Innholdsfortegnelse for 6-May-2025 i Woman's Weekly

"I’m reading a lovely book at the moment called Of Thorn & Briar by Paul Lamb, a hedge-layer from the West Country. Because he spends all day in the open air, he is in tune with the countryside in the way most of us have lost. Back in the day, anyone in a semi-rural setting spent much of their time outside, whether it was working in the fields, drawing water or planting veg, and even a visit to the privy meant leaving the house, so they got to know everything about the plants, wildlife and birds around them. These days, we live a largely indoor existence, and my family all wish we could easily identify birdsong in the way our ancestors could. See page 25."…

In her new TV crime drama The Marlow Murder Club, Sam Bond plays a retired archeologist turned amateur sleuth, on a Miss Marple-esque mission to solve every suspicious death in her leafy village. So filming the second series of the UK&Drama production, Sam, 63, spent three months last summer living in the riverside town. ‘The others come and go, but I’m too old for that. I’m not getting up at 5am [to be on location]!’ says Sam, who relocated from her west London home to an Airbnb under the care of her ‘precious’ superhost, Lynn. ‘I’d finish work, go to a restaurant, learn my lines, eat my tea, then go back and have 15 minutes with her, just to talk down,’ says Sam, who was joined one weekend by her…

"I joined EastEnders as Martin Fowler in 2014 so it had been 10 years, effectively all of my 30s, that I’d been on the show. It just felt like the right time to seek pastures new – and there were a lot of other things I wanted to do as an actor. It was sad to say goodbye, of course it was, and in an incredibly special episode, something I’ll never get to do again in my life. But I like taking risks. It was definitely the right decision. Martin’s relationship with Stacey [Lacey Turner] wasn’t perfect, but then whose is? That’s what made it so real. They’d been on this switchback journey and finally, or so it seemed, they’d found their happy place. And then it was snatched away.…

‘Since my diagnosis, there have been moments of light’ Debbie Whitehouse, 58, lives in Rugeley with her daughter, Paris, 22. ‘Why is your arm twitching?’ a colleague asked. ‘I think it’s probably menopause,’ I replied. It was April 2022 and I’d been experiencing weakness in my right arm for a few months. As a hairdresser, it made blow-drying more of a challenge, but I’d just put it down to my age. Now, suddenly, I’d developed a twitch. I made an appointment with my GP, who referred me to neurology, and I was then referred for multiple tests – MRIs, CT scans, X-rays and ultrasounds included. Then, in July 2022, my speech started to slur. I rushed to A&E, where I was told, ‘You can’t blame the menopause for everything!’ A…

FINALLY – A RELIEF FROM MY GUT ISSUES! Lisa Merrell, 60, is a primary school teacher from Warwickshire. I’ve struggled with debilitating gut issues for years – irregular bowel movements and horrendous bloating. An endoscopy was inconclusive and I tested negative for coeliac disease, but my stomach was constantly grumbling and I was in constant discomfort. I also spent years plagued with nasty colds, often resulting in chest infections, which needed antibiotics. I caught every bug going round the school. It was only when I listened to a podcast about immune health that mentioned a link to good gut health that I started looking into this more. I began researching probiotics and came across Symprove. It’s a water-based probiotic containing live and metabolically active bacteria, scientifically proven in large independent…

1 MAKE A DISPLAY A curated selection of wooden spoons in a chicken-shaped utensil pot will look pretty and practical on a shelf. Arrange alongside a stack of wooden chopping boards and a potted-up herb to give an unused corner of your kitchen a little lift. ✱ Chicken utensil pot, £25, Next 2 WALL STORAGE If you’re short on floor or counter space, look to your walls to hang storage. Try to find multifunctional units that can solve several storage problems in one, like this plate rack that provides shelving, hooks and a handy place for your kitchen roll. ✱ Churchgate kitchen wall storage unit, £150, Dunelm 3 CHOOSE STYLISH APPLIANCES Rather than tucking your toaster into an unused corner or squirrelling your air fryer away when not in use,…

The Show Woman by Emma Cowing (£16.99, HB, Hodder & Stoughton) In this dazzling debut, we find ourselves in Scotland, in 1910. Upon the sudden death of her father, Lena is forced to sell his beloved carousel and look for a job away from the circus. Joining with talented trapeze artist Violet, bareback horse rider Rosie and Carmen, whose ribbons belie a dark past, they set up an all-female circus act. But, forging their own path isn’t easy and, thrown into a world of suspicion, crime and violence, we encounter empowerment, determination and resilience from these four feisty women. This evocative novel is a rare treat. Is a River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane (£25, HB, Penguin) This exquisitely written non-fiction book will transport you to remarkable places and introduce you…

yourastrologysigns.com ARIES 21 MAR – 20 APR Focus your energy and attention on the things that are already going well in your life. You’ll be pleasantly surprised how many issues disappear. TAURUS 21 APR – 21 MAY Setting and keeping clear boundaries is especially important now in both personal and professional relationships. GEMINI 22 MAY – 21 JUN Concentrate your resources on just two or three things that are of most importance. You’ll accomplish much more. CANCER 22 JUN – 23 JUL Are you holding on to things you no longer need? Have a good sort out. You’ll feel so much lighter and happier afterwards. LEO 24 JUL – 23 AUG Take time to look for the good points in everyone. If appropriate, let someone know how much you love…

On 8 May 1945, passionate relief was felt by the entire nation when prime minister Winston Churchill announced on BBC radio that following the Nazi surrender, the Second World War in Europe had come to an end. People poured on to the streets, dancing for joy. In London, crowds flooded down the Mall to see King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, and Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret waving from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. It became known as VE Day – Victory in Europe – and this year is its 80th anniversary. It’s likely to be one of the last major Second World War memorials attended by surviving veterans. So it feels especially important that we remind ourselves – and our children, and theirs – what sacrifices their generation made over those…

1 BEAUTIFUL BRONZE A tan can really boost your morale. It makes your legs look more streamlined, and helps to conceal lumps and bumps. Self-tan can be drying, but St Moriz Professional Coconut Paradise Tanning Mist, £7, Superdrug, keeps skin soft and supple with aloe vera and vitamin E, delivering a sun-kissed glow in hours. 2 SUPER SOAK When legs feel heavy and puffy, indulge in a long soak in a bath spiked with Epsom salts. Sprinkle two cupfuls of Westlab Epsom Bath Salt, £3.50, Boots, over the water, lie back and relax for 20 minutes. The magnesium helps to release toxins and ease water retention, so your legs feel less swollen. 3 SHIMMER AND SHINE A good trick to look great in an instant is to apply a little…

Filo-topped fisherman’s pie Why not serve this dish with boiled new potatoes and steamed greens? SERVES 8PREP 15 minsCOOK 25 mins ✱ 1 onion, sliced✱ 1 bay leaf✱ 600ml fish stock✱ 100ml white wine✱ 800g fish-pie mix✱ 165g raw prawns✱ 75g plain flour✱ 90g softened butter✱ 200ml crème fraiche✱ 1tbsp tomato puree✱ Zest 1 lemon✱ 10g fresh parsley, chopped✱ 3-4 tomatoes, deseeded and roughly chopped✱ 270g pack filo pastry (7 sheets) 1 Put the onion, bay leaf, stock and wine in a large casserole dish and bring to a simmer. Use it to poach the fish mix and prawns in batches for 2-3 mins (leave chunky pieces of fish for an extra minute). Remove the onion, fish and bay leaf with a slotted spoon; set aside. 2 Heat oven to…

Coping with… A BAKER’S CYST Sometimes called a popliteal cyst, it’s a fluid-filled swelling that develops behind the knee This is cyst filled with synovial fluid, the lubricating fluid inside the knee joint, varying from slight to several centimetres in diameter. It’s rare that Baker’s cysts develop behind both knees at the same time. They aren’t dangerous but can become a painful nuisance. These cysts can occur in children aged four to seven years, but are most common in adults aged 35 to 70 years, often if there is an underlying problem with the knee, including various types of arthritis, gout, infection and/or trauma, such as a tear to the meniscus (knee cartilage) or ligaments. When a Baker’s cyst forms behind an otherwise healthy knee joint (usually in children and younger…

Lemon and white chocolate flapjacks This easy, buttery bake uses a few simple ingredients and beats a cereal bar any day. MAKES 12PREP 10 minsCOOK 30-35 mins ✱ 300g salted butter✱ 150g light brown soft sugar✱ 5tbsp golden syrup✱ 450g rolled oats✱ Zest 1 lemon✱ 150g lemon curd✱ 50g white chocolate, melted, to decorate YOU WILL NEED ✱ 20x25cm baking tin, the base and sides lined with baking paper 1 Heat the oven to 160C Fan/ Gas 4. In a large saucepan, melt the butter, sugar and golden syrup together until smooth, then remove from the heat. 2 Meanwhile, pulse half the oats in a food processor until roughly chopped. Tip into the saucepan with the butter mixture. Add the remaining oats and the lemon zest, and mix well to…

Difficulty level YOU WILL NEED ✱ Plain napkins✱ Buttons (1 large orange, 1 large red, 5 small purple, 2 medium yellow)✱ Green, orange, red, purple and yellow embroidery threads✱ Embroidery needle✱ Embroidery hoop STOCKIST ✱ Linen blend napkins, £10 for four, Dunelm 1 In one corner of each napkin, position your buttons. For the grapes, arrange the five purple buttons into a bunch shape; and for the lemons, position the two yellow buttons beside one another. In matching embroidery thread, sew the buttons in place. 2 Place a napkin in the embroidery hoop and, using our image as a guide, embroider leaves and stems around the buttons. For the orange and apple, a large leaf and stem; for the grapes, a winding vine and leaf; for the lemons, leaves and…

Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS To fit bust 82 (87) (92) (97) (102) (107)cm/32 (34) (36) (38) (40) (42)in. Actual measurements 96 (101.5) (107) (112) (117.5) (123)cm/37¾ (40) (42¼) (44) (46¼) (48½)in. Length to shoulder 50 (51) (52) (53) (54) (55)cm/19¾ (20) (20½) (21) (21¼) (21¾)in. Sleeve length All sizes 30cm/12in. MATERIALS 6 (7) (7) (7) (8) (8) x 50g (158m) balls of King Cole Giza Cotton 4 Ply (100% cotton) in Orange (Sunset 4842)*. Pair each of 3mm (No. 11) and 3.25mm (No. 10) knitting needles; stitch holders. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk. TENSION 30 stitches and 35 rows to 10x10cm, over pattern, using 3.25mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS K, knit; p, purl; patt, pattern; ss, stocking stitch (k on right side and p on wrong side); ssk, one by one, slip next…

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: Outdoor research. 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: Queen of the underworld in Greek mythology. Crossword Try the easy or cryptic clues, then rearrange the letters in the shaded…

"It is about 10 minutes to midnight, and as usual I am propped up by two pillows in the darkness and reading a whodunnit on my Kindle. There have been two murders already, which is always exciting. Which of the 10 wealthy and eccentric residents of Temple House is the killer? And what should we make of the beautiful but bossy young Swedish woman who has just arrived on the scene? This is quite a lot to take in, as I’m sure you’ll agree, and it doesn’t help when – quite without warning – Mr Dear starts making a noise from the other side of the bed. ‘I’ll bet that even Mick Jagger eats cornflakes in the kitchen’ Twock! Twock! Twock! It is the sort of noise that might be…

Letter of the week Sun’s out, washing’s out I have to say I’m of the age where the first load of washing hanging out in the garden is something to get excited about! However, this year it took us three days to find the hole for the rotary airer! Myself and my two sons had failed, and eventually my husband found it covered with grass and soil. And so, three sunny days down, I really enjoyed putting my washing out for a day… before it snowed! At least we know where the hole is now, for the next sunny spell. Iona Chisholm, Lichfield, Staffordshire GET IN TOUCH WE LOVE LETTERS Woman’s Weekly, Future plc, 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London W2 6JR. P.S. It really helps when you put your details in…

SEASALT Perfect if you love bold colours, natural-blend fabrics and a relaxed aesthetic, this brand offers an edit of dresses, tops, jackets and trousers to suit smaller proportions. HOBBS A must-visit destination for your special occasion needs, eliminating the hassle of costly alterations and making formal dressing a breeze. NEXT A great all-rounder offering an extensive selection. There’s everything from holiday staples and everyday basics to occasionwear and denim. PRETTY SMALL SHOES Finding stylish adult footwear in small sizes is a challenge but pretty-small-shoes. com has got you covered, with heels, boots and flats available in sizes 13-3.…

My dad’s lifestyle during retirement worries me Q My father retired three years ago. He has lived on his own for many years. As far as I can see, he’s decided to do nothing with his life. He watches TV or plays computer games pretty much all day. When I ask him how he is, he says he’s fine, but it makes me anxious as he isn’t socialising or getting any exercise. He tells me to worry about my life, not his! Angela, Belfast A I understand that it doesn’t seem the most productive way to spend your time, but he’s an adult and it’s his choice what he does. I’m sure you wouldn’t like it if he commented on your lifestyle. Even so, it’s important he does what he needs…

Melanie made sure she reached the pub just after Ezra – the new guy in their friendship group. She wanted to grab the seat next to him. He towered over her when she sat down, 6ft 4in of muscle. He was a fireman, a hero… ‘Pint, Ezra?’ she asked, looking into his eyes. ‘Keep my place while I go to the bar.’ ‘Thanks.’ He smiled his gorgeous smile, turned to one of the blokes and began to talk gym. Melanie rolled her eyes. ‘It’s all bench presses with them,’ she said to her friend Junie at the bar, pretending it was exasperating, but loving it. Passing Ezra his pint, Melanie tapped his upper arm. ‘I couldn’t even get my hand round those biceps,’ she giggled. Ezra turned to her. ‘Do…