Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 333 i Yours Magazine

Sometimes life has a way of throwing a lot at you to cope with all at once. My family has had bereavement, a care crisis and a dose of empty nest syndrome to deal with in the space of a few weeks. But, as I’m a ‘silver linings’ kind of person, I’ve managed to find a few positives among the stress and upset. I’m pleased to have met some incredibly kind people, I’ve been touched by the generosity of friends, proud of the strength of my little family and I’ve found patience and resilience I didn’t know I had. Hopefully that resilience will stand me in good stead next week when I’m trekking across Dartmoor for Marie Curie. The planned Peak District trip unfortunately had to be cancelled but I’m…

‘Independent shops need our help to survive’ ✒ I feel very strongly about needing to help keep local independent shops, particularly food outlets, alive and well. Small and independent businesses are at the heart of our communities and it’s more important than ever for the community to get behind them and show its support. When we support local businesses, control moves from the boardrooms of distant corporations and back into the community where it belongs. Shopping local and supporting our local businesses can only have a positive impact on ourselves and our communities. Shula Clarkson, Norfolk • 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 delivery call 0333 003 0858 or…

■WERE YOU EVER CHOSEN TO BE IN THE SCHOOL NATIVITY PLAY? Whether you had a starring role as Mary or the angel Gabriel or a humbler part as the third shepherd or the innkeeper, send us your story. We’d also love to hear from you if one of your children was in a nativity and you helped with learning their lines or improvising a costume (was a tea towel involved, by any chance?). Send your story (with a photo if you have one) marked Blast from the Past to the address on page 3. If published, you’ll get a £10 High Street voucher. ■ FIND A FRIEND to share your Christmas Spirit! If you’d like to get together with a new friend to bring a bit of Christmas cheer, simply…

There is a sizeable crowd in the picturesque Cornish fishing village of Port Isaac. It is a regular occurrence when the cast and crew of Doc Martin are in residence. Filming takes place on the higgledy-piggledy streets down to the harbour, outside the shop known as Little Dolphins that doubles for the exterior of Mrs Tishell’s chemist shop, Fern Cottage – site of the grumpy, blood-phobic Doc’s practice – and pretty much everywhere else in this beautiful corner of the north Cornish coast, known in the show as the fictional village of Portwenn. ‘A retired GP acts as our medical advisor. He’s very knowledgeable’ Some in the crowd have travelled across the world to visit the place their favourite programme is set while others – closer to home – have…

PAW-SOME hug A proud dad is pictured giving his cub a tender embrace on the plains of Kenya’s Maasai Mara in this beautiful photo captured by wildlife photographer Sabine Bernert. Treats for pets & wildlife We love… this lightweight quilted coat from Fetch, the pet store for Ocado. Available in raspberry or navy, thermal lined for warmth, it has easy Velcro fastenings. ■ Available in four sizes, priced from £14. To order visit www. fetch.co.uk We love… this Ernest Charles Co Bee and Bug House from QD. It provides shelter for a variety of insects from bees to ladybirds. ■ Priced £9.99, it’s available in store or online at www.qdstores.co.uk Pet of the fortnight “These are my 14-week-old kittens, Emily and George. (Emily has the white smudge on her nose).…

The cosy coat Faux fur teddy coats are a big trend this autumn and are the perfect cosy, yet lightweight, choice for cooler autumnal days. The staple short boot and cross-body bag Block-heel boots, £45, 3-9, Next | cross-body bag, £22, M&Co. The slimming jean Jeans don’t have to be casual, choose a dark denim, slim-fitting pair and you can wear them day or night. Tuck skinny or slim-fit jeans into long boots. The figure-hugging style will keep you looking slim, even with bulky layers. The standout blouse Wear it with smart trousers, a skirt or your favourite jeans – a bold blouse is so versatile. Tuck in or leave loose for a more casual look. The statement scarf Choose a bold pattern to freshen up your look – it’ll…

Recreating natural brows with make-up isn’t as hard as it sounds. Plan the shape of your brow with three points. Hold a brow pencil from your outer nostril to the inner corner of your eye – this is your starting point. Next move the pencil from outer nostril across your pupil – this is your mid-point. Finally go from outer nostril to the outer corner of your eye – this is where your brow ends. Join the points using short strokes, starting thicker at the nose and tapering to a point. TRY... Maybelline’s Tattoo Brow Tint Micro Eyebrow Pen (£9.99) in blonde, which produces hairlike strokes.…

TESCO According to Tesco there is no single rule on when they put out their reductions and they can start anywhere between 8am and 8pm, depending on opening times. As a guide, employees have suggested reductions of 25 per cent start in the morning, 50 per cent at 4pm and 75 per cent at 8pm so the later you go, the better. ASDA  You need to be quick if shopping for reductions at Asda. Ensure you arrive in the evening at around 7pm to pick up the best bargains and hang around the reduced aisles, as most of the best reductions tend to be gone by 9pm. SAINSBURY’S Sainsbury’s stores begin their yellow sticker reduced price discounts from lunchtime, when prices can drop by 25 per cent. The second wave…

1 Provide a soakaway – having a grass or gravel path or drive will help rain water to soak away. 2 Protect indoors – fit air vent covers and flood boards (which go in front of your doors). 3 Reposition sockets – raise electricity sockets to waist or eye level. 4 Choose tiles – tiled floors, as opposed to wooden floors, can reduce the damage if flood water does get in. ■ There’s lots of information on how to protect your home, as well as useful guides on what to do when flood happens and how to recover, at Knowyourfloodrisk.co.uk, or call 0844 844 9966.…

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…

A perfect patio, beautiful borders or a luscious lawn could be in vain if your garden is blighted by ugly plastic downpipes, wheelie bins, or a fence that’s seen better days. Here are some solutions to screen them out and make any eyesores disappear! Hide it Front gardens often accommodate wheelie bins and although necessary, they spoil your property’s kerb appeal. Hide them away with purpose-built wooden storage with doors, or build your own with low-level garden screening or trellis. Paint it Revive a tatty fence with a lick of paint. Apart from treating damaged or weathered wood, coloured paint makes a good backdrop to planting schemes and will make a small space seem larger. If a shed has seen better days, paint it a really dark colour so it…

It might not sound romantic, but the song that was special to my husband and me was Nat King Cole singing Straighten Up and Fly Right. It took on a deeper meaning for us during the time he was battling lung cancer and it became my motto when I faced life alone. Many years on, I am still trying to straighten up and fly right! Frances Greenhalgh was 18 when she was waiting for a boyfriend to take her on their first date: “I was playing Beethoven’s Bagatelle No. 25 in A minor, commonly known as Fur Elise, on the piano. It was a hot day so the window was open and when my date came to the door, he remarked, ‘What is that lovely tune you are playing? I…

We can help you find… ■ Like-minded friends ■ A new romance ■ Long-lost friends & family ■ Just about everything Young-at-heart female, 57, looking for female friends, similar age, for socialising, nights out and shopping. Wakefield area SEP2-202 Lady, 50, good sense of humour, would like to make friends, male or female, varied interests, meals out, coffee and chats. Birmingham area SEP2-203 Lady, 50, interests include reading, walking, watching films and listening to music, seeks penpals, any age. Any area SEP2-204 Caring, honest widow, mid-70s, seeks male or female for friendship and company, enjoys eating out, films, music, going places, non-smoker. Dorset area SEP2-205 Young outlook lady, 60s, likes reading, writing, country, animals, drawing, seeks male and female friends for coffee, lunch and shopping. Retford/ Doncaster area SEP2-206 Lady,…

Motability – which offers leased cars to people claiming certain benefits – has some excellent tips to help scooter owners stay safe. Be visible – especially in the winter months. You should always make yourself visible to other road users. It’s a good idea to wear a fluorescent jacket and to always use your lights if you have them. If you don’t, get them fitted. Always stick to routes you know. You will soon find out the routes that are safest for you to navigate. It’s best to stick to quieter roads if you use your scooter on the road rather than the pavement. Try to avoid busy periods such as rush hour. Be very careful when using a scooter in the winter; they are not designed to be used…

OPTIMISM IS GOOD MEDICINE Optimistic people are more likely to live longer according to a new survey. The study found those with a positive outlook were better at controlling their emotions and dealing with stress, all of which has a big impact on the immune system and helps fight against illness. HAIRDO HEROES Elvis Presley’s quiff has been named the most iconic hairdo of all time, according to research. His dark, slicked-back ‘do’ that made women weak at the knees and had blokes around the world heading to the barbers for a copycat cut topped a poll of famous hairstyles, followed by Amy Winehouse’s beehive. NATIONAL TRUST IS BOOMING The National Trust is celebrating a record year – with membership numbers topping 5.5 million. Its ranks swelled by more than…

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. 1950s: Here I am as a little girl on a trip to London. My mother, auntie and I are all wearing our smart dress coats. Mine was double-breasted with a ‘Peter Pan’-style collar. Back then, Trafalgar Square was full of pigeons which would sit on your hand while you had your photograph taken. Pauline Simons, Greater London 1960s: This is my husband, Tony, and me on a day trip in London. We’re both wearing white hand-knitted jumpers – I paired mine with a blue skirt and flat ‘Mary Jane’- style shoes. My…

✒ Our granddaughter, Blossom (8), proudly holds the owl cushion she made. I’ve taught all four granddaughters to sew and cook as they are not all taught these skills in schools. Linda Spevick, Herts ✒ While on holiday, my granddaughter (10) met a girl a little bit younger than herself. She asked her new friend where she lived and suggested she might be able to visit her. The friend said she lived in London. “Where in London?” asked my granddaughter. “I don’t know, but I have a green door!” she replied. Helen Evans, Chester ✒ When my grandson and I returned from the park he looked baffled and asked “who are the twins?” He explained: “You said we’d go to the park and take twins on the slide, but no…

The drama is written by Peter Bowker, known for autism drama The A Word. Piers Wenger, controller of BBC Drama, says: “Pete’s humane and poignant writing gives us a perspective on those early days of the Second World War which we have never seen before. Spanning four nations, the canvas for the drama is vast, but the experience Pete gives us is boots on the ground, granting us a special insight into one of the most pivotal and seismic moments in 20th Century history.”…

At 68, Maggy Pigott has never felt younger. Always smiling and full of optimism, she fills her weeks with dancing, volunteering, and pushing herself to try new things. And having just released her first book, How to Age Joyfully, all about living happily later in life, Maggy can’t believe how different her life is today to how it was. ‘Everyone had told me retirement was going to be this wonderful thing...’ For less than ten years ago Maggy had just been forced to retire early from the job she loved in the Civil Service because of a serious illness and instantly started feeling depressed. “I’d lost my work friends, my purpose, my own money and I just didn’t know what I was going to do with myself,” Maggy reveals. “Everyone…

Two penguins had to be tempted out with salmon treats after wandering into a sushi bar in Wellington, New Zealand, looking for a place to nest. The Fairy penguins, growing to just 13 inches tall, thought they’d found the ideal place to raise a family. Police and wildlife officers removed them to a beach further away. A new study found that squirrels eavesdrop on songbirds to tell if predators are near. They lower their guard when they can hear a chorus of songbirds, but when the birds go quiet they stay alert, aware there could be danger.…

Living with cancer brings many challenges but women don’t stop being women when they are diagnosed with cancer. “Specialist appearance-related support is vital when undergoing treatment,” explains Jennifer Young, founder of Beauty Despite Cancer and creator of specialist skincare collection Defiant Beauty. Thankfully there is lots of support available for a time when it matters most... SAVE OUR SKIN Q How will my skin change during treatment? Jennifer says: “There are many different types of cancer, a huge range of treatments, many side-effects of those treatments and not everyone will experience all side-effects. However, it’s common to experience dry, sore, sensitive, flaking skin and fragile nails as a result of chemotherapy. Radiation treatment can also be damaging to skin, resulting in burns, similar to sunburn.” The changes to your skin…

1 Wash your scalp regularly, using shampoo if you have hair, or otherwise the same gentle cleanser you use on your face is ideal. 2 Add a little of your cleansing wash or balm to a wringed-out hot and steamy flannel and place over your scalp to ease away tension. 3 Follow with a gentle and soothing facial moisturiser, but allow it to sink in fully before putting on any head-covering or wig. 4 Wash head-coverings and your wig regularly following the manufacturer recommendations. 5 If your scalp becomes inflamed or red spots appear then speak to your medical team.…

✔ Make some friends It pays to be friendly with the shop assistants as they can advise you on the best times to shop for reduced items. ✔ Know where to look Usually, most supermarkets have a reduced section in the chilled aisle, bakery and also the fruit and veg section. ✔ Be selective Sometimes the item may only be reduced by a few pence – is it really worth it for something that will soon be out of date? ✔ Don’t forget flowers Beautiful bunches of flowers can often be reduced – perfect if you aren’t too bothered about the flowers lasting just a week. ✔ Freeze the excess Don’t worry if you won’t be able to consume all your reduced buys before their use-by date, check to see…

Subscriptions For the very latest subscription offers visit www.greatmagazines.co.uk/ yours-magazine or call 01858 438884 Back issues To order call 01858 438828 or email – bauer@subscription.co.uk Yours customer care If you have an advertising or offer query you need help with, call Angela Whenman on 01733 468444, Mon, Weds, Fri (mornings only). Yours on tape and CD A recorded version of Yours is available for blind and partially sighted readers from RNIB Newsagent. For a free sample and information call RNIB Newsagent Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk/ newsagent Don’t have a computer? We try to provide phone numbers as well as web addresses, but sometimes offers and information are only available online. If you don’t have a computer you can access the internet, with help, at libraries –…

■ Paint grey or black plastic downpipes to complement an existing exterior colour scheme or use drainpipe planters filled with seasonal bedding plants. ■ Turn unsightly asphalt on the top of a shed into a green roof. Cover with waterproof material, build a frame and add a drainage layer of gravel. Top with a 10cm layer of 50:50 expanded clay pellets and John Innes No. 3 compost then plant with a mixture of low-growing plants, such as sea campion, thyme and Sedum acre. ■ Disguise dead trees with plants. Taller ones make excellent supports for climbing roses or small-leaved ivies, while the tops of short stumps can be hollowed out to make planting pockets for perennials, bulbs or even bedding. ■ For more green-fingered inspiration try Garden News magazine. Get…

Say the name David Soul and you’re immediately taken back to the Seventies hit US cop show Starsky and Hutch. David, who played Ken Hutchinson alongside Paul Michael Glaser as David Starsky, says: “I look back upon that show with great affection. It took cop shows into a different arena and I made a friend for life in Paul.” It also made him and Paul international heartthrobs as they enjoyed overwhelming love from fans. “In 1975, Starsky & Hutch won a Best New US TV Show award and when Paul and I came here for that, about 5,000 screaming fans greeted us at Heathrow Airport. I was terrified.” Princess Margaret also once visited the set and the boys went out for lunch with her. “Suffice to say, we didn’t go…

DANCING ON THE CEILING Upside Down House, Brighton, ends November 30 This unique family attraction, with sloping floors and upside-down furniture, will provide pictures to make you look like you’re walking on the ceiling! ■ Tickets from £4.50, call 01375 374725, visit www.upside down house.co.uk FOR LOVERS OF LITERATURE Cheltenham Literature Festival, October 4-13 This famous literature festival turns 70 this year and the line-up is packed with brilliant talks from a range of experts and famous faces from the world of music, comedy and everything in between. There’s plenty of free family activities and a chance to meet leading children’s authors, too. ■ Call 01242 850270 or visit www.cheltenhamfestivals.com CELEBRATE THE SEASON GERMAN STYLE Shropshire OktoberFest, Quarry Park, October 4-5 OktoberFest doesn’t just take place in Germany – there…

It’s three years since Mike and Pauline Sexton decided to downsize and move nearer to their daughter, Sam. Sadly, Mike didn’t live to see the move and today Pauline is on her own in her new home. A few weeks before moving day, Mike collapsed at home and despite the best efforts of two ambulance crews, he died at the scene. “It was a massive shock,” says Pauline (74). “I felt completely numb for a long time.” Mike’s unexpected death came as a second huge blow for Pauline as she had already lost her daughter Nikki to cancer at the age of just 28. A cancerous mole had been removed from Nikki’s leg but sadly, the cancer had already spread. “Losing Nikki was absolutely horrendous. Mike was such a huge…

Here at Yours we know all too well that carers face many challenges, both emotional and practical. It can feel lonely, but you are not alone. There are more than six million carers across the UK and Yours magazine is helping to connect them with our free-to-join Carers in Touch Group and Forget Me Not Group for bereaved people. ■ To join either Carers In Touch or Forget Me Not groups simply complete this form and return it to Rosie Sandall, Yours, Media House, Peterborough, PE2 6EA or email: rosemary. sandall@bauermedia.co.uk In each issue Rosie meets one of these amazing carers and asks them to share their experiences and advice.…

LIBRA SEPT 23-OCT 23 Your annual new Moon brings reasons to smile from the 28th, although what you’re then diving into needs patience and focus. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705706 SCORPIO OCT 24-NOV 22 Tread softly and you should travel further, as Mars heads into the ‘take time to plan’ part of your chart. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705707 SAGITTARIUS NOV 23-DEC 20 You may be wary of a certain encounter, yet it looks as though things are set to balance themselves out. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705708 CAPRICORN DEC 21-JAN 20 Expect a surge of determined energy that’ll turn you into a gladiator, taking charge, perhaps to the surprise of others. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705709 AQUARIUS…

Quilt history ✒ I am a retired teacher with a real interest in textiles and sewing. As head of drama I used to make and source costumes for productions and enjoyed being innovative with my designs. In recent years, I have opened a Facebook page with my friend, Christine, called Strictlyfabrics and we use it to showcase our work. Christine is also a retired teacher with extensive experience of textiles. I thought your readers might be interested in our embroidery quilt, as it incorporates around 100 years of our families’ stitching and we feel the end product is attractive as well as unique. Jo Hardy, Notts Cat’s the way to do it! ✒ I was on holiday recently with my daughter in Portugal when we spotted this fabulous cat house.…

Write to the address on page 8 email: yours@bauermedia.co.uk facebook.com/pages/Yours-Magazinetwitter.com/yoursmagazine Subscriber of the fortnight! ✒ “I’ve subscribed to Yours for at least ten years. My favourite sections are the crossword and the letters pages. I also enjoy the financial advice and the health sections. I’m in my mid-60s, retired, but still keep active.” Janet Dandy, Lancs Subscribers are automatically enrolled in The LoveYours Club for special handpicked offers, unique giveaways and unmissable prizes. Turn to page 76 to subscribe.…

✒ My new bed has drawers underneath, where I have stored my winter woollies. With the drawers full I found the bed too heavy to move for cleaning, so I emptied the drawers, stacking the clothes on the bed! Guess what, it was just as heavy! Sheila Lilley, Bournemouth ✒ My favourite shopping bag, covered in pretty blue owls, needed replacing. There was a similar one in a charity shop, which I snapped up. Back home, I transferred my things to the new bag. The next day, while out shopping, I couldn’t find my purse. I’d taken my old empty bag by mistake and back home discovered my nice new one, complete with purse, in the bin! Linda Gaunt, Exeter • Every original contribution published gets a £10 High Street…

■ It’s never too late Age is just a number. I went on the ITV talent show Britain’s Got Talent this year for a dare and I was the oldest champion to win and, so I understand it, the oldest person in the world to have a debut record deal. I find the whole thing absolutely extraordinary. I believe you should grab opportunities whatever age you are and I am proof that anything can happen. ■ You can turn things around My upbringing in Camden, north London, was not very pleasant. It was survival. I joined the army at 15 and my siblings went into care. We remained close though and I love them all dearly. I was in the army for 25 years and saw service in Malaya and…

1 Find your passion – think about what you enjoyed as a child or something you always wanted to try but never had the chance, time or courage and go for it! 2 Think about what you would like said about you at your funeral and if you haven’t yet achieved it – get started. 3 Volunteer – it’s a great way to meet others with similar interests, make new friends and feel good. 4 Dance – even if it’s just in your kitchen. Moving to music is one of the best medicines f or our minds and body and has been shown to even help reduce the risk of dementia. 5 Stay curious and keep learning how to live. Ask questions, listen to points of view you disagree with,…

Every time Linda Hughes hands over the reins of a horse to a loving new owner, she gets such a feeling of joy. For rehoming is the final and happiest of steps in what’s a long and often difficult journey that starts with Linda rescuing these horses from the saddest of situations. From horses abandoned at the side of a road to foals left in a terrible state, Linda takes in any horse in need, sometimes rescuing them from the brink of death. From there, she gives them all the care, treatment and love they require to slowly but surely live a normal life again so that eventually, they can be rehomed and become part of another doting family. Rescue work has been in Linda’s DNA since she was a…

Complexion perfect A lightweight, tinted moisturiser or CC (colour-correcting) cream will even out your skintone, disguising signs of irritation. TRY... La Roche-Posay Rosaliac CC Cream (£20/50ml), which is gentle enough for sensitive skin, corrects redness and has a SPF 30. Bright eyes Lack of sleep and certain cancer treatments can cause the eye area to darken and this can look worse if your skin has become paler. A good concealer will instantly make you look brighter and more awake. Opt for creamy, crease-proof formulas. TRY... Benefit’s new Boi-ing Cakeless Concealer (£18.50) and apply under the eye and over the eyelid if needed. Eye-defining If you’ve lost your lashes or they’ve become sparse, an eyeliner pencil will help define them. Avoid black and instead choose brown or grey shades and stick…

You’re probably familiar with the idea of food swaps – replacing a high-calorie snack with a less naughty equivalent to help you drop the pounds – but did you know there are actions you can swap in the same way to boost your energy? If you’re feeling sluggish it’s likely you’ve picked up some habits that are leaving you drained. These science-backed alternatives are low effort and low cost, but should leave you feeling full of pep for the week ahead! SWAP 9AM COFFEE FOR 10.30AM COFFEE Who knew there was a perfect time to drink your flat white? It turns out that 10.30am is the magic number, as your cortisol levels (high from 8am-9am) start to drop, so the energising impact of caffeine will have more of an effect.…

It’s so easy to go about our daily lives on autopilot – be it travelling along the same route or running the same errands. But scientists say that one of the best ways to boost brain power is to try something new. However, you needn’t spend lots of money or risk life and limb doing so! Simply developing a greater awareness of your surroundings and seeing things a new way can really work wonders for your mind, soul and general wellbeing. So, as part of the Yours FitMind50 challenge, we’re sharing some small but fun ideas so you can go about your day-to-day life a little differently. GIVE THESE A GO Take a ‘SOUND WALK’ The places we often think of as quiet are almost always filled with subtle sounds…

What’s your flood risk? Find out whether your home is at risk of flooding, and what type of flooding (surface water, river water, or sea water) on the government website www.gov.uk/check-flood-risk. If you’d rather do it by phone, call the Environment Agency Floodline on 0345 988 1188. If you like to use smartphone apps, you can download a free app from an organisation called Know Your Flood Risk. Getting insurance If you do live in a flood risk area, you will still be able to get home insurance. A scheme launched in 2016, called Flood Re, is aimed at people whose homes have been flooded before, or who are at high risk of flooding. Before it was introduced, only ten per cent of those who’d been flooded could get…

Q My aunt has Alzheimer’s and has been calling premium rate numbers. As a result, she is very distressed at the cost of her phone bills. Is there a phone-only package that is capped? Name and address supplied Yours saysSimple Telecoms has developed a new, very restricted telephone service specifically designed to minimise bills. It gives no access to expensive numbers and prevents excessive or incorrect calls. Speed-dial numbers are managed centrally so they cannot be accidentally deleted. The Call Guardian package gives unlimited UK landline calls starting at a £16 per month line rental and includes VAT and all calls. ■ Call 0330 122 0000 or visit www.simple telecoms.co.uk Q When my dad died he left us two cars. The prospect of selling them privately feels like a hassle,…

VEGGIE & CHICKPEA FRITTERS Serves: 4 Prep: 15 mins Cook: 15 mins 400g canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed 110g (4oz) wholemeal self-raising flour 125ml (¼ pt) milk 2 eggs 160g (5oz) frozen peas and sweetcorn, thawed 2 spring onions, sliced 1 small courgette, grated coarsely 1 small carrot, grated coarsely 60g (2½ oz) grated cheddar 2 tbsp coarsely chopped fresh mint leaves 1. Blend or process the chickpeas until coarsely chopped. 2. Sift flour into a medium bowl. Make a well in the centre of the flour stir in combined milk and eggs until smooth. Stir in the chickpeas, peas and sweetcorn, onion, courgette, carrot, cheddar and mint and season. 3. Drop a spoonful of batter for each fritter, in batches, into a heated oiled frying pan. Cook over a…

Difficulty rating: MATERIALS 1 x 280g ball of Caron Chunky Cakes (multi-coloured wool) in 17009 Sweet & Sour UK size 0 (8mm) knitting needles Yarn sewing needle 40x50.5cm (16x20in) of cotton lining fabric Approx 1m (1yd) of bright pink ribbon FINISHED MEASUREMENTS Approx 33x23cm (13x9in) To fit 27.5cm (11in) laptop TENSION 12 sts x 18 rows over a 10cm (4in) square in pattern, using UK size 0 (8mm) needles. BEFORE YOU START… k-knit; LH-left hand; p-purl; rep-repeat; RH-right hand; RS-right side; st(s)-stitch(es); yo-yarn over SPECIAL ABBREVIATION MB: make bobble: start to k next st, but do not slip loop off needle, yo (to front), insert needle in st again knitwise, yo and k st, but do not slip loop off needle, yo (to front), insert needle in st again knitwise,…

Critics are already raving about Renée Zellweger’s performance in the new film Judy – a drama biopic capturing the final chapter of one of the most talented but tortured stars of Hollywood’s golden years. Set in the cold winter of 1968- 1969, the film, out in the UK on October 4, charts Judy’s arrival in the UK for a five-week sold-out run at London’s Talk of the Town. It’s 30 years since Judy made her name as Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz, and all the dreams that she once dared to dream are well and truly over as she’s plagued by crippling debt, chronic insomnia and the effect of decades of prescription medication. But her warmth, talent and wit still shine through. Tragically, weeks after the concerts finished,…

How about this team, eh? Of course they’re the usual suspects – people I’ve never usually stopped being suspicious of – in the nicest possible way! They are some of my dearest friends. Let me explain. I’m forever plugging The British Music Hall Society (The BMHS) – an organisation for everyone who’s interested in showbusiness; performers, writers, musicians, jugglers, agents (the best jugglers of the lot!), producers and, best of all, fans (such as myself) of music hall, variety and new young artistes of today. I am the president and this year the lady wife and our committee put on a lunch to celebrate my 63 years in the business. I hope you’ll forgive me, but I was so knocked out that they did that, I have to blushingly report…

With more than 30 miles of sweeping sands, islands to explore, hidden coves and charming little villages, the Northumberland coast is simply spectacular. One of its highlights – Bamburgh Beach – can be enjoyed at any time of year. Overlooked by the 11th Century Bamburgh Castle, this wild, curving expanse offers a perfect spot to take a windswept walk. As well as soaking up the scenery and inhaling the salty sea air, you’re also likely to see surfers riding the waves and horses cantering along the sands. Just behind its sandy shore, the grass-covered Bamburgh Dunes is a 40-hectare Site of Special Scientific Interest. It boasts a rich diversity of flora and fauna, with more than 500 different wildlife species – including grasshopper warblers, meadow pipits, reed bunting and short-eared…

■ Finding suitable daily living products can be tricky. The Living Made Easy website lists more than 11,000 products and compares features and prices. Call 0300 999 0004, or visit www.livingmade easy.org.uk ■ A holiday can make a huge difference to carers and cared-for people. Revitalise is a charity providing short breaks and holidays for disabled people and carers. Revitalise specialises in making sure carers get a break, too! Call 0303 303 0145 or visit www.revitalise.org.uk ■ Dehydration is a common problem for people with dementia. To help, leave glasses or jugs of water within easy reach and use brightly coloured cups or glasses. Ice-lollies are a good source of liquid as well as jelly, ice-cream, soup and melon. If you’re caring for someone with a life-limiting illness, this free…

Learn how to be a top pastry chef Perfect your pastry skills with Cookery School at Little Portland Street’s French breakfast pastries class. You’ll learn how to make croissants and brioche using organic butter and the highest-quality ingredients and walk away with your own croissant dough to impress friends and family. ■ Book classes at www.cookeryschool. co.uk classes start at £125 25 COPIES TO WIN The Girls from Greenway by Elizabeth Woodcraft Chelmsford in the Sixties: Angie Smith lives in Greenway, with her elder sister Doreen, their struggling mother and their difficult father. Bored with her job, and by her dull, ordinary boyfriend, Angie dreams of bigger and better things. Then she meets boutique owner Gene Battini. He is older, handsome, charming – and married. She is swept off her…

.… you are born under Libra, the sign of balance and of bridges. You often find yourself spanning the middle ground, taking the rational view of things and you’re appreciated for that, but you can be so busy having to be logical that it gets hard to be sure of emotions. Music and creativity help with that. ■ Famous Librans celebrating this fortnight include Catherine Zeta Jones, Felicity Kendal, Simon Gregson, Declan Donnelly and Eileen Derbyshire (both pictured)…