegar. The biggest brand, Sarson’s, was invented in London’s Bermondsey in 1794 by Thomas Sarson. Made up of malt barley and water, it gets its sharpness from fermenting in pine barrels filled with ‘wood wool’ from larch trees in Wales. The factory moved to Manchester in 1932 and produces over 15…

1 HAIR HERO The blend of ginger flower and aloe vera in this 99% naturally sourced shampoo will deep-clean your locks and stimulate your scalp while smelling gorgeous. It acts like an invigorating wake-up call on a dark morning! Urtekram Sweet Ginger Flower Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, £7.25, bodykind.com 2 PAMPER YOUR FACE Give your complexion a boost with this mask, blended with pomegranate, acai and cherry extracts. It will hydrate any winter roughness and soothe irritation in just 10 minutes. It warms up the skin gently as it gets to work, turning milky as you wash it away. Q+A Vitamin A.C.E Warming Gel Mask, £9, Holland & Barrett 3 BODY BOOST A rich blend of plant oils comes together in this luxurious massage oil that will feel tingly and cosy when…

He thinks I’m being unsupportive Q My husband is much better at technical things than me. We’re having some electrical work done, which has been postponed. He’s going away for a fortnight and wants me to organise it when he’s away. I can’t get him to understand that it is not something I feel confident doing. He thinks that I am being unsupportive, but it isn’t that. Linda, Southport A Have you told him that you feel unskilled to manage this and that you need his help? Remind him about the skills you do have and gently tell him about the things you can do that he can’t. Acknowledge it’s frustrating but you don’t mind waiting. See if you can phone the company and get them to come over the day…

Make a list However much we love our gardens, there’s often room for improvement. This could mean tackling niggles, like moving a shrub that’s outgrown its space, or investing in a new feature, like a patio or pergola. Write a wish list and consider what’s achievable, both money- and time-wise. Tackling projects over the winter months means you can enjoy the results as soon as the weather warms up. Photo opportunities Take photos to assess what’s working and what isn’t (with no bright blooms to distract, the bones of the space are laid bare). Think about views from the house and within the garden itself. There might be elements you need to disguise, like a washing line, or ones you want to spotlight, like a flowering shrub. For a designer…

Letter of the week Budding hobby I found your letter of the week [1 October issue] so interesting. Way back in the 1950s, Wolverhampton Civic Hall used to hold events such as keep fit and dancing, which my mother organised, as well as fashion shows. Whenever I was a model for these shows (for which I needed bribing), my mum treated me with a Rosebud doll. Another event was a competition for the best-dressed Rosebud, after which they were sold. There must have been dozens and dozens of these dolls every year, dressed in all sorts of costumes. I was the lucky recipient of a nun and a Bo-peep doll. I have had a lifelong interest in small dolls, but unlike the letter-writer, I do not own my Rosebuds any…

‘It’s amazing the things you’ll do for your kids!’ Nicola Rodriguez, 48, a professional declutterer and animal presenter, lives in Ongar, Essex, with her 14-year-old son. Opening my eyes, I saw an enormous spider on my pillow and screamed. My sister had put it there for a prank. At seven years old, I was left terrified of creepy-crawlies. This time last year, if you’d told me I’d be holding tarantulas, I’d think you were joking. But it’s amazing what you’ll do for your kids. Back in January 2023, my son, now 14, was struggling. He’s autistic and had problems communicating and forming friendships. In February 2024, he asked if he could volunteer at Living Things, a local organisation offering wildlife experiences for schools, care homes and even TV shows. The…

3 WAYS TO... Care for winter skin 1 MOISTURISE OFTEN ‘Winter can really dry out your skin,’ says dermatology nurse consultant Paula Oliver. ‘Apply a rich emollient immediately after bathing to lock in moisture.’ 2 USE LUKEWARM WATER ‘Hot showers or baths can strip the skin of natural oils,’ warns Paula. ‘Opt for lukewarm water. And protect skin when outdoors with gloves and scarves.’ 3 DRESS SMART Avoid rough materials like wool, which can cause irritation and exacerbate conditions such as eczema. Choose soft, breathable fabrics like cotton and layer to stay warm. Try Epimax Ointment, £3.99/125g, epimax.co.uk NEWSFLASH Climb stairs every day to lower your blood pressure Incorporating habits that raise your heart rate into your daily routine is good for heart health. An extra five minutes of exercise, such as climbing the stairs, could help lower blood pressure, found…

3 OF THE BEST... Cushions STYLE TIPS 1 MIX IT UP Rather than buy matching sets of bedding, curtains and throw cushions, opt for a mixture of floral prints across your soft furnishings. Worried about mixing prints? Look for similar colours repeated through the florals to create a cohesive look. 2 PAIR PATTERNS AND PLAINS Among your floral accessories, add a few larger plain pieces to help ground the scheme, like a textured throw or rug. Better yet, try a painted feature wall for a bold backdrop to your decor. 3 TRY DARKER TONES Give pink florals a sophisticated feel by layering with plum purples, burgundy reds and deep browns. These rich tones will help create a cosy feel and add warmth to a space, perfect for the colder months.…

The Book of Witching by C.J. Cooke (£16.99, HB, HarperCollins) When Clem receives a call to say her daughter Erin has been found unconscious and suffering from catastrophic burns in Orkney, she rushes to her bedside. When Erin awakens she has only one memory – her name is Nyx. Clem travels to the site of the accident to search for answers, only to discover they may involve the fate of a woman accused of witchcraft in Orkney in 1594. Can a 400-year-old book of witching and an ancient curse be the cause? And can she find out before anyone else dies? An atmospheric, one-sitting read. Lady Glenconner’s Picnic Papers by Anne Glenconner (£22, HB, Bedford Square Publishers) Never mind the weather – when it comes to picnics, the British are…

ARIES 21 MAR – 20 APR You may wish to make changes to the way you look. This is a great time for enhancing your appearance. Make it fun! TAURUS 21 APR – 21 MAY Financially, this can be a positive week. New opportunities may excite you. Follow your intuition and you’ll choose wisely. GEMINI 22 MAY – 21 JUN Many activities and duties may be competing for your time. Set clear boundaries so you are not depleted. Clear communication is vital for success. CANCER 22 JUN – 23 JUL Remember to smile and see the humorous side of life. No matter what challenges you face, you’ll find the silver lining. LEO 24 JUL – 23 AUG It’s time to activate your creative streak. Bring out your playful side and…