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Julie ‘Home is where my heart is’

Get the romance back at 50, 60 & 70+ WIN

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❤❤H eart ❤ ❤ to Heart

Yours favourite Julie Walters has enjoyed creating dozens of diverse characters, her latest a voice in the animated film Gnomeo and Juliet, but home always comes first…

By Alison James e know her as everything from Victoria Wood’s Mrs Overall to Meryl Streep’s friend in Mamma Mia, Billy Elliot’s dance teacher and most movingly as politician Mo Mowlam. But as she gets older, Julie Walters is increasingly talking about how she loves her real life role down on the farm.

She and Grant Roffey, her husband of more than 20 years, have an organic 210 acres in Sussex, where she is a working farmer’s wife and mum to daughter Maisie (22). “Grant runs it, although I’m active in the discussion of the running of it, the staffing and things like

W

‘For me to go to work, it has got to be something I find special’ that,” Julie has often said.

And if a filming schedule can sometimes be punishing, that’s nothing to the reality of country life. Julie’s made that clear.

“Farming is seven days a week, 365 days a year and we talk about it non-stop. We wonder if The Archers have got a mole at our place, because our little dramas always seem to end up in their storylines.” Inevitably she and Grant spend time apart 8

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Simply the best...

Julie’s one of our finest actresses

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y in the limelight y

There’s gnome place like home Watch out there’s a gnome about: A scene from Gnomeo and Juliet and, inset Maggie Smith, Dolly Parton and James McAvoy, part of the all-star cast

person. And I like the thought of being at home for months on end.

I like to have a family life. In fact, ever since I’ve had a family, I’ve never wanted to be away for any length of time.”

But increasingly the job offers have to be something special to tempt her away from home.

Gnomeo and Juliet was clearly one such role. The Disney 3Dmovie is a ‘garden gnome’ kids’ version of the Shakespeare classic and has a stellar cast including James McAvoy as Gnomeo, Emily Blunt as Juliet,

Dame Maggie Smith as Lady Bluebury, Michael Caine as Lord Redbrick, Patrick Stewart as William Shakespeare, Richard Wilson as Lord Capulet, Dolly Parton as herself and of course Julie as Miss Montague.

Julie is undoubtedly one of the finest actresses Britain has ever produced. Who can forget her commanding and heartbreaking performance as Mo Mowlam, the acclaimed TV drama for which she picked up a BAFTA last year?

Did you know...?

Psst… Julie says: “I’m very intolerant of yeast, sugar, black pepper and chocolate. It makes eating out difficult and it’s hard to resist chocolate and sugar when you’re tired. The hotel we stayed in when we were filming Harry Potter always had sweets and biscuits in the room, but I’d have them removed because I wanted to eat them and needed help with the willpower. I don’t drink much either, because my body aches and I get wheezy if I do.”

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PICS: IPC PlUS, REx FEaTURES, alamY; TOUCHSTONE PICTURES

when she’s away filming. But although it seems to suit them she tries not to be away more than she has to.

Part of Julie’s charm is that she has her feet on the ground – and home is clearly where her heart is. Speaking recently she has said: “Over the years, home has become more precious. So in order for me to go to work, it has got to be something I find special – otherwise I’d just as soon stop at home.”

In a Channel 4 interview she said: “If someone said I would never act again, at first I’d be appalled, because that’s how I’ve expressed myself all these years – but then I think I’d be OK. I mean, I like growing vegetables and tomatoes and being domestic and just tootling along and doing things. And I do like an afternoon nap with a book, I must say.

“I’d do a bit of writing if I couldn’t act. I think there would always have to be some kind of creative thing, I’m that sort of

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1/2/11 12:52:13

The day we went decimal (and said goodbye to old money)

By Alison James emember what you were doing on February 15, 1971, the day the UK went decimal? Bet you do!

I was 11 at the time and had been given a commemorative set of the shiny new coins. I was told they were a keepsake and shouldn’t be spent, but I thought ‘of course they should’. I’d run out of money for sweets and the coins added up to almost two shillings in old money. So I liberated them from their plastic folder and went straight to the corner shop.

Imagine my confusion when I found that while I’d been able to buy four Fruit Salad chews for 1d, I could now only get two sweets for the same amount of money – a tiny 1⁄2p piece – in this newfangled currency.

Yes, it took some getting used to, spending decimal coins rather than the pounds, shillings and pence we Britons had been using for around 900 years and which had their own slang – a tanner for sixpence, bob for

R

The changeover was not so sweet for children, who often felt shortchanged

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There was outrage when milkmen rounded up the price of a pinta and our pocket money just didn’t seem to buy as many sweets!

a shilling and nicker for £1.

Decimalisation had to happen, we were told, to bring us in line with the world’s other major currencies, which dealt in units of ten rather than 12. Instead of 240d to the pound, there would now be

100p. Not that it all happened overnight. The switch had been in the pipeline for five or six years and the new coinage was issued alongside the familiar old coins.

The 5p and 10p coins were first introduced in April 1968 and were the same size, composition and value as the shillings and florins

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y 40 years on y

Housewives’ fears that new money would lead to higher prices were confirmed when milk went up

‘There was tabloid panic that we’d all go “decimal dotty” – and some did’ Milkmen ran into trouble converting prices. There was outrage when the price of a pint was rounded up. The newlyformed Women’s Association for Stabilising Prices (WASP) warned housewives against ‘thinking decimal’ as it was inflationary. London libraries were accused of profiteering on fines. Surveys found many instances of pricing errors and the new coins jammed payphones.

Despite the panic predicted, decimalisation turned out to be relatively straightforward. An 18-month changeover period was allowed, but the old currency mostly disappeared within a few weeks – although a few shops hung on to pounds, shillings and pence for years.

Forty years on, it seems the ‘new’ money has always been here.

It’s inevitable that prices have risen since 1971, but it’s still scary to realise that a bag of Golden Wonder crisps that cost 1s 1d back then is now the equivalent of 11s!

YouR memoRies of D DAY!

D “i remember i wasn’t very happy about it. It felt like a backward step. In retrospect, I think it may have been. Working out amounts in pounds, shillings and pence certainly required more brain power than making everything divisible by ten. If later generations had had to learn to deal in multiples of 12, maybe they’d be more numerate.”

Betty Broxholme (80), Grimsby D “in the popular imagination decimalisation of the currency was seen as inflationary and a confidence trick on the public by government. at the time the new currency was adequately explained right down to the new half penny worth 1.2d, and prices were printed on books, for example, in both £sd and £p as exact equivalents. Yet to this day people insist they were conned in some way by the authorities.”

Edward Jones (60), Truro

D “With the pending changeover of currency, i bought our four-year-old a bag of plastic replicas of the new pence pieces. They were identical in size and a good learning tool for a youngster. We had a pre-paid meter for our gas that took twoshilling pieces which, of course, became the new ten pence piece. as it took both coins, it meant that when the meter man called to empty the meter you had usually overpaid and were entitled to a refund. Our £1.80 refund was paid to us with 18 plastic ten-pence pieces. We’d wondered where they were going!”

F Darley (70), Stoke-on-Trent YOURS

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(2s) already in circulation. The old halfpenny was withdrawn from circulation on July 31, 1969, while the half crown (2s 6d) followed on December 31. In October 1969, the five-sided 50p coin was introduced and the old ten shilling note was eventually withdrawn in November 1970.

This reduced the number of new coins that had to be introduced on the day and meant that the public was already familiar with three of the six new coins.

A massive publicity campaign was run in the weeks before decimalisation day which was chosen because it was the quietest time of the year for the banks, shops and transport organisations. The BBC broadcast a series of five-minute programmes, Decimal Five, to which Liverpudlian group The Scaffold contributed some

specially-written tunes.

ITV showed a short sketch called Granny Gets the Point in which an elderly woman was taught to use the new system by her grandson.

Banks were closed from 3.30pm on Wednesday, February 10, 1971 until 10am on Monday, February 15, enabling them to stock up with the new coins.

There was tabloid panic that we’d all go ‘decimal dotty’ – and some did. Fifty Yorkshire children on a school bus were driven off to a police station after they refused to pay 5p for a ticket they had calculated at 3p – the kids proved to be correct.

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Style

How to have

notes

YOUNGER

Exposed to the elements our hands have to work hard for us, making them an age giveaway. Andrew Petrou, Skin Doctors skincare specialist, offers three easy steps on how to rejuvenate them

HANDS day! to

By Michelle Nightingale

D Protect and care

D Exfoliation works on the hands too

Just as you always moisturise your face day and night, treat your hands with the same kindness and they’ll thank you for it. “Apply lashings of a nourishing hand cream to the back of your hands in the morning and every time you wash your hands during the day to help create a protective barrier over the skin,” suggests Andrew. “Choosing a hand cream that contains a SPF of 15 or above is important even in winter to reduce your chance of developing age spots and protect your skin from UV damage.”

Then, for super soft skin apply another dose of moisturiser at bedtime and pop on a pair of cotton gloves to help lock in moisture. Wear warm gloves outside during the cold weather and invest in a pair of latex-free rubber gloves to wear while you’re cleaning or doing the washing up. “Harsh cleaning agents can irritate skin and water can be drying, so these simple actions go a long way in the fight against ageing.”

“The skin on your hands is much thinner than the rest of your body and harsh winds, cold weather and even central heating can all cause your hands to suffer,” says Andrew. It may seem unlikely, but regular exfoliation can work wonders in the quest for youthful mitts. “Exfoliate your hands at least twice a week to remove dead skin cells and promote circulation and they’ll look brighter and smoother.” Go gently though – particularly if you have sensitive skin.

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D Getting to the tip of the problem With all this hand pampering it’s easy to forget your nails, but they can also suffer during the winter months. Neatly polished nails are an easy way to help turn back the clock, but just like when applying your make-up, start with a good base to ensure everything else looks good. To keep your nails conditioned and cuticles soft, apply a cuticle oil regularly and resist the temptation to bite broken nails. A nail strengthener can repair and prevent splitting. Emery boards are gentler on your nails but only file in one direction to avoid weakening the nail. Then smooth out ridges with a nail buffer and apply a clear base coat to prevent staining. Allow to dry thoroughly and apply two coats of your favourite varnish. Try warm neutral shades which look great at this time of year.

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re kit Your ultimate anti-ageing hand-ca s

Skin Doctors Younger Hands Hand Treatment, £29.95/75ml Treat yourself to this intensive cream from Skin Doctors. A bit pricey, but it’s a clever multi-tasker. s

Nubar Nail Lacquer, £8/15ml, in Moire, Taffeta or Marabout Finish your nails with two coats of these gorgeous neutral shades. s

Marks & Spencer Body Formula Age Repair Pro-Collagen Hand Cream SPF 15, £5.00/75ml Restoring and containing pro-vitamin B5, it’s perfect for popping in your handbag.

The Body Shop Moisturising Gloves, £7/one pair lock in moisture while you sleep with these organic cotton gloves.

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e.l.f. Nail Buffer Block, £1.50 Buff your nails to perfection with this four-sided buffing block.

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Nubar Nail Weaver Nail Strengthener, £11.95/15ml Repair broken nails with this paint-on formula that strengthens and protects against further breakages.

Marks & Spencer Body Formula Moisture Boost Intense Night Time Hand Concentrate, £5.00/75ml While you sleep let this cream help regenerate skin with its clever hydration system.

s e.l.f. Nail File Set, £1.50 File into a neat square shape, which is super flattering and practical, too.

StockiStS: e.l.f. 0845 6788 818 www.eyeslipsface.co.uk; Marks & Spencer 0845 302 1234 www.marksandspencer.com; Nubar from the Beauty Shed 0800 252172 www.beautyshed.co.uk; Skin Doctors 0845 612 2070 www.skindoctors.co.uk; the Body Shop 0800 092 9090 www.thebodyshop.co.uk; Vie at Home 0845 300 8022 www.vieathome.com Details correct at time of going to press YOURS

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Marks & Spencer Nail Care Cuticle Care, £5/11ml massage this oil into dry cuticles and nails and then push them back gently with a cuticle stick.

s

Vie at home Exfoliating Hand Sugar Scrub, £8.50/100ml Gently slough away rough patches to restore younger looking skin.

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Supermarketfash Short of time? Then pick up these fab bargains while you’re doing your weekly shop

PHOTOGRaPHY: RUTH JENkINSON; HaIR aNd makE-UP: SaRaH JaNE GREEN aNd HaNaN TOUHamI; STYlING: daNIEllE ElmES

By Michelle nightingale

f&f at Tesco BesT for…

✤ smart tailored classics ✤ Bargain fifties-style sunglasses ✤ Wardrobe staples in navy and neutral shades

ali wears: fifties-style tailored dress, £20, sizes 8-22; monochrome striped blazer, £25, sizes 8-22; tights, £4, sizes s-l; gem pumps, £12, sizes 3-8, all f&f at Tesco. francine wears: satin blouse, £30, sizes 8-22; waterfall cardigan, £16, sizes 8-22; satin wide-leg trousers, £16, sizes 8-22; moleskin effect shoes, £10, sizes 3-8; bag, £15, all f&f at Tesco.

StockiStS: F&F at tesco 0800 505 555; George at Asda 0500 100 055; tu at Sainsbury’s 0800 636 262. Details correct at time of going to press

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George at asda BesT for…

✤ Pretty tops and flattering blouses ✤ Casual checked shirts ✤ Maxi skirts and dresses ✤ super soft knits and bargain-priced denim

ali wears: Lilac tunic knit, £16, sizes 8-24, Moda; straight-leg jeans, £12.50, sizes 8-24; black pumps, £6, sizes 3-8; jewel pendant necklace, £10, all George at asda.

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Style

shion fixes

notes

Tu at sainsbury’s BesT for…

✤ flattering denim skirts ✤ Basic lightweight knits and T-shirts ✤ Great accessories and jewellery ✤ Comfy casuals

francine wears: Mustard coloured top (sold with necklace), £10, sizes 8-24, Moda; black straight-leg jeans, £12.50, sizes 8-20; leopard print pumps, £6, sizes 3-8; black chain detail bag, £12, all George at asda.

ali wears: Long sleeve striped T-shirt, £6, sizes 10-20; waterfall cardigan, £20, sizes 10-20; grey denim stretch leggings, £18, sizes 10-20; ruffle scarf, £5; black pumps, £6, sizes 3-8; grey pearl ribbon necklace, £5; bangles, £6, all Tu at sainsbury’s. francine wears: Coral T-shirt, £5, sizes 10-20; denim skirt, £16, sizes 10-20; tights, £5 (for three pairs), sizes xs-xl; silver plait belt, £9, sizes s-l; shoes, £10, sizes 3-8; silver ball necklace, £6, all Tu at sainsbury’s.

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Ask us anything… about loving Whether you are in a relationship or hoping to find one, here’s how to make sure that love is definitely in the air

By Laura Bradder The kids may be leaving home, yet many over-50s remain in full-time employment so prioritising life with your partner can still prove difficult.

Here are some tips for that all-important work-life balance: Make every day count.

When your partner has a busy schedule, everyday thoughtful actions will mean more than grand gestures. Kate Moore, writer of the relationship advice book, Roses are Red: A Book for Lovers, suggests: “Prepare thoughtful things to make your lover’s life more comfortable. For example, place their towel on a radiator while they shower, so they can wrap themselves in warm cotton as soon as they step out.”

Relax your routine. If you’re used to running a hectic household, you may have a rigid routine. Try relaxing this a little and make time for each other. Meet for lunch in between work, enjoy a

IN YOUR

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Rekindle your romance at 50, 60 & 70+ weekly date night, or even do the household chores together – it will take half the time and stop you arguing about whose turn it is to wash up!

Live dangerously!

Chemicals given off in the brain when you undertake a risky activity are similar to those released when you fall in love. Get the adrenalin pumping with a visit to a theme

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park or a rally driving experience, and recreate the heady days of your early romance.

Don’t be afraid to date.

Divorce rates in the over-50s have risen fivefold in the past decade*. If you suddenly find yourself single again, try new ways of dating. If you have a group of single friends, look up your local speed dating night. Or, for something more discreet, try internet dating – www. yoursdating.co.uk is a great place to start.

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know?

‘Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction’ – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

It can be difficult to readjust as we hit retirement, and relationships often suffer as a result. So, how do you get past the stumbling blocks?

Revive mutual hobbies.

Now is the time to revive mutual hobbies. “You both probably share a number of interests; they might have been the reason you first met,” says Kate. “Keep those shared passions burning.” If you can’t find common ground, why not take up a new pastime?

Be upfront about your sex life. Older couples often have differing physical needs, and this can cause tension if it isn’t discussed.

Talk openly about what you want, and don’t be afraid to try new ways of being intimate.

If you find talking difficult, try contacting Relate, who can help you address your issues.

(0845 130 4016, www.relate.org.uk) Get flirting! Pamela Stephenson’s chemistry with Strictly dance partner James Jordan showed she’s still sizzling at 60 – and did wonders for her marriage.

“It has fluffed me up a bit,” she said during the show. “Billy’s been paying me more attention.

It gives you an extra bit of

power in your relationship.”** Just make sure you don’t overstep the boundaries – a sprinkling of jealousy can do wonders for a relationship, but both sides need to know that they have nothing to worry about.

Look up old friends. It has never been easier to track down past acquaintances, whether it be on sites like www.friendsreunited. com, through a service like our Where Are You? pages, or a more traditional method such as a school or work reunion. You never know – your schoolgirl crush could be single and looking, too!

IN YOUR

60s

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You’ve made it a long way, but it’s never too late for romance! & BEYOND Find ways to celebrate your relationship and reinvigorate the old routine.

Look after your health.

You need to put energy into a relationship to get the most out of it. Eat a balanced diet and get enough sleep to avoid becoming short-tempered.

Gentle exercise will release endorphins into the body to lift your mood.

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Make the most of your memories. “Whether it was a perfect day, the first time you kissed, or even an awful holiday that you can now laugh about, that shared history is something special,” says Kate. Look through old photo albums, or recreate a special romantic scene.

Take time out. Relationships benefit from breathing space, and you’ll always have things to talk about if you maintain your own hobbies and friendships.

If you’re feeling crowded in the house, designate some space where you can go and not be disturbed, whether it is the shed or the study.

Don’t let yourself feel lonely. As you get older, you may find yourself with a smaller circle of friends, which can be hard for both singles and couples. But recent research found that older people with fewer, more meaningful relationships had lower blood pressure and were less lonely than those who had lots of friends they rarely saw***.

Take the time to nurture the relationships you do have.

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D we have five copies of Roses are Red:

EXTRA A Book for Lovers by kate Moore to give

FoR You

away. Just send your name and address to: Roses are Red giveaway issue 108, Po Box 57, Coates, Peterborough PE7 2FF. Roses are Red: A Book for Lovers by Kate Moore is published by Michael O’Mara Books at £9.99. Readers can also order it for the special price of £7 with free p&p by calling 01903 828503 and quoting Turn over for more advice YRS/RAR (UK mainland only, while stocks last).

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SOURCE: *OFFICE OF NATIONAL STATISTICS 2010; **DAILY MAIL; ***WWW.SCIENCEDAILY.COM. PICS: MASTERFILE; BBC

Did you

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Ask us anything…

about leisure time

30 minuTe ProjecT

Why noT Try...

This cute little feline will brighten up any room, only takes minutes to make and is useful too

After years of your husband regaling you with tales of brilliance at the local golf club you might like to have a go. We asked Today’s Golfer magazine (www.todaysgolfer. co.uk), to show you how to get started.

Make a

Where to start?

you will need:

D Three contrasting fabrics D Thread D Polyester filling pack D 1kg rice or dried beans D 2 buttons for eyes

To make: Using a photocopier, enlarge the template by 200 per cent, so the cat is approx 30cm (11in) tall.

Cut the cat shapes out of the fabrics.

(Cut 2 from main fabric) Embroider the nose and mouth onto the face using black thread. Stitch the face and heart in place on the front cat body and a contrasting coloured thread.

Place the two tail pieces right sides together and sew, leaving a gap at the base (Cut1 from for a small amount of polyester filling. contrasting fabric) Place the front of the cat body right side up on the table. Place the stuffed tail where you’d like it to appear, then flip onto the body (so it appears as a mirror image). Place the back body right side down on top of the tail, then sew, (Cut1 from ensuring you catch the base of the tail contrasting in the seam – leaving a 10cm gap to fabric) (Cut 2 from allow you to turn the cat right side out main fabric) for stuffing.

Fill the base of the cat with the rice or beans, then top up with polyester filling until the cat is firm. Sew the opening closed.

Secure the top of the cat’s tail to the body and add the button eyes.

BODY

FACE

HEART

TAIL

This project is supplied by Hobbycraft. For your nearest stockist call 0800 027 2387 or visit www.hobbycraft.co.uk

YOUR108-61 AUA 30 min project.indd 61

If you have a vague idea of the basics, head to the local pitch ‘n’ putt. These are small, often nine-hole (as opposed to 18-hole) courses costing around £3 for a round – so it won’t break the bank. It’s a great way to build confidence in a fun environment that’s not intimidating. If you enjoy this, the next step is to find your local municipal (council-run) course. A round of golf costs £10-£20 – or ask about lessons (around £20 for 30 minutes).

What you need?

There’s no need to own all your own gear at the start, many golf courses (especially pitch ‘n’ putts) hire clubs. When you do get your own equipment, we recommend getting customfitted. Golf company PING have an absolutely first-class ladies’ range. The custom-fitting process is normally free but be prepared to spend a few hundred pounds for a set of irons (01427 619224; www.ping.com).

D To find your nearest free taster session call 01526 354500 or visit www.getintogolf.co.uk

PIC: GETTY ImAGES

door stop cat Photocopy this template enlarging by 200% (or twice on “A4 to A3” setting)

Golf

Turn over for more advice YOURS

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