DNfourteen Magazine Issue No.156 March 2023

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Welcome to our March 2023 edition of the DNfourteen magazine - I hope that you are all well and managing to keep the wolf from the door in these strange times. The evenings are really starting to draw out as we move ever closer to Easter and the clocks changing.

We have some interesting articles and features in this months edition ranging from a very interesting and light hearted article in the House & Home section about Decorating FOMO (That is ‘Fear of Missing Out’ I am told!!). We have a super recipe for Pink Grapfruit Cheesecake which I will bake over Easter instead of buying a frozen one like I usually do - well, I’m a busy woman and don’t always have time to spare for baking.

In a new feature we have a great selection of television and on-line films, series and documentaries for you to watch this month too. The Mens Page focuses on Prostate Cancer all you women need to read this too - because if your husbands or partners are anything like mine they will need a gentle nudge in this direction. As usual we finish with Fiona Dwyer’s column.

If you have not advertised in the magazine before and are considering it - please give me a call as we are here to help.

Until next month please stay safe.

Jane Editor

Please note that whilst we take care to be accurate, no liability will be accepted under any circumstances should any of the content of this magazine be incorrect. The views expressed in the articles are not necessarily those of the publisher. All rights reserved.

Published by DNfourteen Magazine. Printed by DaltonSpire Ltd.

I grew up in the time of terrestrial TV. A simpler age. Back when a brief flick through the TV listings would decide which of the four channels on offer at any given point would be the one to turn on. There was no real opportunity for indecision. No spending thirty minutes of your precious time scrolling through Netflix’s endless options. No wondering if this is what you really want to watch or if you’re in the mood for something else entirely.

You know where I’m going with this… Too Much Choice Syndrome: a very modern condition.

Inarguably on the lite end of that exponential list of First World Anxieties, but pervasive enough that it’s crept into innumerable aspects of our lives; everything from TV watching and dinner making to, yes, this is where

I’m going, decorating. Because surely, I’m not the only one who suffers from Interiors Anxiety? Another sideeffect of this social media driven age. Too much time spent down a Pinterest rabbit hole. Too long scrolling through perfect Instagram images of wildly different interiors – all lovely, all the stuff of inspiration. Altogether too overwhelming.

Social media has long been a recipe for envy and discontentment. It is also the main cause of my crippling indecision. And it’s not like it’s cured by simply getting a grip and picking something. It’s the start of an entire state of Fear of Missing Out, the constant wondering with every slap of paint on a wall or fabric length rdered whether this one is really The One. In short,

a total joy sucker. But also, let’s return to that part about getting a grip. Because there are enough real-world worries to induce 4am panic attacks and paint choices are probably a more manageable element of my pending insanity.

First, I focus on the bigger picture. Not in a metaphysical sense (we can apply the ‘nothing really matters’ philosophy to pretty

Continued on page 6

With so much interiors’ inspiration out there, it can sometimes feel like there’s just too much choice. So, stop scrolling and make a decision… it just might be the right one!

These days most homeowners suffer from a lack of storage space. So many precious items that need to be kept – but where to store it all? That’s where Yorkshire Loft Ladders come in.

The company, based locally, offers homeowners the opportunity to maximise their storage space with a loft ladder, 50 sq ft of boarding and a light all fully fitted in less than a day from just £277 + VAT. But it’s not just the affordability of the package the company offers that makes Yorkshire Loft Ladders stand out as manager Warren Ingleson explains:

‘Our watchwords are Quality,

Integrity and Value. Quality in the materials that we use for all our installations and the fact that all our loft packages are fitted by time served tradesmen so our customers are assured of the best job. Integrity in that we will turn up at the time we say and make sure the house is spotless when we leave, and Value in that we offer our services at a price people can afford. Our business relies on referrals and we got a huge amount of our calls from people who have been referred to us by our existing customers - that simply wouldn’t happen if we didn’t adhere to our overriding principles.

At the end of the day the old adage that happy customers

small, call Warren on 0800 612 8359 and he’ll be happy to pop round and give you a no obligation quote so you too can make use of your loft!

much anything in life, so let’s not bother). Rather in the sense of thinking about the overall feel of a room as opposed to its individual components. If you can try to define your scheme/style/look in, say, three to five words, it puts greater emphasis on the overall outcome and less on every little detail you’re deliberating over. This approach has, in turn, made me a committed mood-boarder. For me, this is a fairly crude and uncomplicated process of screen-grabbing – or, if it already exists in situ, photographing –anything I’ve either shortlisted or am already working with and dragging the images into one document to see how they all work together.

There are various apps you can download, even a Word doc will suffice. It’s the quickest way

to weed out weak links and to choose between competing soft furnishings, paint colours or flooring choices. More than anything, it’s crucial to draw the line between inspiration and comparison. There’s a point when you have to stop looking at welltaken images of rooms created by professional designers or those on huge budgets or carefully staged corners crafted for ‘likes’ not living.

It’s not just online. Confession: the majority of my house is painted in colours from one well-known paint brand not because I think it’s necessarily better than others but because I already have enough trouble deciding between their 37 shades of not-quite-white. Choosing between numerous different hues from numerous different other brands may well send me catatonic.

Finally, the reality is that you are going to make mistakes. They sting when it’s costly, whether in time or cash. And annoyingly, they contribute to the anxiety. Redoing our bedroom has been fraught with second-guessing and doubt because our last big project, a kitchen makeover, never quite worked the way I envisioned. In my defence, this was in the days before my moodboarding obsession and I made foolish decisions like putting down some bargain flooring after we’d already painted cupboards and walls. No matter how much tinkering I do, it’s never quite come together. Interior designers encourage you to be enthusiastic returners – buy it, try it, and if it doesn’t work, return it.

Use a mood-board to get the foundations of floors, walls and major furniture pieces right, and then accept nearly everything else is trial and error. Yes, it takes time, but the best things often do. You’re not in an episode of Changing Rooms. And the fact we now have 24-hour access to much better interiors’ inspiration than just Lawrence L-B’s Baroquethemed bedroom makeover is something we should all be thankful to social media for.

So, use it for what it is. Just don’t scroll for too long…

UNDERSTANDING PROSTATE CANCER

WHAT IS PROSTATE CANCER?

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with one in eight men being diagnosed in their lifetime. It usually progresses very slowly; men can sometimes live for decades without noticing any symptoms. Prostate cancer starts in the walnut-sized prostate gland, which is part of the male reproductive system located between the penis and the bladder, surrounding the urethra.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Symptoms of prostate cancer do not usually appear until the prostate becomes large enough to affect the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the penis, known as the urethra. When this happens, you might start to notice things such as an increased need to pee, straining while you pee or a feeling that your bladder has not fully emptied. It’s important to understand that these symptoms do not always mean you have prostate cancer, but they also shouldn’t be ignored.

As you get older, your chances of developing prostate cancer are higher, with most cases developing in men aged 50 or older

WHAT CAUSES PROSTATE CANCER?

While the exact cause is unknown, there are certain factors that can increase your risk. As you age, your chances of developing prostate cancer are higher, with most cases developing in men aged 50 or older. It can be more common

in black men and less common among Asian men. A family history of prostate cancer can also increase the risk slightly, particularly for men whose father or brother have been affected.

HOW IS PROSTATE CANCER TESTED?

There is no single test to diagnose prostate cancer. The most-used tests are blood tests known as a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, a physical examination of your prostate, an MRI scan or a biopsy. A prostate-specific antigen blood test measures the level of PSA and may help detect early prostate cancer. If you do have a raised PSA level, you might be offered an MRI scan of the prostate to help decide if you need further tests and treatment, as results from a PSA test can be unreliable and raised PSA levels can be caused by non-cancerous conditions.

WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS?

Not all prostate cancer cases will need treatment, especially if it’s at an early stage and not causing symptoms. Some cases of prostate cancer can be cured if treated in early stages. Treatment includes surgically removing the prostate, or radiotherapy, sometimes alongside hormone therapy.

HOW TO GET SUPPORT

If you or a loved one is affected by cancer and you would like further information or support, you can speak to a Boots Macmillan Information Pharmacist (BMIPs) in most Boots pharmacies across the UK and online. The specially trained BMIPs can offer free information, support and advice to cancer patients, as well as to their friends and family. You can also contact Macmillan’s free helpline on 0808 808 0000, seven days a week from 8am–8pm.

Recipe

Pink Grapefruit Cheesecake

SERVES 8 | PREP 30 MINS PLUS CHILLING | COOK 40 MINS | EASY

INGREDIENTS

PASTRY

150g plain flour

75g salted butter, cold, cubed

50g icing sugar

1 egg yolk

CHEESECAKE FILLING

100g mascarpone

100g crème fraîche

2 tbsp freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice

Zest of 1/2 a grapefruit

2 tbsp icing sugar

60ml double cream

GRAPEFRUIT JELLY

2 gelatine leaves

130ml freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice

50g caster sugar

METHOD

1 To make the pastry, put the flour, butter and icing sugar into the bowl of a food processor.

Pulse very briefly until the mixture resembles rough breadcrumbs. Add the egg yolk plus 2 tbsp of ice-cold water and pulse until it starts to form a rough ball of dough. If too dry, add another tbsp of ice-cold water.

Transfer to a worksurface to bring together, handling as little as possible. Flatten it out into a disc, wrap in baking paper, then chill for at least 30 mins.

2 Remove the dough from the fridge and keep it on the

baking paper. Lightly flour a work surface and roll out the pastry to about 2mm thickness. Use a rolling pin to gently roll up the pastry and lay into a 22cm-wide, 3cm deep, straight-sided, loose-bottomed tart tin. Press the pastry gently into the tin, letting any excess pastry overhang. Chill for 1 hr.

3 Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Remove the tin from the fridge and prick the base with a fork several times. Fill with baking paper and cover the base with baking beans. Bake for 15 mins, then remove the baking beans and baking paper. Bake for another 20 mins or until deeply golden brown all over. Leave to cool completely.

4 Whisk together the mascarpone, crème fraîche, grapefruit juice, zest and icing sugar in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk the cream until soft peaks form,

being careful not to overwhip. Fold the cream into the mascarpone mixture until it forms a smooth, thick mixture. Transfer into the tart crust, using a small offset spatula or similar to evenly smooth the filling. Chill.

5 To make the jelly layer, put the gelatine leaves in a small bowl of cold water, making sure they are fully submerged. Put 50ml of the grapefruit juice into a small pan along with the sugar. Stir over a low heat for 1-2 mins or until the sugar has dissolved – the mixture should be hot but not boiling.

6 Squeeze the gelatine leaves to remove any excess water. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the gelatine along with the remaining grapefruit juice. Strain through a sieve and leave to cool slightly before pouring onto the surface of the tart and chilling for 2 hrs or until set.

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Essential viewing...

Boston Strangler, Disney+

Loretta McLaughlin (Keira Knightley), a reporter for the Record-American newspaper, becomes the first journalist to connect the Boston Strangler murders. As the mysterious killer claims more and more victims, Loretta attempts to continue her investigation alongside colleague and confidante Jean Cole (Carrie Coon), yet the duo finds themselves stymied by the rampant sexism of the era. Nevertheless, McLaughlin and Cole bravely pursue the story at great personal risk, putting their own lives on the line in their quest to uncover the truth.

Waco: American Apocalypse, Netflix

This immersive three-part Netflix documentary series is the definitive account of what happened in Waco, Texas, in 1993 when cult leader David Koresh faced off against the federal government in a bloody 51-day siege. The conflict began with the biggest gunfight on American soil since the Civil War and ended with a fiery inferno captured live on national television. In between, it riveted TV viewers across the globe, becoming the biggest news story in the world. Using cutting-edge visual technology, Waco: American Apocalypse plunges viewers inside the multifaceted clash between the Branch Davidians and federal law enforcement in an epic drama about God and guns in America.

Luther: The Fallen Sun, Netflix

Luther: The Fallen Sun is the long-awaited and epic continuation of the award-winning television saga. A gruesome serial killer is terrorising

London while brilliant but disgraced detective John Luther (Idris Elba) sits behind bars. Haunted by his failure to capture the cyber psychopath who now taunts him, Luther decides to break out of prison to finish the job by any means necessary. The film also stars Cynthia Erivo, Andy Serkis and Dermot Crowley, who returns as DCI Martin Schenk.

Marlowe, Sky Cinema

When private detective Philip Marlowe (Liam Neeson) is hired to find the ex-lover of a glamorous heiress (Diane Kruger), it looks an open and shut case, but Marlowe soon finds himself in the underbelly of Hollywood, unwittingly drawn into the crossfire of a legendary Hollywood actress (Jessica Lange). For Neeson’s 100th film, the ensemble cast includes Adewale AkinnuoyeAgbaje (His Dark Materials), Danny Huston (Yellowstone), Alan Cumming (GoldenEye) and Colm Meaney (Gangs of London).

Daisy Jones & The Six, Prime Video

Based on the best-selling novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Daisy Jones & The Six is a limited musicaldrama series detailing the rise and precipitous fall of a renowned rock band. In 1977, Daisy Jones & The Six were on top of the world. Fronted by two charismatic lead singers – Daisy Jones (Riley Keough) and Billy Dunne (Sam Claflin) – the band had risen from obscurity to fame. And then,

There are plenty of exciting TV shows and films to keep you entertained over the coming weeks. With a variety of new releases across Netflix, Now, Disney+ and Apple TV+, here’s what to add to your watch list...

after a sold-out show at Chicago’s Soldier Field, they called it quits. Now, decades later, the band members finally agree to reveal the truth. This is the story of how an iconic band imploded at the height of its powers.

Succession – Series 4, Now

The new series of Succession arrives on Sky Atlantic and Now on 27th March. The show will, of course, continue its exploration of power and family dynamics through the eyes of patriarch Logan Roy (Brian Cox) and his four grown children, Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Siobhan (Sarah Snook), Roman (Kieran Culkin) and Connor (Alan Ruck). The sale of media conglomerate Waystar Royco to tech visionary Lukas Matsson (Alexander Skarsgård) moves ever closer. The prospect of this seismic deal provokes existential angst and familial division among the Roys as they anticipate what their lives will look like once it is complete. A power struggle ensues as the family weighs up a future where their cultural and political weight is severely curtailed.

The Power, Prime Video

The Power is an emotionally driven global thriller from the team behind Chernobyl, based on British author Naomi Alderman’s award-winning novel. The Power is our world, but for one twist of nature: suddenly, and without warning, teenage girls develop the power to electrocute people at will. The series features a cast of characters from London to Seattle, Nigeria to Eastern Europe, as the Power evolves from a tingle in teenagers’ collarbones to a complete reversal of the power balance of the world. The series stars Toni Collette.

organisations seek justice for victims, can the online giant protect those from whom they profit, or is this a new wave of censorship for adult performers making consensual porn?

Money Shot: The Porn Hub Story,

Netflix Pornhub, the internet’s most famous adult entertainment platform, fundamentally changed how pornography is made and distributed. It enabled erotic content creators to reach a massive audience while the company made billions of dollars – but it also became embroiled in allegations including non-consensual material and trafficking on the site. As anti-trafficking

Fiona Dwyer, broadcast journalist, PR & media consultant, slave to

2

children and a husband.

How can we help during Lent?

People always think that Lent is just about giving something up – like chocolate, smoking or alcohol - and yes, if that’s what you want to do, that’s brilliant. But it can also be a time for doing something positive, something that can make a real difference to someone else’s life. You might spend more time with a sick or elderly relative or neighbour or spend some proper quality time with your children. Maybe do a good deed every day. You don’t have to tell anyone what you’re doing, just keep it to yourself. This Lent, though, I have also decided to take part in CAFOD’s Big Lent Walk to help fight global poverty, so, along with hundreds (possibly thousands) of people, I’ll be walking 200km (125 miles) over 40 days and we’ll be fundraising throughout. It works out at just over 3 miles a day. Whatever you decide to do, good luck!

Why can’t we go back to A, B, C?

I know I’m not the only parent that gets confused by the way GCSEs are graded now from 1 to 9, 1 being the lowest and 9 being the highest. And I know this has been the case for a few years now (but it’s only more recently affected me!) The thing is, we all ask the teachers what letter grade each one means. So, 7 is an A, 8 is an A* and 9 is an A**. (Don’t get me

started on all the stars! I really can’t see the point of them!) Anyway, a 6 is a B, a 5 is a low B/high C and a 4 is a C. At least, this is how it was explained to me. I assume 3-1 means D-F. The thing is, because there are so many numbers, my daughter told me that she and her friends (and most of their year) feel that if they get below a 7 they’re not doing very well, because that’s already 3 numbers down from the top grade. She feels better after I’ve explained what everything means, but even they think A-C grades are more straightforward. Is it just us? I can’t believe that. Anyway, we’ve got GCSEs and A Levels in our house this year. Yay! At least they go back to letter grades for A Levels!

Growing your own vegetables

With everything in the news about vegetable shortages, I really want to make an extra effort this year to grow my own vegetables and salad. I’ve never done it before, but I’m prepared to do my research and learn. If anyone has any tips for easy things to get started with, I’m all ears!! I’m thinking carrots, salad leaves, tomatoes, courgettes and beetroot! Fresh is best, after all! And if you don’t want to grow your own, check out your local suppliers. Supermarket fruit and veg is so disappointing these days and goes off so quickly (I had some strawberries recently that went mouldy in the fridge 3 days before the sell by date!). Ooh, strawberries – I need to add those to my list of things to grow!)

And finally, a Happy St. Patrick’s Day on the 17th to my fellow Irishmen and women.

Have a brilliant March everyone!

Fiona

Twitter: @fionadwyer • Facebook: Fiona Dwyer PR

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