Free cake at BHS… treat yourself & a friend
*when you buy any hot drink
your big value fortnightly
)*(
431>
>4:78 (4 :0
.88:*
X-FACTOR EXCLUSIVE ‘My grandson Joe is my hero’ BY HIS .AN (ILDA
Winter health guide Natural remedies Expert advice
Our Women of Courage 2009 ‘I couldn’t stay silent while patients suffered’
16 pages BUMPER
Fern
‘My faith gets me through’
The toys we loved…
PUZZLE PULL-OUT
Prizes worth £6,000 YOUR078-cover.indd 1 YELLOW MAGENTA CYAN PANTONE 185 C BLACK
Why childhood classics are coming back!
yourcover 78-3 price blob.pgs
7/12/09 14:29:28 07.12.2009 13:36 Rival Colour LTD
e ehT The ehei v view ie from
Yours
strsof tsithis this fortnight… fortn
PICS: ALAMY; GETTY IMAGES; REX FEATURES; DAVID SCHULTZ/SOLENT; SOUTH WEST NEWS SERVICE
Say freeze!
You could be forgiven for thinking this is a scene from a computeranimated movie, but these penguins are real. Photographer David Schultz snapped the Emperor penguins, who are clearly fans of the frozen image, as they cheekily investigated his camera. And when the adults had checked out the equipment their three fluffy chicks happily, pictured inset above, posed for a p-p-p-perfect family portrait. Mr Schultz (53) says the curious birds approached him every day as he was photographing the Emperor rookery in the Weddell Sea. “The penguins were hilarious,
57
YEARS AGO
On December 25, 1952, Queen Elizabeth made her first Christmas broadcast live from Sandringham House at 3pm. She used the same desk as her father, King George VI, and grandfather, George V, had done. Poignantly, her words: “I have a special thought for those who are serving their country in distant lands…” could be repeated verbatim this year. The broadcast was radio only - it would be five years before her first TV Christmas speech.
4
YOUR078-4-5 view.indd 4
A cold snap: these Emperor penguins get in the picture
extremely curious and wonderfully photogenic,” he says. “One of the birds stayed behind the camera as the others moved to the front. It seriously seemed as if they were posing.” Let’s hope these photographic penguins don’t let their new modelling fame go to their heads! YEARS AGO 41 On December 24, 1968, the Apollo 8 spacecraft and its
crew of three astronauts became the first men to orbit the moon. YEARS AGO On December 26, 1984, we first saw the wonderful Joan Hickson appear as Agatha Christie’s sleuth Miss Marple. YEARS AGO On December 21, 2005, Sir Elton John and David Furnish became one of the first couples to have a same-sex civil marriage.
25 4
YOURS // EVERY FORTNIGHT
8/12/09 09:38:43
5
Is this Britain’s smallest library?
HT T HTR TG GREAT N TIR ATHETAT THINGS THIS NGS U U OO YU YFO RFFOR YOU O IROIY YOU O SIUHT THIS HIS I NTN H RFFORTNIGHT! GO IR NTNIGHT!
When the Somerset villagers of Westbury-sub-Mendip were threatened with the loss of their treasured red phone box they came up with a brand new use for it and turned it into a library. CI N SI EIICE CE IS IS N NICE ICE The library holds 100 books, CDs and Skate i ht y a wa s eer ac reut oyt et S akate yyour our ccares ares away away tthis his DVDs and is open around the clock. Its uf ev a hryl rp m i sereoe–rt tetwinter wninter – or or simply simply have have fun fun users simply stock it with a book they’ve not a –s di tk dnart g ehht hwith whtith the the grandkids grandkids – at at one one read, swapping it for one they haven’t. the eyert nuh eochtethof o tmfm threeaecountry’s crmouptenm ttreyt ’s temporary temporary Resident Janet Fisher (73) dreamed s k ni rsseci sisa imt si Christmas C r hristmas ice ice rinks. rinkso. Yours Yrours up the idea when the parish council r et s ehc ni Weduuluc ni suoeti rouovfavourites favourites include include Winchester Winchester bought the phone box from BT for just dr ofefiel C,l ehar dhehCathedral, Ct athedraol,oClifford’s CrlioeTffowTrodT’s Tower Tower £1. Janet saw the opportunity to kill two dy Hs’ nodnoLo odnaY o krYoYin in York York and and London’s London’s Hyde Hyde birds with one stone had mobile yr ar bas il ethe li botiny mstcommunity i t s ol da h y h ad llost ost iits ts im iborearray hci, ,h wf ,okll ka, kPark, t noubinleepllibrary Pr ark , all all of of which which are are open open until u n t il around the same time. She says: “The facility has turned a piece of a a u yelrutadd suanJanuary Jcaw dneunN anrdyana3, 3a, and and Newcastle’s Newcastles’s street furniture into a community service in constant use.” t s al hci h w, ert neSC ecSnei c eSeLife Lefife Science Science Centre, Centre, which which lasts lasts Although no one works in the library full-time, Janet likes to give it up to February 21. Booking is the occasional clean to keep it free of snails but full of bookworms! advised – contact the venues or
1
THE VIEW FROM YOU Are you superstitious when it comes to taking down your Christmas decorations late?
YES
NO
46% 54% Poll results from www.yours.co.uk
Goodbye to a Corrie comedy legend
With her biting put-downs and cheeky jibes, sharp-tongued Blanche Hunt was one of Corrie’s most loved characters so we were saddened to hear of the recent death of actress Maggie Jones. Maggie (75) played battleaxe Blanche for 35 years and had undergone a stomach operation in October. She had been in intensive care in Salford Royal Hospital but was believed to be making a full recovery. However, her condition deteriorated and she sadly passed away in her sleep. Yours columnist Roy Hudd who appeared in Corrie with Maggie says: “Maggie was a dyed-in-thewool, 100 per cent, old-fashioned professional. She had a great sense of humour – which I loved – and total reliability in her work, which made everyone connected with the show love her.”
visit www.enjoyengland.com. Not brave enough? Try Torvill & Dean’s Dancing on Ice: Bolero 25th Anniversary Tour DVD (Universal, £19.99) and watch out for the new series on ITV1 in January.
2
WALKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND Work off the Christmas excess with a winter walk. The AA has produced Walks in a Box – a collection of pocket-sized cards covering several areas. Each walk is described on a laminated card with clear directions and maps. And there are choices to suit all fitness levels. Find them at Morrisons petrol stations or see shop.theaa.com (30 walks for £6.99, 20 walks for £4.99).
3
BAKE THE ARCHBISHOP’S BISCUITS Impress your guests at Christmas by serving ginger biscuits made to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s special recipe! It’s one of 70 recipes, including some from the BBC chef Kevin Woodford, that have been contributed to Loaves, Fishes and More..., a new cookbook in aid of Christian Aid. Available from high street bookshops, priced £11.99.
4
GET THE MUSIC OF CRANFORD Cranford, the period TV drama starring Judi Dench, is about much more than the story – if you’re a fan, we’re sure you love the music that helps bring it to life too. Composed by Carl Davis, a CD of his score from the first series is out in time for Christmas, just as you’re watching Series 2! It costs £11.99 from all the usual outlets. Or you can download individual tracks at 99p each, from www.carldaviscollection.com
5
Don’t forget the next issue of…
out on January 1! YOURS // EVERY FORTNIGHT
YOUR078-4-5 view.indd 5
5
8/12/09 09:39:00
H❤ eart ❤ H A ❤
❤
eart
to
…with Fern Britton Fern reveals how her faith has been her rock during difficult times By Christine Smith
W
hen Fern Britton quit This Morning earlier this year, she revealed she wanted to spend a well-deserved break with her family and potter around her garden. After taking time out and starring as a team captain on the comedy quiz show As Seen On TV, Fern is back doing what she loves best – interviewing – and the TV star has relished the opportunity to present a four-part series about faith for BBC1 in the run-up to Christmas. So far we have seen her grilling Dolly Parton, Tony Blair and Desmond Tutu with Sheila Hancock due to come under
6
YOUR077-6-7 fern.indd 6
YOURS // EVERY FORTNIGHT
4/12/09 15:41:14
❙ star chat ❙ Phil and the children on Christmas Day, and then everyone will be over at ours on Boxing Day. Who does the cooking? Phil, of course! I get to lay the table. “We will go to Church too. I am a strong Christian and my faith is important to me. I don’t go to Church all the time as I don’t feel you need to go there to speak to God, but my faith has helped me a lot over the years.” She says she doesn’t want any lavish gifts this year, preferring some thought to have gone into the choice of present instead. “Everyone is skint this year, and what with budgets getting thinner, myself and my family have talked about how we’d all like thought to go into the presents this year. “I am really looking forward to it all though. I do like Christmas shopping – even though I haven’t even started yet and I always get swept away with all the festivities. Christmas tends to be fairly calm and good natured in our house. We enjoy
‘I actually wished Dolly Parton could be my sister’ “Desmond Tutu was so charming. I was inspired by him and how his faith has helped him to forgive everyone. His offices were next to one of the townships, and to go over there and see it all for myself was an incredible experience.” The series is entitled Fern Britton Meets and, given she enjoyed it so much, would she like to make more? She replies that, as a committed Christian herself, it has been liberating to make a programme where faith is accepted. “In Britain, if you mention God, some people look at you as if you are bonkers,” she says. “It’s been so liberating to make this programme, and what I like about it is the fact that we cover all different kinds of faith.” She herself will be going to church this Christmas, which she is planning to spend at home in Buckinghamshire with her husband, Phil Vickery, their daughter Winnie and her three children from her first marriage, Jack, Harry and Grace. Christmas, she says, has and always will be special in the Britton household. “I love Christmas: the tinsel, the fairy lights, hanging up the stockings,” she says. “I get so excited, in fact, I am beside myself by Christmas Day and the children kindly let me enjoy all the magic of it. “We are spending Christmas at home this year and I am really looking forward to it. It’s going to be lovely as it’s just me,
Psst…
Fern with her sons Jack and Harry, who are studying for their GCSEs
each other’s company and eat, play, walk or ignore each other in peaceful tellywatching mode!” She says she will be watching Coronation Street and Mr and Mrs, which she has filmed with her old This Morning partner, Phillip Schofield, but loves a good film you can cry at. “I love any blackand-white weepie!” she says laughing. As she chats, she sounds very relaxed and happy, and she comes across as just as warm, likeable, down to earth and friendly as she does on TV. And 2010 will certainly be a busy year for the 52-year-old. Family, however, will be – and remains – her top priority. Sounding very happy, she says: “I am loving life after This Morning. I am up to speed with the vegetable plot and my sweet peas are in the greenhouse already 3ft tall. I watch This Morning when I am ironing and my Phil is cooking!”And will she be making any New Year Resolutions? “No way,” comes the response. “I break them within two minutes,” she adds, laughing. // The fiinal Fern Britton Meets with Sheila Hancock is due to be shown on Sunday, December 20, at 10am.
FERN SHARES A SECRET During the interview with
Fern, she revealed to Yours some of her plans for what we she will be up to in the new year. “For 2010, I have one or two programmes I am interested in, but I am also hoping to study for my BSc in Acupuncture, as well as completing my first novel, which must be delivered to the publisher by the summer. The most important thing this year, however, is to support my boys, Jack and Harry, through their GCSEs.” YOURS // EVERY FORTNIGHT
YOUR077-6-7 fern.indd 7
PICS: CAMERA PRESS/NICKY JOHNSTON; BBC PIC PUB; ADAM HOUGHTON/CAPITAL PICTURES
the microscope next. No subject was left unexplored as Fern talked to them about why their religious beliefs were so important and what part their faith played in their lives. “As soon as the BBC phoned me up and said we want you to do four interviews, I said ‘yes please’,” explains Fern. “They are all such different people and it’s fascinating to hear all about their faith and how much it means to them in a world where people question faith and the role it has to play. “I have enjoyed making this series so much. It’s been so satisfying to be able to conduct an interview with such a level of grit. It’s also nice to do such a lovely programme in the run-up to Christmas.” Fern admits she fell in love with Desmond Tutu and Dolly Parton. “I actually wished Dolly Parton could be my sister,” chuckles Fern. “She was bags of fun and she even gave me a bracelet that she had as it matched my necklace. She told me it was worth a dollar-and-a-half!
7
8/12/09 15:51:03
G
WATC H
IN
Y OU
TH
EN N I E S WI T P E H
MONEY WISE
By Sarah Jagger
u r
u uIIff uyyou ou u usually s buy r a ar apseparate separa presents dd d drfor for different dfif family m e m members, why not CASH e e evsave save money m by SAgVg EnRgn n iginigiving gviving one shared –s–gift g– ift – csuch suc as a The Yours d dm r agr dr b aoard ggame ame or hamper board money expert g eda me moh evi t s ef f oll uffull ull o estive h omemade ggoodies – off ffestive homemade answers your which they can all enjoy together?
Yours
Ask Michael…
Q
I still have some Christmas shopping to do and have run out of cash. What is the best form of credit to use? MICHAEL SAYS: I suppose I should say don’t use credit at all but I recognise there are times when it isn’t unreasonable to borrow relatively small sums. I spoke to Chris Tapp, director of the charity Credit Action who advises: “Before taking any decision, it’s vital to ask whether we really need to borrow, especially if it is to buy non-essential wants. It’s all too easy, around Christmas, to borrow more than we can afford to pay back. We can end up with a nasty New Year shock.” But what if we feel we have no alternative? “Make sure you do your homework,” says Chris. “It might be best to organise an authorised overdraft, especially for a modest amount over a short period. You can even use a credit card if you are happy you will be able to repay quickly. But make sure you do some maths to work out how long it’s going to take you to repay - and how much that’s going to cost you. Doing those sums is not exciting but it can save you a lot of stress later.” For more advice call Credit Action on 020 7380 3391 or visit the website www.creditaction.org.uk // Michael J Wilson, financial writer, is on hand to answer your money questions every fortnight
CHARITIES EARN £50m A YEAR FROM SELLING CARDS BUT ON AVERAGE THEY ONLY GET ABOUT 13 PER CENT OF THE CARD PRICE
Findings from A Which? survey
Greenwatch
BUDGET BEATERS
// Only boil the water you need in your kettle. // De-scale your kettle – it will boil more quickly. // Defrost your frozen meals in the fridge overnight, instead of using the heat of an oven for defrosting. // Opening the oven door loses a lot of heat, so if you keepethe he glass clean, you can check on your meal without opening the door. // Put lids on u uo oo uo yy no yyour your t aepans h ehttoni help at eretain retain the the heat. h ea t // Use the right size pan for the hob. // Chop veg into smaller pieces so it cooks quicker.
Cut entertaining costs on the big day. Ask guests to bring a dish, such as a starter or pudding. It means less stress and cooking for the host, and everyone shares the cost. eLLeave e buying a turkey until late tft on Christmas Eve, Yours hf aafternoon w when h prices at supermarkets ENERGY ttend en to tumble. SAV ERS
Source: Sainsbury’s
TURN THE PAGE FOR MORE USEFUL MONEY TIPS YOURS // EVERY FORTNIGHT
YOUR078-25-26 MONEYWISE.indd 25
COMPILED BY SARAH JAGGER; PICS: GETTY IMAGES; ALAMY
questions
25
4/12/09 10:05:55
10
MINUTE SPENDING CHECK-UP Claiming benefits when you have cancer Ninety-one per cent of people affected by cancer suffer loss of income and/or higher costs because of their illness, says a Macmillan Cancer Costs report. If you have cancer, are under 65 and need help looking after yourself or getting around, you may qualify for Disability Living Allowance (DLA). If you are 65 or over, and have care needs only, you may be entitled to Attendance Allowance (AA). Ask your local Social Security office for claim forms.
PICS: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS; REX FEATURES; ALAMY
If you claim DLA or AA and someone is looking after you, they may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance (CA). If they claim CA, it may affect your means-tested benefits, so seek advice. If you are terminally ill, you can apply for certain benefits under ‘special rules’ which means your claim is dealt with more quickly and you can get a higher rate of benefit. If you are on a low income you may also be entitled to help with NHS costs, including travel for hospital treatment, dental treatment, wigs, glasses and sight tests. All cancer patients are now entitled to free prescriptions. Apply for a medical exemption certificate by collecting an application form from your GP surgery or oncology clinic. Enquire about the Hospital Travel Costs scheme at your hospital. If you are on certain benefits, you may be entitled to claim back the cost of your travel to hospital. // Source: Macmillan Cancer Support. Call 0808 808 00 00 to talk to a benefits adviser or to get a copy of Macmillan’s Help With the Cost of Cancer booklet.
26
G
IN
EN N I E S WI T
HY
WATC H
WISE
EP
OU
MONEY
TH
MAKE THE MOST OF… SELLING YOUR GOLD Get valuations from a few local jewellers as they might offer more than the gold-buying websites, advises Jasmine Birtles of moneymagpie.com. “Be wary of websites that spend millions on TV ads as they give you a fraction of the value, often as little as 20 per cent. You may be better off selling to local shops once you know its value.” But according to money magpie.com there are some firms who offer good returns,
more than 80 per cent of the market value, including Howcashforgold.co.uk (0800 680 0421) and Falkosgold.co.uk (020 7096 1749).
Yours M ONEY SAVER
WE WASTE AN ESTIMATED £78 MILLION ON UNWANTED GIFTS EVERY YEAR WITH 79 PER CENT OF PEOPLE ADMITTING TO RETURNING PRESENTS, according to research by Pay Pal
CASH IN THE ATTIC Christmas cards allow you to share the joys of the season, but they can also show a profit. Sir Henry Cole, founder of the Victoria and Albert Museum, commissioned what is believed to be the first commercially printed Christmas card in 1843. Only 1,000 cards of the first design were printed and sold for one shilling each (5p). About 20 are thought to have survived. One of the of doriginal l os st dtr ahand-painted cnt dnet npi ainted ccards ards sold sold ffor or £8,469 at auction in 2005. // Source: timesonline
Thinking about making a Will? The Yours guide to
Wills & Legacies sets out all the options in a simple-to-follow format to help you understand the process.
Yours GUI
DE FOR FREE
To receive a copy write to: Diane Pitts, Yours Wills and Legacies Guide, Yours magazine, Media House, Peterborough PE2 6EA.
YOURS // EVERY FORTNIGHT
YOUR078-25-26 MONEYWISE.indd 26
4/12/09 10:06:10
Traditional toys are back in fashion. So join us on a nostalgic journey to revisit the ones we used to love…..
… a t n a S r a De By Claire Williams
I
f you thought all your grandchildren were interested in receiving this festive season were video games and iPods, then think again. This Christmas, it seems traditional children’s toys are making a huge comeback and many of the classic toys of our youth are predicted to be the most popular must-have presents this year. Department store John Lewis expects Teddy bears, wooden train sets, dolls’ houses and Jack in the
boxes to be at the top of many children’s Christmas lists. Plus many of the toys invented in our youth are still just as popular with today’s children. Toys such as Twister, Mr Potato Head and Spirograph are still firm favourites and available in most toyshops, so your grandchildren could well be unwrapping your old toys this Christmas. With this in mind, we thought we’d take you on a trip down memory lane to look back at the most popular toys of our youth – from nearly 50, 60 and 70 years ago!
‘Have you been a good boy this year?’ asks Father Christmas
1940s… a bear to love We might not have had much during the 40s, but the nation’s wartime spirit meant that we made do. Few new toys were produced, as several factories either closed or temporarily ceased production as they helped to produce goods for the war effort. The toy firms that were permitted access to rationed materials certainly made them stretch. Teddy bear makers either used blankets to stuff our bears or made them slimmer so less stuffing was required. The arms and snouts of our beloved bears got smaller – but
we still loved them! Thankfully we still had plenty of board games, but as a morale booster, many of our favourites were produced in a wartime issue. Wartime Monopoly and other games like Bombing Berlin and Blackout were made. Many of us will remember receiving completely unique toys for Christmas made by our parents and grandparents. From knitted dolls’ outfits to wooden trains, our clever relatives could put their hands to anything and certainly made sure that we had something to open up on Christmas Day.
A 1940s slimline bear (left) and a traditional boys’ train set (right)
828 28
YOUR078-28-29 toys.indd 28
9/12/09 10:30:48
❙ childhood toys ❙
1950s… 1 95 we love Muffin eTThe he m mid-50s ssaw aw the birth of and lttelevision e le s i this this changed the of our toys e e ecfface a ce o T vnvfif u vM e. r eev erforever. forever. Muffi Muf fin The Th Mule was avt s t srvfi yr ev ethe the very very first rst star star of children’s nnannehanwadnaTV T V and and when when an an authentic a el u Mfiehtfi nfiMuffi Mf uf fin the the Mule Mule toy t puppet on ht noedeer aepappeared a p p ea r e d o n tthe he shelves we one – wyl eetear eedpsdedall alll desperately desperately wanted wa pt np wooodp gl oni l polgalloping gl alloping down down to to the shops to yr ev r uo pkukkpick pcick up up our our very very own o Muffin. ll adyl d nedSuddenly S duddenly all alul our ou favourite to bring s wvohvs nevoi sei v eltelevision television shows shows began b from t rt e M.t s y ot out o t ut toys. toys. Merchandise Maehrcha li B, y dynayP yAndy Adndy Pandy, Pandy, Bill Bill and Ben l di par yt oo S dand and Sooty Soot y rapidly rapidly became the were . -s-y ot e-t v at h-tmust-have m s ust-have toys. toys. There T
also board games inspired by our favourite TV shows such as Beat The Clock, Whacko!, The Lone Ranger and Double Your Money. Many of Britain’s most enduringly popular toys were first created in the 50s. Still a firm favourite with children today, Mr Potato Head was introduced. The original kit contained only parts and parents had to supply us children with real potatoes to be used as the head. Scalextric, the famous Airfix Spitfire kit and the Slinky were all introduced in the 50s and still give kids today hours of fun.
Muffin the Mule was one of the most popular toys of the 1950s. And our favourite television shows were soon available as board games
1960s… Sindy theoogirlodnext dodxt d door roor so did the space race. We were fascinated by the unknown universe. And as we watched Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon, space travel became a reality, not just a fantasy. One of the first toys inspired by space was Fireball XL5 (a model of the spacecraft featured in the show) in 1962. Dr Who’s enemies the Daleks, Stingray, Lost in Space and Thunderbirds toys all followed in 1965. The 60s was also a time of radical and quirky designs and a number of unusual toys appeared. Spirograph was invented by a British electronics engineer who came up with it while researching a new design for bomb detonators. Other quirky classics included Twister, Etch-a Sketch and the Trolls. The world was becoming a more creative and freethinking place and even our toys reflected that.
Creative design-based games were big in the 60s
S OY YOURS SFO REU YOREVV SV/O ///E/ E EVERY RVOEFRI TYIHFORTNIGHT FG O I RNTNIGHT
YOUR078-28-29 toys.indd 29
92 29 9
B OR, SE R UT AEF XE R, SE GA M I: :YT:T E S G:SSP PICS: CIC S: G GETTY E T T Y IIMAGES, M AG E S, REX R& EVX, FFEATURES, YEMAATLUAR, EISP, R ROBERT OOT B RERT O OPIE, PI E , A ALAMY, L A M Y, V V&A &A
The Swinging Sixties saw our toys influenced by the changing world around us. The 60s fashion explosion meant we suddenly had more choice when it came to clothes and dressing up became fun. Two iconic 60s dolls were produced – enter Barbie, who was first introduced in America. Then came the British version, Sindy, marketed as ‘the doll you love to dress’. Barbie and Sindy were the modern girls we wanted to be and, more importantly, wanted to look like. We lived out our fashion fantasies through our new dolls. Not only did Sixties fashion change the face of our toys,
9/12/09 10:31:58
Winter
warmers
Snuggle up this winter with our pick of the cosiest and most stylish knitwear By Rebecca Speechley
Hides big arms
Flatters small busts
Dusky pink polo neck, £22, sizes 6-22, Next
Teal chunky knit short sleeve wrap cardigan, £25, sizes 14-32, Evans
Deep purple batwing knit, £35, sizes 10-22, Bhs
Adds curves
Deep purple chunky knit cardigan, £35, sizes 8-22, M&S
42
V-neck teal knit, £25, sizes 8-22, M&S
Pink pattered rollneck,£12, sizes 8-22, George at Asda
YOURS // EVERY FORTNIGHT
YOUR078-42-43 Fashion.indd 42
30/11/09 10:10:42
Beauty Dilemma
Let our experts help you keep younger looking for longer
Debbie Wears: Embellished long cardigan £50, sizes 8-18, Next; silk top £19.50, sizes 8-22, M&S; gold belt £39, sizes XS-XL, Boden; jeans £20, sizes 10-22, Bhs; bangle £7.50, M&S; pearl stud earrings model’s own
Q
My skin is quite sensitive and red. I’ve tried to cover it with my usual foundation, but it only seems to make it look worse – any ideas? Felicity Cole, Buxton Yours Beauty Editor says: Skin redness is very common, particularly as we age and experience the hot flushes that can be a symptom of the menopause. If your skin is sensitive and reactive, you may need to adopt a trial and error method before finding a skin care regime that suits you. Avoid harsh scrubs and choose products that are fragrance and alcohol free. Make sure you wear a moisturiser containing SPF all year round, too. Mineral make-up may be gentler on your skin as it doesn’t contain any nasty chemicals. Try Clinique’s Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder (£24/24g). This mineral powder can be used under or over make-up to reduce skin redness and cover visible capillaries. The Redness Solutions range also includes a cleanser, daily relief cream and a protective base. Frequent blushing, persistent redness, pimples and small visible blood vessels are all early symptoms of rosacea. If you’re concerned, check with your doctor – for more advice visit www.myrosacea.co.uk // Send your questions to: Beauty Dilemma, Yours Magazine, Media House, Peterborough Business Park, Peterborough PE2 6EA
If you’re going to splash out on one item this fortnight...
Stockists: Bhs 0845 196 0000 www.bhs.co.uk; Boden 0845 677 5000; Evans 0845 121 4516 www.evans.co.uk; George at Asda 0500 100 055; Marks & Spencer 0845 302 1234 www.marksandspencer.com; Next 0844 844 8939 www.next.co.uk
Then get dry nails in extra quick time with these Quick Dry Drops from Nail Doctor (£6.99/15ml), available from Boots nationwide.
TH E Yours PICK
Stockists: Boots 0845 0708 c.. st0 090 .o9 ob0. www.boots.com; w w w. b o o t s . c o m ; Clinique 0870 034 2566 www.clinique.co.uk
RERVE/R / S R UYOURS YOURS //// EVERY EVEFRY FORTNIGHT
YOUR078-42-43 Fashion.indd 43
43
E HCI M: ADDITIONAL S DR O WN L AL W WORDS: AOGRND I TSH :M MICHELLE GI ICNHEEL L L E N NIGHTINGALE; IG H T I NG A L STYLING: DANIELLE ELMES; PHOTOGRAPHY: RUTH JENKINSON; STILL LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY: PETER DURKES; HAIR AND MAKE-UP: SARAH JANE GREEN AND OLIVIA FERRER
rs
❙ fashion ❙
30/11/09 10:10:59
with the Fun
Get into the festive spirit with these Christmas ideas and fun-filled activities Heat oven to 180°C, 350°F, gas Christmas tree cakes 1mark 4. Grease and line a baking tin. Your grandkids will love baking (and eating) these festive cakes
2 Sift the flour into a large bowl. Add the margarine, milk, baking powder, sugar and vanilla essence. You will need 3 Break the eggs into a separate bowl and • 275g (91⁄2oz) self-raising flour beat with a fork before stirring into the • 225g (8oz) soft margarine flour mixture. • 4 tbsp of milk 4 Spoon the mixture into the tin. • 1 level tsp of baking powder Smooth the top. Bake it in the oven • 225g (8oz) caster sugar for 40-45 mins until the middle is • 2-3 drops of vanilla essence springy. Leave to cool in the tin. • 4 medium eggs 5 To make the icing: In a small • A roasting tin bowl, beat the butter until it’s • Greaseproof paper creamy. Sift the icing sugar For the butter icing: and stir in, a little at a time. • 75g (3oz) butter, softened Stir in the lemon juice and • 175g (6oz) icing sugar a little green food dye. • 2 tsp of lemon juice 6 Cut the cake in half • Green food dye lengthwise then cut ten • Sweets for decoration triangles. Ice them with // Extracted from 30 Yummy Things EASY TO green to Cook and Eat © 2002-2008 icing. Press sweets on to the g Usborne Publishing Ltd. MAKE cakes for decoration. c
RIB C TI KLER
What carol do they sing in W tthe desert? faithful!
Camel ye Last-minute stocking fillers Poundland has a great range of stocking fillers – all for just £1. How about these Fairy Girl bath fi zzers for the girls, or a fabulous stunt truck for the boys? (Call 0800 731 5622 for your nearest store).
These novelty iced gingerbread biscuits are guaranteed to put a smile on the grandkids’ faces. Priced £1.49 each from Marks & Spencer (call 0845 302 1234 www. marksandspencer.com). £1.49 each
£1 ea c h
It’s Christmas! Festive games
To help get the party started, we’ve found some ideas for great games to play with the grandchildren.
Kim’s Christmas game
Gather together ten to 20 small Christmas items (such as bows, stocking, bells, tinsel, candles and nutcrackers) and place on a tray. Allow the children to study the tray and its contents for 30 seconds. Cover the tray with a cloth and discreetly remove one item. Show the tray again and ask the players to tell you which item is missing. Your grandkids will also enjoy turning the tables and testing your memory!
Stocking surprise
Place various Christmas items one at a time in a Christmas stocking. You might stuff the stockings with a tree ornament, roll of tape, a fir cone etc. The object of the game is to take it in turns to guess the contents of the stocking by touch alone.
Frosty the festive snowman
This is a great word game to keep older children occupied. Give them a pen and paper with ‘Frosty the festive snowman’ written at the top. The challenge is to see how many words they can find using only the letters given. You could offer a prize for the most words or the longest word found.
If you’re running out of time, why not buy a stocking already crammed full of goodies to delight your little ones? Priced £14.99, available for boys or girls, ages 3-plus, 8-plus and 14-plus. Call 0844 573 4424 or visit www. stocking-fillers. co.uk YOURS // EVERY FORTNIGHT
YOUR078-73 Fun with g-kids.indd 73
£14.99 each
PICS: ALAMY; MASTERFILE
grandkids
73
30/11/09 16:25:51
Roy Hudd writes w r just for you The all-round entertainer and Yours columnist gives us a peep inside his postbag
I
Main pic: the ‘world’s
’m always tickled pink when something, or someone, I’ve worst ventriloquist’, written about in Yours sparks memories from our readers Sandy Powell; below left: Coram, and I’ve had some real good ’uns recently. Jerry and friends Letters from fans of Danny La Rue are still pouring in. Tales, too many to quote, of his generosity, his thoughtfulness and his quick wit arrive every day. Once, in a revue Danny and I did together I had to interview him in a sketch based on the Miss World competition. He was Miss UK and made a spectacular entrance – in a bikini! The entire audience had the same thought and fifteen hundred pairs of eyes focused on just one spot. Danny let the hubbub die down before confiding: “I know. I know. Listen, I’ve been doing it so long I just whistle and it goes away on its own!” Not a swear word, not a rude gesture, just the perfect line. My few words about the loss of that most offbeat of ventriloquists, Neville King, brought many stories of other voice throwers who are remembered with affection. An old pal of mine, Anne Ling, who used to be a secretary at BBC Radio recalled having telephone conversations with Daisy May, the ‘schoolgirl’ dummy of Albert Saveen. Albert himself never answered the phone – it was always Daisy act was when dummy’s head off and dell or dnaff oll ef dae hs’ y mmud e ht ne h ws a wt c ahetthe he a ct w as w hen tthe he d ummy’s h ead ffell ell o ff a nd rrolled olled across the stage and Sandy muttered despairingly: ca c O““Oh O dear. Now I’ve given the game away!” My own favourite ventriloquy story happened during htthe h annual showbiz service held by the Babbacombe Theatre Company at the United Reform Church in T Torquay. Our usual vicar was away on holiday, so a oT o – an RAF padre – took the service. Just as he was ollocum o about to start his sermon he reached down, plonked ba b a ventriloquist’s dummy on the edge of the pulpit and proceeded to give his sermon via the ‘little man’. The kids in May who promised Anne she’d pass her message on to the congregation loved it – and so did we. I remember one ‘Mr Saveen’. Anne says that ‘Mr Saveen’ always rang back member of our company whispering: “If I put another few “just a little too swiftly.” I was reminded by a brother Water Rat of another legendary bob on the plate, do you think he could do it while drinking a glass of Holy Water?” ventriloquist act, Coram and Jerry – although Coram wasn’t Good gye, all the gest, and a gright and greasy New Year! really the best when it came to making his dummy come alive. Coram’s wife once said to a stagehand: “Isn’t he marvellous – you can’t see his lips move, can you?” The boy replied: “No, A A A///// A FFart in a Colander: The lady. Only when the dummy’s talking!” by Roy Hudd is Auoto EXTRA A R A Autobiography Known for his catchphrase ‘Can you hear me, mother?’, the by Michael O’Mara pub FOR U YOU OU bu published great comedian and Water Rat, Sandy Powell, did a stage act Books Boo at £20. Yours readers can n as the world’s worst ventriloquist. Many folk wrote about him buy b y uy tthe hardback book for the and his ‘little man’. They were both dressed like soldiers and price of £17 with free p&p c c c esspecial pecl ial p Sandy’s huge moustache hid his lips perfectly – and still byy ccalling 01903 30you 910 gni ll ac y b a ll i n g 0 1903 828503 and quoting YOUR/ couldn’t understand a word he said! My favourite moment in ROY (UK mainland only, while stocks last).
Sandy muttered despairingly: “Oh dear. Now I’ve given the game away!”
YOURS // EVERY FORTNIGHT
YOUR078-75 Roy Hudd.indd 75
75
7/12/09 14:35:51