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❙ star chat ❙

❝ Why I’ve never fffelt stronger ❞ he prospect of getting up close and personal with Helen Mirren is a daunting one. She’s a national treasure, Dame of the British Empire, the recipient of countless gongs, and, it’s widely acknowledged, one of the sexiest women on the planet. Last but not least, well, she’s the Queen, isn’t she?

“I’m not,” she laughs when we meet. “I’m just an actress.”

There’s no ‘just’ about it. As actresses go, they don’t come much better, more talented or more versatile than Dame Helen Mirren. You only have to check out her career over the past few years to see that, apart from playing Queens Elizabeth the First and Second, she’s starred in the Oscar-nominated Last Station, children’s films Inkheart and National Treasure, the thriller State of Play, and also completed a long run of the play Phaedra at the National Theatre.

She’s now starring as a brothel madam in Love Ranch, a film directed by her American husband Taylor Hackford.

She smiles when his name is mentioned and it’s clear from the way she speaks of her partner of 25 years that he’s a great source of strength to her.

“I have the incredible advantage of having a husband who is both loyal and understanding,” she has said. “In return, I give him back loyalty and understanding, too. We

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couldn’t be married without that. I admire my husband and I think that’s essential. I don’t think you can fall in love with someone just because you admire them. But I don’t think, either, you can fall in love with someone unless you admire them. Taylor is very special and tremendously supportive

of me and my career. He gives me strength and I do the same for him.

“We came together as grownups, professionally formed – I was in my late 30s. He’s proud of my successes and sympathetic when things aren’t successful.

He isn’t romantic, but what I get on the other side is so much better. Loyalty and truthfulness – I’d take those qualities over romantic evenings any time.”

Before Love Ranch, Helen and

‘Taylor isn’t romantic, but what I get is so much better’ Taylor hadn’t worked together since they met in 1985 on the set of White Nights, and Helen’s delighted the film provided an opportunity to work together.

“I so wanted to work with Taylor again,” Helen admitted recently. But she also revealed it was hard at times. “My husband in work mode isn’t the easiest of people, although people adore working with him. Because I have an emotional connection, I’d get upset p if he was shouting g esl e e noe mos teaetm u –m ebnot t, m et m aatt m me, e, b but ut aatt ssomeone omeone eelse. l se.

Psst…

Where does Helen keep all her awards?

“Funny you should ask that – I’m thinking f f goo off having an extension built especially a a safor dr aww w my ww yaa awards! wards!

It’ll be dramatically lit, while all my various acceptance e es eee hpceepespeeches speeches c cofallacourse! cauat cI IaeI ! I actually actually play over and over again on a loop. I’m joking e e that h hTshTis. isT. The The keep them in the attic – the funny, obscure ones, n n anare anfun aun and and more respected ones I have on display. Awards an honour to receive, but it’s much more fun to work.”

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PICS: REX FEATURES, RETNA; YVES SALMON/EYEVINE

By Alison James

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7/6/10 11:13:02

Fabulous

figure-fixing swimwear

We’ve scoured the high street for the best boosting, flattening and shaping swimwear to help you get beach ready this summer

By Michelle Nightingale

1

2 Best for tummy control

Best for small boobs

Our model wears

PHOTOGRaPHY: xxxx

Tummy and bust support swimsuit, £29.50, sizes 8-24, Shaping Solutions at Marks & Spencer; print tunic, £22, sizes 8-18, Next; sunglasses, £15 and beaded toe-post sandals, £30, sizes 3-8, both Accessorize; Panama straw hat, £13, La Redoute; earrings, £8, Allusions at Bhs; beach bag, £4, Matalan

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Best for hiding hips

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Style notes

Best for body shape

5

Best for small boobs

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9 7

Best if you’re curvy

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Best for control and support

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Best for tummy control

Best for big boobs

Best for mastectomy

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Best for hiding hips

1Pink tummy support tankini, top, £22, briefs, £15, both sizes 8-22, Marks & Spencer; 2 Turquoise gathered bust halterneck costume, £29.50, sizes 8-24, Marks & Spencer; 3 Pink floral print support low-cut costume, £25, sizes10-22, Bhs; 4 Pink inner bra support costume, £100, sizes B-G cup, Speedo Sculpture ShapeLine; 5 Black and white swirl print padded bikini, £7, sizes 8-20, Primark; 6 Blue floral print tummy control wrap costume, £25, sizes10-22, Bhs; 7 Black and white polka dot costume, £27, sizes14-32, Evans; 8 Pink floral print tankini, £39, bust sizes 34-44, Nicola Jane; 9 Turquoise and white floral print underwired bikini; top, £22, sizes 30A-38D; briefs, £16, sizes 10-18, Triumph;10 Red gathered front costume, £122, sizes12-26, Simply Yours;11Leopard print low-cut costume, £25, sizes 6-22, Next. STOCKISTS:

Accessorize 0844 811 0068; Bhs 0845 196 0000; Evans 0845 121 4516; La Redoute 0844 842 2222; Marks & Spencer 0845 302 1234; Matalan 0845 330 3330; Next 0844 844 8939; Nicola Jane 0845 095 2121; Primark 0118 960 6300; Simply Yours 0871 231 2000; Speedo 0845 850 8582; Triumph 0845 720 300 YOURS

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PHOTOGRaPHER: RUTH JENKINSON; STYLIST: DaNIELLE ELMES; HaIR aND MaKE-UP: OLIVIa FERRER aND HaNaN TOUHaMI.

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Ask us anything… about moneyspinners

7

ways to...

make extra money We’ve come up with W ssome clever ways of putting a few extra p pennies in your pocket p

By Sheena Correa B At times we all need extra help A with the finances. With these w aw ways a of getting extra cash, oy you’ll o be able to ride out the ttough ou times with ease…

t from being snappy 1Profi

Budding B ud photographers can lu upload plo their digital photos to photo bb llibrary ibra websites and earn royalties rffor oar each ea one sold. Downsides u ul l ul ciinclude nclud ten per cent of the sale c cp price ci rice going to the website, and n etthe he need ne to advertise elsewhere d d d d otto od drum r up demand. However, tit’s its’smmoney m for pictures that o would wo otherwise just be ti sitting sit on your computer so fifif you y have a collection of ci niche nic photographs, or take a particularly pa stunning shots, oyou you could make a few quid. ✤ o How Ho much? At Photobox (www.photobox.co.uk) (www you can i i di cdecide decide the retail price of your t ts ot photos p ohotos giving g you the freedom to t thta tdsjust tthe he profit margin in line with adjust nn ne e t nd efirf ferenrt p different print sizes.

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ket

KNOW?

Eminent British personalities were first featured on the back of banknotes in 1970. www.bankofengland.co.uk

2Mind the baby

Return to an occupation that earned you pocket money in your teens by becoming a babysitter. Parents prefer a responsible adult rather than an inexperienced teenager to look after their offspring. Be prepared for the occasional stroppy child, and perhaps build up your track record and reliability by babysitting for family and close neighbours to start with. ✤ How much? Adult babysitters charge up to £8 per hour, but you’ll need to build a good reputation to command this.

in your old phones 3Cash

If you’ve got an old mobile phone in your drawer there are companies that are happy to take them off your hands in return for money. ✤ How much? Depending on the make, you could get as much as £160. To find the top payer online visit (http://mobilevaluer. com). Non-internet options include Tesco Mobile, which exchange phones for Green Clubcard points (0845 301 4455) or find out about the Post Office’s ‘Simply Drop’ service.

Become a multinational household

4

If you have a spare room get in touch with local secondary schools or language colleges about providing accommodation for exchange students. You’ll need to go through a vetting process but can dictate the frequency and length of stay. ✤ How much? Depending on the level of accommodation, you can expect to earn upwards of £80 per week, per student.

silence is golden 5Where

Why not attend an exam, without the revision or nerves, and get paid for it?! During exam periods, many secondary schools, colleges and universities have a shortage of exam invigilators so if you’re a born day-dreamer who likes nothing better than silence, this could be a good way to earn extra cash. Enquire at local institutions and temping agencies. ✤ How much? On average, expect roughly between £6.50£8 per hour.

your craft skills with beginners 7Share

If you’re an arts or crafts wiz, why not pass on your skills to others? By advertising locally, you’ll get a group of like-minded folk willing to pay for your knowledge. You can hire a hall or classroom or host it in your front room (you’ll need Public Liability Insurance for protection in the event of accidents). ✤ How much? As you need to pay for all materials, remember to take this into consideration. A good starting price would be £8-£10 for a two-hour session.

6Beneficial checks

There are a surprising number of benefits for the over 50s. Work out what you’re entitled to with the handy little benefits calculator at Turn2us (www.entitledto.co.uk) or ring their confidential and free helpline on 0808 802 2000. ✤ How much? By checking your entitlements to state pension, various occupational pensions and other state benefits, you could find yourself thousands of pounds better off.

✤ For more ideas to make extra money visit www.moneysavingexpert.com/ family/make-money

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Did you

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y Happy strap strap daysy y

Your winning childhood mem We reveal the talented readers who sent us their joyful, sad and frequently funny recollections of being young and innocent hen we asked you to relive your childhood memories for our writing competition back in February, we were amazed by the response. From around 700 entries, author Gervase Phinn had the unenviable task of choosing the winner – and here it is! Sandra Reardon’s story won her £100 and the chance to be published in Yours. All your anecdotes were a joy to read and lots of you said you were inspired to continue compiling your memories. Thanks to everyone who entered.

W

A Day at the Beach

by Sandra Reardon (60), Powys, Wales “

andy!” my mother’s voice trilled somewhere in the distance. “Come and get a sandwich.”

No way, not even if my skin turned to rubber and my face turned bright scarlet in the sunshine. I was not getting out of that water until the beach was empty – not with that drooping disaster I had sliding down my body.

It was the Fifties and my mother had knitted me a swimsuit.

“Look what I’ve made you,” she said one day, holding up a beautiful, green swimsuit. My nine-year-old eyes shone with delight. I couldn’t wait to wear it.

So come the first hot day, my mother said: “Put on your new swimsuit and we’ll go down to the beach. The Mitchells are coming, too.”

The Mitchells were our neighbours and Sheila Mitchell was my friend. We packed some meat

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paste sandwiches and a bottle of lemonade and set off for the beach. Once there, my mother and Mrs Mitchell set up camp, A fully dressed fussing around with towels and Sandra with her younger sisters a rather gaudy sunshade. Sheila and I undressed quickly and ran into the rippling waves. The cool water sent shivers up and down my body, but it was a relief after the hot sun. We splashed around and swam for a while.

Suddenly, I felt a tugging sensation around my shoulders. I was horrified – my swimsuit was slowly disappearing down my body.

I couldn’t possibly get out of the water with all those people on the beach. I would be a laughing stock.

“Sandy, let’s go and get a sandwich,” said Sheila,

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y Happy days y

emories

Gervase’s verdict The standard of these competition entries was so high that I found it very difficult to choose a winner. Many of the stories, carefully crafted, entertaining and full of amusing and sometimes poignant incidents, reminded me of my own childhood – swimming in the sea at Blackpool, feeding the chickens at Archer’s Farm, sultry summer days and cold winter nights, going to church, and my first date, who wore a pink knitted

cardigan, ankle socks and sensible shoes.

In the end I have decided upon A Day at the Beach. The picture Sandra paints of being afraid to come out of the sea, the significant details she uses and the lively dialogue all make it a splendid account.

D Gervase’s account of his own childhood memories, A Road to the Dales, is out now. For help and advice on your own writing, visit www.bookbite.org.uk YOURS

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swimming towards me.

‘I can’t!” I spluttered.

“Why not?”

“Look!” I said pointing to the disappearing swimsuit.

Sheila started laughing.

“I’ll go and get a towel. You make your way up to the water’s edge.’

I yanked the offending garment up my body and then made my way slowly out of the water. Sheila was waiting with the towel.

“Oh, there you are,” said my sunburned mother, as we got near.

I glared at her, “This swimsuit stretches in water!”

“Oh dear, does it? Let me see.”

“No!” I almost screamed,” I’m going to get changed.”

Afterwards, my mother picked up the soggy bundle, sighing as she wrapped it up in my towel.

“I didn’t realise wool would absorb so much water,” she said.

My mother wouldn’t have won any prizes for scientific knowledge, bless her.

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Cooking for you

Our regular recipe round-up to suit your busy lifestyle

Spicy Sausage Rice

Cooking FoR onE

Turn those leftover sausages into a colourful and nutritious dinner in less time than it takes to watch Corrie

Per serving 295 cals Fat 12.5g Sat Fat 5.2g

Preparation time: 5 mins Cooking time: 25 mins • 1⁄2 small onion, chopped • 1⁄2 red pepper, diced • 1⁄2 tbsp olive oil • 75g (3oz) basmati rice • 150ml (6fl oz) hot vegetable or chicken stock • 2 cooked sausages, sliced • 50g (2oz) fresh salsa dip • large handful of parsley, roughly chopped 1 In a medium saucepan, sauté the onion and pepper in the oil until tender. Stir in the rice and stock and bring to the boil. Cover and gently simmer for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender.

2 Stir in the sausages and salsa and simmer uncovered over a medium heat for a further 5 minutes, or until hot. Sprinkle with the parsley and serve immediately.

Recipe: © love dips, www.lovedips.co.uk

ToP TiP: Why not make double and enjoy the cold leftovers for lunch the following day?

British Asparagus and Cheese Brunch Muffins The British asparagus season is short and sweet: make the most of it with this modern twist on a classic combination

COmpIlEd bY SHEENa CORREa

Preparation time: 15 mins Cooking time: 25-30 mins • 12 spears of British asparagus • 400g (16oz) self-raising flour • 200g (8oz) Cheddar cheese, cubed • 125g (5oz) butter, melted • 1 small bunch of fresh chives, finely chopped • 150ml (6fl oz) milk • 100ml (4fl oz) plain yogurt • 1tsp English mustard • 2 eggs

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YOUR091-84-85 Cookery .indd 84

Makes 12 Per serving 279 cals Fat 16g Sat Fat 9.5g

1 preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas mark 6 and line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cases.

2 Cut the asparagus stems into 1cm (1⁄2in) pieces, leaving the tips a bit longer. blanch in boiling water for a couple of minutes, before draining and plunging into cold water. Set aside the tips.

3 In a large bowl, combine the flour and cheese.

4 Take a jug and add the melted butter. Stir in the chives, milk, yogurt, mustard and eggs. mix well until combined and season generously.

5 Gently fold this liquid mixture into the cheese and flour, stopping as soon as everything is combined. divide the mixture evenly between the muffin cases and push an asparagus tip into the middle of each. bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve immediately, spread with a bit of cold butter.

Recipe: © British Asparagus, www.british-asparagus.co.uk

MAkE iT SEASonAL

ToP TiP: These will keep for up to three days in an airtight container

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Baileys Chocolate Raspberry Torte indulge in a summer fruit dessert ďŹ&#x201A;avoured with Baileys â&#x20AC;&#x201C; perfect for those with a sweet tooth Serves 8 Per serving 206 cals Fat 12g Sat Fat 6.5g

Preparation time: 30 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes

Why wait till Friday?

â&#x20AC;˘ 1â &#x201E;2 tsp vegetable oil â&#x20AC;˘ 3 medium eggs â&#x20AC;˘ 75g (3oz) golden caster sugar â&#x20AC;˘ 50g (2oz) plain ďŹ&#x201A;our â&#x20AC;˘ 25g (1oz) cocoa powder â&#x20AC;˘ 180ml (7ďŹ&#x201A; oz) pot Baileys Extra Thick Cream â&#x20AC;&#x201C; original irish Cream ďŹ&#x201A;avour â&#x20AC;˘ 225g (9oz) raspberries â&#x20AC;˘ a few mint leaves, chopped â&#x20AC;˘ icing sugar, for sprinkling

Fish is good for you! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s becoming easier to ďŹ t in the two recommended portions we should be getting a week with the variety on offer in most supermarkets and ďŹ shmongers. Fish pie is a great staple winter dish but as the evenings become lighter for longer, why not enjoy mackerel or salmon on the barbecue? Simply wrap in foil with some butter and lemon juice â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it tastes divine with potato salad.

1 preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/ Gas mark 5. lightly grease a 23cm (9in) loose-bottomed circular cake tin with the vegetable oil and line the base with a circle of non-stick baking parchment or greaseproof paper.

2 Using a hand-held whisk, combine the eggs and sugar together until pale, thick and very airy. This will take about 5 minutes. Then sift in the ďŹ&#x201A;our and cocoa powder and fold in gently, using a large ToP TiP metal spoon, until just if you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ďŹ nd blended. Tip into the the Baileys Extra prepared cake tin and Thick Cream, mix 2-3 level the top. tablespoons of Baileyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 3 bake for 15-20 liqueur into plain minutes, or until the extra thick cream top springs back when pressed lightly. Cool on a instead wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove from the tin and peel away

Tried & tasted Tesco organic ginger oat crunch biscuits, 200g/21p Fiddly to open.

A good crunchy 2 biscuit 5 and you can taste the ginger, but it left a strange soapy aftertaste in my mouth. Couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t detect the oats but these were a very good price.

WHY noT TRY...?

the lining paper. leave to cool completely.

4 Spread the baileys Extra Thick Cream over the surface of the cooled cake and arrange the raspberries on top. decorate with the mint leaves and dust over with icing sugar, if using.

Recipe: Š baileys Extra Thick Cream

gingER oAT BiSCUiTS nairnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Stem ginger oat Past Times oscar Wilde Biscuits, 200g/ÂŁ1.12 tin with Stem ginger 5 These 5 oat Biscuits, come in 150g/ÂŁ5 smaller snack-size BEST packets oF THE for storing.

BUnCH A nice crisp biscuit with a spicy gingery hit.

The oats arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t too sweet either.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m converted and will be buying these from now on.

Gorgeous tin and the biscuits were very moreish! Not a strong ginger taste but they did taste 3 5 rather treacly so no complaints! Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d buy them as a present for friends.

Salmon Fillet in Mint Butter Sauce (above) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a succulent salmon ďŹ llet with a refreshing mintbutter sauce with boiled potatoes, broccoli, carrots and pea purĂŠe.

Fishermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pie (right) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a smoked haddock and white ďŹ sh pie, topped with mashed potato and served with carrots and peas.

These and many other delicious dishes could be delivered to your door by Wiltshire Farm Foods.

To request a FREE 70-page menu simply call 0800 773 773 or visit www.wiltshirefarmfoods.com to see the full range of meals available.

What to eat now! Essential foods for 50+ women â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is the new guide produced in association with Wiltshire Farm Foods. For your free copy call 0800 773 773 or write to: Wiltshire Farm m Foods, Freepost admail adm3619, Trowbridge, Wiltshire ba14 8ZY.

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Tested by: Susan Brazier (54), Cambridge

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â&#x153;¤ Would you like to do a taste test? please write to Sheena Correa at the address on meeting place or email sheena.correa@bauermedia.co.uk YOURS

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Garden clippings This fortnight the Yours gardener, Geof f Stebbings, says not all weeds are all bad ometimes gardening seems to be nothing much more than a battle with weeds. As soon as one lot has been deported to the compost heap, another batch is ready to take over any bare patch of soil.

But not all weeds are all bad.

While it’s hard to say much good about Japanese knotweed (apart from the fact that it is edible) or ground elder (again edible) or bindweed (the flowers are pretty), some weeds ought to be more highly valued.

I have heard that this is an exceptional year for dandelions, which to my mind is good because the benefits are endless. The flowers make wine, the roots can be used for ‘coffee’ and the leaves are good in salads. The flowers are, of course, self-pollinating, otherwise I am sure plant breeders would have produced white and orange ones by now!

Chickweed is another horror that often threatens to engulf bedding plants at this time of year, but this is one of the tastiest plants

PICS: GETTY IMAGES; ALAMY

S

It’s been a bumper year for dandelions

you can grow. Just chop it off, wash well and eat as a salad – it tastes like mangetout peas.

And then we come to nettles.

The white and red deadnettles are not really edible but their early flowers are so beneficial to bees that it seems mean not to let a few escape the hoe.

Stinging nettles are another matter. The great clumps are impossible to ignore but then you get the sneaky one that you don’t notice until you are pulling up something else and it stings you! Nettles are truly nice to eat in spring – plus they’re free and good for you. Their culinary uses diminish by summer, but they are then food for caterpillars and, because they attract aphids, are good for ladybirds.

Of course, the distinction between a wild flower and a weed is rather blurred. Primroses are wild flowers rather than weeds whereas buttercups I would prefer

How to control weeds

✤ Hoeing – best for annual weeds such as groundsel and chickweed. Hoe on dry, windy days so the weeds shrivel quickly. ✤ Hand weeding – good for large annual weeds such as thistles. ✤ Weedkiller – Glyphosate is best for deep-rooted and invasive perennial weeds such as bindweed and ground elder.

Geoff has been gardening since the age of seven and has three allotments and a small garden, crammed with plants.

This week I’ll be...

✤ Lifting tulips – they’re late to flower and die down this year. Dry off s. naturally and save the biggest bulb the – tles bee lily for ng ✤ Watchi cold winter didn’t kill off these bright red, exotic pests. Pick them off and squash them. ly ✤ Watering my veg – keep all new to d ere wat les etab veg er planted tend . hed blis esta get help them ✤ Sowing some beans – there’s still ns time to sow runner and French bea . crop for a late

to see in next door’s plot rather than mine!

And then there is mare’s tail. Although this weed has a strangely elegant form and it can be used as a pan scourer, I am glad that I don’t have it – yet.

Roses

✤ DON’T MISS GARDEN NEWS ON JUNE 15 – you’ll get two magazines for fo the price of one! Get your yo copy of Carol Klein’s Cottage C Garden Magazine free fr inside Garden News for fo everything you need oto to know to create a gorgeous g cottage garden g this summer.

SR U

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