Innholdsfortegnelse for 15-Jul-2025 i Woman's Weekly

Growing memories “The first garden I had as a child featured a row of brambles along the back fence. They were the earliest plants I remember and I loved their blackberries – my mum made a mean blackberry and apple pie, although at the time, I was convinced it would be better without the apple and just full of berries! Then we moved, and I was devastated to discover the new garden was bramble-free. But what it did have was a very old climbing rose, planted up against a neglected garage, which burst into an array of stunning, fragrant, red blooms come the summer. It was the start of my love affair with roses. If you feel the same, why not turn to page 42?”…

“I owe my entire acting career to my grandfather, a high court judge and a very lovely man. When I was about 17 or 18, I decided I wanted to go to LA to do some acting, but I didn’t have enough money, so I thought, ‘Who can I ask to borrow some money from?’ I went to visit my grandpa, and I remember very clearly that he was smoking a pipe, and he also had a cigarette and a cigar on the go at the same time. He was a proper smoker. We sat down, and before I’d even said anything, he said, ‘How much do you want to borrow?’ £250 would have paid for a flight there and back, but £400 came out of my mouth instead. When…

‘It’s wonderful making my sons proud’ Helen Hammond, 58, a teacher, lives in Oxfordshire with her husband Tim, 59, and their sons Noah, 25, Ruben, 22, and Brodie 20. ‘Don’t suppose you know any fiddlers?’ my friend Jim asked on a pub night out. I stayed silent, but my husband Tim, 59, a London cabby, piped up, ‘Helen plays violin!’ I was horrified. It was 2022 and my violin had been gathering dust on top of the wardrobe for more than three decades. Jim plays in a successful folk rock band, The Sham Cartel, and wanted someone good enough to perform. I’d learnt violin to grade 8 in my teens and played in Essex Youth Orchestra for a time. But I’d been second violin and never felt good enough. I…

3 WAYS TO... Help hay fever 1 EXERCISE SMART ‘Avoid outside activity first thing and early evening, as pollen is released and then falls to the ground as the air cools,’ says pharmacist Niamh McMillan*. After time outdoors, shower and change clothes to remove pollen from skin and hair. 2 CLOSE WINDOWS to stop pollen entering your home. ‘And vacuum regularly to remove pollen traces,’ says Niamh. ‘Avoid drying clothes outside. Using an air purifier at night will also help to improve ventilation and air quality.’ 3 WEAR SUNGLASSES to protect your eyes and face from pollen. ‘Add a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, around your nostrils to act as a barrier and trap pollen particles,’ says Niamh. MY HEALTHY LIFE Nic Wilson is an author and…

1 USE UP TESTER POTS Try this thrifty idea to turn a set of shelves into a style statement, simply by using up old tester pots in similar shades. A spectrum of soft colours will work best, either painted in an ombré order – from darkest at the bottom to lightest at the top – or at random. ✱ For similar, try the shades Botanical Extract, Mellow Sage, Soft Lime and Spice Rack by Crown 2 COLOUR THE CEILING When it comes to painting ceilings, it’s commonplace to reach for white paint. But this contrast can effectively put a ‘lid’ on the room and make it feel smaller than it is. Instead, consider taking the colour from your walls, all the way up, or using a tonal shade to give…

When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén (£14.99, PB, Transworld) This profoundly moving novel is sure to melt you into tears faster than a Cornetto in the sunshine. Its narrative follows Bo, an ageing man faced with gradual ebbing away of his autonomy. As his son insists on taking away his father’s beloved dog, claiming he’s no longer looked after properly, Bo reflects on his loss of control, a wife with dementia who doesn’t recognise him, complicated relationships and the slow ending of a long life. Poignant, beautifully written and guaranteed to spark introspection. Let Me In: The Brontës in Bricks and Mortar by Ann Dinsdale and Sharon Wright (£25, PB, Great Northern Books) Take a trip to Brontë world in the company of two supersleuths dedicated to uncovering…

ARIES 21 MAR – 20 APR It’s likely to be a very busy week. Do your best to take frequent short breaks to maintain a consistently high energy level. TAURUS 21 APR – 21 MAY Many doors are opening for you. You may be tempted to take the first thing that comes along. But if you’re patient and wait, you can have everything. GEMINI 22 MAY – 21 JUN You thrive on new projects and activities. This is the time to stretch yourself and go beyond your self-imposed limitations. CANCER 22 JUN – 23 JUL Do something that you’ve been putting off. This week, results can be attained. Once started, there will be no stopping you! LEO 24 JUL – 23 AUG Anything connected with your finances is under favourable…

AN ADDAMS FAMILY CRISIS Wednesday Addams has a terrible secret – she’s fallen in love with a nice, respectable young man. Gomez is the only one who knows, but can he keep the revelation from his wife? Alexandra Burke stars as Morticia Addams in the UK-touring production of the hit musical comedy, alongside Lesley Joseph as Grandma. ✱ 10 July to 30 August, theaddamsfamily.co.uk The King’s Rose This year’s Chelsea Flower Show saw the launch of The King’s Rose, a stunning new shrub from David Austin. It’s named in honour of King Charles III, and proceeds from the sales will support the work of The King’s Foundation, building sustainable communities. The flowers are semi-double, with delicate papery petals in fuchsia-pink and white stripes, and have a delicate musky scent. The…

1 PEONY PINK Striking the perfect balance of being wearable without being boring, this pretty pink shade is ideal for everyday use. NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream in Milan, £7, lookfantastic.com, provides a rich pigmented colour with a creamy matte finish that refuses to budge no matter what your day looks like. 2 SMUDGE-PROOF SHADE If you have a big event and need your lipstick to stay put, Morphe Soulmatte Velvet Lip Mousse in First Kiss, £12, uk.morphe.com, will impress. The clever whipped texture is light as air and glides on to lips, then, when dried, the colour is smudge- and transfer-proof. 3 BARGAIN BUY PS… Lustre Satin Lipstick in Purple, 90p, Primark, is proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a lovely lipstick.…

Psoriasis treatment news Concerns that systemic treatments for psoriasis increase the risk of serious infections, especially in older people, turn out to be misplaced. A large Canadian database study of nearly 12,000 adults aged over 65 years with psoriasis reports no associations between treatment with methotrexate or tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (such as biologic therapies like adalimumab) and risk of infection. Paradoxically, people using therapies targeting interleukins (glycoproteins that regulate immune responses), such as secukinumab, experienced reduced rates of serious infection. PROSTATE CANCER GENE TEST A saliva test assessing genetic risk of prostate cancer may be better at detecting the disease than PSA level (measurement of protein produced by the prostate) or MRI, the Institute for Cancer Research reports. Studying 130 gene variants, the polygenic risk score is more reliable than PSA testing and…

Classic tiramisu Literally translated as ‘pick me up’, as the sugar and liquor lifts the spirits! SERVES 10-12READY IN 20 mins, plus chilling ✱ 6 large eggs, separated✱ 100g caster sugar✱ 200ml double cream✱ 250g mascarpone✱ 200ml freshly brewed espresso coffee✱ 100ml marsala✱ 24 Savoiardi biscuits or sponge fingers YOU WILL NEED ✱ 10-12 individual glasses 1 Using an electric whisk, beat the yolks and sugar until light and fluffy. In a separate bowl, but using the same whisk, whip the cream to firm peaks. Add the mascarpone and briefly whisk to combine. Using a balloon whisk, mix this into the egg yolk mixture until just combined. 2 In a clean bowl, whisk the egg whites to soft peaks, then fold them into the cream mixture. 3 Pour the espresso…

Difficulty level YOU WILL NEED ✱ 22x46cm patterned fabric✱ 11x46cm fusible fleece✱ 11x46cm fusible interfacing✱ 12cm square contrasting fabric✱ Circular object (to draw around)✱ Matching sewing thread✱ Sewing machine✱ Pins 1 From the patterned fabric, cut two 11x46cm strips and one 12cm square. Fuse an interfacing strip to the wrong side of each fabric strip. Use a circular object to round off one end of each fabric strip. 2 To make the securing tab, fold the square in half, open out and fold the edges into the fold line, then fold in half along the original crease. Topstitch along the edges. On the fleece-interfaced fabric strip, position and pin the tab 2.5cm from the bottom straight edge, with right sides facing and edges aligned. Stitch in place, about 5mm from…

Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS To fit ages 6-12 months (18-24 months) (3-4 years). Actual measurements 55.5 (66.5) (77.5)cm/21¾ (26¼) (30½)in. Length to shoulder 40 (45) (50)cm/15¾ (17¾) (19¾)in. MATERIALS 2 (3) (4) x 100g (250m) balls of Stylecraft Naturals Bamboo Cotton DK (60% bamboo, 40% cotton) in Azalea (7135)*. Pair each of 3.25mm (No. 10), 3.75mm (No. 9) and 4mm (No. 8) knitting needles; 3 buttons. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk. TENSION 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10x10cm, over stocking stitch, using 4mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS K, knit; p, purl; sk2po, slip 1, k2tog, pass slipped st over (to decrease 2 sts); ss, stocking stitch (k on right side and p on wrong side); ssk, one by one, slip next 2 sts from left to right needle, return them to left…

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: Document carrier 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: Personal speakers Crossword Try the easy or cryptic clues, then rearrange the letters in the shaded squares for the answer. CLUE:…

‘Thank goodness you’re here,’ said my friend Wendy as I arrived at the charity shop on Friday. ‘She’s driving me absolutely nuts.’ I looked around the shop and raised a subtle eyebrow. Truly, I am the Roger Moore of the charity retailing world. Mrs Roger, obviously, but you get the idea. The ‘she’ in question was Geraldine, who is our latest recruit. She is hard-working and energetic, no doubt about that, but she has – how can I put this politely? – a keen sense of social distinction. ‘She’s the most outrageous snob and social climber,’ said Wendy. Yes, that’s a less polite way of putting it. ‘I’ve never met anybody like her.’ ‘Where is she?’ I wondered. ‘She’s in the storeroom, making tea.’ Wendy sighed deeply and gnashed her…

THE TOP When all else fails, denim makes the perfect pairing for a pulled-together daytime look. Opt for a sporty twist and team a polo shirt with some comfy trainers, and layer a lightweight vest underneath for extra coverage. THE SKIRT Make the material evening appropriate by pairing with a smart shirt or blouse and some chic wedges. Muted colours keep the look feeling premium. Try a skirt that has a thicker texture to ensure you’re covered. THE COVER-UP Thanks to its holey texture, crochet makes for a stylish layering tool, allowing you to show off your swimwear while still offering protection. A cream hue will go with everything.…

I find my daughter’s behaviour irritating Q I have two children and I’m aware that I love my son more than my daughter. She irritates me and I know I am hard on her. I’m much kinder to my son. I know my favouritism will cause her problems but I don’t know what to do about it. I have tried not to snap but her behaviour is exasperating at times. I know this is my problem, not hers. She’s still only eight. Name and address withheld A Thank you for being so honest about how you are feeling – it is often hard to do this. I am sure you have thought about why this is, but I wonder if some of your daughter’s behaviour reminds you of a part of yourself you don’t like,…

When she inherited Sweet Dreams, her aunt’s cafe and ice cream parlour, Tina Lawson was deliriously happy. However, although its blue shutters and striped awnings promised cheer to passers-by, the reality inside was less charming, with wonky counters and broken freezers, not to mention the piles of unpaid bills. ‘What if I lose everything?’ ‘You’ve bitten off more than you can chew, Miss Lawson,’ Mr Griggs the banker announced during her first week. Adjusting his spectacles, he sighed, ‘The numbers don’t lie.’ Tina had smiled politely, though her heart sank. It seemed Sweet Dreams was more crumbling nightmare than sugar-coated success. Still, she wasn’t about to give up. ‘One scoop at a time,’ she told herself as she worked to improve the interior and experiment with recipes. Then it was…