Innholdsfortegnelse for 22-Jul-2025 i Woman's Weekly

Woolly thinking “In the Middle Ages, the British Isles got rich from wool. It was always a pre-eminently wonderful material from which to make clothing, and many grand, medieval churches still survive, built on the back of profits made in the trade and the cloth woven from it. These days, Britain’s uplands are still speckled with grazing sheep, little spots of white on the green, but while a farmer used to pay most of the yearly bills with income from wool, sadly, it now costs more to shear an animal than you can make from the fleece. Which is odd, because not only does it make great jumpers, it’s also the source of an amazing natural beauty ingredient. See page 18.”…

Who would have thought travelling up the side of a hill could be so much fun? Funicular railways – essentially two train cars linked by a cable – have been transporting goods, and later people, up steep slopes since the late 19th century. Connected by a single cable, the two cars perform a continuous balancing act: as one rises, the other falls, creating a rhythmic motion reminiscent of a hillside see-saw. Powered by gravity, water or electricity, not only do these marvels of engineering save your legs and offer a picturesque view, they are energy-saving too. Here are five of our favourites. Bridgnorth Cliff Railway Shropshire One of the steepest railways in the UK, and England’s only inland funicular, the Bridgnorth Cliff Railway connects the High Town, perched atop a…

Many of us are becoming worried about the amount of chemicals our bodies are exposed to in the modern world. So, if you’re looking to reduce that, switching to natural and plant-derived ingredients in beauty products might be one place to start. Here we examine five natural wonders, and what they promise for your skin. Beeswax Mature skin types should focus on barrier repair to alleviate sensitivity and redness, and hold on to as much moisture as possible. Beeswax is great for this – it protects the skin barrier, locking in hydration for soft, supple skin, without clogging pores. FIND IT IN ✱ Embryolisse Lait-Crème Fluid+, £28, sephora.co.uk, has a silky-light texture with ultra-hydrating results across the face and body, made with 98% natural-origin ingredients, such as beeswax and shea…

Have fun outside and play games in the garden – it’s a brilliant way to bring everyone together, sparking laughter, teamwork and some friendly competition. Best of all, they are often low cost need little more than a patch of grass and a few household items. So what are you waiting for? Here are some ideas to get you started. Obstacle course Number of players 1+ What you need You can use anything. Think garden chairs, buckets, skipping ropes, bamboo poles to limbo under. How to play Design the course, marking a start and finish. Complete as fast as you can, individually or as part of a team/relay. Make the fun go further Include a sprinkler or small inflatable pool on a warm day as part of the course. Capture…

Has he ‘given in’ to old age? Q I’m in my early 70s and still work. My husband is retired. He’s very good and does a lot of the things in the house but always complains he’s tired. He often takes afternoon naps. I don’t have time to do that. My daughter told me I was abnormal and being harsh on her father. I think he’s given in to becoming old. He may live another 25 years. Elaine, Nottingham A It sounds like you have lots of energy and you’re very lucky. I don’t know about you being abnormal (that was probably a little harsh of your daughter), but I do know people have different energy levels, and these vary throughout our lives. Some people need less sleep than others, and…

The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins and Sawyer Robbins (£18.99, HB, Hay House UK) In case you missed the impact of The Let Them Theory – the viral sensation that’s taken the self-help world by storm – this book is ideal if you want a no-nonsense, relatable guide to help improve your life. In it, Mel explains how to stop wasting energy on what you can’t control and focus on things that matter instead. Filled with advice on how you can apply the theory in different areas of your life, it’s sure to provoke a thought or two. When Sleeping Women Wake by Emma Pei Yin (£20, HB, Quercus) A moving historical debut that’s almost guaranteed to make you reach for the tissues. Set in the time of the…

‘I am so bored,’ said my sister Deb, and immediately I was whisked off to my childhood when she often said the same thing. ‘Rose,’ my mother would say. ‘Take your sister out to play.’ ‘But it’s raining.’ ‘Rain never hurt anybody.’ ‘What am I supposed to do with her?’ ‘I don’t mind what you do, as long as you’re not under my feet and as long as you’re not getting into mischief.’ If only my mother knew that getting into mischief was my sister’s specialist subject. Not only that, but she did it with some skill. Other children might have punctured the bicycle tyre of our teacher Miss Iles with a drawing pin, casting suspicion on the usual suspects. It took a little imagination to use a large rose…

THE £50M DRESS Over the past 20 years, TK Maxx and its customers have raised £50m for Cancer Research UK, helping to fund research into life-saving treatments for children and young people. To mark this achievement, actor Naomie Harris has been photographed in a glorious 50-layered dress, made entirely from pre-loved clothing donated to the store. Wildlife that wows There are so many natural wonders to be found right outside our own doors. See the proof of it in Garden Safari, a book of photographs by Andrew Fusek Peters that show the extraordinary in everyday life. With no tricks beyond patience, Andrew’s stunning shots include a hare suckling its leveret, birds in motion, and the interplay between a vixen and her cub. What better reason to keep our green spaces…

3 WAYS TO... Protect ageing skin 1 USE SPF – DAILY! ‘Opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher and use it daily, even on cloudy days,’ says chartered chemist Bruce Green**. ‘If you’re spending time outdoors, be sure to reapply every two hours.’ 2 FACE CREAM EXTRAS ‘Topical antioxidants are another key tool in the fight against sun damage,’ says Bruce. ‘Ingredients such as vitamin C, niacinamide and green tea extract help to neutralise free radicals caused by UV exposure and support overall skin health.’ 3 WEAR SUNGLASSES And a wide-brimmed hat. Both help shield eyes and forehead, where pigmentation tends to appear first. IF YOU NEED TO WEE – MAKE SURE YOU GO! We’ve all been there, holding in a wee because we’re too busy, or out and about…

3 OF THE BEST... Cushions STYLE TIPS 1 KEEP THE WALLS NEUTRAL If you’re following the 60-30-10 rule, where you balance out a palette of three colours, then a stony neutral should make up more than half of your colour palette. Then choose whether you’d like a soft, buttery yellow or bold, bright blue for the rest. 2 TRY ZESTY ACCENTS Bright lemon yellow really energises this scheme. Limit the colours to key pieces, such as the sofa and footstool, so they don’t overpower, and finish with cushions in foliage patterns to balance the look. 3 ADD GREENERY A small olive or fruit tree, either real or artificial, displayed in a large terracotta pot in a corner, will complete the Mediterranean look. If you don’t have the floor space, trailing…

Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS To fit bust 81-91 (97-107) (112-122)cm/32-36 (38-42) (44-48)in. Width from side to side 102 (107) (112)cm/40 (42) (44)in. Length to shoulder 68 (71) (74)cm/26¾ (28) (29)in. MATERIALS 7 (7) (8) 100g (230m) balls of King Cole Bamboo Cotton DK (50% cotton, 50% bamboo) in Oyster (543)*. Pair each of 4mm (No. 8) and 5mm (No. 6) knitting needles; cable needle; stitch markers. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk. TENSION 19 stitches and 26 rows to 10x10cm, over stocking stitch, using 5mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS C4b, cable 4 back (slip next 2 sts on to cable needle and leave at back, k2, then k2 from cable needle); c4f, cable 4 front (slip next 2 sts on to cable needle and leave at front, k2, then k2 from cable needle); k,…

It’s hard to believe that Alison Steadman will turn 79 next month. The comedy icon and star of Gavin & Stacey is vibrant and attractive, and doesn’t look – or for that matter feel – her age when we meet to discuss her latest project, the third series of the BBC sitcom Here We Go. Alison is still sunny and funny, despite having had a difficult few months. She fell and hurt herself in February during a trip to Dubai to promote her memoir, Out of Character. ‘We were taken to the desert for a beautiful evening concert of poetry and music,’ she begins. ‘They had a buffet and a concrete walkway built into the sand, and a bit was sticking up a little. My shoe caught it and I…

I like to think I’ve mastered the art of being lazy without getting caught, but my family might think otherwise. I’m writing a book with Charlotte Sones – the brilliant comedy scriptwriter – and while we’re on Zoom together, one of us might announce, after all our hard work, that we need a nap. I don’t want to get caught, so depending on which child is away at the time, I sneak into their bedroom with my futon and pillow, proceed to the far side of their bed, put it on the floor and lay there so I can’t be seen. But, if I do get caught, I have a plan. Pillow in hand, with a pillowcase half pulled on, I jump up quickly to look like I am in…

Watercress tzatziki Watercress adds a peppery kick, giving a refreshing twist to the classic. SERVES 6 PREP 20 minsCOOK 40 mins ✱ 400g tin chickpeas, rinsed and drained✱ ½tbsp harissa✱ 80g watercress, a handful reserved to garnish✱ Small handful soft herbs, such as mint, dill and parsley, roughly chopped✱ 500g strained Greek yogurt✱ 1tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra to drizzle✱ 1tbsp lemon juice✱ 1 small garlic clove, grated✱ 150g radishes✱ Baby or mini cucumbers, sliced lengthways✱ Crudités and pitta chips, to serve 1 Heat the oven to 180C Fan/ Gas 6. In a baking tray, toss the chickpeas with the harissa and a pinch of salt. Bake for 40 mins to crisp, shaking after 15 mins. 2 For the tzatziki, whizz the watercress and herbs with 2 spoonfuls…

Coping with… ROSACEA This long-term skin condition mainly affects the face The first sign is usually redness in affected areas, often as prolonged, excessive blushing, when a person is aged 30-40, but sometimes in younger adults. Rosacea is more common in women and people with lighter skin, but when it occurs in men, symptoms can be worse. This characteristic redness is caused by dilated blood vessels. Although the root cause of rosacea is unknown, it may be triggered or worsened by consuming alcohol, caffeine, cheese and spicy food, or factors including brisk exercise, sunlight, temperature extremes and stress. It may also run in families, but there’s no exact genetic link. Generally, it affects the nose, cheeks, forehead and chin, but the neck and shoulders can be affected too. Gradually, the…

It had become a tradition that, on their wedding anniversary, with the family gathered around to toast their happiness, Sam and Jeanie would retell the story of how they met. I remember the first time. It was Sonia, their eldest, who raised the question. We were all in the sitting room on a warm summer evening. ‘So, Mum and Dad, how did you two get together back in the Dark Ages?’ Jeanie made a token gesture of asking Sam if he wanted to tell the tale, but we all knew if he even opened his mouth, she’d jump in and take over. Dear Sam, he didn’t mind. Jeanie was the extrovert, he was always happier sitting quietly in her shadow. ‘Better coming from you,’ he said, diplomatic as always. Jeanie…

Difficulty level SIZE 22x14cm YOU WILL NEED ✱ Access to a photocopier✱ Tracing paper✱ Sharp HB pencil and ruler✱ 30cm of 112cm-wide plain fabric✱ 40cm of 90cm-wide low-loft iron-on fleece✱ 10cm square bonding web✱ 30cm of 112cm-wide patterned fabric✱ Sewing machine✱ Matching sewing threads✱ 35cm chunky zip NOTE Take 1cm seam allowance, unless stated otherwise. STOCKISTS Look Don’t Touch Through The Window Cloud9 fabric, £4.50 per fat quarter, The Fabric Fox; Low-loft fusible fleece, £4.95m, The Quilt Shop; 35cm chunky zip, £5, Ferpa. Making the pattern On a photocopier, enlarge the pattern by 200%. Trace it on to tracing paper, placing the pattern on folded tracing paper, matching broken lines to the fold. Mark the solid and centre lines and dots. Cut out the pattern and open out flat.…

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: revive. 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…

ARIES 21 MAR – 20 APR This is a time of great change for you. Release the old and make way for the new. Exciting adventures lie ahead. TAURUS 21 APR – 21 MAY Anything that has felt stuck can begin to move forward now. You may return to something you began a long time ago. GEMINI 22 MAY – 21 JUN The focus now is on finding balance. Periods of solitude interspersed with social activity will restore your equilibrium. CANCER 22 JUN – 23 JUL Remember to play, have fun and smile. It’s a great way to shake off heavy vibrations and activate the child within. LEO 24 JUL – 23 AUG Your home or family may require more attention now. Drawing clear boundaries at the outset will help…