❙ star talk ❙
‘What we’d love for C If a fairy godmother suddenly appeared before our favourite celebrities this Christmas, what would they wish for? Yours asked them s the old song goes, when you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are… And hearing what our favourite celebrities crave most of all this Christmas, it is easy to believe. Just like the rest of us, they value being with family and friends more than extravagant gifts or anything else at this special time of year. Read on for what they’d all want if given one personal wish from a wand-wielding fairy godmother…
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Yours columnist Lynda Bellingham (63) who is appearing as Cinderella’s fairy godmother in panto in Birmingham this Christmas, is also thinking of her family: “My one wish is that all my children and stepchildren (sons Michael, 28; Robbie, 23; stepson Brad,22, and stepdaughter Stacey,28) could have their own homes. It is so hard these days for them to get on the first rung of the property ladder. When I think back to all the difficult things that have happened to me in my life, my home was always my haven. Even in some of my worst moments I had a little flat or bedsit that I could call my own. I know how important it is to have a secure roof over your head so if I could leave them that legacy, I’d be happy.”
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Merry Christmas from YOURS
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Gloria Hunniford (71), who lost her beloved only daughter Caron seven years ago, says: “I’d have to wish for a big family reunion. Obviously at Christmas you miss all your loved ones that are no longer here so much. I have so many different memories of spending Christmas with my parents and sister and all our children. I’d love to see Caron again sitting round the kitchen table again with both my parents. If only I could wave that big magic wand” Yours columnist Roy Hudd (75): “I’d wish that all the killjoys in the world would be proved wrong and that there really is a Father Christmas and that he visited ancient children, like me, too!”
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Corrie’s Anne Kirkbride (57), perhaps with the troubled Yuletide her on screen Barlow family can expect in the back of her mind, says: “My only wish at Christmas is just that everyone is well; nobody is having a major trauma and everyone’s reasonably happy. I hope there are no big horrible calamities - not just for me personally but for everyone worldwide. It might sound a bit corny but I really mean it.”
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Actress and busy gran Anita Dobson (62) : “ My wish is that the family manage to get together at some point over Christmas. Family Christmases are always quite difficult because everybody has grown up and got their own kids now so it’s even more difficult to gather everyone together – it can be like marshalling an army! I’m sure it will be some sort of family get-together. We’ll probably go and see a Christmas show or something in the West End – something the grandchildren will like. One of them wants to see The Snowman, which we did a few years ago and it seemed to be a good way to get everyone together, but without that thing of wondering what to do after dinner!’
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Actress Sheila Hancock (78), thinking of underprivileged children, says: “That all the kids at Kids Company, a charity I’m involved with, have a very happy Christmas. I usually spend some time with them at Christmas. The charity provides practical, emotional and educational help to vulnerable inner city children and every year we have a very big party with everyone. I take it in turns with my family. One year I’m with them and the next year they spend Christmas with in-laws while I’m with Kids Company. As I was with the kids all day last year, I’ll drop in to see them all and then be with the family for a traditional family at home.” Daybreak’s Lorraine Kelly (52), reflecting on the tough economic times, says: “I would wish everyone to have a happy stress free Christmas and to realise that it is all about spending time with your family and friends and not about buying expensive gifts and getting yourself into debt.”
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Dancing queen Arlene Phillips (68): “A worldwide cure for cancer that seems to be devastating so many friends and families.”
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Emmerdale and The Bill’s Trudie Goodwin (50): “I’m wishing that it snows! You instantly feel Christmassy when there’s snow on the ground. My other wish is probably the same as everyone else – to be at home with my family and have a lovely time.” Virginia McKenna (80) OBE, founder and trustee of the Born Free Foundation: “My Christmas wish is that the final days of 2011 confirm the ending of incarcerating wild animals in circuses. That would be a gift worth having, and I know thousands of people will agree with me.” Singer Lulu (63) says: “I’d like to do one more dance on Strictly Come Dancing and get 10 pointsfrom each judge, ha ha! Seriously – my Christmas wishes are already coming true as I am spending the holiday season with my beautiful granddaughter, Isabella.” One Show presenter Alex Jones (34): “This Christmas I’m going back to Wales to see my family and then I’m going to New Zealand with my partner to see his family. I don’t really have any specific wishes for Christmas – all my wishes have kind of come true over the course of the year.” Merry Christmas from YOURS
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BY ALISON JAMES, CAROLE RICHARDSON AND CLAIRE WILLIAMS PICS: REX FEATURES; ITV; BBC; CLAIRE WOOD; BRIAN ARIS; SVEN ARNSTEIN; PAUL MITHCELL; NEIL MACKENZIE MATTHEWS
r Chr stmas’
Actress Pauline Quirke (52) says: “My wish for Christmas? Well obviously the big stuff like world peace but for myself I just want to have a traditional Christmas at home with my husband, Steve, and children, Emily and Charlie. They’re grown up now but they still love Christmas.”
Best buy Air Wick’s new Christmas Touch of Luxury Colour Changing Candle (rrp £6.12) combines festive fragrances including mulled wine and cinnamon apple with a colour-changing light effect. Sign up at www.airwick.co.uk to get a ‘£1 off’ coupon.
EXTRA We have ten candles
FOR YOU
to give away. Send your details on a postcard marked Yours/Air Wick to PO Box 57, Coates, Peterborough PE7 2FF by December 13. If you
| IT’S A FACT | Winter is statistically the peak season for pet health complaints with 37 per cent of owners reporting vet visits. Veterinary treatment isn’t cheap, so pet owners should put aside money each month or take out insurance to avoid unexpected bills. Source: The Co-operative Pet Insurance
do not wish to be contacted in the future by Yours, write ‘No Further Contact’ clearly on the postcard.
Watching the | DID YOU KNOW? Women spend on average £876 a year on their spouse or partner including birthdays, Christmas and anniversary gifts, restaurants and outings. Source: Santander
pennies pe
BUDGET BEATERS Lovethelinks is offering Yours readers an exclusive 15 per cent off its jewellery range (prices from just £15.15). Call 01908 285490 quoting ‘Yours15’ or visit www.lovethelinks. com before December 13.
How to... protect your festive purchases A few big name retailers have shut up shop during 2011 and it’s likely more will follow, here’s how to make sure you don’t lose out if things go wrong. ✤ Pay for anything over £100 with a credit card as the Consumer Credit Act means your card issuer must 60
Merry Christmas from YOURS
refund you if the supplier goes bust. ✤ If the deposit or item is less than £100 then pay by debit card as customers are usually protected by the Chargeback scheme. But, rules vary between card and providers, so check before buying.
Yours cash saver Pop to Tesco stores for indulgent chocolate savers including the new Finest Salted Caramel Selection (180g) and Finest Marc de Champagne Truffles (170g) 2 for £8 (usually £5 each), and The Collection (300g) for half price at £3 – perfect for dinner parties or family get-togethers. Offer ends December 25, so stock up now!
Ask Michael...
The Yours money expert Michael Wilson answers your questions
Eight out of ten of us regularly donate to charity; 33 per cent at least once a month. But few of us would approach a charity should we be in need
GREENWATCH Electric blankets are not only cosy, they’re cheap to run. Using the most energy-efficient blanket for two hours a day, every day for half a year at its maximum setting would cost just £2.19, according to Which? The Homefront Divine Comfort (ACHNWD £54) came out on top in the recent tests. Ideally, get your blanket checked once a year. Your local authority may do this, if not, contact the manufacturer or a qualified electrician.
Cash in the attic
Santa Claus is the most often depicted festive figure and is known as a ‘belsnickle’ after the German figure, Pelze Nichol, which literally means ‘Nicholas dressed in fur’. The jolly, bearded figure we know today became common from the 1880s. Images of Santa Claus were further popularised by Haddon Sundblom’s Coca-Cola adverts in the Thirties. In spite of popular belief, Coca-Cola was not the first to depict Santa wearing red and white. Figures of Santa in mint condition figures now command a premium and the same goes for moulded plastic memorabilia from the Fifties and Sixties, which can fetch up to £150. This rare German Santa was manufactured in the Twenties.
£2,000£3,000
Turn the page for more advice Merry Christmas from YOURS
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PICS: CORBIS AND GETTY IMAGES. WORDS: SARAH JAGGER
| IT’S A FACT |
Source: Giveasyoulive.com
I have an eight-year-old grandchild and wonder if I should set some money aside to help with university fees. Can you recommend a suitable scheme? Michael says: Parents and grandparents are certainly very concerned about the cost of university education these days. Bear in mind, though, that graduates do not have to start repaying their student loans until they are earning at a reasonable level – currently £21,000 for students starting university in September 2012. I think it would have helped everyone if the government had simply introduced a graduate tax rather than saddling graduates with large debts. Because repayments do not start until a reasonable salary is reached, many families are content to let the students manage their own financial affairs. But if you do decide to help, I suggest you keep it as simple as possible. I doubt you would want to arrange anything in your grandchild’s own name, because they would have access to the funds when they are 18, which would be too soon if you want to make sure the money is used wisely. If you are not already using your ISA allowance each year, you could use this as a way of saving – and then you can decide exactly how to use the money when the time comes. Alternatively, look at the new Post Office inflation-linked bond. Call 0800 169 7500 or visit www.postoffice.co.uk/savings
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Save or s
FOOD F
notes
News, tips, recipes…
Compiled by Sheena Correa
SAVE ✤ Gregg’s fresh mince pies
30p each or six for £1.40
We tested the best of the basic brands and luxury versions of yuletide food and drink to help you decide which really are worth splashing out on… Fresh mince pies
We all agreed the Gregg’s mince pies were superb value. The pastry was crumbly and fresh, and the mincemeat had a wonderful spiced flavour. If you haven’t had time to make your own, these are a great purse-friendly cheat! Betty’s mince pies looked absolutely divine and, eaten warm, the rich mincemeat flavours are second to none. ✤ Betty’s classic mince pies Although rather pricey, we felt the quality made up for this. 12 for £9 We’d be happy to serve either of these, so just go for the (01423 814008, www.bettys.co.uk) ones that suit your budget.
SPLURGE
Cranberry sauce The Tesco cranberry sauce was pleasingly full-flavoured and we’d have never guessed it was one of the cheapest on trial. It wasn’t too sweet and would be just perfect for roast chicken or turkey. Check out the ‘Cheat your way to Christmas’ tips on pages 90 and 91 to find out how to enhance this sauce even more. The Ocean Spray sauce had lovely whole cranberries and you could tell this was of a higher quality. However, we found this rather sweet so use it sparingly.
SAVE
SPLURGE
✤ Tesco cranberry sauce, 400g
✤ Ocean Spray cranberry wholeberry sauce, 250g
£1.37
£1.49
Crisps
SPLURGE
SAVE ✤ Lidl vintage Cheddar and red onion chutney,150g
✤ Tyrrells sour cream and roasted garlic,150g
89p
£1.89
Lidl proved great value for money – we’d have paid more. The flavours really came through and left no lingering cheesy after-taste. If you’re having lots of people around, these are a great low-cost option. The Tyrrells special edition combination of sour cream and garlic works really well, the subtle flavours would be tasty with houmous or salsa dips. Although pricier, the quality was reflected in this. Both varieties are on our shopping lists for this year’s festivities, that’s for sure!
Our pick of the top five budget bottles of fizz for your Christmas breakfast... ✤ Lidl Prosecco Treviso DOC Frizzante 2010, 75cl,
£5.99 Bargain prosecco!
✤ Marks & Spencer Extra Dry Prosecco, 75cl,
✤ Morrisons Cava Rosé Brut, 75cl,
✤ Sainsbury’s Cava Brut, 75cl,
£6.79
£4.56
£9.49
Best rosé cava!
✤ Tesco Cava Brut, 75cl,
£4.49
r splurge CHRISTMAS
SPECIAL
SAVE
SPLURGE
✤ Morrisons luxury medium stuffed and wrapped crown, 1.8-2.9kg
✤ Waitrose organic-free range bronze-feathered turkey crown,1.3-1.89kg
around £8.99/kg
£18.49/kg
Turkey crown Morrisons turkey crown looked as though it would cost a lot more and feeds between five to eight people, so proved good value for money. The meat was juicy and flavoursome, thanks to the bacon wrapping. For an extra special meal, we couldn’t fault the plain Waitrose organic turkey crown. It comes in a roasting bag to ensure it remains moist by cooking in its own juices. It feeds four generous servings, with leftovers for the tastiest Boxing Day turkey sandwiches ever.
Surprisingly
tasty
Sage and onion stuffing
SAVE
SPLURGE
✤ Tesco Value sage and onion stuffing mix, 85g
✤ Tesco Finest sage and three onion stuffing,150g
15p
£1.62
For 15p you can’t argue with the value of the Tesco basic stuffing mix, great if you’re feeding the 5,000 this Christmas. The slightly rubbery quality made it easier to roll into balls. The flavour of the herbs was impressively strong, considering the price and to enhance the taste even more, we’d recommend adding a knob of butter. The Tesco Finest variety looked and tasted very similar to homemade stuffing. It had a very light texture and melted in your mouth. Worth it if you are out to impress.
Become a wine connoisseur this Christmas Here is a cheat’s guide to understanding what type of wine to put on your festive dining table… ROAST BEEF ✤ Syrah or Shiraz, full of spicy plummy fruit ✤ Cabernet Sauvignon, with aromas of toasty blackcurrants and black cherries
ROAST TURKEY OR CHICKEN ✤ A buttery oaked Chardonnay, with citrus, stone fruits and vanilla flavours from the oak ✤ A pale Pinot Noir, with aromas of cherries and raspberries
CHEESE WINE ✤ A sweet chilled Jurancon (from the Pyrenees region of France) is bursting with aromas of apricots, pineapples and honey.
Melanie Reeve is a wine expert at Vinopolis (0207 940 3000, www. vinopolis. co.uk)
Merry Christmas from YOURS
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0 1 BEST... of the
Winter walks By Sheena Correa
✤ Witley Court WORCESTERSHIRE The stunning ornamental walks and woodland glades of Witley are a wonder to behold at this time of year. Don’t forget to visit the recently restored East Parterre, which includes new authentic topiary and bedding displays. Visit www.english-heritage.org. uk or call 0870 333 1181 for information.
FUN FOR THE GRAND KIDS
✤ Brodsworth Hall
SOUTH YORKSHIRE The extensive gardens are ideal for a frosty outing. Enjoy the evergreens and Victorian hollies, which come into their own at this time of year. Visit www.englishheritage.org.uk or call 0870 333 1181 for information.
✤ Mount Stewart
✤ Osterley Park LONDON Osterley Park’s three long lakes and formal gardens combine for a rather serene and stunning landscape, which stretches over 350 acres – perfect for a relaxing stroll. Remember to wrap up warm! Download a walk from www. nationaltrust.org.uk/walks or call 020 8232 5050 for information. 92
Merry Christmas from YOURS
COUNTY DOWN Take a stroll around the once World Heritage Site-nominated gardens, which reflect the seasonal changes brilliantly. If the weather gets too biting, end your walk in the cosy restaurant for some hot food made from fresh local ingredients. You can download a walk from www.national trust.org.uk/ walks or call 028 4278 8387 for information.
✤ Longshaw Estate
✤ Battle Abbey
DERBYSHIRE Take a stroll along the Burbage Brook, with its tumbling stream and undulating meadows – which look even better topped with a layer of fresh, winter wonderland snow. For information, call 01433 637904 or visit www. nationaltrust.org.uk
EAST SUSSEX The atmospheric abbey ruins provide the perfect backdrop for a walk on a cold winter’s day. You can even stand on the very spot where King Harold is said to have died. Visit www.english-heritage.org.uk or call 0870 333 1181 for information.
GREAT CAKE STOP!
✤ Hardcastle Crags
✤ Blea Tarn CUMBRIA
✤ Wrest Park
This set walk offers a great opportunity to get out into the fells safely, while indulging in great views of Lingmoor and the surrounding countryside. It’s a short, leisurely stroll, although walking boots are recommended. Download the walk from www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks or call the Ambleside tourist information office on 0844 225 0544 for information.
BEDFORDSHIRE Wrest Park is still one of Britain’s hidden gems so put on those thermals and get exploring the stunning winter scenery within the wooded walks and along the peaceful canals. Visit www.english-heritage. org.uk or call 0870 333 1181 for information.
PICS: © ENGLISH HERITAGE PHOTO LIBRARY; NTPL/RUPERT TRUMAN; CORBIS; ALAMY
WEST YORKSHIRE There’s an invigorating walk that takes you through the valleys and woodlands of Hardcastle Crags, near Hebden Bridge. All that exercise will work up an appetite, so stop halfway at the Muddy Boots Café at Gibson Mill for hot drinks and great cakes! Download the walk from www.national trust.org.uk/walks or call 01422 844518
✤ Belsay Hall NORTHUMBERLAND The vast gardens at Belsay come alive in the winter, with the spectacular rhododendron flowers and frosted spiders’ webs framing the topiary in the Yew Garden. Visit www.english-heritage.org.uk or call 0870 333 1181 for information. Merry Christmas from YOURS
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Treat yourself to the perfect Christmas party dress with this exclusive discount offer he countdown to Christmas has begun and Yours has teamed up with Bonmarché to make sure you sparkle this Christmas season with an exclusive 20 per cent discount. The new Christmas collection is in-store and online now and caters perfectly for mature women who love to look good – confident in their own style with an eye for quality at great prices. With a fantastic choice of glitzy party dresses, elegant skirts, fabulous tunics and stunning blouses and tops, you’re sure to find something to flatter whatever your shape or size. To enjoy this exclusive discount and get yourself your perfect Christmas outfit, simply complete the form and take this page to your nearest Bonmarché, shop online at www.bonmarche. co.uk or order by phone on
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