How to get a great phone without breaking the bank

Today’s best phones are technological triumphs with price tags to match. But the truth is that for many of us, we simply don’t need all that power. You don’t need £800 of hardware to run WhatsApp, do a bit of online shopping and shoot the odd selfie. The good news is that budget phones don’t necessarily mean bad phones. You can spend half the price of a flagship, and sometimes even less, and get something perfectly decent. If you buy SIM-free you’ll have to pay the whole cost upfront but in the long term it works out much cheaper, because you can get a separate contract that isn’t subsidising the initial cost of your phone. For example, networks such as Lyca or Lebara can give you unlimited texts and calls and 3GB of monthly data for less than £2 per month – and you’re not tied into a long-term contract. If you’re a big data user, Virgin Media currently offers 15GB for £3.50 per month.

Budget phones come into four main price brackets. The best buys under £100 are feature phones, which tend to be pretty basic but offer great battery life and key apps such as Facebook or WhatsApp. Go over £100 and you’re moving into smartphone territory, and while you won’t get the fastest phones or the best cameras here, you’ll still be able to get a good all-rounder and use apps such as Spotify.

If you go beyond £200 you might be surprised by just how good the phones in this price bracket are. And as you near £400 things get even better, with firms such as Samsung offering very powerful phones with excellent cameras. The only bigname firm that isn’t really represented here is Apple – at the time of writing their cheapest iPhone, the iPhone SE 2022, is £449. But that’s still a lot cheaper than the iPhone 14, which starts at £849. Whatever you’re buying, keep an eye out for tradein deals. You won’t get much money trading in a basic phone or one that hasn’t been looked after, but even £20 or £30 off the price can make your new phone that little bit more of a bargain. The best trade-in deals tend to be offered by phone manufacturers themselves rather than retailers. And don’t forget outlets such as eBay, where phones are often sold even more cheaply. As ever with auctions, read the small print and check the seller’s feedback ratings before committing to buy.

Nokia 800 Tough Nokia’s feature phones were everywhere in the 90s, and while today it makes lots of budget smartphones it also makes some great, simple phones like the military-spec 800 Tough. £99, Nokia.com

This is still a lot of money, of course, but if you want an iPhone this is the cheapest one Apple currently makes. It looks quite old but inside it has a recent, fast processor and a pretty good camera too. £449, apple.com

You can get cheaper Android phones, but this Moto manages to keep the price down without also making the camera terrible or the performance sluggish. It’s great value. £122, amazon.co.uk

Samsung

Samsung makes some great phones for photography, and the A53 5G is arguably the best of its more affordable models if you want a Samsung to take lots of snaps with. £399, samsung.com

OnePlus isn’t the best-known name but it’s building a good reputation for its affordable but powerful Android smartphones. Shop around and you’ll find it even cheaper. £299, oneplus.com

What do we mean by exotic plants?

It’s not unusual for those who love gardens to yearn for something that looks tropical or exotic. These plants remind us of holidays and help with a contemporary feel.

Tropical gardens

Bold foliage and dazzling flower colours can create a lush, dramatic oasis. Tropical plants can be used to create a framework for your garden and the spaces between can be filled with plants that provide complementary shapes and colours. Grasses such as carex and miscanthus work well, as do large-leafed evergreens including Fatsia japonica and ferns. Hostas can pop up during spring and summer, together with shadedwelling brunneras, brightly-flowering crocosmia and day lilies in the sunnier areas. Japanese anemones are partial-shade lovers that fit in well for some late-summer flowers combined with interesting foliage.

It is possible to grow bananas (Musa) here in the UK, although they might need some winter protection. They can form huge statement plants up to three metres high and their tropical leaves can reach a length of two metres. It is rare for them to form fruit in the UK, but it is possible! Then there are the much- coveted tree ferns, Dicksonia antarctica, which are said to be some of the oldest plants in the world.

The iconic tropical forest trees are palms, such as Trachycarpus fortunei and wagnerianus, also known as windmill or chusan palms, Phoenix canariensis, the Canary Island date palm and Chamaerops humilis, the dwarf fan palm. These varieties have proved to be fairly hardy here in the UK, although they often sustain damage that needs to be tidied up in the spring.

Go for a lush, full appearance and consider using bamboo to screen out the constraints of your boundaries. Clumping varieties including fargesias are easier to maintain, but use a root barrier to be sure your bamboo won’t invade further afield.

Desert gardens

It’s not easy to create a desert garden within a country with high rainfall. However, if you have a south-facing, sheltered site and you prepare the ground adequately, it is not impossible. Desertdwellers need very free-draining soil of almost pure grit or sand. Plants will be those that store water, such as cacti, agaves and aloes. You can use desert as your inspiration and be inspired by the Sahara, Gobi and Kalahari, creating a garden that has the atmosphere of this unique type of ecosystem. Ornamental grasses are a must for the desert vibe, with their sandy-coloured seed heads and narrow leaves. Yuccas are well-adapted to desert life and you can include perennials such as salvias, cistus, sedum and creeping thyme. Drought-tolerant plants often have silvery foliage and fine hairs on the leaves that help them conserve moisture. You will definitely not see a lush lawn in a desert!

Starting at 1 and finishing at 49, track your way from one square to another, either horizontally, vertically or diagonally, placing consecutive numbers into the empty squares as you go. Some numbers are already given.

By Katherine Sorrell

Combine practicality with good looks to create a welcoming entrance to your home.

If you’re unhappy with your hall, there are five key areas to consider.

1 Walls

Paint can transform a bland hallway, or opt for wallpaper, tiles or timber cladding. While pale colours reflect light and emphasise a sense of space, dark schemes can be cosy and interesting, but need adequate lighting. For practicality, protect the lower halves of the walls with tiles, timber or extra-tough paint. Periodstyle patterned tiles, beaded wall panelling or embossed wallpapers suit older properties with original features, while in a modern home consider geometrics, oversized florals or tongueand-groove cladding.

2 Flooring

Add a runner, either washable or in a dark colour that won’t show the dirt, to revive the floor. Alternatively, sand and varnish a timber floor, or replace tired carpet or vinyl. Hall floors must be durable, non-slip, resistant to dirt and stains, and easy to clean. Stone, ceramic, quarry or Victorian-style encaustic tiles are ideal. Timber boards or parquet need regular polishing or waxing, though some are water-resistant, extratough boards that are super-easy to care for. Cheaper laminates may not last long. Good quality vinyl flooring is practical and comfortable. A dark 80:20 wool-nylon mix twist-pile carpet should withstand heavy usage, or consider tough natural matting such as coir, sisal or rush.

3 Lighting

Halls should be welcoming and illuminate steps or thresholds. Consider specialist light-reflecting paint, or wallpaper with a metallic sheen. Add a large mirror. Wall lights can act as obstacles in a narrow hall but recessed ceiling downlights or a pendant (or a row of them) are ideal.

4 Storage

Built-in wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling storage, including any wonky areas, makes the most of available space. Tall, shallow cupboards painted the same colour as the walls, or mirrored, will be barely noticeable. Alternatively, choose freestanding cupboards, sideboards or console tables. Add umbrella stands, dog beds, boot racks, high-up bike hooks, a coat rack or a radiator shelf for post and keys, depending on available space.

5 Decoration

Paintings or photographs can make an impact in a hallway and up the stairs. With sufficient light, house plants in attractive pots are fabulous, as are books on a side table or shelf. A console table or a deep shelf gives space for a lamp, a basket for keys etc., and a vase of flowers.

This traditional hallway has lovely monochrome tiling, with a class combination of a console table and mirror above. Retromix Cold Star large patterned tiles, £49.75 per square metre, londontile.co.uk.

The dimples on a golf ball are designed to make it more aerodynamic, allowing it to travel further in the air. There are no official rules about how many dimples a golf ball can have and most feature between 300 and 500.

Name The Sport That Uses This Ball

Make a list of the smallest to the largest ball, if you were holding the real thing.

SMALLEST SMALL MEDIUM BIG BIGGEST

CROSSWORD

ARCHERY CRICKET

CYCLING

FOOTBALL

GOLF

HOCKEY

JUDO

KARATE

RUGBY RUNNING

SAILING

SQUASH

TENNIS

Mobile b icycle Service & r epair

I can pick up your bike from your home or place of work then return to you at your convenience.

From a safety check, new build to a full service, all work and repairs will be quoted prior to commencing.

Will contact you immediately if any other defects are spotted so there will be no unpleasant surprises. Free pick up and drop off within a five mile radius of Surbiton. mat adds a bright touch to any doorway. Butterfly Garden doormat, £16.95, rexlondon.com.

Wipe the floor with dirt and welcome visitors to your home with a good-looking entranceway. Yes, the humble door mat is finally having its day.

Start your day with a compliment! This indoor/ outdoor mat is made from natural coir coconut fibre with a non-slip back, and is hand-finished in the UK with durable and long-lasting paints. Artsy Doormats Hello Beautiful circle doormat, £39.95, cuckooland.com.

Designed and made to order in the UK, this bespoke, superabsorbent mat is machine washable and guaranteed for five years. Personalised names doormat, £59, mattify.co.uk.

Give your visitors something to smile about. This mat is great for indoor or sheltered outdoor use, made from 100% natural coir and coloured with azo-free dyes. The Naughty Step doormat, £24.50, sweetpeaandwillow.com.

Show off your personality and create an inviting hallway with a fun and individual, naturalcoir doormat. Nicola Spring Rainbow coir doormat, from £9.94, wayfair.co.uk.

This mat is made from hard-wearing jute so is ideal for hightraffic areas, while its scalloped edging and brown trim add a touch of style. Scalloped jute doormat with a chestnutbrown trim, £45, roseandgrey.co.uk.

With bright colours on a nylon mat and a rubber backing, this groovy example offers a warm welcome and is machine washable. Hello Bear doormat, £44, jimbobart.com.

A versatile addition to the boot room or back door step, this mat features coir brushes set in a border of tough rubber for a stylish solution to muddy boots and shoes. Rubber border doormat in natural coir, £30, coxandcox.co.uk.

Encore Singing Group

We

With a career that has led him from restaurant kitchens to TV screens – and with another new cookbook to his credit – ever-popular chef James Martin has his finger in plenty of pies.

Chef and proud Yorkshireman James Martin has had a love of food since he was a child. His family were farmers on the Castle Howard estate in North Yorkshire and as James recalls: “My passion for food began when my father took the role of catering manager at the Castle Howard estate.”

Just an ordinary bloke!

Having starred in TV food series aplenty, penned 20-plus cookbooks – the latest celebrating the humble potato – appearances on a number of high-profile daytime shows, such as Loose Woman, along with Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and Strictly Come Dancing, James is keen to play down his celebrity status. What, does he think then, is the secret of his popularity? “Honestly, I have no idea. I’ve always been honest and straight with the viewer and believe in great food…and have never been one for trends or fads.”

Life in the fast lane

James may have had a love of food for a long as he can remember, but it wasn’t his first choice. “I did want to be a racing driver, but the closest I got to a go-kart was a Massey Ferguson tractor. It was never going to happen for me.”

But he has never lost his love for speed and is a self-confessed petrol head, with an impressive private collection – from Ferraris and Fords, classics to electric and everything in between –said to be worth millions. He is also a qualified helicopter pilot.

Beginnings and returns

James was just a lad when he started working in restaurants, as he explained on ITV’s This Morning, where he is a guest chef on the breakfast show. “I started cooking in a professional kitchen when I was ten, washing pots.”

Following catering college and training and working in France, James then landed a job at Antony Worrell Thompson’s One Ninety Queen’s Gate restaurant in Kensington, London. In 1993 he became a junior pastry chef at the acclaimed Chewton Glen in Hampshire, where today he heads up The Kitchen.

Two years later, aged just 21, his journey into culinary celebrity was about to begin when he joined Hotel Du Vin in Winchester as head chef.

On the road

James has several tours under his belt, which feature live shows and demos. What does he enjoy about them? “Going out and about and seeing people enjoying themselves. The buzz you get from thousands of people who have come out to spend the evening with you is pretty special.”

James is planning to tour again this October/ November and he will be appearing at the Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival in July.

Serves 8 Preparation time 35 minutes Freeze 6+ hours

This indulgent Italian-style ice cream dessert is simplicity to make and keeps well in the freezer for at least a month.

Ingredients

• Oil, for greasing

• 4 large free-range eggs, separated

• 100g caster sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 300ml double cream

• 6 tbsp salted caramel sauce (or dulce de leche), plus extra for drizzling

For the almond praline

• 100g caster sugar

• 50g toasted whole blanched almonds

NOTE: Raw eggs are used to make the semifreddo, so pregnant women, older people and anyone with a severely weakened immune system should check before eating this.

1. Lightly oil a 1 litre loaf tin and line with cling film.

2. Beat the egg yolks, sugar and vanilla together with a hand-held whisk until thick and a trail is left when you lift the beaters.

3. Beat the egg whites in a clean dry bowl until they form stiff peaks. In a separate bowl, beat the cream until it holds its shape and forms soft peaks.

4. Gently fold the cream into the egg yolk mixture and then fold in the eggs whites with a metal spoon in a figure-of-eight motion. Gently swirl the salted caramel throughout the mixture and transfer to the lined tin. Level the top, cover with cling film and freeze for 6 hours or until solid.

5. Meanwhile, make the praline. Line a baking tray with foil and brush lightly with oil.

6. Put the sugar in a heavy-based pan set over a low heat. Swirl the pan occasionally until the sugar melts. As soon as it darkens to a deep amber and starts to caramelise, remove from the heat and stir in the almonds. Spoon onto the lined baking tray and leave to cool and set hard, then smash into shards.

7. When you’re ready to serve, remove the semifreddo from the freezer and unwrap. Turn out onto a serving platter and top with the praline shards. Cut into slices and serve drizzled with extra salted caramel sauce.

Bursting with home-grown flavour, British asparagus is in season until the end of the month. So, pick up a bunch at your local farm shop or farmers’ market and make the most of this versatile vegetable!

Ingredients

• 2 x 150g rib-eye steaks

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil, plus extra for cooking the asparagus

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 1 bunch British asparagus, rinsed and woody ends trimmed

• A pinch of togarashi seasoning, optional (you could use cayenne pepper)

• White and black sesame seeds, to garnish

For the teriyaki sauce

• 75ml soy sauce

• 75ml mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)

• 75ml sake

• 1 tbsp sugar

For more asparagus recipe inspiration, visit www.britishasparagus.com

1. First make the teriyaki sauce. Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan, place on a medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for a couple of minutes then remove from the heat and leave to cool. Any leftover sauce can be stored in a clean bottle in the fridge.

2. If cooking on the barbecue, heat the coals until ready to cook. Alternatively, heat a griddle pan until hot and almost smoking. Rub the steaks with a little oil and season with salt and black pepper. Griddle for 2 minutes each side (depending on thickness) for medium-rare. Wrap loosely in foil and leave to rest while you cook the asparagus.

3. Rub the asparagus with a little oil then lay on the barbecue grill rack or the hot griddle and cook for 2-3 minutes, turning every now and then until they start to soften but still have bite and are lightly charred.

4. Share the asparagus between two warm plates. Slice the steaks into 1cm strips and scatter over the asparagus, spooning over the meat juices left from resting. Drizzle over the teriyaki sauce, sprinkle with togarashi (if using) and the sesame seeds.

Two-time winner of the Kingston Chamber of Commerce’s Award for the Best Leisure and Hospitality Business, Glenmore House is one of Surbiton’s best kept secrets.

Constructed in 1840, Glenmore House is a fine example of late Georgian architecture situated in the exclusive Surbiton conservation area adjacent to the landscaped park of Claremont Gardens, the Edwardian building was one of the first substantial houses to be built in Surbiton, which has adapted to many uses over time, and today functions as a members’ club and wedding and events venue.

£25

PER PERSON inc VAT

Next held: 4th June, 2nd July, 6th August and 3rd September

*Every first Sunday of the month

Next held: 5th January, 2nd February, 1st March

Impressive double gates open on to Glenmore’s free, private car park which can safely accommodate up to 110 cars.

We have acquired an enviable reputation for gourmet cuisine second to none, offering superb value for money, with no compromise on quality.

Come and enjoy the popular Sunday Carvery in the magnificent Elizabethan Suite, Tudor Rooms or Crescent Room.

Our fabulous Elizabethan Suite comprises of a double height ballroom, featuring sparkling chandeliers, minstrel galleries and a sprung dance floor, adjoined by an exclusive bar area.

The Tudor Rooms benefit from stained glass windows and chandeliers, and our light and airy Crescent Room enjoys fabulous views over Claremont Gardens.

Choose from a choice of five starters, five main courses and at least eight desserts, with coffee and complimentary amuse bouche for just £25 per person, all prepared by our brigade of award winning Chefs, using the freshest ingredients.

** The price is £25 incl VAT, (parties over 7 subject to a 10% service charge). Children under 12 half price. Private rooms are also available for a small additional charge.

A transcontinental crossroads between Europe and Asia, Turkey is a cultural melting pot of contrasting flavours, cultures and religions. It’s this sensorial richness, combined with its natural wonders and ancient history, that’s earned it a place at the top of travellers’ bucket lists. Whether you’re seeking adventure or relaxation, there’s plenty to keep you enthralled – from the fairy-tale palaces of Cappadocia to the azure waters of Olüdeniz’s Blue Lagoon. With so much to explore, we’ve rounded up five of the most awe-inspiring spots in Turkey.

Blue Mosque, Istanbul

Where better to start than in Turkey’s captivating capital? With a cityscape framed by imperial Islamic mosques, glistening palaces and towering minarets, there’s beauty to admire behind every corner.

By far one of Turkey’s most iconic man-made structures is Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, built in the Ottoman era in the early 1600s. Adorned with thousands of handmade Iznik tiles, and painted in various shades of blue, the mosque is still used as a sacred place of worship today – while also remaining open to visitors.

Hierapolis-Pamukkale, Büyük Menderes Valley

Nestled within a steep valley in south-western Turkey, Pamukkale’s white travertine terraces are a geological phenomenon. The spectacle is created by mineral springs that have cascaded down the hillside for thousands of years. The natural pools are terraced into the hillside, overspilling with the mineral-rich spring water, which over time dries, leaving behind that perfect white, frozen appearance.

It can get busy during peak season, so for some peace and quiet, head to the ancient ruins and hot springs of the nearby spa town Hierapolis.

Cappadocia, Central Anatolia

Set high on the Anatolian plateau, the curious landscapes of Cappadocia will transport you to fantasy land. Honey-coloured rocks have eroded into otherworldly sculptures resembling minarets, mushrooms and ‘fairy chimneys’, while entire subterranean cities, churches and monasteries lie hidden beneath the surface, carved out by settlers since the Bronze Age. Take a hot-air balloon ride at sunset, or admire the landscape from the terrace of a rooftop hotel. This is truly one of the most romantic spots in the world!

Blue Lagoon, Olüdeniz

Turkey is known for its sun, sea and sand, with a staggering 8,333 kilometres of coastline. However, when it comes to crystal-clear waters and white sand, Olüdeniz’s Blue Lagoon and nearby beaches are hard to beat.

This bay of azure water with its strip of white sand is the perfect place to kick back and relax, but if that’s not your cup of tea there are lots of activities to keep you entertained. Why not take a paragliding trip or try your hand at paddle boarding in the lagoon?

Ephesus, Izmir

Once housing The Temple of Artemis, one of the original Seven Wonders of the World, the remains of Ephesus recount a fascinating narrative of the 9,000-year old settlement. After more than a century of excavation, we know that it was once a vibrant city of over 250,000 inhabitants, complete with colonnaded streets, temples, a huge amphitheatre and the Celsus library, which still stands today.

Mini Cryptic Crossword

Across

1. Made a hole through, feeling weary (5)

4. Audibly permitted we hear (5)

7. I arrive distraught in this coastal area (7)

8. Come by in storage tanks (3)

9. Pries into olfactory organs (5)

12. This will last for weeks (5)

14. Prompt snooker stick (3)

15. Tent for the brave (5)

17. Armed conflict leads to fantasy (5)

20. Friend in Kampala (3)

21. One isn’t about to cause stress (7)

23. Bend to heal about five (5)

24. Tree found on the shore, we hear (5)

Down

1. Desolate-sounding peer (5)

2. Meanders, turning over to a point (5)

3. Gaming cube to expire (3)

4. Mad earl somehow filled with apprehension (7)

5. Vital body part heard in church (5)

6. Watercourse to abandon (5)

10. Lyrical poem in Modern English (3)

11. Poor respect for emblamatic staff (7)

13. Drink a letter, we hear (3)

15. Theme in desktop icon (5)

16. Less colourful type of pearl (5)

18. Superior group the Spanish tie formed (5)

19. Norwegian painter to chew noisily (5)

22. Writer overturns rubbish receptacle (3)

Father’s Day is a celebration that honours the role of fathers and forefathers. It is a modern holiday, though the ancient Romans did have a tradition of honouring fathers in February, but only those who were deceased.

The first unofficial Father’s Day was held in Fairmont, West Virginia, on 5th July 1908, as a memorial service for more than 200 men recently killed in the Monongah Mining Disaster, leaving 1,000 fatherless children. The idea belonged to Sonora Smart Dodd whose father William, a Civil War veteran, had raised six children on his own after his wife died in childbirth. This was at a time when motherhood was becoming increasingly sentimentalised, and Mothering Sunday (the fourth Sunday in Lent) was being more and more widely celebrated. Dodd felt that men deserved equal recognition. She won the support of the local YMCA and churches and, on the appointed Sunday, YMCA members all went to church wearing roses in their lapels to honour their dads.

MOVIE MANSIONS:

In what seems to have been a case of simultaneous invention, the town of Spokane, Washington, held another Father’s Day service two years later.

Spokane’s church service attracted much wider attention than Fairmont’s and became an annual event. President Wilson was a speaker at the 1916 event, and eight years later President Coolidge backed one of several failed bids in Congress to recognise it as a national holiday – an ambition only finally realised by President Nixon in 1972

“My name is Walter Hartwell White. I live at 308 Negra Arroyo Lane, Albuquerque, New Mexico.”

These are the very first words uttered by Walter White’s character in the first episode of Breaking Bad.

The real-life home where Breaking Bad was filmed had a very ordinary history until the series came out. Joanne Quintana – the owner of the iconic house – and her mother were living a quiet life at their Albuquerque home, until they agreed to rent it out to the AMC film crew in 2008. They moved out for the duration of the show. They would have thought twice about their decision if they had realised just how successful the show would be, with a diehard fanbase even though it’s nearly ten years since the last episode was originally aired. The owners of the house had to deal with many intrusive visitors over the years, including people throwing pizzas on their roof (a reference to a famous scene in the show) and even attempts to steal souvenirs from the property. To prevent further disruptions, they erected a fence around the house and installed cameras to monitor activity.

In 2017, the house went up for sale and was purchased by a couple who planned to convert it into a holiday rental for Breaking Bad fans. However, after facing resistance from the neighbours and the city, they had to cancel their plans and put the house back on the market.

Our independent car and van garage offers brand trained technicians using the latest diagnostic tools and equipment

We are a family run business established in 2009, providing excellent customer service, quality workmanship and repairs at a competitive price. Ranked No.1 car garage in Sutton by Honest John.

Coastal fashion to see you through the rainiest of days

Whether you’re heading abroad or planning a staycation, bring some coastal chic to your wardrobe this summer.