Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 305 i Yours Magazine

I’ve just spent a fabulous few days at the Yours Live! Summer Party. I love meeting readers and relish having the opportunity to spend some time chatting and finding out what’s happening in your lives. It always feels like catching up with old friends and I inevitably come away with lots of ideas for features and questions you’d like answered. Our next event is the Yours Live! Festive Party at Gunton Hall in November and it’s going to be our biggest and best holiday yet. The three-night break is packed with activities and entertainment bringing Yours to life. Whether it’s a fashion show, craft classes, guest speakers, or dazzling evening entertainment – all provided with plenty of festive flair. To enjoy an early Christmas with us, turn to page 102…

Glamour has never been more comfortable than in a kaftan. After all, when else has a garment, often bejewelled and bedazzled beloved by royals and Hollywood, been quite so reminiscent of a dressing gown? Its free-flowing comfort is the ultimate ruse in a world of tight dresses and ill-fitting evening outfits, shouting out luxury and class! Their origins go back to ancient times when these loose-fitting tunics would be worn to keep cool in the African heat. They then acquired their high-class associations during the Ottoman empire when they were worn by queens and sultans, the colours and decorations indicating the rank of the person who wore them. But it was the Fifties when kaftans headed west as Christian Dior and Balenciaga experimented with a free-flowing kaftan look. It caught…

Even at the age of 81 and four decades on from her Blue Peter days, Valerie Singleton still gets letters from fans of the show. “People still write to me and say how much they enjoyed watching and how I meant so much to them,” she says. Valerie started life as the daughter of an RAF Wing Commander and spent much of her early childhood moving around, until the family settled in London when she was 11. From the outset performing was a passion and she trained as a dancer at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. After a year in rep theatre with the likes of Sheila Hancock, Frankie Howerd and Nigel Hawthorne, she became a voice-over artist and then a continuity announcer with the BBC alongside Judith Chalmers.…

Dyslexia is a recognised learning difficulty that affects up to one in 20 people in the UK. It mainly affects the skills you use to read, write and spell and is completely unrelated to intelligence. The cause of dyslexia isn’t known, though it often runs in families. A person with dyslexia may read or write slowly, confuse the order of letters in words, find it hard to carry out directions, struggle to understand information that’s written down or write letters the wrong way round. If you think you have dyslexia, get advice from the British Dyslexia Association. Call 0333 4054567 or visit www.bdadyslexia.org.uk .The BDA can also direct you to charities which can offer support.…

Whether you need to pop to the shops or visit friends, getting out and about on a bus is becoming harder and harder to do. In the last year alone, 3,088 routes nationally have either been reduced or eliminated. But in the midst of those depressing statistics, the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) is now pushing a new proposition that it’s hoped could reverse this decline. Why are routes being cut? CBT’s Steve Chambers says: “Today’s bus routes are operated commercially to make a profit, but many routes don’t make enough money for operators which can lead to cuts in services. Where routes under threat of closure are seen as ‘socially necessary’ some local councils do choose to take responsibility for them as they know they’re needed for people to…

1 Build good foundations The right underwear is key if you’re after a slimmer-looking silhouette and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. If you have an important event or just want to look your very best, then a slimming slip or hold-it-all-in briefs are your secret weapon. 2 Wear leg-lengthening heels Take a style tip from the royals and opt for nude heels to make your legs look longer. We love the latest additions to the M&S classic court collection, which now includes six tonal nude shades from Light Pink to Espresso. 3 GO TAILORED A smart, tailored blazer will brighten up any look without adding on the inches. Avoid yours looking like workwear and opt for a bold colour or classic stripe. 4 SAY YES TO COLOUR A…

If it’s health rather than ethics motivating you to change how you eat you can get all the benefits of a plant-based diet without losing out on the nutrients meat, dairy, eggs and fish give you. “Lean red meat is one of the most nutritious foods around, providing easily absorbed iron and zinc, as well as complete protein, B vitamins and selenium,” advises Dr Carrie Ruxton of the Meat Advisory Panel. “Eggs are rich in Vitamin D while dairy foods provide calcium and iodine. Buy only lean red meat, double your veg intake and eat eggs and oily fish a few times a week.…

• In conversation with other patients in the Out Patients’ Department at the local hospital the subject turned to age. I was flattered with the comment that I didn’t look 83 and how well I was doing. I was lapping it all up, when it dawned on me that were in the ophthalmology department, all there for various eyesight problems! Oh well, it was good while it lasted. Maybe ‘they should have gone to Specsavers?’ Gwyneth Lowe, Essex Sharon says: Or maybe they were all absolutely right about how well you looked, Gwyneth! • Our star letter will receive a stunning The Elegant Rose and Freesia bouquet with chocolates from our friends at Flying Flowers. To place your order with free deliv ery call 0333 003 0858 or visit…

Celery solution Use a pastry brush to clean celery. It gets in all the grooves and makes the job easy. Alan Cooksey, by email Secure pocket I sewed a jewellery roll inside my coat to make a secure large inside pocket. Lucy Robinson, Bristol Citrus tip Grating the zest off citrus fruits is a lot easier if you put them in the freezer the night before you need to use them. Any leftover zest can be portioned up and kept frozen and used as and when required. Beverley Lindfield, Kent…

While looking after my four-year-old grandson (four) he asked me if his daddy lived in our house when he was little. Showing him a picture of his daddy aged four with his twin brother, he said: “They have my face!” Julie Bard, Devon My granddaughter (5) was playing I-Spy in the garden. The object began with ‘ch’. When we gave in and asked what the object was, “It’s a champoline!” she said. Carol Parker, Fife I’d hurt my leg and was on crutches, but made it to my son and his family for a birthday celebration. As I struggled down the drive my grandson (3)ran up to me very concerned and asked: “Grandma, would you like to borrow my pushchair?” Mrs B M Timothy, Stafford…

A whole new world had opened up to me – Shakespeare, classical music, a library; I learned Spanish and even Latin at one point I was five years old when my family moved to the village of Glengoffe in St Catherine, Jamaica in 1944. I loved my school, which was called Grateful Hill. The Headmaster lived at the top of the hill above the school, and each morning we all gathered to watch as this small man with the big personality descended slowly and majestically down the path in his brilliant white suit and Panama hat, twirling a Malacca cane. My two best friends were Cherry and William and we were always looking for something exciting to do during the school holidays. William’s family all smoked and he suggested we…

When was the last time you had the chance to have a day to yourself, put your own needs first and said no? Women have historically taken on the role of caregivers. Tending to others has become second nature so the thought of practising self-care might make you feel a little selfish or guilty, but in actual fact, making your wellbeing a priority means you’ll be better equipped to help friends and loved ones without feeling weary or resentful. If you’re used to putting your own needs on the backburner, check out what the experts have to say about making me-time a priority. What are the benefits? “While most of us are familiar with ways of looking after our physical health, it’s easy to neglect our emotional and mental wellbeing,”…

FREEBIE OF THE ❤ Yours FORTNIGHT Finding the right food for your dog if it has a sensitive stomach or allergies can be an expensive trial and error process. Wafcol has been producing grain-free dog food for more than 40 years and you can try a sample free of charge at Wafcol.co.uk ■ Please note that samples can take up to six weeks to arrive. www.wafcol.co.uk Switch and save! Fed up with getting a poor interest rate on your savings? You’re not the only one! But now the financial regulator FCA is considering forcing banks to pay a minimum interest rate on old savings accounts. Its figures show that only one in ten people have switched their savings account in the last three years and millions of people have money…

Guide to looking after yourself as a carer If you’re caring for someone who’s living with a terminal illness, it can be hard to find time for yourself. This useful guide is full of tips and information to help you take care of your own needs and make the most of life as a carer. • The Yours Guide to Looking After Yourself as a Carer Information and support in association with Marie Curie Request your free guide today Call free: 0800 716 146 By post: Freepost MARIE CURIE YOURS (no stamp/further address needed) Guide to Wills & LPAs This updated guide has all the latest essential information on Wills and LPAs and why they’re so important. Peace of mind for you and your family is vital – that’s why…

BARBECUE SPANISH POTATOES SERVES: 4 PREP: 10 MINS COOK: 10 MINS 5 Desiree potatoes, scrubbed and sliced 1 red and 1 yellow bell pepper, slices and deseeded .2 tbsp olive oil 75ml (3fl oz) tomato puree 60ml (2fl oz) mayonnaise 1 tbsp red wine vinegar 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tbsp chopped parsley 1 tbsp chopped almonds 1 In a bowl, toss potatoes and peppers in oil and season. 2 Preheat barbecue or griddle pan and cook 3-4 mins each side. 3 Arrange on a serving platter. 4 In a bowl combine the remaining ingredients and season. Spoon over the vegetables and sprinkle with parsley and almonds. Per serving: 428 cals, 19g fat (2g sat fat), 8g sugar, 0.1g sat WOMAN’S DAY MIXED SEAFOOD PLATTER SERVES:…

SEPTEMBER 22 Isle of Wight Day sees residents and visitors celebrate the very best of this island, with carnivals, talent shows, street parades, fireworks and even a Songs of Praise event with Alan Titchmarsh. OCTOBER 11-14 The Isle of Wight Literary Festival in Cowes is the perfect event for all book lovers, with a variety of creative workshops, exclusive readings and, of course, lots of books. ■ For more details, call the Isle of Wight Visitor Information Centre on 01983 521555…

‘I’ll always miss him but I live peacefully with it now’ Welcome... to the Sharing the Caring pages. When Penny Fisher moved abroad with her husband after retirement, she found dealing with a foreign healthcare system a real challenge. When Derek and Penny Fisher retired within a short time of each other, they set off for a new life overseas. The couple headed off to sunny Spain to enjoy their retirement, making friends in the ex-pat community and enjoying life in the sunshine. All went well for 18 months until the couple were having an evening drink on their balcony when Derek had a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) followed by an epileptic fit. Doctors couldn’t find any other problems and Derek and Penny hoped it was a one-off incident. Sadly,…

■ Times have changed for the better I think people who are older today are accepted more than when I was first successful in my early 20s. Thirty years ago, when I was 22, if you were 52, you were done. But quite a few of the movers and shakers today – everyone from David Attenborough to Richard Branson – are still achieving well into their later years. ■ My dad taught me the value of money By the age of 22, I was a millionaire. I had a huge amount of money and fame and that’s not very good for someone of that age, that instant jump from not being known to becoming world famous. It both distorts everyone’s view of you and clouds your own judgement. But I…

Make way for Whoopi… DON’T MISS She’s been a mainstay of our screens for many years and gained huge critical acclaim for her performances in the likes of The Color Purple, Ghost and Sister Act and now Whoopi Goldberg is taking to the stage in Leeds and London for a very special ‘audience with’. In her two shows, she’ll be sharing her observations on current events and topics that matter to her followed by a question and answer session. ■ At Leeds Arena on October 13 (call 0844 248 1585/ www.firstdirectarena.com) and London Apollo on October 14 (call 0844 249 4300/ www.eventimapollo.com) CD treat… Billy Fury fans will be halfway to paradise with the release of a brand new album, The Symphonic Sound of Fury. It showcases Billy’s amazing vocals…

Doing the SPLITS!  This bearded reedling was caught on camera showing off his gymnastic skills. Found in the UK in reed beds, they are sociable, noisy, and – clearly – very supple. Book now for pet extravaganza Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick will be among the stars joining a huge cast of all creatures great and small for the National Pet Show at Birmingham’s NEC on November 3 and 4. Dogs, cats and ponies will be joined by pythons, chickens and chinchillas all under one roof, with fascinating talks from experts plus interactive demonstrations. Noel will be inspiring visitors with his specially built Noel’s Ark. Carers and personal assistants for visitors with mental or physical health conditions go free. For tickets call 0800 640 5001. Hedgehog help Many parts of the country…

Susan Calman was living the dream – as well as defying the odds – when she and dance pro Kevin Clifton reached the tenth round of last year’s Strictly Come Dancing. Another year and another series will obviously see another woman partnering her beloved Kevin, but Susan wants only the best for him. “Whoever he gets partnered with, I'll be right there supporting them,” she tells us. “It's time for the class of 2018 to take over. But I'll always be Team Clifton. Always. Strictly happens, you love it, you treasure the brilliant memories, but it's important to let others have that joy. Besides... I have already won a Glitter Ball with him.” What? Did we miss something? “Kevin and I won on the Strictly tour,” Susan laughs. “Back to…

Using local bus services where possible and encouraging others to do so can make a big difference. Recently, a number of routes under threat have been saved by local campaigners showing their love for their buses. One such group, Frome and Villages Bus User Group, reversed the planned closure of their 267 bus route by encouraging more people to use the service. Now they’re campaigning for better timetables and even a scheme asking pubs and restaurants to encourage customers to leave their cars at home and travel by bus for a night out. “Often councils get the impression routes are unloved or unwanted, making it easier for them to cut them, so use your routes and let your council and MPs know that this service matters to you,” says Steve.…

The delicate skin around your eyes is far thinner than the skin on the rest of your face, which is why it’s one of the first areas to show tell-tale ageing signs. Wrinkles, under-eye bags, short lashes and sparse brows are all big age giveaways. While they might not be completely reversible, they can be improved. So, turn back the clock with the help of these high-performance beauty buys. TELL-TALE LINES Crow’s feet and wrinkles around the eyes are caused by a reduction of collagen and elastin in the skin. Whether you have fine lines or deeper wrinkles, both can look worse if you and your skin is dehydrated. Drinking plenty of water and using a moisturising eye cream will improve their appearance. Hydrate the skin around your eyes with…

Nest surprise • After returning from holiday, we were aware of wasps circulating around our coal bunker and barbecue area. On lifting the lid of our coal bunker, my husband found this wasps’ nest the size of a football! Judith Ellis, Thirsk Dress joy • A thought to cheer! Happiness is trying on a dress that seems too tight, and then discovering that the lining is caught up inside. Bridget Yates, Leics To iron, or not to iron? • A recent letter about checking sheets and bed linen brought in from the line for insects got me thinking. Do people not iron sheets and bed linen anymore? I iron every piece of clothing that should be ironed. In fact when the children were babies and wore cotton nappies, I used…

Christmas doesn’t always go as smoothly as we hope, despite weeks of planning. The festive season can turn into a nightmare for all sorts of reasons – bad weather, discovering Santa doesn’t exist, unexpected illness, the wrong present, cooking disasters, a family bust-up. Whatever caused you to have the worst Christmas ever, we’d love to hear all about it. Send your stories, with photos if possible, marked Blast from the Past to the address on page 3. If published, you’ll get a £10 High Street voucher.…

‘My last memory as I left in the ambulance was seeing men with Flit guns entering our house to fumigate it’ In the year that the NHS celebrates its 70th birthday, it’s worth remembering how tough times were for families before health care was freely available to all. When Mrs R Stamp and three of her siblings caught diptheria in 1936, they all had to go to an isolation hospital for six weeks: “As we were poor, Mum was worried about the bills, but our lovely family doctor told her, ‘Don’t worry, my rich patients will cover the cost’. “Diptheria affected the throat and heart and some of the children we knew died. On a recent visit to hospital for a scan, I told the nurse I’d had diptheria and…

1 The Beach Boys were the soundtrack of America in the Sixties. Can you name them all and the town where they grew up? 2 What was silent actor Buster Keaton’s nickname (above)? 3 Paul Newman’s actress wife Joanne Woodward raised eyebrows when she appeared at The Oscars in 1958 in a homemade (but very beautiful) dress. For which film did she win Best Actress that year? 4 Just Good Friends with Jan Francis and Paul Nicholas (below) was a hit for the BBC in the Eighties. Which writer penned this series and a string of other sitcom hits? 5 As Time Goes By, starring Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer (above), was TV gold back in 1992, but what were their character’s names? 6 Which much-loved British actress, who recently…

Moving house can stir up all kind of feelings. UKCP registered psychotherapist Toby Ingham ( www.tobyingham.com ) guides you through the most common issues: QI feel so sad leaving my house behind – how do I come to terms with the move? A: “Don’t deny your feelings about saying goodbye. We have to mourn – it’s part of how we prepare ourselves for new starts – so it’s natural to feel this way. Mark the occasion of your move with a meal or party with loved ones so you can share your emotions and let others help you make a success of this.” Q How can I keep the stress of moving to a minimum? A: “Be as organised as possible by planning carefully, asking for help with…

This can include: Recognising what you are good at We are all good at something – whether it’s cooking, singing, doing puzzles or being a friend. Write down one thing you’re good at every day for seven days, then read your list every morning to remind you of your strengths. Being good to yourself This means being gentle on yourself at times when you’re tempted to be critical. Think what you’d say to a friend in a similar situation. We often give far better advice to others than we do to ourselves. Saying no People with low self-esteem often feel they have to say yes to others, even when they don’t really want to. The risk is that you become overburdened, resentful, angry and depressed. Saying ‘no’ in a relationship…

Smoky SPINACH SHAKSHUKA SERVES: 4 PREP: 15 MINS COOK: 30 MINS 3 tbsp olive oil 2 cloves of garlic, crushed 2 spring onions, finely chopped ½ tsp salt 1 tbsp tomato purée 4 tomatoes, chopped 2 tsp cumin seeds 1 tsp smoked paprika 200g baby spinach leaves 4 medium eggs 1 tsp chilli flakes To serve: Greek yogurt Toasted sourdough 1. Place a lidded pan on a high heat. Add the oil and garlic. Turn the heat down and add the spring onions. 2. Add the salt, tomato purée and chopped tomatoes and cook for about 5 mins, adding a couple of tablespoons of water if they start catching. 3. Add the cumin seeds and smoked paprika and cook the spices through for a few mins. 4. Add the spinach,…

Caring for someone with dementia is demanding and it can be particularly stressful if they are refusing to eat. Many people with dementia experience issues with food, as emotional and physical changes can make eating and drinking more difficult. Depression is a common side effect of dementia and can lead to loss of appetite. Problems with chewing and swallowing can also affect their ability to enjoy food. Weight loss can occur if they like to walk around a lot for example, and, as a result, they will use more energy and could lose weight if they don’t increase the amount of food they eat. If someone is living alone, they may find it difficult to prepare food or even forget to eat. People with dementia may not want to accept…

Public toilets Shops, pubs and cafés are being urged to open their toilets to the public due to the sharp fall in the number of public loos. Latest figures reveal that since the year 2000, four in ten public toilets have closed due to council cost-cutting. The Use Our Loos initiative, organised by the British Toilet Association and sponsored by Domestos, aims to get more businesses to sign up to the scheme. Already more than 11,000 are listed. Participating businesses have Use Our Loos stickers and there’s an online map www.toiletmap.org.uk showing locations. High street Ikea The Swedish flat-pack furniture giant Ikea is famous for its out-of-town warehouse-style shops. Now it seems, smaller stores could be coming to our high streets. The first, due to open in central London this…

Men Behaving Badly, Doc Martin, William and Mary, Reggie Perrin and fronting an impressive haul of animal and travel documentaries... With the kind of career back catalogue Martin Clunes is able to boast you’d imagine that no TV role would come as a surprise to him. But that’s not the case. He may be bordering on National Treasure status but he’s also refreshingly modest – which is why he never imagined he’d be cast as Sir Pitt Crawley in Vanity Fair, an adaptation of the William Makepeace Thackeray novel, set against a backdrop of the Napoleonic wars, which tells the story of ambitious Becky Sharp. “My initial reaction was, ‘I wonder who let them down?’ he says. “Then just deep joy. Years ago, I remember seeing a production of Vanity…

‘It’s important to tell children that a diagnosis of dyslexia isn’t the end of the world’ When Pip Carr tries to spell a word or read a sentence, the letters just seem to scramble before her eyes. “While most people see the complete word in their heads, for me it’s like all the letters are swimming in fog and I can’t arrange them,” she says. “I also have to read sentences again and again as it just doesn’t go in.” Pip is dyslexic, but she only found this out much later in life, after years of struggling at school and when she began work. “At school, my reading and writing was well behind my age and I was always getting told off for not being able to spell,” says Pip.…

If you don’t mind the spend, boost your brows with RapidBrow’s Eyebrow Enhancing Serum (£37/3ml). Specially formulated to nourish and stimulate weak brow hairs, apply twice a day and stick at it to see results. Fill gaps and perfect the shape of your brows with Soap & Glory’s Archery Brow Pencil (£8.50), which gives natural results and has a handy built-in brush. Or, for thicker brows in an instant try Soap & Glory’s Archery Volu-Boost Brow Fibre Gel (£10), which also helps keep unruly hairs in place – it’s foolproof.…

Welcome to the heart of the magazine. If you’ve got a funny story to share, need to let off steam or have a picture you’re proud of – get in touch. You could end up on the UK’s biggest letters pages. Lily pad myth? • I love the Animal Magic page, but there’s a question I’d love answered. Having spent some weeks boating along our English canals recently, I noticed the water lilies opening up – has anyone ever seen a toad or a frog sitting on a lily pad or is it just the stuff of fairytales? Veronica Potter, Stafford Tuck shop memory • Regarding your article on tuck shops, I have fond memories of my primary school tuck shop selling chocolate fingers, Jammie Dodgers and potato puffs. Barbara…

Some women state they sailed right through, I’m tempted to say ‘well good for you!’ Night sweats wake me hour upon hour In just ten minutes I need a shower. Lying in bed soaked to the skin Much more of this and I’ll need a fin! Pour milk on my toast, put butter in my tea An empty space where my brain should be Hair falling out, becoming quite thin Now it’s sprouting from ’neath my chin! Mood swings cause me to rant and rave To top it all I need a shave. Head so muddled, really all at sea I’m menopausal, please leave me be!…

Out shoe shopping, I showed my mum a pair I liked. She said, ‘They’re nice, but they’re a bit close to the floor!’ Makes me wonder what she walks on! Lorna Ridgway, Milton Keynes I left a bowl of mashed potato and one of ice-cream for my grandson side by side. Guess which one got the chocolate sauce topping. Silly Grandma! Carol Bucknall, by email I love doing jigsaws and recently downloaded an online one. With just one piece missing I searched on the screen for it, and then looked on the floor! Next time I logged on the offending piece was there on screen as large as life! Gwyn Grocott, Cheshire…

1964 • Here I am with my young, future sister-in-law (centre) proudly sporting a Beatles dress. I made my dress from green and white striped cotton, worn with a wide belt and sugar-stiffened net petticoat. The gondola baskets were also in vogue back then! Sylvia Thompson, Wales 1943 • I was aged just two years old when this snap was taken. You can see that the recent craze for wearing big bows is nothing new – they were in fashion 74 years ago! Pat Lowe, Hampshire 1960 • Here is a photo of my sister and me dressed up for the church anniversary, both feeling special in our white dresses. I remember how our mum had covered our white shoes in a lotion to stop them scuffing. The sun always…

It’s here again – the time of the year when our village pulls out all the stops (nothing to do with the church organ!). It’s when fate – or fête – takes over our lives. That annual get-together when connoisseurs of homemade jam, bric-a-brac collectors, owners of dogs with the waggiest tail, mums who spend hours putting together original fancy dresses for their little darlings and budding Monty Dons whose crops are auctioned at the end of the day, all make a contribution. Suffolk fêtes, organised by residents, are terrific and nearly every village has one. During the run-up to the big day banners, posters and adverts line the roads leading to the village venues. When we moved here 15 years ago, the organisers of our local fête were legendary…

Q As my mum’s carer, I often find it difficult to make sure she is drinking enough fluids. Is there an easy way I can ensure she’s properly hydrated? H Morgan, by email Yours says The Droplet Hydration Aid mug is used in many hospitals and care homes. It comes in three parts and is programmed to prompt the user with flashing lights and recorded messages. The lightweight cup and tumbler have discreet measuring lines, allowing you to record their intake. The lid has a spout and holes for straws. ■ Available from www.Amazon.co.uk. Rrp £45 Q I found the perfect dress for a special occasion but when I got it home I realised it gaped open at the front. What can I do? Fiona Jones, Hull Yours says For…

Yours tip: Before using a testing kit, it’s important you – or someone you know – have access to the internet so that you can set up your online account and where you can securely view all your test results. It’s also important to remember not to eat, smoke or drink caffeine for up to an hour before you carry out the test, so that a good-quality sample of DNA can be collected.…

Screens Plasma, LCD, LED and OLED are the four main screens. “LCD and LED TVs are both thin and back-lit,” says Dani. “However, LEDs tend to be more popular as they’re lightweight, affordable, energy efficient, produce higher image quality and come in a range of sizes. Plasma screen TVs are often large and use a special gas technology to produce high colour accuracy and saturation. OLED screens use the most advanced technology of the four – boasting smooth vibrant motion picture and sharper natural images.” Resolution “If you’re on a budget, choose one with HD 1080p – also known as Full HD,” says Dani. “However, if you want a TV that’s so future-proof you won’t have to replace it in a few years, look for a set that supports 4K.…

We can help you find… ■ Like-minded friends ■ A new romance ■ Long-lost friends & family ■ Just about everything Seeking friendship Find a like-minded penpal or companion for outings Lady, 54, would like penfriends, male or female, hobbies include travel, cinema, pets, music, reading and writing letters. Any area AUG2-201 Friendly lady, 61, looking for similar ladies to meet up for coffee, lunches, chats and days out. Bournemouth area AUG2-202 Lady, 60s, married, good sense of humour, housebound, loves Pugs, reading, gardening, cookery, Speedway, seeks female friends aged 60-plus. UK area AUG2-203 58-year-old lady, seeks ladies for friendship, going out for coffee, chats, day trips, meals, the pub, outings, non-smoker friends preferred. South Essex area AUG2-204 Lady, early 70s, likes the seaside, walks, days out, seeks a gentleman…

Jerzy and Zofia Kowakzyk are looking forward to their diamond wedding next March. The devoted couple, who have six grandchildren, came to England from Poland after the Second World War and, until three years ago, were enjoying their retirement. Sadly, Zofia developed Alzheimer’s disease and Jerzy became her full-time carer. Jerzy recently joined Carers in Touch and says he finds it helpful talking to other carers. He manages without any support and says now that their circumstances are difficult, he’s glad he has always been domesticated. “We can’t have a normal conversation, but I’ll always care for Zofia,” says Jerzy. “She’s the same person she was when I married her.” You can join too… Carers in Touch and the Forget Me Not Group, for those who have lost a loved…

If it’s your birthday this fortnight... …you are born under Virgo, the analyst. You like to focus on one thing at a time, and to do it thoroughly. When you’re totally immersed in a task, whether it’s a hobby or a work project, you are often oblivious to the rest of the world, so keeping busy is your natural stress-buster. Virgo is an immensely kind, decent sort, but this sign can be sharply critical of anything that’s perceived as wrong. Famous people celebrating this fortnight include Sue Cleaver and Colin Firth (pictured), Pauline Collins and Hugh Grant. VIRGO Aug 24-Sept 22  Creative enterprises and romance could take a step back for a time, perhaps until someone or something else arrives. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705705 LIBRA Sept…