Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 320 i Yours Magazine

I’m one third of the way through my self-imposed challenge of trying 50 new things this year. So far it’s been brilliant. I’ve found it’s really encouraged me to deliberately seek out different opportunities – so far I’ve counted 16 brand-new experiences. In the past few months I’ve had a go at star-gazing and bird watching, done a local history walking tour and just this week have started learning Spanish. I’ve been to see plays and exhibitions and taken trips to places that I’ve not visited before. What’s been particularly surprising is the many wonderful places right on our doorstep that we’d simply not considered exploring until now. This week I’m off to Aldeburgh in Suffolk (as recommended a few weeks ago in Yours). If you’re looking for some inspiration…

Proud of the NHS ✒ My daughter is a specialist rheumatology nurse. While out shopping together we are often stopped by people greeting her warmly. When I’m introduced to them, they always tell me what a caring and wonderful person she is and how much she has helped them and their families. I feel so proud of her, and all the other people in the NHS making such a difference to people’s lives. God bless our NHS. Name and address supplied Mystery furniture ✒ Can anyone tell me what this seat might have been used for? It was found inside a thatched roof by a workman in 1993. Could it have been used by a thatcher? Margaret Joyce, Lancs Cruelty-free products ✒ I have been trying to buy products that…

✒ My daughter has brought up her two young sons to write thank-you letters when they receive presents. When it was her birthday recently they insisted she wrote them a thank-you letter after giving her their presents! Tit for tat! Mrs Gillard, Southampton ✒ During a family wedding the toastmaster called for silence for a toast. My nephew, who was six, broke the silence, saying in a loud voice: “Please can I have bread and butter? I don’t like toast!” He got loud applause! Linda Chapman, Cambridge ✒ Just wanted to share with you this picture of our smiley little grandsons Mason (3) and Morgan (15 months). Marie Watson, South Wales…

Jenna Coleman has had a very busy year. For much of 2018, she was busy filming tense thriller The Cry in which she played a severely post-natally depressed new mum whose baby boy goes missing. It was a gruelling role that she could not help but be affected by so starting work on Victoria was rather a healing thing to do. “Even though I only had one day off between finishing The Cry and beginning Victoria and I had very big eye-bags!” she says. “After The Cry, it was lovely to play Victoria again. It was summer, we were filming the exterior scenes at Osborne on the Isle of Wight and we were surrounded by laughing, happy children – the child actors playing Victoria’s brood. “It was a form of…

■Live in the moment My grandparents, who were in India, taught me ‘don’t look back, you’re not going that way’ and it’s stood me in good stead. If you look behind you, you’re not concentrating on where you’re going and can trip over what’s in front of you. As a child, it’s a practical lesson. It became a philosophical lesson because, if you’re looking back, you’re not going to see opportunities or obstacles in front of you… and you also fall over and hit your nose. ■ Be true to yourself Mum and Dad used to quote the saying ‘to thine own self be true’. You have your integrity, your value system. If you’re true to yourself, if you trust that judgement, you can never go wrong. It’s intuition, isn’t…

This is one of our cats, Pushka. As you can see, she loves chilling! She’s 14 years old and loves food, lots of cuddles and bossing our other cats. Margaret Fozzard, Wakefield ■ Send us a picture of your pet with personality, tell us their likes, dislikes and age and if we print it you’ll receive a £10 voucher Nature news Puffin numbers at Britain’s largest colony in the Farne Islands are booming. The National Trust says its five-yearly count has revealed a nine per cent growth in numbers – to 44,000 breeding pairs. But despite the good news the birds remain on the British Trust for Ornithology’s red list for species of conservation concern. Conservationsists are planning to release captive European wildcats into the Highlands in what experts say…

Driving home from work one teatime, Emma Willis was in tears as she listened to a radio programme about injured soldiers who’d returned home from war zones. “I was deeply moved by their stories,” recalls the 55-year-old luxury shirt maker who owns a shop in London’s West End. “One young man had lost a leg; another was blind. Yet they were so brave and uncomplaining, even when they were really worried about what they’d do after losing their jobs in the Forces because of their injuries.” Today, ten years on, those same stories are still at the forefront of Emma’s mind. But they’ve been joined by hundreds of others she’s since encountered, through the charity Style for Soldiers that she went on to form to help dress them for success…

‘Don’t believe the hype!’ says pharmacist Sid Dajani “As a practising pharmacist, I’ve come across people who genuinely believe that ‘an aspirin a day keeps the doctor away’. They think aspirin is some kind of magic bullet – but they’re wrong. “The myths started circulating around 20 years ago when it was discovered that if you’d had a heart attack, you could cut your risk of another one by taking a tiny dose of aspirin every day. This bit is true. A low-dose aspirin does cut your risk of a second heart attack – by 25 per cent. And if you’re someone who’s had a heart attack and now takes a low-dose aspirin to prevent another one, the benefits definitely outweigh the risks. “The problem is that this vital information…

■ It’s important to be optimistic about the people you meet and not write them off after just one date (unless your gut instinct tells you otherwise). Make a rule to give someone a chance before deciding not to see them again. ■ Take with you all the knowledge you’ve gained from your previous relationship and keep this in mind when looking for a new partner so you know what you want and what you don’t. ■ Keep your options open and enjoy the freedom to meet several people. ■ Be honest but wary – don’t give away personal information (your address or financial status). ■ Ready to start dating again? Visit www. yoursdating.co.uk where you can join for free…

Safety first! Consumer Association, Which? estimates that there are between 148 and 241 plastic-backed fridge-freezer models still on sale in some of Britain’s biggest electrical retailers. Unlike metal and aluminum laminate backing, this plastic version has been shown in tests to be a highly flammable accelerant that can spread flames in the event of a fire. As it can be difficult to tell if an appliance has this material, Which? has created an online checker tool for consumers revealing the backing of every fridge, freezer and fridge-freezer they’ve ever tested. ■ Visit www.which.co.uk/ reviews/fridge-freezers SIZE BEFORE YOU BUY Forever finding yourself returning clothing that doesn’t quite fit right? Online fashion marketplace, Sewport, has created a sizing tool for shoppers to calculate their size at some of the UK’s most popular…

LAYERED EASTER CHOCOLATE CAKE SERVES: 12 PREP: 20 mins + cooling COOK: 35 mins 225g (8oz) self-raising flour 275g (10oz) firmly packed brown sugar 250g (9oz) unsalted butter, softened 75g (3oz) dark chocolate 50g (2oz) cocoa 1 ½ tsp baking powder 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract 4 eggs 16 mini Easter eggs to decorate Ganache icing: 80ml (3fl oz) double cream 160g (6½ oz) dark chocolate, chopped Buttercream filling: 375g (12½ oz) unsalted butter, softened 500g (1lb 2oz) icing sugar 80ml (4fl oz) milk 1. Preheat oven to 180°c/350°F/gas mark 4. grease and line two 20cm round cake tins. 2. Place the flour, sugar, butter, chocolate, cocoa, baking powder, vanilla, eggs and 2 tbsp water in a food processor and process until smooth. spoon into pans, level surfaces and bake…

Pillow Talk Doris made us laugh as the New York decorator who shares her phone line with the irritating womaniser Brad Allen (Rock Hudson). But when arguments turn to romance, they had us both swooning at the screen. The Man Who Knew Too Much Hitchcock gave Doris the chance to prove herself as a serious dramatic actress in this 1956 thriller, alongside James Stewart. Love Me or Leave Me Doris showed off what she does best, stretching her vocal talents, in this musical masterpiece telling the story of Twenties singer Ruth Etting. Calamity Jane Whip crack-away! Doris blew in from the Windy City and sealed her place in the history books as the Wild West heroine Calamity Jane in this beloved 1953 musical film.…

All my friends and family know I love looking at old photographs, so it wasn’t unusual when our friend John turned up with an old black and white photo of him at a street party, taken at the end of the war. The street was Tudor Gardens in Shoeburyness, Essex, where John had lived as a child. Coincidentally, we had also lived in the same street through the Seventies. Excitedly, I ran upstairs and brought down a colour photo taken in 1977 in almost the same spot. It, too, was of a street party – celebrating the Queen’s silver jubilee – a party which I had helped to organise along with other mums, most of whom lived in the street. A party that all the children would enjoy and remember…

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 Gent, retired, seeks penpals with similar interests, enjoys historical military naval events and talking about the D-Day landings, Gold Beach 1944, Royal Navy Mariners and Zeebrugge April 1 918. Any area MAR2-201 Male, 60, parents’ carer, seeks male and female friends and companions, for socialising, theatre, meals, days and nights out, holidays, enjoys music, films, reading. Worksop/Notts area MAR2-202 Male, 74, slight disability, seeks a female for friendship and companionship, outings, holidays, enjoys driving. Any area MAR2-203 Gentleman, 61, sincere and reliable, looking for male and female penfriends, likes cooking, gardening, days out, animals, making new friends. Any area…

La Torre del Oro This military watchtower (above) and Naval Museum is also worth a visit. You can learn about Seville’s naval heritage and the major role of its mighty river in the city’s history. Climb the spiraling stairs to the top and you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views spanning over the river to the Triana neighbourhood. Maestranza Bullring Built in the 17th Century, the Maestranza Bullring is the most ancient of its kind and seats 12,000 spectators. Even if you hate the idea of bullfighting, its museum provides a great insight and could help you appreciate the relationship between bullfighting and Seville’s culture. Real Alcazar Located in the heart of Seville is the Real Alcazar – one the oldest palaces still in use in the world. It’s considered a…

■ Carers Week 2019 will be held from June 10 to 16. The Carers Week website www.carersweek.org has details on how you can get involved in your local community, or call Carers UK on 0808 808 7777. ■ If you’re struggling with poor eyesight, the RNIB website, www.  shop.rnib.org.uk (or call 0303 123 9999), has gadgets to help ranging from an automatic needle threader to magnifiers. ■ One in 15 people in the UK have diabetes and 1m have undiagnosed Type-2 diabetes. Diabetes UK offers advice and support on living with the condition. Visit www.diabetes.org.uk or call 0345 123 2399. If you’re caring for someone with a life-limiting illness, this free guide is full of useful tips to help you take care of your own needs, too. • Call free: 0800 716 146.…

LATER THIS YEAR THE DOG HOUSE Wood Green, the Cambridgeshire animal charity, takes in hundreds of abandoned or neglected dogs every year. This Channel 4 series will lift the lid on the dog home – a world in which the courtship between previously abandoned or unloved dogs and openhearted humans plays out. Due to air later this year. Murder most brilliant Sir Alec Guinness is an acting tour de force in the 1949 Ealing comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets. He plays all eight members of the aristocratic D’Ascoyne family murdered by the eloquent but deadly Dennis Price who is determined on revenge. ■ Tuesday April 2, 3.10pm and again on Saturday April 6 at 5:55pm on Talking Pictures (Freeview 81, Freesat 306, Virgin 44 and Sky 328) The thriller that…

ARIES MARCH 21-APRIL 19 Communications planet Mercury brings decisions and appointments. You’ll be a kind listener, despite being a busy bee! ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705700 TAURUS APRIL 20-MAY 20 Arrangements become clearer as Mercury travels forwards, but it may be mid-April before one change happens. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705701 GEMINI MAY 21-JUNE 20 Dynamic Mars comes to Gemini, firing you with impatience to get things done. Postponed arrangements could go ahead. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705702 CANCER JUNE 21-JULY 22 Warm connections with those at a distance could set you thinking wistfully about ideas that might happen mid-May. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705703 LEO JULY 23-AUGUST 23 You’re emerging from a waiting period, into a busy,…

The play Home, I’m Darling takes a wry look at the life of a Fifties housewife. At the West End until April 13, then tours to Bath, Salford and Mold. nationaltheatre.org.uk call ATG 0844 871 7623 Bletchley Park in Bedford – once the home of top-secret codebreakers such as Alan Turing – is now a fascinating museum to their wartime work. Adults £18.50 bletchleypark.org.uk 01908 640404 Easton Walled Gardens in Lincolnshire had a spectacular display of snowdrops when we visited in March but stop by in summer to see their sensational sweet peas. I highly recommend the tea room too! Adults £7.70 visiteaston.co.uk 01476 530063…

Taking the lead with friendliness ✒ After the loss of my husband I eventually downsized to a smaller home in a different area. Alas, with advancing age I also decided I couldn’t own a dog any more as long walks were by no means a certainty. But my home overlooks a green walkway leading to a large field and I love watching the dogs being walked there. I put out a bowl of water for them and while they drink I get a cheery wave from their owners, too! I have heard it said many times that dog owners are friendly people, which they definitely are, but it is the dog that makes the introductions! Now I have the pleasure of dogs and chats with their owners. Kathleen Holmes, East…

■ For Victoria writer Daisy Goodwin, there are two stand-out scenarios in this series. “We have a magnificent Georgian Ball in one of the episodes,” she enthuses. “Everyone is dressed up in these wonderful costumes and wearing fabulous powdered wigs. There’s also the Great Exhibition of 1851. Conceived by Albert in the teeth of immense opposition it was generally expected to be a huge flop until, of course, it opened and became one of the defining events of the 19th Century. Replicating this on screen was rather a nightmare. We did finally get there, though. We shot the exteriors in Sefton Park Liverpool and created the interiors in an aircraft hangar. I think you really get a sense of what it must have been like.” ■ Laurence Fox says he…

Realising that you can be happy in your own company is very empowering but it can be difficult to adapt to this if you’re newly single. Making a few simple changes to your life can make you see that you can be perfectly happy without a partner. ■ Home is where the heart is – spend some quality time at home and make it a place where you want to be, turning it into your special sanctuary to relax and unwind. ■ Get a focus – set yourself goals and to-do lists to be completed the next day. This not only makes getting up a lot easier but gives you plenty to focus on without relying on someone else. ■ Be kind – small acts of kindness can make you…

If you’re worried about paying out for an expensive item, why not consider renting it instead? Not only can you make a significant saving, but you’ll also be helping out the planet in the process. We help weigh up your options… Appliances PROS: Replacing a broken appliance isn’t something you can always foresee – but buying a new one can be a big blow to your bank account. If you haven’t the money to pay out upfront, there are many companies which rent out household items – from cookers, washing machines and tumble driers, to TVs, fridges, freezers and dishwashers – from as little as £3 per week. Depending on the contract, rented appliances often include free servicing and repairs, so you needn’t worry about paying for engineers should things…

Q Is there an eco-friendly alternative to wet wipes? S Taylor, Devon Yours says Angelic Toilet Paper Gel, used with ordinary toilet paper, is made using fresh, organically grown aloe vera and odourless seaweed extract using minimal and safe preservatives. It’s also septic tank-friendly and helps prevent wet wipes polluting our beaches and oceans and blocking sewage systems. ■ From £2/ 30ml www.swgels. co.uk QI help run a club for older people in our area and we could do with upgrading some of our equipment. Can we get any financial help? K Young, Cambs Yours says Visit www. grantsonline.org.uk to check if any grants are available in your area. Alternatively, you can apply to Cosyfeet, which offers an annual Community Project Award of £750. It’s available to registered charities or…

WHEN THE DAFFS HAVE GONE OVER, REPLACE WITH OTHER SEASONAL FLOWERS HATCHING BLOOMS Make a seasonal vase using an egg and some twigs Time: 20 mins Skill: Beginner Materials: Large faux egg (available from craft shops) Selection of birch branches Daffodils Length of ribbon Small chocolate eggs 1. Wind the birch branches into a wreath shape and place in the centre of a plate. 2. Fill a third of the egg with water and place it in the centre of the wreath. 3. Trim the daffodil stems at an angle and place in the egg. 4. Using the ribbon, tie a bow around the egg. 5. Arrange the chocolate eggs around the nest. BOX BURSTING WITH BLOOMS Take a vintage biscuit tin and use it to display fresh flowers Time:…

At last – after years of trying to be a useful, efficient and knowledgeable man about the house, I have to own up – I ‘aint! When friends ask me my opinion on anything technical, such as, “Do you use an ordinary screwdriver or a Phillips?” or “What is the make of your car?” I have no answer. I’ve never driven a car nor fathomed the secret of how to operate a screwdriver. When at a social gathering and friends start going into the mystical mumbo-jumbo of the internet, or ask my advice on what is the best way to repair it, I don’t know – no more than I know how to upholster a chair or bake a potato. ‘I’ve had a mobile phone for ages but the tiny…

BLOOMING LOVELY Daffodils at Powis Castle, Wales, March-June Nothing says spring quite like daffodils! Pay a visit to the spectacular Powis Castle in Wales to see the traditional Welsh flower in all its glory. This National Trust site is home to thousands of daffodils from March through to June, so don’t miss this amazing spring spectacle. ■ Call 01938 551944 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ powis-castle-andgarden for more information SPORTING SPECTACLE The Boat Race, London, April 7 Take a trip to the capital for the day and secure yourself a spot on the riverbank of the Thames to watch Oxford and Cambridge go head to head in the famous Boat Race. ■ Visit www.theboatrace.org for more information LEARNING TO LAMB Lambing tours in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, April 13 Be the first to meet…

■ Airbnb Plus – www.airbnb.co.uk/plus0203 318 1111 ■ Visit Seville (tourist board) www.visitasevilla.es/en/+34 954 234 465 ■ Seville Cathedral www.catedraldesevilla.es ■ Tablao los Gallos www.tablaolosgallos.com/en ■ Hotel Alfonso XI www.hotelreyalfonsox.es/en/ ■ Hotel Eme www.eme catedralhotel.com/en ■ Concha and Irene have been the proud hosts of a penthouse in Seville for two years, all of which Irene says wouldn’t be possible without the amazing input and love for detail that Concha has put into the apartment for every guest to enjoy. ■ To stay at their property Casa La Naranja visit www. airbnb.co.uk/rooms/plus/18558911 Airbnb Plus is a new tier of homes that are visited in person for a 100+ point quality inspection to ensure comfort and caters for those guests looking for added assurance…

Sharon, who lives in Swindon, was nominated by her daughter, Amy Donald, who described her as ‘the most selfless person I have ever met’. Sharon and her husband care for their disabled daughter, Eve (40), who has a rare chromosome disorder. She also helps her father, John (92), to live independently by visiting him daily to dispense medication, do his housework and take him to appointments. Sharon (64) wins a fantastic Revitalise holiday and a Betterlife hamper, an Unforgettable Caregiver bundle including a caregiver’s journal, Book of Calm and a pack of caregiver’s affirmation cards worth £30. A modest Sharon says: “I’m sure there are many carers who are more worthy winners than I am.” Runners up ■ Second place goes to John Canning from Leamington Spa who was nominated…

What’s all the fuss about? PHONE ORIGAMI? The idea of folding your mobile phone might fill you with horror but soon it could be what we all do as the latest trend in technology is for foldable phones. Samsung, Huawei and LG have already launched phones with screens that can bend in half like a book, although the hefty price tags mean it might be a few years before they are the norm. CELINE ON SCREEN A new film inspired by the life of the Canadian songstress Celine Dion is in the pipeline for next year. Provisionally titled The Power of Love, the biopic will capture the singer’s life and incorporate many of her best-loved songs including My Heart Will Go On and I’m Alive. WOODLAND WORRIES As our native…

We’d love to see your snapshots from the Fifties, Sixties, Seventies and Eighties. Send your photos, marked Fashion We Wore, to the address on page 8, along with your name, address and a 50-word description of your outfit. 1961: Here I am with my husband (and a friend!) on our honeymoon. I was wearing a light green woollen coat with large buttons, accessorised with white gloves, shoes and handbag – all very fashionable at the time. We went to Trafalgar Square, where we found ourselves surrounded by lots of new feathered friends! Mrs S R Beale, West Midlands 1961: This snap was taken on our honeymoon in August, when my husband Howard was halfway through his National Service. My red-and-white striped trousers and our pink and maroon jumpers had all…

✒ I recently went into hospital for a knee operation and the nurse had left a gown on the bed and disposable knickers. After the operation the nurse said they had had some laughs as I’d put the knickers on my head! Joan Stephenson, Suffolk ✒ I stayed overnight at a friend’s house and, next morning, she realised she hadn’t got any bread. “That’s all right,” I said. “I only eat toast for breakfast.” We did laugh when I realised what I’d said! Joanne Wilkinson, Sheffield • Every original contribution published gets a £10 High Street voucher. So keep all those letters and emails coming in.…

In a public poll taken a few years ago, Sir David Attenborough was voted the nation’s most trustworthy person. Of course, he was. The natural history documentary broadcaster and programme maker is a reassuringly sensible voice in an increasingly insensible world. So, when he says that we have a limited time to stop the world becoming permanently damaged due to climate change and its knock-on effects, the world sits up and takes notice. Sir David, the voice of a stunning new eight-part natural history series Our Planet on the subscription TV service Netflix, says: “The next 20 years are crucial in order to turn things around,” he says. “It’s not too late and we can fix it but we have to act now. While it’s vital that governments and businesses…

Having worked since she was just 11 years old, Hayley Mills has notched up more than 60 years as an actress. But instead of putting her feet up, she’s as enthusiastic about her job as she was as a youngster starring in classic movies such as Tiger Bay, Whistle Down the Wind, The Parent Trap and Pollyanna. “My latest project is a BBC daytime family drama called Pitching In,” she reveals. “I play a mysterious businesswoman called Iona who has a very interesting relationship with Frank, the owner of a seaside caravan park. He’s played by the marvellous Larry Lamb whom I’d never met before, but we got on immediately. We filmed in Anglesey, north Wales. Wow! What a beautiful part of the world it is – the beaches and…

Soothe aching joints with Phynova Joint & Muscle Relief Tablets (£19.99/30 tablets). Packed with Chinese herb Sigesbeckia orientalis, it has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and cartilage protective properties. ■ From Holland and Barratt Heal bumps and bruises fast with A Vogel Atrogel Arnica Gel (£11.99/100ml). Arnica is a traditional herbal treatment to help block inflammation, relieve muscle aches and pains and ease bruising. ■ From health stores Yoga has been found to be as effective as painkillers in relieving back pain, so grab yourself this yoga mat (£12.99) and find a class in your area. ■ From TK Maxx Pop a few drops of Tisserand Organic Lavender (£6.46/9ml) or Organic Peppermint (£5.38/9ml) essential oil into a diffuser or onto a tissue and inhale to ease a headache and help get rid…

Hedgehogs When they emerge from hibernation hedgehogs will be hungry. Create your own feeding station by taking a large, clear, plastic storage tub and cutting a square hole 13cm (5in) in width and height. Put masking tape around the edges to make it safe. Place a brick on top to stop larger animals knocking it over and two bricks about a hand’s width from the entrance. This will create a tunnel so cats and dogs can’t access it. Place bowls of cat food and water inside and wait for visitors! Insects Give your lawnmower a break and leave some of your grass long, allowing dandelions and daises to flower. Butterflies lay their eggs in long grass and bees, wasps, grasshoppers and hornets use dandelions as a major source of food.…

■ CAMPING EQUIPMENT Outdoor hire (www.outdoorhire. co.uk 01825 721413) delivers everything from tents, sleeping bags, stoves and clothing straight to your door ■OCCASION WEAR Girl Meets Dress (www. girlmeets dress.com 0207 498  9131) has a variety of dresses which can be rented from just £29 for two nights ■ PETS Register as a ‘borrower’ on Borrow My Doggy (www. borrowmydoggy.com 020 3826 8628) to walk or board dogs on a short-term basis ■ MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS ONLINE At the website Fat Llama (fatllama.com 02039 362259) you can hire or rent out all kinds of items in your local area.…

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 Yours has partnered with Key and produced this guide to help you make informed decisions. • The Yours Guide to Wills and LPAs Call free: 0808 252 9468 Write to: Key, Yours Retirement Services, FREEPOST NWW201A, Preston PR2 2TF with your name, address and phone number and which service interests you most. 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…

PATTERN Using A, cast on 90 sts. Join in the round, taking care not to twist sts, and pm to mark beg of round. Knit 1 round. Set moss stitch pattern Rounds 1 and 2: (K1, p1) around. Rounds 3 and 4: (P1, k1) around. Rep rounds 1-4 once, then rounds 1 and 2 again. Knit 2 rounds. Cut A and join B. Knit 2 rounds. Set moss stitch pattern Rep rounds 1-4 twice, then rounds 1 and 2 again. Knit 1 round. Cast off. TO FINISH Weave in ends neatly. Block if required. SIZE Circumference: 172cm (68in) Depth: 22cm (8¾in) MATERIALS 1 x 150g ball Loopy Mango Merino No 5 100 per cent Merino wool, in Dorian Gray (A) and 1 x 150g ball in Mrs Orange (B) 15mm…

She’s our ‘secret love’, the all-American girl with a big heart and an even bigger talent who lit up the screen in some of the most iconic pictures of the age. And on April 3, Doris Day celebrates her 97th birthday – making her one of the last few surviving stars of movie’s most sparkling era. While she’s rarely in the spotlight today, having chosen a quieter life dedicated to animal rescue in her later years, the outpouring of affection for Doris remains as strong as ever. But just what is it that’s made Doris so well-loved for so long? We think we might just have sussed her magic recipe. To say Doris was such a big part of this glitzy, flighty world of entertainment, what’s made Doris so adored…

• Cut along the side seams and around the arms of the jumper to separate the front and back. • Measure your cushion pad and mark out the shape on one of the jumper pieces, remembering to include a seam allowance. • On the other jumper piece, mark out two rectangles for the reverse of the cushion. These must be big enough to overlap. Using the bottom ribbed hem of the jumper for the outer flap will create a neat envelope edge. • To stop the knitting unravelling run a line of machine stitching just inside this line before cutting out. • Pin the three pieces together, right sides facing, and machine around all four edges. Using a shallow zigzag stitch instead of a straight line will allow the knit…

This year, instead of changing something about yourself, why not just try something new instead? Is there something you’ve always fancied trying? If you’ve been putting something off, now’s the time to give it a go. The worst that could happen is that you don’t actually enjoy it, but at least you’ll stop wondering! The best that could happen is you might end up with a new hobby – and you’ll meet like-minded people along the way. If your mission for 2019 is to find love, then trying a new pastime is a great idea. But sometimes fate just needs a little push in the right direction. This is where Yours Dating comes in. If you’re looking to meet someone in the same situation as you, who’s interested in similar…

In the summer Seville sizzles at 34°C, but a cooler 23°C can be enjoyed in spring and autumn. The Sevillanos are well known for throwing great parties – especially in spring. Sweet scents of orange blossom and jasmine fill the air as the city anticipates the arrival of the festival Semana Santa – also known as The Holy Week (April 14-20) – when the streets come alive with processions of elaborately decorated floats with statues of Jesus and Mary and huge ceremonies in the Cathedral.…

Eczema-friendly natural skincare worth £100 up for grabs! FIVE WINNERS  Balmonds, formerly Purepotions, makes natural, eczema-friendly skincare for all the family, from babies to grandparents! Formulated specially for dry, sensitive or allergy-prone skin, the range is ultra-gentle and made without perfume, parabens or petrochemicals. We have a set of Balmonds skincare to give away (shown), including Skin Salvation ointment, which can help soothe skin if you have eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis. Also includes luxurious natural face and body oils, hand cream and a daily moisturiser. The products are free of petrochemicals, perfumes, parabens, PEGs, palm oil, animal-derived glycerin, synthetic emulsifiers or SLS. They are made from cold-pressed organic natural oils, biodynamic herbal tinctures and essential oils. ■ From £4.99 at www.purepotions. co.uk, Ocado.com, Boots, Holland & Barrett and Waitrose Step…

AT THE CINEMA DUMBO If you’ve got the grandchildren over the Easter holidays, keep them entertained with a trip to see the brand new live-action film of Dumbo. The story of the circus elephant who learns to fly has been brought back to life in a bold and bright new production starring Danny DeVito and Colin Farrell. ■ In cinemas March 29 EXHIBITION FASHION ICON Dig out your miniskirts and head back to the Swinging Sixties as the V&A Museum presents a landmark exhibition on the iconic fashion designer Mary Quant, featuring more than 200 clothes, accessories, cosmetics and sketches including unseen pieces from Mary’s own personal archive. ■ Opens April 6. To book call 0207 9422000 or visit www.vam.ac.uk/ exhibitions/mary-quant CD TREAT MICHAEL BALL For the first time in…

…you are born under Aries, the pioneer, the assertive leader of the zodiac. You Ariens thrive on a challenge, even if it feels daunting, and you respond to calls for a hero with no thought for yourself. Headstrong and impatient at times, but you have a heart of gold, and we all know that. ■ Famous Ariens celebrating this fortnight include Celine Dion, John Major, Agnetha Falskog, Myleen Klass and Victoria Beckham, Susan Boyle and Philip Schofield pictured…