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50 Articles

Happy New Year to you all! Inevitably this time of year is one of reflection. Whether you look back fondly on 2021 or can’t wait for it to be over, one thing’s for certain – we can’t change it. It’s all too easy to take stock by lamenting missed opportunities or beating ourselves up over perceived mistakes, but I prefer to focus on the good. Think about the moments this year that brought you the most joy or a sense of peace. Where were you? Who were you with? What were you doing? I’m not a fan of New Year resolutions because they’re often focused on denying ourselves, or mean doing less of something. If you must make one, why not let it be to find ways to do more…

The View from Yours

Helena plays a soap legend Helena Bonham Carter (left) is to star as actress Noele Gordon (inset) in a new ITV drama – 40 years after the star’s shock sacking from the hit soap, Crossroads. As flame-haired widow Meg Richardson in the long-running soap opera Crossroads, Noele, known to friends as Nolly, was one of the most famous people in Britain but in 1981 was axed without warning. ITV Head of Drama Polly Hill said: “The drama will be a great tribute to Noele Gordon, but also to our national love of soaps and a celebration of the incredible women they create. Helena Bonham Carter is going to be amazing as Nolly and we can’t wait for her to step into those shoes.” The three-part drama, Nolly, is currently in…

The View from Yours

Miracles of nature

From a chilled-out otter to a twinkletoed squirrel, the BBC Countryfile 2022 calendar is packed with some truly wonderful shots. The theme for this year’s calendar is Miracles of Nature, and as you can see these amazing animals certainly fit the bill. The good news is there’s still time to buy one – the closing date for orders is January 31. APRIL Bunny Flop We wonder what this adorable bunny rabbit was listening out for, as captured by Gaston Galvan MAY Fun in the flowers? Rachael Bigsby captures this conspicuous badger in the bluebells FEBRUARY Tiptoe through the snowdrops A dancing squirrel takes inspiration from Strictly in this charming shot by Peter Bartholomew AUGUST Otterly content Just how relaxed can this otter get? As spotted by Louise Hawkins SEPTEMBER Double…

Miracles of nature

£10 High Street voucher for every letter published It wasn’t me! ■ Looking after my daughter’s cats for a few weeks while she moved into her new house I took this photo! They are adorable, but oh so clumsy! My daughter added the words! Marilyn Whiteman, by email Up for a challenge ■ To celebrate my 50th birthday I spent the year trying to do 50 things I’d never done before, including joining a choir, being a zookeeper for a day, ziplining, making cheese, riding a segway (right), and climbing the 02 Arena in London. Val Johnson, Surrey Yours says Well done Val! We bet you feel great after completing your list. If you too would like to learn the scientifically proven benefits of trying new things, turn to page…

Remember you’re a Womble!

✪ Re the recent story about litter pickers in Leicestershire. I thought you might like to hear about our pickers – the Corringham Wombles! We do litter picking one day a week. This photo shows us with a recent collection where we gathered up 36 bags of rubbish, ten empty gas bottles and some discarded traffic cones! We are such a happy group of people and have been doing it for almost a year now. Mavis Toms Yours says Well done to you all Mavis! What a great effort ◆ Our star letter will receive a stunning Lush Lilacs bouquet with chocolates from our friends at Flying Flowers. To place your order with free delivery visit www.flyingflowers.co.uk…

Remember you’re a Womble!

Sally’s skate of faith

Sally Dynevor never ice-skated before. “It was just too scary and I was worried about hurting myself,” she explains. “My younger daughter Hattie used to go and I’d get a coffee and watch her from the side, but I’d never go on the ice. I was still too scared.” The mum-of-three, who plays Sally Webster in Corrie, has really taken a leap of faith by signing up for ITV’s Dancing on Ice. She’ll not only have to skate but dance while she’s doing it – and perform live, too. “I was first asked about Dancing on Ice three years ago, but it’s taken me this long to pluck up the courage to actually do it,” she says. “The lockdowns were a factor in me deciding to take up the offer.…

Sally’s skate of faith

My lessons from life

Follow your passion I studied psychology at university – and would have liked to be a psychologist – but the opportunity to be a singer came when I met Emilio Estefan (her future husband). I joined Emilio’s band and we started dating a year later. We fell in love, got married in 1978, and the band Miami Sound Machine started growing. He still makes me laugh even after all these years. Music helps the bad times My father was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis after returning home from Vietnam. I would take care of him and my sister when I got home from school, until Mom came home from work late at night. Music was my escape. Dad was only 47 when he died. In 2015 Emilio and I received the…

My lessons from life

The secrets of Vera’s ward robe!

DCI Vera Stanhope, our favourite TV detective, is not known for her sense of style. In her shapeless green mac, mismatching skirt-and-top combos, and that unflattering fishing hat, it’s quite the opposite, in fact. In real life, Brenda Blethyn, who plays Vera, loves to dress well, yet she has to dress decidedly down to play the Northumberland-based detective. Some actresses would baulk at this prospect, but not Brenda. “Vera is not dependent on lipstick, doesn’t have an hourglass figure and doesn’t look like she’s just stepped off a cat walk,” says Brenda as she chats to us from her Ramsgate home. “In addition to her intelligence and wit, this is why people like her. Her looks aren’t threatening in any way. She’s far more interested in getting on with the…

The secrets of Vera’s ward robe!

For the love of animals

Mum’s watching... This beautiful shot of a cheetah with her two cubs was taken in Kenya’s Maasai Mara nature reserve. Pets of the fortnight ◆ Sylvia Blair’s dogs, Winter and ‘Sno’, “Like nothing better than sniffing through the leaves for the scent of squirrels.” ◆ “This is my gorgeous boy Bertie, who I adopted from rescue charity Here for Cats. As you can see he’s already made himself at home!” Nicky Southwell, by email ◆ Can you spot naughty Jojo? “My daughter’s adorable rescue greyhound Jojo is laid back but has mad moments when she throws cushions about the house. Here she is hiding after an incident!” Thomas Kirkby, Lancs GET IN TOUCH Send us a picture of your pet with personality, tell us their likes, dislikes and age and…

For the love of animals

Beavers reintroduced to Nottinghamshire for the first time in 400 years are already showing signs of settling in. The largest group of Scottish beavers ever released in England arrived at Idle Valley Nature Reserve in November. The county’s wildlife trust posted a picture of a gnawed tree, which shows the animals – whose dam building can help prevent flooding – are making themselves at home. A conservation project to boost a colony of rare harvest mice in the North East of England has been hailed as a success. The mice, that each weigh the same as a 10p coin, were released into a nature reserve near Druridge Bay in Northumberland over the course of the summer. Twelve of their distinctive circular grass nests, which they build on tall plants from…

Teddies loved back to life

As a little girl, Charlotte Liebling loved sitting around the dinner table with all her favourite soft toys, from a wise old ted to her much-cuddled spotty dog. Fast forward to today, though, and Charlotte never imagined that her love for soft toys would have turned into a major international business called Loved Before that is helping save the planet, one teddy at a time. The idea came about when Charlotte was working in a charity shop during her university years. As hundreds of teddies and soft toys came through the door, she was sad to see many of them thrown into a box and sold for 50p, usually as dog toys, or else discarded entirely. Knowing how she felt about her own soft toys, which had seen her through…

Teddies loved back to life

Too green to be true?

Most of us are trying to do the right thing to help the environment and, scanning the shelves, we’re familiar with seeing products labelled with all sorts of claims that supposedly help us do just that. From ‘carbon neutral’ groceries to ‘eco-friendly’ toiletries, ‘conscious’ clothing ranges to products that ‘offset emissions’, we’re bombarded by buzzwords that feed into our appetite to go green. But can we always trust these claims? We can protect ourselves from greenwashing by being wise to the warning flags While many brands genuinely try to make a difference, in recent years environmentalists have accused a number of them of what’s called ‘greenwashing’. This is where companies make statements about their environmental actions that are either misleading or not backed up by evidence. In practice, this tricks…

Too green to be true?

It’s a fact! We spend a third of our lives asleep, equating to 26 years for the average lifespan, and around six years dreaming! But we also spend seven years trying to get to sleep! The sleep champions New Zealanders report the best sleep in the world with the average resident clocking up more than 7½ hours’ kip per night, according to a recent study. Finland, the Netherlands, Australia and even the UK rank highly for sleep, too. At the other extreme, people in Japan and South Korea report the worst night’s sleep. It’s black & white! Around 1.1 per cent of us dream in black and white, and the older we are the more likely we are to do so. Interestingly before colour TV, only 15 per cent of…

‘Singing my hits is so bitter-sweet’

Engelbert Humperdinck maybe in his ninth decade but he shows no signs of slowing down. Currently touring the US and Europe he arrives back in the UK in April to perform a trio of high-profile concerts in the UK and Ireland. Being the consummate professional he is, these performances will be as slick and sophisticated as Englebert himself, but there will be a sadness there, too. Come April it will be just over a year since his beloved Patricia, his wife and soulmate of 57 years, passed away from complications related to Covid-19. She died on February 4, 2021. “It is hard for me,” he tells us from his base in Los Angeles. “I know it’s what Patricia would be urging me to do but some of the lyrics to…

‘Singing my hits is so bitter-sweet’

‘Thank you for making our Christmas sparkle’

We know how you, our lovely Yours readers, love to help others. So this Christmas we decided to help you do just that by asking you to nominate people who’d had a tough 2021 and could do with a little bit of a lift. After being inundated with nominations of amazing people you wanted to support, we had to choose three very deserving winners to each take home more than £2,000 of gifts, foodie treats and festive goodies to give them a Christmas to remember. Here are their stories…. A deserving family The Greenhalls have had a tough year with daughter Isla in and out of Great Ormond Street Hospital. They were planning a small Christmas… until we stepped in There’s always lots to think about in the run-up to…

‘Thank you for making our Christmas sparkle’

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Winter can be tough on our skin in lots of ways and dryness and dullness tend to go hand in hand. With sometimes ferocious weather, moisture-zapping central heating and a little Christmas over-indulgence, it’s no wonder our skin isn’t always at its best! Whether you simply want a brighter complexion or are yearning for that post-holiday glow, dewy skin is within reach with these tips. Supercharge your skincare Bright and beautiful skin starts with these simple steps… 1 Cleanse If you’re not a make-up wearer it can be tempting to skip this part, but cleansing is essential for removing skin-dulling dirt and grime. Massaging in your cleanser will also boost blood circulation, which can help give your skin that ‘lit from within’ fresh glow. Olay’s Make-Up Melting Cleansing Milk, £3.99…

Your best life now

The missing piece Jigsaw puzzles are of course a great way to pass the time, particularly at this time of year when we’re indoors more. However, experts reckon there are lots of health benefits too. Offering a great workout for the brain, puzzles can help improve short-term memory, increase problem solving skills and even give our hands a gentle workout. It’s also a great stress-relieving hobby – providing you can find that missing piece!…

Your best life now

...the easy way to transform your health

At Yours we love the idea of a positive resolution – something to usher in more joy and colour for 2022 – and if that appeals to you, 50 over 50 could be just the ticket. The concept is simple: try 50 new things. Regular readers will recognise it as FitMind50, and while we’ve given it a bit of a refresh for the new year, the principle is the same. It might sound daunting, but these 50 challenges might include anything from trying a new ingredient, to learning and using new words, or even varying a familiar walking route. The timeframe is up to you, but if you want to complete it within a year, that would involve just one new thing per week. I really hope that you’ll decide…

...the easy way to transform your health

Sharing the CARING

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Rosie is an experienced counsellor and carers’ advocate ‘How can we both get a break?’ Q I care for my husband, Fred, who has motor neurone disease. The last couple of years have been tough for us both with Fred’s declining health and the Covid restrictions. We are both determined to enjoy what time we have left together and would really like to have a UK holiday in the coming months. We haven’t been far since Fred started using a wheelchair and I don’t know where to start to book a break. Can you help? Angela, Wolverhampton Rosie says: It’s great to hear that you and Fred are continuing to enjoy life as much as you can, Angela. My first piece of advice would be to do…

Sharing the CARING

Ruth Macintyre has years of experience as a home cook and now runs a cookery school and awardwinning bakery. Every issue Ruth shares her favourite recipes, along with her clever tips and smart shortcuts Serves: 4 Prep: 15 mins Cook: 1 hour Irish stew □ 500g (1lb 2oz) lamb leg □ 300g (10 ½oz) potatoes, peeled □ 200g (7oz) swede, peeled □ 200g (7oz) carrots, peeled □ 1 onion, peeled □ 1 bay leaf □ 125g (4½ oz) pearl barley □ 700ml (1¼ pt) water □ 2 lamb stock pots □ Salt & pepper □ 10g (¼ oz) parsley, finely chopped 1. Prepare the meat and vegetables, ensure they’re all diced roughly the same size, approx 1cm (½ in) square. 2. Put all the ingredients, except the parsley, into a…

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Over the RAINBOW

Meet Adam Roe – he’s the founder of Craft Box Club, the eco-friendly craft kit subscription. He loves exploring natural materials and crafting with nature. Each issue Adam shares a totally plastic-free make you can do at home! Time: 2-3 hours. Difficulty rating: 1 – great for beginners YOU WILL NEED □ Wool roving – a big handful of each colour □ Felting needled find 38 gauge best) □ Heart shaped pastry cutters □ 4ft (1.2 m) of cotton string or warp □ Needle felting pad or a sponge □ Sewing needle □ String in rainbow colours This rainbow-coloured woolly number is just so cool! For this project, we’re using one of my favourite materials, super-soft merino wool. I love how incredibly tactile it is and the vivid colours that…

Over the RAINBOW

Difficulty rating: Materials Bernat® Baby BlanketTM (in the following colours: 6 x 100g balls of Contrast A Sand Baby (03010) 1 x 100g ball of Contrast B Baby Pink (03200) 6.5 mm (Size US 10½) knitting needles. 8mm Size (US 11) circular knitting needle 101.5 cm (40in) long or size needed to obtain tension. Stitch holder 4.5m (5 yrds) of Bernat® Baby BlanketTM Vanilla (03008) for embroidery. ■ Can’t get this yarn? Find a suitable alternative at yarnsub.com Measurements Approx 127x76cm (50x30in) excluding hood. Tension 7½ sts and 16 rows = 10cm (4in) with larger needles in garter st. 8 sts and 13 rows = 10cm (4in) with larger needles in stocking st. Abbreviations Alt-alternate; beg-Begin(ning); dec- decrease; k-knit; k2(3) tog-knit next 2(3) stitches together; kfb-increase 1 stitch by knitting…

Create a mini winter garden

As shorter days and cold, wet weather make venturing into the garden less appealing, a little winter garden in a pot will see you through to spring. Position where they can be seen from inside or by a frequently used door so they raise your spirits every time you pass by! Flowers are few and far between in winter, so think striking foliage, colourful stems and glowing berries. Evergreen shrubs such as box, skimmia and hebe should be the backbone of your pot or, for extra colour, add a variegated shrub such Euonymus ‘Silver Queen’. For an eye-catching shot of colour use the low-growing Gaultheria procumbens with red berries, but use ericaceous compost for this acid-loving plant. Winter star performers These plants are guaranteed to give you a show in…

Create a mini winter garden

Let’s get fizzy! It’s a favourite beverage for many, but fizzy cola also has lots of surprising uses including removing rust from gardening tools and tackling grimy pots and pans. However, one of the best ideas is using cola to clean the loo! Simply pour it around the bowl and leave overnight. In the morning flush it away to reveal sparkling results. Any cola will do – even the cheap stuff!…

Go Green resolutions!

It can feel like an uphill battle to protect the planet, but January is an excellent time to take a step back and examine our habits. There are actually numerous small, affordable actions we can all take to help lower our carbon footprints, breathe life into old objects, and even save money by reducing water or fuel use. If you’re in the market for a resolution that will have a positive impact on others as well as yourself, we’ve got some ideas. Just imagine our collective power if every Yours reader committed to one – or more – of these simple steps. Flower power When people talk ‘growing your own’, they tend to mean fruit and veg. But when 90 per cent of the cut flowers in shops are imported,…

Go Green resolutions!

BATHROOM BUSTERS

While 90 per cent of us recycle our kitchen waste, only 50 per cent of us recycle beauty packaging – probably because our recycling bins are in the kitchen. Joseph Joseph makes an attractive spilt-waste bathroom bin (right) for £20 (joesphjoseph.com). You can reduce waste further by switching to bar soaps and shampoos – try a plastic-free handwash such as Bower Collective’s refill 1 litre sanitising handwash (right, above) £8.39 (bowercollective.com)…

BATHROOM BUSTERS

THREE WAYS TO SAVE WATER

1 Keep a plastic tub or bucket in the bottom of the shower to catch the water as you wait for it to heat. Pop it on your plants later. 2 Keep a jug of tap water in the fridge for when you get thirsty: waiting for the tap to run cold can waste up to 10L of water per day, according to the Wildlife Trust. 3 Invest in an aerated showerhead that injects air into the water stream so you use less water and lower bills. Prices start around £20. Ask a local local plumber for options.…

THREE WAYS TO SAVE WATER

BEST FOR VALUE Oral-B Pro 600 3D electric toothbrush This no-frills toothbrush makes an ideal first buy. It features a subtle two-minute timer to let you know when you’re finished and has a pressure sensor to help stop you from brushing too aggressively. It has a 16-hour battery life and replacement heads can bought for as little as £2.20 each. The brush is a bit noisy compared to the more expensive models and the brush head itself is a basic circular shape – unlike the contoured brushes of the pricier ones. It doesn’t come with a travel case but as a basic electric brush, it can’t be faulted. Our tester reported that her teeth were much whiter after using this for just one week, compared to brushing with a regular…

‘Should I invest in bonds?’

WHAT ARE BONDS? Sometimes called fixed income investments, bonds are simply a loan of your money to a company or government. Investment is made for a fixed period of time, after which you’ll receive your full loan amount back on what’s called a redemption date. Depending on the type of bond you choose, you’ll also receive interest payments called coupons. These are often paid annually, but some are paid more frequently. There are two types of bonds: ■ Gilts Issued by the government, gilts are considered low risk as it’s very unlikely the Government will run out of money! Conventional gilts pay a fixed amount of interest (coupon) twice a year and then pay the loan back after the term. Index-linked gilts differ in that the bond value and coupon…

‘Should I invest in bonds?’

Finding the right words

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Getting started Whether you want to address a long-standing concern with a family member or talk to loved ones about their final wishes, invite them into the conversation rather than insisting. “Start with where you’re at, for example say, ‘I’ve been thinking a lot about this and it’s causing me worry, can we find time to mull it over, but you say when?’” says Kathryn Mannix, author of new book, Listen. “That way it puts the power in their hands. This is especially useful for talking to older family members, as it reinforces the normal dynamic of you as child and them as parent, auntie, grandparent, etc, rather than them potentially feeling infantilised by you telling them what to do.” Listening 101 ■ Resist the urge to…

Finding the right words

Reach for the stars!

You might have noticed the night sky looking a little clearer lately. This usually means cold and frosty mornings, but it’s also the best time of year to scan the heavens for stars. Stargazing is a fun hobby that everyone can try, even if you’d rather stay indoors! The key is to make sure that there’s total darkness around you – that means turning off all the lights in your house whether you’re inside or outside. If you’re not much of a night owl, you can also get telescopes which work in daylight – great if you’re stargazing with young children. Some telescopes can be pricey but there are loads of affordable options too. Just check reviews and specifications to ensure it’s suitable for what you’re hoping to see. Stargazing…

Reach for the stars!

Your questions ANSWERED

Q We always end up with loads of sweet tubs to recycle after Christmas. We reuse as many as we can, but what else can I do with them? Georgina, Colchester Yours says More than 40 million tubs are sold in the run-up to Christmas. From January 1 to February 28, 2022, Greene King pubs, restaurants and hotels will accept clean and empty sweet, biscuit and cracker tubs (with the 5PP logo on the bottom) to recycle and raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. ■ Find out more at tub2pub.co.uk Q My neighbour struggles to get out. I pop in when I can but is there an organisation she can join that isn’t online? Sally, Kent Yours says Age UK has befriending services and you could mention to your neighbour…

Your questions ANSWERED

Guide to unlocking cash from your home Over the years, equity release has become a popular way for homeowners over 55 to release tax-free cash from their homes. All of Key’s equity release advice is completely free of charge so you can find out if it’s right for you without it costing you a penny. If you’re a homeowner aged over 55, why not order your FREE expert guide to help get you started. ■ The Yours Guide to Equity Release Get your free guide on how to unlock cash from your home, full of the answers to your questions. Call free: 0808 208 4019 Write to: FREEPOST KEY (no other address needed) Advice guide to Wills & Lasting Powers of Attorney This Yours Guide is designed to help you…

The useful stuff...

Subscriptions Visit www.greatmagazines.co.uk/yours-magazine or call 01858 438884 Back issues Call 01858 438828 or email bauer@subscription.co.uk Yours customer care Advertising or offer query? Call Angela Whenman, 01733 468444. Yours on tape and CD A recorded version 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 No computer? Sometimes our offers and information are only available online. You can access the internet, with help, at libraries – often for free. H Bauer Publishing is a company registered in England and Wales with company number LP003328, registered address Academic House, 24-28 Oval Road, London NW1 7DT. VAT no. 918 561701. H Bauer Publishing is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Ref no. 845898). Circulation…

The useful stuff...

It happened this fortnight

70 years ago JANUARY 10, 1952 The Greatest Show on Earth, directed and produced by Cecil B DeMille, premiered in New York. The film, starring James Stewart, Dorothy Lamour, Betty Hutton and Charlton Heston tells the story of the dramatic lives of circus performers. 60 years ago JANUARY 1, 1962 The Beatles auditioned unsuccessfully for Decca Records. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and drummer Pete Best performed 15 songs, including Like Dreamers Do. Decca opted instead to sign the other group that auditioned that day – Brian Poole and the Tremeloes. Just for fun What was The Tremeloes’ first UK No.1 hit? 50 years ago JANUARY 2, 1972: ANYONE FOR TENNIS? English tennis player Virginia Wade stormed to victory in the women’s singles final of the 1972 Australian Open.…

It happened this fortnight

A policeman’s lot…

From Line of Duty to Bancroft, today’s TV schedules are packed with gritty police dramas. But they all go back to one common root – the much loved Z Cars. Emerging 60 years ago this month, the show cast an unvarnished look at the real workings of police life that’s had us hooked ever since. And, remarkably, it all came about because writer Troy Kennedy-Martin had mumps! While he was recuperating he was so bored he started listening into the police radio channel. What he heard gave him food for thought. “I came across incidents where it was obvious that the police were not coping,” he said later. “They seemed confused, lost, apparently young and inexperienced.” Most strikingly of all, though, was how different this world he heard on the…

A policeman’s lot…

1964 Oh how I loved my white outfit and navy blazer which I always wore with white stiletto shoes. I used to pound the pavement walking around London all day in those shoes! Heaven knows how I managed it. All in the name of fashion... Ann Walton, via email 1970s This photo of my husband Derek and I was taken at a dinner dance at Kirby Misperton Hall. We were doing a rumba. My dress was blue and white and I made it myself. We loved dancing and this brings back many happy memories. Jean Jackson, Leeds 1971 This is me and my husband the day after our wedding. The car belonged to a friend who offered to take us to the airport on our honeymoon to Portugal. They gave…

Remember the time

We often enjoyed playing games as a family and, there was no better time than at Christmas, with the generations gathered together. Until… ‘He’s cheating!’, ‘She did that on purpose!’, the fun could all too soon descend into accusation, counter claim and epic sulking. There was almost always a tension tipping point when things got a little bit fractious. Card games were a favourite, Rummy or Newmarket in particular. We thought we were terribly grown up being allowed to bet with pennies and 2ps. Monopoly was one of the worst, partly because it took so long everyone started to get bored. During my childhood, many now classic games were launched. The most aptly named game had to be Frustration, with its infuriating pop-o-matic dice. Mouse Trap never quite lived up…

Remember the time

Chill out in Cheshire Spread over 2,400 acres on the Cheshire Plain, Delamere Forest offers a tranquil escape. With 66 woodland cabins – all with a hot tub as standard – blending harmoniously into the landscape, you can enjoy splendid isolation in the most stunning of settings. There are plenty of activities to enjoy, from Forest Discovery sessions with the resident Ranger, to stargazing, cycling and having an in-cabin massage! Elsewhere, discover the Sandstone Ridge – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – or head out to the Peak District National Park, Chester Zoo or the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet for a shopping fix. ■ Prices start from £105 a night with four sharing in Jan 2022. Visit forestholidays.com, 0333 011 0495 Wind down in West Sussex Set in acres…

Brief encounters

Charlie was bored to tears. He gazed despondently at the view of the river from the window of the care home. At least in the summer and autumn it had looked interesting with ducks and moorhens bobbing about and families strolling along the path. But today, in the depths of winter, it looked desolate. The rain was coming down like the proverbial stair rods, the branches of the trees were bare and the swollen river was brown and muddy. Charlie had been living in the care home for six months and he felt his horizons were shrinking with each week that passed. He might be confined to a wheelchair, but his brain was still active and in desperate need of stimulation. “Chess anyone?” he had enquired hopefully when he first…

Brief encounters

Yours BOOK CLUB

What you’re reading.... The Visitors By Caroline Scott (Simon & Schuster, £16.82) “A poignant novel about love, loss and rebuilding your life,” says Geraldine Parkin. In 1923, Esme spends the summer in Cornwall where her late husband, who died fighting in the war, grew up. But all turns upside down when she meets a mysterious new arrival. “We follow Esme on an intriguing journey with many twists and turns,” says Geraldine. One Thousand Moons By Martin Hurcomb (Matador, £9.99) “So descriptive, I felt as if I was really there,” says Imelda Desberry. In 2022 in the South of England, a volunteer at Hillstone House is murdered during a charity cricket match. But as an arrest is made, Alba White, who found the dying man, is not convinced the police have arrested the right…

Yours BOOK CLUB

CATCH UP WITH FRIENDS

Welcome to the Yours community hub! KEEP IT LOCAL If you received toiletries or clothes for Christmas you don’t need, donate them to a local women’s refuge. Underwear, pyjamas, clothing items and toiletry products such as shower gel, body lotion, deodorant and all forms of makeup are all gratefully received by women who often leave their belongings behind when they escape domestic abuse. ■ Visit refuge.org.uk PLANET SAVER Clean Living’s planet-friendly cleaning products pledge to use less plastic, fewer chemicals, and less waste. If that wasn’t ecofriendly enough, the company has now teamed up with the wildlife charity Born Free and will donate one per cent of revenue to help the charity’s vital work around the world. Prices start from £5.97. ■ Call 0800 031 4316 or visit READERS TO…

CATCH UP WITH FRIENDS

CATCH UP WITH FRIENDS

Do You Have? Can you help these readers find everything from craft kit to memorabilia? Sylvia Symons is hoping to get hold of a Brass Devon Pixie, to go onto a keyring. She thinks they are no longer made. If you have one, please write to Sylvia at 23 Ashdown Walk, Plymouth PL6 8SR Memories of Bonnie Scotland! Does anyone have a brochure of the Cruachan Power Station in Oban (pictured below)? Mrs P Wyatt would really appreciate a copy and is happy to pay postage if requested. P Wyatt, 2 Ludlow Close, Ipswich IP1 6ST Our Lizzie is struggling to find spare sewing machine parts! Does anyone have an older model of a portable electric sewing machine, preferably a Singer? She’s willing to pay costs if sent, or arrange…

CATCH UP WITH FRIENDS

BOOST YOUR BRAIN!

£ 1,400 WORTH OF PRIZES TO WIN! Devilish definitions Can you decide which is the correct definition for the following words: ANTHAROPAUSE (COINED 2020) A A period during which human activity and movement is greatly reduced B A youth between boyhood and manhood C The season when least flowers are evident MAUNDERED (COINED C1620) A Depressed in spirits B Afflicted with a dry, scaly skin eruption about the neck (said of dogs) C Languidly content Written by Adam Jacot de Boinod, a researcher for the television series QI and the author of The Meaning of Tingo and Other Extraordinary Words from around the World, published by Penguin Books. Where is Sammy Squirrel? Find where he’s hiding in this issue of Yours and you could win £100. To enter, fill in…

BOOST YOUR BRAIN!

PRIZES TO BE WON!

Keep your phone charged up with a handy power bank Talk, play and search the web for longer with the mophie powerstation. This 10,000mAh portable battery will supply your smartphone with two additional charges – great if you’re having a day out. The integrated power indicator displays the charging status as well as the current battery life, so you always know how much power you have left. ■ Available from ZAGG.com, rrp, £49.95 Give your feet a treat with this prize! We’ve teamed up with Vionic to give away three pairs of stylish, podiatrist-designed, footwear. The winners will be able to choose from a range of boots, trainers, slippers and flats in premium materials. Each pair features Vionic’s in-built three-zone comfort, cupping your heel for stability, supporting the arch and…

PRIZES TO BE WON!

Look In this fortnight

Coastal treat In Kate Humble’s Coastal Britain, Kate will be exploring some of the most beautiful shorelines in Britain. Her trusty walking boots will take her to Scotland, Kent, Essex, Northumberland and the Isle of Wight, but she begins on Holy Island in north-west Wales. If you fancy following in her footsteps, all the walks are along established routes and can be done in a day or over the course of a weekend. ■ Channel 5, begins January 7, 8pm FATHER BROWN ON THE CASE Mark Williams (above) returns as GK Chesterton’s sleuthing priest, ready to tackle more mysteries. The cases catching the cleric’s eye this time around range from a seemingly innocent man who’s been framed by the police to a hunt for lost treasure in a 15th Century…

Look In this fortnight

HOROSCOPES DEC 28-JAN 10

If it’s your birthday this fortnight... ...you are born under Capricorn, the nimble-footed mountain goat, adept at navigating tricky terrain, you know the best route to the top of the mountain, even if it takes a while. Early life often feels harder but Capricorns usually find their niche and do well. You know the virtue of taking your time. ■ Famous Capricorns celebrating this fortnight include Nigella Lawson, Dame Maggie Smith, The Duchess of Cambridge and Imelda Staunton and Sir Rod Stewart (pictured). CAPRICORN DEC 21-JAN 20 Clearance for take off is a theme, with a pet plan or ambition stirring excitement around an early March date. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705709 AQUARIUS JAN 21-FEB 18 Jupiter will boost matters financial and physical between now and May.…

HOROSCOPES DEC 28-JAN 10

Relax with Sherrie time

Hello readers, Well I’ve got a bit of a rant this week. Motorways! I don’t know about you, but every time I attempt to drive on any motorway it’s bedlam. Firstly, it’s 50mph on these so-called ‘smart motorways’. All the cars and lorries back up for miles, but worst of all, there doesn’t seem to be a reason for the chaos. In the central reservation, there are vehicles, cranes, lorries, diggers, but no visible people working, except for a couple of high-vis jacketed men chatting about what should be done! Did you know road signs cost £600 to put up? So signs such as ‘Diverted Traffic’ where there’s no diversion, or ‘Ducks in the Road’ but you never see a duck... what a waste of money! There’s actually one in…

Relax with Sherrie time

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